20 Bucks in the East Village:
Andrew Jackson, Me and Manhattan
Since moving to Brooklyn, I've been experiencing strange, indescribable separation longings for my beloved Manhattan. So, on Sunday, to remedy these manic withdrawls, I took the train and got off at Third Avenue. No agenda, no plan, just me, some shops and the familiar sidewalks of gritty E. Village.
Place 1: Perfume and essential oils ... I couldn't resist. The sweet aroma lured me in like an enchanting siren at Sea, so much that I walked out in a daze with a tiny dram of sweet essence in my hand ($6).
Awakening from my own spell, I realized, I was probably more hungry than starving for perfume, so I walked up two blocks and picked up a San Loco Taco ($2) .
Heading back, south and west, past Cafe Pick Me Up, I strolled alongside the various vintage shops, guitar shops, sidewalk sales, flea markets, skaters, bikers, NYU students, and the usuals: goths, punks, and preppies at Brunch.
For an extra boost, I bought ice coffee ($1.00) and made my way towards Union Square. That's where I happened upon a Swedish rock band performing a free show (it was the end of the CMJ marathon). The lead singer's long blond hair had me entranced for a few sets and all I could do to save myself was get lost in goldie locks' sultry voice, swaying hips and guitar riffs.
Show's over.Oooh, Sephora's giving away free makeovers ...
Then, As if by magic, I'm on the third floor of a department store like Alice of Wonderland lost in the home decorating department. I barely escaped that store, but not without a cute emboridered picture frame, plus one leopard print storage box ((meow)) both for a grand total of ($5).
With ($6) left in my pocket, I walked to Strand bookstore searching for either vintage Anais Nin or 100 Love Sonnets. No luck, but I did score another great book for an even 5.
I can afford one more book, I told the cashier.
He smiled.
If only he knew.
I winked back.
28 comments:
And who said that 20 bucks couldn't give you a solid day of entertainment anymore?
Sounds like you had a fun little day out and about.
Hopefully your new place is starting to feel like home already.
the new place feels very homey... :) every now and then, i miss manhattan whenever i'm away from it. (which is like two days over weekend) but, distance does make the heart grow fonder, even if it's just across the bridge!! thanks craig!
Only in New York can you be homesick for across town.
Glad you had a good day to yourself though, for whatever reasons. Those days are important :) Hey, hi. How ya been?
that was quite lovely. you paint a simple day into a masterpiece. and you are no stranger to pampering--my kind of gal.
Sounds like a pleasant jaunt. I've noticed that (about Manhattan in particular- may be true of other large cities too) it really doesn't matter how often you're there, it's
like a separate adventure, with a new set of possibilities, each time you go. You ought
to think about writing travelogues- $20 a
day, even in the Village, takes a bit of
ingenuity- I'm impressed. Wily Stella!
what a perfect day- as the search for vintage anais nin continues:)
ah, you've dangled what used to be almost a weekend ritual in front of me like a carrot quite nicely. i miss my old hood. :)
Hello Stella! Congrats on the new place and holding on to your old love, Manhattan ;-) Hmmm, I just paid $7 for a beer here in Indy, I think I need to move to NYC for the low cost of living ($2 tacos) before I go broke *smile* well, once I can get through the corn and strip malls....
elliptic,
j
sounds like my kind of day. i love strolling around and everything you do i would have done. love listening to music, browsing in used bookstores & flea markets can be fun. ice coffee for $1, is that possible? :) what is your favorite perfume?
Anais Nin: any recommendations?
so you wink ;) i use too. i guess sometimes i do depending on the occasion. anyhow, enjoyed reading about your day :)
sorry for all the questions.
seems like that's what's so rad about big cities, the cost of living is astronomical but everything else you can get on the cheap.
glad you like the new place.
upwfckuh check out my word ver
up w/ fckuh?
jax>> you're right. only in ny can you miss ny. that was incredible!
i've been okay. running on reserve energy, but i hope to bounce back soon. thanks for asking, mon cheri!
transcience>> we could run the entire pampering industry together, but then again, that would require too much work on our part. instead let's just hire qualified people to do it and run off to get mani/pedis and facials! :)
grumblefish>> if i had a larger budget, i could probably do more damage! but 20 bucks a day and i'll let you pick another neighborhood for me.
i like a good challenge. the city is filled with them :) within manhattan please. i still get lost in brooklyn, although the one street i know is fairly easy to maneuver.
rhein>> no kidding about the search! i had the book a long, long time ago, but you know how those things get lost here and there and suddenly i just want to read it again.
when all else fails shop online. ;)
deem>> awww. it's still a part of your ritual... btw, thanks for beeping in while i aimlessly walked around.
jaxe>> what kind of beer were you drinking? once i paid 8 euros for a beer, and vowed not to do that anymore. give me what the locals drink is my new motto. unless that is what they are drinking ;)
come move to ny anyways. you can still afford a taco, 1 slice of pizza and one subway ride for 2 bucks each. maybe a bagel too.
lorena>> somehow i can picture you doing exactly the same thing. although, you'd probably take a few snazzy photos along the way and then turn a little outing into one memorable piece of art. :)
b&w of course.
ice coffee was 1 + spare change (50 cents). but i did my own math and knew i had 1 dollar left somehow. unless i accidentally ripped someone off. :o
anais nin>> i liked a spy in the house of love among others. there's also cities of the interior. and some really like her diaries or letters to henry and of course the steamy {steamy} delta of venus. ;)
we should bring back the wink.
rayray: oh yeah the letters must somehow be people sensitive. lol. :D
i've gotten some crazy weird ones like melikygin or something of that sort. how did they know?
you're right some things you can find on the cheap and other things will cost alot, lot more.
random.
Used bookstores God's gift to us word junkies. Great post. I buy at least a book a week from a used book store. I hunt them down and find hole in the wall stores where I travel.
This is the best romance... Made me sigh :)
The mad-hatter is a romance in itself I guess, one of friends who respect the other and their opinions. Who's worlds could never collide but sometimes do because there is a need for the other, for their beliefs, and their thoughts...
This, darling, is wonderful and whimsical and everything love should be.
thank you
perfume-6 dollars
Taco-2 dollars
coffee-1 dollar
storage box-5 dollars
book- 5 dollars
Getting to know someone as special as Stella- Priceless, you are a total babe.
i'm definitely going ot look into those suggestions, thanks ;)
a single moment in the life of stella,
precious
I love reading your descriptions of the city...I'm really trying to make it there soon. :)
I aslo enjoy this aimless wandering sometimes. You miss a place so much that you just want to soak it in and be a part of it. Doesn't really matter what you are doing.
Pirate: Hey, thanks for visiting!
As for used books, some of my best finds have been at local library book sales, salvation armies, thrift stores, etc. (Especially the ones near universities).
I once bought Written on the Body for 75 cents at a library sale. Oh my goodness, I'm shameless!
Jane: Oh what a story of an aching, but true romance! Don't forget, you'll always have Manhattan. And a Madhatter too on your side.
DLak: An ego stroking compliment - worth every cent, dollar, check, bill. Thanks doll !!! =)
Lorena: I forgot perfumes! My favorite subject (besides lingere and handbags and books)
My favorites are:
Chance by Chanel
Sensi Armani
Creme Bouquet Stila.
The last one is sweet and warm, which reminds me of you. Give it a try. Or give all of them a try !!
Tomas: Thanks for taking in a piece of that moment. It's almost like you were there.
Highmaitenancehussy: I'm trying to make it to your side of town... haha. Swap??
.:a:. That was exactly what it was like! To just immerse myself w/in the surroundings and get lost by the scenery. Thanks.
Thanks for a nice walk...
When I read your writing I get this manic feeling that I should be living in New York. It's not that I mind being in Columbus you understand, it's just that I feel that New York is ME. Keep painting these pictures Stella, they'll have to do me until I can make it there.
hehe je suis ton 'cher' n'est pas 'cheri' parce que je suis un homme, et pas de femme. ;) TU est 'ma cherie' pas de cher.
and I'm still endlessly amused by the fact that I've finally run into someone who's moniker is so close to mine... :: waves :: hello Jaxe!
I get called Jaxy sometimes. But that's just pillow talk. ;)
You make me wish i lived in N.Y. today
Although tomorrow i'd immediately miss the country air and the silence.
Oh, did i mention that my blog is finally back? Did i? Did i?
S.xxx
Free 'n' easy. I love your style. You bring the pastoral out of the metropolis.
wow you really enjoyed your self
Such reunion I can say when you return to the place u feel home
Paul: Come take a walk with me anytime... :)
The Fool: I can picture you living in the Village, reading a play and occasionally looking up to contemplate the great mysteries of the cosmos. Oh.Come.Move.Here!
Jaxy: Tu es plus du homme. (c'est moi butchering la francais, mais tu comprends, oui?) Pillow Talk? Ooh la la...
Saturnyne: You made me miss your blog. More than city air. Welcome back my dear sweet planetarium.
Timeintotime: Free and Easy. Doesn't get better than that! :) Thanks for the kind words!!
Iamnasra: Homecomings and reunions make you feel like you've never left. Some things should stay that way, at least in memory and time! :)
If you don't like Brooklyn, I have a spare bedroom. You could always move in, there. : )
A simple but rich day to paint a picture about. I love this quotidian pie you've baked up.
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