Some weeks (like this one) the work week nearly kills me, but on days when I can sneak away and play around in the new Second Ave subway stations all day? Beyond fun!
Life has been pretty exhausting lately, as I struggle to balance all of the opportunities and demands coming my way. Sometimes I can balance all of the spinning plates perfectly while right now it feels a bit like all the plates are crashing down around me loudly. It’s funny how I always think, “When this happens…” or “When I get to that point…” things will be different, and they are but never quite how I expect! Mostly I’m just running on fumes right now and in need of a good night’s sleep. These periods of high activity always seem to sneak up on me!
Sneaking away for some fun is therefore a requirement to get through these busy times, and Bekka and I had a fantastic time exploring the new Upper East Side subway stations on the Q line, part of the new Second Ave subway. It’s amazing to see a new subway line be born in my lifetime and though I was skeptical when it was first announced the line has been rather life changing for me, making the UES suddenly accessible again, less than 30 minutes by subway now as opposed to closer to 45 minutes before. You can see another 2nd Ave subway OOTD here.
This outfit seemed so right for the 96th Street station, which features beautiful blue walls and pages that seem to be migrating across the mezzanine wall. This is a pretty typical Spring look for me — especially on rainy days, below my rain coat (which you can see on me here) and after I’ve switched the rain boots for my heels. Spring in NYC starts cold in the morning, is usually pretty warm during the day before rapidly getting back to cold at night. So layering is key!!
I’m absolutely in love with these jeans, and you’ll see them again in another OOTD soon! What your favorite clothing item right now?
Note: Anthropologie is offering an extra 40% off sale this weekend!
Thanks for posting about your trip. It sounds great! How many guests were at the resort?
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Probably around 350 or so? It was full for part of our trip and there are just over 200 rooms. It didn't feel crowded at all.
Looks beautiful, great pics! I have several friends who have been there numerous times and some even live there, but I haven't gotten there yet! On my bucket list 🙂
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We had so much fun! I'd really encourage Costa Rica to anyone.
Was there with family last August. We chose to split our vacation with Rainforest for 4 days and 3 days at Guanacaste, also at an all inclusive. Loved it! One of the best vacations we ever had, highly recommend.
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Yes! Every part of Costa Rica is gorgeous.
Wow how gorgeous, looks like paradise there! Sounds like you two had such a blast, thanks for sharing such beautiful pictures of your trip:)
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It's a total paradise! So glad you enjoyed this post. =)
Beautiful pictures, and what a fun array of animal shots! Thanks for sharing your pictures with us.
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Thank you! I feel like we saw the perfect array of animals — I was excited about maybe seeing toucans or parrots like we had on other trips…but it was quieter this way.
Amazeballs!!! Thanks for sharing. Even though I have a coworker from CR and know dozens of ppl who go all the time, only NOW do I feel compelled to finally visit. This year at that. I desperately needed the breakdown you provided and I'm glad you covered all of the animals and reptilies you encountered too. I'm a city dweller and scared of every little bug imaginable (which is why CR has never been on my list) but your pictures and descriptions are too good to pass up. I cringed at the pics of the Sloth and mud crabs but I'll just have to deal lol. Looks like the best vacay ever.
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That is the best thing I could hear Lindinha! It's not very buggy in Guanacaste, certainly not compared to the rainforest.
And don't worry — the sloths don't want to come anywhere near you, nor do the crabs.
Costa Rica looks gorgeous! Thanks for sharing; I for one, never tire of vacation photos.
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Me either! I love hearing about people's trips.
Very nice Roxy! It looked so relaxing.
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Very much so.
I'm more of an adventure trekker rather than a relax & chill vacationer, but your recommendations and pictures have inspired me to give it go! Using your link I priced a stay for less than $3k. So excited to actually take the plunge later this year.
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That's awesome!!! I think you'll love it, and there's plenty of adventuring to do.
We are thinking our next trip will be some kind of adventure trip. Have you been on any you really loved recently?
So far my fave was Peru, trekking to Machu Picchu through the Salkantay Route because of the diverse terrain. My niece is a world traveler and she said out of all her travels, that one is still the most memorable. 2016 was supposed to be the Dolomites but my parents got sick, so 2018 will be Everest Base Camp and 2020 is Antarctica!
My favorite was a mix of relaxing and adventure. Seychelles for relaxation mixed with Kenya for a safari. If you have not been on a safari, it is excellent. I also really love Hawaii for hiking but you have already done that and oddly another of my favorite vacations is the Grand Canyon (we hiked and stayed on the bottom at Phantom Ranch) and Sedona which is a mix of hiking and luxury resorts.. Lots to choose from.
Wonderful vacay pics. FYI, I think a few new things are showing up in the sale section over at Anthro.
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Oh nice! I will put up a post first thing in the AM.
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It was amazing! I'm so glad you enjoyed them.
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Thanks Nam! We had a brilliant time. I wish we were still there!!
Looks like a fantastic trip (and you both look so happy and relaxed). I will have to keep this mind for a future getaway! Also your tip for Cheapcarribean.com. My son (and his friends) used it to book spring break – they wanted to go to Playa del carmen but wanted an all inclusive and something a bit nicer. They too are happy with their accommodations and the price was great. I thought it was more of a place kids booked but now I know that is not the case.
Wow! I love all your photos..looks like you had an amazing time!
We have only been to CR once back in 2007..it was my first trip outside of the US with my then boyfriend, now husband. We stayed in Manuel Antonio..a couple of different places along the stretch…Ahh.. brings back such great memories…monkeys!!..amazing views, crabs, sloths, yummy beans and rice for breakfast, long crazy bus rides from San Jose, horseback riding and the most friendly amazing people. 🙂
Costa rica was our honeymoon trip 🙂 It is heaven on earth. Just lovely and you look radiant.!
Love it! I was there for a month (in San Jose) several years ago doing intensive Spanish (so sad I've forgotten so much, since I now live in Texas!) and had one day I travelled around–went to the Volcano Arenal and the hot springs and LOVED it!!!! Your pictures bring back great memories and so cool to see all you and BF did! 🙂
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Yes!! The hot springs were lovely, they are in the middle of upgrading the facilities which I think will make them even better.
Hi Roxy! Great photos, made me want to book a vacay! I went to the website and priced it out….and it came to a little over $5500 for 2 people. Was that around what you guys paid for a weeks stay? Or am I doing something wrong? (I selected April dates)
Also, what did you do about transportation to/from airport or anywhere else you wanted to go on? Thanks!
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Yes that's right about what we paid, including flights.
A few things to keep in mind:
1 – Airplane ticket prices fluctuate, and some airports are more expensive to fly out of than others.
2 – There is a high season and a low season in Costa Rica, and the trip will be more expensive during the high season.
3 – The room you pick will change the price. (I think our room was called “Preferred Club Bungalow Suite Ocean View.” I highly recommend doing an ocean view room.
Transportation to and from the airport was included in the price and was arranged by Cheap Caribbean. For our excursions travel was included in the price and arranged by each excursion company. For the one beach we went to offsite (Playa Hermosa) we took a taxi for a flat rate — $20 US.
THANK YOU!!!!! What a vacay! Now I toooootally want to go to Costa Rica! 🙂
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Ohhh I love Playa del Carmen, my sister, 5 friends and I did an all-inclusive trip there in 2010. Although that was the trip were sugary drinks were a problem, LOL!!
Yes Cheap Caribbean is definitely not just for kids. 🙂
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Manuel Antonio is SO pretty!! I got to go a day trip there and I'd love to spend more time. Your trip sounds so wonderful.
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Oh wow!! That must have been so much fun!!
Looks relaxing! Were there a lot of mosquitoes?
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Not this time of year thank goodness! Also this being the dry region there are much, much less than in the rainforest. One our hotel amenities was bug spray though, and I was thankful for that!!
I love those jeans! You really pulled that outfit together! I love that those jeans can go from dressed up to dressed down.
I’m loving that last shot, such a fabulous outfit darling!
Your shoes look great with your outfit! I remember the days of heels and jeans but now that I have 2 little kids in tow, I am usually rocking a pair of flats.
I was in Guanacaste Dec. 17 – 24 and it was absolutely beautiful and amazing. We stayed at the Andaz Hyatt Papagayo and it was beyond phenomenal. Thanks for sharing your pics! I had never been to Costa Rica before and was so warmed by the friendliness of the people. I definitely got to practice my underused Spanish, though you're right – almost everyone spoke very good English. Would definitely go back again, particularly to do additional excursions, since as you mentioned, they were all mostly 1.5-2 hours away, which made the day a bit overwhelmingly long when all you want is to relax. 🙂