You know the drill, new month, I recap my favorite things from the previous month. BTW, I always get “My Favorite Things” from the Sound of Music stuck in my head when I write this post every month.
Workouts I’m Loving…
the Hamilton Ride at Soul Cycle
When I saw Soul Cycle was doing Hamilton themed classes, I freaked out. Working out to show tunes isn’t new to me… my running playlists are about 95% musical theater and 5% Green Day/ Katy Perry. Working out to show tunes with 65 other passionate theater nerd? Simply amazing. I left the 45 minute class drenched in sweat and on cloud nine.
I’m *so* close to convincing my brother AND boyfriend to attend a future Hamilton ride, which is saying a lot.
Boxing Workouts
January ended up being the month of boxing! First I visited Shadow Box and then I went to Overthrow… in the middle of the blizzard. The vibes are TOTALLY different, one is all about white spaces and clean lines, the other is gritty and a place you’d expect to hear insanely loud punk music. That’s what’s awesome about the NYC fitness scene, there’s something for everyone. Both classes were great workouts and I highly recommend both studios.
Foods I’m Loving…
The Pennsy at Penn Station
I think we all can agree that Penn Station is a void for good food. Enter The Pennsy, a high-end food hall featuring an array of delicious eats.
I went there with some friends after work one night for dinner, and we basically divided and conquered. That’s the beauty of a food hall, there’s something for everyone. I couldn’t resist The Beastmode Burger Deluxe from Cinnamon Snail, this insanely popular vegan place that started as a food truck. My burger featured everything but the kitchen sink — seriously, it was topped with mac n’ cheese. Not the healthiest thing I’ve ever eaten, but hey it was delicious.
We finished off dinner with vegan desserts from Cinnamon Snail as well– a glazed donut + cinnamon bun. Neither of my friends are vegan nor dairy-free, but they both agreed that the desserts were insanely good.
If you’re in the area and looking for something tasty, The Pennsy is a great choice.
What I read…
Big Law by Lindsay Cameron
I really enjoyed this novel about a young lawyer working at a huge NYC law firm. At first I was worried it would be boring and isolating since I don’t know anything about being a lawyer, but I ended up relating to the main character as a young professional trying to balance life in Manhattan. It was a fun, quick read.
How to Be A Grown Up by Emma McLaughlin and Nicole Kraus
I’ve become a total sucker for novels about fake start-ups in Manhattan (previously, A Window Opens, The Knock Off, and The Underwriting.)
How to Be a Grown Up follows the story of a 40-year-old Mom in NYC going back to the corporate world. She’s working at a hilarious start-up that sells luxury items to 4 year olds and the book follows her rocky relationship with her husband and the ridiculous antics of her job. Both the main character and I are former theater majors gone start-up pro’s so I loved that aspect.
What I’m Watching…
Workout New York on Bravo.
This show is far from high brow and totally a guilty pleasure. The reality series follows the life of 7 NYC trainers. The show ended yesterday but I’m pretty sure you can still watch episodes online. I’ll be the first to admit that like most other reality TV shows, it’s a little bit scripted and fake, but it’s also pretty entertaining.
It’s my favorite show to watch in the background while I’m cooking dinner.
With Holly Rillinger at Flywheel celebrating the series premiere.
Random Other Things…
Postmastes.
I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to use Postmates (Use my code zchv for $10 off your first delivery).
Postmates is kind of like Seamless meets Uber (those of you in the suburbs probably think I’m speaking a foreign language). Instead of pushing your delivery order through a system and having a delivery person from that restaurant come to you, a courier goes to the restaurant and orders for you, then brings it to you. This means you can get delivery from almost any restaurant, even places that don’t actually offer delivery.
On the app you can track exactly where you food is and how much longer it will take. It took less than 30 minutes for me to order brunch from byChloe and have it in my hands. Plus the delivery guy was insanely nice.
Also, the pancakes + hash browns from byChloe are AMAZING. Vegan brunch for the win.
I got so excited when I saw all the great Jersey City places on Postmates just now… and then so so so disappointed to learn that I don’t live in a “deliverable area.”
Ugh, so sorry to hear that. Fingers crossed they start expanding their delivery area
Wait, there are food options in Penn Station?! Really? 🙂 Wow, I will have to give these a try!
The Penn Station food court is SO meh, I don’t go to Penn Station that much but the Pennsy is a serious upgrade
I love all of this! I’ve been meaning to try boxing and to go to byChloe. Those books look really good too.
You’ve gotta try byChloe! I’ve been on a total fiction binge lately, awesome way to end my day before going to bed.
Thank for the book recco! I also loved A Window Opens, The Knockoff, and The Underwriting, so I am super excited! I also loved The Circle by Dave Eggers – it’s not Manhattan and is less “chick lit,” but I still really loved it. I think about it all the time – I love books that stick with me.
Too funny, I’m reading The Circle right now! So far really enjoying it
Soo about that blogger-date we need to have. Can it definitely include working out to showtunes and eating at Pennsy? 🙂 Let me know as SOON as you hear about another Hamilton spin class pleaseeee? haha
Yes please!! More hamilton rides this week 🙂 https://www.soul-cycle.com/community/nyc-theme-rides/1631/
Seems like a whole bunch of us are a fan of sweating to show tunes.