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CityRow NYC

This week in New York City I’ve done my best not to burn the candle at both ends, waking up early and staying out too late. The last thing I want to happen is that I land back in Geneva on Monday sick and feeling lethargic. So while I haven’t stayed out a single night thus far, I’ve found myself working out with friends every single morning. It’s been fabulous and provided me the chance to try lots of new workout classes and studios!

I headed down to Union Square bright and early this morning to meet Melissa for a workout at CityRow.  As the studio is conveniently located by one of my favorite healthy food spots in New York City, Hu Kitchen, I was able to dash into Hu and treat myself to a green juice (Organic Demi-Vert) before class!

IMG_3113[1]IMG_3117The studio is located on the 15th floor of 80 Fifth Avenue in a small space which includes an entry area where guests can check-in for class and get water along with a large, airy studio space where the classes take place. The friendly staff greeted me upon arrival offering to check me in for class, fill up my water bottle and answer any questions. She also let me know that while there are no showers, there is a bathroom which studio guests may use. The bathroom is down the hall and is plenty spacious in case you need to change clothes or want to wash your face and freshen up after class.

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The space is very airy due to the clean lines, multiple windows, bright white paint and wood floors. In fact, the space is spotless, looking as it has been open a day instead of a year! In the studio itself there are about 20 WaterRower machines, yoga mats and towels along with a nook in the corner with cubby holes for purses and bags.

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Beth, our instructor, welcomed everyone to the Row+Flow class which combines 15 minutes of intense rowing with 30 minutes of power yoga.  She did a great job catering to the new clients, such as me, ensuring that we were properly set up on our rowing machines and knew how to flow through the movements.

IMG_3151Row+Flow is a perfect CityRow class for someone who may be intimidated by CityRow’s more rowing based workouts such as Signature Row or SignatureX, even though I’ve been reassured that even those classes rarely include more than 5-10 minutes of rowing before mixing things up with another workout.

The 15 minute portion included a mix of sprints, power pulls, pausing drills, and oblique rowing drills. The soundtrack was fun and uplifting, helping each of us push just a bit harder at 7:30am. She often asked us to keep a watch on our pace, pushing us to stay below certain splits but understanding that everyone’s ability is different. She walked around adjusting students, similar to a yoga instructor, ensuring that everyone used proper form. Many people use the rowing machine incorrectly so as a past rower I appreciated her careful coaching!

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After 15 minutes we moved to the mats for 30 minutes of power flowing yoga that focused a lot on core work, which I loved! I loved that the power yoga moves kept us on our toes and each of the students continued to sweat until the final pose. My favorite move was dolphin, which she broke down into segments before making us do it four or five times.

I really enjoyed the class and the instructors supportive attitude and would make it a weekly addition to my schedule if I still lived in New York City. I hope to try one of their other class offerings when I’m back in January!

Cost: $32 though packages can reduce prices – Address: 80 Fifth Avenue, 15th Floor, New York City – What to wear: Stick with crops or leggings versus booty shorts, a breathable tank or top and you favorite sneakers

If you’re in NYC you can check out RowHouse, CityRow, or Brooklyn Crew or check out this 20 minute rowing workout you can do on your own at the gym! 

Your turn! Have you ever tried a rowing class or used the rowing machine at your gym?

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Faux Fur and Cabernet

Fall has arrived in New York City which means that packing for this trip was a joy! I’ve been yearning to break out my Fall clothes, both new and old alike, but Geneva’s temperate weather and Indian Summer has not provided the opportunity. It’s still 10 degrees warmer in Geneva than here in New York City or even Savannah, Georgia for that matter. Absolutely crazy, right? When people hear I live in Switzerland they imagine a polar vortex all winter long when in reality we rarely see snow in Geneva due to the geography and lake.

IMG_2767[1]Choosing my outfit for yesterday’s day of meetings with old co-workers and agency partners inspired me to go a bit out of my comfort zone. New York inspires me to try things I wouldn’t previously try as there is always someone on the street trying something crazier. Whereas in Geneva things tend to be a bit more conservative, I am always inspired to add a little glam or edge to my look when I’m back in the Big Apple. This certainly wasn’t always true when I lived here but for now, I’m embracing the inspiration. If only I knew how to model for these pictures without looking like a complete idiot. Oh well. I guess I’ll stick to travel and fitness blogging.

Fall Outfit of the Day As soon as I posted yesterday’s outfit of the day (#ootd) on Instagram people immediately wanted more details. When you guys speak, I do my best to listen! Therefore, today’s post is dedicated to helping you put together a similar look. Each of these pieces was on sale over the past couple of weeks meaning that creating the look was far less expensive than normal.

Welcoming Fall Outfit of the DayWhile you can definitely wait until the holiday sales begin to snag these pieces at a discount, I will say that the Mira Heel is one of the most comfortable yet flattering heels I’ve worn and the faux fur vest is absolute perfection and in true Zara fashion, will most likely sell out quickly.

J Crew Factory Merino Sweater in Cabernet – Zara Faux Fur Vest –C Wonder Gold Link Necklace (similar) – Ann Taylor Loft Tortoise Shell Necklace link necklace (similar) – J Crew Factory Wide Leg Trouser – Madewell Mira Heel in True Black Suede –  Hair style courtesy of DreamDry

What’s your take on faux fur? Yay or nay?

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Brunch in Notting Hill

This weekend Bo and I had the opportunity to spend a few hours discovering a new neighborhood, Notting Hill. Our friends Casey and Joel just moved to the neighborhood and insisted that we stay in their flat versus getting a hotel for the Thursday and Friday.

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The area was just as charming as the movie Notting Hill made the world believe over ten years ago when Julie Roberts and Hugh Grant charmed its streets. Coffees in hand, we spent a few hours wandering through the famed Portobello Market on Portobello Road, tucking into antique shops and consignment shops in between exploring the market’s many food and antique stands.

IMG_3009[1] IMG_3022[1]IMG_3028[1] I gave into the many trends, buying a black wide-brimmed, felt hat that will make me feel perfectly chic when Bo and I explore Florence in a few weeks. I fell in love with Jonathan Adler’s bright decor, trying to convince Bo that we needed everything in site, especially the vibrant cashmere throws. Bo and I both were in awe of the meat and produce selection at Daylesford Organic Market. We decided that a pheasant, four sweet potatoes, fresh bacon and some pumpkin needed to make its way back to Geneva, thanks to the friendly staff who helped vacuum seal it for the trip.

When we weren’t shopping and exploring, we were spending our time in a few of Casey & Joel’s favorite neighborhood restaurants and coffee shops.

Eat:

Granger & Co.

Walmer Castle

Mike’s Cafe

Sip:

Talkhouse Coffee

Each of these spots was delicious, though Granger & Co was the only one at which I remembered to take pictures to document the experience. I’ve become so accustomed to using my regular camera when we travel that these days I forget to take pictures altogether if I don’t have it with me.

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Granger & Co was recommended to us by four different people who knew we were staying in the Notting Hill area this weekend. The Australian restaurant has a reputation for serving a mix of delicious, healthy dishes alongside Australian favorites. Upon walking through the doors at 9am on Saturday we encountered a restaurant whose warm, bright colors lit up the gloomy day and was popular enough to draw a crowd even on a rainy, early Saturday.  Bo nor I have ever been to Australia, so we didn’t know what type of food to expect for Saturday brunch. After being escorted to two seats at the bar, we realized that making just once choice would be difficult. Everything on their menu sounded delicious!

IMG_3017[1] We decided to order a few different dishes to share so we could taste something for each part of the menu. We started with coffees and a Bills Beet to share. The juice’s combination of beets, carrots, fennel and apple was unique due to the fennel. Gone in seconds, we both loved the combination and vowed to add it to our home juice repertoire back in Geneva.

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Neither of us could be decisive so instead we splurged with a combination of savory indulgence and healthy. After a week of travel I was craving lots of fruit, so the chopped fruit bowl was an easy decision. Loaded to the brim with fruit and finished off with a dollop of Greek yogurt, Bo and I decided to share this as an appetizer.

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For our main brunch dishes, Bo ordered the Full Aussie while I chose avocado toast. The Full Aussie left us wanting more, bringing together traditional breakfast staples such as scrambled eggs, with Australian spices and techniques. The eggs were so fluffy they were served as a tower and the mushrooms and tomatoes both included hints of cumin and miso. Unfortunately, the avocado toast was a disappointing choice, lacking flavor and so crispy I could barely bite or cut into it. In addition, the avocado was not ripe so spreading the slices was virtually impossible.

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While I wouldn’t order the avocado toast again, everything else at Granger & Co. was delicious. There were so many great options on their menu that the corn fritters and ricotta pancakes, just two of the dishes that caught my eye,  have us yearning to come back soon. Whether you’re looking for a quiet breakfast or a group brunch spot, Granger & Co is perfect for all ages and dietary needs. As the restaurant doesn’t accept reservations unless you’re a large group, going early is a great option. They’ll gladly serve you a juice or coffee from their bar while you wait!

Return or smile politely? When you order something that ends up being so bad you barely eat it, do you return it when the waiter or waitress questions you or smile politely, stating that you just aren’t hungry?

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