On Friday morning, after we were done with breakfast, I said goodbye to Merri and Theodora who both had to work, and headed back to Merri’s apartment to meet up with my friend Ashley who was arriving in town from Chicago around noon.
Morning Exploring
After I hopped on the bus, I got off at an early stop so I could walk for a little while and shop before it was time to shower and get ready for Ashley’s arrival. My first pit stop took me to Express because I wanted to pick up an adorable pair of drawstring pants that I saw one of Merri’s coworkers wearing the other day. They were super cute and since there was a store-wide 40 percent off sale, I couldn’t resist.
Before I arrived at Merri’s apartment, I took some time to stroll through the market at Union Square and drool over the freshly baked breads and sweets and take in the smell of the evergreen wreaths and garland for sale.
While there, I couldn’t resist picking up m’smen, a buttery Moroccan flatbread that tasted a lot like a thick crepe stuffed with caramelized onion and cheese.
You better believe I will be doing my best to recreate this at home very soon!
Once I made it back to Merri’s apartment, I took a quick shower before Ashley arrived and we headed back out into the city to check out the holiday sights.
Our first stop was the famous tree at Rockefeller Center.
It was absolutely packed, so we stayed just long enough to snap some pictures and watch the ice skaters for a little while.
We walked around the city for the rest of the afternoon, grabbed a late lunch and headed back to Merri’s apartment to get ready while our other friends began to arrive from Florida, Virginia and Illinois.
Friday Night
Everyone started arriving in the early evening and Ryan was the last one to land in New York around 6 p.m. We had plans to meet at Rolf’s, the bar we visited last year that was completely decked out in Christmas decor. It is truly an amazing sight and their mulled wine is so, so good.
We had early evening reservations that we ended up missing and since the bar was ridiculously crowded and we didn’t want to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers, we opted to walk to Old Town Bar since it would accommodate our group of 15 for an impromptu dinner and festive drinks.
Hot apple toddys were a big hit with all of us!
We enjoyed our drinks and dinner but had to leave by 8:45 p.m. since we had reservations at Cafe Wa? for an evening full of great live music!
The music was great and it was a really fun night!
More fun to come…
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Your hair looks so good in that Rockefeller picture! I miss NYC at Christmastime. I’m glad you had fun!
NYC looks so amazing – I would love to see Rockefeller center and go ice skating. It’s definitely one of my bucket list items!! The bar with all the Christmas decor is awesome. We have a place near here that does Christmas year-round. It’s pretty ridiculous in the summer but I especially love it this time of year – tons of lights, garland, and various ornaments.
Glad you are having a fabulous time!!
That Moroccan flatbread looks insanely delicious! Looks like such a fun holiday trip!
ok where is merri’s white slouchy hat from!??! i’ve been looking for one!!!!
ShopBop!
Oh my gosh, that decor! Did you go to Macy’s? Apparently their Christmas decor is pretty awesome!
Ah so jealous! Rolf’s is on my “Must Visit” list if I ever get to go back to New York – the pictures you’ve shown from last year and this year make it look so pretty! I need to force one of my friends to move to NYC so I can go visit them, haha. I haven’t been since a school trip when I was 16!
Those Express pants might be the greatest pants ever invented. They are cute and look amazingly comfortable. Post a picture when you wear them!
They really are so comfortable! I am just worried they look too much like pajamas on me even though they looked adorable on Merri’s coworker. I’m still not sure how I am going to wear them so I kept the receipt, but I am hoping they work out because they are so ridiculously comfortable!
What a fun day! I wish I would have made it to the city during the holiday season!
Ok, I am officially putting Rolf’s on my list of places to go this weekend! Love the decorations!
It is really a must see!! Just be prepared for lots and lots of people!
NYC is literally the best! Such great shopping and such great food! Sounds like an amazing time!
Looks like fun! I am still amazed at that bar’s decorations – so over the top! I love it.
Love your hats! I always love finding new hats for winter – they are always hard to come by that can still look somewhat “dressy” – can’t wait to read about the rest of your adventures!
That restaurant with Christmas decorations is just gorgeous!! I’ve always said I wanted to go to NYC, but didn’t care if I actually did. Now I will be going around Christmas time!! Can’t wait to see more adventures!
Oh my word, that flatbread looks absolutely amazing. I’m practically drooling over here! I’ve never been to NYC and think I would be really overwhelmed, but man it looks like so much fun!! 🙂
Looks like a blast! The big Rockefeller tree hadn’t been decorated yet when I went. That place is so pretty during the holidays!
What a fun weekend! I feel like we would be good travel buddies (is that creepy?) because it seems we both like to pack as much in as possible. Only two days to explore a huge, overwhelming city? No problem! I do my sleeping on planes and just power through to take in as much as I can, and I like seeing you do the same! Can’t wait to read the rest!
Just had to tell you that I ran my first half marathon Saturday because you inspired me and I finished in 2:26 minutes!!! I was SOOO excited! 🙂 It was very challenging, but by God’s grace I made it through under 2:30 (that was my goal!!).
That is absolutely amazing! And what a fabulous time! Congratulations to you!! So exciting!!!!!!
And where is your hat from? So cute!
The Christmas tree!! <3 that would be the only reason I would ever go to NYC.
that looks awesome! It’s so cold in NY right now!
Your trip looks like so much fun! NY is amazing during this season…they really go all out. Can’t wait to hear more. 🙂
that looks awesome! It’s so cold in NY right now!
Rockefeller Center was packed when we were there a few weeks ago as well. I don’t think people can resist the ice skating at the iconic rink!
The market in Union Square is the best! I wish I lived in NYC so I could hit that up on a weekly basis. Looks like you’re having fun in NYC!
Only you could look that beautiful in that hat!
Sounds really fun and action packed, can’t wait to see the recipe up here because that bread thing looks delish!
NYC looks beautiful – and cold! I’m excited to go there for Christmas!
That bread looks amazing. Similar to a garlic nann right? I love the decorations in that bar. So amazing it doesn’t even look real.
Love the Union Square Market! Used to work around the corner, which meant I could go there whenever I wanted :-). It was amazing! Love seeing the tree too – headed down to NYC tonight, and I will have to stop by that tree!
I made mulled wine for the first time this weekend for a dinner party with my roomies – so good!
If anyone’s interested, check out this ebay auction! Julie had mentioned this item in her blog on December 4.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Balance-Heidi-Klum-Moto-Pullover-XS-NEW-WITH-TAGS-NWT-/131071291708?pt=US_Womens_Athleticwear&hash=item1e8475313c
NYC really is one of the best places in the winter season, especially during the holidays. Thanks for sharing!
I am reliving my trip from two weekends ago through you! I passed through the Union Square Market too- I love that area! I had the most delicious cookie with nuts, chocolate chips, and Earl Grey tea. I was a little unsure, but it was absolutely fabulous! Can’t wait to hear more about your time in NYC.
I visited Le Pain a few weeks ago and absolutely loved it! Their prosciutto, pear, and fig sandwich was phenomenal!
cute AND comfy pants?! nice. do you know how long they are? I have long legs so I’m assuming too short as usual, ha!
NYC is alway so beautiful around the holidays! Looks like you had such a fabulous weekend! Love you hat btw, where is it from!?