New York City Firsts
When was the last time you had a sleepover? You know, when one of your girlfriends invites you to sleep over at their place. When I was a kid this involved sleeping bags, snack foods and loads of giggling. Fast forward some forty-three years and not much has changed. Last week I was lucky enough to be invited to NYC to spend time with one of my favorite people to hang out with, Patti from Not Dead Yet Style.
Here is a shot of us as we walked across The Brooklyn Bridge. The Statue of Liberty is hiding somewhere behind our enormous hats.
We both agreed that we looked every bit the part of two “women of a certain age” protecting themselves from the sun.
The summer plaid dress is a rare exception to my otherwise secondhand wardrobe and was part of a birthday gift card my hubby gave me from Anthropologie. It is linen and cotton, the perfect mix for summer.
I wore this exact outfit for the bridge walk.
I’ve had these awesome Cole Haan shoes for a couple of years. They are light as air. The soft pink color manages to visually elongate my legs.
Good walking shoes in NYC are a necessity. About ten years ago I was determined to look stylish while in NYC and wore some very sexy high heel shoes. #stupid #neveragain #massiveblisters
Patti My Hostess With The Most-ess
Patti is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.
Can I say just how jealous I am of Patti’s West Village flat and wonderfully modern kitchen? Her high end gas stove and oven are to die for! They are somewhat wasted on Patti though as she doesn’t cook.
Also, how cute is that little dishwasher?
The right lower shot is when we spotted a Fluevog store.
The heavenly apple tart on the lower left is from an authentic French restaurant we happened upon in Chelsea.
New York City Firsts
I’ve been to New York many times but it is always full of surprises. Don’t believe any of those rumors about New Yorkers being unfriendly or impolite. I’ve experienced the total opposite every time I’ve visited. I’m always blown away by just how friendly they are.
This trip I did experience some New York City firsts that I’d like to share with you.
My First Walk Across The Brooklyn Bridge
I loved doing this. It was busy and a little crowded but the weather was perfect for walking and the views didn’t disappoint.
My First Time Eating Authentic Indian Food
I’ve eaten Indian food before but I think this time it was closer to the real deal. I’ve never seen a dosa (thanks Vix!) this large in my life. There was some spinach rolled up inside with a variety of sauces for dipping.
My First Time In DUMBO
DUMBO stands for Down Under the Manhattan and Brooklyn Overpasses.
We took the ferry back which was also lovely.
My First Time At Hamlet’s Vintage Store
Talk about eye candy! I was swooning! All their inventory was bold
, colorful and funky… just what I like! Sadly the prices were far too rich for my wallet. That didn’t stop me from trying on a couple of choice dresses though.
My First Time To The Camp Exhibition At The Met
I’ve been to the Met a few times and it is always a treat. We took in the latest temporary exhibit called Camp and loved it.
Camp examines how the elements of irony, humor, parody, pastiche, artifice, theatricality, and exaggeration are expressed in fashion.
The “faucet” above is a necklace.
Insane headpiece by Deirdre Hawken from 2013. Made of yellow silk satin and chiffon with synthetic pearl beads.
If you have a chance to catch this exhibit I highly recommend it.
The First Time I Saw This
Both Patti and I had to do a double take when our Taxi pulled up next to a driver beside us. He had his music blaring while dramatically and feverishly playing the maracas. He was doing a full on musical in his car while driving. No joke. It was so good! Hilarious and weird but good. Like Patti said, “Only in New York.” I wanted to take a photo or a video but the traffic wouldn’t allow.
My First Visit To The Fashion Institute of Technology NYC
This is a brilliant spot for fashion lovers. Added bonus…the price is right, FREE is always good. Look for photos from this exhibit and a surprise bonus blogger I met in my next post.
The First Time I Watched The Raptors Win The NBA Championship
Patti and I watched this together in her flat. What a blast to see the only Canadian team in the league win. Yesterday there was a parade in downtown Toronto and there were close to two million people in attendance!
Have you been to NYC?
Did you find New Yorkers friendly? What was your favorite part of visiting this surprising city?
You may be interested in reading up on some previous trips I’ve taken to NYC…. A Quickie Trippy To New York City, Women And Aging, What To Wear In NYC In The Summer, Stylish Dressing For Cold Weather – What I Wore In NYC, Take a Bite Out Of New York City
Linking up with Visible Monday, Turning Heads Tuesday, Fancy Friday, and Spy Girl
I loved this post. Thank you for sharing. I have never been to New York. I currently live in the ancient city of Nessebar on the Black Sea in Bulgaria, and am originally from Johannesburg, South Africa. I would love to go to New York. Lise
I looked up Nessebar online…it looks beautiful.
I’ve always wanted to visit Johannesburg. It is supposed to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
I can’t tell you how much this brings back SO many great memories of NYC. We used to go every Labor Day weekend and explore all the different places. It’s a foodies heaven which is why my hubby loves it and shopping haven which is why I love it!! LOL
And the shoe thing. Been there. Done that!! It’s amazing how smart we get as we get older!!!
I love this dress. It totally reminds me of one my mom made me in high school. I loved the heck out of it.
XOXO
Jodie
You really can find some great eats in NYC. As a vegetarian I preferred it a million times over Hong Kong even though most people rave about the food in Hong Kong.
Your Mom must have made you so many dresses over the years.
I adore NY. And yes, New Yorkers can be very nice. I remember coming out of a restaurant and it was raining. I just needed to cross an avenue and go down to the subway. As I stepped out into the street, the rain stopped–a stranger put his umbrella over me. Another umbrella story: my husband and I lugged our stroller-bound kid up the stairs from the subway and discovered a downpour. We sheltered in a doorway (kid didn’t care–the stroller had a plastic cover), and somebody passing us going into the subway handed us his umbrella. I still have it.
Unexpected kindnesses.
I thought Patti lived in Florida. She also has a place in NY? Lucky girl!
Your plaid dress is beautiful. The colors are like Easter. The shoes are perfect with it. Flats rule. I just posted a bunch of street style shots from here, and most of the women are in sneakers with dresses.
This does not surprise me. Isn’t it wonderful when you come back from a large city with such warm memories of kindness? It leaves a lasting impression.
What a wonderful post – I loved seeing you and Patti together dressed in your age appropriate sun hats (I’m in your gang, too!)
Your checked pastel dress is a dream, sometimes things are too good not to buy new. We went in Anthropologie when I met Vronni, Monica and Fig in London and I can see why you love it.
How amazing is that Camp exhibition? I’d have been tempted to smash the glass and do a runner with the exhibits.
I bet you were beside yourself watching the Raptors win. I can’t believe that parade.
I bet you were slightly relieved that the vintage dress of dreams was stained and in need of a stitch at that price!
That Indian food is a dosa – a South Indian rice flour pancake. They’re available between 10am and 4pm in India. I love the masala version! xxx
Anthropologie used to be so much better. Now I only go there if I have a birthday gift card that needs spending which is normally only once a year.
You would have LOVED the camp exhibit! Funny enough many of the items didn’t have glass in front which made it much easier to take photos and avoid any glare.
I was a *tiny* bit relieved about that dress being too pricey. I think the store had crazy-high prices because they mostly supplies the uber rich and famous, magazine photo shoots and TV and films.
Thanks for the info on the dosa : ) I’ve corrected how I identified the pancake.
So glad you had fun! NYC has some great attractions. Your plaid dress is beautiful.
Am drooling over that adorable plaid sundress. It has such a great summery vintage vibe. And your background decor matches it perfectly! I’ve been to NYC, but it has been way too long. Your post reminded me that I’m due for a trip. Would love to see that Camp exhibit. That is so cool that Patti has a flat there. If I were her, I’d be there all summer. Florida is way to hot right now!
You and Patti made a pretty NYC postcard moment in your sun hats! That Anthropology dress is perfect on you and I’ll bet Robert is thrilled that you chose to feature it on your trip to such an iconic fashion city! You are stunningly pretty in that dress!
I’ve visited NYC twice, with close to 50, fourteen year olds, in tow. I was chaperoning an annual DC/NYC trip during my many years of teaching Social Studies. They were wonderful trips, but not for the typical reasons. The kids were my primary focus and their joyful enthusiasm still feeds my memory of the Big Apple!
I thoroughly enjoyed this post Suzanne- so good to see you and Patti thoroughly enjoying the delights of New York. Love the photo of you both in your sun hats.
I have been to New York but many, many years ago. I do hope to return someday but the Aussie dollars exchange rate is very low at present making it an expensive proposition.
The pretty check dress is just so very you, worth a new purchase.
love the “hat shot” of patti and you!
how cool to have a friend in NY – and you did some very fabulous things!! the exhibition look gorgeous – thank you for the photos. i remember the media hype of the opening gala with celebs in strange costums…..
the dress is sweet – so summery, so easy to wear – perfect <3
xxxxx
What a beautiful recap, Suzanne! Thanks for all your kind words, and having your company in the city was FABulous. Your pictures of the Brooklyn Bridge are frame-worthy, and thanks for recording the amazing Camp exhibit so well. The candle shop was a treat too. : >
xo
Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
As to my utter shame I’ve never been to NY, everything would be a first for me! So lovely that you and Patti got to hang out together and that you stayed over at her bijoux little pad she’s been telling us all about on her blog! Love that photo of you both wearing sun hats. And oh, I totally get why you had to have that Summer plaids dress. I was shocked to read that the dress you tried on at Hamlet’s had a falling hem and staining! And at $109,- too! That alone would have been a no-no for me. It’s OK if I pay peanuts at Think Twice, but this … I’m intrigued by the Camp exhibition, especially after both you and Ally blogged about it. xxx
What a lovely post, Suzanne! I’ve never been to New York but would like to go. I loved seeing the iconic Brooklyn Bridge and you and Patti look as if you had a ball!
I love your plaid dress. On our recent blogger meet up we went to the Anthropologie shop in Spitalfields. Such a lot of gorgeousness but oh so pricey! I’m so glad you were able to buy your dress with a gift card..
Loved the exhibitions and aren’t those Fluevog shoes quite bonkers?
Hope your week is being good to you.
xxxx
The plaid dress is so pretty and suits you to a “T”. Yes, good walking shoes are a MUST for visiting New York city. So nice you were able to spend some time with Patti and see her lovely apartment. You know I love New York, and have been many times. Every visit is a new adventure as you never know who you are going to meet and what opportunities will present themselves. Glad you had fun!
I feel like I was there with you while reading this.
Thanks for taking us along in your luggage!
Loving your shoes. How perfect are they?
The Camp exhibit looks like a lot of fun.
xo Jazzy Jack
I am so glad that you got to enjoy my city. I wish I had known you were there I would’ve tried to meet up. But it looks like you had a fabulous time. I know you enjoyed the driver who was so brilliantly playing music, but I would’ve been terrified if I had been in his backseat. LOL.
Just wanted to say hello and check in. So glad you and Patti had fun !
❤️
Elle
So. Much. Fun!
I have yet to walk across the B Bridge. Or go up the Statue of Liberty (but maybe never for that one — claustrophobic).
Ah, now I see your New York trip. How wonderful. Love all your “firsts”. I have been to NY twice and loved it. It would be no problem for me to live there. Well, really any big city is fine with me.
I remember the Bob Mackie dress. Cher wore it to the Oscars I think. I was blown away by it. What a dress. what a figure, what a guts to wear something like that.
Greetje
woww, lovely post! and lovely outfit!. I love particularly that you could look so fabulous and be also comfortable to walk!.
And I’ve never been to NewYork, but would like to go. Urban lifestyle is something I enjoy indeed!
Lovely to see you and Patti together, you totally rock!, gorgeous!
besos
Looks like it was a fun trip!
And I am in love with that dress! The gingham is so cheerful, and it fits you perfectly!!!
How did this one slip by me?! It’s one that I had been looking forward to – and it definitely does not disappoint. Great coverage of a fantastic trip, Suzanne. If I had just slipped down a few gates at Pearson I could have joined you. Hahaha.
I can imagine you and Patti wandering around the city, looking relaxed and stylish – I laughed about your hat comment – and talking, talking, talking, trying to enable each other perhaps, about life, about all the good things, not just shopping. The singing driver story cracked me up. How wonderful!
I’m happy that you and Patti got to spend time together. By the way, I didn’t know what DUMBO was before. I’m surprised Disney doesn’t sue NYC! Hahaha.
Hi Don’t think I ever posted here before but have been reading your blog for a long time. I live 6 miles from NYC (in NJ) and have been to NYC many, many times. I never get tired of it. Next time you go, see if Patti and you can take a walk on the highline. It’s an elevated walk with garden on both sides of the path and you can see so much of the city from this height. At the very start of the highline is the Chelsea Market. It’s usually very crowded during warm months when there is a lot of tourists but worth visiting. Love your plaid dress! It looks great on you and also your shoes! Live and learn huh? No more blisters! Thanks for sharing your visit. Arlene from NJ