Five Things Friday #2: Flinging Myself Into Spring

The five things I’m really loving this Friday all have to do with the real arrival of spring in NYC this week! From food to fitness to fashion, it was hard to narrow it all down (so keep an eye out for next week’s post when some of them might make the cut!) And without further ado…

Blueberries for brekkie!

 

1. Fruit: Of course, I’m a little obsessed with all the springtime fruit spreads out on the city streets and in markets and grocery stores. I like to eat apples and bananas (like the song says!) but after a long winter, fresh colors and tastes are a welcome arrival. From plump berries to juicy peaches, I’ll be nibbling fruit by the fistful and using it in springy recipes. This week, I feasted on a Blueberry Muffin Oatmeal Cake AND a PB&J Oatmeal Cake to showcase some blueberries. Also, on a somewhat related note, I was watching Gilmore Girls on Netflix this week, and can’t stop twisting the word ‘fruit’ around in my head because of that episode where Lorelai and Rory come back from Europe without a gift for Luke, and Lorelai tries to pass off that ‘Fruits de la Terre’ jam as French!

 

 

 

Cute store window

 

2. Foodie Find: There’s a shop called Food Passion on the corner of 88th and Park with a name I love that I hadn’t dropped into until this week. Park Avenue above 61st Street is almost entirely residential, with approximately three retail shops for the next thirty blocks. I really like this because it means walking up Park is much more peaceful and less crowded than on neighboring Lexington and Madison Avenues.

 

 

Menu

 

It’s mostly a catering company, but there is a small breakfast and lunch menu – you can get an omelette and a coffee or juice for under $10, which is almost impossible in this area of Manhattan. I rarely buy lunch out, preferring to pack my own, but I forgot to take my lunch out of the fridge yesterday and realized my mistake on the way to school, and had a nice cheesy omelette and cup of coffee to tide me over.

 

 

 

3. Fast(er) Feet: I run for body, mind, and spirit – not for speed. But, my body is a little achy-er than a 23-year-old’s should be, due to various injuries (broken right ankle, tendinitis in the right knee, and strained right hip flexor) that often mean I’m sore on the right side or overcompensating on the left. One way to combat this is trail running instead of pounding the pavement. The bridle path in Central Park was covered in a solid sheet of snow and ice all winter, and while my Due North spikes are great, there was simply too much slip-and-slide action going on. So I’m glad the paths are finally cleared and the packed dirt awaits my happy feet!

The reservoir a few weeks ago…

…reflecting beautifully once again!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So easy to fill and send

4. Flipping: I set myself a little challenge back in February to not purchase any new clothes for a month. Well, TWO months have come and gone and I’ve managed to stick to my resolve! I’m not swearing off new purchases forever or anything, but the time off from shopping or even window shopping (who’s going to stand and gawk at windows when it’s 10 degrees, anyway?) has definitely put things in perspective for me. Now that it’s warm enough to linger outside Lululemon, I’m more inclined to ask myself if I really need something. And now I’ll actually know if there’s a need, because during the past few months I spring-cleaned my closet and ‘flipped’ old clothes on Threadflip, Twice, and Thredup.

 

 

So ready for spring, I rocked capri leggings and Keds on a 45 degree day this week!

 

I parted with several dozen items I haven’t worn since college (I figured 2.5 years was a good time limit for everyday clothes – with fancy dresses, there are some I simply don’t wear often!) and ended up with a couple hundred dollars to add to my savings! I also found when I cleaned out that I only have two bathing suits, both from high school, and this summer I may actually get to the beach between bar studying pretty frequently. So I think I can use a little of that extra cash for a splurge on a new Lilly Pulitzer for Target bikini…I am so excited for this collection, I love my Lilly!

 

 

 

 

 

Planting the seeds

 

5. Flowers: Nothing signals the arrival of spring more beautifully than the budding and blooming of flora and fauna. Even on city streets you can catch a glimpse of nature’s glory. Park Avenue will be covered in tulips in no time, and until then, there are flower boxes carefully tended on side streets. I found them planting outside New York Road Runners headquarters on my way to the park to run.

 

 

 

Making a little patch of asphalt come alive with color

 

Flowers on the sidewalk, flowers on the Park Avenue median, flowers in window-boxes and growing wild in the park. And of course, fresh flowers for sale, like the ones I spotted at the little median market near Lincoln Center.

 

 

 

 

 

The remainder of the snow hill, melting away.

 

And that’s my Friday five! Off to take advantage of this glorious running weather…

 

 

Have you seen any signs of spring in your neighborhood? What are some things you’re enjoying this Friday?

 

 

 

 

© 2015 Renaissance Runner Girl. All rights reserved.

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