{fauna} peonies + lilacs

 photos: Robin West

{fauna} cabbage stalker

I love all flowers, as you probably know by now, so my way of not getting bored with them is choosing depending on the weather.  You know, kinda like fruits + veggies being in season, as are all types of fauna.  There is a great little deli/market a few blocks around the corner from my work on Prince St. that is kinda perfect for such a hunt.

Last month they stocked these velvety clouds of color that caught my attention.  This month was almost the complete opposite end of the spectrum with some sturdy stalks of cabbage flowers.  I actually got a kick out of people looking at me funny as to why I was protecting my veggies on the subway.  I mean, why not?  The colors, the texture, even the veiny details, were a pleasant change to bring a little bit of Fall into the digs.

photos: Robin West

{fauna} flora delight

Though I need to strategically place them up high in places where certain four-legged animals can't eat them, one thing that I would ideally have in my apartment each and every week are fresh flowers.  This week I have two lovely bunches bringing color to my life.

photos: Robin West

{good eats} Blue Hill Cafe

My friend Amanda and I decided to take a day trip into the normalcy outside of NYC this weekend [we all need a little normalcy from time to time, no?] so we headed up to Tarrytown.  First stop on our trip was the Blue Hill Cafe.  I had no idea that the cafe was on a farm [those photos + my new pet pig to come soon]!  The caramelized onion + mushroom bread, veggie frittata... you can really taste how fresh this food was.

If the food and decor wasn't enough to fall in love with, they had the most amazing fresh flowers with adjoining farmers market.  Those tomatoes were unbelievable!  

photos: Robin West

{she wore flowers in her hair}

image 1, image 2, image 3

{happy friday}

Photo: Robin West, taken at Brooklyn Botanical Garden

NYBG's The Orchid Show: On Broadway

I am a little flower obsessed, but I don't think there is a flower I love more than an orchid.  The intricacy of the colors & details of its roots are like no other.  I somehow have never been up to the New York Botanical Gardens and made it a point to make plans with two of my lifetime friends yesterday-especially when the temperature has finally made it to over 50 degrees.  This year's "On Broadway" show was designed by the talented, Tony award-winning set designer Scott Pask & image-maker Drew Hodges, who created a lovely stage & chandeliers out of these masterpieces.

There are too many photos to share all of them, but picked some favorites.

Photos: Robin West

Flowers, flowers everywhere

Some things that we love need special occasions to get our attention. For me, flower arrangements are not one of them.  Every time I go to the market I find myself buying bundles of fresh bouquets to bring home. I have three different sized Mason jars that I like to display them in and really, really love to mix the bundles to give it a more organic look.  My favorite?  The deep blood red Dhalias.

What better way to wake up then to see a beautiful garden next to your window to bring a smile to your face?

Photos: Robin West