Let’s Do NYC!

Back in NYC!

Each fall, my husband and I try to fit in a quick weekend get away to one of our favorite places,  New York City.

A city where the possibilities are endless, one could spend days on end visiting the fabulous museums, parks, tourist attractions, shopping, theater and dining.  I thought it would be fun to share a day in the life as I zip up my boots and head out on foot through some of my favorite neighborhoods.  A walkable city, some of my best memories have happened upon accident while wandering around though tucked away special spots and side streets.

There are countless places to stay, I happen to favor the Soho Grand HERE.  I love being immersed in culture, dining and interesting people straight out the door of my hotel.

  Lounge  and urban stairwell in the Soho Grand via Pinterest.  Source HERE and HERE 

The Soho Grand is a great location if you want to get out and explore the neighborhoods

On this visit the lobby had been taken over by crochet artist Olek.  For more on Olek at the Soho Grand read HERE and for bio HERE. the photos on her site showcase her art better than my iPhone could.  Check out her cute video as well.

We usually get to the hotel around 9pm.  We check in, unpack and head out by foot to Balthazar for a late night dinner.  Balthazar is great for brunch or dinner.  If you have not been, it is for sure worth a stop.  Always busy and full of  life at 11pm on a weeknight.  If you can’t get a table, the bar is always fun and social.  Pull up a seat and order off the same menu.

 My favorite dish is the mussels with a glass or two of wine.

I like to hop around the city in the morning/afternoon time then back to Soho to recharge with a cup of coffee and snack before hitting the streets once again.  Today we headed to the Meatpacking district to visit the Chelsea Market and the Highline.

I had heard that the Chelsea Market was loads of fun for anyone who loves food, art and eclectic things.  And yes it is!

We grabbed a cub of coffee and a yummy snack at Amy’s Bread (photo on right)

Came across and amazing fish market

Stopped in the pop-up art stalls featuring independent designers

I fell in love with this artist stall, Verrier which I am sure this is of no surprise to any of you!  Pink, girly and whimsical, oh-la-la!  I wanted every piece and could not make up my mind. I took her card so I could contemplate later and now I am sharing it with you all!  You are welcome!

 

 We wandered in and out of Chelsea Market, stopped by Artist and Fleas HERE ( a must!) , walked the Highline and headed on foot toward the West Village.

DVF outside the Chelsea Market

 On Bleecker in the West Village we made a quick stop at Magnolia Bakery HERE.  Best cupcakes ever!

Once back in Soho I had to make a stop at the new Birchbox flagship store.  Read more on Birchbox in this post from the blog, HERE

The store feels pink and girly.  They offer a makeover salon downstairs.

They offer all the customer favored Birchbox products for purchase in the store. I picked up THIS lipstick, Mirenesse Glossy Kiss in #8 Cheeky Kiss. I had received this in a prior Birchbox in coral and was excited to see all the other colors in person.

I love to stop into Mercer Kitchen for a coffee and quick snack, today it was really crowded so I headed out and around and found a crazy tapioca shop!  My husband decided at this point to head back to the Soho Grand for a disco nap before dinner.  Not me, I was not wasting one single minute napping.  I figured I could nap when I got back home!

Yup, this is a rice pudding shop, that is all they sell. It  is called Rice to Riches and it is over the top amazing! I literally licked my bowl clean!  Worth a stop if you are in the area. HERE

While up in Nolita, I took the time to wander the streets of Mulberry, Mott and Elizabeth.  Whoa, I am so happy I did!  This area offered what Soho had 20 years ago.  Full of little boutiques, quirky restaurants and bars, up and coming designers and cobblestone streets, I was a kid in a candy shop!

 

Other boutiques I loved in this area were Pinkyotto HERE , Variazioni HERE and Love Adorned HERE for fine jewelry and one of a kind pieces.

 I wandered around Nolita ’till it was dusk, then heeded back down the crowded street of Broadway to pop into Top Shop before heading back to the hotel. The super sized store is amazing and oh so fun.

The displays are inspiring!

In case you weren’t sure, faux fur is in!  It is everywhere, I especially loved the gray wraps and scarves (more on all that in another post!)

Blanket type wraps and long cardigans were seen all over the city in fair isle and aztec type patterns as well as solids.  Knit texture was big and fringe was a fun embellishment.  I saw these worn belted or not with everything from denim to leather.  A look I am loving right now!

Fur trimmed anoraks in army green were still sen in every shop around the city.  If you missed the trend last fall, it is still not too late to jump on board!

They had a DJ playing the night I was in the store, truly a city that never sleeps!

A quick peek into H&M

Across the street from TopShop is SCOOP NYC, always a fun stop.  Pricey but offers great trend inspiration.   A few doors down from SCOOP is Pearl River HERE.  The first Chinese- American Department store, this fun neighborhood store is truly and adventure!

I picked up some fun souvenirs for the kids at Pearl Market and headed back to the hotel to clean up for dinner.  I would have stayed out longer but the store owners were kicking me out at this point, they were done for the day!  After a quick change, we headed out to a fabulous dinner at the Lion HERE.  The chef and co-owner of this West Village restaurant  is John DeLucie, who made his reputation at the Waverly Inn HERE  (another favorite of mine where we dined the following night. I would say between the two, the Waverly Inn is my all time favorite spot).

 In both of these spots I have had slow service and long waits, but let me tell you the people watching is fantastic and the overall experience one for the senses.  I was in New York with nowhere else to be, I was happy just taking it all in!

Rick and I at the Waverly Inn the following evening.  Yes, I am wearing my new TopShop blanket wrap over a cashmere sweater and tall boots. Nice and cozy for a crisp NY evening.

Another adventure awaits us tomorrow, good night from NYC!

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XOXO

Suzanne