New York City, where do I begin? The love affair first started in 2011 when I traveled out to see my brother in Manhattan. It was pure luck that my trip was during New York Fashion Week and he lived a stones throw from the Lincoln Center so I was able to scope out the scene. Although the city is HUGE, I never felt intimidated. I felt like I was meant to move there and I couldn’t wait to take it all in. Before I even consider the possibility of moving to this city, I would definitely need to find an apartment to live in. There are so many different places that I love spending my time at during my visits to New York that I think it would be hard for me to narrow down my choices on where to live. I would just like to find somewhere that has access to public transport as this will allow me to easily travel around the city. If I do end up moving here permanently, I’ll probably end up staying with my brother during fashion week anyway so I am close to all of the action. I can’t wait to start exploring the city again. As I start exploring the city, I might decide what area of New York I want to move to. I’ve heard that the upper east side of New York is a nice place to live, so maybe I’ll look into some apartments in the area. My friend was telling me to look at this site for apartments. Maybe I’ll spend some time looking for apartments later on.

The best decision I made my first trip out was staying with New Yorkers, they have little to no patience for sight seeing types of activities so rather than spending my days taking the tourist route I was able to enjoy a much more underground experience. Brunch at The Red Rooster in Harlem, Fashion’s Night Out at Dior on 5th, martinis on the roof of the SoHo House, a full day at The Met and a walk on the High-Line filled my calendar with everything that is New York. Perhaps that is why I fell in love. The ever enticing hustle and bustle of city life co-mingled with a brief glimpse into what life could be like living there. Whatever it was, I couldn’t wait to go back.

On my next trip out I was on cloud 9, I had been selected by IMG to work as a volunteer in production at the tents during Fashion Week. I had also just bought a Nikon and was eager to go Bill Cunningham on the Big Apple in my spare time. Luck struck again because I happened to sit next to an incredible photographer named Chea and she shared some really great tips with me before we parted ways.

{Spoiler alert: Chea, the photographer I happened to sit next to, happened to sit next to me on the way home. We kept in touch and began working together, she is now the co-author of the personal style book I am writing. Now 4 years later Chea and I were able to meet in the city for this round of fashion week and shot at some really great locations.}

I now feel like somewhat of a native because after moving my way up the ladder and have 6 seasons of fashion week under my belt, I have become quite at home in the city that never sleeps. That being said, there is always something new to see or experience and this trip was no exception. Thanks to Chea, I finally made it to the Top of the Rock. I would never really think standing at the top of the Rockefeller Center, on Valentine’s Day, in the midst of freezing temps could be fun…but there was something totally magical about that day and the view.

This trip I also made it to Chanel on Spring Street which holds a special place in my heart. Daria Werbowy graced the Fall/Winter ads for in 2005 at this location and the mix of classic Chanel and a grungy street embodies the soul of Chic & Disheveled. I framed that ad over 10 years ago and it has hung in my home ever since. I never thought I would be so excited to see a grafitti covered trash can, but hey…different strokes, right?!

Though I love New York, this trip I came to the realization that our love affair is just that, an affair. I can handle it in small doses but living it day in and day out is a whole other story. As Graham Greene said in his book The End of the Affair “I measured love by the extent of my jealousy.” In other words, the grass isn’t really greener, I just thought it would be. In reality, I love the feel of big city life but New York’s weather is just too temperamental for me to live there on the daily..yes I’m serious. Now that I have lived in California for 7 months I have realized I crave sunshine, warm climates and the beach to stay grounded. To that end, the Big Apple will always hold a special place in my heart, but we will always remain unfinished business.

{Outfit photos by Chea Lamb of Coco Chandell // All other images by me with the good ole’ iPhone}