Thought I would share some more pics while I was in New York a couple weeks ago.  We walked around our old haunts in Soho, dined at our favorite brunch/dinner/cupcake spots, popped by our much loved jazz lounge, and took in a comedy show at The Cellar.  I had such an amazing time while there!  

In front of our old apt building in SoHo! I loved it there!

Getting my fav mini cupcakes in SoHo at Baked by Melissa

Mini cupcake flavors: S'mores, Red Velvet, and Peanut Butter Cup!

SoHo brunch...best crepes!

Menu at our first date spot...we almost were sat at the same table too.

Table-side guac--at must at Rosa Mexicano

 

 

Today is my mother’s BIRTHDAY!  Yea!  Though I’m not there in NY with her today, I was able to get in as much time as I could with her last week in New York.  We went to so many dinners and lunches, walked through Central Park for a bit, and went to a Comedy Show in the Village!  I miss her dearly and wish that she was able to come out here to Cali to be closer to me…however, I’m not stopping her from finishing her dissertation at Columbia (She’s a smart one!).  When it gets closer to the winter, I’ll share with you all her FAMOUS FUDGE RECIPE!  This is a select recipe that gives you the most creamy, melt-in-your-mouth, hands down,  give me another piece fudge that you will love—none of that hard as a brick stuff you get from some boutique candy shoppes!  So–Happy Birthday to my gorgeous mom who each morning I wake up to find I’m more like in so many ways!

Dinner in Times Square!

Walking around Central Park after Sunday Brunch...if it wasn't so hot it would have been perfect to take a carriage ride!

Birthday dinner at Blue Smoke! The owner's southern so you know it's good bbq!

It’s nearing the end of June and I can’t help but remember where I was this time of year last summer…swimming with dolphins in Curacao!  It was truly one of the best experiences I’ve ever had—you can obviouslysee that by one quick glance at the “pure joy” in my face…lol.  My fiancé and I were on the little remote island for five days where I also got certified in scuba, noshed on the best ceviche I’ve ever tasted, and lounged on the beach watching the sunset.  Then we took a small plane and island hopped over to Aruba for two days…where we were surrounded by almost every family that had the potential to be cast in the Real Housewives of New Jersey…I preferred the Dutch expats of Curacao.

Still looking for a chic swimsuit for this summer?  Here are some great options—separated by bikini and one-piece designs. I love all the different textures that are available this summer too…how cute are those lace styles below? 

• Animal print triangle bikini $150
• Ebony Rose Frill Bandeau Bikini $195
• Lace Bandeau Bikini $55
• Chain-print bandeau bikini $210

• Melissa Odabash Rio halterneck swimsuit $108
• Missoni Lurex halter neck swimsuit $350
• Anisa one-shoulder swimsuit $325
• Tomas Maier Printed plunging swimsuit $174

Well…now it’s less than two weeks until I fly to Nashville and wedding planning commences. I want to get all of your lovely opinions on which gown is your favorite style for my sweet bridesmaids to wear.  Keep in mind the theme of my wedding is “elegant garden party”—if there even is such a theme! :)  I’d also like the dress to be a design that my girlfriends wouldn’t want to stash in the back of their closets or, gasp, donate to their local Goodwill.  So…here are some of the options I’ve been contemplating below. I adore their unique necklines (especially the 5^th frock) and the modern cuts—yet they all have a hint of traditionalism.

Tell me your favorite, and remember, five ladies are in anticipation of what y’all will say!

Since moving to the suburbs, I’ve seen nothing but wide tree-lined sidewalks…and I can wish nothing more than to hop on a vintage beach cruiser style bicycle and pedal to my heart’s content.  I imagine myself riding to the farmer’s market and picking up fresh herbs or plump green tomatoes (I’m Southern, I eat fried green tomatoes in the summer—it’s just what we do), or pedaling to a park to read a book, or wherever…oh the places I could go.  Luckily, I have a fiancé who easily gets the many, many, and many more hints that I drop…and for my birthday, he gifted to me a lovely PINK bicycle with a style that has a throw-back to yesteryears.  Isn’t is just too cute for words…and it’s pink!

My lovely new "vintage" bicycle!!!

Here are a few others who are just as whimsical about vintage bicycles…and enjoy drawing inspiration from life’s simpler things.

• Vintage Stamp from C.I.C.L.E.
• Vintage Bicycle and Extreme Galdiator Fashions from Riding Pretty
• Vélo…meaning bicycle in my favorite language, French.  This bicycle is a flea market find for 15 euros from French Word-A-Day
• Vintage Bicycling Pin-up from Erbanista
• UK Vintage Street Bike from the No Quarter
• Floral Bicycle from Sandy a la mode