Sneak Peak...

I'm lucky to live with two girls who love the Christmas season as much as I do. Prior to Thanksgiving, we started to decorate our apartment with everything we could that wasn't too Christmassy. The Sunday after Thanksgiving we picked up a beautiful tree from a few blocks away, that we promptly set up and decorated. I want to take some quality pictures to give our apartment justice of our DIY crafting and decorating skills, but here are a few...

 With our tree!!! She's gorgeous and about 6 ft tall. Go big or go home!

 Amy and Linds carrying the tree

 (I was carrying a huge bag of tree trimmings to craft into a wreath)

 Lights! (also, we love Fordham)

She's done. Pearls and all!

Jess Visits!

Soon after Bret came to New York, I had another visitor who's been to visit me already at least 8 times - Jess! She arrived shortly after Hurricane Sandy and although Manhattan had regained power, most of downtown was still closed.

 We went for breakfast one morning at one of my new favorite spots - David Burke at Bloomingdales! 

The seats face out towards the street for a nice people watching view. Also, the food is fabulously delicious!

One night we took the bus downtown to scope out the hurricane damage for the first time. Walking around, it was still eerily quiet with subtle signs of destruction everywhere. 

 While waiting for the bus downtown, we couldn't locate the pole with the timetable...it had blown down in the hurricane! This is a woman reading it from the sidewalk haha

We also walked (half way) across the Brooklyn Bridge! 

 Brooklyn Bridge. 

 Empire State!

After the BK Bridge, we took the bus all the way back uptown for dinner and dessert at Serendipity. 

Amy. 

 YUM

One morning we headed over to what may be the best bagel spot in town, Ess-a-Bagel.

 Ess-a-bagel! Delicious bagels in midtown.

 Whole wheat everything with veggie cream cheese. Probably the best bagel I've had in the city.
(Side note: I went there for lunch last week - bagels still good!!)

From Ess-a-Bagel, we went to Rockefeller Center, where Democracy Plaza was set up for the election. 

 Democracy Plaza at Rockefeller Center!

 Teuscher Chocolatier - recommended by Marcus!

 More democracy plaza. 

 They had free caricatures!

 Jess and I with Obama 

(though I don't think you can really tell it's us. But hey, it was free!)

We met up with Amy, who's office is a block away from Rock Plaza. After saying hi to her, we headed to Bryant Park, where we ate a crepe and walked around the shops set up in the park. 

 Nutella banana crepe!

Later in the evening we went to see Ben Gibbard at Town Hall!

 Town Hall - absolutely gorgeous building.

With the Ben poster. 

 Ben Gibbard!

The next day we went to Central Park, which was gorgeous with the changing leaves. 

 Central Park!

 Remnants of Hurricane Sandy.

 Fall.

I spy....a little red bird!

From Central Park, we walked back Upper East and had lunch at my new favorite spot - The King's Carriage House. 

Stuffed animal heads!

We went for tea! How cute are these!

Love the decor. 

Peppermint tea mmmm.

What a spread!

Private dining.

View from outside looking in. 

After another too short of a visit, Jess went back home to El Cajon. Can't wait for more company to come visit - who's next!!

That Guy

That guy came to New York to visit me again! I don't even remember what number visit that was...10? 12?

 All ready for his arrival!

Baked cookies too, what a good sister I am.

 Getting snuggly.

 He did like the stuffed hippo!

 I took him to Ralph's Famous Italian Ices, an awesome ice cream shop.

 We also went to Panna II, which I've been wanting to try FOREVER.

The inside of the restaurant is insane, as you can kind of tell by the pictures. It's really small and narrow and you literally cannot walk without hitting your head on chili and Christmas lights..their quote is: "Where Chili Pepper Lights Meet Christmas Tree Lights." 

 And the food is really good too! Yummy Indian.
We had no idea what anything was, so we just pointed to order. Everything turned out delicious though!

 View of the restaurant rom across the street. So bright!!

On Saturday, Cody rented a Zipcar for us and Bret, Amy, Cody and I drove to Queens to Costco to pick up a few things for my birthday party that night!

 Queensboro Bridge

I don't have many pictures from my bday party, but I was so glad to have Bret there!! We had a great time. 

 Plaids! On the roof with my roomies. 

 With Brian.

 With Alyssa and Zach.

The next day Bret and I went to the New Museum! I've also been wanting to check that out for a while.

 New Museum on the Bowery.

 I didn't know you weren't supposed to take pictures...

 So I took these two!

 The 7th floor of the museum is an awesome balcony that wraps around 3/4ths of the building.

 His head is between the Empire State Building and the Chrysler!

 I love the water towers. 

 Inside the Frietag Store. Chad would be jealous!

On Monday we went back up to the Bronx. It was so nice to get up there during the day and spend time eating and relaxing. Beautiful weather too.

 Umbertos Garlic Bread!

 And lobster raviolis!

Literally THE BEST ravs that I've ever had at Umbertos in the past 5 years.

 I have never seen pre-made braciole anywhere!!!

Another Fordham grad friend of mine had been telling me about Arthur Ave Market - I had never been and never heard of it. Bret and I wandered in after eating and Umbertos and WOW! That place was full of all sorts of good things! I wish we had room in our stomachs to eat another meal! We'll have to go back. 

 Little Italy

 On campus at Fordham.

What a perfect blue sky.

 Palumbo's cookies! On Eddies.

And of course, Pugsleys. 

That's pure joy on Bret's face :)

That night, we headed to Columbus Circle on the west side to check our Mr. Columbus himself! 6 stories up!

 View from the top.
Trump Globe on the right.

Wallpaper inside the exhibit.

 Bret with Columbus! How cool.

 View of Central Park.

 What a great idea, and free too.

And last but not least, what's a trip to NYC without Serendipity??

Another fast week in New York City with that guy. Come back again soon, brother!