Starbucks run

Yesterday morning, I decided to make a quick Starbucks run... it was a grey day, and I knew a little chai would make everything a lot better! The closest Sbux (I like to use their NYSE name) is just up the block, but I took my camera along just to document what I saw.

I know this isn't a work of art, but it's so funny! I must admit- I took the picture because of poor Alf... and when I got home I noticed the parking ticket on the windshield!
As I was crossing the street, I thought I'd snap a quick picture down Broadway. It was misting, so it's not a great shot... but now you can see what I fondly refer to as "baby in a bubble".
And here's a view of Broadway looking uptown, towards NYU.
I was totally playing 'tourist' by taking pictures of the architecture!
When you can't build side to side, just build UP!
After getting my tea, it was time to head back to the office. I took the scenic route (around the block), because I love this little stretch of Bond Street.
Maybe it's the cobblestones? (They're pretty to look at, but tough to walk across in heels!)
Or maybe it's the shopping on this street? Blick and Bond No. 9. The latter is a scrumptious perfume store, and their fragrances are named after areas/things in NYC. This is the flagship store, and my goal is to someday be able to buy their products!
As for Blick... well... they have just about every art supply I need (except scrapbooking stuff- not every one's perfect).
This is my favorite shot of the day- it's the floors above Blick... such a pretty building!
At Bond and Lafayette, you'll find this... do you see the building three from the left?

A very interesting balcony, no?
Later in the day, I had to grab a quick cab ride... in case you haven't been recently, this is what you'll find in the back of a taxi.
Don't get too excited- the stuff on the TV is a loop, and most of it's commercial-y... but it's still kind of cool!

I hope you are having a good Friday and are looking forward to a wonderful weekend! Thanks for stopping by!

A little slice of Bleecker Street

While I was running a few errands this morning, I snapped a couple more cell phone pictures on the block where I work. This first one I see everyday, and it never ceases to make me smile.
Technically the quote reads "Not so cool kids love origami", though I couldn't fit it all on my camera phone (I miss my good camera!). This is part of a marketing campaign for Not So Cool Kids, a clothing line... kind of brilliant, right? The sign is totally steamed into the asphalt... I wonder if they ever got in trouble for doing it?

There's a fabulous building right on the same corner. See the reddish building with the cool cupola on top? That's the one I'm talking about- it has amazing windows and some beautiful architecture.
On the ground floor is a shop called Atrium. With designers like Alexander McQueen, 7 for all Mankind, Christian Dior, etc., it's a little out of my price league- but that doesn't stop me from window shopping! And if you continue down Bleecker Street a few feet, you'll come to...
THIS! This is the entrance to my building. Not bad, eh?
This is the only Louis Sullivan building in NYC, and was built in 1899. If Sullivan isn't a familiar name, you should check out Devil in the White City. Sullivan was considered the creator of the modern sky scraper, was a member of the Prairie School and mentor to Frank Lloyd Wright, and was one of the architects that designed the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago.

OK- that's enough of a history lesson from me... I hope you're having a wonderful Wednesday!

NoHo... where I spend my days...

In NYC, people like to label neighborhoods... like, A LOT! You've probably heard of some of these: TriBeCa (Triangle Below Canal), Chelsea, The Village, SoHo (South of Houston), etc. Everyday, I get to travel to NoHo, which as you might have guessed, stands for North of Houston (and you have to pronounce it [how-ston] or people will look at you like you're nuts). It's often considered a fancy neighborhood, as New York Magazine pointed out:

Above Houston, lawyers, bankers, and their arty spouses live in Viking-appointed lofts. Below, filmmakers and fashionistas nest in renovated tenements, drawn by nightlife and shopping. Oh, and don’t forget the celebrities (David Bowie and Iman, Lauren Hutton) in Lafayette Street’s airy conversions.

I love walking around during my lunch hour- there are tons of stores for window shopping (the Bond No. 9 shop is just around the corner) and I love to see the uber-trendy things people decide to wear! As you travel east from Broadway, things get a little more interesting; for example, on Bowery you can find a Patricia Field and the Bowery Poetry Club within 10 feet.

So on my way back from lunch today, I thought I'd take a couple quick cell-pics. First, please find a shot of the St. Anthony Flea Market. To be honest, until a minute ago I didn't even know this place had a name (but thanks to my Internet super-sleuthing, I do now!). Everyday around 1 pm, the tarps are rolled up and the chain link door swung open to reveal the most eclectic items I have ever seen. Depending on the day, I've seen an 8 foot tall fiber glass Santa Clause, a moose head, antique snow skis, and SO much more. Today, it seems like they had a special on subway signs...
Isn't that funny? The entrance to the flea market is that dark opening to the left of the photo... I haven't gotten up my nerves to check out the inside quite yet... but the sidewalk-wares have never left me disappointed!

A little farther down the block, you get this beauty:
How's that for some neon? The graffiti artists are starting to add their own embellishments, but this wall is still pretty BRIGHT! When the sun is shining off of that yellow-orange color, watch out!!

I supposed that's it for my brief, lunch time tour of NoHo. There's lots more to share- I'll just have to wait until I get my good camera back... ok? I hope you're having a super Tuesday!

"... Rainy Day in New York City..." -Bay City Rollers

(Picture of intersection of Lafayette and Bleecker, taken on my cell phone)

Just another day at the office... when I look out my window (to the southeast, at least), this is what I see. One of the perks of working in this part of town is the COOL architecture and WATER TOWERS! It's a grey day here today- but I didn't get rained on at lunch, so I can't complain! Last night SFS and I enjoyed dinner at the Shake Shack on the UWS. I hadn't been before, and now I know why there are SUCH long lines every time I walk by! I had a burger and chocolate shake (of course), and mooched some fries off of Seth... YUMMY!