Ifirmly believe in happy accidents, fate, kismet, or whatever you want to call it. How else would you explain the fact that I rarely step into a bricks and mortar H&M (there's a little too much chaos and clutter in there for me) but when I do I not only come across a puffy red heart purse but also this dress. Okay, neither are practical items nor likely to have much longevity in my wardrobe, not to mention this dress is probably "too young" and "too short" for me but I'm okay with all of the above. I'm not going to let some silly rules stop me from wearing a dress with the perfect (or should I say purrfect?) punch of black and white cartoon kitty cats. Also, this dress is machine washable...bonus!
I've been enjoying a bit of a staycation lately and one of my recent excursions was to Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden on Staten Island. Travelling by ferry always seems a bit like a holiday to me and I really enjoyed riding the Staten Island Ferry. The enormous orange ferries are such an iconic feature in NYC's harbor and of course the views of Manhattan and Lady Liberty are inspiring. Snug Harbor is only a 10 minute bus ride from the St. George Bus and Ferry Terminal on Staten Island. The grounds are beautiful for a leisurely stroll and there are so many paths and areas to explore that it felt like my own private garden. Visiting here is a real treat and the perfect place to visit if you need some time away from the craziness of Manhattan. The Chinese Scholar Garden was closed for a private party but there was plenty of other things to see, like hedge mazes, pebbled lined streams, rose gardens, massive verandas, sweeping lawns and even a little fortress. I'm already planning a visit in October! I imagine the leaves will be gorgeous at that time of year and this will be the perfect place to have one final picnic before the weather becomes too cold to allow for it. Outfit Details: Shirtdress - Franziska Shirtdress by Maeve, Anthropologie
Polka Dot Belt/Sash - from old Guess sundress Leggings - Kensie
The last couple of days I’ve been enjoying the “relaxing/nothing specific to do" vibe of this holiday weekend. Besides, it’s too hot outside to do much of anything. A leisurely walk, a couple of art galleries and a stop at a neighborhood farmer’s market is my idea of a perfect Saturday.
True story: I was desperate to go toSpace Campfor a number of years during my childhood. In Grade 3, when asked what I wanted to be as a grownup, I said an astronaut and artist; in Grade 4, I added writer to that list. One summer I almost had my parents convinced to send me to Space Camp, but my grandparents intervened and I ended up going to Circle Square Ranch with my cousins instead. At least there were horses there….
When Space Camp debuted in movie theaters, my campaign to ‘train like an astronaut’ picked up steam….and it’s also when my crush on Joaquin Phoenix (known as ‘Leaf’ Phoenix at that time) began. Is it a coincidence that Star Wars premiered in the year I was born? I don’t think so (fyi, I still can’t turn off the original trilogy should any of them happen to be on when I flip on the TV).
When I was around 6, I attempted to build my cat Ginger a time machine in the kid’s clubhouse in my grandparent’s yard. Ginger was getting up there in years and I thought that perhaps some time travel would help him regain a few more years. I had read Time Cat over and over again, as well as watched The Cat From Outer Space and The Three 3 Lives of Thomasinawith such regularity that eventually the VHS tapes busted.
For many years, the ceiling of my bedroom was covered in glow-in-the-dark stars, planets and comets, my wall had maps of the solar system and there were a few astronomy and stargazing books on my bookshelf. I lived for camping out in my backyard with some binoculars to stare up at our solar system.
I may still be a little space obsessed. It wasn’t too long ago on a family visit to Walt Disney World in Florida that I lined up to ride Mission: SPACE at EPCOT repeatedly. I’ll watch almost any space theme movie as long as it’s not completely cheesy. I may even still secretly dream of going to Space Camp.
This is all to say that I didn’t really think twice about purchasing a dress that looked like a page from one of my old solar system books. A drop waist, virtually wrinkle free dress covered in celestial images, and it happened to be on sale…..what’s not to love?
Photos taken at MoMA (11 W 53) and Healthy Corner Juice Bar (637 9th Avenue - Try the Hell’s Kitchen juice blend if you go!
This dress is super comfortable (and FUN!) to wear and doesn’t get all full of static or wrinkles as the day progresses which makes it perfect for running errands (or chilling at the AMNH Planetarium). I also think it works as an all season dress depending on what layers and accessories you add, plus it’s a good base for experimenting with pops of color, neutrals and/or metallics. Brings a whole new meaning to dressing like you’re from a different planet….
