There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart. ~ Wallace Stevens

Saturday, May 25, 2013

BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday
KATE!

HERE ARE 7 THINGS ABOUT KATE THAT ARE GREAT: 

1. DOODLER. Many books filled with all sorts of drawings, songs, you name it!

2. HEAD STRONG. Part of being a Gemini?  Perhaps.

3. CUDDLY. Always on my heels and next to me.  She "loves" me. 

4. CONFIDENT. Kids in class look to Kate to lead the way.

5. CATCHER. Will stare you down with beady eyes as you approach the plate.

6. DECISIVE. How refreshing.

7. SMART. Loves school and loves to read.

I wish I were more like you Kate.  Don't ever change!

Love,
Your Mom




Wednesday, May 22, 2013

WELL

A shout out to Ed (husband to one t)
GET WELL SOON!  

"With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts." Eleanor Roosevelt


Street Art in Brooklyn

Monday, May 20, 2013

Peonies Please

I am in love with peonies. Every spring, around this time, the peonies arrive ~ sadly, their stay is always  brief. A friend spied these spectacular blooms on a corner in New York City and scooped up several bunches. I spied them at the grocery store today and did the same. With a few deep snips and a glass vase, my peonies were ready to bloom.

Peonies are known as the flowers of riches and honor. They embody romance and prosperity. Additionally, they are an omen of good fortune and a happy marriage. (one t adores anything resembling a fortune or horoscope ;)

tricia


Sunday, May 19, 2013

Girl Meets Boy

Okay..everyone already knows how much we love the Brooklyn Flea Market. Enough said. Instead, I want to share a funny story about a shopping adventure in Williamsburg -- >

On a sunny, Friday afternoon, the t's explored Williamsburg. They turned a corner, came upon a tiny shop called "AD HOC" and popped in. Immediately, both t's began noticing the chic picks..a striped shirt, board shorts, a cool zipper case (see pick of the week) and graphic canvas tote bags. The t's began scooping up stuff, deciding who was getting what and heading into the dressing room. To boot, the shop owner was super nice.

It was around this point when both t's realized AD HOC is a men's shop! (I repeat ~ a men's shop) There is a chic tomboy style out there and we were tapping into that, even by accident. When it comes to fashion, the preppy/classical/surfer looks can work with girls and boys. Who knew?



Wednesday, May 15, 2013

EAT & DRINK

It was hard to walk a block in Williamsburg without stumbling upon a quaint, cozy, neighborhood restaurant. Each had a unique flavor but all had a similar style of industrial meets vintage. Best, we truly loved each and every restaurant we visited. Funny, we never made a reservation..our plan was to walk and see what we found down the street, around the corner. Here are a few highlights..


Cafe Collette: after checking in, we asked a young woman
at our hotel to recommend a spot for lunch.
Without hesitating, she sent us on our way to
Cafe Collette. And, we worried where
she would send two moms from the suburbs.
Not to fear, it was perfect. We ate at the bar
and took in the energy as locals strolled in.
We had the best salad ever..how about 
fried chicken on a bed of lettuce??!!


Bakeri: on our way to the Brooklyn Flea Market,
this tiny (I mean tiny) bakery was perfect for 
a quick coffee and a few baked goods.
If the ladies behind the counter are wearing
blue jumpsuits, you are in the right place!
ps the jumpsuits are for sale too

On our walking travels, we kept passing a restaurant 
with a crazy rustic Tequila sign.  
Looked perhaps like the local, rough and tough bar.


We were adventurous and wandered in.  
Shazam ... amazing.  
Lobster tacos and Sangria!  
Great music and great decor.


Dinner was equally as fine.  
One t was set on a Beer Garten ... what!
Super large space divided into three separate areas.  
Literally find a seat and sit anywhere.
At a large table with a bunch of strangers or 
cozy up to the bar or along the wall or in a corner.  
It all works. What a great vibe topped off with live music.  
The cuisine totally matched.
Think soft pretzels, cheese platter and beer beverages.




Tuesday, May 14, 2013

WYTHE

Every great girls weekend starts with a great hotel.  My thought is that we don't splurge on expensive Broadway show or concert tickets so why not splurge on some good digs.

This year's pick was the Wythe Hotel.  The hotel opened around this time last year.  Here is a quick description from the hotel's website:

Wythe Hotel started with the discovery of a factory on the Williamsburg waterfront. The building was constructed in 1901 and has been converted into a 70-room hotel.


Minimal, industrial, chic would be my best description.  It was perfect (except for the crazy fast closing elevators).  There is a bar on the 6th floor and we witnessed a line to get in on both Friday and Saturday nights.  How hip.  As guests staying at the hotel, we could bypass the line.  We did this once ... walked past the line with confidence and headed to the elevators.  A line monitor followed us, broke out into song, commented how pretty we are (noted that one t looked like a teacher) and swiped us up to the 6th floor without even asking us if were guests.  We chuckled.  It was like the old experiment of act like you belong and you can get in anywhere.  

Truth be told, instead of nightlife on Floor 6 with a view, we opted for Floor 3.  We crawled into bed, under our covers and watched TV.  Ahhh, an important part of recharging ones batteries.

Enough said ... here are some of our hotel pictures.  

PS ... the Wythe Hotel even has their own Instagram page (the coolness continues!).    

Tracy