The boardwalk is back in Long Beach, New York. Superstorm Sandy took the 100 yr old structure but it's been beautifully rebuilt. I've been enjoying Long Beach for over 10 years and I am so happy to see my adopted summer community bounce back from the storm.

August 2009, Long Beach, L.I.

June 2013, Long Beach, L.I.

July 2013, Long Beach, L.I.

​Spring 2013 in NYC has been nothing short of stunning. After Sandy last fall and a long winter season I would like to forget, Spring is showing us how it's done and no one does it better than nature. If you haven't explored NYC in the springtime please make a point to add it to your travel bucket list. For more adventures in my city life, follow my photos here... xx

​Battery Park City, NYC

City Hall Park, NYC

City Hall Park, NYC

City Hall Park, NYC

​Park Avenue, East 70's

Tulips and flowering tress on Park Avenue, East 70's

October 2012 in New York City. City life means bike rides, spotting streetart, pumpkins at the bodega's and beautiful colors on the leaves.

All Images by LadyKdesigns via Instagram for iPhone.​

I have to start out this post by saying that I cannot believe it took me so long to experience The Cloisters. The Cloisters are part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, all be it about 45 minutes north of the actual main art museum and out of the way of most attractions in the city. This may be why many never make it to this hidden gem. 

Heading up to The Cloisters is like a mini-vacation (much like the 45 minute train ride to Long Beach) from the hustle of the city and you don't have to rent a car or pack a bag. Although, next time I go I may pack a picnic and spend some time in Fort Tyron Park (worth a visit for the park alone) and the beauty of what lies just north of the George Washington Bridge. 

Back to the musuem, which was built in the 1930s resembling architectural elements of several European medieval abbeys. The building, which is a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is dedicated to exhibiting art and architecture from Medieval Europe. Here you'll find a  wonderful collection of medieval art that ranges from tapestry to sculpture, and whole spaces that have been meticulously transported from abroad and reassembled here. I particularly enjoyed the chapels, the courtyards and getting a chance to see the unicorn tapestry (The Hunt of the Unicorn) that was recreated at Sterling Castle in Stirling, Scotland which I had the pleasure of seeing in 2011.

The outside areas at The Cloisters are just as interesting as the inside, and we had wonderful weather to explore the grounds and gardens. Seeing the apple trees ready to be picked and all the herbs and fruit trees as they would have been was fascinating, and everything in the garden is edible or medicinal. 

I adore medieval art, architecture and history and whenever I travel to Europe I make it a point to visit a museum to experience and see what has been preserved and restored. How exciting to have something in this vain right off the A train! I couldn't recommend a visit to The Cloisters more, whether you're new to medieval art and history or not. It's a special and unique place just north of New York City, and I cannot wait to visit the museum in each season to explore its treasures.

All images by Lady K Designs via Instagram

Hudson River Valley

The Cloisters

Chapel

Tapestry's

Courtyard

Garden

Apples

Smaller courtyard

I wanted to share MOMA's Artwork of the Day by Carroll Cloar (American, 1913-1993). Autumn Conversion. 1953. 

Here are some images I took today – September 22, 2012 – on a bike around NYC. 

On a gorgeous sunny Sunday in late summer/early fall, with cool temps and a light breeze making for perfect strolling, I headed off for under the FDR by the South Street Seaport to The New Amsterdam Market.

Public markets in this area (Peck Slip) have been around since the 1600's and now there are efforts to transform the area through new public markets. Read more about the history and new efforts to revitalize this area with a focus on sustainability here.

As I got close to the market I ran into a pre-market of sorts, or vendors set up across the street from the market. I am not sure if these area's are separate or not but there were some delightful options that stopped my progression. I strolled past Dutch pancakes and I made a note to come back, an Italian vendor that I know my mom would love and that I plan to come back and try, there was wood fired pizza and fresh oysters... so many already! I made my way across Water Street, and because my sweet tooth has uncanny radar, my first stop was the pie stand.  

Savory pies, and sweet pies on a stick caught my attention and the presentation was fun. Two pies on a stick could not be overlooked, strawberry and apple, and they came home with me. As I strolled, there were multiple options for bread making it hard to choose, anything from baguettes to organic loaves. I settled on focaccia with fresh cherry tomatoes, garlic and sea salt.

New Amsterdam Market, New York City

I recently had my tooth fixed so apples are still out for me, and while they looked great, I went for the grapes from the Finger Lakes Region. I sampled a few and bought some amazingly sweet concord grapes that are in-season this time of year. Each season brings its bounty and I have learned to re-appreciate the fact that not everything is "in" season all year despite the fact that you can get it if you want it. Buying local makes you appreciate what is available now and what you look forward to next year.

There was a selection of wine, soda, cider and of course, coffee. Animals were not left out with beef jerky from Brooklyn, fresh meats from Upstate NY and fresh fish from Gabe the Fish Babe. Her name is enough to make you stop, once your there you realize she only sells to the public at NAMNY, otherwise she is exclusively selling to the best chefs and food purveyors in NYC. Everyone was really friendly and excited to talk about their product, learning about what you eat from the people who actually make it with pride and love and is a special thing you're just not finding at the big shiny grocery store

After I picked up my goods, took pics and enjoyed the scene I walked back across the street to get some of those mini Dutch pancakes, or proffertjes, which I haven't had in a few years. They remind me so much of the beauty of Holland and how special it is there. I took my mini pancakes over to the new elevated park and sat by the water to enjoy my treat.

Truly a wonderful Sunday afternoon in Lower Manhattan learning more about this historical area, eating great food and supporting local businesses and individuals who are making/growing their wares with hard work and pride. Give the New Amsterdam Market a try if you're in lower Manhattan on a Sunday. Visit their website here for a list of weekly vendors and events.

All images by ladykdesigns via Instagram.

Happy Friday, and happy long holiday weekend as we (in America) get started on the Labor Day  holiday. This is the unofficial end of summer where we make our way to the beach, picnics, outdoor brunches and savor the last remnants of summer Friday bliss. Being a New Yorker in the fashion industry means time feels like it moves faster and rarely does one ever look back and reflect when magazines need pulls for the holidays. It's certainly a hurry up and go now way of life, leaving you wondering what even happened to summer let alone sitting back to savor it.

That's why I like to jump on my bike as often as I can and (literally) stop and smell the roses. While there are not many roses left on my routes, there are plenty of gorgeous end-of-summer flowers and foliage around Battery Park City, the West Side Bike Trail, Central Park and The Highline. Anyone who tells you there isn't much "nature" in Manhattan needs to look closer.

The nice thing about getting out of your car and walking or biking is that you notice all the details and even in these last breaths of summertime, nature herself is still giving us all plenty to stop and enjoy.

Happy Holiday Weekend. xo

All photos by me, via Instagram. Taken with my iPhone.