TRAVELS TO AUSTIN

It's been almost two weeks now since we've returned from our short vacation to Austin, Tx and I just can't stop thinking about the trip.  That city sure does have its hold on me.  I knew I would like Austin, given all the hype I've heard and read about, not to mention how much I've been missing the South during this god-awful long winter, but I had no idea I would love it so much.  Love it in that never-make-me-leave, don't-make-me-go-back-to-Philly sort of way.  From our airstream hotel to tacos to tattoos, it was a blast the whole way through.  All I know is, I can't wait to return.

Here are our Austin highlights:

Saturday / We arrived just in time to soak in the last couple hours of the Handbuilt Motorcycle Show / Oil and Ink Print Expo.  My man and I were in design heaven.  And the night kept getting better, first with discovering an In-N-Out for a late night dinner, then with our fantastic Airbnb Airstream find in the North Loop.  

 
Sunday / Our first mission for the day was to scout out some yummy breakfast tacos, so we made our way over to Taco Deli.  With bellies full of queso and taco goodness, we strolled through the nearby Zilker Botanical Gardens before taking a dip in the natural Barton Springs Pool for a mere $3.  We explored the funky antique shops along South Congress Street, including the highly recommended Uncommon Objects and Off the Wall.

Monday / We woke up to pouring rain, so we opted for a super fascinating and educational indoor activity - a stroll through the LBJ Presidential Library.  We cozied up at the East Side Show Room for a few cocktails before catching some live music and two-stepping at the nearby The White Horse.

Tuesday / Slept in, grabbed some pre-ink bbq and arrived at our tattoo appointments at Mom's Tattoos on S. Lamar that we had made the day before.  While in our post-tattoo high, we drank at the ever-romantic outdoor bar at Hotel San Jose as the sun set.  And finally, we watched a gazillion bats fly out from under the Congress Avenue bridge as we said goodnight and goodbye to Austin.


(But not for long, I hope.)   

OIL AND INK IN AUSTIN

As if vacation alone isn't a little slice of heaven ...

My husband and I are splitting town in the Northeast to head to Austin for a few days and we just discovered the perfect way to christen our vacation.  That's right, straight from the airport we'll be heading to Oil and Ink, a traveling motorbike and print expo, inconjunction with The Hand Built Motorcycle Show.  While it's probably pretty clear by now that I love printmaking, my husband, on the other hand, is a huge moto-enthusiast.  While I'm in the studio getting inky, he's in the garage getting oily.  So you can see why we are so excited about this event.  

Check out these awesome promo graphics + video.  Can't wait to see what it's all about.

The Handbuilt Motorcycle Show - 2014 from Revival Cycles on Vimeo.

weekending // adventures in ... RED HOOK

Some days you just gotta get outta town.

I was feeling the itch to visit girlfriends in New York City last weekend, so I took the train up from Philadelphia just for the day.  We decided to explore the Brooklyn neighborhood of Red Hook, known as the home of IKEA and Fairway, as well as being nestled in its own little pocket away from the ease of public transit.  But because of this, it has still holds the quiet charm of Brooklyn that the neighborhoods of Williamsburg, Greenpoint, and Bushwick lost years ago (or currently losing, depending on who you ask!).

Here's how our sweet Saturday played out . . .

1/  Since Red Hook is a little challenging to get to via Subway, one of my girlfriends had the brilliant idea to take the free ferry.  I was skeptical, fearful of long lines, but despite the picture perfect day, we got on one with great ease and were in Red Hook within 15 minutes of leaving the Wall St. dock.  And the cheerful ferry workers were delighted to take pictures of riders.
2/  By the time we got to Red Hook, it was definitely time for brunch.  We opted to check out Fort Defiance, based on some good reviews among friends.  I loved their outdoor bar, where couples were dining right on the sidewalk. 
3/  We were seated right away in the back - perfect for a group of girlfriends that needed to catch up and laugh loudly.  All the tables were covered in gorgeous, patterned oil cloth, which I loved.  We feasted on their $20 pre-fixe, which ended up being a fantastic deal among NYC standards.  Basically, if it includes a Tom Collins, sign me up.

The rest of the day, we strolled down Van Brunt Street enjoying boutiques, particularly Foxy & Winston and Erie Basin.  Slowly, we made our way up Smith St. in Cobble Hill.  And then back to the subway, for me to head back home.  It was a perfect day of exploring.

~ Bonnie

summer is the best

I'm still trying to get over the fact that September has arrived & warm weather is beginning to make its exit.  I've had a fantastic summer - clearly, since I've checked out from blogging for the past month.  My days have been spent with friends and family, my dog and my plants, full of dining al fresco, exploring new cities, and experimenting in the studio.  I can't wait to share the highlights of my summer months . . .

Image taken by myself while enjoying an adult beverage or two at Silk City's outdoor patio. 

~ Bonnie

weekending // adventures in . . . CELEBRATING!

This weekend, it was time to throw on a party dress and do some celebrating.  As of Friday, my husband completed his first year of med school, and since we knew this would be "the last summer of his life," it was time to party with our nearest & dearest Philly friends.  We even had some Brooklyn friends travel down for the celebration.

Here's how the celebrating played out . . .

1/  I love DIY party garland, and this is some of my favorite to make.  I simply used a 2" hole punch and went to town on some thick double-sided colored cardstock.  Then, I ran them through the sewing machine.  In about 15 minutes, I had several long strands of colorful garland to use for decorating.
2/  Our kitchen chalkboard is one of the first things guests see when they walk up the stairs into our apartment, so I wanted to take advantage of such easy visibility to set the mood.  I had fun quickly doing this before guests arrived, but if I had any early arrivers, it would have been a cool task for one of them. 
3/  This has got to be one of my favorite photos from the evening, snapped by my dear friend Nicole.  I always forget to have someone take a photo of me & Ben during parties, and this one is so candid and sweet.   
4/  You can't have a cocktail party without cocktail stirrers.  Well, ok, maybe you can, but I wasn't going to, so I made these DIY stirrers thanks to a great recent post on A Beautiful Mess.
5/  It was a fabulous evening if I can say so myself, and it was the perfect way to ring in summer with friends and to celebrate my husband's first year down.

~ Bonnie

weekending // adventures in . . . 3 YEARS in PHILLY

It wasn't until I was out running Saturday morning in the sweltering heat, glimpsing at poor souls haul their
worldly possessions out of trucks and into their new abode, that I realized that this weekend marked our 3 year Philadelphia anniversary.  Or as folks here would say, our "Philaversary."  (Adding "Phila" to the beginning of any word is oh too common here.  A minor pet peeve, but I can get over it.)

We moved here from Brooklyn for my husband to begin his medical path, and for the first year, I ached for New York City.  We both did.  We missed our close friends, ones that we dined and drank with almost every evening.  We missed the energy, the outpouring a creativity, and the ease as to which we could buy a 6-pack or a falafel sandwich at 2 a.m.

But slowly, we created a new home in Philly.  I began to meet a world of creative folks, thanks to my printed housewares collaboration, Kaye Rachelle Designs, and my job teaching art through The Mural Arts Program.  My husband found his fellow vintage motorcycle enthusiasts, Chin on the Tank, for weekly rides & gatherings.  I developed a love for gardening & bicycling, two things I had neither the space or courage to pick up in NYC.  And before we knew it, we suddenly had the head space, time, and a much lower cost of city living to be able to breathe and explore life.  

The 6 years we spent in New York will certainly go down as some of the best years of my life, where I learned so much about myself and the world.  But I'm happy that we took the plunge to add a new chapter to our adventure together, to explore a whole new city, and to see life through yet another lens.

Image taken on my iphone at The Roots mural dedication on Friday.

~ Bonnie

weekending // adventures on . . . MEMORIAL DAY

This year for Memorial Day weekend, my husband & I decided to ring in summer with an all-American weekend full of friends, fireworks, and oh yes, monster trucks.

Here's how the weekend played out . . .

1/  On Saturday, we gathered up friends at El Camino Real - primarily those that we know through fellow vintage bike lovers Chin on the Tank - and rode motorcycles out of the city to Plymouth Meeting where we indulged in an evening of monster trucks.
2/  Yes, that's right.  Nothing screams America like this.  The event, put on by KSR Motorsports, was much smaller than we anticipated, but super fun nonetheless.  Everyone had a smile plastered to their face. . .
3/  Especially when this happened.  This guy, this dare devil, blew my mind.
4/  After an evening a monster trucks, we needed a lazy Sunday at home.  (I spy a dog soaking up sunlight.)
5/  On Monday, we ventured across the Delaware River to watch the Camden Riversharks play baseball against the York Revolution.  We had been meaning to check out this minor league team for a while, especially since the stadium is right across the Ben Franklin Bridge from Philly.  And our tickets were just $5 each.
(Check out their complete summer schedule)
6/  I recommend getting seats behind 1st base for the best view of Philadelphia.  And who doesn't like that view, especially with a hotdog in front of it.
7/  Peanut shells.  The only time in life where it is acceptable to liter.
8/  And the highlight to the evening . . . we won the game!  And there were fireworks!!  It was the perfect ending to our 'merica weekend.

Cheers to the weekend,

~ Bonnie

weekending // adventures in ... SOCIETY HILL + OLD CITY

It's always a delight to play tourist in my own city.  Unfortunately, it's so easy to take those everyday surroundings for granted.  Luckily, I had a dear, childhood friend from Georgia in town for 24hrs and despite the gloomy mist that hovered over Philadelphia all weekend long, we went adventuring in my own backyard.

Here's how our Sunday played out . . .

1 /  We started our adventures in Society Hill, which is full of magical alleys, lined with cobblestone and homes that were built in the 17th & 18th century.  You can't help but feel like you have wandered back in time.   
2 /  I love that original cobblestone is found throughout the neighborhood.  This patch exists just outside The Second National Bank.  It's not very fun to walk on, but it sure is pretty. 
3 /  We strolled through Washington Square Park and had the place almost all to ourselves.  Typically, I'm running through this historical park, and I don't get to take in all the greenery, the large central fountain, and the gorgeous homes that line the park. 
4 /  I laughed out loud as we came upon this carriage house detail, an iron horse hoof.  The devil is in the details, no?

5 /  We kept walking north and found ourselves in Old City, ready for a little boutiquing and galleries.  At this point, we needed a little fuel to keep going, so we stepped inside (and back in time) Shane Confectionery.  This revived historical candy shop is owned by the masterminds behind the icecream parlour next door, Franklin Fountain.  I recommend either location for a mid-afternoon sweet treat, just get ready for summertime long lines.   
6 /  I can't walk up 3rd Street without sticking my head in my favorite clothing and accessory boutique, Vagabond.  They carry some of the best designer finds, including tops by Uzi, shoes by Miista Ondria, and Baggu totes.
7 /  The relatively still new Race Street Pier is the perfect respite after a day of exploring.  We sat on the jumbo wooden steps in front of the Delaware River and pondered the engineering of the stunning Ben Franklin Bridge. 
8 /  We ended our Old City tour with a quick walk down Elfreth's Alley, our country's oldest residential street, which dates back to 1702.  I first stumbled upon the street when out for a run soon after moving to Philly; I looked down the alley and thought, that place can't be real.  Oh, but it is. 

Cheers to the weekend,

Bonnie

weekending // adventures in . . . RICHMOND, VA

Oh, how the weekend feels too far away already, and it's only Wednesday.  But the fun and rest I had while visiting dear friends in Richmond, VA last weekend will certainly be carried with me for a long while. 

I've been a big fan of Richmond for the past 4 years since one of my dearest college girlfriends moved there.  When I'm there, my Southern blood relaxes in the calm warmth of porch sittin'.  There's never a lack of neighborhoods to explore, bonfires to sit around, or talented young folks to meet.  I really want to live there one day.  (But shhh . . . let's keep its amazingness a secret, ok?)

Here's how the weekend played out. . .

1 /   The main attraction for the weekend was this little fella, the 6-week-old of Sarah, one of my art college besties.  It was love at first sight. 
2 /   Nothing makes a Southern gal more happy than a full plate of pulled pork, baked beans, and spicy coleslaw.  It's a trifecta.
3 /   Epecially when free and paired with a (also free) Black Girls concert.  (No, not kidding about the band name, but check 'em out.)  I'm still not exactly sure the true reasoning behind this springtime bbq, but it was on the outside lawn of Riverside Outfitters.  Sometimes when traveling, you shouldn't ask any questions.   
4 /   Saturday morning was greeted with a stroll through the South of the James Farmers Market in Forest Hill Park.  There, I tasted the finest of Amish doughnuts.  Heavenly.
5 /   The afternoon was happily spent at Great Big Greenhouse, and oh was it great and big.  If only I wasn't having to bus it back to Philly, I would have certainly brought some new succulents home with me.

6 /   Time for margaritas on the porch at the lovely home of Hannah, Sarah's sister who runs her own visual styling company.  Her husband salts the rim extra heavily.  So good.  We spent the evening listening to the thunderstorms and laughing with friends new and old, including one of my new favorite young Southern voices & blogger of The Stillhouse. 
7 /   A simple shot of Sarah on her first Mother's Day.  I am so happy for her & her husband.
8 /   We feasted on a Mother's Day lunch of a low country boil before going on nature walks and sipping on brews at Legend Brewing Co. 
9 /   I normally don't get to stay in a stylist's home when traveling, so when I do, I take in the visit as visually as possible.  Nothing beats a kind host with impeccable style.   
10 /   Saying goodbye to the South is sometimes very hard for me.  So much of my identity is rooted in its soil, and some my dearest friends still call it home.  But I take adventures where my life leads, and I'm content that right now that means heading back to Philadelphia.

Cheers to the Weekend, 

Bonnie

weekending // adventures at . . . PHILLY'S 3RD WARD

This past Saturday evening was an exciting one for us residents & artists in the neighborhoods of South Kensington, Northern Liberties, & Fishtown.  The doors of 3rd Ward were finally open to the public, and we finally got to check out the space that's been in progress for nearly two years.

With local Spodee Wine punch or beer in hand, folks got a chance to explore all three floors of the co-working, classroom, & workshop spaces.  While the rooms still remain completely bare for the most part, the co-working room & roof deck certainly stole the show.  And the lack of furniture and equipment allowed one to focus on the gorgeous exposed brick and details from this old, historical church turned factory.

For those unfamiliar with 3rd Ward, it's a collaborative/co-working/arts education space that's orginially based in Brooklyn and a haven for interesting classes, workshops, and networking opportunities.  The Brooklyn 3rd Ward holds a very special place in my heart - I learned Photoshop & Dreamweaver there in 2006 when we lived in Bushwick!  Considering it's a block away from where I currently live now in Philly, I hope to use it to its full potential.

Wanna check it out?  You can use their co-working space for free starting tomorrow through May 3rd.  RSVP here.

weekending // adventures in . . . BROOKLYN

Last weekend, it was time to get away.  I was longing to return to Brooklyn - my former home of six years - to relax with friends and to explore all the newness that has exploded in that borough since I last lived there.  I took an early AM bus Saturday morning and was reminded of the truly easy jaunt between Philly & New York.  Overall, it was two days of weekending perfection.  Here's how it all played out . . .

S A T U R D A Y

1 /  It's become a new tradition now that I head straight from the bus stop to my favorite kitchenware + gift shop in the Flatiron District, Fishs Eddy.  It's a perfect instant dose of delight + inspriation, and it's full of pretty, little hostess gifts which I am always needing to pick up for my NY stay.

2 & 3 /  I was in Brooklyn by noon, ready to hang out with two of my closest girlfriends for the day.  Luckily, one of them lives on the Brooklyn waterfront in Williamsburg & Smorgasburg is basically in her backyard.  This unbelievable outdoor food vendor market allows you to nosh on everything from fresh made empanadas to colorful mini macaroons. (We even spied the Barefoot Contessa while we were there!)    

4 /  By the late afternoon & after lots of chatting, we were thirsty for a well-made cocktail.  We ventured to Masion Premiere on Grand St. where dapper men dressed straight out of old Paris served us Mason Spring Pimm's Cups.  Amazing.

5 /  The evening was full of wine, laughter, and catching up as we dined on a homecooked meal and celebrated our almost 10 years of friendship.

6 /  And there can't be too much said about an evening with good girlfriends.  It's a must.

S U N D A Y

1 /  It's not Sunday morning in Brooklyn without brunch.  Beco was a delightful Brazilian morning treat and was without the obnoxiously (hip) long wait.
2 & 3 /  One cup of coffee is never enough on a Sunday morning, so afterwards I meet up with a couple other friends at Toby's Estate on North 6th.  They didn't have many of these fancy-pants shops three years ago when I left.  While I loved the standing + communal tables, the price was a reminder that I sure wasn't in Philly anymore!  Dang.
4 & 5 /  I love my friends.  And these two are some of the finest.  We all met as neighbors in Bushwick in 2006, and now we vacation & celebrate holidays together.  We lounged in McCarren Park for a while to enjoy the sun . . .
6 /  . . . then headed over to the beautiful backyard at No Name Bar in Greenpoint for a beer.  We laughed over the last rays of weekend sunlight, and then I headed back to the train.

Cheers to the Weekend,

Bonnie

Images: All pics were delightfully snapped on my iphone