Spring Hiatus

As Spring continues to try and make its appearance here in New York, I continue to try and do the same right here! I must admit I have been far too in the moment to stop and write in these last couple of weeks, but encourage you to also follow my train(s) of thought over on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Above are some photos documenting what I've been up to as of late. Even though we're still grabbing a cardigan before we walk out the door in the morning, Summer is rapidly approaching, isn't it?!

I will be leaving in the coming days for a two-week adventure in China, visiting Shanghai & Beijing during my stay. I cannot wait to explore these ancient cities, climb the Great Wall, tour the Water Villages, hunt for silks, buy pearls and devour some of Shanghai's infamous vintage shops.

Until my return, I wish you the loveliest of Spring-filled days, delicious Memorial Day barbeques with your favorite people, and oodles and oodles of plentiful sunshine: both literally and figuratively!

xox JN

Photos, top to bottom: Tulips in Park Slope / Blooms at Bloomingdale's / A cheery walk through Washington Square Park / The most delicious macarons from bisousciao / Great Gatsby windows at Brooks Brothers / a Saturday afternoon stroll by Bergdorf's / My new Clarisonic Mia 2 - please tell me you're getting one! / My go-to summer handbag (the E/W Willis) from Coach / post-Devachan magic after seeing my girl, Nevilla / The easiest (and uber-delicious) dinner you must make tonight / An afternoon with my favorite girl / BFF's / Devachan magic for my mini-me / Jasmine tea at Jing Fong in Chinatown

Beauty ... at the Bodega

I am always fascinated by the "it's such a dirty city" stereotype New York City gets flack for. Granted, if your only exposure to the Big Apple is a crime scene on Law & Order or a snapshot of someone passed out on a bench in a subway station, you're likely to believe that depiction.

But it's the simple things ... like the man who walks up and down Broadway in NoHo with multiple wands of incense burning, making his little bubble of the world smell lovely. Or strolling by Ladurée on Madison Ave on a gorgeous spring day and seeing the rows of French macarons in their myriad of colors.

For me, it's the juxtaposition that always takes my breath away - because you may have just passed a dog doing its "business" on a pile of trash, but yet, right in front of you is a bodega full of splendor such as this:

I find it a lovely reminder to appreciate beauty everywhere.

Because after all. Beauty is everywhere. Even Especially in New York.

xx JN

Happy Summer!

How will you celebrate the first day of summer? I'm considering:

• Making an heirloom tomato & basil mayonnaise sandwich
• A stop at Uncle Louie G's for a pint of Rainbow Ice
• Picking up some fresh-cut peonies
• Devouring a Rose Macaron, of course
• Sipping on a delightful, refreshing Skinnygirl Margarita

Whatever you decide, my lovely ones, enjoy! xo

My New Macaron Mecca

For those of you who love authentic, deliciously-perfect macarons as much as I do, you must stop and treat yourself to one (or three) of Chef Olivier Dessyn's creations at Mille-Feuille Bakery on LaGuardia Place.

A friend of mine introduced me to this delightful Parisian paradise before the New York Times, Serious Eats & the Village Voice gave their glowing reviews. So far on my visits I have tried the Pistachio, Rose, Raspberry & Passion Fruit. Each and every single one have been utter-perfection.

Side-Dish: As many of you know, my daily caffeine consumption is always in the form of iced tea - well, Mille-Feuille's iced Earl Grey has also been added to my list of top-favorites!