Puerto Rico Love

I'm back from my little trip to Puerto Rico over Labor Day weekend, where we attended a wonderful and most fun wedding! Sorry for the lack of posts but right after my return I had to jump back into research and last minute preparations for the Genetics department annual retreat, which ended this Saturday. I'm happy to report that I have picked out new stylish scientists for the future posts there in addition to listening to a full day and a half of super interesting science talks, presenting a poster of my research and having fun with fellow students and professors.

Back to Puerto Rico - this getaway was so necessary, relaxing, and just wonderful. It was my very first trip to the Caribbean, and I'm in love! We spent early mornings walking on the beach, doing yoga, swimming, relaxing all day long, reading, enjoying internet-free time and just staring at the sea. We took a short trip to Old San Juan to attend the beautiful cathedral mass on Sunday - and I'm telling you that this city is adorable! Narrow streets, colorful buildings, peaceful places - I would love to return and wonder around a bit more. And another note that I'd like to make: people of Puerto Rico know how to party! Every night everybody was out: from young to old, dancing salsa like they are pros. We did tons of fun dancing at the wedding as well: the DJ was so good and the music was even better - I couldn't stop for a minute!  Thanks to Catherine and Adam for having their wedding in Puerto Rico - it was truly an unforgettable and special experience!

In general I'm a fan of an active vacation but these couple of days in Puerto Rico were so relaxing for me that I'm adding this type of lazy vacation to my annual must-have. I didn't even take that many photos but I'm delighted to share with you some that I did take. I hope they will make you relaxed even if just for a minute ;)

All pictures are taken by Joe and me. 

Umbrellas at the beach

I didn't use to be a beach lover until this year. I'm going to steal the explanation from my boyfriend Joe: the winter has just been too long, and now I'm trying to soak up all of the sun and warmth. And what's a better place than a beach?

During my most recent one day beach trip I noticed tons of colorful umbrellas, and I decided to take pictures. As I was doing this a big dark cloud started rolling in... the beach trip was cut short. Maybe it was for the better? My skin can't handle too much sun anyways :p

I hope you are enjoying summer and spending a lot of time playing in the sun! ;)

All photos are taken and edited by me

Independence Day

 Cutest bike with peonies at Elie Tahari store in Easthampton!

Pretending like I'm in the south of France ;) Also it was super windy at the tip of Montauk so I had to hold my hat and tie my dress.

Montauk lighthouse!

I hope you enjoyed my little photo recap of Independence day spent in Easthampton and at the tip of Montauk, soaking up the sun and these beautiful views.

Outfit details: J.crew panama hat, Madewell sunglasses, Asos dress, Sam Edelman sandals

Pictures by me and Joe Villarin

Cherry picking feels like childhood

This past weekend was amazing: packed with fun activities yet very relaxing. I went to visit my family outside Philadelphia, and it was so nice to get out of the city (sorry NYC!). But seriously, I love NYC and big city stuff although with each year I feel more and more the need to get away because I miss nature. And these feelings take me back to my childhood in a small town in Ukraine, where we could go to the forest, river, lake any moment. So this past weekend was good in the sense that I could re-live some of my childhood memories especially picking fresh berries in my parent's backyard and going cherry picking. Of course, cherry picking in Ukraine involved just climbing a cherry tree near your house and there you have cherries. Here we had to find a cherry farm (Rowand's farm in NJ), and drive there for one hour, and pay for the cherries that we picked. But still it was a wonderful time (and my dad was in heaven because he's just crazy about cherries), and I highly suggest cherry picking (or strawberry picking) as one of the great summer activities!

Outfit: J.crew denim shorts, old H&M tunic worn as top, J.crew swimsuit (similar top and bottom here - it's adorable!), J.crew panama hat

Photos are by me and Joe Villarin

Sonoma is love...

It's all in the title - Sonoma valley is absolute LOVE. I don't know if it's because of the beautiful views, romantic vineyards, abundance of delicious wine or my friend's wedding that was celebrated in Sonoma in mid-May. It's probably the sum of all but it was definitely the most beautiful wedding location: ceremony in the middle of the gorgeous vineyard, cocktails overlooking another panoramic view, and dinner under the olive trees (for those interested: it was B.R. Cohn winery). We also spent a wonderful morning at Chateau St. Jean winery tasting some amazing reserve wines and relaxing (their grounds are gorgeous). So I hope you'll enjoy the pictures below, and I recommend going to Sonoma to experience this absolutely lovely place!

All pictures are taken by me

Summer in NYC

Do you live in NYC or are you planning to visit this summer? It doesn't matter because below are 5 great ideas on what to do in the city for resident and tourists alike.

The Public theater has been producing Shakespeare in the park since 1962 with some really amazing actors and absolutely for free. The feelings that you have from watching Shakespeare plays under open night sky in Central Park in the middle of New York City  - are... truly unique. This year The Comedy of Errors is playing during June, and Love's Labour's Lost, a New Musical in late July - mid August. To get tickets: sign up for the random drawing online, stand in line at Delacorte theater for a noon distribution of tickets (some people come at 6am!), or come around 7pm for a stand-by line (I had the most luck with this option). More info at www.shakespeareinthepark.org

La Marina - amazing open space cafe/bar/restaurant right on the Hudson river with beautiful views of sunset. It's all the way uptown in Manhattan but if it gives you more motivation for a long train ride: Leonardo di Caprio and queen B have been spotted here ;) More info at lamarinanyc.com

Governor's Island 'Jazz Age Lawn Party' - go back in time to the roaring 20s, learn popular dances from the beginning of the 20th century, dress up and enjoy it in Great Gatsby style. To get to Governor's island jump on a free ferry (more details here) and to get tickets to the jazz party go here.

Syfy movies with a view.There are tons of free movies all over NYC this summer, and I'm excited to check out outdoors movies at the Brooklyn Bridge Park. It's a perfect summer evening activity: friends, movies, park, views of downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge. For movie schedule go here.

Picnic in a park. Have a picnic at any park in NYC. Small picnic, elaborate picnic, lunch picnic, just a snack - whatever kind of picnic but take advantage of city parks this summer to recharge. If you want to eat in Central park, you can grab take-out from anywhere or stop by Whole Food on 59th and Columbus Circle (in Times Warner mall) or on 97th st. and Columbus ave. (they have wonderful salad, hot and desert bars). 

Picture sources:
Shakespeare in the Park / La Marina / Governor's Island Jazz Age Lawn Party / Syfy movies with a view / Picnic in a park

The city of Lviv

While in Ukraine I had a chance to visit one of the most beautiful Ukrainian cities - Lviv. It's rich in culture and history, and I just love the atmosphere of this city - it feels that you might fall into a different epoch or see an old carriage as you walk down these narrow cobblestone streets. The historic city center of Lviv is on UNESCO World Heritage List, and there's plenty of entertaining things to do but my favorite is to sip on coffee in some random coffee shop on the side street with cobblestones.

All pictures are taken by me. Please, link to this page and acknowledge the author if you would like to use them.