If You're Going To New York City

Hi everyone! Want to take a little trip? This month, we're visiting New York City, which happens to be one of my very favorite cities to visit. A few summers ago, I interned in the city, and came to absolutely adore it! Visiting in the winter definitely requires some tricky wardrobe planning, since it's cold, and you'll want to spend a lot of time walking around outside! 

If there's rain, sleet, or snow on the forecast while you'll be there, I highly recommend packing rain boots with heavy socks to go under them, like these made-for-rain boot liners from Hunter. Snow turns to slush pretty quickly in the city, hence the need for some waterproof shoes. Hunter recently released the "Tour" version of their boots, which fold up, making packing a breeze! 

Since you'll be outside a lot, make sure you have a fun coat, since it'll be what everyone (and you!) sees. Doubling up on tights is a great idea if you're planning on wearing a dress, or slip these leggings,  that are designed especially to keep you warm, under  your pants or tights. I'm a bit of a cold sissy, since I'm originally from Arizona, and these save my life. If you're planning on Instagramming up and storm, and relying on phone maps to navigate through the city, bringing a backup phone battery is always a smart decision, and I love this leopard version that J.Crew has for the iPhone.

// FOR DAY //

J.Crew Two-Tone Knit Sweater  |  Hunter Original Tour Packable Boots in Black  |   Hunter Welly Socks  |  Coach Legacy Duffle  |  J. Brand Black Skinnies

// FOR NIGHT //

J.Crew Wool-Crepe Dress  |  J.Crew Leather Belt  |  Gap Leather Envelope Clutch (super steal!)  |  DV by Dolce Vita Ankle Boots

// FOR BOTH //

J.Crew Blazer  |  J.Crew Lady Day Coat (on sale!)  |  iPhone backup battery  |  Scarf  |  Tech-Friendly Gloves (to make Instagramming and using phone maps a breeze) 

// EXTRAS //

Band-Aid Blister Block (this stuff will save your feet and your life in NYC!)

Two pairs of Opaque Black tights (to double up under your dress!)

If you're really worried about being cold, I sometimes wear these Under Armour ColdGear leggings under my jeans and/or tights. They add a ton of warmth, but not much bulk!

Treats: NYC has some pretty phenomenal desserts available. A few of my gluten-free favorites include cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcakes and Sprinkles. If you're gluten free, and are vegan or have a soy allergy, Babycakes NYC is where you can find cupcakes, cookies, donuts, and plenty of other goodies! I also love macarons from Bouchon, and I can't wait to make a stop at Ladurée the next time I'm in town. 

If you're not gluten free, get cupcakes at Crumbs (they have all sorts of crazy flavors!) or pull a Sex and the City and head to Magnolia Bakery. Of course, you have to pick up a bagel from a corner coffee shop, since you're in NYC. And a final favorite: a pretzel croissant from City Bakery - it may sound strange, but it's absolutely delicious. Try it, and you'll thank me. 

Highline Park: If it's not totally freezing, head on down to the High Line Park and take a little walk. This park is a truly unique experience, since it's built on the old elevated train tracks, and offers unparalleled views of the Hudson and New Jersey's skyline. Grab a pre-dinner drink at the nearby Standard Hotel. 

The Mercer Kitchen: The Mercer Kitchen is one of my very favorite restaurants in the city. It's in SoHo, and I adore the decor and vibe of the place. They have great food, and killer cocktails, too. After dinner, I recommend grabbing a drink at nearby Balthazar. 

Shake Shack: Shake Shack is home to the best burger, fries, and milkshake I've ever eaten. If you're visiting in the summertime, there's a location in Madison Square Park, but in the winter, I'd recommend heading to their Theater District or Upper West Side location for lunch. 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Some of the most precious and beautiful art in the world lives here, and it's a must-see for any visitor to the city. I also highly recommend the MoMa, if you like more modern art, and their gift shop is a must-see. 

Top of the Rock:  I know this is a super-touristy thing to do, but it's a can't-miss if you've never experienced it before. I personally prefer Top of the Rock over the Empire State Building, because you can actually SEE the ESB, and Central Park, as well. NBC did a great job producing video content to watch while you wait, too. There's something magical about seeing the entire city from this vantage point. 

Other things to do: Honestly, one of my very favorite things to do in NYC is just to walk around. If you're looking to shop, walk down 5th Avenue, and be sure to check out Bergdorf's - their windows are always insane. 

Shopping: Some of my favorite shopping is along (or just off of) Broadway down in SoHo. A few personal favorite stores include C.Wonder (just off Broadway), Uniqlo, Muji, Kate's Paperie, Shareen's Vintage (only open Wednesday-Sunday), APC, AllSaints, and Aritzia, to name just a few. 

Have you ever been to NYC? What are your favorite things to do there? Thanks for having me, Lauren! 

IF YOU'RE GOING TO SAN FRANCISCO

After last month's "Visit Here, Pack This" series by Brookelyn, so many of you asked for one in my own town! I take this as a sign you will all be visiting soon, yes? While I know my city best, Brookelyn has you covered with the right things to pack so that you stay stylish while engulfed in the fog or chilly sunshine we're so lovingly known for. At the end of the post, I've shared my favorite things to do when you're in town.

When you come to San Francisco, you'll want lots of layers. The temperature changes dramatically throughout the day, and even from neighborhood to neighborhood. It's windy by the bridge, warmer downtown, and perpetually summer in the Mission. There's a reason locals always have a scarf or cardigan in their bag. And leave your flip flops at home - 90% of the time it's too chilly for that, and you'll want something that's comfy for all of the walking you'll do here. The best way to see San Francisco is on foot!

//  FOR DAY  // 

Dorothy Perkins Top |  Topshop Cardigan  |  Faux Leather Pants  | Topshop Snood  |  Cole Haan Ballet Flats

//  FOR NIGHT  // 

J.Crew Dress  |  Topshop Belt  |  Topshop Fur Vest  |  BaubleBar Necklace  |  Cole Haan Booties 

//  MULTI-TASKERS  //

Rebecca Minkoff Clutch (crossbody by day, clutch in the evening)  |  Topshop Coat

Ferry Building Farmer's Market - Make sure to schedule your trip on a Saturday so that you can peruse the world famous market. The early bird avoids the crowd and gets the best selections, so make sure to get up early and head over. Start with a New Orleans iced coffee or an individual drip coffee at Blue Bottle and pick up a breakfast pastry from Mariposa Bakery - great for gluten and non-gluten eaters alike! Make sure to sample as much cheese as your heart desires at Cowgirl Creamery, pick up some fresh fruit from Frog Hollow Farm, and check out all of the unique food options for lunch.

Ice Cream at Bi-Rite - You can't miss a scoop of handcrafted ice cream at Bi-Rite. You know if the locals wait in line for it, it's good. To avoid the rush, head over around lunchtime on a weekday. Grab your scoop - Salted Caramel is one of their legendary flavors - and head to the top of the hill at nearby Dolores Park for a view of the entire city.

California Academy of Science - Where else can you visit a tropical rainforest, planetarium, and aquarium under one roof? This museum is a bit of a bus ride from downtown, but worth the trek.

Golden Gate Bridge - You can't come to San Francisco without visiting the Golden Gate Bridge. Take the 28 from downtown to get there and bring your tripod. You'll want to get the perfect postcard shot with yourself in the frame.

Shop in Hayes Valley - Hayes Valley is an area of town known for its great boutiques, its open air beer garden, and Miette Pastisserie. Grab a macaron or three and stretch out on the lawn to enjoy one of the sunny parts of the city (pssst, the original Blue Bottle Coffee is also in an alley here, in case you didn't get your fill at the Ferry Building.)

Grab a drink at Local Edition - Housed in the basement of the Hearst Building, they used to print the San Francisco Chronicle here. Sip a handcrafted Yellow Kid cocktail and checkout their collection of historic headline front pages. 

IF YOU'RE GOING TO CHARLOTTESVILLE

I'm really excited to introduce a new feature to you today! Since "Travel Light - 2 Weeks In A Carryon" was such a hit, and, as a result, I'm constantly getting emails about what to pack for specific locations - Europe, Austin, San Francisco, even places I've never been - I thought it would be fun to start a "Visit Here // Pack This" monthly feature. Each month, we'll be spotlighting a new location, with must see's and do's, and an ideal wardrobe to pack.

What I'm even more excited about is introducing you to the regular writer of this series, Brookelyn from Best of Bklyn. We found each other through The Average Girl's Guide, and were fast collaborators. I love her aesthetic, and I just know you will too.

Hi everyone! I'm Brookelyn, I usually blog at Best of Bklyn and I'm so excited to be contributing to Seventeenth & Irving! Lauren has graciously allowed me to kick off a new series today, called Visit Here, Pack This! I've always loved traveling, and I always try to plan ahead when visiting a new destination so I'm prepared with occasion appropriate attire. 

For my first post, I thought I'd give you a little glimpse of my current hometown - Charlottesville, Virginia. Charlottesville is a charming college town that is home to the University of Virginia, loads of local wineries, and historical sites like Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home. It's about two hours away from Washington, DC, and an hour away from Richmond, which makes it the perfect destination for a weekend getaway. Since Charlottesville is a college town, it's not a super dressy place, so pack accordingly! Here's what I'd put in my suitcase if I visited Charlottesville for the weekend.

//  FOR DAY  // 

Gap Sweater Cape  |  Victoria Beckham Jeans  |  Equipment Blouse  |  3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Tote  |  Gold Bullet Bib Necklace  |  Frye Lindsay Plate Boots

//  FOR NIGHT  // 

Levi's Vintage Leather Jacket  |  J.Crew Striped Dress  |  J.Crew Wedge Booties  |  J.Crew Tights (not pictured, but it gets chilly at night in the fall!)   |  Gold Bullet Bib Necklace 

//  PACK IT IN  //

Lo & Sons Overnight Bag 

If you're not gluten-free, grab a bagel and coffee for breakfast at Bodo's Bagels. Spend your morning taking a tour of Thomas Jefferson's home and gardens at Monticello. Visit a couple of our local wineries - King Family Vineyard and Afton Mountain are my favorites. Do some shopping on the historic Downtown Mall. Start your evening with a drink on the roof of Commonwealth at Skybar. Eat dinner at C&O or The Local.