Hello friends. I am officially living in Manhattan. The drive here was good and we now unpacked all of the boxes. Tonight we hung a few pictures and things are slowly coming together. We've been in the city for a week and so much has happened, I don't know where to begin. I love to make lists so I'll catch you up that way.
Here are the top twenty things I've learned during my first week as a married Southern belle in the big city:
1. I'm not in Kansas anymore y'all! I'm quickly learning my way around this concrete jungle. Avenues are longer than streets and life is a little quicker here. =)
2. Waking up every morning to my best friend is better than I could have ever imagined.
3. I can pick any type of ethnic food in the world and there is a restaurant somewhere in this city that specializes in it. Since we have been here we have eaten Mexican (still haven't found a place here that serves cheese dip though,) Peruvian, Irish, Cantonese and Italian (good ole NYC pizza included.) I love that I can order from any of these places at almost anytime and a fabulous meal appears at my apartment!
4. The "curb your dog" signs mean you have to actually take your dog to the curb and let it relieve itself there. Good luck doing this with a dog that was taught to tee tee on grass. I am currently walking a block to the nearest patch of grass so that my little Daisy can do her business the only way she thinks is right. Note to self: fix this problem before first snow storm.
5. Only get on buses that have a "M". Any other letter means you will be taking a ride off your little island (a friend told me this tip, luckily did not experience it.) Note to self: buses only take a metro card or exact change, no dollar bills!
6. The basics of my new geography: The Bronx is up, Brooklyn is down and Manhattan is in the middle. Someone taught me this little saying, it is not quite exact...but it helps!
7. ABF Freight System and EMove are fabulous companies and I highly recommend both of them for doing a move the cheap way!
8. Everyday task like going to Target or the mall are a little tougher when you don't have a car or know your city very well. Just imagine carrying a mop though the streets of Manhattan! And, my grocery bills are going to be smaller because I can only get as much as I can carry. This is a good thing though because...
9. Prices in this town are inflated about 20%-30% almost everywhere! I already knew this, but experiencing it first hand is a little different. My job search starts Monday! Does anyone have any contacts in event planning, destination management or corporate group travel and meeting planning?
10. If you are coming to NYC anytime soon, check out Spring Awakening. This 2007 Tony award winner for best musical, is one of the most unique plays I have seen. It hits a lot of issues including sex, morality, homosexuality, a pregnant unwed young girl, suicide and child abuse. It does all of this through rock and roll musical. The music is fabulous and the story is unmatched on Broadway!
11. They can give dogs Ivs through their skin...yes, I learned this today while Daisy received an Iv after throwing up 5 times. She has since thrown up another 5 or so and is finally quietly resting as I type this. The vet said she either had a stomach bug or just is having extreme anxiety because of the move. My poor little puppy! She did so well the first few days and then the past 48 hours she has been a mess. Hopefully she will feel better soon. I think I had my first taste of what it feels like to be a Mom after cleaning up the stomach bug all day with all my new pink and green William Sonoma dish rags. =)
12. I'm loving using all of my new wedding presents. Especially my Vietri everyday dishes and my new Calpalon pots and pans
13. Manicures and pedicures are cheaper here than at home...only $20.00 on Mon-Wed at most places! The only thing cheaper in the entire city!
14. Having a washer and dryer in the city is such a blessing! We have one in our new apartment and I'm so lucky!
15. The Internet connection speed here is great as is the news! Yeah for big city perks!
16. I miss my friends. Even though my husband is here with me, I hope I can meet some girl friends soon. Someone has got to give me some advice on how to arrange my sofa next to my dining room table!
17. I need some new shoes. Ok, don't tell my husband I said this because I do have quite a few pairs. But, I need some walking shoes ladies! Please help! Send me tips on your favorite flats, tennis shoes, flip flops, etc.
18. My sofa will not be here for 8 weeks. I ordered it from my parent's decorator and it is coming from market in Atlanta. It is a down filled fabulous sofa and I can't wait...but living without a sofa is tough!
19. I need some rugs. Any tips on cheap options?
20. When I get a job and a paycheck, I would love any tips from the locals on your favorite boutiques!
Well, that's it for my first week in the big apple. More lessons to share with you soon! Hope y'all are doing well. Can't wait to hear from you.
18 comments:
I'm in your same boat, or rather will be next week. Moving to NYC, just got married in the south, and bringing my dog along with me - not to mention the new hubby.
Good luck with everything and know you're not alone.
hello...you are very right about the mani-pedi! i get mine (over in queens where i live) at the place across the street from my house for $25 with tip...in japan where i am now they go upwards of $100! and that is to start with! however, i come back to nyc this friday and i am hightailing it to the nail salon.
as for ethnic food if you ever want to try greek, it is very worth it to go make the trip to astoria which is in queens (part of queens where i am from) - take the N/W subway to ditmars blvd and there is a great restaurant called taverna kyklades - both zagat and michelin rated! on the 30th avenue stop, are all the greek cafes.
forgot to add - good walking shoes in the summer that i have found are birkenstocks; i have a pair in the kairo design in black patent leather, but jcrew flats always win hands down.
when the sole is gone (due to all that pavement pounding), you can make them last longer by taking them to the shoemaker and asking them to resole it in rubber - i have had that done to my barcelona grosgrain flats and they are still going, and i wear them everywhere (well now that its summer i am in my birkenstocks). i also like my asics sneakers (i think they are the mexico?) b/c they have a flatter sole as opposed to the nike running shoes which feel bulky after walking alot.
I agree with the Birki's for walking. There are cute styles out there now not the ones that look like they were made as corrective shoes.
I wish you all the best as you begin your new life.
If you need a break go to Penn Station & take an AM train to Long Beach. The beach is one of the nicest in the world AND there is an old fashioned boardwalk. LIRR (the train) usually offers a combo deal for the train & a beach ticket...it's like $10. You can walk from the train to the beach. It's about a 45 min trip & you will feel like you are on a mini-vacation.
Now you have to refer to Manhattan as "the City"...anything else makes you sound like a tourist & now you are a LOCAL!! Yay! Congrats on the move!
I found you via....somewhere. LOL
Glad you are loving the city
Poor Daisy! I hope she is feeling better soon. I know the city with all the people and traffic must be a real shocker for her. Best wishes with her adjustment!
Isn't Mexican food so different? Donald Pliner makes really comfy shoes. You obviously have to find the younger looking ones, but I have most of the summer line, and they have been fantastic for when I have to do a lot of walking (the flats are great.)
I think the best advice someone gave me upon moving here was...get a nice large purse! That way you can put your *real* shoes in there and walk around in a comfortable pair of flip flops, change on a street corner and look instantly pulled together! In the fall & winter I always wear my Clark's around the city. My flip flops of choice are Rainbows (you can buy them at CitySports in the CitiGroup building).
As for meeting new gals, the New York Junior League is a great place! Headquarters are on the Upper East Side. Lots of great events, a darling little restaurant and bar all in one beautiful house. You'll find a lot of *transplants* there, lots of darling newly married ladies who are also looking to meet some fun new friends!
welcome to new york! hope the transition continues to go well.
i agree the junior league is a fitting option for making new friends; surely you were in a sorority, is there an alumnae association you could join?
How exciting! So much fun exploring. Can't wait to hear more!
Congrats on the move!!
For groceries- try freshdirect. You order online and they deliver. It tends to be cheaper because the food warehouses are out of the city. The quality is also good.
Shoes - Vineyard Vines flip flops - you can throw them in the washing machine when they get dirty (which they will)and they are really cushy.
Your poor dog! It sounds like you however, have settled in fairly well. I had a friend that lived in Chicago and she ordered her groceries online and had them delivered to her. She said it was just easier that way. Also, I love these shoes from http://store.shoesthatloveyou.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=7 The Madison is adorable (if you like bows) and SUPER comfy. I saw them at market. They have new fall colors (like green) coming out in September in the mule. Best of luck to you!
I'm so jealous! I in love w/ NYC -how fun! I highly recommend any of the driving mocs from J. Crew for walking when you need a full shoe. When I'm up there in the summer, I always have on the J. Crew critter flops - the ones w/ the cushy soles. I have put some serious miles on those in that city, countless times.
Also - one of my dogs had the exact same reaction the last time we moved. He couldn't keep food or even water down - got completely dehydrated and had to be put on an IV. I know that's so scary! The move just really stressed him out.
I'm new to your blog -so I have a lot of catching up to do. I wish you the best of luck up there!
Congratulations on your move! I just moved out of New York City last week (it was sad to leave) to St. Louis. French Sole shoes (on the UES -- on Lexington Ave. near 73rd Street) has a lot of cute flats that are comfortable for walking. Tani shoes (W. 72nd St. near Broadway) has a lot of selection for flats and often has good sales. There are so many great places to eat in the city. Try Land for Thai food on the UWS (cheap and delicious) and Poke, a good sushi restaurant that is also BYOB (on 85th Street between 1st and 2nd Aves.). Enjoy the city, and good luck with your transitions.
ooo totally forgot about j.crew mocs - totally down with those! they are just like sneakers but more stylish (^_~).
Definitely order freshdirect.com. They deliver to your door so you can order as much beer, soda and heavy stuff and you don't have to lug it around. I just left NYC and was a member of NYJL. www.nyjl.org You will definitely meet new people there. God, I miss the restaurants.
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