Cheap and Chic on the UES

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Jess Zaino, Style Producer for "The Chew" and Cheap Chic Shopper

NY – I’ve been a downtown girl most of my life. Actually, I’ve been a Brooklyn, Soho, Tribeca, East Village, LES girl to be exact. I’ve raised a glass and kissed a boy or two in a good percentage of bar bathrooms in the downtown section of New York City. Things are not so rock n’ roll these days.

Two years ago, me and my cutie boyfriend decided to co-habitate in the most unlikely of places. The Upper East Side. After traversing the city, taking in the neighborhood’s food, proximity to a subway and apartment pricing, the Upper East Side afforded us everything we wanted and more. So we made the move to a Carrie Bradshaw-inspired junior one bedroom with wood floors, exposed brick, recessed lighting and 5 incredibly chic large french windows where we’ve created the perfect Cheap Chic set up to settle in to.

It took a while, one month specifically, for me to allow the opulence and luxury of my new neighborhood to flood in and once I aligned with its beauty, tree-lined streets and incredibly rich history of New York art and society, I’ve never looked back. As the creator of Cheap Chic Shopping Tours, I believe money doesn’t buy style. I buy it cheap and make it chic. And this applies to living as well. My neighborhood may be for millionaire’s, but I’ve claimed it as my own, for free.

1. Sothebys

1. Sotheby’s 

There are some very cool and cultured happenings on the Upper East Side, with auction house Sotheby’s leading the elite pack. Sotheby’s New York is located at the corner of 72nd Street and York Avenue which is a bit of a walk from the 6 subway line, but well worth it! As the headquarters for Sotheby’s global business, their New York office is the site of nearly 100 high-profile, open to the public auctions each year, from eagerly anticipated sales of Impressionist & Modern Art, Contemporary Art and extraordinary Jewelery to those of rare historical objects such as the Magna Carta, the Emancipation Proclamation and Damien Hirst’s diamond-encrusted human skull. For a complete list of upcoming Sotheby’s auctions, don your best classic blazer, oversized shades and click here.

2. Designer Resale

2. Thrift and Consignment Shopping

As you make your way back up to the Lexington 6 subway line, make sure it’s on 81st Street. With over six thrift and consignment shops on this block alone, you will walk away with a find of a lifetime. The Original Designer Resale by Myrna Skoller at 322 East 81st Street, is five rooms of high end designer names for on or around $100. A true Cheap Chic favorite, you will find shoes, bags, accessories, outer and event wear galore, all consigned by the fancy set of the hood, ensuring the best in quality, and classic style.

3. Cake and Shake Cart - one of many in front of The Met

3. The Steps of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

All this walking can make a gal hungry, so I always love to pop a squat on the stairs of The Met, sampling what the New York food trucks parked out front have to offer. From street cart hot dogs to pretzels, to the Belgian Waffle & Dinges, you’ll always find something delicious and authentically New York, while people watching and taking in the sounds of the city, with amazing New York street artists, such as Acapella Soul.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir

 

Should you be enjoying the UES walk, as I always do, continue on and take in the unexpected Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir in Central Park off 5th Ave. and 89th Street.It’s a spiritual escape from city living and with its 1.58 mile course, run by Bill Clinton, Madonna and more, I’m always inspired by the nature, the dogs, and Jackie O’s chic working girl sprinkling of New York City magic dust.

For more on Jess Zaino, click here.  Check out this video to see Jess in action!

 

By: tdpnyc Category: Featured Project, Me Time, NY, Upper East Side Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,