Out to Omaha and Back... America

16 days, 3,380 miles and 14 states later, we're back in the Rockaways! It's been a wild ride full of food, laughs and all things American. Of course, we took waaay too many photos to post here, but below find our CliffsNotes version.

Floyd, Virginia - April 29th-30th

Where did we stay? - airbnb Tiny Cabin

Where did we eat? - The Cafe at The Floyd Country Store (best Key Lime Pie I've ever had); Farm fresh eggs from our airbnb!

What did we do? - Friday Night Jamboree at The Floyd Country Store

Nashville, Tennessee - April 30th-May 3rd 

Where did we stay? - airbnb Shasta

Where did we eat and drink? - Hattie B's Hot Chicken; Biscuit Love; Grinders Switch; Legato Gelato; Pinewood Social; Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar; Husk; Tennessee Brew Works; Two Ten Jack; Just Love Coffee 

What did we do? - Ryman Auditorium; Marathon Village and Antique Archeology; Vanderbilt University; Lane Motor Museum; Hatch Show Print; The Bluebird Cafe (we tried, but couldn't get in. too popular on songwriters' open mic night!) 

St. Louis, Missouri - May 3rd-4th

Where did we stay? - The St. Louis Union Station Hotel by DoubleTree

Where did we eat? - Imo's Pizza; Pappy's Smokehouse; The Grand Hall 

What did we do? - City Museum; Watched Ep2 of Game of Thrones 

Omaha, Nebraska - May 4th-7th

Where did we stay? - airbnb The Towns in Little Italy 

Where did we eat and drink? - Upstream Brewing Company; Urban Abbey; Block 16; Ted and Wally's; La Buvette; Lot 2; Krug Park; Reverb Lounge 

What did we do? - Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge; Old Market; Black Market; Fairmont Antiques & Mercantile; Omaha Playhouse for Calendar Girls; Hot Shops Arts Center; The Joslyn Art Museum 

Chicago, Illinois - May 7th-10th 

Where did we stay? - Chicago Athletic Association 

Where did we eat and drink? - La Sirena Clandestina; Corridor Brewery & Provisions; Pequod's Pizza; Enoteca Roma; Imperial Lamian; Glazed and Infused; Chicago Athletic Association Shake Shack (a poor man's substitute for a Wrigley Field dog)

What did we do? - Alton Brown Live!; Watched Ep3 of Game of Thrones; Millennium Park; The Bean; Chicago Architecture Foundation Architectural River Cruise; Cubs Game at Wrigley (although eventually rained out!) 

Detroit, Michigan - May 10th-12th

Where did we stay? - airbnb Studio B in Corktown

Where did we eat and drink? - Batch Brewing Company; Sugar House; Republic; Astro Coffee

What did we do? - Henry Ford Museum; Greenfield Village; Third Man Records; Shinola; Nora; Pot & Box; Eastern Market; Detroit Mercantile; Motown Museum

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - May 12th-14th 

Where did we stay? - Ace Hotel Pittsburgh

Where did we eat and drink? - Whitfield; Noodlehead; Millie's Homemade Ice Cream; Penn Avenue Fish Co.; Mad Mex 

What did we do? - Duquesne Incline; Andy Warhol Museum; Walk Penn Avenue from the Incline to East Liberty; Open Gym; Fallingwater 

Pitstops Along the Way

Baltimore, Maryland - Rusty Scupper 

Eddyville, Kentucky - Echo Charlie's Bayside Restaurant 

Paducah, Kentucky - The National Quilt Museum

Topeka, Kansas - The Blind Tiger

Des Moines, Iowa - PerKup Cafe 

Michigan City, Indiana - Memo's House of Pancakes

Michigan City, Indiana - The Antique Market of Michigan City

Ann Arbor, Michigan - University of Michigan

Cleveland, Ohio - Cleveland Pickle 

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania - Mom and Dad's for dinner on our last leg of the journey home!

Road trip success!! Time to unpack and kick-off summer in the Rockaways. 

Expanding our living space... The Backyard

It's been six months since move in, and we're finally outfitting our backyard, preparing for the summer season ahead. A fire pit and Adirondack chairs create a second living room and I couldn't be more excited to host visitors. Last weekend we cooked our inaugural burger on our brand new Weber grill and this weekend we hung by the pit with Pita, my best friend Rachel's dog, who also went nuts meeting the ocean for the first time. As the weather creeps warmer, we're starting to feel more and more like beach dwellers. A few twinkle lights and a veggie garden and we'll be in business! 

"Next Hot Neighb?".... Rockaways!

The NYTimes has declared the Rockaways one of NYC's "next hot neighborhoods!" What's more, our house was featured and our upstairs neighbor, Katie, was interviewed!!! I think the house is blushing with its new-found fame. 

Motorin'

Nothing's better in sub-zero weather than planning vacation. We've spent the long weekend looking towards warmer temperatures ahead, mapping out our first-ever road trip! Spring 2016, Lyle and I are hitting the road and heading west, hoping to visit at least 10 cities in 14 days. So far our main stops include: 

With a route that will take us on a loop through seventeen states, any and all suggestions are welcome! 

Still Smitten... Belle Harbor, Queens

One year ago this weekend, Lyle and I were seriously contemplating our offer on the 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath duplex condo we couldn't stop thinking about. About to take the plunge, the end of January marked the start of a home-buying journey that would leave us more smitten with Belle Harbor and the Rockaways than ever before. This week I took a walk down memory lane, remembering the first time we looked at the model condo and reveling in the fun we've had making this our home.

Model Condo

Ours! 

Model Condo 

Ours! 

Model Condo

Ours! 

Model Condo 

Ours! 

Model Condo 

Ours... admittedly this has become somewhat of a storage space. But we have big plans for an entertainment area and floor-to-ceiling built-ins!

We still have lots of work ahead to refine the space, but at five months in, it's coming together! And after this past weekend's epic snowstorm, I'm counting the days until Memorial Day and beach lounging.

Breathing New Life into Old Favorites

Home improvement continued over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. In our previous apartment, I loved these two sets of Ikea drawers. The epitome of functional, they held everything from tape to my TI-83 graphing calculator. Since the move they've been relegated to the basement due to color clashing and general wear-and-tear. A little spray paint and I'm not only declaring these a successful recycle, but an upcycle. 

Remember this beauty bought over the holiday break from the Astoria Furniture Market? 

A little antique white paint and its ready for its rightful place in the master bedroom.

And while I went on a painting frenzy, Lyle tackled a desk to replace our unsightly, temporary situation. 

Recycled drawer fronts from his previous Ikea dresser came together with plumbing pipe to create a sleek double-desk perfect for the two of us. (clutter prohibited) 

MLK Day success! President's Day?? Refinishing my dresser (weather permitting of course). 

A New Year and Some Fresh Paint

Lyle and I welcomed 2016 by spending the week nesting. From furniture to paint, every day feels a little more like home. While the rest of the living space stays white, the dining room got a bold charcoal accent wall to compliment warm wood, black leather chairs and brass light fixture.

Mosley helped pick more muted colors for the bedrooms. (pics to come once completed!) 

Ready to ditch the eight-year-old Ikea dresser, Lyle browsed The Astoria Furniture market. 

He ended up with a unique Century Furniture piece circa 1970 and we also came home with two mid-century leather chairs and a standing mirror that definitely needs some love (and multiple coats of antique white paint). 

Officially, we celebrated the New Year at Wildfeast. Nothing better than starting 2016 on the beach! 

Santa Delivered

Last year my Christmas post was an impassioned plea to Santa to grant Lyle and I our own home. Although I reached a tad far, requesting the oh-so-rare carriage house, Lyle and I did indeed buy the perfect place for us in 2015! 

If you had told me a year ago that we would buy our house and be settled by Xmas 2015, I would have scoffed. It's been an amazing journey and we couldn't be more thankful this holiday season. We spent the absolutely-balmy 25th of December in West Orange, New Jersey with Lyle's family. 70 degree weather didn't curb the festivities. A family matinee to watch The Force Awakens was the star on top of this Christmas tree. 

Cheers to Friends

We hosted Friends' Christmas this year! Festive drink, rich food and fabulous friends define the season. Need I say more?

Denver to the Rockaways

The best part about hosting visitors is that you're prompted to explore your own neighborhood in the hopes of facilitating fun times. Rachel's visit from Denver turned out to be a full Rockaway round-up. From the Playland Motel to Breezy Dogs, Pico to Thai Rock, great food was the backdrop to other fun activities including Playland's Holiday Market, Neponsit's Little North Pole and the purchasing/set-up of our very first Rockaway Christmas tree!

I even got to introduce Rachel to a couple of our new neighbors, each vendors at the Playland Holiday Market... The Swell Life and Trash(ed) in the Dress. 

The holidays are just more fun when you celebrate with friends. Hope Rachel can get back soon! 

Happy Thanksgiving from Central PA

Lyle and I have lots to be thankful for this year, the least of which being perfectly-cooked turkey. This year's Thanksgiving in Harrisburg was full of great food, family fun and a little antiquing. 

Small business Saturday took us to Saturday's Market in Middletown and the Antique Marketplace of Lemoyne. We were hoping for some great finds for the new house, but no such luck. We did continue the good eats though, with purchases of sticky buns, whoopie pies and homemade potato chips. 

Thanksgiving weekend always goes by too fast. Time to break out the holiday lights! 

The First Touch of Holiday Magic

Balmy weather aside, the holidays are upon us! With less than two weeks until Thanksgiving, New York City already has signs of year-end festivities. The iconic tree is being erected in Rockefeller Center, Salvation Army Bell Ringers are stationed every few blocks and store windows are decked out with snowflakes and presents. What better way to kick-off the holiday season then with good friends, Dylan's Candy Bar and, the most spectacular of all holiday activities, The Rockettes!!

New York City is always fun with visitors, but it really doesn't get any better then when you can see it through the eyes of a four-year-old. The glitter, the lights, the candy? The wonder in Ella's eyes certainly put me right in the holiday spirit. Once bags were safely stowed in the car... 

...our day began with Burgers and Cupcakes. 

The walk to Radio City Music Hall took us right through Times Square. 

A sold-out show contributed to the excitement. 

Making our way to Dylan's after the show, the Tiffany's window displays drew us in.

The ride home was a happy one! Since Allie and Ella were our first overnight guests at the new house, we couldn't let them leave without checking out the beach the next day. 

Let the holidays begin! 

Two Months of Belle Harbor Livin'

It's been two months since Lyle an I moved into our new home and it's beginning to feel like we've been here forever. We finally sent out our move announcement, declaring to the world our perma-Rockaway residence. 

With the first two months behind us, using "moving" as a life excuse is wearing thin. I can no longer say I'm too busy to workout because "I'm in the midst of a move." My first home gym is officially ready for action and Shaun T will be initial the trainer of choice.

And lingering boxes! Our unpacking has dwindled to art, books and decor.

No matter how comfortable we get, it just won't feel like home until we find a place for that cat lamp! 

New House... and New Kitten

Meet Mosley!... the newest member of our Rockaway household. He's a mere two months and only two pounds, but holds an infinite amount of cuteness. Originally found by one of my office's architectural teams cowering at the Chambers Street subway stop, Mosley has had quite the journey from the streets of downtown Manhattan to Rockaway Beach Blvd. 

Luckily, the wife of one of our staff architects is a veterinarian and began the process of nursing him back to health.  After a visit on Friday (along with some quality FaceTime for Lyle), we knew he was meant for us. Other than candy, I didn't know you could get presents for Halloween. Mosley really is the sweetest treat! 

Dream Tiny

Daniel Gonzalez for The New York Times

The Tiny House Movement... it's taking America, the NYTimes and HGTV by storm! All across the country people are dreaming big and purchasing small. The potential luxury of being debt-free, coupled with a minimalist, sustainable attitude are drawing people into confined quarters - 500 sq ft or less. Lyle and I have fully drank the Kool-Aid and are daydreaming about vacation homes.

Where'smy.house this week? Little and lakefront. 

Adolf Bereuter, Bernardo Bader Architects, from "Hide and Seek," Gestalten Publishers, 2014

A-frame at Skælingar in the Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland. Contributed to Cabin Porn by Turid Lismoen.

Stilts house on Braies Lake in Südtirol, Italy. Contributed by Luca Varenna.

Emergency shelter on the Golden Ears Trail in Golden Ears Provincial Park, British Columbia.                                                 Contributed to Cabin Porn by Max Kipp.

Micro-cottage in coastal Massachusetts. Fred Light from Nashua Video Tours

Zack Giffin and John Weisbarth explore on Tiny House Nation

Beach 116th Fall Festival... Rockaway Park

Just celebrating autumn at Beach 116th's 2nd Annual Fall Festival, where pumpkin decorating was only trumped by the Heads will Roll/Thriller mashup dance recital. 

Best part of the day? Walking home to our new place.

A night at the Keswick... Glenside, PA

Last night Lyle and I took in dinner and show... Phila-side. Paula Poundstone drew us out of the five boroughs for an evening of great food and giggles. We started out at Fork on Market Street, where my branzino was only surpassed by Lyle's duck. Who knew that smoked oats could be the star? 

Just a teeny-tiny crab to kick things off

Then off to Paula in Glenside. Two hours of non-stop stand-up? No wonder she had to end the show lying down. 

Date night? A success for sure. 

Bed Time is the Best Time

Since moving in, we've been sleeping on the same full size mattress we've been using for years. My number one exciting purchase? The washer/dryer. Lyle's number one? Definitely the brand new, king size Casper mattress. The box was waiting on our doorstep Thursday evening.  

We couldn't wait to spring it free from its cardboard prison! 

How do they get that massive mattress into that box??? Check out this video on Casper's instagram. 

Although we're anxious to get some shut eye on the spacious foam, no sleeping on it yet. We need bedding and a bed! Just this week we commissioned a custom bed from Doorman Designs in New Orleans, LA. In four to six weeks we'll receive a truly one-of-a-kind piece made out of reclaimed wood and ceiling tin. We've been promised progress photos every step of the way and we can't wait to watch it take shape. 

Bed time really is the best time. 

Celebrating South... Miami, FL

Life's been crazy with the closing and move. Lyle's cousin's wedding in Miami provided a much needed break from all things house. With guests from the Philippines, Sierra Leone, Colombia, Spain and wide-ranging states from California to New York, it was undoubtedly the most global wedding I've ever attended. The highlight? Seeing Lyle's dad with all his sisters, a group that only all gets together but once a decade (if they're lucky).

Family vacation wouldn't be complete without a Filipino feast and relaxing by the pool. 

One last stop took us to the Pérez Art Museum where Herzog & de Meuron wowed me with beautiful architecture to house the contemporary art collection.

Goodnight Miami... I hope to see you again soon! 

Goodbye Astoria, Hello Rockaways

We did it. After nine years in Astoria, I'm now officially a resident of the Rockaways. Packing up and cleaning out the apartment was definitely bittersweet. A little shocking too. It's amazing how much can fit into 650 square feet. 

We used Lift Movers and they rocked it. Six hours total to pack it up, drive down to the new place and unload. Worth every penny. I even got to leisurely peruse the Rockaway Times while waiting for them to arrive.

I hadn't seen my sewing machine in at least five years. Our cat was pleased to take on the role of assistant.

The crowning jewel? These puppies! A brand new LG washer and dryer set. The days of lugging dirty clothes to the laundromat are a thing of the past. Who am I? How is this my life??