Swedish Midsommar and Beautiful Friendships

Lat weekend was our first in the city since returning from Kuala Lumpur a few days before. A week on and I am finally over my jet lag - which I fear gets harder and harder to overcome as I grow older. While there seemed to be one errand after another to run, we squeezed in plenty of galavanting around the city. 

After work on solstice Friday, we celebrated Swedish Midsommar with a picnic in Battery Park City with close friends, Vanessa, Kate, and our families. First order of business was the meticulous making of flower crowns. While the photos may indicate otherwise, I have much to learn when it comes to the art of crown-making! Lucky for me, all was forgiven post a couple of glasses of O.P. Anderson aquavit:

The traditional Swedish maypole

Helan går

Saturday was equally wonderful - the afternoon was spent day-drinking in the East Village, with Lisa (visiting from Toronto) and Kate.  This is again evidence that the internet is wonderful. Just like my bond with Kate and Vanessa, Lisa and I started off as cyber-friends through our respective websites. Multiple catch-ups in each other's cities over the past few years have taken us well and truly beyond that label. 

After bidding goodbyes, S and I scrapped plans for Tropfest and instead walked deeper into East Village - landing finally at Death and Company for impromptu cocktails: 

A Crane Kick (L) and a Head Spin (R)

The East Village can be a public transportation nightmare, but it is an embarrassment of riches for a cocktail fan - PDT, Death and Co., Gin Palace, Lovers of Today, Pouring Ribbons, The Wayland, Amor y Amargo etc, churn out serious tipples that no visit to NYC should do without. 

Anthropologie Empire Day Dress and Gem Grid Belt, Kate Spade Quinn (same style different print), Ray-Ban aviators, Dinosaur Designs resin bangle (sim), Topshop sandals

Have a wonderful week ahead!