Upper East Side Spring
📍 Upper East Side, NYC

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Is there anything better than Spring in New York? The final cold days have begun to lead the way to warmer weather and sunshine. The cherry blossoms are beginning to bloom in Central Park. All feels right in the world! Over the weekend, David and I snuck into the city to run and take care of something to prepare for my upcoming baby shower. Okay, could all of this be done over the phone? Absolutely! Do I always take advantage when a reason to bop in the Upper East Side presents itself? Also yes!

Exploring the Upper East Side

Something about the Upper East Side in Spring makes my heart flutter! The cherry blossoms are just a few days away from peak blooms, giving the world a pastel quality. We stopped to admire the townhomes on 68th Avenue, between Park and 5th, even running into one of the owners as we took pictures. I’m sure he’ll never read this, but I want to tell him, “You have an incredibly stunning home!” From there, it was window shopping up Madison Avenue before landing on an iconic spot for caffeine and breakfast.

Coffee and Croissants at Ralph’s

Is it too basic of me to love Ralph’s Coffee? I can’t help myself. The people who work there are wonderful. I can admire the design while waiting, and I get a great coffee! While sometimes we decided to have our breakfast to stay, it was too beautiful out to sit in one spot. Instead, we walked over to Central Park and ate by Kerb’s Boathouse. When we lived in the city, this was our Saturday morning routine and was my favorite way to start the day. With countless dogs running off-leash with their owners, I think it may be a little slice of heaven. 

Wandering Through The MET

Not particularly in a rush, we slowly made our way to the MET. Since I’m now 36 weeks pregnant, I can’t exactly power-walk my way through the city anymore, but it allows me to take in the scenery. One of my favorite splurges every year is my annual MET Membership. It gives me the perfect excuse to see the newest exhibits and visit old favorites. Although the museum is sweeping, I’d like to think I know the layout fairly well and can quickly navigate around. The European collection, especially Van Gogh and Monet, inspired me for Baby Girl Kennedy’s nursery, and I can’t wait to share the finished product!

Visiting the Harlem Renaissance Exhibit

The main reason for our MET excursion was to visit the new Harlem Renaissance exhibit. It tells the story of black artists in Harlem during the 1920s through 1940s. With dozens of artists on display, you can get a full scope of artistic styles to help depict modern life during this time period. Many pieces are on loan from several Historically Black Colleges and Universities, making this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see such a comprehensive collection in one place. Since it’s on display until July 28th, you have plenty of time to see it for yourself. I cannot recommend it enough! 

After the museum, we stopped by my favorite bakery to take care of that little “errand,” which naturally involved getting some Black and White Cookies for later. With a quick lunch with our friends at Dorrian’s, a neighborhood haunt, we were on our way home back to Coastal Connecticut. The next time we have an Upper East Side day, we’ll have a new addition and a stroller in tow. I can hardly wait!

Love from NYC,
Katie

Thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about my travels and style, be sure to visit throughout the week! Be sure to check out my exclusive adventures in NYC and New England. 

Canoe Place Inn Date Night
📍 Hampton Bays, New York

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Maybe it’s a sign of getting older, but I love going to top destinations in their off-season. You can experience the best they offer, minus the crowds and insane surcharges. A few weeks ago, we found ourselves in the Hamptons after a spontaneous invite from friends to join them at their vacation home. How could I possibly say no to that? The days were perfectly quiet, giving us a weekend to recharge, but we still got out and had some fun along the way. I’ve learned that a date night at the Canoe Place Inn is always a good idea, especially when good friends join you. 

Welcome to the Canoe Place

The site of the Canoe Place has been a Hampton Bays inn since 1697. Since then, it has hosted Revolutionary War soldiers, celebrities, and presidents. Over 300 years of tradition and love have been brought into the revitalized space. Located on six pristine acres and across the street from the water, you can consider it the ‘first spot, out east,’ It’s a wonderful welcome to Hampton’s life. As you arrive via their fleet of new Grand Wagoneers, you’ll admire quiet gardens, an enviable pool, and an interior design that has perfected the modern farmhouse aesthetic. It felt like Ina Garden or Martha Stewart could appear at any second, and I loved every piece of it.

Drinks at Good Ground Tavern

We joined our friends at the Good Ground Tavern on a cozy winter night. This on-site restaurant at the Canoe Place Inn instantly creates a perfectly intimate feel. The cocktails (and mocktails) were poured, and we found a cozy spot next to the roaring fire. While plenty of other couples were in for an intimate date night, the four of us were laughing and exchanging stories in a way that only good friends can. There’s so much I love about this space, and the interior design may be at the top of my list. In step with the hotel’s colonial roots, the aesthetic feels true that but with a modern twist. Think rich tones, warm woods, and classic elements that will always stand the test of time. 

This may be a shorter blog post than usual, but is still filled with so many freshly made memories. After a few rounds of drinks, we headed off to another local Hampton Bays spot. I know another repeat visit to the Canoe Place Inn will be in the near future. Whether during the peak summer season or in the quieter off-season, this historic hotel is the perfect home base for a stay in the Hamptons.

Love from the Hamptons,
Katie

Thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about my travels and style, be sure to visit throughout the week! Be sure to check out my exclusive adventures in NYC and New England.