So last week at this time I was in NYC. SOHO to be exact, walking for hours upon hours. Although I felt like I had run a 10K at the end of the trip it was glorious!! Anyone with children can understand the magnitude of spending an entire day without checking a clock or buckling anything. I love my children dearly but being a mama is totally exhausting, even when it’s a great day. Having uninterrupted time to just think is a rarity these days so an entire day to do whatever I would like all by myself was literally better than a spa.
We stayed with my brother- and sister-in law at their mack daddy condo right across from Battery Park. They are childless newlyweds so they can do things like live on the 26th floor of a cool condo building right across from the Statue of Liberty. They can also do things like make plans for a Friday night at a lively little restaurant without tallying up what it will cost to pay a sitter. Seriously, did I mention I do love my children?! It was just so freeing to be away from all things that represent responsibility! We ate at a restaurant called The Smith and it was my heaven. It honestly made me feel a little sappy that Kyle (my BIL) knew me well enough to pick this place. It was the perfect meld of my two worlds: food and design. There was subway tile behind the bar, wood paneled walls, black and white photography, and a photo booth. The color scheme was a deep teal/slate blue with black and white plus the rustic raw wood. Right up my alley.
The food was also amahzing. Vacation is always an excuse to order every course without a second thought so we did. Blue cheese fondue, chicken pot pie, and quarter pounder cookies for dessert. Heeeaaaaven!
And right up there with the food was the company. I wish my camera didn’t weigh as much as a small child or I would have pictures of these people but I can tell you they were an interesting crowd. My BIL went to West Point, is an army ranger, and has lived everywhere. His wife Cameron has also done things like perform in a trapeze troop in Egypt so as you can imagine their friends are a reflection of all of that. I sat between a Golden gloves boxer (sweetest teddy bear of a guy), and a screenwriter (we discussed important things like George Clooney). Then there was the teeny tiny girl who used to be a firefighter, the french news reporter, and her English husband (who by the way made a gold tooth look really chic). Good food and good company for sure!
We were shown a great time and ate some delicious food but on to the shopping and home decor stuff. Like I said I went to SOHO for a good chunk of the day and immediately sought out some places on my list. I went in C. Wonder which is very Kate Spade-ish but definitely a lot less pricey. They had a ton of brightly colored home decor like these bowls…
$8/via |
Thomas Paul throw, $350 |
Also in navy
H&M |
H&M |