Saks and Speakeasies

What's the best way to initiate someone into the NYC way of life??  Going shopping and checking out the best bar scenes, of course!!  :)

I arrived on a Friday morning, and SH and I didn't waste any time... That evening, we met up for dinner at a charming little Italian restaurant called Gnocco in NYC's East Village.  We sat outside in Gnocco's courtyard, drank wine, and indulged in some truly delicious Italian.

(Image from Gnocco website)

Sorry it's so dark and blurry... The courtyard is 

lit by candles and I didn't want to blind us with my flash!!

If you're looking for a place with a fun, chill atmosphere to have some great drinks with friends, a speakeasy should be at the top of your list.  In my opinion, these are some of the most creative, intriguing bars I've ever been to... The whole theme is fascinating to me.  After dinner, SH, one of her friends, and I walked to a nearby speakeasy, The Blind Barber.  You enter a vintage-looking, 1920's-themed barber shop and walk through a door at the back to the bar area.  Both the decor and the bartenders attire matched the 1920's theme... Dark, lit with candles and smoky-shaded lamps, and accented with rough, wood-and-leather seating.  The drinks were very stiff, but definitely tasty.

 (Image from The Blind Barber website)

(Image from The Blind Barber website)

Before I arrived in NYC, I asked SH if she trusted me to make reservations somewhere for desserts and drinks... I heard about the speakeasy Beauty & Essex from one of my favorite bloggers, Andee Layne at The HONEYBEE (visit her blog HERE) and thought it sounded like such a fun place!!  SH agreed to let a non-New Yorker make her Friday plans (brave girl!!) and I made reservations for Beauty & Essex.

Beauty & Essex was all I expected and more.  We entered a vintage-looking pawn shop and walked through a door in the back wall.  Once we stepped through the doorway, SH and I were thrilled... It was a 20's/30's themed place, dripping in sparkles and decorated with display boxes of vintage jewelry.  I felt like I should be wearing dark red lipstick and a flapper dress. 

The downstairs dining area at B & E

(Image from Beauty & Essex website)

SH and I went downstairs to use B & E's ladies' room... And were surprised by the champagne bar and sitting area inside.  We sipped on glasses of free champagne while we touched up our makeup.

Mirrors and perfume in the B & E ladies' room

(Image from Beauty & Essex website)

Our desserts were phenomenal... We ordered the Devil's Food Layer Cake and the Strawberry Shortcake and shared both.  SH loved her cocktail ("Earl the Pearl" - Belvedere vodka, Earl Grey Tea, lemon, mint syrup) but I have to admit... Mine didn't thrill me ("Smoked Opal Martini" - chipotle Hangar One, cava, honey syrup, pineapple & blood orange).  A lot of the cocktails I've tried lately have had peppercorn or chipotle-infused vodka and I just cannot stand the taste.  I prefer fruity, sweet drinks... I don't understand the appeal of a drink that tastes like remnants of dinner.  YUCK.

The atmosphere in Beauty & Essex is the best part... It is a great place to relax and unwind with your girlfriends... As well as a place to dine or grab a drink with your significant other, as the dark rooms with beautiful wallpaper and luxe furnishings create a sexy vibe.

 The downstairs bar/lounge area in B & E

(Image from Beauty & Essex website)

The upstairs lounge area in B & E

(Image from Beauty & Essex website)

SH and I had a lot of catching up to do... We hadn't seen each other since April!!  It ended up being a fantastic girls' night  :)

The next day, SH and I met at Mecca (otherwise known as Saks Fifth Avenue)... For the best way to spend girl-bonding time: SHOPPING!!!

I know I have a shopping addiction problem, but I really do not see how anyone could ever be sad or unhappy at Saks... It has perfect lighting, it smells beautiful, and has some of the most fabulous clothes/bags/shoes money can buy.  Unlike my incident last summer at Harrod's, I did not have a fashion attack at Saks, and I am pleased to say that I left the store with one dress (okay, and a top).  Yay for self control??  :S

Rebecca Minkoff "Claudia" Dress

The perfect Summer dress for a night out!!

Next, SH and I grabbed a quick lunch at Europa Cafe and hit up the six-floors of Forever21.  Covering that much ground in a F21 is definitely a feat, but it was worthwhile because we found some cute pieces for Summer. 

On my way back to the hotel, I stopped at a little shop on 6th Avenue that sold everything glittery - blinged-out necklaces, earrings, bangles, keychains, phone cases, and iPad covers.  I ended up with a very obnoxious 3D Hello Kitty iPhone case  :)

That night, SH and I met up with two of her friends at a relaxed Lower East Side bar, followed by a random stop at a hookah bar.  After only two days, I was already falling in love with NYC  <3

On Sunday, SH and I went to see Selena Gomez's movie, "Monte Carlo".  Yes, we are 24... And yes, we were surrounded by 10-year-olds and their families in the theater... But I can assure you, we were totally okay with that!!!  :)

The movie was fun and girly - do NOT take your boyfriend/husband... he might kill himself - and it was the perfect feel-good, relaxing movie to see on a Sunday afternoon.  Sure, it's cutesy and cheesy and the plot is about as developed as an old-school Mary-Kate and Ashley... But Selena Gomez looks adorable, and the clothes/makeup/jewelry is definitely drool-worthy. 

I spent Sunday afternoon and evening reading and studying for my Fashion Marketing class at Starbucks... An iced skim caramel latte and a fashion book?!  Let me just say, it was one of the most enjoyable "study sessions" I've had thus far!!!  :)


Xoxo B.

Gnocco Website
The Blind Barber Website
Beauty & Essex Website