Brooklyn Botanic Garden

August 17, 2014 in New York City

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is easy to get to you and FREE on Saturdays when you go before noon! The best part? It is pretty empty when you go right when it opens. I got there before my party arrived and strolled around alone. It was peaceful, quiet and I didn't feel rushed. I admired the bees buzzing, the wind blowing through leaves, and the sound of serenity.

There's also something about a giant Japanese koi pond that makes you stop stressing and start relaxing.

Enjoy what were in my visions!

Check out this plant sucking on my brains. Just kidding of course. :)

Viva Northern California

August 10, 2014 in Travel

It is a blessing to travel for work, but there is little to no time for exploration. Luckily, work led me to a few seconds of beauty in Northern California's Berkeley, Oakland and Moraga. From rose garden to sunset skies, Nature's fresh air was calling me every brisk morning.

And after a week in California, I had one Saturday to spare and go wherever I wanted to go...San Francisco. Check out what were in my visions down below:

My day trip to San Francisco allowed me to snap a lot more than the rest of the week. It was a serious amount of exploration via car. Luckily, I knew a local who gave me a VIP experience. She knew the ins and outs of San Francisco and when the bumper to bumper traffic appeared along the route towards the Golden Gate Bridge, she switched gears and headed towards Baker Beach where nothing but sand and bridge filled my camera lens.

This foggy city brought little sunshine that day, but it did not damper my mood. Sometimes you need to live through the beauty found in simplicity. Flowers always bring me joy and I had a bouquet with me that day.

The Bay Bridge and flowers purchased from Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market

You can check out my full gallery of San Francisco under my "Places" page:

Botanic Bloom

July 19, 2014 in Visual Thinking

Just a quick shoot in the Chang Garden. Flowers in July

The motto of the weekend: "Make Life one long Weekend."

Make Life One Long "Windy" Weekend

June 15, 2014 in Travel

Memorial Day Weekend was only 3 days long, but I seized the moment and flew to Chicago to explore a different city. If you can navigate New York City, then it is a piece of cake figuring out Chicago. It was meant to be though, because upon arrival were signs that read "Make Life one Long Weekend" and I knew that this was the right decision.

Sometimes in life, you just have to go with the flow and travel where the wind blows-- figuratively speaking. But, because it was my first time in the "Windy City," I had to visit the touristy parts including the Bean and Millennium Park, the Navy Pier and the Willis Tower. However, I didn't make it up to the top of the Willis Tower because of the 2 hour long wait. I honestly hate crowded areas and touristy activities, but it felt like everyone and their mothers were visiting Chicago. Of course that is to be expected when one decides to go Memorial Weekend when everyone else in the country is also off.

By nightfall, the city breeze cooled and I hopped on a boat down the Chicago River that introduced the beautiful architecture that filled the Chicago skyline. And, at the very end of the boat ride was a 15 minute firework show that kicked off the summer season.

THE VIEW:
This was probably my favorite part of the entire weekend. The boat had the best view of the fireworks blasting off of the Navy Pier and all was tranquil on the river waters.

Fireworks shooting off from the Navy Pier

Smoke from the fireworks show traveling with the wind

THE FOOD:
AND what is Chicago without a little deep dish pizza?? Lou Malnati's Pizzeria does the job.

The WONUT: when waffle wifey meets the donut dough

THE ART:
Walk anywhere from Oak Street Beach to buildings and storefronts, you'll see talented artwork.

Street Art in West Town near Milwaukee Ave

And where there are trains and buses, you must travel away from the populated downtown area. I spent one afternoon going up north where I found West Town. It reminded me of hipster Williamsburg in Brooklyn, filled with coffee shops, restaurants, boutiques and thrift shops...and oh, a RECORD STORE.

"Clueless" candles!!! Where would you find these anywhere else in the world??

Chicago was perfect for a weekend getaway. There was a lot more I could have seen and done, but I'm extremely content with all that I was able to see. Staying in the downtown area of Chicago felt like walking around Midtown in Manhattan. It was safe, peaceful, filled with walkers like me and plentiful cabs.

For more photos, check out the entire gallery under the "PLACES" tab, or peruse through it down below:

NY Psych, CitiBike

May 23, 2014 in New York City

It was a Sunday afternoon and one of the warmer days thus far in NYC. The skirts and dresses came out, and the bike riding began.

I really enjoy it. Freedom to pedal, breeze against the hair. It is faster than walking and you can go anywhere-- well not on the sidewalk. CitiBike was not the best overall experience, but it was worth trying. This might be the first and only time I use it, but I guess never say never.

I prefer biking on trails and paths with nature over traffic and cars. My experience wasn't unpleasant because I was wearing a skirt that quite possibly could have blown up Marilyn Monroe style, but it was more because of my surroundings. It took forever just to get the bikes out of the ports.

For those who are not aware, you rent the bikes and are charged per half hour that they are out of the ports. After you shove a credit card into a machine and oblige to safety regulations, warnings, and traffic violations, you are charged and given a 5-digit code to enter and retrieve a bike. Perhaps it was a sign that (insert higher being) didn't want me to bike ride, but my friends and I had to get new codes at least 3 times each. The first half hour is free, but it took 20 minutes just to get three bikes out before we could hit the road...and Brooklyn traffic.

This might have been more worth it if I actually needed to go somewhere, but it wasn't the greatest for a stroll around Brooklyn. All I can say is that at least I tried it, and I gave it a shot. But, at least my blogger gal pals had content to shoot and post about.

Here's my delayed reaction on it...more Brooklyn photos to follow. I did feel pretty Badass riding a bike around in that outfit, but just for the day.

Until next time!

Photos by Faye and Katrine