Tory Says...

A woman after my own heart, designer Tory Burch has launched "Tory's City Guides." These online guides offer an insider's guide to the hottest cities around the U.S. and Asia (OK - they're really chosen based on where Tory has her boutiques) - what to see and where to stay, shop, and eat. For the midwesterners out there, Tory has two locations in your 'hood - Troy, MI and Chicago, IL. You can see what she recommends in your city by visiting the website listed below. I personally couldn't wait to delve into the New York City guide -- here's what Tory recommends. And I have to say, in regards to the places I have visited, I couldn't agree more.

To Sleep: The Mark Hotel, Crosby Street Hotel, The Carlyle, The Lowell New York

To Eat: The Waverly Inn, JG Melon, Sushi of Gari, Milos New York, La Esquina, Lupa Osteria Romana, Cafe Habana, Fred's at Barneys New York, Lovely Day, Antica Bottega del Vino, People's Pops, Ciao Bella Gelato, Cupcake Stop, William Greenberg Dessert

To Shop: John Derian Company, MoMA Design Store, Opening Ceremony, Ina, Boutique D. Porthault, Crawford Doyle Booksellers, Tracie Maryn Salon, Gagosian Shop, Plaza Flowers, Verdura, Marie Robinson Salon, Jeffrey, Kirna Zabete, Clay

To See: Neue Galerie, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center, The Highline, The Standard, The Museum of Modern Art, The Angelika Film Center & Cafe, Joe's Pub, The Staten Island Ferry, SoulCycle

After an intense, business school-style calculation, I've determined that I've only been to a measly 18% of these destinations. Clearly I have my work cut out for me in 2011. Time to get out there and explore! For the full listing of Tory's recommendations and to check out her guides for other cities, click here.

Perfectly Patent

The search for the perfect Holiday-time shoe is no joking matter. Equally challenging? Finding such a shoe that nicely transitions from the stylish streets of New York City to that annual family holiday party in the the great Midwest. Leave it to me to beat the odds and find the perfect transitional holiday shoe. I give you the Calvin Klein "Olive" black patent pump. With its stacked, chunky heel and manageable height (3.5"), this shoe can easily take you from a day at the office to that holiday cocktail party. You simply can't go wrong with a classic black patent leather pump. Plus, absolutely nothing says "its the holiday season" like black patent leather. These are available right now at Zappos by clicking here.

In the Limelight

Those from the Midwest are used to hopping in their pre-warmed vehicles (hello automatic start) and driving comfortably to the nearest indoor shopping center. Here in New York City? We're not so lucky in the chillier months. Lucky for us, I recently discovered a unique, boutique and yes, indoor(!) shopping destination called The Limelight Marketplace (656 Avenue of the Americas, http://www.limelightmarketplace.com/). The Limelight has an interesting history. In 1844 the facility was built as an Episcopal Church, later to be turned into both a drug counseling facility and then a nightclub (whose opening night was hosted by none other than Andy Warhol). These days, the Marketplace has been reborn and remodeled (thanks to a $15M gut renovation), and features 35 upscale boutiques and restaurants. The more established brands with booths inside include Hunter Boots, Havianas and Le Sportsac, but there are equally adorable no-name brands as well with intriguing merchandise to peruse. If the shopping isn't enough to get you there, the famous Brooklyn Pizzeria, Grimaldi's, will soon be opening its doors in the "food court" area. The food options don't stop there -- in one section of the Marketplace you'll find scrumptous treats such as gelato, cupcakes and other baked goodies to sample on those long shopping days. On the Saturday that I stopped by, there was even a a grill (and grill-master) set up in the courtyard outside providing delicious eats for patrons. Definitely a must see for Manhattanites!

Friday Fashion Fete

As a midwesterner who loves fashion, my "live" shopping opportunities were fairly limited to our (fantastic yet repetitive) local mall and select boutiques in town. Enter - New York City. The home of Fashion Avenue, "Project Runway", $30 "designer" bags on Canal Street three blocks from $3,000 bags at Chanel Soho, world renowned vintage stores, and - an event I've been looking forward to since I moved to the city - Fashion's Night Out (http://fashionsnightout.com/). On Friday, September 10, boutiques and stores throughout the world (New York is the largest participant) celebrate fashion by holding in-store events with DJ's, cocktails, celebrities, stylists and most importantly great deals on in-store styles. For the purpose of those who don't have time to scan the hundreds of store-based events throughout the city, I thought I'd list my top picks for a fabulous night out here:

Diane von Furstenberg (440 W. 14th Street - http://www.dvf.com/.dvf.com/) - DVF will host the "experience lounge" at her store where you can sip champagne with actress/model Molly Sims and Olivia Palermo from The City. Get photographed in DFV fall fashion looks while enjoying the beats of DJ Elisa. Your photos will even stream live on giant screens throughout the store for your very own VIP fashion moment.

Tory Burch (38-40 Little W. 12th Street - http://www.toryburch.com/) - Tory is hosting a block party outside her Meatpacking District shop and DJ Cassidy will be spinning the turntables. Best perk of this one? Shake Shack will be serving burgers on-site! So try on some new Reva flats for fall, kick back and enjoy.

Bergdorf Goodman (754 5th Avenue - http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/) - If you want some top-notch celeb sightings combined with outrageous shopping at one of New York's most infamous shopping institutions, this is definitely a good bet. On top of a bevy of in-store competitions (make-up and karaoke to list a few), celebs including Mary J. Blige, Nicole Richie and Victoria Beckham.

And last, but certainly not least, my favorite online shoe site, Piperlime (http://www.piperlime.com/), has established a Soho pop-up shop in honor of Fashion's Night Out. The store is located at 93 Mercer Street and will be open today through October 3, highlighting fall's top styles in clothing and shoes alike. My favorite quirky celebrity stylist, Rachel Zoe, will even be on-hand from 8-10pm during Fashion's Night Out to offer styling tips to lucky attendees looking to ramp up their style. This is most likely where you'll find me after work this Friday. Happy shopping!