Meet Me In Midtown

Monday, June 8, 2015

New York State of Mind

I'm in New York City! Last week, I packed my bags and relocated to the city for a summer internship at Martha Stewart Weddings magazine. I'll be here until the middle of August, crammed in a tiny dorm on the Lower East Side. I had an amazing experience living in New York City last summer and I'm beyond excited for the opportunity to work here again.

Last summer, I checked pretty much every NYC tourist trap off of my bucket list. Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, Little Italy, the Empire State Building, Central Park, the Met, Coney Island... the list goes on. But on one of my last weekends in the Big Apple, my boyfriend and I decided to skip busy Midtown and try a Mexican restaurant in the less-touristy Lower East Side. The space was tiny and jammed with locals, but the great atmosphere and delicious tortas made the restaurant one of my favorites in Manhattan.

This year, I'm determined to dig a little deeper into the real life and culture of New York City. Sure, I'll bring guests to Times Square and take walks in Central Park. And I'll check the last tourist attractions off of my list. But I also want to find the best coffee in Manhattan, eat at tiny restaurants with great cuisine, and explore the bar scene.

Here is my bucket list for the summer:

1. Explore the Lower East Side. I can't believe I lived here last summer without taking advantage of the hip bar and restaurant scene.

2. See a Broadway play (My parents are taking me to The Book of Mormon soon!)

3. Go to Katz's Delicatessen – one of the most popular delis in NYC located in the Lower East Side

4. Eat at these restaurants, based on recommendations: Brindle Room, Barrio Chino, 5 Napkin Burger, The Commons Chelsea

5. Visit Roosevelt Island

6. Visit Governor's Island

7. Walk on the campus of NYU and Columbia University

8. Meander around the Chelsea Market

9. Explore Brooklyn (I've been told to visit Williamsburg)

10. Take the Staten Island Ferry

11. Have a picnic in Central Park

Let me know of any restaurants or activities I should add to my list!

Monday, May 18, 2015

My Favorite Magazines

I'm a self-proclaimed magazine hoarder. As a college senior majoring in magazine journalism, reading and reviewing magazines is practically homework for me. I've read most major magazines on the market, and I've even landed internships for two national publications. I don't adhere to a particular genre, either; I enjoy magazines covering travel, fashion, beauty, culture, food, and even celebrity news.

Today, I thought I'd talk about my current favorite magazines in each genre. Enjoy the list and let me know what your favorite magazines are!

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Fashion/Beauty: Glamour has practical fashion and beauty advice, featuring affordable items and looks that can be easily incorporated into your everyday routine. InStyle is also a great fashion-focused magazine that deals largely with celebrity style.

Women's Lifestyle: Marie Claire is my favorite all-around women's magazine, running everything from fashion tips and beauty ideas to career advice and women's issues.

Travel: Afar magazine may be a bit aspirational, but its focus on "experiential travel" advises the reader on how to become fully immersed in the culture of another country. The personal essays are inspirational, while the descriptions of travel destinations make me want to buy a plane ticket ASAP!

Food: Food Network Magazine not only has delicious recipes but also includes fun food, restaurant, and cooking news (and also appearances from Food Network stars!)

Life/Culture: Vanity Fair covers popular culture (movies, TV shows, music, celebrities), fashion, politics, and other current events. The stories are longer and more in-depth compared to most other magazines on my list, but I always walk away from the publication feeling more knowledgable.

Health: Self magazine talks about all things health and wellness with a fun, friendly tone. Since the magazine is transitioning into the "women's lifestyle" genre, it also features fashion and beauty articles.

Celebrity News: People was the first magazine I ever read, and it continues to be one of my favorites. I gotta have some celebrity gossip! People always has reliable journalism, which differentiates it from most other celebrity tabloids.

Weddings: Martha Stewart Weddings is an absolutely beautiful magazine, filled with great pictures and beautifully written editorial. I'm proud to be a 2015 summer intern for this magazine!

Home Decor: I don't own a home, but I still enjoy reading about home decor/organization. HGTV Magazine is my favorite magazine for anything home-related. Not only does it include articles about design and decoration, it also features fun life tips as well.

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Summer Clothing Haul

Today I have my first ever clothing haul post!

Last week, I was rummaging through my summer clothing and realized most of my outfits were outdated or over-worn. I've been traveling non-stop the past couple of years and I simply didn't make time for clothes shopping. That changed last week with a quick trip to some clothing stores! I had a few key items on my list: printed shorts, a denim vest, and bathing suits. I managed to find all of the items on my list and then some.

Here are my favorite pieces from my shopping trip: