7/50 NYC Adventures: Rockefeller Center & Top of the Rock

Rockefeller Center.

The Rockefeller Center is a stout 22-acre complex in the thumping heart of NYC. A tiny little part of me always scans the complex's crowds, hoping to catch a glimpse of a scurried Liz Lemon wolfing down a hot dog and spazzing out about something Tracy-related. Of course, that never happens. But a girl can wish, right? The Rockefeller Center is a broadly-spread out plaza where you can wander around, check out the art-deco statues, eat and shop. In the winter you can catch the lighting of the famous tree, see people skating in the ice rink, and perhaps catch the Rockettes just around the corner at Radio City Music Hall. I'm going to be honest with you - visiting this area at Christmastime is just not worth it. Too many tourists. I guarantee you that true New Yorkers never go near this place in the winter - it's just swarming with human beings from other countries, whipping out their cameras left and right to photograph what you probably already have in your own home, a Christmas tree. But again, that's just my opinion. We visited several times this past Christmas when we had multiple guests in town, and each time I just felt a little disappointed by the experience. It's just too much. However, in the spring/summer/fall, this is a great area to traipse about and explore. You can check out the Channel Gardens, shop at my favorite Anthropologie, and take an NBC studio tour. It's the little things. But. I haven't told you the most obvious and BEST part about the Rockefeller Center: taking the elevator up to the Top of the Rock.

The Top of the Rock.

I've been to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck a few times because it is my absolute favorite skyscraper view of the city. It doesn't matter whether you go during the day, at sunset, or late at night, each view is just killer. Better than the Empire State Building, yes, and I'll tell you why. From the Top of the Rock, you can see all the way south to the water, past the mess of Times Square hoopla and downtown's skyscrapers. You turn East and see the length of the East River and all the bridges to Brooklyn. Turn West and focus on the ever-increasing lights beyond the Hudson River, with New Jersey all lit up. It's breathtaking and shocking. How did this island evolve into such a crazed, exciting network of eternally-tall buildings? It's just a wonder.

Now so far, you could see everything I've described from the Empire State Building, as well. But all that changes as you look North. From the Top of the Rock, you have a principle view of Central Park in its entirety. Gazing upon the Upper East and Upper West Sides, I can't help but marvel at their perfect parallel lines and the obedient grids these neighborhoods so kindly occupy. The stretch between these two mini-villages are colorfully filled in by the park lakes, ponds, vast lawns and meadows and trees... it's just incredible. Because of the height and position of 30 Rock, it completely blocks this view from the Empire State Building, and since Central Park is my favorite part of NYC, I much prefer this uninterrupted view. Also a bonus? Getting to actually SEE the Empire State Building. It's a beautiful view from up so high.

Begin Again.

We visited 30 Rock again recently with our buds Elliot & Lena. This was where he got down on one knee and proposed to her years ago, and in honor of that memory, they wanted to visit again. With a new chapter of their life unfolding, they wanted to document this sweet changing of the seasons with a fresh photo announcement. The best kind of announcement, in my opinion :)

// Awww isn't this just EPIC?! //

// Perfect time for our camera to die, eh? iPhone to the rescue! //

You Should Just Visit.

30 Rock is a New York City icon. Yes, it's touristy and expensive and all that, but it's more than worth your while. I don't need to recommend you to visit or tour because it recommends itself. For the best views in NYC, there is no better place. 

Staying Connected Long Distance

Staying Connected Long-Distance.

I've been pondering a bit lately about this generation I live in. As part of this nostalgic, wanderlusting group of millennials, I find that I am always seeking adventure and the thrill of achieving a goal. Can I get an amen?

I feel so grateful to be a tiny cog in this vast system, to be part of a network of people who have SMARTPHONES, the ability to travel the world and the belief in themselves to chase unlikely dreams. Especially as a woman. We have the whole wonderful world at our fingertips! But you know what comes with that incredible privilege? The cost of living far away from your tribe of loved ones. I don't know about you, but I have a pretty fiercely awesome tribe back home in Atlanta. And along my journey I've had the incredible opportunity to meet new friends, to admire their unusual path and listen to their tales of overcoming the odds. And I love that. But as much as I fancy following the beat of my own drum, I find that I'm saying goodbye far more often than I like. Stepping onto an airplane, hanging up the phone, ending the Skype session, leaving the lovely coziness of those safe, beautiful people whom I cherish. I can't be the only one who experiences this. So many of you are in the same situation. Sigh.

Here are a few ways I’ve learned to intentionally stay in touch, while living far away from my loved ones:

1. Powering Up the Smartphone.

Yes, texting is convenient, and obviously Facetime is an awesome tool to actually SEE your treasured ones when you chat, but I have a confession to make. I, along with every other American middle schooler, use Snapchat just about every day. But only with my sisters! It's a really fun, private way for us to share silly moments with each other, like a delicious breakfast, early morning bed-head and lately, my growing baby belly. Having this fun, confidential forum with my sisters has been a great way to keep tabs on each other's little moments in life, not just the weekly milestones. Download Snapchat for the iPhone here or Android here. Yes, you might feel a little childish, but I promise you will get addicted to feeling so connected.

2. Sending REAL Mail.

Remember when people used to write letters? One of my favorite old-timey movies is The Shop Around the Corner (the brilliant precursor to You've Got Mail), which is a sweet Jimmy Stewart classic that is centered on the semi-lost art of letter writing. The film is about two employees who loathe each other, and yet are secretly falling in love, because they are anonymous pen pals. It’s a must-see! And the depiction of the letter-writing is so sweet, the way the envelopes were sealed with wax and the penmanship was so loopy and dainty. I can imagine living in those days, just waiting desperately at the mailbox for the postman to deliver a heart-felt message from a faraway love. Ah, the days of yore. Nowadays I love to write notes via snail mail, because it feels so personal to actually pen a message in my own words and handwriting. I love this customized stationary from Treat. And if you’re feeling extra creative, you can even personalize your greeting by adding a memorable photo. Suuuuuper cute.

3. Blogging.

This is a no-brainer, since you are currently reading this post and you KNOW that I blog. I developed Oy! when I moved from Atlanta to Boston in 2011. It was partly a post-college way to keep myself immersed in my love for writing, partly a way to document the many adventures I was experiencing, and partly a way to keep my friends and family up to date on my life. And it has served all of those purposes. I am overwhelmed by the positive feedback that I've received from sharing my stories in this forum. It's been such a blast developing the content and I can’t believe how much I’ve fallen in love with blogging. Who would have known?? Many thanks to the ladies over at Maiedae, who designed this blog, and encouraged the development of its theme. If you’re interested in sharing your stories, you should definitely check out A Beautiful Mess for their e-courses on blogging. And get to it! Because I know there are people out there who want to hear your stories.

For those of you who live far away from your kinfolk, what creative ideas do you have for keeping in touch?

*I’m excited to announce that this post is brought to you in collaboration with Treat, a Shutterfly brand. While I could have happily discussed creative ideas with their adorable team for hours, all the content, words and ideas are my own. Thanks for supporting this sponsor and allowing me to create fresh and unique content like this for Oy!

6/50 NYC Adventures: Ground Zero, 9/11 Memorial & Battery Park Esplanade

Ground Zero, 9/11 Memorial & Battery Park Esplanade.

Oh, our gleeful exploration of this fabulous city continues. There is SO MUCH to see, and now that the weather is beginning to cooperate (I'm nervous to even type that, I don't want to spook it), Stevie and I are finding our way around a bit more. We had our dear friends Elliot & Lena in town, and we hit this city with them BIG TIME. Even when they're "just wanting to relax", those two know how to radically experience a city to its fullest. Perhaps you remember when they visited us in Boston?? Yeah, they're wild. And wildly fun. They know New York way better than us, so it was a blast following them around as the tour guides :)

The 9/11 Memorial.

We went downtown to the financial district and visited Ground Zero, where The Twin Towers once stood tall, at the National September 11 Memorial. Although the museum isn't open until May, this recently completed outdoor plaza was designed to honor the those who were lost to the horrific terrorist attacks that took place on Sept. 11, 2001. There are two sunken waterfall pools in the exact location of where the towers once stood, and the names of all the deceased are engraved around the pools.

It's a little bit haunting. A pensive place to reflect on those tragic events. The screeching sounds of the city are drowned out by the rhythmic fall of the water, and for a moment, you become a little bit numb. This lands marks the spot. Right here. Where planes smashed and people leapt to the ground from their burning buildings and where rubble and ash and smoke swallowed them up whole.

I'm sure most of us can still remember it like yesterday. I was in 8th grade gym class during 1st period, and Coach Cope sat my class down on the bleachers and explained that something terrible had happened. We didn't totally understand what a terrorist attack was, or why someone would target our country. I know, how naive right? So much has changed since then. But it's true. The rest of the day at school was basically a wash, we watched the news in every class and my teachers wept. Do you remember where you were when you found out about the attacks?

The Survivor Tree.

This is an incredible story. The callery pear tree you see (above), was originally planted in the 1970's in the vicinity of buildings 4 and 5 in the World Trade Center complex. The tree was severely damaged after the 2001 attacks and found in a pile of rubble, blackened trunk, snapped roots, probably completely charred and lifeless. The tree, 8 feet tall at the time, was transported and replanted in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. The park's staff nursed the tree back to health and today, it stands over 30 feet tall in its newly replanted location at the 9/11 Memorial site. Every day the tree is freshly decorated with artwork, prayers and small tokens of gratitude by visitors of the park. It also comes with it's own armed guard. Seriously. And this callery pear stands vibrantly on its own amongst hundreds of white oaks in the plaza as The Survivor Tree.

Freedom Tower.

If this building could talk, I think it would say, "DON'T MESS WITH US AGAIN." To me, it just looks like a giant middle finger to the rest of the world. It is so flipping humongous, standing leagues above the rest of the downtown highrises. When you look directly at the building, you might not think that it looks very tall. But then when you look again, especially as it relates to the dozens of other neighboring skyscrapers, you're kind of dumbfounded at its sheer colossal-ness.

Battery Park Esplanade. 

Just a hop, skip and jump away from the the WTC site is the Battery Park Esplanade, a lovely walkway down by the water. Battery Park is at the tip of the island of Manhattan, where the East River and Hudson River combine. You can walk or jog along the wide path along the water and see the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn and New Jersey, all within one view. It's pretty amazing. You can also get a hot dog from a cart. Well, that's everywhere in New York. But I feel like it's just epic to take a bite of a delicious corn dog with yellow mustard while staring at Lady Liberty.

Finisher.

What a day. It felt really good to really soak in these moments of the city, the flavors and culture and landmarks. To be able to differentiate the silly from the serious and know that each serves a specific purpose in this town. Because there is a lot of silliness here. You have to appreciate that for what it is and at the same time, not get too enraptured by it. But for all the ridiculous there are equal amounts of seriousness, lending great importance to this city. While visiting the 9/11 Memorial is perhaps not the most fun you could have when touring NYC, it is seriously significant, time-worthy and valuable. And on the way home from this experience, you might find yourself actually using your thoughts instead of fiddling with your iPhone. So prepare yourself for that kind of reflection. Because you know what? It's good as gold.

Do you remember where you were when you found out about the 9/11 attacks?

Pregnancy App Must Haves

Pregnancy App Must Haves by oykristen // 1. Baby Bump Pregnancy App // 2. Foods to Avoid Pregnancy App // 3. Period Tracker App // 4. Babycenter Pregnancy App // 5. Sprout Pregnancy App // 6. What to Expect Pregnancy App // 

Getting App Happy.

Being pregnant with the power of an iPhone is really spectacular. I have information available to me at ALL TIMES - those midnight treks to the bathroom, those 3am peanut butter and jelly cravings, those 5am wake up baby kicks... (um, is anyone else nocturnal during their pregnancy, or is it just me?) Having my smartphone stocked with useful apps has made all of those semi-inconvenient, in-the-dark moments a bit more comforting. Instead of blurred-eye Googling, "How many ounces of water am I supposed to drink a day??", I can just read my apps. What a pleasure. Below are my faves.

1. Baby Bump Pregnancy App

I love this app because of its simplicity. You merely type in your due date and it calculates your pregnancy timeline, delivering tailored information each day. I especially like to read Stevie the "Tips for Dads" section, although he is less than thrilled to get preached at. In his defense, the "Tips for Dads"are always chock-full of stuff like, "Rub her feet!", "Buy her jewelry!", "Get her a pregnancy massage!" I get a big kick out of it. And he rolls his eyes. Drat.

2. Foods to Avoid Pregnancy App

I used this app a lot during the 1st trimester, when I was paranoid about food and unsure about pretty much everything. I've relaxed a bit more and don't really feel the need to look up different foods these days (the day my doc said I could have pastrami sandwiches as long as they were hot, I was GOOD). Thankfully, a lot of the soft cheeses that used to be off-limits for pregnant ladies are now pasteurized, so they don't post such a risk. However, its still good to check the app, ask high-maintenance questions at restaurants and get a feel for the do's and don't of cooking, eating, and (lets just be honest), ordering.

3. Period Tracker App

Using this app is a great way to track your period and your ovulation. If you're into that kind of thing. I've actually been using this for years to keep up with my cycle and it's gotten to be ridiculously accurate for me (sidenote - I love going into the doctor and immediately knowing the answer to their questions about the dates/length of my cycle. It feels like you get a gold star!) I'm not implying that every woman needs to keep track of that info, but I found it to be super helpful. And then when I suspected I was pregnant, I checked this app everyday, counting the days backward from my period and... doing the math. Ha. When I say it's accurate, I MEAN IT.

4. Babycenter Pregnancy App

This app has grown on me. I didn't use it much during the 1st trimester, but I've begun checking it everyday for the helpful healthy-living advice. Much like the Baby Bump app, it has a detailed timeline and tracks your pregnancy progression, and all the info is specific to the week/day of your pregnancy. This app also offers a checklist for doctors questions, a registry guide and a baby kick tracker.

5. Sprout Pregnancy App

This app is free for the first 12 weeks during your pregnancy, which is when I enjoyed using it. After that, you have to pay $2.99 to upgrade to the full version. I opted out of moving on to the "next level" with this app, because I had so many others that I preferred to use (for free!) However, if you like realistic, almost graphic illustrations of what the baby looks like in the womb, then this is the app for you. I am not a science gal, so those pictures kinda freaked me out. If you don't want to imagine your baby as an alien, proceed with caution.

6. What to Expect Pregnancy App

I was recommended by a lot of gals NOT to read this book because of its excessive fear-inducing information. But I have loved the app! It's probably my favorite one to check. It provides daily tips and blog posts full of useful information aimed for your specific time period during pregnancy. It also has weekly 3-minute videos that describe exactly what's happening inside your body that week. I feel like I have learned so much from those little videos! Seriously. I even love the background music. It gives me something to look forward to watching every Sunday (nerd alert).

For all your pregnant ladies out there, are there any apps that you have found particularly useful? Mamas, have any advice on other apps that we should look into? 

Happy apping!

TASTE: Lavender Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting

Lavender Vanilla Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting.

My gender reveal party ruined me. Ever since I tasted those delicious Magnolia Bakery and Sprinkles cupcakes, I've just wanted MORE. And since I don't want to use this pregnancy as a reason to eat the entire Earth, I'm trying my best to resist sweet-tooth cravings. Trying. My. Best. Well, all that went out the window when I glanced in my pantry and suddenly noticed those lovely lavender herbs. And in a wonderful flash of sugar-craving brilliance, this adorable recipe was born. I birthed it! (Prepping my baby speechin', obviously.)

I think this is a really great treat to make in honor of Easter. Especially for all of you who gave up sugar for Lent - this is a great way to break the fast! Yummy, pastel and fluffy, anyone can take a moment to revel in this precious-tasting confection. Go ahead, it's okay to make and share. Or hoard all alone in your bedroom. I mean, what?

Ingredients:

Lavender Vanilla Cupcakes

- 1.5 cups All-Purpose Flour (I like Bob's Red Mill White Flour)

- 3/4 cups Sugar (I use Sugar in the Raw and just blend it for about 15 seconds in my Vitamix to achieve a more refined texture)

- 3/4 tsp. baking powder

- 1/4 tsp. salt

- 1.5 sticks of butter, softened

- 3 eggs, beaten

- 6 tbsp. milk

- 1.5 tsp. Vanilla Extract

- 2 tsp. dried lavender

Buttercream Frosting

- 1 stick of butter, softened

- 2 cups powdered sugar (Also made in the Vitamix - Just blend regular sugar on high for 30 seconds!)

- 2-3 tsp. half & half

- 1/2 tbsp. vanilla extract

- Red & blue food coloring

// Steeping the lavender. Mmm. //

Method:

1. Bring the 6 tbsp. of milk to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from heat. Steep 2 tsp. lavender in the milk for 30 minutes. Set aside.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake tin with liners.

3. Mix the flour, baking powder and salt together in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Set aside.

// Beware: Too much time whipping up these frosted treats could result in a belly like this. (JK. You gotta do other kinds of stuff to get a belly like this.) //

4. Beat the 1.5 sticks of butter together with the sugar. Add in the steeped, strained milk (there should be no bits of lavender left in the mixture), along with the beaten eggs and vanilla extract.

5. Slowly pour the dry mixture into the wet mixture, taking a few moments to beat and combine, then adding a bit more.

6. Once the mixtures are combined, pour the batter into the cupcake tin, filling each cup to 2/3 full.

7. Bake in the center of the oven for 18-20 minutes, or until they are lightly golden. Let the cupcakes cool for 15-20 minutes until completely cool. You don't want to frost while they're warm or they will get all melty. Ick.

8. To make the frosting, beat together the softened butter, powdered sugar, cream and vanilla together until slightly fluffy. Add the food coloring in, but don't add too much! Start with a drop of the red and a drop of the blue, then continue mixing/adding until you achieve the desired share of soft purple.

Note: If you used Sugar in the Raw in place of white sugar, like I did, your frosting won't start out pure white. This will affect the desired color of your icing, so just bear with it and play with the food coloring. I still managed to achieve a purple-ish hue.

9. I don't have a frosting kit, so I just added the frosting into a large ziplock bag and cut a tiny corner out. I squeezed the frosting through this itty-bitty opening. If you want to add sprinkles, do so immediately after applying the frosting, so they dry together. Or you could skip this all-together and just frost the cupcakes with a spatula. And occasionally lick the goodness. Okay, lick the goodness a lot and just save a little to dress the cupcakes. Either way.

Voila! If you want to get really fancy, you can use a frosting tip inside your pastry bag. I kind of couldn't wait to munch on them... so I did it the quick way! And they're still so pretty! Oh, dear springtime, we're so ready for you!