Fashion Week Tents & Alice's Tea Cup Dreams

Ladies and gentleman! I kicked one off my NYC Bucket List! 

I was over the moon excited when my sweet friend Mary invited me along to a show at NY Fashion Week at Lincoln Center! Like the real deal in the tents fashion week. Before heading over to the Mara Hoffman show, we stopped by Alice's Tea Cup for some brunch.

Alice's Tea Cup has multiple locations across Manhattan. It is a little girls dream, the perfect spot for a cup of tea, and the scones are melt in your mouth delicious. 

I opted for a cup of coffee.

Mary decided on a healthy treat with Yogurt, Granola & Mixed Berries.

I can not resist their scones and decided on the Salmon Scones Benedict. It is a buttermilk scone topped with smoked salmon, a poached egg and benedict sauce (I got mine on the side). They serve it with a side of asparagus and pears which sounds weird but tastes great.

This is a shot of Alice's Mad Morning Tea.

Onto the tents! Welcome to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week!

(Jumpsuit: Oasis / Shoes: Banana Republic / Bag: Kate Spade NY / Sunglasses: Vintage / Necklace: H&M)

Gosh Mary looked awesome! She's such a fashion inspiration! She works for a lovely boutique called Big Drop, check it out!

I could not believe I was actually at a show. It is getting harder and harder to get an invite. I kept giggling with happiness.

Mara Hoffman did not disappoint.

I was obsessed with the flowing dresses, bright colors, and woven knits.

Happy Fashion Week! Till next season...

Max and Meg have Birthdays

A few of the Frans had birthdays last week. Birthday celebrations in New York can get expensive very quickly. With back to back birthdays we opted for an at home party with a twist. 

A blind wine tasting contest is a great way to bring people together for a celebration. It is affordable and super easy to pull off. The requirements: 1) Everyone brings a bottle of wine wrapped in aluminum foil or a paper bag; 2) You have to number the wines as they arrive; 3) Make sure you taste them all! 4) Near the end of the night everyone votes for their favorite and the winner gets a bottle of wine to take home.

With the Frans occupying an entire apartment floor, we opened the doors and turned the celebration into an old fashion floor party.

Birthday girls.

The second night of celebration we headed out to a sort of comedy show. New York City is full of little adventures in each of its' nooks and crannies, you just have to find them. I love subscribing to Urban Daddy and Living Social for insight to the latest and greatest the city has to offer. When tickets to Drunk Shakespeare came across my inbox I had to explore more. Mer is a huge Shakespeare fan and what better way to celebrate her birthday than an interactive Shakespeare play where she gets to be "Queen". The catch is one actor takes 4 shots of alcohol before preforming.

As the "Royal Court" we played a part in the show, and that made it well worth the trip. Brace yourself for the actors to take the show to the extreme. They preformed Macbeth and were all extremely talented. We laughed our faces off and I had to close my eyes a few times due to it all just being too much...haha.

Gosh I love celebrating the people in my life. How do you love celebrating the people around you? I'd love some ideas for birthdays to come!

California - Malibu and Venice

With crystal clear blue skies everyday, how could I resist a trip to the beach during my California adventure?! Jenny suggested we head to Malibu for the day. The best part of Malibu beaches are the canyons you drive through to get to there. Canyon valley views, vineyards on hilltops, cliff side mansions, I was glad Jenny was driving cause I couldn't keep my eyes off the scenery. 

Before heading to the airport my last evening, we stop off in Venice. I learned Venice has many different parts. The colorful quirky beachfront is just a small portion of what this area has to offer. We stuck to the shops and restaurants on Abbot Kinney Blvd with a bit of wandering to the Venice Canal Historical District.

We decided on happy hour at Zinque. 

Located on the corner of Venice Blvd and Abbot Kinney Blvd, this coffee/wine bar has a lovely outdoor patio and inside that is bathed in natural sunlight.

Wanting to soak up all the sun I could, we perched outside and ordered a couple glasses of Rose.

The cheese board is not on the happy hour menu, but how could I resist. We also noshed on olives and mini sausage (both on the happy hour menu for about $3 each).

After we strolled over to the Venice Canals. The canals will originally constructed to help with water flow, but due to poor original construction they were deemed unusable. Over the years, the City of Venice has worked to reinforce the structure and clean up the canal waters. Now, as you stroll along the bridges and pathways, you are transported to another time and place. The area is picturesque and makes you forget you are in the middle of a major metropolitan city.

(Dress: ASOS / Sunglasses & Bag: Kate Spade New York / Necklace: Loft / Shoes: Top Shop)

Bon Voyage for now California. I'll miss your ocean breeze and sunshine. Back to the Concrete Jungle where dreams are made. 

xoxo