HOW I SPENT MY 29TH BIRTHDAY

I turned 29 a few days ago on January 27 and birthdays to me has always been a strange, but beautiful thing. For the majority of my life, I’ve always loved celebrating other people’s birthdays and I’ve always enjoyed doing something special for my own. Yes, it’s a great time to celebrate being another year older, but for me, it’s been more about getting the ones I love together and enjoying each other’s company. The birthday itself comes secondary.

When the pandemic happened last year, I didn’t think it would last until it has now and I’m sure a lot of us can agree. It was surprising when news started to spread that this was actually going to be present even in 2021. I have to admit that I thought I was going to bypass having a quarantine birthday, but as it has played out, that wasn’t the case. Last year during this time, I was in Tulum (one of my favorite destinations!) and it’s been extremely difficult to not just pack up a bag and go somewhere.

I also think it’s very common for us to feel the same the day after our birthday as we do the day before it and the day of it. However, I personally feel like turning 29 is putting me on a different path. As I look back at the previous years, I can see how 27 and 28 blended together, but for some reason, this year feels different. I also used to dread being another year older, but again, this year I’m embracing it. I feel at peace, at ease and the best word to describe my current mood is calm.

If you also follow on me on Instagram, you might know that I always do a birthday shoot ever year. Some might think it’s excessive and unnecessary, but I think it’s a great excuse to dress up and have fun 🙂 The photos are also a great memory of where I was at in that particular year of my life so to continue the tradition, I was lucky enough to take the above photos at Felix Coffee Company, which is a stunning and must visit cafe in NYC!

Since I couldn’t spend my birthday at a tropical location, I decided to do a staycation instead. The best part about living in New York City is that there is so much beauty surrounding the city, that even with restrictions you can find something fun to do. As a Brooklyn resident, I wanted to choose a hotel that was in the city, preferably one that was close to my family in the Lower East Side because I already had birthday dinner plans with them. I also thought that it would be a great feeling to welcome a new year at a hotel that would offer splendid views of Lower Manhattan, so I’m so grateful that Nomo Soho was able to host me for the night.

NOMO SOHO:

I’ve stayed at Nomo Soho before and I’ve also attended a few events at the hotel in addition to dining at the hotel’s restaurant Nomo Kitchen. It is located in the heart of Soho on 9 Crosby Street, which is also one of my favorite streets in Soho because of the cobble stones charm.

Tucked away at 9 Crosby, NoMo is a hidden gem just steps from the excitement that the streets of New York have to offer. Inspired by the neighborhood, NoMo represents an intrigue for the nostalgic + modern. Our building is a curated collection of vintage and contemporary art, representing the eclectic mix of those who made SoHo what it is today.

Since I was only spending 24 hours at the hotel, I wanted to make sure that it would have an intimate, boutique vibe and I could relax and use the night to myself. I stayed in the classic king room, which came with floor-to-ceiling windows, a full-size work desk, stocked minibar, large screen HDTV, Google Chromecast, luxurious marble showers, and Malin+Goetz bath amenities. The best selling points in the room were the views, especially from the bathroom shower and right above the king bed headboard.

NoMo Kitchen offers a rustic American menu with global influences helmed by Chef Omar Lorenzana. Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a truly unique weekend brunch (if you’ve attended, you know what we’re talking about), our ever-changing menus showcase farm-to-fork seasonal cuisine.

Nomo Soho also has an amazing outdoor dining setup at their restaurant, Nomo Kitchen. I ate there with a friend for lunch and although the temperature was in the 30s, we didn’t feel as cold as you would think because the restaurant has strong heating lamps. The atmosphere is also very picturesque and I would recommend making reservations if you want to dine here, regardless if you are a guest of the hotel or not. My friend ordered the mushroom tacos and I had the grain and green salad with chicken. We paired our lunch with mint tea and it was satisfying and the perfect meal to start my staycation.

Upon entering the hotel, I was observant to the unique design and I could see how the combination of nostalgic and modern elements were working. The entrance itself is a dreamy experience because you are welcomed with these arches and lights that pave the way into the lobby. Since it is a boutique hotel, I immediately felt the intimate and attentive vibe from the staff which was exactly what I needed and wanted in a staycation. I also think if you guys want to do something for your birthday or find the itch to just do something, booking a staycation might be a fun idea if you’ve never done it before!

No matter how late I sleep, I am a morning person and my internal clock normally goes off around 7 am. After spending the night at Nomo Soho, I woke up to the natural sunlight peeking through the curtains, which was a lovely experience and sight. On the morning of my birthday, I didn’t check my phone for the first few hours. I simply turned inwards, did a meditation and soaked in the sunrise. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to welcome 29!

Other than spending time with myself, I didn’t do anything extraordinary but this birthday showed me that sometimes less is more and there is beauty in simplicity. I usually love being around tons of people and I usually do a big celebration, but I must admit that it was refreshing to just celebrate another year around the sun with just myself.

I did end up meeting a friend for lunch after I checked out and I did have a beautiful dinner celebration with my family, but strategically planning a staycation for myself did my soul wonders. That time and experience probably played a role in my calm mood which followed shortly after. I am at a very good place in my life right now and I am looking forward to what this year has in store for me!