I am a born-and-bred New Yorker. I grew up in Queens, New York in the South Richmond Hill area which is predominantly Caribbean. My family came to New York from Guyana in 1980 and they have been living their best life in NYC ever since. I fit all of the stereotypes of someone from this concrete jungle: I don’t know how to drive, I think cart food, bodegas, and dollar pizza are some of the best eats in the city, I’m annoyed by gentrification, and 20 blocks away is a quick walk for me.
I’m going to share my tips for making it through the hustle and bustle of the NYC work week – whether you’re working from home or the office. Enjoy!
The Office Hustle:
6:45 am: When I go into the office I wake up fairly early and get ready to catch the M train. It takes longer to get into the city, but it’s not as packed. If I’m running late, then I’m wedging into the express E or F train on my way to SoHo.
8:30 am: Morning caffeine hit. I normally go to a tiny but great coffee spot near the office called Ground Support Cafe. They have great cold brew and fast service!
9 am – 1 pm: The hustle. After working through half of the day I start to hear stomachs grumble around me …
1 pm: On my lunch break I go for a walk around the neighborhood for some fresh air and hunt down a place to eat. Some affordable lunch spots in SoHo include Sunrise Mart (specializing in Asian dishes and groceries) and Famous Ben’s Pizza.
2 pm: I press on with the second half of the work day.
6 pm: At the end of the day, I try to make the most of my time in the city by meeting up with a friend or heading to a store to hunt down a good deal. Like any New Yorker, I know the best deals come from thrift stores and vintage shops! Buffalo Exchange is great for buying vintage, while Housing Works SoHo is a non-profit thrift store that sells clothes and decor.
7 pm: When it comes to dinner, taking advantage of great restaurants as a treat during the week is a must. And happy hour is always a plus, especially if they are serving my favorite Maker’s Mark® Bourbon Mule (in a copper mug!).
WFH Tranquility:
7:30 am: When working from home, my day starts a little later. I usually get ready and take a morning stroll around Travers Park. I’m a Queens kid through and through and I love exploring my neighborhood of Jackson Heights – everywhere you look you find community, culture and food. My morning walks help remind me how much I love where I live!
8:30 am: When I’m not making my coffee at home, I’ll stop at Espresso 77 for an iced latte (even in the winter!) A beloved breakfast spot that makes the best hand-rolled bagels is Liberty Bagels – Garlic and Whole Wheat Everything are my go-to for a treat.
9 am: Much of the day is filled with me working on my laptop in my 450 sq. foot apartment.
1 pm: For lunch, I will head to K&L Delicatessen for one of the best sandwiches you’ll find (the Philly Chicken and Smokehouse Salad are indulgences!) They have a great variety of salads and wraps, burritos and more. They also make a damn good iced coffee.
2 pm: It’s back to work until the end of the day.
6 pm: After work I’ll unwind a bit, and then I’ll usually have Jim Kramer yell at me through the TV at around 6:30 p.m. Sometimes I’ll step out to go grocery shopping to make something for dinner. We’re spoiled when it comes to supermarkets and stores for fresh produce in Jackson Heights. For example, Patel Brothers specializes in Indian groceries, while Downtown Natural Market has a great variety of health products and vegan foods.
7 pm: I’ll start cooking dinner at home. But, if I do feel like going out for dinner, there are limitless options in the neighborhood. From Thai-Tibetan fusion, Indian, Colombian, Brazilian, Mexican, Italian and so many other types of cuisine, it’s truly a reflection of the communities who work and live here.
8 pm: After dinner I usually call my sister (also in Queens) to give her a hard time and bother her about life in general. While we chat, I might mix up a Maker’s Mark Sour – bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup, ideally with some muddled strawberry if I have some!
9 pm: Then I like to hit the gym for a late night workout on a weekday followed by a shower and sleep …
Follow Liz’s example and celebrate your own NYC life, calling out the people, places and things that make you love this remarkable city (and help you through the work week!) We all know our city is iconic and unmatched – and it’s not just the world-class bars, restaurants, and museums. It’s also the New York lifestyle, the passion, individuality, diversity and fearlessness behind the everyday grind that really make it a true city of dreams. It’s time to raise your own #ToastToNYC with Maker’s Mark Bourbon.
MADE WITH CARE. SIP WITH CARETM . Maker’s Mark® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky, 45% Alc./Vol. ©2022 Maker’s Mark Distillery, Inc., Loretto, KY.