New York Fashion Week
For the First Time!!
I have to say that my first New York Fashion Week was outta this world. It started off super early, Rob and I decided to take the Amtrak train down instead of drive because the hotel offered no free parking and we didn't wait to pay $50 a day plus the hundreds in tolls and gas to drive up and back. Especially when we could just lay back and ride the train, but we had to get up and get there early. We also had to take the subway to downtown, then walk 3 blocks to the train station. Normally this is no big deal, but at 6 am with a bunch of suitcases it was a bit annoying, then add the can of soda Rob put in the carry all breaking and making a mess, it got really annoying...lol! Thank goodness I put everything in plastic shopping bags, then put it all in the bag, so nothing got wet. I was pleasantly surprised with the Amtrak ride because it was quick clean and on time, you can't ask for any better than that. Plus it cost less than all of the tolls, gas and parking that I would have paid for had I drove the car. I know I'll definitely be using Amtrak in February when I go back, and save myself a lot of aggravation and money.
Once we arrived at Penn Station in New York around 10:30am, we met up with Lei (@Petite.sole) right away, she arrived an hour or two before we did so she was already waiting for us. She's a really good friend of mine, and an all around awesome chic. We have been friends on Instagram for some time and had never actually met in person, but the weird thing is when we finally did I felt like I had know the girl forever, same thing with Johanna (@Love2bcouture). Some people you just have a connection with no matter what. Once we found Lei we went to have breakfast at this little corner spot called the Tick Tock Diner so we could sit down, eat something, and form a game plan. Especially since we couldn't check into our hotel until 1pm. Turns out the hotel Rob and I got was the Hilton Garden Inn but it was in Jamaica/Queens, which is a super long commute. Lei was supposed to be sharing a room in Manhattan with another girl, but last minute she couldn't make it so we decided to bunk with her at the Manhattan Club. That way she wasn't stuck by herself and we could all hang out, go out to eat, and go to shows together. I didn't want her to be stuck in NYC by herself, plus we had our first show at 6pm and there was no way Rob and I were going to ride the subway up and back to Queens, 45mins each way, and get back in time. Then we would have to of taken the subway back to the room for the night and I did't want to do that at 11:30pm....not in NYC...No Thanks...LOL! Once we decided on a plan and ate we headed to the hotel, dropped off all the luggage, took showers, hung and rested for a bit then headed off to the #Maarkah show.
I really enjoyed it because it was a handful of fantastic designers from all over the world, and the looks were beautiful. The show was produced by Runway Prestige NYC and Maarkah. At first we were in the back row, but last minute just before the show started we were moved (Lei, Rob and I) to the front seats to fill some reserved spots for people that never showed. I was elated because now I had a front row seat. I was literally right there on the runway, so I was able to capture some fab shots of the show and the audience, and as you can see everyone looked show worthy.
I would have to say of all the amazing styles and looks that I saw, these really stood out. The bottom far left look was my favorite item on the runway from the whole show. It was so pretty and wow was it interesting, I just love the way it looks like a dress and then the bottom hem is almost like pants, so unique and beautiful. I also would say that my favorite all around designer was OhhLaLa, the bottom far right image is one of her looks. If you check out the videos on my Instagram page >HERE!!< you'll see all of them. The whole line that they put out was fresh, young, and so adorable, I really loved the all around style and feel. It's definitely a style I would love to see myself in. They said that they were going to be doing another bigger and better show next year but I'm more than hoping they invite us back, I can't wait to see what Maarkah and Runway Prestige come up with.
We met bloggers, and photographers, models and even met Summer Preistler, aka Miss United States. She was very sweet by the way, she took a selfie with Lei and I, as shown above. Once the show was over we went out to eat dinner at this Thai restaurant across the street from the hotel. We ate pineapple fried rice and turned in for the night. After a day of planes and trains we were all exhausted. when we woke up on the 12th we started getting our plans together, Jessica (@a_jess_state_of_mind) another IG blogger friend and Johanna (@Love2bcouture) met up with us at a cute little Jewish restaurant called Sadelle's for brunch. We all sat and talked for hours, what great time we had, and the funny part was Rob was the only guy all weekend. He was at a table full of women, and I'm pleased to say he did awesome and got along with everyone. I even thought it would be a bit awkward with us staying in a room with Lei but it wasn't, and that I'm so so happy about. We had omelettes, bagels and matzo ball soup. Which was friggin awesome by the way, so if you love it definitely try it at this little spot. The only thing that drove me crazy about New York was the fact that every time I ordered a soda I got this tiny little bottle that was all of about 5 swallows for $5..ahhhhhh!! It drive me crazy the whole time I was there...wtf is it about a regular sized soda?!!
I have a confession to make, just before breakfast we hit up Black Tap and had a freakshake...yeah I know it's a bit backwards but we had planned to eat there too, but we didn't know they only served burgers so we got the milkshakes first, then we all walked from Black Tap to Sadelle's. Let me tell you once you see this milkshake you're gonna freak...hence the name Freakshake!!
Wasn't I right??
The one Rob and I got was called Cotton Candy, and was topped with lots of cotton candy, two rock candies, and a big pink lollipop. Then the glass rim was lined with really thick icing and candy covered chocolate candies. The milkshake itself was strawberry flavored.
The one Lei and Jessica got was called Birthday Cake, and was literally topped with a huge piece of birthday cake, lots of sprinkles and whipped cream. The glass was rimmed with vanilla icing and rainbow colored sprinkles. The milkshake itself was birthday cake flavored too. Let's just say for once I found something that was too sweet for me, but between Rob and myself we finished it.
Once we were all finished eating and hanging out we sadly had to go our separate ways, but we made sure to take a picture first to keep the memory. Even though I talk to these girls almost every day it sucks that we all live in different states and so far apart because I definitely would love to be able to hang out with them, meet up for lunch or coffee, and go on shopping trips. It's just crazy how we all have so much in common, it's truly awesome how Instagram brought us all together.
I live in Baltimore MD, Lei lives in Boston, Massachusetts well she did, she recently moved but she's still far as heck away. Jessica lives in Florida and Johanna lives in NYC, but at leaste we'll always have New York Fashion Week..lol!!
By this time I was flipping because I hadn't gone to the Hilton where we were supposed to have stayed. See back on the 6th when I was doing my shopping for NYFW I bought a cute pink blazer from JCrew, and the woman at the counter told me I would have it by the time I left for NYC which was the 11th. When it hadn't arrived to my house by the 10th, I called and found out that the woman at the store was so off. Had she told me, I would have paid to get it send next day, because that was my outfit for the 12th. Long story short after talking to Jcrew customer service they said they would next day it to the Hilton so I would have it to wear on the 12th. So I called to see if it had arrived yet so I could get it dropped off at the Manhattan Club. OMGoodness they told me that it was delivered to a residential address, and someone named Karen had signed for it. I was beyond mad...still no blazer. Someone named Kathy was up a 150$ blazer, and meanwhile I told Jcrew I have nothing to wear for my next fashion show. Well it turned out they couldn't get it to me in NYC so they said they would refund me, and send me one for free to my house. Ok that's fine and dandy but what am I going to wear?? Thank goodness Lei and I were able to walk to Time Square the morning of the 12th, where we found and H&M and I got a cute little white button up top. I wore it with a pair of black leggings and riding boots to the Eva Longoria show.
After all the blazer/Jcrew craziness and lunch we headed back to the hotel for a little R&R, then we went out to dinner at Restaurant Row, where we found a great little Italian spot. The food was really good, all three of us agreed on that. I got a chicken dish with peppers and onions in a diced tomato sauce. it was delicious. I also ordered a side dish of angel hair pasta, it made the chicken taste even better. It was very moist and cooked to perfection. Rob got a big bowl minestrone soup, I tried some and it to was really good. If I'm not mistaken Lei got a chicken dish as well, and she also loved it! Let's just say we all left full and super happy.
After we left dinner we headed back to the hotel to shed the dress shoes and clothes, for comfy Toms and Reebok classics, then we headed up to this cute little restaurant/bar to and met up with Melissa, a friend of Lei's (also an IG blogger) and thank goodness for Rob her husband came with her, so Rob had another guy to converse with. We all had some drinks, ate, sat and talked for almost 4 hours, the time just seemed to fly by. Like I was saying before, I have so much in common with these ladies, it's awesome to be able to talk to people that do and love what you do. The last day we woke up early because the Eva Longoria show was at 11am, and we had to walk many many blocks. The show was put together by Fashion 360 Magazine, and it was a fantastic set up. They had all kinds of great sponsors like ChapStix, KIA, Coca Cola and more! Rob and I took a picture on the red carpet,
and we schmyed around until they called for us to take our seats. Once we got in and the show started it was definitely full of people, I wish I would have gotten there sooner so I could have gotten better seats so I could have took some nice video and pictures. Hopefully next year, I can say that I loved the looks that came out. I can't wait to take a peek at her website to see more. The last look was a beautiful and flowy powder blue dress, very very nice. I think I just might have to go and get one for myself.
After the show we all decided to go to the Brooklyn Bridge to take some pictures and grab lunch. I have to say I put some serious miles on my feet in NYC. Plus riding boots may not have been the best choice to go explore in, and wow it got to an uncomfotably warm temperature. After the crazy traffic we made it to the Manhattan side and proceeded to walk across to the Brooklyn side.
Lei and I also got some really cute shots, like the first one at the beginning of the post. There were so many people walking, skating and bicycling across the bridge. It was an amazing structure, and wow so long. Once we finally made it to the Brooklyn side we were pretty hot and hungry so we stopped in this little Chinese restaurant, wow was the food good. Not to mention they gave me a regular sized soda, I was super happy to say the least. Also because it was Brooklyn and not Manhattan, the pricing was normal and not crazy expensive.
We enjoyed the AC and grabbed a yummy Godiva soft serve in Time Square on the way back. There's no better way to end a trip on a good note than with ice cream.
(When you realize that you and your homegirl are twinning and it's completely not planned!!)
Sadly the trip had come to an end so we went back to the hotel where they were holding our luggage and headed to the train station and airport. Even though I was sad to leave Lei, it was an awesome trip that I'll never forget, and we made plans to do it again in February, we're definitely going again. Hopefully this time now that I have a head start I can get some tickets to big designer shows and get sponsored for the trip. I hope to make my 2nd trip to NYFW more than amazing. Also Lei is going to bring her hubby, so Rob won't feel so outnumbered. I hope to stay 5 days next time....that's the plan at least.
Have you ever been to NYFW, and if so what shows did you see??
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