Posies

Last week I spent a few days in New York City to celebrate my birthday. The weather was perfect and the vibe in the city was upbeat and happy. I love wandering around Manhattan this time of year and as I've mentioned before, I like to discover new things each time I visit.  This time I found an adorable little flower shop on the Upper West Side called Posies. The store is tucked along Amsterdam Avenue. It's not a big place but the bright pink awning and plants spilling onto the sidewalk are so inviting you can't help but stop and notice. I had to go in and check it out. It was really cute so I thought I'd share it with you. I didn't have my camera so I used my iPhone to capture some photos and show you what Posies has to offer.

Even though it is currently surrounded by scaffolding, this little flower shop jumps out at you when you are walking down the street.

The store is literally overflowing with fresh flowers and plants.

There are buckets of seasonal flowers inside. You can make your own bouquet or have Posies create something for you.

I was amazed at the selection of flowers offered in such a small space. There were so many varieties and colors to choose from.

If you can't decide or don't have time to make your own bouquet, you can choose one of the premade bouquets that are lining the wall. This was my favorite part of the store. The bouquets were gorgeous and inexpensive.

I love garden roses and hydrangeas together so I chose this beautiful bouquet to take home.

If you need a vase or vessel for your arrangement Posies has those too.

I didn't need a vase so my bouquet was carefully wrapped in purple tissue paper and cellophane, tied with a raffia bow and placed in a large white shopping bag. I love that! So simple but so very pretty. This little flower shop gets a huge thumbs up for me! It was a great little find and a fun stop to make in the middle of a busy day. If you visit the Upper West Side head to Posies!

Enjoy your week!

Leslie xo

Blogging for a Purpose

Today instead of sharing my regular Favorite Things post, I decided to share something that in many ways, has become a favorite thing for me. It looks very different than a list of favorite candies, comforts or websites. It's something with more of a purpose and something that I am proud to be a part of.

My involvement with CFCA, Christian Foundation For Children and Aging, began six years ago when I had the opportunity to participate in a sponsorship event at our local church. I was extremely moved by the stories of families that have been helped by CFCA. This organization works hard to provide support that benefits the family as a whole by focusing on education and creating a better future. They are currently serving more than 300,000 children, youth and aging persons in more than 22 countries around the world.

This little girl is now part of our family. She is very special and we are so proud of her.

Once the presentation was over, I sat for a minute and thought about my options. I hesitated, naturally wondering things like whether or not all of the money really goes to these families and would I really be helping the specific child who's folder I chose. I could walk away or I could help. Something told me to help, so I did. I decided to sponsor a child from Guatemala. She was 12 years old at the time. At that moment,  I felt like I had done my good deed for the day. Little did I know, I was not just changing the life of this child, but my own life as well.  It wasn't long before I was receiving letters and photos of my newly sponsored child. It was wonderful to watch her progress and I was overwhelmed with the gratitude that she expressed in each letter that was sent. I knew I was making a difference.

The following year, my daughter Elizabeth decided to participate in a Semester at Sea program while she was in college. She would be traveling to several third world countries during her trip. We were busy planning and getting her ready to go and one day it hit us, she would be going to Guatemala! We decided to contact CFCA to find out if it would be possible for Elizabeth to visit our sponsored child. We figured it was a real long shot but why not look into it. What happened next was truly life changing. After many back and forth emails and phone calls, the CFCA team arranged for Elizabeth to meet our friend and her mother. It wasn't easy. By the time it was all arranged Elizabeth was well on her way, in the middle of the ocean, but after a continued effort on all of our parts, we connected Elizabeth to our friend and they had a chance to meet. They exchanged small gifts and had a chance to  speak through a translator. It was an overwhelming and humbling experience for Elizabeth and a moment of extreme gratitude for our new friends.  One of the most profound moments for me was to hear what Elizabeth had to say when she returned from that trip. She told me that as she traveled  from country to country, she noticed that the people who had the least were the happiest and most grateful. They appreciate the little things.

I am extremely impressed by the work that CFCA does and I am thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful organization. In an effort to collaborate with the CFCA community, I will be dedicating a page on my blog specifically to this foundation. I plan to bring you inspiring stories and information about the many people involved. I will be sharing special recipes from the countries where our sponsored friends live. It's fascinating to see how bread is baked  without a traditional oven! I hope you'll stop back to check out the CFCA page, which will be up soon. Feel free to leave comments, get involved or just stick around to be inspired. It's amazing how one small act of kindness can change so many lives. Whatever you chose to do, make it count!

Happy Friday! Have a wonderful weekend!

Leslie xo

*Names and exact locations were not used in order to protect the privacy of our sponsored friend. All opinions are my own. This is not a sponsored post.

*Please note ~ CFCA is now UNBOUND

A Trip to Terrain at Styer's

I love finding unique places to dine and shop. I live in a town that is close to some great cities like New York, Philadelphia and DC so it's easy to find something interesting no matter which direction you go. Last week my daughter and I decided it was time to hit the road and find a new place to explore so we grabbed my mom, who is as adventurous as we are, and jumped in the car. We headed toward Philadelphia this time and ended up in Glen Mills, PA. And oh what a wonderful place we found! The store is called Terrain and it is the most amazing home and garden store I have ever been to! There is a fantastic outdoor market, a wonderful indoor shopping area and a fabulous Cafe. Two of my girlfriends have been raving about this place and they were right! It really is unique, so unique I thought I would share my day with you so if you are ever in the area you can make a point to stop there. You will not regret it!

We had lunch at the Garden Cafe. Beautiful plants, stone walls and a rustic setting all contribute to the natural and comfortable atmosphere that makes you feel like you are dining outside.

The drinks were served in mason jars and fresh baked bread was delivered to the table in a small clay pot. It's little details like these that create a wow factor. I love that.

The lunch menu is amazing. I ordered Seared Maine Scallops with quinoa and barley salad, grilled corn, heirloom cherry tomatoes, toasted pine nuts and garden herbs. It was delicious.

After lunch we started our journey around the store. It's a challenge to find the right words to describe it but I'll try. Did I already say amazing? There is an abundant supply of all things green. A plant lover's paradise.

I like plants but I was happier exploring the home products. This store has everything from specialty soaps and leather handbags to flower bulbs and fountains . These were a few of my favorites...

Bath Products. Love the packaging.

Specialty Soaps. Beautifully wrapped. 

 Sponges. Creatively labeled.

Matches in an Apothecary bottle. Just plain cool.

Pink Himalayan Salt. So pretty, you have to have it.

DIY Terrariums. I'm thinking perfect gift idea.

Real, but not so real, fabric pumpkins. A clever and unique fall decorating idea.

Natural Cotton Stems. One of those things you don't realize you want until you see it.

If you can make it through the store by the time it closes (trust me you won't want to leave) there is an unbelievable outdoor market waiting to be explored. Plants, pumpkins, outdoor decor and more. It really is a spectacular place to visit. I can only imagine what it will be like for Christmas. I guess I will have to go back to find out! If you go, have fun and don't blame me if you get hooked!

Leslie xo

Terrain has two locations. For more information click the links below:

TERRAIN

Glen Mills, PA  &  Westport,CT

Photos by Leslie Reese

A Walk on the High Line

If you know me, you know that New York City is one of my favorite places on the planet. Ever since I was young and got my first taste of the hustle and bustle, I have been fascinated with Manhattan and its surroundings. I love to visit as often as I can and I will never get tired of what there is to do there. I have some favorite places in New York City, but every time I go, I try to discover something new.  One of my recent discoveries was something called the High Line. It's an interesting place so I thought I would share my visit with you.

The High Line is a beautiful public park that is located on Manhattan’s West side. It was built on a historic freight rail elevated above the streets and runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to West 34^th Street between 10^th and 11^th Avenues.

The park is owned by the City of New York but is maintained by Friends of the High Line, which was formed in 1999 in an effort to save the structure from demolition. The fabulous efforts of this non-profit conservancy have resulted in fantastic place for visitors to relax and enjoy. It is truly a remarkable space with so many beautiful things to see. The first section of the park opened on June 9, 2009.

We wanted to take a walk on the High Line last week when were in the city so we decided to start at West 30th Street and head toward Gansevoort Street.

There are lush grasses, flowers and trees planted throughout the park.  You will see them growing along the train tracks.

There is an area that is called Wildflower Field. It’s beautiful and so unexpected in a city like New York.

Park benches are scattered along the walkway giving visitors plenty of opportunity for relaxation.

There are several viewing spurs where you can get a great look at the city from the High Line. This one is at 26^th Street.

If you look West at certain points on the High Line you can see the Hudson River and a peak at New Jersey.

There are so many interesting things to look at along the way. I absolutely love this display of artwork that we spotted on the side of a building on the East side of the park.

At the 23^rd Street Lawn and Seating Area there is a grass lawn where you can spread out and get some sun or just sit and relax.

Or hang out on the steps.

The 10^th Avenue Square gives you a fantastic view of 10^th Avenue looking north.

One of the nicest parts of the High Line is the Sundeck and Water Feature. There is an area where water is flowing over part of the walkway where you will see children playing and people walking around barefoot to cool off. On the opposite side there are built-in wooden lounge chairs where you can lay in the sun or sit and watch the kids play in the water.

The Gansevoort Woodland was the end of the line for us. It’s a beautifully landscaped area with trees and grasses where you quickly forget you are in the middle of a busy city as you are walking through.

When we came down from the High Line we were in Chelsea. We stopped at the Standard Grill at the Standard Hotel, which is literally right on the High Line, and had a drink and a bite to eat. Then we did some shopping and wandered around Chelsea.  It was the perfect ending to a great morning.

So if you want something unique to do the next time you go to New York City, I recommend you put the High Line on your list. There are so many fun ways to enjoy it and it just keeps getting better. If you want to learn more about the history and future plans for the High Line you can check out The Official Web Site of the High Line and Friends of the High Line

If you decide to visit the next time you are in NYC, I would love to hear about it! 

Leslie

Coffee Talk

I love to travel. I think one of the best things about traveling is having the opportunity to discover new and interesting restaurants and cafés. Two of my favorite places to visit are bakeries and coffee shops and I look for unique places wherever I go. They vary so much from town to town and it’s fun to see what each one has to offer. Many independently owned establishments have a local flavor and charm that you won’t find in a larger chain.

Coffee Talk in Stone Harbor, New Jersey is one of my favorite coffee shops. It’s been around for 17 years and is still the best place in this quaint little beach town to grab a great cup of coffee, a light breakfast and perhaps some conversation with the locals. On certain days you might find a new artist performing at the cafe. In fact Taylor Swift spent many summers in Stone Harbor with her family and played acoustic shows at Coffee Talk. Dave Matthews has also been a visitor at Coffee Talk. It’s a special place to a lot of people.

The atmosphere in Coffee Talk is very welcoming. The décor is eclectic and the café has tables and chairs, and cozy couches, offering a comfortable place to dine or relax and unwind. Free Wi-Fi is available for those who would like to access the internet, always a good thing.

I love how the walls are covered in old newspapers. There are so many interesting things everywhere you turn. You really need to stop and look around to fully appreciate the great interior of this cute little place.

The owner of Coffee Talk, Madlynn Zurawski, and her staff are friendly, knowledgeable and on the ball.  They are ready to greet the crowd when the doors open and they have a great system for ordering and pick-up, including a quick serve station right inside the door for those who just want to grab their coffee and run. For those with a passion for flavor, Coffee Talk has a wonderful variety of infused coffee beans for delicious flavored coffees like Bananas Foster and Sugar Cookie. Of course if you are a latte lover like I am, there are all of those drinks too!  My go-to is a small sugar free vanilla latte with a double shot. I call it my morning power dose.

Everyone has favorite places. Whether they are in your own town or in your favorite vacation spot, they are the places where traditions start and places that become part of your favorite memories. I have a handful of favorites in Stone Harbor and Coffee Talk is one of them.  Maybe it’s being at the beach and coffee just tastes better there. Or maybe it’s just that it’s a comfortable place with the perfect atmosphere to chill out. Whatever it is, Coffee Talk is one of those feel good places that for some reason I look forward to visiting. So if you are ever in Stone Harbor, visit Coffee Talk. You’ll be glad you did!

visit Coffee Talk ~ 299 97th St ~ Stone Harbor, NJ 08247 ~ 609-368-5282

Photos by Leslie Reese

Sea Glass

I feel very fortunate to live in a place where I am able to enjoy all four seasons in a year. Each one is different and each one has something wonderful to offer.  Summer is a time for freedom, lighter schedules, family vacations and days at the beach.  Some of my most cherished memories are summer memories. It’s a time when little things like taking a walk on the beach become something that you hang onto forever. For me, searching for sea glass was one of those little moments that ended up turning into so much more than a walk on the beach. If you have never heard of sea glass or you are wondering what is so great about it, I’ll tell you why it’s special to me.

My four sisters and I are lucky enough to have parents who fell in love with a little beach town on the eastern shore of New Jersey called Stone Harbor. For well over forty years we have been traveling to Stone Harbor to spend weeks at a time enjoying the town, the beach and most of all family. It has become a place that holds some of our happiest memories. We are all parents now and it has been fun watching our own children enjoy the time they spend with their cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandparents. Now Stone Harbor is also a special place for them.

I’m not sure exactly when it started but a number of years ago my sisters and I started picking up sea glass while we were walking on the beach in Stone Harbor.

Sea glass is basically broken glass from old bottles or glassware that is weathered by the natural elements over time and ends up hidden in the sand on the beach.  The cool part is that there is some real history behind sea glass. Certain colors, like turquoise, are very rare and hard to find. Some of the glass that is found dates back to the 1800’s and could have been anything from a whiskey bottle to an ink bottle. It’s fascinating.

Searching for sea glass has become something everyone in our family loves to do. It doesn’t matter if you are on a walk with other people or you are running alone. You are usually looking, at least part of the time, for sea glass. It has sparked interesting conversation and created investigation into what each color might mean. At times it has been an unspoken competition, trying to find the most glass or the first cobalt blue piece of the summer. For years, three of my sisters were convinced my sister Lisa and I had a secret sea glass spot because we seemed to find so much of it when we were together. It was a coincidence but we played along. Our kids collect it now and as a matter of fact I think my niece Jillian has found the best piece yet . We have enjoyed all that searching for sea glass has turned into. For us it’s about family.  It’s about being together. It’s about the little things and the memories that are created. For us it’s so much more than a walk on the beach.

Photos by Leslie Reese