NYC! with friends and fun
For the first time in more than 30 years, I got to visit New York City, thanks to the Northern Star Quilt Guild and my friend Deirdre Abbotts! On Tuesday of last week I gave my Journal Quilts and Journaling for Quilters lecture to the Northern Star Quilt guild in Somers, NY. Thanks so much to one and all for inviting me down–I hope I get to return to teach! When the engagement was booked, Deirdre suggested I plan on staying with her and she’d take a day off work and we’d go to the City and play–So we DID! FUN!
The week before heading down, I found and fell in love with Gudrun Sjoden’s clothing, website here, and discovered they have just ONE store in the US: in New York! So we went, and I indulged. No pics of the clothing, and I forgot to take pics of the inside of the store other than this one, but I can tell you I could have dropped four figures on clothing in there with no difficulty. Fortunately, I restrained myself (a bit). And I figured out what sizes I take in her clothes, so now I can order online. <Beam>
Deirdre lives about an hour’s commuter train ride from NYC, so after a brief stop we headed in to the city armed with our fare cards for use on the train and subway. Because we got there in the late morning, we shopped a bit, went to Purl Soho, walked around Soho a bit (which seems a lot more skyscraper-ish and less Bohemian than I remember from 30 years ago) and went clothes shopping (where Deirdre got the deal of the week on the sale rack). We then had a late lunch at Le Pain Quotidien at the recommendation of the shop clerk. SCORE! Seriously, some of the best tasting food I’ve had in years. A simple open-faced sandwich, but every component was succulent and savory:
Deirdre had noticed that Luana was in town, so we texted back and forth hoping to meet up for a drink or something after Luana’s business meetings and play (Denzel Washington in A Raisin in the Sun). Luana thought they’d be out at 3:30, so Deirdre and I decided to subway up to the theatre (near Times Square–what a zoo), but turns out that was intermission time. So we just HAD to go to City Quilter while Luana watched the second half before meeting her for wine and appetizers at her hotel, near Grand Central. I brought home a couple of their custom prints…fun!
I’ve got a couple more posts with buildings and inspiration! Stay tuned–here’s a sneak peek:
May 28th, 2014 at 11:20 am
Sarah…I am so glad you found my favorite, I should say FAVORITE women’s clothing designer and manufacturer….I began wearing her clothes back in my years of working on the reservation. Also, see if you can take a look at Flax….their styles and colors work well with Gudrun…The comfort of natural fibers and the ease of the designs for moving about make them my choice, always. How great to give a lecture and then explore and play in the CITY with friends…loved reading your travel report…
May 28th, 2014 at 2:29 pm
hey, with been the same day in NYC even in the same stores 😉
May 30th, 2014 at 7:08 am
You know that Gudrun is Swedish, don’t ya? her cothes are gorgeous, but sadly not at all my style. Sounds like you hade a wonderful tim in NY. Hugs!