Having just returned to sleepy Columbia, South Carolina on Friday, it's hard to keep my mind from wandering back to New York City, where I spent all last week! One of my favorite visits? On Tuesday, after meeting up with Lanie and her brother, we took the subway (my first time!) down to the Club Monaco flagship store in SoHo. Let me tell you...it did not disappoint.

From the minute we walked into the store I was enthralled by its white marble floors, tall ceilings, and classic moldings on the walls...not to mention the clothes which were gorgeous, of course. My eyes went straight for the humongous book section, which was a giant room filled to the brim, from floor to ceiling, with books. Not just fashion books either, which I was mostly drawn to, but tons of books on history, New York, successful people, and more. In the room was also a table stacked completely with bouquets of blooming flowers in pinks, purples, blues, and whites. I practically had to stop myself from going for the entire lot!

From there we moseyed through the store, taking our time to ogle at the designs, layouts, and presentations. It was obvious that everything was well thought out and that there was careful deliberation in every part of the building, from tile designs to accessory displays. As if I couldn't get enough of the clothes, books, and jewelry, the ceilings were stunning as well. I could have stared at the designs all day!

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Though we stayed for a long time, I honestly could have spent the day just wandering around. It's the type of place that you're sure can never be completely discovered! Has anyone else visited the shop? It's definitely a must visit!

Shop some of my Club Monaco favorites below!

New York City in review

Once again, New York City completely and utterly stole my heart. I visited for a nanosecond earlier this year, and I was so lucky to go again, this time for the Smart Girls Group Summit! After being invited by a member of the group, I hopped on a plane to the city and met Lanie for a big week of exploring and learning from awesome ladies at the conference! To say I was exhausted by the time I got back to South Carolina would be an understatement - every part of my body was sore, but it was because we did so many fun things in the city! Amy Astley even regrammed my photo of her office at Teen Vogue (!!!!!)

Get ready for tons of photos from our trip!

We wandered through the Upper East Side...

Visited a West Village blogger favorite, The Butcher's Daughter...

Took a quick stop into The Plaza (think Eloise)...

Had a delicious breakfast at The Smith...

Visited the 9/11 memorial...

Walked the Brooklyn Bridge at sunset (a MUST do!)...

Stopped by the Teen Vogue offices for a quick tour...

Which led to my photo getting regrammed by Amy Astley!

And finally visited The Met, where we climbed up to the rooftop! Amazing views, much?

Last week was one of the best weeks I've had in a long time, and I couldn't be more thankful for my friends and the amazing opportunities that have come my way, all through blogging! Lanie and I met last year through our blogs, so to say last week's experience was surreal would be an understatement. Who knows what the next year will hold...

Kate Spade on Madison Ave

One of the highlights of my New York trip was popping into the Kate Spade store on Madison Avenue. Besides having never been to a standalone Kate Spade shop before, I had heard that this store was beautiful, so I hurried my way up the almost 20 blocks from the Empire State Building as fast as I could! And the store did. not. disappoint. It was as beautiful on the outside as it was on the inside, and every little corner and space was perfect. Nothing was left undone!

I could have spent hours wondering the store, so I can't wait for my next trip back! Ever since seeing this how-to from Kate Spade on recreating their bow pillow, I've been obsessed with seeing the real deal, and while I saw the pillow, I was blown away by every bow decoration. The walls, the drawer knobs, even the air filter cover were designed in Kate Spade's signature bow pattern.

Get ready for tons of photos!

I may or may not be planning my next trip already. Kate Spade definitely knows how to make a girl wish she were still in the Big Apple! :) PS - I ended buying these earrings in rose gold!

I love you, New York City

Unfortunately, this is just another quick pop in. I hate this relationship we have going right now, don't you? I'm so excited to be done with finals tomorrow (eek!), and then I'll be back to blogging like I normally do! Yay!

To recap, last week as insanely crazy. In the midst of finals week I flew up to New York City for a job interview! Like I said in my last post, I've never been to New York, so I was both insanely nervous and excited for my interview and the city! When I first arrived I decided to brave the trains instead of taking a taxi in, which, I have to be honest, I'm very proud of. I took the AirTrain into Jamaica Station from JFK, and then took the Long Island Rail Road into Penn Station. From there I took a taxi to my friend's apartment. While I was in London I only took a taxi twice, so hailing one on my own is still completely thrilling. I felt so chic and sophisticated :)

Unfortunately, when I got to the city all I did was work for that evening like a responsible person. I prepped for my interview and finished up some last minute work tasks that I left behind at home, but I did get the chance to run down the street and grab dinner! What they say about New York is definitely true: lots of trash outside restaurants and stores, lots of smells, and tons of energy. Just being able to walk down the street for dinner got me so excited to be in THE city!

Friday afternoon was my exploration day, and I definitely took full advantage! On the way back from my interview I stopped by Crumbs, a great little bakery near Times Square (which I accidentally walked through - a mistake I'm very glad I made) and picked up a milkshake cupcake, exactly like my roommate insisted I had to. For the record, it was delicious!

Next, I walked through Central Park, which was full of people since the weather couldn't have been more perfect. I totally get why everyone raves on and on about it! Highlight of the day: I saw Karlie Kloss next to Bergdorf Goodman in the middle of a photoshoot! She looked amazing and skinny and tall and perfect! It was my first celebrity sighting, so while I tried to conceal it, I managed to get a photo of her back. Of course she would look away right as I took out my phone. 

Friday evening I mapped out my escapades in the city and found out I walked 11 miles that day! My route included: the Tiffany's flagship store on Madison Avenue, Rockefeller Plaza, Grand Central Station, the New York Public Library, the Empire State Building, the Kate Spade flagship store on Madison Ave, C Wonder (had to since we don't have one in SC!), and the Lincoln Center!

Ready for the photos?

I am deeply in love with Grand Central Station. I originally hadn't planned to stop by, but I'm so glad I did. Truthfully, I felt so dumb walking around with my mouth half open at how beautiful the station is: from the ceiling to the architecture to the chandeliers!

Spring came to New York and the tulips were blooming everywhere! Clearly NY knows my favorite flowers and brought them in just for me. Aren't they gorgeous? Seeing these every day would make living in a concrete jungle so much more manageable!

From this trip I now know that Kate Spade KNOWS how to make a store perfect. I could have stayed in their Madison Ave shop for hours perusing! Check out the gold walls of bows! Genius, right?

And a quick photo of the Hermes store on Madison because how perfect does it look? If only!

Trust me, everything was ten times more gorgeous in person than these photos could show. Apparently NYC was ridiculously dreary and miserable the day before I got there, so I'm so lucky that the skies cleared! I can't believe I got to visit New York, even if just for a few days, and now I hear the city calling my name. Because I only had one afternoon there I didn't get to see so many places and do so many things I had on my list, so I'm crossing my fingers that I can get up there again soon enough!