New York Archives - Page 14 of 30

Visiting In America at the MET

January 24, 2022

Visiting In America at the MET
📍 Upper East Side, NYC

Upper East Side, NYC, MET, In America, Costume

When living in the Upper East Side, I always looked forward to Met Gala night. Obviously, I have yet to earn an invite, but my corner of the neighborhood would be positively brimming with excitement! The brightest stars would just be a few blocks away. The celebration is behind the unveiling of a new Costume Institute exhibit. This year, the theme is In America: A Lexicon of Fashion and is a dedication to American fashion. Last month, while in NYC, I made a return to the old neighborhood to see the exhibit in person. I promise you, it doesn’t disappoint!

MET, In America, UES, Upper East Side, Costume Institute

Where To Look

If you’ve never visited before, New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art is an absolute maze! I’ve gotten uncomfortably lost inside on several occasions. To see the Costume Institute without the crowds, it’s good to know exactly where to look. This portion of the museum is located in the middle of the Egyptian collection, on the right side when you enter from 5th Avenue. Wander through the thousands of years of ancient art, and make your way down the stairs to the Anna Wintour Costume Center. If you get there right when they open at 10 am, like I did, you may end up having the exhibit to yourself for a few minutes.

What to Expect

In America is the first step of a two-part collection that will span the following year. With stark white walls behind the 104 different designs, each can stand out in the spotlight. Accompanied with each model is an adjective to describe America and the designer’s work. Some words, like Unity, are incredibly straightforward but such a pure representation of what it means to be American. Others, like Wonder, may mean different things to different people. These are the designs that you may reflect on for a little bit longer to let it set in. Whatever your perspective, it’s a feast for the eyes!

Why It’s Important

The past few years have been particularly grueling. There’s so much divisiveness, and I’m pessimistic that it will get better any time soon. This collection is a reminder that there is no one American experience or story. The American dream can look and feel like an infinite number of possibilities. This exhibit is a reminder to love and celebrate those differences. From the costumes included to the individual designers themselves, all are unique. The other thing this exhibit attempts to incorporate is inclusivity. There are different representations of models and a wide variety of backgrounds for the designers. Just like this beautiful country we call home. It was such a treat to see in person and something I wish more people could stop and appreciate.

Other Important Details

If you’re visiting NYC, the MET is always my top recommendation. This particular exhibit will be on display until September 5, 2022, allowing for plenty of time to book your tickets! On May 7th, the second portion of this exhibit will open with the Anthology of Fashion. It will be located in the American Wing of the museum and will look more into the American history of tailoring and styling. While I currently don’t have trips planned to the city, this will be high on my list of priorities! Hopefully, they’ll release their catalog in the MET bookstore soon, and I can enjoy the exhibit for years to come.

What Else to See

If you’re in the MET, don’t let In America be the only thing you visit. There’s just so much to see that a lifetime wouldn’t be enough to appreciate all of its 2 million pieces. The last time we visited in June, the Arms and Armor Collection was briefly closed and getting a touchup. Now open, it was fascinating to read about medieval Europe and the samurais of ancient Japan. Honestly, every time I visit, I see something new that speaks to my heart. A case in point is this beautiful portrait of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It’s something that I needed to see and meant so much to me!

After a late lunch at Sant Ambroeus, my afternoon in the Upper East Side was complete. There’s so much about NYC that makes me happy, but the MET is probably at the top of the list! Each day I look back on our time in NYC with such love and will cherish it forever! Yes, book your trip and see why it’s the greatest city!

Love from NYC,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

Our Perfectly Quiet Hamptons Weekend

September 13, 2021

Our Perfectly Quiet Hamptons Weekend
📍Westhampton, NY

The Hamptons, New York, Southampton, Out East

Shirt || Jeans || Similar Sandals || Similar Handbag || Earrings || Bracelet

When you think of the Hamptons, you often think of an epic White Party in Bridgehampton or eating Lobster Rolls in Montauk. Since I had never been before, I didn’t quite know what to expect. I was just happy to be invited to stay with our friends at their new house in Hamptons Bays and have a brief escape from Florida. The three days passed by in a flash, and I realized that it was probably the most relaxing weekend I’ve had in a long while. So, if you’re looking for a jam-packed Hamptons itinerary, you’ll need to go elsewhere. To learn more about our perfectly quiet Hamptons weekend, keep reading!

Hamptons, Westhampton, Out East, New York

Grilling Out Poolside

Since we arrived Friday afternoon, our friends were already in full relaxation mode. Their pool was open, and the weather couldn’t have been better! As soon as possible, we slipped into our swimsuits to join in the lounging and sunbathing. I’m thankful for the men taking care of the grilling the entire weekend. Nothing says weekend like hamburgers, hot dogs, and fresh fish on the grill! Yum!

Coffee and Donut Run in Westhampton

On Saturday morning, we got up well-rested and ready to take on the day! That meant starting with a quick drive to the beach. We admired each and every house, having an intense debate if our “future” Hamptons home will be a traditional or modern design. From there, we stopped for coffee and donuts. Even though there was a slight chill in the air, I still had to order an iced dirty chair from North Fork Roasting. After perusing the local farmer’s market, we found ourselves at Beach Bakery to pick up jelly donuts. This was definitely the spot to be, and for a good reason. The donuts were some of the best I’ve ever had!

Bottomless Bottles of Rosé

Is it really a trip to the Hamptons if you don’t have a least one glass of Rosé? Whether you pick Hamptons Water or Wölffer Estate, the perfect weekend calls for several pours. It pairs perfectly with lounging in the sun and good company. I can’t even tell you how many bottles of spirits we went through over the course of three days because the answer is almost shameful!

Our Coastal Fall Decor

Sunday morning gave us the perfect opportunity to drive into Southampton and see what all the fuss was about. My dear friend, Sydney, is from here, so I was thrilled to see her hometown. Sunday Brunch was in full swing by the time we got there, but I could have walked amongst the restaurants and boutiques all day. The local Sotheby’s even had a pop-up collection for the Colony in Palm Beach, and I felt right at home! On our next visit, I can’t wait to explore the town even more!

Our Coastal Fall Decor

Each night ended with a poolside campfire. Since it’s just way too hot to have a fire during Florida summers, this seemed like such a special treat. We had music playing, more Rosé, and just enjoyed the company. Another highlight may also have been the gooey-gooey s’mores. It doesn’t matter what age you are, these are always the perfect summertime dessert.

Our Coastal Fall Decor

When it was time to start prepping for our Sunday evening flight, I had the incredible realization that I didn’t look at my phone or computer practically the entire weekend. The one exception was when David and I were looking at local real estate. You know a trip is good when you’re starting to think about make such a huge commitment. While we’re probably not moving to the Hamptons any time, it’s undoubtedly fun to daydream and look at the gorgeous homes. All I can say is, who knows what the future holds!

Her: Swimsuit Coverup

A weekend in the Hamptons… I now fully understand the hype! Our perfectly quiet weekend was exactly what I needed to feel fully recharged. As I was thinking the entire weekend, if you ever get a chance to visit a friend’s Hamptons house, the answer should always be YES!

Love from New York,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

18 Hours in New York City

September 10, 2021

18 Hours in New York City
📍 Upper East Side, NYC

New York City, NYC, Upper East Side, 18 Hours, NYC Style

You can live in New York your entire life and still only see a fraction of what the city has to offer. Trust me, I’m speaking from experience. I had the pleasure of living in Manhattan’s Upper East Side neighborhood for two years, and there are countless things I’ve yet to do, to see, to eat! The silver lining is that New York is just a quick two-hour flight away, and we’re now in a position to visit frequently. While I would much rather have an extended stay, our most recent trip to the Empire State only gave me about 18 hours in the city before taking the train out to the Hamptons. For a quick trip that’s over in the blink of an eye, here’s my recommendation for 18 hours in New York City.

5:00pm: Land in NYC

While our most recent travel times were a little different, let’s just say you land at one of the New York Airports. Whether you land at Newark, JFK, or LaGuardia, it’s going to take you about an hour to get into the city. the time depends on traffic (obviously), but also where in the city you want to get to. On this particular trip, we flew into JFK and opted to take public transportation the entire way. While it was a little bit longer of a trip, it’s a fraction of what a taxi or Uber will cost. Plus, it just seems faster because you’re not stuck on the highway. Just be sure to give yourself enough time to get to your night’s dinner reservations.

6:00pm: Check-In

Once you’re in the city, you have plenty of time to check in to your hotel. Even though the flight’s pretty short, you may want to take a moment to freshen up and get ready for the evening. While there are countless hotel options in the city, with an endless selection of neighborhoods, I’ve become partial to NoMad. It’s centrally located, letting me get both uptown and downtown in a flash. On this most recent trip, we stayed at The Evelyn Hotel. This charming Art Deco hotel was just a block away from Madison Square Park. Even though we only stayed here for a night, it’s probably going to be a top pick from here on out.

7:00pm: Dinner Reservations

In the city that never sleeps, you shouldn’t have a problem finding a dinner reservation for either 7 pm or much later. Depending on the time, you may even be able to squeeze in a quick happy hour. From our NoMad hotel, we strolled along 5th Avenue until we reached Washington Square Park. It’s a sign that you are official in Greenwich Village. I have a long list of restaurants that I either already love or am dying to try. While the number of possibilities can seem daunting, sometimes, you just need to follow your intuition. A quick list would be: Boucherie, Via Carota, Minetta Tavern, Dante, Claudette, and American Bar. While Greenwich Village and West Village have many incredible spots, feel free to branch and dine in a different neighborhood. The perk with this “itinerary” is that you have all the time in the world.

8:00pm: Post-Dinner Night Cap

To go straight home after a great meal is almost a waste of a quick trip to New York City. In the West Village, keep the party going by visiting one of the neighborhood’s many cocktail bars. Some of the restaurants listed above are open into the late hours, giving you time to sit bar-side for a drink. Other places like The Spaniard, Happiest Hour, and The Up & Up are open until the wee hours of the morning. This portion of your trip can last as long and late as you want to. When all is done for the evening, there’s nothing better than crashing into a plush hotel bed.

8:00am: Early Wake-Up

Good morning, sleepyhead! I hope you weren’t out too late. If you’re able, get up with an early alarm to take full advantage of the day. Depending on where you’re staying, take some time to walk through the neighborhood. The early morning is one of the quietest times of the day, so you can admire the architecture and history without bumping into crowds along the way. Grab a coffee if you need and take the subway up to the Upper East Side to finish your quick trip to NYC.

9:00am: Fashionable Morning Coffee

Need a little bit more caffeine? Depending on how hungry you are, I have two favorite options for a morning in my former neighborhood and home. For a lighter fare, you should head to Ralph Lauren for the chicest coffee and croissant in town. If it’s warm out, I love the espresso tonic. It’s a surprisingly refreshing drink with espresso, tonic water, and orange slice. I know it sounds far out there, but don’t worry. They have all of the classics too. Take your drinks to-go and wander through Central Park. Find the perfect park bench and watch the world pass by.

For a breakfast that’s a bit more filling, I always recommend Sant Ambroeus. There are a few locations throughout the city, but the spot in the Upper East Side was a favorite for a morning treat. I could be having the worst day, but walking through the doors under the pink and green exterior seems to make everything better. I’m partial to standing out the espresso bar and chat with whoever stands next to me. On our most recent trip, we stayed for a full breakfast, and it did not disappoint. My tip is to sit near the entrance so you can admire the very fashionable people who come and go.

10:00am: Opening Hours at the Met

The Metropolitan Museum of Art opens up at 10 am sharp every day of the week, except Wednesday. More commonly known as The Met, it’s probably my favorite place in the city and just so happens to call the Upper East Side home. Get a ticket early and be in line right when they open. The line may look daunting, but you’ll be inside in under 5 minutes. You can spend an entire lifetime wandering through the museum and never see all two-million pieces of art. The most popular gallery is on the Southside of the museum or left if you enter from 5th Avenue. Here is where they house the 19th and Early 20th Century European masterpieces. Van Gogh, Monet, Degas, oh my! Depending on the time of year, they may even have an exhibit from Costume Institute. This is what’s commonly associated with the annual MET Gala. If you love fashion, it is always a feast for the eyes. I cannot recommend it enough!

11:00am: Iconic Burger for Lunch

The last stop on the NYC Express is grabbing a classic burger for lunch. You’ll be hungry again after walking through The Met. From the museum, walk East through the Upper East Side, where you’ll find JG Melon on East 74th Street and 3rd Avenue. What can I say about this New York institution that hasn’t already been said? The burgers are incredible! Everything on the menu is so good that I sometimes struggle to decide what to order. My favorite thing about JG Melon is that you’ll feel like a regular from visit #1. Order a cheeseburger and cottage fries to relish in the history and atmosphere of one of the most beloved restaurants in the city!

Ding! Your 18 hours as a New Yorker are sadly over. Are you addicted to the pace and culture yet? After your hearty lunch, scoop up your luggage, if needed, and head off to your next destinations. If you’re going over the Hamptons, the fun is just getting started. If it’s back to the airport, take the time to daydream about your next trip to Manhattan. The beauty is that NYC will always be here waiting for you.

Love from NYC,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.