Mel: Having lived in New York for a little over 6 months now, I can definitely say that I am guilty of staying near my apartment/work and haven't fully taken the time to explore the west side of the city. I often find myself going back to the same restaurants and stores in the areas that I am familiar with and very rarely do I try something new (unless I am with Jess since she drags me everywhere :p). I am definitely a creature of habit, but am making more of an effort to go to new places, meet new people and try new things! Though I am rarely in Chelsea, the one place I have visited and loved is the High Line, a historic freight rail line elevated on the streets of Manhattan and is now a public park! It is more even beautiful in the summer when there is greenery and flowers, but after hibernating from the cold for 3-4 months, I was grateful for any extra time I could spend outside.
For my outfit, I threw on a basic shirt dress and cinched a blush belt around the waist to minimize my waistline and give my look some shape. Since I was doing some heavy walking that day, I made the conscious decision to wear comfortable footwear, so I opted for a pair of Stan Smith sneakers. Mother Nature has definitely had her share of mood swings this winter season and I cannot wait for the weather to stay consistently warm, so I can grab a blanket, some grapes, my kindle and go to Central Park to finish some of my books on my reading list. One of my New Year's resolutions for 2017 was to read more, and I can happily say that I am keeping up with it. I found my love for reading again during my trip to South Africa and haven't been able to put a book down since I got back and got myself a library card at the New York Public Library. Luckily for me, my boyfriend has two kindles (he is a bookworm), so it makes it that much more convenient for me to borrow e-publications through the library. Honestly, it makes life so much easier borrowing e-books instead of physical books since you don't have to carry around that extra weight, won't have to make physical trips to the library to borrow/return books, and it is physically impossible to lose an e-book! Recently, I finished Outliers by Malcom Gladwell, Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwon, and Why Not Me by Mindy Kaling (she is one of my favorite actresses), so I definitely had to show her some support and love. I am trying to make more of an effort to read some classic novels or finance related books, so let me know down in the comments any suggestions you have!
Jess: I've always grown up hanging around the Chelsea area and walking the High Line since my dad works in the area, and we occasional come and visit on free weekends and during our breaks. I love taking my friends here when they come to visit, since the full NYC experience definitely includes a visit to both Chelsea Market and the High Line. I have very fond memories of walking here in the warm summer months with my family and with my friends, admiring the beautiful views of New York from a unique, elevated perspective. I love taking in the fresh air, enjoying the live music, and seeing the works of local artists who sell their paintings and drawings under the tunnel. Work has definitely kept me busy recently, but I learned that taking some TLC to rewind and relax on the weekends is so important and necessary to recharge for the week. Walking the High Line is a great reminder of how important it is to get outside of your NYC apartment and enjoy the wonders of the city.
My outfit is perfect for a breezy Spring day in the city, since I am kept warm enough with my new trench coat I picked up at Club Monaco during their sale last month . I decided to keep the color palette light and airy for the season, and opted for some light-gray jeans and a blush top that matches both my trench and shoes. I picked up this bag while I was in Italy in October 2015, and I love its berry color for that extra pop to my outfit.
Outfit Details
Jess: Jacket - Club Monaco, Jeans - Zara, Top - Zara (sold out), Shoes - Material Girl
Mel: Dress - Bloomingdales, Belt - BCBG (similar), Hat - Zara, Shoes - Stan Smith