I hope you guys had a good weekend! I largely spent mine recovering from my two-day migraine last week but was glad to be able to still be able to make it to some of the plans I had with friends. I also got in three workouts which felt like it was just what my body needed after two days of bed rest.
For today’s post I wanted to share a bit about my little staycation the other weekend! Upon signing on to do another project with dr. brandt, I decided to do so in a new setting as my bathroom isn’t the most photogenic. I originally figured I’d ask a hotel to shoot in a room for one hour but then decided “why not stay the night?” and so I booked a room at The Ludlow Hotel and the staycation ended up being exactly what I needed!
Truth be told, between the craziness of the start of a new year, an internal (and then external) dialogue that was playing non-stop and the bitter cold that was gripping New York City, a little pause was so welcomed. After wrapping the shoot, I had a glass of wine, got takeout and ate it in my PJs. (I went to Sweet Chick by the way! Given it was 5 degrees out, it was perfect that it was next door to my hotel and it had been on my list for some time. In the spirit of trying a new-to-me NYC spot once a week, I indulged in chicken and waffles and mac and cheese and WOAH – #worthit!) Then I spent the rest of the night plotting my upcoming trip to Scandinavia and planning new content for wit & whimsy. I’ve been having lots of new content ideas and as I’ve resolved to get back to more personal posts, it felt good to have the ideas flowing in a new environment.
While staying in town, I was also happy to check out a few other spots like Ludlow Coffee Supply (get the bourbon vanilla latte). When I first moved to New York I used to spend so much time on the Lower East Side but now I barely go to that neighborhood.
I also have to say, now that I live in Brooklyn, a night at a Manhattan hotel feels even more like a luxury. While I certainly have a comfy bed at home, being productive in PJs from a different environment can feel just as good. (And if we’re being totally honest, I have the loudest upstairs neighbors I’ve ever experienced and so any night away from their nonsense is pretty blissful :).)
I had intended to wake up Saturday morning and head to pilates but upon seeing it felt like -5 out, I cut myself a break and allowed myself to stay in bed to read magazines, my book & have a little room service. At 11AM, I packed up & headed back home where I further escaped the cold back in the comforts of my little studio. It was a pretty blissful staycation!
(By the way I’ve always had luck finding rooms on HotelTonight in case you ever want to seek a staycation in your own city at a more reasonable price.)
AWAY suitcase // Weekender Bag (this is the best!!) // Pajamas // Slip Eye Mask
p.s. the most Instagram worthy spots in NYC and an escape to Storm King Art Center.
Sometimes a staycation is all you need to recover from the week and get back on track! I’m glad you had such a great time 🙂
Kendal // Life With Kendal
Truly! It was good for the soul! Hope you had a great weekend, Kendal!!
That looks lovely! Sometimes people email me asking for NYC hotel recs and since I’ve never needed to stay in any I basically have no idea what to tell them – this would be a nice way to get to know some hotels! Going to download that app. Glad you’re feeling better!
Yes the app is great and you can book out further than the night of which is nice! I’m always surprised to find a nyc hotel that feels worth the money but really liked the rooms at The Ludlow for sure!