Hi friends!
Hope everyone had a happy weekend! Ours was filled with too much rain. Bleh. In other news, I am making progress on my 30 before 30 list – you guys are keeping me accountable and I love it! Here are a few updates…
1.) Find the most perfect little black dress. And purchase it.
2.) Donate my hair to locks of love. Completed on 12/6/11 – proof here
3.) Perfect one killer cocktail.
4.) Compete in the decathlon.
5.) Break my athletic club’s decathlon push-up record.
6.) Learn how to make my parent’s delicious eggs benedict.
7.) Give cold hard cash to a charity of my choice.
8.) Take a cooking class. Completed on 12/17/11 – proof here
9.) Play one round of golf with my Dad and brother. I hear they are quite good.
10.) Create and order our wedding album.
11.) Visit Kyle’s grandparent’s historic bar in Crawfordsville, Oregon.
12.) Get a spray tan (must succumb to this – I live in Oregon!). Completed on 12/1/11
13.) Take my niece and nephew on a special “Auntie Outing”.
14.) Pamper myself – get a facial and a massage in the SAME day. Imagine that.
15.) Surprise Kyle with something.
16.) Visit New York for the first time. UPDATE: Trip booked! Need NY hotel ideas STAT.
17.) Begin the search for our next home.
18.) Buy a luxurious set of sheets. No more sets from Target.
19.) Legitimately learn PhotoShop. UPDATE: Begin my 8 week class TOMORROW at Pacific Northwest College of Art! Hello homework.
20.) Take a hard look at our finances/retirement accounts.
21.) Take a sewing class. UPDATE: Learn to sew a zippered pouch class scheduled at Modern Domestic for Feb. 13th – anyone want to join me:)?
22.) Officially launch my design services on Restored Style. UPDATE: In the works…
23.) Try bikram yoga.
24.) Think (NOT try!) about adding a wee one to our very content family of two.
25.) Read the stack of books on my bed side table. All of them.
26.) Pay it forward to a stranger.
27.) Buy the camera lens I’ve been coveting.
28.) Save ALL my photos to my external hard drive. No more memory mishaps.
29.) Open a cherished bottle of wine from the wine collection my Grandfather gifted me many years ago.
30.) Have a birthday party to celebrate turning 30! UPDATE: Looking at small Portland venues/restaurants (I know it’s early, but this girl loves to plan a party) – any ideas for me?!?
As you can tell, I need a few tips from my lovely readers! Where should we stay in New York? Any hotel ideas for us? What are the must-visit restaurants in the city? There’s an endless amount it seems, so bring on the suggestions. And fellow Portlanders…any thoughts on a perfect party place for my birthday? Kyle says I am not allowed to talk about my party until “at least August” so let’s keep this conversation between you and me…
Cheers to a great week!
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January 23rd, 2012 on 8:36 am
We had my baby shower at Veritable Quandry. It’s a great space (2 options for small, private dining), with tasty food and cocktails. Good luck with your list! 30 isn’t so bad, I promise.
January 23rd, 2012 on 9:21 am
Hi Allie! I LOVE that idea – such a great spot! Thank you!
January 23rd, 2012 on 10:46 am
You will LOVE NYC. It’s magical. And go to the Brooklyn Flea Market! Which means, pack an extra suitcase so your treasures will fit! And party ideas… catered at someone else’s house
Pazzo’s has a nice wine room/ cellar in the basement.
January 23rd, 2012 on 2:42 pm
Saw this and thought of you: http://firehousepdx.com/parties.html
January 23rd, 2012 on 4:46 pm
I think Allie’s suggestion of VQ sounds great! What month is your bday- the patio space at VQ looks so nice, especially at night with the twinkly lights. I will keep thinking of other good locations. Great work with your list!
January 23rd, 2012 on 6:13 pm
Disclaimer: I haven’t actually stayed here. BUT, if you’re looking into NYC hotels and finding them a bit too pricey, the Desmond Tutu Center in Chelsea might be an alternative to at least look into: http://www.acc-tutuconferencecenter.com/accommodations.cfm …and if you end up staying there, let me know how you like it!
January 24th, 2012 on 7:19 am
Ace Hotel on 29th St.
January 24th, 2012 on 7:38 am
If you’ve never been to NYC you should probably stay in Manhattan… for splurge hotels you can’t beat the Soho Grand (it’s pricey, though), and for location the W on Union Square will keep your cab rides to a minimum (a major subway junction is steps outside the front door so a quick trip in Williamsburg, Brooklyn – go to egg or five leaves in Greenpoint for breakfast!). Also, ABC Home & Carpet is around the corner from the W, so that’s a convenient spot if you’re shopping and need to drop off your stuff before heading out to see/do other stuff. And, I know it’s touristy, but you must, MUST go to the top of the Empire State Building. On a clear day you can see the entire city stretched out before you. Even hardened New Yorkers appreciate the view (though it is windy up there!). And, if you can get a reservation at Mario Batali’s restaurant Lupa it’s amazing (he’s not famous for no reason). Essa Bagel makes a wonderful bagel and they have two locations in Manhattan. And, you must, even if it’s wintertime, go to the High Line park on the west side. An old, elevated railway has been repurposed into a lovely meandering park with amazing design details and a spectacular way to see some architecture, as well as views of the Hudson. Enjoy your trip! I predict you will come back smitten. xoxo
January 25th, 2012 on 7:19 am
I second the Ace Hotel – they’ve got Stumptown Coffee in the lobby, you’ll love it! Another great location, but probably pricey, is the Blue Moon Hotel in the Lower East Side. I agree with the commenter above who recommended ABC Carpet & Home – also check out Fishes Eddy across the street for whimsical kitchen ware made in the USA. The Empire State Bldg is a must on a clear day. One of my favorite museums, and sure to impress somebody who loves home design, is the Tenement Museum in the Lower East Side. Definitely take one of their guided tours and visit the gift shop. And go to Brooklyn! The Brooklyn Flea is awesome, as is Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Park, and the Brookyln Botanic Garden. Have an incridble visit!
February 4th, 2012 on 7:08 pm
You’ll love New York! It’s such a great great city with so much energy. I actually have a hotel recommendation from a friend and I’ll have to look up the name because I don’t remember. Depending upon how long you’re going for will help you determine your itinerary. Some great spots: the Met, MoMA, shopping in Soho, Chelsea Market. If you’re into historical stuff then the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are really awesome to visit. You’ll have a blast – enjoy!
February 4th, 2012 on 7:09 pm
I forgot to mention that we have a lot in common – I also want to take a Photoshop course as well as a sewing course and I’m also in the process of setting up design services. Looking forward to your updates!
February 6th, 2012 on 4:07 pm
I just stayed at an uber cool hotel in NYC called Sanctuary and they had reasonable rates. It is right off of Times Square which some people don’t like but if it’s your first time, it’s nice to be near everything. Have fun!!
March 12th, 2012 on 8:36 pm
Kir! I was just perusing your lovely blog and saw this post, and your plan to visit NYC! Tim and I stayed in a fantastic hotel on what I thought was his birthday weekend-turned-engagement-weekend.
It’s called Hotel Z (http://zhotelny.com/) and it’s located in Long Island City just across the river from Manhattan. GORGEOUS view of Manhattan from every room (it looks exactly like the first photo on the website) and the hotel provides a free (albeit very funky) shuttle in and out of the city every 30 minutes from 7am-11pm. I think we got a pretty good deal from hotels.com but I’m fairly certain it’s more affordable than many hotels in Manhattan. ANYWAY, wherever you stay you’re bound to have an unforgettable time. I also recommend PUBLIC (http://public-nyc.com/) for a nice dinner, visiting the Chelsea Market, exploring Eataly, and of course Top of the Rock among all the other must-see’s in NYC! Have a BLAST!
March 12th, 2012 on 10:32 pm
Awww, thanks for all the great tips, Bri! Love! We can’t wait! XOXO
March 14th, 2012 on 10:26 am
cuddledown.com has the BEST bed sheets (although expensive).