Dispatch From The Big Apple
New York, New York...
This week we bring you everything from my whirlwind trip to New York City - from the flower market I’ve always longed to visit to the flowery fruition of a creative vision coming to life in an incredible event. Plus all the detail on the flowers, the city energy, the pit stops, the food and the shopping!
I was last in New York 16 years ago when I got engaged! Time flies… Lots has changed of course and yet it still remains largely the same. This time I was uptown a lot more and really enjoyed feeling the energy of both parts of Manhattan and the green respite in Central Park. The weather was incredible - blue skies and sunshine which made the pavement pounding and flower hauling very pleasant. I think Spring in New York must be one of the best places on earth and not just for the blossom…
In this special edition I’ve shared the hotel, the flowers, the food, the shopping & the galleries; detailed all the flowery vision for the event - happily so much was locally sourced and in season; and for those asking, I’ve included everything I packed and wore for my whistle-stop spring break in the city that never sleeps.
I hope you enjoy this special dispatch!
With Love,
Willow
NYC Special…
My team and I were in New York for a whirlwind trip but we managed to cover quite a bit given there was very little sleep and a lot to do! Here’s a snapshot of where we slept, ate, visited, shopped and would recommend for your next trip to the big apple…
The Hotel…
We stayed at The Lowell Hotel - a very chic and petite uptown gem nestled among charming historic townhouses on East 63rd Street, between Madison Avenue and Park Avenue, right in the heart of Manhattan’s luxury scene and a 5 minute stroll to Central Park.
The concierge, Suzanne, was brilliant and the little touches from staff who made it feel like a home away from home coupled with deeply comfortable beds, linens and bathrooms, made it a little oasis of calm and luxury in a busy week in the city.
The Flowers…
We were told it was the best week flower-wise in the city, and it was, we were so lucky, it was incredible! From the blossom and dogwood in Central Park to the flower market bursting with spring blossom and blooms. Although expensive like everything in New York, the foliage was large scale and abundant - blossom ten feet tall and peonies as large as dinner plates that had just come in that week.
The flower market in midtown is well worth a visit whether you’re a florist or not. The energy is infectious and a great way to see New York buzzing in the early hours of the day. There is a shop called Jamali on the same street as the Flower Market and has some wonderful vases and vessels to stock up on too. Coffee shops and bagels at each end to keep you going. There is even a Caribbean market in the middle full of tropical flowers. I have waited a lifetime to visit and it was every bit as amazing as I had hoped, so I definitely recommend!
The Food…
My team and I were in the mood for sushi the first evening after a stroll around Central Park, and thanks to our wonderful hotel concierge discovered a low key/high quality and clearly super popular Japanese Omakase restaurant just a couple of blocks from the hotel on 1st Avenue. It’s called Sushi Seki and I wish I could go right now! We’ve since learned that its Chelsea outpost is rather famous so perhaps not such a hidden gem after all but it’s somewhere I’ll return to again and again. So if ever you’re in the area, do pop in. A wonderfully healthy-ish cure for weary travellers. Try the grilled tomato on salmon nigiri as recommended by our excellent waiter.
The quest for the perfect bagel was definitely underway on the first morning and we tried the ‘lot’, but I preferred a more classic sesame bagel lightly toasted, thank you, with smoked salmon and cream cheese. No red onion for me!
We tried to get a walk-in for late lunch at Via Carota in the West Village which is on the very pretty buzzy Grove Street with Bar Pisellino (also part of the group) on the corner. There is also the most charming little boutique deli pop-up ‘Spazio Creativo’ opposite the restaurant selling baskets (which of course drew me in) and other wonderful wares including tiny cherry-shaped candles amongst other chic oddities.
We walked past The Little Owl also on Grove Street and would have tried to get in there after lots of recommendations - definitely one for next time.
We also had a wonderful meal at Majorelle, the restaurant at The Lowell which felt very uptown fabulous, a little European and very spoily.
Some friends we met who were first timers in New York had planned a pizza tour of New York on e-bikes! The best pizzas while biking around in between which sounded like a great way to spend a day in New York…
The Galleries…
Somehow we managed to fit in private tour of the newly reopened The Frick Collection (it has been closed for refurbishment since the pandemic) and discovered the most incredible botanical ceramicist - the Ukrainian born sculptor Vladimir Kanevsky, incredibly lifelike and so beautiful!
We were also able to sneak upstairs to view the wonderful collection of Austrian and German art at the Neue Galerie (Gustav Klimt was the favourite) before our event at the Cafe Sabarsky downstairs.
No time this time for the MET or MOMO but I so enjoyed visiting these two uptown galleries that are possibly a little less known but wonderful spaces.
PS. the shop at The Neue was also amazing…! I definitely recommend a visit there…
The Shopping…
Although our time was incredibly tight, we were in NYC after all and I couldn’t go all that way and not do some window/actual shopping!
After a 5.30am start at the Flower Markets and finishing at 3pm we marched off downtown and pounded the sartorial pavements. What a joy to find so many gorgeous well known shops and some newer additions. Of course, we had to stop in at Loeffler Randall (the store is beyond pretty with such a happy vibe), tracked down the La Veste pop-up and bought these stripy jeans that I have been obsessing over, found Farm Rio (and spotted an Adidas collab! and the prettiest summer dress), discovered excellent belts, denim and the super fun bird earrings at Madewell, plus too many more to count. The step count was over achieved that day! Uptown we found the chicest knits at La Ligne, window shopped at Celine and Hermes (the windows!), dropped into Jones Road for some Miracle Glow and other delights… and obsessed over the plum-coloured-ruched-suede boots at Isabel Marant that have been on my mind for months….
The Event Flowers…
This job has been months in the making supporting the wonderful visionary, Katie Von Strasser who reached out to me last year. I adored hearing her vision for the launch to celebrate her new venture - Inspiratum Colligere which is latin for ‘to be inspired at a gathering’ - a cultivated collective for visionaries at the intersection of art, fashion, beauty, interiors and technology.
The logistics of international jobs are always something I lose a little sleep over and seeing it all come together after months of planning is the most satisfying feeling in the world! As I’m sure many of you know all too well, however, as much as you can plan with flowers, it really all does come down to the last 48 hours. You have to see and hold the flowers to know if they’re right together, the quality, how well they’ll last and travel to the final destination, and then finally what to add or remove in the actual venue install…
We wanted to source local as much as possible and it was such a relief that there was so much to play with. We were there at the best week of the flower season so I’m very grateful for that!
I wanted a palette of soft, seasonal, springy, locally grown, airy flowers - a layering of palest pink blossom branches, enormous peonies - just in their first week of harvest - in pinks with a dark red to punctuate the saccharine; sweet pea in cream and in lilac, giant pale pink and red striped tulips, creamy ranunculus, ammi, frothy lilacs, Solomon seal and vibrant viburnum. The Lily of the valley was very good, in wonderful condition and also so apt on the 1st of May. At one point I considered a whole sea of just lily of the valley but no, we needed colour and form and dancing soft florals to catch the candlelight on such a special occasion.
The rattan table lamps were a triumph - just the right size and colour, grouped in threes with a handy remote battery and a soft warm glow. However as with most events there was a last minute crisis! The tea light holders were ordered and as the venue was an art gallery, no candles were allowed so we had bought LED tea lights en masse. As the day light faded and the lamps came alive, I felt the colours of the tea lights were all wrong! With 10 minutes to go until guests arrived, I made the executive decision to replace all the tea lights with mini flower posies and just keep the soft lamp light. Who said flower styling wasn’t stressful! It was the right call in the end. It was a magical mix! But I’d love to know - can anyone recommend any nice LED lights for these types of situations?!
What I packed…
For anyone else who loves a bit of packing inspiration I thought I’d share what I packed and actually wore… I needed a mix of easy/comfy casual clothes for travelling in and flowering in and smarter items for dinners and the event itself. Jewellery that would update looks when they needed to be smartened or freshened up a bit. Makeup that would help me look a little more awake as I fought the jet lag. And of course, lots of secatuers! I don’t go anywhere without them and the only reason I travelled with checked luggage for the short trip!
From top, left to right:
Milne Watson Astro Collection Pisces Necklace
Navy Grey The Breton 01
Boden Large Chunky Twist Hoops
Red Doen Claudine Cardigan
Alexis Amor Jojo X in Deepest Cobalt
Jigsaw Double Faced Cocoon Red Wrap Coat
Hayley Menzies Dalton Silk Wide Leg Trousers and Shirt
Jones Road The Mascara
MAC Studio Face and Body Radiant Sheer Foundation in C2
Ilia Lip Hydrating Crayon in Banquette
M.A.B.E Pari Pouch Bag
Boden Alberta Footbed Sandals
Mother The Half Pipe Ankle Jean
ME&EM Metal Eyelet Hips-To-Waist Belt in Tobacco
Freepeople We The Free Good Luck Mid-Rise Barrel Jeans
Adidas Handball Spezial Mineral Green Sneakers
And for the main event, a favourite La Double J colour block dress, Gucci heels and bag…
I hope you’ve enjoyed my New York tips. For the seasoned travellers or city residents, where would you recommend for our Seedling community?
Wishing you a very happy springy weekend wherever you are…
Love,
Willow x
I do love seeing life through your eyes, Willow, you scatter joy and appreciation everywhere ~
x Pam