In the spirit of frugality, I took a break from my desire to acquire more stuff, and focused the weekend on doing things rather than buying things. I spent a lovely Friday evening in, doing laundry and making dinner rather than consuming takeout. I was looking forward to not only catching up on some rest, but allowing myself to wake up early to get in a morning run. After a slightly tough 5 miles in the park, I got ready to enjoy some of the day, and the first bit of sun the city had seen all week.
Liz was in the market for some new running shoes, and as some spring races are coming up, including the Brooklyn Half Marathon (my second half!), I figured I might as well try and pick up some compression shorts, so I joined her at The Running Company. I tried on the CWX Ventilator Short and the Pro Fit Short because I'm obsessed with their compression tights, and ended up buying the shorter version. Yes, they are short. Yes, I hate my thighs. But one day, it's gonna get hot, and I would much rather have my thighs stable in compression shorts than run in my looser ones. Fun Rebs Fact: I'm kind of self conscious about my legs. Hey, I'm only human. (I know, sometimes it is hard to remember that, since I write such an awesome blog and all. Oh yeah, I'm pretty modest too...)
CWX Shorts courtesy of Zappos.com
After a productive trip to the running store, we stopped in Bloomingdale's to check out the shoe department (fail), and then I made an appointment at the Bumble and Bumble Styling Bar for a dry style next Friday before Spring for a Cure, the big charity event I've been helping to plan for the past few months. I already have my dress, and my idea for makeup and nails, so I look forward to writing all about it next weekend after the event. After a few more errands, it was time to relax a bit before heading downtown to a fun evening on the Lower East Side.
I was meeting a bunch of friends from work (past and present) at Verlaine, this cute little cocktail and tapas bar on Rivington. The draw is that they have happy hour until 10 pm SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. This includes $5 Bloody Marys, Lychee Martinis, Sangria, along with some other drink specials. I was sold at Bloody Mary. (Though I also tried the white sangria which came with a maraschino cherry so yeah that was pretty awesome too.) Next was dinner at Macondo, which ended up turning into dinner at Rayuela, its sister restaurant, due to a little reservation mix up. Can't complain though, because with an attentive manager, free round of cocktails, accidental free second round of shrimp and lobster guacamole, plus our entrees, we ended up out only $30 including tax and tip. And it was delicious. I highly recommend both the bar and the restaurant, though note Rayuela is a bit pricey if you aren't as lucky as we were to get a little help from some apologetic staff members.
Sunday was all about the Brooklyn Flea. Liz and I met at 11 am, hoped for working subway lines, and headed to Williamsburg to play hipster for a day. I felt the part already as my dry shampoo had practically run out, so my hair couldn't get as grease free as I intended. I also had some fun rocking the winged eyeliner and orange lipstick. On the way there, we passed by Artists and Fleas, another market, and gave that a walk through. There was awesome jewelry, including one vendor that tempted me with a skull adorned two finger ring, but at $45 I decided to exercise restraint. Liz claims in her day recap that I should have bought it. Either way, it was a great little indoor market, and will definitely go back. (In case you don't remember, I have an affinity for flea markets.)
A nice little shot of the market
We then walked over to the Brooklyn Flea, right on the waterfront. It was a bit windy and chilly so we didn't want to stand outside to try some of the amazing food that was there, but we did take a few laps around to check out the various booths. It was definitely a place to go for vintage. Tons of amazing bags and jackets. A mental note to go again when I have a little more money to spend. It'll be around all summer, so you know I'll be making a second (or third...) trip. Plus, Williamsburg has so many cute restaurants, I know I will be spending some summer days there.
Throngs of shoppers
Skyline view of Manhattan
Speaking of food, we have come to the best part of the day. For $7, Liz and I had the most delicious lunch. We had forgone our usual activity of bloody mary brunch pre-outing (I had a bloody the night prior at the bar, so I wasn't craving one) so that we could spend money on lunch in Brooklyn. Liz had Yelped (is that a verb now?) some food options and we settled on a sandwich shop and a coffee shop for a cookie. Despite getting lost on the way to the deli, it was well worth the mile or so out of our way we seemed to have traveled. For $6 ($3 each, we split the massive sandwich) we had the best turkey mozzarella we have ever had. More proof you can't judge a deli by its window display, and sometimes you have to get lost to get a great find.
The window of Graham Avenue Meats and Deli
THE Sandwich
Of course we still had room for a cookie, and after braving the line at Blue Bottle Bakery (you know you are not in Manhattan when people wait on massive lines in complete calm), we split a Saffron Snickerdoodle and a Double Chocolate Salted Cookie. Holy heaven. As my last meal before eating healthier to ensure I fit in my event dress, I think I did good. (Poor grammar intended). Oh, and to reach that $7 lunch price, we of course also each got Diet Cokes because, well, would you expect anything else?
Cookie pic stolen from Liz's blog because my Blackberry ate mine
So now I'm home, satisfied, and ready to start the slow and painful descent into the work week. But it'll be a short one because I'm off on Friday to beautify myself pre-event. I also need to repaint my nails because it has been three days so it is about time, but I'll leave you with a picture of my current manicure. How cool? It matches my ring.
My fave YSL Arty Oval ring
No comments:
Post a Comment