This week, I have thought a lot about what a gift life is….I reminded myself to be constantly thankful for all of the good things and people in my life and also reminded myself not to sweat the small stuff. Waking up everyday with a grateful attitude really helps you to enjoy life so much more- to take nothing for granted and to enjoy the small, simple things! With that said, we enjoyed New York to the fullest this week – I am so thankful Miller and I have the opportunity to live here right now and for the friends we have made so far!!! A few things from the week…
I have been wanting to find a super authentic restaurant in Chinatown, but it can be overwhelming looking for one because there are so many restaurants. So when our amazing Chinese friend, Flora, called last week and asked to take us to lunch, I knew she would take us straight to Chinatown gold! And oh my gosh, we have found our new Chinese place…Ping. It’s the real deal.
This is how they serve the food…
Me and Flora! It was so fun eating with her because she ordered everything in Chinese, so Miller and I just ate whatever was put in front of us…who knows what all we ate -and I didn’t care because it was all so delicious.
If you walk through Chinatown, there are all of these live sea critters sitting in baskets on the streets! People will buy them, put the live creature in a bag, and take them home to cook. I asked Flora why all these crazy people want to take live crabs home, and she said because the Chinese people like their seafood to be AFAP.
Flora said Vivi Bubble Tea on Bayard Street is her favorite place for tapioca teas and smoothies. We tried the black tea and the coconut smoothie, and they were both amazing.
You can get the cheapest shoe repair in Chinatown…these people just sit on the side of the street, smoke cigarettes, and repair shoes all day. We stopped and sat with them for a few minutes while they repaired Flora’s heel.
You can actually get cheap everything in Chinatown…the produce and groceries are sooo inexpensive. The leafy green stuff on the right is called choi sum, and we bought some for dinner that night. It was delish!!! You sautée garlic in a pan with a little olive oil, then add scallions, then add 2 tsp of soy sauce mixed with a little water and sugar, a little sesame oil, then add the choi sum and cook for about 10 minutes…SO GOOD!
I bought these chocolates at a little chocolate/wine bar down the street from our apartment…Lavendar and elderflower chocolate. Never thought I could get soooo much enjoyment out of something so small.
I wish we didn’t all have beady red eyes in this picture, but it’s the only one I have from Miller’s birthday party, so I love it anyway! Plus, i think Miller looks too dang cute in this picture! Our friends, Sam and Caroline, were so sweet and hosted Miller’s birthday party at their apartment- it was a perfect night!
They rented the back room at a restaurant called Cafe Select in Soho so the party moved there after Sam and Caroline’s. It is the perfect spot for a private little party! I loved all the random things hanging from a clothesline…here we have a shoes, shorts, and a disco ball!
Best birthday cake ever! It’s a Lady M Crepes cake and each cake is made up of at least 20 paper thin handmade crepes. IT IS SO GOOD. Lady M has a store on East 78th Street and you can also get one at Dean and Deluca.
We were out of Trapp Candles, and we found the cutest little candle shop on Christopher Street called Scenter. Lately I have been trying to shop more at small little privately owned business – the owners of a small shop are usually more passionate about what they are doing, and in turn, they give you better customer service. Plus it’s fun going into a store where the owners know you by name!
We went to the opening of the Bruce Davidson: Subway photography exhibit at the Aperture Gallery in Chelsea. Bruce Davidson did a photo series in the 80′s in the New York City subway system. The photos are so raw, colorful, and beautiful- it is fascinating seeing photos of New York’s underworld back in the day- so much grittier than it is now. I snapped a few photos so you can totally see my head in all of these, but here are 3 of the 118 images. If anyone is in the area, you should check it out!
