Until Next Year...

Times Square, New Year's Eve 2009

"Should auld acquaintance be forgot... "

...wishing you a very happy New Year.

I'll Have What She's Having

Because I love a good movie moment, this one seemed most appropriate this week. Quite impressive that a film made in 1989 can still — 20 years later — deliver one of the most romantic 'New York on New Year's Eve' scenes ever made. I love it!

Ready for our Close Up

Shannon and I, New Year's 2006!

On the eve of my Tampa arrival, I thought I’d take a moment to reflect on New Year’s Eve’s past. Above is a shot of me with my friend Shannon (the person I’m flying to Florida to see) in our awesome 2006 glasses. You see, when Shannon and I first discovered these flashy, eye-catching, stylish 2006 glasses being sold for $10-a-piece on a table in Boston Common, we were thrilled. In fact, we dubbed the glasses, ‘The best purchase of 2005!’, a title we continue to reference to this day. Every year since, we have made it our mission to track down flashing glasses to place on our faces when the clock strikes 12. Now, as 2010 approaches, the double-zero effect that has worked so well for the last nine years is no more. Here, some examples of how the ‘10s will look:

Goggles and Glasses

Shades of Fun

Virginia Toy

Imprint Items

Countdown to 2010

Northwestern Wildcats Purple Hoodie, $59.95, available at collegefootballstore.com.

Monday and Tuesday this week seem to be nothing more than a tiny pause — the lame duck days of 2009 — before the New Year’s festivities begin. Me? I’m traveling to Tampa, Florida where I plan on becoming a fair weather fan of the Northwestern Wildcats at the Outback Bowl. The way I see it, I didn’t have a college team to support. No football team in grad school either. As a result, this New Year’s trip is kind of a big deal. I’m ready to go full force with my Wildcats pride - my friend’s fiancé is an alum and I’m relying on him to teach me all I need to know to blend in. Something else I’m contemplating? Making an investment in some team merch to wear to the Big Game. After all, purple is my favorite color.

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

The view from my cab window at midnight in New York.

That dream turned into a reality this weekend. Nothing like a Nor’easter to get everyone in the holiday spirit! It also changed my travel plans quite a bit. Instead of returning from Boston on Sunday, I (luckily) was able to switch my Sunday afternoon bus ticket to a Saturday evening ticket on the Acela Express. I was sad to leave Boston early, but being on the train in a blizzard was just so cool. The entire ride was an adventure, up to the final minutes when we approached a city without a skyline, thanks to the white out weather conditions in New York. Anyways, once I arrived and found a cab, I managed to hang out the window and snap a few pics. Enjoy!

A Trip Home, A Slice of Pie

A slice of Upper Crust pizza, yummmm!

It’s official — one week until Christmas! I’m celebrating early with a quick trip home to Boston for a friend’s baby shower. Other than that, no big plans while I'm in town, except maybe budgeting in some time for a bit of last minute holiday shopping in Beacon Hill. Crush, Moxie, Holiday — they’re all places on my list. And if time allows, nothing would make me happier than grabbing a slice of pizza at Upper Crust. To me, it's comfort food. For the two years I lived downtown in Boston, it was always my dinner of choice.

Nutcracker Magic

The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center, 2009.

Last night, I had the chance to see The Nutcracker put on by the New York City Ballet. When I was in the fourth grade, a close friend of mine starred as Clara in the Boston Ballet’s version of the show. I remember going with my family to see it — I got dressed up in my holiday best, and sat, completely mesmerized by my friend’s performance. Afterwards, I met her backstage and begged her to autograph my program (she wrote, "I hope we dance together someday!" haha). I was so proud/impressed/awestruck of her accomplishment. To me, she was a superstar. ::: Maybe that's why, for me, seeing The Nutcracker never gets old. It reminds me of that night as a kid when I saw all my friend's dreams come true. My friend is no longer dancing — in fact, she gave it up a while ago — but every time the curtain opens and I see Clara appear on the stage, I think of her and that moment. In the eyes of a fourth grader, it was as close as life could get to being purely magical.

(image courtesy of artspace.blogspot.com)

Photo Op

"Penguins," by Liz Pichon.

A quick peek inside the Scholastic bookstore in Soho led to the discovery of one of the cutest kids’ books I have recently read. “Penguins,” by Liz Pichon is about a rambunctious and silly group of Penguins that come across a camera that’s been left behind by a tourist at the zoo. It takes a while for them to determine it’s purpose, but once they do, oh the good times they have! The story is sweet and fun — I snagged a copy right away.

Cover Girl

Sara Ramirez and Jessica Capshaw on Grey's Anatomy.

This week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jessica Capshaw for the next cover of New York Resident magazine. Capshaw is the newest member of the Grey’s Anatomy cast — she plays Arizona Robbins, a role that began as a three-episode story arc in season five, but quickly evolved into a permanent gig in season six. Our interview was a phoner (I'm based in New York, she films in LA), but Capshaw was genuine and lovely from the moment she said hello. Even more impressive? The girl can multi-task. She seamlessly answered my questions while navigating California traffic on her way to do some last-minute Christmas shopping on her day off. The holiday frenzy, the pace of LA traffic, her GPS system barking directions at her every few hundred yards — it’s enough to make anyone nuts. But Capshaw was unfazed, never losing her train of thought for the nearly 40 minutes we were on the phone. Eloquence and efficiency? That's a combination of skills I can't help but admire.

(image courtesy of imdb.com)

Don’t Rain on My Parade

The cast of Glee.

Blame the invention of DVR — I finally watched the fall finale of Glee Monday night, almost a week late since it aired last Wednesday. But tacking on the extra few days only added to the build up. What an episode! I was so happy to see so many story lines resolved. And the singing! Rachel Berry’s version of “Don’t Rain on My Parade” was inspiring. It makes me miss my days singing a cappella oh-so-very-much. Our group never took on Barbra, but Aretha, Madonna, Bob Dylan — they all made our set list.

(image courtesy of aceshowbiz.com)

Wait a minute, Mr. Postman!

"Happy Howl-idays," $14

"Saplings," $12.95

"NYC Subway," $15.75*

Come Christmas time, there’s nothing that makes me happier than carefully picking out, writing and sending holiday cards to friends and family. Seriously, it’s my favorite tradition — I snuggle up with my address book and a black ballpoint pen, listen to Christmas music or watch a holiday movie on TV (most likely Home Alone or White Christmas; if time allows National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation). Choosing which cards to send? That’s the tough part. This year, I relied exclusively on Kate’s Paperie. Above are my top choices, including the winning design!

*Winner, 2009

Happy Feet

Available at Steve Madden.

‘Tis the season for dressing up! But a pretty dress means nothing without pretty shoes to go with it. A pair just like this one was a recent investment from a boutique on my block, and ever since, I’ve decided that shoes without sequins just aren’t worth wearing.

My Weekend

My cousin's wife (right) and I at Rockefeller Center.

It was a mix of holiday parties and holiday shopping, buying gifts for others and a gift for myself (this sparkly ring from Topshop — you like?). I saw The Princess and the Frog (l-o-v-e-d it!) and enjoyed a few too many glasses of Multipulciano at Brio Saturday night. Finally, it wouldn’t be the holidays in New York without trip to Rockefeller Center to see the Christmas tree. My cousin and his wife surprised me with a visit and that’s exactly what we decided to do. We pushed our way through the holiday crowds, but this was as close as we could get. We had to stand on a bench, but we still enjoyed our photo op!

Long Live the Queen

Blunt and Friend in The Young Victoria.

Tonight I saw an early screening of The Young Victoria, starring Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend. I particularly enjoyed Jim Broadbent’s cameo as King William, but most of my praise is reserved for Blunt. She was captivating as Queen Victoria, and brought new life to what otherwise could have been a slow-moving, period film. Of course, the best part of the evening was the celeb spotting at the screening. Blunt made her own cameo at the film’s start, while Chris Noth and Martha Stewart stayed until the final credits rolled. Me? I was hoping to see John Krasinski's face in the crowd, but sadly, Blunt's fiancée was MIA.

Singin' in the Rain

The Duckings in the Public Garden, Boston Snowstorm, 2006ish

As a Massachusetts girl, the 10-15 degree temperature difference in New York City (it’s warmer!) tends to be something I consider a pro of living here. Except when word comes of a snow day at home. Then, I think of sledding, and hot cocoa, or just being cozy indoors. I mean, the rain today isn’t that bad. It certainly makes for an easier commute. But some pre-holiday snow would be nice…right?

Lunch Date

Sure, on a good day, I try to pack my lunch. But with my new part-time gig in Soho, I can’t seem to resist a midday bite at Dean & Deluca. For the most part, I keep it simple — I go straight for the soup line in the back. That way, I’m in and out, spending approximately $7 for a large cup. However, today, my normally calculated visit was interrupted by a Golden Star vendor offering me a sample taste of his White Jasmine Sparkling Tea. “It’s light and refreshing,” he said. “A non-alcoholic drink that pairs well with others.” Oops, impulse buy!

(image courtesy of thekitchn.com)

It's Christmas Time in the City

One of my favorite things about the holiday season in New York has to be the sight of evergreen Christmas trees lined up for sale along random blocks in the city post-Thanksgiving. Why? Because, when walking by, not only are you granted a temporary reprieve from the (aromatic?) scent of New York, but you’re also given a tangible reminder of the spirit of Christmas. The lights, the smell, the red bows tied to the treetops — add a light dusting of snow and I just can't explain it. I immediately hear Bing Crosby singing in my head.