Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Central Park Stroll

Dress (Retrolicious); Cardigan (Mak; ModCloth)
I love this time of year. The crispness in the air; the colors of the leaves reflected in my hair...what's not to love about Autumn?! I waited months to pull this Fall forest print dress from Retrolicious out of the closet, and it made its debut at the beginning of October during a beautiful day spent wandering around Central Park. I was surprised to find the leaves had only begun to turn; it would be a few more weeks before the colors of the park foliage caught up with the vivid hues in my dress. But the view is beautiful any time of year and, while I might not want to live in NYC, I'd be happy to visit in every Season.
Bag (Burberry Prorsum); crystal butterfly brooch (vintage); mandarin garnet necklace (custom design; Aronstam Fine Jewelers)
When the Autumn sunlight disappeared behind the clouds and the wind whipped my hair into a Medusa-like frenzy, it was time to warm up on the steps of Lincoln Center with the quintessential Fall beverage. No. I do not mean a pumpkin spice latte, machiatto, mochachino, espresso, or any other orange gourd-flavored beverage on the menu of every corner coffee shop from September through November. No. Contrary to the opinion of approximately 73.6% of my Facebook friends and every fifth Pinterest post, pumpkin spice is not where it's at. Apple cider is the spice of Autumn life, people! How can you forsake apple cider?! In my book, Fall will always mean hot apple cider spiked with cinnamon (and maybe a splash of butterscotch schnapps or caramel vodka if I'm tailgaiting). Yes. In my book, hot apple cider will always trump pumpkin spice anything.
Boots (Franco Sarto; Simply Chic Consignment); Watch (Citizen Eco Drive)
What started several years ago with the advent of the pumpkin spice latte has mushroomed (or is it pumpkined?) into a ridiculous amount of pumpkin spice flavored products, and not just of the beverage variety. According to Popsugar, this year you can find 119 different pumpkin spice flavored products on store shelves, from oreos to potato chips. I realize this may alienate many dear friends (sorry, Kim M), but I just. don't. get. it. Pumpkin pie? Absolutely (but only with copious amounts of Cool Whip and a cup of warm cider to wash it down). Pumpkin muffins, cookies and other assorted baked goods? I'm down with that (but I submit a pumpkin donut is better complemented by the contrast of crisp apple cider than yet more pumpkin of the warm liquid variety). 
Despite its location in the heart of the city that never sleeps, Central Park seems miles away from the skyscrapers that sit just beyond its borders.
But pumpkin spice gum? No thank you. Pumpkin spice M&Ms? I'll stick with chocolate or peanut butter, please. And as for the not so humble, overpriced hot beverage whose popularity (ie, genius marketing) spawned a thousand products (or at least 119), enjoy them while they last. I'll still be sipping on that sweet, sweet cider long after the pumpkin-flavored craze has been "squashed." 

Yet one more reason I wear hats so often! This the Big Apple, not the Windy City... (Sunglasses, Tory Burch)


Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!
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5 comments:

  1. I'm with you Jody. Apple cider & don't forget hot chocolate. With Bailey's Irish Cream! But pumpkin spice...whatever? No thank you! 😊

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  2. I'm with you Jody. Apple cider & don't forget hot chocolate. With Bailey's Irish Cream! But pumpkin spice...whatever? No thank you! 😊

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, yes, yes on the hot chocolate, too, Mark!

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