Hey everyone!
Fall has officially arrived in New York City, and in true NYC fashion, it made its entrance with dramatic flair! One day we were enjoying the last warm rays of summer on rooftops, and literally overnight, the weather did a complete 180. We went from sunny and pleasant to four straight days of non-stop rain. It was as if the city said, «You wanted fall? Well, here you go!»
But today, the sun finally decided to make an appearance again, and I couldn’t have picked a better day for the experience I’m about to share with you! If you’re reading this, you might have already watched the vlog (embedded below), but I wanted to dive deeper into the experience and share some additional thoughts that didn’t make it into the video.
Tea Around Town: A Unique NYC Experience
When «Tea Around Town» reached out to invite me to their experience, I was immediately intrigued. I’m a big believer in playing tourist in your own city—something I’ll be discussing more in an upcoming post! None of my friends were available, so I convinced my husband to join me (he typically skips these kinds of outings), and I’m so glad he did because we had an absolute blast!
The concept is simple yet genius: you board a one or two-story bus that takes you around Manhattan while you enjoy a traditional afternoon tea service. For 90 minutes, we sipped on various teas and coffees while indulging in a delightful assortment of sweet and savory treats. There were macarons, tiny sandwiches, pastries, and small cakes—truly something for everyone.
What made the experience special was the combination of sightseeing and dining. Instead of sitting in a restaurant, you get to take in the vibrant energy of New York City through the windows while enjoying your tea service. It’s multitasking at its finest!
This would be perfect for so many occasions:
- Celebrating birthdays or anniversaries
- Hosting out-of-town visitors who want something beyond the typical tourist activities
- Bridal showers (there was a group doing exactly this on our tour!)
- Or simply treating yourself to a unique afternoon experience
If you’re interested in trying it yourself, I’ve included my discount code at the end of this post. It’s definitely worth checking out!
The Dramatic Shift to Fall
Before diving into my shoe haul, I want to talk about how drastically the season changed here in NYC. As someone who’s lived through many seasonal transitions in this city, I’m always amazed at how New York never does anything subtly.
September 23rd marked the official start of fall in the Northern Hemisphere, and nature decided to take that date very seriously. The sunny, warm days disappeared overnight, replaced by dark, gray skies and relentless rain that lasted for four full days. Anyone who ventured outside got completely soaked within minutes.
But that’s what makes New York special, isn’t it? The city keeps you on your toes, never letting you get too comfortable with one season before throwing you headfirst into the next. And honestly, after a long, hot summer, I was ready for the change—even if it meant digging out my rain boots a little sooner than expected!
My Fall Shoe Collection 2023
With the weather finally cooling down, I’m excited to transition my wardrobe to fall, starting with shoes! I received some amazing new pairs that I couldn’t wait to share with you all.
Franco Sarto Boots
First up are these stunning olive green boots from Franco Sarto. I received them during Fashion Week, but it was honestly too hot to wear them then (if you watched my Fashion Week vlog, you know what I mean!). What makes these boots special is their classic silhouette with a heel, but in a unique olive green color instead of the typical black. They’ll pair perfectly with jeans, black pants, or even dresses throughout fall and winter.
I also got a pair of Mary Jane shoes from Franco Sarto that I briefly mentioned in my previous video. They’re absolutely adorable and will be perfect for those days when I want something stylish but comfortable.
VIVAIA Boots
The next brand I’m excited about is VIVAIA. If you’ve been following me for a while, you might remember when I showed their summer styles a couple of months ago. For fall/winter, they sent me two incredibly unique pairs:
The first pair looks almost like socks with a proper heel and sole! They’re in this beautiful cream color that I don’t have in my collection yet. The ankle area is reinforced, which prevents dirt from getting through while maintaining that sock-like appearance. They’re perfect for those early fall days when it’s not quite cold enough for heavy boots.
The second pair has me absolutely obsessed—look at that green heel! But what makes these truly special is that they’re waterproof. After experiencing those four days of non-stop rain, I can appreciate how valuable waterproof footwear is in this city! They’ll be perfect for the day after rain when there are still puddles everywhere, or during light drizzles when I don’t want to ruin my leather shoes.
For those of you in NYC, VIVAIA is actually opening a pop-up store soon, so be sure to check the details I’ve included at the end of this post!
Dr. Martens
Finally, I received two new pairs from Dr. Martens. I’ve been a fan of this brand for over a decade now, buying my first pair about 12-13 years ago. These days, I’m fortunate enough to work with them occasionally, receiving new styles for Fashion Week and seasonal transitions.
The first pair are mid-calf boots with a zipper for easy wear. The chunky sole is perfect for navigating NYC’s not-always-pristine sidewalks, especially during winter. If you’ve lived in New York, you know exactly what I’m talking about!
The second pair are loafers with a reinforced back area, which is a godsend for anyone who’s suffered through breaking in new shoes. I typically get blisters in that area, so this softer, reinforced design is a welcome feature.
I usually wear loafers with jeans, but I’m challenging myself to step outside my comfort zone this season. I’m thinking of pairing them with white socks and skirts or dresses for that preppy, schoolgirl aesthetic that’s so popular right now. It’s a look I always admire on others but haven’t quite had the confidence to try myself—until now!
Reflections on Three Years of Content Creation
Can you believe that next month marks three years since I started this channel? It’s been such an incredible journey, and I’m working on a special video to celebrate this milestone. I’ll be reflecting on my experiences so far and sharing my plans for the future.
I’d love to hear from you—whether you’ve been here since day one or just discovered my content recently. What do you enjoy most about the channel? What made you hit that subscribe button? Your feedback helps me create content that resonates with you, so please share your thoughts in the comments!
Looking Forward to October
As September comes to a close, I’m excited for everything October has in store. Beyond celebrating my channel’s anniversary, I’m looking forward to fully embracing all things fall in New York City—from leaf-peeping in Central Park to trying all the pumpkin-flavored treats the city has to offer.
Stay tuned for more NYC adventures, style inspiration, and lifestyle content coming your way. And if you haven’t already, hit that subscribe button so you don’t miss out!
Until next time,
Flor.
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