New York City | Part 1

I don't know if any of you heard, but I went to New York last week! That's a joke, because I was talking about it for the three weeks prior and then posted exactly one thousand million flobbity jillion pictures on instagram during my trip. And then when people asked me how it was I would gush for another ten minutes. So, you know. I went to New York last week!

I took so many pictures, in fact, that I had to split my 5-day trip into two posts, and they are both still very photo-heavy posts. I'll try to point out what we did here and there but otherwise, welcome to my NYC!

First, I had to pack. I point this out even though it's stating the obvious because I won a new Kelty Ascender 22 from a blogger giveaway and it arrived on the day of my flight - so of course this was the perfect chance to test it out! It fit a ton of things in there, at least as much as my traditional carryon while allowing me to smoosh it down more and zip up the extender areas to make it appear carryon-sized.

If I were checking a bag, game over, I would have brought back so many more things from NYC! It has these two compartments you can expand so that, honestly, it is a bit goofy looking but IT WOULD FIT EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD.

My fam and I are planning a trip for this summer and I'm definitely bringing this puppy. Best giveaway I've ever won! I'm taking it as a sign that I need to travel more. Thanks for the hint, Universe!

Then, you know. I got to New York.

Wanna hear something cute? My manfriend surprised me at the airport - not on the NYC side, at the SF side. He had come into town for business for a couple of days after another business trip that I knew about, and secretly got on my red eye flight so we could fly back together. What an adorable sneak! We've never traveled together before but hopefully this will lead to many more trips. Maybe just not red eye trips - we were both pretty useless on Friday, as is to be expected!

Dean & Deluca

Soho (above & below)

I had to stop to charge my phone at one point, and luckily one of my favorite boutiques was in the area; In God We Trust has the cutest things! My friend Kate met me for a quick hello and confirmed an essential leather backpack purchase. Afterwards, I met my manfriend (I'm working on an appropriate reference in this blog, bare with me!) in Soho and we went to the MoMa Design Store. So many creative and crazy things there! I feel like using their products requires having a pretty basic house. Lots of white.

Anyway, two thumbs up for that afternoon!

The next day, manfriend took me to a burger place called Harlem Shake for a quick lunch. I. Loved. It. These were all the pictures of celebs congratulating them on their success, though with how busy they were when we went, that success train won't be slowing down anytime soon. I hope!

That evening, I traveled from East Harlem to Brooklyn (switching subways! what up! this is a mini victory, alright?) to meet up with some of my best friends from high school.

We went to this adorable bar called Lavender Lake, where Freyan promptly got lambrusco spilled on her and then the nice bartender covered her drink. Free drink for Freyan! Alright now I'm just working with the alliteration. Let's move along.

Afterwards, we went a few blocks away (in the rain! it was raining! New York rain!) to Littleneck for dinner. I could have eaten everything on that menu, I tell you right now. The clams we all split to start were soaked in garlic, the oysters were the size of my hand, and the Rosé we picked for the table was perfectly light and refreshing (I'm not a Rosé expert but this was a good one!) Carey and I split the clam sandwich after and it was just right. I know I sound like Goldilocks but I'm pre-coffee this morning, alright?

Me, Carey, Rachel

Suffice it to say, after a redeye flight, a day of exploration, and then tons and tons of delicious food, I exhaustedly fell in love with NYC.