New York, New York

(the view from our patio/roof. I love the Barbie doll.)

WE ARE BACK!!! Our vacation was fantastic. One of my very few complaints is that didn't have enough time. There were some friends, blog friends, and family I wanted to visit with (I hope you know who you are) but didn't have the chance to see—let alone e-mail, since as I mentioned we forgot our AC adapter, and I think I went through computer withdrawal. : )

We rented a little studio in the East Village (Drew's old neighborhood) conveniently located above a 24-hour market. We used NY City Living as the broker, and I have to say I was a bit nervous, but it was a very positive experience. So, if you want to visit NYC and stay in an apartment instead of a hotel (we felt in the middle of everything and had the option to go to a grocery store and cook) I would suggest checking them out.

(the market below our apartment)

We of course visited MOMA, the Met, and the Guggenheim. There are some awesome exhibits right now. Please take a minute and click "view online exhibition". We also went to an opening at Giant Robot. We are now the proud owners of a piece by the fabulous Kelly Lynn Jones.

We strolled all around Central Park, Times Square (I made Drew go), Chinatown, Canal Street, and most of Manhattan (we didn't make it to the West Village).

We of course visited the Etsy Labs where EVERYONE was as gracious and kind as I could ever imagine. Thank you guys!!

(Mary's taking a picture of us taking a picture of her, hee hee)

We had a tour of Brooklyn with the best tour guide ever. Thank you so much, Grace.

Basically, we walked, bought, and ate our way through the city.

Mmmm… frites.

Mmmm… cannoli.

Mmm… challah

(Really tasty food, but OMG the most laughable, atrocious service ever at this place. Hilarious.)

I am a weak woman. Especially when it comes to accessories of all kinds (jewelry, scarves, purses, sunglasses, knick knacks, gizmos, thingies). Aaaahhh, there was a lot of self control on my part. Drew may have a different opinion ; )

And above all else, we are on the lookout for a new city to call home. Next stop, Portland, Oregon! Although, I must say I never feel prouder to be from St. Louis than when I'm away from it. It is a fantastic city in its own right. For me, I just wish it was on a coast.

And the silliest, worst part of the trip? Our flight was canceled and it was this big horrible mess (as anyone who has ever been to an airport would know). And we had the *pleasure* of staying at the airport Ramada. Yeah, this picture pretty much sums up the whole experience…

But even so, it was awesome. I hope you had a great last week or so too!!

Comments

[Dave]

Looks like a wonderful trip! I would love to visit New York, and I think staying in an apartment would be a wonderful way to do it, as I'd want to go shopping for food and cook and such - we've talked about doing this in Paris as well, as it sounds like such a nice way to experience the city - more like you actually live there.

Are you thinking about Portland, Maine, or Portland, Oregon? :)

I may be a bit biased, but I think Portland, Oregon is one of the best cities in the country, especially if you love arts, crafts, music or food :)

Best luck in looking, I know it feels weird when you're kind of in that intermediate phase of knowing you'll probably go, but not knowing what's coming up for sure...

Cheers!

[ambika]

That first picture is so priceless. I love it. Sounds like a great trip--the kind of trip I enjoy most.

[Dawn]

Wow...how amazing...I love all the photos and it sounds like you guys were allllll over the place. I love the last photo of you...:) Portland Oregon...super...if you picked it I might actually get to met you someday...we have friends in Portland and it's not too far from Seattle. xoxo :)

[emily]

Oh, you. Both of you.

Glad to have you back, crazy hair and all...and I wish we could syncronize our Portland- interviewing. ;)

xoxo

[Vanessa]

Oh Ashley, you are so hilarious!!! I am glad you had a wonderful trip... And, much deserved!!! xo, V

[sophia]

looks like an awesome trip...welcome back!

[hollye]

Oh this post makes me miss NYC so much! We lived in the East Village for a few years and had a hard time leaving. Now we're in LA and its great, but just not the same. I highly recommend Portland... its my hometown and its the greatest place to be! Best of luck.

[Lisa M]

It sounds like you guys had a blast! I miss NYC! In the not so far future we will go back and eat our way through NYC! The pizza there is awesome too :)
Although I feel bad about your Plane, That last pictures is to die for :)
Have a cozy day!
♥Lisa

[Beth]

Welcome back! It was great to have a glimpse into your vacation. By the way, New York is amazing, but I vote for Portland. Portland, Oregon, is one of the best cities that exists, period. It is very veg-vegan-friendly, craft and art filled, and it an amazing place to be. Besides, they have the best bookstore on the planet: Powell's. The midwest will be sad to lose you guys!

[marjorie]

oh what fun! I've never been to New York...I always picture it as a cross between the Belleville of Triplet's fame and a monster city (giant buildings to step on me) with scatterings of perfectly bohemian 1940's beatnik villages....I know...I'm quite silly! ;)

The whole world ,for me, is all a mishmash of my dream-places..scatterings of books and films I've read and seen!

Thanks for sharing your trip!! :)

[risa]

i think i know each of those food places! ahhh...ny. oh how i miss thee. i'm quite jealous of your trip!

[Amy O]

You should check out Northampton, Massachusetts. It's a small city with a huge artistic community, great food and awesome live music. Plus you can take day trips to NYC and Boston.

[Marilyn]

Where are the frites from? Pommes Frites??? :) Looks like you had a wonderful time. I've been to Yaffa and yeah...it's an experience. They have great carrot dressing tho.

[Lasso the Moon]

What a great post! Glad you had a good time. The orange pic is my favorite, followed closely by the last one!
--Anna

[kaylovesvintage]

love the Yaffa Cafe & really miss it

[melissa Crowe]

How about Portland, Maine? That's about to be MY new city, and we could hang. (Okay, I'm 33 years old, so I don't so much "hang," really, except gravity-wise. Ugh.) :-)

[Stilettoheights(jenn)]

welcome back (belated...I know you've been back for a while) looks like you had a fabulous time!!

[Browningtonforest]

Thanks for sharing your trip pictures.. I loved seeing them.
You lucky duck eating all that good food.. what I would do for a cannoli (I can't eat them anymore, or challah or bagels or pizza-it's a wheat thing) I hope you at lots of pizza and bagels also! I grew up in NY (upstate a bit not nyc) and it was great to see your pictures.
Sorry about your canceled fligh!Did you have to stay in Jamaica Queens? Not the nicest neighborhood..

[Tara]

sigh I miss NYC

[trina]

oh you have made me want to visit New York now. I have never had an urge to go there but ever since this post I've been thinking about it and Dave's been interested. :) Oh and not that it counts for beans but I vote you move to Portland! We are generally awesome here. :)

[Margins.]

It was pretty great checking out your travel experiences. Your photographs are great. And, hey, you have my hair! Seriously.

Except mine's that way on a daily basis...

[Holly]

Looks like a fun time!
A vacation, Im so jealous and need to escape as well.
p.s. I love your blog. hehe

[HonestChitChat]

That's a rad picture man! I love it!