Exploring Bear Mountain

We are approaching our one year anniversary of owning a car, my first since moving to New York City in 2003. One of our favorite places to drive to as a family is Bear Mountain. We hiked for several hours last Saturday around the summit. The beautiful weather brought large crowds to the mountain, so we decided to take the paths less traveled to sync up with the Appalachian Trail. We were able to enjoy breathtaking views of the area and rarely ran into other hikers as we explored. We hope to make it to Bear Mountain one more time before the winter weather arrives!

Life according to Instagram, Week 31.

Another week brought to you by Instagram... a little later than normal. 

1-4. I spent Labor Day weekend home in Minnesota. In between trips to the Minnesota State Fair, we made a breakfast stop at Nadia's Cakes, the new gourmet cupcake shop in my hometown. The decor was adorable and the cakes were to die for. We obviously bought a dozen... 

5. Me and my little brother Duncan, who is not so little anymore. 

6. My mom opened a braid factory at our house over the weekend... 
7. Sage, our little ice cream cone. 

8. Sunny didn't want my brothers Duncan and Cody to move back to school. 
9. My family loves bracelets. 

10. On the drive down to my brothers' college, we made a stop at our favorite big yellow barn. Candy, vintage sodas, applewood smoked meats, and over 4,000 puzzles... what more could a girl ask for? 
11. Southern Minnesota charm. 
12. Le Sueur, Minnesota. Valley of the Jolly Green Giant. 
13. Field after field. 

14. All moved in and ready to start their junior year! It was fun to help my little brothers move back into their dorms on Labor Day. 
15. Gustavus Adolphus, my mom's alma mater and my brothers' school. 

16. Heading back to New York. 
17. Second grade planning with my co-teacher David. 

18. First day of school sunrise. 
19. Brooklyn clouds. 

20. First day. Ready to make my fifth year of teaching better than ever. 
21. Handmade flowers from one of my new second grade friends. 

22. View from the hallway of my school. 
23. Look who I found in my bag whole packing for our weekend getaway... 

24. On Friday night we drove down the street where I took a photo nine years ago that is now my blog header. Memories. 
25. I lose all control on road trips. 

26. Road trip dinner stop- anywhere that serves peanuts and warm, buttered bread upon arrival is a place for me. 
27. My cute dinner date. 

Want to follow me on Instagram? My username is Daina_A. 

Life according to Instagram, Week 13.

Another week brought to you by Instagram...

1. Early Sunday morning I woke up and hid eggs around the apartment for Brian. Each one was filled with a picture of Brian and I, along with a little love note related to the photo. I loved watching Brian walk around my apartment searching for eggs and reading all of the messages. It was the perfect way to start our Easter together! 
2. Peeps brightened up my apartment this Easter.

3. Happy Easter!
4. Sunday afternoon in the Conservatory Gardens in Central Park with Brian. It was absolutely beautiful.  

5. Road trip! On our way to Cape May, NJ.

6. The Mason Cottage, our bed and breakfast in Cape May. It could not have been any cuter.
7. Happy in the Decatur room.

8. Target $17 boots = score.
9. We enjoyed a huge lunch at The Lobster House after biking around Cape May all day on Tuesday. I loved the loaf of fresh bread, and Brian thoroughly enjoyed his 2 lb. lobster.

10. A pedicure, a manicure, and a Stephanie Plum book (I read #1-18, but somehow skipped 17 and had to go back). These are the things a good spring break is made of. 
11. Late night shopping in Rockefeller Center and Times Square. 

12. The beautiful Plaza. 
13. All made up for my couples shoot with Danielle in Central Park. 

14-17. After our shoot in Central Park, we headed to The Queens Kickshaw to take a few more photos over coffee and lunch. Everything about this place makes me so happy. 

18. Another trip to the dentist means another morning in Grand Central. 
19. One of my favorite buildings in the city- the Chrysler Building. 

20. Waiting in line at 'wichcraft in Bryant Park for our free ice cream sandwiches. Brianne and I were excited! 
21. I loved my peanut butter cookie sandwich with strawberry ice cream! 

22. The beautiful Bryant Park. It has such a wonderful energy on nice days. 
23. Flatiron Building. Amazing. 


Want to follow me on Instagram? My username is Daina_A. 


Linking up with Amy from A Good Life. 

Cape May Charm

Brian and I had the most wonderful romantic getaway earlier this week, and I still find myself smiling just thinking about it. From the moment we arrived at Exit 0 Monday afternoon, Cape May, NJ won me over with its charm. Its streets are lined with historic Victorian homes and bed and breakfasts, decorated with cookie cutter arched porches and intricately painted details. We stayed at The Mason Cottage and loved everything about it. We enjoyed afternoon tea and freshly baked cookies in the parlor while chatting with other guests. For breakfast, we dined on fresh fruits and the most delicious egg bake as sun poured in through the lace-covered full length windows in the dining room. We felt worlds away from the hustle and bustle of the city as we relaxed on the front porch in wooden rocking chairs and loved everything the Decatur room had to offer. 

After getting acquainted with the beach and shopping areas on foot Monday afternoon and evening, we branched out on bicycles on Tuesday to explore more of Cape May. After stopping to watch swans and hawks in the Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge, we continued down Sunset Boulevard towards Sunset Beach. We arrived just in time to watched a pod of dolphins hunt fish right off the rocky shore, hopping in and out of the water every few minutes in pursuit of their next catch. After reading about and seeing the sunken concrete ship off the beach, we biked to the Cape May Lighthouse and climbed to the top of the tower. For lunch, we biked back through town and to the Cape May Harbor where we thoroughly enjoyed our lunch at The Lobster House. After letting our food settle, we hopped back on our bikes and toured a few more neighborhoods before returning our bikes for the day. 

I really liked biking. 

We concluded our time in Cape May exactly as I hoped we would- holding hands, sitting on a bench, sharing a cup of frozen custard, and laughing. It was the perfect way to end our little getaway down the shore. 

The perfect getaway.

(All video filmed on my iPhone. Music by Tennis.)

I am on a vacation high. Brian and I returned late last night from our little getaway to Cape May, NJ. I loved everything about our trip- the Victorian houses, the beaches, the biking, the shops... the list could go on and on. But, more than anything in Cape May, I loved getting to spend time with Brian. There was so much love and laughter. It was absolutely perfect.

Take me out to the ballgame.

Road trips with Brian are always fantastic. We jam out to our favorite Guster albums, share cups of bold coffee, and laugh. Oh god do we laugh... This video is the most recent of many taken over the years from the passenger seat of a rental car. Brian enters his own world throughout our drives, and I can always sneak a video or two without being caught. That is, until he sees me convulsively shaking and laughing hysterically (notice the camera shaking about half way through).

Needless to say, I am quite entertained on our road trips.

After stopping for lunch in Massachusetts, we hopped back in the car to drive the final couple hours to Boston. After our seat belts were buckled, I realized we never picked up treats to snack on. As soon as I said the word Whatchamacallit, a king size candy bar literally flew onto my lap. I shrieked with excited. I might have even clapped my hands. I was so surprised that Brian snuck into the gas station to get my favorite road trip treat while I was in the bathroom. What a guy. So, although this picture is not the greatest, it captures the pure joy of that moment perfectly.

We arrived in Newton Saturday night and enjoyed a relaxing night in at the hotel. On Sunday morning we drove into the city and admired the ivy covered houses as we strolled through the Back Bay. We had breakfast in Kenmore Square and then made our way to Fenway. I get excited butterflies in my stomach every time I see the distinct green color of that park. Brian and I have gone to a game every year, and returning to the famous park always brings back so many wonderful memories. Dates at Fenway are the best.

After waiting several innings during our last game for my favorite ballpark treat, we decided to purchase our giant bag of kettle corn before the game started this time around. Best. Choice. Ever. Not only did we not have to wait in line, but I got to snack on the perfectly sweet and salty treat throughout every inning.

We also enjoyed a sausage and peppers...

...and fried dough. When in Rome, right? 

Even though the Sox lost to Tampa Bay, we still had a great time at the game. GO SOX!