Manhattan Bees

Photography by Stephanie Arvelo

For a city that never sleeps and it’s always busy, I find its transportation methods always fail to excel. At least, if I compare it to my beloved London.

What can I say, finding your way to the right subway platform is certainly not easy and neither are waiting times. Looong! I guess some of us have been spoiled on the other side of the pond...

Funny enough there’s plenty of yellow taxis to fix that, but they are all taken when you really wanna grab one on the spot, ha! So much for those uber haters...

In any case, regardless of this #firstworldproblems that we take on our everyday lives, I love feeling like a busy bee in the city. Puts me right in character, one that has plenty of power and energy.

Life is tricky babies, stay in your magic.

TCB xx

WHAT I WORE

SheIn Heartbreaker Pink Velvet Tee
ZARA Pleat Skort
Mango Pink Velvet Platform Sandals
Rayban Round Metal Sunglasses

There's always time to dress up

Photography by Steph from City + Palm 

There's always time to dress up. Specially if you are head over heels in your favourite US city: New York. 

A good friend of mine once told me how amazing the spot her husband chose to propose to her in the city, and it wasn't until my last visit, that I got to understand what she meant. They got engaged a couple of years back at Gantry Plaza State Park, "with great views of Manhattan!" she said. 

Skeptical me though: why going to such a remote spot when you can get amazing views of the city in Brooklyn, Williamsburg, for instance? Oh gurls, I was wrong. This spot has indeed GREAT views. And best of all, it's not crowded. There's even sun lounges to lay in during a hot sunny day! Only drawback is that there is not much around it. If you plan heading that way, make sure you grab some essentials (i.e. cigarettes, alcohol and minimal nibbles). You'll need them.

I was feeling quite fabulous that day, so I put on my favourite preppy style look from J. Crew :) Ah, I love mixing minimal white dresses with a splash of colour, specially if that is in gingham! I must admit my obsession for stars and gingham is worryingly increasing, but hey ho, off we go!

TCB xx

WHAT I WORE (if old, or sold out, there's similar items!)

The Beach Gals

Photography by Jasmint

Life IS better by the sea, there is no doubt about it. 

I wonder whether your perception may change or not, but the more I've been in London, the happier it makes me when I go by the sea. 

Don't get me wrong, I am in looove with my city; but there's something about being by the sea that changes everybody's mood. Don't you agree?

The breeze is different, there's a particular smell, and people genuinely seem to be on a different schedule. Ah, the beach life. Of course, being in San Francisco, I could not miss the opportunity to get some tan and have a walk by the sea. Are there any better views to have on your morning walk than the Golden Bridge Gate? Hm, don't think so. 

TCB xx

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WHAT I WORE:

Mango Citric Tee
Mango Check Tote Shopper Bag
Topshop Dogstooth Skirt
 

Shop Til' You Drop

Forget Century21 and all those outlets an hour away of the city. If you come to New York is not to shop cheap, my friend, it's to shop RIGHT!

If your idea of shopping is to go to all places commoners go, then stop reading right away. If you like unique pieces that stand out wherever you go, then continue. Don’t get me wrong, I love Zara and all the high-street stores, but I can get that at home and probably cheaper than in the states, so why bother?

If you are in the same mindset as moi and you’ve got some dollah to spend, you’ve landed at the right site. Happy shopping gurrrrL

LOWER MANHATTAN & EAST VILLAGE

• Maiyet - Their flagship store on Crosby St is most beautiful and minimal store I've seen in a long time. Not to mention their handcrafted bags are SO DREAMY. Also, you've got the Nomo Hotel for a quick drink and the Egg Shop for the perfect brunch stopover.
• American Two Shot - Also around the corner from Maiyet, a Super Cool Store for Super Cool People. Not only clothing but also home stuff and creative little items that are probably useless but SO cool. I mean, really.
• V Files – You faaancy! Hood by Air and the likes, properly set up in the nicest and coolest way.
• Reformation – Need to explain myself on this one? You have IG and claim you are into fashion, right? Then all has been said.
• Frankie shop (aka Pixie Market) – Same thing as reformation. But if you need a bit of info…all those catwalk pieces you wanted? Here, for you, and at affordable prices.
• 3NY – This shop I discovered on my last trip to the city. And I love it! Remember my Valentino lookalike? I got it here. Really funky and unique finds, with a variety of prices. Much better to go in-store than online. 
• Warby Parker and Moscot for great eye-glasses and sunglasses. Warby Parker has more of a young vibe, with lots of different styles and frames and good for every budget. Moscot is a NY staple. It’s a family business that’s been running for centuries and their frames have been worn by many famous people.
• Aritzia and J. Crew– OK,OK, OK these are sort of chains. But we don’t have them in Europe! Minimalist concept store with great evergreen pieces. Great steal of the season: suede pants for less than $100!
• The Market NYC (on Broadway w/ Broome St) – Probably quite touristy but I found true gems in these warehouse: great if you are looking for good (gold-plated) jewelry and leather goods

GREENWICH VILLAGE (BLEECKER ST)

The list of shops across this street is LONG. It is mainly luxury firms, but also independent designers (up and coming, of course), so if you come from the UK, it is probably worth checking them out, since your pounds are worth more overseas.

If you are coming from anywhere else, I still think it is worth for you to have a stroll around the area. It is my favourite neighborhood for a reason, not only the shopping.

TCB x

The Unknown LIC

Photography By Steph from City And Palm

I think y'all know how much I love New York. It's been a long-time affair and the more I visit the Big Apple, the more I want to get to know her better. 

I love visiting my usual shops and restaurants. getting my bagel from Black Seed and my matcha fix from Cha Cha Matcha, not without stopping at the uber cool and girl power shop Bulletin. But hipster stereotypes aside, every time I am there I like to discover something different. That's what keeps things interesting, right? 

So, I decided to venture out and discover what I feel many New Yorkers don't even visit much: Long Island City, or LIC. It was surprising to see how empty most of it was on a Saturday morning! That, or everybody was still sleeping off their hangovers...Lucky them. 

In any case, while wandering the streets of this yet to be trendy spot, we encounter ourselves with Magic - A HUGE Cola sign. I must admit, I love Coca-cola. It's definitely one of my weaknesses, along with fries and ice-cream (seriously, such a healthy diet). Unfortunately the sign was for Pepsi-Cola, its eternal enemy, but nevertheless a great photo op we couldn't miss. 

Lolita #outfitrole ON, glasses and lips on point, and here we go! The weather nearly melt us along the way, but it was totes worth it.

TCB xx

WHAT I WORE:

The Sky is your Garden

Have I mentioned how deserted The City is on weekends? Perfect hotspot for a shoot.

Once again the Spanish Mafia went for a stroll and this time ended up having breakfast at the Sky Garden. It was long overdue!

Probably my favourite skyscraper to date in terms of what you can get out of it: best views and no entrance fee for it. The only drawback I'd highlight is that the food is not at its best unless you pay for an upgrade and go to the restaurant or the brasserie on top floors.

In any case, any excuse is a good excuse to dress up so I braved the weather (sunny but SO cold) and here is the result.

TCB xx

WHAT I WORE:  

ASOS White Monochrome Dress

Ouigal Heeled Glitter Sandals

Shoreditch Hype

Well, well, well...I moved to London literally two months ago and I feel so settled already! London bursts of energy, creativity, innovation...and of course, a lot of fashion. I've been living here only for few months but every day is an adventure. And I wanted you to be part of them sharing my experiences here.

Last weekend I spent my time discovering (once again) Shoreditch, the neighborhood of hipsters and fashion craziness. There's nothing you can think of that you wouldn't see here. It is truly amazing.

My Sunday ritual in Shoreditch consists on having a nice breakfast at the Beigel Bake (salmon bagel, what a classic!) up at the end of Brick Lane and then just let myself into the litlle stalls where you can find real gems (fashion-wise, don't get me wrong).

One of my favourite spots is that Vintage Market under ground of Brick Lane. Live Music, Vintage Clothing and lots of food stalls to try different types of cuisines. What else would you need to spend your sunday?

But before getting into Brick Lane there is one stop I ALWAYS have to make, and that is the street market next to Old Spitafields Market. It is just bedazzling. Don't ask where those clothing pieces come from but they seriously have good stuff. They only work on the Sundays so make sure you are around to treat yourself to a nice piece! P.S: I've got that stunning metallic jacket I'm wearing in the pictures last Sunday :)

For outfit details, just see below the pictures. Have a nice week, fashionistas!

TCB x

WHAT I WORE:

Metallic Glitter Biker (bought at Spitafield's Sunday Market)
& Other Stories Dress (sold out)
Miista Brogues