3/50 NYC Adventures: Chelsea Market

Chelsea Market.

The Chelsea Market is a much-loved little tourist trap. The trendy logo always grabs the attention of the wandering passerby. Even the most jaded of all New Yorkers can't help but find their way into the heart of this scrumptious, bustling and exquisitely warm haven of shopping and treats. This indoor market houses chic shops, trendy eateries, handmade crafts and specialty grocers. In other words, yeah, it's a version of Heaven. A VERSION. Let's dive in, shall we?

What To Do.

You want to spend an afternoon here, and make sure NOT to eat before hand. Because samples will abound. Begin with lunch at Friedmans (they have yummy tomato soup), then wander through the gigantic Anthropologie (I know, I know, it's a chain store but it's also the mother ship. Give it a free pass), then perhaps steal a moment away for a cookie at Sarabeth's (the dove shortbread cookies are my FAVE.) Make sure to browse through the artisan section of the market. This is where tons of start-up designers can showcase and sell their carefully-crafted jewelry and clothes. I especially love Brooklyn Charm, where you can select all the fixin's for a custom-made pendant necklace. My little sis may or may not have one of these around her graceful neck at this very moment :-) And there is always room for gelato, right? Stop by L'Arte de Gelato and try out the stracciatella. Or pistachio. Both are just so delish. Browse the New York cookbook section at Posman Books and learn about all the foodie geniuses that were borne in kitchens throughout this grand city, like Momofuku, Sorella, Sarabeth's, The Gramercy Tavern and more. And Chelsea Market Baskets has, well you've got it, amazing woven baskets in every shape, size, color, texture, etc. Last but not least, stop by Buon Italia, a fabulously authentic Italian grocery store, and pick up some thinly-sliced procuitto and bufala mozzarella before you leave the market for good. Now you have some delicacies to share when you get home. And then maybe your husband will forgive that you spent hours holed up at the market shopping...

// Anyone spot the most beautiful mother in all the land...? //

This market is a worthwhile (and tasty) experience. I've been bringing almost all our guests here and I tend to pop downtown and walk around this fun spot every few weeks. Like I said, the mother ship is here, so I can't stray too far... I hope you enjoy your Chelsea Market exploration!

Hello September!

Don't you love New York in the fall?

It makes me wanna buy school supplies.

I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.

On the other hand, this not knowing has its charms. - Joe Fox, You've Got Mail

So We Meet Again.

September is absolutely, hands-down my favorite month of the year. And it only mostly has to do with the fact that it's my birthday month (wink wink.) I love the subtle transition from lazy, late summer to watercolor hints of autumn. The trees begin to turn up their crisp noses at the air's humidity, and in timely obedience to the magnificent weatherman in the sky, the temperature drops accordingly and the boots march out from their safely-tucked hiding places to do some walking. I am just captured by the colors: evergreen, scarlet, marigold, auburn and amethyst. These coy shades manage to catch me off-guard every year, and yet I relish the moment because it feels so good to be, yes, seduced by the luxe wonders of fall. Walking down the street and watching a gently falling leaf from an old oak tree; you can't make this stuff up. Well, you could, but I wouldn't because it sounds all-too cliche. Yet there it is, you can't help but spot it: that petite brittle leaf, aimlessly letting go, falling, and papering the bustling streets with its chilled quiet.

Labor Day.

We went on a bike ride this weekend along the West Side Highway from the Upper West Side down to Chelsea, had a taste of brunch and traipsed around the uber-hip Chelsea Market for a bit. We stopped midway to gaze at the Hudson, and stayed resting in the grass for a long time, enamored at the fact that someone was swimming laps in the river. Yikes. That's bravery.

City Garden.

I had to halt our bike ride once again when I came upon this fantastic little garden in the middle of Riverside Park.

The Garden Peoples' Garden is a mesmerizing little treasure trove, perfectly manicured and stocked with giddy, mismatched plants. It was such a lovely way to spend the first day of the month, biking around our new town and sensing that the joy would only increase with the coming months. I realized that September was back again, ushering in her charms of fall. I am so ready for you, September. Let's have a whirlwind month, shall we?