When I first moved to New York I lived on the Upper East Side for nine months. I decided in that time it wasn’t the neighborhood for me and moved downtown. But I will say that there are a few things I miss about that neighborhood – largely The Met and its proximity to Central Park. And, nowadays when I head back up there, I always have to pop into the glorious Ralph’s Coffee inside the Ralph Lauren store on Madison Avenue.
Ralph’s Coffee & Tell Me About Yourself – Summer Edition
Ralph’s Coffee originally was in their 5th Avenue store in Midtown but it closed when the store did. They re-opened a larger, more grand version on Madison Avenue and now have also since launched the cutest coffee cart version at Rockefeller Center and another, small outpost on lower Fifth Avenue in the Club Monaco store. Highly recommend any of these spots for your caffeine fix in NYC!
As part of today’s post I also wanted to do another round of Tell Me About Yourself! It’s been so fun to read your answers in the past (here, here & here) and since it has been a while since I’ve done it, I figured sharing some summer-related questions would be fun!
Just copy and paste the below questions into the comments and share your answers!
Here goes…
Where do you live?
Are you taking / did you take a summer vacation? If so, where did you go?
Book you’re currently reading this summer:
Favorite summer tradition:
Favorite ice cream flavor?
What’s one thing you’re still looking forward to doing this summer?
Beach or pool?
Summer highlight so far?
My Answers:
Where do you live? Brooklyn, NY
Are you taking / did you take a summer vacation? If so, where did you go? Was lucky enough to spend time in Provence and Nantucket so far this summer!
Book you’re currently reading this summer: I just finished Tell Me Everything (so spooky, so good!) and next am starting Where the Crawdads Sing.
Favorite summer tradition: Long summer nights spent outside with friends.
Favorite ice cream flavor? I change it up often but currently Cookie Dough or Cookies & Cream!
What’s one thing you’re still looking forward to doing this summer? Going to The Inn at Perry Cabin with friends next month!
Beach or pool? Pool!
Summer highlight so far? Either Cap Ferrat or this day in Provence. Both were so special and filled me with gratitude!
Can’t wait to hear what you guys share!
Cuyana T-Shirt (wearing M – one of my favorite basics – I own it in black, too) // Mango Jacket (similar here) // Velvet Jeans(size 28 – more favorite white jeans here) // Loeffler Randall Slides (on sale) // Staud Bag // Chanel Brooch //
More of this outfit here.
p.s. 4 outfits featuring key pieces and affordable finds from the Nordstrom sale.
Where do you live? Sayreville, NJ
Are you taking / did you take a summer vacation? If so, where did you go? Going on vacation late next month, but not sure where, ahah.
Book you’re currently reading this summer: Julie and Julia, and about to start Every Patient Tells a Story
Favorite summer tradition: Going home to MN, and having dinner at our favorite lake side place.
Favorite ice cream flavor? OMG too many but I’ll pick salted caramel, and pumpkin right now!
What’s one thing you’re still looking forward to doing this summer? Having my fam visit NJ, and show them around!!
Beach or pool? ummm both?!
Summer highlight so far? Wow there’s a lot here! It has been such a great summer, but I feel like it has been the whole summer as a brain break from grad school!
xx Libby
https://premedwearspearls.blogspot.com/
How fun your family is visiting!! So glad you’re having a great summer, Libby!!
Where do you live? East Lansing, MI
Are you taking / did you take a summer vacation? If so, where did you go? Have done several little short trips to Northern Michigan.
Book you’re currently reading this summer: Nothing right now, but there are so many good recommendations I’m not sure what to read next!
Favorite summer tradition: sunsets on Lake Michigan
Favorite ice cream flavor? Amaretto Cherry or chocolate cherry
What’s one thing you’re still looking forward to doing this summer? Sunsets on Lake Michigan! Ha!
Beach or pool? BOTH!
Summer highlight so far? Did a work trip to Traverse City and saw the entire cherry harvest process. It was wonderful!
Amaretto Cherry ice cream sounds divine!! And how fun to see the cherry harvest process- feel like I would love that, too! Thank you so much for sharing!
Hi!
I was at Ralph’s in February and sat at the same table as you. ? Love it there, what a lovely oasis and place to wander. Thanks for your blog, I really enjoy it.
Oh how funny! Next time say hi 🙂
Oh I love this post so much! My answers:
Where do you live? Cambridge, England
Are you taking / did you take a summer vacation? If so, where did you go? Hopefully Greece
Book you’re currently reading this summer: ‘Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?’ and ‘Daisy Jones and the Six’
Favorite summer tradition: Picnics, outdoor performances, punting on the river, ice cream, Cambridge summer balls
Favorite ice cream flavor? The apricot sorbet from Berthillon on Paris
What’s one thing you’re still looking forward to doing this summer? A daytrip to the beach, seeing Shakespeare in the park, and a croquet match + picnic with friends
Beach or pool? Both
Summer highlight so far? Paris with you!
Briony xx
Aw the Paris memories!! And still need to try that apricot sorbet! <3 you!
Where do you live?
Buffalo, NY!
Are you taking / did you take a summer vacation? If so, where did you go?
My husband and I went on our honeymoon to northern California, we went to San Francisco, Napa, and Sausalito and it was incredible. Next week we are headed to a lake house in the Finger Lakes and I’m so excited.
Book you’re currently reading this summer:
I just finished The Immortalists, and I’m deciding what book(s) to bring to the lake.
Favorite summer tradition:
So many! They are mostly just small every day things that scream summer to me.
1. Getting evening ice cream cones with my husband and my dog
2. Spending as much time as possible with family and friends and long evening on various patios/decks/backyards.
3. Evening walks around the neighborhood with my husband and my dog
Favorite ice cream flavor?
I found an ice cream stand with orange chocolate soft serve this summer and it is now one of my favorite things ever.
What’s one thing you’re still looking forward to doing this summer?
Our lake trip next week and then a beach day with my mom
Beach or pool?
Both but unfortunately I don’t know anyone with a pool.
Summer highlight so far?
Our honeymoon and trip to California was incredible, so many wonderful memories. Then I just had a perfect summer weekend of visiting the beach with my husband and hitting our favorite roadside food stand, and then a family day yesterday doing a Tiki Boat afternoon at the waterfront after a great brunch, trying a new brewery, and then ending the day with a great dinner on one of my favorite patios in the city.
Congrats on your recent marriage! Love that you did Northern California – I love Napa so much! I got all the summer feels from everything you described, Lindsay!! xx
Where do you live?
Valparaiso, Indiana… (transplant from NYC)
Are you taking / did you take a summer vacation? If so, where did you go?
We went to Sarasota, Florida and Orlando (Disney’s Animal Kingdom).
Book you’re currently reading this summer:
I am reading my 11 year old’s favorite book: The Vanderbeeker’s of 141st Street about a family in Harlem who is about to be evicted by their landlord right before Christmas.
Favorite summer tradition:
Long, slow mornings relaxing with my kids; going for bike rides; making lots of sangria; doing a puzzle; setting a pretty table and having some simple brunches at home on Sundays.
Favorite ice cream flavor?
Anything with chocolate
What’s one thing you’re still looking forward to doing this summer?
Taking a day trip to St. Joseph’s, Michigan. The beach there is beautiful!
Beach or pool?
Truthfully, pool. Although, a few days at the beach is always nice.
Summer highlight so far?
Visiting old friends in Fishers, Indiana. Trying out Top Golf and seeing the kids play like old times.
Your summer traditions give me all the feels, Amy!!
Where do you live? Houston, TX
Are you taking / did you take a summer vacation? If so, where did you go? My husband and I did a big trip to New Zealand and Australia in February and March, so we’re sticking closer to home for the summer! Just did a weekend trip to float the river in New Braunfels.
Book you’re currently reading this summer: Currently reading “Where The Crawdads Sing” and “The Golden Hour”. They are book 31 and 32 for the year, but I have plenty more to go! Love reading.
Favorite summer tradition: Summer is so hot here, so I love getting out of town to explore another city! Even just heading north a little, it gets so much cooler. Road trips are the best!
Favorite ice cream flavor? Vanilla with chocolate chips and/or spinkles
What’s one thing you’re still looking forward to doing this summer? Going home to visit over a wedding weekend for one of my best friends. Always a good chance to get everyone together and visit! Stopping by to meet another friend’s brand new baby girl on that trip too.
Beach or pool? Pool; I like the beach but don’t like getting sand everywhere!
Summer highlight so far? Lots of fun weekends with friends, meeting up for drinks or game nights
Need to get your Australia recs for sure, Melanie! Same with you on pool over beach given all the sand everywhere, all the time – haha! Love a beach day here and there though. I’m amazed at your book progress for the year!!
Where do you live? Tampa, FL
Are you taking / did you take a summer vacation? If so, where did you go? No summer vacation because I took a big trip with my family in April to Norway, Sweden, Demark, Germany, and the Netherlands. (Used your Copenhagan recommendations, too, btw!)
Book you’re currently reading this summer: The Great Believers
Favorite summer tradition: Long weekends on Sanibel Island with my family.
Favorite ice cream flavor? Brambleberry Crisp from Jeni’s Ice Cream
What’s one thing you’re still looking forward to doing this summer? Sunset bike rides along the river in town.
Beach or pool? Pool!
Summer highlight so far? Taking last Friday off of work just to have a weekday brunch with girlfriends I don’t see nearly enough.
I LOVE that Brambleberry Crisp ice cream so much! My mouth is watering thinking of it – ha! I’ve always wanted to visit Sanibel Island – heard it is beautiful! And love hearing you used my CPH recs 🙂
Where do you live?
NYC – recently moved to Harlem!
Are you taking / did you take a summer vacation? If so, where did you go?
Spent the week of July 4th in upstate South Carolina – going back for a long weekend in August!
Book you’re currently reading this summer:
Just started Three Women
Favorite summer tradition:
Root beer floats on July 4th + my best girlfriends and I go to the Jersey Shore for a weekend!
Favorite ice cream flavor?
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
What’s one thing you’re still looking forward to doing this summer?
Taking tennis lessons the next couple weeks!
Beach or pool?
Love the beach (but also really love a LAKE!)
Summer highlight so far?
Moving into my new apartment with a great outdoor space!
Dying to read Three Women – can’t wait to hear what you think! and YUM to root beer floats – I had one at Au Cheval this summer and forgot how good they are!
Where do you live? South Bend, Ind.
Are you taking / did you take a summer vacation? If so, where did you go? Meeting a friend in Portland, ME and driving up to Bar Harbor for a few days – next week!
Book you’re currently reading this summer: I’m usually reading multiple books at once, and right now they are … The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier; The Map of Knowledge: A Thousand-Year History of How Classical Ideas Were Lost and Found by Violet Moller; and How Women Rise by Sally Helgesen. Oh, and a fun middle grades fantasy called The Lost Property Office by James Hannibal that I’m listening to while I walk during my lunch hour a few times a week.
Favorite summer tradition: Heading to “home home” (Southern Indiana) over Memorial Day weekend and going to the drive-in theater with a big group of friends. We throw up tables for a pitch-in dinner and then hang out to watch a couple of movies until midnight.
Favorite ice cream flavor? Neapolitan
What’s one thing you’re still looking forward to doing this summer? This trip to Maine, and hopefully a quick road trip to a Lake Michigan beach
Beach or pool? Beach!
Summer highlight so far? Really just having the whole month of July to hang out at home instead of traveling a lot for work. A little boring, but I needed those quiet weekends!
Love that you live in South Bend! My family has ties to ND 🙂 I am dying to go to Maine – have so much fun! And totally hear you on quiet weekends – a true highlight for summer for me, too!
This is such a fun idea!
Where do you live? Brooklyn, NY
Are you taking / did you take a summer vacation? If so, where did you go? It’s been a busy one! So far I’ve gone home to visit my family in LA, spent a week in Barcelona, and to West Palm Beach twice. I am heading to Iceland in September and am counting down to that!
Book you’re currently reading this summer: Just finished Tell Me Everything and will likely start Lock Every Door next.
Favorite summer tradition: al fresco drinks/meals, ice cream, rose.
Favorite ice cream flavor? Anything chocolate, brownie, or fudge.
What’s one thing you’re still looking forward to doing this summer? Hopefully heading upstate for a long weekend next month to visit some wineries.
Beach or pool? Both!
Summer highlight so far? Spending a week in Spain and soaking up every nice weekend in NYC with walks/exploring.
So jealous you are going to Iceland!! I need to plan an upstate trip, too!
Hi Meghan!
Where do you live?
Houston, TX
Are you taking / did you take a summer vacation? If so, where did you go?
I took my big trip (hey, Paris and Rome!) in March, so just laying low and planning next year’s European trip this summer.
Book you’re currently reading this summer:
Enchantée by Gita Trelease
Favorite summer tradition:
Aperol Spritz Thursdays!
Favorite ice cream flavor?
Pistachio
What’s one thing you’re still looking forward to doing this summer?
After a really long and tiring school year (I don’t teach but work in the special events/fundraising office), I just wanted to disconnect and take time to do nothing but watch Netflix and drink iced coffee.
Beach or pool?
Beach – the sound of waves is my favorite nap inducer.
Summer highlight so far?
Meeting one of my best friend’s first baby!
Aperol Spritz Thursdays is an idea I can really get behind! Netflix, iced coffees and friends’ babies are all reasons to love this summer for sure! Thank you so much for sharing
Where do you live? Philadelphia, PA
Are you taking / did you take a summer vacation? If so, where did you go? Haven’t gone anywhere all year, so excited to have a couple of trips coming up soon. A boy I’ve been seeing is taking me away for a weekend for my 30th birthday. I think we settled on Tampa, FL. A week after that, I am flying to Kentucky to meet my mother’s fiancé. Finally, in September I am flying to Belarus for my mother’s wedding!
Book you’re currently reading this summer: No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work by Liz Fosslien & Mollie West Duffy.
Favorite summer tradition: I 100% agree with Meghan on this. I love being out late at night during the summer. The weather is perfect. All the lights illuminating the sidewalks and streets. Walking around.
Favorite ice cream flavor? Chocolate
What’s one thing you’re still looking forward to doing this summer? Going to the beach!
Beach or pool? Beach.
Summer highlight so far? Grabbing iced coffee with friends and simply walking around the neighborhood.
Such fun plans coming up for you, Yana! Happy early 30th – get excited as your 30s are such a fun time 🙂 Thank you for sharing!!