New York Travel Guide: Souvenir Shopping

We had such a fun time finding New York themed trinkets throughout the city to bring back. We didn't want to spend crazy money, but wanted cute reminders to sprinkle throughout our home from our visit. Here's a few places where we found some perfect souvenirs! 

Chelsea Market

This was such a fun market to visit, there was lots of food and shopping! It was our first day in New York, so I was hesitant to buy any souvenirs and now I'm regretting it. Might have to buy a Chelsea Market bag online ;) 

Chinatown

This is the place to wheel and deal! We took cash and got a bunch of postcards for less than a dollar each. We saw the same exact postcards in Times Square for $2 each! 

Times Square

This is a "no duh" suggestion on my list. We ended up getting NY hats from the Lids store in Times Square, and walked around! They have the most touristy souvenir options. 

9/11 Memorial Museum 

I snagged my Alex and Ani NYC bracelet here, and Ryan grabbed 'The Survivor Tree' magnet for his office. Here's the story on The Survivor Tree at 9/11's Memorial. 

Fishes Eddy

This is an adorable dishware store in the Flatiron District, that my friend Amelia suggested. Everything was SO dang cute! I got this plate, 2 New York themed dish towels, and some New York Skyline Magnets for the fridge. 

Old Navy on 34th

I know it's probably weird to suggest Old Navy as a place to get souvenirs, but they have city specific t-shirts that were adorable and under $12! They aren't available online, so we hit up the location on 34th, closest to Times Square and each got a couple of t-shirts. I didn't want the overpriced basic "I <3 NY" shirt, so this was a great cute/affordable option. 

Here are some online options to snag before you go!

Gap: City Graphic Crewneck 

Old Navy: Coast to Coast Tee

AEO: Colorful New York Crewneck // Heather Grey NY Tee // Brooklyn Bridge Tee // Empire State of Mind Tee

Abercrombie: Brooklyn, New York City Tee

Dewy + Hydrating Spring Makeup Routine

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, INC. and The Coca-Cola Company, all opinions are mine alone. #InspiredHydration #CollectiveBias

Did you know that drinking enough water is essential to your skincare routine? Gosh, I have such a hard time meeting that daily quota but I'm doing my best! My go-to pure & crisp drink is smartwater®, which I pick up from Target while I'm doing one of my weekly Target strolls :) 

With springtime on the horizon, I love all the fresh flowers and sunshine outside. It inspires me to wear brighter colors, make flower arrangements, and serves as a reminder to keep my skin and body hydrated! Snag the 6-pack smartwater from Target and pick up some makeup while you're there so you can follow my hydrating & dewy springtime makeup tutorial! 

Makeup Shopping List

Moisturizer (preferably with SPF)

Hydrating skin primer

Foundation with SPF

Mauve creamy matte lipstick

Neutral makeup palette

Golden-pink blush

Volumizing mascara

Golden face highlighter

Glitter liquid eyeshadow (I picked up a rose gold shade)

Makeup finishing spray

smartwater

1. Hydrate!

Gotta hydrate your skin with a moisturizer that seeps into the skin, and has SPF to protect your biggest asset! Make sure to grab some vapor distilled smartwater to hydrate yourself as well :) 

2. Prime your skin & use beauty blender to apply foundation

I use an illuminizing primer all over to make my skin look dewy and fresh. Then use a damp beauty blender to apply your favorite foundation with SPF all over your face. You'll pat the foundation into your skin so it has more staying power. 

3. Highlight browbone & inner corners on eyes

Use your favorite neutral eyeshadow palette for the next couple of steps. I used a light shimmery pink  to highlight my browbone and the inner corner. 

4. Deepen the crease 

Use a fluffy brush and find a warm brown tone on your palette, then apply that to the crease. Lightly go back and forth along the crease then use the windshield wiper motion and go upwards to blend and 'smoke out'. 

5. Glitter the lids!

My favorite part! This rose gold formula is pretty creamy, so I applied directly to my lids and then patted with my ring finger to blend into the crease. The shimmer gives the illusion of being wet, which is perfect for this hydrating makeup routine. 

6. Highlight your pretty face

Finish your face makeup with more pretty shimmery highlight! Spring is all about being bright, shimmery and happy ;) Apply this to your upper cheekbones, down the center of your nose, and along the Cupid's bow. You want the high points of your face to be reflective and gorgeous! 

7. Blush it up

I picked up a golden-pink blush that would look good on any skin tone! Smile, and apply lightly to the apples of your cheeks with a fluffy brush. 

8. Apply your lippie

With how much shimmer and glitz I have going everywhere else, I toned it down with the lipstick choice. I picked up a creamy matte mauve shade that will complement the other shades I've used, while still adding some dimension.

9. Lashes & finishing spray!

Finish with a dewy finishing spray, and your favorite volumizing mascara! This look is perfect for any spring occasion, I'll be wearing this on vacation to go bike in Central Park in NY :) 

10. Hydrate with smartwater!

While wearing this look in Central Park, I'll need to bring my smartwater so I can hydrate during the sunny day. 

Where would you wear this look? Where would you bring your smartwater to hydrate?

Bell Sleeves in Spring

I found this dress at Nordstrom Rack and fell in loooove with it! The white lace and bell sleeves make it absolutely perfect for spring! I wore it as my Easter dress for church and paired with with my pastel Steve Madden purse for the best spring combo :)

We had some friends (@tashbabe12 and @thebeardedcamper) drop by some Easter bunny Rice Krispies at our house and had to take pics before me and Ryan gobbled them up! So dang cute.

Dress: Eliza J via Nordstrom Rack (similar, similar, similar)

Purse: Steve Madden via TJMaxx

Shoes: Hinge via Nordstrom

Ettika bracelet c/o Shop Glamerella