Pieces of New York

Last time I came home to NJ, i reserved a lot of my time for family. Mainly because both of my sisters were here and we're never ALL together at the same time. This trip, I made it a point to catch up with a lot friends i haven't seen in awhile. This week, I spent a whole day in NYC and caught up with friends and colleagues of my past. It was a great day to say the least. Amidst a long, snow-filled winter, my day in the city was sunny, bright and 65 degrees. Who could ask for anything more? I roamed the city streets at my own pace, walking in and out of shops along 8th Ave. I sat down at a corner Starbucks and drank my tall caramel macchiato while sitting along the window facing ledge - people watching.

I had a great lunch catching up with my girlfriend who i haven't seen in literally 4 years. we wandered through the brick walled building of Chelsea Market. Imagine stalls of various foods, fresh cut flowers for sale, stores selling cute knick knacks, organic stores selling home made jams and honey.

My next stop was Billy's an adorable, small bakery with CUPCAKES!!

After sharing a cupcake and taking a little coffee break with one of my fab friends we started our trek to soho.

Along our walk we couldn't help but stare at the Catherine Malandrino window. We couldn't resist the temptation and we walked inside. Beautiful clothing, beautiful designs, hefty pricetag....

We stopped my the Marc Jacobs store - loved all their accessories, their bags, jewelry, rainboots. Right across the way was BookMarc - their bookstore. This was my heaven. As much as I love accessories, i don't know why, but nothing is as beautiful as a large, colorful, coffee table book. This store had everything from The Louis Vuitton book, the YSL book, everything for all the major designers. I want!! My only problem now is, since Gabe can reach on top of the coffee table, he has access to all my books, so i'm going to have to temporarily put them away. So for now, no new books for me :(

I loved visting Tommy, Zara, Forever21, Intermix, Apple, as well as small indie boutiques. After basking in the sun, walking, and shopping in the west village and soho, i ended my day eating falafels and baklava in the park benches of Washington Square Park, by NYU.

I love my friends, I love my life. Life is good.

Cramping my style

Not a good day today! I woke up with a leg cramp in my calf muscle. I felt this about 2 weeks ago too in NJ and absolutely hate it. You feel paralyzed for a few minutes b/c you can NOT move your leg - it hurts that much. Even now, a few hours later, i am still limping. I guess its just part of the pregnancy. I read that since the uterus is getting larger, it restricts blood flow to the legs...something like that.

So today is bed rest day. Im just enjoying my Dunkin Donuts Iced Coffee. (image courtesy of weheartit.com)

I think i'll just catch up on "The City." (images courtsey of MTV.com)

My New Living Room

Today i visited my Dr for my 33 week check up and baby got an A+! He seems to be growing the way he should and his heartbeat sounds great! I have one more checkup in 2 weeks and then after that its a check up every week. Yikes!! Its getting closer and closer!

After our appointment, Wil and I had lunch at a greek place we've been meaning to try, Mediterranean Grill -so good. Brought back memories of Santorini-even though, nothing will compare to the freshness of food in Greece.

Since we were in the area, we stopped by a coffee shop i've been meaning to check out called, Chocolate Coffee. I had low expectations considering I haven't really found a coffee shop here in Atlanta that I could call home yet. But this place was soooooo cute - its very Friends-ish, as in Central Perk. There's tons of couches and tables, free wifi, great selection of flavored coffee with reasonable prices. I didn't really look at the dessert since i was still full from the baklava i just had at Mediterranean Grill, but the website boasts about their desserts. In the back, aside from a wide array of comfy couches, they had a little version of an old fashioned street lamp :) im a sucker for that kind of decor. Colorful textured paintings adorned the wall, the texture was made from coffee beans - how witty.

So, I've finally found my home away from home. This is wear I plan to entertain my girls, conduct business meetings, use as an office, use as a getaway with baby once he's old enough to hang out in his stroller while I read a book. Its my new living room.

There were tons of drinks to choose from - i was tempted to try the almond joy frappe. But i decided instead to get their classic decaf iced coffee, light with one splenda :) so good for a hot day like today.