Springtime In New York
May 12, 2011
Hey all, I’m finally feeling like I’m back on California time after a quick trip to New York City earlier this week, and what a fabulous place to visit this time of year. I was there for an event sponsored by Lowes (yes, Nate was there!) and I’ll be sharing a few pics of the event tomorrow (plus . . . you know there’s a great giveaway coming!)
I’ve been to NYC many times in the fall and winter, but never in the spring, so when the invitation arrived in my inbox, I instantly hollered “Yes, count me in!” I had the opportunity to explore the downtown area plus later hang with my pal Melissa from The Inspired Room, which made for the most perfect day.
Wanna take a walk with me? Here’s a glimpse of what I saw as I walked for hours and hours through two of my favorite neighborhoods: SoHo and Greenwich Village.
The morning started with a quick jaunt through SoHo (South of Houston). Wow, what a chic place, there were movie crews and models everywhere, making me feel like an extra short girl from a very small town.
I dare you to resist stepping inside here.
Plenty of other high end shops in SoHo too.
I hoofed it over to Broadway to head north from my hotel, and I just had to pop into a place I’ve never been for caffeine: Dean & Deluca. What a gourmet paradise, filled with fresh flowers, seafood, freshly baked breads, amazing chocolates, and all sorts of imported goodies.
I grabbed a cup of coffee and “breakfast’” which was a lemon bombolone, otherwise known as a custard filled doughnut. Allow me to translate. Bombolone is Italian for irresistible decadent delight.
I walked all along Broadway to see all the shops and take in the window displays. I was loving both the bold spring colors and summer neutrals this season.
I made my way toward Washington Square Park, this is the landmark arch, I just love it, isn’t it beautiful?
There were a ton of students from the adjacent NYU milling around, soaking up the sun, enjoying the flowers, and perhaps playing hooky from class, I wouldn’t blame them with these blue skies.
I can’t believe how social these little park critters are, they come right up to you and beg for food.
I loved these brick buildings just north of the square, I believe they’re student housing, lucky kids.
I made my way up to Union Square to walk around and visit the farmer’s market. I love a beautiful park right in the middle of a big city like this!
Even on a Monday, it was packed with people shopping for plants, vegetables, and gourmet foods.
Union Square is also filled with all kinds of street artists and musicians.
I wanted to see so much more, so instead of sitting down at a café for lunch, I grabbed some food at this market around the corner, then sat down in the park to eat and rest my feet before I continued my walk through Greenwich Village.
You’ll see so many great shops in the west village, some small businesses, but many of them high end too.
I couldn’t resist popping into this one for some eye candy.
Everywhere you turn in this neighborhood are little flower shops filled with spring blooms.
My favorites are the buckets and buckets of peonies.
I walked along 11th Street and decided yes, I could live right here in one of these townhomes, if I only had a few million to spare.
I love how each stoop is similar, but the iron railings are not the same, the designs are all slightly different. Such gorgeous attention to detail.
This is the beautiful First Presbyterian Church, the façade and iron gates are amazing. See those blue skies? I’m telling you, the weather was unbelievable this week.
After walking for miles, I headed back to my hotel and then attended the Lowe’s event, will share that tomorrow, it was a really fun time. After the event Melissa and I went out to dinner, which was the perfect ending to a glorious spring day in New York.
My last morning before my flight, I headed straight back to SoHo where I grabbed a bite at this fabulous French bistro I really wanted to try.
Felix Bar was a great stop for relaxing and people watching, and where I gobbled up a classic croque monsieur with a café au lait. Heaven!
Spring in New York City is just so incredible. This trip truly was one of my best travel experiences yet, and all of it seen in a 24 hour period!
I was reminded of that line by Tom Hanks in the film You’ve Got Mail when he says to Meg Ryan “It would be a shame to miss New York in the springtime”. I just couldn’t agree more.
What’s your favorite thing about New York City?
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Tags: new york city
this was a great story to open up my friday with! i love this time of year in NYC. my mom and i always go to that Anthro on West Broadway first thing on our trips. thanks for making my day!
WOW I have loved viewing your post on this beautiful Friday morning! It has me dreaming about NYC. See I’m in a small midwestern town in Indiana, and I dream about one day making it to NYC. So thank you for taking and posting photos of your trip, I loved “going along” with you on it. One day I will make it there…one day.
~Brooke
Most of the places you mentioned and photographed in SoHo are my normal lunchtime haunts since I work in nearby TriBeCa :) You missed the Jonathan Adler showroom in SoHo which is the better one, unfortunately—-he stops in there pretty frequently himself…..but you definitely captured some good spots. Next time you come back to the area, check out Pearl River too—-lots of fun goodies in there. :)
I just want to know what shoes you were wearing to do all that walking???
Love seeing my city through other peoples eyes!
Ahh! I LOVE NYC! My favorite party of the city is the night life – the bright lights + energy! Loved this post!
Those are beautiful photos! I’m here in NYC now visiting our family and friends not to mention shopping and we are loving it! We’re from NYC, so going back is always such a treat for us.
I love these shots- especially those taken around NYU – my old school!
What beautiful pics! Springtime is DEFINITELY my favorite time of year in NYC and man do I miss it! I used to live a block from Washington Square Park, so you were right in my old hood, oh how I wish I was back there now!
Thanks for the pics! I’m originally from NJ/NYC so it feels good to see some of my familiar stompin’ grounds. :)
I’ve never been to New York, and really enjoyed the pictures and descriptions. What beautiful weather for your visit!
Hi! I really enjoyed all the pics! The colors are just beautiful! AND you got to work alongside Nate?! So fun! Thanks for taking us along! :)
oh, I’m drooling! thank you for sharing! looks like you had a great trip!
Ooh! Pass the bombolone! I lived in Brooklyn for years and definitely miss Dean and Deluca. I miss Cosi too – their sandwiches….heaven!
I actually live in New York and miss the opportuity to roam the streets of Soho. I own a boutique flower shop in Westchester and can’t get away much. so I felt I was living vicariously through you on this post. Glad you enjoyed the stay.
I love NYC!! I’ll be there in 17 days-can’t wait!!
Oh I adored these pictures. I am from New Zealand and read your blog often. I don’t know if I will ever go to New York, so just reading and looking at all your photos was a Saturday morning treat! Thank you!!
Caroline
I’ve been to NYC twice, and your photos take me back. I live in a city where you have to drive everywhere. My favorite thing about NYC is the ability to walk to so many places, or just to hop on the subway to quickly get from one area to a totally different area. Thanks for sharing your photos with us!
Never been but am sooo inspired by your photography. That sounds pretty close to my dream day. Outdoor markets, window shopping, coffee, cafes. Mmmm! This blog is my inspiration and little pick-me-up. Thanks, Kate.
I LOVE NYC but have never been in the spring time. We always go in early December and we’ve been 4 times now! Actually this past December we stayed in the meat packing district and I recognize a lot of your pictures! Hmmm…I guess I need to go in the spring next!
Loved these photos. Going this area of NYC this Wednesday (May 18th) hoping for the kind of weather you had, but forecast is rain/ thunder showers.After seeing your pics I feel as though I’ve enjoyed a sunny, blue sky day. Thanks for posting , really enjoyed.
Gorgeous photos! I’ve never been to NYC but it’s on my list! I love all the neutral outfits on those mannequins in the 2nd fashion pic!! What store was that? Must have!
When my daughter went to school in NYC we would walk the neighborhoods photographing the iron railings. I have always thought about framing them in some sort of arrangement. I actually have some that you have in the post!!!
How fun, Kate! Love your pictures (: I love NYC. It’s so beautiful. So jealous you got to hang out with Nate again!
Oh man – beautiful! I work in the SoHo area and frequent the others in your photographs. This post is a reminder for me to not take it for granted. Looking forward to reading more from you!
oh your photographs are stunning.. I pinned a few of them
ahhhh… thank you for this virtual trip to NYC- you are so awesome to share this with us. Just what I needed!
Cafe Lalo is a great for deserts! It’s actually where Meg Ryan sits with her book & rose waiting for Tom Hanks in You’ve Got Mail. :)
http://cafelalo.com/
That custard donut looks yummy! Love the bright colored flowers in NY! :)