Although I was ill for a shockingly large portion of our vacation, I did manage to get some shopping done too! One day, we walked a long way south through The Village and then over into Soho, where I was mystically compelled into the Eileen Fisher store… Two short-sleeved dresses were the happy result – dresses because they will accommodate my shifting body composition as I work out more, and sleeveless because I’ve lifted so many weights that my arms DESERVE some time out in public!
Belovedest had a store in mind he wanted to visit – the very charming little Miansai shop, which is the motherlode of leather bracelets. I’ve never been driven to have a leather bracelet, but when B and I decided to each get one as a sort of silly anniversary commemoration, I wasn’t crushed to choose the black leather bracelet with the touch of red… One of the great pleasures of wandering through the neighborhoods in New York is that you find all sorts of little stores selling things that do NOT exist in your local mall!
My 2nd healthy day, our only real ambition was to walk up the Upper West Side, window shop, and have dinner. While the plan really didn’t include shopping, when I saw the pearl earrings in the window at KTCollection Jewelry, I knew we were going to buy something… For the dedicated sentimental type who adores New York, this store also has necklaces made with old subway tokens!
We then wandered a long way north, and turned on our heels when hunger summoned, to make a beeline back to Pomodoro Rosso. Since I had been so ill, I was able to inhale large quantities of pasta with no fear of calories. Despite their fame as a “Seinfeld” restaurant, the food was great, the staff was lovely, and we left feeling both sated and coddled.
bracelet – Miansai, black dress – Eileen Fisher, ticking stripe dress – Eileen Fisher, pearl earrings – KTCollection Jewelry, black and grey scarf – Metropolitan Museum of Art Shop, patchwork scarf – Metropolitan Museum of Art Shop
Next day, we had breakfast at our favorite breakfast restaurant, Le Pain Quotidien. If you ever have an opportunity to visit one of their locations, I warmly encourage you to stop in! Everything’s organic, everybody’s friendly, the bread is wonderful, and the spreads for the bread (especially the white chocolate spread, called Blondie) are out of this world. It is no exaggeration to say that we’ve been in LPQ locations in multiple countries, and multiple cities. They have locations here in Chicago, and a week doesn’t pass that I’m not in one, sipping a large latte (served in a bowl, as it should be), and nibbling some bread.
From there, we walked through Central Park – freezing but so beautiful! We cut over to 5th Avenue in time to drop by Librarie Albertine, at 972 5th Avenue – the bookstore of the French Embassy in New York. From the first moment in the door, it feels like France! The security guards greet you in French, and of course the staff is all French. And the store itself is spectacular – a beautiful space! Even if you’re not in the market for books, you really should treat yourself to a visit…
Mademoiselle by Rhonda K. Garelick, Theory of the Young-Girl by Tiqqun, How to Live by Sarah Bakewell
And finally, after an earlier false start, we made it into the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We had been here days earlier, when I fell ill. (it wasn’t really a fall, it was more like being hit by a large truck…) We visited their exhibit “The Plains Indians, Artists of Earth and Sky”. It was beautiful, moving, and a bit sad; if you want to see it, you need to get to the museum early in the day, because it’s wildly popular…
Mihrab, Metropolitan Museum of Art
As I would expect, you certainly made the most of your visit in spite of your troubles. Your husband deserves a do-over, and if it benefits you also, well so be it.
I'm glad you managed to fit in a few treats in between being so sick. Beautiful photo of the sculpture – the architecture and sculpture complement each other so well.
Ooh you had me at Eileen Fisher! Love her line of clothing and they never date!
The architecture is stunning in its detail…would make a lovely scarf all in blues.
Wow! You got a lot out of a trip that started out so terribly. My last stay in NYC started beautifully but ended with the worst stomach bug ever. In fact, I overstayed my original hotel reservations by two days, and had to keep changing my return flight because I was so violently ill. Yet I still have fond memories of the beauty of the city, the energy and the life of it, and I look forward to going back.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experiences in New York. So much in so few days. At least you had those good days an now, of course, a return trip is highly recommended .
Deb from Vancouver
Thanks for letting us enjoy your trip vicariously! My husband and I were supposed to go to New York a couple of weeks ago but had to cancel because I came down with a horrible virus the day of our flight. (I had caught it from my husband who was still a bit under the weather himself.) 5 days in bed with tea and chicken soup – since it was only a 5 day trip i'm glad we decided to stay home. So I definitely sympathize with your plight & am glad to hear you salvaged part of the trip! I love that leather bracelet!
We've put the French bookstore on our list for "next time in NYC", but the videos of restoring 'Adam' are fascinating. Thanks so much for linking to them.
Glad you were able to pack so much in such a short time! Sounds like lots of fun and a lot of exercise through all that walking! Thanks for sharing you trip!
Two questions though not related to your recent trip to NYC. 1. How do you pack your accessories? I understand the mileage they can add to clothing choices, just curious how you protect them from damage and theft while traveling. 2. What's your favorite way to wear your Hermes scarves to show off their beautiful colors? Thanks always for the inspiration, Janet
I thoroughly enjoyed this post. My husband and I are headed to NYC the first week of May. It will be his first visit and my first in over thirty years, so we're a bit anxious. I appreciated your various tips and especially the video of the restoration of 'Adam'. Did you visit the costume institute at the Met? And yes, of course you'll have to plan a do-over, though I'm amazed at all you managed to do with your 'well' days.
I have looked at this dress wondering if it would be too short on my 5'8 frame. It is beautiful and would have ordered it if we're available at Nordstrom's.
Love all your purchases, especially the bracelet. Wish we had these in the UK, I don't like to buy on-line.
Alice