“Walking through a crowd, the village is aglow
Kaleidoscope of loud heartbeats under coats
Everybody here wanted something more
Searching for a sound we hadn’t heard before

And it said
Welcome to New York

It’s been waiting for you
Welcome to New York, Welcome to New York.”

//

Alternately titled: My Mom’s Retirement Trip!

Ahh, retirement! Such a beautiful thing, I can only imagine!! And although I’m light years away from experiencing it myself, my mom is in the thick of it! What bliss. When summer was upon us, my sister and I were all up for helping her celebrate. My mom chose the place– New York City– and naturally I was excited from the very beginning. We decided to go for for a few week days in August. I set us up with an adorable AirBnB in the West Village {SWOON!}, scoured Pinterest for all the greatest, and we hopped on the train and took off! Three glorious days, three ladies in the city.

Here’s the rundown on day ONE:

The first day we arrived in the city around lunch time. We took an Uber from Grand Central Station straight to our little street in the West Village. It was the perfect street in the perfect location.

Look at those doors! Look at that European-esque hallway! It was all just too good.

And the apartment!

Our place was so cozy and just the right size for the three of us {a queen bed and a pull out couch}. Small, but that’s all we needed!

{ If you’re looking to stay in NY, let me know and I’ll send you the AirBnB link to the place! Very highly recommended and the location can’t be beat! :) }

Right away we walked the streets of the neighborhood. I have blogged about the West Village before and I still think it’s ABSOLUTE MAGIC. We had lunch at Tartine, a little french bakery bistro right on the corner W 11th St and West 4th Street. Usually I come to New York for a day, or for a weekend, which is all wonderful and good, but also always so so busy. A jam-packed-full-of-action-don’t-stop-for-a-minute kind of experience! It was so nice to be able to sit and know that this city was ours to soak in, enjoy and explore, even if just for a little while.

Y-U-M. YUMMM.

Magnolia’s Bread Pudding = ONE THOUSAND YUMS.

Oh my dear, this is not the only time we would eat this during the trip!

{Bread Pudding for breakfast, anyone?}

The shops in this area of New York are endless, and perfectly unique. My favorites were Sockerbit {sweedish candy!}, Goorin Bros. hat shop {I wanted that one in the photo, but decided in the end to leave it on the shelf!} and Greenwich Letterpress {because, PAPER. Forever paper.}. Every store is so different and it’s fun to step inside them all!

After all the wandering, we headed into Washington Square Park, where summer in the city was most definitely in full swing. New York might not have the lakes or oceans, but they do have live music, plenty of great people watching, and fountains {if you’re into that sort of thing}.

I love this photo so much. Bleeker Street in all it’s glory.

We ate at Rosemary’s in Greenwich Village for dinner on a recommendation from a friend. The rooftop garden was wonderful and the atmosphere was just what I was looking for. I love a place with bistro lights and this place had it all. An emphasis on fresh homegrown herbs and produce {SO INTO IT} The homemade focaccia bread and homemade pasta were great highlights, too. Traveling is half about the adventure, and half about the AMAZING FOOD!

Gah, I love New York! And these two beauties, too!

♥♥♥