SUNDAY 

Every year the nearby ward holds sacrament in a middle school to accommodate to the massive Duck-beach group ... One of the ward members was wearing a Duke polo to church so I'm pretty sure I've found my brother's new best friend 

I've always been really good at gymnastics^

Over the course of the trip, we made ourselves known as the iiiinteeerrrnnnss 

(que the low, slow (but excited!) pronunciation of “interns” here)

and therefore had to display our adolescence with matching American-flag tanks 

(and celebrate the holiday!) 

We played on the beach, off-roaded in pursuit of wild horses, rode beach cruisers, and ate dinner on the rooftop (again) while the sun set

Activities for the night included acoustic night

 ( … EFY round two) 

where our new friend, "Jericho", performed-- we were totally his biggest groupies! then an in-house dance party

the american ballet

(MONDAY)

After work on Monday I met up with Liz to see the American Ballet Theatre at The Met Opera House.

Liz has become well-known among "the interns" for her luck in ticket wins! 
 she's won Broadway tickets three Fridays in a row…
SO when she told me she had two tickets from work to see the ballet I wasn’t surprised. However, I was surprised and more than excited when she invited me to be her plus one for the night!  

70 blocks

(TUESDAY)

I love walking around this place. On Tuesday we walked 70 blocks from 59^th street (beginning with a nutella crepe in hand) home to 125^th.

& passed some iconic places on the way ... 

 

Cafe Lalo-- where Meg Ryan waited for her mystery man, Tom Hanks, in You've Got Mail 

 Columbia University  

 & the corner deli where Seinfield was filmed 

 the phillippines consulate & something to look forward to 

(WEDNESDAY)

The Knot published its summer issue last week. Since then we’ve started work on the winter issue, which includes my main project--the beauty awards!

A highlight this week was receiving a calender invite for an appointment with Kate Spade and Kleinfield. 

I'm a huge Kate Spade fan & am really looking forward to these! 

Today I walked past The New York Public Library, I'm really hoping I'll be able to leave work early enough to explore the inside of it before it closes for the day soon!

And tonight we went to a farewell party for the LDS Public Relations Rep. at the Philippines Embassy. 

Followed by rice pudding at Rice to Riches (as seen on Hitch)

flavors shared: nutella, french toast, & caramel pecan

The mag.

Some work days are filled with excel-spreadsheets and miscellaneous errands. However, today was really great because I got to do some of the things that I love... 

1.    Research venues for rehearsal dinners in Georgia (some call it food porn)

2.    Work with the style editor to find recent trends and help pick out designers, products, and photographs accordingly for the upcoming issue 

I love the short dress look. Monique Lhuillier does it best. 

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK(&END)

Amateur night at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem: Since I’m temporarily claiming a true Upper-West side (Harlem) identity… attendance at the Apollo was obligatory. And so much fun! We loved this brother-sister dance duo “Suga-Babiez”—who knew children could twerk so young, I was jealous… and have been attempting ever since.

Thursday I stopped by the market at Grand Central Station. I found that although New York streets are crowded, often smell gross, and are always a little frustrating… there is always something beautiful around the corner. Even if it’s just a really beautiful display of fruits and bread… or a $12 chocolate bar (who does that?)

Mexican at Dos Caminos (my fav!) and the choreography showcase at Julliard: Friday straight after work I met up with a group of friends at Dos Caminos on Third Avenue, a favorite among the Carlston clan. They make fresh guacamole at your table, whaaat.

Mango, pineapple, habenero guacamole

Chicken and sweet potato taquitos

We ran over to Julliard to make it in time for the show. Because walking at a normal speed is not an option when you’re in New York. We barely made it but I’m really glad we did, it was beautiful.

BRUNCH

I’ve been dying to go to Sarabeth’s for brunch ever since I arrived in New York and it did not disappoint (except for the moment when there was a spider in my hair and instantaneously all rules of etiquette went out the window)

Coconut waffles with fresh mango and mango chutney

Throughout the day we walked through a lot of markets. I dreamt about permanently living in this city, walking to the market every weekend for fresh flowers and produce, and people-watching.

We ALSO made our way over to West Village-- probably my favorite area thus far! The streets have so much character with older buildings covered in ivy, lush trees lining the streets, as well as charming (&somehow hip) restaurants all around.

Bleaker Street in West Village makes for the best window-shopping in town (I mean if you're into Burberry and stuff). 

We finished the day with noodles, China town, canolis, and Little Italy. 

See a theme here?

I love this candid shot of our photo-prep...

Getting the canoli ready for it's big debut ... pulling hair out for under the purse. Classic. 

AND HOW FUN DOES LITTLE ITALY LOOK IN THE BACKGROUND? 

 SUNDAY

Today's events: Church at Lincoln center, a French-inspired picnic (baguettes, cheese, and fruit), a walk around the Upper East side, Dylan’s candy bar, and relaxing in Madison Square Garden.

sunday

In the morning we went to the Lincoln Square ward at the temple and then walked outside to a market down Columbus Street. 

On the way to magnolia bakery, Kara and I slipped in some of our daily fruits with a fresh mango, pineapple, & strawberry smoothie from one of the stands... and got photo bombed apparently. 

Voted best desserts of the trip: Banana Cream Pie

And peanut butter & jelly cake with chopped peanuts sprinkled on top, aaahhh

We wandered over to Central Park and walked through the Japanese festival. The weather was perfect and everyone was out with their families for Mother's day. We sat and watched the volleyball players for a while, in our heels. 

After a quick change of clothes, we headed over to the ports to ride the Staten Island ferry to the Statue of Liberty.

We had so much fun by the water with all of the boats and riding over during while the sun set.

New York is a city of performers, everywhere you go. We had a blast watching a lot of different acts on the streets. There was a group of hip hop dancers that we watched for a while outside of the Ferry Station before we headed home. 

We walked up Wall Street to the subway and stopped by Times Square for last-minute souvenirs. And my favorite, M&M World. 

...Coconut M&M's are kind of unreal.   

I already miss those two!