I heart NYC

*May 20-24th

Most of you already know, but I love this place...

 

We lived here for a year while S. did his tax LLM at NYU, and I've missed it a ton, so when S. got the opportunity to do some tax training there, he decided to let me tag along, especially since hotel was covered...and then we just used miles to get me there, so you can't get much cheaper of a trip than this.  My parents gladly took the boys for 6 days, while I happily explored the city I love kid-free.  I walked all over the place, rode the subway back and forth(much easier without a stroller to lug up and down stairs), ate lots of yummy food, saw amazing architecture, people-watched, went to 2 Broadway shows (something we didn't do before b/c we were poor college students), went to the MoMA, went to the NYC ballet, walked the high-line, shopped, went to the Top of the Rock(Rockefeller center), ran through the city in the pouring rain and got soaked(just like old times, except then I had rain boots), and rocked my tennis shoes with my skinny jeans...just to name a few.

I was so giddy as we started descending at the airport and I could see the skyline...it was amazing.  I was so excited to go through the Lincoln tunnel to then arrive in nyc--as soon as we pulled out, the first thing that hit me was the smell--it was nyc all the way--not necessarily a bad smell, but it smelled like the city and brought me back to all our time there...

 

After we checked into our hotel, we ate lunch at Chelsea Markets(an awesome indoor shopping area with eclectic stuff and restaurants)...

then traipsed around our old stomping grounds...Our church--definitely don't miss walking a mile to church everyday and climbing stairs or waiting for the crazy slow elevator to get from class to class.

 Had to get a Mr. Softee sprinkle cone...

 

Our nyc home...

Washington Square Park--right by the law school, a few blocks from our apartment, so this felt like home...

 

I took S. to the Brooklyn Bridge--I had walked it a few times, but he hadn't...

 

The next morning I went exploring while S. went to study tax law...had to try the Doughnut Plant...

Love the modern architecture as well as the old...

then I walked the High-Line park--an old elevated rail-line that they turned into a park--it was really cool, had great views, and was super relaxing...I even brought a book and found a comfy place to sit while reading and people watching...

I'm a big fan of project runway, so I had to check out Mood Fabrics--and I totally saw one of the designers that was on the finale from last season buying fabric!  I also got to ride in an old-timey elevator to get up to Mood that actually has a guy that operates it.

That night we went to Columbus Center for a ballet...and saw the Manhattan Temple across the street...

 S. endured a ballet for me and actually enjoyed the experience...

The next morning I ran up to a bakery on the upper west side, then back down to times square to wait in line to buy tickets for a broadway show...the discount line for tickets was long, but it moved fast once they opened the lines, plus I got to enjoy a baguette with jam while I waited--delish!

Just for giggles, I decided to go into Bergdorf's--a high-end department store...I was way out of my element and felt so out of place...everything was crazy expensive

Dylan's Candy Bar...more my kind of style

Then I ran to Chinatown to grab some lunch...ate it on the subway, while trying to get back to times square for my broadway show matinee...luckily I made it in plenty of time...but I won't lie, I was walking pretty fast...

So I saw Cinderella, and it was amazing...romantic, costumes were amazing, the songs were amazing, Cinderella was breathtaking.  I loved it.

I love art...always have loved going to art musuems...MoMa is amazing and filled with soooo many of the most famous paintings there are.  I loved seeing all the artists and paintings that N. studied while in preschool.  So, this is Starry Night by Van Gogh and it has a special place in my heart, b/c it was Atticus' favorite painting--he painted in his own version of it in preschool.  The minute I turned the corner and saw it, I got so emotional and teary eyed.  I love that kid--I miss him--and it hurts to see Cindy (his mom)hurt so much.  Love you Atticus--you are forever a part of me.

So I'm a nerd and decided to get one of those audio museum things (I've never used one before, and I have to say I really liked it--it gave lots of  insight and background into the pieces).

This was a huge one of Monet's--it was absolutely beautiful...

S. and I  went to the Top of the Rock to see the breathtaking views of the city (something we didn't get to do before).  The views were amazing, city for miles and miles...I love cities...I really do, and writing this now makes me miss it and it seems so surreal that we actually lived there...

Empire State Building in the background...

Love this guy!

Union Square--one of our old places me and N. used to go to shop, visit the farmers market for apples, and play at the park...

View of the Empire state from close to where we lived...

As a was walking if I saw something that looked yummy, I stopped and got it...it's vacation right!  This ice cream had cupcake and frosting swirled through it!

The subway--we became good friends--except for the 97 stairs that it took to get back up to the station that was by our hotel...

 

Grand Central--another one of my favorite places--the architecture is amazing!

Anyways, an awesome trip to an awesome city with my awesome sweetheart;)