LOVE LETTER TO NEW YORK NO. 3
The leaves are finally starting to change here and I couldn’t be happier! I can’t believe this was the last full week of September and that Tuesday is October 1st. Here is a round up of what I was up to this week and a few snaps from along the way…
I was so excited to try out London based vegan restaurant Farmacy at their NYC pop-up down in Soho! The matcha latte was to die for and the decor was beautiful! I also ordered the falafel which was delish. They are here for 6 months so I will definitely be heading back!
Some friends and I also stumbled across the coolest convenience store ever down in Soho! Right near Prince + Lafayette. The magazine assortment is to die for!
I hadn’t been into Bryant Park until just last week and it is absolutely stunning! The way the light filters through the sycamores this time of year is just magical…
The Bryant Park area, especially the Whole Foods and Public Library, is such a nice area of town and I’m so glad I went and checked it out! Lastly I have a few wall art pics, because this city always pulls out all the stops, especially down in the village :)
Finally… follow me along on Instagram for daily outfit pictures and of course lots of city snaps on Instagram stories! Also check out my Youtube Channel for weekly vlogs (the video version of my love letters): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzHIURstRBQKHNzSgen1MrA
Dress is HM, but it’s sold out online! Check your local stores :)
CITY ORGANIZATION/ON THE GO ESSENTIALS
Living in the city means always needing to be prepared which means lots of organizing, lots of toting, and lots of little essentials to get you through the day so you don’t waste time and money. These tips apply to any girl on the go whether you’re in the city or not!
I’ve always been obsessed with having a well-organized planner and this one from The Daily Edited is my favorite I’ve ever used! It’s actually a financial year diary which works well for students since it spans an academic year and it also contains pages for you to write out and plan your budget! I use these pens for all my writing and they are the best!
Having a phone case with a cardholder is an absolute essential in a place where you are always needing to pull out your debit card, metro card, or student ID. This saves you from digging in your bag and holding up the line! I also have my matching phone case from The Daily Edited which I adore!
My other top essentials are Airpods and Stasher Bags! While you might not want to join the NYC cult with the airpods, there is a reason why everyone has them! They are awesome for being your on the go radio since you don’t have a car, and are also really great for taking phone calls without the background noise of the city. I love listening to the Apple Music Pure Yoga playlist for walking/subway riding/working.
Stasher bags are a great alternative to Ziploc bags as they are much sturdier and can nicely hold snacks or toiletries! I always have a snack size filled with nuts in case I get hungry when I’m out or in class. It saves so much money to have your own snacks on hand!
I always recommend having a small notebook on hand for keeping lists! While iPhone lists are great, it’s nice to have a pen and paper copy too!
Lastly, I have loved having a bucket bag crossbody to hold my water bottle, iPad, snacks and more without needing to carry a large tote bag! Zara, Madewell, Oak +Fort, and Mansur Gavriel all have great options. :)
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iPHONE PHOTO GUIDE + HOW TO EDIT PHOTOS
I have always been an avid photographer and love when I have a camera roll full of new photos ready for edits! I wanted to share a few tips and tricks I use to get my iPhone photos up to top quality as well as some other editing tips I have to really polish your content!
VSCO
I often use the E series on VSCO because I love the warmer tones they give off! I also like FN16 for black and white photos. After I apply the filter, I adjust exposure, contrast, and saturation depending on the light. I always add clarity and really like adding grain as well. I don’t use presets because I love playing with each individual photo and I think that’s what makes photography special. It’s not all about a weirdly perfect matching feed :)
Photoshop Express
I will occasionally use PS Express to remove minor things in pictures (people walking in background, dirt, flyaway hairs, etc.) using the blemish removal tool.
Shot through Huji, edited with VSCO!
Other fun apps…
Huji: I love Huji for fun “in the moment” pictures (birthdays, food pics, friend pictures, street style, and night time pics!)
UNUM: This app is great for planning your Instagram posts before posting!
KiraKira: If there’s an app for pure fun it’s this one! KiraKira makes all your videos so sparkly and magical. I adore it!
I’m going to do a full post dedicated to Instagram Stories coming up so stay tuned! I have lots of great tips!
DORM ROOM DECOR + COLLEGE ESSENTIALS
I put a lot of time and thought into the design of my dorm room and one month in, I’m still obsessed with how it turned out. It’s perfect mix of white with pops of color and it just makes me so happy. It’s so important to make your space cozy, inspiring, and appealing since it’s your only space you have to yourself. I will link everything I purchased decor wise and will also be including some of my must haves that I’ve found myself using. I have a dorm tour video also linked if you want to check it out!
FRESH FLOWERS
Flowers are the one thing that I can not live without, and I can assure you there is a reason for it! They instantly brighten the space and living in a city, it’s nice to have some extra plant life around. I got a simple glass vase from Target and it’s such a simple way to really make your room feel like more than just a “dorm”. I pick up flowers at either the grocery store or the farmers market!
TABLE LAMP + OIL DIFFUSER
It’s crazy how much an oil diffuser can help “glow” up your space. I always diffuse peppermint and the room constantly smells like a spa and helps it feel fresh again! I use this one from Vitruvi and I love that it has a soft light, making it feel super relaxing. I also think having a small table lamp can make your space feel more like a home and give a subtle glow that’s less harsh than the industrial lighting found in most rooms. I love this one from PB Teen, but Wayfair and HomeGoods have similar options.
And now for the fun stuff… My decor!
I started at Anthropologie for some fun pieces and pops of color and then supplemented with PBTeen and Etsy! Another tip if you are going into college is to start collecting stuff early or when it’s on sale to save money!
Anthropologie:
Rug + Throw Pillow/blanket
PBTeen:
Lamp, Duvet Cover, Side Table Cart
Bed Bath & Beyond:
Baskets on cart
Target:
Trashcan
A.C. Moore:
Frames for prints (I found the prints I wanted on Pinterest and printed them out myself! Such an easy way to save money, but still look cute :)
Etsy (Shop MacKenzie Bryant):
Container Store:
LOVE LETTER TO NEW YORK NO. 2
I’m back with another round up of new places I have hit up throughout the week in the city!
I took a stroll through the West Village during the day on Thursday and it was so peaceful and quiet. It was also the first day where the weather was in the 60s and sunny (hello fall!) I had to take a snap of this house, I can’t wait to post my doorstep diaries where I’m going to document my favorite streets + houses in the city!
I had to cut through the flower district when I was out and about, and my heart skipped a beat over these mums and all of the pumpkins starting to spill out onto the sidewalk!
Madison Square Park in the mornings is so peaceful and has the prettiest view of the flatiron! I loved grabbing a matcha latte from Maman right around the corner and then taking a stroll.
Another fun thing this week was I got my haircut! I wanted to find a new place since I am new to the city and I stumbled across Nagi on Mulberry Street. I went to Ana and she did the best job! I can’t wait to go back!
While I was out, I had to make a stop at Maman for a treat! 13 miles of walking in a day builds up quite an appetite and this did not disappoint :)
Saw this walking through the village and had to take a pic! I love finding things like this all over the city!
To finish off I wanted to share a few more… I made my way to Koku to try their plant based, refined sugar free ice cream and it was delish! It closes at the end of the month so I had to try it. I got toasted coconut butter with salted tahini drizzle! I also tried Bondi sushi and it was so good! You can get your rolls with cauliflower rice, which is so great. Lastly, ending off with a matcha pic because it’s my fav!
SEPTEMBER STREET STYLE- NYFW EDITION
September has to be one of the best times for fashion in New York. You can still wear your lighter dresses, but can start pulling out the leather jackets, boots, sweaters, and darker shades. With fashion week happening, it’s an exciting time to pull out your best street style looks, which I was very excited to style for my first September NYFW. I will be doing a whole guide on street style looks from Zara, H&M, and Mango (most of the chic girls you pass on the street have gotten something from their look at one of these places :) )
OUTFIT DETAILS:
DRESSES: https://www.zara.com/us/en/asymmetrical-poplin-dress-p08048202.html?v1=24755704&v2=1282592
SHOES: TKEES sandals, NEED SUPPLY CO. boots
SUNGLASSES: NastyGal
BAG: Amazon
MY EVERYDAY HEALTH ESSENTIALS FOR GLOWING SKIN
I am now going on four years of my health and wellness journey and I am eternally grateful for the shift I had in my life to turn my attention and passion towards my self care and health! I can’t wait to share some of my everyday essentials that have truly been making a difference in my overall wellbeing, but also my skin. I have always struggled with oily skin and breakouts, but through the elimination of refined sugar, gluten, and dairy I have avoided the bad stuff. I still do get breakouts, however, instead of treating them with harsh chemicals prescribed by dermatologists or purchased from the drug store, I have chosen to take a holistic approach to my skin.
NO. 1- GUT HEALTH
All health stems from the gut, especially skin. Having the right balance of pre and probiotics is crucial to achieving optimal digestion, glowing skin, energy, and immune function. I first heard about Seed probiotics from Melissa Wood Health and I’ve been hooked ever since! They are pricey, but they really have made a difference and I love what they stand for and their innovative, yet holistic approach to health care.
NO. 2- MATCHA
Aside from centering me before I start my day, I truly think drinking matcha has helped my skin! It’s loaded with antioxidants and doesn’t give you the coffee crash. I try to make it at home to avoid spending the outrageous price for a matcha latte in the city, but sometimes I can’t resist :) I will do a whole post dedicated to my favorite spots + matcha drinking tips!
NO.3 - MARIE VERONIQUE SKINCARE
I recently discovered Marie Veronqiue skincare through a local wellness shop and I’ve been hooked ever since! If you read about Marie’s process on her website, it is all about combining real science with an esthetician/holistic approach. Her products are pricey but last a long time and are made with really quality ingredients! They smell divine and instantly feel luxurious. I have tried countless skincare products and these 3 have to be my new holy grail!
NO.4 - GREENS + SPRIUILINA
I always notice that the more greens I eat, the better my skin is for it! I always try to include a big salad in my day, whether it’s for lunch or dinner. I also swear by spiruilina! I add it to smoothies in powder form (recipe is highlighted on my Instagram story under “health”) and now that I’m in college, I take spirulina capsules to make sure I can still get in my greens. I buy this exact brand on Amazon (it’s the most reliable source, since spriuilina isn’t always regulated): Nutrex Hawaiian Spiruilina. Be sure to keep it refrigerated!
NYC FARMERS MARKET GUIDE
My ultimate city farmers market guide!
UNION SQUARE
Union Square Greenmarket is my favorite farmers market of all time, not only within NYC, but also the rest of the country! It’s open M, W, F, & SAT which is great for farmers markets fanatics like me! Here are a few of my favorite farmers and things I love to buy (& photograph :) )…
FLOWERS
I always take advantage of dahlia season when September roles around… Union Square also has great reasonable prices for flowers which is great considering they are a weekly necessity. I think it really pulls a room together and is also a nice touch, especially living in NYC!
My favorite flower farmers are: Bear Creek Farms and River Garden Inc.
PRODUCE
I love that a majority of the vendors at Union Square are organic and advertise that they don’t use pesticides! Just because it’s at the farmers market doesn’t mean it still can’t be sprayed… Always talk to your farmers and develop a relationship with them! It’s so beneficial to eat seasonally so I always try to pick up the following items depending on the season:
Spring/Summer: strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, peaches, white necterines, edible flowers (Union Square has vendors with incredible selection!)
Fall: apples (honeycrisp all day long!!), pears, sweet potatoes, microgreens, pumpkins, butternut squash
TUCKER SQUARE
Every Thursday, there is an adorable little farmers market that pops up across from Lincoln Center on the Upper West Side. I love to visit Prospect Hill Orchards in the fall to pick up some apples!
MORE SNAPS + TIPS…
A few tips to navigating the farmers market:
Go early! The morning light hitting the market is just dreamy!
Bring reusable bags + a jar of water for flowers if they have a long way to go!
Most farmers are accepting cards now but it’s always smart to bring a bit of cash!
Follow your farmers on Instagram and engage with them! It’s so much fun to be a part of their process
LOVE LETTER TO NEW YORK NO.1
My weekly roundup of city tidbits + snaps!
Not a day goes by that I am not overwhelmed with excitement about living in this city. I decided to start documenting all of the magical “city” moments I have throughout the week while also sharing new spots I checked out along the way!
I have to say September has become my favorite month here! The weather is beautiful and it really feels like fall. I love taking a morning or afternoon walk through Central Park. The way the light shines through the trees is so dreamy, especially for photography.
I had to make a pit stop after the farmers market at my favorite Hu Kitchen! Their paleo based treats are my fav and I’ve recently loved any sort of smoothie with coffee and chocolate. This was a great Saturday morning pick me up!
I also stopped by Roman and Williams Guild and had to take some snaps of their tablescapes. They do the best job and give me major home inspo!
I made my way over to the new Restoration Hardware in Chelsea and needless to say, their rooftop has the best view! The store is also stunning inside!!
I headed to Sunday’s Nail Salon to get a mani pedi and it was the best manicure I’ve ever had! It lasted well over 2 weeks and it wasn’t even gel. I love their salon because it’s all non-toxic and super relaxing. They also have really reasonable prices.
To finish off the week, I headed over to Double Zero in the East Village for the best plant based pizza in the city. You would never even know the cheese is made from nuts! We got the truffle cheese and it was to die for!
Be sure to check back next week for another weekly recap/snaps from my week!
HIDDEN GEMS OF THE HAMPTONS
Some new spots I discovered this summer out east…
My favorite part of the whole summer (and year) is when my family heads out east to the Hamptons for a quick stay in Sag Harbor. Here are some of my favorite spots and things to do…
MONTAUK
This was my first summer to make the drive all the way out to Montauk but I am so glad we did! The beaches are stunning and it’s so much fun to see everyone’s boards lined up along the dunes and out on the water. We made our way to Joni’s to grab acai bowls, (which were amazing!), then headed to the beautiful Duryea’s Lobster Deck for a late lunch! The lobster roll is absolutely delicious and the scene is super fun. You are right on the water and the teak tables with white accents gives off a total Hamptons vibe.