The Move Heard Round the Subway

I thought my move to NYC was hectic. It involved a rushed three weeks to move my life 1,000 miles away. A snowstorm that swallowed up our U-Haul. And one whirlwind day of apartment hunting. Sigh... But all of a sudden my cross-country-crazed move sounds like a piece of cake after reading this guy's story.

He moved his entire apartment via the subway! Yikes! And we aren't talking about a suitcase with his most prized possessions. We are talking multiple trips, on multiple trains with things like mattresses, air conditioners and 40-pound bags of rice. Suddenly, squeezing a stroller in a crowded 1 train seems like euphoria! Remind me of this darlings next time I'm huffing and puffing about the lack of etiquette on the subway!

Do you darlings have any moving horror stories?

{Image via Flickr}

The Country House

Sorry for the radio silence, loves! I spent a weekend off the technological map at my country home (also known as my parent's house in the grassy hills outside of Pittsburgh). The past couple of brisk summer nights have been spent at graduation parties, BBQs and challenging my brothers to a few games of bocce ball. I quite enjoyed the quiet evenings out on the porch, cuddled in an oversized sweatshirt, watching lightning bugs and hearing not a peep of noise, with the exception of some crickets serenading each other from a pond. It was quite divine and much needed.

What have you all been up to since I've been away? Where do you go to get a little R&R? Back with regular posts tomorrow! Smooch!

{Image by Brookelyn Photography}

Summer & the City

Oh, summer, how do I love thee? Let me count thy ways. I love...

The floating pool situated on a barge docked in the river. The fresh berry jam at the Union Square Greenmarket. Connor bopping through the sprinklers at Hudson River Park. Picnicking with chocolate-dipped key lime pie. People watching in Central Park with cold-pressed watermelon juice. Movie nights under the stars set against the backdrop of the Brooklyn Bridge. Watching Shakespeare in the Park on a still summer night. Sipping sugar-rimmed cocktails on the roof of the Met. Swaying to jazz at Pier 45. Throwing on my boat shoes for a sail around the island when the lights are just beginning to twinkle and wink back at me. The smell of sage and rosemary at NY Botanical Garden's outdoor kitchen cooking classes. Painting my toenails Chanel's turquoise as I watch the cruise ships embark out to sea.

This is my second summer in NYC, but it feels like my first. I don't know what happened last year. It may have had something to do with the fact I was locked in fashion headquarters for the majority of my time. But I have dedicated this as my summer with the city and what a lovely little life this place takes on when the summer sun perks it up!

If any of these ideas tickle your fancy and you are in the NYC area, why not give them a whirl? Or if you are just passing through, maybe choose to check a couple off the list? What about you darling readers? Tell me three things in the comment section that makes you think of summer!

{I apologize for the abundance of links, loves! I have had a bunch of emails asking me about specifics, so I thought I would just include the links for convenience. Enjoy!}

{Photo courtesy of Flickr}

Wellies, Umbrellas &...Popsicles?

Yesterday was a total wash here in NYC. Connor and I had planned to take a ferry ride to Brooklyn for some creamy, dreamy ice cream from Blue Marble. The spot is wonderfully adorable and perfect for a sweet date with your tot. I can enjoy a scoop of blackberries & cream while relaxing on the back patio, while Connor can alternate between inhaling his chocolate raspberry chip cone and playing in their toy corner. 

But, it rained.

It's always a bummer when it rains here. When your primary mode of transportation is walking, rain really puts a damper on any plans. Literally. Umbrellas and strollers and soggy babies equal a frazzled mama, who will likely need a strong drink, not an ice cream cone, after the day is through.

Today, the hazy, grey tones of a rainy day are still lingering in the air, but I'm not succumbing to another summer day locked in my shoe box. 

Connor and I will be hitting up the Chelsea Market, an adorable indoor market in a converted warehouse. The brick walls, exposed lighting and industrial doors are cozy and mysterious. Perfect for a rainy day. We will be scouring through old books and picking out fresh flowers. Not to mention, there are plenty of taste testing spots for a sweets fix. Maybe a little fragola gelato from L'Arte del Gelato? Or an icy peach pop from People's Pops? Or a gooey chocolate truffle from Jacques Torres Chocolate? Or maybe a bit of all three? 

And if the weather does decide to cheer up, well, the Chelsea High Line is right next door, where the elevated railroad track turned into park, with it's purple prairie clover, Virginia roses and Mexican feather grass, will transport us out of bustling Manhattan. If only from 20th Street to the Meatpacking District. 

How is the weather where you are loves? Any special plans today?

{Photo courtesy of Flickr}

Overheard on the Subway: Toddler Edition

You can't roll your window up. You can't drive faster. You can't change lanes. When you are in the subway and are getting badgered, there really isn't anywhere you can go. I've tried wearing dark glasses and keeping ear buds in to make it look as if I am too important for an underground chat, but without fail, there is always someone within earshot looking to let me know how they feel.

These are a few of the things me and my itty bitty have heard in the past couple of months that I really could have done without.

Are you really going to bring the baby in here? This is the subway you know.

No, I didn't know. Somewhere between trekking down flight after flight of stairs with whirring trains blowing my hair into a tizzy and sliding my Metrocard through the turnstiles to pay the fare to GET.ON.THE.SUBWAY I clearly thought I was headed for my private jet to embark to the Land of Oz.

Can I sing your baby "Rock a bye baby?" The rap version.

Ummm...are you Jay-Z? Because if not, I think no.

Your baby is eating Cheerios. You aren't supposed to eat on the subway.

I'll gladly take them out of his mouth so you can hear him scream.

If I were that small on the subway I would get motion sick. Maybe next time you should try walking.

70 blocks? Sure! That's doable! I would hate for my toddler to get motion sick, because, after all, heat stroke and sunburn are child's play!

I would watch if I were you, there are homeless people down here.

Lady, I've heard you yap in my ear for the last five stops. Bring on the homeless people!

What happened to the good ol' days where people passed out change on the subway and not advice? Ah, I feel better now, dear readers! Has anyone given you strange, unsolicited advice?