I'll Follow You Anywhere

Though New York is known as “the city that never sleeps”, and draws millions of people in each year to see shows on Broadway, the big lights of Times Square, and all the yellow taxis racing around, I’m much more interested in the quiet bits when I visit. I love Williamsburg, the side streets of Soho, and the High Line mid day when everyone else is at work, but for my most recent trip I wanted to experience something totally new. After a little bit of digging, Em and I found the Playland Motel in Rockaway Beach, and decided to book a night.

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The Playland Motel is a beachy paradise located just an hour away from downtown NYC, and it’s totally worth the trip. A restored building, this tiny boutique hotel has only 11 rooms, each uniquely designed and decorated by a different artist. Downstairs there’s a pizza shop, a bar with amazing tiki drinks, and a massive sandy “patio” yard complete with kiddie pools and rainbow lawn chairs (sadly it wasn’t open yet when we arrived).

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Though Rockaway Beach is teeny tiny, the combination of ocean breeze, the amazing taco shack, and Playland Motel’s sandy “patio” make this place feel like a slice of heaven (aka L.A.) We spent our days devouring “cukes” on the beach (a delicious snack which I’ll be DIY’ing and posting about here soon), and our nights jumping on the bed in our hotel room and drinking local beers. It was a totally perfect ending to our busy NYC trip, and I can’t wait to head back (maybe sooner than you think…)

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Dress Up

Every time I’m in New York City, I just can’t help but get all dressed up. Though in theory NYC is the champion of the all-black “model of duty” look, whenever I visit I’m instantly inspired to put together extra fun outfits, even for just a casual outing. I mean if you can’t wear it in the big apple, where can you wear it right?

I suppose this whole mentality about New York is what lead me to spend an entire day shopping in Soho in a pink tulle skirt. By the time we got back to the hotel later that evening I was shivering, tired, and barely able to stand on my heels anymore, but the moment when a little girl gasped and pointed “Look it’s a princess” on Broadway made it all worth it.

Like Emmett said, “I feel like you’re that sparkly tulle princess from, what’s that movie? Oh Enchanted!”

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Mermaid Tee by Wildfox, Denim Jacket from Levis, Tulle Skirt by Jordan de Ruiter, vintage shoes , Socks by Happy Socks, Booties from Topshop, bag by Theit

I'll Follow You Anywhere

Living in Toronto makes it almost too easy to constantly take mini trips down to New York City, the miniature universe where even the grime glitters with excitement. I’ve visited quite a few times over the past five years, but my most recent trip was perhaps the most special. My best friend Sarah and I drove down to take a bite of the big apple (and all the tasty food within it) as a farewell weekend before she moved across the country to finish her schooling in Vancouver. It was a truly unforgettable four days of delicious food, gorgeous sights and a LOT of spending. Here’s a little (ish) snippet of our adventures and a mini directory containing some of our favourite places (scroll all the way to the bottom.)

FOOD:
Freeman’s Alley
Blossom
Five Leaves
The Butcher’s Daughter
Momofuku Milk Bar
Babycakes
Ladurée
Dunwell Donuts
Bellocq Tea Atelier
Dean and Deluca

FASHION:
In God We Trust
Acne Studios Soho
Opening Ceremony
Catbird
Brooklyn Fox Lingerie

FUN:
Visit the Highline Park
Walk over the Williamsburg bridge (it’s pink!)
Drink and dance at Le Bain Rooftop bar
Picnic in Central Park
Wander through the treasure chest that is Bergdorf Goodman

What are some of your favourite New York Spots?