Good morning — I hope you’re all having a wonderful week.
Things have been very busy over here lately. I recently took on a large design project in New York City, and it’s definitely starting to occupy a lot of my time. It was one of those opportunities that felt very hard to pass up. At the same time, I was very mindful of the fact that I have my own project percolating as well as a business to run, so I really thought long and hard before saying yes. Thankfully, the timing seemed to work out well because the bulk of the project needs to be completed by early fall, so I decided to jump in with both feet and take it on. So far, so good. It’s a lot of decision-making for a very large space, but I’m enjoying it and look forward to sharing more about it down the road.
What’s been interesting is that because I’ve been going into the city more than I normally do, something unexpected has happened. Every single time I go in, I get hit with this huge wave of nostalgia — and if it happens to be one of those beautiful sunny New York days, it’s even more intense.
It’s hard to explain, but it’s this combination of memories from when we actually lived there and memories of what it felt like to be in your early 20s living in New York City. Those truly carefree days when we didn’t have a care in the world. Life felt easy. There were so few real challenges compared to what adulthood eventually becomes. It honestly felt like such an unburdened world back then.
Every time I’m there now, I’m transported right back to being 23 years old, floating through life feeling like anything was possible. I loved every minute of it. Truly. It makes me emotional sometimes because I feel so grateful that I got to experience that chapter of life, but there’s also a small part of me that wishes I could click my feet together and go back to it for just a little while.
I’m not even sure if it’s specifically about wanting to go back to being young or wanting to go back to living in a simpler world. Maybe it’s both.
Sure enough, every time I leave the city and drive back home to Long Island, I catch myself daydreaming about moving back. We sold our apartment several years ago, but I honestly don’t think I’ll ever completely rule out having another small place there someday — even if it’s just a tiny home base to escape to from time to time. I found myself in tears thinking about when my first son was born and how my mom and I would pack up the stroller and go out for hours, exploring the blocks, stopping in for a coffee or lunch. Such special memories.
There’s just something about New York City that continues to fascinate me. Whether you’ve lived there or simply visited, you probably know exactly what I mean when I say the city has an energy unlike anywhere else. It truly is the city that never sleeps. I love that you could walk down a different street every single day for an entire year and still discover something new every time. It’s a city with so many different personalities, and there really is something there for everyone.
At this stage of my life, I especially appreciate certain neighborhoods on the Upper Side because they feel quieter, elegant, beautiful, tree-lined, and almost peaceful — yet you’re still only minutes away from all the energy and excitement of the more high-energy neighborhoods. That contrast is part of what makes the city so magical to me.
I remember waking up in the mornings and walking to my little local coffee shop — and this was long before coffee culture became what it is today. I knew everyone who worked there. I’d grab my coffee and walk a few blocks to my buyers job at B. Altman’s. Life was really, really good. We went out to dinner most nights, had loads of friends, went to the gym, took long walks, and just enjoyed the simplicity and excitement of that phase of life. It was simple in so many ways, but at the same time it felt so exciting and full of possibility.
I don’t know… maybe this is just part of getting older, but I’m curious if anyone else relates to this feeling. Have you ever gone back to a place that was so near and dear to your heart when you were younger and suddenly felt all those emotions come rushing back? That mix of gratitude, nostalgia, longing, and wishing you could relive it all again, even if just for a little while? OK your turn to chime in……
I honestly feel it is part of us becoming older, nostalgia for when we were young. For me it’s not any one place, it’s the people. Some sadly no longer here.
I lived in San Francisco in my 20’s and it was everything a city experience could be. Lots to do and see and no responsibilities. Then I grew into a more structured and responsible life….husband and children. But those were the days and I love my days now.
MOVING TO THE WASHINGTON DC AREA…O, MY, HOW “DIFFERENT” THAN A “CORNHUSKER!” Our 1927 Tudor was my first “house love” & close to…EVERYTHING I found so exciting!! Now, little log cabin on a huge lake…*sigh* memories… franki
I definitely feel nostalgia / yearning to go back – for me it’s not just going back to specific places e but going back to simpler time – people talking to each other / connecting with each other
We moved away from the city 4 years ago where we lived for 35 years, 25 of them in the same building. We visit at least once a year, never quite cutting ties with most important things in life: friends & doctors.
I miss it terribly and continue to follow apts for sale out of habit and interest. We have no plans to move back or even get something small but I like to fantasize about what if,
Now in a large house of our dreams that took 2 yrs to build, ( which was always our dream) I am nostalgic about having a super and staff to do everything and realize that it was the biggest “assisted living” set up ever before getting old and actually going into one.
We didn’t own a car and everything seemed so easy. Well knew everyone in our building and most doormen in the neighborhood. We walked everywhere including work. It was home, and in my heart it still is. Anytime we fly in I practically tear up going across the bridge and catching the first glimpse of the skyline.
So I understand.
Like Franki, I miss the Washington DC area of my childhood. Most exciting was spending the night with my great aunt who lived in Georgetown. It was a time of glamorous embassy parties for her, and Shirley Temple’s for me.
B. Altman!!! (sigh). My mom took me there for my haircuts…. and what a wonderful world B. Altman (and the rest of 34th St) was. A simpler world…… The Olshans saved the Dolphin fountain when Altman’s closed and it now is placed where you enter the Westchester Mall from one of the garage areas in White Plains. Thanks for the memories!!!
I lived and worked in New York for 8 years in my twenties. B. Altman brought back the most nostalgia because I worked at Simplicity Pattern Company which was just across the street, lived a few blocks away( that was my old neighborhood) and shopped there regularly. Even bought my wedding gown there! Those were the days!
I now live on the west coast of Florida and love this new chapter in my life- especially the warm weather!
U read my mind!!! I arrived in July of 1974 and was there until July of 1983 when I moved to HK for 5 years. I returned for anther 5 years thereafter before a final career move to Boston. Everything you said was right on.
I miss those days and everything about them.
Thanks for refreshing my thoughts.
I so loved this post. I lived in NY (Tribeca) until about 9 years ago, we moved to Greenwich. I still get into the city often however like you, miss it a lot. I feel grateful that we are still so close. I loved B.Altman’s what a wonderful store. Funny that you were a buyer there, my sister in law was as well (furniture dept) but only for a year.
Your nostalgia for the “old days” resonates, Life WAS better and so much simpler. I hate the way technology has overtaken our simple in person interactions. This young generation doesn’t even know what its like, they are always on their phones!
You painted a beautiful picture of a wonderful era.
I know just how you feel. I adored B Altman’s and also taking my young children along to explore ABC Carpet and Home with their little cafe for lunch. Nice memories
I lived in NYC for many years. I miss the lively life, the quiet elegant restaurants, broadway, etc. Oh the authentic Chinese food. There are some excellent restaurants in Naples but full of loud drunks. Lots of charity events and yatch clubs if in your in the one percent
I agree with you the loudness of people in a restaurant, cell phone, and the drunks, take the fun out of everything and I experience it more then I want to at my own Country Club – Ugh😢😢🤔🤔🙅🏻♀️were fid all the classy people go💁🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
I was born and raised in NJ…so close to NY. The city and the NJ shore were my stomping grounds. Wonderful memories. As a teenager, my friends snd I would take a bus and subway into the city on weekends. We would see broadway shows, visit museums, shop, dine, and hang out in the village. Christmas in the city was magical. What wonderful memories.
I have tried to put into words to my friends what makes New York so special but it is more a feeling that I can’t quite explain. Maybe it is the constant motion, the diversity, the chaos but also the beauty throughout the city. No matter how many places I visit in the world, New York remains at the very top of my list-maybe even number one. Nowhere else gives me that same feeling.
I have tried to put into words to my friends what makes New York so special to me but it is more than a feeling that I can’t explain. Maybe it’s the motion, the diversity, the chaos but also the beauty throughout the city. No matter how many places I visit in the world, New York remains at the top of my list-maybe even number one. Nowhere else gives me that same feeling.
I really believe it is our age. I truly find myself grieving for the past, the late 50’s the 60’s, the 70’s and the 80’s! have traveled to NYC over 12 times in my life. I will not return. Old NYC was like a crown jewel and it was so special. Many of my favorite boutique shops and restaurant’s have closed, a bit like NOLA after the flood. I traveled to NO 15 yrs bf the flood. Nothing is ever the same. I do not think certain magical experiences can be recreated. People have changed and the entire world with it. My Aunt who lived on 5th Avenue over looking Central Park has passed and her beautiful Apartment sold, and Private Dinning room, closed, long gone because the new generation cannot understand the true luxury of a Private Dinning Room on the top floor of your Co-op. 🤔💁🏻♀️😢😢😢I have no desire to return! My memories are what I cherish and if I return it will only be to pull at my heart strings❤️🇺🇸💙Because there will never be a NYC like Old NYC🇺🇸🎹🎼🎺🎻🗽🥇🥃🧊🍸🥂🍻👠💃🏻🤵♂️👨🚒💄🫶🙅🏻♀️
I can certainly relate to this feeling. Sometimes when I drive by our old house, I slow down and I can almost see young Bev there so many years ago. I just want to call out to her, see my younger self, and wish I could relive all those youthful days. Sometimes, as I drive away I tear up knowing it will never be. Then I say this little prayer, Thank you God for all that I am, all that I was, and all that I will be.
I can relate. I had such a ball back in the late 80s. A recent grad, a fun job on Capitol Hill, endless social events, and almost no ‘real’ responsibilities. Life was simpler, and the world was kinder. I actually miss the pre-internet days, before social media and constant scrolling on phones. People had meaningful face-to-face relationships and conversations. I remember those times with nostalgia and gratitude. I guess it’s just a part of growing older.
I fell that sense of wanting to go back to being a young mother once again. I also remember following your design process on your last home. So much has changed but must say I’m enjoying seeing what you are doing with AI. I know you do miss those days with your mother. Sweet memories.
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Good morning — I hope you’re all having a wonderful week.
Things have been very busy over here lately. I recently took on a large design project in New York City, and it’s definitely starting to occupy a lot of my time. It was one of those opportunities that felt very hard to pass up. At the same time, I was very mindful of the fact that I have my own project percolating as well as a business to run, so I really thought long and hard before saying yes. Thankfully, the timing seemed to work out well because the bulk of the project needs to be completed by early fall, so I decided to jump in with both feet and take it on. So far, so good. It’s a lot of decision-making for a very large space, but I’m enjoying it and look forward to sharing more about it down the road.
What’s been interesting is that because I’ve been going into the city more than I normally do, something unexpected has happened. Every single time I go in, I get hit with this huge wave of nostalgia — and if it happens to be one of those beautiful sunny New York days, it’s even more intense.
It’s hard to explain, but it’s this combination of memories from when we actually lived there and memories of what it felt like to be in your early 20s living in New York City. Those truly carefree days when we didn’t have a care in the world. Life felt easy. There were so few real challenges compared to what adulthood eventually becomes. It honestly felt like such an unburdened world back then.
Every time I’m there now, I’m transported right back to being 23 years old, floating through life feeling like anything was possible. I loved every minute of it. Truly. It makes me emotional sometimes because I feel so grateful that I got to experience that chapter of life, but there’s also a small part of me that wishes I could click my feet together and go back to it for just a little while.
I’m not even sure if it’s specifically about wanting to go back to being young or wanting to go back to living in a simpler world. Maybe it’s both.
Sure enough, every time I leave the city and drive back home to Long Island, I catch myself daydreaming about moving back. We sold our apartment several years ago, but I honestly don’t think I’ll ever completely rule out having another small place there someday — even if it’s just a tiny home base to escape to from time to time. I found myself in tears thinking about when my first son was born and how my mom and I would pack up the stroller and go out for hours, exploring the blocks, stopping in for a coffee or lunch. Such special memories.
There’s just something about New York City that continues to fascinate me. Whether you’ve lived there or simply visited, you probably know exactly what I mean when I say the city has an energy unlike anywhere else. It truly is the city that never sleeps. I love that you could walk down a different street every single day for an entire year and still discover something new every time. It’s a city with so many different personalities, and there really is something there for everyone.
At this stage of my life, I especially appreciate certain neighborhoods on the Upper Side because they feel quieter, elegant, beautiful, tree-lined, and almost peaceful — yet you’re still only minutes away from all the energy and excitement of the more high-energy neighborhoods. That contrast is part of what makes the city so magical to me.
I remember waking up in the mornings and walking to my little local coffee shop — and this was long before coffee culture became what it is today. I knew everyone who worked there. I’d grab my coffee and walk a few blocks to my buyers job at B. Altman’s. Life was really, really good. We went out to dinner most nights, had loads of friends, went to the gym, took long walks, and just enjoyed the simplicity and excitement of that phase of life. It was simple in so many ways, but at the same time it felt so exciting and full of possibility.
I don’t know… maybe this is just part of getting older, but I’m curious if anyone else relates to this feeling. Have you ever gone back to a place that was so near and dear to your heart when you were younger and suddenly felt all those emotions come rushing back? That mix of gratitude, nostalgia, longing, and wishing you could relive it all again, even if just for a little while? OK your turn to chime in……
I honestly feel it is part of us becoming older, nostalgia for when we were young. For me it’s not any one place, it’s the people. Some sadly no longer here.
I lived in San Francisco in my 20’s and it was everything a city experience could be. Lots to do and see and no responsibilities. Then I grew into a more structured and responsible life….husband and children. But those were the days and I love my days now.
MOVING TO THE WASHINGTON DC AREA…O, MY, HOW “DIFFERENT” THAN A “CORNHUSKER!” Our 1927 Tudor was my first “house love” & close to…EVERYTHING I found so exciting!! Now, little log cabin on a huge lake…*sigh* memories… franki
I definitely feel nostalgia / yearning to go back – for me it’s not just going back to specific places e but going back to simpler time – people talking to each other / connecting with each other
We moved away from the city 4 years ago where we lived for 35 years, 25 of them in the same building. We visit at least once a year, never quite cutting ties with most important things in life: friends & doctors.
I miss it terribly and continue to follow apts for sale out of habit and interest. We have no plans to move back or even get something small but I like to fantasize about what if,
Now in a large house of our dreams that took 2 yrs to build, ( which was always our dream) I am nostalgic about having a super and staff to do everything and realize that it was the biggest “assisted living” set up ever before getting old and actually going into one.
We didn’t own a car and everything seemed so easy. Well knew everyone in our building and most doormen in the neighborhood. We walked everywhere including work. It was home, and in my heart it still is. Anytime we fly in I practically tear up going across the bridge and catching the first glimpse of the skyline.
So I understand.
Like Franki, I miss the Washington DC area of my childhood. Most exciting was spending the night with my great aunt who lived in Georgetown. It was a time of glamorous embassy parties for her, and Shirley Temple’s for me.
B. Altman!!! (sigh). My mom took me there for my haircuts…. and what a wonderful world B. Altman (and the rest of 34th St) was. A simpler world…… The Olshans saved the Dolphin fountain when Altman’s closed and it now is placed where you enter the Westchester Mall from one of the garage areas in White Plains. Thanks for the memories!!!
I lived and worked in New York for 8 years in my twenties. B. Altman brought back the most nostalgia because I worked at Simplicity Pattern Company which was just across the street, lived a few blocks away( that was my old neighborhood) and shopped there regularly. Even bought my wedding gown there! Those were the days!
I now live on the west coast of Florida and love this new chapter in my life- especially the warm weather!
U read my mind!!! I arrived in July of 1974 and was there until July of 1983 when I moved to HK for 5 years. I returned for anther 5 years thereafter before a final career move to Boston. Everything you said was right on.
I miss those days and everything about them.
Thanks for refreshing my thoughts.
I so loved this post. I lived in NY (Tribeca) until about 9 years ago, we moved to Greenwich. I still get into the city often however like you, miss it a lot. I feel grateful that we are still so close. I loved B.Altman’s what a wonderful store. Funny that you were a buyer there, my sister in law was as well (furniture dept) but only for a year.
Your nostalgia for the “old days” resonates, Life WAS better and so much simpler. I hate the way technology has overtaken our simple in person interactions. This young generation doesn’t even know what its like, they are always on their phones!
You painted a beautiful picture of a wonderful era.
Montauk. Wonderful memories starting in the 60’s. No place like it.
What beautiful moments for you to revisit! I think many of use can relate…
I know just how you feel. I adored B Altman’s and also taking my young children along to explore ABC Carpet and Home with their little cafe for lunch. Nice memories
I lived in NYC for many years. I miss the lively life, the quiet elegant restaurants, broadway, etc. Oh the authentic Chinese food. There are some excellent restaurants in Naples but full of loud drunks. Lots of charity events and yatch clubs if in your in the one percent
I agree with you the loudness of people in a restaurant, cell phone, and the drunks, take the fun out of everything and I experience it more then I want to at my own Country Club – Ugh😢😢🤔🤔🙅🏻♀️were fid all the classy people go💁🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
I was born and raised in NJ…so close to NY. The city and the NJ shore were my stomping grounds. Wonderful memories. As a teenager, my friends snd I would take a bus and subway into the city on weekends. We would see broadway shows, visit museums, shop, dine, and hang out in the village. Christmas in the city was magical. What wonderful memories.
I have tried to put into words to my friends what makes New York so special but it is more a feeling that I can’t quite explain. Maybe it is the constant motion, the diversity, the chaos but also the beauty throughout the city. No matter how many places I visit in the world, New York remains at the very top of my list-maybe even number one. Nowhere else gives me that same feeling.
I have tried to put into words to my friends what makes New York so special to me but it is more than a feeling that I can’t explain. Maybe it’s the motion, the diversity, the chaos but also the beauty throughout the city. No matter how many places I visit in the world, New York remains at the top of my list-maybe even number one. Nowhere else gives me that same feeling.
Can you share your favorite restaurants in NYC?
Agree. Yes, I have. I feel the same way about London. Totally understand what you feel and I think you expressed the feeling well.
I really believe it is our age. I truly find myself grieving for the past, the late 50’s the 60’s, the 70’s and the 80’s! have traveled to NYC over 12 times in my life. I will not return. Old NYC was like a crown jewel and it was so special. Many of my favorite boutique shops and restaurant’s have closed, a bit like NOLA after the flood. I traveled to NO 15 yrs bf the flood. Nothing is ever the same. I do not think certain magical experiences can be recreated. People have changed and the entire world with it. My Aunt who lived on 5th Avenue over looking Central Park has passed and her beautiful Apartment sold, and Private Dinning room, closed, long gone because the new generation cannot understand the true luxury of a Private Dinning Room on the top floor of your Co-op. 🤔💁🏻♀️😢😢😢I have no desire to return! My memories are what I cherish and if I return it will only be to pull at my heart strings❤️🇺🇸💙Because there will never be a NYC like Old NYC🇺🇸🎹🎼🎺🎻🗽🥇🥃🧊🍸🥂🍻👠💃🏻🤵♂️👨🚒💄🫶🙅🏻♀️
I can certainly relate to this feeling. Sometimes when I drive by our old house, I slow down and I can almost see young Bev there so many years ago. I just want to call out to her, see my younger self, and wish I could relive all those youthful days. Sometimes, as I drive away I tear up knowing it will never be. Then I say this little prayer, Thank you God for all that I am, all that I was, and all that I will be.
I can relate. I had such a ball back in the late 80s. A recent grad, a fun job on Capitol Hill, endless social events, and almost no ‘real’ responsibilities. Life was simpler, and the world was kinder. I actually miss the pre-internet days, before social media and constant scrolling on phones. People had meaningful face-to-face relationships and conversations. I remember those times with nostalgia and gratitude. I guess it’s just a part of growing older.
I fell that sense of wanting to go back to being a young mother once again. I also remember following your design process on your last home. So much has changed but must say I’m enjoying seeing what you are doing with AI. I know you do miss those days with your mother. Sweet memories.