Tag Archives: Holiday

Alternative Thanksgiving Plans in NYC

Now that Halloween has passed, we are onto the next holiday…Thanksgiving! I myself am not from the East coast and can rarely go home for the holidays, so here are some things you can do to celebrate the festivities while away from home and family.

FIT Residential Life Thanksgiving Feast

Res-life always hosts a Thanksgiving dinner for students that stay in the city for the holiday. Take advantage of a free meal and hang out with friends on campus.

Thanksgiving Day Parade

This Nov. 28th will be the 92nd annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade celebration. Come celebrate an iconic and historic NYC event along with the rest of the city either in person or live on TV. If you want, you can go the night before to watch the balloons get inflated as well.

Bryant Park’s Winter Village

Bryant Park is a wonderful place to stroll through and take a look at all the holiday gift and food shops. This is a great place to look out for that perfect present or to get a cheap bite. There is also the the skate rink which as free admissions but costs $20 to rent skates. It gets cold on the ice so make sure to bring gloves and a jacket.

Friends-giving

Gather a group of friends to have a home cooked (or ordered out) “family” meal. You can make it a potluck to make the menu easier on whoever is hosting, but make sure to contribute something to the group.

(Window) Shop around on black Friday

There are so many online and in store deals to take advantage of. Check off all your Christmas list items or just peruse. You can also stop by the famous Macy’s window displays at Herald Square along your way.

Volunteer with New York Cares

New York Cares is the largest volunteer network in NYC that has opportunities in all 5 boroughs. It requires a quick and simple orientation but after that you are free to sign up for as many volunteer opportunities as you’d like, spanning from gardening to child and senior care to tax prep.

Explore the changing season at Central Park

Get a breath of fresh air at one of the many parks around NYC. Central Park will be showcasing the full force of Autumn with its beautiful foliage. Grab a bite to eat and walk around to one of the many locations in CP, such as the skate rinks, the CP zoo, the boat launches, or the Bethesda fountain.

Visit a Zoo

Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and Central Park Zoo are all open the day of Thanksgiving. Tickets for all three locations are $13 (unfortunately they do not offer a student discount). View animals such as exotic birds, sea lions, red pandas, grizzly bears, and snow leopards.

Productivity During Break

Hello Guys,

That’s a wrap! The semester has come to a close and the holidays are just around the corner. Soon, we will be ringing in the new year! While everyone should take this time over break to unwind and well… take a break, it is never a bad idea to be productive either.

The first thing on my list during the break (and after the holiday madness) is to work on personal projects. During the semester, a lot of my time working and creating is spent on in class assignments or portfolio building. The break allows for the perfect time to experiment with different personal projects. This winter break, I plan to spend time painting some scenes from my study abroad trip to Florence from last summer! School projects are a great opportunity for portfolio pieces and growing as an artist. However, it is certainly important to experiment with your own interests and style.

Break is also great for practice; as they say, practice makes perfect! I always like to take the extra time I have to work in a new sketch book. One of my professors always said that you should do a drawing a day in order to improve and grow as an artist. That concept has always stuck by me. I try to draw from life when I can because, not only is it therapeutic, but I can better my skill set!

Last, and certainly not least, I use break to relax! A strong work ethic is so important, but so is giving yourself some time to rest! How do you like to spend your freetime/breaks? Until next time, enjoy the holidays!

Warm wishes,
Annmarie x

Treat Yourself: Bryant Park Winter Village

Hey Guys,

Have you ever heard of the Winter Village at Bryant Park? With finals season in full swing and the holidays around the corner, it is important to take a minute to enjoy the season! The Winter Village is one of my favorite places to go to during the holiday season. The park is usually less congested than the Rockefeller Center tree, and showcases a tree of its own.

It is easy to make a night of fun at Bryant Park. At the center of the Winter Village there is a large ice rink. Spend time skating the rink with friends or (like me) sit this one out and enjoy some cocoa instead. Surrounding the rink are various vendors, restaurants, and of course, the tree! Vendors like Max Brenner (and their delicious, liquid gold hot chocolate) are all around the rink. Enjoy eats from around Manhattan, such as Wafels and Dinges, Home Frite, Domo Taco, Doughnuttery and more! Need to get some holiday shopping done? Bryant Park has a gift for every person in your life. The vendors range from apparel to jewelry, to even artwork! There are so many unique gifts to check out, and a ton of ornament shops as well. My favorite thing to do at Bryant Park is grab some cocoa and look through the shops. I always love looking at the different ornaments and stopping at all the art vendors. Do not forget to take a seat and watch the skaters, or snap a pic in front of the tree! Bryant Park Winter Village is open from October 28, 2017 to January 2, 2018. Be sure to grab a winter treat and check it out!

-Annmarie x

soruce:(x) – Photograph: Courtesy Bryant Park Corporation

Holiday on a (Creative) Budget

Hi Again Everyone,

The holiday season is right around the corner, and I’m sure everyone has someone in mind they would like to give a gift to. In college, of course, most students are looking to budget their expenses. The not only thoughtful, but wallet-friendly solution? Make a gift! There are so many creative ideas out there for DIY gifts that and friend or family member would adore. And fear not, a handful of these ideas do not require artistic talent- just some extra heart! Here are a few of my favorite…

Make a Mini Scrapbook:
This is the perfect gift idea for someone that plays a special role in your life. Putting together a collection of memories with a loved one is not only creative, but a thoughtful gesture. While you can be artistic for a present like this, it is definitely not a requirement; decorate the scrapbook with pictures, stickers, little tokens that are special between you and your friend/family member, or use glitter/marker…. glitter (usually) makes everything better.

Calling All Artists: Draw a Portrait/Name Poster!
This idea is more geared toward the creatively inclined, but is still accessible to everyone. Drawing a portrait of you and a friend is the perfect way to keep a memory timeless, but still give it a personal and heartfelt touch. Pick a photo from a memory you two share, and draw a rendition of it! You can draw it, paint it, collage it…. whatever is your favorite.
Not big on drawing? No worries- another idea is to write out both of your names and decorate the paper with photos or symbols. To jazz it up, pick out a cute frame to place it in when you are finished!

Buy Two Tickets for a Painting Class (Hack: Groupon):
Still not feeling your art-making side? Well, there is nothing more memorable than making memories. Sometimes spending time with a loved one can be the most valuable gift of all. Participating in a painting class with a friend is a great way to spend time together and have a product to remember the day! Services like Groupon usually offer affordable tickets to these classes, so keep your eyes peeled.

Personalize It: What Does Your Loved One Like?
One last idea is to consider what your friend/family member/etc. likes and personalize it. Is your best friend a huge coffee addict (like most college students)? Personalize a mug! Design and personalize it using different markers that are made specifically for ceramic. Do they really like flowers? Buy a small bouquet and personalize the vase! Anything individualized gives your gift that extra “pizzazz.”

There are so many creative options for gift giving. While I’m sure there are a ton of options for the perfect, purchasable gift, creating it yourself makes it unique from any other. At the end of the day, your loved ones are sure to appreciate anything you put your heart into- whether that be a simple card, or a 20 page scrapbook. How do you usually get creative during the holiday season?

Enjoy the rest of the week,
Annmarie X

Gift Ideas Under $15

Image result for gift giving

Hi all!

With the holidays around the corner, it’s a good idea to start planning out gifts while you juggle the end of semester group projects and finals. As I assume most of us are ballin’ on a budget (like me), I have curated a list of 5 gifts ideas under $15 dollars that won’t break the bank.

Fuzzy EVERYTHING: Whether a beanie, socks or a throw blanket, fuzzy gifts will keep your loved ones nice and cozy! I suggest looking in retailers such as Target or Macys if you want to be bougie.
Sheet Masks: I want nothing more than the people I love having glowy, hydrated skin this winter. I suggest checking out Bes Fren Beauty (32nd and 5th) for quirky K-beauty face masks as low as $1.00!
Amazon Goodies: I think practical gifts are valued heavily — whether a laptop bench, portable charger, essential oil diffuser, etc. Amazon is a great resource for finding items you thought you never needed at an affordable price.
Gift Cards: The universal gift as I like to call it. Everyone needs money! Focus on the needs or wants of the person you are gifting to. Starbucks, Whole Foods or a Visa gift cards never fail.
Homemade Gifts: At the end of the day, nothing is more meaningful than something you made with your own two hands. It’s the thought that counts! Looking into small projects like DIY body scrub or a mason jar with “100 Things I Like About You” on Pinterest. These gifts are sure to make the season bright.