The City So Nice They Named it Twice

A delayed NY recap

Life has been crazy, and weird, and wild and jam-packed over the last few months. It’s been a very long time since I’ve experienced a summer that just flies by so fast you feel like you don’t even have a second to breathe. I have what feels like an eternity to catch you up on, but let’s begin with the trip to NY.

Going to NYC wasn’t originally in my summer plans, but when Halfdays emailed me asking if I wanted to join them on a trip, my answer was an automatic yes.

The first leg of my time in NY was spent upstate with the Halfdays team, and some other fabulous ladies I had the pleasure of getting to know. We stayed at Autocamp in the Catskills which was possibly the best glamping experience I’ve ever had.

This trip was extra special for me, as it was my first brand trip. I am quite picky (as I’m sure you know) with who I do and don’t work with. Heading on a brand trip was one of the top pieces of my 2024 bucket list, and doing it with Halfdays felt like a dream come true.

We hiked, played, talked, ate, drank and relaxed.

There is something so so special about connecting with like-minded people in an open, warm and welcoming environment. That is exactly what this experience felt like. I had/have been feeling quite overwhelmed with work recently. The TikTok views staying at a decrease have made me quite stressed out, as I do this full time. However, getting invited on this trip made me feel seen. It was a milestone that had finally been reached, and made me realize that there is no correct path when you’re your own boss.

Thank you for always bearing with me, and being here x

Back to it-

The outfits upstate were casual, sporty and comfortable; my 3 favourite things.

From left to right: Wearing a Halfdays bra, and Halfdays shorts. Paired with Hoka Hiking boots.

Wearing an oversized Halfdays Tee, paired with a Happy Hour skirt, and Hoka slides.

Wearing a vintage Nike tee, with my fav Halfdays puffer over top. Paired with the same Halfdays shorts as before.

I kissed the Catskills goodbye, and headed straight to Williamsburg to meet one of my closest friends at her Mom’s place. Our agenda every time we come to NYC only consists of two things: eating and shopping. I was feeling extra excited this time around, as I acquired some new places to browse courtesy of the coolest, most stylish, Julianna.

I was mostly only focused on Vintage shopping this time around, as I’m a serial internet browser and want to see things that I can’t also see on the internet. I made it my mission to try on every single piece of clothing that caught my eye, regardless of whether or not it was in my size.

The one thing I have noticed about NYC vintage/thrift shopping is the exceptionally aggressive price tag slapped onto 99% of the pieces. I get baffled every single time I see a vintage pair of Levi’s for $450 USD, knowing that the same style/size/wash would go for $80 CAD. I’m not naive, I know NYC is expensive. However, I’m working on removing most/all buyers remorse from my life, and I don’t think buying a $340 vintage graphic tee is in alignment with this.

The places I went to browse vintage (that I can remember the names of):

Seven Wonder’s Collective, Chickee’s Vintage, Kousage Bachman, Mirth Vintage, Duo NYC

Unfortunately the NYC shopping market is not my area of expertise, but one day I would like it to be. But for now, I’ll share my small list of gems.

In terms of food, I usually go in blind and let Emily lead the way. The only thing I specifically mentioned that I absolutely needed to eat before I left, was a lobster roll. WTF can you not get lobster rolls on the West Coast (obviously I know the answer to that question… but I’m still mad about it).

We ate at Bernies, Mono Mono for the first time, and Green Point Fish & Lobster Co. Rave reviews for all of the above. Some other good eats I’ve had in previous visits to the city are Rafs (insane burger), Saint Theo’s, Sugarfish (always), and pretty much any greasy slice of pizza you can find.

Honorary mention to the pickle martini at Mono Mono… this may be the best thing I have ever drank.

No trip to the city is complete without a galavant around Soho/The East Village.

My favourite activities in this area are drooling over every piece of clothing/leather/suede/etc., in Khaite, and then internally crying once I see the price tag of something. The victim this trip was the dress in the bottom left corner that I had to use 100% of the remaining willpower inside of my body to not buy it.

When I’m strolling Soho, I never have a plan. I possibly the worst person to be walking the streets with, because something will catch my eye and I’ll speed up or change direction without a cue. My only “we must go here today” was to Cafe Lyria, for an Iced Lyria (coming in at a close second to the pickle martini). The only way I ever see myself drinking coffee everyday again, is if one of these was shipped to my doorstep every morning.

I definitely didn’t document every outfit I wore on this trip (by accident), but the one thing visiting NYC in the heat of the summer made me realize, is that I do not own clothes appropriate for 35+ degree weather (Celsius).

From top to bottom, left to right:

Wearing a Brandy Melville Tank top, Khaite belt, and vintage Levi’s shorts. Carrying an Affaires bag, and Lexxola sunglasses.

Wearing Cos shorts, and a Sir top. Carrying the same Affaires bag.

Wearing a Los Angeles Apparel dress, carrying a vintage Bottega bag I bought off Vestiaire Co., and wearing Wales Bonner Adidas.

Wearing an Aritzia tube top (I always buy the long version), Cos shorts, and carrying a Gimaguas bag.

Pretty much the only shoes I wore this whole trip were my beloved Cordera sandals. Recently discovered they’re called the Monica… a few pairs might be floating around on TRR/Vestiaire.

The necklace stack of the week consisted of my 15” Dorsey bb, Sisi Joia silver/glass number, and the coolest Zycloom piece.

Be back soon NY, mwah.