the curator: Contradictions and weekend trips

These cool August days feel like a contradiction, and I dare not believe in them too much, for just as quickly, the wind can change direction and the hot damp air can descend to smother us for another few weeks. But if I can believe in them for just a second every morning when we walk out of our building, if I can lift my face to the sky and feel the cool air tousle my hair, then that's enough.

We were at the Bronx Zoo on saturday morning, on a rather spur of the moment trip suggested by friends. We threw some supplies together, filled water bottles, and packed snacks, and an hour later we were in the car driving. If you haven't been out there recently, make sure you check out the monorail, it's an elevated rail that takes a 25 minute ride over some of the largest animal enclosures, so you really get to see their area and have a much better chance of spotting the animals. We got to see elephants parading, the tiger lounging in his pool, and even the prized baby rhino trotting after his mother. The best part of the monorail was the break from the constant walking. It was such a nice way to relax (and you usually can't say that at a zoo!).

view from the monorail

fashion/style

Head to Elements of Style before 5pm today to win a $200 gift card at JCrew. And while you're browsing, note there is 30% off JCrew final sale items at the moment!

I want to try my hair out in side braid bun style from Apartment 34. Now that my hair is finally getting longer, there are so many more possibilities.

food

I'm having trouble resisting these fresh corn cakes from David Lebovitz. Perfect to celebrate the end of summer and corn season.

Keep August going throughout the year with these tips on preserving herbs, raspberries, tomatoes, corn, broccoli, and more from Simple Bites. Raspberry butter? Yes, please!

So, I did the gluten-free doughnuts. Should I move on to the vegan buttermilk ones from Edible Perspective next?

And to finish us up on a healthy note, here's a roasted beet goat cheese tart from Megan at Passports & Pancakes.

hard to define

Ez at Creature Comforts just totally put me in the mood for apple picking. Apparently you can already do that in California. Ted and I were just discussing our favorite fall activity this morning but we won't be able to do it for at least another month here on the east coast.

Ok, next time I visit London, I'm going for tea time at the Berkeley just like Carrie at WishWishWish.

Molly at Remedial Eating is making me long for the wild and rocky shores of Maine. Perhaps a holiday for next year?

I hope you're having a great start to your week! See you back here soon. Shot below taken of the Manhattan Bridge while Ted and I zoomed down the FDR on our way to a dinner out this weekend. You can see the Brooklyn Bridge peeking out a little further down the river.