New York City alessa m. rodriguez New York City alessa m. rodriguez

Ranking the Best Lattes I’ve Had in NYC So Far.

From a rich vanilla latte to a matcha moment, here are three NYC coffee spots worth adding to your coffee crawl.

If there's one thing about me, it's that I'm almost always down for a coffee run. A little walk around the city, a cute café, a latte in hand, and absolutely no reason to rush home? Sounds like a perfect day to me.

Living in New York City means there is always another coffee shop to discover. Whether I'm wandering around a new neighborhood, taking myself on a solo date, or grabbing a little pick-me-up before a busy day, finding new places to try is one of my favorite ways to romanticize everyday life.

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Why You Should Romanticize Your Life (Especially in NYC).

There is something about living in New York City that makes you want to romanticize your life a little more. Maybe it's the morning coffee runs, the sound of the subway pulling into the station, the fall leaves scattered across the sidewalk, or the feeling of walking home with your headphones on and realizing that, somehow, this is your life.

And yet, it's so easy to get caught up in the everyday routine of it all. You're rushing to get somewhere, checking your phone, thinking about the next thing on your to-do list, and suddenly another week has gone by without you really stopping to enjoy it.

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november in nyc.

November in New York City is a little bit of a personality shift.

One minute, we're still holding onto the last bits of fall, looking for changing leaves and ordering something pumpkin-flavored. The next, the holiday markets are opening, the city is putting on its sparkliest outfit, and suddenly everyone is asking when we're decorating for Christmas.

And honestly? I love that about November.

It's a month for long walks in a good coat, coffee dates that turn into afternoon adventures, browsing little shops, getting a head start on holiday shopping, and remembering that you don't have to wait until December to enjoy a little holiday magic.

If you're looking for the best things to do in NYC in November 2026, I've rounded up the events worth knowing about, seasonal experiences to add to your calendar, cozy neighborhood plans, and a few simple ways to enjoy the city without spending a fortune.

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Style alessa m. rodriguez Style alessa m. rodriguez

the november edit.

november is that funny little month when we're still holding on to fall, but the holiday season is already knocking on the door. one minute we're grabbing coffee in a cozy sweater, and the next we're wondering what on earth we're going to wear to thanksgiving dinner, friendsgiving, or that first holiday get-together.

and honestly? i'm ready to have a little fun with fashion again.

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Lifestyle alessa m. rodriguez Lifestyle alessa m. rodriguez

Happy Halloween & a Detailed Look at my Costume.

Happy Halloween, guys & dolls! 🖤

I hope your Halloween weekend is filled with a little magic, a little mischief, something sweet, and hopefully a few moments to slow down and enjoy the season.

Whether you're dressing up and heading out, taking the kids trick-or-treating, watching your favorite Halloween movies, or spending the evening at home in your comfiest pajamas with a bowl of candy (honestly, no judgment here), I hope you have a lovely Halloween.

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Style alessa m. rodriguez Style alessa m. rodriguez

Shop Your Closet for Halloween.

Halloween is one of my favorite excuses to have a little fun with personal style. I love a good costume moment, but I don't always love the idea of buying an entire outfit that I'm probably only going to wear once. And honestly? Some of the best Halloween looks can come together with pieces you already have hanging in your closet.

If you're anything like me, you probably have a few wardrobe staples, favorite accessories, and pieces you've collected over the years that could easily become the foundation of a Halloween costume. A black dress, a pair of tall boots, your favorite leather jacket, or even a little red lipstick can go a long way when you're getting creative.

So this year, before you head out to buy a costume, let's shop our closets first!

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A Day in My Life Living Uptown.

There’s something about the everyday rhythm of living in New York City that I don't think I'll ever get tired of. And while it's easy to get caught up in all the things this city has to offer, some of my favorite moments happen when I'm simply living my life.

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about what it means to build a life you genuinely enjoy, right where you are. Not just the exciting moments, the big plans, or the days when you're doing something worth documenting, but the ordinary Tuesday mornings, the coffee runs, the hours spent working toward your goals, and the evenings spent making dinner at home.

Living uptown in NYC has its own rhythm, and I've grown to appreciate the little routines that make my days feel like mine. So, today, I thought I'd take you along for a day in my life living uptown in New York City, from my morning coffee run to getting work done, showing up on social media, and winding down with a little cooking and cleaning.

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Lifestyle alessa m. rodriguez Lifestyle alessa m. rodriguez

Building a Life That Feels Like Home.

On finding comfort in the everyday, creating a life that feels like you, and learning that home is something we build along the way.

There’s something about getting older that makes you think a little differently about what it means to feel at home.

For a long time, I think I viewed home as a destination. Somewhere you eventually arrive after you’ve checked enough boxes, reached certain milestones, or figured out what you’re doing with your life. I imagined that feeling of having it all together would come with time, and that one day, everything would simply fall into place.

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Style alessa m. rodriguez Style alessa m. rodriguez

Halloween Costume Ideas for 2026.

Halloween is almost here, guys & dolls. 🎃

And if you're anything like me, October arrives and suddenly you're thinking, Wait... what am I actually going to be for Halloween?

I love a good Halloween costume, but I'm not necessarily looking to spend $200 on a costume I'll wear once—or wear something so uncomfortable that I spend the entire night wishing I had stayed home in pajamas.

For me, the best Halloween costumes are the ones that feel fun, a little nostalgic, a little dramatic, and still like you.Bonus points if you can build the costume from things you already have in your closet.

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Lifestyle alessa m. rodriguez Lifestyle alessa m. rodriguez

Journaling Prompts for a Creative Reset.

Sometimes you don't need a new planner, a new routine, or a dramatic life overhaul.

Sometimes you just need a notebook, a little quiet, and permission to get your thoughts out of your head.

I've always loved journaling, but especially during those seasons when I feel creatively stuck. When I have a million ideas but can't seem to turn any of them into something real. When I'm consuming way more inspiration than I'm actually creating. Or when I simply feel like my brain has too many tabs open.

That's usually my sign that I need a creative reset.

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Lifestyle alessa m. rodriguez Lifestyle alessa m. rodriguez

The Confidence Glow-Up That Had Nothing to Do With Looks.

For a long time, I thought a confidence glow-up was supposed to be visible.

New hair. Better clothes. Clearer skin. Maybe losing a few pounds, finding the perfect lipstick, finally figuring out what to do with my eyebrows. You know… the usual things we associate with becoming a “better” version of ourselves.

And don't get me wrong — I love a good beauty moment. I love getting dressed up, trying something new, finding a really good coffee spot and feeling like I have my life together for approximately 45 minutes.

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Exploring Brooklyn: 5 Spots I Loved.

There are so many different versions of New York City, and I think that's one of the things I love most about living here. You can cross a bridge, take a few subway stops, or wander onto a completely different block and suddenly the city feels brand new.

Brooklyn is especially good for that.

Whether you're looking for cute coffee shops, waterfront views, neighborhood wandering, good food, or just somewhere to spend a slow afternoon, Brooklyn has a lot to offer. And while I could probably make a list of 25 places, today we're keeping it simple.

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Style alessa m. rodriguez Style alessa m. rodriguez

the october edit.

october in new york city is probably one of my favorite times to get dressed.

the weather finally gives us an excuse to pull out the jackets, boots, denim, sweaters, and all the little accessories that make an outfit feel like fall. it’s that sweet spot before winter dressing takes over — when you can still leave the house without five layers and a coat that weighs more than you do.

For October, I’m leaning into a blend of classic fall staples and a few more personality-driven details. Think rich, autumnal colors, really great jackets, well-fitting dark denim, chocolate-brown boots, and accessories that make even a simple jeans-and-sweater outfit feel thoughtful and intentionally styled.

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october in nyc.

if there’s one month that makes me fall in love with new york all over again, it’s october.

the air gets a little cooler. the leaves start changing. coffee somehow tastes better when you’re carrying it in a sweater. people start pulling their boots and jackets out of the back of the closet. and suddenly, a regular saturday afternoon in the city feels like something out of a movie.

october in new york is that perfect little in-between — not quite winter, not quite summer, and full of all the cozy, slightly romantic things that make fall feel like fall.

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Lifestyle alessa m. rodriguez Lifestyle alessa m. rodriguez

Learning to Let Go: A Letter to My Younger Self.

For the girl who thought holding on was the same thing as loving.

Dear younger me,

I wish I could sit beside you for a little while.

Not to change anything. Not to warn you about every heartbreak, disappointment, wrong turn, or version of yourself you're going to outgrow. I don't think I'd want to take those things away from you.

I'd just want to tell you something you won't fully understand for a long time:

You are allowed to let go.

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Why I Blog & Make Videos Even When It’s Slow.

There are seasons of creating when everything feels exciting.

The views are coming in. A video performs better than expected. A blog post gets shared. A new subscriber shows up. Someone tells you they found your work through a random little corner of the internet.

And then there are the slower seasons.

The videos don’t get as many views. The blog post you spent hours writing barely gets a handful of clicks. You post something you genuinely love and… crickets.

I’ve definitely had those seasons.

And honestly? Sometimes it makes me wonder why I’m still doing this.

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Travel alessa m. rodriguez Travel alessa m. rodriguez

Travel: Las Vegas.

After months of working, creating, planning, filming, editing, and generally doing the most in New York City, I finally did something that felt very necessary: I got on a plane and went to Las Vegas.

And honestly? I needed it.

There is something about leaving New York for a little while that makes you realize just how much you have been running on autopilot. I love my city, I love my life here, and I will probably always be a New Yorker at heart, but sometimes you need to step away from your normal routine and let yourself have a little fun.

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Your NYC Era: Building a Life You Love Where You Are.

There’s something about living in New York City that can make you feel like you’re constantly supposed to be doing more.

More restaurants. More events. More trips. More plans. More accomplishments. More reasons to prove that you’re really living in New York.

And somewhere along the way, I started wondering:

What if my NYC era isn’t about doing more? What if it’s about enjoying where I already am?

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Lifestyle alessa m. rodriguez Lifestyle alessa m. rodriguez

What 30 Taught Me About Love, Friendship & Ambition.

Turning 30 felt like it was supposed to come with answers.

At least, that's what I thought.

For so long, 30 seemed like this magical age where you were supposed to have everything figured out. You'd know who you were, what you wanted, who you wanted to spend your life with, what your career looked like, and probably have a beautifully decorated apartment and a retirement account while you were at it.

And then I actually turned 30.

Spoiler alert: I did not have everything figured out.

But I did have something arguably better: perspective.

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A Perfect Fall Day in Harlem.

There’s something about fall in New York City that makes me want to slow down a little.

The air gets crisp, the leaves start changing, everyone suddenly has a favorite sweater again, and a simple Saturday wandering around the city feels like an actual event. And while there are plenty of classic fall destinations around New York, I think there’s something especially lovely about experiencing the season right here in Harlem.

If you’re looking for a slower, more local-feeling way to spend a fall day in NYC, let me plan one for you.

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