27 in NYC!

Last week I celebrated my 27th birthday here in NYC! It was such a fun celebration; I did the exact same thing that I did last year for my birthday. I really feel like I've cracked the code on how to have a fabulous mid-week birthday in the city that feels really special, even if it's only a Wednesday.

My day started with a delicious blueberry latte. I have been loving blueberry coffees since I went to Nitro Bar in Newport, RI in June. While I patiently keep hoping for a Nitro Bar in NYC one day, I will continue to enjoy Blank Street - I know it's basic, but I loveeee Blank Street.

Then, I had to work all day. I've been loving my current team and current project I've been on this year, so work has been - dare I say - quite enjoyable lately! The day was of course improved when Joe and I picked up flowers and tomatoes at the farmers market, and he made BLTs for lunch. Amazing.

After the work day, the fun began! I did a big apartment clean, opened my birthday cards, popped champagne, and took an everything shower to set the scene before Glamsquad came over.

I did the same thing last year and I can't recommend it enough; having Glamsquad come over for an at-home blowout is the best way to treat yourself and make your birthday feel like an extra special day. It's surprisingly not as expensive as you'd think, and having a professional do my hair in the comfort of my own home just makes me feel so pampered and chic. It instantly elevated the whole night and made the celebration feel truly fabulous. Use my link here to try Glamsquad!

I wore this stunning polka-dot dress that I rented on Pickle (listing here!) for the occasion. If you're not familiar, Pickle is a rental app that I've been loving lately for finding the perfect outfit for any occasion without having to spend a ton of money on something I might only wear once. It's like borrowing clothes from your friends closets! Here's my referral link! You can make a little money if you rent things out, and as a renter, you can save a lot. Everyone wins!

Once we were all ready to go, the first stop was Bemelman's Bar at the Carlyle Hotel. In my opinion, Bemelman's is the best bar in the city. The atmosphere is just so chic, and the live piano is fabulous. We lucked out and walked right in around 6pm— no line on a Wednesday! It was the perfect way to kick off the night; I always get the Jackie O cocktail, enjoy the little snacks and music, and admire the wallpaper. I just love it there.

After cocktails, we headed to Monkey Bar for dinner. This was the same spot Joe and I went to last year, and I was so gad we could snag a reservation again. Getting a reservation can be hard, but it's definitely possible. We had actually just landed in Italy about 3 minutes before the Resys came out, and I was very impressed that Joe managed to get on the wifi and get the reservation before they ran out!! My dad ended up being in the city for my birthday, so Joe, myself, my dad, and my bestie Katie all enjoyed dinner together. I ordered the veal milanese last year and it was so amazing, I had to have it again! I also love their whitefish caesar, and their ice cream sundae is not to be missed - especially for a birthday.

It was a night with a fabulous blowout, delicious cocktails, great company, and some of my favorite spots in the city. Here's to 27 and many more birthday celebrations just like this one! Thank you for all of the love and birthday wishes!!

xoxo