Summer in The City

Ooooh it's been so long since I've posted. Life has become much more hectic, and time all the more precious.

But I did have a chance to escape for a couple of days last month to my all-time favorite intra-country destination: New York City. I'll never tire of being in the midst of such a densely populated and vibrant city.

I didn't take very many pictures. But on a day that took me both up to Barneys in the UWS and down to Opening Ceremony in Soho, I did take the time to take a couple of shots of two beverages that I hold near and dear to my heart.

It's silly really, and it's not like freshly squeezed citrus drinks are a precious and scarce commodity. But the memories they embody -- of the loved ones I was with, what I was up to before sitting down and taking a sip -- from each time I've purchased them in the past, are priceless to me, and I'll never forget them.

Truthfully, this was the first time I took a seat in this Dean & Deluca at the Borders in the Time Warner center. But I can't imagine there ever being a time when I didn't stop into a Dean & Deluca in the city to purchase one of their house brand juices. Sometimes it was to augment my breakfast from Bagel Bob's on University (that D&D has closed! SAD!)...other times, I just felt like people watching out the windows overlooking Rockefellar Center. And still, other times, it just felt right to take breather while in the midst of Soho...

I'll forever be in love with McNally Jackson...it's just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the busy stretch of Broadway in Soho...although it itself is busy and sees lots of foot traffic, it still feels tucked away to me...the perfect urban oasis to sit and rest a tired pair of legs that have browsed too many stores (and sometimes, beaten a credit card to death). The cafe/seating area has changed in decor since the last time I strayed inside...but the ambience and mood are just how I left it.

p.s. pretty man in the white tee (and he had on white skinnies too!) -- will you go out w/ me?

Sonia Rykiel pour H&M, 51st & 5th, New York City

Wasn't in the store when the collection actually launched, but the place had already decked the windows and spruced up the interior with collection propaganda (in place of the previous Jimmy Choo for H&M megaposters). Love Lara Stone and Caroline Trentini. Perfection.

New York City, Impromptu Visit, #2

Was able to make my way back into the city again last week...my visit was limited to Midtown, but honestly, I'll take Times Square and Rockefeller Center any day of the week over what's normally available to me...

I sat myself down at one end of Times Square and decided to just stare...

Target's perennial billboards, always with Times Square specific ads (as far as I can tell, and have seen)...

...oh hey there, Jamie Dornan, you're looking mighty fine tonight/always...

..."these lights will inspire you"...

Rockefeller tree finally unveiled...it'd still been a work in process during my last visit...just looking around at the crowds that flocked up to the tree for a picture...some nations/faiths look towards Mecca...WE have the Rockefeller tree...

And lastly...it was snowing over at Saks...

H&M, 51st & 5th, New York City

When lurking around the Rockefeller center, no visit is complete without a stop into the H&M flagship on 51st & 5th...if only all H&M's could be of this caliber, no?

Tyson Ballou and Sasha Pivovarova, this season's reigning royalty of fast fashion...although, Tyson can be my king any season he wants...

Inside, I found the remaining vestiges of the Jimmy Choo for H&M collaboration...the behemoth-size banners were still up...

...women's still had a selection of shoes, accessories, and clothing...

...as did men's...although, I was happy seeing that the biker boots were all sold out, there was not a single pair to be found, and now my trip to Chicago feels that much more worth it to me...

New York City, Impromptu Visit

This past weekend, circumstances were as such that I had the opportunity to drive into Manhattan and visit my dear sister, whom I don't get to see enough of. I drove in Saturday afternoon, and was out the next day by noon. As little time as I had, the one thing that always makes my day when I'm in New York is having the opportunity to just walk. I'll never tire of looking up and seeing tall buildings, I'll never tire of seeing beautiful people walking the streets, I'll never tire of browsing the retail options.

I wish I had been more mindful of taking my camera around...the shots here are nothing to write home about, and I've walked these routes too many times in the past, but they serve as visual reminders of a happier bygone era in my life, perhaps of an existence that was never fully realized, or (hopefully) one that is yet to happen...

The view from where I was staying...Midtown West w/ a glimpse of the Hudson River...

The Rockefeller Tree -- still scaffolded up, the final touch to the holiday transformation that has already manifested elsewhere in Rockefeller Center...

Midtown...

Times Square...

It's been too long since I was last in the city.