False Spring

The weather has been so mild here that the poor bulbs have been tricked into thinking spring has sprung. Daffodils are in full bloom, and today I didn't even need any of the typical cold temperature accouterments. Punxatawney Phil may have predicted six more weeks of winter, but his divination certainly has a false ring to it when it's 50 degrees Fahrenheit outside.

I've been wearing some variation on this outfit ever since I got this awesome red and orange Fair Isle sweater and blue button up. The combination can look very prim and ladylike, super scholarly, or a little tough, depending on what they're paired with.

The leather biker jacket definitely roughs it up a little. I love this moto jacket--it was a De Anza Flea Market find in Cupertino, CA, way back in early 2004 when I was a sophomore in high school.

Rebelliousness countered by Heidi braids.

Those daffodils! Undeterred by the fact that it's the very beginning of February.

Snowdrops! If only there was some snow to go with them. A strange thing to wish for, perhaps, but I don't like false advertising, and I was promised an East Coast winter.

A lot prissier without the jacket.

Comfiest heels I own!

Sleeves double as faux gloves.

Devin's typical winter outfit. That scarf he's wearing is also a flea market find of mine, but from even further back, 2003.

Our dinner! So, the pizza in NYC has not lived up to the hype, but Famous Famiglia Pizzaria is a pretty passable chain establishment, and a stone's throw from our apartment. In other words, not bad, but I definitely have to cover everything I get with Sriracha. Devin's: Slice of pepperoni and a pepperoni stromboli. Mine: Slice of spinach. I will say this, however -- Their crust is super delicious.

Custard Quest

Shake Shack, our replacement In-N-Out Burger, has a rotating "Frozen Custard of the Day" schedule that varies by month. Today was the last Saturday that their Salted Caramel flavor was available, which Devin and I are both mildly obsessed with, so we took a walk through a (comparatively) warm Central Park down to 77th Street.

The park looks incredibly different from last weekend, when everything was coated in snow! It was truly magical to walk through all that fluffy frozen stuff, blue shadows of trees and lamposts striping the surface of the white world. However, all that water has rejuvenated the grass, which is now tentatively green. And the leafless winter trees make you realize that the park really is smack dab in the middle of a big city. No canopy of green to mask the buildings.

But look!

A hawk! Besides this big fella, we saw bluejays, fat little brown finches, cardinals, and bunches of plump squirrels.

When you're on a quest, it's a good idea to survey the landscape from a lofty vantage point.

Ducks in the now thawed Pool, paddling through branches and clouds.

Today's high was 45 degrees F, which is warmer than usual. I just needed fleece tights, shearling-lined boots, a dress, a sweater, a faux-fur trimmed knitted coat, a white stole, and a woolen hat with ear flaps, that's all.

This hat belonged to my mom, back when she lived in Oregon and went skiing regularly. It's toasty, and the ear flaps have llamas on them!

Blue sky! Thank goodness.

And our final prize: The super amazing Salted Caramel frozen custard. It may not look that impressive, but it's delicious! Buttery, caramely, creamy, and...you guessed it...salty. The salt is actually the best part about it. Try baking chocolate chip cookies without any salt, and you'll realize how important it is in emphasizing the sweetness. Actually, don't do that, because then you'll end up with a batch sup-par cookies. Just take my word for it.

Mission accomplished!