8.11.2011

NYC...Some Highlights







the lovely Molly at dinner...










the awe-inspiring shop Maryam Nassir Zadeh


I never fail to have a sort of topsy-turvy, "through the looking glass" experience when I visit NYC... It's one of the rare places where in one moment you can be ensconced in throngs of people all purposefully striding down the street toward some important unknown and in the next you could turn a corner and be totally alone on a leafy side-street, all sleepy and picturesque. It's total magic.

This time, the "magic moment" occurred when I found myself crammed into a cab with two complete strangers after the sky sort of cracked open out of nowhere and produced an awe-inspiring mini-monsoon. In what could have been an “every man for yourself" scenairo, the kindness of strangers prevailed, and the three of us bonded over our collective drowned rat state.

I also had the opportunity to be in the city completely solo for the first time, which may have added to the Alice-like sense of wonder. As much as I love experiencing things with Bryan and the girlies, there is something essential in occasionally embarking on adventures alone. There's an immense amount of luxury in being able to just meander at whim. The lack of wrangling or accommodating or compromising creates a sort of elastic energy... a sense of adventure and possibility. My (albeit brief) solo meandering resulted in a pretty excellent Monday afternoon, consisting of the ability to slowly observe every. single. item. in Canvas, No. 6, Sweet William, Creatures of Comfort and Maryam Nassir Zadeh, some highly satisfying people watching in Nolita and an immense amount of walking...

When I wasn't alone, I was counteracting any health benefits of the aforementioned walking by (literally) eating my way through the city with some of my favorite ladies... there was warm hummus with beet chips, duck pasta and bread and butter pudding with blueberries and grilled peaches with Molly at The Fat Radish, pizza, pasta and gelato with Erin at Eataly, and omelets served with thick wedges of toast (which I slathered with some immensely good jam and honey butter) with Joanna and Toby at Snack Taverna.

All in all I walked away feeling hugely inspired and (despite the whirlwind nature of the whole endeavor) a bit restored at a time when I’ve been especially needing some inspiration and restorative moments…don’t you love it when that happens!?


lovely cousin Erin before we (literally) ate our body weight in pizza and pasta


gorgeous confetti system curtain at creatures of comfort








joanna and toby rockin' the stripes...







18 comments:

blue roses said...

i am fortunate, in that i live close to the city, working towards (hopefully soon) being a true resident, and i never cease to be amazed by the simultaneous overwhelming senses of triumph and solitude i feel when i wander. at times, i feel as though i can conquer the world, that anything wonderful and beautiful can occur to me, and only to me, and other times i feel as though i do not even exist, caught between towers of steel and concrete. a very unique place.

love the photos you posted, and enjoyed reading your musings. keep exploring, with your loved ones and with your loved self!


http://dallianceswithsuitsandskirts.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

sounds like a fantastic trip. I have been dreaming about getting away alone. Or with a girlfriend. But not kids, as much as I love them.

Chelsea said...

Haha! It sounds like we were in the city at the same time. I was at all those shops too:) It was my first time to NYC though. It's very overwhelming but I loved it.

Joslyn said...

chelsea! i wish i'd known you were going to be there, we could've met up ;-(
xoxo

Molly Ford said...

So lovely!

Gica said...

Thank you for sharing your visit details...I lived in NYC for 10 years, and now am based in Los Angeles. I do miss New York, especially because of those "turn the corner and find myself solo on a tree lined street" moments. You captured that perfectly!

Joanna Goddard said...

was SO wonderful to see you!!!!! xo

M said...

Ditto Joanna. xoxoxo come back? please?

Molly

sara said...

What a wonderful looking trip! I loved your Alice and wanderlust take. That's the thrill in travel, I agree.

Where did cousin Erin get her lovely bag?

Caitlin said...

Sounds like such a magical trip. Did you get anything fun at all of those inspiring stores? I had No 9 on my list but completely forgot about it when I was only a block away - I so want a pair of clogs for fall.

You captured this trip for all of us perfectly!

Joslyn said...

caitlin -- yes, i got a few things ;-) i'll share next week!

sara -- erin's bag is from kate spade!

molly lubs tompkins said...

you have such an impeccable eye! i love seeing a city through your eyes and beautiful, artful pictures!

Kristen said...

what a great and inspiring post. i love nyc.
loving your blog.

kris
mikie and kristen

Stephanie said...

Aaah...just what you needed Joslyn. So glad you were able to get away. New York is such fun city to visit, isn't it?

Marissa said...

Been lusting after Joanna's exact necklace for weeks and haven't been able to find the perfect one. Any idea where she managed to snag hers? Help would be much appreciated! :)

Shannon said...

that kite is amazing!! -shannon

Joslyn said...

marissa -- just checked with Joanna and her necklace is from minoux jewelry!

http://www.minouxjewelry.com/shop/product.php?item=tiny+bar

xoxo
joslyn

diuxi said...

fat radish. yum. recently ended 20 years of vegetarianism there when some bacon got the better of me.

sounds like you hit some good spots.