My Week in Montauk

I can’t believe my week in Montauk is over already! I remember thinking on the drive out how long seven days at the beach was going to feel, but in the blink of an eye it was over. There’s something so peaceful about driving two(ish) hours away from the crowed streets of Manhattan and coming up upon Montauk. For those of you who have never been to or heard of Montauk, it is a cute little town at the end of Long Island, literally the farthest you can get away from the city (it’s “THE END”). I do not exaggerate when I say I love little towns like this. I love that everything is so close, the people are so happy and friendly, the beach is five minute drive away, and there is always amazing food. Most of all I love how the buildings are so low so everywhere I look I can see the sky and I know the ocean is close enough to smell!

The first day there we got up early and grabbed smoothies to go from Naturally Good Foods & Café, and organic health food store. Truth be told, we actually ate most of our meals there. My favorite smoothie from the first day on was the ‘Funky Monkey’, which combines peanut butter, banana, and almond milk. And to the beach we went! While I’m not a person who loves to lie in the sun and tan that doesn’t mean I don’t like the beach. Seeing the ocean and hearing the waves is my happy place. The long walks on the beach in the morning are a great place to think, reconnect with nature and myself, and search for heart shaped rocks. Plus I even took the plunge and dunked in the water one day! Despite the chilly temperature of the water and the rocks I had to walk over at the base of where the water meets the ocean it was completely worth it.

Another fun day was a combination of lighthouses and fairy swings, just a few of my favorite things! After the morning walk on the beach we headed down to Montauk Point to see the Lighthouse, which resulted in one of my favorite pictures from the trip!

Later that day we went to The Surf Lodge for dinner! Located right on Fort Pond, sitting outside looking out at the sun set over the calm water was a memory to cherish. But that wasn’t even the best part. Right behind the out door seating is a gate that leads you to a swing that is adorned with flowers hanging from a tree that is full of twinkle lights; a real life fairy swing! I’m pretty sure I sat there until our food arrived, as any normal 20-year old would do.

In addition The Surf Lodge has a gallery attached which spans to the side of the building that has been painted!

Thursdays are for farmers markets! The Montauk farmers market was one of the best ones I’ve been too! Everything from the lemonade to the maple syrup covered walnuts to the fresh strawberries and raspberries were either homemade or locally grown. While others were off tasting the local honey or wine I sneakily took some snaps of the beautiful peonies!

As the weekend approached I was in search of some good healthy desserts! My two favorite places we discovered were Happy Bowls, an acaí bowl bar, and Buddha Berry, a frozen yogurt café. I wish, wish, wish, they had both of these in NYC!

To top of the weekend and my last day in Montauk we went back to the beach of course! It was sad to leave but I’m so happy for the all the fun that was had!

Have you ever been to Montauk or the Hamptons? What’s your favorite vacation destination spot?

~ Monique ~

Rainy Day Activities in New York

It’s been raining A LOT lately. And I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, rain is good, we need the rain. But it’s June, and sun and warm weather is expected, which is not what we’ve been having. So I thought it would be good to put together a list of things to do on a rainy day in the city for anyone who, like me, is looking for something to do outside of the house but not get drenched.

1.

Go to the Movies

Now the first thing on this list might seem very obvious, because well, let’s face it, the answer to anything really is to watch a movie. However, the reason that going to the movies is top on my list is that going out to the movies is a much different experience than staying in a watching on from our sofa. It’s exciting and brings people together. Just the act of sitting in the movie theater as the light dims, patting your friends arm with excitement as the movie’s about the start, and the feeling you get when the credits roll and your sitting there with a big smile on your face listening to the perfect end song. That feeling of “I can do anything” and “that was amazing” lasts the rest of the day, or at least it does for me.

Plus, if you’re going to go to the movies you might as well make it special, which is why I would recommend going to the Ziegfeld Theater (on 141 West 54^th Street). The Ziegfeld is an iconic destination; you just gave to see the inside for yourselves. The red velvet seats and intricate column designs, there’s real nothing else like it.

Lastly, the reason movies are at the top of my list is because life lessons are always learned from the movies (you’ve go to learn something new everyday right?) And it’s always good to add to your mental store of movie quotes to use at a later date.

2.

Museums

Keeping with the “you learn something new everyday” theme my next stop would be the many museums of NYC! As you may have noticed from some of my previous posts, I really like museums. I love how you can step inside and instantly enter another world, time, or place.

My favorite museums would have to be the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the MET) and the Museum of Modern Art (the MOMA). My favorite place at the MET is either the hall of European paintings and sculptures and the Temple of Dendur in the Egyptian Wing.

Although I haven’t been to the Museum of Natural History in years I’ve recently had an urge to go back! I remember when I was little the butterfly room was my favorite (although it’s only open at certain times of the year) and the Native American Wing.

3.

The Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle

Stop #3: The Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle. Now this may seem boring at first, but bear with me. The Time Warner Center has a bunch of shops! Plus huge glass windows to look out at the rain (a must) and people/traffic watch. The shops include Sephora (believe me, you could spend a good couple of hours in there, hehe), BeBe, Coach, H & M, J. Crew, Jamba Juice and Whole Foods, and so much more that can be found on their website. In addition, a little extra treat is that there is also a Bouchon Bakery & Café! Cases stocked with macaroons, croissants, tarts and sandwiches, my favorite purchase from there has to be the hot chocolate! What’s better than hot chocolate on a rainy day!

4.

The New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

Lastly, or last on this list (but there really is so much more you can do!) would be to go to the New York Public Library on 42^nd Street and 5^th Avenue. Also known as the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, it is the biggest and most magnificent of all the branches, the head library you may call it, has two lions statues guarding the entrance, a full staircase leading up to the entrance and a ceiling in the reading room that you could stare up at for hours on end.

I remember in High School I had just seen the movie the Young Victoria and was obsessed with everything Queen Victoria and Victorian England. My mom and I went to this library and looked at some wonderful books about her. The special thing about this library is that they have books that you cannot check out, so if you want to read them you do it there in the magnificent reading room. As well, the use the old fashion way of retrieving the book for you, such tat you have to fill out a calling card, they send down from the book, and it comes up in a little elevator behind the librarians desk. It’s the kind of thing you have to do once.

Hope this list is useful! Let me know what your favorite rainy day activities in the city are?

~ Monique ~

Street Art in the City

Here’s the thing about living in New York City: you have to appreciate art. Okay, you don’t have to but it definitely makes the whole city experience better if you do. And I don’t only mean the artwork housed in the many museums or galleries, but the things you see on a daily basis while walking the streets. Mostly found in downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn there are wall murals and graffiti art on the sides of buildings, glass mosaics on lampposts, and the occasional chalk drawings hiding around each corner. These creations of artistic expression bring a magic and personality to the city and each neighborhood.

The other day I went downtown to SoHo (which stands for South of Houston Street) and Nolita (which stands for North of Little Italy) in search of some street art. I was not disappointed!

My first stop was the Little Cupcakes Bakeshop, which is located on 30 Price Street (between Prince and Mott St.). On the side of this cute little bakery is a back wall painted with hearts descending for a helicopter. You can’t help but smile when you see the hearts. And obviously you have to stop walking and have an impromptu photo-shoot right there on the spot.

As an added bonus the shop right next store also is painted with bright images of lipstick, roses, and sneakers.

After we’d taken our fair share of photos and double check to make sure our eyes weren’t closed in all of them (like always) we walked a few blocks further on Mott Street to the corner of Mott and Kenmare where we turned left and found the love wall! The love wall, also known as bleeding hearts, was pained by James Goldcrown and is relatively large. The multicolored hearts jump out at you as you approach and beckon you closer for a better look at the details. It’s also become a “thing” to go to the love wall and take a picture! If you ever have the chance to walk by I would highly recommend it!

Remember, always take time to look up at what’s around you, you never know what you’ll find just around the bend!

Do you have a favorite piece of street art in the city or where you live?

~Monique~

A Girl & Her Dessert, A Love Story

Since the weather has finally cleared up and summertime is just around the corner I thought I would do a post about my favorite frozen yogurt places in NYC! Now, as I’m sure any girl would tell you, dessert is a big deal. It’s special and once you have a favorite place it will be revisited time and time again!

Personally, my favorite dessert is frozen yogurt! It keeps you cool at the same time as being delicious.

Here are my top three places:

1.

Butterfield Market

1114 Lexington Ave. (78^th Street)

New York, NY 10075

(I am pretty proud of this picture to be honest hehe)

While Butterfield’s is a market on the Upper East Side and has a ton of actual food, the frozen yogurt is accessible through a street side window next to the entrance to the market. Their main flavors are chocolate, coffee, plain and peanut butter. I always just get a small coffee and sit on the benches outside the market! It’s a perfect afternoon pick-me-up! 

2.

Forty Carrots Restaurant in Bloomingdales

1000 3^rd Ave (59^th Street)

New York, NY 10022

Not many people know that Bloomingdales has frozen yogurt, and thus it is a secret NYC treasure.  To find the Forty Carrots Restaurant in Bloomingdales you take the escalators or elevators all the way up to the top floor (7). You can either sit down in the restaurant or there is a whole separate line specially for frozen yogurt on-the-go. They always have stable flavors such as plain, chocolate, and coffee, with special flavors that change daily, such as peanut butter and sometimes even mango. Once again, I’m a bit boring and just get a small coffee! It's quite funny to think about, I don't drink coffee but I love coffee flavored things!

3.

Victory Garden

31 Carmine Street

New York, NY 10014

Now if you want to go all the way downtown Victory Garden is the best! Plus they make their frozen yogurt out of goat’s milk, so it is extra special. Here is where I mix up the flavors and get something special! My favorite it the salted caramel and chocolate swirl, but I would recommend every flavor there. Once there was a lavender honey flavor! Say it with me, "Ooooh that sounds good!"

If you have been to one of these places or ever go, let me know what you think!

What are your favorite places for frozen yogurt or dessert in general?

Ps. Don't forget to subscribe by email so you don't miss a post, I'd really appreciate it :)

~Monique~