Dear Friends, I hope this finds you safe, healthy and sane during these unnerving times. Wherever you have found yourselves sheltering, I send you strength and grit to weather these tough times and the resolve to know that this too shall pass.

In an effort to get back to my roots by combining my passion for history and NYC, while also lightening the mood given the onslaught of negative news about our real estate market, I thought I would share some of my favorite books about New York City's rich past and eclectic neighborhoods.

Despite a number of major influences, including the inauguration of a new president and the passing of the first major tax code overhaul in 30 years, New York real estate weathered the storms of 2017 to end the year on solid footing.

In a city known for astonishing neighborhood transformations, perhaps few have been as interesting or fun to watch as that of the Brooklyn waterfront — from north of the Williamsburg Bridge to the south of the Brooklyn Bridge. With a storied industrial past evolved from 1600s ferry landing to 18th century shipping center to a largely vacant wasteland to some of the most coveted parklands and residential developments in the city.

As most parents of high school juniors know, not only has spring sprung, but so has the season of college touring. To kick off the important parent-child ritual which began my daughter’s college search, we spent a week of spring break visiting universities, beginning in California and road-tripping our way back east. While some parents dread the process of visiting colleges, I found it incredibly inspiring and an important bonding experience which carved out my small place in her process.

As we begin to prepare for a new year, with a renewed sense of energy, I know some are still mourning last year’s loss of some of my generation’s most adored musicians. I offer new hope for 2017 by rounding up some of the best live music coming soon to my favorite venues (with plenty of housing choices around the corner from each, of course). Happy 2017!

I hope that you all enjoyed the summer and got to spend time enjoying the warm weather with friends and family. While I had a great summer, I'm also looking forward to the routine the school year brings and to welcoming crisp fall weather — one of the best seasons in the city!

Keeping it global and local. From Spanish days to my own backyard: Where to Live, Sip, Browse, Brunch, Reflect, Sweat, Run, Juice.

As we begin a new year, it seems fitting to highlight a few new development projects I am most excited about—in three very different locations— as well as where to eat and what not to miss in each neighborhood. 

It's time to share a Summer wrap-up.

...For sometimes it is in disconnecting that we find ourselves connecting the most. 

 What’s blooming this spring? Gardens, art, condos and an urban porch.

Market updates to cultural highlights and under-the-radar spots — starting in my own backyard.