A few weekends ago, I took the train up to Jersey City to visit my soulmate human, Bailey. I love the train. I like being able to sit in a nice, twice-as-large-as-an-airline seat with outlets and a window that has visible buildings and scenery to confirm that I am, indeed, still on land. Where I would normally plug my little computer in and begin lovingly typing up any number of things to publish for you, I had another mission on that train ride: embroider a pocket tee for Bailey’s (belated) birthday gift. I’ve been spending more time on embroidery and illustration lately (which, as you may imagine, makes it difficult to write blogs), so I’m learning how to work on all of my little hobbies in the best way. Forgive me and thank you for sticking around through my carnival balancing act. But now, I’m writing a blog about the time that I didn’t write a blog because I was embroidering a t-shirt, so that’s got to count for something.
I had finished a sizable portion of the embroidery, with only one break to scarf down a buffalo chicken wrap, by the time the train pulled into the station. I got into a car with Bailey, who proceeded to use her terrifying driving skills, which are quite appropriate in Jersey City, to drive us around in circles for an hour. We had a destination, and we had the GPS on, but we were so caught up in conversation that we kept forgetting to listen to the GPS lady. We eventually made it to the Mexican restaurant, where Bailey stole all the guacamole because she “didn’t know” I wanted any. We looked like we were on a romantic candlelit date, mainly due to the fact that we had been stuck in a romantic candlelit corner booth in the restaurant. This is our life.
Bailey in a restaurant.
Bailey in a restaurant.
Bailey in a bar.
I took this in the bathroom after the cool selfie from that one blog post.
It was so cold that by the time we finally made it anywhere on foot, we were pretty over whatever activity we were trying to accomplish. This also made motivation to go adventuring quite low. We slept in big time Saturday morning and didn’t make it out to “breakfast” until around 2-3pm. It was delicious, and we immediately followed it with a quick bookstore trip and a brisk mosie, which included a walk-by of the Everlane store. I adore Everlane and was excited about the prospect of seeing it in the flesh, but your girl does not wait in lines for stores.
She does, however, wait in line for historically top-notch cocktail bars. This was Bailey’s first time at Death & Co. (only my second, so I can calm down with that). I adore this bar and the philosophy of craft anything. I am a sucker for handmade, local, small-batch, whatever. The idea that something can be created with so much love and intention for another person’s use or consumption is such an intimate act. I love this concept so much that it will undoubtedly be its own blog post in the future. Anyway, it was predictably fantastic, with a lot of musical-cocktail passes happening across the table.
We were buzzed enough to muster the courage for a frozen hobble to Roberta’s, which is incapable of being anything short of delicious. Merriment was had. More icy hobbling followed.
Roberta’s texted me and I felt honored.
The obligatory Whitney receipt doodle, featuring our ever-patient server and Bailey’s complicated order.
More sleeping, more embroidery, but thankfully we skipped on the trains Sunday morning. We sauntered around the corner to The Cliff for breakfast, where we discussed our hairbrained schemes and assessed their delightful design and business decisions. Every outing turns into a study on the hypothetical B&B/Bar/Coffee Shop/ whatever it is that we plan on jointly running one day. I’m not sure we know how to enjoy anything properly without Type A-ing it.
I understand that this doesn’t look as delicious once it’s half eaten. Just take my word for it.
One girl, two cups.
Breakfast consumed, we used our remaining 1.5 hours to photograph some things for Bailey’s little binding business, Blue Tick Bindery. We somehow managed to squeeze in product shots, environment shots, and Charlie/Bailey love portraits. We were honestly surprised. I’m going to share a few of our shots here, but I think I’d like to dedicate a whole post to this business and passion project soon (I will link to it in here once that happens).
Actually, you know what? These are the only two photographs you need from that right now:
Charlie paw + Bailey book
A screenshot of a scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Okay, you may have this one additional photograph of Bailey loving Charlie too much. It is her way.
My trip unfortunately came to an end, but the seed has been planted for more trips to NJ/NY. I was back on the train and able to get some work done. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this, but I love the train.
That’s all for now. Thanks for keeping up.
-WMC