new york : {the frocks & other frivolities guide}.

Monday 2 September 2013

New York - a city of glittering lights and lofty dreams - is not a destination, but an experience. All the most pellucid images and words in the world cannot prepare you for its vivacity, heady pace, and dynamic spirit that beguiles you far beyond your departure. 


Indeed, New York is a cornucopia of sartorial perfection, gustatory delights, and exquisite culture ... but if these weren't reason enough to visit this grand city, this is the place to escape to when one needs perfect clarity to be instilled upon their dreams. 

This is the frocks & other frivolities' guide to NYC, which is inevitably an escapade into the big apple's whimsical world of food, fashion (and other frivolities!) ... but I cannot reiterate enough, lovely readers, that ultimately the greatest adventure in NYC is creating your own...

{P.S. What to bring : a camera, an ample suitcase, and a heart open to new possibilities...}





FASHION // {where to shop}

New York City may as well be a synonym for fashion nirvana; the density of sartorial loveliness is immense enough to flutter even the most stoic of hearts. 

Soho : traipse around the vicinity of Broome/Spring/Wooster/Broadway St and one will stumble upon every bona fide designer desirable as well as quaint boutique gems 
Madison Avenue, Manhattan :  purveyor of luxury high-end designers (Celine, Chloe, Proenza Schouler, Valentino...) that necessitates the obligatory accompaniment of Laduree macarons {also be certain to pop into my favourite shoe store, Schutz}
A Second Chance designer resale boutique : two lovely locations in the Upper East Side and Soho, this is the secret to the luxe polished aesthetic of New York women
Nolita district : Mott St, Elizabeth St ... wonderful for impossibly chic little boutiques


FOOD // {where to eat}

Even the most gastronomically ambitious would find it impossible to find the time or stomach space to accommodate the food mecca that is NYC.

Cafe Gitane : 270 Lafayette St {for delightful orange blossom waffles whilst brushing against the fashion elite}
The Butcher's Daughter : 19 Kenmare St {light organic cuisine}
Gemma : 335 Bowery St, beneath the Bowery Hotel {here, you will understand that the paradox of understated opulence actually exists}
The Mercer Kitchen : 99 Prince St {for languid breakfasts of buttermilk pancakes laced in warmed blueberries and French toast drizzled in caramelised peaches}
Momofuku Milk Bar : several delightful locations {the cereal soft serve is an imperative as are the crack cookies to bring home}
Laduree : 864 Madison Ave {cannot possibly compare to the original in Paris, but revel in a few macarons in nearby Central Park and it is still a transcendent experience}
Balthazar : 80 Spring St {for utterly sumptuous traditional bistro fare in a lusciously dimlit setting, I have such fond memories of the evening I spent dining here}
Dean & DeLuca : multiple locations {for gorgeous gourmet picnics}


FUN // {where to go & other frivolities}

Make a friend and explore the myriad of possibilities in this enchanting city...

The Metropolitan Museum : 1000 5th Ave
The Frick Collection : 1E 70th St
MoMA : 11W 53rd St
Statue of Liberty : Liberty Island {an American icon that will always hold a special place in my heart}
Central Park : 14E 60th St {an utterly whimsical vision in the spring with the magnolias and cherry blossoms on the cusp of blooming} 
Broadway : 729 7th Ave
US Open Tennis Championships : Flushing Meadows {have always been an avid tennis player and would buy a ticket in a heart beat if I were there currently}


...And with that, most importantly, cherish the memories you make in this scintillating city and expect to return with bags laden with treasures and hearts full with stories {if, of course, it hasn't already irrevocably fallen in love and beckoned to stay forever}... <3  

{This post was dedicated to my utterly delightful friend, Shannon, who mentored me throughout my high school years with grace and ease - hope your NYC sojourn was magical!}

Much love, Mandy. xx

20 comments:

  1. This guide, full of details, is just amazing. Thanks for sharing it.
    xo xo.

    Valeria
    http://myurbanmarket.blogspot.it
    https://www.facebook.com/ValeUrbanMarket

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  2. Oh wow! All of your photos are so pretty - as always! :) I really need to visit New York! It's my dream destination!!

    Have a lovely day darling,
    missing you lots and hope everything is well over your end! <3

    Boonya - theartywardrobe.blogspot.com
    xxx

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  3. I love NYC and think you have covered some amazing spots and made me eager to go again!
    Love your outfit too!
    x Kirsty
    http://geelongfashionista.com

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  4. Beautiful write up about your trip and the city! Thanks for sharing with us your experience and recommendations!

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  5. These are great tips. I would love to go to New York one day!
    xoxo
    K.
    http://shinigami-u-openingmymind.blogspot.pt/

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  6. Oh my goodness those piles of huge cookies look amazing Haha Loved your NYC photos!

    xo Jennifer

    http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com

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  7. perfect post!!! just what i needed since I'm trying to plan my second trip there this november!! :D will definitely look into those restaurants you mentioned!!

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  8. The post is filled with great info and the photos are beautiful!
    And your outfit! really stylish! love that skirt!
    xoxo
    http://dailyfashiondream.blogspot.com

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  9. Such a great post! The photos are beautiful and good tips too! I dream of seeing new york, one day! :)
    Until then I'll keep enjoying the photos others and my sister take (she has been lucky enough to go to NY twice now!)


    Away From The Blue

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  10. I always love reading your beautiful writing, Mandy! You captured glimpses of NY so beautifully in your photos, too! Maybe our next rendez-vous will be in NY =) Hope you're doing well!

    xoxo,
    Suzie Q
    www.StyleCueBySuzieQ.com

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  11. Haha, you seriously just listed so many of my favorite haunts. I'm seriously in love with the Frick Collection too. I'm super excited to see the Frick mansion in Pittsburgh this December and see how it stacks up to his home in NY.

    xx.
    fashion and tea

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  12. Beautiful, just beautiful! You summarized New York wonderfully... I love taking little week-end trips there, because it's not a city, it's a world apart!
    Love,
    S

    www.sonushka.com

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  13. wow you looks so stunning!!!! nice post dear <333

    xx,
    www.mai-vhee.blogspot.com

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  14. I love NY, especially Manhattan. I was there last year and since I left the city I only dream with comeback again.

    That so nice and useful post.

    Blow kiss.

    http://conlamodaenlostaconesbyblackmour.blogspot.com.es/

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  15. Oh this makes me miss New York so much! Cafe Gitane and Balthazar are two of my favourites too, so so good! x

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  16. Hello sweety! Since i was away from blogging couldn't reply you soon! Thanks for stopping by and I heartly appreciate it! This is such an amazing post pretty miss! (: Lovely pictures! Following you back! Stop by me soon! xx

    With love ❤.
    www.fashionholicsparkle.blogspot.com

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  17. MOMA is so at the top of my list to try!

    7% Solution

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  18. Oh my gosh, your shoes in this post are absolutely to die for!!!!!!! I'm so obsessed <3 Ps- Following! I do love your blog.

    xo, Em

    http://theskinnybyemily.blogspot.com

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