A New Dream

“Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.”
- Miriam Beard

Happy Birthday to my Mom

Today is my Mom's birthday. I wish I could pick up these desserts for her (and me) to enjoy!

1. Laduree New York

I am dying to try these beautiful macarons. Laduree is a Parisian pastry shop and it recently opened a shop on Madison Avenue (the macarons are freshly flown in from Paris). Every time I pass by, there is a line out the door! Perhaps I will just wait to try them in Paris, though I imagine the line won't be any shorter for these delicious beauties. 

2.  Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland

A couple of weeks ago I was in Teuscher to pick up a chocolate gift for a friend and I completely regret not trying one of their champagne truffles. These delicate treats are flown in from Zurich every few days and have a Dom Perignon champagne cream center, surrounded by dark chocolate ganache, covered with milk chocolate and dusted with confectioner's sugar. My mouth is watering!

3. Sprinkles Cupcakes

There are so many cupcake shops in Manhattan. This one happens to be in my neighborhood but I have yet to try it. I can't get over just how elegant these cupcakes look! I would be thrilled to open a box and find these treasures inside.

Will I wear fancy hats?

Who could forget the elegant and elaborate hats worn by the guests at the Royal Wedding earlier this year. I hope I get the chance to attend some hat-worthy events once I am in London. Here are three hats I certainly would not mind wearing.

 

1. Hat by Nerida Fraiman, 2. Hat by Phillip Treacy, 3. Hat by Phillip Treacy (from left to right).

An Urban Oasis

Central Park is one of my favorite places in New York. On any beautiful day, it is filled with people-- walking, running, biking, rowing, performing, relaxing, wandering. You almost feel like you are surrounded by nature but the buildings peak over the tops of the trees to remind you that you are still in New York City, home to 8 million people. Here are some pictures of Central Park that I took today.

Chatham in Autumn

My family lives in Chatham, NJ and that is where I spent the Thanksgiving holiday. My pup, Herbie, loves exploring the suburbs. With the exception of Central Park, grass and trees can be hard to come by in NYC, which explains his enthusiasm. Here are some pics from our walk taken by my lovely sister.

This Thanksgiving, I was thankful that my family is only a 45 minute train ride away...

Is it possible to be in love with a city?

As I prepare to leave New York, I can't help but reflect on how wonderful of a place it is and how truly lucky I am to have lived here. I remember as a little girl coming to the city with my family to see the Christmas Show at Radio City. The energy of the city was intoxicating and as I looked up at the tall buildings that touched the sky, I told myself that one day I would live here. A few months ago, I couldn't even imagine living anywhere else. After all, how could any other city compete with my one true love? While I look forward to new adventures, I know that my heart will ever remain in this beautiful, wonderful, thrilling, and dynamic place. 

Here are a few quotes about New York that make me smile:

She has become a wicked and wild bitch in her old age has Manhattan, but there is still no sensation in the world quite like walking her sidewalks. Great surges of energy sweep all around you; the air fizzes like champagne, while always there is a nervous edge of fear and whispered distant promises of sudden violence. Tom Davies (1979)

There is something in the New York air that makes sleep useless. Simone De Beauvoir

A hundred times have I thought New York is a catastrophe, and fifty times : It is a beautiful catastrophe. Le Corbusier

New York City is a great apartment hotel in which everyone lives and no one is at home. Glenway Wescott