an empire state of mind -- day two.

My second day in New York was full of fun but was sadly a little short on photos, seeing as I spent the majority of it away from my mom -- who, as I've mentioned, is probably the greatest vacation photographer ever. Some of these photos, therefore, are borrowed from the pros and are credited as such. My pal Catherine came into the city from New Jersey and took me around to all of her favorite places -- and I do in fact mean ALL of them.

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We started with the 5th Avenue area to drool in some windows and to see Bloomingdale's before taking the subway over to the Fashion Institute of Technology museum in Chelsea to see the current exhibition on iconic day and night fashion through the last 250 years. It was absolutely gorgeous but too dark to take photos, so the online exhibition can be seen here.

We then headed over to Macy's because I'd begged Cath to take me to see it before grabbing lunch and heading down to Union Square and through Washington Square Park. We proceeded to wander for awhile before stopping at Crumbs for some absolutely delectable cupcakes (I got vanilla with vanilla frosting and sprinkles -- boring, but SO delicious).

After taking a pair of sparkling lemonades for the road, we explored the Village for awhile (it was the day of NYU's graduation so it was CRAZY!) before coming to what I now refer to as The Promised Land -- the Marc Jacobs "Stuff" accessory store on Bleecker Street.


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This is possibly my new favorite place in the world. Filled with keychains, wallets, T-shirts, umbrellas, canvas bags, jewelry, and much, much more, this tiny and unassuming shop is a budget fashionista's dream. I scooped up some lovely items that will no doubt be showing up here soon.

We cabbed it over to Broadway and Spring where I was introduced to a beautiful, beautiful thing -- Madewell. There isn't one in or near Minneapolis and I was immediately enamored with the shop. Thankfully, the online store is coming soon, or I honestly might die. We continued through Free People (and, yes, I did purchase some of the absolutely gorgeous jewelry that I've been fawning over) and the biggest Urban Outfitters I've ever seen before making a final stop at an Au Bon Pain for a smoked chicken and mozzarella sandwich before jumping back on the subway.

Cath got off to transfer to Penn Station but I continued on to Carnegie Hall, where selected members of the Notre Dame Concert Band (read: Noah Franske!) would be performing.

I met my parents in our little box and I must say that this theater is absolutely STUNNING. Everything about it was incredibly intricate and beautiful; pictures do it no justice. We settled into our seats for the band's flawless performance (Regis Philbin is an alumni and conducted the last song -- he's my new favorite person; he's hysterical) before meeting Noah outside.

Anthropologie earrings and top, Longchamp bag, Aerie camisole, Hollister cardigan

Leaving Noah with his friends, my parents and I popped over to Cafe Lalo for a quick dessert -- "You've Got Mail" is my mom's favorite movie and she insists on stopping every time we go to Manhattan. I'm not complaining. Mmmmm.

Free People bracelet, Citizens of Humanity jeans

We finally hurried back to the hotel in a failed attempt to avoid the rain -- good thing I bought that Marc Jacobs umbrella, no?

xxoo Josie
Thanks to New York Magazine and the Shophound for the photos.