Happy Place.

One of the women on my radio alarm this morning informed me that a Harvard study found that fresh flowers were an actually mood elevator for women. Now, I mean, I pretty sure I didn't need Harvard to tell me if you polled women on the street on whether or not flowers made them happy they would say yes. But perhaps these researchers were measuring something more scientific. In light of that I thought I would share my two places here in the city that I have deemed my "happy places" (prior to this Harvard business). One I walk through (with a big inhale) and one I walk by (with a big sigh, knowing it is not in my budget). But if you ever find yourself walking through the village and you need a mood booster I recommend stopping in the Chelsea Market (9th ave between 14th and 15th) and taking a walk through their wholesale flower market refrigerator of fresh cuts (deep inhale), or walking down W10th (just east of bleecker) and checking out the window if VSF (Very Special Flowers!). They're breathtaking (Bouquet above is from VSF site).

Boston.

My apologies for the lack of end-of-the-week posts last week. Shannon and I took a car trip up to Boston to do a little research. Instead of sitting behind a computer Thursday and Friday we were hitting the Beantown pavement checking out different neighborhoods, and seeing what they were all about. An area new to both of us is the South End. A friend graciously walked us through a rainy afternoon giving us a grand tour. I wish I had my camera with me (I didn't even have an umbrella) to capture the sweet tree-lined brownstone blocks with shops and cafes sprinkled throughout. There were red brick sidewalks, and vibrant lime-green leaves rustling in the wind. I loved it! My two favorite stops were Fromaggio Kitchen (above). It was an adorable crowded market with delicious looking cheeses, oils, vinegars, produce, wines and chocolates. I could have spent all afternoon reading labels. I picked myself up a delicious bottle of organic wine for the weekend. The second was Looc (below). Looc is a new boutique with a contemporary, but still sweet and girly selection. The two owners have done a great job editing their inventory for clear stories and standout pieces. And the interior was absolutely gorgeous. (Now all they need is some Dakota Martin).

And while we didn't have a chance to stop in -- South End Buttery looked like a super cozy, very gourmet neighborhood coffee and pastry shop (though I would be willing to travel for this one). This picture from their site really made me want to be there on a day like today.

You are my sunshine.

There was a street performer playing this on a saxophone today. I hadn't heard it in way too long and it made my morning. Thought I'd remind you all of it too!

Morning Strolls.

Gorgeous spring weather is here! And thank goodness for it coinciding with Intermezzo - helps put our happy buyers in shopping moods as they hit the Piers (keep you fingers crossed for us).

Here is an updated picture of Teacake, who may have had his last L L Bean tote subway ride yesterday am. My arm almost ripped out of it's socket (I think we're pushing 25 lbs). Walking to work takes us a little extra time, and we might not always clock in exactly when we want to, but what a great way to see Manhattan in the morning. Much better than underground, even if I do love talking with people on the subway.

I had a few favorite sights this morning thanks to our walk. First was a 5 year old girl on Greenwich Avenue. She was wearing a powder pink cotton dress, with powder pink pants underneath. Her hair was in slight disarray (as a 5 year old's should be) and she was running towards her mother at the parking meter shrieking (in a cute, not obnoxious way) that she wanted to feed the meter, and her mother, very genuinely, profusely apologizing like she just dropped her neighbor's china, that she had already done it by accident. Reminded me of being in the back row of my aunt's minivan when she would pull almost through the toll booth on the way to the shore so that my cousin and I could squeeze our chubby little fingers out those minivan-slit windows to pay the Jersey turnpike tolls - such glory. My second favorite sight was glancing down Bank Street, cobblestoned and lined with perfectly green trees rustling in the breeze, with a very sharply dressed (suited) man walking smack down the center with his briefcase. Perfect Manhattan photo op.

Hope you get to get out and enjoy the weather!

Class of 2008

How smart these youngsters are before they've even been let out into the world to face college and beyond. Here is a shot of Miss Kathryn Sall and Mr. Ben Bourke at a recent talent show at The Haverford School performing "Ain't No Mountain High" in matching men's DM polos. Both are graduating high school this year, and both teach us an important lesson here: When showcasing talent always look as sharp as possible.

P.O.S.H.

This is dusk as the sun set over the Ironman in Port Elizabeth, South Africa (affectionately called PE). At dinner tuesday night I learned the origin of the word posh, and being in an industry where being in, stylish, posh, is the name of the game it was super neat to hear. Apparently when people took oceanliners to and from Europe it was desirable to sit where you could watch the sunset--and coming from the US that was Port Out, Starboard Home... How great is that?? I'll take the sunset side any day.

Happy Friday!

4 o'clock snack time.

As I planned my afternoon errands in my head this afternoon I mentally penciled in a peppermint patty run. About an hour later shannon said to no one in particular "I kind of want a York." When that afternoon wall hits there is no snack like it. Or at any time for that matter. I apologize if I seem to be addressing chocolate a lot these days, but these are hands down my favorite candy. I grew up eating them with Liz and Jen, in college we would freeze them, or get them after dinner with our dunks coffee, and even today I'm often running into little grocers to add that little pep in my step. I am happy to see that they originate in PA. According to the Hershey's website "Founded in the 1920s, the York Cone Company manufactured ice cream cones and waffles plus selected confectionery items in York, Pennsylvania. In 1940, YORK peppermint patties were introduced locally. Shortly thereafter, demand became so great that all other product lines were discontinued. YORK peppermint patties were distributed only in the Northeast, Ohio, Indiana and Florida, and no consumer advertising was used until Peter Paul acquired the York Cone Company in July 1972. Production was expanded, and in 1975, the brand was launched nationally. In 1988, Hershey Foods Corporation acquired YORK peppermint patties as part of its purchase of Cadbury Schweppes' United States confectionery operations. " Yey for PA - another top quality food from the Keystone state (in addition of course to the likes of Yuengling beer and Wawa sandwiches). Jenny can tell me all she wants that it's like squirting toothpaste into my chocolate, I'll never tire of them.