Tag Archives: Travel

Weekend Details

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With the birthday girl for dinner at August

Despite the impending doom of Frankenstorm, the past couple of days in New York were perfectly lovely. I spent the weekend with my longtime pals, eating, shopping and celebrating (a skill we have honed to a fine art over the years). Highlights of the weekend included dinner at August, which graciously hosted our boisterous crew with a family-style meal that was one of the best I’ve had in a while; a trip to the very strange but relaxing Russian bath house; and a stop at the gloriously overwhelming NYC Topshop, where it became evident yet again how good it is that Topshop does not exist in North Carolina.

And as with every time I go to the city, I am now thoroughly exhausted, but basking in the glow of good times with good friends.

basset hound salt and pepper shakers

The most adorable salt and pepper shakers at The Standard

Tasty beverages at Weather Up

delicate gold necklace with coral and aqua beading

A necklace I picked up at the UrbanSpace Meatpacking Market (by Marina Pecoraro)

Walking the High Line

A late-night view of the Empire State Building

Weekend Details

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Late-afternoon beach rosé (American Apparel tri-blend halter romper)

We traveled down to Bald Head Island this weekend, and I was surprised to find that it was nearly deserted with families having returned home and kids having gone back to school. I get a sort of nostalgic sadness in the last days of summer every year, and it hit me like a ton of bricks this weekend despite glorious weather and beaches nearly all to ourselves. Regardless, I still love the shore in these late days of August – can’t seem to shake it.


Grilled cheese with tomato + Cheerwine


Deserted beach bar


Happy beach dog


Sunday night pizza and beer

Weekend details

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Beach reading

Though we had a warm winter and spring, the start of summer was pretty mild (read: 80 degrees) here in North Cackalack, but sometime in the past week, whoever’d forgotten to turn the heat on all of a sudden remembered the error and cranked it up to high. From about mid-June through September, it’s imperative to head east til you reach ocean as often as possible, and I took this creed to heart this weekend and we made our way down to Emerald Isle on North Carolina’s Bogue Banks. I’ve been making an effort to turn off – really disconnect – from the various media pulling me in different directions on the weekends, and I’m proud to say I somewhat succeeded at this the past couple of days by making almost zero plans, spending more time with my nose in a book than looking at a screen, and ticking some items off my summer to-do list.

Friday night deliciousness via Indian Beach’s Big Oak

Working on my summer to-do list with this week’s sangria – pear basil (made this recipe but subbed pear for peach)

Beach walking

Red wine+onion rings=yes.

An amazing discovery – the matching fleeces of my husband and his dad, circa 1993

Sunday night sidewalk dining

Wanderlust

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Dubrovnik, Croatia

I’ve got a serious travel bug these days (well, all days, but especially so lately) and spent a good chunk of time yesterday afternoon looking through photos of past trips. It was pretty much self-inflicted cruelty, given that there aren’t any major trips in the cards for me right now, but at least I can reminisce over my past wanderings. Anyway, here are a few of the images eliciting some major nostalgia for me right about now.

Vieques, Puerto Rico

Todos Santos, Baja California Sur

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Cabo Pulmo, Baja California Sur

Deia, Mallorca, Spain

Tenerife, Canary Islands

Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Granada, Spain

Hydra, Greece

Lagos, Portugal

Sevilla, Spain

Santorini, Greece

Los Frailes, Baja California Sur

Luxembourg Gardens, Paris

Palmizana, Dalmatian Islands, Croatia

San Ignacio, Puerto Rico

Pico Bonito, Honduras

the lights of Paris

What to Pack: Mediterranean Cruise

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I had a query from a reader on what to pack for an upcoming Mediterranean cruise, and I have to admit – I dove into this request and went a little nuts. Daydreaming of strolling through cobblestoned Italian streets, sailing around Greek islands and lounging on Portuguese beaches got me conjuring up images of floaty dresses and brightly colored accessories, and I couldn’t help but find about a zillion things I’d like to stuff into my suitcase for such an excursion. But can you blame me – who wouldn’t want to be sipping sangria on the Spanish Costa del Sol right about now? Here’s just a wee selection of the shopping list I’ve compiled for my imaginary Mediterranean trip – but you get the idea.

1. Pour La Victoire Neysa Two-Tone Sandals – You’ll need a great pair of heels for any cruise, and the pop of color on these perfectly matches the turquoise of the water surrounding Santorini.

2. Mango Scarf – Though I’ve never actually been on a cruise, I’ve spent more than my fair share of time by the sea and can imagine that the deck of the ship can get a little chilly after the sun goes down, so a summer-weight scarf is definitely in order.

3. Theodora & Callum Cherokee Scarf Dress – The colors of this dress seem perfect for a Mediterranean vacay to me, and with lots of dinners to dress for on a cruise, I’m sure this beauty will come in handy.

4. Reiss Fiji Cropped Oversized Jersey Top – I’m picturing this top paired with high-waisted shorts or a maxi skirt for daytime explorations of seaside towns.

5. Style By Marina Open Waist Maxi Dress – What I love about this dress is that it could easily take you from daytime to dinner, and the open waist at the back adds interesting details (and keeps you cool under the hot Mediterranean sun).

6. Rebecca Minkoff Canvas Stripe Bucket Bag – Since your packing space might be somewhat limited, you’ll need a handbag that’s versatile and roomy, and I think this one could work just as well for the beach as it could for shopping trips through Italian towns.

7. Ondademar Riviera Colors Embroidered Tunic – On a cruise you’re likely to spend more time in your bathing suit than anything else, so a cute (and comfortable) coverup is crucial. I love the pom-pom details of this one.

8. Lemlem Losha Maxi Dress – I’ve been looking for an excuse to buy this dress, and a Mediterranean cruise would be just the reason I needed. The floaty fabric will serve you well on day-long walking trips.

9. Bop Basics Floppy Raffia Sun Hat – Being on a boat and walking around coastal towns, you’re sure to be catching a lot of rays, so a hat is of the utmost importance.

10. Tigerlily Ariella Bikini – On a cruise a good selection of swimwear is obviously a priority. Love the pastels of this one.

11. Loeffler Randall Starla Plank Sandals – Cobblestone streets + high heels=broken ankles, so flat sandals are a must, and these are adorable.