Two Neighborhoods of NYC

I'm still recovering from my vacay in NYC. --You know the old joke: "I need a vacation to rest up from my vacation." TRUE DAT.

But I have to say the weekend was exhilarating! I came back physically exhausted but emotionally re-charged! Clearly, I am not from NYC. But, oh, how I love that place.

Let me tell you how I explore new places. I love to experience a new place in bite-size pieces. My first trip to Europe was two cities: London and Paris. I spent three days in both of these wonderful and vastly different cities. {And it was wonderful.} The key for ME is to take time to explore and taste and feel the place. And this means acknowledging that I won't be able to see every sight. In fact, I may not see some of the major sights. And, I have to be okay with that.

For this NYC trip, Jordan had a workshop (which was the purpose of the trip). This meant I was on my own. I was in the perfect frame of mind to explore on my own.

I mapped out a two-mile radius from our hotel to use as a baseline for my explorations. I used an old-fashioned paper map to sketch out the sights/places I hoped to find. And after many cups of tea, I headed out to see the local neighborhoods.

Here are a few photos of my first day's explorations. I hope you enjoy!

WHAT A WEEKEND!

Guess where I was this weekend. I went to the BIG APPLE!

This is the reason I've been MIA for a few days. I have so much to tell you! It was a super good weekend.

I Looked GOOD Today

You know I'm not someone that enjoys shopping. I don't enjoy the entire experience. You know: the clothes racks are too close together. I don't enjoy having to navigate around other people in my effort to find something. You know what else? Trying on clothes is such a hot activity. Hot, as in sweltering! I guess it's the lights...but by the time I leave from a shopping trip, I feel like I need another shower. I'm usually exhausted and disheartened.

I've talked about my issues with shopping before. I do have a sort of love affair with Ann Taylor. I love their classic clothes but rarely love their prices. I really feel defeated when I try to find my size. The clothes are so beautiful, but the fact that they rarely have my size makes me feel like I don't deserve to wear cute clothes. It feels like Ann Taylor only sells clothes from sizes 0 to 6. Talk about a self-esteem blow. 

On the other hand, when I do find clothes in my size, the sales staff presents wonderful, boutique-like customer service. They help me pair the skirt with a top that really works. They help me accessorize so that I feel well put together. I have tremendous confidence when I work with their sales associates to pull together a complete look. 

Every once in a while, Ann Taylor has some amazing "Final Sales". I once found a skirt in my size that was $10. I skipped walked (ever so calmly) to the check out counter. I was cautioned that "Final Sale" means "no returns and no exchanges". {For the record, I get "Final Sale".} 

Needless to say, Black Friday (and after) does not make me want to go shopping. 

But THIS year I shopped from home. CYBER MONDAY! Oh my gosh. It's wonderful, this Cyber Monday thing!! I got 40% off my entire total from Coldwater Creek. (And that was on top of the sales prices.) I also bought from JCP and I bought two things from AT (aka Ann Taylor). 

The packages from JCP and AT arrived this week. And today, I wore the new skirt and sweater from JCP with the new jacket from AT. The AT jacket was less than full price but was not a crazy amazing deal.

BUT, the skirt and sweater separates I bought from JCP, less than $35 for both! Ah-mah-zing!

I got really lucky and everything fit like a dream! And the AT jacket fit amazingly well! I got a beautiful jacket that I would never find in the store (in my size). And, I did not have to leave my couch.

I'm totally happy right now. I feel like I got great value and looked good too.

Yesterday was Sissy's Birthday

So, Sissy's birthday was yesterday. I totally meant to write a little more about her as a Birthday tribute.
A birthday card of sorts.

Sissy and I have a similar sense of humor so when we send old-fashioned birthday cards to each other... they usually make me snort-laugh which is super funny.

We also have similar taste in novels. She likes the books I give her. I've read two of her recommendations...she tends to buy mysteries for herself. One of them was super good and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. 

Sissy's Having a Birthday!!

Aren't we three of the cutest girls you've seen? The three of us are SISTERs! And I'm so lucky to have them.

Today is Sissy's birthday. She is the youngest!. When I was 3 years old, Sis was 2 and Sissy was 1. Whew! My parents must have had a lot of fun raising three young girls so close in age.

I won't tell you how old Sissy is today...because you have enough information to then guess my age...and today...I don't feel my age. 

Since I moved back to NC I've gotten to hang out with both of my sisters so much more! Which is a very happy thing for me.

While I was living on the west coast I only got to see my Sis and Sissy when I flew home....which was not nearly often enough. To celebrate Sissy's birthday, I'm sharing some photos of Sister time!

Clearly, we are still having a ton of fun!!

Happy Birthday, Sissy.