Raise your hand if you're a fan of Warby Parker! I can already see a lot of hands up out there! If you've had any experience with the brand you know that they're seriously awesome. Not only are they known to have super cute frames, but people also love them for their Home Try-On program that let's you have frames shipped to your home to try our for 5 days for free! Another reason people love them? They're seriously loyal to their customers and take customer service serious! I mean have you seen their social media accounts!? They kill it! And working in social I like to think I know a thing or two about that ;-)

While I've always admired the brand, this was actually my first experience with them directly so I was pretty excited when I connected with their team about their #FallSyllabus campaign. My friends have been singing Warby Parker's praises for years, but since I don't wear glasses I've never really had a direct experience with their products -- which btw if you didn't already know they also sell sunglasses no prescription necessary! 

To celebrate Warby Parker's Fall 2015 line I got out and about in some of their frames for my #FallSyllabus photo shoot to celebrate some of my favorite parts of the season! 

Reilly in Marzipan Tortoise :: starts at $95

Ellison in Whisky Tortoise :: starts at $145

Banks in Sea Smoke Tortoise :: starts at $95

Fall has always been my favorite season in NYC. The weather is just perfect.. Boots are back in season and hellooo fall colors!  Here's a look at some of my favorite things about fall.

Pumpkins

After a long spring and summer, fall marks the first part of the year where we can start decorating again, which I clearly love! As soon as October hits you can count on seeing pumpkins placed upon people's stoops and in their windows and I just love it! In case you missed my post last week too I have a seriously fun DIY pumpkin project for you. Yay pumpkins!

Time at the Park

I'm really lucky to live half a block from one park and only a short walk to Central Park so I really enjoy spending a lot of time at the park in the fall. I love watching the colors of the leaves change and now that the weather is more bearable Scooter enjoys having extended walks!

Hats

I haven't always been a hat kind of girl, but I really can't get enough of them this fall! Felt hats, knit hats, straw hats.. count me in for all of the above! So perfect for the city! 

Fall Flowers

One of my favorite parts about living in the city is that there are flowers on almost every block. Bonus, they're surprisingly pretty affordable here which might surprise you..  $12 for two dozen roses?! Oh yes! I always look forward to fall's sunflowers being they're something a little different than my normal selection and they always brighten up my space (because it's not bright enough ;-))

And there you have it! Some of my favorite things about fall! I had so much fun taking these Warby Parker styles for a spin and I really fell in love with the Reilly in Marzipan Tortoise pair! To find out more about any of the styles I tried out or to check out some of the other selections that Warby Parker offers make sure to check out their website!

**Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this review. I partnered with the Warby Parker team to be apart of their #FallSyllabus campaign and used their Home Try-On program to try the frames for my post. This post and all opinions stated are based on my own ideas and honest experience with the products.

Holy macaroni. As of today, I have officially lived in NYC for 5 years. Guys, that's half a decade, say whattt?! While it certainly wasn't my intention to stay this long when I first packed my bags.. I'm still here! 

5 years ago I was just a bright-eyed 21 year old willing to take a chance on the unknown. I've come along way since then (as most twenty-somethings do in 5 years) and hitting this milestone is quite the point of reflection for me.

Over the last 5 years I've both loved and hated the city at times. I've pushed my limits and then pushed them some more both professional and personally. I've explored and appreciated all of the things the city has to offer while also realizing there's much to explore. I've been lucky in love and have met new lifelong friends who have made enjoying the city so much more fun. This city has pushed me past my boundaries and opened my mind to ideas and ambitions I never even knew I had. Being so far from family has been something I've struggled with year-after-year but it has forced me to really take on the "I'll figure it out" mentality. 

The last year has especially been a monumental one for me. One of some growing pains but one that has been preparing me for my next chapter and I'm excited for what that chapter holds. So thank you New York and all of the amazing people who have supported me along the way to make it to this milestone. I couldn't have made it here without all of your love <3. 

I have a little treat for you this Friday. Today I'm excited to announce the kick-off of a new guest series I will be featuring by my other half, Chris Sandstrom. In this series Chris will highlight how he discovered some of his favorite food spots in the city (Spoiler: He has pretty good taste in food). So without further ado, welcome to Finding Food in NYC.

Photo Credit: Grubstreet

The combination of Phil Jackson and Carmelo Anthony has yet to lead to many wins, but it did lead me to American Cut.  Last year when the Zen Master was trying to convince the then free agent Anthony to stay in New York I read an article describing their meeting at the Marc Forgione steakhouse. Apparently Carmelo had the Filet Mignon and the Caesar Salad.

I decided that my next fancy dinner would take place at the restaurant where Phil (and $124 million) persuaded Melo to stay with the Knicks.  It was a decision I did not regret. The meal was excellent from start to finish. For my steak I went with The New York City Cut, a 20 oz Bone-In Rib Eye with pastrami spices and smoke. It was as good as it sounds.

Photo Credit: American Cut

I have long been a devotee to the Caesar salad and American Cut’s version, listed on the menu as the OG 1924 Hotel Caesar. It may be the best I’ve ever eaten. It features Parmigiano Reggiano, Soft Egg, and Pullman Crouton. Nothing revolutionary, but remarkably effective when chopped tableside and combined with the perfect amount of an absolutely delicious dressing. If Melo chose to stay with the Knicks only for regular access to this Caesar I couldn’t fault him.

My girlfriend and fellow burger enthusiast recently alerted me to an article on Eater touting American Cut’s off the menu In-House Burger. We knew instantly that we had to try it while at the same time getting another taste of that Caesar.

One can't simply walk into the restaurant and order a burger at anytime. Only a finite number are made each day. At 4:20 each afternoon American Cut tweets how many burgers they will have for the evening.  The number seems to usually be in the 10 to 15 range. They can only be ordered at the bar and once those dozen or so burgers are sold, that’s it for the night.

We arrived a little before the kitchen opened at 5:30 pm and had little trouble securing burgers.  There are only four elements to the burger (meat, cheese, onions, bun) and they compliment each other perfectly.

Photo Credit: American Cut Twitter

The meat is a savory blend of short rib, dry aged rib eye, and brisket. The onions are caramelized in bourbon and topped with right amount of a melted cheddar and fontina beer cheese. All of this tastiness sits in sesame seeded pretzel bun that is baked in house. The pretzel bun was so good that I could have eaten it with nothing more than a little butter and considered the meal a rousing success.

I sincerely hope that Carmelo Anthony’s tenure in New York ultimately brings me more joy than just the discovery of a great restaurant, although that is more than many Knicks free agent acquisitions have done (I’m looking at you Jerome James.)

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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.