Currently Loving #2 April 2024

The days are long, the weeks are short, but here we are to almost May! So much has happened this month — mainly, going back to school (and teaching) after Spring Break, a cross country tip to visit schools, a family medical situation, more work, more rain, more running, more forgetfulness. Not sure what happened, but the month went WOOSH by. Now, I am getting ready to plan for summer, go BACK to the west coast for a marathon, finish up the school year, and all the other normal busy end of the year obligations. So apologies for the sporadic posts, I am committed to being more consistent going forward. And here is what I am currently loving:

 

1. Flowers in NYC

 

Nothing beats the flowers in the city in Springtime. My favorite thing is to look at the difference stages of all the tulips along Park Avenue, the various magnolia, cherry trees, the violets, the pansies, all the bright colors and smells. LOVE.

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Spring 2022 To Do Wish List

Although we are in already a week in to May, NYC has not been very warm or Spring like….better weather to come, here is what I am hoping to do this Spring (both in the city and in general).

 

1. Drive In Movie Theater in Brooklyn

 

I am dying to try out this Brooklyn Drive In Movie Theater where you not only watch the movie, but you have beautiful views of the city. Right now they are showing Clueless.

 

2. Visit The Whitney Biennial

 

I must go! I must go! I must!

 

3. Overall Spring Cleaning

 

I love Spring Cleaning – a fresh start to clean and purge and tidy everything.

 

4. See The Basquiat Exhibit

 

I love Basquiat and cannot wait to see this special exhibit.

 

5. Finish my Dr. Dre Needlepoint

 

Dr. Dre needlepoint — loving this creation but ready to move on to something new!

 

6. Enjoy a Show At The Forest Hills Stadium

 

Live music!

 

7. Devour Pizza

 

A newly opened Pizza restaurant in the Lower East Side, yes please!

 

8. Play MiniGolf in Williamsburg

 

A great family activity — mini golf in Brooklyn! It reopens May 16th!

 

9. Glamp on Governors Island

 

One of my favorite adventures was glamping on Governors Island — different, unique, picturesque, and fun. A must do at least once in your life!

 

10. Roam on Pier 57 Rooftop

 

A new rooftop park to explore — sign me up!

 

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What are you looking forward to doing, exploring, engaging in this Spring? Do share!

 

Pea Hummus

My favorite restaurant in NYC is ABCV. It is an all vegetarian restaurant with so much flavor and deliciousness. Everything they make is incredible and one of my favorite items is the pea hummus. So I decided to try to make my own! It definitely isn’t as good as ABCV, but I was very happy with the result!

 

Ingredients:

 

 

* bag of frozen peas

* can of drained garbanzo beans

* 1-4 tablespoons of Olive oil

* a spoonful of tahini

* lots of salt

* a huge handful of mint

* juice from one lemon

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Spring 2021 To Do

NYC has had some rough moments this past year — the cold, COVID, an increase in crime — it’s been through a lot. So many of my friends are moving away and it feels like the end of an era. For good or bad, we are staying in NYC and there is so much to love and do. Here is a list of things that I want to do for Spring 2021!

 

1. The Rooftop at the Met

 

The Met rooftop is one of my favorite places to visit. I used to be able to sneak in a sandwich, but due to COVID, no food is up on the roof. Nevertheless, the Blue Big Bird flying in the sky is a fun sculpture to look at and enjoy the beautiful NYC skyline.

 

2. New York Botanical Garden: Kusama exhibit

 

Open through the end of October, this KUSAMA exhibit is a must see. Beautiful polka dots surrounded by all the beautiful nature — a must.

 

3. Scoot / Walk around Governors Island

 

Governors Island just reopened on May 1st and I cannot wait to return. It is always one of my favorite places to visit on a sunny weekend. Scoot, walk, and take in all the views and fresh air!

 

4. Eat at Via Carota

 

I’ve only eaten once at Via Carota many, many years ago. But the memory of this green salad still is with me. I am dying to try to go down to the West Village and eat not just this salad, but all the other many delicious dishes.

 

 

5. Take a Dog Leash Making Class

 

This weaving class is a hit with my kids, and I am now so excited to take a class myself. A dog leash making class!!!!

 

6. Visit Coney Island

 

I have no idea why I am dying to go (but every year I put this on my list of things to do for Spring), but I want to go and be super cheesey and eat hot dogs and go on the rollercoaster.

 

7. Watch a movie at the Paris Theatre

 

I love this movie theatre so much — it is classy, retro, beautiful, and you don’t see rats there…..

 

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I also want to organize my photos, purge kids’ clothing, organize my linen closet, and figure out summer plans….what do you want to do this Spring?

Spring Sandals

It is not yet Spring in NYC, but I am already creating my spring slash summer sandal wish list as I DESPERATELY wait for Spring and Summer to arrive. Here they are (and obviously I have a type of sandal that I like to wear….):

 

1. Birkenstocks x Il Dolce Far Niente

 

Don’t you love? I actually bought these a month ago as they sell out very quickly and I knew I had to rush to get them. I know that I will wear them everyday all day.

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To-Do-Spring Wish List NYC 2018

Despite the fact that it still feels like winter in New York, it actually *is* Spring. Since I love planning new adventures and outings each season, here is what I am currently hoping to do this Spring in New York! Take a look!

 

1. See Hamilton again….because it has been two years since I first (and last) saw this magical performance.

 

I had the opportunity to see the original cast in April 2016 and it was truly one of the highlights of my year. I am still listening to the music nonstop and can’t wait to go back….

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Flower Girl NYC

A couple of weeks ago, I co-hosted a baby shower for one of my besties in NYC. It was a huge over-the-top, atypical, and insanely beautiful event.  While it took place in a formal location, we wanted it to feel down-to-earth… solution:  we hired Flower Girl NYC to do the flowers. And man oh man, were the floral arrangements *out of this world beautiful*!  Although we dealt with a minor snafu with the delivery of the flowers, I can’t speak highly enough of the flowers themselves. They stole the show (although my friend was beyond radiant and gorgeous with her tiny baby bump, so it was a tie).

 

Every angle is perfection

Every angle is perfection. Can you take the beauty? I can’t….. Still dreaming of them.

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Spring Activities in NYC 2015

Believe it or not, Summer is around the corner! 6 more weeks! So better get going on the Spring Activities in New York City. My list is long and I hope to accomplish most of them this season!

 

1. Stroll the grounds at Storm King

 

A way of being outside in nature and enjoying art at the same time. Looks so beautiful and interesting and fun in the Spring or Fall!

A way of being outside in nature and enjoying art at the same time. Looks so beautiful and interesting and fun in the Spring or Fall!

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Rachel Comey Culottes

Culottes are having a moment right now. Like a big moment. And because they feel so French and fancy free, I am in love.  I love wearing them with sneakers and pretending I live in Paris where I can roam the cobblestone streets with a baguette in my hand and un coup de champagne in the other. Alas, that is not my reality (schlepping to swimming lessons and hustling to tutoring is more the truth), but I still can “look” French. So Culottes are my new favorite pant.

 

So if I am going to try to look French, then I might as well a striped shirt, too. N'est pas? Mais OUI!

So if I am going to try to look French, then I might as well a striped shirt, too. N’est pas? Mais OUI!

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Overalls

Front view.

I jumped on the overall trend bandwagon back in November. Well, actually, last Spring I had my eye on a pair of Roseanna overalls, but didn’t bite the bullet….so it was on my mind well before November. At first I was nervous about sticking out more on the Upper East Side (my affinity of birkenstocks, patagonia, and backpacks aren’t shared by the average UES woman), but what do you know? ALL OF THOSE items are now trending as cool. Oregon style = hipper than you know and > UES stuffiness.

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Underwear: Trio of Hippies

Girls, what is a better way to start fresh in the Spring weather than with some new undies? New undies are the freshest (and cleanest) way to start a new season! Especially when they are colorful, comfortable, and stylish. So toss out your old, tattered granny panties, and bring in some new Josie panties! Thank you, Josie Hippi for being the best undies out there.

Trio of Hippi panties.

Trio of Hippi styles.

Josie Hippies come in three different styles; Rio, Cotton, and Cotton polka dot! All are a must and a staple for your new Spring start. Rio is a fun alternative to the cotton hippi: a fun, flirty print which you can mix and match with your favorite Josie bra. 95% cotton, 5% lycra spandex, they are extremely comfortable, seamless, and mindless — you barely know that you have anything on!

I love this floral, colorful, polka dot pattern. Girly, cute, and playful.

I love this floral, colorful, polka dot pattern. Girly, cute, and playful.

PARTY IN YOUR PANTS!

PARTY IN YOUR PANTS!

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Spring Wish List Part 2

For some reason, now more than ever, I dream of spring clothes. Probably because I have been wearing the same 4 maternity pants and tops day in and day out.  Regardless, my urge to shop is O.O.C. *out of control*.

Yes, I know I’m not going to be able to shop right after birth, because I have to lose the weight, which will take time.  As they say, 9 months on, 9 months off. So the reality of me buying any spring or summer clothes is slim. Plus, I am going to be in Eugene, Oregon all summer with my parents, and who needs to wear anything besides running shorts and birkenstocks there? I for sure don’t.

But here are the items that I would want to get if (1) I was my normal size (2) I wasn’t about to  spend a summer never leaving the house — a dream come true — in Oregon. So here it is! Part 2 of my Spring Wish list! (to see Part 1, click here.)

By Malene Birger Gaidig Eyelet Babydoll Cami

Eyelit cami

Easy breesy, white, summery, billowy, and goes with anything.

By Malene Birger Askilio leopard-print wool scarf

hot pink

Hot pink AND leopard = too cool for school.

 

Josie Natori Kubai Scarf Top

Original top that makes it easy to put together a complete look. There are a bunch of similar drapey tops in the collection and they all look great!

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