I recently took a long weekend off of work and visited a good friend in New York. The weather was perfect, and I had far too much fun! I thought I would share with you all of the outrageously exciting things that we did together in hopes that it inspires you to go on your own spontaneous vacation!
My sweet friend, Whitney, lives deep in the heart of the city, in an apartment that backs Times Square. When you open the windows in her bedroom you can hear the ever-present honking of the taxis below, and the chatter of the people on the street. Looking out on the city from so high up, it is easy to believe that anything is possible, and that the world, which once to me seemed so big, was no more difficult to conquer and comprehend than it was to cross the fire escape into the apartment next door.
The morning after I arrived, we packed our Kate Spade bags with lipgloss and mad money and hopped on the subway to go to Brooklyn. I feel like when people visit New York they always want to see the basic tourist sites, and completely skip over the nooks and crannies that are the backbone and true character of the city. Our first stop was the Roebling Tea Room, which is full of charm and dishes up a brunch that is to-die-for.
When our tummies were full, we walked down the street to the famed Artists and Fleas, a market that opens up in Brooklyn on the weekends and showcases crafts, jewelry, antiques, and other bits and bobs from the best up-and-coming artists in New York. There you can find anything from authentic flapper dresses, to David Bowie earrings, to clocks made out of antique almanacs, to fairy tiaras. I purchased a dainty silver heart necklace from a young lady who wants to own her own jewelry shop one day and since then I haven't taken it off!
Once my purchase was fastened round my neck, and Whitney had her fairy tiara wrapped in tissue, we made our way to Williamsburg, where they were having "Smorgasburg"a flea food market complete with music, good company, and an amazing view of the city. Asian hotdogs, handmade jam, fresh oysters, pigs in a blanket, macaroons, and designer horsraddish... this place had it all and then some. The two of us patiently stood in line for two freshly prepared s'mores (a personal favorite of mine, and one usually enjoyed in the colder months around a fire). This was such a fun gathering, and everyone there seemed to be in a supremely good mood! Everything you ever read about New Yorkers being jaded and hardened to the world is completely untrue (or at least I found Brooklyn to be nothing short of fabulous and friendly).
Once we had unstuck the marshmallow from the roofs of our mouths, we hopped back onto the train and headed back into the city. We walked up and down 5th Ave looking into all of the beautiful shop windows, and even popped into Tiffany's for a little look around. I must admit I almost talked myself into purchasing a pair of silver earrings to commemorate the trip, but instead decided that I would probably be better off heading over the the Financial District to find myself a husband who could buy me a real rock.
In lieu of matrimony, we decided to head on over to the New York Public Library to visit the exhibit on children's books that was currently going on. I personally believe that the books that you read as a child influence the person that you are in a way that no other reading you do in your lifetime does. Needless to say, I went wild for the original manuscript for Frances Hodgson Burnett's
The Secret Garden and the life size display that was made in honor of
Goodnight Moon.
After taking another stroll around the city we decided to rest our weary feet and have an ice cream cone from a vendor on the corner. Mine was filled with vanilla ice cream that had been drizzled with caramel, sprinkled with sea salt, and then dipped in chocolate... my food coma at the end of the day was long, and thoroughly satisfying.
New York, I love you, and I can't wait until we meet again.
