Continuing with my list of more than you ever wanted to know about my trip to NYC...
15. Sweet Revenge
It's a cupcake bakery. It's a wine bar. It's a bistro.
It's in the West Village and it was delicious.
I had the signature Sweet Revenge cupcake (peanut butter & chocolate, delicous) and a frozen hot chocolate (decent, but not great). Bubbe had a Pure cupcake (vanilla) which she much enjoyed, especially the frosting. I loved the atmosphere in here. It wasn't crowded when we went (5pm on Saturday). Very cozy and warm with the lighting and old wood floors. I would definitely recommend.
16. Anthropologie windows at Rockefeller Center
Um, swoon. Tons of paper, creatively used fabric and yarn and enough glittery fake snow to create your own blizzard. Yes, that's a car (at least part of one) in the window. With fabric tire covers. I loved the STOP sign.
Great use of paper cone cups, talk about a snow cone ;-)
Those Anthro peeps make winter seem sooo appealing.
17. Handmade in New York
At first I didn't want to stop at this craft fair in the basement of a church in Soho/West Village. But my mom wanted to check it out, so I went. Glad we did. We met a very nice vendor selling vintage wallpaper & ephemera collage packs. He does letterpress printing at the South Street Seaport Museum. No time to go there this trip, but it's on the list for another visit for sure.
18. The upper floor escalators at Macy's
They still have the old fashioned wooden escalators. I used to be so scared of getting on the down escalator when I was little--yet somehow I found these narrow wooden escalators oddly comforting and nostalgic.
19. The return of flock
I don't want to speak for Jenn, but we were both pretty excited while discussing flocking at dinner on Friday night. Love the Martha Stewart flocking powder they now have at Michaels. Loved talking to someone who "gets" it. Gets why flock is awesome, could maybe be the new glitter. Basically, flock rocks.
20. Our hotel
At first we were hoping to stay at a friend's pied a terre in the city. That didn't work out, so we were going to stay with one of my friends in Westchester. After reflecting on our limited time in the city and my friend's family obligations, we decided to look for a hotel. With a room that wasn't $400 for the night. I found a great place on Debby Schuh's blog. I don't know Debby and I don't remember how I first found her blog but I enjoy reading it. She has posted several times about her trips to NYC, always with great shops and tips. When I read what she wrote about The Hotel at Times Square, it felt like a personal recommendation. When I went to the website and was able to book a room for under $250, we had a place to stay. Just as Debby said, the hotel is newly renovated & well located. Free wifi and an included continental breakfast were a bonus. Loved all the artwork (prints but all very colorful and appealing) and the carpet in the hallways.
Other than the continuing construction & dumpster on the street in front of the hotel, it was great. I think I may have liked it even better than the W on Lex that I stayed at last summer. More character, fewer hipsters, plenty of families.
21. Great SoHo shop names
The Lively Set? Once Upon A Tart? Yes, please.
22. Pashmina scarves on every corner
Whereas I brought a scarf with me, I resisted. But oh my goodness, pashmina (for $10, I use the term loosely) everywhere!
23. Sequin heaven at Trims de Carnival
Another gem on W38th St. in the Garment District. They had entire walls of sequins--in all shapes, sizes, colors and degrees of irridescence. We stocked up on a few different colors and styles. The plan is to pool our purchases :-)
24. The Plaza Hotel
I only had a few minutes to dash inside, check out the lobby Christmas decorations, and dash out. I didn't actually see Eloise. She may have been across the street at FAO Schwarz...
25. Party straws at Pearl River
Ok, it wasn't just the party straws that I liked. I liked the tissue paper honeycomb lanterns, the cacophony of colors & textures, the juxtaposition of porcelain dishes and rice paper lamps. Yep, I liked this place but they seem to have more of a selection (of paper lanterns and parasols anyway) online. Of course I was tired, lugging 3 bags and didn't go upstairs so I may have missed a few things.
26. The salad bar at Cafe Duke
We were hungry. The salad bar had a seemingly infinite variety of food selections. I chose an eclectic mix of items including sesame chicken, cucumbers, lasagna, Thai rice, fresh salsa and 2 giant strawberries. It was all delicious.
27. Gift wrap on the lower level at Henri Bendel
Sure, I may have purchased the most inexpensive item in the store (an $8 ornament) but I still got the same signature gift wrap as the high rollers. Very vintage big city department store, getting your purchases wrapped, gratis. In fact, as much as I want to hang the ornament on my tree, I like looking at the box so I haven't unwrapped it yet. All in good time.
28. The one and only Tinsel Trading
Glitter. Vintage Millinery. A chance meeting with a fellow blogger. More glitter. Printed vintage banner size ribbons. Helping another customer with her iPhone (I tried anyway). Metallic thread, silk thread. Beautiful trims. Stars on sticks.
Peace sign ornaments.
Mmmmm....
Please do come back tomorrow for the exciting final installment of my NYC: 42 Things.
See you then!
