Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Seamless( Web) Ordering

Ok so I gave into ordering delivery for lunch yesterday. We were all so tired that I thought why not? I used Seamless and I must say that could easily become a crutch on nights where cooking just might not happen. So what is Seamless (formerly SeamlessWeb ?) A site where you put in your address and it shows you all the restaurants who will deliver to you, along with their menus, prices, delivery minimums and easy as that you can see what kind of food you are in the mood for and order! I also had a promotion code for $5 off.

There is also a app for your phone, so you can order on the go!

Monday, July 25, 2011

The High Line



So our original destination last Sunday was The High Line but due to some path (train from NJ to NYC) closures we took a different train. It altered our route but I am grateful it did because we got to discover all those other great areas on the water.


The High Line blew any expectation I had out the window. It went above and beyond of what I imagined.


What is The High Line? It is a park, raised up in the air. It used to be a train track that was raised off the streets of Manhattan to get dangerous freight trains out of the way. Now it has been converted to a great public park.

What makes it cool?
For starters you have to take stairs or an elevator to get there! Why is that cool you say? Because once you are up there you feel like you are in between the buildings. You don't have to wait for crosswalks, watch out for cars and because of that you can relax and have a good time!

It runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to West 34th Street, between 10th & 11th Avenues.

What I assumed was we'd get up there, check it out, play around a bit and be ready to go.
What we found was, that since all the areas are all different you wanted to keep walking to see what was next.


I think my absolute favorite area was where there is a little wading area/water feature with chaise lounge chairs (on the train tracks.)


They made viewing areas, where you can sit and watch the cars and people below.
All the plants are gorgeous, but also have a natural feel not overly orderly.


There is a green lawn to layout or run around on. If you work up an appetite there are food carts which include popsicles and gelato of course.

To make this experience even more incredible, when we finished at 30th street we came across The Lot (on Tap). It was a lot, just like the obvious states but it had tables and food trucks along with a outdoor bar.

So to finish off my amazing day, we ate from the Taco Truck and the kids had ice cream.


How can we go wrong with all these awesome parks?! Now just to figure out indoor stuff for the winter.... LOL

Friday, July 22, 2011

Hudson River Park




So last Sunday, yes the same Sunday we went to the Irish Hunger Memorial, Rockefeller Playground and the sculpture garden.... we also found Hudson River Park. It's not very hard to find, since it goes from Battery Park all the way to 59th all along the Hudson River. There are different portions and we did get to look at quite a few.

Some that stand out in my mind.
At Pier 25 there is a playground, splash area, minature golf, beach volleyball and an astro turf field.Before we had reached Pier 25 we had passed basketball courts, a skate park, a cute little outdoor cafe, and of course food carts and trucks!

After pier 25 we came across more path ways with cool plants and pretty flowers, before pier 34 another basketball court, tennis court, dog runs, kayaking(pier 40), and the list goes on.

Needless to say we found even more things to add to our to do list!
Explore Hudson River Park!

Fun Sculptures








On our adventure last Sunday we ended up at a sculpture park, called The Real World by Tom Otterness.

It was a place that the kids loved looking at all the different sculptures and figure out what they were doing.

Oversized pennies, miniature people carrying bigger people, dogs leashed to the water fountain, a crooked house full of pennies and the list goes on.

From my family point of view, it was definitely a fun place to have a picnic or just enjoy an ice cream!
Check this out
It's located in the Nelson A. Rockefeller Park.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Another Site to see


Sunday we found so many cool places that I wanted to mention them individually all this week.

After the Irish Hunger Memorial we came across this huge playground and come to find out even bigger park!


Nelson A. Rockefeller Jr. Park Playground is located in Battery Park


The playground met many of mom requirements...
It was fenced in all the way around
It was shaded
It had age appropriate play items for a variety of kids
It felt fairly safe, some playgrounds I feel I have to hover to make sure they don't fall.
Added bonus was they had a water area
and a lawn to go out and play in as well.
Maddie is always a fan of the sand.
Mason enjoying the climbing structures.

This website shows some great photos of the park.

We are definitely planning to go back soon, it is really easy for us to get to Battery Park from where we live in Jersey City.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Sites to see








Yesterday we went on quite an adventure!

Our first stop was to the Irish Hunger Memorial.

I had heard of the Irish Hunger Memorial but once we stumbled upon it I could not believe my eyes.

I guess in my head I had pictured a statue, some sort of memorial explaining the famine and about the Irish who came to America because of it.

Instead we saw an amazing park/structure that was fascinating, serene, and somewhere I'd want to come back to visit.

We first saw a park like structure, then when we went around to find the entrance we saw that the park was elevated into the air.
(Borrowed the first image since I forgot to take any of the outside)

We found the entrance through a tunnel with phrases and sayings about the Irish Famine and other famines.

After the tunnel we entered into what looked like to be a cottage without a roof, then a path led us up through beautiful native Irish plants and stones with the counties on them. Once at the top, you have a beautiful view of the river and Jersey City or you can look down into Battery Park.

Check out this video, and if in NYC check out the Irish Hunger Memorial


Irish Hunger Memorial is located at Vesey St /N End Ave
New York, NY 10282 (in Battery Park)

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

You can take the girl out of Florida....



You can take the girl out of Florida but you can't take the beach away from the girl!
Sand? Check!
Water? Check!
The waves crashing? Check!

So the New Jersey beach (we went to Bradley Beach today, but have checked out Belmar Beach close by as well) passed the necessary standards of a fun time at the beach.

We ate at a cute place called the Hula Grill and then hit the sand and surf!

I find water very soothing and the beach is one of my favorite places. I think Madeline is the same way as me, the moment I mentioned the beach she was packing her bag!

Being from Florida, some might assume we are beach snobs but believe it or not we are just happy to still live close (enough) to the beach!

Mason enjoyed the waves crashing and of course the sand was up to par for Maddie to build castles.


So even though we moved away some of the most famous beaches, I am appreciative we still have beaches here to visit!


Please remind my husband never to get a job in a landlocked state.... j/k!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Meeting people





When talking to friends and family one of the first questions out of their mouth is "Have you meet any people in the area?"

Moving is hard, leaving your friends and family is trying but one thing that I learned early on in motherhood is finding a playgroup helps you meet people. Kids will play with any kid, so they sometimes help the moms talking.

I have joined a playgroup here called Jersey City Moms, and believe it or not they were shocked I found the group so fast from moving up.

Well I have a secret to share... many already know because I met you through it!

http://www.meetup.com/





I found my very first playgroup in Tampa through meetup.com. It was the right thing at the right time in my life. I met so many amazing moms and even my very best friend (many think we've known each other for years and years.)

So when I moved to Orlando, I knew what to do. I was in a few groups, met many wonderful girls, the hardest part was we were so spread out in the Orlando area.

And now with the move to Jersey City, like an ole pro I joined a group. This group is MASSIVE but so organized that not only has it given us things to do, people to meet, it also has provided invaluable information such as doctor recommendations, scoops on the schools, even festival and events in the area.


ALSO those without kids meetup.com literally has a group for anyone and any interest so check out your area's groups. The best part of all, if you don't find what you are looking for you can create your own group and I am sure there are others out there with the same interests!

Monday, July 11, 2011

We live here?!










So this weekend I had one of those moments where I ask myself, we really live here?!

I have these moments because it seems all so surreal.


We went to the American Museum of Natural History and Central Park and then I realized we could do that every weekend if we wanted too.


Of course there are so many things to discover and explore that we won't but I am so glad we are blessed with this opportunity.


I guess if we had to leave our friends and family, at least its a city people want to come visit so we will still get to see them!


Haha just kidding but we are blessed to be living in an area that is pretty rockin!

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Trade offs

Three things I dislike to do...
Laundry
Cook
Pump Gas
Living in Jersey City now if I wanted, someone would wash and fold our clothes (if only they could put them away.) Although they have that in Florida, we have 3 cleaners in a 3 block span.
We can walk to many restaurants and markets so those cooking dilemmas are over (semi pre-made food is my friend!)
The best thing of all is that in NJ you can't pump gas, they have attendants. In my mind that's totally worth a $2 tip!
Truthfully since we have markets, restaurants , parks, and public transportation all in reach we don't have to fill up our tanks nearly as often.
Of course driving to the beach is a bit further (about an hour) and that whole big house deal is now in the past.
So far Jersey City is treating us pretty good!

Friday, July 8, 2011

New Blog


I know I know, everyone and their mom has a blog these days.
I am not sure if I have much to blog about since it's not a business based blog, or craft based blog, or even fashion/makeup blog.
I thought I'd give it a go and perhaps I'd find my niche.
Being a native Floridian, yes 25 years and 10 months in Florida is a rarity, moving to New Jersey has been an adjustment. I thought I'd post some things I discover along the way of getting settled here.
First thing that is COMPLETELY different in New Jersey is left turns and u-turns.
If I hadn't had my wonderful husband show me on the first day of arriving in NJ how to do it I think I'd still be confused!
So to my FL friends... to make a left turn you have to look for a sign similar to this..
Then take a right, which then takes you around to either a light or road which then turns you left.
I see how it makes sense, there aren't people waiting to turn left, or even backing traffic up.
BUT IF YOU EVER MISS YOUR LEFT TURN you might be driving a mile or so to get to the next left turn, so try not to do that. Not that I have ever made that mistake....ok yes I have numerous times!
Just remember if you are coming to visit me...