Hello sweet friends! WOW! Have I been a busy busy gal these past few weeks. I've been traveling more than I've been home. Two weekends ago my long time best friend Kristie and I made special girls trip to Chicago to see Madonna in concert. She totally rocked it! Kris and I saw her perform 4 years ago and I honestly think this was her best show and performance.
Miss Kristie all "dolled up"
Strike a pose!
Ready to get into the groove!
The show was unbelievable and so energetic. Everyone was up on their feet dancing. Unfortunatley, I dont have more photos of our weekend. We spent ALOT of time indoors shopping durning our downtime. hee! hee!
Now onto mine and Natasha's big NYC adventures! Right after we landed we wasted NO time. We dropped off our bags and OFF we go. LOTS to see and do in the Big Apple!
Within a few short blocks of our hotel we spotted an outdoor flea market.
We shopped and browsed, and later we stumbled upon one of our "must do list" of having a cupcake from Magnolia Bakery.
We of course spent one evening in Times Square. We saw the Broadway show "Wicked" and another evening dined in the heart of Times Square. Natasha and I both were in awe!
Sipping cocktails under the big lights.
I have to share this one adorable shot of Natahsa. We were getting ready for a night out on the town. She was showing off her new FABULOUS Betsey Johnson boots. We had just shopped her store in which I bought a gorgeous coat, and she purchased these fun boots!
One afternoon we hooked up with the SUPER SUPER SWEET Bethany of Love from my Studio . She and her family made a special trip from Road Island to NYC for a day of shopping and to meet Natasha and I at FAO Schwartz.
Natasha and Bethany's son played on the large piano that was featured in the movie BIG.
Some fun sweet shots taken inside FAO.
Tuesday on Election Day we meet up with the lovely and NYC native Barbara Jacksier. Many of you know Barbara. She use to be the head editor of Romantic Country Magazine. She has been talking with Natasha and decided to meet us in the city for a day of fun experiences. Natasha and I met Barbara and her super fun and kind friend Chitsou in Chinatown for Dim Sum which I had never experienced before.
The restaurant was HUGE! I was very proud of myself to try some new foods, but i just couldnt bring myself to eat chicken feet. LOL!!!!
We shopped Chinatown for some fun bargains, and later did a little shopping in my favorite area Soho. We meet up with Barbara's friend Dan and Scott for happy hour at a quaint local bar in Soho.
After happy hour cocktails we headed to the Lower East Side and checked out the hip and ultra cool band Rupa and the April Fishes perform on what was a historical election evening.
Natasha, Chitsou, and Rupa.
Barbara is the BEST tour guide! She knows the city and the best place to eat, visit and shop! Thank you sooo much Miss Barbara for a fabulous and eventful day and LATE night!!!
The next day Natasha and I made a special trip to the famous Tinsel Trading Company. OH my heavens! This place is BEYOND fabulous!!!
I bought some beautiful floral millinery. There were so many to choose from. I was a kid in a candy store. These are my little beauties.
Our next stop was M & J Timming. Ok, I was in awe of Tinsel Trading, but when I stepped inside M&J, my jaw dropped. Never before have I ever stepped inside a store that has SOOOOOO much GORGEOUS trim! Natasha and I were all over the place. Hundreds and Hundreds to choose from. This is my little stash of what I bought home. I cant WAIT to use this trim in my upcomming creations.
This thick chenille hot pink pepermint looking trim is hands down my FAVORITE!!!
I just have to show you this cute photo of my "girls" playing all in my pink crinoline.
On our last day we spent a few hours in Central Park. We had a nice lunch at the Boathouse where they filmed the movie 27 dresses. Natasha was SOOO excited. Especially since she had just seen the movie.
Natasha had a special admirer. He was stopping by our table quite often offering us bread and re-filling our water glasses. It was fun watching him flirt with Natasha.
It was a PREFECT fall day in Central Park. THe leaves were at their prime!
We took some gorgeous photos of Bow Bridge.
Later that evening we meet up with some close friends of mine that use to live in the City. Dawn and Craig are always the best host and know exactley where to take you for the coolest "in spots". We met them at Pastis which is located in the Meat Packing district.
Photo of us girls.
Natasha and Craig.
Me & Dawn.
After cocktails and a fabulous yummy dinner. We headed over to the uber chic Hotel Gansevoort to have cocktails on the rooftop bar. Natasha is on the only one that had a camera so she took all the beautiful night skyline photos.
By the end of this trip I was exhausted! I had an AMAZING time with Natasha. We got along great the entire trip and we managed to do almost everything she had on her "must-see" list. Natasha's next adventure was to meet with the cutie-cute Miss Karla, and than off to spend a few days with Heather.
Now girlies Im packing AGAIN and this time it's to Omaha, NE for the highlight weekend I've been waiting for…….. ..SILVER BELLA!!!!!! Im BEYOND excited to be returning again for my second year. I've been waiting a long time to meet so many lovely gals that I've had the opportunity to chat with and grow very close to thru blogging. As of tomorrow I will be seeing them face to face for the first time.
This is my sweet little name tag that I made for Silver Bella.
My Silver Bella edition vintage doll head brooch that I made to wear. Her name is Miss Bella.
I know many of you girls are not attending this year, but I PROMISE to take lots of photos to share with you all, and hopefully I can convince you to attend next year! ;)
Off to pack now!
FOLLOW ALONG ON
@jenniferhayslip
Scream!!!
What a fabulous trip to New York!!! You two are so cute with Natasha’s new Besty (squeel!) Johnson boots! Do I see Polka dots!?
And you with all your amazing trim and millinery~both shops look like Artsy Heaven!
What did you buy at Juicy,Young Lady?!
I lurve their everything too!
I cannot wait for the photos of Sb to be posted by everyone~and to see you’re gorgeous outfits!
“The Girls” would look fabu in their own little crinoline doggy skirts!
Oops~long comment! This was a fun post, Jenn.
Tinaxx
OH MY GOODNESS JENN, I would have loved to meet you girls for lunch while you were here, I live only a mile outside of NYC, right across the Hudson, I could have screamed across the river to you and Natasha I was so close!!! You have a wonderful time at SB and I can’t wait to see all you pictures, you never fail us!!
xoxo Catherine
P.S. your package is on it’s way to you, I hope you enjoy it!!
What a fun post Jenn!! Fab photo’s! I just LOVE New York City in the Fall!! You both look fantastic in your photos! Truly Eye Candy in this post! Have fun at Silver Bella!!!
xoxo Molly
Wow what w whirlwind of travel and loads of fun. What a lucky pair that N.Y. Trip looks wonderful. And I just know you will have a blast with all the girls at Silver Bella. Cannot wait to see the pictures you take hurry back (:
Hugs & Kisses, Diane
your trip to NYC with Natasha looks amazing…i LOVE M&J trimming, i buy from them online and would just faint to get to shop at the store…tinsel trading looks gorgeous, you got some real pretties there…have lots of fun at SB, and a safe tip too!!!
You all look like you had a wonderful time! I live just outside the city and am very fortunate to go all the time but it’s never enough! Isn’t TT’s wall of millinery breathtaking!!?? I am LOL because the picture of Natasha at the flea market in front of those mirrors….We are remodeling our bathroom and I was reminding my husband of those mirrors (we were there a few months ago) and of course he has no idea what I’m talking about. Now I have proof! Have a blast at Silver Bella!!!!!! If you ever want to make a city trip again let me know….would love to meet up!!!!!!!
Holy moly girlie…you were busy!!!!! Wow what fun…so happy to see all of your photos!!!
Love the ones esp. in Central Park…pretty!
Soo glad you got to go to Tinsel Trading (it IS amazing I know!!!) and the overwhelming M&J (you walk in and it’s like duhhhhhh!) The goodies you got are soooo pretty! Have lots of fun using them ๐
P.S. It was sooo great to meet you too dear lady!! I cannot believe how it was like talking to the virtual prom queen LIVE! ๐
have a happy day!!!
Hi Jenn!
wow, what a whirlwind you are on ;)!! and what a Fabulous trip to NY too, looks like a blast!! I love magnolia bakery too, it was closed for a bit and re-opened , yippee ๐ Im so glad you had such a great time in our city :)!! and isn’t Soho fabulous too?!! I’ve been to that trim shop and you’re right, it was like being a kid in a candy store!! Glad you have a wonderful time! cant wait to see pics of Silver Bella too! Have Fun!
Hugs, ~ Cynthia ~
OH JENN!!!! What a fabulous time! You and Natasha are so gorgeous!!! I had so much fun looking at these pictures! I LOVE the trim you bought! Natasha’s boots are fab! How fun!!!! I LOVE Chicago ๐
I cant wait to hear and see all about Silver Bella!! Have a wonderful and safe trip!!
Hugs,
Amy
Hi!!!!
That wonderful photos!
Natasha I visit beautiful places
I like much the giant piano.
We are preparing ourselves for Christmas, master Christmas.
A kiss
So fun to see all of your photos! You had great seats for Madonna. Love all of your NYC photos. It was fun to see Natasha’s too – esp. the Election Night videos. Have a fabulous time at Silver Bella. Can’t wait to here all about it.
Karla
What a fun post! You girls are having such a fabulous time!!! My hubby and I are headed to NYC next Wed. for our anniversary. That’s why I’m missing Silver Bella. Thanks for the great tips!!
Have fun in Omaha. Tell all the bella’s hello from ArtsyMama!
Kari
What fun you’ve been having with the girls! Looks like you had a blast… so jealous of your trip to NY, this is the first year in 5 years I’m not going to NY Christmas shopping….
Have a fantastic time at Silver Bella, as if there’s any doubt! Look forward to the photos!
Victoria xx
OK, way too much fun!! You two girls are so adorable in New York. And Madonna, what can I say other than amazing! Thanks for taking us along on your adventure!
XOXO
Jillian
Wow! Those are great photos of your adventure in New York with Natasha. Love visiting your blog……your “girls” are so cute playing in the crinoline. I have a little girl yorkie named “lola”. She is as spoiled as my daughters are – maybe even more!
I am looking forward to your pictures that you will post from Silver Bella. I never knew about this big workshop weekend until just recently – maybe another year I will attend! I see Sally Jean is going to be there – I took a workshop with her this past summer in Italy making a chandelier. It was a very special trip – one that I will remember for a long time! I am looking forward to taking more of her workshops in Portland – a closer drive from British Columbia!
Have a great time in Omaha!
Rochelle and “Lola”!
What a most fabulous time you are having and it is just great to follow you around NYC on your adventures. Natasha sure looks like she has a lot of goodies to bring home with her and LOVE the boots.
Wish I was going to be at Silver bella but anyway can’t wait to see all the glamour and glitz coming from all you girls.
Thank you for sharing with us all.
best wishes and safe journey.
Ginny (over in England) x
I loved reading your posts. Like reading a great book. So much excitement. You guys look great. And I just LOVE you bunny tag. SOOO cute, I could cry.
Hi Jenn… You are so lucky and blessed to be able to see Madonna!!!!
in concert…. What a memorable and fantastic event…..and your outings in New York with Natasha sure do look like a lot of fun…Have a wonderful time at Silver Bella and your brooch is sooooo…so cute… just simply love it all….
xoxo Susie
What a fun post! Thank you for sharing all the wonderful photos!!! I just returned from 6 days in NYC and boy was it lovely there… perfect 40’s and I was thrilled to wear my winter coat and boots! NOW… back to the high 80’s in Los Angeles!
Take care,
Holly
there is a surprise on my blog for you,,please look.love from Glenda
What a whirlwind trip! NYC looks like a fun place, and it looks like you had a blast. Thanks for sharing your pictures!
I so enjoyed this entertaining and happy post. You’re such a beautiful and kind girl:)
Looks like you two had a great time in NYC. And if I’m correct it looks like you were there during the Marathon. I was there that day to watch my sil run. If I only knew you two were running around the city! M&J is amazing and I have to get to Tinsel Trading, I have only been to their booth at the show – they have such gorgeous things!
Have a great week.
Oh how fun! Thank you so much for taking me along.
Hi Jennifer, i came via Natasha’s blog as have been keeping up with where she is etc. Lovely to see these photos – i am jealous, what a fabulous time you’ve both had. It was great to see all the piccies of your adventures. Mel xxx
Twinkle,
What an awesome blog story. I feel as if I know Natasha too! I’m so glad she was able to come to the U.S. and meet up with all the fabulous women in our creative world.
I bet Silver Bella was over-the-top. I can’t wait to see your photos and what you bought.
BTW, LOVE LOVE LOVE THE PEPPERMINT CHENILLE TRIM!!!!! 2DIE4
XO CATH
wow! what a wondeful trip…loving that pepermint stripped trim too! Cant’ wait to see what you create with it.
xoxo
Suze
hi there girlfriend! wish i would’ve known you gals were coming to my neck of the woods! i would have loved to see you guys. i posted a pretty pic of you from the prom…go see!
blessings,
danielle
http://www.thevintagedragonfly.typepad.com
Omg what a special and great trip you both do:Its so fantastic to meet friends from the blogging world and you meet New York!!!I were never in the United States but when i ยดll travel to the USA and than i will go to New York and shop a lot of millinery flowers,leaves,trims at the tinsel trading company.
Wonderful photos!!!
Wow! You’re blog is fun and so inspiring. I couldn’t stop reading it! I love your bunny name tag pin for silver bella. What a great retreat. I’ve never been but after seeing all the fun you had makes me want to go!
robin
I came upon your blog while looking for ideas for a Valentine tree for my little 4 year old granddaugther. I was absolutely mesmerized. Your home is beautiful, your decorating style is just wonderful, and you seem to have a wonderfully rich and fulfilling life. Your children and husband seem so very much loved by you….I think that’s what made your sight so enjoyable….the love that you express for your family.
Thank you for sharing your ideas, pictures, etc. I hope you don’t mind if I “borrow” some of your ideas. Happy New Year!!!!