Lily Sage of Sage Beauty is back for another Blogging Through the City post! In today's guest post, Lily is taking you along for the ride of one of her latest NYC shopping adventures. Keep reading to find out some of her fav finds!

I’m so excited to take all of you fabulous readers along with me to one of my favorite stores for all things gorgeous. Anthropologie is a store that combines beauty, fashion, home decor, and so much more all in one spot. Lucky for you, you don't have to live in NYC to take advantage of this gem either.

The Beauty

I always discover new luxury brands at Anthropologie, in addition to some of my favorites that are always part of my routine.  For skincare I always pick up a few items from Mario Badescu when I’m there.  The Drying Lotion is one of the most iconic products in the line and is adored by bloggers and beauty editors alike.  Using Salicylic Acid and Calamine it will erase breakouts overnight.  The Glycolic Foaming Cleanser exfoliates and is great to incorporate into your routine twice a week for a brightening boost and to unclog pores.  The Facial Spray is great as a toner and to refresh the skin anytime throughout the day. I always carry this with me when I’m traveling.

The Royal Apothic Hand Cream in Holland Park has a light fresh scent that reminds me of the scent left behind from an impromptu London sunshower.  This is great to keep in your purse or next to your bed to soothe dry hands.

During my most recent visit to Anthropologie I discovered Isabey Eau de Parfum in Fleur Nocturne.  This sensual floral fragrance is a blend of white peach,  jasmine, and vanilla which reminds me of a warm summer night.

The Home

Anthropologie has a magical selection of home decor options that will give a colorful and sophisticated touch to every room in your apartment.  Whether it’s retro-inspired aprons, unique cookbooks, wine glasses, dishes, candles, or personalized mugs there is something for everyone,  and you will have a myriad of choices to inspire you.

As engagement/graduation/wedding season approaches Anthropologie is also a great place to find the perfect gift.

I love giving books as gifts,  and as engagement and wedding season is quickly approaching and a fun cookbook or some creative kitchen essentials are memorable presents.

Tea pots are classic but the floral motif gives a fun retro vibe.

These gorgeous coasters immediately caught my eye and will add an unique and chic element to your table.

These gorgeous tumblers also come in green and blue, but pink is my favorite color.  They are perfect for summer cocktails but I like to get a bit more creative and use them as candle holders or for my bathroom to hold makeup brushes or even cotton rounds!

 As a writer I love collecting planners and blank notebooks, and these were just too irresistible.

The Fashion

As soon as I walked into the store I saw three dresses that I need to add to my wardrobe.  I love the clothes at Anthropologie because they range from casual and cozy sweaters to everyday office staples to statement dresses that work season after season.  I see the brand as feminine and fashion forward.  This is where your boho-glam, inner fashionista can come out in full bloom. 

This dress is an incredibly versatile piece because the neutral colors can work all year round, the length is appropriate for any occasion, and it can be dressed up with a statement platform heels and a belt,  or dress down with leather jacket. 

Neutral blush tones are a big trend for this spring, and the metallic bronze color can easily transition from spring to summer as the evening bag that goes with everything. 

I hope you enjoyed this shopping excursion!

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Lily Sage is the founder and editor at Sage Beauty. On her blog she shares all things that inspire her including style, beauty, travel and anything that makes life a little more fabulous. You can keep in touch with her on Instagram @sagebeautyblog! 

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Did I just eat Short Rib and Bone Marrow Agnolotti at the Village Idiot? Or, did I long ago drink $5 pitchers of Miller Lite while signing along to Waylon Jennings songs at Scarpetta?  The answer to both questions is sort of, yes.

I started this column to tell the story of how I discovered some of my favorite New York City foods and what led me to try them for the first time.  I learned about Scarpetta in the most uninteresting way possible.  I saw it on the Food Network.  Not that there is anything wrong with the Food Network.  I've half watched enough Diners Drive Ins and Dives marathons to make my eyes bleed.

After watching Chef Scott Conant demonstrate for Ted Allen on “Best Thing I Ever Ate” how he makes his famous spaghetti I was sold.  I knew Scarpetta was a restaurant that I would soon need to try.

As I waited for my girlfriend outside the building at 355 W 14th it became readily apparent to me that Scarpetta occupies that same space that once housed a great dive bar called the Village Idiot.  In late 1990s and early 2000s I witnessed/participated in countless drunken fights and sloppy hookups at the rowdy tavern where patrons drank straight from their own pitcher. Who needs a glass when the whole pitcher is only 5 bucks?

At the Village Idiot broke college kids, grizzled bikers, and Wall Street bankers all drank the same piss and played the same Johnny Cash songs from the jukebox. Completely pretense free dives like the Idiot are a dying breed in New York City.  One is not going stay on business on a prime corner of the Meat Packing district in 2015 when your main product is under-priced domestic beer.

Once inside I was able to ignore the ghosts of past savagery long enough to enjoy a terrific meal.  The basket of bread included two slices of excellent stromboli, one with meat, one vegetarian. The olive oil and marzipan whipped butter that were provided for dipping both were delicious.

We ordered two pasta dishes to share, the above mentioned agnolotti and spaghetti that is Ted Allen's favorite.  I don't believe I'd ever previously had a pasta that was stuffed with beef short rib and bone marrow.  The delicate house made noodle, similar to a mini ravioli, was dressed with garlic chips and horseradish.  It was a really inventive and tasty plate.

The much hyped spaghetti did not disappoint.  It seemed as if it was the chef's intent to take a simple and classic dish and elevate it through the use of great ingredients cooked perfectly.

We finished the meal with a fabulous dessert called Limoncello Semifreddo. The pistachio cake, macerated berries, and blackberry basil sorbet all worked together in sweet harmony.  Overall it was a great meal and night in lower Manhattan. Though I truly miss my wild nights at the Village Idiot, I'm glad that Chef Scott Conant is doing noble work in the space.       

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Chris Sandstrom - Is a graduate of Columbia University and the author of the debut novel, "Reality TV and Hookers" a satire on the reality TV industry. You can keep up with Chris on Twitter at @ChrisSandstrom8.

Finding Food in NYC Is a series highlighting how Chris discovered some of his favorite food spots in New York City.

When I go to a street fair or food festival I try not to have a preconceived notion of what I am going to eat. I like to walk around, survey the scene and if something looks tasty I’ll give it a whirl.

I certainly didn’t foresee that I’d be eating a “Kronie” when I ventured down to Little Italy for the San Gennaro Festival a couple years ago. I’ve been going to the traditional Fall Italian celebration since the 1990s and though it has become increasingly overcrowded with slow walking tourists, there is still plenty of delicious street food to be discovered.

My favorite discovery in recent years has been Jolie’s Sweet Creations. In the middle of the expected vendors selling sausage and peppers heroes, Sicilian rice balls, and canolis I spotted a stand with rows of colorfully frosted doughnuts that seemed to have the flakey crust of a croissant.

French pastry chef Dominique Ansel has received a great deal of attention and accord for his “Cronut” desert, but if you don’t want to brave the 7:00 am lines at his Soho bakery, Jolie’s Sweet Creations version, the “Kronie” is an excellent alternative.

Created by Joe Floriano of Enrico’s Pastry shop and named for his sweet four-year-old daughter Jolie, the “Kronie” has great doughy texture similar to a really well made French Cruller with an exterior that is light and flakey like a croissant. 

The “Kronies” are filled with a variety of delicious icings, jellies, and custard fillings.  Every flavor of “Kronie” that I’ve tried has been terrific, but two that really stand out for me are the Raspberry and Salted Caramel.

I’ve been lucky enough to spot a Jolie’s Sweet Creations stand at two different Manhattan street fairs this summer.  If I lived closer to either of the Enrico’s Pastry Shops in the Bronx or Hartsdale I would likely have a serious “Kronie” addiction. 

I will definitely be feasting on Jolie’s “Kronies” soon at this year's Feast of San Gennaro, which kicks off today. You can also try one by visiting one of their storefronts or ordering from their website.

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Chris Sandstrom - Is a graduate of Columbia University and the author of the debut novel, "Reality TV and Hookers" a satire on the reality TV industry. You can keep up with Chris on Twitter at @ChrisSandstrom8.

Finding Food in NYC Is a series highlighting how Chris discovered some of his favorite food spots in New York City.

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