20 Jun 2016

Let’s Talk About New York!

Processed with VSCOcam with kk2 preset

As much as I love taking the trips and looking forward to writing about them on Yow Yow! When I sit down to actually start writing the post, I find myself dreading it. These are always the meatiest and because of that, I want to make sure that everything is perfect and not leave anything out.

I went to New York for the first time in March with Mandi and I couldn’t have imagined a better travel partner. I’m not just saying that because she writes on Yow Yow! with us. I’m mostly saying this because it just seemed like a no-brainer – we already really enjoy spending time with each other, but we’ve never spent THIS much time together. It could’ve gone either way, however, it was definitely more positive for us. Even though we went as friends, with New York being a city that has so much to offer, I can see why falling in love would be easy to do here! Anyway, Mandi graduated from Columbia a few years back when she was there for grad school so she really knew her way around the city. We all know that I would have had a tough time surviving that if I were on my own.

Processed with VSCOcam with b5 preset

Similar to me, Mandi likes to plan things out so there were things she wanted to do/see and things I also wanted to do/see as well. Together, we compiled a list and made up a plan for every single day that we were there. It’s not surprising that we didn’t hit everything, but we did A LOT and I felt like all the walking I did in that trip was enough to last me a year. Another wonderful part about our trip was that we left some pockets open to fill. Not everything was planned to a tee and I really appreciated that because that allowed the both of us to take some time apart and do our own thing or catch up with our own friends without the other person feeling like they were being dragged into it.

When I let people know that I was going on this trip, a lot of people were surprised that this was my first time. To be honest, I didn’t think I would be 26 when I went, but it’s not terrible. When I was younger and in college, I didn’t have any friends that lived there. It was also difficult to make the time to take a trip like this since I was in school and didn’t have as much $$$ back then. Better late than never? I felt like when I left on our last day that I had a greater sense of appreciation for the city and the things that I saw, did, and ate. I’m not sure if I would have had that same feeling had I been younger.

Processed with VSCOcam with hb2 preset

Let’s talk about where we stayed! Given that Mandi and I were on a budget and just normally pretty savvy spenders, we decided that Airbnb was a better route than a hotel. I was in charge of the booking so I considered all the things we might need – one bed, somewhere close to a subway stop, no kitchen necessary, etc. She let me know all the possible neighborhoods we should be in. We thought that this would be pretty easy, but this task was much more challenging. We had not one, but THREE Airbnb hosts fall through. One who just straight up declined us (I like to think that we are very respectable and responsible human beings) the 2nd who tried to charge us because it was at peak season (it was March so it wasn’t) and the third because he told us his landlord was trying to kick him out for putting his apt on Airbnb. You know that we wrote scathing tweets to Airbnb after these incidents…

Ultimately, we landed a loft in Brooklyn that got the job done. And I have to admit, this was by far the “Best Airbnb in New York“. It was super modern (just my style!) with natural lighting and only just a handful of mini mishaps that we decided we could overlook. Well, that’s just me being a neat freak, I guess!

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

Where we ate:

  • Lilia – for amazing pasta – get the Pappardelle
  • Russ & Daughters – (not the cafe) stand in line and get a bagel with lox and cream cheese. This was our pre-brunch before the actual brunch. Yes, we have infinite stomachs.
  • Egg Shop – home of the best egg sandwich I’ve ever eaten in my life.
  • Milk Bar – for the Cereal Milk soft serve
  • Doughnut Plant – split three donuts with your bff!
  • Peter Pan Donut and Pastry Shop
  • Westville West

Where we drank:

  • Brooklyn Brewery
  • The Four Horsemen
  • NY Distilling Company
  • Brass Monkey
  • Johnny’s Bar

Processed with VSCOcam with kk2 preset

Processed with VSCOcam with c1 preset

Processed with VSCOcam with kk2 preset

Processed with VSCOcam with hb2 preset

Processed with VSCO with hb1 preset

Where We Went:

  • Central Park
  • Top of the Rock
  • Rockefeller Center
  • Brooklyn Bridge
  • Soho
  • Meatpacking District
  • The High Line
  • Riverside Park
  • Washington Square Park
  • Chelsea Market
  • Flatiron
  • Upright Citizens Brigade

Out of the places we went, The High Line and Chelsea Market were definitely my favorites. I was nervous about how much walking we’d be doing in the city, but Mandi had it right all along – you really do get to see more of the city when you’re on foot. There would’ve been so many things we would have missed had we just taken the subway or taken an Uber and as tired as my feet were by the end of the trip. It was all worth it! While we did see and do a lot of things, I still feel like 4 days wasn’t enough. We probably only did half of the things on our original itinerary so that just means we’ll have to go back!

Processed with VSCOcam with hb2 preset

Processed with VSCOcam with hb1 preset

Madewell’s spring shoe lineup

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

Processed with VSCOcam with hb2 preset

From the High Line

Processed with VSCOcam with hb2 preset

Having the chance to finally visit Catbird’s store and having a so-so experience.

IMG_7178

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

Processed with VSCOcam with hb1 preset

Candles on candles on candles @Anthropologie

Processed with VSCOcam with hb2 preset