Head over heels for Manhattan

Sorry for the radio silence this weekend but I was busy galavanting around my favorite city in the world, New York! Staying in my girlfriend's awesome apartment in Manhattan while she's away in Dubai, it's been fun pretending like I live in this city, a dream of mine since college. 

I thought that this weekend of living vicariously through Viv's lifestyle – à la a studio in the West Village (with very efficient use of small spaces, I might add!), $5 massages down the street, endless energy throughout the night, late night drinks at her favorite bar/restaurant catty-corner to her building, brunch at teeny tiny 'ino tucked away on Bedford, subway hopping, and shopping on 5th Ave would help get this out of my system – but more than ever, it renewed my slight twinge of "What if?" had I tried to make it here straight out of school. You know, the whole "serious boyfriend" thing happened and decent-to-good jobs kept me in South Florida. I don't regret how my life panned out in the least, but only wish I could have had the best of both worlds!

My head is telling me I'm probably definitely past that point in my life now to live in this city, but Manhattan will always hold a special place in my heart. (Also, I have too much stuff to live here!) Thanks for allowing me to live like a true New Yorker for just a bit, Viv! xo

{ true to the cliche, a New Yorker's refrigerator }

{ wall-to-wall hidden shelving and storage everywhere, literally, built into spaces you can't even imagine }

{ a perfect autumn day on Bleeker street }

{ hidden brunch gem, 'ino }

{ Blue Ribbon Downing Street Bar }

Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind" can't stop running through my head, warming my heart–

"In New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of, oh

There's nothing you can't do, now you're in New York

These streets will make you feel brand-new

Big lights will inspire you, let's hear it for New York

New York, New York..."

More pix of our fantastic time coming soon!