Touristing: Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island

No matter how long we live here, we're never going to be able to do everything that can be done. Thankfully, when we have visitors, we have the excuse and the time to do the NYC tourist-y type things!

This weekend when my parents were here, we made it out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island - for the first time!

We picked a very dreary, misty day to take the ferry across to the islands, but I think the weather also helped keep the crowds down.

Also, it made it easy to imagine what it would have been like for arriving immigrants, as we watched Lady Liberty emerge from the fog and mist and come into view.

(Scott and I wore our tourist shoes for the day - those sandals have helped me survive 9 days of Disney World.)

Scott even got himself a genuine Statue of Liberty poncho...

Standing right underneath her, she doesn't even look real!  The green of the copper is so vivid, and she's just so gigantic - it's amazing to stand right below.

We walked all the way around and got a rare view of the backside of the Lady - seriously, when I thought about it, I didn't know if I had ever seen her from the back, ever!

Next up, we ferried over to Ellis Island.  The stories from this place are incredible.  Check this out:  40% of Americans can trace at least one relative back who came through immigration on Ellis Island.  Isn't that insane?!

The ceiling of the main hall is quite grand.  Seems like it would be a welcome sight to the immigrants who endured such a challenging journey.

I loved all the artifacts housed at Ellis Island.  Here is a wall of old-timey passports - lots of them had pictures of whole families.

We spent a few hours on Ellis Island, but there was so much we didn't even get to.  As a family who loves museums, we easily could have spent all day.  I can't believe it took us three years to make the trip out there!

And on the way back, you get that incredible view of Lower Manhattan's skyline.  Even through thick mist, it's quite the sight to behold.

As tourist-y as it is, I have to say, if you visit NYC, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island really are a must-see - especially to see if you have a family member who came through!

Me-Made-May: Days 4-7

Day 4

The outfit:  Striped Cuffed T (I made this, but apparently never blogged about it?) + Gap jeans

The occasion:  Touristing!  9/11 Memorial, bike expo, bookstore, cookout

Day 5

The outfit:  Pleasant Paisley Top + Tiny (No) Pocket Tank + leggings

The occasion:  More touristing!  Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, The Ride

Day 6

The outfit:  Favorite Top Ever + Dress-->Skirt Maxi

The occasion:  Touristing again!  Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Botanical Garden, Brooklyn Bridge, OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE

Day 7

The outfit:  Dress-->Top Redo + Desperately Needed Skirt

The occasion:  work, tiramisu day!, getting my teeth cleaned by my handsome dentist husband

Weekend: My Parents Came to Town!

My parents came up for a visit over the weekend and, as is our family way, we packed our days full of tourist activities.

We visited Freedom Tower, whose top floors weren't even visible through the clouds.  (P.S. Though still under construction, it is now the tallest building in New York).

We explored the bookshelves at The Strand, where I wanted to buy every single book in sight.

We had a cookout down by the river, one of my favorite places.

We took a ferry out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island...but more on that later.

We took a ride on The Ride, where we all enthusiastically sang "New York, New York," though Mom was perhaps the most enthusiastic of all.

We walked for miles, but didn't mind, because the views were so beautiful.

We also watched no less than 5 episodes of Downton Abbey, ate ice cream every night, and somehow damaged almost every fixture in our bathroom.  All in all, a pretty darn great visit.  Thanks, Mom and Dad, for coming out to see us!

Me-Made-May: Days 1-3

Heeeeere we go with Me-Made-May!

Day 1

The 1st outfit: Could-Have-Been-Perfect Dress

The occasion:  work, desperately needing a haircut, muffin day AND brownie day at work!

The 2nd outfit:  Bridesmaid Redo + Black Pencil Skirt + lace tights that make my legs look hairy

The occasion:  Watching my cousin play at Lincoln Center!

Day 2

The outfit:  Grey Re-done Pants + Tie Neck T + J Crew cardigan (I hadn't planned to wear the cardi, but it didn't even reach 60 degrees!)

The occasion:  work, hair cut desperation reaching code red levels

Day 3

The outfit:  Corduroys of My (Almost) Dreams + Dress-->Tank Redo + Husband's Sweatshirt

The occasion:  Day off!  Chores, errands, and yes, finally, that haircut

Trumpeting at Lincoln Center

Tuesday night, I got to witness something truly awesome: My cousin Becki got to perform in Lincoln Center.  That's a big ol' checkmark off any musician's bucket list!

Becki is an amazing trumpet player (she won Miss Kansas a few years ago, and graced the Miss America stage with her trumpet talents!).  She now attends Crane School of Music in upstate New York and is earning her master's degree.  Like I said, amazing.  Tuesday night's performance was Verdi's Requiem, and she was a featured player in the second movement.  In the program, I learned that her part was supposed to be "summoning the dead to awaken."  <---creepy and awesome.

I loved seeing her perform, and getting to chat with her and her husband Sam afterward, even if it was just for a little while!

I always love to visit Lincoln Center.  It always elicits a feeling of awe, especially when it is so beautifully lit up at night.

The video below is not of last night's performance, but it is the same part of Requiem that Becki got to play.  I'm not super into classical music myself, but this part of the piece was so powerful and frankly a little bit frightening.  Give it a listen, and those trumpets you hear at 2:32?  Pretend that's my cuz!

P.S. Not only is she a former Miss Kansas, she also just recorded a CD of trumpet performance pieces - I'll say it again, amazing!

Dottie Adele: Treasuries

Here are a few Etsy Treasuries that have recently feature some of my pieces from Dottie Adele!  One of my favorite things about being included in a new treasury is discovering all the other items - there are always some really good finds!

Coral:  My Ruffle Sundress was included in this whimsical collection.  My other favorites are the vintage lingerie shorts on the bottom row, and the caramel colored bow shoe clips in the second row!

click here to visit Coral

Multi-colored rainbow dream:   The listing for my Heart-Shaped Waistband Skirt is included in this one (my most popular item to date!).  I love both the colorblock tees in this collection - wish I had the budget for the silk one in the bottom row!  Those kitschy mermaid bottle openers are also pretty hilarious!

click here to visit Multi-Colored Rainbow Dream

Custard cream:  This cheery yellow collection featured my Scallop Hem Skirt Wool Skirt.  The leather bracelet on the bottom row is so cute (from one of my favorite Etsy shops, sonofasailor).

click here to visit Custard Cream

Our New York: George Washington Bridge

Brooklyn Bridge is a New York City icon, but in our neighborhood, we have George Washington Bridge.  You've seen our view of it out our window a million times, but walking across it is a whole different experience.  Making the journey from New York to New Jersey and back provides a slew of amazing views and the always-slightly-unnerving feeling of being suspended 200 feet above water.