A Passion for Purple!

I've never seen Mindy Kaling's television show or read any of her books, but when I saw this InStyle Magazine cover I had to buy it.  It's rare that you see anyone brown and round on the cover of a magazine and representation matters.  Plus, she's wearing my favorite color. Here is a list of other purple things that make me happy!

1. MAC Lipstick in Heroine: This is a bright berry colored lipstick.  Save it for when you are feeling super confident.

2. OPI Push and Purple Nail Polish: Push and Purple is an intensely pigmented plum shade that is also really shiny.  It's great for Spring/Summer pedicures.

3. Beets: Beets are rich in B-Vitamins and folate but I eat them because they taste good!  I had this salad of beets, marinated mushrooms, asparagus, and feta at Wave Hill and it was so good!

4.  Banana Republic Geo Link Necklace in Fuchsia: This necklace is exactly my style; I'm just waiting for it to go on sale!

5. Prince Sign O' the Times: I can't talk about the color purple without mentioning Prince. 

Sign O' the Times is definitely one of my favorite Prince albums. "Adore" "The Ballad of Dorothy Parker," "Starfish and Coffee" and "Forever in My Life" are some of the best songs ever written. Period. 

Free Nature!

In New York City everything has its price- even trees and flowers.  In the five boroughs there is expensive nature and free nature.  Expensive nature is The New York Botanical Gardens which can cost up to $25 dollars per person for an All Access Pass (and that doesn't take food, drinks, or trips to the gift shop into account).  Luckily there are places that are equally beautiful that you can visit for free or (close to free).

The admission to Wave Hill is $8.00 for adults, $4.00 for seniors, and $2.00 for children.  I got a free membership with my IDNYC card which will give me free admission for a year! At Wave Hill there's something for everyone: hiking, wine, and ample opportunity for scenic photos-shoots.

Another oasis of free nature is the Central Park Conservatory Garden on 105th and 5th Avenue. In my quest to lose weight I have been trying to walk 10,000 steps per day several times a week.  I have been replacing walks to my favorite restaurant or Happy Hour spot with walks to this place. It is amazing how there are such pockets of peace and beauty in the city. 

The Best Things in Life Are Green

This year was challenging.  I worked one job that felt like two, tutored after-school, looked for and found a new job, wrote copiously for this blog, and struggled to maintain an active social life- all while mothering a spirited first grader.  Although I attempted to maintain a facade of fabulosity, I slowly gained twenty pounds and lost handfuls of hair. Thank goodness for lotions, potions, and Spanx!  When the school year finally ended I was so wound up and anxious that I felt stunned.  There's no other word to describe it.  My mission this Summer has been to regain my peace of mind and get my shimmer back.

I am a city girl; I don't drive and if the streets aren't numbered there is a 99% chance that I will get lost.  Nevertheless, I was craving trees (and not the type you would assume).  I needed exercise, sunshine, and fresh air; I needed to get out of the city, without really getting out of the city.

First stop was The New York Botanical Garden.  Chloe and I took the D train to Bedford Avenue in The Bronx, and walked eight blocks east to The Garden.  This has been one of my favorite spots in the city since I took summer school students there a few years ago.  I vividly remember kids climbing trees, smelling roses, and using using maps to find a waterfall in the forest. It was magical (what can I say? nature inspires hyperbole).

Chloe enjoys riding on the tram and visiting the Everett Children's Garden, while I love the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden.  Luckily we both agree that the lily pond is worth seeing. The Botanical Garden is great for long scenic walks; Chloe even spotted several chipmunks and a robin feeding her babies worms!

The next day, Chloe started camp so I decided to hike in Fort Tryon Park.  This park is steps away from the 190th Street stop on the A Train.  As far a city parks go, this one is very clean and has beautiful views of the Hudson River.  It is a luxury to be able to take a quiet walk, or as Asagai says in A Raisin in the Sun, "to sit a while and think."  Fort Tryon park is hilly with plenty of stairs to climb if one is interested in more than just a leisurely stroll.  The Cloisters, a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is worth visiting as well.

My absolute new favorite place is Wave Hill.  Unfortunately, I had to get past this Yelp review first.

Hot Mess Alert!

Wave Hill is in Fieldston, and in order to get there you have to take the 1 train to the last stop and then wait for a shuttle bus.  Before you enter, signs remind you that Wave Hill is a public garden, not a park.  There are strict rules against bringing blankets, bikes, dogs, or balls in order to maintain the serenity of the space.  There are gardens, trails, and stunning views of The Hudson River.  Wooden beach chairs are dotted throughout the property, and many are set under magnificent trees.

Working on my shimmer!

Wave hill is an oasis of quiet beauty.  At one moment I was reading Toni Morrison's introduction to Tar Baby, listening to Coltrane's "Naima," and feeling so blissfully relaxed that I wasn't sure whether I was awake or dreaming. If you are stressed out, Wave Hill is definitely the cure!  I can't wait to go back for their High Tea.