Costco in the City

For people who have cars, families, and live near a Costco, I'm sure an outing there isn't too big of a deal. Growing up, I loved Costco. From the hot dogs in the little cafe to the free samples to the giant muffins and treats for our school lunches plus the books and movies- I loved going.

When Costco opened in Manhattan, I was so excited. But I held out on buying a membership thinking it may not be as economical and convenient for a single person living alone in a city apartment.

Yesterday I went with my friend Todd (he has a membership) and we had a blast. We always agreed to be Costco buddies, splitting things like two packs of ketchup or big packages of toilet paper. On the bus on our way, Todd laid our the rules: no being cranky and no rushing. If low blood sugar would lead to crankiness, one must go get a snack at the cafe. I agreed to the rules and we were off.

We knew we were in trouble when we both grabbed the box of gladware containers right inside the entrance (the first section of impulse buying). From there, we cruised the clothes (Todd got socks), the books and DVDs (I got a gift and a new paperback), found toilet paper we wanted to share and worked our way to health and beauty. While Todd checked on conditioner, I was eyeing a big box of tampons that were SO cheap. Todd noticed the eyeing and said, "go for it, there's no judging at Costco" and off we went to look at razor blades for both of us.

He hit the kosher section while I looked for pork tenderloin. We grabbed bags of green bananas and big pieces of salmon. Before we knew it, Costco was 20 minutes away from closing and we had to pick up our pace. At that point, I started to get nervous about how much I was spending and how I'd get it all in my apartment.

All in all, we were very successful - I got some cleaning supplies, my bananas and salmon, some avocados, sunscreen, ziploc bags, lots of hot sauce and ranch dressing for making buffalo chicken dip... To put things in perspective, the salmon was $25 and I estimate it yields 10 servings. I got two bottles of spray-on Neutrogena sunscreen plus a small tube for the face for $13.49- that's less than one bottle of the spray-on at my drugstore! Two giant bottles of hot sauce bundled together - $4.99. That's about what one small bottle costs at my local grocery.

I'm seriously considering getting my own membership, but we'll see. There is something very fun about going with a buddy and having someone to share the cab home with.

Soak Up the Sun!

This weekend was one of those gorgeous, abnormal warm spring weekends. 75 degrees Friday and Saturday, 65 today. Lots of sun, very little wind and the perfect weekend to get us through the end of winter and into the real spring season.

What I love about New York is that everyone fully embraced the warm weather. Girls went out in skirts and flip flops, restaurants opened the outdoor seating, everyone embraced iced coffee.

It was wonderful, the only sad thing is knowing that its going to cool off and rain starting Monday. Oh well, spring just technically began on Saturday so I'm sure we'll have some more beautiful days soon!

March Madness!

March Madness: basketball tournament that I can never pick the winners for & the last three weeks of my life!

Seriously, how is it already the 18th? Sorry for being MIA. Remember this new gig? Well, the new job has been super busy. I've never worked this hard or worked this many hours. However, I love it and I'm learning and I think that things will improve in April. (that's what I am telling myself to get through the madness).

And quickly circling back to basketball, I am in three bracket groups this year; two with money on the line and the other just for bragging rights. I picked the same exact bracket for both pools but in the past three years, I'd say I consistently come in the bottom 3 of our group. So...we shall see how this year pans out. Worst case, I'm out $20. ($10 per group).

Just to give you all a teaser; I picked Syracuse to go all the way!

Kiss Me (don't pinch me) I'm Irish

I have never been a huge green-wearing person. For as much as I love clothes, I own about three things that can be worn in honor of St. Patrick's Day. However, I always try my hardest because when I was a kid, if you didn't wear green, you go pinched!

I thought this was a normal way to "celebrate" the holiday and I certainly got pinched a lot. (Green being a part of school uniforms in high school helped!) When I mentioned this tradition in college, in Boston, people laughed and said I was crazy. Then, when I started working in NY, I brought it up again and again- I was the crazy one. Except for a teammate who was also from CA. So, apparently, out west we like to pinch those who don't wear green.

Either way, I'm rockin' a seafoam green sweater today to celebrate!

Meal Plan

I guess it's a trend in the blogs I read to share your weekly meal plan... I've come to really like seeing what other people are making for dinner, and this week, I actually have dinners planned so thought I'd share:

Mon- Bachelor Finale Penne w Vodka Sauce (i.e. jarred sauce and pasta while watching Jake choose between Vienna and Tenley)
Tue- Turkey Soup
Wed- Sushi date
Thur- Leftovers of either Turkey Soup or Pasta
Fri- Leftover cabbage soup
Sat- I think another sushi date, but with a different person. haha.