September 3rd, 2013
That time New York kissed me on the mouth
Two weeks ago I made good on an irresistible invitation from one of my favourite people.
Bridget: “You know that 1920’s themed party I went to last summer that was amazing? The friend I went with can’t make it this year. I know you’re busy and probably can’t come, but would you like to go? It’s in New York in August.”
Sometimes saying yes is so easy.
Bridget and I found each other through blogging and became fast friends. We’ve skyped on a regular basis since then… but somehow I’ve known Bridget for six years, but we’ve never met in person. This has always seemed ridiculous to both of us, but we’ve struggled to find a time to get together that works for both of us.
Two weekends ago we got together for a weekend in New York, and a trip to the Jazz Age Party on Governor’s Island. This is how the trip looked through my eyes:
Even busking is bigger in New York! A grand piano in Washington Square Park.
Walking the Brooklyn Bridge.
Doughnuts at Doughnut Plant on the Lower East Side, where young monks giggled uncontrollably at our 1920’s costumes.
On the ferry ride to The Jazz Age party. We got to see the Statue of Liberty from a boat, surrounded by people in 1920’s dress & talked with the people around us about where our families were from and when they came to the new world. The day was already magical.
The real pros came with picnics. Next year!
Bridget & I as the crowd grew. We had a spot right by the dance floor.
Elaborate, themed picnic tables appeared as people set up their spaces on the grass. This was an explorer’s picnic, surrounded by butterflies and science props… and a frame with the attendee’s twitter handles and hashtags for the day.
You could take photos with antique cars, bags of money and tommy guns.
The man behind the magical day- Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra
With Mike Harr, phonograph DJ & a far too charming dance partner for a first timer like me
Watching the dance floor
He photographed me while I was dancing, life moment!!
Apparently the party has to end sometime.
I really do.
Highlights:
- Meeting Bridget and finally being able to hug her after six years of friendship!
- Meeting blogging & twitter friend, Allison, who toured me through the city on my first night in. We talked about being Star Trek fan girls, being at an age where you can start a family (surreal!) and had a real Friday night out together. I felt so freaking fancy.
- Our AirBnB apartment had rooftop access, so Bridget & I found fresh macaroons and wine, and spent hours catching up as the sun set on the city.
- People with beautiful tattoos waved and smiled at me wherever I went. This seems to happen everywhere, but I love every time community trumps cool.
- I ate an authentic bagel, then fresh artisan doughnuts, while in my 1980’s does 1920s costume for the party. The only thing I didn’t find time for was a slice of pizza. Guess I’ll have to go back!
- I danced until my feet hurt, complemented people’s costumes like I was being paid for it, and couldn’t stop grinning.
- A casting scout for Boardwalk Empire & a new Clive Owen movie approached Bridget & I to work as extras for them. I wish I lived in that city to take advantage of it!
The Jazz Age lawn party was incredible, and the energy was hard to describe. The best I can come up with is that it’s a costumed summer camp for history/vintage/art geeks. There was no attitude, just people spontaneously jumping into conversation with everyone around them. And dancing, lots of dancing.
That whole day it seemed like everyone I made eye contact with brightened, like they were saying “We’re all really here! Can you believe how wonderful it is?”
The weekend bowled me over again and again, and I can’t help but feeling a tremendous sense of love and gratitude for it. I feel like I packed in two weeks of good experiences into two days, and had a strong reminder that when the timing’s right, the world can deliver some seriously magical stuff. I’m trying to bring more of that energy, excitement and willingness to connect with the people around me into my daily life.
I mean, we’re all here, after all. And sometimes when we pay attention it’s hard to believe how wonderful it really is.
This party looked so amazing!!!! Your photos and words made me excited just seeing them on my screen – It sounds like it was such an incredible and magical experience for you. :) PS Your costume was beyond adorable – Loved your hat so much! Just perfect!
I love this post so much!! I have always wanted to visit New York and your pictures make it seem so magical. Maybe I’ll have to find a reason soon!!
Thanks Laura! I wish I was a better photographer and could have captured more of it, but I’m glad some of the magic translated. Definitely worth finding an excuse to make the trip!
This just looks INCREDIBLE! So amazing and fun and so many awesome costumes. I keep hearing about these 1920’s parties and I just want to go to one myself!
And now I just want to go to New York. Sigh. :)
It was really astonishing, Stephany. I think with any of these niche things, it’s the community that can just bowl you over. I wish that I had people as into this kind of geekery in my city, but until then we can both imagine… or just meet up next year :)
This is so great! Love it. You’re making me miss New York.
It’s so hard not to miss New York, just in general isn’t it? Although I have to say, after being in Washington DC this year the difference in cleanliness completely caught me off guard, and I’ve been to NYC before!
I can only imagine the pictures you must have caught. Did you blog them? I’ve love the link.
I have been so obsessed with The Great Gatsby this year it makes me want to go to this party badly. Does Winnipeg do Diner en blanc? It seems like it would be such a hit here and I have always wanted to participate in it.
No, I’ve never heard of that, but it looks gorgeous! I wonder how we could make that happen… :)
Kyla, I have to admit that you’re nothing like I imagined. You’re BETTER! Hahaha! I’m so happy that I got to hang out with you and I’m so glad that we both got to try new things — you with frozen yogurt and me with vegan food! :)
Ha! You’re such a sweetheart Allison. Same to you! It was so wonderful to connect and have an amazing night out in New York together- definitely not something I’m going to forget :)
This looks like such an amazing time! If I can’t live in the 1920’s, this has got to be the next best (magical!) thing :D
It absolutely is a close second, Kristin! There are a number of people who went who live as if it’s the 1920’s, from custom suits to the music they listen to and going to speakeasy’s. Apparently if you live in a big enough city, you can be as niche as you like! I can’t help but love that.
Oh, goodness. This looks like so much fun, & you are so adorable. What a great trip!
Thanks for saying hi, Kate! I’m sorry that we didn’t get to meet up, but next time we’re in the same place it’s a must!
OK first and foremost, you could not look more adorable in that hat.
That party looks incredible! I’m glad that NYC treated you so well. Come back soon and I’ll take you for a drink and a slice of pizza.
Thanks so much, Alli, I would love that! I definitely need more than 48 hours in that city next time around.
I’m so glad we were able to meet up, and do it in such a stylish and fun way! And given our first time meeting was so amazing, well, I can’t wait to see what the second time has in store! :)
And really, I think from the monks giggling to the little boys in suspenders, the Jazz Age Party was simply perfect.
Completely agreed! The kids in the sailor suits… I just can’t even :)
Thank you so much for the invitation, highlight of my summer!
You found the perfect hat–it’s adorable! Thanks for sharing your experiences. It sounds amazing. I especially love the pic of the busker.
This summer has taught me that my tendency to work like crazy and then rest like crazy should be embraced and worked with…an important lesson to learn.
<3
Ooh, fabulous lesson, Holli! I’ve been learning that too- and trying to stack my schedule so I put in most of my effort when I’m high energy and driven to share, so I can hermit when I need to recharge. I hope it’s working out well for you, I’d love to hear how you’re working with it!
Yes! Love that you had such a great experience! It makes me want to go live in The Great Gatsby for awhile!
Same here! I’ve been listening to 1920’s music and feeling a little homesick for that weekend already. I think it’s a must for next year. You would have died over the little kids in costume, there were lots of boys in suspenders and gorgeous sailor outfits complete with hats. I mastered the art of the gasp & squeal lol
Aaahhhh… So very, very Gatsby! Thanks for the recap.
It really was- especially the dance showcases. They also had a 1920’s style bathing suit fashion show where the suits were “made of the lightest summer wool” and ranked on a scale of itchiness! Some things about the 1920’s are easy to be romantic and dreamy about, and then others… not so much ;)
I love Governor’s Island! I wish I could go there more. I really enjoyed your recap and pictures (you look gorgeous!!).
Thanks Marilyn! I had such an amazing time that when I got back I was worried I’d look like a grinning idiot in all the photos lol I just couldn’t contain all the fun I was having. I completely blanked that you live in the area or I would have been harassing you to come hang out with me! Next time? :)
Don’t even worry about it. I work in Manhattan but live about 1.5 hours north of the city so if you’re back on a weekday, we can grab some lunch of mid-day coffee. :)
Great post Kyla! Sounds like a wonderful visit :)
Thanks Lindsey, it was a great break from normal life. I guess it’s just like NYC to over deliver, right? :)
I had a blast hearing about this last night, so it’s fun to see it come alive in photos. What a unique and amazing experience! I am glad you had such a great time. NY is just a magical place for me. I adore the city so much!
Summer… Hmmm… Tough to come up with a lesson for me. Maybe that it’s important to reach out to people, take care of yourself, set boundaries, listen to your heart, and accept that life is going to be brutal sometimes? Summer was tough for me, but if I set down the sad things I am still carrying around, I can see that there were many great things that happened, like the trips I took, good conversations with friends, over-the-top amazing care packages, hugs and sweet words from my nephews, and good reads.
Thanks Lisa! I think you learned a downright incredible amount this summer- and I hope that you don’t have cause to put it all to use for a good long while from here on out! ♡