Happy Halloween!

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

Monthly Medley

It is crazy how fast time goes by when you're having a great time. It feels like yesterday when I knew I had been admitted to Parsons and moved to New York... But a couple of days ago I realised that I've gone through 10 weeks of school already––meaning not only that the semester is almost over, but also that the three semesters I have lest will probably fly by even faster! Time seems to have been moving so quickly, that I sometimes forget how I spend my days...

However, this month was an amazing one. I can now say that I'm finally fully settled in New York, and I am starting to enjoy the city much more than I had been doing before. I am finally starting to create a routine––which, to an extent, seems to be necessary to make me happy––and I have been working on finding a balance between work/study and fun time, so I can get the most out of my time in New York. I have written several essays for school and read lots of books for my job, but also made new friends and enjoyed New York.

This month started with tea––as every good thing should start––and a short escape out of town to visit one of my best friends. I also had the chance to start discovering more new places in the city––I fell in love with Albertine at first sight, and Don Antonio has become my new favourite pizza place! These discoveries have inspired me to embark into all sorts of adventures around the city––including running in Central Park and using bicycles to move around before the weather gets too cold––just to share the magic of New York with you!

But if I had to choose my favourite moment of the month, it would definitely be the day when I abandoned all my work and went for a walk on the Highline to take pictures of the sunset. My photography skills still have a lot of room for improvements, so they don't to justice to the amazing sunset I witnessed. Even if they did, taking the time to walk and be inspired by the beauty of the sunset was priceless... As are most of my random walks in New York streets...

I did have lots of time to feel inspired by the city, which took me to creating a bucket list for the Fall––on which I will definitely continue working during November. New York has also inspired me to go out and celebrate Halloween––something I would have never thought of if I was back home––and I am really looking forward to tomorrow!

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My favourite finds this month were:

– WWD's series of articles remembering Oscar de la Renta

– CR Fashion Book's interview with Evgenia Linovich, designer of Masterpiece

By creating more work for these artists and teaching ancient practices to the younger generation, Linovich hopes that old techniques will be utilized to create something modern. “I want our children and grandchildren to see traditional embroidery and real woodcarving—I want to bring art to our daughters and our sons.”

– Garance's wonderful finds at Marine's

– Rebecca Harrington's attempts to train her waist wearing a corset

– Gala Darling talks about the importance of having a style uniform, just because:

It’s better to have your everyday life structured and organised, so that you can expend that energy on being innovative.

– Rosie always makes my mouth water with her recipes... But this time she actually made me want to skip brunch out next Sunday and stay at home cooking. Anyone wants to join me for a small brunch party?

– Big news on the return of Courrèges...

Courrèges 2.0 isn't limited to making clothes. The company plans to launch a makeup collection in partnership with a major cosmetics brand,and to expand the brand into a dizzying array of product categories: not just the usual bags, sunglasses, and small leather goods, but also architecture, design, music, and electric cars.

– Bridget Foley thinking chic about Prada at Barneys

Love,

  Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

Killer Heels at the Brooklyn Museum

Last week, I visited the Killer Heels exhibition at Brooklyn Museum, and I loved it! I barely leave Manhattan, but when I do, I like going to Brooklyn––unless I'm out in Princeton visiting my friends... Brooklyn Museum, especially, is one of my favourite places in the borough because it's super pretty and it has a very wide collection, with all sorts of events going on all the time.

Right now––and until February 15, 2015––they're hosting an exhibition called Killer Heels. When I first heard of it, I was a little reluctant to go because, as much as I love heels––you barely need to throw a short glance at my closet to notice that––I wasn't really sure about going to an exhibition about heels. I felt it was not worthy at all...

But thank God I was convinced to go. The exhibition hosted a quite large collection of high heels from different periods in history and coming from different parts of the world. Of course, I would say that more recent types of high heels were more common, but they had some amazing oldies. To be honest, I would have liked to see more writing about the actual history of heels––rather than just showing an artfully arranged collection––but I still liked what they had. There were also videos and posters to top up the exhibit. One of my favourite videos was an excerpt of the movie Some Like It Hot––which I totally want to see!

I didn't take any pictures of the exhibit at all because––as usual––lightning was not the best. I also really want to encourage those of you who can make it there to go. If you're not that into heels, I guess you can scan through it and go off to visit other parts of the museum!

Love,
  Photography: Laura Belru

5 Fun Things to do this Halloween in New York

I must confess that I'm not much of a Halloween person. I adore seeing all the pumpkin decorations and eating absolutely everything that contains pumpkin––including the 40 Carrots pumpkin frozen yogurt, which I tried today––but I'm not that into Halloween. Back home, I would normally bake pumpkin coffee cake, hang out with some friends and go watch the zombie parade, which was my favourite attraction. But other than that, I barely noticed Halloween.

However, Halloween is a pretty big holiday in New York, and although I haven't decided what I'll be doing yet, I have been thinking of some cool ideas. They're all super different plans, so I guess they suit different moods and personalities.

1. The Village Halloween Parade

This is an old-time tradition to celebrate Halloween in New York––it's turning 41 this year. This year's theme is "the garden of earthly delights." Those of you who like to dress up can join the parade and its massive puppets, music bands and artists. There's also a costume contest, so good luck if you're thinking on participating!

For those of us who don't particularly like the idea of wearing costumes––or coming up with a cool one, which seems to be my problem––people-watching is a good idea. I really love to see how creative and crafty people are when it comes to Halloween costumes, and I'm dying to take some pictures during the parade.

2. Death Becomes You at the Met Museum

This event is planned around the current exhibition by the Anna Wintour Costume Center at the Metropolitan Museum of Art: Death Becomes Her: A Century of Mourning Attire––which is absolutely beautiful and you should all see!

This evening program includes a wide range of activities, ranging from a guided tour of the exhibit to performances, gallery talks, and art-making activities. Visitors are encouraged to wear nineteenth-century grievance attire, so I'm pretty sure you'll get to see some amazing dresses this day! It is also a more relaxed activity than many others, so it will probably be nice if you're just planning on chilling out for Halloween.

3. Visit a Haunted House

It's been a very long time since I last visited a Haunted House––despite the fact that I really enjoyed them––so it might be a good time to go back there. There are quite a lot of haunted houses in New York this season, so you'll probably have a lot of options. To be honest, I haven't done much research on this, but this TimeOut article might help. One of my friends also told me that the one near Times Square was very good!

4. Party Out!

I'm not really sure I'll be partying on Halloween, but I've seem some pretty cool events that I would totally attend to if I were on the right mood. My personal favourite is the Masquerade Ball at the NoMad Hotel––just because I love masquerade balls! But I would also consider attending the Freedom Party NYC Halloween Jam, which features a pretty cool group of DJs that will be playing varied music and making you have lots of fun.

I'm not really sure I would consider this a party, but there will also be a concert of The Infamous Stringdusters in the Highline Ballroom that could also be fun. I'm not 100% sure but you might get some drinks while listening to their music––which I recently found I really like––and share a cool evening with friends.

5. Stay in and Watch Movies

This is definitely not what I'm planning on for this Halloween––I really, really want to go out, even if it's nothing crazy––but I guess it's always an option. I'm not really into horror movies––although they seem to be a widely accepted favourite for Halloween––so I would probably recommend watching a cute Halloween-related movie that takes you back to your childhood. My personal favourites: Casper, Edward Scissorhands, and Hocus Pocus. I guess we could also add some more recent ones to the list, including the Harry Potter series, and Maleficent.

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

20 Things To Do This Fall

The moment I walked out of home yesterday to meet one of my friends for lunch, I could tell the fall had finally arrived in the city. Although the trees still have green leaves––most of them at least––and the weather is not so chilly yet, it seems like the fall is finally here. And because it is my favourite season of all, I decided to write a post in its honour. Although it seems like I have an endless list of the things that I want to do in the next couple of month, I'm sharing the top-20 with you!

1. Find a cute place to buy tea

We all know I'm big on tea. Although I've found a couple of cool places to get it in New York, I would love to explore more and find my go-to place to get nice tea to brew at home during the cold days. I'm super excited to start the search now that the fall has arrived!

2. Spend a whole day watching movies in bed

I realised a couple of days ago that I haven't taken a real break since the end of the summer. Although I did spend some time relaxing when my family came to visit about a month ago and then escaped to Princeton to have some calm out of the city, I haven't really taken the chance to literally stop moving. So I thought taking just one day off to watch movies in bed is something I need to make happen during this fall.

3. Bake a pumpkin crumble cake

This is one of my favourite recipes––and pretty much the only thing I can bake––so I'm super excited to bake it! I actually promised one of my friends I'll do that for her––and she's visiting next week––so it might happen sooner than I thought.

4. Take pictures of the orange leaves

Although I do love taking pictures of pretty much everything, I am particularly in love with the orange colours of the fall. So of course taking pictures of the trees as they change colours and the falling leaves has got to be one of the top items on my list. Do expect lots of pictures on this!

5. Read Maria and Nana

I normally spend long hours reading on the daily, but I have come to a point where I feel I'm only reading things I have to––although this thankfully doesn't mean I don't like them––instead of choosing what I want. I've had these two books on my wishlist for a while, so I need to read them this fall. I need to make it happen!

6. Get back running!

One of the things I used to do a lot during my early college years was running. I don't really know why I stopped doing that––because I actually loved it!––so I've decided I should go back to it. It was not only a great way to exercise and burn some calories, but also to feel energised every day. I really want to start doing it again, and I was thinking that maybe running on Central Park could be a good way to go back, and hopefully also a motivation to keep going!

7. Drink a Pumpkin Spice Latte

Although I truly love these, I've been enjoying making Colombian espresso with the raw coffee my dad sent all the way back from home, so I haven't really had the chance to buy coffee out of home. However, pumpkin spice latte is a must on the fall, so I really have to get at least one this season!

8. Go to the costume store and try funky things on

To be honest, I don't particularly enjoy dressing up, and I never really wear costumes for Halloween. But I do enjoy going to all the awesome costume stores that pop up in New York during October just to try ridiculous stuff on!

9. Have one last picnic in Central Park

I know you can spend time in Central Park once the winter has come––and it actually looks lovely all covered in white––but having a picnic before the weather gets too cold and while you can still actually sit down on the grass is something we should all do during the fall. We will definitely miss those moments during the winter!

10. Ride a bike!

I mentioned this before, but I really want to start moving around New York in a bicycle. I truly love this city and don't really understand why I hide myself in the subway every day. And it will probably be too cold to do this once the winter comes, so the fall is the perfect time to do so!

11. Send postcards

I love handcrafted things, and I love snail mail. So sending postcards––possibly made by myself––is one of my best things to do in life. I remember spending hours writing letters and doing art to send back home when I was at summer camp, so I thought I should bring these happy moments back this fall––especially considering I am far from home again.

12. Find my new favourite red wine

I really like wine––and the love seems to have become more intense recently, for some reason––so buying some good wines is always a good thing to do. I had lots of prosecco and rosé during the summer, but these are not as good as the weather starts getting colder, just because they are meant to be drank cold. So I decided I should find a sort of "staple" red wine for the fall––and who knows, if it's good enough, it might go on to the winter!

13. Have a PJ party with your best friend

PJ parties are always the best parties ever! I particularly love when they include lots of pillow talking and some wine. And these are more than perfect to have during the fall because you can stay in bed and have fun all night long, only to wake up for more pumpkin goodies––pancakes, waffles, etc––for brunch!

14. Do some art!

Art is one of the most valuable things in our lives because it makes us come back to our emotions and because it tears us apart from all the stress in our everyday lives––unless you're an artist, I guess... I used to draw a lot when I was in high school––although, sadly, this talent seems to have disappeared because I haven't done it in a very long while––and I spent time doing collage until right before I moved to New York. But I've come to realise I really miss it, so I really want to go back. The fall seems to be a great time, because I can still have fun while I stay inside in the colder weather. (And I might even start drawing again while I drink pumpkin spice latte!)

15. Step on the fallen leaves and hear them crunch

I must confess this is one of my favourite things to do! Ever since I was a little girl, I remember enjoying stepping on the crunchy leaves and listen to the delightful sound they make. And even if over 20 years have passed since I first discovered the joy of stepping on dry leaves, I still enjoy it as much as I did for the first time. And it is probably something that I will continue loving year after year when the fall comes.

16. Go to the ballet

This probably doesn't need a lot of explanation. I love ballet, and I love spending evenings just watching performing arts. So this is a must!

17. Get new scented candles

I love scented candles, especially when I light them on a cold night while I read a good book at home––and hopefully have a glass of wine as well. I also like different smells during the different seasons, so I think it's time to find the best scents for the fall!

18. Learn to do some fall cocktails

There are some drinks that just feel like fall––especially when they have a ginger-y, cinnamon-y taste. So I thought it would be cool to learn––or create––some recipes for -perfect-for-fall cocktails and maybe even have a cocktail night with friends at home to drink those.

19. Visit the Met Museum

Although I love museums in general, and there are lots of museums that I could visit endlessly, the Met is my favourite museum in the whole world! But for some reason I haven't taken the time to visit ever since I moved to New York two months ago, so I thought it is time to make it happen! I really love the place and I will probably be the happiest girl in the whole city once I'm there... So I need to visit soon!

20. Buy a cashmere sweater

Fall is the best time of the year to buy those pieces of clothing that you know you will wear all winter long. A cashmere sweater is one of the best things to buy because it's super comfy and warm, and also because it will resist during the whole winter and become a true companion for the cold season.

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

Real Pizza from Naples in New York: Don Antonio

There's no doubt that Italian food is one of my favourites––although I do love food in general––and pizza is one of my favourite things to eat. Although you can normally find pizza quite commonly in New York, it is not so easy to find real, good Italian pizza.

Today I went to a small little restaurant in midtown where they have one of the best pizzas I've had lately in the city. It's called Don Antonio, and it was founded by the owners of Starita, one of my favourite pizza places in Naples. So I guess there's no doubt you'll find real Italian food there...

I went there for a light lunch, so there's not as much food as I normally post, but it was nevertheless amazing. I had a pizza capua and a Montanara Starita––which is the signature dish of the house, and I truly recommend it.

I then finished with some angioletti con Nutella––which are also absolutely amazing!

I then run out of lunch to go on a mission to Dover Street Market, so I skipped my espresso––which might explain why I came back home to take a nap and I'm only posting this until now. But I guess I'll just have to go back... The menu is also quite big, so there are lots of options. They even have some gluten-free options––which will most likely make some of my friends happy!

Love,
  Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

Falling in Love with NY Sunsets!

Sometimes we get so into our work, that we forget to spend time with ourselves, and to take care of our emotions. I have personally come to understand now that I could go on reading/writing about fashion forever, so I've decided to make myself stop and take the weekends off. No excuses.

Although my break last weekend wasn't as serious as the one before––you might remember I went to Princeton for a couple of days to hang out with one of my best friends––I still had the time to pause and re-energise. It all started with a couple of Margaritas during happy hour, and a nice little walk back home just chilling and talking about life with a friend. And probably also with the weather finally starting to cool down.

On Saturday, I spent most of the morning in bed, and I only got out of there to make some waffles––only to go back and eat them in bed right after they were done! The cold, rainy weather didn't help: I could only manage to watch a movie and nap incessantly during most of the day.

But when I saw the sun finally peeking through my window, I decided it was the time to get out and enjoy some of it! So I headed to the Highline, where I got to see one of the most amazing sunsets I've seen in quite a while––not even my beloved Cartagena can beat this!

Whoever said sunsets are not fun in the city was absolutely wrong. At least in New York, they are absolutely perfect and breathtaking!

Love,
  Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

Short Escapes: Princeton

After having the longest week last week, I decided to run away of the city and take some time to breath and be happy in Princeton with one of the people I love the most in the whole world.

Although my Princeton escape lasted only two days, it was absolutely amazing! We walked around this beautiful place on Friday, had our little picnic in the gardens, and then went for some delicious ice cream. There was also time to visit the museum and have dinner with the family. After dinner, we had our little GNO and went for drinks and dessert––I promise I'll share the recipe for my perfect-for-fall drink if I ever manage to discover how to do it––and then cuddled in bed and watched Disney movies at the end of the night––although I must confess I slept probably for half of the movie!

On Saturday we slept in, and went for some fluffy and delicious pancakes. My choice was banana, strawberry, and chocolate chips pancakes, naturally. I then had to run back to the city, to a conference about Luxury on MAD Museum. Spending some quality time with one of my best friends was something that I really missed, and it was more than incredible! I probably didn't realise this until I was there, but sometimes I get lonely in the city. Even if I'm constantly surrounded by people––and I love it––I still miss my family and friends!

Love,
  Photography: Laura Beltran-RubioPS. Sorry my pictures weren't that good this time... I just forgot to bring my camera!

Tea Afternoon at The Plaza

You might now how much I love tea. Although drinking dozens of cups of tea everyday normally satisfies my tea-appetite, I do prefer having the whole experience, drinking tea with finger sandwiches and scones.

Being in New York, the best place to go for Afternoon Tea has got to be The Plaza. Unfortunately, The Palm Court––which is where tea is normally served––was renovated recently, so it is only offering breakfast services for now, and is not yet offering the afternoon tea service. However, there is a similar service being offered right now at The Champagne Bar. Although this one is not as magical as The Palm Court, the afternoon tea is still more than amazing, and the place is more than wonderful.

Naturally, we started out with some finger sandwiches. My favourite one was the Deviled Quail Egg Salad––just because it doesn't taste like any other egg salad sandwich you'll ever have.

Then came the scones... And the apricot preserves were more than perfect! Although I guess the lemon creme doesn't fall far behind them...

And dessert. Need I say this is always my favourite part of the meal?!

Oh, and tea, of course! I must confess, though, that I was a little disappointed at the beginning by the fact that the only options of tea available were English Breakfast and Earl Grey. However, when I tasted the first tiny sip of my Earl Grey order, I realised how mistaken I had been. There is definitely nothing better than real, freshly-brewed tea!

I guess I'll have to go back soon––once The Palm Court relaunches the service––and maybe this time I'll also get some champagne.

Love,
  Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio