T. J. Maxx -- Who Knew?

I had just completed shopping at my absolute favorite New York establishment: Trader Joe's... when the red lights of the T.J. Maxx sign caught my eye walking home on 6th Avenue.

Because I am stubborn, I refuse to take a cab. Ever. In 8 months of living here, I've ridden in one once, and that was because it was pouring outside. My theory is this: if a person has 2 legs, they should be used. Why would you live in a fabulous walking city like New York and not walk? The walk alone is the adventure- hearing 50 different languages on a 10 minute jaunt, the smell of sewage rising with the steam from the gutters, the candy peanut men on each street corner, beckoning me with his roasted, delicious nuts. Correction: cashews.

So, T.J. Maxx looked good. Maybe because it was a taste of familiar in a place that, sometimes, feels unfamiliar. I walked in and up the escalator, my body weighed down with brown bags full of almond milk, broccoli and walnuts (tonight was a night of good choices at the grocery), and into what I soon found to be oh-so-delightful. What did I find? Shoe heaven.

Fendi Boots? Why not? These silver studded beauties are no other than PRADA. All I know is that T.J. Maxx stores in Texas do not sell PRADA boots. They sell brands like MIA and Candies (no offense to shoe-wearers of such brands). Now don't get too excited. You are not getting PRADA boots for $59. They were once $1,500 and now they are going for the easy price of $899.

Can you imagine a woman from Tyler, Texas picking up a pair of boots at her local T.J. Maxx marked at eight hundred and ninety nine dollars? New Yorkers are a special breed, this I know for sure.

A Day of Nesting Lust in New York

Oh I felt like nesting today. I'm not quite sure where this came from, other than being female. I walked into Anthropologie (first mistake) and wandered into a magical world of dishes, shabby chic wallpaper and all kinds of delectable things.

The only problem about having this nesting lust while living in New York is- well, there are two:

1) It costs a good amount to live here, so there isn't just $1,000 laying around for a new coat, a

new pair of boots and all new dishes. And

2) I HAVE NO SPACE. None. This is by no means a complaint. I gladly trade in my 1,500 sq. foot place in Texas for a 500 sq. foot shoebox in the West Village of New York. But believe me--- when I say I have no space, I really mean it:

EVERYTHING has its place here. Meaning, when one thing gets OUT of place, you can tell. Things look messy. So, as much as I rearrange my closet, The principle still remains: I don't need any more clothes. Or shoes. Or certainly, dishes. But OH I want them.

How can you not want them when you see such beautiful porcelain (well, more like pottery) as this? I mean, look at this rolling pin! And these measuring spoons! I wouldn't be able to fit them anywhere, but they had me salivating for them.

Bowls, bowls galore. They certainly suit my fancy.

The nail in the coffin is when I find myself drooling at the window of a high-end children's store. Um... like I don't even have children. Not ready for them yet, love my nephews and I'm good to go. Super Aunt. But how can you resist an outfit like this? A little girl in a black leather biker jacket.... and I already have one that would match? Oh darn you, maternal instincts.

The Single Ladies Shook it up last Halloween! Just feeling a big nostalgic. Halloween is just around the corner, and I can honestly say that last year, Halloween 2009 in Dallas, was the most fun I've had since I was a kid. Halloween stores are ALL OVER New York, especially in the part where I live, and I keep thinking about this fun experience last year and how at this time, we were just starting to learn the dance together. We had a blast and I'm sure a NY Halloween will not disappoint either! Katie and Natalie, you girls are the best! We will always remember this!

I'm in love with street fairs

I woke up and the sun rays were streaming through my window this morning. The air slipping under my cracked windowsill was crisp like the crunch of an autumn leaf beneath my feet, and I knew it was going to be a fantastic fall New York day.

I got dressed in fall attire, excited about the changing of the seasons and the opportunity to already start wearing boots in early October. I zipped up the red zippers on my tan leather boots and headed down the marble stairs of my early 20th century apartment building, opened the glass and iron doors, and was beyond thrilled at what I found: a street fair on my street! I love street fairs- always have. Their energy, the diversity of people strolling through them, and the feeling of being in any kind of outdoor market on a day such as this.

My spirit felt like a cloud drifting through the lazy blue sky this afternoon as I pondered the 'thisses and thats' and the 'whozits and whatsits' at all of the booths, the international cuisine and the curious onlookers, all there to share in the joy of the fair as I was. Chocolate-ananas crepe from a crepe maker? Yes, please.

Jewelry from multi-cultural dolls? Well, maybe.

Biker man in leather and chains with two jovial Boston Terriers? Absolutely. I'm not yet an official New Yorker because I have not joined the Canine Club. It is massive and kind of a required thing here.

In the south, October means college football and B.B.Q's. In NY, fall means boots, street fairs, cool dogs, football (of course), and one ecstatic Ashley.

Welcome to the world of blogging... I have finally arrived.

For years now- well, let's be realistic and say 2 years- I have pondered the idea of joining the online blogging world. Life stays full to the brim and has its distractions- and the bottom line is that I sometimes don't make the time for the things that I really want to do.

I planted myself in New York from the Lone Star State 7 months ago as a late twenty-something female with nothing but freedom, anticipation and a few nerves... and a 14 and 1/2 foot U-haul full of STUFF- way too much stuff for a West Village apartment. Since my arrival, an entirely new realm of inspiration has found me. This city is full of individuals with vision who have taken courage to move in the direction of those dreams. When I meet someone new, my cup of steaming hot green tea and I sit across the table listening, awakened by the passion of the life on the other side of the 24" slab of maple.

This is a fascinating city, but it can be a tough city. I didn't anticipate the loneliness I felt when I got here. Jay Z is telling the truth: if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. So, here I land. In NY and blogging. I hope to share the world as seen through my eyes with those who care to see it. New York is a beautiful place filled with incredible and diverse people and we all have a story. I am grateful to have a space to share mine.

A lovely day soon after moving to NYC, getting acquainted with some of the city's finest things: a savory meal, a fantastic glass of Pinot Noir and the best book on fun happenings in this great city

My precious little West Village apartment. It is cozy, to say the least... but in a truly fantastic Manhattan location.

My office, bedroom and closet in a 14x10' space=NY bliss

Finishing the 28 hour drive up in my 14 and 1/2 foot U-Haul truck. I made the drive all by myself with a stopover in Nashville. My U-haul broke down on me twice, I broke my grandmother's piano in transit to Houston, ran into a friend's roof with the truck and the #1 Award: I left and drove 10 minutes on 3 major Texas highways when leaving Dallas with the back door of the truck wide open... meaning, all of my neatly packed stuff could have fallen out... on the freeway. Real safe, I know. I was so beyond exhausted and distracted from the truck needing a jump to get started that morning that I just forgot to shut it. It's a miracle I made it to NY in one piece. Thanks, 5-Hour Energy.