....thanks to everyone who came over to comment on the last post and I will try to get back to you all! I just wanted to say that um, I think some of you might have been worried I was going over the edge a bit - I'm not. It was genuine musings, with a smidgen of crazy thrown in and suddenly with a fresh day and a new perspective there's lots of stuff to keep me busy and away from the sharp implements.
I've made a decision. I need a holiday. And the exchange rate is so good that it seems rude to not head over to see Denise, my lovely friend from college, like she suggested. I was thinking that perhaps it was a little crazy - and then remembered that I have some airmiles... and score! Enough to take me there and back, plus I can do stop overs en route. So will definitely be heading to Washington and New York - but the west coast or Chicago or Boston are also possibilities.
So who knows a good hotel in New York then?
Oh and the first reminder - if you want to sign up for the fabric swap, click on the link in the sidebar!
I know a good hotel in Melbourne if you want to come via us...come on. It's kind of on the way.
Posted by: Penni | Tuesday, 01 May 2007 at 23:35
What does say about me (or you, for that matter!!) that I didn't even see a smidgen of crazy in that post?? Holy shit, we're BOTH nuts!! Planning a stop-over in Sunny Tropical Seething With Hot Men and Sex North Queensland?? Huh? Huh??
Posted by: kirsty | Wednesday, 02 May 2007 at 00:33
Ooh, a holiday does a body good. I'm out of ideas for a good hotel in NY, but I'm sure I could give you loads of shopping places.... ;)
Have a lovely time! Take loads of pictures and post them here so we can vacation vicariously through you! :)
Posted by: mmdesigns | Wednesday, 02 May 2007 at 04:22
Oh yes a holiday - a brilliant idea. And here's my shopping list .... (only joking!)
On the hotel front no suggestions I'm afraid as it is so long since I have been but I used Quikbook.com because they seemed to offer the best deals and you don't have to prepay so you can keep changing reservations as better deals come online. A friend who goes to NY a lot says he has given up on boutique hotels and just opts for the business men chains as you get more for your money and after years of hoteling it in SoHo he now sticks to mid-town then everything is walkable.
Posted by: caroline | Wednesday, 02 May 2007 at 07:52
Can you see me turning bottle green with envy over here? Ah, New York, the other great shopping mecca besides London. I did whistlestops (two/three days) at both a few years ago, maxed out the credit cards and still regretted not staying longer.
Posted by: Jade | Wednesday, 02 May 2007 at 10:29
If you do decide on Boston, please let me know. I can give you ideas of places to go/things to do; if you're game, I can also meet up with you and can even offer a place to stay (we live about 40 miles west of Boston). Feel free to take me up on as little or as much that seems right.
Posted by: Jennifer | Wednesday, 02 May 2007 at 12:26
Hey, if you offer personal shopping services (with commission!) you could pay for your trip!!
Sort of like a booze-cruise but with fabric!
But seriously now - it sounds perfect and I just know you're going to have the best time.
Posted by: Ali | Wednesday, 02 May 2007 at 13:58
I've stayed at the La Quinta hotel on West 32nd Street in Manhattan, and it's pretty decent. Not fancy, but clean and reasonably priced (although it looks more expensive now than when I stayed!!). It's close to some tourist attractions, and easily accessible on the subway too. If you come to Boston, let me know ... I can give you some suggestions there too :)
Posted by: Danielle | Wednesday, 02 May 2007 at 16:16
A holiday sounds wonderful! And a holiday to New York sounds doubley so! I recommend the Belleclaire Hotel (http://www.hotelbelleclaire.com/index.html). It's on West 77th, close to a subway station, within walking distance of the Natural History Museum and Central Park. It's very nice inside, and you can get reduced rate rooms that use a common a bathroom, which wasn't actually all that bad (aka, worth the money savings - then you can spend more on fabric!). And you must go to Gray's Papaya for a hot dog and a smoothie. There's one in the garment district! Oh my goodness... I'm so jealous! If you ever make it to California, I can recommend some sites there too! ;o)
Posted by: Sarah | Wednesday, 02 May 2007 at 17:32
A holiday sounds like a great idea - where do I sign up!
I am afraid I cant offer any suggestions re destinations, but I do hope you have lots of fun planning your trip - enjoy!
Posted by: Rebecca | Wednesday, 02 May 2007 at 22:02
Don't miss the Radical Lace and Subversive Knitting show in New York at the Museum of Arts and Design - it is on until mid-June - oh and Hello :) (by the way) - I do enjoy reading your blog - your writing is great.
Posted by: Mandy | Thursday, 03 May 2007 at 01:08
A bit of soul searching never hurt anyone. Mark and I have stayed twice at the W Hotel in Murray Hill--impeccably clean, great staff, and a delicious location. Grand Central Station is an easy walk for the subway, as are the Lexington and 6th Ave. bus lines. Our stay at the Gershwin was odd. Union Square is a blast, but the hotel's much-vaunted quirkiness included a door that didn't lock and wasn't repaired after multiple complaints! Several years back we stayed someplace on the Upper West--New-York tiny room but nicely furnished, if you like that neighborhood I'll check my records for the name of the hotel.
Email me if you want restaurants! Mark got the South Carolina job, hurrah.
Posted by: jpt | Thursday, 03 May 2007 at 12:00
Gail, your trip sounds great. There's some great yarn and fabric shops to be had in NYC!
Posted by: Jenny | Thursday, 03 May 2007 at 22:39