I'm not fashion guru but I do like getting dressed and going shopping. One of my favorite things about Fordham fashion is the way a lot of people integrate Fordham Road finds into their wardrobes. It takes a frequent Fordham Road shopper to recognize these pieces on other women (bejeweled sandals, big bags in loud colors, jingly quirky jewelry, etc) and sometimes it's completely impossible. I have friends who have found gorgeous President's Ball dresses and entire Spring Break wardrobes on Fordham Road that you would never expect they paid next to nothing for.
It takes a seasoned Fordham Road shopper (AKA a senior) to integrate these finds into her wardrobe without looking like a mannequin from Pretty Girl (great store, horrendously dressed mannequins). Usually all it takes is some understated pieces from other stores to help make these cheap additions look expensive, chic and unique.
Fordham Road is the best kept secret in NYC shopping and most Fordham girls are totally in the know, showing up to work or internships in Manhattan wearing pieces from stores our bosses and colleagues would never think of visiting.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
From the Bronx to the Bahamas
Last week I was lucky enough to escape the dirt, grime and cold of the Bronx. Don't get my wrong, I love the Bronx (obviously) but everyone needs a vacation. Fourteen of my best friends and I embarked on the ultimate spring break trip to Freeport, Bahamas. I've never been to the Bahamas, or even the Caribbean (my parents always preferred summer vacations to cold places like Maine), so I wasn't sure what to expect. In my head the Bahamas was all peace, calm and tranquility sprinkled with fruity drinks and tropical music. While the fruity drinks prediction was dead on, we did not encounter much peace, calm or tranquility. We chose to plan our trip through a company called Student City which boasts 'the best spring break trips in the world." We figured everything would be easy and planned out for us, which did not turn out to be true. Without turning this post into a long complaint, let me just warn all readers to never under any circumstances book a trip with Student City.
We didn't let that ruin our trip though, and still had a great time soaking up the sun and enjoying the aforementioned drinks. Some of our fellow spring breakers who hailed from the Southern states had other ideas in mind which included bikini contests and body shots. While we chose not to participate, simply being around these creatures was pretty exhausting and I often found my cynical New York side come out as I wondered how they would fare in the Bronx. This isn't to say that I consider myself particularly tough and/or streetwise, but at least I could haggle with a street vendor and not stick out like a drunken, American idiot after a drink or two.
I've always thought of Fordham as a pretty college-y college (green space and lots of beer drinking) but after being blinded by sorority letters and deafened by school chants I can definitely say Fordham is a bit more sophisticated than I thought. Sure we hang out in bars named Mugz and pretend to be interested on the rare occasion that our sports teams do well, but we can also carry on a conversation about current events as we drink our beers in Mugz. I'm not trying to bash the south, I know plenty of smart, funny and cool people who hail from south of the Mason Dixon line. Unfortunately, they were not present on this trip.
After a bumpy shuttle ride, a cruise from the Bahamas to Florida, another bumpy shuttle ride, a 5 hour sleepover in the airport, a 5AM flight and a final taxi ride to Arthur Avenue, stepping over a pile of dog excrement and fumbling with the broken lock on my front door, I was proud and happy to say, "Home Sweet Home." I had a great time in the Bahamas, but sometimes a bagel from Simon's is all you need for a perfect day of relaxation.
We didn't let that ruin our trip though, and still had a great time soaking up the sun and enjoying the aforementioned drinks. Some of our fellow spring breakers who hailed from the Southern states had other ideas in mind which included bikini contests and body shots. While we chose not to participate, simply being around these creatures was pretty exhausting and I often found my cynical New York side come out as I wondered how they would fare in the Bronx. This isn't to say that I consider myself particularly tough and/or streetwise, but at least I could haggle with a street vendor and not stick out like a drunken, American idiot after a drink or two.
I've always thought of Fordham as a pretty college-y college (green space and lots of beer drinking) but after being blinded by sorority letters and deafened by school chants I can definitely say Fordham is a bit more sophisticated than I thought. Sure we hang out in bars named Mugz and pretend to be interested on the rare occasion that our sports teams do well, but we can also carry on a conversation about current events as we drink our beers in Mugz. I'm not trying to bash the south, I know plenty of smart, funny and cool people who hail from south of the Mason Dixon line. Unfortunately, they were not present on this trip.
After a bumpy shuttle ride, a cruise from the Bahamas to Florida, another bumpy shuttle ride, a 5 hour sleepover in the airport, a 5AM flight and a final taxi ride to Arthur Avenue, stepping over a pile of dog excrement and fumbling with the broken lock on my front door, I was proud and happy to say, "Home Sweet Home." I had a great time in the Bahamas, but sometimes a bagel from Simon's is all you need for a perfect day of relaxation.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Ode to Munchiez
Okay so I know I've already mentioned Munchiez on here at least once, and I know it doesn't have a great reputation (mainly because of the artery-clogging- heart-attack-inducing- insane-level-of-calories in their food), but I'm sorry, it's just so good. Unlike Simon's and Tony and Tina's which seem to have sporadic hours and, in the case of Simon's, a sporadic menu, Munchiez is always open when you want it (AKA after spending a night at tri-bar). Not only is Munchiez always open, but in recent weeks it's been almost as packed as Pugsley's. I will take this as a sign that others are catching on to the beauty that is Munchiez. Another Munchiez plus is the staff. Vlad and Pat are patient, nice and clearly geniuses for dreaming this place up.
As I've already mentioned, the mac and cheese bites are by far the best that Munchiez has to offer. My roommate Mary introduced me to the Munchiez gyro and I was pleasantly surprised. Although it is not authentic "street meat," it tasted just as delicious and I'm assuming the kitchen is a bit cleaner than street meat carts so that's a bonus. I'm also a big fan of the Skinny Bitch (chicken, bacon, cheese, tomato, mayo, lettuce in a wrap) and the Skinny Cheerleader (chicken, bacon, avocado, chipotle sauce, lettuce and tomato in a wrap).
I can't say that I've tried one of the sandwiches that Munchiez is known for, such as the Fat Munchiez (chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, french fries, lettuce, tomato and honey mustard) or the Fat Drunk (cheese steak, chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, french fries, BBQ sauce lettuce and tomato), but last night a fellow Munchiez patron recommended the Fat Yankee, which involves the beloved mac and cheese bites, so I'm sure I'll be trying that soon. Also on my list is the quesadilla, a milkshake and Munchiez fries.
With so much delicious fried food left to try and only a few months left to try it, you better believe I'll be stepping up my Munchiez game and going there even more than I already do.
As I've already mentioned, the mac and cheese bites are by far the best that Munchiez has to offer. My roommate Mary introduced me to the Munchiez gyro and I was pleasantly surprised. Although it is not authentic "street meat," it tasted just as delicious and I'm assuming the kitchen is a bit cleaner than street meat carts so that's a bonus. I'm also a big fan of the Skinny Bitch (chicken, bacon, cheese, tomato, mayo, lettuce in a wrap) and the Skinny Cheerleader (chicken, bacon, avocado, chipotle sauce, lettuce and tomato in a wrap).
I can't say that I've tried one of the sandwiches that Munchiez is known for, such as the Fat Munchiez (chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, french fries, lettuce, tomato and honey mustard) or the Fat Drunk (cheese steak, chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, french fries, BBQ sauce lettuce and tomato), but last night a fellow Munchiez patron recommended the Fat Yankee, which involves the beloved mac and cheese bites, so I'm sure I'll be trying that soon. Also on my list is the quesadilla, a milkshake and Munchiez fries.
With so much delicious fried food left to try and only a few months left to try it, you better believe I'll be stepping up my Munchiez game and going there even more than I already do.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
D Train: Delight or Disaster?
Ahhh the D train. Voted one of the city's worst subways, riding the D train is definitely always an experience. I have the pleasure of taking the D three times a week to and from my job in the West Village. Despite careful planning on my part, I can never seem to time my trips perfectly and always end up waiting in the station for far longer than anyone should ever wait for anything. While Fordham Road's B & D station is disgusting, and the trains themselves often reek of mysterious foul odors, I must admit that I sometimes find myself enjoying my D train experience. Here's why:
-Maybe it's creepy and maybe it's even a little weird, but I enjoy watching people. There is almost no better place to observe humankind than the D train. Whether the cars are packed with professionals traveling to work during rush hour or mothers and babies running errands, the D train is always full of interesting people and even more interesting situations. Anyone who has ridden the D at least once is bound to have observed some entertaining, disturbing or creepy situations. Singing homeless people? Check. Hilariously vulgar preteens? Check. Entertaining train conductors? Check.
- There's no need to travel to Broadway or the ballet for talented performances from some of the city's best entertainers. I once watched 9-year-old twins break dance better than anyone else I have ever seen as the D sped between 59th St and 125 St. I'm treated to an authentic Mariachi band almost every morning on my way to work. One time a lone guitar player followed my friends and I from 145th all the way down to the West Village, serenading us with songs he made up about us (okay that one was pretty creepy). New York Magazine just did an article on the city's best subway performers and while none of my favorites made the cut, I'll definitely have my eyes open for some of these underground musicians.
-While the commute can sometimes be a hassle and I hate having to wake up at least two hours before I have to be at work, I do value the forced relaxation that occurs when I am constricted to an underground pod for at least an hour and a half each day. Unlike people who drive to work, subway commuters, especially some D train commuters who are often traveling on the subway for at least 45 minutes each way, the trip allows us to read, listen to music, get work done, or just veg out. I complain all the time about my long commute, but I have to admit that the mandatory relaxation helps me start my day with a clear head.
While the D has its perks, we can't forget the screaming babies, foul odors, frequent delays, close quarters and annoying Yankees fans that often make the trip a living hell. But these are the things I try not to think about as I battle my way up Fordham Rd every morning.
-Maybe it's creepy and maybe it's even a little weird, but I enjoy watching people. There is almost no better place to observe humankind than the D train. Whether the cars are packed with professionals traveling to work during rush hour or mothers and babies running errands, the D train is always full of interesting people and even more interesting situations. Anyone who has ridden the D at least once is bound to have observed some entertaining, disturbing or creepy situations. Singing homeless people? Check. Hilariously vulgar preteens? Check. Entertaining train conductors? Check.
- There's no need to travel to Broadway or the ballet for talented performances from some of the city's best entertainers. I once watched 9-year-old twins break dance better than anyone else I have ever seen as the D sped between 59th St and 125 St. I'm treated to an authentic Mariachi band almost every morning on my way to work. One time a lone guitar player followed my friends and I from 145th all the way down to the West Village, serenading us with songs he made up about us (okay that one was pretty creepy). New York Magazine just did an article on the city's best subway performers and while none of my favorites made the cut, I'll definitely have my eyes open for some of these underground musicians.
-While the commute can sometimes be a hassle and I hate having to wake up at least two hours before I have to be at work, I do value the forced relaxation that occurs when I am constricted to an underground pod for at least an hour and a half each day. Unlike people who drive to work, subway commuters, especially some D train commuters who are often traveling on the subway for at least 45 minutes each way, the trip allows us to read, listen to music, get work done, or just veg out. I complain all the time about my long commute, but I have to admit that the mandatory relaxation helps me start my day with a clear head.
While the D has its perks, we can't forget the screaming babies, foul odors, frequent delays, close quarters and annoying Yankees fans that often make the trip a living hell. But these are the things I try not to think about as I battle my way up Fordham Rd every morning.
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