Urban Pastoral

I have Brooklyn on the brain. Last week we went for lunch and wandered around a bit afterwards. I am toying with getting a place in Brooklyn Heights (reminds me of Beacon Hill in Boston, my hometown) and this story from Vogue may be the thing that sways me.

We lived for years on the Upper East Side, right on the park. My country-loving family needed to see greenery every day and this worked, for a while. Now we live on the water minutes from the city, but the commute is a bore.

So, we have started to rethink our living situation (keep the cottage for weekends) and Brooklyn is on the list. When I saw what my old Vogue colleague, landscape designer and Vogue Contributing Editor Miranda Brooks, did with her Brooklyn brownstone, especially the outdoor spaces, I am seriously hooked on this borough.

If this is what we decide to do, Miranda will have a new project and neighbor.

Amanda and her adorable husband, architect Bastien Halard.

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January 10th, 2013 | Places | By Preston
Topics: Brooklyn, Miranda Brooks, Vogue

Secret Address: Brooklyn Bound

My sister lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn and when I can find a weekend day where no one in the family has prior engagements we like to go get our Brooklyn fix. The day usually starts off by taking my sister’s dog for a walk through Prospect Park, which if you have never been is worth the visit. (It was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted who was also the mastermind behind Central Park.) My older daughter likes Keith Haring, so this Sunday will include a stop at the Keith Haring exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum.

Keith Haring

Because my girls (or at least one them) aren’t adventurous eaters, I have to yet try many of the great restaurants in Brooklyn. But we hardly suffer. Lunch is either hot dogs and some mean french fries at Bark, where the food is organic and the restaurant lists where everything is sourced including the relish, or we go for English fish and chips at the Chip Shop (I suggest the Fried Mac & Cheese or the Chicken and Mushroom Pie with Chips, just don’t plan to eat anything else for the day). Side note: If you go to Bark, head around the corner to Brklyn Larder for a little gourmet grocery shopping, I leave there salivating for the pork belly and artisanal cheeses, even if I’m already stuffed.

Layla

Then, of course, I drag the girls to Mommy’s favorite shops, which include Layla and GRDN. Layla is stocked with great textiles from India and abroad, but it is her jewelry selection, much of it Indian, that makes me want to max out my Amex. GRDN brings out my green thumb longings and is full of everything one would ever need to be a chic gardener, plus a few other bits and bobs for those of us who remain green-challenged.

GRDN

I think that will conclude our Brooklyn trip. Next time, however, will have to include a tour of the Mast Brothers Chocolate Factory. A perfect adventure for a family of chocoholics!