#NYFW

Fashion week in New York was a blast! Being from the Midwest I don't feel like we can wear a lot of "expressive" clothing without getting strange looks. To be honest the things I wore weren't even that crazy but having that "feeling of freedom and creativity" for a weekend was enjoyable. Flying into The City. at night, all lit up, I felt calm and like I was going home. We landed and hopped in an Uber; driving down the highway through Queens and through the tunnel felt like I was finally back! We got to our hotel in Times Square and went out. B54 is one of my favorite rooftop bars. They are so friendly and even though there was a wait it wasn't bad at all. We went through the doors of the Hyatt at 135 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036 where they gave us a key card (since we weren't guests of the hotel); that got us up to the 54th floor restaurant/bar. The hostess was very pleasant and told us there was a wait to sit outside but she would seat us inside for the moment. We followed her to a table, checked out the menu and within 10 minutes (if that) we were sitting outside, peering over the glass barrier to the lit up city and yellow taxis below. We ordered cocktails and meatball sliders (highly recommended) and sat and talked, took pictures and planned out the rest of our evening.

After cocktails and lite bites we headed off to walk around our new home for the weekend. 7th Avenue is where you will find the knockoff bags (at least for now, if you don't want to go to China Town). It is not illegal (I am told) to purchase these bags but it is illegal for them to sell. So they typically come out after dark and set up under scaffolding or areas not seen from the street. They have good quality items (at least the one we stopped at). Mike has wanted a Breitling watch (cost about 10G) and he actually found a very nice knockoff for $60. You can haggle with them, I was $20 short bc I didn't bring a ton of cash and the guy gave me my YSL bag (which I am so in love with) for half the price he was originally asking. I carried this bag with me the whole rest of the trip and actually am currently using it as a wallet in my work bag.

But back to the trip. We next went to "Jimmy's Corner" which I was actually hesitant to tell people about bc it is really a NY Treasure. (Side note: the sign is now blue, on the website it is a reddish purple). Jimmy Glenn was one of Mohammad Ali's trainers and his bar is covered in memorabilia. It's not a huge place but that makes it all the more cozy and special. Jimmy hangs out there every night so if you are lucky you might see him hanging out, chatting with customers and playing soul music on the juke box.

We got a bottle of wine and turned in early (bc we had been up early and worked all day, then flew out). We wanted to get a good start and see as much as we could Friday before our first NYFW Event.

We woke up the next morning to some rain but luckily I had brought my favorite clear raincoat from NOLA. (Seriously if you ever have the opportunity to buy a clear raincoat it is a great investment). Rain sucks, especially when you are wearing a cute outfit and want to show it off! We headed out towards Central Park, grabbing Starbucks Protein Blended Cold Brew (my new favorite "on the go" drink). We hopped the Subway (I wish we had a Subway System in Cinci bc it is so easy to get to anywhere) and decided to go to the Guggenheim. Mike is an engineer and has wanted to see this engineering marvel for some time; I always love a good museum, especially on a rainy day! The exhibit was not quite my style but the design of the museum and was amazing!

We walked around the museum for a while and decided to head back towards home. We stopped at a few shops on the way. I still wasn't sure what to wear that night so I stopped at the giant H&M by our hotel (Mike actually left and went back to our hotel bc I was in there for so long, lol). But I found this cute pink and red midi skirt (link) part of their A/W Collection.

Friday night at Hudson Terrace...we got there an hour early (bc I thought it started at 5) but we had a great time looking at the city from the rooftop (it had stopped raining and the sun was out) and listening to the music the dj was spinning. The Global Influencers Agency put on a fantastic happy hour! I met some lovely ladies and exchanged some great Blogging and makeup tips. Mike even met another Instagram husband and they talked cameras! When we left it was still early (by New York time; places are typically open til 4am). We walked around Times Square, got something to eat and saw Model Victoria Henley! It started raining so we headed back to the room to get some rest for the shows on Saturday.

Me and Blogger Keva Faeva

Saturday morning...we woke up and began getting ready for the 11:30 show at Hotel Pennsylvania. During NYFW, only select people go to the main big show. Usually photographers, famous designers or buyers for big brands. However, you can get invited to it and if that doesn't happen there are a ton of free shows or open to the public shows you can attend. PLITZ was one of the free shows I came across. I YouTubed and researched it and it looked fascinating! The music was good and the runway looked exciting! So I registered us for the first show. I received the confirmation, printed my tickets (luckily bc the website said the show was at 11:30 and the tickets said 10:30). So the morning of I looked at the tickets to make sure all was in order and noticed the 10:30 time! EEEEEK!! We had enough time to grab Starbucks (yup, my Protein Coffee Drink) and get to the hotel. Unfortunately they weren't quite ready, there was a misprint on the tickets so we had 20 minutes to kill. No matter, better early (again) than late! So we walked around The Manhatten Mall around the corner. I discovered a store called Bolton's which I later realized is a chain. I didn't buy anything bc I didn't want to carry it into the show but their clothing was really stylish and they had unique, but classy pieces! After we walked around for a bit we headed back to the hotel to wait in line for the show. (This is the part I really don't want to write but if anyone from the show is reading it PLEASE PLEASE take note for future shows and I apologize in advance if something serious happened and this is not a normal occurrence; however I feel this must be told). I realize the standing room tickets were free but there were individuals who paid for seats and for them I feel bad. We waited 2 hours for the show to start with absolutely zero reports of what was going on or what to expect. By the time we realized what was happening it was like, well we waited this long. The show was good but I was disappointed to be standing there while the workers were still setting up!! No announcements of how long it was going to be; just a crowd of people watching lights be set up and audience members holding light brackets etc. for the workers. It was kind of embarrassing. One lady in the front row stood up, fabulously dressed and her friends started snapping pictures, we all started cheering as she strutted down the runway. She said "ladies it's my Birthday today I turn 50, this is what 50 looks like. I thought I would give you a show before I left." Classy, seriously I wish I could have done something like this!! I wish I had a video of it to share bc it was even better than I can describe.

I don't mean to tell you about my bad experience to deter you from going to one of the free shows bc even though I have no clue why they were still setting up when the show was supposed to start 2 hours ago, I'm sure there was a reason and I do think you can catch a great show for free (and I know some of the ones that charge are great, as I will tell you in a minute). It actually was a good show once they got started.

We got lunch (as we hadn't eaten much all day). I figured I owed Mike HUGE for being really awesome and hanging in there for the show. We went to Hooter's and got wings, beer and watched College football (it was very relaxing). We hung out for a bit then went shopping. I purchased my new favorite "Influencer Tee" (I had seen the night before, apologies I don't have a link to share, this may have only been for Fashion Week in NYC stores) from Express and we got ready for the 2nd show. Fashion Sizzle was in Chelsea, not a bad walk, even in the rain. If you saw on my Insta. I had made this dress out of red leather pants I had back in college. I was going through boxes in my moms basement and found them. They were a little huge on me so no longer good as pants but I loved the red leather so I held on to them. A few months later I saw something on Pinterest where they made a dress from pants! I designed it and my mom helped me figure out where to cut and sew; just like when I was a kid, I would draw up an idea and she would sew it! The sleeves I found on a Plus size top from Gabes (you know how I love Gabes). I knew the "Glen Plaid" was big for Fall so this was definitely a piece to purchase and I loved the bubble sleeves! I still have more fabric from the shirt that I'm dying to use on something!

Saturday night in Chelsey... We arrived at Church of the Holy Appostles right on time! The music was pumping, the lights and runway were set up, people were smiling and welcoming us! Now THIS was the Fashion Show I was already excited to see! We had front row tickets and it only cost $50! I definitely want to go back next year bc this was an amazing show!! The models were stunning, the clothes were inspirational, the dj was wonderful! The whole night was entertaining. I asked Mike if he was having fun or ready to go (bc I still felt bad for earlier). He said no he was having a blast!! So thank you again the Fashion Sizzle for a perfect ending to our NYFW!! These were some of my favorites but like I said log on to my Facebook Page to see more!

Watch some of the show (link below) and look closely,

MIKE AND I ARE IN THE FRONT ROW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL4wqSANzSM

It was our last night in The City so of course we had to get some NY Style pizza! We stopped at a corner pizza joint (Cavello's Pizzaria) near the Subway (typical NY City couple's evening synario). I felt like we were just the average couple, living in the city, out on a date night. We had seen a show and were grabbing a late bite on our way home, (essentially most of that was true, lol). They have 2 locations: 334 8th Ave, New York, NY 10001 and 324 7th Ave, New York, NY 10001. We went to the one on 7th but I have heard they are both great! We made our rounds to a few Irish Pubs near Times Square (I don't think any Irish Pub you go to in NYC is bad. The first one we went to was hard to leave bc the music they were playing was all 90s songs that we loved and hadn't heard in ages! ("The Irish Pub" - 837 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019). It's across from another Irish Pub "The Irish Pub and Restaurant" or also called, "The Stage Coach." There are several with in the area, good music, dancing and Irish shenanigans.

Sunday morning we hopped the Subway and met up with some friends on the Upper East Side at a restaurant called "Le Pain Quotidien" It was a wonderful European style brunch restaurant. (Side note: a great European style pub we went to near Times Square was BXL. Beers we had in Belgium and the feel of Europe through out the bar.) The coffee (I drink mine plain black, no sugar etc.) was delicious, so was the food!! We sat for a while and chatted, caught up with our friends. Then we walked around, they had a street market (if you are from Cincinnati it's like Hyde Park's street market, on crack). Blocks of vendors with their tents set up selling every thing from food, jams, to clothing, jewelry, handbags, it was fun despite the increasing rain. We dipped into a Bloomingdales bc I make it a point to visit at least one Louis Vuitton store in every city I go to. This Bloomingdales was 4 levels, (LV was on 2 of them) and the store workers were extremely friendly! Not pushy, or like they were just being nice to get your business, genuinely friendly! We walked around for a bit, did some window shopping. They have several versions of their "Little Brown Bag" in a purse form so I did have to purchase one (the Little Clear Bag).

We had a little time to kill before our flight and the Bengals were playing the Colts so we found a BW3's (bc if you go to a local bar they are watching the Jets or the Giants so good luck getting them to change the station lol). The BW3's we went to (like everything in NY) was HUGE!! 2 levels of open space and tv's on every wall! Bar upstairs and downstairs, and the wait staff was friendly once we were seated. We were just there to see the game but we did get food, the waitress was the only one working the 2nd floor but she still did an outstanding job of checking on us!

We watched the game almost until the end (we beat the Colt's). Headed to the airport and flew home. It was a wonderful trip! If you ever get to go to NYFW even if you don't have tickets to the shows just the people watching is fun. Also NYFW.com lists shows you can go to as a regular person, not having to be a blogger or buyer or someone famous.

I have all of my pictures from the shows on my Facebook Page. I took so many there wasn't space to put them ALL on by Blog. Hope you enjoyed this and hopefully you will be inspired to visit The Big Apple!!!

Check out my Facebook Page to see ALL of the pictures from NYFW!!

Here are a few "Street Sightings" we saw over the weekend. That was probably one of my favorite things was seeing what the regular people wore, people who had come to the City to see the shows (or just people watch). So inspiring!!