NYC evening with a friend

On Memorial Day weekend, my husband and I drove to NYC for a three-day mini-vacation getaway.  It was the first time Emilu was away from us. My parents had flew in to stay with her and our dog.  We arrived on Sat. around 4 p.m. and I immediately met with my friend, a fashion blogger, for lunch in the East Village.  We walked around and caught up with our lives.  We stopped for espresso, then hopped over to Greenwich to grab a cupcake from Magnolia.  I had always wanted to try one but the lines are always too long. 

This time there wasn't a line.  I got a key lime pie mini cake, and it was delicious.  No kidding around, it tasted like the ones back in Florida (the key is key limes and sweetened milk). We sat in an adjacent park enjoying our treat. Later, we encountered the wall of Tiles for America on the corner of 7th Street, the first memorial to the victims of the September 11th attacks.  This city for all its rudeness, is quiet emotional and full of gratitude for the men and women who perished helping in the aftermath of the attacks. New Yorkers will never forget.

Later in the evening we sat down in a corner bar, enjoyed a couple of glasses of wine and realized we were both lucky beyond measure.  We had our health, our faculties, and our families' love and support.  We live in cities we both love. The rest is icing on the cake.  We ended in Starbucks and around 10:30 p.m I grabbed a cab to our hotel in the Financial District, right in front of ground zero.

Capital biking

Photo by Josh Bassett 

I was never one to really love biking.  You might gasp, but the truth is that I was more into tomboy sports as a kid, especially those that required balls.  Touchball, baseball, kickball, throwball, you name it.  And when we didn't have a ball, we would make one up.  With duct tape, packing tape, newspaper and gift wrapping tape. 

Photo via 

I now I live in city where everyone bikes everywhere.  The Capital Bikeshare program is a hit, and one of the{stupid} reasons why they kicked out our last Mayor (this was costly mistake!)  But now, we are all thinking how did this city managed without bikes before?  The truth is that our biking program is one of the most successful in the country.  Mayor Fenty smartly allocated resources for infrastructure like permanent bike lanes and biking protocols for riders.

Photo by Joe in DC 

And to think that many opposed this program as costly, unnecessary, and yes, elitist.  I love bikes, and just wish I was brave enough to ride them. 

Photo by Josh Bassett

Last three photos by me.

9/11 Anniversary

As I was strolling around our neighborhood today with Emilu, I'm reminded of our national tragedy 11 years ago today.  It was a devastating loss for their families and loved ones.  I hope they find solace.  We will never forget.

Art for children

This weekend we visited the National Gallery of Art.  It was a nice afternoon and it wasn't crowded with visitors.  Emilu roamed the halls of the Dutch and Flemish, and the French 19th Century masters collections.  It was rather a short visit, but we did make it a point to stop at the famed gift shop, and I couldn't stop giggling at the beautiful and well stocked art shop.

But what can you buy children who show an interest in art?  Well, almost anything really.  And this shop is full of possibilities.  Just the books are incredibly interesting, and they have an endless choices for parents and educators to choose from.

If you are ever in DC, and there are tons of things to do from visiting all the museums and the monuments around the Mall, all for free, DO stop by the gift shop of the National Gallery of Art. Your kids will love it!

Unravelling, the e-course

Last week, I told you about an online course called Unravelling about creativity, community, and connection. Alas, what a great class it is!  A personal journey to finding and making profound connections with your self through shooting pictures and personal journaling.  I will be sharing a picture once week here in the blog of what my lens is shooting.  I invite you to take a look at Susannah's amazing blog. 

Thumbs up for the weekend!

Photo by Matt Rulez

Last weekend we went to NYC to attend an awesome wedding and meet up with my husband's family.  We arrived on Tuesday and I have been scrambling to get back into our structured life.  I will be posting pictures next week. Emilu did great with her grandparents, as it was her first time without both of us.  We got in in the afternoon while she was still taking her nap and when she woke up and saw us, she felt hesitant to hug us.  And I have to say I knew it would happen this way, because my daughter's character is not overly trusting.  Have you experienced this with your own kids?  Anyway is good to be back. I'm taking this amazing class online called Unraveling and will be sharing bits here and there.  Have a wonderful weekend everyone and here are some links that are sure to inspire.


Wardrobe Transitioning from Summer to Fall


this permanent Summer home!


Nursery love:  Modern industrial 


Essential steps to a fulfilling life!



A new book about Julia Child



and this memoir looks so interesting!



super chic flats 



this article is so good!



love the colors in this airy and fun flat in Paris


this Pinterest board is all spoons!



the value of Pinterest

Kids Zone: Papercraft alphabet

Are you good with paper crafts? I have yet to try them. And this would be the perfect first time project. It might look intimidating, but I'm up for a challenge: 26 paper craft templates for each letter of the alphabet in cute shapes. Isn't this fun? Here's where the magic happens (and it's free!)
 

Source: digitprop.com via Patricia on Pinterest