Empire State of Mind
by habituallychic
08 . 08 . 11
I took a little much needed time off this weekend and also celebrated my 10 year anniversary in the city that never sleeps. They say you’re not really a New Yorker until you’ve lived in the city for 10 years so I guess that makes me official. My parents drove me down from Boston on August 6, 2001 while three sweaty men drove all my stuff and unpacked it on the hottest day of the year. I only just recently realized that August 6 also happens to be Andy Warhol’s birthday. Thih fact seems oddly prophetic considering that he was one of the main reasons that I always wanted to live in New York. While growing up in Southwestern Pennsylvania, I would hear stories of Andy Warhol and Studio 54 even long after his death. It sounded like the most glamorous and amazing place to live where anything was possible. So many people dream of living here that I feel very grateful that I am able to experience this amazing city everyday. Sometimes I hate it but most of the time I heart it and more importantly, I can’t imagine living anywhere else.
New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There’s nothin’ you can’t do
Now you’re in New York
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you
Let’s hear it for New York, New York,
New York
There’s nothin’ you can’t do
Now you’re in New York
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you
Let’s hear it for New York, New York,
New York
– Alicia Keys and Jay-Z
Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic
35 Comments
Here’s to at least ten more – congrats!
I love this post Heather, I’m visiting New York (from Australia) for the first time ever in 6 weeks time and couldn’t be more excited!! Nicolex
Happy Anniversary! Your blog is ab fab.
I’d love to jump on that red bike & go zooming around the streets of Manhattan!
Very deep post…. NYC is truly a very special place on this planet.
Have a great day.
xo
Luciane at HomeBunch.com
Wow- congrats on your anniversary.It’s not the place I really want to go, but I do know it’s the centre of the universe 🙂
It’s just the fear of mugging ,the huge amount of traffic and the long haul flight that is keeping me away.. but one day!!
Yes, happy anniversary.
Well, a big congratulations on your tenth!! But I have to say as a born and bred New Yorker, I do LOVE Boston.
Spent this past week with a friend in the South End and was dazzled by the cleanliness, orderliness and fab boutiques, restaurants and well-mannered people!
Just saying…
Happy Anniversary, you lucky girl! 🙂 At the end of August I´ll be visiting NYC for the second time, and I just can´t wait to be there! The energy of the city, all the stylish people, the impression that you can have it all…it´s just amazing!!!
xx Ivana
Style in the City
I had the grand fortune of traveling to NY 1-2 times per month for 3 years for work from western Canada. I grew to love the city very quickly though it was never on my top 10 places to visit. I went back in June after 2 years away and acted as tour guide for some work buddies. There is something about that city that hooks you. I look forward to my next visit.
I love this city and the post! Congrats on making it 10 years!
Morgan- http://www.designmyheartout.com
Happy 10 Year Anniversary!! …LOVE this song, it’s lyrics. Thanks for the reminder. Anything is possible here..
Happy anniversary – a new appartment and a new decade! I loved looking at the city through your eyes – the images are fantastic. I heard a great story about photography on the radio this morning and thought I’d send you the link – a great picture of Andy Warhol for your files!
http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2011/08/08/138962140/little-pictures-big-lives-snapshots-of-american-artists
great post! Coming to NYC in October for daughter’s 3rd golden birthday. Traveled around the world and have never been to New York. Great to see your love for NYC.
Heather. These pictures are so breath taking. THis makes me want to move to New York.
beautiful beautiful pictures. making me very envious of this wonderful place that you live. although i do live in Sydney which is just about as equally gorgeous so I can’t complain!
happy anniversary to you and your city, may you continue to prosper and be very happy together.
bf x
Happy New Yorker Anniversary! What a great post, and fabulous pictures. I loved the Little West street picture the most, as I was just there last weekend with a girlfriend… and I’m from Minnesota via Boston via Omaha via Calgary via Rosetown, Saskatchewan, Canada! Here’s to many more years for you in NYC and many more great NYC posts! It’s great to see NYC through a New Yorker’s eyes.
Congratulations on your tenth year, and thanks for sharing these beautiful pics. It’s been 5 years since my last NY visit, and I miss it!
I’m headed to NYC this weekend and your photos put me in a New York state of mind. Always love visiting but don’t think I’m brave enough to stay. Here’s to you!
Best, Lisa
I now live in Virginia and Beaune, France…two wonderful places…but there is never a day when I don’t miss New York. Happy 10 more!
I did the same thing right after college in 1971…my goal was to also find Warhol, Capote, Nevelson and so many other “greats” that I had fallen in love with.
I stayed 14 years and to this day I made more friends during my “time” in NYC than in any other era of my life.
You rock on sister and know that what you achieve and find in NYC stays with you forever. Also remember that you will always have a special knowledge of life for the time you live there.
Congrats!
Congrats!! How funny to read, that the unwritten rule is….10 years before you can call yourself a New Yorker. You can also be very proud of having it made this far…..many will have given up already.
Because of your blog, I think I got to know New York a little better.
Please explore some more for us in this wonderfull city in the next decennium. Love to read all about it.
Best
Ron ( Empel collections, Holland)
Happy anniversary and great photos. NYC scares the hell out of this little so cal girl but your pics make it look so beautiful and interesting.
Congrats on living in the best city in the world! It makes me smile every time I visit and started my blog to show people all the great and exciting things to do in NYC! So many of your pix are familiar to me… here is to 10 more great years!!
Congratulations! Your photos bring back strong memories of my single life and early married- with- a baby life! She is a great city!
Happy Anniversary! So you grew up in Southwestern PA?! So did I- a sleepy little town called Bedford. Perhaps you were nearby…maybe we even played in the same sandbox! 😉
You are official you NYC girl!!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Thank you for the great photos. I’m so excited to visit New York for the first time during Blogfest 2012! I can’t wait to see the sights and absorb the energy of this resilient city!!
Hi Heather, The City is as beautiful as ever. Congratulations on the first ten and wishing you another amazing journey for the next 10 years as a New Yorker. Mary
Congrats on 10 years in the city. Just so you know- I’m insanely jealous!
Emily http://www.mywordsinterestslife.blogspot.com
HC — happy anniversary to you! Looking forward to another 10 years — of good stuff from you.
all the best,
s/
You are truly lucky to live in the best city. I live in Jersey and try to get there as much as possible. I also love the way you posted the grafitti. It’s actually a real art form. Congrats!
xo
Sharon
LOVE New York, was there twice last year for the US Open & earlier in Jan (colder than what wer’re used to in vancouver) People were great, love that I can walk everywhere or grab a cab. Next trip I have to get to Brooklyn! also love Boston & due for another trip there.
Congratulations on 10 years & on your blog-always great photos
Instead of dreams, these pictures trigger millions of memories for me! The reservoir pic is just about the view from my 4th grade classroom. I do miss NY at times! So many people move in and out that I wonder if there are many families that stay generation after generation.
Wow… You made me remember when I was in NYC almost one year ago now… And I really miss that city! I would go back there right now if I had the chance… I have so many good memories from my stay there. Thanks for the post! =)
http://bloobreyplace.blogspot.com