Brooklyn, Brooklyn take me in. #100daysofNYC Day83

Load the car and write the note.

Grab your bag and grab your coat. 

Tell the ones that need to know...

we are headed north. 

One foot in and one foot back,

But it don't pay to live like that. 

So I cut the ties and jumped the tracks. 

For never to return. 

Oh Brooklyn, Brooklyn, take me in. 

Are you aware the shape I'm in?

My hands they shake, my head it spins. 

Oh Brooklyn, Brooklyn, take me in. 

- Avett Brothers (I and love and you)

I'll never forget that feeling...

The rush of finally deciding to do something you've wanted to do for 10 years. The wild emotions of someone brave enough to do it with you, and the fear of having to tell your two biggest fans you're moving 1200 miles away... 

The loading of the Uhaul, the tight squeezes goodbye, I will never forget that feeling. The 24 hour drive through many states, watching the sun set and rise again... Oh Brooklyn, Brooklyn, take me in. 

*Sorry for going on a hiatus for a few days... I'm ready to go home, but I'll never regret moving here. It's something no one can take away from me :) So, today is dedicated to just the jump, and the fear of falling.

Day84 #100daysofNYC

Well, I've hit them all... LaGuardia, JFK, Newark... and I'm beginning to get used to their, essence? Lol

I always wanted to be a jet setter. Flying all over the world, traveling to far off destinations, taking photographs and making epic memories. I never thought the dream of spending so much time in an airport would lead to this... New York to New Orleans, New Orleans to New York, New York to New Orleans... You get the idea. 

I guess I'm just getting used to this life. It's almost over. I'm gonna miss these flights, and all the perks that come with them, e.g. car service :)

So, it might be short, but I'm dedicating today to New York, NY - All Airports. Can't tell you how many times I've searched that on Kayak and Expedia. LGA, JFK, EWR. Thank you for having so many portals for people to funnel into this magical city. 

My morning breakfast... Watching the pilot of Big Bang Theory. Headed to Louisiana. Life is good :)

Day85 #100daysofNYC

The big blue bag!

Yes, you can do this in many other cities, but you can't do it where I came from, and you can't do it where I'm going... I'm talking about mad IKEA shopping trips!!

For some reason it always decides to rain on the days I plan on going to Ikea, but I always power through. Getting on the D train, transferring to the R, and then taking the Ikea shuttle bus from 9th and 4th... I'm going to miss my solo shopping trips. If you've never been to Ikea, do it. Just for the sole purpose of experiencing it, do it. But... Be aware you might spend money on something you don't need just because it's SO CHEAP! 

To our Brooklyn store: you make me so happy :) 

Showroom? Check. Marketplace? Check. Self serve area? Check. Tape measurer? Check. You name it, they've got it. 

Pick a bed and take all of it home!

Build a room!

Small space? No problem! They've got it all figured out for you!

So, today is dedicated to IKEA and it's enchantment that takes me in and allowing me to get lost for hours. 

Day86 #100daysofNYC

Big Apple Block Party Y'all!

12th Annual, Madison Square Park... Grab some BBQ, pitch a blanket and listen to some good music! Having the pleasure to work at Blue Smoke, I got to meet most of these premier pitmasters the few days leading up to the block party, as they parked their rigs down our block and enjoyed the BBQ and ever here for a couple days! 

What a great weekend! Head out!!

Blue Smoke Tent

Our awesome chefs!

Blue Smoke shrimp on a stick and watermelon shooter

Southern games :)

Thirsty?

Today's dedicated to The 12th annual Big Apple Block Party and some goooood bbq!

Day87 #100daysofNYC

Catch a ride on the river!

I've taken the Circle Line Harbor Lights Cruise twice now. Before that, Jason and I did the Zephyr. The difference: the Zephyr has a dance floor and cocktails, haha. 

I would recommend the Harbor Lights Cruise to anyone!! I did the first trip with mama and daddy, and the view was amazing! The second trip was with Brandy and it poured!! Surprisingly, still beautiful! I'm going to just post some pics, and let you be the judge. $30/person, 1 1/2 hour cruise. Note: if you don't have time to do this, hop on the Staten Island Ferry for free and get a great view of The Statue of Liberty!

(Stolen from mama, her Samsung took this!)

From the rainy trip:

Today is dedicated to the beautiful views of this city, given by the Circle Line Harbor Lights Cruise. 

Day88 #100daysofNYC

This is a quickie cause I don't have much time, but if you want to feel a mix of the concrete jungle and nature, take a stroll on the High Line in Chelsea. It was a freight rail line elevated over the city, and they created a park out of it. Here's a few shots, either from the High Line or of the High Line :)

Also, check out Chelsea Market while you're doing this! I have it on the list ;)

So, today is quickly dedicated to the High Line. Go take a stroll!

Day89 #100daysofNYC

#todayonthesubway

I miss my car. I miss being able to go fast. To roll the windows down and just cruise. To listen to my music loud, or be quiet. I miss being in control. 

But... I do love being able to read during a "traffic jam" and take naps on the way home from work. I was so used to driving an hour to and from school from Ruston to Springhill, so my hour commute doesn't really bother me. I have grown to love the D and 6 and their joy of getting me to work everyday HAHA. 

So, today is dedicated to my lovely D train, the memories made on it, and all the unique ones that ride it. 

(October 2013, waiting for the D train)

(February 2014)

(Karate Kid eating his Chef Boyardee Ravioli)

DO NOT LEAN ON THE DOORS! (We all do)

(Passing train and reflection of Jason reading, November 2013)

(Manhattan Bridge, October 2013)

(The rush of the train, November 2013)

(7 foot Asian man and his pants)

(All by myself, March 2014)

Daddy is now a Brooklynite, April 2014

They grew to love it!, May 2014

The guy/girl Jason and I met on the L train in October 2013. This shot is from two days ago. I was so excited I had to send Jason a pic! Please, let me try to set the scene. October, on the L headed to Williamsburg. We overhear a light gospel singing, random gospel songs changing sporadically, voice getting louder and louder... Then an outbreak of "This is the song that never ends" LOUD, HIGH PITCHED, then DEEP, squeaky, ALTO DEEP, squeaky, DEEP, HIGH PITCHED!! One of our most entertaining times on the train :)

Thanks MTA Subway system, for almost always being there for us when we need you. I'm going to miss all the interesting people. Headphones will never mean as much to me...

Day90 #100daysofNYC

So, as a side blog to yesterday... One of my absolute favorite spots in the city to spend my money is The Strand Bookstore. It's right outside Union Square at 12th and Broadway. The best thing about The Strand is that you can spend all day there! They have rows of bargain $1 and $2 books outside, and miles of books inside. I promise you that you can find any book you're looking for at a lower cost than anywhere else. They have great little groupings of books to guide you; one of my favorites is Books that are cheaper than they are on Kindle. (I love my kindle, but it's so nice to sling a book around on the subway.)

One of my favorite things is that they have tons of tote bags! Kate Spade, you stole my heart! 

Go! Spend a few bucks and make some memories :)

Day91 #100daysofNYC

Union Square baby!!

Today I went to Coney Island and laid out for a couple hours, then headed to Union Square to do a little shopping. My favorite thing about Union Square is that there is so much to do! It needs to be a must stop on your list! It's located between 14th St and 17th St between Broadway and 4th Ave. 

Grab breakfast (or any other meal, but the breakfast is amazing) at Coffee Shop Bar. Mama and daddy and I sat outside when we went and it was perfect. 

Then stroll through the Union Square Greenmarket to grab some local food! 

If you're feeling lucky, sit down at one of the chess tables and see if you can beat the regulars. 

There's tons of shopping available too! Tomorrow will be about my favorite place around Union Square, but today is dedicated to the beautifully unique Union Square and it's Greenmarket.