Looking forward to fall!

A lot of people are very upset about summer being officially over. Apparently everyone considers Labor Day to be the unofficial end of the season. While I am also sad about this, I thought I should write a post about the things I am looking forward to for my first fall/winter in NYC! There are so many parts that I love about September-December - I want to focus on that instead of the fact that my swim suits will probably not see the light of day for the next 8 months (moment of silence for that, please). And there are other things that are happening right now that I am excited about, too!

• My adult swim team is starting tomorrow. I started swimming with the team during last season, but we just had a 2 week break while they cleaned the pool. Now this season is starting up again tomorrow night and I cannot wait to FINALLY get back into shape. AND to compete at meets!
• Moving into and decorating my new apartment. I've talked about how I am currently living in the building of my next place, but we are moving to the unit exactly 5 floors below us. In a week we will be all done with that and will just have to put the finishing touches on decorating and such! Very excited for this headache to be over (and to not have to be sleeping on a blowup mattress every night).

• Football season! I. LOVE. FOOTBALL. I know a lot of people like college football, which I do too, but my college team WAS AWFUL, so I gravitate more to the NFL. Football is my favorite sport, and I am excited for my first season as a New York Giants fan! Though the Chicago Bears will always hold a special place in my heart, I gotta get with this NYC sports camaraderie!

• Seeing what is going to happen with this guy...I've been hanging out/talking with this guy for a little bit now. He's so awesome (I've written about him before) and I am excited to see what happens with us! Still not looking for anything super serious at this point in my life, but it will be fun to just hang out and get to know each other better :) Big smiley face for that one!
• Halloween. It will be my first Halloween in NYC!! I've had some costume problems in the past (ie - I put on a teal dress with a black belt and called myself a crayon) but this season I want to be so much better and go all out with my costumes! Ahh I need to start looking into different parties at clubs and bars and such to see how my friends and I will celebrate this crazy fun day/weekend.
• TV shows resuming. Now that I have a TV again, I am really looking forward to some of my favorite shows starting up again! The shows I keep up on are Parks and Rec (actually watching a marathon of it right now that's on this FXX channel I just discovered), Modern Family, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and Workaholics. But now I will probably be watching a lot more shows because one of my roommates works in TV production. 
• Fall fashion. I love fall and winter fashion. The coats are so cute, and a great pair of skinny jeans makes me incredibly happy. All the fashion trends are great for this coming season, and I can't wait for the weather to change so we can all take full advantage!
• Holidays in NYC. Saved the best for last - SPENDING THE HOLIDAY SEASON IN NEW YORK CITY! This is probably going to be one of my favorite things about living here. I'm already planning going to the Rockefeller Center tree early in the morning to beat the tourists. And OBVI I'm going to participate in SantaCon (been counting down the days to that since I saw all the pics of it last year). It's going to be awesome!

So beautiful! What's not  to love about this?!

So, if you're really sad about summer being over, I am definitely with you on that one. But just think of all the fun that's to come! I'm so excited for the last part of 2013 :)

<3, Charlotte

You flatter me! (Another Liebster Award!)

This is too cool. So Annie of This Northern Belle nominated me for The Liebster Award! I got one a little while back, but I am OBVI going to accept again and go through the entire process - it's awesome to help other smaller bloggers find each other.

To steal entirely from my last post - the Liebster Award is a Favorite Blog Award – Liebster is German for “favorite”. It is awarded to a blog that has less than 200 followers. It’s a great way to interact with other smaller blogs and to get everyone more connected! HOW COOL!

In order to accept this award, I must do several things (this is slightly different than the last time I accepted - I feel like there is a telephone game effect going on here!):

1. List 11 facts about myself


2. Nominate 11 bloggers for the award (YAY!)


3. Let them know about the nomination


4. Answer the 11 questions I was asked when nominated


5. Ask 11 questions for the new award winners to answer

Okay, let's begin, shall we?

Part 1 requires I list 11 facts about myself:

1. My greatest fear is being boring (sounds pathetic but it's true).


2. I have a "life bucket list" that is posted as one of those sticky notes on my laptop desktop screen.


3. One day I want to move to either London or Australia - two of the coolest cultures that speak English (since I know no other languages).


4. I have a very hard time telling right from left, which has sometimes made driving and getting to places very challenging.


5. I generally don't get along very well with girls - a lot of my best friends are guys - girls are dramatic and that's annoying to me.


6. Moving to NYC was the best decision I've ever made, and the hardest transition process! But I love it :)


7. Moving IN NYC is one of the most challenging things a person can do, I'm finding that out first hand right now in the apartment search process


8. I am OBSESSED with pop culture. The fact that I know what is happening with Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' marriage more than I know what is happening in Congress right now is frankly kind of alarming.


9. Christmas is my favorite holiday. HANDS DOWN. Even though it's absolutely freezing, November-January 1 is my favorite time of year.


10. Even though I LOVEE living in a city as crazy and fast-paced as NYC, I really need a couple days away in some secluded place. I need a vacation!


11. I'm supposed to be doing work at my job right now but CLEARLY this takes priority! YOLO.

Okay, moving on to part 2. Nominate 11 bloggers to get the award! Oh this is the exciting part - having under 200 followers is key so that smaller bloggers can discover each other :) And my nominees are (in no particular order)...

• http://notoriousbeautyblog.com/


• http://jothyslifestyle.wordpress.com/


• http://trainingcamprookie.wordpress.com


• http://preptista.com/


• http://collegeforeverever.wordpress.com/


• http://catchingzee.wordpress.com/


• http://lovehaightcupcakes.com/


• http://twentysomethingnyc.com/


• http://lydiawarren.co.uk/


• http://anomadslife.wordpress.com/


• http://thesweetdee.wordpress.com/

You guys are all so amazing and I am so happy to nominate you for this award! Which leads me to part 3 where I will make you all aware that I have nominated you :) (will do that after this has been posted!)

On to part 4 - answering the 11 questions that I was asked when I was nominated.

1. What is your favorite thing to cook/bake? This does not apply to me because I can neither cook nor bake. Pretty much anything that can be put in the microwave is a winner in my book!


2. If you could invite three people to dinner (living, dead, real or fictional), who would it be? Rosa Parks (fascinated by her courage and ability to ignite the Civil Rights Movement), Jennifer Lawrence (she is AMAZING!), and Amanda Bynes (definitely would be interesting to see her in that setting).


3. What is your dream vacation? Anywhere where there is a beach!


4. What is your favorite thing to do on a rainy day? Watch movies/casually day drink with friends.


5. What was your dream job when you were a kid? Be a famous singer - I think it's safe to say we've all had that fantasy growing up.


6. Apple or oranges? Apples, unless I'm sick, where I think that by eating a ton of oranges I'll magically become healthy again.


7. What is your favorite beverage? Anything with alcohol...hey, I just graduated college! Cut me some slack please :)


8. What is something that made you laugh recently? The last question. Also my friend (Chloe!) that I'm talking to on gchat right now has said some pretty hilarious things.


9. Favorite holiday? Christmas - woahh weird coincidence I said this in my facts about me!


10. What book do you most recommend? Confessions of an Advertising Man by David Ogilvy. That is just bc I'm an advertising nerd and I absolutely LOVEDDD it!


11. Beach, city, new culture? Which do you prefer for a weekend getaway? Beach, PLEASEEE!! (Let's go right now!)

Finally, part 5 is where I make up questions that my nominees have to answer when formally accepting their award!

1. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?


2. Salty or sweet? (Food, just to be clear)


3. Mac or PC?


4. What is your spirit animal? Why?


5. What is the TV or movie character that reminds you most of yourself?


6. What is your favorite part about blogging?


7. What is your weirdest talent? (We all have one - don't be shy!)


8. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?


9. What is the most kind-hearted thing you have done for anyone, with expecting nothing in return?


10. Favorite TV channel?


11. When you look at your life right now, are you genuinely happy with where you are? If not, what can you do to change that? (Now go out and do it!)

Again, thanks so much, Annie! And congrats everyone, let's keep the award-giving going!

<3, Charlotte

3 months until Christmas music time!!

A pic I took in Macy's when I was in NYC during Christmas 2 years ago.
What's not to like about this?!

It's officially August 1, and you know what that means...Besides the whole summer is flying by thing, THERE'S ONLY 3 MONTHS UNTIL IT'S ACCEPTABLE TO LISTEN TO CHRISTMAS MUSIC!

Now, I will admit that I do jump the gun a little early on this one, but Christmas is my absolute FAVORITE holiday. If you remember in another post I've written, I was raised Jewish and am now an atheist. So, why do I like Christmas so much? (Sidenote: I do believe in Santa - he's real! Just watch the movie Elf). Well, here's why it's the BEST HOLIDAY EVER:

1. For a solid month, everyone is nice to each other. Whether it's holding the door for someone when you wouldn't have because you feel joy all around you, or you take the time to smile at someone when they ring up your groceries and wish them a happy holidays, everyone, and I mean EVERYONE is in a great mood during the holiday season! Ahh it just makes me so happy when everyone is so nice!


2. The decorations. Whether it's some extra bells on a store door or wreaths hung on light posts in the city, everywhere is absolutely beautiful during this time of year. I'm getting butterflies just thinking of all the lights shining so bright when it's dark outside, and seeing all the random Christmas trees everywhere just makes me feel so warm inside. Of course, the decorations aren't complete without...


3. The beautiful snow. That is if mother nature stops being a little bitch and actually makes it snow on Christmas. The weather out east (not sure in NYC, but DC last year was SO BIZARRE) has been funky. Actually, everywhere it's been so weird lately. The snow is partially what makes this holiday so great!


4. Santa! No further explanation necessary.


5. The Christmas movies. They are all just so happy and hopeful. Whether it's Home Alone (an obvious classic) or Love Actually (one of my favorite movies EVER), Christmas movies have become their own category, and I could not be more thrilled about it!


6. Mad discounts at almost every store. While my wallet doesn't appreciate it, this is undoubtedly one of the best parts of the holiday season. Even though I knowww I don't need 5 new shirts for the price of 3, I'm going to buy them anyways. YOLO.


7. Last but not least, Christmas Music (it should have been obvious that this would be on this list from how I started this post!). Whether it's holiday classics like The First Noel or The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, or new songs like All I Want for Christmas is You, CHRISTMAS MUSIC IS THE BEST MUSIC TO EVER EXIST ON THE FACE OF THE PLANET. Okay, that may be a slight exaggeration, but all the songs are so happy and they just put everyone in a good mood! (Perhaps that's a partial cause to #1 on this list...?)

So, next time you're sad about the summer flying by, just think of the Holiday Season that's yet to come. Oh boy, I am so excited to spend it in NYC!!!

<3, Charlotte

Looking to join a chapel choir

I've never really said my views on religion or politics in this blog. Mainly because I believe the philosophy live and let live. If you want to do something, by all means, do it. Just don't go rubbing it in my face and try to get me to believe what you believe. That's annoying.

I'm an atheist. I was raised Jewish, but I went to a Jesuit university, and my favorite holiday is Christmas. So I've been pretty much all over the place. I started doubting the existence of a higher power in high school, and by college I decided to just go for it and rule it out completely. So yes, I don't believe that anything greater than what is happening on earth exists - evolution is proven fact, and that's what I plan on sticking by.

Okay, enough of that. Here is the point of this post.

I am going to join a chapel choir. I miss singing and having music in my life! I have played piano since first grade and I took voice lessons and was in choirs all throughout high school. I even was in a chapel choir at my college for a year! It was something that was such a huge part of who I was for so long, now that I just have to focus on my job, may as well go back to my roots and take up a new/old hobby. :)

No idea who any of these kids are. Or what they're singing.

So, I've decided that that is going to be one of my activities. I am actually about to look up different churches in NYC and see what the deal with their programs is. AHHH I'm pretty nervous because I haven't done real singing in soooo long, but I really am excited to get back into music. It has been missing from my life for too long. (Sidenote: this is a perfect time to join so I can become comfortable with the church by Christmas, and I'll be able to celebrate in PRIME FORM!)

Here goes nothing...

<3, Charlotte