My brother-in-law, Scott, lives in New York, so whenever he asks us to visit, he barely gets the words out of his mouth before David and I show up on his doorstep.  And last weekend was one such weekend.  So, after dropping the two boys off with grandma, we flew to New York for a whirlwind 72 hour adventure.

And boy, are our arms tired.  Ba-dah-dump!

In the past, we’ve taken bus tours, visited countless landmarks, and learned all about NYC architecture, but since my brother-in-law had to work Friday,  I told David we’re going shopping.  And we did. 

Day 1:  Soho. 

Enjoy!

David and I started our morning at Grey Dog in Soho and we couldn’t have stumbled upon a better place.  At Grey Dog, the prices are good, but the food is even better.  There, you’ll find a spread of breakfast and lunch standards with some original twists, like the challah French toast (which is what I ate).

Their baked goods and takeout options also looked really yummy for those on the go.  And the ambiance:  chill and modern.  Check out the caged pendant lighting they have hanging over the serving counter.  So cute, right?  And if you order lunch, according to the menu board, every sandwich comes with ‘a cute little salad.’

This place was so fun!

Our first shopping stop:  Lollipop.

Unlike some of its more off-the-wall neighbors, this Nolita boutique has struck a good balance between well-cut basics like raincoats and cotton tees and more unusual statement pieces like draped wool skirts and fun hats.

I didn’t buy anything here at Lollipop, but really, really, really wanted to.  Sigh.

Located on a charming, tree-lined block in the Manhattan neighborhood of NoLita, I bought the most beautiful beaded belt from Poppy.  The small clothing boutique is known for carrying a well edited mix of indy and established contemporary collections. 

While strolling the streets of Soho, I gasped when I randomly discovered the store Second Time Around, an upscale consignment shop which features ultra high end designers such as Gucci, Luboutin, Fendi, and Prada.  But the store, and the people who work there, are also stars of Bravo’s new reality show Fashion Hunters, which I LOVE.

The shop was so amazing and everything and more Bravo promised it would be.  And two of the show’s stars, Tara and Karina were actually working there.  The girls were so helpful and sweet, but alas, I didn’t buy a thing.  Most of the clothes I tried on were too big. 

I don’t remember where David and I stopped to get this gorgeous cup of cappuccino, but when I talked to the barista about the beautiful, elaborate design in the foam, he told me it wasn’t just about showing off, it’s actually about proving to the customer that the milk is properly steamed and will therefore hold its form.

Who knew!

Uniqlo has such an amazing store front and display that I had to pop in and see what it was all about.  And I was so not disappointed.

Specializing in well-made basics that rarely cost more than $100, this US flagship of the Japanese brand (which was founded in 1984) is sprawling, well-lit and immaculately organized. Leggings, sweaters, coats, tops, pants, vests, tights, skirts and T-shirts are everywhere you look, in bright colors and bold patterns. Look for inexpensive cashmere, signature fleece jackets and Uniqlo’s popular denim line, which has tourists and local hipsters lining up at the cash register.

I bought one Uniqlo’s light weight black puffy coats.  It’s form fitting, super cute, and really warm.  I love it!

From the outside, 459 Broome Street looks like any other chic SoHo shop. Inside, however, lies a wonderland. Purl SoHo is an upscale fabric, yarn, sewing, knitting and needlework supply oasis for creative individuals of all ages. Opened in 2002, Purl boasts floor to ceiling yarn and fabric choices. Walk in and you will understand the store’s mantra—“Create your world.”

Many crafts stories focus on one discipline—knitting, needlepoint, sewing, or quilting. Purl covers virtually everything. Want to knit a sweater? Baby blanket? Warm scarf for that special someone? Purl has a wide variety of yarns made of angora, mohair, cashmere and more, so you can be as imaginative as you like. If needlepoint is your thing, Purl can get you started on that project, whether a pillow, ottoman, tote bag, or stuffed animal. Embroidery aficionados will find inspiration and plenty of colorful threads for all those fancy stitches.

The store I could not miss while in NYC:  Jonathan Adler.  I am a super fan of his pottery, wallpapers, home decor, and furniture.  And I was not disappointed.  Adler’s space is bursting with everything from beds and sofas to chandeliers and thick wool geometric patterned rugs. The bright, energetic theme carries over to countless accessories such as needlepoint pillows reading “happy”; sunburst mirrors; sheet sets in graphic cocoa-colored prints; dinnerware in brilliant colors; assorted animal statuettes; and tongue-in-cheek cookie jars labeled “Downers,” “Quaaludes,” and “Prozac.”

I wanted everything, of course, but settled for a pair of pretty candle sticks and a little catch all bowl to set on my nightstand to put my rings and other jewelry in at night.

The best part of my Jonathan Adler experience:  Daniel, the store manager.  He told me all about Jonathan Adler including how the designer says goodbye whenever he speaks to someone on the phone.  Daniel told me Adler always says ‘Au revoir,’ (which means goodbye in french) and then an animal sound like ‘oink, moo, or quack.”

How quirky is that?

And all this was only day one!  Stay tuned for day two of David and my New York City adventure!