A few weeks ago I was able to scoot out of town for a few days and head to New York City! It was a girls weekend combined with a blog “work” trip as I had the honor of attending my fourth Better Homes & Gardens Stylemaker event. (although I can hardly call this day “work” as it is one of the most fun days ever!)
I am so fortunate to have made some great friends through this blog gig and we ate and laughed our way through the weekend.
Snakeskin Sandals | Sequin Skirt | Burgundy Sweater (similar) | Burgundy Fringe Drop Earrings
The BH&G Stylemaker event is a one day workshop where they bring together lifestyle, home and food bloggers for networking and general inspiration from BH&G Editors and Speakers. This day is always top-notch but this year was my favorite. I just loved the speakers they chose, and I absolutely loved the chance to say hello to old friends and meet lots of new ones. Here I am with my roomies on the rooftop before the day got underway- Rachael from This is Our Bliss and Carmel from Our Fifth House.
For the second year, the event was at the Public Hotel and the views are spectacular. We were also super lucky and had the most perfect fall weather during the event.
The “host” of the event is Stephen Orr, the Editor in Chief at Better Homes & Gardens. Their entire editorial staff attends and they are a fun and approachable group. It is always such a pleasure to chat with them!
There are always fun sponsors – and here we are spotted painting the Behr Bear between sessions. Sequin skirt and a paint brush- why not?!
This year, I got an email about a week before the event from a BH&G team member letting me know that they interview a few attendees every year. She asked if I would be willing to be interviewed about my Stylemaker experience and of course I said yes. It was all very official with microphones and video cameras and lighting in a private room. I was definitely nervous but put on my big girl pants and just did my best! It was actually very fun!
After the day long workshop wrapped, they hosted a cocktail hour on the rooftop at the hotel. I had to snap a selfie of my cute roomies on our way. Getting decked out in NYC is so fun!
The view from the rooftop was gorgeous and the weather was perfection. Y’all, I wore FUR! I mean, if you can’t wear your fur in NYC in September at a Stylemaker event, when can you?
I found this fun fur wrap at a thrift store a year ago and haven’t ever found a reason to be able to pull it off. Yay! (this picture is terrible but it’s the only I have that you can see it good…)
Aside from the “work” day, we came in a day early and stayed a day extra just to enjoy the city in it’s fall glory! We wandered from our hotel with no agenda and an open mind. It was so nice to keep a relaxed schedule and just explore!
Here are some of the highlights:
The Farmers Market in Union Square
I found a fun piece of abstract art from Union Square and here I am with the artist. Can’t wait to find a spot for it at the house!
Eataly
Definitely check this place out if you are heading to New York! A massive restaurant/grocery store that any foodie could get lost in for hours. The rooftop bar was darling and the perfect spot to refuel and relax one afternoon.
Broadway
On Friday night, we went to Broadway and saw Mean Girls. It was cute and a perfect way to wrap up the girls weekend. (Last year we saw Beautiful which I highly recommend!)
Girls Dinner at Fonda
Cute Mexican restaurant near our hotel- and a fun dinner catching up with these ladies!
WHERE WE STAYED:
This year, we decided to stay in a different hotel than the Stylemaker Event in order to save a little and get a bigger room. (Last year we could barely all even open our suitcases in the room!) We landed on Hotel Indigo Lower East Side and it was great! The lobby is on the 14th floor with great views and there is a hopping rooftop bar called Mr. Purple that was a great spot to meet up with friends!
Here I am in the room relaxing, and probably instagramming. 🙂 #bloglife
And here are my roomies having fun! We all love leopard so I brought everyone these fun socks!
Until next time New York!
Overall, it was a wonderful few days in the city and I am thankful for the excuse to have these precious few days out of the normal day to day routine.
xoxo-
Heather
Catch up on my New York Posts HERE:
Better Homes & Gardens Stylemaker Event 2017
Four Fall Packing NYC Trip Essentials
Snapshots from New York City and the Better Homes & Gardens Stylemaker 2019
Girls Weekend in NYC – What I Packed and Wore
This looks like a fantastic weekend! Love everything about this post!!!