SIDENOTE: struggling to get back

Well hello there. 

It sure has been a while, hasn't it?  For that, I apologize.  I equate it to the same way I'll read three novels back to back and then not pick another one up for a while.  No excuses - especially because since my last post about "Surviving a Tuxedo," I've survived a hurricane and week without power or water (which meant binge eating, binge drinking, a 48-hour Game of Thrones marathon, loss of my favorite sunglasses at "The Honky Tonk Tavern" (why?), couch-surfing and a pulled neck muscle.)  My struggles don't compare to those who actually lost so much during Sandy ... so from here on out I will clarify that by my struggles, I mean my not really problems.  I have a home to go home to, a family safe and sound, a job/office to report to - plus, the experience helped me finally clean out my fridge and freezer.

With that said, I lay some long delayed HMOH sidenotes on you without fear of judgement.  I'm a selfless, entitled person and so I will own these rants below:

• You want to talk about daily struggles? It's called trying to get egg shells out of the egg whites bowl.  It's like one of those IQ tests they give in hopes you'll score high on the idiot scale. Chickens all over the world just laughing at us.  Just trying to get your finger right on the spot where the shell lies and then stealthily maneuver it to the side the bowl is harder than most things I encounter on a day-to-day basis. 
• My friend just returned from Jordan - an "Indiana Jones"-type adventure that seems like such an amazing trip.  After eating a part of a goat or boar or something that should not be used in a sentence with the word "eat," he unfortunately got sick ... and lost 10 lbs.  I wanted to feel so bad while reading about his misfortune, but I also wanted to know if they sell Jordanian (struggled here too - really wanted to go with Jordanese) goat here in New York.  I'm due for 10lbs before the holidays.
• I was a superhero this morning - bringing a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich to someone in need.  The smell of the eggs made this someone nauseous (he'd later vomit in a cab) and so he not-so-graciously declined my adorable gesture.  I offered to take it with me and pass it off to a homeless person.  I didn't pass any homeless people.  So I ate it.  Sober.  #therearestarvingchildreninthisworld






Sidenote to sidenote: If this wasn't $250 and a blatant advertisement for my early 20s, I would so add it to my Christmas list.. Well done, Kate Spade intern. 


• It's been a long-time goal of mine to give back via a mentoring program and I've graciously been accepted and matched to an awesome girl this year.  I'm so excited to serve as a mentor and encourage anyone in the NYC area to look into joining this organization.  We're working together on goals and making sure she gets into college.  I'm trying to come to terms with the fact that, once again, I'm not going to Harvard or getting wait-listed early admission from Cornell.  I will not run away from home this time.  At least I don't think so.

I AM running away to home for Thanksgiving with family and friends and can't believe how quickly the year has come and gone.  It's this time of year that makes me fall back in love with NYC and look for extra ways to give to those with actual struggles.  A week without power in order to have the whole city grid lit up in the holiday spirit will be worth it.

'Til the next time - where I'll switch my entitled problems over to what I seriously am most thankful for this year ...

-HMOH

p.s. In all seriousness, (and because my friend Lauren is amazing and makes me feel bad that my blog is not dedicated to the better good of strangers), there are many ways to do good and get involved in Hurricane Sandy relief. I hope you, my readers, have or will do something for those most affected.

SIDENOTE: surviving a tuxedo

Ever crave a 24-48 hour stomach bug to slim down fast?  No? Yea, no me neither ... that's weird.  

No, but seriously. 

It'd probably be a lot simpler than this BluePrint Cleanse I just started.  I'm actually quite pleased that I'm commited to it, but I am choking down these bad boys for the sake of refreshing and crossing another thing off my "30 before 30".  I'd be lying if I said that it's not also timed perfectly to my cousin's wedding and a dress I can zip up but not necessarily get down with my bad self in ... yet. 

So while I'm trying to fit comfortably into a dress, I also tried to survive a Tuxedo this past weekend (knee slap; so punny).  In another effort to refresh and kick off my favorite season, my hiking buddies and I took to our trails and had a seriously bad ass adventure.  Off to Tuxedo, NY ... where, fun fact of the day, the Black Tie fashion's name was bestowed.  We met first at Port Authority, also affectionately named, "Penn Station's drug addict cousin" ... and that's being nice. At an ungodly hour of 8:30 am I felt like I first needed a doctor's visit and some vaccinations to board the Short Line bus. We were dropped off 45 minutes away in Harriman State Park - idyllic, quiet, scary as shit.  A lady rolled up to us in her Hyundai and cautioned that there had been a lot of bears in the area.  She probably guessed we were hikers since we were, you know, in neon colors with no protective gear or overnight supplies.  We trailed a group of men with backpacks and those serious hiking sticks while I listened in on a quick tutorial of how to handle a bear encounter. Keeping an eye on our surroundings and sounds of the area, we reached the peak of a long stretch of an uphill climb.  The passerbys (friendly crew) said thank god we weren't a 72 year old, diabetic man. We laughed because that's weird and bears are scary.  But then they told us about this guy, who had shot his daughter-in-law before fleeing into the very woods we were hiking. The police called off their search that a.m., and suddently we weren't afraid of bears anymore. We would spend much of the day discussing our favorite Berenstain Bears books (and how you should like them on Facebook for twice weekly entertaining posts), and writing our own scary movie script in which we starred, someone broke an ankle, a bear attacked, a crazy murderer shot him and helped us to safety, and two of the four of us survived. The boys tried to throw some topless scenes in, but it wasn't time for joking.  Needless to say, we made it back safely in time for Bloomies Friends + Family and me to start starving myself.  Bad ass. I know.

I have to say, with a new age and new season I feel really happy.  A reenergized body, owning a wedding weekend in Kentucky and doing more things on that list (my days are numbered) is exactly what this girl needs. The stomach bug can wait until bikini season returns.  Haha, I'm kidding.  Yea, no I'm not.

-HMOH

falling slowly

As if last week couldn't have gotten any better, I'm starting to feel the fall chill that pairs perfectly with boots and a skirt.  I love everything about this season - especially in this city.  The JCrew catalog, the style, the last remaining days spent at Central Park, the excusions to the open air outside the concrete jungle, birthday celebrations, nuptial celebrations and a far more open planner.

I'm not ready to commit to switching over my closet, but I am ready to switch over my nail polish cabinet (you know, put the lighter and brighter colors to the back).  Time to fall slowly into a calmer pace and fully embrace my most wonderful time of the year.

-HMOH

it's your birthday baby

Talk about underachieving on this thing.  But I'll tell you what I am winning big at - my birthday.  BIG.  By 9:30 a.m. I'd received texts, calls and dined with some of the most important people in my life … with much more love to follow.

If I'm being honest with myself,I spent much of this work day basking in my Facebook wall blowing up and cleaning up my inbox with Facebook notifications.   In the business we call it "social security" or "social klout" - I call it proving how popular you are. 

On a humble note (which we know I'm not too good at), another year has come and gone.  I shed a few tears at my desk because I truly feel loved today.  To take a moment to realize what you do and who appreciates you for you is important.  From the calls, from the texts, from the unnecessary and beautiful bouquets sent to my desk (and the delivery man who dropped his bologna sandwich on my floor while delivering them).  All in all a celebration of a good year and a great one to come.  I'll never take for granted the blessings I have in my life (beyond a happening social media page) and so I'm taking a moment to write down a few HMOH sidenotes from the year.

• Family.  If you're lucky, they're still here a year later and still love you all the same.
• Best friends.  You don't need a million, but you need the right ones.  I have the one in a million kinds, and I couldn't be more thankful.
• Best friends make beautiful babies that will one day babysit your babies so you should be nice to them.  If you're extra nice maybe their moms will stay skinny for your bridesmaid dresses.
• Know what's best for you, what you'll stand for, what you'll stand up for, what you'll fall for.  And if you don't yet know, learn.
• Good things come to those who wait.  I thought this was a load of crap until I waited a really long time for the right job to come around. 
• Good things don't always come to those who wait - ahemmm diets.
• Setting goals - i.e., #30before30, helps keep you honest and bring you places you wouldn't have normally taken the time to be.  It also gives people good inspiration for birthday presents (sewing machine, check)
• Throughout the year, AstrologyZone is the perfect way to start off the first of your month - and the 15th to check in and see how you're doing - and the 20th to see if that money and boyfriend is coming soon - and the 30th to see that nothing really that Susan said happened.
• Your twenties are pretty awesome… and they're not over yet.  And if they are, I hear 30's not so bad. (I'm kidding, I hear it all goes downhill after 30)

Thank you to my parents for bringing me into this world and you're welcome for making you parents.  No sweat.  I'd do it again if I had to.

Onto the last year with a 2 in front of it - 365 days to still cross a bunch of things off and the last time I don't have an excuse for the why I drink so much, why I'm single or why I can't just shake those extra 5.  Next year I'm blaming it ALL on 30.

Thank you to everyone who made me feel loved and blessed today.  

-HMOH

SIDENOTE: Why? Thursday

I ask a lot of the same questions.  Like why do I always have an umbrella when it doesn't rain and then have to buy a $12 one from Duane Reade that's about to break because it's raining and I'm sans protection?  Or why do some people get to be happy? (what?) Or why does the Summer prompt no time for the gym with massive eating and drinking binges, plus bikinis.   Some things I guess I'll just never know.  But in the meantime, I drop a few rando Thursday sidenoted questions for ya.

• Why would it be the case that my wedding invitation to Jess and Paul's wedding got returned to sender when I live legit across the street from them? And why did I put the response card back in the mail to be funny?
• How awkward is it when a cashier says, "enjoy" and you say "you too"?  You're not about to share your tuna melt with her.
• Why does seltzer water explode like every. single. time. you open a new bottle? 
• and why must I continue to write back to chain emails from the morning after a Tuesday night out and say "XX you were missed, my opportunity to stop into the pizza place under my building, however, was not."
• And why did someone at Groupon think this subject title was appropriate?  Besides the fact that backpacks are inappropriate always - this just seems like a really great deal only for a horndog high school boy.

• Why do homeless people feel like they can tell you they hope you get hit by a taxi? I just hope you get a job and some money to eat or buy drugs. 
• Why do you continue to write senseless stuff on Facebook and why haven't I defriended you earlier?
• Why are there consistently stories/emails/texts from my single ladies that confirm men are just undeniably ridiculous beings.  Like when a friend traveling on business had a chance meeting at the airport, was bought a cup of coffee (even she had to turn down a cocktail at 7am) and asked to make plans for the upcoming week.  How come after that she got a text message saying, "it was really great to meet you. Too bad we didn't have more time!"  it was followed up with "Too bad we aren't on the same flight. I've never had sex on a plane and quite frankly I wanted to tell u to go in the bathroom and take ur pants down lol... Ur hot!"
• And why can't people get UR and U'RE right?  I mean use proper English people.
• And no, she did not go on the date with him. It bothered me that wasn't a question also.

Alright, that will be all. Hope you have a questionably great Thursday, email subject line or in-transit encounter.  And of course, feel free to share them below. 

-HMOH

HMOH tip #0725: a stately gift idea

A genuine surprise is pretty difficult to pull off nowadays.  I know brides who have packed a "bridal shower" bag so that whoever is slyly transporting them to their shower can take the dress they'd like to be photographed in in tow.  Not Lacey, she modestly didn't even think that a trip out to New Jersey on Sunday would have her local friends waiting and a special surprise of her Mom flying in from Kentucky.

I carefully tried not to blow it because I was too excited by the gift I had found and customized.  Careful not to make it look cooler on Instagram until after the shower - I couldn't wait to share this unique and great gift idea here.

The couple (my cousin) is getting married in Versailles, KY (pronounced VER-SAIL-Z  because this is the South and not France y'all) this coming Fall.  In family tradition, giving the couple any sharp items requires that you are "paid" so as not to give bad luck.  With the acceptance of knives, scissors, etc., the bride must pay the giftgiver a penny.  But that doesn't count for the board you cut on (at least I don't think).  I opted for this AHeirloom cutting board with a heart over their wedding location and the engraved date.  I clearly expect to be served cheese on it at some point.

1/AHeirloom State Shaped Cutting Boards

Be it a bridal shower, housewarming, hostess gift, or say ... for my birthday or something ... this is a great gift idea if I do say so myself.  And I do.

 -HMOH

Let's get real.  This city might be hands down the worst city in the world to PMS in. On my way home from the office yesterday I almost let the waterworks roll and nearly cut a bitch or two.  But it's also the greatest to meet a best friend around the corner for a candlelit dinner to take the edge off. Sitting under an AC leak (NBD) so that the manager offered to buy our bottle of champagne and then getting a champ upgrade because the one we ordered wasn't cold enough didn't hurt the sitch [or the hormones] either.

So while you can't beat the "heat" every few weeks, you can be thankful for your greatest friends, that tomorrow's a new day ... and well, champagne.

-HMOH

HMOH homemaid: shrimp + bok choy dumplings

I could spend another post commenting on the freak factors I saw on my walk to work this morning, but I'm going to keep it positive.  Like about food and how awesome I am.

A few weeks ago my friends and I had a lovely little evening at Haven's Kitchen, the coolest cooking school in NYC.  We rolled up our sleeves and learned the ins and outs of Asian dumpling making and then gathered around a table to enjoy the fruits - ok, pork shumai- of our labor (see more here).  When the teacher lit a stove on fire to cook them, I simply asked how one does that in an NYC kitchen. Everyone laughed because I'm funny, but no ... seriously. 

Inspired to take my skills and apply then to my 75 ft not square kitchen and not burn the place down, I made my own variation last evening.  A real NYC kitchen, where I had to remove my dish drying rack and place it in the living room floor so I had another few inches of counter space.  Using no set recipe and groceries I picked up at a Korean grocery store this weekend, I winged it hard core.

Behold ...

STEAMED SHRIMP + BOK CHOY DUMPLINGS

You'll need: Prepared dumpling wrappers (buy at a specialty store), scallions (2 stalks), water chestnuts (half a can), baby bok choy (three heads), ginger root, uncooked shrimp (8 pieces).

how-to:  I finely chopped the ingredients I thought would go well together and placed them in a bowl.

Next, I sauteed them on my small ass gas stove so that the shrimp was cooked and the bok choy wilted.  I poured in a little (ok, prob a lot) soy sauce to give it flavor.

After the contents were cooked, I put them back into the bowl and drained the excess water... checked in on The Bachelorette Men Tell All, yep ... still stupid ... and got ready to roll.

Dumpling making is quite the craft and you need to be awesome at it.  I did much better in my class than in the comforts of my own home.  First, you dip your finger in water and wet the edges - sounds dirty right?  Take the left hand corner (right if you're a lefty) and fold in so the contents will stay.  Next you place your dumpling middle into the center and start to fold, press, fold, press.

Voila!  Dumplings ... ok, dumplings on crack.  Next I put them in my handy, dandy steamer (who needs a real kitchen when you have one of these bad boys, and cooked for about 15-20 minutes.  My bad, I lost track as I watched Chris cry AGAIN on the TV. 

Soy sauce drizzled and served with a side of seaweed salad (store bought, I'm not that awesome), I kicked back with my TV dinner stand, realized there was still another hour to go with Emily, and enjoyed.

-HMOH





SIDENOTE: a native new yorker walks to work

With a new gig comes a new commute to work.  But let's be serious, headed to work in NYC (and a select few others) is a public spectacle. Free entertainment.  Walking the streets and public transportation systems leave little to the imagination.  Previously I'd stroll the tree-lined streets of the West Village to get to my Hudson Street offices with a beautiful view of the city skyline.  I somehow showed up far more zen. Now it's back to Midtown America.  50 percent US employees, 50 percent strolling tourists.  Consider it an adrenaline rush and Rosetta Stone freebie. 

Despite not having had my am coffee yet, I always tune in to what's going on. So here are my city street sidenotes for ya ... inspired by three weeks on the job.

The subway ride is filled with a full on circus of people.  Those like the crazy yesterday morning who screamed a big ol F bomb as someone passed by her to get off the crowded car.  She then proceeded to rant to everyone left on the train with her about how tough her life is (if you saw what she looked like, you'd kind of see where she was coming from. being a dinosaur in a human's body is pretty tough.) and that she's a "f'ing native New Yorker."  Native stereotypes, gotta love them. She thinks she's got it rough, but on the days I feel fat or bloated, I'm nervous a gentleman is going to offer me his seat because he thinks I'm preggers. Hasn't happened yet, but that's more because chilvary is dead. #realproblems

There are the jewelers in the Diamond District who devour you on your walk down 47th.  Asking you to come see their selection.  Reminds me of what it probably was like for old school peddlers and street fairs, but I'm only nostalgic for a minute before I throw up in my mouth and speed up to make it to the subway quicker.  On the days they don't say anything, I clearly don't look cute in my outfit.

The kids on a rope (see left) spending a day at camp while mom and dad rush to their offices.  In college I saw this frequently on campus, but hell NYC kids are far better dressed and there's far more liability if one of them strays from the rope.

There are, of course, the bankers from Madison Avenue.  Less the marriage material I'd hoped they'd be and more those who carry obnoxious umbrellas that could fit a family of 5 or the full PGA tour.  Bigger the umbrella, bigger the d-bag.  Also - many a nantucket red, pink or yellow pants for those gentleman who work in marketing.  I'm totally into it, but that's because I'm into assholes.

An avid viewer of the Today Show, I also get to stroll pass 30 Rock each morning to a cheering crowd outside. Today I hurried out of my apartment when I saw Channing Tatum was going to be stopping by.  In last week's case, thousands of 14 year old girls who camped out for 3+ days to watch Bieber in the Summer Concert Series.  I wasn't at all mad that I accidentally walked down 48th to get to work hear him sing, but I also wasn't sure what kind of parent allows their tween to sleep like a homeless person for a front row seat. 

And while we're on the subject of homeless people - bringing your kid to your begging sesh is all the rage! You're not going to make it as a bum if you don't have your three-year-old at your side or a chubby little guy in your baby carrier.  And I'm not going to lie ... works like a charm.  Kind of like those Save The Children commercials, only the little kid is straight up next to you.  FACT:  When I lived for a semester in Sevilla, my roommate Natalie and I passed a woman each morning on our way to classes.  She sat on a blanket asking for money - sat, because she had no arms and no legs (yes, this is where the jokes come from).  I pondered literally every day how she got herself there each morning, and which of her family members was dropping her off and making the round to pick her up at night.  I dropped euros in her bin when I had them, and considered her part of my home there.  Fast forward eight years and I'm pretty sure her family picked her up and dropped her off on 5th Avenue.  Swear it. She's sitting outside my office.  That's a long piggyback ride to make an extra dollar! 

I love checking out the beautifully dressed women and making mental notes to try that look sometime. My office lobby is a fashion show and I have a front row seat to this season's best.  It's truly all in a day's work over here.  Hustling the streets and avenues to and from work.   Colorful, totally hostile, and yet, I'm not sure I would be able to walk in something less than the mayhem.  In fact, as I review my post and ramblings, I notice my bad language and cynicism ... much like the native New Yorker from the subway.  What?  I'm more eloquent and far better looking.

So, what are your fave NYC street sidenotes?  Want them in photos - follow HONY on Facebook for amazing captured moments and stories on the NYC streets.

-HMOH

HMOH #30before30: trace your roots in ellis island

You hear it time and time again, prob cause it's true - you're the worst tourist in your own city.  I've never climbed the Statue of Liberty and I'd never made my way to explore the roots of immigration at Ellis Island.  Being a first generation American, I long thought that my parents were filthy poor and did jigs in the steerage of a boat on their way to America.  I pictured them showing up at the gates of Ellis Island, getting their head checked for fleas and their throats scraped for unknown reasons.  It was very Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic and dramatic, just the way I liked it.


Turns out Mom caught an American Airlines flight over (they served peanuts and beverages) and Dad + family took a luxury cruiseliner.  Part vacation, part let's migrate to our new land of opportunity.  Shattered my history lesson, but I was still excited to cross "visit Ellis Island" off my "30 before 30" list recently. 


In town for a weekend or a jaded New Yorker (if Mary Poppins come to mind here, you are a jaded New Yorker) look up the ferry schedule and see what those who came before you endured to set your roots here!

Visiting Ellis Island
Book your reservations in advance so you can pop on the "Reserved" line with less of a wait.  Expect airport-like security and to be yelled at when you're talking on your phone (done).  Also expect that the security guy will creep on you and say he didn't want to have to restain you (done again).  Pack snacks ... it's what the immigrants would have wanted you to do.  And don't worry, they serve hotdogs on the boat.


 Take the ferry and enjoy the sites.  Lady Liberty is way more impressive up close than from the city skyline.  The ferry ticket allows you to stop both at the Statue (currently closed for renovations) and Ellis Island before heading back to the South Street Seaport.  Deck hands are creepy too.

Once you've arrived, opt for the audio tour (included in your day pass) and prepare to walk around and learn about the way it once was.  The tour takes you through your journey as if you too were just arriving in America - and about an hour.

At the end of your journey you arrive at the spot where families were reunited and loved ones claimed their passengers.  You're also greated by the line to pay to access your family history from the extensive database. I saved my research until I got to Ellis Island thinking it'd feel more authentic if I looked up my family members in the very spot they embarked on their new life in America. They'll charge you $12 to use their commuters, and $5 a photo to print ... OR you can access it for free by registering here. #touristtrap

Here's the passenger ship that my great grandfather came to Ellis Island on.  He made the voyage at just 23 to meet his uncle and see about a better life.  I bet he did a few jigs down in the steerage.  Had to.  Returning back to Sicily, he instead moved the family (my grandmother and my grandfather (then just a family friend)) to Tunisia.  My dad was born there ... and so our history begins.

Miss the ferry? No worries, it comes every 20 minutes and gives you time to take more tourist photos with your friends. 

And to top it off ...  Pearl Street is one of the oldest parts of New York City, located just by Battery Park where you'll be dropped off.  The little alley is lined with bars and restaurants, and my favorite part - outdoor wooden tables and benches.  In the mood for a raw bar, Ulysses Folk House offered us just what we wanted to cap off a great NYC day.  The four glasses of wine and chocolate covered strawberries that followed at Azra weren't too bad either.  Let's just say I did a jig home too.  Hey, my ancestors immigrated from Italy.  They wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

-HMOH

luck: a NYC marriage proposal (where do you find these guys?)

no, seriously.  where in NYC do you find guys like this?  Judging by the video you have to start in Hoboken.  Well, good luck to this couple - you're off to a pretty great start, and thanks to TBB for the pass along.



-HMOH
LUCK - An NYC Marriage Proposal from Aria Melody DJ on Vimeo.

HMOH awesome wedding photo #0618

Mondays serve as a few things - in no particular order.  1. A two hour time suck watching the Bachelor/Bachelorette season and pretending you don't like it when in reality you make plans to watch it in groups, 2. reality check that yes, you do indeed have to go back to work and 3.  an instant reminder that wedding and baby season are in full effect.  I know so because of the multitude of photos that flood my minifeed and make my heart melt or biological clock tick. 

Today I caught up on (read: stalked Facebook) some serious weddingness (word) from the weekend.  LOTS of nuptials and shared anniversaries from the past few days.  I smiled at the beautiful Richmond wedding of Jessica and Jeff, known to many as Jeffica.  I wouldn't have expected anything less from this fantastically fun bride ...

-HMOH

HMOH #30before30: get honky tonk in nashville

I've said it a million times and for those who have questioned it ... you should know better.  I'm like awesome at to-do lists, and more importantly, checking shit off.  So I've been motivated with a few great changes in my life to get to work on what's left remaining on this list.  I've also realized that there's not much time left to accomplish these small, silly, big and real achievements.

Up next was number 30 - get honky tonk in nashville.  It was one of those places I've always wanted to visit ... and there was no better time than CMA Festival to head down.  In celebration of our big promotions and new jobs, Ashley and I hit up Pepsi's corporate sponsor status and got great seats to a weekend long festival of country music and girls who don't know how to dress well.  All I had to do was get down there ...

And so all hail, god bless US Airways.  They never seize to amaze me with their poorly planned connections, awful staff and bad luck to all traveling plans.  With an expected arrival at 6:45 pm (it's too early in the game to be asking for vacation at the new job), I was going to get quickly to the hotel, change into my NY version of down south garb, and head to the concert that had the likes of Carrie Underwood as a headliner.  US Airways and ATC (air traffic control, we're on an acronym basis now) had different plans.  Long story short so as not to relive  ... I missed my connection, got rerouted twice, called my mommy and cried like a not thirty year old ... and arrived in Nashville after two more connecting flights at 11 p.m. where I instead I went straight to the bars.

Ashley and her coworker met me on the corner, but not before Ash stocked the hotel room with Firefly sweet tea, snacks and post-it notes to put me in a better mood.  Yes, my friends travel with post-it notes and I love them for it.

Bummed to miss the night's concert - we made up for it at Legends Corner bar with an awesome cover band.  I pretended to know the words to most songs, jived along and sipped on sweet tea to catch right up.  And so I did ...

The rest of the trip went smoothly - I woke up each morning with "Rock Me Mama Like a Wagon Wheel" in my head.  Saturday we strolled through town in the heat and stopped for a mid-morning Corona to cool down, made our way to the famous Grand Ole Opry concert hall and the Gaylord Opry Hotel (which b t dubs has a full on river running through it).  The Southern boys were cute as could be and surprisingly (pleasantly) there weren't any of the size 00 blondes I expected to see running the joint. The evening's concert was amah-zing due in part to Luke Bryan and the fact that we smuggled Grey Goose minis in my purse and hid them under a tampon so anyone checking wouldn't dare more it aside.  Fireworks closed out the night and brought little girl joy to my heart.  A quick trip, but a great trip ... I'd love to find myself down there again with more time to honky tonk.

Check out the photobook below and my HMOH nashville recos should you too be looking to cross Music City off your list:

Legend's Corner Bar

Printer's Alley:  home to nude karaoke and gentleman's clubs

naturals

Grand Ole Opry

Gaylord Opry Resort

#CMAfest

LP Field for Luke Bryan

my fave: fireworks after the show

  

Stay at:  Marriot Courtyard Downtown.  With only 2 weeks to book over a festival weekend, and limited options the Marriot was clean, walking distance from the scene and super accommodating.

Eat at: Whiskey Kitchen - and get the jalapeno calamari with frickles (fried pickles); 417 Union for a classic American meal; Paradise Park for 3am fried chicken, double decker burgers and I think those were chili fries

NOTE: With limited time in n-ville and no car to get places, we weren't able to visit all the reco'd foodie spots (for next time!).  Here are some others that come highly recommended:  Pancake Pantry, Loveless Cafe for southern food and Patterson House for cocktails.

Get your [tourist] honky tonk on at: Legends, CMA Festival, Wildhorse Saloon (try three floors, three different bands and a great crowd)

Check your tourist stops off at:  Grand Ole Opry house, Gaylord Opry Resort, Vanderbilt University's campus

Songs to download, even if you swear you'd never like it (trust me, this NYC chick did too ... give it a chance): 

• Drunk On You (Luke Bryan)
• Country Girl Shake It for Me (Luke Bryan)
• Smoke a Little Smoke (Eric Church)
• Springsteen (Eric Church)
• Rock Me Mama Like a Wagon Wheel (Bob Dylan)
• Dirt Road Anthem (Jason Aldean)
• We Owned The Night (Lady Antebellum)
• Toes (Zac Brown Band)

-HMOH

a little more country than that

not so cowboy boots packed (which I'll likely neglect in exchange for heels). Nashville update upon my return, y'all.

#yeehaw?

-HMOH

With the new summer season comes new beginnings.  Beginning to the sunshine.  Start of the awkwardness when you leave a cab in your shorts and aren't sure if your sticky legs left marks on the leather seats (#nycproblems? #justme?).  Beginnings to short skirts, my best shoe collection and weekly pedicures.

The past few weeks/month have/has been filled with celebrations, new beginnings and doing what I do best ... crossing things off of to-do lists, specifically that infamous "30 before 30."  First check - a brand new gig! A Global PR Director at the world's largest cosmetic company and a check mark on that list in a big way.

Up next, a BFF celebration and check mark next to "Honky Tonk in Nashville."  I head out for the weekend on Club Seat passes to the Country Music Festival so I'm brushing up on the awesome line-up jams and trying to convince myself color-blocking and silk jumpers will be all the rage down south.  I made Ashley promise she wouldn't wear Crocs in my presence, so in fairness I'll try to tone down the NYC in me.

SO only good things as summer rolls in and I enjoy the freshness in my day to day and weekend/week-long travel plans.  Here are some other things I've been digging:

cynthia rowley band-aids - sequins for cuts and scrapes. uh huh, yes please.

nail polish crush

columbia bonehead men's shirt - a bunch of 13 year olds on the SanDestin beaches were sporting these as beach cover ups.  so we clearly investigated and purchased. right.  I was later informed by a saleswoman that you need to wear them big so you look like you just left your boyfriend's place. I'm not sure it's the look any respectable women should be seeking as she nears thirty - but if tweens are into it, it has to be cool.  I'll say ... fantastic breathable back, probably awesome for shark fishing too.

new job, new office supplies (obviously)

So, what are you digging this season?  Anything big or small you're looking to cross off your to-do list?  Here's a few more I have coming up.  If I've inspired you, then I've nailed "Inspire Someone" too:

• See a movie by yourself
• Visit Coney Island
• Meet with a Financial Planner
• Get to Ellis Island and look around

over and out,
HMOH