Archive for the city category
GOODBYE PHOENIX
by Sara on July 13th, 2009
As a ‘Goodbye Phoenix’ gesture, I surprised Dick with a special date at the Compass, atop the downtown Hyatt hotel. We dined in elegance with a spectacular 360 degree view of the Valley of the Sun in the only revolving roof top Phoenix restaurant.
It was bittersweet looking down at the streets below, reminiscing memories we’ve made over the last 3 years. We’ve really grown to appreciate this place. Though I’m anxious to move, I’m feeling somber as I realize I’ll probably never live here again.
So I raise my glass to you, Phoenix: you really are much cooler more fun than I ever gave you credit for. While I’ll never consider you a favorite, I still hold a special place in my heart just for you. And I think it’s safe to say Dick feels the same.
Stay tuned for more ‘Goodbye Phoenix’ gestures.
BIG APPLE – JUNE 09
by Sara on June 25th, 2009
This post contains a lot of pictures taken on a recent trip I loved. My city, New York City.
Amy in Soho.
Outside the lovely Café Habana. Lazy eyes blamed on my redeye flight in. I sat next to a man with terrible no manners.
Café Habana’s delicious Mexican style grilled corn. Mmm.
That’s John Krasinski (aka Jim from The Office) & Joey Slotnick. I couldn’t resist snapping a picture. Wish I had a picture of the craziness that ensued. It involved Amy tipping our table, breaking a plate and spilling food all over the guys sitting next to us. Good times.
We saw John Krasinksi’s new movie, Away We Go, the next day. While I liked it, I must admit that overall I was disappointed. Considering Dave Eggers was involved, I expected better. Ah well. We saw another actress from the movie – Allison Janney, who I adore. But I’ll get to that later. Next, I’m going to show you my favorite shoe store…
Greetings from the Camper shoe store in Soho!
The indecisiveness of this place kills me! In a good way. I bought a pair; not for me, but for Dick.
On the steps of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET). We saw our preferred mediums in record time. (What was it? 15 minutes? But it was free!) Amy ran for Matisse while Julie and I were spoiled with images by favorite photographers, including: Cindy Sherman, Diane Arbus, Richard Prince and Louise Lawler to name a few.
Apart from my honeymoon, this was the most luxurious trip I’ve taken to NYC. We took taxis everywhere. My only subway ride was from JFK to the hotel (a hotel which definitely added to the luxury!).
Chocolate covered strawberries from Godiva; it has become a Hall girl NYC tradition. Last year we did the same on our trip with Elyse.
We sat in Central Park watching fancy people arrive for a gala. Second celeb sighting: Jaslene Gonzalez, winner of America’s Next Top Model cycle 8. (My least favorite winner to date. Yes, I do watch that show. Every single cycle.)
Radio City Music Hall, where I saw The Decemberists with Robyn Hitchcock and the Venus 3. One of the worst seats in the venue, but still a fantastic show. I wasn’t crazy about their new record, Hazards of Love, until I saw it performed live. They sounded amazing.
Obligatory NYC meal: world’s best Reuben sandwich at Katz’s Deli.
Amy’s idea of heaven on earth. Otherwise known as Magonlia Bakery.
Enjoying Magnolia cupcakes in a West Village park. Red Velvet is my favorite; love that vibrant red – tastes pretty good, too.
Julie & Amanda. Enjoying the city at night.
The photo above and the next few were taken at the MOMA! (Museum of Modern Art)
If I had to decide, it’s probably my 2nd favorite NYC museum. Or, maybe it ties for 2nd place with the Whitney. Stay tuned for my #1 favorite.
Adorable baby mama Jules. Will it be a boy or girl? We won’t know until the day “it’s” born.
So glad my sister-in-law Amanda came with us. I love traveling with her.
These crack me up. At FAO Schwarz where Julie bought a Middleton doll to give Eleanor when baby #2 arrives this fall. Those dolls look and feel so real. Being here reminded me of a recent This American Life episode where a former FAO Schwarz employee shared a story about this same brand of dolls. They ran out of the coveted white babies, so white moms, much to their dismay, were relegated to purchase ethnic dolls instead. That was a good episode.
Amy on one of the many taxi rides in the city. To the right is the Apple store by Central Park. I took that picture for Dick to see. Bummer that I missed Sonic Youth’s performance at the Soho Apple Store by 1 day.
Manhattan: north view of Central Park & south view of Empire State Building.
Tourist gem worth doing at least once: Top of the Rock observation deck. This was my first time up – I loved it. (Did you catch the pun?)
I don’t care for Times Square but it was worth braving this night. My sisters & I are not the musical types at all, but we saw 9 to 5: The Musical. We had to, it was one of our favorite movies growing up, thanks to Grandma Wanda Hall. And let me say, it did not disappoint. We had a blast. This was when we saw Allison Janney; she played good ol’ Violet.
Taking it all in.
Amanda in Saint Patricks Cathedral.
Here it is: my favorite NYC museum. The Guggenheim. Designed by the one and only, Mr. Frank Lloyd Wright.
That spiraling rotunda amazes me every time I visit.
We were lucky enough to be there during the celebration of its 50th year. The celebration included a Wright exhibit featuring his sketches and models. Loved it, love him.
Hey, look, it’s us on the Brooklyn Bridge!
Terrific view of Manhattan.
If you visit NYC and want to do something awesome, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. I love it. I think Amanda and Amy did as well. The weather was perfectly drizzly and cool.
In Brooklyn, waiting in line for delicious pizza at Grimaldi’s. That line was well worth it. Amy was a smart thinker, she went and bought us ice cream to share while we waited. Butter pecan, that ice cream was really tasty too.
That’s it, folks, until next year’s NYC girl trip. But in the meantime let’s go to San Francisco!
COUNTRY RAIN
by Sara on February 8th, 2009
Sunday afternoon drive with my pal, Dicky B.
I needed some fresh air. I watched 8 movies over the weekend.
Taken, Parenthood, Dan in Real Life, Juno, He’s Just Not That Into You, New In Town, The Wrestler, and Working Girl.
Tried to end the marathon with The Godfather, but I fell asleep too early. Maybe if I’m lucky I’ll manage to break my record next weekend.
JUST A RAINY DAY HERE IN MY USUAL PLACE
by Sara on December 18th, 2008
It’s been rainy! Cloudy, drizzly, perfect.
After work yesterday I took Max on a long walk wearing one of my favorite pair of tennis shoes. These were the first shoes I bought as a married lady… nearly 4 years ago.
Max doesn’t love the rain like I do. He tip-toes like he’s wearing high-heels and occasionally slips from trying to avoid getting wet. It’s adorable. Everything he does is adorable. (Even the obsessive licking of his feet, causing them to turn bright pink, which has us so worried we’re taking him to the vet tomorrow to have it checked out.)
Lo and behold, look who found us as we were turning the corner, heading home — Dicky B!
Just as the sun settled, we came home. Max got a treat, Dick worked on Amazon CD listings, and I settled for reading To Kill a Mockingbird while taking a hot bubble bath.
On evenings like these, my life in Phoenix is the best.
