Five Things Friday [New York] 2.10.12
Last week I asked for y’all to help Ryan and me plan our weekend getaway to NYC- I am so appreciative of all the recommendations and suggestions we received! We wish we had more than 1 night so we could do, see, and dine at all of them!
I thought it would be fun do a Five Things Friday edition focused around our plans for the weekend…
1. Travel. After much debate and weighing the pros and cons of both plane and train, we decided to take the train! When I was younger and my family went to NYC we always went via train- it’s almost equal in time as taking a plane [considering the security lines, check-in, and baggage claim], it’s fun to see the passing scenery, and the seats are more spacious. This will be Ryan’s first time riding a train so he’s excited!
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…EXCITING!
2. Accommodations. Having only been to NYC a few times, I had no idea where to stay. Closer to Central Park to escape all the city life? Directly in Times Square near all the hustle and bustle? Save a few bucks and stay somewhere on the outskirts? Or splurge a little more since it’s only for 1 night? I looked into a few recommendations but unfortunately they were either booked or only had their ooober expensive rooms still available [understandable since it's Valentine's Day weekend]. Ryan and I both thought it would be more fun to stay closer to Midtown and near all the sites and restaurants so we decided to stay at the Hilton New York.
From their website:
“Discover an extraordinary New York Hilton hotel and see New York from a fresh new perspective. Hilton New York offers modern hotel accommodations and just steps from top NY attractions. Find a quiet respite from the city that never sleeps in our New York Hotel Rooms that are spacious and modern. Step outside our exquisite Midtown New York, NY hotel and find yourself within blocks of Central Park, Times Square, the Theatre district, 5th Avenue shopping, MOMA and so much more. Make sure your next meeting or conference stands out from the rest with the help of our expert event managers and customized meeting packages. Boasting 151,000 square feet of meeting space, our impressive Manhattan hotel caters to every event with focused individualized attention.”
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…PERFECT!
3. Dining. Ryan said he wanted to treat me to a fancier than usual dinner on Saturday night. We were indifferent about what type of cuisine we wanted so we opted to ask our friends for recommendations. We considered an Italian restaurant in the Theater District [a romantic atmosphere and a traditional Italian menu], a southwestern restaurant in the Flatiron District [a fun atmosphere and an intriguing menu], and a steakhouse in Midtown [a traditional dark wood atmosphere and meat-focused menu]… We ultimately made reservations at Ben & Jack’s Steakhouse.
From their website:
“Long time waiters of Peter Luger’s Steakhouse, Ben and Jack Sinanaj have taken the steakhouse experience one step further at Ben and Jack’s Steakhouse in midtown Manhattan. Offering prime dry aged porterhouse steaks is not the only thing these guys do to perfection, from exquisite desserts to fresh seafood to mouthwatering side dishes, Ben and Jack invite you to stop in and enjoy an unforgettable steakhouse experience like no other.
Ben and Jack’s offers an extensive and diverse wine list as well to accommodate your dinner. We also have many private dining rooms that can accommodate your next function of as little as six people, to as many as two hundred. The frosted, etched glass private rooms ensures privacy and bestows the feeling of being the only ones in the restaurant.”
…TASTY!
4. Attractions. Since we’ll only have one day in the city [arriving at 9AM on Saturday and leaving at 11AM Sunday], I didn’t want to commit to too many things and think that it’ll be more fun for us to do whatever sounds appealing in the moment. The few set-in-stone plans we do have include:
-A walk throughout Central Park
-Meet up with one of my girlfriends from home Heather [she has written a couple of guest posts!] to take our engagement pictures!
-Tour the 9/11 Memorial
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…FUN!
5. Charlie. My attempts to convince Ryan to bring Charlie with us were unsuccessful. I agree that it will be more relaxing [and romantic] just the two of us but I’m nervous to leave my baby boy in the care of someone else. Earlier in the week we checked out the PetSmart PetsHotel and were impressed. The facilities were clean, the other dogs looked happy, the staff was accommodating and friendly, and the overall experience sounds like a vacation… We made Charlie a reservation to stay there for two nights, as well as a grooming session, and will plan to pick him up when we get home on Sunday.
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…BITTERSWEET!
Daily Memorable Moments
February 9: Attending a county-wide meeting and receiving an email from my department chair that the substitute teacher assigned to cover my class did not show up. My mind began to race and my heart sunk.
February 10: Dropping Charlie off at the PetsHotel. I am predicting that I am going to be one of “those” [overprotective] momma’s when I have children…
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Tagged as Charlie, Five Things Friday, Ryan, NYC, Train, PetSmart, PetsHotel, Ben & Jack's Steakhouse, 9/11 Memorial, Engagement Pictures, Central Park, Hilton New York, Amtrak
Yes, I Do
On August 28, 2010 I said…
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And on September 3, 2012 I will say…
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WE’RE GETTING MARRIED!!!
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12 Random Facts
A few weeks ago Candice tagged me for The Versatile Blogger Award and a few days later I read Janetha’s 20 Questions and wanted to do them myself. This week I was tagged by Kelly from Foodie Fresh to participate in “12 Random Facts”… Bring on more randomness!
The rules:
- Post these rules.
- You must post 12 random things about yourself.
- Answer the questions set for you in their post.
- Create 12 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
- Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them.
- No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 12 (or so) people.
12 random facts about me…
1. My favorite numbers are 20 and 44…
2. When I was younger, I was embarrassed of my size 10 foot and thought that smaller feet were more “lady-like” so I would always squeeze my feet into smaller sized shoes. It wasn’t until I started playing competitive sports and running and getting blue toenails did I start buying shoes that actually fit my feet. Now I’m rocking size 10′s and sometimes will even buy a size bigger [better for running]!
3. I am allergic to bumble bees, iguanas, and licorice- they’re all completely random, I know…
4. I don’t know how to apply eyeliner!
5. I have a love-hate relationship with running.
6. I was adopted at birth. My birth parents were very young when they had me so they made the smart decision to find me a better home. I could not be more thankful for their decision and for the family that I was adopted into. My parents have continuously provided me with so much love and support throughout my childhood, adolescence, and now as an adult!
7. September has always been my favorite month [birthday month] and it’s about to be even better
8. In elementary school, I did ballet and figure skating- I dressed up as a dog and a lobster for a ballet recital and I dressed up as a lion for a figure skating show! Those were short-lived [yet hilarious] experiences… Ballet and figure skating require a certain amount elegance and gracefulness that I never have had!
9. My first concert was to see N’Sync and it was their first concert in DC!
10. The first time I broke a bone was in kindergarten… I ran down a wet hill [immediately after our teacher told the class to walk] during recess and I slipped and broke my wrist. I don’t remember if it hurt or not, all I remember is that I was psyched to ride in an ambulance and to get a hot pink cast!
11. I wasn’t allowed to watch “Doug” or “The Rugrats” in elementary school.
12. I am probably 1 in a million, but I really disliked the Super Bowl half-time show this year.
12 questions from Kelly…
1. Who was your first kiss and how old were you? My first kiss was in kindergarten in the coat-closet!
2. If you could be in the Olympics, what sport would you choose? I played competitive sports throughout high school so I should say one of those but I’ve always enjoyed watching the Olympic gymnasts- the flips and spins and splits they can do are absolutely amazing!
3. How did you find out that Santa isn’t real? I don’t remember how old I was but I think I caught on when a few of my friends at school mentioned spying on their parents putting the presents under the tree…
4. If you had to eat one breakfast for the rest of your life, what would you choose? A creamy cup of coffee and some type of bowl- cereal, waffle, yogurt…
5. If you could rename yourself, what name would you choose (it can’t be your actual name)? Brittany or Emily because I’ve always thought they look beautiful when written in cursive.
6. Are you a dog person or a cat person and why? Dog person- they have a more spunky and upbeat personality than cats [and they don't poop in your house haha]!
7. What’s your favorite book of all time? After reading so many [boring and dull] required books for school, I’ve lost my desire to read for fun [other than magazines]. I really need to start using my Nook more often…
8. What song most reminds you of high school?
9. Fill in the blank. I can’t face the day without [talking to the ones I love].
10. Choose one: Valentine’s Day is a fun way to celebrate love OR Valentine’s Day is totally overrated. A fun way to celebrate love!
11. Currently, what is your favorite television show? Modern Family, it’s hilarious!
12. How long does your makeup routine take? 5-10 minutes during unless there’s a special occasion then maybe a little longer…
12 new questions from me…
1. Chocolate or vanilla?
2. When you were younger, what was your dream job?
3. If you won $1,000,000, what would you buy or do with it?
4. What is your all time favorite movie?
5. How old were you when you got your first cell phone?
6. Have you ever broken a bone or had to get stitches?
7. How many kids do you want?
8. What’s the best piece of advice that you’ve ever received?
9. What outfit do you feel most beautiful in? Most comfortable in?
10. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life what would you choose?
11. Coffee or tea?
12. What’s your favorite sport to watch live or on TV?
And now I’m tagging…
1. Ali from Live Laugh Eat
2. Cait from cait’s plate
3. Colleen from The Lunchbox Diaries
4. Gliding Calm
5. Gracie from girl meets life.
6. Janae from The Hungry Runner Girl
7. Janetha from meals & moves
8. Joelle from On A Pink Typewriter
9. Kailey from SnackFace
10. Meg from A Dash of Meg
11. Monica from Run Eat Repeat
12. Sara from Nourish and Flourish
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Daily Memorable Moment February 8: We’ve chosen a date and we’ve reserved a venue for our wedding!!!
Question: If you won $1,000,000, what would you buy or do with it?
Question: What’s the best piece of advice that you’ve ever received?
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Filed under Blogging, Food, Family, Friends, Music, Holidays, Wedding, Charlie, Fitness, TV & Movies, Fashion, Health
Tagged as Girlfriends, Sports, Shoes, Birthdays, Running, Love, Puppy, Charlie, Ryan, Breakfast, Momma, Wedding Planning, 12 Random Facts, 20, 44, Allergies, Make-Up, Adopted, September, Ballet, Figure Skating, N'Sync, Broken Bones, Doug, Rugrats, Olympics, Books, Valentine's Day, Modern Family
A Case of the Mondays & Love Songs
Yesterday I had a serious case of the Mondays. No matter what I did or said, I felt like I couldn’t do anything right and just wanted to give up…
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But today was completely different. I was totally gitty, happy, and in a lovey-dovey mood! And ironically, so was my Pandora playlist… A few of my faves included:
Marry Me by Train
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Bubbly by Colbie Caillat
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Lovely by Sara Haze
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A Thousand Years by Christina Perri
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Feels Like Home by Chantal Kreviazuk
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And why was I in such a gitty mood?! Because… Gah, I have to wait a few more days but I am SO VERY EXCITED
P.S. I won a case of Chobani Champions from Candice at The body of a mother [hooray]! Thanks so much Candice for hosting the giveaway and I cannot wait to try the Vanilla Chocolate Chunk flavor!
Daily Memorable Moment February 7: I have been pushing Ryan to bring Charlie with us to NYC but he’s not too keen on the idea so tonight we all hopped into the car and went to PetSmart to check out the PetsHotel. WOW, we were pleasantly surprised with the facilities and the super friendly staff. We reserved an “Atrium Room” for Charlie which includes a lambskin bed, feedings, exercise walks, and playtime, as well as scheduling him for a grooming session… I think Charlie is going to be one happy pooch!
Question: How do you get over a case of the Mondays?
Question: Share something exciting!
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Tagged as Pandora, Charlie, Colbie Caillat, A Case of the Mondays, Train, Sara Haze, Christina Perri, Chantal Kreviazuk, PetSmart, PetsHotel
Venues Pt. 3 & Successes Sunday: Week 5
In the fall Ryan and I spent many weekends touring potential wedding venues scattered throughout Northern Virginia and DC… It was overwhelmingly exciting but completely exhausting so we decided to take a break. We liked one particular venue more than the others but the price was a little steep so we wanted to explore other options… On Saturday we visited another potential wedding venue!
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens:
“Celebrate in the breathtaking Atrium overlooking the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. A beautifully landscaped facility with lush foliage, flowers, fountains and a meandering streams makes The Atrium an ideal and unique venue.”
- Price Range: $$$
- Ceremony and reception site
- Indoor and outdoor space available
- Capacity: up to 200
- Styles: banquet/ reception hall, unusual/ alternative
**Descriptions and facts were found on The Knot website**
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Successes Sunday
1. Listen to my body.
-Attend at least 1 fitness class a week. Yup! I went to my first BodyPump class on Sunday and even though all of the muscles in my body ache this morning, I LOVED IT! Before the class started I introduced myself to the [very peppy] instructor and she told me to stand front and center so she could help me with my technique… Despite my hesitation, I did and I’m glad I overcame my nerves- I felt like I was in a 1-on-1 personal training session even though the room was filled wall-to-wall with people old and young, male and female!
-Take time to rest when I am exhausted or sick. Yup! I usually take 1 rest day a week but this week my body was sore so I listened to it and took 2 days off…
-Don’t sweat the small stuff. Yup! Last week I had a parent-teacher conference with a parent who I had never met before… Despite having a few differing opinions, the meeting was successful and I’m optimistic about the student’s potential in my classroom.
2. Save money.
-Clip coupons. Yup! I clipped a few from the circular and the newspaper…
-Wait and shop sales. Yup! Ryan and I stocked up at the grocery store yesterday and scored some awesome deals, saving us almost $30!
-Buy what I need, not what I want. Yup! My only purchases this week were groceries.