I remember being so sad the day I was leaving Chicago to head back to NYC, even though I was excited to revisit my life there. Jack, Daniel, and I went for one more coffee outing that morning, walking to a new place a few blocks away, before Jack so kindly drove me to the airport. I started crying in the car because it had dawned on me that we were nearly halfway through the year—and therefore nearly halfway through the time to “figure my life out.” I felt that nothing had changed in my life since the beginning of the year (not actually true if I thought about it), I still had no clue what I was going to do once the year ended (there was still loads of time with bigger adventures and changes ahead), and I was sad to leave my friends that I rarely get such quality and quantity of time with. Once I arrived in NYC, those feelings quickly dissipated, and I felt right back at home again.
I was still freelancing while in NYC, and it was such a gift to be able to enjoy the city without the pressures and time constraints of a full-time job (if I forgot about the financial component of that equation). Being able to sleep in a bit (I’m someone who can still sleep 12+ hours if I have the chance), go to a late morning workout class (I love reformer Pilates), get a coffee without being in a rush, enjoy a mid-day stroll, change locations to work from a cafe during lunch, and make plans for nighttime without worrying about a super early morning the next day…soaking up the city in a calmer, less-stress-to-the-nervous-system kind of way…felt so good. Being able to take my time with things and embrace slow mornings each day was such a gift.
My month back in NYC was a mix of the typical day-to-day things, as well as some unforgettable new memories to send me off on the second half of my adventurous year.
THE MUNDANE
I mean this in the standard life, everyday kind of sense, not in the dullness sense. The little things aren’t necessarily less exciting, just less novel. And often most of life’s magic is created in the mundane.
I made sure to hit up all of my usual favorites and to squeeze in as many appointments (one more in-person therapy session, one last haircut for the year—granted I only cut my hair twice a year anyways, one last hole-in-the-wall massage, etc.) while I was back.
Matchaful. Anima Mundi. Spring Cafe Aspen. I also made sure to try a few new restaurants—Theodora, San Sabino (I had to try this new spot from the team behind Don Angie, where I used to go on almost a weekly basis), and ThisBowl (fast casual) were the standouts. As well as Caffè Panna for one of my favorite foods, ice cream.
Wood-Fired Beets at Theodora. Sophie's Way at ThisBowl. Scoops of Caffè Bianco Stracciatella and Peanut Butter Chip, topped with panna, sea salt, and Umbrian olive oil at Caffè Panna. Taking advantage of my Blackbird Breakfast Club membership…i.e. FREE COFFEE! Well, technically not free since you pay for the membership, but it. is. a. steal. And if you know me, you know I love a deal, especially when it comes to my daily coffee. I was grandfathered into a barely existing coffee membership at Kona in the East Village and went there for years, even after I moved out of the neighborhood. Having this Blackbird membership when I came back to the city made it possible for me to still go out for coffee everyday while on a budget, and that is a ritual I deeply cherish—and never want to give up.
Grocery shopping at my favorite farmers’ markets and cooking dinner for friends.
Tangy Noodles with Peanut Sauce and Fresh Herbs, Asian marinated grass-fed skirt steak, and a simple greens-and-herbs salad with lime vinaigrette, all enjoyed al fresco on my friends’ patio. A perfect summer night.
Partaking in life with one of my best friends and her family (which was growing…her belly was much bigger than when I last saw her in February), trips to Central Park and attending her daughter’s dance recital included.
Simply enjoying the city in all of its springtime glory. The energy in NYC on a good-weather day is unparalleled. It’s hard to put into words how it feels, but being around that energy is truly life-giving.
THE MAGIC
The movie-magic moments that make you pause, that really remind you why you love NYC—and why you choose to live here.
The aforementioned pregnant friend and I had an uptown afternoon and went to The Met for the Sleeping Beauty exhibit. I love tagging along on their family outings, and it’s rare that she and I get alone time together, with the space to have proper conversations. So being able to have an afternoon just the two of us felt special. And despite having access to some of the most incredible museums in the world, actually going to them is something I don’t take advantage of often enough.
When I first made the decision to attend Ballymaloe (about a year prior to it actually happening), once I knew my time in NYC was dwindling, at least temporarily, I made a promise to myself to say yes to more things. And one of the things I specifically wanted to say yes to more often was concerts. I love concerts, but they weren’t something I actively sought out frequently, until then. I ended up going to more concerts in the last year of living in NYC than I had in all the years prior. So when a friend casually mentioned Hozier being in town, and I managed to find tickets under $100, I decided to say yes to yet another concert. And with it being at Forest Hills Stadium on a beautiful summer evening, it was a very memorable night outside, with a little nod to my Irish future.
If you ever consider going to a concert but don’t have anyone to go with, just go. Concerts by yourself are still so fun, and everyone is there for the music anyways. Go, listen, dance, sing, enjoy. You never regret going to see live music—alone or otherwise.
One of my former coworkers (and dear friend) and I used to go to the Hamptons for work together every summer to help with some of our events out there. When my role no longer required me to do so, we started going out on our own, just for the day…because when you don’t have a place to stay in the Hamptons but you still want a really good lobster roll and a walk on the beach, you find a way. We have so many memories of our day trips out east together over the years, eating our way through the Hamptons, carefully selecting stops for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—with a lobster roll in some form being the only constant. Typically we’ve done this trip in August or September, but given I wouldn’t be there this year that late in the season, we pulled our trip forward, and I’m so glad we still managed to carry on our tradition.
This year, we started out with Matchaful for the car ride out east instead of waiting for coffee until we got there. So upon arrival it was straight to The Dock House for the requisite lobster roll. We always try a new place for said lobster roll, and this one did not disappoint, with a generous portion of lobster meat inside. You can order fries separately (ask for them crispy), and if you’re a fan of a lobster salad roll (as opposed to the hot buttered style), this is divine. Plus, eating along the water in Sag Harbor feels extra summery. The year prior we went to Bostwick’s in East Hampton, which has both styles of lobster rolls, and probably my favorite of the butter variety.
We continued onto Montauk for dessert, making moves for some ice cream at John’s Drive-In. We both got the coffee oreo flavor. My friend once saw Jean-Gorges Vongerichten there ordering that flavor, and as she said, if it’s good enough for him, it’s good enough for me.
Browsing at Round Swamp and a walk along the beach filled our afternoon. If I’m near the water, I have to go in—even if it’s just dipping my feet in the salty, cold waves. A body of water is one of the most calming places for me.
We decided to try somewhere new for dinner (The Crow’s Nest is our usual spot), giving Sí Sí a try since she and I both love Mediterranean cuisine. Situated right along the Three Mile Harbor, it’s a stunning setting. The food was hit and miss, but we got a sunset that made the good dishes taste even better and the average dishes not matter.
Then it was a traffic-free drive back to the city to return our rental car just in time, before passing out after a very long and very fulfilling day.
My time back in New York City made me realize that no matter what happens once the “adventures” end, NYC will always be a part of me, will always be a part of my story. And if I choose to make it my final destination / my full-time home again, I can—it will always be here, waiting with its resilient spirit and diverse energy, because that’s the makeup of this crazy, beautiful city.
Those Hamptons trips are a highlight of the summer! So grateful to be part of these special memories ❤️