Well hello everyone! I'm so excited about today's post! Now that the sunshine is here to stay (it's been in the high 80's all week) it's officially balcony season. I moved into my apartment at the end of last summer in August so this is going to be my first full season with outdoor space and I'm so pumped about it!

If you've followed any of my home decor posts in the past you probably know that I LOVE color -- bright, fabulous, bold colors! I'm also a big fan of patterns and definitely not afraid to layer. So it probably won't surprise you when I tell you that my goal for my outdoor decor was to have one of the brightest balconies in the city. And while I haven't seen every patio and balcony in the city, I'm going to go on a limb and say I think I nailed the color part ;-)

Something I had been looking forward to all winter was the second the weather turned for the better so I could pick out new flowers for my planters. So as soon as it warmed up I headed to the farmer's market as fast as I could!

I've always loved Gerbera Daisies so I decided they were a great choice for my planters! I've never had much of a green thumb but I also decided to give my go at a little garden this year too. I picked up romaine lettuce, strawberries, basil, mint, a mini tomato plant, and some lilac! 

I had to plant things a little closer because I was tight on space but I got a really great deal on plants so I decided it wasn't too bad of a spend if I ended up killing everything. I mean I've killed succulents before.. so I wasn't setting the bar too high.

Without further ado, onto the decor! I switched things up a little this year to make the space a little more functional for the way I like to use it.  

That included buying a couple of lounge chairs to make the space a little more comfy! I love coming home and just relaxing outside and these chairs are perfect for that. Plus I can easily fold them up and slide them aside when I want a little more open space.

Right now I have 3 distinct little areas. My lounge chairs, my bench and then my table. Also not pictured are my BBQ and fire pit in the far left corner.

Here's both chairs in action when Chris is out on the balcony with me! Good news too! My plants are killing it!

And guess what! My first strawberries came in and I cut some of my lettuce and have used it for a couple of dinners! Just call me urban farmer Anna ;-)

I can't wait for many more nights out here this summer! Hope you guys enjoyed my space!

It's a busy week over here! I'm pulling double-time at work to gear up for being in Washington next week! Cannot wait for some time at home and to celebrate Little Duck's graduation! I hope you enjoy today's pick for my playlist! 

Dose of my “Subway Mixing” Playlist

Today’s preview, Tove Lo- “This Time Around”

Some history was made this year at the Belmont Stakes and I was there to watch it all go down! We almost axed going this year after last year's transit disaster, but after they made some adjustments to the event we decided to give it another go and I'm so glad we did! Besides, I mean you need an excuse to wear a big floppy hat once a year right? 

The main differences with the event this year was that tickets were sold in advance and the attendance was capped. It was still packed, but more manageable. They also made better use of the space by putting some food trucks in the front and other vendors in the back. Crowd control and train station renovations made the transportation MUCH more effective -- definitely an upgrade from the 3 hours it took us to leave least year. So bravo event/traffic/security coordinators -- the whole crew -- I'd say things were much improved.

 Some of my lady partners in crime! :)

Our crew was staked out near the finish line when it came down to the big race. I can't totallyyyy say I actually saw American Pharaoh cross the finish line (I needed to be like 3 feet taller to see over the crowd) but I can confirm that people were losing their minds when he won! 

I did catch a shot of them on their way to the winner's circle though! I will say it was pretty awesome to be there for the first triple crown winner since 1978! I've been to 3 triple crown races now and I can now say that the third time was definitely a charm! Congrats to American Pharaoh!