Staycationing With Arlo Hotels
Monday, October 31, 2016
Only since making friends with fellow working girl influencers did I start hearing about staycations. I've quickly learned that once we trade college for career, it becomes too easy to get wrapped up in the stresses of everyday life. While the idea of spending a weekend just a few miles away from home may sound less appealing than traveling abroad, the benefits are significant.
Victor and I spent Halloweekend at Arlo Hudson Square, a newer addition to the New York City hotel scene that blends efficiency with design. Despite being just a subway ride away from my apartment, it was the retreat we needed after a busy week. There is something refreshing about changing up your daily surroundings regardless of the distance. Amidst the chic, studious atmosphere of Arlo, we were nothing but relaxed. New York almost felt like a separate city from the one we scramble through from Monday to Friday.
Scroll on for highlights from my favorite corners of Arlo Hudson Square.
An Autumnal Dream in The Berkshires
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Though it feels like New York skipped over fall, this past weekend's foliage adventures were enough of an autumnal dream to keep me satisfied. Encompassing the westernmost part of Massachusetts is a rural region knows as The Berkshires, where the scenery and culture are unlike any surrounding region. My family spent a weekend exploring the vibrant hills of this area and by the end of the trip, I wasn't ready to return to the city.
Despite unfavorable weather for most of the trip, the foliage still seemed to shine through. Among my favorite stops in the Berkshires was Olivia's Overlook (shown below), where the autumnal landscape is almost unbeatable. We made it up just minutes before sunset and were rewarded with views of evening fog weaving between the colorful trees. As much as I will always be a city girl, I wouldn't mind spending every fall season in the hills of the Berkshires.
#PerfectNever
Monday, October 24, 2016
I'll admit it's been a while since I've been fully confident with my fitness level. Every day I skip a workout is another moment of appreciation for those daily sports practices in high school. I'm not the kind of girl who can be confined to a traditional gym. Give me a mountain to hike or a kayak to paddle, and I'll happily work out any day.
Here in New York, the gym is a lifestyle. But despite the endless membership options that line these streets, I'm not sure I'll ever fit in with that world. I prefer workouts that don't feel like exercise - the ones that create memories along the way. That is the beauty of Reebok's #PerfectNever campaign. I may never achieve the body of a supermodel, but I'll leave every "workout" knowing I achieved more than a chiseled body.
In today's society, the perfect body is nonexistent, as is anything else that is subject to comparison. Work out to feel good, and do only what you enjoy. No one has time for anything else. What is your #PerfectNever story?
Travel Made Easy
Thursday, October 20, 2016
A peer recently asked me what I enjoy doing for fun, and the first word that came to mind was exploring. Despite being a broad term, it encompasses everything I value when it comes to "leisure" time. Being in a city like New York fortunately makes this an accessible hobby. This past weekend my boyfriend and I hit three boroughs in one day as we traveled around for food, views, and company.
In a city as busy as New York, cold weather layers are only fun until you head indoors to find yourself juggling a coat on one arm. Especially when traveling, such a small thing can still hinder your focus on the actual travels. Thankfully Covert has developed the perfect accessory to keep you prepared for anything the day may bring.
There is no doubt that I live in leather jackets when fall comes around, and one that adds function to style is a win in my book. This Covert piece transforms between a timeless layering piece and a convenient drawstring bag that still has room for your personal items. The switch between both is easy, and your day is instantly easier.
Wandering Williamsburg
Monday, October 17, 2016
Williamsburg, Brooklyn: the neighborhood with charming restaurants on not-so-charming streets. Since moving uptown my trips to the eclectic neighborhood have become less frequent, but each time I make the journey it's always worth the ride.
These days Williamsburg is reaching its peak of gentrification, but what I love most (other than the thriving culinary scene) are the lingering indications of its artistic, dare I say hipster days. Despite being a hub for young millennials and brunch connoisseurs, the Brooklyn neighborhood is still far from refined. Its streets are lined with unoccupied, run-down buildings like this pale blue spot that carry a history of which we have no knowledge. That is the quiet beauty of Wiliamsburg -- the marks from years past that have no clear origins, yet continue to tell the story of this continuously evolving place.
Coffee Shop Corners: NYC
Thursday, October 13, 2016
When I spend the night at my boyfriend's place, he wakes up an hour earlier than his usual to grab coffee with me before heading to the train. It becomes an opportunity to discover the cafés of Jersey City and an extra fifteen minutes in the morning that we get to spend together. As cheesy as it sounds, coffee has a way of connecting people. Quick café plans turn into deep conversation and suddenly you're sipping on your third cup as the hours pass.
I share a lot snippets from my life on Instagram that never make it to the blog, so here's a little visual compilation of some of my favorite coffee shop moments from New York City. Cheers to the laughter, conversation, and memories that follow a simple latté. What small moments mean the most to you?
A New York Day Trip to Dia:Beacon
Monday, October 10, 2016
The way I see it, rainy weekends in New York create just as much opportunity for adventure as those with blue skies. My boyfriend and I had intended to go apple picking on Sunday, but an extra gloomy morning re-routed us on a Metro North train up the Hudson Valley to Beacon, NY.
When you hop off the train at Beacon Station, you'll notice that most of your fellow passengers are headed in the same direction -- towards Dia:Beacon. As a 300 square foot contemporary art museum housed in a former printing factory, this site has been at the top of my must-see list. Each gallery is created to feature the work of a specific artist, with my (obvious) favorite being Dan Flavin's fluorescent creations. I'm no expert on modern art, but I'm always up for an artistically unique experience.
The clouds cleared up just as we left the museum, and we finished off our day strolling along Beacon's waterfront. Surrounded by lush mountainside and only the sound of the Hudson River, we concluded our weekend with the best that autumn has to offer.
A Little 70's
Thursday, October 6, 2016
I didn't realize how much I loved this outfit until I spent a day in it. I purchased this top months ago and let it wait in my closet until the annual New York heat wave died down. Now that it's autumn, give me some bell sleeves and I'll be twirling all around the concrete jungle.
You know those style quizzes that place you into a certain "type of girl"? The Modern Girl, The Classic, The Bohemian Babe. I don't feel like I fit completely into any of those, and I don't think anyone should have to. As much as I love my leather jackets and weekend athleisure, I'll just as happily bring out my inner 70s chick with a pair of flares and free-flowing sleeves.
The final touch to this look? The bucket bag that carries it all. I spent a day in the city fully equipped with my DSLR camera and typical bag necessities without needing to carry anything oversized. You could never tell, but everything fit perfectly into this bag that I've now been wearing on repeat.
The Mom Jean
Monday, October 3, 2016
Denim is having a moment right now and I've found my favorite kind. I picked up my first pair of mom jeans in a blue wash this summer and after my first wear immediately went back for black. There is something perfect about this un-restricting, curve-friendly denim trend -- something called natural.
I won't go on a lengthy lecture about body image, but I will thank mom jeans for accommodating my leg shape and my former dancer thighs for filling them out. The style world isn't just about skinny jeans anymore, and I get the sense that most women are loving it. With trend resurgences happening every second, it is much easier to find a unique pair of pants or jeans that both look and feel good. Revolutionary, right? Sarcasm intended.
Regardless, here's to not only embracing, but also accentuating your body's quirks. Getting dressed is more fun that way.
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