Sparkles and Shoes

A Fashion, Travel, and Lifestyle Blog

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
  • Fashion
    • My Style
      • Spring Style
      • Summer Style
      • Fall Style
      • Winter Style
    • Really Love My …
    • Shop My Instagram
    • Style Icons
    • Trending
  • Travel
    • Africa
      • Egypt
      • Kenya
      • Morocco
      • Southern Africa
      • Tanzania
    • Asia
      • Indonesia
      • Qatar
      • Russia
      • Singapore
      • Turkey
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Croatia
      • Cyprus
      • Czech Republic
      • Denmark
      • England
      • Finland
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Hungary
      • Iceland
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Monaco
      • Netherlands
      • Norway
      • Poland
      • Portugal
      • Romania
      • Russia
      • Scotland
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Turkey
      • Vatican City
    • North America
      • Canada
      • Caribbean
      • Central America
      • US: East Coast
      • US: West Coast
    • South America
  • Lily Harper
  • Favorites
    • Beauty
    • Delicious Eats
    • London
    • My Wedding
    • Sparkle Sessions

This vs. That: NYC Edition

12/31/12 | New York City

For the last post of the year here is a little something about me and my favorite things, the way Sparkles & Shoes started out.   I have been in sunny Florida for the past ten days and while it was nice, warm, and sunny I missed my city.  Over the holiday’s many people asked me what my favorite part about living in New York City is and I have too reasons simply to list – I love this concrete Jungle!

 Instead, I decided to give you seven of my favorites and explain why against their relative opposite:

Uptown vs. Downtown
Obviously. I live here.  I go out here. I eat here.  I don’t want to leave here to go to work.  And apparently in the Civil War that “almost” occurred immediately after Hurricane Sandy, downtown would win. 
 
 Subway vs. Bus 
The metro card works on both but the subway gets you places much more effectively and efficiently.  Bus’s have to deal with New York City traffic which is pretty much terrible 24/7 and do not have luxury of taking you directly from point A to point B like a cab does so for public transportation I choose the subway hands down. 
 
Brunch  vs. Any Other Meal … with Friends
NYC knows its’ brunch. There is no time constraint like there is on dinner and no set rules about what you have to order. And is completely optional if you want to drink or not, perfect!  (I had friends in college who called this meal drunch)
 
 
Bars vs. Clubs.

Now my actual friends know that  am NOT a beer girl – white wine or vodka soda is the way I usually go but if I want to dance I know plenty of bars I can do that at without paying a cover, waiting in line, or buying a table.  Drinks are usually cheaper, the people are less stuck up, and there is a chance I may actually be able to HEAR my friends.

 

 Duane Reade vs. CVS
Duane Reade is the more popular drug store in Manhattan but I have always been partial to CVS.  The isles are laid out in a better way and their own brand of CVS products is a higher quality. 
 

 

Local spots vs. Chain Restaurants

 

Why when you have so many amazing restaurants in Manhattan would you ever go to a McDonald’s, Pizzaria Uno, or Olive Garden.  I can name three places for burgers, pizza, and Italian that are infinitely better than those chain places.  Just give me the neighborhood. 
 
 Dunkin’ Donuts vs. Starbucks 
Now while this is a bit contradictory to the question before this, as both of these are chain restaurants, “Tania” at my local DD is like a friend, I go in smile, we both nod, and within 30 seconds I have my large hazelnut coffee with skim and three Splenda.  Perfect. 
 
 
 
Summary: I am taking the subway to go downtown with my Dunkin’ Donuts coffee and before I go to brunch at this local spot I need to stop by CVS, and then I will see you at the bar tonight. 


PS.  Do not forget to enter my 500 Followers giveaway here!
Signature

Subscribe

« My Christmas in Paradise
2013 New Year’s Resolutions »

Related Posts

  • Food & The City: EatlayFood & The City: Eatlay
  • Callina Pullover at Bethesda Terrace and FountainAn Oxblood Pullover in the Park
  • La Marca Prosecco and Gilt City Event | Mini BottlesMakeup and Prosecco
  • Samantha and Kelly at Seamore's in SohoBrunch at Seamore’s in Soho

Comments

  1. Erin says

    January 1, 2013 at 10:02 pm

    OH my goodness I love this!!! Especially the part about Sandy. I walked my ass from 39th to 89th trying to find a god damn bar that would serve food quicker than two hours. And I was RIGHT on the cusp of the blackness. HELL.

    I too believe whole heartedly in bars instead of clubs. I couldn’t even tell you the last time I went to one.

    But I am hands down a Duane Reade girl 🙂

  2. s says

    January 1, 2013 at 4:36 pm

    Happy New Year!!! xO!
    http://www.thehautecookie.com

  3. Gentri says

    January 1, 2013 at 3:31 pm

    haha! I love this! Good to know for the next time I visit NYC! Happy New Year, I love your blog!

  4. Ag Fenwick says

    January 1, 2013 at 12:52 pm

    Lovely!
    HAPPY NEW YEAR, 2013!!!!! (:

    LOVE,
    A&G
    Our Blog – F A S H I O N O X Y G E N
    Our Instagram – F A S H I O N O X Y G E N INSTAGRAM
    Our Facebook- F A S H I O N O X Y G E N FACEBOOK

  5. fashion luv by nicole says

    January 1, 2013 at 11:57 am

    i love new york city in all of the ways! <3333 a dreamcity.

    Happy New Year!!
    http://fashionluvbynicole.blogspot.com

  6. Corinne says

    January 1, 2013 at 9:21 am

    I am so jealous! I need to go to New York this year. I love subways too, Paris metro and London underground has been a life saver for me!

    Corinne x
    http://www.skinnedcartree.com

  7. Wynne Prasetyo says

    January 1, 2013 at 4:09 am

    haha i love your approach in telling us the story between you and Manhattan. <3 i also prefer bars to clubs, but starbucks is more favorite of a chain for me!

    GIVEAWAY IS ON!
    http://WWW.FASHIONGEEKSCLOSET.COM

  8. Lucie Srbová says

    December 31, 2012 at 11:21 pm

    This is such an awesome post! I dont know if I prefer the subway cause when I was ther I got lost… 😀 But I think its just me.

    Wish you an amazing year 2013!
    Kisses, Lucy 🙂

  9. Sheila says

    December 31, 2012 at 10:33 pm

    haha I still need to visit NYC!! Sounds like fun and yummy foods!!

    Happy New Years!!

    xo – Sheila
    http://www.sheislovelyblog.com

  10. Jeeda says

    December 31, 2012 at 6:34 pm

    happy new year and best wishes for 2013!

    http://thelittlebigobsession.blogspot.co.uk

  11. Treasure Tromp says

    December 31, 2012 at 3:41 pm

    bars over clubs for sure!
    happiest new year, lady!
    xoxo Nicole

  12. Anastasia from Natbeesfashion says

    December 31, 2012 at 2:12 pm

    Happy 2013! May all your wishes come true 🙂
    xo
    Anastasia
    http://natbeesfashion.blogspot.co.uk

  13. Susie says

    December 31, 2012 at 1:18 pm

    Definitely agree with you on these, especially bars and brunch.

    Sea and Swank

  14. Michell @Prowess and Pearls says

    December 31, 2012 at 12:11 pm

    Hi Kelly! Following you from the “Pretty Little Inspirations” December giveaway. I like your summary(especially the Dunkin Donuts). 🙂 Have a great New Years.

    Michell @Prowess and Pearls
    http://www.prowessandpearls.blogspot.com

  15. GlamourDrama says

    December 31, 2012 at 12:05 pm

    oh, what a beautiful post :))) i wish you an happy new year!!!

    http://glamourdrama.blogspot.it/2012/12/all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you.html NEW POST!

  16. VOGUECITA says

    December 31, 2012 at 11:28 am

    Let me interrupt what you’re doing, to send send a big hug, and wish you a happy 2013!
    Best wishes dear friend! I hope your wishes come true in the new year!
    VOGUECITA
    http://voguecita.blogspot.com

  17. TheTinyHeart says

    December 31, 2012 at 11:03 am

    I NEVER once rode the bus when I lived in the city! Always took the subway. And I lived in Midtown 🙂

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart

  18. La borsa di Mary Poppins says

    December 31, 2012 at 9:44 am

    wow beautiful!! happy new year:)

    http://www.borsadimarypoppins.com

  19. Lian says

    December 31, 2012 at 9:12 am

    nice post, and nice to know what is your favorite places!
    ohh, and i almost forgot…happy new year kelly!
    ♥
    http://herlifeinstyle.blogspot.co.il/

  20. Miśka Grabowska says

    December 31, 2012 at 8:12 am

    New York… I love it..

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog founded in 2012.  After six years of living in London I am back in New York with my husband and two littles! 

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Search

Newsletter

WHERE I SHOP

Amazon

Anthropologie

J. Crew

Minted 

Sephora

Target

Walmart

Zappos

Archives

  • 2025
  • 2024
  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012

Fine Print

Sparkles and Shoes is a part of several affiliate advertising programs. This means that if you click and/or make a purchase through certain links on this site or any related social media platforms (including Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest), I may make a commission from that click and/or purchase. All opinions are my own.

© Kelly Donlin and Sparkles and Shoes, 2012-2022 Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kelly Donlin and Sparkles and Shoes with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Get the latest

Receive Sparkles and Shoes right to your inbox!

Connect with me

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2025 · Designed by High Note Designs, LLC

Copyright © 2025 · Tasteful Theme on Genesis Framework