Sunday, August 12, 2012

Obrigada

Ten,  times a day I'd think "Ahh. I'm in paradise"+
Nine, in the morning, is how late (early?) they party in Lisbon+
Eight days in total+
Seven stunning sunsets+
Six books+
Five days by the pool+
Four delicious varieties of olive oil at an amazing wine tasting/lunch+
Three hour drive to the incredible Herdade Do Esporao
Two dinners at my favorite Praiha de Roche restaurant=
One week of bliss in Portugal













Sunday, July 29, 2012

Oh The Places They'll Go...

One of my favorite days of the school year is the Ballet Tech Graduation.

The kiddos get dressed up in their finest and it's always so wonderful to have all the families there, surrounding the accomplishments of the kids.






Sunday, July 22, 2012

Summertime in the city

In college, I was once chosen to dance a student choreographed piece to the Janice Joplin song Summertime.  The piece was basically all girls with great legs and amazingly arched feet. I was so self conscious...standing on that stage as the opening picture in costumes that were technically nighties...I want to tell my 18 year-old self, "Yo! You rock! Don't be ashamed by your body. Work it sister!". Much like I'd enjoy telling my 14 year-old self to rock a bikini rather than the shorts and t-shirts I wore to the pool. Oh bananas. 

Well, it's Summer time here in NYC and it's time for bikinis and baking!

Snicker doodles, Peach & Blueberry mini crisps, Browned butter & Sea Salt Rice Krispy Treats, Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes+
Street Art+
My favorite little ballet girls at Chrystie Street Ballet+
Hanging with my favorite lady Debobo & seeing her dance+
Summer School+
Beach Time & Bikini's+
+Winning=
How is my favorite season going by so quickly!?











Sunday, June 17, 2012

Bob and Darryl take NYC!

Memorial Day weekend was quite a treat for me. My Mom and Dad came to visit for the first time in years! We had the most wonderful time together. 

I am constantly amazed by my parents. 
Their resilience, kindness & dedication always inspire me. 

Even though I will always miss being able to see them every day, it was so great to have them here and get a better picture of my life and why I love New York so much. They were such troopers! I walked them all over the city, they stayed in my teeny tiny little mouse house (mom even dusted my plants! She's incredible!), they tried all sorts of new foods, met nearly every single neighbor and were constantly up for doing anything. I was so grateful that they were able to come to work with me and meet my boys. I had been telling my boys for weeks that my parents were coming. We talked about 'digging' through the floor in our tendus, just like my dad had to dig and plant my mom's rose garden

I have so many wonderful memories from our weekend together. We explored every delicious gluten free restaurant in the city, had a belated birthday at Porsena, Saturday night fun at Upstate.  We did do more than eat...I promise!  I can't really remember a time in my life where I had them all to myself. My relationship with them has grown so much over the years and I now have two of the most incredible people that I can be honest, open, sharing, loving and myself with. They are so important to me. I wonder sometimes if they will ever understand the magnitude of influence they have had on my life. Their continued support and encouragement allows me to be confident living my dreams....as far away from them as those little dreams have taken me. I love them so very much. 







Tuesday, May 22, 2012

3+3=Happy Me

Every year, my day of birth brings me a great deal of anxiety. I typically plan a big party, bake a ton of mini cupcakes and have several little traditions of making the day special.  I like to write thank you cards to everyone. It's a handwritten grateful gratzie that allows me to feel like I'm doing something nice for people on a day when I may not be able to handle the kindness that comes my way.  I like to hand out mini cupcakes with candles and have everyone wish together (I got to do this!) but new things happened: like having someone get me a cake! I can't remember the last birthday that this happened...but it was wonderful and lovely and happy. This year I was totally sick (apparently the affliction of Taurus' are throat and neck issues. Maybe this explains my twice annual laryngitis episodes..). and didn't plan a darn stinking thing. Lucky for me, I happen to have a wonderful boyfriend who put something together with all my favorite neighbor peeps. I am beyond lucky in my life. I'm so fortunate to have so many wonderful people surrounding me at all times and making my life great. 

Cards for my loves+
Date night dinner at Porsena where they even had a gift waiting for me!
Carrot Ginger Vegan Cupcakes with Orange Butter cream (and GOLD STARS!)+
TRex Spectacular+ 
Flowers and Balloons Delights (Babs filled the balloons with messages from all my friends! We popped the balloons and got the cards inside)+
Letting go of the black balloon (I had to write down something I wanted to let go of this year...heeaavvvy)=
Bday 33 Complete!