Say Yes to Adventure

Exploring Central Park

Funny, we go to one of the biggest, bustling cities in the world to hang out in the parks! I guess that’s what I love: civilization, but never being too far from the wonder of God’s nature.

A city without a park would be like a desert without an oasis. Parks are therapeutic amidst the concrete and asphalt. While I stand back to admire the work of people who have designed and built these amazing structures in our cities, we need God’s creation to bring balance to our lives.

This was our last day in New York City and one more opportunity to explore Central Park. We meandered around with no particular place in mind but ended up in some beautiful gardens.

One of the best things about the park is because it’s so big, there are woods that look like you’re in a forest with nature trails, rocks and streams.

There are also gardens and fountains where you can enjoy the aesthetics of well-kept gardens with not a flower out of place.

 

Life is an adventure!

 

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Black and White Paisley Pants and a Guest Fashionista

While in New York City we went to a park almost every day and since we were staying near Central Park, we enjoyed adventures in the park many times.

On this particular day, I wore black and white paisley pants and another opportunity to wear the little black topper I bought in Harlem.

By sheer coincidence and to my surprise, my dear friend Maggie bought one in a thrift shop in Canada. I had never seen her wear it, but when she saw the photos of my topper, she commented that she had the same one. This proves that I have good taste, since I bought the same thing as Maggie without knowing it. 🙂

Maggie is a true fashionista and thrift shopper, always finding the hidden treasures in consignment and secondhand shops. I love her style, she always wears beautiful outfits with great accessories. I love going shopping with her!

I bought this daisy bag in the same store as the toppers. Anyone who knows me well knows I love daisies!

 

 

❤ Thank you Maggie for being my guest today! ❤

 

Linkup: VISIBLE MONDAY

White after Labour Day?

When it comes to fashion, I make my own rules. I love all white any time of the year.

These photos taken before Labour Day in Bryant Park (NYC). It looks like I’m wearing a dress but it’s actually a long blouse to wear over pants or leggings. There are no buttons from the waist down.

Imitating the mannequins in the window display.

Walking over to Midtown, Times Square is the famous site of the annual New Year’s Eve ball drop. It’s an electric feeling surrounded by huge LED billboards and towering buildings, you realize you’re in the most visited place in the world! Take a look at my video to get a feel of it.

Time for some more window shopping.

Browsing through Marimekko, I bought some fabric. The same print of a dress I had in the 1960’s. It’s from Finland and this print is still being made.

Ok, how do we get to the Flatiron Building? This 22-story triangular skyscraper is over a hundred years old and has become an icon of NYC. One of the tallest buildings in its day. Nowadays, skyscrapers are more than 40 stories.

Everywhere I go I’m experiencing deja vu, like I’ve been here before.

Last time in Washington Square was with my daughter Jean.

Washington Square has a triumphal arch.Violet the Cockatoo was in the park, love how we match.

Back home; great way to dress up jeans.

Do you wear white after Labour Day?

Violet wears white all the time.

Linkup: VISIBLE MONDAY

New York, New York; so good they named it twice!

And when I like something, I buy it twice!

Case in point–these little toppers. First in blue, as I showed in my last post. It was hard to decide which colour, so I went back and bought another one in black. That’s what happens when I can’t decide which colour. They also came in brown and white. I would have bought the white one as well, but they didn’t have my size.

It’s a great way to layer and adds texture to an outfit. I’ll be able to wear it over other colours as well: red, yellow or turquoise.

No need to wait till next year to wear white because I love wearing white after Labour Day.

It was our forth time visiting this fabulous city that never sleeps! For the past three times our daughter Jean came too, but now she’s busy with her eco boutique; I’ll have to wait till next time I go to Seattle–the other side of the continent–to see her again.

 

Linkups: VISIBLE MONDAY  TURNING HEADS TUESDAY

Apollo Theater in Harlem

The Apollo Theater in Harlem is where the Queen of Jazz, Ella Fitzgerald, began her career on Amateur Night. She was often referred to as the First Lady of Song and noted for her amazing scat singing.

Many famous singers and musicians have performed at the Apollo, including my favourite jazz singer Etta James, I love her song At Last.

Jimi Hendrix won the first place prize in an amateur musician contest at the Apollo in 1964. 

Other performers whose careers started at the Apollo include Billie Holiday, Pearl Bailey, Sammy Davis Jr., James Brown & The Famous Flames, King Curtis, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Parliament-Funkadelic, Wilson Pickett, The Miracles, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Rush Brown, Stephanie Mills, Dionne Warwick, Bobby Short, The Jackson 5, Patti LaBelle, Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Ben E. King, Mariah Carey, The Isley Brothers, Lauryn Hill, Sarah Vaughan, Jazmine Sullivan, Ne-Yo, and Machine Gun Kelly.

I bought this cute little jacket in Harlem across the street from the Apollo. It’s a heavenly shade of blue, soft net fabric with a handkerchief hem and two big coconut buttons.

I wore it over a white top and also with a blue top.

The front of this top has a keyhole opening and the back has a net detail.

Harlem has many sidewalk cafes and restaurants. Harlem Burger has delicious veggie burgers.
Lovely to sit outside on a warm day in August.

Happy Labour Day weekend my friends!

Earth, Wind and Fire performed at the Apollo. We danced to this song in class today.

 

Linkup: VISIBLE MONDAY

Kimono-style floral dressing gown

“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!”

Blogging definitely inspires me. We are influential beings. When I first saw some of my fellow bloggers featuring vintage Kimono morning robes or dressing gowns, I knew this is a look I would wear.

My second purchase in NYC was this elegant Kimono with florals on a black background. It’s not vintage but I love the style. Made in USA.

I remember my mother having one that she wore when lounging around the house or at the beach. It even had a similar print.

I wore it to MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) and blended right in with the art.

I wore it to Chelsea Market in Manhattan (the place where Nabisco created OREO cookies in 1912–BTW Oreos are vegan).

 

Sitting on the loading dock of the old Nabisco Factory.

Next we took a walk on the High Line. Jean introduced us to this  unusual park (former railroad) in Manhattan. I get most of my fashion inspiration from my daughter Jean, I copied her by starting a fashion blog. I miss reading her posts because she doesn’t post as often since she opened her eco boutique in Seattle.

This Kimono is like a duster, lightweight and will make a great beach coverup and perfect for lounging at home and entertaining guests.

 

We walked over to Macy’s–world’s largest store–and I had more fun on the old-fashioned escalators than shopping.

Is this a trend you’ve bought or would wear?
What have you bought that was inspired by a blogger?

LINKUPS: VISIBLE MONDAY TURNING HEADS TUESDAY THURSDAY MODA

CROSSING THE LINE in Black and White Gingham

Last trip to Seattle I packed only black and white clothes. It was so simple to take a minimal of pieces and yet still have enough different looks to mix and so easy to match. Of course, knowing I’d be on a shopping spree in Jean’s eco boutique had a lot to do with my never-before traveling outfits. I chose black and white again for NYC, but I added pops of red and turquoise.

This time I was not on a shopping spree. (Yes, you heard right, unbelievable, but true!) Undoubtedly, I bought a few things (like this cute off-the-shoulders gingham top or mini dress) but this trip was for making memories in one of my favourite cities, to enjoy the sights and sounds of life in the Big Apple.

Here again in Central Park in black and white gingham. So many fashion bloggers have inspired me with off-the-shoulder tops; it’s a fresh, summery look.

It’s pleasant to leisurely walk through the park in no hurry, no schedule, no stress–under tunnels, over rocks and hills.

You’d think you’re in a forest except for the towering buildings in the distance. 🙂

A little drizzle on this particular day, so I had my umbrella.

Leaving the park and strolling along the city sidewalks, everyone knows I’m a tourist, forever gazing up at the magnificent architecture, stopping to admire the rows of houses and taking photos at every chance.

Stuart Little’s House?

Walking all day builds up an appetite, so we headed over to Peacefood Cafe for delicious vegan pizza and the best vegan cheese cake ever!

Gingham has been very popular this season, just snapped some photos to show you what I didn’t buy.

I’ve always loved gingham. My mom had a pink and white gingham kitchen and I once had red and white gingham in my country-style kitchen. It’s a cheerful pattern with old-fashioned charm.

Do you wear gingham?

LINKUPS: VISIBLE MONDAY TURNING HEADS TUESDAYS

 

A T-shirt Dress with Style

This comfortable T-shirt dress is made by THREADS 4 THOUGHT, an eco-friendly company. It’s the comfort of wearing a T-shirt and very stylish. The fun black and white ink splattered print reminds me of Dalmatians.

I bought it at DRIZZLE & SHINE in Seattle and I brought it with me to NYC as one of my black and white outfits, this time adding a red belt, red cuff, red sandals and a little red purse.

Morningside Park is just walking steps from where we stayed in Harlem, a beautiful park with a fabulous waterfall and pond. Turtles and frogs enjoy this natural setting.

The park is situated on a rocky hill with hundreds of steps to climb.

When you reach the top of the park, there are lovely spots with flowers and benches to sit and enjoy a gorgeous view of Harlem.

Stairs are a great workout.

This dress is casual and comfortable for walking in the park and stylish enough to go to a restaurant in Harlem afterwards.

Thank you Jean for telling us about this fine restaurant.
I highly recommend the Seasoned Vegan if you’re ever in NYC.
❤ carmen

LINKUP: VISIBLE MONDAY

Central Park: the North Woods

Right in the heart of Manhattan, a park so big, it feels like I’m in Northern Ontario. Except for the people, it looks like we’re alone out in the wilderness.

Finding the park should be easy, you can’t miss it, right? Wrong–we started walking the wrong way but a friendly New Yorker (Miriam) pointed us in the right direction.

Once in the Park, you wouldn’t know you are in NYC, this Park is bigger than a ranch in Texas, 843 acres of paradise: including ponds, streams, little waterfalls, lovely nature trails, bike paths and meticulously groomed gardens. The first time I saw Central Park from the top of the Empire State Building, I was truly amazed!

There’s wild life …

And lots of turtles!

I love strolling through this park, the air is so fresh and smells sweet.

There’s always places to take a rest on a park bench.

Or on a rock.

These schist rocks are all over Central Park and sparkle in the sun.

You can actually get lost in the park (I oughtta know because we did). We eventually found our way out with the help of some kind locals.

Note to self: get a map of Central Park next time and bring a compass, flashlight and survival kit.

What’s your favourite park?

❤ carmen

Linkup: VISIBLE MONDAY

The Doors

On the way to Central Park we passed some beautiful painted doors in Harlem where we are staying in a brownstone building. Doors make fantastic backdrops for fashion bloggers. 🙂 Black and red doors were perfect for my black and red theme.

This is my second outfit I wore in NYC: a little black wrap dress worn over a red tank top and polka dot capris. My sandals were light brown but my husband painted them red.

 

 

Next post Central Park

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