Village Vespa

Every time I walk in the West Village, I drool over this brownstone with a matching Vespa permanently parked out front. It must be one lucky and stylish person who lives here. This makes me want a Vespa more than ever, and if it happened to match my apartment's exterior, that would be even better!

High Line Hype

Walking the High Line has become another NYC tourism staple. The way they have covered the old train tracks with modern architecture and gardens is a genius way to incorporate old New York with the new. Combine brunch and shopping in the Meatpacking District with a scenic stroll along the High Line for an ideal Sunday afternoon in the city.

(This was a bonus we found on Washington Street after walking the High Line. How FUN is this bubble gum Mimi Cooper limo!)

How Gatsby

While walking around La Jolla, we stumbled upon this original MG sports car from the 1930's. With a little bit of flirting and enthusiasm on my mom's behalf, we got an invitation to hop into the car for a few minutes. The car was in incredible condition, and it was amazing to see such a rare car in person, let alone sit behind the wheel!

Memorial Weekend In San Diego

At Balboa Park

Nothing beats going home on a holiday weekend, especially when I get to play tour guide for Steve, who had never been to San Diego before. To kick off the weekend, we strolled through Balboa Park to catch a glimpse of culture and architecture. Just a few steps away, we ventured to the San Diego Zoo, an absolute must see for any first time visitors. Later, we went to Blue Point downtown for a fantastic seafood dinner of lobster crusted halibut, which rivaled seafood at any NYC restaurant I've dined at. We stayed at the W Hotel downtown our first night, which was a great choice considering its outdoor beach bar is a hot-spot for locals to sip a cocktail while enjoying a little sand under their toes. The following day, we joined my family and good friend in Newport Beach for a fun-filled day of picnicking on a duffy boat while oogling over the mansions on Balboa Island. After spending a lazy Memorial Day beach bound in Carlsbad, we headed to La Jolla's seal beach our last day in San Diego to catch an up close glimpse of these quirky creatures in the wild. That was a great way to end a perfect and relaxing weekend in San Diego.

Seals in Newport Harbor

Sighting during duffy boat cruise

La Jolla

Seal Beach

So cute!

Tea Time

Here's a cute idea I came up with to display food at my birthday party. I scoured flea markets and antique stores in NYC to find mismatched tea cups and saucers and a cake stand to complete my mock tea party spread. Apparently it was a hit since all the food disappeared by the end of the night! I wish I could have another piece of that giant red velvet cupcake right now. Yum!

Paradise In Islamorada

Last month for my birthday, my boyfriend surprised me with a weekend trip to the Florida Key of Islamorada. It was the perfect occasion for a tropical getaway at the Cheeca Lodge, a swanky beachfront resort with bungalows overlooking the turquoise Caribbean sea. It's incredible that a two hour scenic drive from Miami, with panoramic ocean views and a plethora of seashell shops and boat docks along the way, can transport you from the city to a remote Bahama-esque haven. Immediately upon arrival at Cheeca Lodge, we were greeted with a glass of champagne, before noon, mind you! I instantly knew that this was going to be a fantastic weekend, and it continued to get better. Our bungalow suite, which had a balcony overlooking the lagoon, was impeccably decorated in the Tommy Bahama style. After an ideal day relaxing on the beach and soaking up sun with a margarita in hand, we decided to head to the Atlantic's Edge Restaurant at the hotel for dinner. The seafood could not have been any more delicious, and to top it off we dined on the beach with sand under our toes overlooking the moonlit waves. We could not have had a more perfect weekend enjoying all the amenities of the resort from cocktail service at the beach and pool, to kayaking, and relaxing under the cabanas on the shore. What a birthday treat!