A Happy Accident

Hi Everyone, I hope you had a nice long weekend celebrating whatever it is you celebrate. I am happy to announce that I was able to finish receipt hunting, and my taxes are in the mail. 
Last week I headed over the Tappan Zee Bridge to Connecticut. I was on a Craigslist mission that had great promise. You know I'm a CL addict, and I like to think that I prequalify potential purchases long before I set out on an hour drive. Well, I was lied to.....many of you may be thinking "that's exactly why I don't do Craigslist". If my average wasn't so good, I might be inclined to quit hunting. 
I wanted a 38" round table, and the one listed did not have measurements. I called the owner and he said it was 36"....at $60, it was close enough. When I arrived and measured the table it was 32"....so I walked. 
Luckily, Sandy was familiar with Connecticut and pointed me in the direction of some fun shopping. I ended up at Hidden Galleries in Stamford, Ct. I spent over an hour walking around and looking at all of the beautiful vignettes. The prices were not as outrageous as you might expect. In fact, some of it was reasonably priced.

And this is when it is time to go home...

I'm actually happy that the CL table didn't work out. I had a great time exploring a new place. I didn't purchase any of these items, but I did buy another rug from the Turkish Rug Seller I told you about. 
Have you stumbled upon any hidden treasures lately?

Let's Wander to the Orchid Show

This is going to be total eye candy today. Sandy, from the blog You May be Wandering, is giving us a flower  show tour. If you are not familiar with Sandy's blog, she writes about all things travel related. Her information is great, but I just love all the beautiful images she posts. Totally Pinterest-Worthy.

Wandering to...The New York Botanical Garden for The Orchid Show:

"A woman loves orchids because it makes her feel like she is floating on a cloud of possibility"

-from the movie, A Perfect Man

The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) is one of the great treasures of New York City.  My family and I have been members for years. We enjoy strolling through the beautiful gardens and seeing what is in bloom - spring bulbs, azaleas and flowering trees; summer roses and perennial gardens; and fall foliage at the height of its color. And, while most people wouldn't think of visiting a botanical garden in the winter, the Holiday Train Show is truly enchanting. Another annual exhibit happens each March just when we have all had just about enough of winter in the New York area, The Orchid Show.

A few weeks ago, I stepped inside the large Victorian glasshouse also known as the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, where the 11th annual Orchid Show was being held.  I was instantly transported to a tropical oasis and surrounded by thousands of spectacular orchids.

 

The NYBG Orchid Show is the largest curated orchid show in the United States and contains over 7,000 orchid plants representing species from Australia, South America and Africa. This years show was designed by one of the NYBG's own, Francisca Coelho. 

The NYBG was hit hard by Hurricane Sandy. Coelho decided to bring some of the fallen trees inside to incorporate into the design of the show.

All photos are by Sandy at You May Be Wandering

The Orchid Show will continue at the New York Botanical Gardens until April 22, 2013. It is definitely well worth a day trip up to the Bronx to view this beautiful exhibit.

Thanks for the tour, Sandy. I love to stroll through Botanical Gardens.....wherever they are.

You can check out Sandy's blog and see all the travel related things she posts about, here. 

Come Traveling With Me

Hi Friends! Today I am over at Sandy's blog You May be Wandering. 

If you are not familiar with her blog, she writes about all things travel related. 
Like a packing list

J.Crew via You May Be Wandering

Or Renting a Vacation Home like this one, in Paris.

via You May Be Wandering

My personal favorite is her Thirsty Thursday. I think we bonded over virtual cocktails.

via You May Be Wandering

What am I guest blogging about? The time I went to the Chelsea Flower Show in London.

Come visit me.