a party at frankies spuntino 457

A few weeks back, we gathered some of our nearest and dearest at Frankies 457 in Carroll Gardens for a last hurrah before the baby comes (i.e. a baby shower). An extra yay to the pals who came from from The Hague, California, and Virginia! We ate Frankies' famous meatballs and amazing pasta but saved room for dessert. We chased toddlers (so many of them around now!) and caught up with each other's lives. I had a great time. 

Some photos from the day: 

The garden right outside the stable. 

The stable. 

Food! 

Some deli flowers in ball jars for each table.  

More flowers.  

Caneles by Celine, courtesy of Steph and Fernando (thanks, guys!). 

And here are the people:

I'll think back fondly about this party when I'm up in the middle of the night with the baby.... 

lazy weekends

It's been gorgeous around here lately. I'm not sure if it makes the awful winter "worth it," but I'm very pleased that there are now summer dresses and outdoor suppers in my immediate future. One of the best things about the weather is the chance to resume long neighborhood walks with hhh and Willa. We have a couple routes, either west to Prospect Park, or east towards Carroll Gardens through Gowanus. We'll usually walk for an hour, or possibly two. One of my favorite spots, though, is right across Fourth Avenue - the Gil Hodges Community Garden. 

It's a bit of a secret garden, and I like it best when the eastern redbud blooms magenta. It'll look like this for another week or two, and then turn completely green. That's nice too, but not nearly as thrilling as a wholly pink tree.  

Last weekend, we went to a slightly less secret garden, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. It was a gorgeous, sunny day - so of course it was as packed as SoHo on a Saturday afternoon. But it was still nice. 

We checked out the bonsai trees, the herb garden, the Japanese garden, and the cherry blossoms.  

And in my own backyard...the stonecrop came right back, totally delightfully. And the hydrangea, which was only budding a couple weeks ago, is now nice and full and continuing its ascent up the wall. (Not sure what's going to happen when it starts to climb over to the neighbor's side....)

And lastly, another shot of Gil Hodges. It's such a lovely spot!  

sunday meanderings

usually, i prefer to go in the direction of prospect park on our sunday walks. but today, we went west through gowanus. the walk looks different time every time i take it - there are new businesses popping up constantly. and root hill cafe is back! so. glad.

the corner of union and nevins.

ample hills opened this location over the summer...dangerously close to my apt.

love this seafoam green subway tile.

the substation at union street bridge.

walking along union.

the gowanus canal.

black mountain winehouse...i dont' know why i don't come here more often.

we also stopped into a shop with antiques and thrifted goods along a french theme.

schoolhouse chairs at the thrift store...they looked like they were in great shape. 

the inside of the store.

farmacy, in carroll gardens.

along henry street.

these gorgeous fall days. perfect for long walks...i hope i get to go on more of them before it gets too blustery. have a great week! xoxo

a walk on carroll street

our sunday walk took us west through gowanus, over the carroll street bridge, and through carroll gardens. more days like this, please. 

a view of the gowanus canal from the bridge. 

willa begrudgingly trails hhh. (she only walks willingly if we're headed to the park.)

have a great week! xoxo