PICTURED: SOUTHWEST AIRLINES|JEFFREY|SCHMACKERY'S|TIMES SQUARE
Today I am headed to the city of infinite possibilities, New York City. I am currently flying 39,000 feet in the sky; I literally feel as if I’m on cloud nine. New York City captured my heart from the early age of ten. As I sit staring out the window of the plane I can’t help but reflect on my first time experiencing the Big Apple. Just imagine a little, small town girl with dreams as big as the sky peering at the skyscrapers with their infinte structures growing into the clouds. Walking through the crowds of people was like wading through water, people flowing in and out down the sidewalks and across the streets. Everybody was racing to the next destination, but they did so with such grace, almost as if dancing around each other. The streets were lined with endless stores, restaurants, and street performers. The city had limitless possibilities and I loved it! We are getting closer to NYC now and my excitement and anticipation are about to explode!
Once arriving to New York City it was the same sensation all over again. I felt like my ten-year-old self staring up at the buildings that stretched so far into the sky I couldn’t see their tops. The streets were bustling with excitement! After settling into my home (a few square feet on the third floor, but a vast world out my window) for the next week we headed out to STORY near Chelsea Markets to begin our city adventure. I also had the privilege to visit Jeffrey, a high-end store in Chelsea Markets. Jeffrey, in New York, is one of only two in the world. As I walked through the doors into the store I was immediately enthralled with never-ending racks and shelving with designers like Dior, Chanel, Valentino, Gucci, Prada, Marc Jacobs…and the list goes on and on. I felt like I was in a dream, imagining that I was a New York fashionista with a bottomless bank account (contrary to my college budget). As I walked towards the back of the store my eyes fixed on a dreamy top, covered from top to bottom in feathers, and finished off with delicate hand stitching. I held it like I had just been awarded a Grammy, inspecting its perfection from top to bottom. Contrary to what most of us Southerners sadly believe, the store assistants were extremely kind and helpful (much like the rest of the city’s locals).
The latter half of our busy day I spent enjoying giant, juicy burgers in Chelsea Market, and from there I hunted down the famous Schmackery’s. It was just the thing I needed to satisfy my crazy sweet tooth. Upon entering the small bakery you were overcome by the smell of fresh baked cookies. They had an assortment of cookies ranging from s’mores to blueberry cobbler. The cookies were warm with chocolate that melted in your mouth. After indulging in the best cookies I’ve ever eaten, I took a stroll through Times Square. Even though it was nearing midnight, the city was still humming with horns honking, and awestruck tourists. The lights of Times Square lit up the sky as if it were still daytime. I was in a daze, taking in the entire city and all it had to offer. I headed back to my room, still in a food coma, from the day’s food excursions and excited for tomorrow's adventures.
Check out the links below for more information on the places I visited, and my favorite airline service.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY EMILY JAMES AND NATALIE CHILDRESS
Links: Schmackery's, Jeffrey, Southwest