In New York, you're always looking for a job, apartment or boyfriend. In my case, apartment hunting was really difficult for me.
Moving in New York:
Moving in New York is so difficult. Carrie Bradshaw once said " In New York, you’re always looking for a job, apartment or a boyfriend." Its so true, and finding a apartment in New York is HELL! It is so difficult. Neighborhood pricing is confusing now because of gentrification. Neighborhoods that were once affordable to live in are ridiculously priced. Apartments are getting smaller, and all of these "affordable housing opportunities" that are reported in the News and in politics are bogus. They have all of these buildings being built and promoting them as "affordable housing" but in reality they are 95% condos for the rich, and the other 5% are sorted out through a lottery system.
Apartment Search
So theres many websites and advertisements for apartment searches, but which ones should you trust?I have used almost all the sites and i am here to tell you what to expect.
Out of all the sites, i have noticed I've had the most positive experience with Street Easy . It gives you the option for "NO FEE" apartments. No fee means you don't have to pay a broker fee, but you still might have to work with a broker or pay a application fee. Brokers are very hard to trust. Please read over their reviews, and make sure that their agency is legit. Before signing anything, please read it over carefully. Do NOT give a deposit without a receipt and making sure that you love the apartment. Please avoid Craigslist!! I do not trust them! Anyone can post and it is not safe!!!
Before moving, check to see what trains are near, if there is a supermarket and laundry near by, and most importantly meet your super!!
Don't feel rushed! If the apartment doesn't feel right, continue to search. The worst thing is to get stuck in a lease, somewhere that you aren't comfortable.
Here is a list of other trust worthy websites:
https://www.zillow.com/
https://www.nakedapartments.com/
Here is a list of brokers and agents that i trust:
Steven Martinez, Email- smartinez@corcoran.com
Mike Elder, Virtual Real Estate, Website- http://virtualrealestatenyc.com/
Moving Day
Okay, so fast forward a few months of looking for a apartment, we finally found a place we liked. It isn't going to be a long term place, but it is definitely a cute apartment. After signing the lease, we had a little less than two weeks to move, and get everything settled. So it was crunch time, we wanted to get the furniture.
One thing i would change, is that i wish we shopped around more. Please don't buy everything in the first store you walk in lol. We only check two stores before buying our furniture.
Furniture Stores
We bought most of our furniture from Raymour and Flanigan . We Felt like they had the best pricing, shipping cost and they didn't bother us while we were shopping. They have great quality items, and you can get a good price!
A big turnoff for me while I'm shopping, is if someone starts to follow us and constantly ask if we need help. It makes me very uncomfortable, and most likely i wont buy from them.
Bobs Furniture had a some great deals, but the sales people we met were rude, and kept following us so we decided to leave. We even thought, it might just be that location, so we went to a different one and it was the same experience. I think management puts pressure on them to make sales, or something but it wasn't a fun shopping experience. If you don't mind bad customer service, then check them out because they had good deals.
Also check out:
WAY FAIR
Overstock
MACYS
Support local businesses as well. We walked around bigger neighborhoods as well to shop for smaller things like our coffee table, chairs, lamps, and ottomans.
Let the fun begin....
Now that we have all the furniture, it is time for the fun part.. DECORATING!! I have already started creating themes for the rooms, and using my pinterest pins lol Stay tuned for some decor ideas and pictures of some of the apartment!!
xoxo,
Loralyee
The most popular gifts under $30 for women & men!
Does everyone still stuff their stockings??
My favorite gifts are the small stocking stuffers. Ever since i was a little girl, my mom would put all my Hanukkah gifts in my Mickey stocking. (Mixed family traditions lol). I think i was more excited to open the little gifts in the stocking then the big ones.
As the holidays come around i know everyone is shopping and going crazy finding the perfect gift. I want to help!! Since i love shopping so much i have a lot of experience finding the perfect small gifts.
If you are looking for a gift for a secret Santa, or a small gift for a friend, here are my favorite gifts under $30.
1) A popular gift this year is bath bombs!
They are so unique and perfect for a friend or secret santa. My favorite ones are the Pearl Ring Bombs. Just imagine your friend taking a bath with a bath bomb and a container with a ring falls out. This is such a unique gift!! If you don't want one with a ring, LUSH has some amazing scents! Men would love them as well.
2)Bath and Body have these amazing Aromatherapy lotions and body wash sets. They are perfect for either women or men. My absolute favorite is the sleeping one. It is filled with lavender and cedarwood. They also have men scents which are good for a male in your life.
3) WHO IS A HARRY POTTER FAN?? I absolutely love Harry Potter!! Alex and Ani has created a new collection just for us Harry lovers lol. If you aren't a Harry Potter fan, Alex and Ani is the perfect gift for a secret Santa or friend. They look amazing alone or even better stacked up together! I personally have about 30 and i keep collecting lol. They have different sections for different personalities. A Fan, The Fashion Forward, The Humanitarian. There's one for everyone in your life.
4) Okay, so i wanted to keep this one a secret because it is so amazing, but i have to share lol. Walgreen's and other pharmacies have these Amazing Perfume Body Spray Collections that are only $7!!!! that's right only $7!!!! They are real! They last all day!! I am obsessed!! I want to collect them all!! You can get a variety of them!! They have all the popular ones too, The Rihanna Nude is my favorite but they have the Vince Camuto, Paris Hilton, Giorgio Red and many more.
For the men in your life they have Curve Men, Sean Jean, Kenneth Cole, and many more.
5) Confession time!! I am a PJ hoarder lol I collect pjs and i never throw them out. Idk why i just get attached to all my PJS! Every year for Christmas my mom and i get matching pjs. It has been a tradition for as long as i can remember, and guess what? I have kept all of them lol. Anyway... PJS Are one of my favorite gifts to get for people. Everyone wears pjs and socks!!! OLD NAVY has $5 PJS right now!!!!!! If you don't like any of those, KMART always has a good selection for buy one get one. Check it out!!
6) Okay so i heard through the grape vine that the Amazon Fire Stick can be hacked and you can watch anything with it!! I personally haven't tried it but i know so many people that have and it is amazing!! This is a great gift for anyone who likes TV and Movies. Even without it being hacked, it is a great way to watch things.
7) 2017 is almost over!! Its been one hell of a year!! A great way to say goodbye to it is with a 2018 Planner! My absolute favorite one is a Life Planner from Erin Condren It can be customized with your name, quotes, and comes with so many stickers and bookmarks. It is the perfect gift to get someone organized for the new year, and hey get one for yourself too!!!
8) At my age, almost everyone i know loves WINE! A bottle of wine can be a great gift for a friend or loved one but a personal bottle of wine is the best. At PERSONAL WINE, you can purchase a custom wine bottle or even just the label to put on their favorite wine! Check it out!!
9) Now this gift is over $30 but it is such a great gift. This generation takes so many pictures on their phones, and never get them printed. Getting them a Instant Polaroid camera can be a game changer!! It is the perfect gift for a selfie lover as well because it has a front camera. Men and women would both love it.
10) SHOTSS! Now I'm not a drinker but i know so many people our age are. LIQS is a portable cocktail shot already mixed. They have 5 flavors like Whiskey Firebomb and Vodka Lemon Drop. You can get two packs for $15. They are perfect to bring to a holiday party or a gift for a friend.
Everyone enjoy your shopping, be safe and remember that holidays aren't just about gifts. Spend time with your loved ones, and make memories that will last forever.
xoxo,
Loralyee
My favorite gifts are the small stocking stuffers. Ever since i was a little girl, my mom would put all my Hanukkah gifts in my Mickey stocking. (Mixed family traditions lol). I think i was more excited to open the little gifts in the stocking then the big ones.
As the holidays come around i know everyone is shopping and going crazy finding the perfect gift. I want to help!! Since i love shopping so much i have a lot of experience finding the perfect small gifts.
If you are looking for a gift for a secret Santa, or a small gift for a friend, here are my favorite gifts under $30.
1) A popular gift this year is bath bombs!
They are so unique and perfect for a friend or secret santa. My favorite ones are the Pearl Ring Bombs. Just imagine your friend taking a bath with a bath bomb and a container with a ring falls out. This is such a unique gift!! If you don't want one with a ring, LUSH has some amazing scents! Men would love them as well.
2)Bath and Body have these amazing Aromatherapy lotions and body wash sets. They are perfect for either women or men. My absolute favorite is the sleeping one. It is filled with lavender and cedarwood. They also have men scents which are good for a male in your life.
3) WHO IS A HARRY POTTER FAN?? I absolutely love Harry Potter!! Alex and Ani has created a new collection just for us Harry lovers lol. If you aren't a Harry Potter fan, Alex and Ani is the perfect gift for a secret Santa or friend. They look amazing alone or even better stacked up together! I personally have about 30 and i keep collecting lol. They have different sections for different personalities. A Fan, The Fashion Forward, The Humanitarian. There's one for everyone in your life.
4) Okay, so i wanted to keep this one a secret because it is so amazing, but i have to share lol. Walgreen's and other pharmacies have these Amazing Perfume Body Spray Collections that are only $7!!!! that's right only $7!!!! They are real! They last all day!! I am obsessed!! I want to collect them all!! You can get a variety of them!! They have all the popular ones too, The Rihanna Nude is my favorite but they have the Vince Camuto, Paris Hilton, Giorgio Red and many more.
For the men in your life they have Curve Men, Sean Jean, Kenneth Cole, and many more.
5) Confession time!! I am a PJ hoarder lol I collect pjs and i never throw them out. Idk why i just get attached to all my PJS! Every year for Christmas my mom and i get matching pjs. It has been a tradition for as long as i can remember, and guess what? I have kept all of them lol. Anyway... PJS Are one of my favorite gifts to get for people. Everyone wears pjs and socks!!! OLD NAVY has $5 PJS right now!!!!!! If you don't like any of those, KMART always has a good selection for buy one get one. Check it out!!
6) Okay so i heard through the grape vine that the Amazon Fire Stick can be hacked and you can watch anything with it!! I personally haven't tried it but i know so many people that have and it is amazing!! This is a great gift for anyone who likes TV and Movies. Even without it being hacked, it is a great way to watch things.
7) 2017 is almost over!! Its been one hell of a year!! A great way to say goodbye to it is with a 2018 Planner! My absolute favorite one is a Life Planner from Erin Condren It can be customized with your name, quotes, and comes with so many stickers and bookmarks. It is the perfect gift to get someone organized for the new year, and hey get one for yourself too!!!
8) At my age, almost everyone i know loves WINE! A bottle of wine can be a great gift for a friend or loved one but a personal bottle of wine is the best. At PERSONAL WINE, you can purchase a custom wine bottle or even just the label to put on their favorite wine! Check it out!!
9) Now this gift is over $30 but it is such a great gift. This generation takes so many pictures on their phones, and never get them printed. Getting them a Instant Polaroid camera can be a game changer!! It is the perfect gift for a selfie lover as well because it has a front camera. Men and women would both love it.
10) SHOTSS! Now I'm not a drinker but i know so many people our age are. LIQS is a portable cocktail shot already mixed. They have 5 flavors like Whiskey Firebomb and Vodka Lemon Drop. You can get two packs for $15. They are perfect to bring to a holiday party or a gift for a friend.
Everyone enjoy your shopping, be safe and remember that holidays aren't just about gifts. Spend time with your loved ones, and make memories that will last forever.
xoxo,
Loralyee
New York’s magical holidays
New York is the most festive place to be during the holidays. IT is so magical!! I fall in love with New York every holiday season. From the pop up markets, the shows, to the decorated restaurants with unique holiday drinks. The flashing lights everywhere light up the city more then ever before. There's no place i rather be! As a blogger, i am always thinking of fun places to go to take pictures. During the holidays in the city, it is always crowded, so its best to just be in the moment and make memories with my loved ones. I will post some fun pictures and videos on my Instagram story (@Loralyee) and i will add some more to the list as time goes on but for now let me give you a teaser lol.
I have celebrated the holidays in New York every year, so i might be biased. Let me tell you all the fun things to do, and you can decide!!!
Here are my top 10 favorite holiday festivities and activities!!
#1 is my favorite of all! SHOPPING!! The Union Square Holiday Market is one of my favorite places to go during the holidays. It is so fun to walk through and shop!!! All the vendors are small business owners, so it is the perfect time to support local businesses!! Since i have been going for so long, my first stop is always the candle makers, then i walk through, get a nice cup of Hot Cocoa and enjoy the rest of the stroll. Some other fun markets to walk through are Bryant Park Holiday Shops and Columbus Circle Holiday Market.
#2 SHOWS!!!!! This one is a old tradition but worth it!! If you lived in New York and you haven't seen The Rockettes Christmas Spectacular then you aren't a true New Yorker! I have been going since i was a little girl. It is the perfect show for all ages!! Make sure you shop around for tickets, i heard Groupon has a sale!! If you have already seen The Rockettes too many times, i would recommend some other fun shows like; How the Grinch Stole Christmas The Musical or my absolute favorite Elf The Musical . Both of these shows are perfect for the family or even just for a date!!
#3 HOT COCOA! This year i tasted one of the best hot cocoas ever!!!! You have to try BAITA at Eataly The Boozy Hot Cocoa is so yummy and the decor in this cozy rooftop restaurant is so cute!! I recommend making reservations if you want to eat. If you just want the Cocoa, just go and sit at the bar! Believe me you wont be disappointed!!
#4 LIGHTS!!! According to Time Out Magazine "Out of all the yuletide razzle-dazzle NYC has to offer, the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights 2017 display is by far the most spectacular." Go Check It Out!!! All of the people in these homes work so hard to decorate the neighborhood. You can even play a game and vote for the best house!!!
#5 DRINKING! Have you ever walked around NYC and saw a bunch of Santa's strolling around? I promise most of them are on the naughty list lol. ( Just kidding) It was probably Santa Con, one of the most fun days in New York. A bunch of New Yorkers dress up in holiday outfits and go bar hopping around the city. Check out the Santa Con website for the most popular bars. This year it is December 9th starting at 10:00am.
#6 ICE SKATING!! Do you like to "LET IT GOOO" on the ice? I defiantly don't! lol i am the worst ice skater because i am so scared to fall in!! Buttt.. for those who love to ice skate here are two ice skating rings in the city. Bryant Park Ice skating is the most popular, be prepared for a long line.. but once you are inside the view is breathtaking!! You can see the tree and many more amazing decorations. The second one is the newest but it is so cute for kids. The Rink At Brookfield Place They have little animals they can push to hold their balance on the ice! The view is the water and it is so beautiful.
#7 TRAINS! I hate New York City Trains but I'll make a exception for The Holiday Train Show @ The Botanical Gardens It is so beautiful and Festive. It is also perfect for the family. I recommend checking the schedule online before going.
#8 POP UP BAR-- Miracle on 9th street is a Christmas Cocktail pop up bar. It is so delicious and a perfect place to hang out with the girls. I would recommend going early because it does get packed!!! Try the Bad Santa or the Jingle Ball Nog!!!
#9 Holiday Cruise-- Cocoa and Carols Holiday Cruise is a must do! Its a warm and cozy cruise tailored for friends, family, and all your loved ones during the Holiday Season. Step inside this toasty solarium in full holiday decor for a 1.75 hour cruise to see the New York City lights. Delicious Hot Cocoa, Cookies, and live music. Its perfect for a tourist or even a New Yorker that wants to admire their city.
#10 Holiday Windows- Everyone knows that Macy's has a beautiful display every year for the holidays, But there are so many more amazing holidays window displays that are worth checking out. If you walk down 5th avenue from the 50s all the way down you will see some amazing displays. Some of my favorites are Barney's, Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Tiffany & Co. They are a perfect place to take pictures or just stand and appreciate the views.
I hope you all enjoyed this list!! Stay tuned for pictures and videos of myself exploring the city. I hope you are enjoying #loralyess25daysofchristmas Stay tuned for my TOP 10 favorite festive restaurants and more holiday fun.
XoXo,
Loralyee
I have celebrated the holidays in New York every year, so i might be biased. Let me tell you all the fun things to do, and you can decide!!!
Here are my top 10 favorite holiday festivities and activities!!
#1 is my favorite of all! SHOPPING!! The Union Square Holiday Market is one of my favorite places to go during the holidays. It is so fun to walk through and shop!!! All the vendors are small business owners, so it is the perfect time to support local businesses!! Since i have been going for so long, my first stop is always the candle makers, then i walk through, get a nice cup of Hot Cocoa and enjoy the rest of the stroll. Some other fun markets to walk through are Bryant Park Holiday Shops and Columbus Circle Holiday Market.
#2 SHOWS!!!!! This one is a old tradition but worth it!! If you lived in New York and you haven't seen The Rockettes Christmas Spectacular then you aren't a true New Yorker! I have been going since i was a little girl. It is the perfect show for all ages!! Make sure you shop around for tickets, i heard Groupon has a sale!! If you have already seen The Rockettes too many times, i would recommend some other fun shows like; How the Grinch Stole Christmas The Musical or my absolute favorite Elf The Musical . Both of these shows are perfect for the family or even just for a date!!
#3 HOT COCOA! This year i tasted one of the best hot cocoas ever!!!! You have to try BAITA at Eataly The Boozy Hot Cocoa is so yummy and the decor in this cozy rooftop restaurant is so cute!! I recommend making reservations if you want to eat. If you just want the Cocoa, just go and sit at the bar! Believe me you wont be disappointed!!
#4 LIGHTS!!! According to Time Out Magazine "Out of all the yuletide razzle-dazzle NYC has to offer, the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights 2017 display is by far the most spectacular." Go Check It Out!!! All of the people in these homes work so hard to decorate the neighborhood. You can even play a game and vote for the best house!!!
#5 DRINKING! Have you ever walked around NYC and saw a bunch of Santa's strolling around? I promise most of them are on the naughty list lol. ( Just kidding) It was probably Santa Con, one of the most fun days in New York. A bunch of New Yorkers dress up in holiday outfits and go bar hopping around the city. Check out the Santa Con website for the most popular bars. This year it is December 9th starting at 10:00am.
#6 ICE SKATING!! Do you like to "LET IT GOOO" on the ice? I defiantly don't! lol i am the worst ice skater because i am so scared to fall in!! Buttt.. for those who love to ice skate here are two ice skating rings in the city. Bryant Park Ice skating is the most popular, be prepared for a long line.. but once you are inside the view is breathtaking!! You can see the tree and many more amazing decorations. The second one is the newest but it is so cute for kids. The Rink At Brookfield Place They have little animals they can push to hold their balance on the ice! The view is the water and it is so beautiful.
#7 TRAINS! I hate New York City Trains but I'll make a exception for The Holiday Train Show @ The Botanical Gardens It is so beautiful and Festive. It is also perfect for the family. I recommend checking the schedule online before going.
#8 POP UP BAR-- Miracle on 9th street is a Christmas Cocktail pop up bar. It is so delicious and a perfect place to hang out with the girls. I would recommend going early because it does get packed!!! Try the Bad Santa or the Jingle Ball Nog!!!
#9 Holiday Cruise-- Cocoa and Carols Holiday Cruise is a must do! Its a warm and cozy cruise tailored for friends, family, and all your loved ones during the Holiday Season. Step inside this toasty solarium in full holiday decor for a 1.75 hour cruise to see the New York City lights. Delicious Hot Cocoa, Cookies, and live music. Its perfect for a tourist or even a New Yorker that wants to admire their city.
#10 Holiday Windows- Everyone knows that Macy's has a beautiful display every year for the holidays, But there are so many more amazing holidays window displays that are worth checking out. If you walk down 5th avenue from the 50s all the way down you will see some amazing displays. Some of my favorites are Barney's, Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Tiffany & Co. They are a perfect place to take pictures or just stand and appreciate the views.
I hope you all enjoyed this list!! Stay tuned for pictures and videos of myself exploring the city. I hope you are enjoying #loralyess25daysofchristmas Stay tuned for my TOP 10 favorite festive restaurants and more holiday fun.
XoXo,
Loralyee
