Random Views of New York City

Here are some random views of New York City. These pictures captured the beauty of New York City. From its landmarks, skyscrapers, bridges, modes of transportation and its own people.  Even visitors like me can look at it and marvel at its own character, a truly a metropolitan city that has lots to offer.

"In New York,Concrete jungle where dreams are made of,

There's nothing you can't do,Now you're in New York,These streets will make you feel brand new,The lights will inspire you,Let's hear it for New York, New York, New York"

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View of the Chrysler Building from our Hotel room  window at Waldorf Astoria.

One of the numerous New York City bridges.

Photo credit: Phaedra.

Rockefeller Center Building and a view of St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Saks Fifth Ave Department Store.

My friends and I walked between Saks Fifth to Bergdorf Goodman  just to find the Tory Burch Cobalt Blue shoes. It turned out that it was only available at Bergdorf...

Bergdorf Goodman Department Store. It is beautiful inside!

Photo credit: Phaedra.

The Apple Store on Fifth Avenue just right across from The Plaza Hotel. I love this modern glass architecture which best represents the innovation of Apple.

A beautiful New York City winter evening with the view of the Crescent Moon. The building in front is Bergdorf Goodman Department Store.

The evening view from Park Avenue beside the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

On the Left is the view of the Metropolitan Museum. On the Right is The Plaza Hotel displaying both the United States and  Canada's flag.

View of the Temple of Dendur in the Metropolitan Museum.

On our way to Downtown New York on a clear winter Saturday afternoon.

A Horse carriage ride on Times Square passing through a New York Transit bus.

Photo credit: Phaedra.

Oh New York City, now you got me.

A City that has lots to offer.

It is a City that always entertains.

Next time, we will get to know each other more.



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Carrie Bradshaw's Style

Since this week is New York Fashion Week for Fall 2012, I would like to present a comeback of sorts for both Carrie Bradshaw of the famous TV Show "Sex and the City" and her fashionable bag, the Fendi "Baguette."  This was featured recently in Vogue.com in their popular Most Wanted  feature.

Here is some bit of nostalgia...

Who would forget Carrie and her infamous Manolo Blahnik pumps? The Manolos are now a classic shoes.

The Fendi Baguette is now making a comeback. Fendi is reissuing the Baguettes from their archives. Check out the February 2012 issue of US Vogue Magazine for  Plum Sykes article titled Second Chances about the comeback of the Fendi Baguette bag.

Carrie is ever stylish in mixed prints all together.  Coat and dress is by Roberto Cavalli.

Dress from Etro.

Carrie and her pearls.



To see more: http://www.vogue.com/fashion/most-wanted/most-wanted-carrie-bradshaw/


Even though Carrie Bradshaw is a fictional character, she best personified her own individual style in New York City. She is neither Upper East Side nor Downtown. But she has her own style which fit perfectly in New York City. As we have seen in many magazines, ladies in New York were walking the streets in their high heels Manolos or other designer shoes. Always impeccably dressed and well groomed. Carrie Bradshaw stood out on her own which in itself is an inspiration.



Photos credit: Vogue.com

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Marian Route

The Marian Route refers to the pilgrimage route between Southern France and Northern Spain. It particularly refers to the route starting from Lourdes, France in the northern Pyrenees, to Montserrat, Spain, Zaragoza, Spain and Torreciudad, Spain. The Marian Route or the route of the Virgin Mary is linking France to Spain. This February 11th is also special as it is the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in Lourdes, France.  Parade of the Sick in front of the cave so that they can touch the walls of the cave to Drink the Lourdes Water which is still flowing up to now.

Here is the story: " The apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes began on 11 February 1858, when Saint Bernadette Soubirous, a 14-year-old peasant girl from Lourdes, told her mother, after being asked, that she had seen a "lady" in the cave of Massabielle, about a mile from the town, while gathering firewood with her sister and a friend. Similar appearances of the "lady" were reported on seventeen further occasions that year."

The cave above is the location where Mother Mary appeared to the young Bernadette Soubirous. Mother Mary also showed Bernadette a water spring that was non-existent in the cave before so that people will believe. This water is now known as the Lourdes Water which Mother Mary encouraged pilgrims to drink and to bath in it. At The Shrine, several walks past the cave is the Bathing section where pilgrims get a chance to bath in the spring water. Do not miss that when you get a chance to visit the Shrine. It is a once in a life time experience.

Pilgrims were praying and singing in the line while waiting for our bathing session. When I reached the Bathing section, the nuns asked you to undress with a towel of course as a cover. Then when it is your turn, they pray for your intentions and then dip your whole body into the tub full of Lourdes Water. Believe me, after bathing in Lourdes Water, my whole skin was super soft like baby skin and smelled so good like roses. I have to admit that I was worried that I might smell after because it was just spring water. But this is Pure Spring Lourdes water from the apparition of Mother Mary. It is miraculous Pure water.  It is water that is still flowing from that miraculous well in the cave.

The Basilica of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Watch the Video of the Marian Route

This is the Video that inspired me to post this story about the Marian Routes between Southern France and Northern Spain. I have been blessed to be able to visit Our Mother Mary's Shrine at Lourdes, France, Montserrat, Spain and Zaragoza, Spain. I have not visited the Marian Shrine at Torreciudad in Spain.

Evening Candlelight vigil at the Our of Lourdes Shrine.

 Every night there is Rosary Vigil which is beautiful. The Mother Mary statue has a procession and a Candlelight Living Rosary is recited in front of the Basilica. It was a very special night!

Pilgrims celebrating on the Day of Jesus' Ascension in the Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine. They brought colourful balloons and released it up to Heaven! We were lucky to be there to witness this. It was such a joyous event! Very unifying for all the pilgrims from around the world.

The whole Shrine is huge. This is the back part near the Baths and the Shrine of  Apparition Cave. The river  runs beside the Shrine. The whole city of Lourdes was so fertile, so green and has abundance of  Greenery, plants, food, lots of pilgrims, love, unity, joy, peace and sacredness. I felt all that when I visited this Holy Shrine.

Montserrat, Spain

Our Lady of Montserrat. I featured my visit to Montserrat, Spain last year in my blog. For more information: http://thestyleandtravel-journals.blogspot.com/2011/10/travel-montserrat-spain.html

Zaragoza, Spain

This is the huge Cathedral of Our Lady of Del Pilar in Zaragoza, Spain and the view of the Ebro River. For more information: http://thestyleandtravel-journals.blogspot.com/2011/09/travel-advisory-one-day-in-zaragoza.html

Torreciudad, Spain

Shrine of Our Lady of Torreciudad.
Photo credit: Wikipedia.
I have not visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Torreciudad in Spain. Here is a brief history: "Torreciudad is the name of a Marian shrine in Aragon, Spain built by Josemaria Escriva, the founder of  Opus Dei, and consecrated on July 7, 1975, under the title of Our Lady of Torreciudad. Devotion to Mary under the title of Virgin of Torreciudad is said to date back to the eleventh century.

Happy Feast Day to Our Lady of Lourdes!

References: Wikipedia.

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Tory Burch Store at Madison Ave NYC

One of the American Women that I admire is Tory Burch. She is the American Designer and owner of her own brand, under her own name, Tory Burch. My girlfriends and I made sure to visit her boutique at 797 Madison Avenue, New York, NY. I love her style and her brand. I have seen her own home in New York City in various magazines like Vogue and Philippine Tatler. When I entered her Boutique at Madison Avenue, it was like her own home!

Tory Burch store felt like being in a New York Town house. It was decorated like her own house.  All of the clothes and accessories were wonderfully displayed in the store. I love the beautiful orange walls with the white and violet prints on the furniture. So chic!

That's me feeling comfortable in Tory's abode.  The combination of the sisal rug, the white sofa, white and purple prints on the sofas and the table, all together with the orange walls are so stylish! Very Tory! If you notice in my previous blog about Tory's home, she used the same shade of Orange that was painted in her library for her store.

All of Tory's US Boutiques were designed by New York City based Filipino Interior Designer, Daniel Romualdez.  Daniel explained: 'that all stores have decidedly residential feel. I want people to think that they have stepped into Tory's world when they visit one of her stores.'

Tory Burch clothing collection for sale.

Tory Burch Accessories. I love these beautiful belts! I wish I purchased one.

At the Entrance of the Tory Burch Store is the display of her bags. For Spring, lots of Coral and Gold, White and Blue and Tan, beige colour. In the entrance foyer, I noticed the beautiful  and huge chandelier, the blue and white ceramic with the white orchids. Then the hallway beyond has a beautiful floral wall paper  with the rug as if we  entered  a stylish town house in New York!  Truly a residential feel to Tory's store.

The products up close!

The Coral and Gold bags together with the Beige and Brown bags.

Tory Burch window  display. I love how she incorporates Interior Design like the Blue and White wall display here into her Fashion Design and presentation.  She has a classy style! She knows who she is as a person and she presents it very well into her products and also presentation. In this case, both her love of colour, Fashion and Interior Design.

Orange Tory Burch Doors. The Entrance to her fabulous store! Just by the entrance you know that you are entering a Fabulous and stylish world!

The Tory Burch Store.

The girls went shopping at Tory Burch!  My friend Phaedra bought the Red bag and matching shoes. I bought the Blue bag and matching Tory flat shoes. The bag comes with a shoulder strap that we can attach to the bag so we can carry it across the body. Tory products are very well designed and also priced reasonably well.

I truly admire Tory Burch. She is not only an entrepreneur but also very stylish and talented lady. She stays true to herself by designing the clothes, shoes, bags and accessories that she loves. She shows  her love of Fashion and Interior Design all together in her designs and in her stores. Don't forget to drop by the Tory Burch stores when in New York City! 

Watch Video: Tory Burch's Love Letter to New York

Enjoy!

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Tory Burch at Home in New York City

Tory Burch on the cover of Philippine Tatler, October 2009.

Tory Burch's apartment in New York City was designed by New York based Filipino Interior Designer, Daniel Romualdez. Daniel is famous among young New York Socialites to design the interiors of their homes. I have previously featured Daniel Romualdez Interior Design in my blog - Aerin Lauder's Aspen Home, November 2011. Here is a glimpse into Tory's own home...

Tory did not grow up as a Park Avenue princess. She was raised on  a Pennsylvania farm. She studied at an exclusive all-girls school, then took Art History at the University of Pennsylvania.  Tory explained: 'When I was little, I was a tomboy because I grew up on a farm with three brothers, so I wasn't particularly into fashion. Then I saw how fashionable my parents were. It was interesting to watch them dress themselves and see how my father designed all of his clothing. My mother was a former model and an actress and incredibly chic as well.'

Tory with her three sons. Black and white photo of her fashionable parents. Also a picture of her green Living Room and Orange Library. Tory used the same shade of Orange for her store.

According to Philippine Tatler Magazine: "The New York Times proclaimed her  the pillar of New York's  young social set."
Tory explained that  'I just worked hard. People were incredibly surprised by the quality and the price range of  my products when the store opened. It's important to me to be a role model and encourage women to work or be a working mum.'

A Fashion advice from Tory: 'If you take a trend too literally, you will become a fashion victim. It's about understanding your age, body and who you are.'

Tory's whole apartment was a collaboration between herself and Interior Designer, Daniel Romualdez (who also designed all of Burch's US Boutiques).  Tory explained that Daniel designed her apartment from a drawing on a table napkin one night. She said "It's very complicated. I lived in this apartment five years then we combined it with two little apartments and the hallways. Daniel is so great at taking people's taste and making it better. To be someone who can jump into your world and understand it and make it better, it's a great personality.'

One of my favourite blogs is Habitually Chic by Heather Clawson. For more pictures on Tory's house, please check out her blog post: http://habituallychic.blogspot.com/2010/02/tory-burch-at-home.html



References and Photography: Philippine Tatler, October 2009.

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Juicy Couture in NYC

During our visit to New York City last weekend, my girlfriends and I visited the Juicy Couture Store at 650 Fifth Avenue. Juicy Couture is usually not a store I would shop as I am not really a fan of its tracksuits. But I was very impressed with their store at NYC and the merchandise for sale in this store. This store offers products not usually sold in Juicy Couture Shops. Let's go shopping now in the store...

Juicy Couture Store is located at 650 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. 

Juicy Couture was founded by two fashion obsessed friends Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Nash Taylor in Los Angeles, California in 1996. The company is now owned by Liz Claiborne Inc since 2003. To find out more about Gela Nash-Taylor: http://www.vogue.com/magazine/article/gela-nashtaylor-country-couture/#1

Inside the store with grand chandelier and golden frames.  Such a classy interior design.

Beautiful pink bags made from the famous Juicy luxury tracksuit material and shoes  made in Canvas material!

Juicy colourful wrist bags and also a blue tote. Juicy sandals in the background.

More wrist bags and Totes.

Juicy Couture cardigans in stylish Orange or Yellow trim.

Juicy Couture dresses, tops and jackets.  They sell stylish clothes in this store! I was truly impressed!

Colour blocked dressed worn by the Mannequin. More dresses, tops, bags and accessories sold in the store. For the Moms, there is even a Children's section on the Second Floor.

Vibrant Spring colours in the sweaters, matching bags and accessories.

More colourful and stylish bags and accessories from Juicy Couture. These bags and accessories will be perfect for both Spring and Summer. The materials are light and colourful.

Juicy even sell jewellery! Here are the charm bracelets. In the background is a necklace. They also sell watches and bag charms. Even lap top and IPAD covers in stylish designs.

Peace and Love from Juicy Couture! Perfume sets for sale at Juicy Couture.


I have to admit that I normally do not shop at Juicy Couture. But this shop at 650 Fifth Avenue, New York, truly impressed me! I enjoyed shopping there. The staff were friendly and very helpful.  The design of the store was very classy. Very Fifth Avenue indeed! The prices of the products are also affordable and reasonable. I highly recommend visiting and shopping in this store. Believe me, even if you have no intention of buying any Juicy Couture, when you visit this store, you will end up buying something. It is a good souvenir too from your visit to New York City.

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