Summer 2016 in Pictures

After two difficult years, this summer has made up for time I thought I already lost. 

It was the first summer that I wasn't either living or spending an extended period of time in Rhode Island—I thought I was going to be stuck in suburbia, perhaps make the occasional trip to New York City. I was concerned that it was going to be a bore. 

I was wrong.

Caught up with friends who I haven't seen in a while. Finally went to the Westport Duck Race. Found a speakeasy in New York City while celebrating Cara's birthday. Flew to the West Coast for the first time to visit Steph in California. Read a few books. Tried new restaurants. Spent a few weekends in Rhode Island—not just in Newport and Narragansett, but also Watch Hill with my family. Went sailing. And probably tried every Pimm's Cup and prosecco cocktail between New York City, Westport and Newport.

Effy's Kitchen | Spanish Harlem, NYC (blog post)

Fashionista Hosts Garance Dore (blog post)

Bottomless Brunch in the West Village (brunch)

The Ocean House & Watch Hill Inn

California Central Coast | Big Sur

How to Spend 72 Hours in California | Part 2 (blog post)

How to Spend 72 Hours in California | Part 3

How to Spend 72 Hours in California | Part 4

Fishers Island Lemonade, the Next-Level Hard Lemonade (blog post)

Tusk and Cup Opens New Location (blog post)

Find of the Week | 40 (blog post)

Rothbard Ale + Larder (blog post)

The Starboard Sea (blog post)

BXL Zoute | Flatiron District (blog post)

Looking through these photos, I am grateful for having amazing friends and family that have made this summer—and the rest of seasons—an absolute dream. There are a lot of moments that are not captured in pictures, but I try to take snapshots of the best of them.

Time to switch from Pimm's Cups to spiked hot ciders...

Find of the Week | 36

I constantly shop at work.

This comes as no surprise, considering I work at a boutique with merchandise that's both adorable and reasonably priced in the middle of Westport. 

I bought a few things before I ran to Newport...

While I was in Rhode Island, I stopped by Crosswynds Traders in Narragansett. Not only did I pick up two much-needed shirts for my boyfriend—you don't even know—I also found this adorable crochet crop top for $10...

Cheers to wardrobe building!

Farmer's Market Dinner

I don't enjoy cooking as much as I would like to.

I admire people who can cook healthy, gorgeous looking dishes, but I prefer to watch while drinking a glass of pinot grigio and picking at a cheese plate with fresh cut-up Granny Smith apples.

However, every once in a while, I get the energy to cook something simple. I went to the Aquidneck Growers' farmers' market, grabbed a few things, and this is what happened:

Linguine and Clams

• Littlenecks from Matunuck Oyster Farm
• Mushrooms from RI Mushroom Co.
• Wheat linguine pasta
• Basil olive oil from Virgin & Aged Gourmet Oils & Vinegars
• Lemons

I don't know if you're supposed to put mushrooms in a broth—I don't even know what the name of this particular mushroom is—but I think it turned out okay

I thought I had garlic, otherwise I would have added it to the broth for more interest. Might also experiment with saffron in the future...

Buck-A-Shuck at TwoTen Oyster Bar & Grill

It's been a while since I've been back at TwoTen Oyster Bar in Narragansett and I was pleasantly surprised at the weekday deals they were offering.

Not only were they doing the Buck-A-Shuck oysters, but there were also $5.00 martini specials. I couldn't resist the Tinderella martini, just because of the name.

I'm still figuring out the difference between varieties of oysters. Since I've only started to eat them within the past year, it's a taste I'm working on refining. I love nearly every sort of seafood, so a "bad" oyster seems impossible to come by... Unless it's really salty...

My friend and I shared our entrees--he ordered the swordfish tacos and I got the chicken parmigiana. To be expected, both of them were delicious.

Plum Point Bistro

Just like The Duck & Bunny, Plum Point Bistro is another restaurant I've wanted check out for a while:

Located on scenic 1A, just minutes from the Jamestown Bridge, Historic Casey Farm, and beautiful coastline of Southern Rhode Island.  

Plum Pt. Bistro combines an inviting 1930’s vintage “"bistro vibe"”, with a lively bar, and open artisan kitchen. 

Italian and French cuisine lay foundation to the menu, with an emphasis on fresh
ingredients sourced from local farms and fishermen. In addition to the menu, blackboard specials highlight native seasonal flavors.

Midnight Punch and mojito 

I can't tell you how many times I've driven past Plum Point Bistro while going between Newport and Narragansett. It was nice to finally get there--I had the short-rib dumplings, sole and eggplant special and a cappuccino for dessert. 

Short-Rib Dumpling

I probably stared at the dumplings for a few minutes trying to figure out how to eat them in the most polite way possible. Defeated, I just ate them as delicately as I could sans silverware. 

Sole wrapped in eggplant served in a yellow turnip sauce

The next time I go to Plum Point Bistro, I plan on getting the Point Judith fried calamari and one of the pasta dishes--maybe even a glass of Moet while I'm at it...

Find of the Week | 25

Unless you are a Free People model, chances are you struggle to find the perfect pair of jeans right off  of the rack.

I love AG Adriano Goldschmied jeans. They do require a trip to the tailor in the standard inseam, but as far as cropped denim goes, it's typically the perfect length.

The only problem with AG jeans is that they cost a student loan payment... At least when you buy them at full price.

Crosswynds Traders now carries a healthy selection of clothing and accessories from Free People and Anthropologie--I was ecstatic to find a pair of AG Stevie Ankle jeans. The best part? They were only a fraction of the retail price.

Beach and a Book Sale

It's finally a nice, beautiful summer weekend and I'm ready to take full advantage of it. I took Bella with me to run some errands around town before hitting the beach...

Bag, Elle G; Havaianas, Crosswynds Traders; bracelets, made by Mom

I am probably one of the few people at my age who enjoys reading a real, physical newspaper. My dad has had a subscription to The New York Times for as long as I can remember, so I think the sentimentality of the tradition is very alluring. I also grew up believing that The New York Times is the ultimate news bible--naturally, I refuse to trust any other newspaper.

June 6, 2014 was the 70th anniversary of D-Day

I stopped by the local library to check out the book sale to see if I could a few good reads for the summer. Anyone who hasn't been to a library book sale is missing out--most of the books are on sale for $1.00 or less. Even if you don't buy anything, it's cool to see all of the different types of books and topics.

I never watched Grey's Anatomy, but I'm going to go out on a limb and guess this is where the title came from...

Othello, The Prince, The Great Gatsby. A throwback to English courses in high school and philosophy in college...

I am excited about my three new books I picked up for a grand total of $3.00!

Anna Karenina- I watched the 2012 film starring Keira Knightley at Jane Pickens and loved it. I will admit I am bit intimidated to read Tolstoy, but I am going to make an earnest attempt to conquer this book.

In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto-Pollan, author and writer for The New York Times, is one of the greatest thought leaders on revolutionizing how we produce and consume food. I have never read one of his books, but he's written some great articles in the Times and in T Magazine. 

The Sunny Side: Short Stories and Poems for Proper Grown-Ups- When I first picked this book up, the author's name looked very familiar. It wasn't until I remembered that A.A. Milne wrote Winnie the Pooh that it made sense--when I was younger, I would always play with the family hardcover copy of Winnie the Pooh. The book looked very pretty to a five-year old girl--the background was pink with a graphic print featuring tiny bees, the main picture was of Winnie the Pooh and all of his friends on the cover. I can't wait to read The Sunny Side.

If you live in South County, Rhode Island, you should stop by the Narragansett Library and check out their book sale today from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.