The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Now that the holiday season is in full swing, I figured I’d share my holiday favorites here in the city. There are so many fun things to do and great places to shop in New York around the holidays. This list is one partย Holiday Bucket List for me andย one part travel guide forย you!

Let’s start with Shopping!

1. Capwell + Co. Pop-Up ShopCapwell + Co. is typically only sold online, but they’ve opened up a pop-up store in New York City for the holidays! It’s in a great location… Greenwich Village right near the West Village. All of their jewelry is under $100 and they even have a special where you can get 25% off your purchase if you check-in on Foursquare or Facebook. The shop is open through the end of the year so be sure to check it out if you’re in the area.

2. Bash & Bow — ย Such a cute little boutique for gifts, stationery, cards, candles, etc! Hallie & I discovered this hidden gem on 21st street between 2nd Avenue & 3rd Avenue a few weeks ago and I can’t wait to go back and check out their holiday merchandise.

3. Nolita — ย On Mott St. and Elizabeth St. between Price & Houston, you can find some of the best shops in the city. And without the crowds! It’s such a quaint little neighborhood, and thankfully not too far from where I live.

Otte Nolita, diptyque, Clare Vivier, Tory Burch,ย Calypso, Rebecca Taylor, Dolce Vita, Rag & Bone, and more. Head to Cafe Gitane for the Avocado Toast or Tacombi for some tacos & corn esquites when you’re finished shopping! Neither will disappoint, trust.

And now for activities…

1.ย Ice Skating in Bryant Park & Rockefeller Center – I’ve actually never done either. Weird, right? Maybe it’s because I suck at ice skating. It would really suck if I break a limb while trying to complete this list, no? Plus, you can snap a pic of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree while you’re there. I was reading an article about the tree the other day and it was so interesting to read more about where it came from!

2. Dream Dry. No, this isn’t necessarily a holiday-specific thing, but getting a little bit of extra pampering always feels more justified around the holidays. Plus, it’s the perfect way to kick off any party or event! ๐Ÿ™‚

3. Another year-round favorite of mine… If you live in an area without SoulCycle, highly highly highly recommend that you take a class when you come to town. Swear that they don’t pay me to say this. Instead, I pay them a hefty chunk of my paycheck each week. Well worth it though! I’d go out on a limb and call the classes life changing, especially when they’re with Parker, Marvin, or Madison. They’re the best!

And lastly, everyone’s favorite … The FOOD!

1. City Bakery — Some of the best hot chocolate in the city! So, so good.

2. Rolf’s — I’ve never been here, but have been meaning to go for a year now. The best part is that they keep these crazy lights up year round! (Check out some photos here!)

3. Liquiteria. More specifically, the Pumpkin Harvest Smoothie. If you’re a pumpkin fanatic like myself, it’s a game changer. To cut down on sugar, I get mine without peaches and without coconut sugar. Write that down. ๐Ÿ™‚

4. Luke’s Lobster — Luke’s just released their Winter Menu and I can’t wait to get my hands on that Lobster Mac & Cheese or the Lobster Grilled Cheese. Drool over the menu here!

5. Zucker’s — This bakery is in my neighborhood (East Village), but I’ve yet to go. They have a Thanksgivvikuh menu that’s full of fall greatness that I’m dying to try. Sweet Potato Donuts, Cranberry Turkey Donuts, and the like..

6. Pumpkin Pinkberry. This one is for all of you not in New York, too! Go get the pumpkin froyo at Pinkberry. It’s gooooood!ย 

7. Organic Avenue. I’m a biiiig Organic Avenue fan. Can’t get enough of their juices, but they just released 3 holiday flavors that are the best little treats!ย Have you gathered that I’m a sucker for seasonal selections yet??

8. Baked By Melissa — I’m totally a Sprinkles & Georgetown Cupcake girl, but the fall/winter mini’s at Baked By Melissa are phenom. Plus, you can have all three for under 150 cals. Hallie & I did some research and each cupcake is under 50!ย (If you missed my pumpkin cupcake quest last fall, read more on that here.)

Will you be in the city for the holidays at all? Any holiday must-do’s that you do every year where you live? Anything in New York that I’m missing? Let me know! ๐Ÿ™‚

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23 Comments

  1. 12.1.13
    Cassie said:

    I am actually headed to the city next Saturday and these are some great ideas. Thank you for the post!

  2. 12.1.13

    Have you tried the salted caramel cupcake from Sprinkles? It’s amazing.

    • 12.2.13
      Jessica Sturdy said:

      Many, many times! One of my favorites ๐Ÿ™‚

    • 12.2.13

      I have and I dream on that cupcake in particular and then so many others they have!

      Kendall

      styledsnapshots.blogspot.com

  3. 12.2.13
    Lauren said:

    Every year I’d get a hot drink and walk down 5th Ave to look at all the Holiday windows: Bergdorfs (the best!), Tiffany’s, etc. We’d be freezing by the end of the night but so fun!

    • 12.2.13
      Jessica Sturdy said:

      Looking at the windows is always so fun. Great addition!

  4. 12.2.13
    Rebecca said:

    This is such a great list, it all sounds like so much fun!

    agirlandhersparkles.blogspot.com

  5. 12.2.13

    you MUST go to Rolf’s – it is literally the best, most uplifting, gets you in the spirit place ever! Not to mention they nail the hot mulled wine, perfect! Great lists, enjoyed reading this ๐Ÿ™‚

    Kendall

    styledsnapshots.blogspot.com

    • 12.2.13
      Jessica Sturdy said:

      Yay! Even more excited to go now. ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. 12.2.13

    So fun to read your picks, since you’re in a totally different neighborhood from me. I recently tried the sweet potato smoothie from Organic Avenue and OMG…loved it! Couldn’t believe it was actually healthy. I think I’ll be drinking my veggies from now on since I definitely don’t eat them enough ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. 12.2.13

    Thanks so much for including BASH & BOW on your Holiday Bucket List! Can’t wait till your next visit (bring Hallie too!)…and as a bonus, Rolf’s is just a block away!! ๐Ÿ™‚

  8. 12.2.13
    Allie said:

    This list looks great. I’ve been to New York a lot since my family lives there but this is the first time I’ll be traveling with my boyfriend and when I’ll be able to enjoy everything (finally over 21 and have my own money!) soul cycle is on the top of my list – do I need to reserve a spot or just show up 10 mins before a class starts? I’ll be really disappointed if I can’t get in!

    • 12.2.13
      Jessica Sturdy said:

      Hey Allie! Happy to help with this… Bikes get released at 12:00pm (noon) on Mondays for the next day (Tuesday) through the following Monday. For the best time slots and instructors, classes book up within a minute. It’s pretty intense! If you’re not partial to a certain instructor, you can probably just call the studio you want to go to that week and they will get you on a bike. Definitely recommend booking beforehand and not just showing up! ๐Ÿ™‚

  9. 12.2.13
    diana said:

    This post is making me New York-sick! Love NYC during the holidays.

  10. 12.3.13
    Katherine said:

    I’ve always wanted to go to New York! Everything looks so magical, especially this time of the year. In a few more years, it will be my graduation present to my self. I’ll save this list until then ๐Ÿ˜‰

    http://scallopedandbows.blogspot.ca

  11. 12.6.13
    Jen Ramos said:

    Wow, really great list. I’m particularly interested in trying out Bash & Bow… can’t wait to see what they have for the holiday season!! Thanks for this!!!

    >>>> Madebygirl.blogspot.com
    >>>> MadeByGirl.com

  12. 12.8.13

    Thanks for the DreamDry shout out & love! Looking forward to seeing you at the salon soon ๐Ÿ™‚

  13. 12.9.13
    Anniina said:

    Have you been in Woodbury Common Outlet around Christmas? I am coming to NY for few weeks around Christmas and can’t decide if it is better to go to Outlet shopping before Christmas, when it might be less people or on Boxing day, when more people but maybe better deals?

    • 12.10.13
      Jessica Sturdy said:

      I’ve never been! I just looked it up (I’d actually never heard of it) and it’s a little over an hour from the city. I would assume you would get the best deals post-Christmas… ๐Ÿ™‚