New York

Cherry Blossom Baby

May 3, 2017May 2, 2017 by Alyssa Garrison

Every year I rush to High Park alongside all of the other flower-lovers in Toronto to get a glimpse at the Cherry Blossom Trees in bloom. It’s a spectacle to be sure, but sadly it usually only lasts for a brief moment with this city’s unpredictable weather, and one has to fight through the crowds to get close to a tree branch.

The funny thing is, it seems like almost every single other city I’ve been too has far more cherry blossom trees than Toronto. Vancouver’s sidewalks are literally covered in pink petals come Spring, Buffalo boasts an amazing Sakura population, and let’s not leave Japan and their gorgeous yearly festival off the list. One city I definitely underestimated though was New York.

Entirely based on chance, Johanna and I booked our trip to NYC just as the Cherry Blossom trees started to bloom, and oh, were they EVER blooming! Every corner we turned we found more of these delicate, special flowers, and despite their constant appearance we were equally enchanted by each encounter. The best place to see them? The Brooklyn Museum and Botanical Gardens!

Our NYCgo City Pass pointed us in the direction of this amazing spanning property, and we’re so grateful we made time to go. On top of feminist art and beautiful architecture, we were able to frolic amongst seemingly endless blossoms. If you’re travelling to New York during Spring or Summer, this entire area is absolutely a must-see! Of course we couldn’t help but snap some outfit photos while we were there… in true form I just happened to be wearing pink! Also, how great are these peachy-pink hair extensions by Locks and Mane? It was such a fun experience to play with hair this long!

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Dress Up

Shades of Rosé

March 29, 2017March 29, 2017 by Alyssa Garrison

Time is flying by, and somewhere between moving, travelling and about 1000 other things we’ve got on the go, Spring has somehow sprung! Though the weather is definitely still super patchy here on the Canadian East Coast, I’m finding every opportunity I can to don my Spring best.

This amazing pink lace arrived from while I was in California, but since returning to cold Canada I hadn’t had much of a chance to take it out of the closet. An evening out in NYC for oysters and lavender prosecco cocktails was just the occasion I’d been waiting for, and Sel Rose proved to be just as picture-perfect in real life as it looked online when I was shopping around for pastel places. Complete with my favourite blush trench from Club Monaco and my brand new (the dream New York souvenir)

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I'll Follow You Anywhere

When RAOP finally gets back to NYC

March 14, 2017March 14, 2017 by Alyssa Garrison

New York City is like a tattoo – one time in the chair, and you’re left only wanting more. There is way to much to do for just one sitting – it’s truly impossible even if you run all day, every day, from start to finish.

I used to pop down all the time – after all, NYC is so close to Toronto, and once I had tasted a nibble passing through on an overnight road trip at age 20, I wanted nothing more than to devour the entire apple. After a lifetime as a West Coast girl with no New York minutes under my belt, I started packing trips in whenever I could, each time leaving with a list of places I still hadn’t found the time to see.

It’s been a few years since my last NYC visit and I can’t really tell you why – I suppose my last relationship really halted my usual travel spontaneity, and though my ex and I had plans to hop a plane a few times, we just… never got there. For some reason coming back from California, New York was the first word on my lips: I suddenly just really, really needed to go. A couple friends happened to be down there already, so though I had just returned from LA and had yet to move my apartment from the old spot to the new, I booked a ticket. If not now, then when, right? I had put it off long enough already.

This trip to New York was unlike any of my previous adventures. For one, I stayed in Manhattan instead of Brooklyn, and though I loved the bustle I think Williamsburg is definitely a bit more my pace. I also somehow didn’t step foot on a train over all three days! Travelling above ground helped me fill out my internal map of the spaces I passed through, but it was strange to be in that particular city without taking any transit.

Because this trip was so different for me, the whole city seemed more foreign than ever before. It was so quick, and over far too soon! In short, there’s still a lot that was missed on my list, and a whole bunch of new spots piled up as I wandered new neighbourhoods, but not to worry… Johanna and I already have another trip booked for the beginning of April!

Scroll down to see my NYC #pastelhunting picks!

Where to Eat + Drink //

Sel rose
Cafe Henrie
Pietro Nolita
Cha cha Matcha
Le Bain (better in SUMMER)
By Chloe
Sweets by chloe
While we were young
Lucky bee
Catch
Dirt Candy
Jack’s Wife Freda

Where to stay //

Dream hotels
Standard hotel
Ace hotel

Where to Shop //

Mansur Gavriel Pop Up
Acne Studios
Chloe Soho
Miu Miu Soho
Matter
Apiece Apart
Catbird

Where to Primp //

Paintbox nails
Lush spa
Drybar

Still on my hit list //

Bisou
Pucker
Tacombi
Seamores
Snow Days
De Maria
Baker and Co.
Dudley’s
Orchard Grocery
Dovetail
Modern Love
Pizza Beach

I'll Follow You Anywhere

Big Lights Will Inspire You

August 22, 2013July 7, 2015 by Alyssa Garrison

Living in Toronto makes it almost too easy to constantly take mini trips down to New York City, the miniature universe where even the grime glitters with excitement. I’ve visited quite a few times over the past five years, but my most recent trip was perhaps the most special. My best friend Sarah and I drove down to take a bite of the big apple (and all the tasty food within it) as a farewell weekend before she moved across the country to finish her schooling in Vancouver. It was a truly unforgettable four days of delicious food, gorgeous sights and a LOT of spending. Here’s a little (ish) snippet of our adventures and a mini directory containing some of our favourite places (scroll all the way to the bottom.)

FOOD:
Freeman’s Alley
Blossom
Five Leaves
The Butcher’s Daughter
Momofuku Milk Bar
Babycakes
Ladurée
Dunwell Donuts
Bellocq Tea Atelier
Dean and Deluca

FASHION:
In God We Trust
Acne Studios Soho
Opening Ceremony
Catbird
Brooklyn Fox Lingerie

FUN:
Visit the Highline Park
Walk over the Williamsburg bridge (it’s pink!)
Drink and dance at Le Bain Rooftop bar
Picnic in Central Park
Wander through the treasure chest that is Bergdorf Goodman

What are some of your favourite New York Spots?