I'm so excited to kick-off a new feature of blog called "Blogging Through the City" highlighting other awesome bloggers in the big apple. I got to meet the truly delightful Lily Sage of Sage Beauty at Lovely Happenings' Fall Event and I'm so excited to introduce you to her

AO: Tell us about yourself! How long have you been blogging and why did you decide to start Sage Beauty?

LS: I have been writing Sage Beauty for two and half years. I have always had a passion for beauty, fashion, and writing, and I have been a makeup artist and beauty expert for most of my career.  So I decided to create a blog where I could share all my tips and help women look and feel fabulous. Since I started the blog I also share my love of knitting, places I travel to, personal observations, and recipes in addition to beauty and style.

AO: How long have you lived in city and what are some of your favorite things about being a NYC blogger?

LS: I have lived in NYC for ten years! I’m proud to hit my decade mark this year.  I fall in love with the city more and more every year because it has an abundance of art, fashion, and music. To me, New York is a place that fosters creativity and originality. Being a blogger in NYC has allowed me to be find out about the newest trends first, to meet the people who have created my favorite brands, and to not be afraid to try new things and share it all with my readers.

AO: Do you have any favorite experiences you’ve had while being a blogger that you may not have had otherwise?

LS: One of my favorite experiences was meeting Miko Branch, one of the co-founders of Miss Jessie’s! It’s a brand I love and it was such an amazing experience to learn from her. I admire her so much as a female entrepreneur and leader in the beauty industry. 

AO: Where do you find inspiration for your blog? Do you have any favorite posts you have written?

LS: Many of my post ideas come from my everyday life or a beauty question from a client or friend.  When I discover a product I really love I can’t wait to share it, or when I keep getting asked about recommendations for specific products (foundation or eye cream), or shopping tips I put it in a blog post because I’m sure other women would love to have that knowledge as well. I also love writing about products that are unexpected. I recently did a blog post on the benefits of sleeping on a silk pillowcase. I have seen such a difference in my skin and hair since I started using it.

AO: You share so many amazing beauty and fashion tips on your blog. Where are some of your favorite places to shop in the city or to pick up items for your beauty DIYs?

LS: I love doing beauty DIY posts because I grew up learning so many fun and effective homemade beauty treatments from my grandmother. For DIY posts my first stop is usually Whole Foods to pick up natural and organic ingredients that are great for head to toe beauty such as Coconut Oil or Shea Butter. When I am shopping for beauty products I love going to Blue Mercury which carries many of my favorite beauty brands, and sometimes I discover new or hard to find brands there as well.

AO: You have such fun style and your makeup always looks just gorgeous. If you had to pick 3 of your top beauty or fashion tips what would they be?

LS: Thank you for the compliment ☺ That’s such a great question! My top three tips would be:

• There is a perfect shade of red lipstick for everyone. Don’t be afraid try out a bold red lip; it’s classic, polished, and it easily transitions from day to night.

• Beautifully maintained brows are a must. They frame the face and give an instant lift. Your eye makeup will also look better.

• We wear a lot of black in NYC, but I love wearing color all year round. Some easy ways to add some color into your wardrobe are with your accessories. If I’m wearing a little black dress I accessorize with a printed clutch or colorful heels.

AO: You are just fantastic and I know my readers will also LOVE your blog as much as I do. Where can they connect with you?

• Blog: www.sagebeautyblog.com

• Facebook: Sage Beauty Blog

• Twitter: @sagebeutyblog

• Instagram: @sagebeautyblog

• Pinterest: @sagebeautyblog

• Snapchat: @sagebeautyblog

AO: You’re also going to be sharing a fun guest blog coming up that I can’t wait for. Can you give my readers a little sneak peek of what’s to come?

LS: I’m so excited to share with your readers one of my favorite stores to shop at for home décor ideas, beauty, and fashion all in one post, along with some tips for adding a bit of glamour to your bathroom.  Stay tuned!

Thanks for tuning in everyone and a special thanks to Lily for collabing on this post!

For an authentic New Orleans experience, you no longer have to get on a plane to Louisiana. Simply take the subway down to the West Village and check out Blackwood Hospitality's new restaurant Gentilly Kitchen + Bar. 

New Orleans native and Owner of Gentilly, Andre Neyrey and his team have infused the space with the celebratory spirit of the Crescent City. Between the jazz music playing and the inventive list of custom cocktails if you close your eyes you just might forget you're in Manhattan.

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The menu at Gentilly reflects creative spins on many NOLA staples. Seafood lovers will certainly enjoy the Low Country Boil which features red fish, clams, mussels, and shrimp prepared with potato and corn in a deliciously spicy broth and The Po' Boys and Classic Muffuletta are the best you will find north of Louisiana. I got to try a taste of the menu at their Grand Opening party and I can promise you one thing, you will not be disappointed. Everything was so full of flavor and just a few bites of their Torchio Mac + Cheese already has it rivaling some of my favorites in the city.

Whether you're a southerner looking for a slice of home or a New Yorker hoping to experience a taste of the bayou, Gentilly Kitchen + Bar has you covered. 

There's a new art experience in town and it is anything other than ordinary! I got a sneak peek at Unarthodox's NYC studio at their grand opening party and am so excited to share the details with you.

Unarthodox is an experimental art experience that incorporates non-traditional art methods to fully stimulate all of your senses and promote self-expression in a FUN way! Whether you choose to get your paint on in their Bottled Art (BYOB!) sessions or their one-of-a kind classes like their Sculpture Without Sight or Intuitive Art, you can leave your stress at the door and enjoy yourself in a truly unique experience.

Something that is really special about Unarthodox too is the studio is focused on the experience of art and exploring your creativity, not just the outcome. The founders and instructors at Unarthodox are passionate about the power of art and have specifically created and customized every component of the courses. Here's a look at some of the offerings.

• Experimental Art Classes
• Group Art Classes
• Kids Arts Programs
• Signature Program

If that wasn't already enough, they also offer a variety of party options including:

• Children's Birthday Parties
• Private Parties
• Team Building

I had such a wonderful time at the grand opening and just know you are going to love everything they have to offer! Head on over to their website to learn more about all of the amazing classes they teach and make sure to connect with them on Facebook, and Instagram!