Though the worst of the storm was last night, Adrianna and I are still at home for the day thanks to massive power outages and the transit systems in the tri-state being closed down.  While I still have plenty of work to do today, I’m trying to take this forced 2-day house arrest as a chance to catch up on a few other items I’ve been meaning to get to.

Our friend Nichole’s blog, Vanilla Extract, had a great post yesterday about how to keep yourself busy during Hurricane Sandy.  I will definitely be tackling a few of these items today (especially cleaning out the closet), but there are a few other things I want to be sure to indulge in while I still have the time at home.

Glitzy manicure - I have a stash of nail polish colors from Julep I have yet to try.  During one of my movie marathons I’m definitely going to test out a new metallic or deep red

Catch up with favorite blogs - I’m lucky that I have power, so I can get online and do some much needed media research.  There are a few new blogs I’ve been looking to check out over the past couple weeks that I finally have time for

NYC restaurant excel grid – I have long said that I’d like to start an excel spreadsheet with names of restaurants or bars I’ve wanted to get to in NYC (geeky, I know).  I think today would be a great day to kick of the list, and circulate it around my friends for input

Beautification station - Pinterest is full of home remedies for common beauty problems that I’ve never had the chance to try.  Today, I’m going to go for a hair mask, at-home facial and all-over body scrub down

Wardrobe planning - While cleaning out my closet, I’m going to make a list of items I still desperately need for fall/winter.  There are a few items that are glaringly obvious (a new pair of riding boots, leather pumps that can withstand winter weather) but I have my eye on a few other items that I hope I can find room for

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Last week, M covered off on her Autumn in NYC checklist. Yesterday as I was strolling through the Union Square Greenmarket, I couldn’t help but think about how much I love this time of year and what’s yet to come. Now that we’re already halfway through October (yikes!), this upcoming weekend and the weekend after are something to look forward too including the Hunt and my birthday.

This Saturday, New Yorkers and Jersey preppies will be headed to the Far Hill Races (also known as the Hunt) in New Jersey. M and I are headed there together again this year to enjoy the yummy food, rowdy crowd and muddy field. If you’re free this Saturday, consider taking a train ride to Far Hills. You can find more details here.

{ Union Square Greenmarket }

Next Wednesday is my birthday. For some reason I’m having an extremely hard time picking a restaurant I want to go to! Normally, I know off the bat a restaurant I want to try but this year I’m having trouble coming up with one. Since it will be a birthday dinner date, here are some options I’m currently debating:

RYU
46 Gansevoort Street
Not only because it’s Scott Disick’s restaurant (ok maybe that is why:)

Babbo
110 Waverly Place
I’ve heard endless great things about Mario Batali’s restaurant in Greenwich.

Balthazar
80 Spring Street
To cure my french onion soup craving.

The Lion
62 West 9th St
I’ve wanted to try this place for a while. Heard the decor is awesome.

Any other birthday dinner suggestions?

October is going to be one of the craziest months of the year for me at the office. I have not one, not two, but three big client events at the end of the month (all in a row, and all in the same week!) and the prep for all three has already taken a majority of my time. I really want to work to enjoy fall this year, instead of spending it depressed that it is no longer 80 degrees and sleeping away the work week.

Since we’re going to be in holiday season before any of us realize it, I’m making myself a list of “must-do’s” before a whole bunch of snow drops on us and it’s officially winter.

• Spend each Sunday watching football in a variety of places – whether it’s a party at Bounce, a low key dive, or your couch
• Make hot apple cider and watch scary movies with the girls
• Toast pumkin seeds
• Take careful inventory of your closet as you change over wedges to boots, and swim suits for scarves
• FINALLY get to see the ballet
• Take a walk in central park just to see the leaves change
• Carve out a pumpkin for your doorstep. Buy Halloween candy even if you don’t have trick-or-treaters in your building
• Rent a zipcar and head upstate to go apple picking
• Visit a haunted house, like Blood Manor or Killers
• Catch up with close friends near a fireplace

What are you looking forward to this fall?

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Autumn always makes me incredibly happy that I live in New York.   Maybe it’s because all my friends are back in one place after spending the summer traveling every weekend.   Maybe because the air is crisp and I’m more alert than I was when it was 90 degrees and muggy out.   Either way, I can’t help but notice I have been staring dreamily at the Empire State Building almost every morning on my walk up Fifth Avenue to the office.

When I saw this article on Forbes.com, I was impressed with how well it captured almost everything I love about this great city. New York has taught me some invaluable life lessons over the years.   Here are a few that have especially helped me to grow and become the person I am today:

“Star interns are life savers” My butt has been saved by stellar interns on a few occasions. Do not underestimate your job as an intern, and do not take your own interns for granted

“You can only control what you do” Do not put the pressure on yourself to fix every complicated situation you find yourself in.   Sometimes the answer is just to walk away, take the high road, or move on

“The joy of stress” PR is a very stressful job, and NYC is an extremely stressful city.   A brain break is needed every now and again, but stress is an incredible motivator (especially for a procrastinator, like myself)

“Get out of your comfort zone” You all know this is my number one piece of advice. NYC taught me that.

But then… “have a ritual” My sister and I go for ice cream almost every Sunday night, and sometimes pancakes at our local diner on Sunday mornings. Find a ritual you love that is quirky and totally you, and stick to it

“If you don’t care, no one will” Sometimes it is easy to get downtrodden, and think your idea isn’t good enough/does not matter.   If you have passion for it, do it!

“What it takes…” This one was too good to rewrite: “Talent gets you invited to camp; determination gets you on the team; teamwork gets you on the field; confidence gets you on the starting unit; love for the game keeps you there. And too many sports metaphors get you smacked in the face.”

What are some life lessons New York has taught you? What do you hope to learn from New York?

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Getting into the PR industry, travel is often a part of the job and you should definitely make the most of it. It has its ups; you get to see new places, discover new sights and travel to locations you  wouldn’t  normally see. If you follow us on Instagram (@nycprgirls), you probably saw some photos from my travels this week. While I love to travel, business travel  isn’t  always as glamorous as it seems. Those of you who have been in PR for several years would most likely agree.

Business travel:

• Is usually last minute
• Takes you away from a full day of work
• Racks up your to-do list
• Can be lonely
• Comes with expenses
• Leaves you tired
• Turns the weather against you
• Often comes with flight delays
• Makes you miss home
• Is quick, leaving you with little to no time to explore
• Can be filled with pressure depending on your reason for travel

How do you feel about business travel?

One of my favorite parts of the city to stroll through is Little Italy. Not only because I’m 100% Italian, but because just a few streets downtown can make you feel like you’re in a completely different city. Though the size of Little Italy seems to diminish year by year (taken over by Chinatown), it’s great to visit at least once each year for the San Gennaro Feast.

The feast is held every September and this year it runs for about 2 weeks – from Thursday, September 13 to Sunday, September 23. It runs along Mulberry Street between Canal and Houston.  At the feast you’ll find parades, musical entertainment, charming restaurants, cafes and stands with unbeatable Italian food.  With only 4 days left, I plan on stopping by the feast tonight. Follow us on Instagram (@nycprgirls) for some pictures.

Should you be in the city this weekend looking for something to do, take a trip to the feast downtown. You won’t regret it ‘“ but your stomach may.

Have you been to the San Gennaro feast?

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