Party Time!

My favorite thing about New York is my friends. Sure I love that there is something to do (maybe a little too many things) every night, different kinds of people every where you look and a bustling all around you like no other place I've ever been. Yes I love these things, but if I left it all behind for greener and maybe easier pastures, the hardest thing to live without would be my friends. And I've done it once before, so I know. In this hectic city, they are what keeps me sane, well somewhat.  

And last weekend we all got together — not that we don't pretty much every other weekend — to celebrate the holiday season. As we expected, the original guest list dwindled down with last minute cancellations and competing Christmas parties, to pretty much just the normal crew plus a few. But we didn't let that stop us from getting all fancy and dancing around the Christmas tree all night long. Who needs a massive crowd to make it a party, right? Just as long as you are surrounded by the people you love — that's the recipe for a great night in my book. And it was:  

Fun in Manchester and Glasgow

I haven't told you much about my time in Manchester and Glasgow as a lot of it was spent simply hanging out, catching up, drinking tea by the fire, going on walks, watching man TV, taking baths, eating pasta, working on the little children's book I wrote (more on that later) and hanging out with a little child. Just time with people who are so close to me but live so far away. Amazing yes, but not too much to report on there. But then again, what a good time we had just being us and being silly. Going out and having fun, staying in and having fun, from evenings jumping on the bed with my niece to late nights in the Northern Corner wearing hats and being ridiculous with new friends. Oh and there was my brother channeling Elton John, Nick eating a really big fish and two year old Sadie cooking us all dinner. I do seem to have a few photos of that: 

A Trip Down Memory/Bread Lane

As I have told you before, my BFF Bryn is in town, but sadly I am working ridiculous fashion week hours. I went out her first night but there was no way I could do it again last night, so as I was home waiting for images (until 2 am!), Bryn was off galavanting in Green Point and sent me a photo she took along the way that brought back memories of her visit a few years ago where I was lucky enough to join in on the fun, if not make it. It was one of those hot summer Brooklyn nights that turns out unexpected adventure after adventure. This particular rendezvous, involving a serious bread heist, was documented in full detail by Bryn herself. Although the evening itself was hysterical, it's her amazing captions on Facebook that really make me laugh. So I thought I would put it on the blog for a little good old New York summer nostalgia as fall continues its inevitable creep in. 

This is the photo she just sent me:

Remember this place? Our haven

These are the photos from a night in July 2009:

bread! delicious!

megs and I

oh jeeeeezzzz

it's bread time

nice work, megan

her little baaaaby...

...is scrumptious

i second that

the bread walk

in depth conversation about the effects of bread on american culture. it's making megan 2 nervous

get it in their, megan

preparation

the main course

bizarre digestion tactics

30 Days to 30: Day 24

Had a great night out on the town. Pretty much the one I wished I had last night, so it all works out. 

Mood: happy 

Progress: Went out and ended up talking to a book editor about a little idea I have for a children's book and he was into it. Maybe this will be one of my projects that actually takes off. Maybe. 

Mentally: Feeling great, it honestly feels like the first day of summer here in NYC, and nothing puts me in a better mental state than that. We ate outside and walked through the East Village wearing nothing but short sleeves, just the way it is supposed to be. 

Physically: Wearing bright orange lipstick and flirting with bartenders, so I am feeling confident. 

Emotionally: Yet feeling a little bit like an idiot for flirting with the bartenders.

Thoughts About Turning 30: If I have learned anything in my almost 30 years, it is not to flirt with bartenders. Hot dudes behind the bar are never the way to go, never. But sometimes you just can't help it. Am I really doing this at my age? Can't I just flirt with a guy actually on my side of the bar?


Photo from Ffffound. 

Girls' Night

I have moved a lot and one thing is always certain to happen: when you are on the way out you discover things that would have made the time in even better. I loved it here in Berlin (mostly), but something that was certainly lacking, was Girls' Nights. I didn't even realize how much I missed them until last night with Anne, Franziska and Erin.

So how did it finally happen? If you know anything about me, you know I have a serious thrift shopping addiction. So naturally I have tons of clothes, too many once again, to bring with me on the move. Since selling stuff isn't as easy as it is in the States, I decided to just have a little free for all boutique in my living room with cookies and wine. I have always wanted to have a little store, and last night was the closest I have gotten, and it was a blast.

The girls got to liven up their spring wardrobes, I got to play stylist and we all got to dress up. So much fun — Erin even let me take photos of her, no smiling of course, but photos they were. Why didn't we do nights like these all along? I mean I couldn't have always given my clothes away, but we certainly could have gotten drunk and played dress up on the regular. If you haven't had a Girls' Night in awhile, I highly recommend it, they are good for the soul.

Berlin Weekend Roundup: Two to Go!

art by Richard Lockett

I had a really nice weekend — kind of the opposite of last weekend as the nights certainly out-shined the days. I did get a little emotional on Saturday night though, as it was a friend's birthday that pretty much my whole Berlin crew was at, and it just made me sad to be together for one of the last times. As I have said before, it is a bittersweet end to an amazing year of my life that I could have continued, but instead chose to move on. But that is life, right? So many decisions. And one of my new ones as I welcome in this chapter, has been to start wearing my hair in pigtails (see!), maybe it is me rebelling against turning 30 in a few months. Sorry, I had to take the seriousness level down a notch there. Anyway, I am glad that these last weekends have been so special, even if it is a little overwhelming. 

It all went something like this: my friend Richard's amazing art opening, carb overload dinner with Erin, home early but in bed late, new found obsession with show Parenthood, house cleaning, packing, solo dance party, sushi, wine at Luzia on Oranienstrasse, trek to Wedding, Franziska's bday at Analog Bar, emotional talks, dance party of the day #2, late night ubahn ride photo fun, lazy Sunday, pizza, more Parenthood, overdue Skype session with Sarah.  

Never Before Seen Summer Footage

I have been going through my old photos today trying to make some space on my computer and I came across these never before seen outfit shots from last summer. I remember the night perfectly, it was August and it was my boyfriend and my year anniversary, and I was annoyed that I had to wear tights because it was a wee bit chilly. But it ended up being not so bad (in fact lovely) and I took them off in the bathroom at the restaurant where we ate dinner before we went out dancing all night. Oh what I wouldn't give for a wee bit chilly summer night like that one right about now...

Or what about a night where it is so hot, so late, that you can be out in a dress without a sweater and awkwardly pose in front of a beer ad, yes, with a beer (only in Berlin)! Or what about a day that is so sunny you have to squint and wear a hat to protect yourself. My oh my, winter I think I am over you.