An Evening with Shakespeare in the Park...But Not THAT Park

Vintage wear in Bryant Park

Ready to watch Boomerang Theater Company perform Shakespeare's Loves' Labour's Lost

  

Photo credit: Bryant Park Blog

Photo credit: Broadway World

I don't know why but my summer doesn't feel complete unless I've seen some Shakespeare performed in the great outdoors.  Don't get me wrong, attending Shakespeare productions (or reading Shakespeare) is definitely not a love confined to one season nor do either of those things need to happen outdoors (I'm thinking of you Sir Kenneth Branagh and your transformative production of Macbeth I saw earlier in the summer at the Park Avenue Armory). That all being said, Shakespeare outside and under the stars (or lights of Manhattan...) is really magical.  And it doesn't hurt that most Shakespeare in the park productions are free! 

The thing I love about the Shakespeare productions in Bryant Park is how casual they are. No lines, no worrying that you might not have a seat, no need to feel that you need to stay for the 2+ hours if at some point you feel like leaving, no need to put on makeup (just maybe some sunscreen and/or mosquito repellent!) and there's free wifi so you can go crazy with the social media if that's your thing. Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park productions in Central Park are wonderful and are totally a NYC thing to do but obtaining a ticket is a bit of a production so there's something extra nice about being able to pull up a chair one minute before showtime and watch/listen to Shakespeare performed in the heart of midtown. Amazing how quickly all the street sounds fade away as the Bard's words carry you away. 

Outfit Details:
Dress: GreenFlea Market, Upper West Side
Eyelet blouse: Suzy Shier (old blouse...never get tired of it)
Purse: Beacon's Closet, Greenwich
Head scarf: can't remember where it's from as I've had it for years
Shoes: Suprega sneakers
Picnic basket necklace: Kate Spade 

On the Boardwalk: Old Time Fun at Coney Island

Old roller coaster car...whoa!

Strolling the boardwalk

I wonder if the people in those apartments ever getting tired of view? I doubt it.

Legendary.

Treats and more treats.

Neon and pastel carousel. Perfection.

Bird's eye view from atop a burger.

Grandmothers always know best.

After three summers in NYC I am embarrassed to admit this was the first summer I went to Coney Island. I know, I know. No excuses, especially as it is so easy to get to.  Well, I made it there this summer at least and it was a beautiful day to be there too.  Even though I had seen a lot of photos and video of Coney Island and the boardwalk I didn't really have a good idea of what the place looked like. Oh sure, I knew there'd be rides, concession stands, old signage,  and a shoreline that seems to go on forever but you can't really know until you visit a place. I liked Coney Island far more than I thought I would...I guess I wasn't expecting the boardwalk and the beach to be so vast, nor the amusement park landscape to be so vibrant (and clean)!  There were moments that afternoon when I actually did feel I had stepped back in time. So even though amusement park rides, fried foods and sun bathing aren't really my things, I had a wonderful time! And now I'll resume singing Bette Midler's 'Under the Boardwalk' in my head...

Outfit Details:

Dress - Fateful Timing Dress, Modcloth (out of stock but they have plenty more options if looking for something nautical)

Hat - Lord and TaylorTote - World's Fair Tote, New York Historical Society

Shoes - Keds

Sunnies - Kate Spade

Summer should be one great big picnic (or many little picnics all strung together)

Some of the amazing people I work with! Headed to House No. 17 to meet with folks from Third Rail Projects. Photo by Francis Estrada.

We had a picnic of course. You can't go to Governor's Island in the summer on what would normally be an afternoon in the office and not have a picnic! I made these little cornbread sammies (store bought mini corn muffins stuffed with guacamole and topped with jalapeno Havarti  and red pepper.

Inside House No. 17 we got to get a little preview into Third Rail Projects next production. We loved all the finds they acquired from Materials for the Arts. Can't wait to see how it all comes together.

Each object tells a story, creates a mood and sheds light on a particular character.

My colleagues are the best! Fun, smart, kind, funny and stylish! Happy people. Photo by Francis Estrada

I am a bit of a nerd and really love a good theme. If I am going to wear a watermelon dress and watermelon earrings why not paint my nails to look like watermelon too? This is an abstract watermelon design...painting one's own nails is hard.

Picnic. Theme. 

I want to wear this dress all year long.

Outfit Details:

Dress: Picnic Person dress by Bea and Dot, Modcloth

Watermelon Earrings: MoMA Staff Sale 2014

Necklace: Kate Spade Picnic Basket

Socks: Foot Traffic, Beacon's Closet (also were available here)

Tote: Little Women, Out of Print Books

Hat: Lord and Taylor

Heart Sunnies: Beacon's Closet

Sneakers: Suprega

My Love of 'The Find'

I feel like Pollyanna

Love this place: Beacon's Closet

Where else could you find pieces like this? Can someone please buy and wear that pink silk elephant blouse?!

My (treasure) finds. The best part is I was able to get rid of some pants and shirts that I haven't worn in years and receive a store credit....so basically sometimes at a thrift store you can shop for free!

I love exploring, not knowing what I might find and feeling like I've stumbled upon something unique. I love a good story. And I love a good deal. It's no wonder then that consignment stores, thrift shops, flea markets and sample sales are magical places for me. These are havens from a culture of shopping malls and department stores...where everything looks and feels the same and the only stories are those that refer to rude customer service and outrageous price tags. Sifting through the racks and boxes is like going on a journey through time and people's lives. Memories are stirred when I come across pieces that remind me of times in my own past. Style is cultivated in places like this, personalities shine through. There is no one look or one trend in these places. When you come with an open mind and are willing to play you never know what you might find when thrift shopping....but I guaranteed you'll find some pretty great stuff.  Now if we all approached life the same way, playfully and with open minds, what a great world this be! See what a little thrift shopping can teach all of us?!

Outfit Details:
Photo 1:
Dress: Beacon's Closet
Heart sunglasses: Urban Outfitters
Boots: XoXo, Macy's
Floral socks: Lord and Taylor
Purse necklace: My mom's
Rose earrings: H&M
Unicorn tote: Metropolitan Museum of Art

Photo 2 (Apologies for the goofy selfie):
Dress: Anna Sui via Beacon's Closet
T-shirt: Airism at Uniqlo
Tri-color pennant necklace: Tatty Devine via Beacon's Closet
Long yellow necklace: Beacon's Closet
Belt: Anthropologie
Hat: Lord and Taylor
Watermelon earrings: MoMA staff sale
Shoes: Suprega

Coney Island is Summer: Aaron Rose's Photographs

I don't think there's any exhibition that could put you in a more summertime fun mood than In a World of their Own: Coney Island Photographs by Aaron Rose, 1961-1963 at the Museum of the City of New York.  Sun, sand, water, fresh air and lots of smiles...that's what summer is all about.

Outfit Details:
Dress: Tracy Reese via Modcloth
T-shirt: Pilcro, Anthropologie
Bag: Anthropologie
Shoes: Suprega
Hat: Lord and Taylor

A Pink Swan Barrette Makes the World Go Round

On the High Line

Checking out some art in Chelsea

If you are going to wear some bright bold patterns you might as well go all out. 

Outfit Details:

Dress: Hello by Karen Walker, Anthropologie
Belt: Bettie Page Clothing
Necklace: The Art Institute of Chicago
T-shirt: Airism from Uniqlo
Tote: Frieze Art Fair
Socks: Hue
Hat: Lord and Taylor
Sneakers: Kate Spade for Keds
Barrette: Vintage (purchased at Jazz Age Lawn Party
 2014)
Nail Polish: Urban Outfitters