I tend to be a homebody because as Dorothy Gale says, there’s no place like home. However, I go through phases of wanting to escape the 27 teenagers than inevitably show up at my house to listen to the same three songs on repeat at maximum volume. If they had better taste in music, I might be more apt to stay home (doubtful).

 

My latest escape was a three day girls weekend in Hudson, New York. Hudson is a cute little town in Upstate New York; this weekend was my first time visiting, and there were so many charming antique stores in this town. I walked for hours lusting over art, dishes, tchotchkes, furniture, and linens. After I strolled and browsed, I stopped to have a nibble at a bar in a French restaurant and take a break. Stopping in local restaurants is a fantastic way to rest and try local cuisine; flambé and champagne — French, local, same thing.

 

 

“MAKE A CONSCIOUS EFFORT TO SURROUND YOURSELF WITH POSITIVE, NOURISHING, AND UPLIFTING PEOPLE – PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN YOU, ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO AFTER YOUR DREAMS, AND APPLAUD YOUR VICTORIES.”

– JACK CANFIELD

 

While the strolling, browsing and inhaling of local cuisine made for a great weekend, the companionship of positive and influential women was the most fabulous part of Hudson, New York. It’s so easy to let ourselves get sidetracked by the people we surround ourselves with, and I have been so guilty of this lately. This weekend was the reminder to keep my circle tight with people who can share their wins and positive vibes. Life’s too short for negativity.

 

 

New York City

 

After flying across the country, I wanted to make the most of my trip, so I went to the city. Yeah, I know why they call it the city that never sleeps. NYC is a lot for someone who comes from the slow-paced South; there were so many people moving so fast and in every direction. It was a lot, in a good way. New York City is a walking city, and everyone was walking, fast. Pedestrians crossing against a red light? Who cares? People walked when they wanted to walk, fast. When I asked a native New Yorker about this dangerous activity, she matter-of-factly told me, “Yeah, we got shit to do.”

 

I stayed at The NoMad Hotel, and one of the services they offer is help with getting Broadway tickets. One show I wanted to see was the off-broadway show The Office. It got canceled last minute, uh, devastated. I consoled myself with a well deserved hot ham and cheese, fries and champagne at midnight. 24-hour room service should be standard in all hotels imo. I ate the room service in the Frette robe the NoMad had in the closet. I felt so fancy sitting in a posh New York hotel in a plush robe, eating room service while drinking champagne, “You deserve this,” I whisper to myself as I moved money out of my son’s college fund.

 

 

When I finally peeled myself out of the fancy robe the following day to brave the cold and explore New York City, a walking city that I had no idea where to walk, I called an Uber. An Uber in NYC does not pick you up, they arrive at a pick-up point, and it was up to me to get there within a few minutes. As a slow Southern living human, I did not get there in time as I could not figure out where this pick-up point was. I was not in Kansas anymore. But, all was not lost, as I was walking, I passed the charming Oscar Wilde, so I turned around and went back in there to rest for a moment and form a new plan.

 

 

Feeling a little defeated by the big city and little crusty from wearing the only sweater I brought more than once (twice in three days). Shopping was in order. I was walking towards Manhattan Mall on Google maps when I saw The Holy Grail, Nordstrom Rack. The Nordstrom Rack in Manhattan is not like a regular store; it was like a discount store on steroids, two stories filled with designer labels 40-60% off. It was this frozen discount divas heaven. I picked up Tibi, Theory, Opening Ceremony, Frame, and Vince. I left the store and walked back to my hotel, forget the Uber, I had a designer high and was feeling more like a New Yorker by the minute, crossing lights be damned, I had shit to do.

 

The Last Day

 

On my last day in New York, I woke up determined to make it epic. I wanted to see the museums and go to The High Line, all before catching my flight. No pressure. All of these activities required a detailed plan, room service, and chanting to summon organizational skills that I have never possessed, until now. I woke up early, showered, packed, and drank two pots of coffee. Completely wired out from all the caffeine I went down to catch a cab as cabs are the preferred transportation in New York City, lesson learned.

 

 

My first stop of the day would be MoMA. I walked into the museum a little unsure what to expect, bought my pass, and walked up to the stairs. When I walked into my first exhibit I knew I would not make it out within the hour I had allotted myself to spend in each museum. MoMA was a dream come true. I got lost in the art for hours. After perusing the art at MoMA, I hit the restaurant, and it was as divine as the art.

 

“If you’re always racing to the next moment, what happens to the one you’re in?”

 

 

Leaving the slow living of the South and trying to adjust to New York City with no guide and no plan was overwhelming.  Well, I tried to make a plan, but I had no idea what I was doing, except in Nordstrom Rack, I dominated that store. While I like having a general idea of what’s coming up, I’m a live in the moment type of person. Although it would have been nice to see more of the city; it did not affect any of my future goals by not going to the other museums, I’m going to write this experience in New York off as a balance of planning and living in the moment; yeah, I’ll just go with that.

 

Have you ever been to New York? If so, what did you see? If not, do you have plans to go? Tell me all about it in the comments.

 

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