Interestedly enough, we do a lot of laughing. You can’t tell from these images because our in house photog, John Ricard, likes to capture those somber moments. You know the moments pre or post laughter or deep cackle. Or those times where we are dog tired from a day of walking the city streets. We do a lot of that.
I suppose a face without laughter evokes an emotion that makes us think a bit more about the subject. The emotions bring you to a place where you may think of your own emotions or feelings. It may even make you sympathetic. Whatever it is, there is nothing like a black and white portrait where a smile, a smirk or even a somberness is captured.
NYC MTAHair Grease and CombAscending Tacos and News
As much as I love going away for vacation, there is nothing I love more than sitting at home on my front porch. There is a constant display of toys (for children of differing ages just in case we get little visitors), comfy fold up chairs and family/friends. It is not the norm to have a big porch in Brooklyn and we probably sit on it as much as we do. There is a backyard that we seldom use, maybe it’s because there is no street view in the back? We know the neighbors and the neighbors know us. We children play (outside) together. They ride their bikes and scooters up and down the block. It feels like comfort. It feels like Summer.
Summertime….and the livin’ is easy.Fresh pineapples from Hawaii. One of my favorite summertime treats.I promise I actually ate it and didn’t just hold it up for the camera.Our porch is a meeting and play place in the summer. Tons of chairs and toys.The quiet street and view of the blooming trees and old homes is unbeatable.
So you thought you would see perfect little yellow and pink blooms surrounded by lush green leaves and grass, right? Well, wrong! The snowflakes pelted my naked face and the cold breeze felt like the Arctic on the First Day of Spring in NYC. I must confess, however; that I think I might miss the snow covered tree branches and building structures. The snow leaves a pillowy, white surface everywhere and you cannot dispute it’s beauty. I will miss it but I can also live with seeing it only once, well maybe twice, per year.
Lets make a toast to the upcoming warmer temps please. Cheers!
We visited “Lea”, a cozy yet chic spot on Cortelyou Road in Brooklyn recently. We originally stopped in for a couple of glasses of wine but I could not resist ordering from the delicious selection on the dinner menu. I have a slight weakness for fresh Italian food and the food at “Lea” does not dissapoint! There is a menu selection for meals served during the day, during dinner and for brunch. Take a small visual journey at our night at “Lea”:
We drove up to the Hudson Valley in New York State for a quick 2 day getaway for the Jewish New Year break. It is always a pleasant experience for me to drive the Palisades Parkway in the Fall because the foliage alone is worth the trip. Leaves turn the most vibrant yellow/gold, orange and burgundy colors that I believe artists try to copy in all types of forms but never truly succeed. The sunsets are the same majestic color as those leaves. It is hard to believe that you are only an hour away from New York City.
My first stop was Harriman at the Woodbury Commons Outlet. I haven’t visited in years and was surprised to see massive construction happening. This is a very well kept premium outlet shopping venue. They have just about every store you can possibly want. Stores range from the obtainable priced GAP Outlet to the more high end brands like Prada and Gucci. It was nice to have all of those luxe stores in one place and I was loving everything in Tom Ford.
There is a comfy Hampton Inn near Woodbury Commons that we stayed in. There was a pool so Angelique was extremely happy.
We got a great warm and sunny day for our visit to Brotherhood Winery. It is a 20 minute drive from Harriman and well worth the trip. The winery does not have a vineyard so if you are looking to walk through vineyards this won’t supply that. I can assure you though that this winery does not disappoint. It is a beautiful venue/grounds and you must take the $10 tour and wine tasting. On the tour, you are guided through underground tunnels where barrels of wines are stored. You can feel and smell the history of this place. After the tour you are brought to the tasting room for about 4 different types of wines, dry or sweet. You are given your Brotherhood wine glass after the tasting as well. After the tasting you can purchase some great New York State wines in the Brotherhood store. We lunched on some really fresh fare at the on site Vinum Cafe.
The view from my Hampton Inn Hotel room.This black barn and gold signature is so luxe and gives you the feel that you are visiting a special place.Small rows of vineyards are on the grounds to show a variety of grapes that are grown in New York.The grounds are beautiful and worthy of many “selfie” moments.While on the tour we met an amazing couple and Lou bonded with Angelique immediately. He shared some childhood memories of making wine with this dad when he was a boy many moons ago.The selection of wines in store at Brotherhood.Our tour guide, Howard, also conducted the tasting.This Brotherhood Riesling is a favorite on the White House Menu. Former President, Bill Clinton insisted that American wines should be served in the White House. Before this there were no American wines on our White House menu.
One of the tunnels where the barrels of wines are kept.Loved these Medieval type light fixtures that illuminated the tunnels.
What are some of your Fall travel plans? Please share.
Yup, I just jacked a Lana Del Rey line. How can you not steal this line? It’s so neat! All Brooklyn Babies know and love Coney Island. As a kid, it is the one place that I yearned to go to all Summer long. It is more popular than McDonald’s without fail. As an adult, it has a different appeal. It’s all about people watching, grooving to cool music and grabbing delicious boardwalk food. Oh, and don’t forget the beach!
I’ve been wearing denim shorts during the Summer now for years. As a teen, it was always paired with tee shirts or tank tops. Now, It’s become a piece that I dress up for evenings out with a sequins or satin top and heels, lunch casual with a blazer and tee or coverup for my bathing suits when I go to the beach with my daughter.
I truly hope I never get tired of my Levis cutoffs or listen to a fashion guru if they say they are not on trend. I do believe I would be crushed if I ever hear my beloved shorts are not on trend but I would be the lone soul rocking them though! Let’s take a peek at some ways that I wore my denim shorts this Summer.
List of Ways I Wear My Denim Shorts:
I’m sure you recognize the Paparazzi White Fence. The Ivy is the perfect spot for star gazing. When we dined her for lunch the Rev Jesse Jackson was also lunching outdoors.Did I mention that I had an amazing meal at The Ivy on Robertson Blvd?Amazing fried fish, shrimp, calamari and scallops. I couldn’t ask for anything more…But we are talking about my Summer staple, the denim short, right? So on we go….Here it is paired with the black blazer and tee.It was also a beach and pool essential.It is the best coverup when laying poolside.A loose tank and a fedora for grocery shopping.
TamaraLoves 
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