Without further ado . . .
1. Family.
From Uncle Brian's early morning rendezvous at the airport to Aunt Liz & Nicole entertaining Ella. From Aunt Birgit's dinner party to Tasha's venture into the city, family was a central part of our whirlwind trip. That the Aunts & Nicole came into the city on Sunday was icing on the cake!
It was quick & left us wanting more, but it was great to see everyone again.
And, Ella was thrilled to discover some more cousins. Now, if only we lived closer.
2. Girls Day Shopping.
It was epic. It was long (4 miles!). It was invigorating. It was cold. It was fun!
We started at Pearl River Mart where we found so many fun stocking stuffers.
We wandered into several stores & I fell in love with John Derian. It was like Anthropologie, but better!
ABC Carpet & Home was truly Anthropologie on crack.
As we were leaving, Jessica & I both stopped in our tracks & turned around. Apparently, we both LOVE the smell of lilacs.
We felt like a bull in a china shop at Fishs Eddy. We managed to shop without breaking anything & picked up a few fun things in this store.
Ella decided it was too cold (even to go to the grocery store) and cuddled up at home with Aunt Liz & Nicole.
3. Montauk
The store, not the city. Jessica loved this store. I found the perfect $7,000 white sofa for my living room. I'm sure they would scotch guard it for me.
4. Spontaneous Purchases
We justified the hotel cost by thinking that we probably wouldn't buy much on the trip. After all, how would we get it home?
As Jessica & I walked the city, we stopped at a Holiday Mart & I picked up a hot apple cider. While she waited, Jessica had her hands scrubbed. Spontaneous purchase #1.
As we made our way back toward Grand Central Station, I said "Ooh - I saw this store in Vegas, but didn't get a chance to go in." And, Jessica said her friend Liz really liked their fragrances. Spontaneous purchase #2 (and 3 and . . . )
As we were getting on the train, I noticed some magnolia leaves & couldn't resist. Spontaneous purchase #3. Not exactly the easiest purchase to carry, but they made it home. Now, I just need my mother to help me display them. I was happy to see this at the Anthropologie store.
5. Rockefeller Center Tree at Night
6. Wicked
Just like the show in Salt Lake - but bigger, bolder & prettier costumes. Ella broke out in song several times during the show.
7. Lion King
Amazing costumes & dancing. Ella was mesmerized & especially loved that the animals came down the aisle right beside her.
8. New York City at Night.
So, you can't see the stars. The city is still incredibly magical & alive at night.
After our shows, the streets were bustling with people. The air was warm, I could understand the pull to the city.
9. The City
As we exited Grand Central Station, Ella exclaimed "Wow! Look at all these huge buildings!"
Sure, parking is a pain & it's expensive. But, wow! What a city!
10. Our Hotel
So, one night cost more than my monthly rent in my first Salt Lake City apartment. And they ran out of rooms with two beds. It was fabulous.
What can I say? Location, location, location!
11. Magnolia Bakery
This was on our 'maybe' list. I love the cookbook & heard mixed reviews about their cupcakes. We passed the bakery Saturday night & there was a line around the block. Sunday morning, it was nearly empty as we approached.
Kevin & Nick seemed to enjoy their edible souvenirs from the store. And we enjoyed our breakfast!
12. Skating
We gave Ella the choice to sleep in or go ice skating first thing Sunday morning. She had been tired since the red eye Thursday night. As I got in the shower, I saw her pull the covers over her head & thought she might choose to sleep in. But no. She inherited something from me. When we told her it was either time to get up or skip skating, she put on her long underwear, got dressed & hit the road.
We arrived about 8:15 & crowds were minimal (we did see the Today show taping!).
Jessica & I split skate rentals.
By the time we left at 8:45, the crowds had arrived.
Perfect timing.
13. The Food
Since we were traveling with the Queen of Chicken Nuggets, this trip was purposefully not about the food or fancy restaurants. And yet, we had some great food memories.
From Aunt Birgit's butternut squash lasagna
to her German Christmas cookies (lucky Nicole got lessons this year!).
From Ella's vendor hot dog
to Aunt Liz's eggo's to the fabulous soup Jessica & I split for dinner.
We enjoyed all the culinary treats NYC had to offer.
14. The Windows.
Ella's favorite was Sak's
Jessica really liked Lord & Taylor's
I liked Bergdorf Goodman's
They were all gorgeous & none of my photos do them justice. Seriously, how do they keep those windows so shiny clean?
15. American Girl
With Christmas money burning a hole in her pocket & the visit being repeatedly post-poned, Ella was remarkably and uncharacteristically quick in her shopping.
We shipped the purchases home & despite some initial complaints about that (and the fact that she can't open the gifts until Christmas), now that we have removed ourselves from the situation, Ella is excited and appreciative (I think) of the visit & the generous gifts.
16. Top of the Rock
I'm really glad we decided to buy the two visit pass.
Though Ella was disappointed she couldn't see the Statue of Liberty as clearly as she would have liked (next visit).
17. FAO Schwarz
I pushed her up to the front so she could see the Big Piano, we walked through the entire store (twice?) trying to find Charlie the perfect gift (that didn't cost $27,000.00).
It's a NYC classic.
18. Times Square
I love how it's a walking billboard of our times.
We tried explaining the significance of this locale to her, but until we tape next week's show, I don't think it will sink in.
19. Sunday Morning
Seeing all our aunts & Nicole at American Girl on Sunday was a great way to end the trip. We did a little more walking than expected when I realized our lunch locale was actually the corporate offices rather than the restaurant. But, that was the worst misstep of the trip (I'm ignoring the two hour delay on the tarmac at JFK & the fact the airline ran out of food).
The rain held off until Sunday morning. We ducked into the Plaza Hotel to get out of the rain.
Ella, for one, welcomed the downpour because it meant we took a few taxis on Sunday.
20. Dylan's Candy Bar
Last, but not least, Ella enjoyed a chocolate covered marshmallow from the chocolate fountain. I was tired & it was raining so no pictures of the mess that followed. But Ella said it was one of the highlights of the trip.
Thank you Courtney, Kari & Tashsa for the travel ideas & all our family for their hospitality!
1. Family.
From Uncle Brian's early morning rendezvous at the airport to Aunt Liz & Nicole entertaining Ella. From Aunt Birgit's dinner party to Tasha's venture into the city, family was a central part of our whirlwind trip. That the Aunts & Nicole came into the city on Sunday was icing on the cake!
It was quick & left us wanting more, but it was great to see everyone again.
And, Ella was thrilled to discover some more cousins. Now, if only we lived closer.
2. Girls Day Shopping.
It was epic. It was long (4 miles!). It was invigorating. It was cold. It was fun!
We started at Pearl River Mart where we found so many fun stocking stuffers.
We wandered into several stores & I fell in love with John Derian. It was like Anthropologie, but better!
ABC Carpet & Home was truly Anthropologie on crack.
As we were leaving, Jessica & I both stopped in our tracks & turned around. Apparently, we both LOVE the smell of lilacs.
We felt like a bull in a china shop at Fishs Eddy. We managed to shop without breaking anything & picked up a few fun things in this store.
Ella decided it was too cold (even to go to the grocery store) and cuddled up at home with Aunt Liz & Nicole.
3. Montauk
The store, not the city. Jessica loved this store. I found the perfect $7,000 white sofa for my living room. I'm sure they would scotch guard it for me.
4. Spontaneous Purchases
We justified the hotel cost by thinking that we probably wouldn't buy much on the trip. After all, how would we get it home?
As Jessica & I walked the city, we stopped at a Holiday Mart & I picked up a hot apple cider. While she waited, Jessica had her hands scrubbed. Spontaneous purchase #1.
As we made our way back toward Grand Central Station, I said "Ooh - I saw this store in Vegas, but didn't get a chance to go in." And, Jessica said her friend Liz really liked their fragrances. Spontaneous purchase #2 (and 3 and . . . )
As we were getting on the train, I noticed some magnolia leaves & couldn't resist. Spontaneous purchase #3. Not exactly the easiest purchase to carry, but they made it home. Now, I just need my mother to help me display them. I was happy to see this at the Anthropologie store.
5. Rockefeller Center Tree at Night
6. Wicked
Just like the show in Salt Lake - but bigger, bolder & prettier costumes. Ella broke out in song several times during the show.
7. Lion King
Amazing costumes & dancing. Ella was mesmerized & especially loved that the animals came down the aisle right beside her.
8. New York City at Night.
So, you can't see the stars. The city is still incredibly magical & alive at night.
After our shows, the streets were bustling with people. The air was warm, I could understand the pull to the city.
9. The City
As we exited Grand Central Station, Ella exclaimed "Wow! Look at all these huge buildings!"
Sure, parking is a pain & it's expensive. But, wow! What a city!
10. Our Hotel
So, one night cost more than my monthly rent in my first Salt Lake City apartment. And they ran out of rooms with two beds. It was fabulous.
What can I say? Location, location, location!
11. Magnolia Bakery
This was on our 'maybe' list. I love the cookbook & heard mixed reviews about their cupcakes. We passed the bakery Saturday night & there was a line around the block. Sunday morning, it was nearly empty as we approached.
Kevin & Nick seemed to enjoy their edible souvenirs from the store. And we enjoyed our breakfast!
12. Skating
We gave Ella the choice to sleep in or go ice skating first thing Sunday morning. She had been tired since the red eye Thursday night. As I got in the shower, I saw her pull the covers over her head & thought she might choose to sleep in. But no. She inherited something from me. When we told her it was either time to get up or skip skating, she put on her long underwear, got dressed & hit the road.
We arrived about 8:15 & crowds were minimal (we did see the Today show taping!).
Jessica & I split skate rentals.
By the time we left at 8:45, the crowds had arrived.
Perfect timing.
13. The Food
Since we were traveling with the Queen of Chicken Nuggets, this trip was purposefully not about the food or fancy restaurants. And yet, we had some great food memories.
From Aunt Birgit's butternut squash lasagna
to her German Christmas cookies (lucky Nicole got lessons this year!).
From Ella's vendor hot dog
to Aunt Liz's eggo's to the fabulous soup Jessica & I split for dinner.
We enjoyed all the culinary treats NYC had to offer.
14. The Windows.
Ella's favorite was Sak's
Jessica really liked Lord & Taylor's
I liked Bergdorf Goodman's
They were all gorgeous & none of my photos do them justice. Seriously, how do they keep those windows so shiny clean?
15. American Girl
With Christmas money burning a hole in her pocket & the visit being repeatedly post-poned, Ella was remarkably and uncharacteristically quick in her shopping.
We shipped the purchases home & despite some initial complaints about that (and the fact that she can't open the gifts until Christmas), now that we have removed ourselves from the situation, Ella is excited and appreciative (I think) of the visit & the generous gifts.
16. Top of the Rock
I'm really glad we decided to buy the two visit pass.
Though Ella was disappointed she couldn't see the Statue of Liberty as clearly as she would have liked (next visit).
17. FAO Schwarz
I pushed her up to the front so she could see the Big Piano, we walked through the entire store (twice?) trying to find Charlie the perfect gift (that didn't cost $27,000.00).
It's a NYC classic.
18. Times Square
I love how it's a walking billboard of our times.
We tried explaining the significance of this locale to her, but until we tape next week's show, I don't think it will sink in.
19. Sunday Morning
Seeing all our aunts & Nicole at American Girl on Sunday was a great way to end the trip. We did a little more walking than expected when I realized our lunch locale was actually the corporate offices rather than the restaurant. But, that was the worst misstep of the trip (I'm ignoring the two hour delay on the tarmac at JFK & the fact the airline ran out of food).
The rain held off until Sunday morning. We ducked into the Plaza Hotel to get out of the rain.
Ella, for one, welcomed the downpour because it meant we took a few taxis on Sunday.
20. Dylan's Candy Bar
Last, but not least, Ella enjoyed a chocolate covered marshmallow from the chocolate fountain. I was tired & it was raining so no pictures of the mess that followed. But Ella said it was one of the highlights of the trip.
Thank you Courtney, Kari & Tashsa for the travel ideas & all our family for their hospitality!
1 comment:
Looks like you had so much fun! Thanks for posting I have been curious to see how your trip went!
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