Destination Fabulous
by habituallychic
04 . 18 . 14When Chico’s asked me to participate in their Destination Fabulous campaign and create a city guide, I couldn’t imagine how I’d narrow down all the wonderful places I love in New York. So instead, I’ve narrowed my focus down to my neighborhood on the Upper East Side and my 10 favorite places. We joke that uptown is the new downtown but we have so many wonderful museums, restaurants, and small shops, that sometimes there’s no reason to go downtown all week. Oh, and we have Central Park as our backyard.What could be better than that fabulous destination?!
The best thing about Chico’s unique edition pieces is that they easily transition from day to night. I wore the gold Foil Shimmer Moto Jacket and Bali Tassel Necklace to lunch at JG Melon with jeans and to Bemelmans Bar over a black dress.
1. JG Melon (1291 Third Avenue at 74th Street) – Every week at least someone suggests lunch at JG Melon, more often than not, it’s my friend Kimberly now that she works from home too. Definitely order a Bloody Mary, cheeseburger, and cottage fries. We laugh at anyone who tries to be healthy and order a salad. Oh, and make sure you stop at the ATM first. They don’t accept credit cards. When it’s warm as it was earlier this week, I sat outside with my new chic Chico’s gold and cork clutch available in stores now.
2. Il Papiro (1021 Lexington Avenue bet 73rd and 74th Streets) – If I need a unique gift for someone, I love to stop by Il Papiro for one of their beautiful marbled notebooks. Everything is made the old fashioned way in Italy which makes everything they sell extra special. Pop into Organic Avenue next door for a green juice too.
3. Lexington News (987 Lexington Avenue at 71st Street) – I never met a magazine I didn’t like and I make multiple stops every week at Lexington News for the latest publications. Kevin the manager always remember that I need a receipt too which I appreciate. You can also play the lottery here which I’ve been known to do when the Mega Millions jackpot is too good to ignore.
4. Plaza Flowers (944 Lexington Avenue at 69th Street) – Down the street is the very chic florist Plaza Flowers but the Upper East Side is also home to a plethora of corner bodegas who also offer a great selection of flowers. I couldn’t have gotten through this cold and snowy winter without my weekly flower arrangements.
5. Ladurée (864 Madison Avenue bet 70th and 71st Streets) – One of my favorite places in Paris is Ladurée so I was very excited when they opened their first US shop right near my apartment. There is often a line, especially on weekends, so I stop in when ever I see there isn’t one. The vanilla and salted caramel macarons are my favorites. Here I am wearing the gold Foil Shimmer Moto Jacket and Bali Tassel Necklace I mentioned above.
6. Clyde’s Chemists (926 Madison Avenue at 74th Street) – I might go into Clyde’s for one item but I will end up leaving with a bag full of products. Clyde’s sells everything from Asprin and band-aids to candles and perfume but it’s the beauty products that I can’t resist.
8. Central Park (Fifth Avenue to Central park West from 59th Street to 110th Street) – Central Park isn’t just a backyard but an oasis from the maddening city. Sometimes I’ll just sit by myself and watch the kids play with the sailboats at the Conservatory Water and other times, I’ll take a long walk with friends. But it’s all perfect for beautiful Instagram photos.
9. Le Charlot (19 East 69th Street at Madison Avenue) – Le Charlot is always full of French people so it’s a great place for practicing my French. It’s also one of the few chic restaurants with outdoor seating too which makes it a lovely place for dinner on a warm evening. Order the Heart of Palm & Avocado Salad to start and the Organic Roasted Chicken with a bottle of French wine bien sur.
10. Bemelmans Bar at the Carlyle Hotel (35 East 76th Street at Madison Avenue) – A great way to end the end the day uptown is listening to jazz at Bemelmans with a glass of champagne and nibbling on bar snacks they bring to your table. It’s the closest you can get to truly old New York and it might just be where I end the night on my birthday tonight.
This is a sponsored post but all opinions expressed are my own.
14 Comments
Happy birthday! Thanks for a great blog!
No 6 – try the Roger & Gallet Vetiver range, and enjoy your birthday – bon anniversaire!
Have a wonderful birthday Heather! A great review and I love the shimmer Moto jacket!
xoxo
Karena
Feature: Decorate Fearlessly
Happy Happy Birthday Heather!
Thank you for the wonderful
photos and fab suggestions
for my next visit to NYC.
Perhaps we will bump into
each other at JG Melons.
Feliz Cumpleanos!!
What a great collection of places. I moved to California this past summer and this definitely made me miss The City. Happy Birthday! Hope you have a wonderful day!
Happy Birthday, Heather!
Happy Birthday, Heather, and thanks for the tour! You are definitely living the dream. Best wishes for a wonderful year.
Joyeux Anniversaire!
Happy Birthday! Hope you enjoyed the beautiful day!
Feliz Cumpleaños, querida Heather!!
May all your hopes and dreams become reality. You certainly deserve it Thank you for bringing so much wonderful posts to our lives.
Happy Birthday. Have a great night!
Love this list. It’s truly perfect and includes some of my favorite spots in the city as well.
Looks like a perfect Birthday in NYc, I absolutely love Bemelmans!! All the wonderful wall murals remind me of reading Madeline to my children years ago!
Heather! I am a born and raised NYC girl and I can’t tell you how happy I am to see that you chose to feature some highlights of the Upper East Side. I’ve been nearby in the Sutton Place area for over a decade now and I can’t tell you how BORED I am of everything downtown! Let the tourists have continue to have downtown! -Jaclyn Juliette, Manhattan