the new york city macaron expedition

do you remember this ridiculous sugar fest i had in boston, which ended with the conclusion that boston has no good macarons to offer?

well, i did something similar for new york, except it ended much more happily! over the course of a weekend, i consumed about 283476 macarons, and returned to laduree no fewer than 3 times. i'm not ashamed.

actually, the shopgirl at laduree told me, "I can tell you've been here before because you picked all the best flavors." best compliment ever.

(those flavors were raspberry, cassis, coconut, lemon, salted butter caramel, and pistachio.)

notes:

• everything from maison du chocolate has chocolate ganache in it. chocolate is nice, but—dare i say it?—chocolate has a time and place. it's not all the time and not every place, especially not in a passionfruit macaron.
• the earl grey from michel cluizel is subtle and lovely.
• bouchon's macarons are gargantuan. sprüngli's luxemburgerli : bouchon's macaron :: european portions : american portions.
• the cassis violette from laduree is the best flavor ever. EVER. 
• the texture of macaron cafe's macarons were technically good, but the flavors weren't as concentrated as the ones from laduree. however, they do ship nationwide, so it's good for a emergency fix when you have no other options nearby. (actually, i have a box chilling in my freezer right now.)
• i want more macarons....

cassis, cassis, cassis

best reading period snack ever.

eataly in 35mm

wisteria

can't. stop. photographing. flowers!

i love love

flurries of petals and proposals by the fountain -- springtime in the park is too lovely for words.

spring

harvard is unspeakably beautiful the springtime, especially right after the rain, when the courtyard is blanketed in blush-colored blossoms. the lilacs are in full bloom right now, and their heady perfume never fails to transport me back to kindergarten days in beijing, when my father would pluck a sprig for me from the trees that soared overhead and i would bury my nose in them, before walking home together.

minolta

i recently bought a 35mm minolta and i have absolutely nooooo idea what i'm doing, as evidenced by this accidentally quadruaply exposed frame, shot inside the isabella stewart gardner museum. i just squint and pray for the best. it's so much fun.