As told by Jessica Steele. Based in NYC.
It’s official as of today.. Fall is here. And if you’ve never experienced it – take my word when I say that there is nothing quite like Autumn in New York City. To kick off one of my favorite times of year here, I teamed up with Talbots to share three places to visit in NYC this season plus my favorite pieces from their Fall collection!
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Compensation for this post was provided by Discover card via AOL Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Discover card or AOL.
As a New Yorker, I’m constantly asked for advice on what to see and do when visiting the city. And quite often that request is followed by the phrase ‘that won’t break the bank’. I get it. This town boasts an overwhelming number of things to see and do and notably some of those options are expensive. But if you know where to look, there are so many ways to enjoy this city on a budget.
First things first – who are you spending your time with while in New York? From a romantic date to a girl’s night out – I’ve broken it down so that you can choose your own adventure. Looking for more recommendations? Feel free to comment below or email me! I’m always happy to help someone else fall in love with this city.
Girls Night Out: Soho/Nolita/East Village
1. You’re going to want to start this marathon evening with a dose of caffeine. Two Hands Cafe serves up specialty coffee and tea with an extra shot of cute decor.
2. After you’ve had your coffee head straight to Soho to pick up something new for the night. While it can get crowded at the bigger name chain stores on Broadway, stops at places like & Other Stories (the slightly higher end sister store to H&M you won’t find elsewhere in the US) is worth braving the crowds. Venture down the cross streets to find independent boutiques like cool girl’s go-to Frankie.
3. Have dessert before dinner (it’s Girls Night Out.. you’re allowed to indulge) at Little Cupcake Bake Shop in nearby Nolita. Afterwards take a group pic by the heart covered wall outside.
4. Build back up your appetite by walking to Rosie’s in the East Village. A newcomer to the neighborhood it’s already become a hotspot with outdoor seating, a young crowd, and most importantly – affordable, delicious Mexican food and on point margaritas.
5. End the night with epic skyline views of downtown Manhattan at rooftop bar Jimmy at the James Hotel.
Things to do Solo: Union Square/Flatiron/Gramercy
1. There’s no greater place to wander alone than a bookstore and consistently named one of the best independent bookstores in the country, Strand in Union Square is just the place to do it. Boasting 18 miles of books, $1 selections outside and an always friendly staff – this is one of my favorite spots in the city.
2. With a new book in tow, head to Heyday – an ultra cool facial shop – in nearby Flatiron district to get fresh faced. At just $60 for a 30 minute treatment you and your wallet will leave feeling relaxed.
3. Just down the street you’ll find Fishs Eddy – stop in to browse the one of a kind housewares shop that is my favorite pick for affordable dishes and quirky gifts that often reflect different neighborhoods of New York.
4. Refuel at Beecher’s – a cheese shop (they make their own in huge machines you can watch behind the cafe glass!) and bar. Try a few samples of their signature blends and grab an iced drink to go.
5. Take a quick walk up to the Flower District at 28th street between 6th and 7th Ave. to see busy city streets transform into a botanical explosion. While some of the smaller outdoor vendors are cash only, the shops accept credit cards and I’ve found the staff infinitely more helpful. Treat yourself to a bright bouquet.
Date Ideas: West Village/Greenwich Village
1. Start the day at Hamilton’s – an old fashioned soda shop tucked among the quiet streets of the West Village. There’s nothing cuter than sharing a milkshake and fries and it will only set you back a few bucks.
2. From there, take a stroll to Washington Square Park. There’s something quintessentially New York about staring at the arch, listening to live jazz or piano (there’s always someone playing music for a captive crowd) and watching the city pass by.
3. Grab an early dinner at the Mermaid Oyster Bar – happy hour offers $1 oysters plus drink specials. Extra points for being on arguably one of the cutest streets in the city – colorful Macdougal.
4. Head to the Film Forum, an small movie house that shows independent films, documentaries and classics. It’s slightly cheaper than the AMCs of the world plus the older crowd and cozy theaters feel way more romantic.
5. End the night at the Happiest Hour – a throwback cocktail bar inspired by the Beverly Hills Hotel that is equal parts Mad Men and modern New York. Cheers!
The first time I attended NYFW it was held at Bryant Park – I was 20 years old, interning for designer Nanette Lepore and dressing models backstage. Many years later, a few venues and about a hundred blisters later.. I like to think I’ve learned a thing or two about how to get through this wild week in one piece. These days I’m lucky enough to be reporting from backstage rather than frantically dressing girls a foot taller than me – but no matter what situation I find myself in I’ve narrowed a list of things that will help me survive it in style.
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IT’S HERE!! After almost 6 months of samples, swatches, and stitching I couldn’t be more excited to introduce to you all The Steele Maiden x Steele Canvas Weekender bag! I’ve been a fan of Steele Canvas ever since I first spotted their totes in J.Crew way back when.. and while it started with a connection to the shared name, once I learned about the history of their American-made brand, quality materials and timeless shapes – I was really hooked. Fast forward to this past March when the team at Steele Canvas asked if I’d like to collaborate on an exclusive new style – and here we are!
Read on for all the behind the scenes and follow me on Instagram for the chance to WIN a bag for yourself! Plus – use code STEELE10 to receive 10% off your purchase of The Weekender now through Sept. 30
Many of you may not know, but I majored in Fashion Design in college, so I was excited to roll up my sleeves and dive in to this project head first. The team at Steele Canvas were generous enough to give me pretty much free reign on the design (adding in their expert canvas and construction knowledge along the way), so after reviewing swatches and working up some first sketches, Adam and I headed straight to the source (their offices and factory outside of Boston, MA) to get a closer look.
For the design, I was inspired by vintage duffles, the history of the brand itself (founded in 1921) and my own love of weekend getaways. I chose their traditional natural duck canvas and accented it with this beautiful, already broken in brown leather. And from there I made sure to make it as functional as possible – a long adjustable shoulder strap plus handles, an outside pocket (I hate digging around for essentials like my phone and keys), plus 2 inside pockets for small accessories. And for an added touch – my signature is printed on one of the inside pockets!
Designed to fit everything you need for a few nights away from home and built Steele tough to last through every trip for years and years to come – I couldn’t be prouder of the results. And a huge, huge, HUGE thank you to the team at Steele Canvas for this opportunity! Now I want to hear – what do you think? And where would you take your Weekender bag? Here’s to your very own #steelemaidenvoyages
There’s just something about Fall fashion. For me it started longggg before I ever dreamt of attending NYFW, back when Fall fashion meant back to school shopping. And I’m pretty sure I would have snapped up this outfit from about the 5th grade on.
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