Simple Summer Pleasures

Good morning, lovelies! We're having such gorgeous weather here in NYC the past two days. And weather like this makes me just want to savor all of the goodies that summers in the city have to offer.

Long strolls in the park, gorgeous blooms at the market, mojitos, and of course dining al fresco in the little hidden backyard gardens.

Can't wait to get out of work today so I can take it all in!

Have a wonderful day! xoxo

Images: 1, 2, 3 - all edited by The Alternative Wife, 4

Vanity Affair

Happy mid-week lovelies. I've always felt like a girl's vanity is her throne. The place that she goes to hold court. With herself. It's where all of the judgement takes place but the wonderful thing is that she's able to magically transform herself to regular to regal beauty.

Working in the wonderful world of beauty has afforded me many luxuries, including my gorgeous glass vanity {which was a prop for an Almay photo shoot back in the mid nineties that I won in raffle} and all of the lotion, potions and other bits of beauty that sit upon it. I do admit that from time to time it tends to get a bit cluttered and I often long for a more minimal look. A few bottles of fragrance, one of two body lotions, my hair & makeup brushes, a little box of makeup and a bouquet of flowers. I'll tell you that's a stark contrast from my reality! Ah it's always good to have something to aspire to, right?

So tell me, lovelies, what do you all display on your vanities? Is it minimilastic and chic or cluttered like mine?

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 All images edited by The Alternative Wife

Delightful Dining

Happy Tuesday, lovelies! Hope your week is off to a wonderful start. Mine is great. Last night I met up with two of my old favorite blogging friends, Chic 'n Cheap Living and Very Married. It was so nice to get to see them again. Think it's been about a year between meetups so it was much welcomed :)

And it's turning into a blogger meetup week for me because tonight I'm going to meet Tamra of Walks with Bella for a bite to eat at my favorite NYC restaurant. Hopefully the weather cooperates because we've been planning on dining al fresco. Crossing fingers!

Enjoy the day, sweets! xoxo

Images: 1, 2, 3 All edited by The Alternative Wife

Mellow Monday Morning

Good morning, lovelies! How was your weekend? Hope you had a wonderful one.

Mine was great. Lots of time at the beach and my cousin's wedding was lovely. It's always nice to spend time with family. Plus on Saturday night after the wedding we stayed at a fabulous hotel right on the beach in Long Beach. It's like South Beach north. Just amazing!

I'm kinda slow going this morning. The back and forth from the city to Fire Island every weekend kinda wears you out. And I'm also getting up much earlier every day to get to work early for summer hours. So put those factors together and you have one tired girl. Not that I'm complaining or anything. I'm having an incredible time and I wouldn't change a thing. I'm just going to take it a little slower this morning. Eat some breakfast at home and maybe even try to sneak in a quick bath before work.

Hope you all have a fabulous day!

xoxo

Images: 1, 2, 3

Cooling Off

Happy Friday, lovelies! I've fled to the shore for some relief from this heatwave. The second I got on the ferry last night the cool ocean breeze cooled me down.

What are you all up to this weekend? My weekend will include lots of beaching and my cousin's wedding Saturday night in Long Beach. Good thing that's taking place at the beach too because I'll be right back on the sand Sunday morning soaking up all that's left of the weekend.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! See you Monday :) xoxo

Images: 1 edited by The Alternative Wife, 2, 3 edited by The Alternative Wife

The Great Escape

Good morning, lovelies! How is the week treating you? We're in the middle of a heat wave here and the city is brutally hot. I have to tell you that the last place you want to be in the middle of a heat wave is NYC. The heat and humidity is killer!

Lucky for me I'm headed out to Fire Island for the weekend tonight so I'll be getting some much needed relief. I feel even more fortunate because I get to beat Friday afternoon mad rush out of the city this week. Yay!

Hope you all have a wonderful day and stay cool!

xoxo

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 edited by The Alternative Wife

Summer Soiree

One of my favorite things about the summer is all of the fabulous parties that take place. BBQs, rooftop parties, picnics in the park, you name it, I never miss them.

But nothing beats the swanky pool parties. You know the ones where you get a dressed up to sip cocktails and nibble on some finger food all while pretending that you lead this oh so glamorous life. And that maybe, just maybe, that you actually own the fabulous home that the party is being held at. You know what I'm talking about right? OK if I'm alone here then call me a dreamer :)

Enjoy the day, lovelies! xoxo

Images: 1 edited by The Alternative Wife, 2, 3

Easy Breezy

Hi lovelies! Hope your week is off to a wonderful start. The weather is just gorgeous today and I'm thinking that today would be a perfect day for a picnic. If I have to be in the city, I might as well be in Central Park taking it easy, right? :)

Hope you all enjoy the day! xoxo

Images: 1, 2, 3

Back to Reality

Good Monday morning, lovelies! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I had a great time at the beach. Back to the city now and back to reality. Wish I could stay at the beach house all week but someone's gotta pay the bills so here we are :)

I'm heading straight out the door for some java to snap me back into the real world, and to give me a little focus. I can't be in a summer state of mind all week now can I? What work would get done? I'm a little disappointed in myself because I've yet to go back to coffee after my cleanse a few weeks ago but today I definitely need it. Ah a little coffee is good for you, right?

So what did you all do this weekend? Anything fun and exciting or was it filled with lots of relaxation? Whatever you did I hope you enjoyed it to the fullest.

Have a wonderful day!

xoxo

Images: 1, 2, 3 All edited by The Alternative Wife

Another Beach Weekend

Happy Friday, lovelies! I'm headed to the beach after work today so I guess you could say that I'm on a little summer high :)

Thank you for all of your wonderful comments this week. They really mean so much. And welcome to all new followers! So happy to have you all!

So what are you all up to this weekend? Whatever your plans I hope you all have a great one!

See you Monday!

xoxo

Images: 1, 2, 3

Lazy Days Of Summer

I know it's not technically summer but it sure does feel like it. Seems like spring just passed us by. I skipped right by my spring transition clothes and right into my summer coolers. Flowing dresses and sandals instantly replaced my tights and boots and now it looks like they're here to stay for the foreseable future. Not that I'm complaining. That's a very good thing in my book.

Only problem that comes with summer is the bad case of summer fever that I get. Picnics, days at the beach, drinks al fresco, bicycle rides and BBQs constantly fill my brain making it nearly impossible to concentrate on anything else. But not to fear, lovelies, I'll suffer through :)

How is the weather in your part of the world? For my northern hemisphere friends, did you get to have a spring or did it go staright into summer temps?

Hope you all have a lovely day! xoxo

Images: 1, 2, 3 3

A Charmed Life

Happy mid-week, lovelies! How wonderful that it's already the middle of the week and I've only had to work one day so far. And I only have 2 and a half more days of work before another weekend at the beach.

With all of the fun I've been having lately I've been feeling very grateful and blessed to have such a wonderful life. Sure I have hard times like everyone but overall I know that I'm a very lucky girl and I wouldn't change one little thing about my life. I'm in love with my childhood sweetheart, I have an amazing family, wonderful friends, I love my job, love my city and I'm also able to travel and explore other fantastic places fairly frequently. No complaints here :)

I always think it's good to step back and reflect about the fortunes you have in your life. It just makes you appreciate things more. So what about you all? What are you grateful for these days?

Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day, loves! xoxo

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4