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Amy Chen

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Summer Recess in Cape May

June 25, 2025

On Friday, I took a solo day trip down to Cape May to celebrate the first official day of summer. I spent the last day of summer there last year - and I’ve been yearning to go back ever since. It’s one of my favorite places. Every time I go, I never want to leave. What better way to kick off the season? It also felt like the perfect pre-game to season 3 of The Summer I Turned Pretty. Cue This Love by Taylor Swift. 😏

I started off the day at Higbee Beach to create some content (photo and video) for Recess. They gifted me a sampler pack of their magnesium & adaptogen infused sparkling water and gave me an affiliate code to share. Use code “amyventures” for a 15% discount.

https://app.devotion.club/brand/recess/amyventures

**I make a small commission off every sale made through this link with my code, so think of it as a little way to support me / this project (and also stock up on some fun non-alcoholic drinks for the upcoming holiday / summer season)! 💫

It’s the first time I’ve created branded content in awhile. In recent years, I stopped doing this type of work because it gave me the ick. I used to say yes to everything, and it eventually depleted me so much I had to stop. But when Recess reached out, I was excited by the opportunity, thought it was a great match (to my brand, voice, and aesthetic), and had to say yes. I could have chosen to just accept the free drinks and produced content at home - but decided to take it a step further. (I’m so glad I did)!

I had the idea of “a recess in Cape May” - and had to see it through. It was a beautiful day, and the only clouds in the sky were on the cans. 😉

So far I’ve only tried the strawberry rose, orange vanilla, and raspberry lemon flavors - but I’ve genuinely loved them all so far.

They didn’t pay me to say any of this (or even to write this post). All opinions are completely my own - and I’m sharing because I truly did have so much fun shooting this project.

After I finished shooting, I enjoyed a picnic lunch and then indulged in a little beach combing session before leaving for my next stop: the lighthouse. I always have to see it anytime I visit; it never gets old. I got to walk part of trail there too since I didn’t have the dogs with me (because it’s unfortunately not pet friendly). Walking in the shade under the trees was a nice break from the strong sun. 😌

I made my way over to Beach Plum Farm next, but sadly it was late afternoon at this point and they were closing up when I got there. I’ll have to go earlier next time to try their food (which sounds so good). I still got to walk the grounds quickly and take some photos, though. Their hydrangeas in bloom made me so happy!

Try Recess with code 'amyventures'

I ended the day walking around downtown a bit (browsing antiques and art) before heading home. I stopped by Out of the Past Antiques, West End Garage, and Antiques Emporia / Tea by the Sea.

My last official stop of the day was Good Deeds Market in Carpenter Square Mall - where I picked up a couple new Ana Inciardi mini prints for my growing collection. I was so stoked about pulling the monarch butterfly one!

If you’ve been following me on Instagram, I hope the Recess posts haven’t been too overbearing? Just know that it’s coming from a place of trying to put myself back out there in that capacity again. Embracing using my creativity and talent to support myself through that type of work - rather than feeling shame and cringe for it. Channeling some big Mel Robbins energy - if people want to cringe over it, let them.

I hope your summer’s off to a good start so far, and that you’re staying cool through the heatwave!


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In art, photography, wanderlust Tags Cape May, New Jersey, Recess, beach
Strawberry Picking, Peony Peeping, Park Frolicking →

AMYVENTURES

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POPULAR POSTS

Blog
Summer Recess in Cape May
Summer Recess in Cape May
about a week ago
Strawberry Picking, Peony Peeping, Park Frolicking
Strawberry Picking, Peony Peeping, Park Frolicking
about 3 weeks ago
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Spring Things
about 2 months ago
Solo Day Trip to Seaside Heights
Solo Day Trip to Seaside Heights
about 3 months ago
Reframing a "Mundane Chore" as an Adventure: Visiting a New Grocery Store
Reframing a "Mundane Chore" as an Adventure: Visiting a New Grocery Store
about 3 months ago
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Creating In Community
about 3 months ago
A Sunny Sunday for the Soul in NYC
A Sunny Sunday for the Soul in NYC
about 4 months ago
Christmas Cookies 2024
Christmas Cookies 2024
about 6 months ago
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5 Life Lessons From The Garden
about 9 months ago
Pet Portraits!
Pet Portraits!
about a year ago

INSTAGRAM

@AMYVENTURES
summer arrivals @shopamyventures 🌞🐚⛵️🍍✨

#shopsmall #vintagehome #etsyvintage #summer
my last stop in cape may was @gooddeedsmarket to pick up a couple new @inciardi mini prints for my growing collection 🥲 regretted not bringing more quarters (and had to break a $20 😅), but was so excited to see a different collection of prints avai
first beachcombing haul of the season 🧜‍♀️🐚🌞

#capemay #capemaynj #jerseycollective #southjerseyadventures #jerseyshore #summer #beachcombing #beachcombingfinds
some more from @takearecess in cape may 🌞 (take me back) 

icymi: my code “amyventures” now gets you 25% off for a limited time thru June 27 🍹💦🍓 (15% off after that)

** I make a small commission off of every purchase made through thi
took a recess to cape may yesterday in celebration of the summer solstice 😎

started at higbee beach (took some fun photos for @takearecess 🌾, had a picnic lunch 🍓, and beach combed 🐚), stopped at the lighthouse (because I always have to say hi t
strawberry picking and everything I made with said strawberries now on substack ✨🍓✨ (link in bio)

#strawberries #strawberrypicking #pyostrawberries #upickstrawberries #jerseycollective #longvalley #longvalleynj #northjerseyadventures #strawberryrec
so glad I made it to @longvalleypeonies this year 🥹 the fields are a dream to walk through with over 65 varieties of peonies to see / smell ✨🌸✨

I believe today is the last day of the season to visit this year, so stop by if you can! 💕

#longvalle
the most joyful + sparkly little shop I ever did see 😍 ty for existing @susan_alexandra 🥹💖🌈🌼🦋✨ 

#susanalexandra #nyc #nycshopping #lowereastside #les #thingstodoinnyc #orchardstreet #orchardst #charmjewelry #joyspotting
the matcha stop of the day was @12.matcha 🍵 (expect a line no matter what time you go, but I thought it was worth the wait) - quite possibly the best and smoothest matcha I’ve ever had 🥹 (zero clumps, not bitter, not too sweet, sooooo green)
still dreaming about this rose pistachio croissant from @libraebakery 🤤🥐🌹 (pretty sure the birds are too 😂)

next time I’ll have to order a few more things to try so I can take them home in a cute butter yellow box 😏 (was trying to pace my
a little camera roll dump from last saturday morning’s walk up bowery in pursuit of sweet treat(s) & matcha 🙃

#nyc #igersnyc #bowery #eastvillage #noho #joyspotting
sunday reset by the sea with my best girl 🥹🐾🐚☀️🍦 had to visit one of our favorite places before the summer season fee kicks in mdw 🥲 - we walked nearly 10 miles (from lot c to the lighthouse and back + a bit of the bayside beach 😅)

a much need
cake club last weekend at @reccreate_collective 🍰🌸🍓 with @sarabryn for ✨dog moms day out✨

got to decorate mini cakes in this hidden gem of a creative community space just a short walk from @prattinstitute (where I graduated 11 years ago) 😅 so mu
got matcha lattes from @matchaful 🍵 and ogled over the stickers and fun things at @greenwichletterpress 👀 and @bignightshop 🍅 

(a few stops and sights along the way in the west village before heading to brooklyn to decorate cake 🍰)

#westvillage
saturday at @unsqgreenmarket 😍 (forever one of my favorite farmer’s markets to walk through; it doesn’t get old) ✨ stopped to smell the flowers (duh) 💐 and then grabbed a chocolate croissant for breakfast 🥐

#unionsquaregreenmarket #un
some photos from saturday’s plant & seed swap at @thelilliehouse ✨🌱🌸 I made little origami seed packets to share some from my collection, and picked up some new things to add to the garden this year 👩🏻‍🌾 - I think I’m most ex
summer arrivals @shopamyventures 🌞🐚⛵️🍍✨

#shopsmall #vintagehome #etsyvintage #summer my last stop in cape may was @gooddeedsmarket to pick up a couple new @inciardi mini prints for my growing collection 🥲 regretted not bringing more quarters (and had to break a $20 😅), but was so excited to see a different collection of prints avai first beachcombing haul of the season 🧜‍♀️🐚🌞

#capemay #capemaynj #jerseycollective #southjerseyadventures #jerseyshore #summer #beachcombing #beachcombingfinds some more from @takearecess in cape may 🌞 (take me back) 

icymi: my code “amyventures” now gets you 25% off for a limited time thru June 27 🍹💦🍓 (15% off after that)

** I make a small commission off of every purchase made through thi
the only way to survive the heatwave for the next few days is with this strawberry rose coconut mint mocktail 😌🍓🍹🌿🥥🌹

blended up frozen strawberries with coconut water & a small sprig of mint, topped it off with @takearecess strawberry rose
took a recess to cape may yesterday in celebration of the summer solstice 😎

started at higbee beach (took some fun photos for @takearecess 🌾, had a picnic lunch 🍓, and beach combed 🐚), stopped at the lighthouse (because I always have to say hi t
nothing more satisfying than a good matcha pour 😌 

thickened strawberry juices, vanilla soy milk, coconut whip, matcha, + ice 👌🍓🍵🥥✨

#matcha #matchalatte #strawberryseason #strawberrymatcha #summer #sweettreat
strawberry picking and everything I made with said strawberries now on substack ✨🍓✨ (link in bio)

#strawberries #strawberrypicking #pyostrawberries #upickstrawberries #jerseycollective #longvalley #longvalleynj #northjerseyadventures #strawberryrec
pancakes on a random week day (for lunch at 2 pm) because why not? 😏 peanut butter between the layers, served with maple syrup & coconut whip, and topped with strawberries (cooked down with a little lemon juice and sugar just til they’re s
so glad I made it to @longvalleypeonies this year 🥹 the fields are a dream to walk through with over 65 varieties of peonies to see / smell ✨🌸✨

I believe today is the last day of the season to visit this year, so stop by if you can! 💕

#longvalle the most joyful + sparkly little shop I ever did see 😍 ty for existing @susan_alexandra 🥹💖🌈🌼🦋✨ 

#susanalexandra #nyc #nycshopping #lowereastside #les #thingstodoinnyc #orchardstreet #orchardst #charmjewelry #joyspotting the matcha stop of the day was @12.matcha 🍵 (expect a line no matter what time you go, but I thought it was worth the wait) - quite possibly the best and smoothest matcha I’ve ever had 🥹 (zero clumps, not bitter, not too sweet, sooooo green)
still dreaming about this rose pistachio croissant from @libraebakery 🤤🥐🌹 (pretty sure the birds are too 😂)

next time I’ll have to order a few more things to try so I can take them home in a cute butter yellow box 😏 (was trying to pace my a little camera roll dump from last saturday morning’s walk up bowery in pursuit of sweet treat(s) & matcha 🙃

#nyc #igersnyc #bowery #eastvillage #noho #joyspotting sunday reset by the sea with my best girl 🥹🐾🐚☀️🍦 had to visit one of our favorite places before the summer season fee kicks in mdw 🥲 - we walked nearly 10 miles (from lot c to the lighthouse and back + a bit of the bayside beach 😅)

a much need cake club last weekend at @reccreate_collective 🍰🌸🍓 with @sarabryn for ✨dog moms day out✨

got to decorate mini cakes in this hidden gem of a creative community space just a short walk from @prattinstitute (where I graduated 11 years ago) 😅 so mu got matcha lattes from @matchaful 🍵 and ogled over the stickers and fun things at @greenwichletterpress 👀 and @bignightshop 🍅 

(a few stops and sights along the way in the west village before heading to brooklyn to decorate cake 🍰)

#westvillage saturday at @unsqgreenmarket 😍 (forever one of my favorite farmer’s markets to walk through; it doesn’t get old) ✨ stopped to smell the flowers (duh) 💐 and then grabbed a chocolate croissant for breakfast 🥐

#unionsquaregreenmarket #un
spring in the garden state 🥹🌷🌸🌿✨

#spring #newjersey #jerseycollective #njisntboring #njisallgood #locallivingnj #flowers #april #northjerseyadventures #gardenstate
some photos from saturday’s plant & seed swap at @thelilliehouse ✨🌱🌸 I made little origami seed packets to share some from my collection, and picked up some new things to add to the garden this year 👩🏻‍🌾 - I think I’m most ex

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Amy Chen (unless otherwise stated). If you decide to reference anything from my blog / website, please give proper credit. Thank you! :)


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