moodboard | 07

"There is something in New York air that makes sleep useless." - Simone de Beauvoir

I think what Simone meant to say was, "There is so much pollen in New York air that you should give up all hope of sleep." She really should have been more straightforward with us so that I could have known what I was in for. Way to help a sister out, Simone. 

This is my first spring in New York, and it turns out I was wildly unprepared. I swear we went from winter to spring in one night. I woke up one morning and everything had bloomed - everything! - and it wasn't even like things were blooming, they just bloomed. There were no buds or sprouts or any warning signs whatsoever. 

Spring was just like, I AM HERE. And then I was like, I CAN'T BREATHE. 

Despite the minor asthma attack that I enjoy every time I go outside, springtime in New York is pretty great! For starters, everything is beautiful. Central Park looks so pretty it's stupid. People are so happy about it, too. Everyone is running around, flying kites, riding matching bikes, skipping, cartwheeling, etc. etc. This video should give you a good idea of what's up in New York City right now. 

Other good things that come with Spring: 

1. smoothies

2. sandals

3. getting to eat outside at your favorite restaurant 

4. air conditioning on the subway

5. street fairs

This weekend, we're going to try and spend as much time outside as possible (pending my ability to breathe).  I want to explore the Brooklyn Flea Market (finally!), maybe ride the Staten Island Ferry without a jacket on, and eat as many popsicles as possible. 

How are you spending the long weekend? 

all photos via these boards

Saturday at the Market

On account of it being sunny for the first time in about six months, the Saturday Farmer's Market is finally back in town. Okay fine, so it probably has nothing to do with being sunny but it sure is convenient timing! I love Market season. People are always in a good mood, walking around with their bags full of carrots and tulips and jars of homemade honey (*recyclable bags, of course). My favorite part is the salted caramel ice cream. Mmmm.

As someone who loves cold weather more than most people, I'm surprised at how much I've been enjoying the sun. I remember when I was moving to Oregon, people kept warning me about SAD - the Seasonal Affective Disorder (which, according to Web MD is still "a mystery", hehe). Essentially, people start getting depressed after not seeing the sun for so many weeks or months at a time. Ha! Is that silly or what? At the time, I was moving to Oregon from California so I wasn't too worried. I had had enough sun to last me a lifetime.

However. As ridiculous as a seasonal disorder sounds, it might be a little bit true for some of these native Oregonians. I swear, people go crazy for the sun around here. It doesn't matter if it's 50 degrees or 70, if the sun is out, so are the shorts and the sandals and the sunscreen (and all the pasty white legs that have been hiding under jeans and boots for the last few months - eek!).

Anyhow. Sunny weather has been treating us pretty well. We've been sleeping with our windows open at night (which I love!) and are being woken up by the sun instead of a million different alarms. I have to admit, it's pretty nice to ride bikes without having to put on 8 jackets first. To be able to have dinner outside. To order lemonade instead of hot tea. To walk to class without getting drenched in the rain in between. To have to shop for a few new spring outfits. ;)

I'll always be thrilled with a day of rain, but I suppose this sunny weather isn't so bad after all.

Which do you prefer, colder or warmer weather?