Seaport Shenanigans

Had a blast this weekend with old friends and new at the 4 Knots music festival, held at South Street Seaport here in NYC. Sunshine, music, and drinks on the water's edge. More photos to come! Have to rest up after the aforementioned adventures. Have a lovely Monday :)

Broadway French Market

So, I feel kind of dumb. I've worked on this street for over two years now, and I had no idea that on Tuesdays and Thursdays, there is an awesome farmers market on Broadway, near Harold Square. I didn't have much cash on me, unfortunately, but I did come home with a few massive local beefsteak tomatoes and some picked-that-morning sugar snap peas.... And quite a few super yummy samples of everything from pickles to handmade strawberry mint lemonade. Yum!

InstaDisowned

A quick recap of the fun I've had on Instagram this week. Follow me! @disownedclothing

SoHot Summer

Soho in summer with Kate yesterday for some shopping and "work". Loved her outfit. And she stole my hat. That's my hat. Just so we're all clear.

Ladies who Lunch

Escaped the office at lunch today for a catch-up with a good friend in Bryant Park. It was so nice to get out for an hour and relax before the weather turns sour for the rest of the week. Successfully survived Mercury retrograde day 1!

Bonsai!

Some days, I just need to unwind. My back has felt out of order for a few weeks now, and this work week already has me on the last straw of my patience. So, where to go to relax? For me, Chinatown is my special place to slip into a peaceful groove (amidst the usually overcrowded streets. Juxtaposition, I suppose).

First, to cure my physical ailments: a much-needed massage in which knuckles and elbows released all of the knots in my back, hips, arms, legs... All the way from my toes to fingertips. Chinese massage isn't your lay-down-and-relax-with-candles massage; it's an intense pressure point experience that sometimes is almost unbearable. But, trust me, it is worth it. I feel half my age when all is said and done.

Next, my appetite: picked up some fresh vegetables and fruits from the bountiful roadside vendors. I always love to see what is fresh and in season. Today, I bought a bitter melon to experiment with. I've never eaten it before, let alone cook it. So.... We'll have to see how that turns out tomorrow.

Finally, my zen: cooking. As I mentioned last week, I have a constant supply of kale in the house. My Chinatown adventures had put my palate in an Asian mood, so I made a kale miso soup with some tiny red chilis. Spicy foods actually help you cool down in this sweltering hot weather!

Sometimes we all just need our own special ways to unwind.

Braided Beauty

I have discovered that, although I prefer short hair on myself, I really enjoy playing with long hair. I made a woven 6-braid knot bun on Taylor this weekend... I believe that I may have to do it again sometime soon and make a tutorial, because it held up all day and looked so intricate and stunning. Sidebar: floral chains and crowns make everything better.

Got the Blues(berries)

I love cooking from scratch, and I try to avoid buying processed and packaged foods as much as possible. So, with blueberries in season, these homemade gluten free pancakes were a totally necessary treat.

Rockin the Weekend Away

Spent this warm weekend with Taylor Scott at Jacob Riis Park in Rockaway. Perfect weather for a beach picnic and a little dancing around in the sand. Hula hoops and headstands in the hot sun :)

Concrete Jungle

Maybe it's the quickly approaching weekend, maybe it's the weather.
Maybe it's the cumulative feelings of being trapped in an office when I would rather be roaming hiking trails and beaches....

I want to escape today!

So I went shopping on my lunch break for some new beachwear for this Saturday. Ahoy matey!

Kale Yourself

Kale is my life right now.
I'm not new to the bandwagon, but I am on an extra kale-y kick this month, it seems.
I've been making juice, kale chips, braised kale, kale salads, kale soup....

I love to eat whatever is in season. Usually, though, I end up eating it so much that I'm sick of it after a few weeks. Which, in the summer months, is fine, because there are so many abundant different types of fruits and veggies this time of year.

Fresh is best!

Sweet New Summer Finds!

Head over to www.shopdisowned.com to snag some awesome new vintage pieces just added to the store today!
They're all one of a kind so don't wait :)

Sandstorm

Spent a really mellow, relaxing afternoon at the beach with my roommate and his boyfriend.
After a blissfully short half-hour subway ride to fully escape the city, we ended up in Brighton Beach. It's never quite crowded, and today the warm-but-not-hot weather was perfect for packing some snacks (and drinks) and just relaxing.
Let the waves wash your worries away.