Cape Bound

We're off to the Cape for the long weekend. I've been dreaming about chowder & beer for days now.

Love Hard;
Commas;
Paris Map.

Snapshots

A few favorite moments recently captured on instagram. I think they convey the honest-to-goodness simplicity of the things that bring me joy:

Hot coffee, a snazzy hat, Sunday dates with my hubby, and flowers in the rain.

Embroidered Strawberries

If I were to tally up the number of times I've documented my adoration for strawberries on this blog, it would be marginally embarrassing. Instead, I'm going to show you my newest art acquisition--a framed embroidered strawberry--and hope that you still like me even though I'm a little bit off my rocker.



To further illustrate my kookiness, I rounded up a few other charming strawberry-themed goodies.

I've got my eye on that lunch sack.

1). Strawberry Art Print by Becca Stadtlander; 2). Reusable Organic Lunch Bag from Silk Oak; 3). "It's Raining Strawberries" Art Print by Lucille's Kitchen; 4). Original Watercolor by Heather McCaw;
5). De Vincennes Dinner Plate from Anthropologie

Give Me A Garden of Beautiful Flowers Where I Can Walk Undisturbed

This whole scene resulted when I stopped to snap a quick photo of flowers lining a random dude's driveway. He saw us, turned out to be friendly, and ended up extending an invitation to hang out in his garden oasis of a backyard. Making friends with the neighbors is fun.

*Title quote by Walt Whitman

Also, this:

The glory of a garden: 
hands in the dirt, 
head in the sun, 
heart with nature.
-Alfred Austin

Scenes From The Weekend

It might have something to do with the fact that I'm exactly two and a half weeks away from the last day of school, or maybe it's the warm sunshine and seventy degree temperatures, but I'm really digging life these days.

I spent Saturday in Brooklyn with my fabulous sister. We ate lunch at Egg in Williamsburg before setting out on a mission to find a baby shower gift for my cousin. We popped into a few other Williamsburg hotspots, like Brook Farm General Store and Toby's Estate Coffee, and then hit the baby jackpot at the Flying Squirrel boutique. We put together a basket of goodies that I secretly wish I could keep for myself. Later in the afternoon, we strolled across the Brooklyn Bridge with seemingly every tourist in NYC and then spent an hour hanging out in Dumbo. The lines at Grimaldi's and The Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory were ridiculous, so we bought a snack from a street vendor before the trek back over to Manhattan. I arrived home with aching feet and a sun-kissed face just as the sky was fading into pink and orange.

Sunday was characterized by relaxation, and included a lazy 10:00 AM wake-up, two jaunts to the coffee shop, fresh-squeezed lemonade, reading, and a leisurely pre-dinner ramble through the neighborhood. We feasted late before winding down to the melodies of jazz radio.

For your reading pleasure:

How to Stay Married;
Is Your Life Over-Propped?;
Does Preschool Matter? (yep).

P.S. Shooting manual in bright sunlight is the bane of my existence. I had to adjust with every step!

The Life We Build

Yesterday, I could feel the grit and dirt of the city all over me when I finally arrived home after a long day at work. I changed into my favorite old college t-shirt and a comfy pair of worn-in jeans, and then Tiho and I jumped on our bikes and headed for the duck pond.

We rode through the neighborhood and along the bike trail, which borders a large creek and turns off into several small parks and reservations. We encountered a lake we had never seen before and watched a mama duck lead her tiny fuzzy babies into the water for a swim. We passed runners, fellow bikers, power-walkers and strollers. We heard the hum of lawn mowers in the distance and the joyous peals of laughter from children frolicking in backyards. I wondered if they had just eaten their dinner, and then begged their parents for five more minutes of playtime before bed. I remember what 7:30 PM felt like as a kid, especially as the days grew longer and the nights, lighter.

I felt the grime and stress of the day melt away as I pedaled. The air smelled exactly like air should smell: fresh, dewey, pure. I was struck by how happy it made me.

This is the life we are building. I am amazed.

(All photos taken with my iPhone).

Light & Bright

I thoroughly enjoy sitting near the window and watching the early evening light play off the colors in my living room.

Speaking of color, Nichole's book is just beyond.

Things I Like, V.8

The never ending (two years and counting) coffee table hunt may have just ended. Still ruminating the purchase, but I think this might be it.

Other stuff I like a whole lot:

1). Kate Spade Wickford Sea Cliffs Striped Mug (I already own a yellow striped mug--what is wrong with me?); 2). Elsie bag by Mimi (dreaming!); 3). Marrakesh Tray Coffee Table from Pottery Barn; 4). San Diego Yellow & White Striped Sunhat (definitely don't need, just hard for me to ignore yellow & white striped anything); 5). Hugo Guinness 'Cut Flowers' Print from John Derian (a someday splurge).

Scenes From The Weekend

 

 

Watermelon. Ice cream cones. Tennis. Bicycling to feel the whooooosh of wind on your face. Brunch guests. Flowers so extraordinary in color it's almost ridiculous. Adventure walks. Bulldozers. Iced coffee. Nachos in the sun. Homemade orange-mango-banana smoothies. Sticky afternoons that fade into cool evening breezes.

In the loveliest sense, it was summer on our skin. Normally, I'm not one to rush the seasons, but damn, I can barely contain my excitement for the months ahead.

Hope you had a promising weekend, too.

Simple & Quiet

My head was a swirling mix of thought and emotion this week. Lows, highs and everything in between. I'm looking forward to the weekend; mostly the simple, quiet comforts I'm hopeful it will bring.

(Recent photos from my instagram stream: a peace wall pennant I've had forever; the prettiest wine bottle; teeny-tiny organic strawberries; and coral charm peonies in early evening light.