concrete jungle



Diane von Furstenberg luggage, Zara shopper bag

To celebrate the Fourth of July, I went to New York City and had the time of my life. I stayed for four glorious days with my good friend-slash-the World's most hospitable host, Jeremy.

After some confusing travel miscommunication and five long hours, I finally made it to the Big Apple. After meeting Jeremy at his place in Gramercy, I was wisked off into a cab and down to the Hudson to see the July 4th fireworks. They went on for nearly an hour! After the fireworks show, we  hung out on an apartment rooftop, and walked through the city.



Fireworks in the City

The next day, I woke up and took the subway for the first time (all by myself!) to Grand Central Station. For lunch, I met one of my best friends from college who is a New Jersey native working in finance for the summer (I'm a proud mama). We had "modern Mexican" cuisine at Sinigual.



Solo Subway Trip

Grand Central Station. Can't you just hear SvdW's laugh?



Lunch at Sinigual! Tory Burch cross-shoulder bag, Mossimo skirt, Forever 21 necklace

Friday afternoon, Jeremy and I explored the city with his friend. We walked through SoHo and Chelsea, saw a little of the East Village, and traipsed on The High Line. The High Line - an old railroad converted into a miles-long public park - was one of my favorite parts of my trip to NYC. I had seen it on Project Runway last season, and I was super excited to be there; the views of the city are from its various viewpoints are GORGEOUS. Afterward, we walked along Chelsea's cobblestone streets and peered into the amazing shops including Tracy Reese, vince, and a Kate Spade Saturday digital storefront where you could order pieces and have them hand-delivered to you in less than an hour (great PR stunt, Kate Spade).



Gorgeous view of Chelsea from the High Line

Apartments and Office Buildings Next to the High Line




Shopping in Chelsea/SoHo



Kate Spade Saturday Digital Storefront

We sat and had a bite to eat at Spice Thai NYC before spotting the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater (a comedy troupe that counts Amy Poehler among its distinguished alums), walking through Times Square, and sitting for a bit in Bryant Park (former home of the New York Fashion Week tents).

Stopped for Reisling and appetizers at Spice



Jeremy, playing coy in Bryant Park

Friday night, we went out to El Morocco in Harlem; it was one of the most fun nights out I've ever had. People were dancing on tables and chairs, doing dance routines with their friends, and the music in both rooms was absolutely perfect (from Destiny's Child to 2 Chainz). I danced the night away (until I lost my phone, and then subsequently found it in the hands of a SUPER nice guy at the bar). We didn't make it home until 5 a.m.! The sky was blue when we finally wobbled into Jeremy's place, legs tired from walking and dancing.

 

At El Morocco, pre-"losing my phone"



The World's wildest Conga line at El Morocco

The morning sky as we got back to Jeremy's

Saturday afternoon (after gladly sleeping through most of the morning), I ventured out into Jeremy's neighborhood and bought myself some lunch. We reconvened  in the late afternoon, and met up with some of Jeremy's acquaintances - a few chic Parisians who were in NYC interning - and hung out with them by the Gansevoort Park hotel pool.



Drinks at the Gansevoort Rooftop Bar

The Gansevoort Park Rooftop was hands down one of my favorite parts of New York. We were surrounded by other well-dressed, young, urban revelers, and Ienjoyed a cocktail while overlooking the Park Avenue skyline and sitting by the pool. The DJ on hand was incredible, mixing rap and rock artists effortlessly (my favorite was a mashup of Jay-Z and Oasis' "Wonderwall").



View from the top of the Gansevoort

After leaving the Gansevoort, we ventured out to Brooklyn. We walked around the area near Prospect Park, and were going to go to the Theophilus London concert, but decided against it later. We ate dinner at The Burrito Bar on Flatbush, and then ventured back to Gramercy.



Brooklyn

Later on, we met back up with the Parisians and sat with them at their table in the non-descript security-laden lounge The Spot in the Trump SoHo Hotel (another trip highlight). Jeremy described the scene as "Gossip Girl-esque," which I don't think was too far off. Upon further research, it turns out that The Spot is a fairly new VIP-only club. That would certainly explain the amazing DJ, ambiance, and well-heeled crowd. It was a great night filled with bottle service, beautiful people, and beautiful clothes: all the things that New York dreams are made of. After The Spot, we visited Down the Hatch, a basement bar between the West Village and SoHo, where we met up with friends from college.



Trump SoHo lobby. Dress by American Living



Me and Jeremy at The Spot



Bottle service at The Spot



Trump SoHo lobby




Trump SoHo lobby. Dress by American Living

At Down the Hatch with college friends

After a well-deserved night of sleep, Jeremy and I woke up Sunday and ate lunch at a diner in his neighborhood called Schnipper's. To walk off lunch, we journeyed to Union Square, observed artists painting in the park, and watched all the NYU students walk by in their trademark boots, hiking socks, and skinny-jean shorts.



Artist painting the scene in Union Square

Then, it was time to go. I was so sad! I really could have cried. I thanked Jeremy for his hospitality and caught a cab to the station. I've got plans to move to New York after I graduate now (no matter what). This July 4th weekend was one of the best weekends of my life. I can't wait to go back!

What was YOUR last New York experience like? Leave a comment below!

Follow me on Instagram at @llbuchy to find more pictures and videos from the trip!