New York in 4 Days (Day 3, 4 + Bonus Morning)

Posted on April 26, 2023 by Bhanu Misra Marya

➡️ Click here to check out my entire NYC in 4 days series!

So our last 2 days in NYC we kept pretty light. We decided on a few things we wanted to definitely see but did not stress if we didn’t get around to actually seeing them. So here was the list:

MoMA
Fao Shwartz
Statue of Liberty
Central Park
DUMBO

Although, I had a longer list (always positive!), with the kiddos we knew it wouldn’t have been possible to make it all happen (and that was OK).

Day 3 We wanted to keep it an easy day outside of the downtown core. We went to a mall in Hoboken, tried Chick-fil-A (hated it!) Later for the day, we had made ferry reservations for the Statue of Liberty so we headed straight there! The girls were really enamoured by the statue and it’s history. Glad we made it happen!

Day 4 Saw us with a start at the MoMA! After a quick bite to eat from a falafel vendor (there on every corner!) and few blocks down from Times Square – we were in.
TIP: Buy your tickets online before you go!
Like the theme for the last 2 days, we had a good idea of what we wanted to see in the art gallery, which was every Van Gogh, Picasso and Salvador Dali then had on exhibit. Anything else would be considered bonus! It was such an honour and treat to see these works of art in person. It confirmed for me that I made the right decision getting an annual pass to the AGO (Check out those trips here and here).

We finished the day by checking out Macy’s, having dinner at Olive Garden and packing to to hit on the road the next day…but not before getting a few shots at DUMBO.

Day 5 Now IYKYK that every influencer on the block wants their elusive picture at DUMBO. And I was no exception (well the influencer title is debatable 😆). So what exactly is DUMBO? Well it stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass. Although it refers to the entire neighbourhood – it’s really popular because of the well framed view of the bridge (and if you look closely – the Empire State building!). Because of the locations popularity (ahem ahem social media) there are a few things I planned for:

Getting there early! Anywhere between 7:30-9am is your safest bet. I did read online that pretty much any day the weather is good, the street would be swarming with isntagrammers.
Consider taking the picture at a different angle. The road is either busy with people or lined with cars so move around the road and sidewalk to see where the different angles are and you can get the best shot.
Go on a day when the weather is bad! We went on a morning that was was windy and below zero. Only a few people were there and I didn’t feel rushed to get my shot!

Want to know more about our trip – feel free to reach out at thru les yeux at gmail dot com. Or leave a comment!

New York in 4 Days (Day 2)

Posted on April 9, 2023 by Bhanu Misra Marya

Click here to check out my entire NYC in 4 days series!

Although is been almost a month since we went to NYC, I still have 3 days left to cover on the blog (for my memories and for any families out there wondering if they can road trip to NYC with their kids and have a good time – spoiler alert …you can!)

The second day was planned as a full day in Manhattan and it did not disappoint. Our New Jersey hotel was a 30 second walk to the bus stop that went straight to Times Square, so we took advantage of that (with a backpack full of snacks). However, we did purchase tickets to the Big Bus Tour. I got a deep discount for the bus and we were glad we got it. More on that in the next post!

At Times Square we enjoyed all the screens, the people watching and the energy. And a few blocks away was Brant Park and the New York Public Library. Because it was so close – we just walked! Totally do-able!

DSLR Camera, Brant Park, Family at Brant Park, Family in NYC

The NYPL was on quiet hours so we didn’t get to explore any of the book rooms but the kids were just as mesmerized by the interior structure. Another few blocks away was Grand Central. Perfect place for more people watching and Magnolia cupcakes!

We then spent 2 hours at Empire State building LOL. Given that we’ve already seen sky high views at the CN Tower (Toronto) and the Twin Towers back in the 90s – I wasn’t sure there would be anything novel here. However the Empire State had a completely different vibe. Maybe it was the NY history (the story and details of how it was built) or the related culture of the landmark (King Kong move) or how art was incorporated into the experience (helicopter city sketch) – the whole experience was really all encompassing. We could easily have spent another 2 hours there.

After the Empire State building, we grabbed some NY Pizza and hopped on the Big Bus, which ended up being a great way to see some of the sights and learn history about the neighbourhoods. We did get off at the Brooklyn Bridge to take some pictures and get a few souvenirs.

The bus took us back to Times Square, where we grabbed dinner and watched some street performances. The girls did really great given it was a lot of walking and standing. But I think having a place to sit and just take in the sights as they passed through thru a window (without actually having to drive) – definitely helped the whole family.

Next up we have the MoMA, Statue of Liberty and DUMBO!

7 ways I’m romanticizing my life this Spring season

Posted on March 27, 2023 by Bhanu Misra Marya

If you are in the GTA / Southern Ontario area, you are probably thinking what I’m thinking… aka waiting for Spring to actually spring!

Cold days mixed with wet snow precipitation do make it harder to get into spring spirit but I did welcome spring by celebrating Holi with my family, setting intentions for the new season and sending my friends Nowruz and Ramadan wishes.

And I also got to thinking about things I wanted to change as I entered the new season. So sharing below 7 ways I’m romanticizing my life this Spring!

Why would I want to romanticizing my life?

For me, I think it’s important to remember that this is a journey and I must always remember to enjoy the journey and find the magic in the process. I’ve recently read about the term “toxic positivity” which this isn’t. Romanticizing ones life is about working through and appreciating all types of experiences. But it’s also about ensuring your habits and routines allow you to be present and grateful. I’m a big proponent of the art of leisure and dreaming big – which I think folds well into romanticizing my life.

Drinking more Herbal Teas: I love me a double (or triple) oat milk cappuccinos! But I know I should be balancing them with lighter options. What better time than spring to infuse my days, evenings & body with orange blossom, chamomile and tumeric-ginger. Just writing it out sounds beautiful 💖
Wearing lighter & brighter colours: I wear many shades of black and this winter I think I to it to another level. Costco had these kirkland brand oversized sweaters with pockets and I LIVED in those and black leggings. I’m not proud but I was comfy. That said, I need to step out of those threads and take pictures of myself fun/light/bright clothes that make me shine.
Finish art projects abandoned in the dark cold of winter: For someone like me, creating art for the sake of it means that you’ll want to abandon some projects that are too difficult or feel overwhelming. But I also think it’s okay to put yourself in comfortable for the sake of growth.
Deep dive into my HDC and Enneagram: A refreshed self-awareness, just in time for the change of season just feels right. Although I’ve dived into my HDC, I’ve yet to figure out my Enneagram. The potential in knowing these things about yourself can support your journey as well as broaden your horizons!
Volunteer in place of donating money to charity: With the weather warming I think it’s a great opportunity to connect with people through common interest and shared community efforts.
Start a Joy-Jar: I love this analog way of documenting your days. Instead of recording videos or taking pictures, take this opportunity to write down happy memories and store them in a jar. At the end of the month you’ll have handful positive reminders 🥰
Create for me: Kind of like this blog, I want to CREARE & SHARE my art for nothing but me. Something between a persona scrapbook on a digital platform. So I’ll be sharing more of the art gallery trips, WIP art projects and street art. They unique way I see joy in every day beauty needs to be shared with the world (for me…)!

New York in 4 Days (Day 1)

Posted on March 25, 2023 by Bhanu Misra Marya

About a week ago

On a whim, we decided to do a road trip to NY for March Break.

Going to NYC is a ALWAYS a good idea (well that’s at least how I felt before coming a mom) ha!

But I’m happy to confirm, it’s still a good idea with kiddos tagging along.

Since it was the first time our girls had been, we knew that we had to hit up some of the touristy spots. But we also wanted to try things we had never done before. And although the post says 4 days, it was actually 6 (because the travel days there and back were 10-11 hours each way! – which surprisingly also wasn’t as bad as it reads lol!

We decided the first full day post travel that we’d take it SUPER easy! We were staying in Weehawken and decided to take the kids to the Nickelodeon Universe Indoor Amusement Park. But not before hitting up Target!

In all honesty, this was the 1st of 3 trips to Target. This first trip was all about the clothes and accessories – spoiler alert I didn’t find much! TikTok made me think I’d be making OOTDs in my shopping cart 😆

The Nickelodeon Universe is located inside the American Dream mall. It’s a MASSIVE mall with every store, specialty restaurant + food court and every community amenity under the sun (ice rink, ski hill and waterpark!).

We spent some time exploring the Secret Garden. It’s a specifically designed garden made of moss, gnomes & crystals.

Then we spent about 3 hours at the amusement park. With height appropriate rides (both joy and thrill) the girls really enjoyed themselves – even going on their 1st rollercoaster!

Next up? Checking out the tourist sites in Manhattan!

Current listings on my Etsy Shop – Part 1

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Bhanu Misra Marya

I’ve realized recently that I need to do a better job of sharing more about my shop (my Etsy Shop that is)!

I guess some history to start. In 2016, I participated in the Vaughan of a Kind show #VOAK. I applied as an artisan vendor, with my photography as my art. The application process was pretty involved (application, your story and samples of your work) but overall do-able.

The entire process of applying and being accepted to the fair made me and my photography feel part of something. I felt supported – like making my art and sharing it with the world was safe to do.

With all that said, I wasn’t anticipating how much work it would be to prepare for the show. Although it might have felt like more work as I was a new-ish mom (about 2 years in) so finding time to prepare was a challenge.

I did have a positive experience as a seller at the show, and immediate decided that I wanted to continue selling my photography art. I turned to e-commerce and Etsy was up and coming at the time so I went that route.

And again, I had a rude awakening as Etsy was harder to maintain than I expected, especially as I shortly there after became a mom to two. During those first few years, I did make a couple (read: 2 lol) sales and I shipped off physical products to my customers!

So I let my listings expire… until a few months ago when I decided to switch from a physical product to a digital product.

And now here I am, starting again with a beginner’s mindset who has a little more experience and better time management practices. I’ve been using youtube to learn more about Etsy and leaning into my Digital Marketing education to help me make the most of the online advantage. I’m trying new things which makes me feel good. So without further ado, my current Etsy shop listings!

Bhangra Life PNG/SVG

This a new product type for me but something I’ve wanted to put out there. I have so many ideas in this area, just working on some designs and colours. PNG/SVGs can be used for any personalized products and home printing (like cricut). I love the idea of gifting this to a Bhangra dancer or my husband 😆

Surfer Digital Print

I took this photo during a family trip to San Diego. My kiddo was sleeping as we were driving towards La Jolla, when I realized the sun was setting across the water. While the fam waited in the car, I ran to the shoreline to grab some pics. It was so dreamy that a surfer was there so I had to capture the moment. I love this piece for because with the muted warmth of the ocean and mountain vista it will compliment any space.

Las Vegas Sign Digital Print

Taken again on another family trip! It’s pretty tricky to get a shot at this sign since there is always a long line of people. But thankfully this shot does really well on an angle. Even the power lines don’t look intrusive. This pice will always have a special place in my heart – it was my first Etsy sale!

Dessert Mountain Vista

Also taken on the same trip as mentioned above. We were driving to the Grand Canyon and this camper van was positioned perfectly. Desert shots can be tricky because the brightness can cause over exposure. So I’ve had to post process this a few times and decided on the warmer unsaturated tones. I love this for traveller in your life!

Sunday Reset Guide

Posted on January 29, 2023 by Bhanu Misra Marya

I am writing this Saturday night because I wanted to get this out there on time!

And this was actually quite easy for me share because I always end up doing majority of the activities every Sunday. It feels great because it’s a natural progression to the end of my week (which I love)!

To me, the “Sunday resets” however they look (read: sped up tik tok video or otherwise!) are meant to bring the art of leisure back into our lives and set us up to build routines for our ideal lifestyle.

Hopefully these are some things you can add to your Sunday!

Sleep in a little longer!
Swap out your workout for a walk in nature, pilates or yoga
Write a brain dump list
Take “the” shower
Change your sheets!

OOTD, Fit, Fitcheck, Sunday Reset, Toronto Creator, That girl, Lifestyle