What’s amazing and embarrassing at the same time?

Let me set it up right.

Lori and I met up with my Lexington, KY neighbor and her son for dinner Wednesday evening and we enjoyed great conversation and catch up time on 2nd avenue in the Upper East Side neighborhood.

I split a turkey burger and sweet potato fries with S, her son ordered some fish and chips, and Lori ordered some onion rings. I guess because I had only eaten breakfast that day, I left the place still a little hungry. If you know me, I can eat way more than I physically look like and I surprise a lot of people at my bottomless pit. I surprise myself! I try to use Bethenny Frankle’s advice that once you taste something - it’s the best it’s ever going to taste, so why intake those calories of fried foods and sweets when it’s never going to taste better than that first couple of bites. Great advice and if I’m feeling really disciplined I use it. However, last night wasn’t one of those nights.

Lori and I head home around 8 p.m because I had a lot of work stuff to finish and as we walk down Second Avenue with tons of great restaurants and smells, she stops at a cute place with a small vegetable market outside the door and says, “can we please grab a drink here- I really need to pee.”

You never have to ask me twice if I want to go sit in an environment with food! We walk into Vespa. It’s quaint and cute and feels like a romantic place for dinner or a nice way to celebrate something with a group of friends. The bartender and manager welcome us with smiles and Italian hospitality. When I’m told I can have a seat at either of the two bars, I ask which one is better? The manager replies, “The pretty girls sit at this one.”

So with that, I plop down and smile hoping he wasn’t suggesting I sit at the “other bar at the back.” Hahaha! Girls are way to easy sometimes.

I can’t quite decide what I want to eat and when the manager comes and asks me what I’m looking for I ask how much pasta with marinara would be. He tells me he will work with me on the price (because I couldn’t justify $18 for a pasta I didn’t need to be eating anyway.) He suggested a half order of fresh fettuccini with their amazing tomato sauce for $7.00 and I told him that would be perfect.

In the meantime the bartender gave me some fresh cherry tomatoes from their farmers market outside and some tomato bruschetta. I probably should have stopped there, but when my pasta came out with fresh mozzarella I couldn’t help but scarf it down. I have a soft spot for amazing tomato sauces (literally, as my muffin top is increasing), but like I said earlier… good food is my vice. Some people drink, smoke, and gamble… I spend my money on good food and Pure Barre. (eh-uhm and shopping.)

Lori and I entertain the bartender as we ask questions about his life.  He was a father of three, single, New York born and raised and passionate about books! He was interesting, humble and real. We all enjoyed each other’s company and I’m certain Lori and I will make our way back to that place! He hooked her up on a free drink and I hooked him up on a tip bigger than my actual bill. We leave around 9:30 when I start panicking about all the work I needed to do when really I was just desperate to unbutton my jeans.

We only had a three block walk home and in that short distance, low and be-hold,  I found a bed frame on the curb and nonchalantly told Lori to grab the other end, because I was walking this thing home with or without her.  I didn’t think about it, I didn’t question it, I just saw a nice bed frame and knew I needed one. I know it seems gross, but it’s metal and was in perfect condition outside a really nice apartment building. 

We walk it home, and awkward and semi-heavy as it was, we laughed about the fact that “that just happened.” Lori happened to notice a mattress wrapped in plastic that was sitting on the curb beside my bed frame and told me, “Don’t think this is over, we are going back for that mattress.” 

I spent the next five minutes trying to tell her how gross it was and how we would end up getting bed bugs, but she was determined to check it out. Because she helped me lug the frame home, I told her, I would at least go with her to scan it over.  We walk back down to the curb and there we are… scoping out someone’s garbage. For 25 seconds, I got really into it, kicking things around, peaking under things finding lampshades, stuffed animals and storage stuff. AND then I realized what I was doing… what we were doing, and I got really self conscious and embarrassed and instead of looking over the mattress (which I had already decided I wasn’t going to let it come back with us), I spent my time asking people coming in and out of the apartment building if they would take the mattress home and to please persuade my friend NOT TO DO IT! A young lad, workout clothes and all was my savior and together we managed to get Lori off board the random mattress idea. I think she is however, on board to get a real bed, as her airbed, is….well, an airbed!

So what’s amazing and embarrassing at the same time? Finding useful things in the garbage! It is true, “ones mans trash is another mans treasure!”

Don’t judge me.

Let’s see, I took my test for Pure Barre (which was a recording of me teaching a class). I’m not officially certified as my master teachers have to look over the video and pass me, but I feel confident and hopeful that it will be fine. One of the owners of PB NYC is incredibly supportive and encouraging and she said that she’s sure we passed.  I feel relieved to have that pressure over with and now I can focus on my teaching skills and speaking voice. I’m so excited! October 24 is the opening date!!!

Two weeks ago the Veloudis's came to visit and I had such amazing time seeing them. Cooper has grown up so much and he's still sweeter than ever and talks so much. I miss him. Tiff texted me yesterday and told me that Cooper was packing to come see me. haha!  He was really excited to see me and it made me happy he didn't forget me. I babysat him and Spencer on Friday and while Cooper was peaceful and content watching me build his lego we had picked up at toys-r-us, Spencer wanted to make sure to give me a workout. I forget how babies are into everything, and by everything I mean everything that's dangerous. Oh, a dresser drawer- let me pull that open. Oh, a stroller leaning against the wall, let me knock it over, oh the bathroom, let me dig in the trash and try and flip myself over the bathtub! lol. Don't worry, none of these things happened, because I'm a great babysitter. It's the things that would have happened though, had I not been a good babysitter! Between building that lego thing for Cooper, chasing the baby down all over the hotel room and making sure to get good cuddle story time in with Cooper, my night passed by quickly. I can't believe Cooper will be THREE in a couple weeks! That's insane. Ally and Jordan and Rachel came in late Friday night and we got to spend Saturday afternoon shopping and hanging out. Ally has grown up too, she seems four going on twelve! I miss them tons and I was so happy they came to visit.

I need to go get ready. I’ll write more later. I am going out with Lori, Sarah Poe and my friend Alex from high school in the east village to celebrate my test-out. I’m sure I’ll have a good story or two from tonight and I’ll have time to catch everyone up on the little things going on in life.

Love from the city. xoxoxo

According to Wikipedia, "Dog Days" are the hottest, most sultry days of summer. In the Northern Hemisphere, the dog days of summer are most commonly experienced in the months of July and August, which typically observe the warmest summer temperatures. In the Southern Hemisphere they typically occur in Jan. and Feb. in the midst of the austral summer. The name comes from the ancient belief that Siruis also called the Dog Star, in close proximity to the Sun was responsible for the hot weather.

So with that said, Summer is coming to an end and although I will miss sun dresses, sun kissed skin, and rainbows and wedges, I am tired of sweating, the humidity, and mosquitoes. Autumn sounds like an amazing season for New York City and I cannot wait to bust out boots, jackets and jeans! I've invested a lot of money in the past on my fleece jackets and winter goods in preparation for New York City and can't wait to probably never wear half. LoL. I buy things thinking... "this will be good for this, and oh I'll wear this when this happens." and do I? Yes, sometimes I do... but let's face it...  buying something new is more fun. And I always say... you can never have enough jackets, shoes or hand bags- and this is why I have a problem! lol.

Don't worry... priorities are priorities and I've been trying to be super careful... I've written this before, but NYC is so expensive. It makes me want to vomit when I pay for groceries. I seriously want to cry every time I leave. But hey... I'm happy and living my dreams- or in the process of.

New York is an eye opening experience everyday. I learn something new about the city and myself just because it's such a competitive city. I'm figuring out where to buy bread, which stand to buy fruit at and who has the cheapest toilet paper (which surprisingly Staples does). I recalculate my budget every day, and trust that it all checks and balances at the end of the month!

I haven't written much since Colorado, not because I didn't have anything to tell, but because I've been busy studying, working and enjoying my free time. Life isn't all work...

Pure Barre has consumed my thoughts, heightened my anxiety level, and is what I do on my walk to work. Literally. I listen to songs and practice teaching out loud... I probably look crazy, and I'm a little self-conscious, but I've seen people be real weird on the streets and I'm on a mission to give this 100 percent, even if it means I look crazy pants. Lori is also generous enough to let me touch her some PB too. She gets a work out and I get to work through my tongue ties. Teaching a class is so different than taking a class so I'm working out the kinks and awkwardness. Can't wait to start!

I am transferring from my east 66th lulu store to a new lulu store on Madison opening up just three blocks away from my apartment. I know I just started at the other store, but being a part of opening a store and the whole process sounds like an amazing way to get involved and feel involved. It's going to be a wonderful opportunity and this is why I came to NYC in the first place. Possibilities! I am so greatful for the support from my management team on both sides to help for a smooth transition. This company truly has some of the greatest people I have ever encountered and I am so lucky to be a part of this culture!

Pure Barre opening date is TBD (keep checking Pure Barre NYC facebook) and in the mean time the new teachers and I are rehearsing and prepping for our test out (teaching a class and getting the certification). I am taking a CPR class on Sunday with the American Red Cross, mandatory for the studio, and I'm excited to have the weight on my shoulders to save someones life if need be.

The Veloudis family (family I nannied for in KY) comes to visit this weekend!!! I get to see the kids and I can't wait to see how much they have grown up. I might cry when I see Cooper!! It's weird to think it's been over two months since I've seen them... since I've seen my family... I thought I would be flying home all the time to visit, but I forgot to consider that asking off work is an ordeal and asking off work means no money- so it's a catch! I'll be my own boss one day and then I'll probably never have time to vacation either! lol. JK. Remember, traveling is one of my goals and like I said earlier... life is more than going to a job every day... it's about loving life and being happy with what your doing.

Lori and I have been going to Alice's Tea Cup on Tuesdays after working out together to enjoy fresh scones and tea. I have learned that Scones are my weakness and Tea Time Tuesdays is an awesome way to bond with Lori and eat scones! lol. It's a lovely little place too. Come visit me and we will go. Monday night, we went to see Peter Bjorn at the Brooklyn Bowl on a total whim. My friend A came along and the three of us had a good time. It was good to see live music. I know it inspired Lori and it's just a matter of time until she's performing on stage with a crowd of people loving life! She is doing really well with work, writing music and loving life!

I almost forgot, I went to the US Open two Sunday's ago. That was such a fun time. My friend A took me and even though I know nothing about Tennis it was a great experience and it was super nice of him to take me. I over dressed in wedges, and sweated profusely, but had a wonderful time! We watched the Roddick and Nadal Match/Game/Set and another Nadal Match/Game/Set... Katrine tried to explain this to me, but it was really confusing. Like I said... I know nada about tennis. I never would have thought I would have attended such an event, with my lack of athleticism in competition sports, but... SO happy to have gone and it's another memory to add to life.

I think I'm going to call it a day. Feeling delirious... I woke up at 6 a.m worked 8-530 today. I took a hot yoga class at Pure Yoga east, right down the street from me with some girls from the Madison store. It was exhausting and I'm feeling parched and on the verge of passing out at anytime. I guess it's just been a long day and it's the first time I've felt "exhaustion" like this in a while. Probably since "the great depression" period aka first 1.5 weeks in the city because of sublet fiasco (we are still working on that situation- fml.)

Any way, Lori and I went to dinner earlier at an Italian restaurant in Midtown. I was feeling overwhelmed and emotional and said "Lori... we're going OUT." and by out I meant dinner and home by 10:30 p.m! lol. Living on the edge. lol.

Well it felt good to write... and whether or not this is read, this is incredibly therapeutic for me. I miss all of you and I'm wishing you all health and happiness every day!

Love from the city... xoxoxo.