FALL BUCKET LIST 2019

Happy first day of FALL y’all! I love this season so much especially living in New York. The city takes on a new mood and every where you look, you can see Autumn coming to life. I love the crisp cool mornings and seeing the leaves change over time in Central Park. It’s a reminder to sow down and enjoy what the season has to offer. And I will most definitely be partaking in all things pumpkin spice until further notice. Today, I’m sharing my annual Fall Bucket List.

You can check out my previous bucket lists throughout the years: 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

Fall Bucket List 2019

• Spend a day baking with my best friend.

• Go apple picking at an orchard in upstate New York. And bring home some apple cider donuts.

• Take an early morning walk through Central Park to see the leaves change color.

• Try a new restaurant in the city that has a seasonal menu for Fall.

• Go to a Fall Festival in the city.

• Spend a cozy day at home watching movies.

• Pick out some new Fall scented candles at Homegoods.

• Go to Trader Joe’s and stock up on their seasonal items. All. things. Pumpkin.

• See the new Broadway Show Moulin Rouge!

• Walk around the Upper West Side and scope out all the stoops decorated for Halloween.

• Host Friendsgiving with friends. An annual tradition of my roommates and I.

• Visit Dominique Ansel Bakery in SoHo & try the cronut flavor of the month.

• Celebrate my 5 year Anniversary of living in New York City. I’m thinking dinner & drinks at a fancy spot is in order. Here are my previous blog posts recapping previous years in the city: YEAR 1, YEAR 2, and YEAR 4

What’s on your Fall bucket list this year?!

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5 THINGS TO DO IN NYC THIS FALL

XO, Rae

5 THINGS TO DO IN NYC THIS FALL

Hello, November! We are post Halloween festivities which means we are on countdown till Thanksgiving. Anyone else excited for the Holidays?! The leaves are in peak foliage all around the city, which means there is still plenty of Fall to enjoy in New York. And like other seasons, there is no shortage of things to do. Here’s a round up of places to go, things to see and events happening around the city.

CENTRAL PARK FALL FOILAGE

Fall wouldn’t be complete without a walk through Central Park to peep the leaves. There are so many areas to see the leaves change during peak season. A few of my favorite spots are 86th & Central Park West, 72nd & Central Park West near Strawberry Fields, The Bow Bridge and of course the iconic Bethesda Fountain & Terrace and The Mall. And if you don’t feel like walking, you can rent Citi bikes or even take a carriage ride through the park. Here is a map of NYC Fall Foliage.

CIDER WEEK

From November 2nd-11th, several events take place all over the city bringing you classes, cider tastings and more in celebration of New York’s orchard based cider. You can click here to find events near you. Cheers!

Arlo Hotel Orchard

Located in the Arlo SoHo hotel’s courtyard. A pop-up complete with apple picking, pumpkins and photo ops galore. Stop by for an Instagram worthy photo or sip Fall inspired cocktails every Thursday at their “Happle Hour” from 4pm-7pm.

MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE

November 22, 2018, the 92nd annual parade will start at Central Park West and West 77th Street and head down Central Park West and travel east along Central Park South to Sixth Avenue. From there the procession will travel south on Sixth Avenue from West 59th Street to West 34th Street, ending in front of the Macy's in Herald Square. And if you would rather avoid the crowds the day of Thanksgiving, you can opt to see the floats being inflated the night before. Located at the Natural History Museum on the Upper West Side. Public access is at the entrance on West 79th Street and Columbus Avenue. Both events are FREE and open to the public.

West Village/Grove Courtyard

The West Village is known for it’s charming streets. And it’s no exception during the Fall months. You can usually spot several Fall inspired decorated stoops while walking around the neighborhood. There is also a hidden gem known as the The Grove Courtyard, which is unfortunately not open to the pubic. However, you can see the well landscaped courtyard through the iron gates just on the other side. The tree lined streets of the West Village with it’s picturesque brownstones makes for the perfect area to take an afternoon stroll on a crisp Fall day.

What are your favorite things to do in the city during Fall months?

XO, Rae

FALL BUCKET LIST 2018

It’s the second week of October, which can only mean one thing...bring on pumpkin everything! This is my favorite season, especially living in New York. Everyone is trading in their iced coffee’s for PSL’s and for the first time in a long time, you need a light jacket during the day. Each year, I like to savor the season and make a bucket list of items to enjoy Fall to it’s fullest. So, today I’m sharing my Fall Bucket List for 2018.

You can read my previous bucket lists here, here and here.

1. Central Park is always on the top of my list. I love walking through the park seeing all the leaves changing colors. A MUST if you live in New York City.

2. Spend a cozy night at home watching movies. Here is this year’s Hallmark lineup.

3. Bake pumpkin bread from scratch. Although the mix in a box from Trader Joe’s is equally good.

4. Drink spiked cider from one of my favorite rooftops in the city, Birreria at Eataly. Each year they transform their space for the season. And this year’s theme is a Fall-inspired Italian Countryside.

5. Go apple picking at an orchard in upstate New York. And of course, eat apple cider donuts.

6. See the Broadway Musical Wicked. This has been on my bucket list since moving to New York and I just haven’t gotten around to going. Making it happen this year!

7. Visit Bite Beauty Lab here in the city to create my own custom lip color for Fall. Perfect for a Girls’s Night Out!

8. Start practicing daily GRATITUDE in a journal. Fellow blogger, Callie Dauler created a journal just for this purpose and I’m really hoping she restocks them for the Holiday! (hint, hint)

9. Plan a getaway to the mountains. Colorado is beautiful this time of year and I’m over due for a trip to see my family there.

10. Celebrate my 4 year Anniversary of living in NYC on October 10th. Still feels surreal that I get to call this place home. Here’s a recap of YEAR 1 and YEAR 2.

What’s your favorite thing to do during FALL?!

XO, Rae

FALL BUCKET LIST 2017

Hey y'all! Can you believe that Thanksgiving is NEXT week?! I feel like once November begins, the rest of the year goes by so fast and ends up being a blur. Fall is my absolute FAVORITE time of year. I mean what's not to LOVE?! Sweater weather, scarves & boots, cozy nights at home, changing of the leaves and Pumpkin Spice everything. So, in my attempt to hold on to Fall a little bit longer, I'm sharing my bucket list.

1. Once the weather starts to get cool, I love walking through Central Park to see all the leaves that are changing colors. Walking through The Mall & the Bow Bridge are some of my favorite spots to capture photos. 

2. Fall isn't complete without a few pumpkins, right?! I love going to the Union Square Green Market this time of year. They have the best selection of fresh produce as well as pumpkins in all sizes and colors. I'll be stocking up on a few for my Thanksgiving tablescape. 

3. I love to bake, especially around the Holidays. I always make Pumpkin Bread each year, but this year I'm planning to bake a few pies for Thanksgiving as well. What are your favorite recipes to make?

4. Nothing says Fall like scented candles lit on a cozy night at home. (insert wine here) I'm loving these candles from Target. Because you know, who doesn't need another reason to shop at Target?! 

5. I recently learned of a local restaurant that offers Pasta Making Classes here in New York. And I'm excited to make a night of it with my best friend. I actually gifted him this experience for his Birthday last month. So now we just need to pick a date & go! Wine & Carbs....Yes, Please! 

6. The Macy's Thanksgiving Parade is a MUST to experience at least once. But last year I decided to go the night before to see the parade floats being inflated on the Upper Westside. They line the floats up over several city blocks and allow you to walk around getting a sneak peak of all the floats. It was definitely less crowded than the actual parade. And I'm excited to do it again this year! 

7. Hosting Friendsgiving! Since I moved to New York, my roommates and I have hosted Thanksgiving for the past 3 years at our apartment. We love opening our home to anyone who doesn't have a place to go or just isn't able to travel home for the holiday. Bring on the pie & booze!

Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving filled with all the food & surrounded by your friends & family! 

XO, Rae 

FALL BUCKET LIST 2016

It's finally cool enough in New York City, where you need an extra blanket on your bed at night. I love how the city changes with each season. And FALL is no exception. As the leaves start to change in Central Park, we pack up our shorts and tanks, break out the sweaters and trade in our iced lattes for PSLs. There is so much in the city to look forward to in the Fall. Here are a few things I have on my bucket list to capture the most of the season.

1. Walk through Central Park to see the Fall foliage with a Pumpkin Spice Latte in hand. (Basic, I know)

2. Bake Pumpkin Bread. It's one of the few things I'm actually good at baking.

3. Take a trip to upstate New York with friends. We actually have a beautiful house from the 1800's booked for an upcoming weekend. Can't wait!

4. Visit a festival and sip apple cider. 

5. Carve pumpkins. You're never too old to celebrate Halloween, right?!

6. Find a new favorite Fall scented candle at Bath & Body Works.

7. Ice skate in Bryant Park at the Winter Village. 

8. Drink copious amounts of wine with my best friend. She is visiting NYC for the first time, next month! #girlsweekend

9. Take new headshots for the blog. Any suggestions for local NYC photographers??

10. Explore a new neighborhood in the city. 

What are you adding to your FALL Bucket List?  Comment below. 

XO, Rae

FALL BUCKET LIST 2015

It's finally starting to feel like FALL in New York City after being HOT and HUMID the past few days. I can't wait to FINALLY sip on a PSL and wear my favorite sweater and ankle booties. I also made a bucket list of things, I'm looking forward to doing this Autumn.  

1. Send out Holiday cards to friends & family.

2. Stock up on Fall scented candles.

3. Plan a day trip to a winery. I came across this one, that has a tasting room in a renovated barn. And I've been wanting to make a trip to upstate New York, so this is the perfect excuse to go.  

4. Host 'Friendsgiving' in the city. This will be the first year that I won't be going home to see my family, But I'm really excited to have Thanksgiving here with friends and see the parade.

5. Enjoy some of the best of things to do in New York during Autumn. Of course this includes seeing the Fall foliage in Central Park.

6. Find a new pair of snow boots for winter. A necessity for surviving Winter in the city.

7. Visit the New York Botanical Gardens. They have a FRIDA KAHLO exhibit that I’m dying to see.  

8. Spend a whole day baking.

9. See the Broadway Show WICKED. 

10. Go to the iconic Village Halloween Parade.  

What are you planning for your Fall Bucket List?

XO, Rae