For the Habitually Chic Heather, inspiration and design are just two of the innumerable themes that can be found in abundance in both New York City as well as her blog.  Habitually Chic is the one-stop spot for the aspiring artist/interior designer or the curious New Yorker who is simply eager to seek out some new design tips for their ever-changing apartment and lifestyle.  Heather blogs about everything from fashion to photography and doesn’t stop there.  Anything that catches this trendsetter’s attention is worth writing about and spreading the word.  Whether you’re interested in broadening your artistic horizons or desperately needing to impress your high society friends with your knowledge of the latest in haute couture, this blog is certain to become your new go-to guide and addiction.

Tell us about your blog Habitually Chic and what you cover?

I am an interior designer and predominately cover inspiring decorating and designers on my blog (www.habituallychic.blogspot.com) but since I feel that all design is related, I also write about art, architecture, photography, fashion and books.  I am lucky to live in New York where I get to attend chic events and meet top designers and other influential stylemakers.  My readers love hearing about my adventures and appreciate my insider access, candor and humor.  Decorating is not always glamorous! 

Why did you start your blog? 

I was working for a top interior designer and would check out design blogs in my spare time.  I happened to read Style Court and The Peak of Chic who were both covering the soon to be opened Charlotte Moss Townhouse.  It got me thinking that if two bloggers in Atlanta were discussing something that I walked by everyday, then maybe I should start my own blog and write about the design world from the New York perspective.

What brought you to New York?

I had wanted to live in New York since I was little and was lucky to work for a company in Boston that had an office here which I transferred to August 2001.  Not exactly the best timing but it made me a real New Yorker right away!

What do you love about living in New York?

I love that you can get anything you want delivered at any time of the day!  I also love that magazines and movies come out earlier in New York than other cities so we get to see things first!  But what I love most are all the wonderful museums and galleries.  I could never live without art!

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

Having a dream!  I don’t think anyone would move into a shoe box sized apartment unless they were working toward a larger goal!  The fun part is meeting people and finding out what that dream is…fashion designer, famous movie star, successful business mogul or top model.  Since there are so many people living here who have already achieved their dream, it definitely keeps you motivated to keep going!

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?

That we really are nice and helpful! It may take a minute to get their attention but New Yorkers will gladly give a tourist directions or help someone in need.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

The energy!  I miss the all the people and hustle and bustle even though that’s what sometimes annoys you when you live here!

What’s your favorite home store?

I have two favorite stores.  The first is Gracious Home.  It is the go to place for every interior designer in the city since they sell everything you could every possibly need including the kitchen sink!  And they deliver! My second favorite store is Pearl River.  They have great selection of Asian home accessories and tableware at a great price.  The rice bowls are perfect for displaying beaded necklaces or matches from all the New York restaurants.  The possibilities are endless! 

Best place to find a design bargain?

Talk to any designer and they will tell you how much they love the Housing Works Thrift Shops!  My best find was a matching set of gold rimmed champagne and wine glasses but you can find amazing furniture and art if you are lucky and get there at the right time.

Best place to find design inspiration?

I think that it’s important to visit the expensive antique shops even if you can’t afford anything so you can educate yourself and train your eye so you know what to look for when you go to the flea markets! 

Best place to get away from the tourists?

I love that just a few blocks over from Broadway in Soho, the streets are quiet and peaceful.  Elizabeth and Crosby Streets have wonderful little boutiques that are never crowded. 

What’s the last movie that you saw?

I just saw the Valentino documentary at the Film Forum and in the audience was one of the fashion reporters in the movie! 

Strangest/ coolest NY experience you have ever had?

I was walking to Bed Bath and Beyond when I looked over and saw a man in full cowboy regalia riding a horse down First Avenue!  And there was no camera crew following him.  It’s those crazy only in New York moments that make living here so much fun!

What are some of your favorite home decorating tips?

Post A Comment And Let Us Know!

February 10, 11:00am / Free

The Museum at FIT / Seventh Ave at 27th St / 10001

Click Here for More Info!

What started as an innovative way for a public relations company to utilize the internet, has become an all encompassing source for arts and entertainment events in NYC. Termeh Mazhari not only uses New York Buzz to promote and endorse her PR clients, but also posts reviews of new shows, interviews with trendsetters, and info for all sorts of art exhibits. And Mazhari wants to hear from you. If you went to the Francisca Bastos Jewelry Show or caught a performance of Celebrity Autobiography at the Triad, tell her about it. If you want to spread the word about an event of your own, shoot her an email. Log on to see what all the buzz is about!

Tell us about your blog: New York Buzz is a perso-professional blog that reaches out to New Yorkers who want to hear about cool new happenings in their city (and occasionally beyond). I first launched the blog in April, 2008, soon after AMP3 Public Relations (an A&E-focused PR firm in NYC) hired me as their social media publicist.

The initial purpose of the blog was to offer an up-close-and-personal portrait of our clients (most of whom are in the entertainment industry), but it also featured their latest news and events. In September 2008, I decided to open up my blog to non-clients. So now, anyone who has an interesting New York event they want to promote can just shoot me an email and I might feature it on my blog.

What brought you to New York?

I work in the city, but actually live in Great Neck, Long Island, which is only a 22 minute express train ride away from Penn Station. I came to New York from Philadelphia in search of better work opportunities and a more exciting, multicultural environment. Does moving to New York ever really need a reason though?

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

Well, the obvious answer would be ATTITUDE – and, although that’s certainly true, I’d also add that it’s their open-mindedness and willingness to think outside the box.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

The late-night store hours! It truly is the city that never sleeps.

Best tips, tricks or insider info?

I like to browse New York Magazine’s Sales & Bargain section for info on upcoming sample sales at clothing stores. I’m also surprised that more people aren’t aware that most NYC museums have “pay what you wish” days – check out here for details.

And lately, I’ve been loving Restaurant.com. They have hundreds of Manhattan restaurants in their database and you can get discounted coupons for dirt cheap! (another secret: there’s almost always a discount code to make the coupons even cheaper!). I just bought a 25 dollar coupon for only 4 dollars!

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?

The Flatiron building! I walk by it every single day on my way to work and it never ceases to take my breath away! It’s simply stunning.

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)

I went to see Celebrity Autobiography at the Triad theater! Abso-friggin-hilarious! Kristen Johnston’s spot-on reading of Zsa Zsa Gabor’s autobiography almost made me wet my pants!

Best area or neighborhood for fashion steals?

SoHo! On Broadway, between Canal and Houston – lots of small boutiques with great, fun finds that won’t break your wallet!

www.newyorkbuzz.org

What is Your New York Buzz?

Tell us all about it!

For the ultimate mix of old and new, and a little something all its own, head to the East Village. Vintage toys, magazines, and clothes of all kinds can be found at Love Saves The Day. If you are missing your School House Rock lunchbox, Smurf miniatures, or an awesome 80’s era leather jacket, you can probably find it here in Leslie Herson’s home for all things nostalgic. When you are done looking back, Blue and Cream showcases the cutting edge of high-end fashion. With labels such as Charlotte Ronson, Alexander Wang, L.A.M.B., and Herve Leger, Jeff Goldstein has created a haven for the modern fashionista. And the truly original can be themselves at legendary fashion designer Patricia Field’s home on the Bowery. A little bit Hollywood, a little bit old school, and a little bit for everyone can be found downtown.

Love Saves the Day
119 2nd Avenue, 10003

Blue and Cream
11 E 1st Street, 10003
www.blueandcream.com

Patricia Field
302 Bowery, 10012
www.patriciafield.com

What Are Your East Village Shopping Destinations?

Post A Comment And Let Us Know!

Scott Lipps has dedicated himself to making you almost as cool as he is. He has created a blog to bring you what he calls “Fast Forward Pop Culture.” It is a one-stop reference guide for everything new and cool in pop culture. Scott spends hours researching everything from what you should buy to where you should eat and what you should watch. And, of course, only the newest Macbook, newest fashion line at H&M, newest play to hit Broadway, newest art book, and newest food event make thenewblog.

Tell us about your blog and how you got started? I used to read countless things looking and seeking out all the hot new things in pop culture and tearing things out of every kind of publication I could get my hands on. Thus, I saw a necessity to have all this info under one roof, hence the newblog.

What brought you to New York?

I was a rock n roll drummer playing in a very popular LA band called Black Cherry… we featured Paul Black, the singer of LA Guns. I had an injury and started working in management and next thing you know, a few years later, came to NY to partner in a modeling agency. Now One Management is becoming a great entertainment company with branches in fashion, film and music.

What do you love about living in New York?

I love the urgency and excitement of NY. It’s like no other city. But I have to be honest, it can also wear you out if you go out as much as I do… lol.

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

Honesty and integrity, that’s all about NY. NYers are a breed unto themselves.

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?

You can pass the same street 5 times and see something new all the time. There is so much to see and do here culturally that you never feel like you’ve exhausted all your options.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

I miss hopping in a cab and jumping from place to place, and the energy in the streets. Love the west side, Battery Park too. It feels like I’m in another city, not to mention the amazing food and culture.

Best tips, tricks or insider info?

The best tips? Read thenewblog.net!!!!! I spend hours on researching what’s hot, new and happening in cities like NY and it all comes to you free of charge!!

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?

Never done one in NY, but I’d have to say those cheesy tourist buses. I took one in London and I was able to see things I probably would have missed on other trips. Cheesy, but fun.

Best place to dine late night?

Love Sushi Seki. Although I haven’t hit it too many late nights, apparently it’s open real late.

Best live music venue?

Still like Irving Plaza or the Fillmore, but I feel like the time is right for a new music venue! Stay tuned for details…

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)

Probably the Chappelle show at the Shifrazi gallery!

Best people watching?

Bar Pitti, always a good scene.

What is the newest, hottest thing in New York we should know about?

Where do we start? So many… I have to refer back to my blog. You’ll hear about lots of the NEW best stuff around.

Best place to throw a party?

Have to go with my home away from home at the Gramercy Park Hotel Rose Bar, always family night for me.

www.thenewblog.net

What’s Your Newest and Hottest NY Discovery?
Tell us all about it!

You might be a hipster if, like Lola Wakefield, your research into this fascinating culture of indie rock fans, thrift store shoppers, and vegetarians, painted a picture of, well, you. Lola began writing Stuff Hipsters Don’t Like after moving to Williamsburg and hoping to try and document these strange skinny, night owls who never seem to work, only to discover she may actually be one. “’Oh the ridiculous hipsters,’ I would think to myself, smiling on the inside,” Lola explains. “But then something unexpected happened – I began to encounter people who described me – ME!- as a hipster. ‘Nonsense,’ I thought. But I began to worry that what they said was true.” Join Lola on her journey of self discovery and mocking on this biting and “hip” blog.

Tell us about your blog. It all began the second day I was living in New York. The guy I was subletting from introduced me to one of his friends who took me to the free movie screening of A Wet Hot American Summer at McCarren Pool. I was amazed because I had never in my life seen so many hipsters in one contained location before. I decided then and there that, lacking another writing outlet or any sort of employment for that matter, I would devote my literary energy to documenting hipsters in Williamsburg.

There was also the matter of my pseudo identity crisis, which I like to refer to as “My Hipster Dilemma.” Some people will tell me definitively that I am a hipster, citing various compelling reasons, while others assure me I am not. I got the conflicting responses when I was living in Ann Arbor, but it’s 10 times as bad in Williamsburg, leading me to believe I am, and probably always will, be a hipster fence-sitter. So, in making the decision to study the hipsters of Williamsburg, I embarked on a mission to learn about myself and what it really means to be a “hipster.”

What brought you to New York?

Journalism. The better question is, “What brought you to Williamsburg?”
I was talking to my friend who went to the Parson’s New School about what part of Brooklyn was best to live in. “What about Williamsburg?” I asked. “Ew, no. That place is crawling with hipsters,” she replied. Of course I started searching Craigslist the very next day.

What do you love about living in New York?

Everything. Throughout my youth, I’ve always been discontent with how slow things move, how boring people are, and how few options there always seem to be. I don’t have any of those complaints here, and I’ve never been happier.

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

New Yorkers are completely desensitized to the non-stop weirdness that happens around them. I’m pretty sure if you teleported one to a small town in Kansas or something, the displaced New Yorker would appear catatonic to the townspeople, while a small-towner from Kansas teleported to New York would be startled by everything and immediately have a seizure.

New Yorkers are constantly networking and seem to know everyone. At first I would walk around aimlessly, not recognizing a single face, but now when I walk down Bedford avenue, I get greetings both from people I have legitimately befriended and also the odd “Hey, Blogger Girl!” Also, New Yorkers are used to getting dripped on when it is not raining, whereas non-New Yorkers are alarmed by that.

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?

For how many people there are in this big city, I still find myself marveling at those “What a small world it is” moments. Before I moved, I figured that living here I would see people once and never again.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

I haven’t left yet, and don’t expect to any time soon.

Best tips, tricks or insider info?

Hipsters are not as mean as they appear to be. In fact, it’s the ones who look the most intimidating (eg: angular haircuts, meaningless tattoos) that are the biggest softies. Though, this only applies if you don’t act like a total douchebag when you approach them.

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?

Does McCarren Park count? Probably only for hipster tourists, but whatev. I actually enjoy going to most of the hipster stomping grounds that I write about. That’s why my job is awesome. I get to go out and have a great time partying with hipsters (who definitely know how to party) and get great material for my blog.

Best place to dine late night?

The Charleston or the Alligator Lounge. Both of those places give you a free personal pizza when you order a beer – which is not overpriced like I expected. I mean, I like beer, I like pizza, everybody likes FREE stuff. It’s a triple-win situation!

Best live music venue?

Well is WAS the McCarren Park Pool Parties, no doubt, but the hipsters kind of messed that one up by letting the anti-gentrification yuppies dominate the City Council meetings. Now, I would have to say the Mercury Lounge, although that’s not in Williamsburg. Hipsters seem to like the grungy basement of The Charleston as well.

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)

I participated in the Mr. and Miss Williamsburg Pageant. What’s more American that good ol’ fashioned pageantry, right? That was pretty much a circus, but fun nonetheless.

Best kept secret (shop / restaurant / attraction) in your neighborhood?

I am fearful of disclosing this information, as it’s usually pretty relaxed when I go there late at night and I don’t want it to become overrun by hipsters in search of “cool.” But Maracuja on Grand Street is the best place ever. Everything aesthetic about the place is perfect and it’s run by this adorable couple who seem to still be completely infatuated with each other. They bartend, cook, play good music and are awesome to talk to. There’s also really good group seating and a magical garden in back.

Best cheap fashion steals?

BEACON’S CLOSET. You can find really hot designer dresses that still have their $300 price tags on being sold for $30. The catch is, that stuff is mixed in with the Forever21 and Urban stuff too, so you have to really dig. Also, I would say the Salvation Armies all over Brooklyn and Manhattan. Screw elitist assholes who say they’re dirty and stuff; those places are treasure troves!

Strangest New York moment?

When my blog stalker showed up to my work with gin and a bag of candy.

Favorite NY irony?

*That nobody from Williamsburg is actually from Williamsburg. It’s like a big University where the curriculum is sleeping until 4, drinking Bloody Marys and being unemployed!

*That you can’t buy liquor and chasers in the same store! I don’t know why but this one really confuses me.

stuffhipstersdontlike.com

What Do You Like About Williamsburg? Post A Comment And Let Us Know!

Cheryl Maday started Cheryl Shops in 2003 as a way to channel her fever for fashion into an outlet where others could benefit from her style savoir faire. Thus was born one very thorough destination site for all things designer…and discount.

Tell us about your blog. My friends were always asking me about sample sales and where to shop in New York, and I’ve always loved fashion, so that’s what I decided to focus on. Sample sales are my most popular feature, but I also write about everything from designer-mass market collaborations, store reviews, seasonal trend guides, and general fashion news, and I’ve gone to the last five Fashion Weeks in Bryant Park.

What brought you to New York?

Back in college, I came to visit a few friends who were going to school here, and I completely fell in love with the city – the energy, the pace, the whole nine yards. I also majored in magazine journalism, so New York seemed like a pretty logical place to move.

What do you love about living in New York?

I love that everything happens here first – whether it’s a restaurant or a band or a fashion designer, there’s always something new and exciting happening. I love that you can walk through a neighborhood you haven’t been to in a few months, and it can be completely different than the last time you were there. I also love not needing to own a car.

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

You definitely need a certain level of resilience to live here – a combination of ambition and persistence wrapped in a tough skin. Kind of like a weed!

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?

New Yorkers definitely have the reputation of being rude, and I don’t think that’s necessarily true. We’re just really efficient, and maybe that comes across as brusque. And we love to give directions – I’ve had other New Yorkers stop and interrupt and correct me while giving directions!

Best tips, tricks or insider info?

Since New York City is the fashion capital of the country, there is really no reason for you to pay full retail for anything. Between sample sales, end-of-season sales, amazing resale boutiques, and all of the discount stores, plus the Woodbury Commons outlet mall upstate, there are endless off-price options. For assistance in this endeavor, read Cheryl Shops-I list the week’s sales every Monday night.

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?

I love toy stores-both F.A.O. Schwarz and Toys R Us-and am more than happy to accompany visitors with small children there. When my boyfriend’s brother and his family were in town, we spent several hours playing around at F.A.O. Schwarz, like Tom Hanks in Big. I had a blast.

Best place to dine late night?

Had I responded to this several months ago, I would’ve recommended Florent in the Meatpacking District; the food was great and the clientele was ultra-fabulously downtown, but, sadly, it’s now closed. As a slightly more mellow replacement, I suggest my favorite neighborhood restaurant, Bar Tabac, which is open till 3 a.m. on the weekends. The goat cheese salad is heavenly.

Best live music venue?

Radio City Music Hall. The Art Deco lobby makes you feel totally swanky, the sound quality is amazing, and-this is important because I’m an old lady-you get to sit down the whole time.

Best kept secret in neighborhood fashion boutiques?

I don’t know if there’s such a thing as a best-kept secret in media-saturated New York, but Gabay’s in the East Village is fairly under the radar in terms of discount shopping. They get overstock from stores like Bergdorf Goodman and Henri Bendel, so you can usually find designer clothes and accessories-think Chloé, Marc Jacobs, Manolo Blahnik-for pretty good prices.

Best area or neighborhood for fashion steals?

Chelsea has Filene’s Basement, TJ Maxx, and Loehmann’s, plus the Barneys Warehouse Sale twice a year, and there are frequently sample sales at the Metropolitan Pavilion. I also love the designer resale shop Fisch for the Hip on 18th Street. If you’ve got time to dig, go dig there.

Best way to spot a trend?

For a refined experience, walk around Soho on a weekday – between the shopgirls, showrooms, and various artsy people who work down there, everyone is devastatingly stylish.

Best high end shop? Best place to find reasonable knock offs?

For high end, count me among those who worship at the altar of Jeffrey. The shoes are to die for (and somewhat more affordable during the twice-yearly sales), they have a great mix of big-name designer and cutting-edge labels, and the salespeople are lovely. Of all the fast-fashion chains in the city, I still think H&M is the best. Zara has better quality and Forever 21 has better prices, but H&M has a stronger, on-trend runway influence. Of course, once Topshop opens later this year, I’m bound to change my mind!

www.cherylshops.blogspot.com

Which Sales Have You Sampled Successfully?
Post A Comment And Let Us Know!

AltaMira creator Craig Arend was inspired to create his fashion/photo journalism hybrid blog on a Paris vacation in 2006. He started by shooting candids of fashionable Parisians and then progressed to asking them to pose on the street and show off their style. With street fashion fast legitimizing itself as a solid reference for high fashion magazines, runways, and designers, the time was right to organize his portfolio. And thus Altamira was born.

Tell us about your blog and how you got started? My blog is a street fashion photo blog first and foremost. It documents people who wear their clothes with a unique sense of style, a couture sense of fashion, and an aura of self-confidence. I capture the middle ground: the balance between a Parisian fashion sophisticate wearing Lanvin and Chanel pieces to someone wearing a self-created pair of knicker pants they rescued from a dumpster.

The name AltaMira comes from the caves in Spain. The paintings in the caves have inspired people for decades, Picasso included. When literally translated to English, the phrase means “high view”. In my blog’s case, that means “high view” of the streets. In the same way that the caves were crowned a UNESCO Heritage Site, I hope to someday achieve equally great recognition in the photography and fashion communities.

What brought you to New York?

A childhood dream. I remember when I was young my family would take vacations and drive across the States. Before we’d go, we’d shop at bookstores for books on where we were going. I would always gravitate to the books on New York City. To this day I can still see in my mind’s eye the Berlitz travel guide to New York City, in its glossy cover, with the skyline in the foreground.

What do you love about living in New York?

New York has something for everyone if you know where to look. It epitomizes convenience by condensing into one tiny geographic pin point.

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

I view the city like a garden/gardener relationship. A New Yorker is someone who allows the gardener (the city and all the challenges and greatness it has to offer) to cultivate, water, and pull the weeds out of the garden (the person). If you allow New York City to make you a better person, then you are a New Yorker.

Best tips, tricks or insider info?

My best tip is actually non-fashion related. If you show up at Mario Battali’s Babbo before it opens, you can get a table when they open the door without waiting weeks to exercise your reservation.

Best kept secret in neighborhood fashion boutiques?

For women, the shoe boutique, Girls Love Shoes. It’s on Ludlow and Hester and they stock hundreds of vintage shoes from the 1930’s to the early 1990’s.

Best area or neighborhood for fashion steals?

Nolita

Best way to spot a trend?

When certain articles of clothing repeat themselves over and over again, either on the runway, the press, or the streets, a trend is forming. From the Fall/ Winter 08/09 collections, Chloe, Lanvin, Balenciaga, and Lanvin all styled their models in pointy toed stilettos–that’s a trend to watch for.

Best high end shoes? Best place to find reasonable knock offs, of said shoes?

The quality craftsmanship of a Louboutin. The knock off version from Nine West.

www.altamiranyc.blogspot.com

What Street Styles Have Stopped You In Your Tracks?
Post A Comment And Let Us Know!

The sidewalks of New York are much like the runways when it comes to trends. From what’s new to what’s truly original, New Yorkers know how to find it and flaunt it. Whether it’s a great discovery from a sample sale or a simple shirt that’s totally chic, the locals of 10019 and 10036 are all about strutting their stuff. CiNYC’s Style Decoder Hitha canvassed Hell’s Kitchen to learn why the fashion scene in these stylish zips is so incredibly hot!

Check out more New York style here.

What Style Are You Rocking Right Now?

Post A Comment And Let Us Know!

As someone whose closet was regularly raided by friends throughout high school and college, Christina Carathanassis now has a closet to share with the world – Christabelle’s Closet (Christabelle is Christina’s childhood nickname). This owner and creative soul behind the designer resale boutique Christabelle’s Closet started blogging in order to satiate her inner editor and allow her to wear the label of “fashion go-to-girl” with pride. We sat down with Christabelle herself, to delve deep into the mind of our fashion-obsessed friend and dish about the truly important things in life… Designers, Discounts, and Daring NYC Style.

Tell us about your blog: what is the premise, what are your main coverage areas, how did you get started? Christabelle’s Closet The Blog is an extension of my award winning, online consignment boutique, ChristabellesCloset.com. Though the main store’s theme is “budget shopping on a dime” offering top designer clothing, shoes and handbags on consignment for less, the blog actually encompasses all things fabulous! We cover the gamut from fashion and beauty to food and travel (and pretty much everything in between). It definitely opens the playing field in terms of voice and expression. I love it! For as long as I can remember, people have asked me for advice on the newest, coolest things on the market – a blog is a pretty loud voice to offer everyone counsel – so along came the birth of Christabelle’s Closet The Blog. It also offers a great platform to give my shoppers the HOTTEST deals in our consignment shop with our weekly “deal of the day” post as well as giving the scoop on the hottest places to visit, beauty products to buy, designers to check out etc. the remainder of the week. I originally was a Journalism major in college and wound up in Beauty PR for 10 years, so creating a blog seemed like a very organic way for me to nurture my inner editor! It also gives me a great excuse to “shop” (as if I needed one). I love exploring niche brands, uncovering really amazing products and services and having the ability to give them well deserved exposure. There are SO MANY fantastic businesses out there…I am here to sniff them out and give them props!

What brought you to New York?

I grew up in Bergen County, just 10 short minutes from NYC…I couldn’t imagine living anywhere but the Big Apple!

What do you love about living in New York?

The energy…the city reminds me of a big record…pumping out music at the hand of a great DJ. There is NOTHING like it.

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

Style and individuality. There is a definitive “je ne sais quoi” about people who live in NY…the city becomes a part of your soul. No matter where I go within the US and abroad – people ALWAYS know I am from NY and it makes me super proud (and no, I don’t have an accent lol!)

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?

The number of friendly people on the streets! People talk to me wherever I go – they are compassionate and kind (with the exception of a bad seed here and there elbowing me in the rib during a sardine packed subway ride!)…New Yorkers will always tell you like it is, but in the nicest way they know how. I make it a habit of complimenting other women on the street if I like their style…it feels good to sprinkle a little nice into someone else’s day. Everyone should pay it forward in their own way.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

24-7 food deliveries…did you know places ACTUALLY CLOSE in other major cities? It makes me appreciate the convenience this great city has to offer.

Best tips, tricks or insider info regarding navigating a THE sale at Barney’s?

If you don’t mind picking through the bins, boxes, piles on the floor and dare I say garbage bags – going on the last day, during the last hours of a sample sale can provide you with MAJOR discounts and at times free goodies. Selection might be scarce, but there are deals to be had – leave your shame at home.

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?

The Chrysler Building…not sure if that is really a “tourist” attraction, but I have a little crush on it. The architecture is amazing! I secretly long to take one of those Big Apple Tour double-decker buses around NYC with a group of my best friends (I guess it isn’t a secret anymore!).

Best place to dine late night?

Viand on Broadway and 75th – they have a little bit of everything and the staff couldn’t be nicer. The grilled cheese is especially delicious after midnight.

Best music venue?

The Beacon Theatre – not a bad seat in the house.

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)

Hooted and hollered at my boyfriend’s band playing at The Bitter End. Hooted and hollered at Ryan Star kicking out some serious tunes at the Rockwood Music Hall.

Best place to people watch?

Central Park…wow…I can spend HOURS there. It is pure (and free) entertainment.

Best shop for thrifty yet stylish clothing?

If you promise not to tell anyone I am over 21 (and have been for quite some time) – FOREVER 21 has the cutest “disposable” clothes and accessories. And of course, www.ChristabellesCloset.com…

Surest sign that a trend is “over”?

For me, a trend is OVER the second I spot more than 10 people on the street wearing it. Onto the next for me! I don’t like being a sheep…

www.christabellescloset.com

Where Do You Find Discount Designer Duds?
Post A Comment Below And Give Us Some Lip About Styling Tips.