How City People Get Their Tree...

When you live in an urban area like me, going to that picturesque tree farm to get your tree looks a little different. Instead, we go to a tree lot with pre-cut trees. And us urban dwellers either drag our tree home on foot (which I've done before) or cram it in the back of your trunk! We did the latter this year since this tree was the biggest one we've had so far. About 5 feet tall when looking at it in comparison to me.

Our 2013 Xmas tree. 

The tree lot in Hoboken is actually at this really cool and really old church, which I'm pretty sure isn't even used as a church anymore. But its beautiful nonetheless. Inside we could pick out decorations, ornaments, tree stands, you get the gist. And of course it was those old stained glass windows that give the whole experience that vintage feel.

There she is.

"A little full, a lotta sap..."

look at D hard at work.

Homeword bound we go!

She's up and ready for the holiday season! And of course, you know from this post that I am so agreeable with D that we did not only the colored lights, but the small and large vintage bulbs. Even though I prefer white, this tree is nothing short of fun and festive.

There's nothing better than sitting back and admiring your tree, while drinking hot chocolate in your Snoopy Christmas mug. 'Tis the season!

xo Steph

Food trucks, urban art & a day at the Pier.

Food trucks, art and a day at the Pier. These are a few of my favorite things. Living in Hoboken, we are lucky to always have so many fun things to do at any given time. With New York City being so close, you'd think we'd always be there but in reality,  Hoboken has soooo much to offer. One of those is Pier 13 -- which is basically a Beer Garden built on a pier. There is a place to buy beer and alcohol, picnic tables, board games like Jenga (my personal fav) and grass to layout. People bring their babies and dogs (Hoboken is very family and dog friendly) and just hang out. It's a particularly beautiful spot because the NY skyline is your backdrop. Talk about gorgeous! And the food trucks, ooohhhh the food trucks!

Everyday they have a different food trucks selection including brick oven pizza, taco truck, thai food truck, smoothies, hibachi truck, and lobster truck to name a few. 

Talk about a perfect lazy Saturday in my book!

This day, we headed to the pier because a friend of ours was in an urban art show that was being hosted by a fellow local artist. Here, the artists were creating a piece together in hopes to sell it at the end of the exhibit. 

 love these old school signs.

| the trashed urban art show |

 lunch for me was the most succulent lobster roll (made with no mayo, my favorite) and a nice pumpkin beer. 

Tis the season!

 local urban art and the freedom tower in the background.

 so abstract. kinda loving that one piece.

 I'm in a New York state of mind.....

Anyone else have a love of food trucks, day drinking, and some urban art?

Oh how I love this place!

Hope you all have a happy hump dayyyyyyy!

xo Steph

blessed.

Hurricane Sandy really threw a lot of people for a loop. Many of us didn't take the warning seriously. From New Jersey, we're not accustomed to this type of weather in our area so most of us just shrugged this off as a hyped up storm. But we all know obviously it wasn't. I live in Hoboken/Jersey City for the past four years -- and for the past four years it has been my home and a place I dearly love. I left that Sunday night because we were being evacuated and went to stay in my parents house in PA. Even though we lost power, heat and running water for 6 days I feel like one of the lucky ones. Despite suffering in dark silence (being cut off from the world with no news or connection to the outside world) it was scary that I had no idea at the state of my apartment, or the rest of the east coast for that matter.

Some of you emailed or left messages asking if I was okay -- and it touches my heart that people in the blog world cared enough about my well being. Most didn't even realize I was affected at all because I posted all week after the hurricane. In reality, those posts were done ahead of time and scheduled in advance. My reality was darkness and fear and the scary feeling of being cut off completely from the world. It's crazy how much we rely on electricity and other modern technologies. But the second we are reverted back to Amish status, our lives are instantly crippled.

Long story short is even though this week was difficult and I felt some minor struggles and hardships, it is NOTHING compared to the losses others have experienced. Losing homes, possessions or loved ones really makes you have to think. After all the devastation of homes and lost lives -- if there's anything this hurricane has taught me, it is to be grateful of what we have, and not take for granted anything and anyone. And to also be good to each other and the people you care about. My time alone, without theTV, internet, and all the other distractions in life got me back to the core basics of what's truly important. The things we supposedly love and care about the most in life-- and always assumed wouldn't be going anywhere -- can be lost in an instant. 

With nothing but devastation left behind.

So don't ever take anyone forgranted and be good to the people you love. 

Don't question what you have and only appreciate something when it's gone.

Because when it's gone, it's gone.

And you don't want to live a life of "what if's"

Life is precious. 

When you have love, hold on to it, protect it, and never let it go.

Don't miss any opportunity. Tell someone you love them today. 

-Pretty Little Things

Last Days of Summer and Rainbow Sherbet

As the last days of summer roll by (sigh) I have been trying to soak in all the sun while I can. Just the other day, D and I checked out this new Beer Garden in Hoboken that is on a pier that everyone calls Pier 13 -- but I was joking around saying that they should call it the Pier Garden! Anyway, the view of NYC was gorgeous and I wished I had known about Pier 13 when it opened back in July. If I knew, I would have spent many days on the pier enjoying the local food trucks and some cold beverages with friends. Here is the casual outfit I wore when meeting up with friends, which kind of reminds me of rainbow sherbet (hence the title above!) haha

 Outfit Details:

Peach T-shirt: Old Navy // Hot Pink Shorts: TJ Maxx // Sandals: Report

Watch & Bag: Michael Kors // Leather Bracelet: Tory Burch // Love Necklace: Tiffany & Co

 Gorgeous view from the Pier. There's the Empire State Building straight ahead.

 Whoa frizzy hair alert! Must have been all the humidity near the water that got my locks all volumized!!

 And to the right we have the new Freedom Towers being built in place of the World Trade Towers.

It will never be the same, but it's certainly the New, New York. And I love it just the same ; )

Hope you all have a lovely day and enjoy your last days of summer!

-Pretty Little Things