We have walked the Brooklyn Bridge about 2,849 times since we have moved here. Usually we picnic or grab ice cream or meet friends on the other side, but this particular trip involved a tutu, a bridge, a squirmy toddler and most importantly, an amazing friend that was able to capture it all. I'm not much for traditional family portraits. Sit. Pose. Smile. But this candid shot? Already framed on my wall! 

I don't know if we will live in the city forever. I'd sure like to. But things like cost of living, costs of schooling for CJ, how long we can live in a shoebox apartment and the size of our family, are things that often create a steep rival for my undying love for this town.

But in this moment, this is our life...

{Photo by Rafael Tongol}

A couple of days ago, we trekked outside of the city to the land of the suburbs, where big-box stores, chain restaurants and apparently, coffee, are a plenty. Past the George Washington Bridge, as the buildings of New York City wilted in the rearview mirror and houses with green grass began to grow all around, the conversation in our car went a little something like this:

Me: Oh my gosh! Did you see that? That Starbucks had a drive thru!

Hubs: Yep, we're in the suburbs.

Me: Somehow I don't remember such glorious things. New York City may have flagship stores and designer boutiques, but point goes to the suburbs for having a drive-thru Starbucks. Vanilla soy latte?

Hubs: I don't know. Look at the line...of minivans.

Me: Geez! I guess this is the suburban equivalent of the Standard on a Saturday night, but instead of entourages there are carpools. I'm taking my point back.

Fast forward a couple of days later. CJ and I are back in the city where the buildings are tall and the yards are small, heading home from a day at the Lego Center in Rockefeller Center and who do we see bee bopping past Starbucks? It wasn't a minivan, I'll tell you that.

It was Mary Louise Parker {ahem, the actress from Weeds, amongst other things}. Suddenly, the notion of a drive thru coffee shop seemed to lose a bit of it's luster. Now, a Starbucks that delivers on the other hand...

What about you, loves? Have you ever had a celebrity encounter? Or is there someone you would like to bump into, at Starbucks perhaps? 

CJ's birthday isn't for a few more days, but I held his party last weekend for a couple of reasons. First, his actual birthday coincides with fashion week here in NYC and I plan on being front and center at the runway shows {bad mom}, but also because it was a rooftop pool party and I wanted to ensure nice weather {good mom}. The theme was "Hot Child in the City," and we celebrated six stories up with a small handful of some of our favorite people. Here are a few shots from the day....

The invitations were done by the lovely Lauren at Giddy Ink. I use her for every little occasion I can think of because she is just that divine to work with!

I tried to keep a "finger food" policy at the party because I thought between rounds in the pool and lounging around the sundeck, it would be easier to just nibble and go. The motto of the day: Grab some munchies, work on your tan, splash in the pool. Repeat. First up, cherry and apple pies on a stick! Yum-o! Kudos to my dad for perfecting these pastries!

Itty bitty crab cakes...

Veggies in fry cones...

Chicken, steak and shrimp kebobs hot off the grill...

Nothing like waxing nostalgia with paper straws and old-fashioned lemonade...

 Nickel candy for the kiddies...

90 degree pool parties require popsicles! I chose to make fresh watermelon with lime and cilantro pops...

The heat did a number on my rainbow cake, but it was still super cute!

Personalized gift bags for all of CJ's little guests...

It's his party and he'll double fist a popsicle and a piece of rainbow cake if he wants to! ;)

His own cape!

CJ to the rescue!

He was more excited about getting a hat than some of his toys. Hmmm...can we say he is his mama's son?

Dress code: Bathing Suits and Water Shoes!

Ahhh...our "baby" is two.

The fam on the rooftop.

Smile!

{Photos by the amazing Rafael Tongol}

It's a strolling-through-Manhattan-in-ankle-boots-sipping-a-pumpkin-spice-latte kind of day. Ah, fall, be still my heart...

It is the last official weekend of summer and it looks like we are set for a stretch of blue skies. We are rounding out the warm-weather season by taking CJ to a carnival in Central Park so he can ride his favorite speedboat ride and nibble on a farewell to summer snowcone. We are also heading to Blue Hill at Stone Barns, a local farm, to let CJ play farmer for a day and pick his own batch of fresh eggs {you get to wash them and pack them, too!}. Yum-o! And knowing us, I am guessing a stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge will be in order. 

What are you dolls up to this weekend? 

P.S. I have a surprise for you on Monday! Adorable photos of CJ's "Hot Child in the City" themed second birthday party!

{Photo by the wonderful Rafael Tongol}