I finally put together the clips from my stay in New York City and here is the finished product! I'm so grateful for being able to spend the time I did there - they were the most magical 10 days of my life. If you want to know more about the things I got up to while I was there, check out the (almost!) daily posts under the label 'NYC'.
27.1.13
12.1.13
Whoever Said Money Can't Buy Happiness Didn't Know Where To Shop:
A Guide to 5th Avenue
What You'll Need
- an entire day in your itinerary that you can dedicate to shopping
- a shopping partner - either a similarly shoe obsessed girlfriend or a husband who won't complain about holding your bags
- Daddy's credit card
- flat (yet fashionable) shoes that won't give you blisters
Getting To 5th Avenue
To start your day off, take the N/R/Q subway to 5 Av/59 St. Emerging from the station will see you positioned next to the Pulitzer Fountain and across the street from The Plaza Hotel - exactly the place where you want to kick off a long day of shopping.
Alternatively, if your subway doesn't connect to this station, you can take the A/C/B/D/1 train to 59 St/Columbus Circle and walk East along Central Park South, or the 4/5/6 train to 59 St and stroll West to reach the same destination.
Another point I must make is how important it is to arrive early (around 10am). There's a lot of ground to cover and unless you've set aside another day to return, you need to allow yourself enough time to shop every inch of the Avenue.
Alternatively, if your subway doesn't connect to this station, you can take the A/C/B/D/1 train to 59 St/Columbus Circle and walk East along Central Park South, or the 4/5/6 train to 59 St and stroll West to reach the same destination.
Another point I must make is how important it is to arrive early (around 10am). There's a lot of ground to cover and unless you've set aside another day to return, you need to allow yourself enough time to shop every inch of the Avenue.
Plan of Attack
Start off by heading towards the Apple Store on the left hand side of the street. If the line's not too long, venture down the escalators and have a peek inside, but if you don't feel like waiting (or if there's nothing Apple branded that you need to buy) then don't worry - the contents on the inside are exactly the same as other stores around the world.
The next stop you must make is situated just behind the Apple Store and is a pleaser for both the old and the young. FAO Schwarz is the oldest toy store in the USA and is known for it's high-end toys, life sized stuffed animals, dolls and games. Whilst you're inside, make sure to give 'Chopsticks' a try on the oversized floor piano (Tom Hanks in Big anyone?) and pick up a few tasty treats from the FAO Schweetz section of the store. Don't forget to wave to the Toy Soldier at the door on your way out!
If you're a girl who loves Prada, Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent then Bergdorf Goodman is the shop for you. This luxury department store is so large that it operates on both sides of 5th Avenue, and has designer brands spread over nine different floors - a shopper's paradise. Even if you don't want to spend your entire pay check on a silk scarf, this is definitely a stop not to be missed.
Louis Vuitton, Prada, Bvlgari and Gucci are all dotted along the sidewalk, although you might have a hard time getting the doorman to let you in just to have a gander. Instead, make your way to Tiffany and Co. where you can window shop to your heart's content. You'll have a lot of fun picking out the engagement ring you want from the boyfriend you don't have!
Next door to Tiffany's is Trump Tower where you can step inside the atrium and grab a coffee from Starbucks before continuing down the street past Abercrombie and Fitch, Giorgio Armani and Harry Winston.
If you're a Gossip Girl fan, you'll remember Blair's obsession with Henri Bendel, and this is definitely a must visit store. As soon as you walk through the heavy double doors the music is pumping and the floor is bustling, adding to the ever youthful vibe. Bendel's is the perfect place to pick up gifts for friends and family back home as although it's considered a designer brand, there are loads of cute accessories that won't break the bank.
Continuing further down 5th Avenue past Pucci, Rolex, Fendi and Gap (for a more affordable option), you'll eventually reach the Rockefeller Center which, providing you have the time, is worth a stop. The view from the Top of the Rock's Observation Deck is rivalled only by that of the Empire State Building, so it's an idea to come back on another day to see the city from 850ft above the pavement.
On the corner 50th St you'll find the flagship store of Saks Fifth Avenue waiting to be explored. Although it's a competitor of other high-end retailers such as Barneys and Bloomingdales, Saks has a more relaxed feel. If you were intimidated by the snobby salespeople in Bergdorf's, you might be able to pluck up the courage to try on those designer shoes here.
As the high end section of 5th Avenue comes to an end, you can step inside more affordable stores such as Michael Kors, Aldo and Sephora to spend whatever money you may have left. Then, to finish off your day on the Avenue of Avenues, make your way to the steps of the New York Public Library for a quick photo of you and your shopping successes.
Congratulations, you did it! Hold those bags high as you strut back to your hotel, acting every bit the 5th Avenue Fashionista you now are. Pop a few Band-Aids on those aching heels and don't think too much about the money you spent - after all, you only shop 5th Avenue once... Until you shop it again.
The next stop you must make is situated just behind the Apple Store and is a pleaser for both the old and the young. FAO Schwarz is the oldest toy store in the USA and is known for it's high-end toys, life sized stuffed animals, dolls and games. Whilst you're inside, make sure to give 'Chopsticks' a try on the oversized floor piano (Tom Hanks in Big anyone?) and pick up a few tasty treats from the FAO Schweetz section of the store. Don't forget to wave to the Toy Soldier at the door on your way out!
If you're a girl who loves Prada, Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent then Bergdorf Goodman is the shop for you. This luxury department store is so large that it operates on both sides of 5th Avenue, and has designer brands spread over nine different floors - a shopper's paradise. Even if you don't want to spend your entire pay check on a silk scarf, this is definitely a stop not to be missed.
Louis Vuitton, Prada, Bvlgari and Gucci are all dotted along the sidewalk, although you might have a hard time getting the doorman to let you in just to have a gander. Instead, make your way to Tiffany and Co. where you can window shop to your heart's content. You'll have a lot of fun picking out the engagement ring you want from the boyfriend you don't have!
Next door to Tiffany's is Trump Tower where you can step inside the atrium and grab a coffee from Starbucks before continuing down the street past Abercrombie and Fitch, Giorgio Armani and Harry Winston.
If you're a Gossip Girl fan, you'll remember Blair's obsession with Henri Bendel, and this is definitely a must visit store. As soon as you walk through the heavy double doors the music is pumping and the floor is bustling, adding to the ever youthful vibe. Bendel's is the perfect place to pick up gifts for friends and family back home as although it's considered a designer brand, there are loads of cute accessories that won't break the bank.
On the corner 50th St you'll find the flagship store of Saks Fifth Avenue waiting to be explored. Although it's a competitor of other high-end retailers such as Barneys and Bloomingdales, Saks has a more relaxed feel. If you were intimidated by the snobby salespeople in Bergdorf's, you might be able to pluck up the courage to try on those designer shoes here.
As the high end section of 5th Avenue comes to an end, you can step inside more affordable stores such as Michael Kors, Aldo and Sephora to spend whatever money you may have left. Then, to finish off your day on the Avenue of Avenues, make your way to the steps of the New York Public Library for a quick photo of you and your shopping successes.
Congratulations, you did it! Hold those bags high as you strut back to your hotel, acting every bit the 5th Avenue Fashionista you now are. Pop a few Band-Aids on those aching heels and don't think too much about the money you spent - after all, you only shop 5th Avenue once... Until you shop it again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)