I used to be afraid of the big city New York, New York. Now it is a never-ending place to explore new places, experiences, food and fun.
Recently, we had a reason to visit the City again. A law school graduation – my niece is joining the legal sisterhood. I wonder what it would have been like to go to law school in New York. How would I ever study? I had a hard-enough time studying living in the suburbs of Massachusetts.
We chose to travel by bus to New York. It really is the easiest way to get from where we are in NJ to NY. A short ride to the Port Authority Bus Terminal and there you are – hotels, restaurants, shopping, neighborhoods, Broadway, food trucks and the people…
This time we stayed on West 37th Street at a relatively new Embassy Suites by Hilton. We walked to the queue for a NYC Yellow Taxi from PABT. We lucked into getting a driver with a little attitude who sort of got us to the hotel entrance. A quick run down and across the street and we were at our home for 2 nights.
Since I am a travel app nut and have all the hotel, airline, bus, train, travel plan management apps on my phone, as one would expect, I had checked in early. I was so thrilled to know that we were upgraded before we even arrived. Upon check-in at the front desk however, I was quickly disappointed to learn that our room was being reassigned. And, we would need to wait about 20 minutes for a room……I had a few plans for the afternoon. Waiting is not my strong suit.
Room assigned and up the elevator to leave the bags. I know the rooms are small in New York, but gosh this room was going to be a challenge. I need to find a hotel interior designer and ask if they ever actually stay in the rooms they design – there is no place to put anything anymore. Just check out the pictures of the Embassy Suites Midtown on their website… and think small!
OK, we made the best of the situation. Left the bags and headed to Greenwich Village. I have been to the Village before and find I really like walking around this area of New York. Look in the shop windows and decide which café or restaurant to try. Sunday it was Extra Virgin on 4th Street (www.extravirginarestaurant.com ). Sunday brunch in New York, how glamorous.
Then on to my real destination, Margaux (www.Margaux.com ). I had been pining over the ballet flats at Margaux since I found out they have ballet flats to fit everyone. Since I have challenges getting ballet flats, this was a reason to celebrate.
I entered the charming little shop on Bleeker Street in Greenwich Village and was greeted by a display of ballet flats in all the colors of the rainbow and 3 styles. Now to pick just one to try on.
I picked the style called Demi. The salesperson handed me the sample to try. It fit.
Ballet flats from Margaux
Back to the display table to pick my color, or as it turned out a color. My go to color navy blue.
Margaux has ballet flats to fit everyone
Margaux is run like many of the new shoe stores. They sell handmade shoes from Italy and Spain in limited styles and colors. The stores only have samples to try on and if you want to buy, they order from an offsite inventory warehouse and ship directly to you. Free returns if your shoes are not as they fit in the store.
Mission complete.
Now on to the graduation celebration. Dinner at Café Mogador at 101 St. Marks Place, a lively Mediterranean restaurant that from the information online has been open forever. The reports of people waiting to get in are true. The food is wonderful.
Graduation was here and all were excited. A little brunch and off to the pomp and circumstance. I just love all the caps, gowns and hoods of a real graduation. I have a few of my own. Finally got to see Lincoln Center, David Geffen Hall. Lovely place for a a graduation ceremony. We need to come back here for a concert or play some time.
Diploma presented, a walk across the stage. Waived goodbye to the graduate and my family as they left to drive home to New England. Wow, three years and 3 days whizzed by….
We stayed in the city for one more night and had dinner at a traditional New York steak house, Frankie and Johnnie’s (www.frankieandjohnnies.com) that has been on 37th Avenue since 1926. There are still restaurants with white tablecloths and impeccable service. Lovely way to end our quick visit to the Big Apple.
It was all about the shoes and watching my family welcome another attorney into the family law group – we almost have a law firm.