Strive with Heart

Philly: Van Gogh Immersive Experience

Philly: Van Gogh Immersive Experience

My family and I went to the Tower Theater in Upper Darby for the Van Gogh Immersive Experience. When visiting, make sure that you have your proof of COVID vaccination which will be checked before entering the theater. The digital show ran a little over an hour which was long enough for us to appreciate the life and talent of the artist. The composition of music, light, and two-story visual projections told Van Gogh’s story in a simultaneously beautiful and haunting way. For art aficionados, it’s a novel way to experience Van Gogh’s work. For novices, it can serve…

View Post

Philly: A Week in Life

Philly: A Week in Life

These days, life has been a reassuring march towards “normal”. Remote work recently transitioned to hybrid and it has been great reconnecting with colleagues. To celebrate, we had lunch at Louie Louie in University City which was followed by a quick browse around the store Hello World in its new location right next door to the restaurant on the corner of 38th and Walnut. I continue to take my long walks along the leafy neighborhoods of Center City. It’s heartening to see visitors in and around Independence Hall. Philly favorites like the Reading Terminal Market and Di Bruno Brothers are bustling…

View Post

Philly: An Autumn Day at Terrain and Longwood Gardens

Philly: An Autumn Day at Terrain and Longwood Gardens

My husband and I were married on a beautiful autumn day. This year, we celebrated with brunch at Terrain (at Styers), browsed around the store, then headed to Longwood Gardens. Before this, I wanted to drive up north to Vermont and Massachusetts to see the fall foliage it is known for but with family obligations, could not. It was amazing to see Longwood Gardens still cloaked in the magnificent colors of fall and the Conservatory splendid with the display of chrysanthemums. We didn’t have to travel far after all.

View Post

Philly: Tourist in my Own City

Philly: Tourist in my Own City

There were some silver linings this past year. It forced me to slow down and stay close to home. By doing so, I discovered how walkable my city is. With each step, I became even more grateful to live in a section of Philadelphia that is historic and beautiful, especially this time of the year. As I became a tourist in my own city, I started to notice things I would otherwise not see and find meaning in the simple and ordinary. I’ve come to see the cityscape as a giant scrapbook – a mosaic of human creativity and…

View Post

Philly: Discovering Graffiti Pier – A Hidden Gem

Philly: Discovering Graffiti Pier – A Hidden Gem

Not too far from the heart of Center City Philadelphia is a place called Graffiti Pier (also known as Pier 124). For decades, this collection of urban art has been organically growing in relative obscurity. Gritty and off the beaten path, it used to be a landing pier owned by Conrail for ships transporting coal for distribution along the Eastern Seaboard and on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. Abandoned in 1991, the concrete walls and passageways have become the perfect canvases for graffiti artists. You get a sense of how beautiful and special (if illicit) a spot…

View Post

Philly: Brunch Places we ❤️

Philly: Brunch Places we ❤️

My husband and I enjoy going out to brunch on the weekends. It’s how we reconnect after the busyness of the week. Here are a few of our tried and true brunch places in Philly: Black & Brew1523 E. Passyunk AvenueGood cappuccino, matcha pancakes, and yes, avocado toasts Front Street Cafe1253 N. Front StreetHealthy options is what I appreciate most plus good cappuccino and my favorite Gravlax Platter. Sabrina’s Cafe910 Christian StreetTheir Italian Market location is the original and one that we visit. The restaurant has a vintage vibe and they have fun being creative with their menus (and…

View Post

Travel Notes: BlogHer Conference, South Street Seaport, Oculus, and the High Line @NYC

Travel Notes: BlogHer Conference, South Street Seaport, Oculus, and the High Line @NYC

Good Saturday everyone!  I’m taking it slow and easy today after a week of traveling for business, attending a two-day blogger conference, socializing, “touristing”, and spending quality time with my husband while our daughter is away at an overnight camp. Traveling to a city like New York is stimulating enough and especially more so when you factor in the mental, visual, and at times emotional intake from attending my second BlogHer Creators Summit conference.  There is so much information, ideas, thoughts, and emotions to process from listening to the keynote speakers (Marie Forleo, Tiffani Thiesen, Jo Brett of Pret…

View Post

Philly: Brunch, Garden, and Stroll @Philadelphia Rail Park

Philly: Brunch, Garden, and Stroll @Philadelphia Rail Park

My oh my, July is almost over and we have one month of Summer 2018 remaining.  I do hope that summer (or the mid-year) is going wonderfully for you.  Things are humming along nicely in our small corner of the city.  My husband was away for an entire week and when he came home yesterday, we went to Café La Maude for a late brunch.  We’ve often walked by this restaurant on our way to another good brunch place – Honey Sit and Eat – and it was often busy with a line of people waiting to be seated.…

View Post

Wellness is the New Luxury

Wellness is the New Luxury

“Luxury … is to go to SoulCycle and treat yourself to an avocado toast, instead of going to buy those new Gucci loafers,” Owens said. A pair of shoes that you can share on social media once or twice doesn’t have the legs that it once did. The new luxury is convenience, culture, wellness, and sustainability.” – Philly.com I’m home in front of my laptop still feeling high from my hour and a half walk/run along Penn’s Landing.  It feels so good to move my body and put in my steps first thing in the morning.  My watch tells…

View Post

Where to next?