Miss City Discovers: February 2014

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Lately I


This group of people is so haphazard, but so everything. I have been loving Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show…now perhaps I will actually stay up past 10 pm JUST to watch him! If he knew me, he would know this is a greater honor than any celeb walking onto his stage.  

In January I went to Abu Dhabi to solve poverty in the slums of Mumbai with other students from around the world at the NYU Abu Dhabi Global Issues Network Conference. It was life-changing, to say the least. Not only did my small group of 5 create a sustainable and truly implementable plan for relieving poverty in the Dharavi slum in Mumbai, we truly connected after such an intense three days. We climbed sand dunes, danced in the desert, and so much more. They are truly friends for life - and I can't wait until we all come together again! I was so happy that my mom came to share this once in a lifetime experience with me. We traveled across the world together, and loved it! 






This semester I'm taking some pretty awesome classes, as well as interning three days (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) at Cosmo. It's going to be busy, but so worth it. 

Writing for the Teen Television Show - I'm currently working on my pitch for a summer camp show - full of all the best kind of drama (can you say camper/counselor affair?!)

Social Foundations III - Yeah, this class is the historical one. Just wrote my first paper on the state of nature in the opinions of Kant and Rousseau. It was SO MUCH FUN.

Writing the Family - Can you think of anything more difficult to write about than your own dysfunctional familia? Well, guess I'm in for a ride!

Omens and Oracles - This is an ancient chinese history class. So far it's super interesting. If you have any interest whatsoever, I recommend reading Oracle Bones.  

NYFW

What a whirlwind! This was my first time experiencing New York Fashion Week in all it's fur-lined, high-heeled glory. I attended two shows at Lincoln Center, hosted by Mercedes Benz. The first was the Red Dress for Heart Disease show, which is basically a bunch of famous people walking down the runway in red dresses to promote awareness of heart health! I loved Joan Jett, Lindsay Vonn (who graced the runway in crutches) 

 The second was a fashion show in which a bunch of incredible new designers showed off their lines from The Art Institute. Francesca graciously invited me to attend, as her neighbor was responsible for the hair and makeup! 








What to Watch


Oscar Nominated Shorts - You can catch all of the nominated animation shorts as well as the live action shorts at the IFC Center. They are a total blast. People forget about these incredible pieces of art! My picks for the winners are....

Animated Short: Mr. Hublot, Laurent Witz & Alexandre Espigares 
Live Action Short: Avant Que De Tout Perdre (Just Before Losing Everything)
Xavier Legrand and Alexandre Gavras

Both happen to be French made! Oooh lala. Is that French? If not, ignore. ;) 
&

I recently watched The Lunch Box, which is a foreign film set in India about a love affair that takes place through hand written notes in a lunch box. It is extremely romantic and if you don't want to eat one thousand pounds of Indian food after, you're not a real person. Why don't I read more movies?! AKA go see more foreign films. The Lunch Box comes out February 28th. 

HOUSE OF CARDS. NOW. Go watch it. If Episode 1 doesn't hook you.....we cannot be friends. 



February is almost coming to a close, and I would really love to remind everyone to live every day like it's your last. Truly. Rest in peace to the stunning, wonderful & beautiful soul Caitlin Clancy. I know you will be greatly missed. 



Friday, February 14, 2014

Valentine's Day


It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. – Lord Tennyson

What a large volume of adventures may be grasped within the span of his little life by him who interests his heart in everything. – Laurence Sterne


Happy Valentine's Day everyone! I know many people think V-day is a 'Hallmark Holiday', but I prefer to think it is a day where we celebrate love with everyone in our life. Best friends, family, and perhaps a significant other. I am lucky to have so much love in my life - we all are! 

Today I'd love to post some Valentine's Day date ideas that you can do with anyone in your life that you love. 

WITH A BEST FRIEND:

I know that the best dates with friends are when you get busy and create something together! Today, throw on some re-runs of Friends (or like I did yesterday, Boy Meets World), get into comfy sweats, and attempt baking one of the below delicious recipes! Then for dinner, order the takeout of your choice (Chinese is my vice of choice), and celebrate with your hard-earned dessert and a great BFF flick like Bridesmaids, Thelma & Louise and if you really want to cry, Beaches.   













WITH YOUR MOM:

My mom and I love to watch movies, read together and take naps together. Here is what I recommend for the perfect mother/daughter date! 

One of these films:

Terms of Endearment


Steel Magnolias


The Family Stone



Read one of these books:

A great thriller: Gone Girl
A sappy romance: Bet Me
A sexy read: Bared to You
An adventure in another world: Archetype 
A family drama: Glitter and Glue 
A true story: Trapped Under the Sea







WITH YOUR GROUP

Go out! Play outside in the snow like you're 7 years old again and have a jolly ol' time in the snow. If you're in the Northeast at the moment, you have plenty of that to go around. Build a winter bonfire and make s'mores! And of course, have a snowball fight. It has to be done at every age. 



WITH YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER

Start the day by working out together. You'll get your endorphins going strong, and then you can eat some decadent dessert later. Plus working out with your guy is always a good way to start the morning ;) 

Watch a very, very romantic movie. I'm talking The Notebook, Ghost, When Harry Met Sally (some laughs guaranteed), Breakfast at Tiffany's and anything else that gets your heart fluttering. 

Then, go on a winter picnic. Take blankets, sandwiches and hot soup in a thermos. Take lots of lovely photos to commemorate 'that Valentine's day in 2014'. 

Make dinner with each other. There is nothing more romantic than cooking with your love. Wine is mandatory. 






WITH YOURSELF (the greatest love of all): 

You can do all of the above by yourself...and it will be just as wonderful. To get some extra 'me-time' in, try shoveling snow. It's a workout, clears your head, and it gets work done!

If you have the means, make a fire. Sit by it. Read, write, watch a movie, listen to music, binge watch House of Cards (out today!!!) and do YOU. Do what no other person on this planet could do for you, but you. Love yourself. Treat yourself.

Happy Valentine's Day <3 <3