Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Is This Heaven? No, it's New York


If you've seen Field of Dreams, or lived in Iowa, you know what I'm talking about.

I went to New York City last weekend! This was the second time in my entire life going there, and it was great. High school friend and college roommate, Amanda, and two of her friends who, along with me, were bridesmaids in her wedding last year, decided to trek from Omaha and Phoenix to NYC for an all-girl get-together. Since I have free flight bennies thanks to my U.S. Airways-employed main squeeze, I hopped up there Friday night to hang out for the weekend. Amazing.

Here we are, l-r: Lady Liberty, (I hate taking pictures with her, she makes me look huge); Angie; Amanda aka high school friend & college roomie; Half-Breed Outlaw aka modestmuse; Lori. Check out the super-sweet FANNY PACK I'm sporting!!! It's my new favorite thing. I've wanted one like this ever since 2004. I don't care if it's passe. I've tried traditional fanny packs between 2004 and last weekend, and they are just too bulky. This thing is slim, almost flat and has a stylish belt and buckle closure. Plus it's "GUCCI," with the logo emblazoned all over it, in case you forget.

The whole thing is so tongue-in-cheek, I love it. I got it out of this crazy back room above a shop on Canal St. It was a hilarious experience. The other girls were all about getting knockoff purses, and I was so over it, but I decided to join in the surreptitious bag-shopping experience. So, behind the curtain, through the hidden door and up the stairs we went. It wasn't until I had helped talk everyone through justifying buying their heart's desire in handbag form that, on my way out, I spied the Holy Grail of fanny packs!!! And in moments, it was mine.

I tend to misplace and subsequently lose things quite often (see PDA phone left on seat of bus in Mexico), so this will solve all my problems. I will wear it everywhere and put everything I need in it.

Once, I lived on the main drag in Waikiki for 24 hrs. and I decided the 3 things you need to survive indefinitely in any city are: a debit card, a bottle of water and a cell phone. The photo to the right was from that adventure (circa 2005). I love old folks and I thought this guy was so cute and sad. His Japanese tourist family parked him outside while they tore Chanel up. Nice!! BUT, upon closer inspection, I JUST NOW noticed that his uber-trendy (as we know all Japanese are) granddaughter in the background is WEARING aforementioned style of fanny pack!!!!! Now I love this photo even more!

New York really was amazing. I got caught up in the whole shopping experience and bought way too many Pashminas, but at $5 a pop, who wouldn't? I think I need to take a trip there sometime just to eat. There are 20,000 or 32,000 restaurants in NYC, depending on which tour guide you have; nonetheless, it is apparent there is a LOT of food to be eaten there, and I think I'm up for the challenge.

6 comments:

Tara said...

i'm up for the challenge. i have wanted to go back to NYC really bad. i loved hearing about your canal street experience. my sisters and mom were all into that and i never did end up buying one. love the fanny pack. i admire you for standing out from the crowd.

leslie said...

Thank you for posting pics from your trip. You are totally working it in like all of these photos. Love the fanny pack. And the food idea. Do you want to go back up to NYC in a couple weeks? If so, I'm there!

Stephanie said...

i love your hair!!! that aside, i will now confess my love for canal street as well. i was one of those girls who went solely for the handbags- but i did not need anyone to talk me into anything! perhaps i should have had someone there to talk me out of things (however, with nathan wada, danny duerden , and leeann lambert as my traveling companions that wasn't going to happen)!

Julie said...

One of my fashion guru's was wearing that fanny pack recently and I've coveted one ever since. Now that my second fashion guru has obtained one, I have to assume that they are only for sincere fashionista's, and I have therefore given up on getting one. I am not that sincere. Love it! I'll go to the NY anytime. Count me in, please!

M. said...

love it!.... so, even though you are now "busy" can we please go on a little road trip before its too late? i mean its the least you can do, as you are not going to Thailand with me :)

modestmuse said...

I have been a terrible blogger! I am just catching on to the fact that I can - and should - reply to your comments by POSTing a comment. So! Tara -- when you get to the mainland this winter, hop over to the east side (of the U.S.) and we'll tear NYC up -- that goes for you, too, Stephanie.
Iggy, Mel, and Gnome (NG thanks for finding me and posting! And for the esteemed compliments!!) we should set a date for a couple weeks hence and ride the Chinatown bus up! Just use the bathroom BEFORE we leave ...