My husband and I recently took a quick two-night trip to NYC.  Since it was just the two of us, we decided to take advantage of a quieter, more relaxed stay in Soho.

STAY.  We stayed at The James New York, which is conveniently located at the edge of Soho, a short drive from the Newark Airport.  It’s walking distance from SOHO, Nolita and the West Village made it an ideal place for a short trip.  But it was the modern design, amenities and David Burke Kitchen downstairs (with 24-hour room service) that sealed the deal.

SHOP.  After a lazy morning, I headed out to peruse the shops in Nolita — one of the most charming areas to browse and explore — before heading back to SOHO.  I visited some old favorites and made a couple new discoveries too.

Thomas Sires.  A perfect, curated mix of pieces for women, children, and the home, you’ll want to bring home everything from Thomas Sires on picturesque Elizabeth Street.

Tory Burch Sport.  A new discovery, Tory Burch Sport represents her take on the athleisure trend — with Tory Burch’s colorful, preppy spin, of course.

Purl Soho.  When my daughter was born, I taught myself to knit so I could make precious little hats for her.  My skills have not developed past a simple hat or scarf, but the variety of gorgeous knitting supplies at Purl Soho are inspiring me to take it up a notch.

Clare V.  We’ve long been fans of Clare V.  and her boutique in Nolita.  It’s one thing to see her practical and stylish bags online, but it doesn’t beat viewing the whole collection and seeing what’s new in person.

EAT.  Like SF, NYC is a big foodie town.  Ours was a short trip, but we still managed to partake in some culinary delights.

Market Table.  This is one of Melissa’s favorites, so we had to give it a try.  We enjoyed well-made cocktails while waiting for a friend, and seasonal, fresh American fare.

Balthazar.  A classic and a favorite.  We were lucky enough to score a table without a reservation for lunch and enjoyed French classics like escargot, steak tartare, and lobster bisque.

Dominique Ansel Bakery.  This bakery is the creation of Dominique Ansel, formerly of Daniel.  It is known as the home of the cronut, so we couldn’t pass up the chance to try the original, despite the long line even at mid-morning.  It was worth the wait.

All photos original to Revolving Decor.