Travel Archives

This winter was tinted blue and chilly but the Ice was Nice

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The heart of winter casts a blue-tinted glow over the landscape. This image, with its cool, frosty allure, brings forth a palette of icy blues and whites, capturing the serene yet chilling essence of the season. As we embrace the cold, we find ourselves entranced by the simple beauty that surrounds us—the kind only winter can compose.

The air is crisp, each breath visible like the fog rolling over a frozen pond. There’s a peace in the stillness, a silence so deep it punctuates the busy rush of daily life. The ice, though cold, offers a gentle reminder of nature’s artistry, crafting unique patterns only it can create. It’s as if winter has lovingly painted the earth with its own brand of ephemeral magic.

Standing here, one can’t help but feel the connection to the world in its most quiet form. This winter, despite its chill, has been a reminder of the undeniable charm that the frozen season can hold. The ice was indeed nice—an exquisite showcase of wintry wonders, telling a story of resilience and quiet beauty.

But beneath the cold exterior, the seasonal chill carries a warmth of its own—a moment of pause to reflect and appreciate that which often goes unnoticed. In the embrace of winter’s

Where Space Meets Time: Exploring the Depths of the Earth

In the mysterious depths of the Earth, where space meets time, lies a hidden wonder that captivates the imagination. Ss the image above showcases, this captivating photograph captures the essence of an enchanting Luray Cavern in Virginia. The way the reflection of light dances on the smooth, ancient walls is nothing short of mesmerizing.

This photo sets a serene and tranquil ambiance, beckoning you to embark on an extraordinary journey. The play of light and shadows creates an otherworldly atmosphere, enveloping the cave in an ethereal glow. It’s as though time itself has been suspended, revealing the secrets of ages past.

Just as the image suggests, this incredible encounter with nature’s beauty is a testament to the undeniable connection between space and time. It reminds us that within the Earth’s depths, moments are captured and preserved, waiting patiently to be discovered.

Experience the merging of space and time, immerse yourself in the extraordinary beauty hidden in the Virginia cave. This is an opportunity to escape the ordinary and awaken your sense of wonder, allowing yourself to be transported into a realm where the past and present converge in a breathtaking display of nature’s artistry.

Visit the Luray Caverns

City skyline view obscured by smoke

In this captivating image, we can see the stunning skyline of a bustling city. A testament to the energy and vibrancy of metropolitan life, obscured by smoke. Although this image was taken during the devastating fires in Canada in 2023, it serves as a hopeful reminder of how the current climate crisis has caused natural disasters. This city, like all others, has a story to tell and we are fortunate to witness just a small part of it. #skyline #firesincanada2023 #nyc

NOFO Trip 2021, post-covid-ish, a wine weekend

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This past summer, we took our annual summer trip to the North Fork of Long Island—also known as NOFO. Long story short, for the last eight years we’ve been going to the North Fork for Angel’s best friend’s birthday. Every year, a group of us—all close friends, all couples—make the trip out en masse, looking forward to a summer week on the beach with good company, good wine, and good (sea)food. In August, we stayed for five days, rented a house in Greenport—a historic seaside town—and lived life. Slow and unhurried, appreciating every lull and lapping wave at our leisure.

The house we rented was an Air B&B in a community with its own private, residents-only beach. It was a typical stony beach on the northern shore, interspersed with a little bit of sand, not directly on the Sound. I certainly spent some time exploring its expanse, taking in the sight of the crystal-clear water, breathing in the salt.

Each time we’re here, we patronize a few tried-and-true wineries as well as search out new restaurants in Greenport. The first night of our trip was an outing to one of our favorite wineries, McCall Wines. They have a farm on the property and raise grass-fed beef. Because of COVID, this year they set up an outside trailer where you could sip wine and order burgers. The burgers were cooked perfectly and came with a side of crispy fries.

The second new restaurant we went to has had a few restaurants come and go on its premises. A few facelifts, if you will. Now it’s a restaurant called Anchor—a combination of a restaurant with a nice upstairs patio and a fish market upfront by the entrance, where you could buy shrimp, fresh-caught fish, and oysters. That night, we sat upstairs and had some oysters and wine. We’re crossing our fingers that Anchor is an iteration that’ll stay around for a couple of years. If so, we’ll be frequenting again next year.

For years now, I’ve been angling to visit one of the vineyards that specialize in sparkling wine. This year, we finally went and paired our sparkling wine and champagne with a side of caviar served with wafers, crème fraiche, and potato chips.

Toward the end of our trip, at one of our favorite wineries to go to, we got attacked by bees. Nobody was stung! But it did seem a whole colony had descended upon us, trying to get to our food. Good to know there are still bees buzzing around, pollinating where needed—although their collective presence did prove challenging when trying to eat! The charcuterie was great—the bees certainly thought so—and the wine never disappoints.

The rest of the trip unfolded at the same leisurely pace. One day we went to the bookstore in Greenpoint that Angel loves. The next was spent on a dock, in the company of margaritas, looking over the water. Overall, it was another relaxing trip for the books. Happy birthday, Steven!

Weekend Reading for the Soul, at the farmers market

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My company, ZAMARTZ, sponsors the local farmer’s market in Upper Merion Township, Pennsylvania—or King of Prussia, as it’s known to the locals. As part of this sponsorship, I have a booth at the farmer’s market. Recently, my long-time best friend, Hannah Biddle, came to visit me at my booth.

Hannah’s about to make a big life change and move to another state. In the meantime, we’re trying to find time to spend together amidst our respective busy schedules and the state of the world. Anyway, she came that day to give me a book she’d found: Water, Woods & Wild Things, a memoir by American writer Hannah Kirshner that recounts her excursion to a Japanese mountain town and her introduction to its culture, craftsmanship and community.

Angel and I are both Japanophiles, as I’ve attested to before, and Hannah knows our interests well. This book was a great way for us to get into the spirit of our balcony and its verdant garden. Hannah didn’t even know I’d just gotten my green Japanese maple when she gave me the book! And my garden, Japanese maple and all, is just the right, serene setting for me to sit down, do some weekend reading, and get into the mindset of the Japanese and their slower way of life.

In Austin, Texan Stars & Lips Abound

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When Angel and I flew to Austin, Texas for Ken and Joey’s wedding, we also took the opportunity to take a short vacation of sorts. We flew to Austin a day before the wedding festivities and celebrations commenced. While in Austin, we took the time to explore, peruse the city, and as self-professed “foodies” are wont to do—try restaurants and Texan delicacies.

(As a disclaimer: while on the trip, we didn’t live recklessly. Necessary precautions were taken and mask mandates were followed. We conscientiously adhered to any and all rules regulated by the CDC in restaurants, public places, and of course at the wedding. Upon arrival, we took a rapid COVID-19 test and continued to receive negative results throughout the entire week.)

After checking in, Angel and I explored the Austin Motel. A gay-friendly hotel, its signage took the shape of a penis set in bright neon lights. (I can’t say that we didn’t immediately buy a matching magnet of its likeness to put on our refrigerator.) The Austin Motel had an old-school motel feeling—a throwback modernized for its 21st-century guests. Full of novel architectural details, it followed the practice of pairing old historical bones with new modern minutiae. To speak to this, I slept in a room replete with lip print-patterned wallpaper, a big leather-bound bed, and a rotary phone.

Now, for food. While in Texas, it was almost an obligation to eat breakfast tacos at least once! Not too far from our hotel was a little roadside taco stand, where we bought and consumed our breakfast tacos on a couple of mornings. And when not eating tacos, we also went to a few restaurants with James Beard award-winning chefs. The first, called the Odd Duck, served several cocktails that were distilled in barrels on tap. With our drinks, we enjoyed a plate of seared scallops and a Wagyu beef burger in addition to some vegetarian turkey bacon. A couple of restaurants were also recommended to us—one being La Condesa Austin, which served huitlacoche quesadillas from fermented corn. A delicacy I couldn’t pass up!

While perusing the town, being New Yorkers, Angel and I wanted to walk everywhere. Turns out, Austin isn’t a “walking” city. There were periods where we walked amongst other pedestrians and other times when we felt like the last two people on earth. While walking around, we visited the state capitol, an interesting yet imposing building in and of itself. We noticed then, as we had been noticing for days—the Texas star is never far from sight. On our way to and from the Capitol, I took the opportunity to snap a few pictures of the various stars around town.

All in all, it was a great trip—a chance to celebrate close friends and travel!

Ken & Joey, Welcome to Married Life

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My good friends Joey and Ken got married this year around the same time vaccinations rolled out. It was a scary time to be flying, but after doing our part to stay safe, Angel and I flew to Austin, Texas to celebrate our friends’ union.

We had planned out the trip months ago, and while traveling, we made sure to exercise caution and be fastidious with our hand sanitizer. At the airport and on the plane, we wore our face shields, masks, and gloves. In Texas, we rented our own car to keep and maintain that all-important six feet of social distancing.

Though wary, I ended up really liking Austin. During our stay, the weather was perfect each day. We spent a lot of our time dining outside or choosing restaurants still in accordance with mass mandates and six-foot-apart safety measures, though at that time Texas had dropped their restrictions. We still felt pretty safe.

Joey and Ken’s wedding was held at the Austin Motel, a gay-friendly hotel decked out in neon lights. Each room was themed; ours was decorated with lip-print motifs and a bright red leather headboard on the bed. We had rented a red Mustang for the trip, so we definitely fit in at the hotel!

There was a courtyard next to the main building. On our first day, we gathered there for a meet-and-greet cocktail hour. That’s also where the on-site clinic was, where all wedding guests were required to receive a COVID-19 test. The entire wedding party was vaccinated, but since the vaccines had just been rolled out, not everyone in attendance had been able to receive their second or even first dose. Everyone was then required to participate in an on-site test. Without the test results, you weren’t allowed to remove your mask.

Everything was very well thought-out. No surprise for Ken and Joey! The courtyard during that first happy hour was beautiful; cocktails and finger foods were served

The next day, a brunch was held for all wedding guests. Later that afternoon was the wedding. The event was entirely outdoors, at The Contemporary Austin. The ceremony took place under a tree-covered amphitheater overlooking a lake. At the end of the wedding, Ken and Joey ran through a sparkler runway to where a pickup truck driven by a drag queen was waiting. As they stood on the bed of the truck, giant fireworks shot up into the air while monster trucks drove by in a cloud of billowing red smoke.

At the after-party, the Austin Motel lit up their swimming pool with neon lights for a late dip. There was fast food to eat, and time for Ken and Joey’s close family and friends to wind down after the excitement of the day.

It was a great wedding, full of great people. I’m so happy for Ken and Joey and wish them lots of luck and love. Welcome to married life!

Blue Is a State of Mind, all day – every day

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Having a job in fashion myself, I suppose clothes do make the man. It is my job for fashion to be top-of-mind and for my closet to demonstrate this accordingly, after all. There is, however, a lot to consider in fashion. Styles, cuts, and colors are just a few examples that don’t even begin to delineate the many options one must choose between. In an effort to simplify my life and lessen my own daily decision fatigue, I decided long ago to strip down my closet to just one shade: blues.

Here you’ll see a photo of me at Ken and Joey’s wedding reception in Austin, Texas almost eight years ago. My outfit that day was no exception to my uniform blue color. A beautiful day and an even more beautiful wedding, it was held on the campus of a small art college and sculpture garden. I was at the reception, in an Italian-style villa, when I noticed that at the back of the home there was this profuse, lush greenery. Everything was so striking, I felt compelled to, using the greenery as a backdrop, take a moment and pose for a photo to commemorate the happy day, my chosen wedding outfit, and my blue state of mind.

Gettysburg Battlefield, FYI the North Won!

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Back in October, while the weather was still bearable, my family and I took part in the Gettysburg Battlefield Tour. We wanted to have a mini vacation that was mostly outdoors because of COVID. The area we visited was beautiful, but the story about the land was tragic. So many people died on those grounds fighting for our freedom.

During the tour, we learned so much about how our country came to be. Recognizing that our country only exists as it does today because of those who sacrificed their lives all those years ago, was a humbling experience. Within our tour group, there were people who wanted a new experience (like me and my family), history buffs, and right-winged patriots – quite the interesting mix.

Side note: my family and I were annoyed because President-elect Joe Biden was scheduled to visit the day we were leaving – missed him by just a few hours. Seeing him in person would have made the trip even better, nonetheless we had a great time.

Just a little cabana time

There’s a particular kind of quiet that shows up when you finally stop moving. Legs stretched out, sand bright enough to make you squint, and those blue cabanas standing like small, sturdy rooms against the open beach. The ocean keeps its steady line in the distance, and everything else feels like it can wait.

I like how simple it is: shade when you want it, sun when you don’t mind it, and the slow choreography of people coming and going near the water. Clearwater Beach has that wide, washed look—white sand, pale sky, and a horizon that makes your thoughts feel less crowded.

It reminds me that places have their own kind of living, the way a house creaks and settles. A beach does it too, just in softer ways: wind moving through umbrellas, waves folding and unfolding, footprints appearing and disappearing like they were never meant to last.

Cabana time is never really about doing nothing. It’s about noticing the small things that are usually drowned out—salt on your skin, the weight of warm air, the patience of the tide. For a little while, the day becomes as uncomplicated as looking up, listening, and letting the world pass by at its own speed.

Tokyo > NYC

Tokyo > NYC is the kind of comparison you can’t make with numbers. It’s something you feel in your pocket, in the quiet weight of a ticket stub, in the way a city follows you home.

I’m looking at a small skyline—an Empire State Building miniature—standing upright on a wooden table like it’s trying to prove something. Under it, a postcard flashes the familiar: lights, crowds, bright squares of color. There’s a paper marked “BROOKLYN,” and a small “I ♥ NY” tucked in close, like a charm meant to hold a moment in place.

Cities do that. They become objects, then memories, then a kind of weather you carry around. Tokyo feels like motion—clean lines, late trains, a sense of order that still leaves room for mystery. New York feels like friction—noise and energy and the strange comfort of being one face in a million.

Maybe “Tokyo > NYC” is just a mood, a snapshot taken mid-flight, when you can still hear one place while landing in another. But I like how the souvenirs argue quietly on the table. They don’t settle the question. They just remind me that travel isn’t about choosing a winner—it’s about noticing what each place wakes up inside you, and what follows you back through the door.

Just some Pearl Shopping

The showroom is quiet in the way a familiar house can be quiet—alive, but not asking for attention. Light pools along the ceiling in a soft ring, and the fixtures drift overhead like pale leaves caught midair. Below, glass cases curve around the room, holding their small, careful brightness.

There’s something oddly grounding about pearl shopping. Not the rush of it, not the “new thing” feeling—more the slow choosing. Pearls don’t shout. They sit there, patient, asking you to come closer and decide what kind of day you want to remember.

I keep thinking about how places carry their own weather. Outside could be loud and sharp, full of errands and screens and speed, but in here everything feels muffled, as if the room has its own snowfall. Even the reflections on the counters seem to move more slowly.

Maybe that’s why I like it: the calm attention, the small ritual of looking. The way the ordinary act of shopping can turn into a brief, private moment—standing under clean light, considering something simple that’s lasted a long time.

Just some pearl shopping, then. Nothing dramatic. Just the quiet pleasure of choosing a little shine to take back out into the day.

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