Summer in the City

My favorite season in NYC is by far summer, and my favorite nights are summer nights, and my favorite summer nights are summer nights spent walking through one of NYC's many parks.  The use of parks in this city is so different from LA, and the energy is unbeatable.  Walking around this city makes me remember two summers ago when I first began my transition here.  Despite what has felt like a very slow transition (because of the constant travel back to Los Angeles), it was one of the best decisions I could have ever made and it makes me even more grateful to spend an extended period of time here.  

Last week, I wandered through Madison Square Park (with the very first Shake Shack):

To end up at Eleven Madison Park for cocktails. Best extra dirty gin martini. Ever.

Majestic Maine

I've been terrible about keeping up with blogging, but there is no better time to get back on it than 4th of July - likely the most blogworthy holiday.

This year, I traveled to Maine for the first time and spent the 4th with the bestie and her beau.  Aside from the trip consisting of great company, I can say the trip was full of beauty, bugs (i.e., nature), and one of my favorite 4th of July outfits.

FREEDOM.  The state of liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint. 

Alcatraz

Despite growing up in CA, having a short stint in SF, and frequently visiting my sister in SF, I have never previously visited Alcatraz.  A few months ago, I was able to tick this off the list and as disturbing as it was, it's definitely worth checking out - if only for the views to and from.

   

Polo Plaid

There are few trends I'm more grateful for than the boyfriend jean.  These old things can be spruced up with a new colorful plaid shirt on the first "warm" day in a minute.  Throw that with a bold red door, craft cocktails, ramen, and my sister in town, and that makes for a damn near perfect Saturday.

Just in Time

Finally back in NYC just in time to feel a touch of the delayed winter. After a week of jet lag and contemplating how I can travel without income (and coming up with no solution), I finally pulled it together and spent the whole day and night out and about in NYC doing what I do: running at a snail's pace along the Westside highway, coffee shop, book store, wandering, reading, catching up with friends, eating, drinking, live music, old school R&B - from the West Village, up to Harlem and back. The night (of Silvana and Red Rooster) was not captured but the day looked a little something like this:

Caffeinating at Toby's Estate, just as it was getting crowded.



Browsing a beautiful bookstore connected to Club Monaco and Toby's Estate with a flower shop inside.

Wandering across through Grenwich and the West Village.

Making a pit stop and happily adding another Chimamanda Adichie read to my collection from the bookstore.

Donning my new favorite coat before escaping the first snowfall and Winter Storm Jonas (fortunately or unfortunately). 

New Favorite Coat (Anthropologie). Sweater (Anthropologie). Boots (somewhere in Spain). Jeans (AG). Beanie (gift).