Couture with Coffee

1. Wayfarers: These babies have been seen on many a famous face, from Beyonce to JFk to Rachel Bilson. They make any outfit cooler in an instant and they are flattering on any face shape. Wayfarer Sunglasses, Ray-Ban.

2. Cats Eye: In classic tortoiseshell or dramatic black, these stunning shades will help you channel your inner starlet. Think like Audrey Hepburn and step out in these when you’re feeling your most feminine. Cat’s Eye Sunglasses, Kate Spade. 

3. Aviators: This classic shape has been around for years, and it’s no surprise why. In shiny gold, they dress up any look yet still give off a casual and beachy vibe. Pair with your favorite white tee and slim jeans for a dose of every day glamour. Aviator Sunglasses, Tom Ford 

When I started traveling all over the country this year, I thought to myself “maybe I’ll find somewhere that I love and would want to move to!”

This, at least so far, has not been the case.

And I’ve figured out why.

It’s because I grew up and lived, for my entire life, within an hour of the greatest city on the planet.

New York City.

And yes, it has made me spoiled.

New York is just so…..New York-y. It has it’s own energy, it’s own heartbeat. People from all over the PLANET move there to achieve their dreams.  Think about it. When people think of achieving their dreams, they are driven to this place, this city, where they are competing with the best and the brightest and the most talented.

Dancers, chefs, writers, actors, even bankers and lawyers. They all want to make it in New York. They all want to prove that they can do it, that they can conquer this city where people are constantly moving and climbing and doing.

And, for me at least, it’s less about proving it to others and more about proving it to myself. That my wide eyed 6 year old self who had a dream about making it in New York was right. I can do it. (It should be noted that my motivations for moving to New York have changed since I was 6, when I was going through a big Eloise phase and wanted to live in the Plaza with a pet turtle named Skipperdee). 

Some call New Yorkers mean and heartless. They only want to climb over each other on the way to success. But I don’t see it that way, and obviously, neither do the millions that flock to the Big Apple each year. To me, New Yorkers are fast paced, yes. But they are also among the most driven, creative, and brave people you can find. The ones that move there from some small town because they believe in themselves and in their dream. Those are the brave ones. 

Maybe you think my opinion of New York and it’s people is naive, showing it in a sparkly and glowing light where everything is glamorous. But I don’t care. Think what you want (New York attitude right there).  Because I know that I can do it, that I can make it in the city that never sleeps. 

As my year of traveling comes to an end, I’m preparing to enter the crazy world  that is the New York City job market. And I cannot wait. I’ve been to literally every single region of the U.S. (except the Pacific Northwest. That’s still on the list). From Texas to Florida to Kansas to Colorado to California, I’ve seen some pretty cool things and met some pretty cool people.

But my home is, and will always be, New York.