Holidays 2017: Birthday Trip to N.Y.C

Katherine Heigl celebrating her birthday in New York City

So in my last holiday post I mentioned that my birthday, falling the day after Thanksgiving, was kind of a s*#t show. The good news is that my friends and family more than made up for it with a badass trip to New York where we ate, shopped, rested, ate and ate some more! We celebrated my birthday three nights in a row at some of my new favorite restaurants in the city and got to see Josh play at the city winery on the Hudson Pier, which was the real reason and inspiration for the trip. When I found out he had two shows in the city early December and that our friends here in Utah had already booked their tickets so they could see him play I had the most intense FOMO ever! I’m not much of an impromptu traveler and usually choose to stay cozied up at home if given the option. This time however I couldn’t bare the thought of missing all the fun. There’s nothing like New York at Christmas time and I hadn’t been able to enjoy it in years. So I called up my sister and mother and convinced them to take the trip with me by using it as a great excuse for a much needed Heigl gals holiday getaway! So without further ado, here are all the pictures of our fabulous New York City trip and links to all the best spots we found in case you want to plan you’re own getaway soon.

Our first night in the city we hunkered down at our hotel The James Soho and stayed put. We arrived around 4pm and were starving so although we had dinner reservations at the hotel restaurant  David Burke Kitchen we couldn’t resist stopping in early for appetizers and cocktails. This was really the start of my martini soaked, food coma birthday trip. After our appetizers we went back to our rooms, freshened up, and then hit the hotel roof bar and lounge Jimmy for more cocktails which we took back downstairs with us for our dinner reservation. The food, the views, the vibe and the martinis were to die for! I loved every second of it!

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The following morning we were up and at it early. My sister and I hit the gym at the hotel before heading out to a blow dry bar to get our hair done for the day by someone who actually knows what they’re doing. I had never been to a blow dry bar before and let me tell you, I am a believer! My hair looked fantastic, took only about 45 minutes from wash to dry and lasted me two days with the help of a little dry shampoo. If there was one conveniently located near me in Utah I’d do it every week! Once our hair was runway ready we headed to one of my favorite places on earth, Bergdorf Goodman. I’ve mentioned my love for the high end department store before so I won’t wax on here, except to say it did not disappoint and was as magical as always. We had lunch in their Kelly Wearstler designed restaurant and then headed to the shoe department where my mother treated my sister and I to some extraordinary pairs. It was a perfect ladies afternoon! After exhausting ourselves shopping we headed back to the hotel, quickly freshened up and then met our friends back at the Jimmy bar and lounge for a cocktail or two (me in a pair of my new shoes!). After drinks we headed to dinner at STK steakhouse where we enjoyed another totally delicious decadent meal and another birthday cake for me! I won’t lie, I was soaking up all the lavish birthday attention! Especially since my actual day of birth had been such a disaster. After dinner we headed back to the hotel where my sister and I had the bright idea to have one more drink at the Jimmy. Needless to say we did not get up the next morning and workout!

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Our last full day in the city we had a lunch in the neighborhood before hitting my favorite knitting store ever Purl Soho. After perusing the yarns and projects and of course choosing a few, we walked around Soho window shopping and just savored each other’s company and the freedom to do as we pleased. Have lunch, sure, window shop, yup, take a nap, definitely! Honestly, I sort of needed to sleep off the martini hangover from the night before’s festivities. After my lengthy nap we got ready for another dinner with our friends at Scarpetta where we had a truly spectacular meal and I enjoyed my final birthday cake. By this point I was starting to feel a little guilty about all the celebrating but hey, I wasn’t complaining! After dinner we were off to see Josh’s show at the City Winery where we got to watch him kill it in front of beautiful views of the Hudson River and a packed house. It was truly a lovely day and an absolutely perfect night! The trip was everything I hoped for and more. My mother, sister and I are already talking about making it a yearly tradition. New York at Christmas time is kind of an amazing way to kick off the holiday season and really get you in the mood! I can’t wait for next year…too soon?

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19 Comments

  • Danielle

    It sounds amazing and the pictures are great. I’m planning a trip to New York around june, with my husband. I’m sooooo excited to finally experience NY in real life and this blog only added to my excitement.

    January 19, 2018 at 12:24 pm Reply
  • Klaude

    Sounds like you had an amazing bday. That’s wonderful. I have a similar date issue as mine falls the day before Valentine’s Day…so, I either get spoiled for 2 days or get the old “this is for your bday & Valentine’s Day…ok?” Happy to see you so joyful and celebrated. You’re a very special lady and deserve the extra attention. Be blessed

    January 19, 2018 at 12:37 pm Reply
  • Syuzanna

    Dearest Katherine,
    Good morning and thank you for this lovely post! New York at Christmas sure is magical! When I first came to the states in 2007 I arrived in NYC, and, oh that magical air swept my young soul! Although, I don’t think I would want to live there. I can’t wait to visit NYC again! Have to try some of those places you mentioned! By the way, where did you guys stay?
    Your pictures are absolutely stunning and hey you could start a photo gallery of your own ( you are good at snapping them)! Mother and sister plus beloved husband to make it all complete! So what did you get from Purl Soho and what projects are you planing on working on? I started knitting since your post about knitting ( eyes before Christmas) and as we are waiting for my second son to be born ( for once I am off from studying and working, partially)… so I would like to try any new ideas with yarn!
    Love you beautiful!
    Always yours
    Syuzanna

    January 19, 2018 at 1:11 pm Reply
  • Sydney

    You look so beautiful Katherine! I LOVE you hair!!! You wear it well!

    January 19, 2018 at 1:57 pm Reply
  • Alek Felis

    Sorry that your birthday was bad, but you definitely deserved this second try!
    Best wishes! And hope this will be one good year!
    By the way my mom have a birthday today :).

    January 19, 2018 at 3:22 pm Reply
  • Diana Brun

    It looked so fabulous! You look so happy! I can’t wait for my daughter to be old enough to enjoy adventures like that together! I love NYC vibe!!! And I actually live here!! In The Bronx to be exact! I’m celebrating my 15th year anniversary with my hubby and we are having a staycation in the city! I would definitely be trying some of the restaurants you mentioned! I can’t wait! And maybe , just maybe convince him to take me shoe shopping! Lol maybe happy wife , happy life! Right?

    January 19, 2018 at 4:47 pm Reply
  • Hatice

    Hello Katherine. This is going to be off topic but I just wanted to say that you are my idol. I wanted to adopt and it was always in my mind but after seeing how you grew up and how you started your family and how happy those two beautiful girls are, inspired me and now I am certain that I want to adopt. You and your family are goals for me. I love you! And happy late birthday and many more. I wish you and your family happiness. Oh, my birthday is next week, wanna wish me happy birthday? I’m turning 20!

    January 19, 2018 at 4:48 pm Reply
  • Noëlle Pederson

    Good for you!! My birthday is the day after Christmas, so I know all to well what it is like to have a disaster of a birthday. Let’s just say my 40th this year, which should have been AWESOME…was not so much, doesn’t getting older suck? C’est la vie. Glad you could salvage your birthday with a little impromptu trip; we mommies need the days of glam now and then…especially on our birthdays. So Happy Birthday Katherine, glad you made it a good one!

    January 19, 2018 at 4:58 pm Reply
  • Charlene

    I’m heading to NYC (from London) in two days time, so this is a perfectly timed post for me! Thank you, I’m off to check out the linked spots and see if any take our fancy!

    January 19, 2018 at 8:58 pm Reply
  • Cyndi

    Loved the pictures and enjoyed reading all about your NYC trip !
    Could you please tell me which blo out bar you went to?
    I live in NJ and often go to the city with my daughter, we have been wanting to go to one . Your hair looked great !

    January 19, 2018 at 9:55 pm Reply
  • Christina welch

    Thanks for sharing your special birthday photos. I recommend Serafina in Manhattan. Great atmosphere and food! The photo of your mom and you where’s she’s looking at you is a keepsake you can see her love and admiration for you…its quite endearing.

    January 20, 2018 at 4:29 am Reply
  • Abi

    Wow that incredible, you are the best you deserve it beautiful I LOVE YOU KATHERINE

    January 20, 2018 at 5:00 am Reply
  • Carina

    I absolutely love NYC!

    I’ve been there twice, but never visited a yarn store, and only afterwards learned that the Lion Brand studio is there…sigh…so I’ll have to go back, yes?

    Did you buy the black shoes? Love the heel!

    January 20, 2018 at 7:55 am Reply
  • Michelle

    Happy Belated Birthday! A great trip to NYC is on my bucket list! I am also on a quest for new eyeglasses! Who is the designer for your eyeglass frames?

    January 20, 2018 at 7:54 pm Reply
  • Elizabeth Bogan

    Such wonderful pics. Looks like you and family had a great time. Your hair looked wonderful. Wish they had one of those salon types back here in Illinois midland. I look forward to reading your post. Thanks again.

    January 21, 2018 at 2:54 am Reply
  • Epic Reality

    good job! i have always wanted to go to New York on New Years Eve, maybe someday. the picture is so beautiful

    January 21, 2018 at 11:05 am Reply
  • Patricia Boyle

    Happy belated birthday! Your trip sounds like a lot of fun. I love New York also but my weaknesses are used bookstores and Mexican restaurants.

    January 22, 2018 at 2:13 am Reply
  • Samantha

    Looks like an amazing time. You’re gorgeous as usual.

    January 23, 2018 at 11:27 pm Reply
  • Michelle

    Who is the designer of your eyeglasses? They look great on you! I am shopping for new frames!

    January 27, 2018 at 3:36 pm Reply
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