Life Recently Archives - Page 2 of 2

Life Recently: Early Feb. 2014 Edition

Published on February 6, 2014March 2, 2014 by Cheryl LockLeave a comment

As Chris and I get ready to leave for Iceland today (squeee!), I thought I’d throw up some photos from what’s been happening the last couple of (snow-filled) weeks …

^^ Glimpses of red on a snowy Reservoir walk in Central Park.

^^ The beautiful Reservoir view.

^^ My mom’s pup, who was super excited about my last-minute, unexpected trip home last week.

^^This gorgeous lady is my grandmother, and today is her 92nd birthday. Happy birthday Grams!

^^Views from my trip home to my mom’s last week: the Hudson River and a
beautiful sunset taken while out on a walk with my mom and the pup.

^^ The East River.

^^ Chris and I watched the Superbowl at a friend’s house in Brooklyn
last weekend. I snapped this on the way there.

^^ Snowy trails left for us by the most recent winter storm.

Bis bald, friends! I’ll be back next weekend with Iceland info! Oooooohhhhh. Aaaaahhhhhh.

Life Recently

Published on January 16, 2014 by Cheryl LockLeave a comment

Boy, January sure does drag on friends … am I right?

Here’s a bit of what’s been happening lately.

^^At Terminal 5 on New Year’s Eve, aka our one-year wedding anniversary/ 7-year dating anniversary!

^^ The crazy band that started it all. If you ever have the opportunity to go see them — do it!
Such a good show … so much fun.

^^ Gorgeous one-year anniversary flowers from the hubs.

^^ New year, new do.

^^ Loved this old-timey bookstore in Saratoga Springs.

^^ Saratoga Springs was still all dolled up for the holidays when we went for our
one year anniversary trip, much to my delight.

^^ Tasty, fun and eclectic — that’s how we like our restaurants.

^^ A frozen Hudson River, waiting for the train back into the city from Beacon.

^^ Passing the funky Cooper Union building on our way to see STOMP last weekend.

^^ We also passed McSorley’s, the oldest Irish tavern in NYC.

^^ Astor Place subway stop.

^^ I will always take my lattes with a heart or leaf now, please. (Courtesy of Cafe Mocha)

^^ This is an old photo I found of my former view from my bedroom in my apartment at Normandy Court.
I found it for a little something I’m working on for the blog … you’ll just have to wait and see 😉

Bis bald, friends! Hope everyone’s keeping occupied while winter drags on …

Life Recently: The Christmas 2013 Edition

Published on December 23, 2013 by Cheryl LockLeave a comment

Happy holidays my friends! May the next two weeks be filled with all the fun, friends, family and tasty foods you can handle!

Here’s a little look back over my life lately, which has been completely dominated by the holidays …

^^A grainy happy holidays from the Empire State Building!

^^ Happy holidays, Brooklyn Brewery style!

^^ My husband gave his famous Grand Central tour twice yesterday. God love him 😉

^^ Visiting with a cousin who traveled here all the way from Calabria, Italy.
How gorgeous is Grand Central in this photo?

Bis bald, friends!

Life Recently: The Thanksgiving 2013 Edition

Published on November 25, 2013December 15, 2013 by Cheryl LockLeave a comment

Happy Thanksgiving week, everyone! I am thankful for oh so many things this year — I feel very blessed for all the friends and family I have in my life.

Here’s a bit of what’s been going on lately, thanks to my iPhone photos …

^^ I’m thankful to be living in this amazing city, with all its fascinating culture and architecture and people.

^^ I’m thankful for new friends and their new adorable puppies. Perfect for visiting and cuddling.

^^ I’m thankful for my sister’s new kitten, Charlie … even though Penny isn’t.

^^ I’m thankful for accidentally hilarious photos.

^^ I’m thankful for visits with old friends and the new families they are starting.

^^ I’m thankful for this little furball, who braved a scary surgery this year and who always keeps me company.

^^ I’m also thankful for this little furball, who ALSO braved a scary surgery this year.
Our animals are rock stars, pretty much.

^^ I’m thankful for 1/2 price Halloween costumes at PetSmart,
and the way Penny acts when she’s wearing them.

^^ I’m thankful for a husband who loves to experiment with cocktails.
This one was particularly tasty.

^^ I’m thankful for Chai tea and coconut custard pie on Grandma’s china when I’m sick.

^^ I’m thankful for all of my past travels, and for all the travel plans we have coming up.

^^ The thing I’m most thankful for, though, are all of our friends and family who helped us celebrate our marriage FOUR TIMES this year, in places across the world. It really was the best first year of being married. Ever.

Bis bald, friends! Hope you all have an amazing, family, friend and food-filled Thanksgiving holiday.

Life Lately …

Published on November 11, 2013 by Cheryl LockLeave a comment

Here’s a bit of what’s been going on the past couple of weeks. (There’s a whole boatload of fall amazingness happening over here, people!)

^^ Even the leaves right outside our bedroom window are putting on a show. — ^^ Even the trees right outside our bedroom window are putting on a show.

^^ My dad is heading to Saudi Arabia for work for five months. So obviously we had to send him off in style with some fabulous gifts.

^^ Halloween may be behind us, but awesome decorations like these are still out in full force.

^^ The marathon was last weekend, but Central Park is still celebrating.

Life Recently: An Ode to My Husband on His 30th Birthday

Published on October 22, 2013 by Cheryl Lock1 Comment

Bear with me, friends, as I write a post that’s mushy and sentimental.

Two of my husband’s favorite things 😉

Today is Chris’s 30th birthday. To honor it, I thought I’d pull together a couple of photos from just the 10 months we’ve spent together since we got married this past New Year’s Eve. And can I just say — I never in my wildest dreams would have imagined that I could have so much fun with one person. You’re my best friend. My travel partner. My partner in crime. Here’s to all the memories we’ve made so far, and to the millions more to come.

^^ Grabbing pretzels from the street vendor near Central Park after our Dec. 31, 2012 nuptials at City Hall.

^^ Celebrating Day 1 of being married with brunch from our hotel room at The Standard overlooking the Manhattan skyline.

^^ Of course I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the other two members of our little family -- Penelope the cat, and ... — ^^ Of course I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the other two members of our little family — Penelope the Cat, and …

^^ Nugget, the old man bunny — ^^ Nugget, the Old Man Bunny

^^ We celebrated our first Valentines Day as a married couple in Tarrytown with the most delicious meal (and cutest company!) you could imagine.

^^ On March 11 we welcomed into the world our nephew, Rory, born in Pennsylvania

^^ Oh yeah. I turned 30 this year, too. We celebrated with a hike with friends at Breakneck Ridge ... — ^^ Oh yeah. I turned 30 this year, too. We celebrated with a hike with friends at Breakneck Ridge …

^^ And a delicious meal, ending this insanely decadent dessert. — ^^ And a delicious meal, ending with this insanely decadent dessert.

^^ On April 27 we celebrated our marriage for a second time, this time with some friends and family at a winery in upstate New York.

^^ And also with this Grooms' Cake, celebrating Chris accomplishing his '5-in-5' World Marathon goal, which he had just done, the weekend before, in London. — ^^ And also with this Grooms’ Cake, celebrating Chris accomplishing his ‘5-in-5’ World Marathon goal, which he had just done, the weekend before, in London.

^^ We spent the most amazing two weeks with my in-laws, including our trip to London for Chris's marathon and the wedding party upstate. — ^^ We spent the most amazing two weeks with my in-laws, including our trip to London for Chris’s marathon and the wedding party upstate.

^^ On June 1 we had our third wedding celebration, this time a backyard Aussie barbecue at my parents' house in Jersey. Food included these delicious mac 'n' cheese cups, among many, many other goodies! — ^^ On June 1 we had our third wedding celebration, this time a backyard Aussie barbecue at my parents’ house in Jersey. Food included these delicious mac ‘n’ cheese cups, among many, many other goodies!

^^ In July we had a visit from Chris's sister Kate and her boyfriend Jimmy. — ^^ In July we had a visit from Chris’s sister Kate and her boyfriend Jimmy.

^^ We went to Arizona and Charlotte over July 4th weekend ... — ^^ We went to Arizona and Charlotte over July 4th weekend …

^^ We hosted Rory on his first visit to NYC, taking him to Central Park, Turtle Pond and, yes, to his very first NYC pub.

^^ We took a trip to Governor's Island over the summer to check out some artwork. — ^^ We took a trip to Governor’s Island over the summer to check out some artwork.

^^ We celebrated Chris's birthday early in St. Augustine, Florida, with some friends and a two-day music festival. — ^^ We celebrated Chris’s birthday early in St. Augustine, Florida, with some friends and a two-day music festival.

^^ At the end of last month and beginning of this one, I packed up my dress and wedding gear and loaded it onto a plane to Australia for our fourth, and we do believe final, wedding celebration. — ^^ On Sept. 24, I packed up my dress and wedding gear and loaded it onto a plane to Australia for our fourth, and we do believe final, wedding celebration.

^^ Oh, and we had our honeymoon at the Great Barrier Reef, too!

^^ Last night, as Chris was officially 30 in Australia, we celebrated with wine, cupcakes and Indiana Jones.

And tonight, it’ll be the steak dinner that my husband always wants for his birthday meal. A man with simple needs. I like it 😉

Anyway, what I mean to say is — you’re kinda the best, Chris Connor. And I’m sure glad we found each other, because I’m not exactly sure what my life would look like without you, but I know for certain it wouldn’t be this colorful and fun.

Bis bald, friends!

Life Recently

Published on August 26, 2013 by Cheryl Lock1 Comment

Hi friends,

So I’ve been having a bit of a moment here with my old pal NYC, to say the least. Coming up on my 6-year anniversary of calling this eclectic city my home (holy cow time flies!), I’m finally starting to feel a bit worse for the wear. I mean six years ain’t bad though, am I right?

Anyway, I’ve had two pretty unfortunate subway incidences happen essentially back-to-back, and then yesterday Chris and I returned home from a lovely weekend away to discover that someone — most likely one of our neighbors — had torn open a package that was addressed to me downstairs and stolen the hard drive that was inside. Then left the package and packing exactly where it was.

The audacity.

All of this is to say … I’m not feelin’ the love for New York City right now the way I used to. With the plans that Chris and I are setting up potentially for the future, we will still be here, in Manhattan, for a little over another year, and at this point I feel both blessed and terrified to have that kind of time left. On the one hand I’m so happy to have 12+ months to do everything I still want to do in this fantastic city. On the other, I really want to leave here with happy memories and a slight twinge in my heart for what was the city I always wanted to live in.

Dramatic? Maybe. All I can say is I hope this unlucky streak sees its way out ASAP so I can get back to enjoying the things I love about living here. In honor of that, I thought I’d throw up a quick ‘Life Lately’ post, since most of the photos are from in and around here.

I’m hoping maybe that’ll get me back on track.

^^ A super cute ice cream shop in Dumbo, Brooklyn, that Faye and I happened upon when we were wedding dress shopping for her.

^^ A makeshift Elmo scarecrow in my hood?

^^ While peeling apples for Lisa's sister's baby 'sprinkle' the other week, this little heart appeared. Love is all around us, friends. — ^^ While peeling apples for Lisa’s sister’s baby ‘sprinkle’ the other week, this little heart appeared on the lower left apple. Love is all around us, friends.

^^ Spin class at New York Sports Club. Invigorating!

^^ Look how well-behaved all these animals are!

^^ The Metropolitan Museum of Art steps. Always gorgeous.

^^ If you know me, you'll know I'm a HUGE Lauren Graham fan. So her new book, with some Tasti D-Lite ice cream, is pretty much my idea of a fantastic Sunday afternoon. — ^^ If you know me, you’ll know I’m a HUGE Lauren Graham fan. So her new book, with some Tasti D-Lite ice cream, is pretty much my idea of a fantastic Sunday afternoon.

^^ A Union Square statue with a peak-a-boo Empire State Building in the back.

^^ Trying on Warby Parker glasses to see which ones I should buy. Have you checked out the site? If you wear eye glasses you gotta -- it's fantastic! — ^^ Trying on Warby Parker glasses to see which ones I should buy. Have you checked out the site? If you wear eye glasses you gotta — it’s fantastic!

^^ Sunset between a sail boat on our Hudson sailing adventure the other day.

^^ A classy tailgate before the Mets game this past weekend.

^^ Citi Field offers gorgeous views of the city.

^^ The game was awful, but the views were gorgeous! And Third Eye Blind held a short concert afterwards. Can you say flashback to the '90s?! — ^^ The game was awful, but the views were gorgeous! And Third Eye Blind held a short concert afterwards. Can you say flashback to the ’90s?!

^^ A mom and baby horse at the Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery.

^^ FINALLY finished our photo wall this weekend when we picked up our friend wedding photo shot from my mom!

^^ This man, along with a couple others, were creating this amazing ad for Grand Theft Auto out of thin air. Pretty spectacular.

Anyway–here’s hoping I can get my magical Manhattan back … and ASAP!

Life Lately: The New York Philharmonic in Central Park

Published on July 16, 2013July 16, 2013 by Cheryl Lock6 Comments

Sometimes, friends, when you live in Manhattan, you get to sit under the setting sun in Central Park (along with tens of thousands of your fellow city dwellers), eating delicious snacks and drinking wine with friends while the New York Philharmonic plays in the background. For free.

Last night Chris and I joined some friends on the Great Lawn for part of the Concert in the Parks series, and I may or may not have gone a little photo crazy when it came to the gorgeous setting sun.

^^They had fireworks after the concert which, for us, were located directly behind a huge tree. Still pretty though!

^^We took the Reservoir path home and were able to snap some great pics of the West Side all lit up.

^^Photo credit for this shot goes to Chris.

Bis bald, friends! Here’s to making the most of summer …

Life Lately: January 2013

Published on February 3, 2013February 3, 2013 by Cheryl Lock1 Comment

Hey friends!
Hope your 2013 is off to a fabulous start. Here’s a little bit of what our life has looked like lately:

We started the year with brunch in our fancy hotel room at The Standard, courtesy of my mom and stepdad. Thanks guys!

We’ve celebrated THREE 30th birthdays so far, and one 100th! (But I’ll get to that later…)

We celebrated married life on our first full day of being husband and wife at the new bar that opened on the corner of our street-The District.

We started apartment hunting, which meant we needed some cocktails to ease our nerves. Working with brokers is scary!

We held Jen’s baby shower at Cake Bistro & Bakery in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania.

My dad got the baby all this Army gear. I think he’s a little excited to have his first grandson…wouldn’t ya say?!

Penny had to spend a day at the vet getting tested for asthma. She spent the rest of the night in her carrying case and wouldn’t come out. I think it’s safe to say she was mad at me…

When she finally did come out, she and Nugget did some bonding.

Grand Central celebrated its 100th birthday on Feb. 1, 2013.

Mom and I tasted some cakes for our wedding party celebration in April. Yummmm!

My husband bought me purple flowers to celebrate our one month of marriage.

We celebrated one month of wedded bliss by getting drinks at The Guthrie Inn, an awesome, tiny little cocktail bar on Park between 97th and 98th. The owner also owns Earl’s Beer & Cheese, the restaurant right next door that Chris swears by.

The view of the Hudson on the way back to the city from my mom’s house.

Bis bald, friends! Hope you have fun plans for February–especially if you’re in love 😉 Chris and I have made reservations at the gorgeous Tarrytown House, which just happens to be where we attended a wedding last year, as well.

See ya’ll soon!

Happy 2013–From Newlywed Land!

Published on January 4, 2013 by Cheryl Lock1 Comment

Hey friends!

So we did it…Chris and I got married! At City Hall right here in Manhattan, on Dec. 31, 2012.

Here’s to an amazing 2013 my friends, with trips already planned to the following:

London in April for Chris’s fifth and final marathon in the World Series
Australia in September to celebrate our wedding with my new Aussie family, including a trip to the Great Barrier Reef for a little honeymoon getaway

Bis bald, my friends! Hope your 2013 started out as amazing as ours did …

Life Lately

Published on December 18, 2012December 18, 2012 by Cheryl Lock1 Comment

So friends, December is rapidly passing us by, isn’t it? Seriously, where does the time go?

Anyway, with the holidays and, you know, our WEDDING!, coming up, things around the Connor/Lock household have been pretty insanely busy. I do love the city around the holidays, though, and Chris and I picked up our Christmas tree the other day and I’ve decorated the apartment. Despite the busyness, we’ve been trying really hard to stop and smell the Christmas tree (does that analogy work?) from time to time.

Here’s a little of what we’ve been up to lately in the city that never sleeps …

We love our little 94th St. Christmas tree!

I had these lovely ladies over for some holiday drinks. In lieu of an actual fireplace, I played the YouTube yule log over and over again on TV.

For my sister's baby gender reveal party, I was the person who got the cupcake with the blue frosting. It's a boy!! I'm having a nephew! — For my sister’s baby gender reveal party, I was the person who got the cupcake with the blue frosting. It’s a boy!! I’m having a nephew!

On December 7, Chris and I took a little trip to City Hall to get our marriage license. Our MARRIAGE LICENSE! Ca-razy!

And this was our ticket. I will proceed to frame it and hang it in our teeny abode.

My sister and her boyfriend came to visit last weekend and we took in the scenery at Bryant Park. I love it there during the holidays.

Friends at a beautiful Brooklyn wedding I attended this past Sunday.

Little details like the white tea lights and wine corks really brought the night to life.

You guys KNOW how I love my lights! Isn't this chandelier from the wedding venue gorgeous? — You guys KNOW how I love my lights! Isn’t this chandelier from the wedding venue gorgeous?

Cute little A & B cookies for Allison and Boris.

What? I'm not doing anything wrong? — What? I’m not doing anything wrong?

It's hard to wrap gifts when this cutie keeps distracting me. And sitting on my supplies. — It’s hard to wrap gifts when this cutie keeps distracting me. And sitting on my supplies.

On another note, our little Nugget had surgery recently. We're happy to report that his cast is off, and today was the first day he climbed in and out of his cage all by himself. Go Nugget! — On another note, our little Nugget had surgery recently. We’re happy to report that his cast is off, and today was the first day he climbed in and out of his cage all by himself. Go Nugget!

So that’s been December in a nutshell, basically. This Friday Chris and I will head upstate to celebrate the holidays with my mom and step-dad, then we’ll head to New Jersey to be with my dad, step-mom, sisters and brother-in-law. After that we head back into the city to get ready for our New Years Eve nuptials. That means I may not make it back here to post again before I become Mrs. Christopher Vincent Connor.

Woah.

Happy holidays friends! I hope everyone has a great time filled with family, friends and delicious foods! See ya’ll in the New Year!

Bis bald!

Life Recently

Published on September 7, 2012September 7, 2012 by Cheryl Lock4 Comments

Hi friends,

So now that Chris has so lovingly passed on his old iPod Touch (with camera!) to me since he has a fancy new iPhone, I’ve been lovin’ up on Instagram and trying to document more of the beautifulness that I see around me on a daily basis. As such, I’ve decided to create a new post series for this site entitled ‘Life Recently’ (which may or may not be a rip off of something one of my favorite bloggers does on her own site.)

Anyway, here’s to giving new things a shot, right! So without further ado, here’s some pictures from my life recently: