FEATURE FRIDAY 9.27.19

It’s the first weekend of FALL, y’all! And the only thing missing, is the cooler temps. Anyone else ready to break out their sweaters and boots?! Me too. I’m also excited for all my favorite tv shows to return. So I can spend my nights cozied up on the couch with a glass of red. I love this season so much. And I can’t wait to do all the Fall things.

Here’s this week’s roundup of Beauty faves + Lifestyle articles + Things I’m loving lately, Events happening around the city and more.

LIFESTYLE + POP CULTURE

• If you enjoy watching the Super Bowl only because of the Halftime Show, you’re in luck! The 2020 Super Bowl Halftime Show performers have been announced and it’s bound to be a performance to remember.

• News broke this week that this Real Housewife of Beverly Hills, will star in the role of Roxy Hart in Chicago the musical early next year. Can’t wait to get tickets to the show!!

• Trader Joe’s just dropped their NEW seasonal items for Fall. And the list is everything pumpkin spice and then some.

WHAT I’M LOVING LATELY

• I’ve been using this in my coffee every morning and it’s sooo good! Especially if you’re looking for a dairy substitute.

• My go-to weekly charcoal face mask. I love that it’s a mask and exfoliating scrub all in one product. Also works great as a spot treatment, if you have any breakouts.

• Essie has launched their 2019 Fall Nail Polish Colors. And it’s pretty safe to say, I’ll be wearing the color: “Easily Suede”- all Fall long.

HAPPENING IN THE CITY

• See artists like Alicia Keys, One Republic, Pharrell Williams and more at the Global Citizen Music Festival. Located at The Great Lawn in Central Park, Saturday 9/28. Starts at Noon.

• Stroll through the Union Square Farmers Market to see all the new seasonal items. Saturday 9/28 8am-6pm.

• NYC Pizza Run is going down at Fort Greene Park, Saturday 9/28. Starts at 11am. Grab tickets here.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

MY FALL BUCKET LIST 2019

A DAY TRIP TO WÖLFFER WINERY

15 FREE THINGS TO DO IN NYC

Recently featured ON:

Advice From a 30 Something - “DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT TO HAVE KIDS IN YOUR 30S”

XO, Rae

FEATURE FRIDAY 8.23.19

Photography by Victoria Saperstein (2018)

Happy Friday from gloomy + rainy NYC. I can’t believe Summer is coming to an end. I can honestly say, this has been one of the best Summers I’ve had in awhile. And I’m kinda sad to see it end. But I’m thankful for the new friends I met, adventures had and memories made over the past few months. What was the best part of your Summer?!

Here’s this week’s roundup of Beauty faves + Lifestyle articles + Things I’m loving lately, Events happening around the city and MORE.

LIFESTYLE + POP CULTURE

• RHONY Bethenny Frankel has decided NOT to return to the show next season. Here is what she had to say about her departure from the franchise.

• Supermodel Ashley Graham recently revealed that she’s pregnant in the most adorable announcement.

• Save this list for your next trip to Trader Joe’s.

WHAT I’M LOVING LATELY

• Recently started re-reading this book and definitely recommend it if you’re in the need of some motivation.

• Sephora SALE is happening again. I’ll be stocking up on eye cream, my favorite CC cream and this lip mask that I’ve heard is amazing.

• I’ve been looking for a collapsible water bottle to take with me on the go and I found this one on Amazon. It’s the perfect size and comes in a few different colors.

HAPPENING IN THE CITY

• Celebrate Summer Friday’s at Kendra Scott in SoHo every Friday in August from 12-2pm. Get 15% OFF your purchase and SIP Champagne and Rosé while shopping.

• Blues BBQ Festival at Hudson River Park Saturday Aug. 24th 2-9pm Eat BBQ from local NYC vendors while enjoying LIVE music.

• Drink brews from the Brooklyn Craft Brew Fest at Brooklyn Navy Yard. Saturday Aug. 24th Grab tickets here.

• Visit the popular bakery Dominique Ansel to try the August Cronut before it’s gone. This month’s cronut has Salted pretzel ganache w/ caramel ganache inside and a salted sugar mixture on the outside. YUM!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• 15 FREE THINGS TO DO IN NYC

• 20 THINGS NOBODY TELLS YOU ABOUT LIVING IN NYC

• 10 Classic Spots For Drinking Outdoors in NYC

• A DAY TRIP TO WÖLFFER WINERY

XO, Rae

FEATURE FRIDAY 7.19.19

We made it to another Summer Friday! My morning definitely started out slower than usual. #latenight You know you’re in your 30’s when, you wake up and have to add drops of electrolytes to your water in effort to feel human again. But a good time was had by all, so you know…totally worth it! Let’s just say I’ll be a little less out and about this weekend, haha.

Here’s this week’s roundup of Beauty faves + Lifestyle articles + Things I’m loving lately, Events happening around the city and MORE.

LIFESTYLE + POP CULTURE

• Queer Eye Season 4 drops today on Netflix. I love this show and cannot wait to see the new season.

• This iPhone app allows you to scan beauty/skincare products in effort to learn about the ingredients and potential toxic chemicals within them. It also offers suggestions for cleaner beauty products. I’m definitely intrigued to learn more about clean beauty.

• Nordstrom Anniversary SALE is LIVE for public access, TODAY. And runs thru August 4th. NSALE is great for stocking up on Fall clothing, outerwear, activewear, name brand denim and shoes. The SALE is known for heavily discounted name brands and makes for the perfect time to start your Christmas shopping.

WHAT I’M LOVING LATELY

• I recently ordered a pair of Blue Light glasses for under $20! Stylish and functional and best of all, my eyes don’t get as tired being on the computer all day.

• I’ve been using this Brazilian cream for cellulite and to tighten my skin. It smells AMAZING and I’ve noticed a difference with my legs and bum.

• New favorite bar - The Happiest Hour down in the West Village. They have a long list of specialty cocktails and it’s a great place to make new friends. I already can’t wait to go back!

HAPPENING IN THE CITY

• PIER 17 has a NEW Summer Pop Up, The Lookout that offers bites, curated cocktails and views of the city. Located in the Seaport District. Open daily 3pm to late night.

• NYC Summer Ice Cream Blizzard Sunday 10am-5:30pm at Grand Bazaar Market on the UWS

• PINKNIC outdoor festival with live music, food vendors and lots of Rose. Pink and white attire encouraged.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• 15 FREE THINGS TO DO IN NYC

• My Beach Bag Essentials

• 20 THINGS NOBODY TELLS YOU ABOUT LIVING IN NYC

XO, Rae

15 THINGS TO DO IN NEW YORK CITY IN SPRING

Hello April! Who else is excited for warmer weather months?! Spring in New York City is pretty euphoric. New Yorkers slowly start to come out of hibernation from Winter once we get that first glimpse of warmer weather. Think days spent at Central Park, bike rides, rooftops, dining on patios and more. And just like any season, there is always a ton of things to do around the city. I’ve rounded up the best ‘15 Things to do This Spring in NYC’. So whether you live here or you’re planning to visit in the coming months, I hope you find this list helpful!

1. Macy’s Flower Show - FREE and open to the public from March 24th-April 7th

2. Stroll through Central Park - The park comes to life during Spring months and there’s nothing better than seeing the blooms up close in person. You can even take a walking tour to see the Cherry Blossoms.

3. Hudson Yards - This newly developed area recently opened to the public. High end shops, restaurants, public garden and a NEW landmark called the Vessel. You can climb all 154 flights of stairs to see unique city views from each landing. It’s FREE to access, however you do have to reserve tickets to enter the Vessel.

4. Cherry Blossom Festival - April 27th-28th at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. This event is known to sell out, make sure to reserve tickets ASAP.

5. Bryant Park - Stroll the park, grab coffee and find a seat amongst all the tulips in bloom.

6. Yankees Game - Spring baseball season is underway. Go Uptown to the Bronx to see the Yankees in action.

7. Dine from a rooftop - Eataly in Flatiron has a new Spring inspired rooftop garden including a new seasonal menu and cocktails.

8. Drink from a rooftop - Rooftop Season is one of the best perks of living in the city. Grab a cocktail with a view at one of these popular spots: Refinery, 230 Fifth, The Roof, Cantina & PHD Terrace

9. Smorgasbug - The infamous outdoor food market is expanding into the Financial District this Spring. It opens to the public on April 12th and every Friday thereafter through October. Hours: 11:30am-7pm

10. Brooklyn Bridge - Walking the Brooklyn Bridge is a MUST during warmer months. Best way to see the Manhattan skyline. And makes for the perfect Instagram photo.

11. Food Truck Fest - Saturday April 13th. Located at Grand Bazaar Market on the Upper Westside. There will be 15 gourmet food truck vendors along with other local vendors.

12. Frida Kahlo Exhibit - A new exhibit located at the Brooklyn Museum. It’s the largest US exhibit of her personal items, clothing and art. Definitely recommend purchasing tickets in advance, several dates are SOLD OUT already. Exhibit runs through May 12th.

13. Dine al fresco - Many restaurants in the city open their cafe for dining outside in April/May. A few of my favorite spots include The Mermaid Inn, Cookshop, Boat Basin Cafe and Tavern on the Green.

14. NY Beer Fest - The 2nd annual Beer fest will be located at Citi Field in Queens and feature dozens of craft breweries.

15. Explore a new neighborhood. There’s nothing better than walking amongst the tree lined streets of the city and seeing the Spring blooms everywhere.
    
    

Central Park UWS

Macy's Flower Show 2019

Bryant Park

Battery Park

What are you looking forward to doing this Spring? Comment below.

XO, Rae

YEAR 4 OF LIVING IN NEW YORK CITY

October 10th, 2014 at 3AM was the start of a new chapter for me as I became a resident of New York City. Living here the past 4 years has brought me so much happiness, forced me out of my comfort zone and has given me experiences to last a lifetime. It still feels surreal to call this city home. And it has been one of the best decisions I’ve made in my adult life. My love for New York City has only grown with each year of being here. So, in honor of celebrating 4 years in New York City, I’m sharing a round up of all my favorite places in the city. Whether you live here, visit often or are planning to travel to New York for the first time, there is something for everyone! I hope you will enjoy these places as much I do.

You can take a look back at YEAR 1 and YEAR 2 here.

Favorite Park:

Bryant Park is an oasis to New Yorkers placed smack dab in the middle of one of the busiest intersections of the city. It's a great place to eat lunch, work remotely or grab coffee with a friend. And Bryant Park hosts a ton of FREE events in the park throughout the year including yoga, movies in the park, Broadway shows and a Winter village during the holidays.

Favorite Bar:

Jacob’s Pickles located on the Upper West Side, known for it's comfort food and craft cocktails. With it's cool industrial vibe and their killer playlist of r&b and throwback jams, it's a great bar to grab drinks after work or on the weekend. And also makes for a great first date spot. It’s also one of my favorite places to bring friends when they visit. It reminds me of home with it’s southern comfort food and ambience.

Favorite Brunch Spots:

Brunch is pretty much a requirement of living in the city. And with so many restaurants around, it's hard to narrow down to just ONE. So here are a few of my go-to brunch spots.

Maison Pickle-The sister restaurant to Jacob's Pickles serves up the best French toast amongst other brunch favorites. Located on the Upper West Side.

Foragers Tabe- This farm to table restaurant serves up a rotating menu per season. My go-to is their smoked salmon tartine. Also, make sure to check out the market attached to the restaurant. Located in Chelsea.

Clinton Street Bakery- This brunch spot always has a line out the door and for good reason. They are known for their pancakes, which are AMAZING! Make sure to go early especially on the weekends and bring cash, as they do not take credit cards. Located in the East Village.

Favorite Coffee Shop:

Bluestone Lane is an Australian-style coffee shop & cafe. Outside of my usual Starbucks runs, this is my go-to coffee place. They have a wide range menu of both hot & iced coffee options. And there are several locations throughout the city.

Favorite Book Store:

Book Culture is a quaint neighborhood bookstore located on the Upper West Side. Along with books, they also have an assortment of stationary and unique gifts. I always love to stop by here when I'm in the neighborhood.

Favorite Spot in Central Park:

Central Park has so many scenic views and iconic spots. My favorite is the Gapstow Bridge near 62nd street. This picturesque spot includes views of The Plaza Hotel and surrounding buildings that align 5th Ave. It's always one of the first spots I walk through as the seasons change.

Favorite Neighborhoods:

Upper Westside is where you can find me on most days running errands or grabbing groceries. I love that Central Park is nearby and there are so many shops and restaurants in the area. And it’s home to some of the city’s most popular places i.e.; Natural History Museum, The Bow Bridge in Central Park, Tavern on the Green and so many more.

West Village is also a favorite of mine. With it’s charming streets, unique shops, hidden gems and iconic streets. It never gets old exploring this popular neighborhood in the city.

Favorite Pizza Places:

Grimaldi's in Brooklyn is a must. Italian style pizza in an authentic environment. Usually there’s a line out the door to get inside, but it’s definitely worth the wait. And the Brooklyn Bridge is within walking distance.

Artichoke Pizza in Chelsea is a great local pizza spot. Very casual dining. And their Margherita pizza is delicious.

Two Boots Pizza or Bleeker Street Pizza for those late nights out when you just want a slice before the cab ride home.

Favorite Tourist Attraction:

Dumbo, Brooklyn is my favorite place to explore and bring friends when they visit from out of town. Although it’s known for being an iconic spot, it never feels too touristy. This part of Brooklyn is still up and coming and has so many local shops, restaurants and some of the best waterfront views of the city. A few places to stop at: Jane’s Carousel, Brooklyn Roasting Coffee Shop, Grimaldi’s Pizza, Atrium Dumbo (for oysters & cocktails) and Cecconi’s for dinner.

I would love to hear about your favorite places, restaurants and things to do in the city! Tell me in the comments below.

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

SUMMER IN THE CITY: NYC EVENTS NOT TO BE MISSED

Summer is underway and with July half way over, I'm reminded of all the things I still have left to do on my Summer bucket list. One of the things I love about living in a big city like New York, is that there is always so much to do. And whether you live here or planning to visit this Summer, there is something for everyone. Here's a list of events that are NOT to be missed. 

1. Bryant Park Summer Film Festival 

Every Monday June 18th-Aug. 20th

2. Restaurant Week

July 23rd-Aug. 17th 

3. Summer Music Festivals 

Concerts happening all over the city and in each borough. 

4. Rooftop Cinema Club

August dates are NOW on SALE, but hurry this weekly event sells out quickly!

5. FREE Yoga at Bryant Park

Bryant Park hosts free yoga in the park every Tuesday morning at 10am & Thursday evenings at 6pm. RSVP by clicking the link above. 

6. Rosé Mansion

This interactive and educational pop-up will be available July- October. Get tickets by clicking the link above. 

7. Bubbles, Beats & Brunch Cruise 

This is basically a day party aboard a boat that cruises around Manhattan. Brunch served with unlimited mimosas and Bloody Mary bar. Grab your friends & book a date!

8. FREE Fridays at MoMA

Free admission to MoMA every Friday 4-8pm

9. Pier 17 

Newly re-opened Pier 17 has everything from outdoor concerts, a food market hall and a pop-up bar with waterfront views. 

10. Summer Streets 

An outdoor block party, free from vehicles that takes place the first three Saturday's in August.  

Feel free to share this list with friends visiting NYC this Summer or save it to your phone as a reminder of things to do around city. 

Xo, Rae 

NYC LIVING: COLUMBUS CIRCLE NEW UNDERGROUND SHOPS & EATS

If there is one thing I have learned while living in New York City, it's that convenience is EVERYTHING. The days are longer and you're constantly on the go here. Especially when it comes to meals. Hence, why there are so many food trucks in the city. My favorite is the coffee and bagel carts. Perfect for the days when you're literally running across the street to get to the office on time. So it's fitting that there is now something even more convenient that has recently opened up at Columbus Circle.

Turnstyle is an underground dinning and shopping experience. Located under Columbus Circle at the corner of 57th/58th Street & 8th Avenue. 

I recently visited the new underground shops & eats and was impressed with all it has to offer. Imagine a row of pop-up style restaurants and retail spaces with easy access for on the go shopping and dinning. I was immediately drawn to the vibrant and colorful atmosphere. It was also very clean and more spacious than I anticipated it to be. I recognized a few places right away but was also excited to see some unfamiliar ones.

Everything from:  

DOUGHNUTTERY

BYSUZETTE

GASTRONOMIE 49

PRESSED JUICERY

Just to name a few. 

And for the days you are in need of a gift for that special someone or on your way to a friend's dinner party. Don't show up empty handed! There are several great shops to pick up a great gift. I especially love PAPYRUS and LUSH.  If you need a sugar fix, there is even a DYLAN'S CANDY BAR. And if you've had a long day and not sure if your roommate drank the last of the wine at home. Luckily, there is also a wine shop that you can stop at to grab a bottle before getting on the subway home.  

For a full list of shops and eats go to turn-style.com.

XO, Rae

BRYANT PARK: ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES IN THE CITY

On Sunday, I met up with my friend Sarah for lunch who happened to be in the city for the weekend. Sarah and I met while working in Atlanta together and she now lives in upstate New York. So, when she mentioned she would be coming into the city, we immediately made plans to meet up. Always great to see an old friend and catch up! 

After lunch I did some shopping and took a walk through Bryant Park, which is easily becoming one of my favorite places in the city. Bryant park is iconic for so many reasons. Mostly for hosting Fashion Week in the past years. But one thing I love about the park, is that it always takes on a new feel according to the season. And now that it's SUMMER time, it's the perfect place to hang out. Along with tables and chairs that border the lawn to sit and have lunch or just take in the sites, there is also food trucks and outdoor games available. Not to mention, the park also has some amazing views of nearby skyscrapers. I can't wait to hang out in the park more and take advantage of all things to do nearby.

What is your FAVORITE place in the city?

XO, Rae