I have had a lot of people asking me about where I shop, what I like to eat, and general questions about my life in Manhattan. This article will answer all these questions and more so let’s get to it!
What are your favorite places to shop?
When I lived at home in Pennsylvania, the most popular store for clothing in my area was Victoria’s Secret PINK and Forever 21. At times, we would shop at TJ Maxx, but the big conversations revolved around new collections at PINK and the Forever 21 store opening up at the mall.
Living in New York, stores that I had never heard of or thought that I would fit into their clothes opened my style paradigm. Here are a few of my favorite places to get clothes and why…
- Forever 21 – I didn’t shop at Forever 21 when I was at home but trying to stay on trend without spending too much money is definitely great. It is also very useful when you want to get a new outfit to go out at night or for an interview for an internship and you are low on cash. Forever 21 is usually a hit or miss for me but when it is a hit, you really get some great pieces!
- Free People – This sector of the Urban Outfitters company is for the whimsical soul. You can find some really special pieces here to put together outfits that no one else will have. Free People is a little more pricey, but if you are looking to save a few coins, shop their sale section or shop the brand at Macy’s, Nordstrom Rack, or online.
- Express – Express is amazing for denim, dresses, accessories, and everyday basics. I always find something that I love in Express and I exclusively wear their jeans. The cuts and sizes are always consistent. I will tell you, I only shop Express when they run a good sale. To shop them without a sale, I am a member of their rewards program. Through this program, I get coupons for tier discounts monthly. They do a great job of bringing you back in and their collections change every few weeks.
- Mystique Boutique – For my last favorite store, I always look to Mystique when I am looking for something special. I don’t buy much from this chain but my signature embroidered denim jacket was a great find. It is important to note that this shop gets the same merchandise as a few other boutiques of their type in the surrounding area. Usually, they are the spot with the best prices. I shop Mystique in SoHo.
Where are your favorite places to eat?
New York City is known for many things, but their food is second to none. Here are a few of my favorite places.
- Wok 88 – For Chinese cuisine, I am a huge fan of this family owned restaurant on the Upper East Side. Wok 88 is a great spot to take a date, eat with friends, or get take out delivered to you. I use Wok 88 the most often on nights that I am feeling lazy and don’t want to cook.
- Chick Fil A – This chicken spot is usually reserved for destination locations closer to the south but in Manhattan, we have two in Midtown. I go to Chick Fil A when I get paid because it is a little pricey but makes me feel so warm inside.
- DŌ, Cookie Dough Confections – When this little confection went viral, I went wild. I waited on line for the first time for 45 minutes and it was 100% worth it. The waits are no longer hours long but I will warn you. If you have never had the cookie dough here before, don’t get more than 1 scoop. It will make you sick. You can also get the cookie dough at a few Dylan’s Candy Bar locations where they are delivered and chilled daily.
What are your favorite places to go during your downtime?
I don’t have a lot of downtime as I work, do school full time, and hold various positions as a student mentor and worker for LIM College. When I am not raking my brain to figure out how to make it all happen, these are a few things I like to do.
- AMC Theatres – I genuinely enjoy seeing a movie, whether with friends or alone to enjoy some me time. Popcorn and soda here are pretty expensive but through my residence hall, we can get discounted tickets to offset the price of the food. I really enjoy going to the AMC in Times Square but I have also spent a great deal of time at the AMC on 86th Street on the Upper East Side.
- I go shopping all too much.
- I spend time in my friends rooms at the residence hall.
- I also really like going out to eat!
I hope this answers a few of your questions. Stay tuned for more content!