Flea Market Frenzy

One thing that always makes my weekends complete is a trip to the Antiques Garage and the outdoor Chelsea flea market, both located on 25th street within a two block proximity.This antique mile is any vintage enthusiast's dream! The mission of rooting through trash to score treasure is exhilarating, and all the unique pieces are truly inspiring to me as a designer. Nothing makes me happier than routinely waking up every Saturday or Sunday and heading off to the flea markets with high hopes of finding my next treasure, be it jewelry, clothing, or household knick knacks. Recently, my focus has been hoarding all the antique turquoise medicine bottles from the 1860's that I could get my hands on for the wedding! Now that I've completed that task, I'm free to aimlessly peruse for my own pleasure again and purchasing whatever catches my eye. Yesterday, my lucky find was a little 14k gold airplane charm with a spinning propeller, which makes the perfect addition to my travel inspired gold charm necklace. Very JetSet Coco!

Union Square Greenmarket

I'll begin my list of NYC favorites with the one thing I have been most loyal to visiting in NYC. I may have flaked out on going to church, or working out regularly over the years, but my weekly trips to the Union Square farmer's market are like clockwork. At least two days a week- rain, shine, or even snow, I find refuge in this little piece of the country right smack dab in the middle of NYC. It may have been my obsession with apples that initially drew me to this farmer's market, with its plethora of orchard vendors serving every genre of apple imaginable, apple cider, and apple doughnuts. It didn't take me long to discover all the other joys the farmer's market has to offer such as local wine tasting, freshly cut flowers, and the cheddar scallion scones I've grown to crave. This past Saturday when I went for a stroll through the market, I was blown away at the vibrant fall hues reflected in the fresh produce on display. Of course I couldn't get by without a glass of my favorite apple cider. Miami's farmer's markets are up for some serious NY competition...Enjoy!

NYC Nostalgia

It is with bittier sweet emotions that I am beginning to watch my incredible New York City adventure come to an end. After hearing about Steve's opportunity to move to Miami for a job at Celebrity Cruise, I was initially overwhelmed with excitement. As a California girl, the thought of returning to the laid back, beachy lifestyle I once had seems right. However,it has been more difficult than I could have imagined telling all my close friends about the move, quitting my job at Oshkosh, and gulp... packing! Nothing can replace these incredible five years I have spent in the city that never sleeps. As I prepare to end this chapter in my life, I have decided to write a series of my favorite New York spots, memories, and photos. I hope this will help me cope with the challenge of moving on from some of the most exciting, crazy years of my life. Here it goes!

Whirlwind Weekend In Woodstock, Vermont

Last weekend I had the chance to go to the quaint town of Woodstock, Vermont to celebrate the marriage of the lovely couple Lindley and Michael Schaeffer. With the leaves rapidly deepening in color, it was the quintessential time to visit Vermont and admire the vibrant fall palette while still enjoying the summer weather. The weekend began with a bang at Lindley and Mike's gorgeous backyard wedding, with the most incredible cake I have ever laid eyes on. The following day my friend Emily and I had two missions: discovering real Vermont Maple syrup and acquiring some vintage finds. In a town as cute and provincial as Woodstock, it was easy to find antique stores and vintage clothing on every corner. First, I fueled up for the day with a delicious breakfast of pumpkin waffles with rich Vermont maple syrup at a little cafe in Woodstock's beautiful downtown. Next, we stopped at several antique stores and one vintage clothing store that resembled a Victorian two story home filled with treasures of the past. I walked out with a vintage cashmere sequined sweater from the 50's and could not have been more pleased with my find! Next on our agenda- finding maple syrup and Vermont cheddar. We followed the signs to Sugarbush Farm, where I was delighted to see cows, goats, and chickens, which is a treat for an animal loving city girl like myself. Following the animal visit and petting session with a frisky calf, we walked into the best section of the farm- the tasting room! We were approached immediately upon entry by a warm staff of cheese connaseurs, and the tasting began! They had about sixteen types of Vermont cheddar to nibble on, ranging from mild to extra sharp, smoked, jalapeno flavored , and even had a delectable blue cheese, all made right on the farm fresh from their cows. Every bite was more and more perfect, with the cheese melting in your mouth. I had to come back to the city with several blocks of cheese! Next came the maple syrup tasting. We were handed spoonfuls of four different grades of Vermont maple syrup, starting with the lightest and ending with the rich, thick amber grade. That certainly put Aunt Jemima to shame! Walking away with a bag full of homemade Vermont delectibles to look forward to devouring, I was prepared to return to the city. I miss the lush greenery, fresh air, and luminescent fall leaves after I've been in NYC for a week, but I know I will return to Vermont soon to experience more of its beauty and charm!

Quechee Gorge

Main Street Woodstock

My new friend

Covered bridges of Vermont

Pamella Roland Spring 2011 Show

It's that time of year again, Fashion Week, when the fashion enthusiasts swarm the streets of New York clad in chic black. Last night I had the opportunity to go to the showing of Pamella Roland's Spring 2011 collection, thanks to my friend Jon, a talented designer for the brand. Hosted at the Whitney Museum of Art, the backdrop could not have been more perfect to show off the beautiful collection. With a few drinks and a handful of celebrity spottings, the event proved to be a true success! The ethereal collection drew inspiration from the Greek isles and exuded a mystical goddess appeal. With gorgeous draping and a vibrant palette of rich hues of blue and white, the collection takes you directly to the serenity of the Aegean Sea. I could not be more proud of Jon for collaborating on the designs of such a gorgeous collection. Bravo Pamella Roland! Here's a peak at some of my coveted looks from the spring collection: