The best way to endure the winter, in my opinion, is to plan getaways and adventures that break up the weekly monotony. One of the best parts of living in New York is the accessibility to so many charming places that take shape in the winter months. I have always favored the Hudson Valley when adventuring upstate, but was urged to venture further up and explore Saratoga and Lake George, of which I've never been before. Let's just say this won't be my last time at this Lake and I look forward to making many more memories here.
Day 1
We got a lot start to the 3.5 hour drive upstate to avoid some traffic, and decided to stop in the town of New Paltz on the way up for a coffee break at Commissary for a delicious latte to warm up. I brought my pup, Oreo, with me this getaway because the rest of my family was away in Florida; and soon realized all that went along with travelling with a dog. While stopping in New Paltz, Oreo's feet got completely muddy in the melting snow and dirtied the back seat so we made a quick pit stop to pick up some cleaning supplies and towels to guard the car from disaster again.
We finally arrived at Union Gables Inn, our B&B for the weekend. We chose this spot partly because they're dog friendly and I definitely recommend them if you're travelling with a pup to Saratoga! We drove into town for a bite to eat at Ravenous for some delicious crepes and fries, a much needed pick me up!
We previously bought some concert tickets to Caffe Lena as we heard it has a rich music history, being the oldest continuously operating folk music venue in the US. Fun Fact: it was the first place Bob Dylan performed outside of NYC. Let me start off by saying I am by no means a folk/bluegrass aficionado; I love and appreciate all good music. With that said, this venue is a MUST SEE in Saratoga and was arguably the highlight of the whole weekend. Once a month they have a Bright Series which is a night dedicated to up-and-coming artists and bands to showcase their talent. For two hours we were treated to some of the best live music I've seen in my life by The Last Revel and The Slocan Ramblers.
 |
| Commissary, New Paltz |
 |
| Union Gables Inn, Saratoga |
 |
| Ravenous, Saratoga |
 |
| Caffe Lena, Saratoga |
Day 2
We started the rainy day with a Hot Yoga class at The Hot Yoga Spot which was very relaxing and much needed to clear the mind for the long weekend off. On the way back to the B&B we stopped at Uncommon Grounds for some coffee and I definitely recommend it, get them to stay as it seemed like the central hang out for the locals!
After freshening up at the B&B, we made our way to Max London's for a late breakfast. It is the most famous spot in town, and for good reason. The food was so good I forgot to take a picture haha. After the long morning we finally headed out to our destination for the day, Lake George.
The weather was unseasonably warm after frigid days, so the fog was really deep and made it hard to see the lake and surrounding mountains, but it was amazing to see the lake in such a moody and mysterious atmosphere.
 |
| Lake George |
 |
| Lake George |
 |
| Lake George |
Day 3
After another lazy morning, we headed to Saratoga Coffee Traders, which in my opinion was the best coffee in town! It was a really chilly day so it was nice to cozy up, and they have a long list of interesting flavored lattes! After our morning pick-me-up we were looking for a big Saturday breakfast. Before heading to Saratoga, we heard Hattie's had some of the best fried chicken in the country; so naturally I got the chicken and waffles and boy they did not disappoint!
After filling our bellies, we hit the road to go north again toward Lake George. It was a snowy night before, so we were excited to get into the surrounding mountains and see the Lake in a different form. We wandered through the town of Hague and enjoyed the empty, winding snow-filled roads. We stopped to take some pics and leisurely drove the area taking it all in. It's amazing how different of an experience we had at the lake just 24 hours on! We stopped to explore the island where The Sagamore Hotel is, and we were rewarded with the most fairytale sunset.
We stopped for some hot toddies on the way back before having a great dinner at Forno Bistro. I don't usually eat Italian when I go out, but this place was definitely worth the splurge the food was incredibly fresh and the atmosphere was so cozy. Again I forgot to take a pic, so you know it was THAT good!
 |
| Saratoga Coffee Traders, Saratoga |
 |
| Hattie's, Saratoga |
 |
| Oreo, Hague |
 |
| Trout House Village, Hague |
 |
| Lake George |
 |
| Lake George |
 |
| The Sagamore, Lake George |
 |
| Bolton Landing |
 |
| Lake George |
Day 4
Our long weekend was coming to an end, and we saved the best for last. Mrs. London's Bakery. It is an award winning bakery, and for good reason. The pastries are to die for, we ordered a bunch to share and even got a bag to bring home to friends and family! This is a must visit when in Saratoga. We walked along the main street, Broadway, before heading back to our B&B to check out. On the drive back we explored the neighborhood along Union Ave, which has some incredible Old Victorian homes.
We packed the car and the road for New York City! We took a different route back, going along the eastern side of the Hudson River and stopped in the town of Hudson on the way home. We loved the town so much from our last weekend getaway that we decided to visit an eclectic coffee shop, Or Gallery & Tavern. It was cool spot to cozy up before driving anther 2.5 hours home!
Hope you enjoyed our long weekend tales, and I hope you visit Saratoga and Lake George one day!
 |
| Mrs London's Bakery, Saratoga |
 |
| Broadway, Saratoga |
 |
| The Adelphi Hotel, Saratoga |
 |
| Union Ave Historic District, Saratoga |
 |
| Union Ave Historic Distric, Saratoga |
DIY Industrial Clothing Rack
With the recent run of cold weather I have gotten a bit stir-crazy, and as a result I decided to put myself to work. For a while now I have had my eye on this DIY project as an addition to my room for both form and function. Before I share my experience making this with you, let me disclaim that I am by no means a handy person, and if I can do this so can you!
I used this link as a guideline, but decided to do a few things differently based on my preference and available tools.
Supplies
- (1) 3/4 inch Plywood Board
- (4) 4-inch swivel casters (wheels)
- (3) 3/4 inch Black Iron Pipe 3 ft long
- (2) 3/4 inch Black Iron Pipe 2 ft long
- (2) 1-inch Flange
- (2) 3/4 inch Pipe Cap
- (2) 3/4 inch Pipe Elbow
- (16) 5/16 inch nails
- (16) 5/16 inch lock nuts
- (8) 3/8 inch nails
- (8) 3/8 inch lock nuts
- (8) 3/8 inch washers
- Black Hammered Spray Paint
- Miniwax Dark Walnut Wood Stain
- Miniwax Water Based Polycrylic Protective Finish
- steel wool and dish soap (to clean pipes
- A rag, gloves and dropcloth
Directions
I first started by sanding the plywood so that the stain would hold thoroughly. After sanding I stained the wood with the Miniwax Dark Walnut Wood Stain. I used a rag to apply the stain as I think it leaves smoother finish and allows you to clean and even out the stain as you go.
Next I took all the screws, lock nuts, washers and flanges and layed them out over paper towel to spray paint. The black finish on the nuts and bolts will match the black iron pipe and give the final product a clean look.
While the wood stain and spray paint dried I assembled the pipes and fittings. This was definitely a two person job as the full sized frame can be a bit large and in order to fasten all the piping you'll need an extra set of hands.
While the wood stain and spray paint dried I assembled the pipes and fittings. This was definitely a two person job as the full sized frame can be a bit large and in order to fasten all the piping you'll need an extra set of hands.
Once the pipes were all connected, including the flanges, pipe caps and elbows I used the steel wool and dish soap to lightly clean the residue off of the pipes. They tend to be a bit greasy and since I will be hanging clothes I don't want them to stain.
After the wood stain was dry, I applied the Water Based Protective Finish to the wood, this will seal the stain and protect it, as I plan to put shoes on the bottom shelf it could prolong the life of the wood.
Once this was all dry came the assembly part. I started with the casters (wheels). The guideline I followed drilled the wheels from the bottom up without piercing through the wood. I was not confident in the longevity of this tactic, so I decided to drill from the top to the bottom, with the heads of the screws exposed. I also think this adds a rustic feel to the clothing rack as the exposed nails are cool. Be sure to align the 4 wheels evenly. I measured mine about 4 inches in from the short ends of the plywood and 2 inches in from the long ends.
Once the wheels are fasted the pre-assembled piping frame can be placed on the plywood, again centered so that when clothes are hanging all is balanced. I used a ruler to ensure the frame sat even (8 inches from each end) on the board.
Once there, drill your holes through the holes in the flanges so the screws can pass through. Don't forget to screw on the lock nuts and washers as this will really secure the frame to the base and make the rack sturdy.
And voila there you have it! A (relatively) easy DIY clothing rack that is not only functional but looks really cool too!
Next time I'll be sure to include more pictures of the process, I was too focused on the accuracy!
Special thanks to my parents and sister for helping me assemble and pick up the supplies for this project! Looking forward to sharing more DIYs in the future!
After the wood stain was dry, I applied the Water Based Protective Finish to the wood, this will seal the stain and protect it, as I plan to put shoes on the bottom shelf it could prolong the life of the wood.
Once this was all dry came the assembly part. I started with the casters (wheels). The guideline I followed drilled the wheels from the bottom up without piercing through the wood. I was not confident in the longevity of this tactic, so I decided to drill from the top to the bottom, with the heads of the screws exposed. I also think this adds a rustic feel to the clothing rack as the exposed nails are cool. Be sure to align the 4 wheels evenly. I measured mine about 4 inches in from the short ends of the plywood and 2 inches in from the long ends.
Once the wheels are fasted the pre-assembled piping frame can be placed on the plywood, again centered so that when clothes are hanging all is balanced. I used a ruler to ensure the frame sat even (8 inches from each end) on the board.
Once there, drill your holes through the holes in the flanges so the screws can pass through. Don't forget to screw on the lock nuts and washers as this will really secure the frame to the base and make the rack sturdy.
And voila there you have it! A (relatively) easy DIY clothing rack that is not only functional but looks really cool too!
Next time I'll be sure to include more pictures of the process, I was too focused on the accuracy!
Special thanks to my parents and sister for helping me assemble and pick up the supplies for this project! Looking forward to sharing more DIYs in the future!
New Year, New Mindset
The first week of the new year, 2018. All of us are brimming with positivity and hope as the new year is a blank canvas for us to architect our aspirations. As we should all set the bar high, as I have myself, BUT we should also be conscious of the reality of achievements. It is not always going to be rainbows and butterflies. There will be difficult days ahead, but with the right mindset we can prevail anything that this year throws our way and learn from both the highs and the lows.
Last year I came across a Greatist article about 25 Things the Author wish they knew 10 years ago. It stuck with me so much that I typed them up in a list and printed them out to hang at my desk. I want to share with you all those 25 points, and what they mean to me.
Struggle is Good
Nothing Worthwhile is going to come easy. Anything that you aspire to achieve will take dedication and with that comes mistakes and failures. Don't be ashamed by that, each of us is unique in failure.
Don't Complain
Why complain? It's a waste of time, and solves nothing. And it brings your mood down further. Do something if you're bothered.
Spend Time With People You Love
Friends and Family alike, they are the seams that bound our life together. We encounter so many people in our lives, and so few touch us in a way that is distinct. Keep them close and don't let them go.
Don't Start A Relationship If You're Not In Love
Don't settle, ever. But especially never in love. Time is precious, use it to grow with someone who challenges you to be better everyday.
Exercise Daily
Always find time for your personal health. It takes far less time than you imagine. Healthy choices leave us in a better place for tomorrow, so why even consider it an option. All it takes is as little as 30 minutes from your own home, and we have abundant resources today. If you can't build a healthy body and mind, what can you build? No excuses!
Keep A Journal
This is something I have struggled with, and challenge myself on. Part of the inspiration of this blog is a source of my personal journals. Write memories down, express how your feel. It helps to talk it out with yourself. And in the end you have all of these experiences to look back on - you won't regret it.
Be Grateful
Why shouldn't we be grateful? Each of us is living a life that millions of people would dream of. The internet you have to read this is a blessing. Say Thank You, and be gracious. Life could be far worse.
Don't Care About What Other People Think
Another one I struggle with. I always care how other perceive my actions and intentions because I want to come off with the best of both. But sometimes it leads to indecisiveness. Enough of that, take action despite what others think. Take that silly picture, dance in public, proclaim your love out loud in front of others. It's our life to live.
Take More Risks
No risk, no reward eh?
Pick and Industry, Not A Job
This is another big one for me. What are you passionate about? Now chase your dreams in that realm. Don't settle for a job because you studied it in college and now you hate it. The goal in life is for work not to feel like a job. Wake up every morning with a burning passion for what you do, no matter what it is.
Lead The Way
Gone are the days of relying on others. Be your own leader. Don't wait for someone else to make a decision.
Money Isn't (the most) Important
I included the most part here, because it is naive to think money has no importance. But, never make it your number one. People and experiences should be. Spend a few extra dollars if it means an everlasting memory. Value yourself not by your belongings and bank account, but by the wealth of love you surround yourself with.
Be Nice
Why shouldn't we be nice, why should being mean ever be a default option? Don't allow yourself to be stepped over, of course. But be nice, until you're forced not to be - but always maintain your class.
Learn Every Day
If we're not learning what are we doing? No matter what age you are, you should challenge yourself to learn. No one likes somebody who thinks they know it all. Learn a new hobby, broaden your horizons. Substitute that work happy hour for an art class or a speech by someone who you aspire to be.
Rest Before You Are Tired
This is another difficult one, as we are all stretching ourselves between the many demands of our lives. Listen to your body and mind. Want to stay in on a Saturday night because you just need to? Don't feel guilty about it.
Don't Judge
This is one I used to struggle with because I felt like every one was judging each other. But in reality, no one cares. And if they do in 10 minutes they'll forget. Allow people to live their lives. You don't know their journey or struggles.
Think About Others
We should all do this a bit more. The age of social media has made it seem like we all only care about ourselves. Thinking of someone? Send them a text just because. Before speaking, think of the effect your words will have on others.
Give Without Expecting in Return
No one likes a score keeper. Pay for a friend, yours will come in return one day. Enjoy giving, even if it is a cup of coffee. It feels nice.
There's No End Game
Another one I Struggle with. In this life we all have goals and try to map out the best path to get there. But to be honest that path is life, and it is awfully enjoyable. Let's not forget to revel in the path.
Enjoy Small Things
For me, this is honestly one of my biggest life passions. If my life could be a collection of small and happy moments where you feel alive in each of them I'd die happy. Enjoy a smile or a full laughter. Go out in the snow or the rain and feel alive.
Don't Take Yourself So Seriously
This is another one I struggle with. Our life is a such a balance of being easy going and lovable but also dependent and accountable. What I realized is no one knows what they're doing here, for that reason don't take it so seriously.
Don't Blame People
We all make mistakes, and if someone else has, I'm sure they're aware and upset about it, don't make it harder on them. Also, if you make a mistake, take ownership. After the fact you'll be glad and proud of your own honesty.
Create Something
It feels good to. And do it for yourself. Wanted to write a blog? Do it - and reach out for help. Wanted to create a stronger body - work at it daily. Love music - pick up the instrument and practice.
Never Look Back Too Long
Look back to learn. Re-read that journal to revel in how far you've come and how much you've grown. Don't look back to regret, even if you have misstepped. There's no point in going through the sorrow twice over.
Take Action
With this all in mind - go out and do it! Whatever it is to you, do it with 100% passion and effort because in this life all we have is our intentions and those around us to share them with.
Get Off Your Mark w. Beluga Vodka
|
| Photography by Jerome Petrocelli |
This New Years I am celebrating in style with Beluga Noble Russian Vodka. I love the smoothness of the Transatlantic batch due to its longer production process and filtration through natural cotton.
My drink of choice with Beluga is a Beluga Sour. To make this easy cocktail add 50 ml of Beluga Vodka with 20 ml of honey syrup, 25 ml of fresh lemon juice and one egg white in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and pour into a glass over ice.
Don't forget to drink responsibly and have a great New Years!
This post is sponsored by Beluga Vodka, however all opinions are my own.
Shop the Look
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Social Icons