Summer Series: BACK to ACK!

What started as long weekend visits in high-school, developed into entire summers in college and has now become an annual tradition for a week each summer (OHHH the “real world”) – the annual Nantucket trip.  Because my girlfriends and I are somewhat neurotic when it comes to planning, we usually lock down the house around Christmas for our yearly summer extravaganza.  This involves a group of girls (it’s run anywhere from 16 to 6) renting a house and a jeep for a week of beaching, mudslides and al fresco dining… basically my idea of heaven.  Here are some pictures from this year’s trip…

One of my faves…Steps Beach!

Gazebo Mudslides…a must.

Oysters & cocktails at the brewery. Pure heaven.

Madaket Millie’s for sunset.

Cru – can’t decide what was better, the food or the decor.

Also home to the biggest mussels known to man.

One of many.

Cru al fresco.

Tommy Hilfiger’s sweet pad. Anyone remember the show Rich Girls?

Our sweet ride. Cherry red, just as I hoped.

And here’s my ideal week or weekend activity list for your next Nantucket excursion…

Upon arrival it’s mandatory to kick things off with a mudslide at the Gazebo,

[the next morning] Pick up a hazelnut iced coffee from Espresso to Go,

Eat a turkey sandy (with cucumber, lettuce, tomato & sprouts…yep.) from Something Natural,

Grab your backpack beach chairs and some refreshments and head on down to Steps Beach,

When you’re sick of the sun (never happens to me but…) grab some snacks from Bartlett and spend your afternoon at Cisco Brewery (Try the blueberry lemonade.),

Take an amazing post beach shower (Does anything beat that feeling?)

Then head to Madaket for sunset and a casual dinner a Milly’s…

or if you’re feeling fancy get a sunset cocktail at The Galley followed by dinner at Straight Wharf,

A post dinner drink at Slip14,

And since you’re likely ready to dance at this point… head on down to the Chicken Box for some good clean fun.

Ok, now I’m missing summer already!  But the good news is… tomorrow’s FRIDAY!  Here’s a little treat to get you through…

One more day!

XO

Oh HEY!

Did you think I forgot about you?

NEVAH!  But I am very sorry for being MIA for the past MONTH (gulp).  I have been on a whirlwind of work, weddings, and more weddings…and this poor little blog has been suffering because of it.  So I apologize.  To both of you.

Somehow the summer seems to fill up before I even realize it’s started.  And with that, I give you a summer to do list that I will likely accomplish 50% of…

1. Go to Nantucket

One of my favorite places on the planet. I spent my college summers here waitressing at Slip14 and have such amazing memories.  My girlfriends and I now have an annual tradition to go for a week every summer (see beach babes above).  Some favorite spots: here, here, here & here.  (Nantucket guide to come later in the summer!)

2. Go to Martha’s Vineyard

Most people are one or the other, but why have one when you can have both?  My mom grew up spending her summers in the Vineyard, so I went every summer for a week or two with my family.  It makes me so nostalgic every time I go, and it’s so funny how certain neighborhoods or smells bring back such vivid memories.  Ahhhh vacation.

3. Eat ice cream

Err’day…although this is somewhat of a year round to-do for me.  Life is too short.

4. Mini golf on Pier 25

I mean this is footsteps from my apartment and I still haven’t done it… FOOTSTEPS.

5. Picnic on Hudson River Park

View from my future picnic.  Complete with red solo cups and a paper bag.

6. Complete a Triathlon

This is one of those cheater to-dos you write down just so you can check it off…because I am signed up for one in two.short.weeks.  (sidenote: this photo makes my stomach drop)

7. Get good at tennis

And look like this on the court…

Tennis lessons as a youngster have only partially paid off… and there’s a lot of work to be done.  I’m telling you A LOT.  Anyone want to “play” with me?

8. Shop in my own closet

Because I always seem to find things every year when I break out the summer clothes that I forgot about.  (No, this is not my closet and yes, I would like it to be.)

9. Buy a cute new swimsuit

Since all of mine seem to be on their last leg and/or not fit me correctly anymore.  Do bodies change that much from age 26 to 27?  SCARE-REEE.

10. Apply & reapply SPF

I’m paying for my SPF 4 summers in Nantucket…should’ve listened to my mom.

11. Dine alfresco in the West Village

This is so random but I always imagine a perfect summer night of strolling through the West Village after getting out early from work, coming across the perfect alfresco restaurant and sitting down on a whim for a yummy dinner and a crisp glass of rosé‎.

12. Rooftop cocktails

There are so many rooftop spots opening up in the city and I am dying to try this one at the famous Standard Hotel.

13.  Dance in the rain… in the MoMA

…and pray it stops raining outside. (I can’t take it anymore!)

I mean this is just so cool.  And it’s about time I take advantage of living in NYC (If the fact that I didn’t see the David until the last week I was living in Florence isn’t telling I don’t know what is.).

Oh the joys of SUMMER!  So much to look forward to!

XOXO

(pics 1, 2 & 5 – my own, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)

Rabbit, rabbit

I can’t believe it’s September 1st!  Where did the summer go?  I actually remembered to say “rabbit, rabbit” this morning…I think for the first time – ever.  You know what that means?  IT’S GOING TO BE A GREAT MONTH PEOPLE!  Anyway, in honor of Labor Day weekend, I thought I would get nostalgic about summer and share a few photos to recap…

Ice cubes in the wine – I know, I know.

The Vineyard

Maine

Who knew NJ could be this beautiful?!

Picnics on the Hudson

Nantucket

Living in NYC, it is an unspoken rule that you have to get out every weekend in the summer to avoid losing your mind in the 100 degree, 100% humidity that is June – August.  As a result, summer tends to fly by quickly and by September, you gain a new appreciation for the city and all that it has to offer (Fall in NYC… ahhhh, heaven).   As sad as I am to see summer go, I am SO excited to see the leaves change in Central Park, Sunday football games, turkey chili, crisp air and fall fashion!  How do you feel about summer ending?  What excites you about the fall?

HAPPY LABOR DAY WEEKEND EVERYONE!