A Day in NYC - and Some Thoughts!

I recently started reading a book called My Own Magic (which I’ll dive into in another post), and it has inspired me to step out of my comfort zone, wander more, and write more. Sometimes, I catch myself forgetting that the life I’m living now was once just a dream. What has become routine or familiar is, in reality, still a treasure.

On that note, my boyfriend and I headed to New Jersey this weekend. It’s a trip we’ve made a few times, and I always cherish the peace and quiet of the suburbs, along with the joy of spending quality family time. Plus, there’s an added perk—we always manage to squeeze in a day to visit New York.

We tend to play it by ear every time, and luckily, it always works out—you really can’t go wrong with New York. We somehow manage to revisit spots we love while also exploring new recommendations. Experiencing the city in different seasons has been such a joy; so far, we’ve been there in June, August, October, and November.

On this last trip, we started at Rockefeller Center, a landmark we’ve both visited before and one I was eager to see again. Unfortunately, it was closed for renovations (a recurring theme in my recent travels), but the holiday spirit was already in full swing. People were skating on the rink, Christmas music filled the air, and the lights were already twinkling—it was truly heartwarming. We also took a moment to admire St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which never fails to amaze.

Since it was chilly, we needed a coffee fix and found it at Inès Carnegie Hall. The store was packed, but it still managed to feel cozy and intimate. We tried the cappuccino and the strawberry latte, both of which were delicious.

With our drinks in hand, we headed to Central Park, which was as stunning as ever, framed by vibrant fall foliage. The sunny weather had everyone out, creating the perfect atmosphere to sit on the rocks, soak in the view, and enjoy some good old-fashioned people-watching.

We took the subway to the Lower East Side for lunch at Mono Mono, and it did not disappoint. This Korean restaurant boasts the coolest ambiance—dim lighting, vinyl records suspended from the ceiling, tall orchid arrangements, jars adorning the walls like potions, and, best of all, the opportunity to dine inside a frame surrounded by a vintage vinyl collection. The atmosphere alone had me hooked.

But the food? It sealed the deal and made Mono Mono one of our favorite spots in New York so far. We enjoyed a white peach Bellini, the blueberry and mango soju cocktail, Korean beef tartare, and Bulgogi kimchi fried rice. Every single dish was a 10/10, and I’m already planning a return visit to explore more of the menu.

We wandered around the area, starting with a stop at Via della Scrofa, an Italian market where my boyfriend picked up an espresso and some bombolonis. Next, I tried—unsuccessfully—to find wall art for my apartment at Pageant Print Shop. From there, we headed to Soho in search of an afternoon pick-me-up. While I was initially charmed by PlantShed, it was packed, so we ended up at the Sant Ambroeus Gelateria in the West Village—a spot that had been on my list for ages. And honestly, I wasn’t mad about it. I savored my coffee slowly as we strolled through the neighborhood, soaking in its charm.

For our last feat, we rented bikes and drove right next to the water, riding through Battery Park, Little Island, and many of the Piers.

We went home early, but with a full heart. We shall be back in less than two weeks, and I am excited to keep sharing iterations of how to spend short days in NY!