Walking New York: Ground Zero

Ground Zero is one of the most emotional places in New York; the moment you get there, you can truly feel the grief of an entire country. But it is also a beautiful place. It has a beautiful memorial park and the surrounding buildings are wonderful––and those coming will probably be even better! So it is a place of mixed feelings and mixed emotions more than anything else.

To me, personally, is a place of hope. What happened on 9/11 and the reactions of the world to it were nothing other than acts of intolerance... But I do have hope in humanity, and that's one of the main reasons why I spent so many years trying to figure out a way of making this a better world. The problem is that having faith in humanity is not enough, and the effort of just one person won't change the way things work.

However, when I see the people that surround me, all making small changes, one at a time, I realise that everything is on the way to becoming better. And that makes me happy. It's hard to believe when the changes are so small you can't really see them in short periods of time. But that's exactly what faith/hope are all about. We have to continue working for a better world, just believing it will be worth it––even if our efforts are hardly visible sometimes!

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

Last Days of Fall in New York

After a couple of days with temperatures below zero––Celsius; I still don't learn how to use Fahrenheit degrees––it's pretty obvious that the winter will soon be here, and the city will be covered under white layers of snow. Although the temperature is now too cold to wander around the city, I managed to shoot a few pictures of fall foliage in Central Park before leaving for my weekend retreat.

Although I'm pretty excited about the snow, I am also a little disappointed that the fall went by so quickly. I love seeing the trees covered in shades of orange and red, and adore the perfect weather of the fall. Why couldn't it last longer?!

Love,
  Photography: Laura Belru

Fall in Central Park

Central Park is probably my favourite place in New York. I love how this little piece of forest has survived over the years in the middle of such a big city. I love walking around it––even having my own little picnics, if the weather permits––and feeling in contact with nature, which is one of the things I value the most in life. I also love feeling surrounded by trees, but being able to see all the amazing buildings of the city above them whenever I raise my gaze to the sky.

Central Park is particularly pretty in the fall, as all the trees start turning orange/red and leaves fall to cover the grounds. This is probably one of the first memories I have of New York, and I still love to see it year after year... Unfortunately, most leaves are not orange at all yet––and I honestly doubt it they will make the colour change before falling––but I still managed to shoot some cute pictures of my secret garden.

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

10 Things To Do In New York City In September

Although I did come to New York to study––and by now I've figured out that I will definitely need to spend a long time in the library every day––I would also like to take some time to explore the city and all the wonderful things it has to offer. One of my favourite things about New York is that there is always something going on. And although this might seem a little overwhelming to some, I couldn't live without it.

Just as August is coming to an end, I decided to sum up some of the best things to do in September in New York. Hopefully they'll help if you're planning on visiting, but also if you're a well-established New Yorker!

1. Fashion Week!

As the fashion lover I am, New York Fashion Week has got to be my number 1 event to attend next month –even though this list is not supposed to have an order. It takes place from September 4 to 9, and even if I'm not officially attending any of the events, just getting to see all the people in the fashion sphere hanging out around Lincoln Center is a great thing to do.

2. Feast of San Gennaro

This is a wonderful Italian tradition that takes place every year in New York –Little Italy, to be more precise– there this Saint, patron of Naples, is celebrated. Even though the feast is originated in a religious reason, there's a lot to do during September 11–21, when it takes place. My favourite activities are definitely eating Italian food in Little Italy and listening to some of the music performances. There are also processions and carnival games.

3. Dumbo Arts Festival

This is a 3-day "celebration of art" that will take place in Brooklyn during the weekend of September 26-28. It displays the work of all sorts of artists, including gallery exhibitions and video projections, and a wide variety of projects.

4. Exposed: A History of Lingerie

This exposition is held at the Museum at FIT, and is intended to trace the history and developments of lingerie from the 18th century onwards. One of the most interesting things about it is exploring how lingerie has changed according to the ideals of beauty and of what appropriate dress is in a particular moment in time.

5. Ryan Raftery is the most powerful woman in Fashion

This is basically a parody musical on Anna Wintour and how, for the first time, her decisions started being questioned when she decided to have Kim Kardashian and Kanye West on the cover of Vogue USA. It will be showing on September 5 and 12.

6. Exhibition: Dance & Fashion

Another exhibition at the Museum at FIT. This one will launch on September 13 and will be exposed until January 13. It is intended to explore the different relationships existing between dance––from classical ballet to orientalism––and fashion, based on the idea that both of these are embodied forms of art.

7. Jeff Koons: A Retrospective

This exposition is held at the Whitney Museum until October 29. 

8. Mademoiselle. Book launch & signing

This book intends to explore the way in which New York and Broadway saved Coco Chanel –as a designer– after her retirement of the fashion industry during the Second World War. It will take place on September 30, and there's only a limited amount of available spots.

9. Robert Heinecken: Object Matter

This exhibition is a retrospective of Robert Heinecken's work since his death in 2006. This artist, who helped to create the program of photography at UCLA, described himself as a para-photographer because of his continuous explorations beyond the traditional notions of the medium. The exposition will be showing at the MoMA until September 7.

10. Garry Winogrand

This exhibition is a retrospective of 25 years of the work of Garry Winogrand, one of the most important photographers of New York and the social like of the city during the 1950s through to the 1980s.

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

Embrace The Cold With A Casual Outfit

Last Saturday, my friends and I decided we should spend the day at an international horse show that was taking place about an hour away from the city. We decided we should do the whole road-trip thing, and it was actually a lot of fun!

It was pretty cold––especially when the night came and the Final Round started––so I decided to wear some good, warm layers. But this of course didn't mean I had to wear an all-boring warm outfit! Boyfriend jeans, a huge jumper half-tucked into my jeans, and two scarves wrapped around my neck were meant to keep me cold-free. And a classic tailored coat topped the layers up.

I decided to leave my ankles free, because you can still show some skin during the winter––and trust me, it makes you feel good! And I took my new purse out, to show it off with some of my favourite bracelets. Sunglasses were also essential!

Love,

Winter Essentials: Beanies & Parkas

My friend Diego had his birthday on Monday, so we went out for dinner and some drinks to celebrate. To be honest, he's one of my favourite people in the world because he's got such a good energy that you can't stop being happy whenever he's around you. But I especially loved on his Birthday how he was so excited about it that he even made us all sing to him. He also asked the waiters if they could do it but they didn't like the idea that much...

Another thing I love about Diego is his honesty. And how he loves bossing around and telling everyone what to do... Which is exactly why I'm writing this post! He told me I was looking pretty the day of his birthday and told me to go and take some pictures with the clothes I was wearing and upload them on the blog. And since I love him so much because he's a great friend, I'm following his instructions.

Love,

Layer On!

Wearing patterns used to be related to the warmer months of the year. But I believe that our ideas of what should be worn on a specific time of the year are starting to transform. So I've decided to wear patterns and florals during the colder months as well!

These printed trousers have been in my wardrobe for almost a year, I'd say. And I'm really sad to confess that I've only worn them about twice. Shame on me, don't you think?! However, I decided to take them out this winter and wear them in a new way. Since the days have been rainy and cold, I decided I should wear them with a warm and cozy top. This meant I decided to layer a black coat over a warm jumper. This jumper is particularly good for the cold days because it has a huge neck, which acts exactly like a scarf. And layering on several warm items to keep you warm is a must during the winter!

Love,

Christmas Shopping

The most important thing when going out Christmas shopping is wearing the appropriate clothes. I honestly love dressing up and feeling like a runway model, but some clothes are just not the best choice when you're planning on spending hours in a Mall––or any other shopping place of your personal preference––and you need to be on your best mood to make sure you buy the best gifts for your loved ones.

Yesterday, I went Christmas shopping after having tea at the JW Marriott. I wasn't very successful but I had a great time. If you can't shop, then window-shopping is a great idea! I usually spend hours just trying clothes on and transforming retail stores into my own runway... The only problem was that there are still no presents for my family or friends... Although I did win some essences for my home!

Love,

The Rockstar

I went out on Sunday to have some hot cocoa to fight the cold weather. It was raining and I wasn't happy at all with the weather, so I decided a sugar overdose would heal my heart. That's what chocolate's made for, isn't it?

I was wearing some faux-leather leggings, which are, to my point of view, the ultimate piece of clothing this season. And the only reason why I love them so much is because I feel like Mick Jagger rocking them on the streets... Although it would probably be a more feminine version of Jagger, of course!

Love,

Red Animal

You might have already noticed, but colourful coats are huge this season! And animal print is an all-time classic for fall-winter. So I decided to mix them in this winning combination. What do you think about it?

Love,