Summer Daze

Today was one of this picture perfect summer days. It started with a half-day at work (because one of the beautiful things about working in publishing is summer Fridays). It ended at Lincoln Center with the American Ballet Theatre. And in between, stops at Eataly, Madison Square Park, and the Union Square Farmers Market.

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On Fridays my workday ends at 12:45, give or take. The weather yesterday was just perfect for a picnic lunch. Although I'm still going through vacation withdrawals (New York, I love you, but you've got nothing on Santorini), there's something a little bit magical about summer in New York. So when the weather is right--not too humid, clear skies--I want to be outside as much as possible. Yesterday, that meant picking up a sandwich from Eataly (it took every ounce of willpower not to spend hours among the aisles of freshly made pasta, made-to-order thin-crust pizzas, shelves stacked with every variety of cheese imaginable, and don't get me started on the wine selection), and finding an open park bench in Madison Square. I was not alone; there were dozens of same-minded New Yorkers out and about enjoying the day. With a book and my sandwich, I ate a leisurely lunch among the trees and the flowers (and the strollers and the dogs).

I didn't leave the park until close to 4 pm. And I would've stayed longer had I not had other things on my agenda for the day. Like picking up some fresh veggies at the Farmers Market for an early pre-ballet dinner. It isn't quite tomato season, but I was craving a fresh caprese salad, so I picked out a couple of hothouse tomatoes, a bunch of fresh basil (I'm considering going back next week and investing in a few other herbs to keep on my patio), and a round of mozzarella cheese. Along with the balsamic vinegar I brought back from Sorrento, Italy, my mediterranean-inspired dinner was just what I needed.

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The ballet--Romeo & Juliet--began at 7:30, so I had a little time to kill before I needed to head to the west side. I was struck with a brilliant idea: my patio, which has gone unused thus far, was the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine and catch up on a couple of episodes of Reign. The patio is a bit noisy, so I had to use my headphones, and the furniture needs a good cleaning, so I had to cover the table with a cheap runner and the chair with a beach towel. Otherwise, I have a little piece of paradise right outside my bedroom. Rory was less than impressed; she stared at me the whole time through the bedroom window. And when she realized that I was only coming in to change and leave again, she was even more upset. Poor thing has been clinging to me like a baby kangaroo every since I came back. It feels good to be missed.

And the grand finale of my perfect summer day...Romeo & Juliet at Lincoln Center. It was my second of three ballets this season (the last one is next Saturday), but I think I was most excited for this performance. Roberto Bolle, whom you may or may not know, is a principal dancer and an Instagram star. He's uber-talented and gorgeous and makes everything look effortless on stage. He was the perfect Romeo. I can see why Juliet killed herself over him. Kidding...but seriously, look him up on Google. You'll understand.

Tomorrow is a working day...back at Kate Spade. But it looks like it's going to be another beautiful day. I may not be in the Mediterranean anymore, but I'm home in New York, and that's the next best thing.