Tennessee Video 2013

This is just a glimpse into my trip from last week. It’s one of the best trips I have ever had! I can’t wait to go back to Nashville!

Also, if you haven’t seen my New York or Las Vegas videos, you should!

I Saw The Signs..

I wanted to share some pictures of signs that I have come across recently. They made me laugh, some for the wrong reasons, and hopefully they will make you smile too. All of them are from Tennessee, but the last one. Enjoy!

That’s intense!

I’m still not sure what to say about this next one…

I don’t know what it means to “except” credit cards, but they do it in this place, apparently.

“Greatest blog in the world.” – My Mom

NYC Coat Thrifting

On our recent trip to NYC, my mom and I discovered just how much we are nancies about the cold. After nearly turning into Popsicles on our first night there, our mission the next morning became finding better coats. There is an area near Morningside Heights, and near my bagel shop, that has three or four really good second-hand stores that are all within one block of each other. One is a fancy store that only re-sells expensive brand name clothes (It’s a bit pricey) and the others were the usual Salvation Army/Church types. Our coat prayers were answered in church… well below the church building, in their thrift store…

A whole wall of $5 coats!

This one was my favorite, but it was a little big. 100% wool though and so warm!

Then there was the leather jacket for anyone that wants to look like an extra from The Matrix..

There was also a TERRIBLE ’80s coat that was purple and hand enormous shoulder pads, I lost the picture of that one though sadly.. I didn’t really need a coat anyway, but my mom definitely did. She found this one… She loves having her picture taken…

Also 100% wool and made in America. Perfect for New York, but not so much for Florida. Because she only paid $5 for it, she was able to leave it behind for someone else to use! No trying to somehow stuff that thing into our luggage. No guilt in wasting the money since it was so cheap AND you get to help more people by re-donating the coat! Win-Win-Win.

New York Bageling

My experience in New York City is limited to about 2 weeks, so I’m far from trying every bagel shop and being able to say which one is the best. I AM able to tell you that if you try the Absolute Bagel shop, you won’t be disappointed. Judging by their four square reviews, I’m far from the only one with this opinion. It’s located right on Broadway near Morningside Heights and Columbia University. This is also right where the M60 bus starts, which is the one you can take to the airport.

You can sit outside and people watch when the weather is good. People watching happens to be one of my favorite travel activities and where can you do that better than in NYC? But when it’s chilly like my last visit, they also have cozy seating inside…

The bagel variety is quite impressive and the people are really nice… as long as you know what you’re doing. New Yorkers don’t like to wait. First you go to the farthest counter and select you type of bagel, the everything is always a safe bet. Next they toast it for you, and lastly, once it’s toasted you tell them the type of spread. If you do this out of order, they get kind of fussy, but it all adds to the New York experience. Floridians like me aren’t used to rushing, so the intensity of it all is very amusing.

They have about every type of spread you can imagine..

Strawberry, Blueberry, Onion and Chives, Pimento, Lox and my favorite the Sun-Dried Tomato..

It really lives up to the NY bagel hype. It’s a small hole in the wall place, so it’s easy to miss, but it’s well worth finding!

Anyone have other recommendations?

Dog Days Everyday!

New York is famous, in part, because of the diversity that can be found in one city. You can find people, food and textiles from almost every corner of the earth. The same thing applies to the pets! You’ll see every shape and size walking around those busy city streets. There’s the little bull-dog waiting outside the butcher shop in Chelsea…

Who gets a little sleepy sometimes…

Or the long haired beauty at the farmers market… If you got it flaunt it, right?…

And his cute buddy with the candy corn teeth…

In Central Park you can find doggies taking skate board lessons..

Chasing squirrels..

And taking in the sunshine…

On top of all the actual dogs walking around the Big Apple, there is also plenty of pet photography

Custom doggy paintings…

and other miscellaneous puppy paraphernalia…

Despite the city being mostly a big pile of cement and metal, it is actually surprisingly pet friendly!

Snacking in Times Square

Times Square is amazing. You don’t have to have a plan… or buy anything… or do anything… Just BE there. Watch the people, see the sites and take it all in. There are so many families, school groups and couples from every corner of the earth all congregating in that small square in New York City. It’s sort of the Cliff Notes version of the ethnicities of the world. What better way is there to take in all those sights than while drinking a warm drink and snacking on delicious mini cupcakes?

The place is called Baked by Melissa and it’s just a few blocks away from Times Square so it’s easy walking distance. They have so many flavors and the prices are really good!

They are barely bigger than a quarter, so if you get a twelve pack and split it with someone it’s pretty guilt free. C’mon! You’re on vacation. Calories don’t count!…

So grab a chai…

And head to Times Square…

New York, I love you.

I finally just booked my next trip and I’m going back to NYC! If you missed my video from my last trip, you should really go watch it here. This time I’m going with my mother. We decided it had been too long since we had gone anywhere, and after looking through some very over priced Caribbean options we went the complete opposite direction, so next month we’re off to the Big City. I was so excited to go back, that I went through some of my pictures from my last visit and wanted to share a few of my favorites here.

The Met..

Music is everywhere in NYC, it seems..

The Empire State Building.

9/11 Memorial. One of many..

Lady Liberty.

Lazy Sunday in Central Park.

I’m excited to see many new things and revisit old favorites. Share your NYC travel tips below!