The New York Series. Day Four.

The New York Series. Day Four. June 23rd, 2015.

My fourth day in New York was another fun day, full of activities. Lexy and I got up and early and walked to Levain Bakery where I got a mouthwatering double chocolate chip cookie (yes, I know it was breakfast) and a mocha. Levain Bakery was a tiny little bakery on the Upper West Side, not too far from Central Park, and it was soo good. I would definitely recommend stopping by for a cookie if you get the chance. After getting our food, we decided to walk to Central Park where we found this awesome little spot to eat our breakfast by. It overlooked the water and parts of the skyline, so obviously we took about a hundred pictures (because why not).

Next, we met up with my parents at Columbus Circle, and then met with my cousin Andy who lives in NYC. We decided that for lunch we would have a little picnic in the park over by the baseball fields, so we went into Whole Foods and shopped to our heart's stomach's desire. It was great. We spent about an hour sitting and eating, and catching up with Andy, and I felt just like a local (which, of course, is my favorite thing to say).

After our picnic, we walked down towards Madison and 5th Avenue where we stopped by the Plaza Hotel and Bergdorf Goodman's. I proceeded to go inside of Bergdorf's with the rest of my family and let my eyes take in all of the gorgeous (expensive) designer labels. Lucky for us, there was a huge shoe sale going on upstairs, it was a mad house. I decided that since I was there I needed to try on some shoes (obviously) so I chose three of my favorite top designer brands, Chanel, Christian Louboutin, and Jimmy Choo. It was magical. I left Bergdorf's feeling depressed and aching for my very own Céline handbag.

After perusing the rest of the way down 5th Avenue we decided to go downtown to see the 9/11 memorial and the brand new One World Trade Center (also, home to Condé Nast). I felt like the building went on forever, you couldn't see the top even if you laid on the ground (I did not try, because ew, germs). Condé Nast, of course, is where I want to end up some day, so it was like a dream come true to see it all up close. (Unfortunately we did not see Anna Wintour as I had hoped, but I am determined that will happen soon enough, so no worries.)

Next, we made our way down to SOHO, where I used up most of the remainder of my spending money. I bought a couple of super cute pieces, my favorite being the greatest romper of all time (it is my new favorite thing that I own). We ended up back at our hotel later that night, but not before enjoying some authentic Greek cuisine at a restaurant right near our hotel. It was a pretty great day, if I do say so myself.

Until next time,

Madison Rodick

0

The New York Series. Day Three.

The New York Series. Day Three. June 22nd, 2015.

My third day in New York may have been my favorite of all. Lexy and I began our day by waking up and going to Starbucks. We enjoyed our coffee as we sat and people watched on the benches over by Theodore Roosevelt Park. Next we met up with my parents and started our expedition for the day.

On that day we decided to take the subway over to Brooklyn and walk across the Brooklyn Bridge back into Manhattan. It was super cool and it made me feel just like I was in one of those New York City movies, Spiderman included. I felt like I was a part of history, and I couldn't believe I was actually there seeing everything in person. It was pretty whimsical, and it was also a great workout (basically it was the best of both worlds). When we came off the bridge into Manhattan we decided to go to Chinatown. On our way there we passed by this gorgeous fountain and Lexy and I threw coins into it with a wish that in 10 years we would be back in that very spot only the next time we would both be with our husbands. Lexy and her husband would be visiting my husband and I for a nice weekend getaway in the city, because by then I will obviously have a great job at a magazine or something in NYC, a girl can dream(:

By the time we made it to Chinatown, we had already stopped three or four times at stores along the way and we each emerged with a couple hundred dollars worth of shoes..(you can never have enough shoes). We went all around Chinatown and bargained our way through many souvenirs among other things. After that cultural experience, we decided to go ahead and have lunch in Little Italy. We ate at a fantastic Italian Restaurant called Casa Bella. I loved Little Italy, partly because I'm half Italian and partly because the gelato and cannoli's I had were AWESOME.

After Chinatown and Little Italy, we made our way back towards Bryant Park for the special movie in the park night. We sat out on the lawn right behind the New York City Public Library and watched Ghostbusters projected on a huge screen. It was so cool. There were thousands of people all sprawled out on blankets eating their picnic foods waiting for the movie to start. Of course at the beginning of the evening everyone sort of kept to themselves, but by the end of the night the boundaries between blankets had been broken and groups from all around us were intermingling and playing "Head's Up!".  I had so much fun watching all of the people, if anything can be said about my trip to New York it is that I have never been surrounded by more diversity and wide ranges of people speaking different languages. It was a very rich experience, and I really enjoyed taking it all in. Aside from all of the people that night, the park and movie itself were so much fun. I felt like a local as I laid there watching the movie, and every once in a while I would look up and admire the stars against the skyscrapers towering over me.

Also, there's nothing more entertaining than thousands of people chanting "Ghostbusters!" in the middle of a city park late at night.

By the end of the movie, Lexy and I were so exhausted. We met up with my parents and decided to make our way back to the Upper West Side. But as we left, I couldn't help but catch the glistening reflection of the Empire State Building on another building nearby, it was beautiful. That New York evening was one I hope to never forget.

I hope I was able to make you feel as though you were there with me. I enjoyed reminiscing on my time in the city.

Until next time.

Love,

Madison

0