Daily Delights

 The best fries on Long Island...hands down.  They taste even better with a chocolate milkshake.  

Let's see.  My two year old locked himself in the bathroom yesterday afternoon, my babysitter quit, I couldn't locate my debit card all day and I was savagely attacked by mosquitoes at my son's umpteenth baseball game this week.  But, I am going to choose to focus on the positive.  So, as I sip my Sauvignon Blanc (I highly recommend Two Oceans) here's a list of the little things that have brought me joy lately.  Oh, and I just realized it's only Thursday.  Exhaling...

The good 'ole days...

My amazingly talented daughter took this photo down at the beach.

Love this Karen Millen dress I wore to a wedding a few weeks ago.  Why can't I wear this to the park?

Spotted this little cutie on the side of the road.  Surprised he let me take his picture.

I'm a total sucker for Entenmann's donuts.  Perhaps eating them while on the treadmill reduces the guilt?

Cherry Vanilla Cupcakes

Cherries have a lot going for them.  They are healthy, delicious and pretty to look at. Typically, they are considered to be a summertime snack, something to be nibbled on (although if you have this cherry pitter, you can pop them in your mouth like grapes) in between meals.  But, I wanted to find a way to infuse cherries into our meals with a new twist.  Enter cherry vanilla cupcakes.  It's been ages since I whipped up a batch of these vanilla cupcakes with this buttercream frosting.  So, I decided to surprise the kids this evening with these lovely pink concoctions.  The result: five consecutive minutes of silence.  I'm already wondering what I can come up with tomorrow night. Any suggestions?

Wonderful World

Top: Converse for Target (similar here)/ Shorts: J.Crew/ Wedges: Anne Klein (similar here)/ Sunglasses: (similar here)/ Bag: Kate Spade (similar here)

I was feeling rather adventurous last Friday and so I decided to venture out to parts unknown...this time to famed Flushing Meadows Park.  I'm quite embarrassed to admit that despite the fact that I used to live a mere ten minutes away from this iconic park, I never once stepped foot onto its' grounds.  Home to the National Tennis Center, Citi Field, the New York Hall of Science and the Queens Museum of Art (just to name a few) it is the fourth largest park in New York City.  Of course what it is widely known for is playing host to the 1939/1940 World's Fair as well as in 1964/1965 (which is why the Unisphere was created, as the theme symbol).  I was initially taken aback by its' sheer size and the dramatic fountains and reflecting pool surrounding it.  Naturally, my children delighted in the fact that the wind continuously sprayed them with water...an enormous sprinkler with an ice cream truck strategically parked off to the side.  What more could you ask for?

I Heart NY

I grew up right outside New York City.  My father was born and raised in Washington Heights and when I was a young girl, he took me into Manhattan quite frequently and we would walk and talk for hours.  We had our usual stomping grounds...Rockefeller Center, FAO Schwarz, Trump Tower and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  But the places I most remember were those off the beaten path.  He would take me to The Roosevelt Hotel to use the ladies room or his favorite diner on sixty-second street for a milk shake and we would always visit his office which seemed so enormous to me with its' vast views of the East River.  I think this is where my love affair with New York began.  It really wasn't about skyscrapers and bustling crowds and fancy department stores.  It represented the precious times I spent with my father holding his hand navigating through the streets of a city he loved and knew so well.  I went on to attend high school on the Upper East Side, go to Parsons down in the West Village, work downtown and in midtown and live in Forest Hills, Queens when we were first married.  I have never tired of the endless energy, diversity, beauty, strength and character New York City possesses.  Now, as a mother, I enjoy my special one on one time with my daughter.  I have my own stories to tell, my own places to show her, and my own hopes and dreams for her that she reaches her greatest expectations in the city that never sleeps.

This past weekend, we went to a block party in Belle Harbor, Queens.  The views from the street were incredible.  These are the photos I took as the sun was setting against the Manhattan skyline.

Striped and Smart

Dress: Splendid (similar here)/ Sandals: Jack Rogers/ Bag: J.Crew/ Sunglasses: Michael Kors (similar here)

I'm not big on busy patterns or florals but I do like my stripes.  Perhaps it's getting a bit redundant.  I have striped tees, tanks, sweaters, scarves, socks and beach bags.  Is there such a thing as Stripes Anonymous?  Maybe I ought to look into that...In the meantime, I'm going to pair them with crisp white shorts, denim cut-offs and skinny ankle jeans.  And, I most definitely will be keeping this easy, breezy summer dress in the rotation.  I love the color combination of pink and gray.  Plus, it is made of the softest, most breathable cotton.  This past weekend, I coupled it with my favorite sandals to spend the morning window shopping with my daughter and the afternoon chasing after my boys at the zoo.

Brooklyn Bound

Growing up, The Cosby Show was my all time favorite program.  Who didn't want to be a part of the Huxtable family?  They had a sweet, warm but firm mom and a lovable, witty dad (who wore those memorable Tundra sweaters) and they lived in a charming brownstone in Brooklyn Heights.  Cliff and Claire Huxtable were undoubtedly responsible for my affinity to this historic and majestic neighborhood just minutes from downtown Manhattan.  So, when we found ourselves with a refreshingly unplanned weekend, we spontaneously decided to explore The New York Transit Museum and then wander over to the heights only a few short blocks away.

I highly recommend The Transit Museum for both history buffs and families.  Located on the corner of Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street (please don't ask me to pronounce that), the museum is housed in an authentic 1930's subway station.  How cool is that?  It contains over 100 years of transit culture and memorabilia.  But, the best part were the collection of vintage trains which included the original ads.  You could picture Don Draper, cigarette in mouth, creating one of these masterpieces.  Later, we made our way over to Montague Street, the commercial strip in the heights known for its' plethora of restaurants and shops.  Tables spilled onto the sidewalk as diners lingered over their early dinners and a glass of wine.  Further down the street were the familiar red brick townhouses with vines running down the sides complete with peek-a-boo gardens, tall windows and regal entrances.  We continued down the leafy street until we encountered the famed Esplanade, which locals refer to as the promenade.  There were two brides (who kindly congratulated one another) having their photos taken against the backdrop of the Manhattan skyline.  These breathtaking views encompass endless skyscrapers, their reflections seen so clearly in the East River, Lady Liberty off in the distance and the Brooklyn Bridge with its' Gothic arches.  Now I know why this spellbinding neighborhood was home to such notable residents as Walt Whitman, Thomas Wolfe and Truman Capote.  It truly is an American dream.  

Watermelon Margaritas

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Certain foods are synonymous with summer and for me, watermelons are at the top of that list.  Nothing is more satisfying on a hot summer afternoon than a generous slice of cool, refreshing watermelon.  You can simply enjoy it on its' own or serve it cubed with feta and arugula drizzled with a balsamic glaze.  Either way, you really can't go wrong.  That is why this past weekend, as I ripped open a bag of tortilla chips and poured the salsa, I was inspired to whip up this recipe.  They were such a breeze to make, I even made a virgin version for my eleven year old daughter.  Needless to say, she was thrilled.  Did I mention that they are a mere 105 calories and are fat and cholesterol free?  Plus, watermelons are high in fiber and vitamins A and C.  What's not to love about that?  Salud!