First Signs of Spring

  

 

On Saturday, the sun peeked out and warmed the layer of ice that has been covering everything in sight for this past month, and the balmy 50+ degree temperatures prompted a walk in the park. In between avoiding sinking into the pools of mud and melted snow, there were signs of the impending spring season beginning to show their colors. Despite my love of big coats and snowy weather, I think that I am finally ready for the seasons to change. I can't wait for everything to begin to grow again!

Take Me Home

No matter where I end up, who I end up with, and what I end up doing there... I will always trace my roots back to the dirt roads in the heart of Pennsylvania. This past weekend I took Steve to meet my siblings & father, and to see a little bit of where I'm from. As he put it, "it's a different world." 

There is so much beauty, so much peace and quiet, and so much fun to be had down the back roads that lead to the places I love so much - made even better by spending my time there with people that I love so much. As happy as I am to be back home after so much traveling, it is my favorite place to escape the nonstop hectic lifestyle in the city we currently call home.

The trees showed a hint of fall (besides the chill in the air) : the first changing leaves. 

Even though he was on crutches from a foot injury, we went for a little stroll in the woods behind my family's home.

Botanical Bliss

Saturday morning dawned crisp, bright, and quiet. Spending the first half of the day on my own, I decided to go on a little adventure. A cup of coffee, a loaded camera bag, and a short 10-minute train ride from my apartment later, and I was standing at the gates of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. For other New Yorkers or Brooklynites who were unaware (as I was myself): the Gardens are open to the public for free on Saturday mornings until noon. So, you should probably go too. You might even see me there, because I plan to return quite frequently. Even after spending 3 hours wandering its winding path until my feet begged me to stop, I don't think I even explored half as much as I would like to. 

The rose gardens were beautiful. Under that white gazebo, far back on the right, someone was either getting married, or taking wedding photos. Either way, I was completely captivated by this place, and it is now the front runner for my wedding or engagement photo location.

Buzzzzzzzzz buzz buzz buzzzzzzzzz mister bee.

This guy serenaded me as I walked through the gigantic sunflowers in the produce garden. It was just me and the birds, and the bees, and the butterflies. I almost felt home again, temporarily removed from the reminders of city life. This little bit of alone time, this little release from my hectic everyday, was magical and much needed. And I can't wait to return.

City Limits

This past Sunday was a stunning day to be outdoors. My friend Cassie and I escaped for a few hours and took the short ferry ride over to Governor's Island for the Fete Paradiso (photos from that to come, I promise!). 

I'm a little ashamed to admit, I've lived here in NYC (well, Brooklyn, but I work in Manhattan, so close enough) and I had never been to Governor's Island before this past weekend. A beautiful parkscape a short *free* ferry ride outside of the city, perfect for picnicking and wandering and forgetting, if only for a few hours, that the concrete jungle is just beyond that short gap of the East River.

Take a Hike

You never know what you might find. 

After the Rain

This extreme heat has given way to several torrential downpours in the past week. Sometimes they catch you when you least expect it, and you don't have an umbrella or chance to duck under shelter. You're drenched, sticky, inconvenienced, and frustrated for a few moments...

But afterwards, the air is cooler, less humid, and the sky glows with a grey and yellow radiance that you can only have after a storm as the sun peeks through a crack in the dark clouds. 

And sometimes, if you're lucky, you see the rainbow at the end. 

This is just what happened to me the other day, and I found it to be so inspirational and a reminder that there can always be a rainbow after a storm, no matter if its literal or metaphorical for things that pop up in day to day life. 

Look for your rainbow at the end. 

Into the Wild

First batch of pics from this weekend. My friend Naomi and I ventured to Frances Slocum State Park in Pennsylvania for a weekend of hiking, tenting, and escaping the concrete jungles we both live in. More to come - but I'm exhausted and ready to unpack and get ready to return to the real world tomorrow...
How did you spend Memorial Day Weekend?

Ring around the Kerry

Took a scenic route around the Ring of Kerry today. I don't care how touristy it is, it was stunningly beautiful nonetheless.

First Signs of Spring

The beautiful weather this weekend was the perfect nudge to get back outdoors. So, we headed to Prospect Park to get some fresh air, soak up some rays, and stop by a farmer's market. The snow wasn't fully melted yet, but it almost felt like spring was finally here.

Dress - "Getaway Dress" at www.shopdisowned.com
Tights - Uniqlo
Jacket - Whish
Booties - Vince Camuto
Bag - Justfab.com