From the moment I stepped into Kelly’s place, I was greeted by a waft of spiced cinnamon scent in the air as I opened the red entry door in the foyer.Surviving from a very, very long uncomfortable, sleepless flight from Sydney and exhausting queue for a cab in New York on a cold dreary wet night in New York, it felt like a Welcome Home hug for me & my kids.
Opening the door in her apartment was even better, it was warm and cozy that there was a feeling of familiar comfort.. like I’ve just arrived in my own home. I was specially touched to see that she put up a beautiful , perfectly cute teddy bear decorated Christmas tree for me and the kids since before the trip she asked me online if I celebrate Christmas, and I said yes..The Place was tastefully decorated and the personal touches like the 5 stockings stuffer hanging on the chimney just touched my heart and the smiles it brought on my kids faces was priceless, since the youngest one was worried if Santa would find him somehow in New York...This gave him a feeling of reassurance & comfort.
Being a recently single mother with three kids our last Christmas was terrible & traumatising for my kids.
So for a whole year I worked so damn hard so I can treat my kids to experience New York Christmas & New Year to spend it with their grandma & Uncle together with his little family since they live in Brooklyn.
The kitchen was superb since my brother & sister in law did all the cooking both Christmas Eve & New Year’s Eve. It was one of the best Christmas & New Year’s we ever had. The place is spacious inside, with space downstairs where my kids spent a lot of time playing board games,or watching films on tv, while I’m curled up on the couch upstairs, savouring warm hot cup of tea with a good book, (reading is a luxury when you’re a single working mum doing everything at home, working full time & trying to establish a business at the same time.)
The location is perfect for us since there’s a subway stations nearby and various shops and eating places.My family and I enjoyed our quality time together, bonding with each other. We had so much laughter and cheers.. Did I forget to mention that my mum’s partner of 5 years proposed to her just after the New Year’s countdown? It happened in Kelly’s place downstairs in the games room. It was Amazing!
So I’m coming back to New York for a wedding in the near future! Of course, I’ll be staying at Kelly’s place because I need to feel HOME when I’m away from home.
I highly recommend this place! I can’t gush enough about it.