This week I came across a book titled "Life Would Be Perfect If I Lived in That House" and I could probably borrow that as the title of my someday-memoir—it is all too fitting for me, someone who dreams of quaint rustic architecture and takes photos of door stoops all over Manhattan (guilty as charged: exhibits A, B, and C).

That being said, Society Hill in Philadelphia, is the most darling of neighborhoods and must be documented on this here blog. If you are prone to fall into the same trap as me (that of house-wanderlust), then consider yourself warned!!

When I was home over Christmas break, I'd planned on a day trip into Philly with my sisters, but ended up going solo. There were on-and-off snow flurries and biting cold wind, despite the deceptive sunniness of these photos. On my (heavily bundled) walk through old city Philadelphia, I chatted with a man walking his two greyhounds; he said he always makes a point of passing down the 500-block of Delancey Street when he takes his dogs out or goes for a run—I would, too, if I lived in Center City!

Every row house had its own show of marvelous detail—a windowsill menagerie, a dollhouse-within-a-dollhouse, a Nutcracker perched atop a windowsill, wreaths of every possible bough of wintry greenery, a cheery message penned in chalk on the brick, and all sorts of the expected Christmas decorations rendered in miniature. I could (and did) take it all in for hours.

When the wind chill factor was starting to have an effect on me, I took shelter in some establishments in the more trafficked areas of old city Philadelphia. This sign was too good (and their offerings lived up to this promise). Better yet, I found a new favorite lunch spot in High Street on Market (the best grilled cheese in the world lived up to its name, and homemade potato bread—a Pennsylvania staple).

Lastly, I've walked past this Ross store in Center City probably a hundred times over the course of my life, and I have always loved its historic storefront and the stars in neon lights, but I had never noticed their millinery sign on the frieze—I love that it is still there.

We drove past the Philadelphia Temple site and it was so exciting to see the progress! It's hard to see in this photo, but it is definitely visible, important structural progress!

Emily had read about Federal Donuts in Center City so we went—I loved their concept and clever space-saving designs (you can see the seating at the bar by the window in the photo above, and their other seats were a similarly minimalistic and clever solution). AND their donuts (the vanilla spice and sea salt chocolate were my favorites). The donut machines made us all nostalgic about weekends of apple cider donut-making at the Pumpkin Patch.

watching ice skaters in Bryant Park (while we drank hot cocoa—the perfect complement)

Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring" is on loan at the Frick Collection while its home museum is under renovation. This painting is so luminous and beautiful, it was unreal.

I love Norman Foster's Hearst Tower. His use of line and form is always stunning and the original beaux-arts building at the foundation is so beautiful.

The lights on this cross street were so haphazard yet perfect. I loved this unexpected stringing of lights juxtaposed with the many other beautiful but more manicured lights-on-trees around the city.

One part of this trip I had been especially looking forward to was eating at Gramercy Tavern. The restaurant is a part of Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group, and we frequently discuss their company's philosophy of enlightened hospitality at Heirloom. I have read so much about Gramercy and Meyer's other restaurants (including Shake Shack! which has long been a favorite), including the initial design and beginnings of the restaurant, as well as their company's philosophy and how it is manifest in this environment. The whole experience was beautiful and I savored the many small elements that contributed to their making it what it is. There are so many thoughtful details and the service likewise was quiet and attentive; you know that care has been put into each aspect. I went by myself and sat at the bar, sipping my sparkling water in between bites and talking with the couple seated next to me, about our origins, our livelihoods, and the city. It was the perfect New York moment.

This semester Tuesdays and Thursdays are my heavy days, so my weekends are truly a break. And I savor them, as they are filled with so many lovely little moments.

It's slightly ironic that I've lived with these girls for several months now, but we don't always see a whole lot of each other due to our busy schedules. We sit on each others' beds and talk and laugh late at night, but tonight we made it a point to go out and do something fun together.

We went to Pizzeria 712, which has been several times highly recommended to me, and which I highly recommend based on several times going there. I love their pizza and their philosophy (click on 'why' on their website) about food. And mostly I love sharing good food with good people, so this was a winning combination.

We discovered that Italian-Mexican food is essentially on par with American interpretations of other cultures' foods. The guacamole was from a mix (I could taste the sour cream) and the beans were canned. Surprisingly enough, though, it fixed our Mexican craving.

And clearly the place had atmosphere.