Iced Over

So, as some of my instagram followers may or may not know, I was surprised with the wedding gift to end all wedding gifts: a Cuisinart ice cream maker. And guess what??? It arrived early, and I'm taking it home with me for the weekend. Pinterest has been providing an overwhelming amount of flavor inspiration, and I just can't decide what to make first! (I think I'm going to need to buy a second freezer.) Any suggestions? Anyone want to be my official taste tester? :)

Summer Lovin'

There is one, and in my opinion ONLY one, benefit to the trials and tribulations that one must endure when living in NYC: summer beaches. My apartment is 20-30 minutes from three beaches, one of which I just discovered a new express bus route for, so that's pretty freakin' awesome. 

I guess it's one of the benefits to living on what is essentially an island, but it makes the weekdays fly by when you're counting down to your next day under a colorful umbrella in the sun. Last year, I basically spent every single weekend at a beach. Rainy or less-than-beachworthy weather? No problemo, because Brighton is a short ride away on the Q train, and I'm always happy to sit under the awning of a Russian eatery on the boardwalk, watching the rain make patterns in the sand while eating delicious head-on shrimp and meaty little dumplings. 

This weekend was the first kick-off to the beachy summer I have to look forward to... and I can't wait.

Magic Hour Moments

   

There are some days, and more often then not the difficult ones, that make that age-old saying really come to mind: it's the simple things. 

A few good friends and family around you, some good cheap food in front of you, a warm breeze, a good conversation, a beer in your hand. 

Nothing with a high price tag even comes close. 

Warm and Wonderful

We've finally seen the official change in climate, as the seemingly endless harsh winter we've had has given way to springtime warmth. In true northeast style, we've already had a few obnoxiously hot days. I'm looking forward to eating my lunches outside in Bryant Park or Madison Square Park, and escaping this concrete jungle for the beach or a weekend camping trip. Even the rain doesn't bother me when the weather is in this middle temperature rain. Being outside is just my favorite place to be.

    

Too Short

I went home last weekend for my little brother's birthday. And when I say, "little," I mean, my seventeen-year-old brother. Who, though 8 years younger, towers over me and is going to graduate high school and enter the big, scary "real world" in just about a year's time. What a wake up call. I'm sure every parent deals with the realization that their kids are growing up, but for me, now I feel like it's very plain and obvious that I'm not a kid anymore, either. But for the moment's sake, let's all go stomp around in some mud and act like it, because life's too short not to.

On Being Inspired

Spring is influential in so many ways. The to-do-list mentality takes a backseat to the desire to just sit and watch the world go by. You can hear laughing outdoors again. Toes that were encased in boots for months crave a good pedicure and a new pair of open toed shoes so that they can soak up the sun, too. The floral sundresses come out of closets, and their gauzy skirts float in a warm breeze.

They say that fall in New York is romantic, but I've found that nothing says romance more than budding green life, colorful flowers, sunshine, and the return of outdoor happy hour.
Here's to the first truly warm day this year, and hopes for many more colorful lunchtime walks in Madison Square Park.