Published on 12/2/08
Published on 12/2/08
Video
It’s hot outside, there’s nothing going on, you’re probably hungover. Forget Sunday brunch with friends, turn off the CrackBerry and spend the day indoors—by yourself. You’ll be amazed at how much you can not accomplish in a day.
No lazy weekend is complete without snacks: Avoid the crowds that inevitably clog grocery stores on Sunday, and place an order with MaxDelivery (maxdelivery.com). The Manhattan service guarantees that an order placed on its site will be delivered in one hour—plus, you get 10 percent off your first. It offers pretty much anything your heart desires, including toiletries (a Charmin four-pack costs $3.99) and DVDs, so you can watch Dude, Where’s My Car? and Teen Wolf Too sans embarrassment ($4.25 apiece to rent). You can also order from its “Best of New York” category, including toothsome Sugar Sweet Sunshine bakery cupcakes ($10 for six) and rich Ciao Bella gelato ($6 per pint). The caveat: Its delivery area doesn’t extend above 26th Street. If you’re not in that area, gourmet purveyor Bread-n-Brie is a reliable alternative—you have to place your order at least one day ahead of time (and it requires a $30 minimum). Maintain a pretense of health with some Garden of Eatin’ Pico de Gallo tortilla chips ($3.29)—or succumb to your nastiest junk-food desires with a bag of Funyuns ($2.99). And don’t forget a little hair of the dog: You can purchase beer and wine from Bread-n-Brie, often cheaper than you would at your corner bodega. Local fave Brooklyn Brewery’s Lager is available for $8.49 per six-pack; you’re not doing anything else today, so you might as well drink up!
If chips aren’t cutting it, order in: Nosh on Eastern European comfort food from Veselka (144 Second Ave at 9th St, 212-228-9682) or hearty American fare—including a creamy, fattening-beyond-belief mac and cheese—from Chat ’n Chew (10 E 16th St between Fifth Ave and Broadway, 212-243-1616), and don’t even think about going to the gym as you chow down.
Since you’re alone (and have a mild beer buzz going), take this opportunity to indulge in a little self-lovin’. The Turbo Glider, available at Eve’s Garden (119 W 57th St between Sixth and Seventh Aves, 12th floor; 800-848-3837), is compact, can be used in water and costs a mere $20. Or get off the old-fashioned way, if you’re a guy: Our favorite “sweet asian massage therapists” (646-306-0986) charge $130, and they’ll come (hoo-ha!) to you.
Finally, your brain needs relaxation too: Put down that Sunday Times, and pick up a collection of the venerable paper’s easiest crossword puzzles. Many varieties can be found at Shakespeare & Co. (939 Lexington Ave at 69th St, 212-570-0201); we recommend The New York Times Lazy Sunday Crossword Omnibus ($11.95). Or, perfect your knitting skills: Knit-A-Way (398 Atlantic Ave between Bond and Hoyt Sts, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn; 718-797-3305) has all the supplies you’ll need to make Mom a new three-armed sweater. Better yet, just zone out all day—head to timeoutnewyork.com/alone for a complete list of what’s on the boob tube this Sunday, including a marathon of Bridezillas.
Junk food, trashy TV and a little quality time by yourself: It sure beats waiting in line at Sarabeth’s with friends.