Tag Archives: New York City

August 20, 2014 · 10:12 pm

The Return of the Pink Skater Dress

Last year, on my trip to NYC, I saw a cute skater dress. However, it was in Old Navy–and I didn’t fly across the country to shop in a national chain! When I got back from my trip, I found the dress at my local store (no sense filling my suitcase with things I can buy at home).

This year, I packed my skater dress for my trip to NYC. It made its east coast debut in Chelsea.

Dress: Old Navy
Pleather boots: Diba (from DSW)
Purse: Crystalyn Kae
Cuff: Brooklyn Flea

I packed light this year. Four dresses, four pair of shoes, a skirt, a pair of pants, two tank tops and a cardigan. Not bad for two weeks away! However, no matter how light I pack, I can always go lighter–especially when travelling to a shopping mecca like NY! I bought 10 dresses on my trip (many at thrift shops) so I could have arrived with an empty suitcase. By the time my trip wrapped up, I had a wardrobe that would last all season!

I wore this dress to my appointment at Ted Gibson Salon. I thought having my hair cut in The Big Apple would be a treat. Ted Gibson (from What Not to Wear) was out of my price range, but his stylist Sherilyn did a great job.

My parents joined me on the trip again this year. My mom has been much better about blogging about the trip, so check out her latest post (my skater dress makes an appearance–and she has one in houndstooth).

Oh, and the cuff? Genuine made-in-Brooklyn artistry at work. It’s made from a fork!

Stay tuned for more posts from New York–my favorite home away from home.

I’m linking up with Fashion Informant today. Check out what al the others are wearing!

9 Comments

Filed under Fashion, Thrifty, Travel

Tagged as boots, dress, fashion, jewelry, New York City, style, thrifty fashion

October 22, 2013 · 10:56 pm

Taking the High Line

One of the places I wanted to visit during my stay in New York City was the High Line, a 1-mile long, elevated park on a former railway line. The High Line starts at 14th Street in Manhattan’s west side, and extends to 30th Street.

The original rail line was at street level in the 1800s, but there were so many collisions that 10th Avenue was nicknamed Death Avenue. Eventually, for the safety of New Yorkers, the rail line was elevated. But as a line that brought livestock into the city to be slaughtered, it really still was Death Avenue. I’m glad it’s a park now.

The original rail lines are still in place and beautiful plants grow around them in a way that makes it seem overgrown. In reality, it’s a carefully planned and elegantly cultivated garden.

My parents and I started at the south end and walked the length of the High Line, enjoying sculptures, gorgeous views, live music, and lush greenery. It’s such an oasis in the city and a tremendous boost to the community. It’s even safe at night! There were so many people wandering through the park on our first visit there, that I felt totally safe.

During the day, you can see across the Hudson to New Jersey.

You can practically see in people’s apartments too! I like the mix of old and new along the High Line. You can see a famous Frank Gehry building, and the infamous Standard Hotel (there weren’t any exhibitionists on this day, however).

Diane von Furstenburg was a major financial backer for the project and it’s fitting that her flagship store is right next to the park.

No matter where you look, you’ll see terrific views, like the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building!

When we were done, we descended the staircase and continued exploring New York City. My mom wrote about our visit too. Have you been to the High Line?

5 Comments

Filed under Architecture, Photography, Travel

Tagged as Chelsea, High Line, New York City, parks, style, travel, urban renewal

September 9, 2013 · 10:28 am

Visiting Chelsea

During the recent New York trip I took with my parents, we visited the Chelsea neighborhood. We spent the morning in the Chelsea Market, a multi-story building that used to be occupied by the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) commercial bakery. When production methods changes required a single-floor layout, the bakery moved out. It’s here, where the Oreo was first created.

Inside the market, we found One Lucky Duck. They offer all-vegan, raw organic juices and take-away, and happen to have amazing desserts. It’s part of the Pure Food and Wine establishment so you know you’re going to be wowed.

Next door, Beyond Sushi truly satisfied. This all plant-based sushi establishment incorporated flavor, color and presentation like no other sushi place I’ve seen. Their rolls were scrumptious and fueled us as well.

I was thrilled to stumble into a pop-up shop in the market, where several vendors had set up their wares. One of them was designer Lois Eastlund.

While I was trying on a dress, my mom and Lois struck up a conversation and they discovered they’re both vegan! Lois even shared some of her home-baked vegan cookies with us! (And yes, I bought that amazing blue and black zigzag dress.)

I liked the shop across from Lois’ store too. My mom was sweet enough to buy me one of their screen-printed tops.

There’s more to Chelsea than just the market. One evening we met my friend Shannon, a recent New York transplant, at Blossom vegan restaurant.

We ate delicious food and even had authentic (and dairy-free) New York Cheesecake!

Another Chelsea gem is the popular High Line, an elevated former rail line that was transformed into a greenway. The rail line used to bring animals into the city for slaughter. I prefer its use as a park!

New York is such a fun place. Have you ever been to Chelsea?

6 Comments

Filed under Ethical, Fashion, Travel

Tagged as Beyond Sushi, Blossom, Chelsea, Chelsea Market, dress, fashion, Lois Eastlund, New York City, One Lucky duck, style, travel, vegan

September 5, 2013 · 4:12 pm

Doors of New York

When I wandered the streets of New York a couple of weeks ago with my parents, I took a lot of pictures. We all did. Between the three of us, we had five devices–one DSLR, two point-and-shoots, a smartphone and an iPad! We didn’t set out to capture a series of doors, but there’s something about doors that drew us in. And when I looked through the photos, I saw a theme.

Maybe you can’t judge a book by its cover, but my dad said you can tell a lot by the interior of a house by what the front door looks like. He should know–he’s a painter and decorator and I bet he’s painted a lot of doors!

I hope you enjoy a few of the doors we captured in pixels.

Here’s a beautiful building a block away from the place we stayed at in Harlem. Warm, inviting wooden doors and pretty flower boxes drew me to this scene.

A red door is classic and the black shutters and brass mail slot and kicker add elegance to this doorway in Chelsea.

I liked the arched doorway, the combination of dark wood and light stone, and the flowers flanking the steps.

Carved faces and grapes, and lions guarding the stairs makes this entry special. The black door with half window is very inviting.

Another red door, this one with great ironwork and crisp, white shutters.

The entry to this cathedral in Morningside Heights had a heavy, strong door.

Nothing beats a fire station for style. I really liked this one in Little Italy.

I like the greenery growing around this door’s arch. The iron gate is a nice touch that adds privacy without being obtrusive.

I can’t stop looking at the warm tones of this wooden door in Greenwich Village. The forest green trim works well with the wood and bricks.

Here’s the detail of the door knocker–lovely!

How does a building or house draw you in? Is it the doors, the garden, windows, something else? Have you done something special to your entry?

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Filed under Architecture, Photography, Travel

Tagged as architecture, doors, New York City, NYC, photography, travel

September 2, 2013 · 1:07 pm

Spending the Morning in Morningside Park

During my trip to NYC, my parents and I had the chance to visit a famous landmark: The restaurant from Seinfeld.

Of course the show used only the exterior shot; the inside scenes were shot in a Hollywood studio. Still, it was fun to stand in such a famous place, and the location of so many funny scenes from my favorite show.

We popped in to Tom’s (or Monk’s as it was called on the show) for a New York bagel, and walked through the Columbia University campus and watch new students moving in.

Top: Charlotte Russe
Skirt: Target
Shoes: Target
Purse: Flea market in Harlem
Sunglasses: Shop in Santa Fe
Necklace: Herbivore Clothing

I also walked through Morningside park, a long, treed strip of land that runs between Morningside Heights and Harlem. From the top of the park you can see a great view of Harlem.

My stroll took a serious turn when I happened upon the cathedral St. John the Divine. I don’t normally stop in cathedrals but this one was having a photo exhibit called Hidden Lives: The Untold Stories of Urban Refugees. I read about people who endured terrible hardships, such as war, violence, natural disasters and how they moved to safer places. I learned that across the globe, over 40 million people are displaced and that half of them are living in urban centers. The exhibit challenged my perception of what it means to be a refugee. It’s not just “someone else” in “another place.” They are our neighbors too, and often we walk by without knowing their stories.

The exhibit is over but you can read the featured stories online.

I’ve joined The Pleated Poppy, Transatlantic Blonde and Style Elixir today for a blog link-up. See what everyone else is writing about!

3 Comments

Filed under Architecture, Art, Events, Fashion, Travel

Tagged as ballet flats, Monk's Café, Morningside Heights, Morningside Park, New York City, refugees, skirt, thrifty fashion, Tom's Restaurant, travel

August 29, 2013 · 7:00 pm

Two of a Kind: Matching Pink Tops

When I was a kid, my mom would dress me in outfits that matched hers. I was her Mini Me. Well, I’ve since developed my own sense of style and prefer a unique look, but we do still like some of the same things. So when my aunt sent us a care package all the way from Germany, you can imagine my mom’s delight when she saw two matching tops.

Tops: Clockhouse via gifted
Bottoms: Thrifted
Shoes: Target and Old Navy
Cuffs: Wrecords by Monkey

My mom brought the tops to New York and we had an impromptu photo shoot. Thanks to my Tante Marion for the pretty tops! She always manages to find things that I really like!

I paired my top with dark denim Bermuda shorts. They were perfect for my trip and went with the flats and wedges I’d packed.

My mom wore her top with lighter denim capris. We both have on metallic ballet flats. Hers are pewter; mine are gold.

mom seated

We even have coordinating cuffs. When we were at the Brooklyn flea market, we met a local designer who was selling bracelets made from upcycled records. My mom’s has a peach-colored NYC skyline on hers. I went a little grittier and chose one with pigeons, rats, coffee cups and trash bags. I like to keep it real!

After the shoot, I changed into a different outfit. Don’t get me wrong–I love the top, with its Grecian styling. I just don’t want to match anyone else! We went to Harlem Tavern and treated our photographer (aka my dad) to a delicious peach hefewiesen and sweet potato fries.

Do you prefer a unique look or do you sometimes coordinate with a sister, spouse or friend?

I’ve joined Style Elixir for a group link-up. See what everyone else is wearing!

15 Comments

Filed under Architecture, Art, Fashion, Travel

Tagged as fashion, Harlem, Harlem Tavern, New York City, style, thrifty fashion, travel, upcycling, Wrecords by Monkey

August 28, 2013 · 10:16 pm

New York, New York!

I just got back from New York City! I had a fantastic time with my parents. We stayed in a condo in Harlem by night and explored the city by day. It truly is the city that never sleeps–and neither did we!

We visited quaint neighborhoods, modern museums, and delicious vegan restaurants. We walked through Central Park, shopped in Midtown, scavenged flea markets in Brooklyn, and met with friends who live in the city.

Looking through my pictures is a bit overwhelming; I’m not sure where to start! I have ideas for style posts, restaurant reviews, and I want to show you the art I saw (on the street and in galleries). I met business owners, friendly locals, and even had a celebrity sighting (or two).