After spending the last few days indoors in front of my computer I decided to get out.

I’m quite blessed to have this exact spot just a few blocks outside of my front door.

I was pleased to see that Spring had most definitely arrived in Central Park as flowers were blooming everywhere.

I headed over to Park Avenue and was greeted by row after row of tulips.

After this past winter, Spring couldn’t feel more divinely blissful.

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In most cases, there is absolutely nothing glamorous about the process of traveling. It involves lines, tight quarters and horrible prepackaged food. Today I took the train from NYC to DC and reveled in what an absolutely luxurious experience it was. No one searched through my bags, I never had to take my shoes off and there were no lines. I sat in a perfectly plush seat and enjoyed a few peaceful hours enjoying the gorgeous scenery.

One of my favorite parts are the actual train stations. So much better than some crummy airport, these stations are full of old world charm and mystery. Grand Central in NYC is beyond gorgeous with a painting of the constellations in the main foyer. Union Station, in DC, has the most spectacular architecture.

Many people were commuting to or from work, so the train cars were full of men in dapper suits and women in chic office wear.

There is something about watching cities whoosh by that makes you reflective and nostalgic.

Don’t you just long for a time when grace was more common? And polish expected from both men and women?

I highly recommend taking a trip on a train. My husband and I are planning on taking the train around the Northeast this summer. Can you think of anything more romantic than packing a suitcase and hopping off at whatever quaint town peaks your interest?

*All images courtesy of Vogue

There is nothing more romantic to me that fluttering snow flakes in Central Park.

Today, the park was the perfect winter wonderland.

Pictured above: Hot chocolate on a stick. They give you a steaming cup of milk and a hunk of dark chocolate (or chocolate filled with caramel) to melt on a stick.

Because we know that every proper snow day has to end with a big ole’ cup of hot cocoa!

Hello my darlings. I had a lovely weekend with the hubs in San Diego. We spent sunny afternoons at the beach and had some delish authentic Mexican food. I snapped this pic on a walk after sunset at the beach by UCSD. It’s hard to believe that we head back to NYC in just 7 short days. So for now we are enjoying everything that is uniquely Californian and looking forward to getting back to our wonderful home on the East Coast.

What did you do this past weekend?

I’ve got only good things to say about the Riviera Resort where we stayed during our girl’s getaway. Look at the swanky accommodations. I loved the retro-glam design of our room.

We arrived late Friday afternoon, but couldn’t resist eating a late lunch out by the pool.

The lounge at the hotel was beyond amazing. Have you ever seen a more fabulous pool table??

When we pulled up to the hotel we saw them setting up a press area and rolling out the red carpet. Little did we know it was the Palm Springs International Film Festival and our hotel was hosting a party there that evening!

I couldn’t get enough of these sassy seating areas.

Incredible, right?

Saturday we had dinner at their restaurant, Circa 59, and it was so wonderful. Some of the best food I’ve ever had and I live in NYC!

Cheesin’ before dinner. No such thing as too many mirrored surfaces.

The gorgeous hotel lobby all illuminated in the evening. I don’t think we could have picked a better place for our weekend.

There are few things that I love more than a fabulous farmer’s market on a sunny Saturday morning (as you can see from my other post here).

I love being just a few stops away from the Union Square Green Market. It is the largest Saturday market that I have ever been to.

Fall is quickly slipping away, but the sun is still shining here in the city and there are still dozens of stalls at the market.

I now understand why this city is called “The Big Apple” I have had the best apples of my life here this Fall.

Honey crisp are my absolute fav.

And fresh pressed cider for days!

Some gorgeous wreaths appeared this weekend.

So many beautiful fresh flowers of every variety.

Can you believe all of these peppers?!

Where is your favorite Saturday market?

Last week, the hubs and I joined some friends for a week long trip in Ireland. We loved flying to Europe from the East instead of the West Coast. The flight was so much shorter!

The scenery was absolutely stunning. Ireland is definitely one of the most beautiful places that I have ever been. It looked exactly like how all of the movies portray it. Here I am in front of the Cliff’s of Moher at sunset.

We stayed at a beautiful manor with hundreds of acres of gorgeous grounds. Fall turned out to be a great time to visit with all the leaves changing and SUN! Can you believe it?!?

Here we are in front of the Adare Manor, where we stayed. I highly recommend it. Great staff and such wonderful accommodations.

We spent a lot of time in Southern Ireland enjoying all of the picturesque fishing villages.

So lush and green.

We spent many afternoons exploring ancient castles and climbing tiny staircases.

Here is the Hubs in the Dungeon of Blarney Castle.

Oh yes I kissed the Blarney stone, and oh yes it was terrifying. No one tells you that you kiss it upside down, over an hole in the castle, five stories above ground!

The beautiful Blarney Castle. It was such a fun stop with lots of gardens and caves to explore.

More beauty along the coast.

If you haven’t been, you should go. Ireland is full of lovely sights and even lovelier people. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there.

I apologize for my absence, but there is a silver lining. The adventures which have kept me from you will result in some fabulous posts – so stay tuned. This shot was taken a few blocks from my apartment. Not a bad neighborhood, right?

I’ve been spending spending most mornings running in the park. It’s not hard to be motivated to exercise when this is your gym.

The colors in Central Park are absolutely incredible right now.

Even this far into November, the temperatures have been well into the 60′s. It has been the perfect weather for strolling all afternoon in the park and taking in all the gorgeousness of this season.

Just like the leaves here, I have fallen hard for Fall.

This weekend I went wine tasting with a great group of girls. We had a limo take us to a few great wineries and then to an adorable farm on the way home.

The wineries were small and quaint. Most tastings were held in a large country-style building on the property.

It was an absolutely gorgeous Fall afternoon. I am falling more and more in love with this season every day.

We stopped at an adorable little roadside farm known for their delicious pies.

I am having a hard time imagining anything better than having a posh pad in the city during the week and a cozy home in country for the weekends.

Divine Fall colors + …..

Pie = A perfect weekend.