Jenna Sais Quois

lights out

2012-01-31T07:30:00.000-05:00

Chrissy from Harve & Polly here!

So... don't be sad, but today is my last guest post as part of the "Jenna moves to Manhattan" series - and what better send off to the city that never sleeps than a collection of night lights?

Also, I have been reading a book that has me leaving extra lights on... and night lights make me feel like less of a wuss than overhead lights....

01/ cassette light $45.00 // 02/ huggable light $179.00 // 03/ Delete key $11.00 //
04/ DIY firefly jars // 05/ demon light $88.00

Don't forget to visit me on Harve & Polly!

Candy Shop Denim

2012-01-27T00:28:00.000-05:00

Umm... Can I just say that bright, colorful denim is my favorite part of this whole color-blocking trend we're in the midst of? So I don't even need to tell you how jazzed I am that a) THIS is happening this Spring at Topshop and b) There happens to be a Topshop in lower Manhattan.

Here's Lookin' at Uniqlo...

2012-01-26T09:00:00.000-05:00

There is a store, well several actually, in New York City called Uniqlo and in my short tenure here I have fallen hard and fast... I'm told NYC is the only place in the United States that has these Japanese retail stores, and this is yet another reason why I couldn't be happier to call this city home! I would describe the store as sort of a preppy J.Crew-like style, with some hip Asian influences, but with prices more comparable to a Forever 21. So basically nice, affordable, well-made, classic yet trendy clothes! Did anything about that previous sentence not make you want to pack your bags and head East for a visit? I didn't think so. Below are some images from their early Spring 2012 lookbook, so a little taste of what's in stores now. Enjoy!

Date Night Outfit

2012-01-25T09:41:00.006-05:00

1. Chevron Necklace 2. Aqua Dress 3. Sequin clutch 4. Snake Belt 5.Signet Ring 6. Striped Slingbacks

It's Libby again, with an outfit from my imaginary closet. I really want those shoes, so I had to come up with an outfit to justify buying them. Perfect for date night or fancy drinks with friends!

fun in the tub

2012-01-24T06:47:00.000-05:00

Chrissy, again, from Harve & Polly!

01/ whale mat $16.00 // 02/ squid helper $35.00 // 03/ fish stopper $11.99 // 04/ suicide guy $30.00 // 05/ Frog bath caddy $30.49 // 06/ ducky curtain $25.00

It is cooold here in Boston! And my favorite cold weather fix is a soak in the tub. Bubbles, steamy hot water ... and usually my nintendo DS... what can I say, I'm not a big reader. But I am a big fan of all these items to make my tub time more awesome!

Snow and the City

2012-01-23T11:55:00.001-05:00

I woke up on Saturday morning to the sound of a snow shovel scraping across gravel. I instantly jumped up and ran to the window to find that sometime during the night, New York City had been blanketed by at least three or four inches of perfect white snow! I could sense the aggravation of everyone else around me from roommates to those riding with me on the subway, but I didn't mind a bit. It was sort of my first taste of home in NYC. Something very familiar, and sort of Mid-West-like. Especially when I got off the subway at 72nd near the West side of Central Park and saw a million little kids in scarves and mittens and boots dragging their sleds through city crosswalks on their way to what I can only imagine is the most glorious sledding hill in all of Manhattan... This city has felt like home since the day I arrived, but now that it's snowed, it feels even more familiar.

I found an entrance to the park right across the street, and followed behind a few dads pulling their little kids toward a hill like a dog pulls a dogsled. Then I found a sign telling me I was in Strawberry Fields... I managed to snap this picture before my fingers nearly froze to my camera. And then, it was back underground to wait for the train again. Have I mentioned how much I love it here?

Classy Barware

2012-01-18T07:30:00.007-05:00

1. Highball Glassware 2. Vintage Ice Bucket 3. Vintage Ice Crusher 4. Rolling Bar Cart 5. Pewter Horsehead Stir Sticks

Hello, it's Libby from FollowMeMoon. With all of Jenna's lovely Cocktail Hour and Cocktail Couture posts, have you found yourself in need of some classy bar accessories? I have! I especially love the blue rolling bar cart, which could function daily as a pretty bedside table but become a festive drink station for parties.

Just my type...

2012-01-17T07:30:00.000-05:00

Hello again! Chrissy from Harve & Polly here with some gorgeous items for all the typography lovers out there! I know Jenna must be hard at work designing and decorating her new digs - maybe something below will strike her fancy!

/ type bookshelf $? / cast iron ampersand $250.00 / R print $45.00 / H bird $75.00 / fab type $58.00

Subway Survival Supplies

2012-01-11T09:00:00.041-05:00

I've been living in New York City for just over a week-and-a-half now, and I have to say, it's been a pretty crazy ride so far! I've gotten lost a few times already, and I'd wager to say that about 98% of these mishaps have involved the subway... First there was the time on my first morning of work that I scurried off the train, panic-stricken, at the 125th street station, thinking I was at Columbus Circle. I was only about 100 blocks too far north... Next, I learned the important lesson that whichever end (front or back) of the train you board will majorly impact from which end of the station you'll end up resurfacing. That's how I ended up four blocks away from my apartment, thinking nothing at all looked familiar, and not knowing which way was North. The most recent blunder occurred when I wasn't paying close enough attention on the late-night local train, thinking I had all the time in the world, and then ending up at the very tip pity top of Manhattan, narrowly missing an unintentional trip to the Bronx.

In my week as a commuter, I've learned that there are a few things you should never board the train without... Be it necessity or entertainment, I am happy to present you my list of Subway Survival Supplies.

1 Whether it be a one-time ride for $2.50, or an unlimited monthly pass for $104.00, you won't get anywhere without your MetroCard!

2 I'm no germ-a-phobe, but I never forget to slather on some anti-bacterial gel the second I'm back above-ground.

3 Not a day has gone by that I haven't thanked my lucky stars for my Amazon Kindle! Both for curing boredom on a long ride or just distracting me while I'm standing up and clutching a pole as I'm herded toward 5th Avenue like I were on a cattle train.

4 A co-worker back in Columbus, Kaitlin, recommended I download the HopStop app and it's been a life-saver! I put in the addresses, both home and desired destination, and it tells you exactly what to do!

5 I am definitely a fan of listening to music on my commute. While I don't mind a train ride in the slightest, even a long one like mine, it always helps to disengage a little. It clears the mind! But really, the combination of music, reading and avoiding direct eye-contact is the perfect recipe for keeping the crazies away.

The subway system, including the many unique characters who ride it daily, is actually one of my favorite parts about this city. Having no car hasn't phased me in the slightest. In fact, I feel free as a bird without having to worry about it! No more parking tickets, designated driver responsibilities, street-sweeping schedules. It's just me and my MetroCard, Kindle, earphones, and anti-bacterial hand gel...hopping on the subway, ready for anything!

Sock Bun Success!

2012-01-11T07:30:00.003-05:00

Photo via pinterest

Hi– Libby here. Have you all seen the tutorials flying around blogs and YouTube about the "sock bun"? Well, I'm here to personally endorse it. I tried it on New Years Eve, and it was so easy! (See my results below) As with most hairstyles, it works best with when styled on dirty hair and with lots of hairspray.

As an added bonus, when you take out the bun, your hair will have lots of volume with pretty, no-heat curls. Google "sock bun" for numerous tutorials on how to make this hairstyle.

big apple envy

2012-01-10T07:30:00.000-05:00

Chrissy from Harve & Polly here again - for my tuesday guest post!

Jenna has been in NYC over a week - and as much as i love living in bean town, I have to admit a bit of jealousy... ok a LOT of jealousy that she gets to spend her days and nights in the big apple!

01/ vintage empire state building guide $16.50 // 02/ skyline pillow cases $34.00 // 03/ Tim Jarosz city scene $17.68 // 04/ empire photo $20.00 // 05/ taxi mittens $39.00 // 06/ NYC Sewer Decal $50 // 07/ kate spade new york lights purse $105.00 // 08/ NYC subway token cufflinks $27.99 // 09/ SOHO sightseeing iphone case $32.55 // 10/ empire state building pillow $35.00 // 11/ nyc magnets $5.95

I am already counting down those New York minutes til I can go visit her! to keep myself sane until then, i just might have to take a few naps on those new york skyline pillows, wave down a cab in some taxi mittens, or decorate my apartment empire state style!

NYC: Here and There

2012-01-07T12:49:00.000-05:00

Hello, friends! I am alive! I've officially been in NYC for a week, and boy is it a whirlwind... There are so many new things to get adjusted to, new people to meet, new experiences to have, and my love affair with this city is only growing every day that I'm here. I know I look like a total tourist pulling out the cellphone camera around every corner, but since I can't just close my eyes and save everything I'm seeing as a .png on my desktop, I'll just have to look like a nerd for now! So without further ado, a few sights I've been seeing in my first week in New York.

Pass through Times Square: Always an adventure

Empire State Building on my walk to work

My journey to the subway under Rockefeller Plaza

I walk past this underground entrance twice a day

Shopping for the Perfect Red Pump

2012-01-04T10:15:00.024-05:00

Hi there JSQ readers! It's Libby, Jenna's former co-worker (We miss her already) and owner of the Etsy shop FollowMeMoon. You may remember me from my L'Amour List or Pinspiration Fashion Week. While Jenna's getting settled in NYC, I want to share with you my adventures in searching for the perfect red pump. I love how a red shoe can really amp up a so-so outfit, and how when you put them on you feel instantly sexy. Here's my personal shopping checklist for finding just the right pair:

A lower heel so I can wear them both for work and evening.
No frills! I'll pass on the flowers, sparkles and studs. I want this pair to become a wardrobe classic.
Pointed or almond toe. In my opinion this type of toe is really flattering and chic.
Color is important. I love a lipstick red, almost orange shade that really pops!
No patent leather, please. While there are some classy versions, I think red patent leather heels can sometimes look cheap.

Here are some options I've found:

J. Crew Valentina snakeskin pumps

Charles by Charles David Hocus pumps

Nine West Flax pump

Vigotti Lanka pump

{APP}ly Yourself

2012-01-03T07:30:00.000-05:00

It's Chrissy again - guest posting from Harve & Polly (and so excited that Jenna has landed in NYC!)

So, did you survive you New Years Eve? of course you did. Now that the party is over - it's time to get those resolutions rolling! I know its hard, but take that motivation, and these apps, and get cracking!

Below are 5 resolutions, and 5 corresponding apps that will help you make them reality!

1) Diet Diet Diet
Here we go - you say it every year! After all those delicious Holiday meals it's time to cut back on those sweets and eat your veggies! Dont get too crazy about what's good for you and what's not - there's an App for that! Try the Nutrition Menu App for $0.99

This App lets you:
- look up nutrition information for restaurants
- graph your weightloss over time
- adds up your daily calories
- lets you track exercise
- even works with your weight watchers points!

2) Work Out
calories aren't just burnt at the gym - walking, jogging and running are all good ways to get in shape. The easiest way to keep track of them is with the Pedometer App for $0.99

This App lets you:
- accurately calculate the length of your step by using your height and weight
- keep monitoring your steps without draining your battery life
- calorie calculator tells you how many calories you burn daily
- store your walking history to track your progress
- speed settings even let you tell the app how fast you want to go

3) Get Organized
If you dont use "Teux Deux" yet - you should - and then you need to download the corresponding App for free!

This App lets you:
- access your to do list just like TeusDeux.com
- easily view multiple lists from your phone
- add and cross off items from anywhere
- drag and drop items from day to day

4) Save Money
There's nothing worse than overspending - see exactly how much you are spending on what with the Spend Budgeting App for $0.99

This App lets you:
- view spending history
- see how much money you have left for specific budget items
- add in reoccurring expenses so you never forget about that pesky prescription or gym membership
- transfer funds between budgets (sorry dress fund - that winter gas bill was higher than I expected!)

5) Learn Something New
No new year is complete without learning a new skill, how about a foreign language? Download the French tutor app for FREE

This App lets you:
- play games to learn phrases
- take written quizzes to see your progress
- listen to native french audio
- use the flashcards to brush up on your vocab

Well, there they are - I hope these Apps help with your resolutions, and have a happy 2012.

Past Meets Future

2011-12-31T17:05:00.001-05:00

Well, I have officially arrived and moved in to my apartment in New York City! Logistically speaking, it was both easy and incredibly difficult all at once. Expect an upcoming post about the joys of parking a 15-foot moving truck as close as possible to my building (in front of a fire hydrant...luckily no ticket!) and unloading everything on to the street while making it through a 2-key entry, and trying not to disturb too many people. Luckily, I have an amazing friend, Neil, who literally moved everything from the lobby to my apartment in a million different trips while I took the most traumatizing/nightmarish ride of my life with my father to turn in the moving truck at the deposit location nearly 40 blocks away. I don't think I'll soon recover from that journey...

But with great views, a wine shop (!!!) and an amazing, little Italian restaurant only a block away from my apartment, I am already loving this neighborhood. I'm looking forward to exploring my surroundings, but for tonight, it's New Years Eve and I'm headed to Brooklyn! Meanwhile, enjoy this photo I snapped while meandering around today. Isn't it a funny juxtaposition? A cathedral right next to that funny futuristic (yet dated at the same time...) building? Ohhh, New York, you are so strange and endearing. I love you already.

pop the cork

2011-12-27T21:28:00.000-05:00

Hello! Chrissy from Harve & Polly here, and I am very excited to be guest posting on JSQ during Jenna's move the the Big Apple!

Well, its no secret that New Years Eve is around the corner, and while I may not be celebrating in Times Square, I will be drinking lots of Bubbly here in Boston!

Though Champagne is a New Years staple, its my favorite regardless of the season - so I hope these items inspire you to keep drinking those bubbles all through 2012.

01/ inside-out champagne glass $60.00 // 02/ dance on the table $22.00 // 03/ cork stool $199.00 // 04/ I would rather have champagne $29.00 // 05/ flute and bottle earrings $118.71 // 06/ antique smoke gray champagne flutes $65.00 // 07/ fun flutes $69.00 // 08/ french champagne rings $16.11

Dear Santa...or Kate Spade,

2011-12-23T10:51:00.000-05:00

I wouldn't mind finding any one of these party dresses under my Christmas tree in a few days. And while you're at it, I really wouldn't hate finding any of the exact accessories styled with them in my stocking either. I mean, I know I already have enough clothes, and certainly enough jewelry already. (Believe me, I just had to pack it all, so I am well aware that I already look like a spoiled little princess...) BUT, since I just made a very sizable donation to Goodwill last night, you could totally find it in your heart to reward me with these lovely frocks! I would be happy to take them off your hands. Seriously.

Belina Dress with Bowery Ball necklaces and Karolina pumps in Firefly

Jeanette Dress with Glossy Garden necklace and Karolina pumps in Firefly

Bailey Dress with Karolina pumps in Fern and Putting on the Ritz bangle

Rhea Dress with Glossy Garden bracelet and Karolina pumps in Berry

Midnight in Paris

2011-12-22T13:51:00.001-05:00

Let me preface this by saying that I know I am very late to this party. People have been telling me I needed to see it since it first premiered, but I finally saw Midnight in Paris last night, and it was absolutely perfect. It was my final trip to the very underutilized "Dollar Theatre" on Bethel road. (Why didn't I take more advantage of this theatre? It will probably be one of my life's biggest regrets now that movie tickets will cost me 15 dollars, and popcorn won't even be an option...) Anyway, this movie felt like it was made for me. For one thing, the protagonist spends his life romanticizing another time period and fantasizing about the many ways life was better then. That sounds only vaguely familiar to me... And lots of other people out there too, I imagine! And Midnight in Paris certainly gets to the heart of why we prefer the fantasy of another era to sometimes less-than-glamorous reality of living today.

Regardless, there is nothing unsatisfying about the journey we take in this movie...back to 1920's Paris! And we're in excellent company with bohemians, masterful artists and writers, many of whom we've studied in high school and college, and certainly revisited since we realized maybe there was a pretty good reason we were required to study them in the first place... I won't spoil any of the cameos for you, since meeting and discovering them on your own is half the fun. All I will say is, this is actually my new favorite movie of all time.

By the way, I should mention that after the movie, Cate's mom Annie (a very dear friend of mine) gave me a fantastic idea! I should reward myself for this brave new step in my life by treating myself to a long weekend in Paris this Summer. I've never been, despite my love of the fashion, films, music, and food...and especially the language, which I don't speak, but have always planned on studying. I felt absolutely inspired by this suggestion, and am already mentally saving my pennies! It makes me smile to think about turning this recent streak of independence into a habit.

The Final Countdown: 9

2011-12-21T23:30:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I had a little farewell dinner and strategy meeting with the publisher and the editor-in-chief at Edible Columbus, both wonderful ladies and former New Yorkers! They surprised me with a nice little gift: The Little Black Book of New York! It's a pocket-sized guidebook filled with pull-out maps of each Manhattan neighborhood, a full subway map, and a ton of suggestions for cool things to do in the city. I've pulled it out of my purse to look up certain things all day today, so I can already tell that I'm going to be using it to plan lots of my future adventures.

I know the city is constantly changing, so piecing together this New York puzzle will be a nearly impossible feat. Once I feel like I've got it all figured out, I'll realize that I'm still missing pieces, or that ones formerly in place will have changed shape. Then I may just feel like Frank Sinatra in this scene from On The Town! But it's definitely better to have a guidebook and goals than none at all. Thanks so much, Tricia and Colleen! I will use my new Little Black Book well!

P.S. Watch a handsome young sailor and a very forward (for the 1940s, anyway) lady cab driver on their ill-fated sightseeing tour On the Town in this video! 9 days!!

ColumBucket List: pizza with Pizza

2011-12-20T18:18:00.005-05:00

My goodbye tour of Columbus kicked off a few weeks ago, when my amaaaazing bestie threw me the most incredible surprise bash with all my friends at our favorite local watering hole, Zeno's. Since then, I've been trying to mentally wrap my head around the fact that each time I do something I love around this town, it will most likely be for the last time! (Of course I'll visit...but for now, it's time to say goodbye!) While I'll certainly miss friends and co-workers, I'm confident that we'll stay in touch. So the thing that is hitting me the hardest is leaving behind some of my favorite quintessential Columbus foods!

If you were ever lucky enough to be a South campus student at Ohio State, you know perfectly well that the best pizza in this entire town comes from Adriatico's. It claims to be New York style, so I'm praying I'll find something comparable, but who knows!? I've been an avid customer since freshman year when their friendly door was just a block or two away from my dorm. The number has been programmed into every cellphone I've had since I was 19. I have to say, it will be pretty weird to not see it located as #2 on my contact list... Cate and I have our order down to an absolute science. A Medium thick-crust pizza, always covered with green & red peppers and onions. Half with black olives for me, and the other half with pepperoni for my non-vegetarian pal. And, of course, an order of breadsticks with garlic sauce and pizza sauce and a 2-liter bottle of Diet Coke.

Then, last halloween, we met a lovely man (pictured above, mid-chew) named Will, who, as luck would have it, happened to be dressed like pizza! I'm serious. He was dressed like a slice of pizza...if pizza happened to accessorize its look with a worn out, blue Kentucky hat. And, very unfortunately for him, we kept making him hang out with us, and the nickname "Pizza" just stuck! Now, over a year later, I can honestly say I love Pizza almost as much as I love pizza. See what I did there? The proper noun and all? So I couldn't think of a better way to spend our last evening together (before he jets off to his medical school interviews tomorrow and misses the opportunity to help me lift heavy boxes into my Uhaul truck...) than by splitting an Adriatico's pizza! A farewell to both the #1 pizzas in my life!

Note: Pizza happens to like his pizza with pepperoni and green olives, which I will just never understand...I'm willing to overlook the blatant cannibalism, but green olives? Never. 10 more days!!

The Final Countdown: Cold Weather Provisions

2011-12-19T18:10:00.000-05:00

This weekend I kind of panicked. It was the first snowfall of the season here in Columbus. The air was getting quite a bit colder than it has been yet, during this otherwise fairly tame December. I found relief by finding my car, jumping in, and cranking the heat! And, as I shivered in my thin, wool trench coat, I realized that in less than two weeks, my main mode of transportation will be these two legs. With some trips on the Subway in between, of course. But, for the most part, I'll be gallivanting around NYC on foot. I am waaay too cheap to spend money on a taxi, unless it's extremely late, and I don't know where the heck I am. Plus, if anyone's seen this movie, taxiing alone seems like a much less attractive option than just waiting for a train with plenty of strangers nearby...or walking with plenty of strangers nearby.

And while I constantly obsess over outwear, like in this popular post, none of it is very practical for extended periods of time navigating between wind-tunnel-esque buildings. I also have quite an affinity for shoes, however none of them are winter-weather-proof either. When I showed a few of my NYC friends some of my outerwear a few months ago, they looked at me and said, "Great. Where's your Winter coat?" That's when I realized that I was going to have to nudge fashion slightly to the side and figure out a way to find some winter gear that wasn't going to leave me dying of exposure in an alley like The Little Match Girl. So, after a weekend of trying on probably 50 different coats, I finally bit the bullet and invested in a puffy coat from Eddie Bauer, even though I was morally against wearing a ski jacket in New York. (I have a weird aversion to wearing tourist-type clothing in NYC, like ski jackets or athletic sneakers, or fanny packs...well, that all depends on the fanny pack...) I found a few things that will make Winter a little warmer, while not totally sacrificing style.

1 Lodge Down Parka in Silver from Eddie Bauer. It's water-resistant, long enough to keep the wind out, and the tag says it's good for temperatures from zero to twenty degrees...any warmer, and you'll be too hot!
2 White Touch Gloves from Target. These are touch-screen friendly, so you can text all you want without your fingers freezing to your iPhone.
3 Pendleton Patterned Wool Scarf from Farfetch.com. I am currently coveting this ultra-warm scarf. And digging the Native American pattern as well.
4 These Recycled Yarn Boot Socks from American Apparel are super warm and comfy. Perfect for insulating those boots!
5 I picked these Herringbone Boots up a while ago from Target. They keep the water out, which I'm told is pretty important. And the rubber will repel those nasty salt stains that find their way onto your suede boots. I fully plan to change shoes once I get to work...which I assume is fairly standard.

I have no idea if these provisions will work out for me, but I will certainly let you know how it goes! I arrive in NYC in 11 days, whether it rains, snows, hails or sleets. I just hope I'll be prepared for anything!

New City, New Mood

2011-12-19T13:19:00.000-05:00

I've been thinking about redecorating my bedroom all year long, but never really got around to it. I primarily focused on my living/dining area instead since, for the past year and few months, I've lived in my own place and had no immediate plans of doing anything crazy like moving to New York City... But now that life has changed, and plans have changed, I'm happily planning on investing some time really decorating my NYC bedroom. My goal is to keep it bright, but calm, and a little eclectic. Totally me. Of course, I needed to find a way to combine my living room pieces with my bedroom items, because now that I'm moving in with people who've already lived together for a year, a lot of their furniture and decor is mostly figured out. That makes this an ideal time to really overhaul my boudoir. So for your viewing pleasure, and with the hope that you'll give me some budget-friendly ideas, I've created a little mood board.

1 Mix and Match Lamps from World Market. Base: Martina Aged Mirror Table Lamp Base Shade: White Mulberry Paper Table Lamp Shade.
2 This ultra-cheap Room Essentials Leaf Comforter from Target is reversible, and super soft to the touch.
3 I have a ton of painted gold frames that I've picked up at Goodwill and garage sales. And a vanity mirror to match!
4 The hardwood floors in my new bedroom (the first one shown in this video tour) are just about this color. I think? Maybe just a bit more red.
5 I fell hard for this Silver Recycled Bangle Jewelry Box from Urban Outfitters.Very art deco.
6 This Room Essentials Bright Exploded Flower Rug from Target currently lives in my living room, but will be making the switch to my bedroom in NYC.
7 I'm planning on jazzing up my room with a good old-fashioned frame wall!
8 I'll never forget my old stompin' grounds with my Columbus Neighborhoods Map from These Are Things. Maybe I'll get a matching NYC map once the city really feels like home?
9 Concealed storage is the only way to go. Classic white boxes from Ikea will have a home in any place I ever live...
10 Not my exact dresser, but the same finish, Birch Veneer, from Ikea. I'll replace it eventually, I'm sure, but for now, it works just fine.
11 Just an idea, but I'm thinking about painting a subtle, thick stripe on my walls, or maybe even a chevron wall behind my bed...depending on how much smaller it may make the room look. We'll see when I get there!

So this is the direction I'm headed when it comes to nesting in my New York bedroom. What do you think? I wanted to go with something a little more adult for my actual bedding, but then use the bright colors in the rug to really make the space cheery and fun. We shall see how it all turns out, once I move into my permanent apartment in February! In the meantime, I'm sure I'll just keep compiling more ideas. Or be so busy exploring my new turf that I won't think of it at all!

The Final Countdown: A Renter's Tale

2011-12-16T17:28:00.003-05:00

I saw my new apartment for the first time today, via video-tour recorded on my new roommate's iPhone. I should start by saying that I absolutely love it, and can't even believe that I am lucky enough to be moving into a recently gut-renovated apartment in Manhattan(ish) for $250 dollars less per month than I am currently paying in Columbus! It seems like a dream come true! Or too good to be true, I thought, until I saw this video and my mind was finally put at ease. I think I'm handling myself well considering I'm headed to a city where I've never lived, to an apartment I've never actually seen (in person, or in video until today) and starting work at a new office with people I've never met before! Come to think of it, I haven't actually seen the office either, since my interviews were done through video correspondence. In 13 days, I move, pretty much site-unseen.

I'm just relieved that I know all of my roommates, and that they shouldered the brunt of the apartment hunt for me while I chillaxed in Ohio. Thanks, guys! Ryan will kill me for posting this, since he gives a little wave in the bathroom mirror as he passes by in the video, but if you are ultra-curious what 3/4-bedroom "conversion" (meaning the dining room is becoming someone's bedroom) apartments in New York City look like, check out the video here. And I'm not too sure that this accurately depicts your average NYC apartment, because it's all brand-new with hardwood floors, 1.5 baths, granite countertops in the kitchen, and pretty decent sized bedrooms. While it's not Selling New York material, it's definitely nicer than anything I ever expected... I guess it helps to pony up for the broker's fee...

Hear the entire saga of our apartment hunt (which was definitely not as easy as I just made it sound) after the jump!

So my friend Ryan Dean and his two roommates (both lovely ladies that I like quite a lot!) happened to be thinking about moving when I called him and first told him the news that I had applied to a job in NYC. After the initial excitement, and then a long job application/interview process (almost 4 months), and a few more panic-attack-phone-calls, it just so happened to fortuitously work out that we would all be wanting to move right around the same time. My start date is January 2, and their lease was up at the end of December, so they agreed to let me join their roommate-group and start looking for 4-bedrooms instead of 3. As far as I know, they fell in love with this apartment at first sight, even before I formally got my new job offer.

Then, happily, I accepted the position, and they decided to move forward with this place after having seen a couple less-desirable ones in there... That's when I realized the application part of angling for a great New York apartment was pretty extensive. I promptly had to provide the following very personal information to our broker:

A filled-out application
Complete with my social security number, my lawyer and bankers' names/phone numbers, emergency contact info (pretty standard) and the last 2 apartments I lived in here in C-bus and all the realty company contact info for both. Plus the other basics.
Bank Statements for the past 2 months
So they can see exactly how many Diet Cokes I drink each day? Scary thought.
Last year's tax returns
Not sure how this helps really...
A letter of employment from my new company
A copy of my signed offer letter sufficed, since I never actually did get this from them. Come to think of it, I might not even really have a job there at all... I haven't been in touch with them since I signed my offer. Note to self: Send a "hello again" e-mail on monday.

Luckily, we all found out that we have excellent credit, and they didn't find anything too terribly incriminating while fishing through my personal information. Also, I have some peace of mind knowing that everyone on this building (since there are some co-ops in there too) has gone through a similar rigorous application process so we're all equally squeaky!

Now, the saga continues...
Bad news: Part 1
We found out, immediately after, that the apartment they fell in love with, where this actual video (I think) was taken, was rented to someone else.

Good news: Part 1
"No worries, guys. We have an identical unit on the 4th floor, that you'd love equally as much!" Sounds fine to me...I'm not picky, considering I haven't seen either unit at this point. But the roomies feel happy with this, so I'm happy.

Bad news: Part 2
Womp Womp. The current tenants aren't going to be out in time for us to move in on January 1. They've told the landlord they need time, and while they could pursue an eviction, it would still give those guys 90 days to vacate. (Good to know that in NYC, I won't ever have to be homeless without a good 90-day layover to figure out my life again!) But pretty pointless on their end to even move forward with that, since it doesn't give anyone the desired outcomes they want...

Good (we think?) news: Part 2
They had another identical unit on the 2nd floor! Sounded great to me, since again, I still haven't seen any of this, or lived in New York, so things like "more natural light" or "less mice (hopefully)" don't really mean anything to me. Not as ideal for my future roommates, who do live in New York and happen to know that the higher the unit, the better the chance of catching some sunshine over all the other buildings. Also, less likely that the view out your window will just be a brick wall. I figured all that was part of the Big City experience, so it didn't bug me too much.

Bad news: Part 3
The roomies, and the broker, were a bit annoyed that the 2nd floor unit was going for the same price as the "penthouse" on the 6th floor that they originally saw. The lower the unit, the less the rent, sometimes...due to the natural light and little critters mentioned previously. They decided to see if the landlord would wiggle a little on our rent price...but if not, we weren't really sure what the next step was. It could be to start looking all over again, or it could be to live in their current 3-bedroom apartment for a few months until those pesky hangers-on in the 4th floor unit were ready to get a move-on.

I felt pretty conflicted about this particular situation, because I didn't really care about natural light, or mice (we have those guys here in C-bus too, so I'm not as skittish about it) and just wanted to get some kind of solution locked down where I had a place to come home at night and relax. Especially after such a crazy move, starting a new job, missing friends, and generally freaking out. So crashing on their couch with all my belongings strewn about their poor little living room, and the rest of my loot in a storage unit, didn't seem like an ideal option. BUT, in the end it all worked out!

Good, then Bad, then Good again news: Part 3
The landlord agreed to knock some money off the rent in order to coax us into the 2nd floor unit. Every penny counts! But unfortunately, it turned out that this unit wouldn't be ready by our move-in date either...After the hot-mess process so far, I was pretty much ready to give up on this apartment, since I still hadn't seen it, and there was no way it could have been worth all this drama (Uhh, did you see the video? I was w-r-o-n-g.) The landlord felt equally bad about giving us the run-around 3 different times, and agreed to put us up in a temporary un-renovated 3-bedroom apartment right down the hall. Our unit will be ready by February 1, and we all signed a rider agreement that it would look exactly like the one they wanted all along. And we agreed to not put any crazy holes in the walls, or paint, or really nest in the temporary place.

I really missed out on most of this angst, because I didn't really even know what we were fighting for! But in the end, it all worked out perfectly. We get a nice, newly-renovated apartment, with some rent discounts! We're in the same building, which is just around the corner from a subway stop. And I can move in one big sweep, rather than mess around with storage units and double moving-truck, and all that jazz. If I didn't have at least one big hiccup in this whole moving-to-NYC process, I'd be really worried. My friend from design school, and new co-worker, slept on a box for her entire first week in New York. I like to imagine that she used a large sheet of bubble wrap as a blanket, but I'm just editorializing...

Anyway, after seeing the video walk-through, it all feels real. And really great. And it looks so wonderful that I am more than happy to crash on a mattress on the floor for a few weeks. I'll probably be so overwhelmed with everything else, that I will just be glad to come home and not be sleeping on a box. Or in a box! 14 days!

Live in the Sunshine...

2011-12-15T11:09:00.000-05:00

I have been obsessed with this quote since I was in high school. My AP English teacher, Mr. Whittaker, spent a good long time hammering us students with the Transcendentalists...and I knew right away that the movement was something that interested me. The philosophy, the beauty of the writing, the emphasis on goodness. I remember it being the last thing I really liked in the category of "required reading." Well, not to discount The Great Gatsby, of course! But while the real Ralph Waldo Emerson quote reads "Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, Drink the wild air's salubrity," it most often gets cut short, like in this gorgeous illustration by Katie Daisy. I found it this morning and I'm pretty much head-over-heels in lurve with it. What about you guys? Any closeted Transcendentalists out there, or did Mr. Emerson lose you at that whole "transparent eyeball" thing?

Illustration by Katie Daisy

The Final Countdown: 15

2011-12-14T15:02:00.001-05:00

Have you ever been to New York City during Christmas time? I took a hellish 10-hour bus trip a few years ago with my mom but, once we arrived, it was an experience like I've never had in my life! It just feels like Christmas was invented in New York! The hustle and bustle you hear written about in Silver Bells had to have been happening in Manhattan. The song Baby It's Cold Outside must have been describing some NYC holiday fete. Or so I always imagined it... Who knows? Maybe I just watched Home Alone 2: Lost in New York one too many times. But who hasn't really?

Honestly, nothing can compare to the feeling of actually seeing, hearing, smelling and feeling the city during the month of December. Snow (well, sludge) dusted the streets while the air spit wet flurries at the thousands of shoppers who carried bulky bags and bumped into one another, laughing it off like they were all in this mess together. More people poured out of revolving doors into the streets as we passed every single store. But the window displays were exquisite things to behold! And if I remember one lesson from this experience, it's that I'm going to be doing my holiday shopping a few months ahead of time. Trying to pop into the 34th St. Macy*s resulted in the most insane "salmon swimming upstream" moment of my entire life as hundreds of people charged toward the doors to get out of the store. I could barely get a leg inside before giving up, and heading back out into the cold.

After the stress of the crowds got to us, we found a restaurant and warmed up inside for as long as we could, getting a chance to catch up with Ryan Dean (my future New York roomie!) during his break between matinee and evening theater bar-tending. Finally, we met our bus group at Rockefeller Plaza, where I saw a man get down on one knee and propose to his girlfriend in front of the giant Christmas tree. She said yes, of course, and the huge crowd of people surrounding them erupted in applause! It was crowded, but because there were so many faceless people there, it was kind of like the two of them had their own little moment together anyway...

Then I bumped into Ed Westwick (Chuck Bass on Gossip Girl) outside 30 Rock, where he was smoking a cigarette and shivering without a coat! He was surprisingly not mobbed by throngs of teenage girls like you'd imagine. Instead he was just enjoying a quiet moment, standing there next to me, watching the snow fall. While I was glad to get back on the bus and head home, just to get out of the cold and snow, I felt a little heartsick for the energy of the city. And while I'll be missing my first NYC Christmas this time around, I will spend the entire year looking forward to what that experience will be like as a true New Yorker. Only 15 days to go!