Get Away

Last week I got a chance to get away with some of my best friends for a much needed adventure! Emily, Jasmine and I have been anxiously awaiting to head down to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to stay with Emily's grandmother since we bought the tickets three months ago.  We flew down there for some much needed ocean fun and bonding time. This was our third time heading to stay with Emily's grandmother altogether and our first time making the trip post college. It was wonderful to spend quality time with my ladies and discover parts of Florida we hadn't in the past. Although we were still in America, we were in a whole new environment which made it feel like we left the country.

I went on a total photo taking frenzy during our trip and I wanted to share some of my shots from the Atlantic Ocean in Ft. Lauderdale, South Beach, Little Havana, Vizcaya Museum and Garden and other spots throughout Miami. Although I love being in my garden in Connecticut it was really nice to be in a place with a whole new landscape that I don't have back home. I enjoyed chilling on the beach, seeing banana and mango trees grown naturally, iguanas crawling around the deck, aloe plants, cuban coffee, palm trees and beautiful sunsets. 

This is the street that we stayed on in Ft. Lauderdale. Every morning we would pack up our swim suits and towels get into grandma's (Yes I can call her that, everyone does) red convertible and drive off into this scenery to the beach. It was perfect.

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This past year my level of obsession with plants and nature has sky rocketed. I have never in my entire life payed more attention to nature. Especially now that I am starting my own tepee herb garden (more about this on the blog soon) at my house I love discovering new plants. They are living things too ya know! I loved being in an environment for hot weather plants like palm trees, succulents and giant aloe plants.

We decided to discover Miami's rich historical side. With a trip to Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Vizcaya gave me feel a overwhelming sense of nostalgia as if I was in France at the Palace of Versailles or the coast of Cape Town on Robben Island.

Vizcaya was built as the winter estate to Chicago businessman James Deering from 1859-1924. Today Vizcaya is a National Historic landmark and an accredited museum. Above is the outdoor swimming pool, isn't it a dream!

Emily and Jasmine standing out in front of the Barge on the Biscayne Bay.

This is the east terrace and Main house that look out over the barge. The view that this side of the house gets is a vast crystal blue sea.

With a back drop this perfect we had a photo taking frenzy!

The barge looks like a classic Greek ship that has been attached by pirates and left to age for centuries. I love the look of it. 

Who doesn't love perfectly trimmed bushes!

The most precious Tea House your pretty eyes ever seen.

Vizcaya isn't only an amazing house but the gardens really take it to a whole other level of wonderful. Diego Suarez planned the gardens from 1888-1974. The formal gardens were finished by 1922 containing a geometric plantings, architectural structures and sculptures. The gardens are located between a native mangrove shore and a forest.

A shot of the barge from the Secret Garden.

Succulent City up in here.

It was at this point that Emily and Jasmine where about done with Vizcaya and decided to take a break under some shade. Me on the other hand carried on because I had to see more of this wonderland while I still could.

Deering made a choice to preserve this environment and build the Main House along with Biscayne Bay made him one of Miami's early environmentalists.

Finally we were all officially Vizcaya-ed out and made out way to Little Havana for a taste of Cuba.

Do you know what the Bay of Pigs Invasion was all about? Well I'll give you a hint Fidel Castro was definitely involved!

I first saw this man in a shop with a lot of Virgin Mary statues. We both left at the same time and I realized in the sun his mouth was full of gold teeth. He started speaking to me in Spanish and I hated that I couldn't respond to him. But he did understand me when I asked to take his photo. 

Dominos, dominos, dominos. I love watching old people games outside.

Giggling on the beach. 

I snapped this pink palm trees on Ocean Drive which is Miami's main location to see and be seen.

Oh the drunken margarita. I would say this drink is a South Beach must. But definitely to be shared among friends.

Emily's grandmother has and continues to live a fabulous life. There are photos of her throughout the house from all points in her life. I love the two above because she looks like Lena Horne or Elizabeth Taylor.

Her house was perfectly decorated with vintage furniture. I wanted to take home the pink dresser in our guest room so bad.

Emily is an awesome painter. She recently started her own company where she paints her art on eco-friendly bags for sale on Toteme.org. Buying one of her bag helps support patients by helping them buy a colostomy bag and supplies. I have one and I am obsessed with it I hang it on my wall as art or use it when going to the store as a re-useable bag. Above was Emily's work space in the sun room. 

Our last day in Miami we ended up have a BBQ was some hilarious fellas we met on the beach.

Grandma let us invite them over for some hamburgers, hot dogs, fishing and swimming.

Grandma's care taker and grounds keeper Tony was a gem to us throughout the entire trip.

And there she is Miss Thang!

The final supper was delicious and filled with laughter and happy smiles. It would have been perfect if we didn't have to go to the airport later that night...

Good thing the Ft. Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport looks great during sunset. Hope to see you again soon Florida!

Flowers are the earth's way of laughing

Since the state of April I have been all psyched up over the fact that Spring is here. My favorite season, hands down its so spectacular. Yesterday I was looking out my window and in the sea of brown I have become used to looking at, I saw a patch of purple. I instantly jumped up ran outside and marveled at the first patch of flowers to bloom in my yard. I am always in shock that upon any moment with no assistance flowers bloom. I know it sounds silly but its so fascinating and cool to me. The flowers were purple Iris, that had glistening rain drops on them. Seeing the flowers made me even more ready and excited to finally start my garden for the season.

Last year, I had a small garden in my backyard of kale, strawberries, basil, tomatoes and lettuce. Its a lot of work keeping up a garden and I definitely failed on taking care of some of my crops. But this year I am ready to give it another shot and grow more then last year. I am also really excited to turn my tepee int a giant trellis for climber flowers and food. I love the idea of seeing my tepee all green with Peas, Morning Glories, Beans and Cardinal Climbers.

Today I decided to start an egg crate garden. I got the idea from Free People's Blog DIY section. I love their DIYs they are so creative and easy. I purchased an 18 crate of eggs, different seeds (flowers, food, herbs) I wanted to grow and seed starting mix. You can see my process below. It was a fun project that made me feel like I was in a third grade science class again. I also love the idea of starting seeds in egg shells I am really excited to see them grow!

The purple iris that started it all.

I decided to get a little bit of everything. Some flowers for beauty like the Wildflower Perennials, a couple of climbers for the tepee such as the Morning Glories, Asian Beans and Black-Eyed Susan Vines and some herbs like the True Lavender and Cilantro.

 Free People explains how to do everything pretty well already but since your here... All you do is use a knife to crack off the top of the eggs, empty out the yoke then wash out the shell. Once you have finished doing them all, you put a spoon full of seedling starting mix in each egg, then sprinkle some seeds and cover with more soil mix.

                               See look how cute they are!

Then make sure to make a chart of which seeds are in which egg shell! I decided to get a little extra crafty and break out the color pencils and do a drawling of each of my future plants. Don't mind my glass of white wine no shame in keeping things classy while doing crafts.

Viola! My egg shell garden is complete. Now just have to give these babies sun, keep moist and time to grow. Go out and make your own its so fun, easy and therapeutic, I promise! 

P.S. If you get the reference to the title of this post give yourself a pat on the back. 

EQUINOX

The Spring Equinox represents the change in season from the cold ice-capped Winter to the blossoming  Spring. It represents growth, new life and fresh beginnings. Whenever the seasons change a celebration is always necessary! On Saturday, March 23 was the Equinox Benefit Festival for Wassaic Community Farm (WCF). As the WCF official DJ I co-hosted the event with the farm as well as being the DJ/MC for the night. The Festival was a way to celebrate a new season for farmers. To make the festival extra special there was local and not-so-local musicians who donated their time to perform. It was the first time we had a party and was able to collaborate with musicians, it was such a wonderful experience. The farm also made Sappies a speciality drink with the maple syrup they tap for sale. See for yourself below.

The festival began with 15-year-old Country Singer/Song Writer and Farmer Jennifer Grace. She came all the way from upstate New York to sing for the event. Grace sang songs by Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and a few of her own original songs.

Wassaic Community Farm's best and only female farmer Erika Brenner used her artistic talents to make this photobooth. 

Josh Driver is a musician currently living in Millerton, NY. I first met Josh at Oakhurst Dinner where he was my waitor and then at Irving Farm Open Mic where he was the host. During the Equinox Benefit Driver played his electric guitar, keyboard and sang soulful songs like No Diggity by Blackstreet.

Last live performer was Stefan Fink. Fink is a banjo playing Folk artist who is apart Brooklyn-based band Oh Great North.

After all the wonderful live musicians performed it was time for a DJ Doctor late night dance party. I was so excited to play some new jams.

Thank you to everyone who came out on Saturday! We raised some money for a good cause to support local, young, hard-working farmers and encourage people to support their farmers.