That One Time I Went To NYC By Myself.

It's a curious thing traveling alone, and it has been a very long time since I have done so.  Work trips haven't exactly been on the agenda when my main focus has been mothering.  When the opportunity arose to travel to NYC I was both excited and terrified.

The terrified comes from leaving my family, the success to even think about doing such a thing has come from a lot of therapy sessions, talking through the rational fears, yes they are real but NO they don't get to decide.  I secretly hoped that the opportunity would fizzle itself out, so I wouldn't have to make the decision.

Also an interesting point, my first trip to NYC, post college graduation, albeit cherished moments with my besties, was also riddled with anxiety having lost my mom only months before.

So to embrace this trip from both a professional and personal side held so much richness for my soul, there were many moments that brought me to tears and made me giggle delightfully.  Wearing my emotions on my sleeve is not a surprise, but the empowerment I realized in myself was.

Also to be noted, I'm not far off from conversations with myself.

It was also fascinating to pay attention to what was all around me, people and places, because I was solo - no kids to keep an eye on, no one to carry on a conversation with - again, except myself - yikes.  I took this opportunity to make eye contact and use words.  I complimented when something caught my eye.  I thought it would be a fun challenge, you know that whole New Yorker thing, but honestly no good grit there, everyone was very nice.  It could have been that I happened upon the city on a near 80 degree day after a very frigid winter and nearly non-existent spring - the cheer was in the air.

It was so good, everywhere.  SO many sweet moments.  Could be that I don't get out much, or maybe my perspective has matured.  I relished it all.  Landing my first moment in the city at Bird and Branch coffee, just in the nick of time before I curled up on the street to sleep, their homemade almond macadamia nut milk was the elixir I needed.  Red eyes are killer.  Kill-ER.  The buzzing tourism and blinding GIANT billboards of Time Square.  Meeting with hair professionals, because I am also an expert.  Treasure trove aisles of trims in Mood Fabric and the garment district.  Sitting alone for jazz and French 75's at the Refinery Hotel.  Falling hard for the streets of Soho.  Shoe shopping.  Looking up, at the sky, at the romantic fire escapes, the stone buildings.  Getting to see behind the scene happenings of a favorite curl brand.  Strolling along the High Line, an elevated urban greenway park created on top of a former railroad track.  Too cool.  Reveling the ballet at Lincoln Center, then bubbly and good conversation with cousins perched at a bar overlooking the busy night streets.  Subway smells and crowds.  The different shoes on the subway.  Fascinating.  Navigating Penn Street Station, losing all my "like a local" energy, holding back tears and finding the most helpful janitor in shining armor to briefly guide my way.  Walking out of the subway tunnel to be surprised by a clear view of the Empire State building.  Classic New York pizza.  Some of the best ice cream I have ever eaten.  No for real.  I had tears that it would not be an experience I could have back in Seattle.  Seed and Mill, note it.   The real fear I felt as a fire alarm went off, but also the tools to bring myself back.  Feeling light as air in a new silk dress.

48 hours and done.

So these photos are a great part of my trip's story.  I was walking in Soho and saw someone taking photos of the graffiti wall across the street, that I was also admiring.  Figuring he had a good eye, and I can take all the help I can get, I decided to ask the man if we would mind taking a picture of me in front of it, and hopefully not cut off my shoes.  He remarked that he was going to ask me the same question, he happened to be street style photographer for Shei Magazine and liked my style that day.

I was both flattered and honored.  And so a brief conversation was had and these pictures were taken.  Evan's dream is to be a photographer for National Geographic, today he happened to be hunting fashion on the streets in Soho, I couldn't agree more.

This was my true street style on day #2.

skirtall - Numph DK c/o.  

shirt - Traffic People, Queen Anne Dispatch (they'll ship!)

hat - Brixton, Anthro

shoes - Halogen, Nordstrom

bag - Hobo c/o

earrings - Lucia K. Jewelry

I got to go to NYC for my curls, right?  I know.  But honestly I still can't quite believe it.  And the company is not releasing info on their endeavor yet so I can say no more except that I got to interact with other cool curlies and we talked a lot of curl talk.  A lot.

New York's energy is amazing.  I'm exhausted and my feet blistered.  You can see more in my instastories.

Happy to be home.

best,
Kirsty

Outfit photos by Evan.