Love the Greys

I'm very excited to say that I think Jim and I may make a trip to New York after all! He's decided to accept a job that means he won't start back at work for another month, so it seems silly not to spend a few days away together. It's the first time in nine years that we have the time or the money so whilst it kind of makes me balk to think of spending so much money on just a few days away, I also think it would be a waste not to take advantage.
So we need lots of advice on where to go. Jim's been twice before, many years ago, but I've never been. So it's all pretty new to us. I, of course want to go Purl  but other than that I'm not sure. We also don't know where to stay on a reasonably tight budget. So any suggestions would be appreciated. We're planning on going in a couple of weeks hopefully.
Of course that all depends heavily on whether or not I can overcome my completely and utterly justifiable (don't try and tell me otherwise) intense fear of flying!

I finished an order of Pear cushions for the very lovely Karen at Blueberry Park yesterday and just had to make an extra gray Pear cushion to keep for myself (and then had to make an extra to put in the shop - because I never know when to stop!).
As much as I love yellow at the moment, I have to say that grey is actually my real favourite colour these days. It is the perfect colour. It looks wonderful with red and with yellow. But also with almost any shade of blue. I love the fact that it is so muted and yet has such depth. Placed beside a cold blue it looks completely different than when it's place beside a mossy green.
I love it so. And of course I love it so when used with linen.

I think this may be my favourite combination so far. I like it even more than the red Pears.

And just to continue with my love, I used grey bias on the back this time. I don't know why, but I really have a thing for grey bias binding and grey ricrac! Possibly I need to get out more!

The Pear cushion is in the  Shop.

(just a quick aside to say Hello! to my favourite Grey's of all time!)

Comments

[capello]

okay!

yes, you have to go to purl. absolutely. if you like to eat (ha, that's funny: if) you should go to the chelsea market. oh! and if you get the chance to take in a show, you should try to see "spring awakening". all the music is written by duncan sheik (omg, how i love him so) and it's suppose to be the "new rent".

and, um, no. i've never been to nyc. damn it.

[meg]

ME TOO ME TOO! Lately I this thing about gray, and wouldn't you know that I only have two small pieces left on hand? Doesn't that constitute some sort of shopping emergency?

NYC - how fun! Never been, sorry to say, but I've heard wonderful things. And as for the flying? You'd laugh if you heard what keeps me close to home, but I will say that I sucked it up and took a trip to Hawaii (8 hour flight!) a couple of years ago and it was well worth it. You can do it!

[Mama Urchin]

I have no advice to offer about new york except that you should definitely go and have a wonderful time.

[Mirre]

I would love to go to new York someday! Please go and take LOTS of photos!!

[hazel saxelby]

well lucky you! me and rich went 3 & a half years ago and it was amazing. couldn't for the life of me tell you places we visited, but we had the best day walking, i say WALKING, from central park (had been to the zoo - which is such a wierd thing sea lions and skyscrapers) 60 blocks down to battery park. then we went right the way across the brooklyn bridge and back. someone told me this is 6 miles total, though i'm not sure. take comfortable shoes, it is such a waste to get in a taxi.
ps. if you do the empire state, go late afternoon, so you can see the view as the sun goes down. oh and the ferry's a good idea (if only for a rest after the walk!)

[Rebecca]

Go, go, go - you will have an ball, and hey you deserve it!

[Rebekah]

well, I don't have any shopping advice for you, but I just had the brilliant idea that you should bring items to ship to your US customers with you to NY and mail at a US post office to save on shipping costs.

anyways...I am loving all of your stuff and have just recently discovered the joys of linens and prints myself.

Rebekah

[Lilbird]

New York, Neeeeeewwwww Yooooooorrrrrk!

We live in Boston and go all the time. It's actually much less expensive for what you get, especially food. Boston is the pits for food. :( And plus, New Yorkers are much friendlier than Bostonians.
First, pick up this book. They are new and perfect (at least the Boston one is):
http://www.amazon.com/eat-shop-nyc-Indispensable-Inspired-Shopping-Establishments/dp/0978958837/ref=sr_1_5/104-0471588-4883933?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177108121&sr=1-5

Purl? Yes.
Hotel? Hampton Inn Times Square is a steal-
http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml?moreDesc=true&ctyhocn=NYCMTHX
I know it's a chain, but it's inexpensive, the rooms are new and clean and the breakfast spread is really good. Plus, free internet.
I also recommend this place for pastries:
Magnolia
http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/7117258/

This is just off the top of my head. I will noddle it and think of more in an email.

Have fun! New York is great.

[Sharon]

I used to live in NY (now Boston) ... you might like the store Tender Buttons
Tender Buttons
Rated 4.4 out of 5.0 19 reviews
143 E 62nd St
New York, NY 10021
(212) 758-7004

Also there is a crafts museum (which has been renamed ... to something considered to be more hip, I'm sure you can find it online) I usually really enjoy the exhibits at the Cooper Hewitt ... it is a small manageable museum (I tend to burn out quickly at the big ones). One of my favorite (not fancy) eating experiences is to have the spinach pie/greek salad combo at one of the many greek owned coffee shops in the city. If you are a "foodie" and or if the weather is nice enough that you want to picnic (in Central park for example) you could stop at Zabars on the Upper West side. If you are willing to take your chances (availability wise) you can get half price tickets to many shows "day of".

[Di]

Go - New York is fab!! I would go to MOMA - it is my favourite gallery of all time and it's been extended since I was there last. You could take a semi circle cruise round Manhattan which is a great way to spend a couple of hours seeing the city, getting some interesting stories and going close to the Statue of Liberty - all of course for free you could take the Staten Island Ferry. I enjoyed walking over the Brooklyn Bridge and going to the top of the Empire State Building. Anthropologie (I think it's on Broadway in Soho) is a fabulous shop that you would love - great inspiration. Arturo's Pizza in SoHo or tribeca (can't remember exactly where) is also great. if you are into paper products - Kate's Paperie is worth a visit. How about Habu or School Products (sorry I don't know all the websites but I am sure Google will help). One Sunday afternoon we hired bikes and went cycling round Central Park which is car free on a Sunday - that was a lot of fun - made us feel a little like real New Yorkers. Make sure you get a take out lunch from one of the little corner delis - fabulous Chinese/Korean food at great prices. Check out farmers markets or craft markets online as they are often worth a visit! And if all else fails - just walk around and around and soak up the atmosphere - it's an exciting, vibrant place to be!

[Di]

Oops = that all of course for free - is supposed to say "or" of course for free!

[Thimbleanna]

What great fun. Jane at Yarnstorm has a wonderful writeup about NYC in her archives. Of course I can't remember which month it was, but I'm sure she'd tell you if you e-mailed her. I'm planning a first trip in the fall and Purl, Tinsel Trading, and Tender Buttons are just a few of the places at the top of my list. Hope you have a good time!

[Abby]

If you want to see a broadway show, go to the boxoffice at 6:30 and put your name in the hat. An hour before the show they draw names until they have given away around 20 tickets for like $25 a piece which is much better than $125. I saw the Drowsy Chaperone in Jan. and it was awesome. I have some other tips if you would like. My husband and I are grad students so we know what a tight budget is like.

[Caitlin]

Oh, who doesn't love NY? (No Bella?)

I second Chelsea Market!
Obviously, find yourself a little pizzaria, and grab a slice (or a pie). And a bagel in the morning.

Take a stroll through Washington Sq. Park.
Little things like that are so worthwhile.

Have fun, how exciting!

[Jessica]

If you like Middle Eastern food at all (falafel, hummus, etc.) stop by Olive Tree Cafe at 117 MacDougal Street and West 3rd Street. It is a cozy little place with fun chalkboard tables and pretty inexpensive as well.

If you are going to go to Purl you should also stop by The Point which has two of my favorite things coffe and yarn! It is also with in walking distance. Their website is http://www.thepointnyc.com/

I have heard that "Top of the Rock" has great views (in the building next to Rockefeller Center)...possibly even better than the Empire State Building but I can't say for sure since I haven't been there myself.

Chinatown and Little Italy are worth a walk through...and they are right near each other.

A good place to look for events and restaurants is www.newyork.citysearch.com.

After living in NYC for almost 10 years it is hard to come up with just a few things to do! Feel free to contact me if you want more info. I am glad to share what I can.

[Kristy]

New York are you kidding me????
Just need some of that dutch courage we always speak about + flying will be a doddle!

[Cara]

New York: I would definitely recommend the Used Books Cafe (http://www.housingworks.org/usedbookcafe/index.html) at 126 Crosby if you're around SoHo - it's run by a charity so is very right-on and has a great selection of books and food.

Also the costume collection at the Met is lovely as is their oriental collection - they have a full scale garden inside which is a great place to relax.

The Candle Cafe and Angelica's Kitchen do lovely veggie food.

I totally second the comments about just walking around - it's the best way to see the city by far.

Also I've not stayed at either of these but I stumbled across them in a book and they look nice and affordable: http://www.incentravillage.com/index.html and http://www.countryinnthecity.com/ (I love the design of this place!).

Hope you guys have a wonderful time - I look forward to reading all about it so I can get a vicarious NY trip!

Cara (lurking reader and lover of NYC!)

[Caroline]

Definitely Purl and Tender Buttons would be on my list and I would see if I could get myself on one of Liesl (http://disdressed.blogspot.com) walking tours of the garment district. Failing that I'd email her and see what she would recommend. Oh, I'm so excited for you - wish I were going. Have fun planning all the places to go and purchases to be made especially as the pound is so strong.

[Tracy]

No advice on NY as i have never been. But just a note to say i agree on the love of grey xx
I have always loved and used it in my home - hey i have two grey dogs and am about to have a grey house..... it must be the height of good taste if all the folk on here love it!!

[Karola]

I've been to NYC just around christmas and first visited PURL, which was great!!! Sullivan Street is worth a longer visit (nice restaurants too!). IMHO you can leave out THE CITY QUILTER.

I printed out Paula Nadelsterns NYC Garment district guide and followed it as far as I could (http://www.paulanadelstern.com/fabric/guides/index.html) and didn't regret it at all!! M&J TRIMMINGS and SO GOOD (!!) are my favorites.

Also helpful is what Pam Rubert writes about NYC and the garment district:
http://pamdora.com/blog/2005/02/

Have FUN!!!

Karola from Germany

[Linda Thompson]

Everyone I know does the Hampton Inn on Time Square!! The best deal and real nice!
And I heard you gotta have Roxie's Cheesecake!
Good for you & Hubby!!

[kim in Camas - ScrapToMyLu]

Manda, I have enjoyed your blog for awhile now. You are my featured blogger on http://todayscreativeblog.blogspot.com

I hope you don't mind.
Please tell your readers!

[StowmarKate]

For eating at a real American diner: Comfort Diner (on 23rd street btw 5th and 6th or 45th st btw 2nd and 3rd)

AND you have to take the Staten Island Ferry - get on and stay at the back (by the ramps)...you'll get an amazing, free view of Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. Get right off the ferry in SI and RIGHT BACK ON...it's not worth exploring the island.

The other thing you have to do is the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Central Park. Enjoy!!

I lived in NYC for 2 years and now I live in the UK...if you have questions or want more suggestions just let me know!

[mom]

just noticed, grey should be gray when mentioning the Grays. xx

[Grainne]

I remember enjoying South Street Seaport when I was in NY - 20 years ago! I think you can get the Staten Island ferry form there. Walking around Greenwich Village was fun too.

If you can't get in at the hotel on Times Square check out biddingfortravel.com. It is a great site that gives you tips on how to get the best deals with priceline.com.

You will have the best time in NY. I know you will love it. Wish I could come too!