Sweater || Skirt || Heels || Handbag (c/o)

It’s not everyday that I decide to write about New York City for two days in a row, but there’s just been so much going on this past month and I’m so excited to share! Before I get to the good stuff, I just wanted to give a huge thank you to Dooney & Bourke for surprising me with this gorgeous leather crossbody bag. My first ever designer handbag was actually from Dooney & Bourke and I still love it to this day. It’s always nice to learn a brand you love is equally thoughtful as they are classic. Be prepared to see this little bag a lot in the upcoming, holiday months! Now… on to my update!

• Museum of Natural History (Central Park West & 79th Street, UWS): The other weekend David indulged the kid in me and took me to the Museum of Natural History! We spent hours & hours wondering through the museum, taking in the animals, the different cultures, and (of course) the dinosaurs! I think we’ll need another visit to spend more time with those dinosaurs and all of the nooks & crannies that we missed.
• LeVain (351 Amsterdam Avenue or 167 W 74th Avenue): After walking through the museum for hours, we treated ourselves to some LeVain cookies on the Upper West Side. If you’ve been here before, make it a priority ASAP! They are by the far the most decadent cookies I’ve ever had. So worth each & every calorie! PRO TIP: The original is on 351 Amsterdam Avenue and always has a line out the door. Visit the location a few block north at 167 W 74th Avenue for all of the treats and none of the line.
• Katz Deli (205 E Houston St, LES): When my parents came to visit, this was my dad’s number one restaurant request! We went at lunchtime on a Sunday and there was a line out the door. Don’t be intimated because it powers along and you’ll be inside in no time. We opted to wait for a table, but that only add maybe 15 more minutes to our wait time. There’s a lot of hype around this restaurant (and an iconic movie scene), but it 100% lived up to it. The pastrami was exactly what I was needing and the knish made for the perfect snack.
• Balthazar (80 Spring Street, SOHO): This French-inspired restaurant just seems like one of those ‘see-and-be-seen’ sort of places. Apparently, it’s one of the top picks for celeb spotting, but at our brunch I didn’t spot anyone! That’s okay because their Bloody Mary is one of the best I’ve ever had!
• Flour Shop (177 Lafayette Street, SOHO): I attended a sweet little soiree for Erin Condren at this SOHO bakery. They made for the perfect host and their candy-filled cake was out of this world! I definitely will remember this stop when I need to serve a statement making dessert.
• Royal Palms (514 Union Street, Brooklyn): Okay, I haven’t official been here yet, but David and I are going back to our St. Pete roots to play some shuffleboard tonight. We would play every week on a team back home and I’m so excited to have a little bit of Florida in my NYC life.

As always, if there’s something that I’m glaringly missing out on, be sure to let me know with a comment below!

Love from NYC,
Katie

Blazer (c/o) || Tee || Jeans || Similar Heels || Earrings

I’ve been living in the Big Apple for nearly three months and I’ve been loving every New York minute of it. Each day I hear a new recommendation from a co-worker or neighbor and my to-do list is becoming endless. We will never run out of things to do in our new city. Still, there’s way too much on my city bucket list! I feel like I need to take a vacation just to explore my own city. With the help of my blazer from Talbots, I’m sharing the top things on my NYC bucket list. How many have you checked off and what do you think I’m missing? Be sure to let me know!

• Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge: I haven’t even been to Brooklyn yet, let alone the Brooklyn Bridge. The views alone I’m sure are worth it, but I just want to recreate classic movie scenes!
• Go to the Top of the Empire State Building: Or any other skyscraper for that matter. I want to take in the city in all of it’s glory.
• See a Broadway Show: Hamilton is the ideal pick, but I’m open to others. I also am dying to see Springsteen on Broadway or Phantom of the Opera. Did you know it’s been on Broadway for 30 years and it’s still timeless.
• Ride the Staten Island Ferry: Rumor has it, the Staten Island Ferry has the best views of the city, especially at night. The best part? It’s free!
• Visit the Statue of Liberty: I’m a major history nerd and every time I see Lady Liberty, even from a far, I feel a little emotional. Seeing her up close and personal would probably open up all of the flood gates.
• Have a beach day at Rockaway Beach: What can I say, I miss Gulf Coast beaches. I know they won’t be the same, but in the summer time, I’ve just got to figure out how to get to the beach to lay out and grab some Vitamin SEA!
• Grab a drink at a Secret Bar: This is pretty much on my bucket list for every city, but something about finding a secret bar in NYC seems much more authentic.
• Take a weekend trip to the Hamptons: Will I ever be able to afford a house in the Hamptons? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean I can’t stop by and daydream up a storm. Again, I don’t need any excuse to find a nice beach to sit on. Bonus points for great shopping nearby.
• Go to a baseball game in the summer: Not much of a baseball fan, but there’s no way I’d say no to watching either of NYC’s iconic team out on the field. Being a Yankee’s fan would be super convenient. I mean, I’m just a few stops away on the 6, but some family roots cheer for the Mets! I guess, I’ll just have to stay neutral.

Okay, that’s my short and sweet list. And don’t even get me started on what restaurants I want to stop at. I’ll have to save that for another (probably longer) post. Be sure to let me know if there’s anything I’m missing and maybe I’ll see you around town!

Love from NYC,
Katie