Tourist Attractions

Went to NYC last week. I took the bus because flying is chaotic and bad for the environment. I reckon that while the trip to New York is only an hour an a half, you also have to figure in the one hour of driving time to get to YYZ and then the fact that you have to be there two hours before boarding time to get through security and customs. Once you land you’re talking of at least another hour to get from LaGuardia or Newark to downtown. Travelling by bus or train is much more relaxing.

I also decided to catch the last bus back to Toronto on the day of my departure, partially to save money on a hotel. The night bud is basically free lodging.

Because I didn’t have a room to stash my stuff in, I tried to pack as light as possible (everything had to fit into my Longchamps Pliages shopper. The plan quickly fell apart as soon as I hit the Big Apple.

The bus arrived in Midtown around 9 am. I had work events in the evening so I had eight hours to occupy myself. My original plan was to go to Coney Island and then maybe the Guggenheim for a short visit. But it was so very hot outside that hanging around was not so fun. So I quickly recalculated my plans and decided to focus on things that were open and air conditioned.

I had pre-shopped two stores that they don’t have in Canada—5 Below and Rainbow. I made wish lists of all the pieces I wanted to buy before I left Toronto. Alas, most of the things on my vision boards were not available in stores.

Of the things that were available, like the shoes and bag pictured above, when I held them in my hands they felt unsubstantial (and highly flammable). So the only thing I bought was the Gloomy Bear beanie. In the late nineties I went through a big Gloomy Bear thing.

Don’t fret! I still had plenty of opportunities to blow my money on clothes. One of the reasons I was in NYC was to attend a press preview of the Target x Rowing Blazers collection. It was so very good. I wish I could have bought everything but again, I was travelling light. So I got a backpack.

I also picked up this pink corduroy blazer. I already have an Adidas pink cord double breasted jacket but this one fits better.

The Rowing Blazers aesthetic lends itself to monograms so I also got these chenille patches to customize ol’ pinky.

Did I mention that it was super hot and humid in the city? By the time my events were over I had pretty much perspired through the clothes that I brought with me. I can’t stand being damp — especially on a ten hour bus trip. New York claims to be the city that never sleeps but you can’t really go clothing shopping at midnight—unless you hit up a souvenir shop near the Port Authority. I bought a pair of sweatpants that read New York City down one leg and a t-shirt that was decorated with a picture of a bike and the word Brooklyn.

As you can tell from the picture of me modelling my new togs in a bus station it’s not my best fit but they are comfy and we’re surprisingly inexpensive (you could buy three I Love New York tees for $15). L