Tag Archives: New York City

Why I Couldn’t Be Happier to be Turning 30

30th birthday Aspiring Socialite J.Crew Dress

What’s even better than a 30th birthday party? A 30th birthday photo shoot of course! This Labor Day weekend (September 4th to be exact) I’ll be celebrating my 30th birthday. While many of us lament the loss of our 20s as the end of our youth, I personally couldn’t be more excited to be leaving my 20s behind. While I learned a lot from my mistakes and had some great accomplishments like graduating from college, starting this blog, moving to New York, meeting my amazing boyfriend and getting my first real job, the truth is it was a sad decade filled with uncertainty and the struggles of being broke. It was basically like being 13 again only you have to pay your own bills. The further I got into my 20s, the more Britney Spears’ 2007 breakdown made perfect sense. That basically sums it up, but everything good or bad must always come to an end.

Today at 30 I feel younger, happier and more vibrant than I ever did in my early 20s (mush of that is because I’ve replaced drinking with fitness and feeling sorry for myself with taking action). As I look toward the adventures to come I often wish to be richer, skinnier, prettier or smarter, but I don’t wish to be younger. It took me almost 30 years to get it together. So in many ways my adult life has just begun and I look forward to embracing the coming years as a smarter, happier and humbler person. For once in my life I truly love who I am because I’ve fought, failed and failed again to be her. While I don’t know what the future will bring, I know that I’ll continue to fight for the person I am and want to be.
Aspiring Socialite 30th Birthday

At the end of my aerial fitness classes they often share a quote from Antigravity Founder Christopher Harrison. It goes, “Hidden in the forces that bring us down, is the energy to lift us up.” If anything my 20s gave me that. In the spirit of feeling and looking great, I decided to pose in front of the Goddess Wall in Soho. I recently discovered this work of street art and it really speaks to me. Many thanks to artists @jeremypenn and  @lambrosart for creating such an inspiring mural.

If you’re a struggling 20 something, I know exactly how you feel because not so long ago I was you. We all have our own paths in life, so the only real advice I can give you is that it doesn’t matter where you’re going or how you get there as long as you continue to move and look forward. The path is almost never straight, but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep moving forward. And when you turn 30, celebrate the amazingness of being 3 decades old with a 30th birthday photo shoot! If you’re in the New York area, Zarif Taufiq would be happy to do yours too.

Party City Balloons J.Crew Dress

Speaking of 30th birthday shoots, I know you’re dying to know how I got this amazing look. The dress is a J.Crew Spaghetti-Strap Dress in Colorful Brushstroke Print. I paired this happy birthday dress with Swedish Hasbeens Ornament Clogs in Black (my fav summer shoes) and my Mighty Purse Gold Stud Wristlet that has a built in phone charger.

30th birthday party

Many thanks to Valerie Star from Caravan Stylist Studio for doing such a beautiful job on my hair, makeup and nails. I really felt like a movie star! If you’re looking to recreate this look or just get your hands on some fab beauty products, I’ll tell you what she used. She styled these beautifully modern curls using OGX Anti-Gravity + Hydration O2 Weightless Oil & Lift Tonic, OGX Argan Oil of Morocco Elevated Finish Spray and OGX Weightless Hydration Coconut Water Weightless Hydration Oil. For my makeup she made my eyes really pop with Pixi Mesmerizing Mineral PalettePixi Endless Silky Eye Pen, POP Beauty Pow Wow Powder, Pixi Mattelustre Lipstick and POP Beauty Brow Shape & Shade. Manuka Secrets was used on my skin and I wore Color Club’s It’s a Sauna Out Here Nail Polish.

Photos by: Zarif Taufiq

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Sunset at the Irish Hunger Memorial in Battery Park

Midi Dress Lucky Brand Aspiring Socialite

You’d never guess that I was still in New York City or any city for that matter. You’d probably think I was across the pond in some Celtic countryside castle. However, I am very much in downtown Manhattan at the Irish Hunger Memorial in Battery Park just steps away from Wall Street.

The Irish Hunger Memorial is a super interesting landmark that you should consider visiting next time you’re in New York. It represents the rural Irish landscape and abandoned stone cottages that many Irish left behind during the Great Irish Famine. It also stands as a reminder of the hunger that remains today. Being half Irish, the memorial really means a lot to me.

Inspired by the natural elements of the memorial, I put together a boho chic look centered around my favorite Lucky Brand Midi Dress (this one is similar). Lucky Brand has some great summer dresses that are sure to make anyone feel like a chic modern hippie. For accessories I complemented the dress with a Daniel Wellington ‘Classy Sheffield’ Crystal Index Leather Strap Watch, Kendra Scott 
Naomi Double Ring in Gunmetal and Mighty Purse Black and Gold Wristlet which has a built in pack to recharge your phone inside the purse (it’s a pretty awesome feature). I also wore (of course) my fav summer shoes ever my Swedish Hasbeens cross strap ‘Debutant’ sandals. Their clogs have not left my feet all summer. They’re super comfortable, super stylish and go with pretty much everything in my wardrobe. I will be stocking up on tons more Hasbeens come next summer. You seriously will not find a better summer shoe. If you can’t find your size Zappos, 6pm and Amazon also carry them.

My hair was inspired by Sansa’s latest hair styles on Game of Thrones.  I kept my makeup natural with Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Soft BrownMaybelline New York Eyestudio Colortattoo Concentrated Crayon Eye Color, Maybelline Lash Sensational Luscious Mascara and the Maybelline Blushed Nudes Eyeshadow Palette.

Photos by: Zarif Taufiq


Irish Hunger Memorial Lucky Brand Midi Dress

Boho Chic Lucky Brand Midi Dress Aspiring Socialite

Battery Park Lucky Brand Midi Dress Boho Chic

Sunset at the Irish Hunger Memorial in Battery Park

Sunset Irish Hunger Memorial in Battery Park

Sunset Irish Hunger Memorial

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Winter Storm Jonas Turns New York Into a Winter Wonderland

Today Winter Storm Jonas turned New York City into a whole new place. The blizzard gave New Yorkers a true day off and transformed Manhattan into a traffic-free Winter Wonderland. If only every day could be a snow day!

Winter Storm Jonas

I’ve lived in New York for about six years now and I’ve never seen it the way I saw it during the Jonas blizzard. Instead of being the fast and busy place it always is, New York became relaxed and whimsical as the snowstorm blasted over Manhattan. With no non emergency vehicles allowed on the roads, everyone who was out on the empty streets of the city was there to play. Since there was no traffic, you could even walk and make snow angels in the middle of the street.

As I walked through the snowy city, I saw people making snowmen in Times Square, cross country skiing through the streets and enjoying the bliss of having nowhere they needed to be.  If there’s anything I learned from this monumental blizzard it’s that New Yorkers need more snow days (we got around two feet of snow today) and that everyone needs a good North Face jacket. I’ve had mine for 10 years and it’s still going strong.

Flatiron Building NYC

Blizzard 2016

New York Public Library

Bryant Park Hotel

Jonas Snowstorm

Bryant Park NYC

New York Snow Storm

Times Square NYC

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New Year’s Eve Glam!

New Year’s Eve is all about the glamour! And by glamour I mean a sequined, sparkly glittery outfit topped with a glass of champagne. However, no matter what you’re wearing remember first and foremost to party like it’s 1999, but keep it classy.

New Year's Dress

This glamourous golden look, started with a fab find at Bloomingdale’s. On a whim I picked up this Aqua Gold Metallic Knit Fit & Flare Dress for under $40 and paired it with a French Connection clutch I had decorated with my blog name at New York Fashion Week, my favorite Star Power by Spanx High Waist Shaping Tights (very slimming), my Kendra Scott Naomi Two Finger Ring Adjustable Ring and my Grandmother’s vintage jewelry. To keep up the glam I put on Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Moisturizing Lipstick and painted my nails with CND Vinylux Grommet.

Photos by: Zarif Taufiq

New Year's Eve Outfit

The Plaza Hotel

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New Year's Eve Dress

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Emotions Run Wild at The Museum of Feelings

Everyone in New York is talking about a newly iconic museum and it isn’t the MoMa. It’s the Museum of Feelings – essentially a living mood ring located in Battery Park whose vivid colors reflect the ever changing mood of New York City.

Museum of Feelings

Inside there are several rooms each representing distinct feelings through lights and mood altering scents provided by Glade. The aromas chosen were absolutely perfect and even altered by mood faster and better than the uniquely beautiful surroundings.

This interactive pop up is open until Dec. 15th and best of all it’s free.  However, expect to wait in line. I got to the museum 15 minutes before it opened on Sunday December 6th and still waited just under two hours to get in. If you can swing it, the best time to go is around 11am on a weekday when most people are at work. Though there will be a wait, I can tell you that it’s worth it. As soon as you enter the Museum of Feelings, your mind clears, everyday stress is left behind and you immediately begin to feel joyful and whimsical once again.

Museum of Feelings NYC

Museum of Feelings Joy

Museum of Feelings Dance

kaleidoscope Museum of Feelings

NYC Museum of Feelings

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