We drove into NYC as the July 4th fireworks lit the city skyline. Le sigh!

This blog post is alternatively titled “WWCD,” the acryonym broken down as ‘What Would Carrie Do?’ Get that on your very retro, 90′s throwback, nameplate gold necklace, why dontcha?  I love New York.  Do you love New York?  If you don’t, you should!  There is a frenetic energy that underscores the city, a dash of glamour punctuated with personality, heart and grit. 

Classic Carrie: Did you have a nameplate necklace too? I need to find mine...

OMG, do payphones still exist??! Carrie Bradshaw uses a payphone after throwing her cell into the ocean (rage shame spiral) SATC movie

All of my travels to New York are filled with wild adventure and enough sketchy tall tales to fill a screenplay in which incriminating names and places have been changed to protect the innocent. (Ahem, said film would be directed by Wes Anderson, young me played by Vanessa Hudgens, older me Thandie Newton).  While I would love to share all my secrets, my hair would deflate. 

Here are some fun places to see and be seen, that both Carrie and I quite enjoy….

The iconic Manolo Blahnik shoe. Love this blush satin version of the ones that Carrie left in her walk-in closet.

 Manolo Blahnik (31 West 54th Street) –  My friend C dragged me to the store in search of perfect wedding shoes.  Surprisingly, the store is in a tiny brick building (blink and you’ll miss it) with Manolo’s strewn about on ledges and divans like an Upper East side apartment of an aging socialite.  Apparently, the ladies of Manolo need to take a siesta between 2-3pm.  So make sure you go post-haste, guzzle your brunch Mimosa before they shoo-shoo you out of there.  If you are going to spend a wild fortune on shoes, you should languish in a chaise, take your time and try on high heels a la Cinderella.

BOHEMIAN: Free People gives me crochet and tassles for Summer 2012! I'll have a second helping of that.

Shopping in SoHo – I think this neighbourhood (SOuth of HOuston) in Lower Manhattan has such character with its cobblestone streets, funky boutiques, artsy galleries and cafes.  It is a tourist mecca on the weekends but more casual and chilled out on a weekday.  You can get your boho on at Free People or Madewell, max your credit card at the Bloomingdales shoe department, rock leather and lace at All Saints, run into Clinton & Stacy at Scoop NYC or stalk your fave Kardashian at DASH (mine is Khloe for laughs, Kourtney for clothes).

Madewell: Good enough for It/Hipster Poster Girl Alexa Chung.

Buddakan (75 9th Avenue) – This Chelsea supper club was in the engagement dinner scene of the SATC movie.  The Asian fusion menu is tapas style, perfect for sharing and reasonably priced…until your waiter starts free pouring the Grey Goose.  But it’s ok, you’ve had dinner so the hangover won’t be that bad.

Ooh la! La retour of the maillot and red lips. French Vogue starts the wave with Kate Moss.

The glorious sunshine and warmth of a sunny day has stirred up my love of bathing attire.  There are few activities more enjoyable than frolicking in the water and digging your toes into a sandy beach dressed in the most glamourous of bikinis.  Pina colada, por favor.

While it is easy to continually accumulate a destination wardrobe, I suggest you pick up a new swimsuit and retire an old one.  Don’t fret.  She has had the time of her life - her colours are faded from sun-soaked days and her strings have lost their elasticity from dips in the salty ocean.  Her life flashes before her similar to a montage sequence a la From Here to Eternity.  If you love her, let her go.

To ease the pain of your loss, I have compiled the best of Swimwear.  There are a plethora of new styling options and the return of the very retro Swimdress.  More modest than a string bikini, many designers are showing a modern take on swim with plunging sweetheart necklines and hipster bottoms.  Very G-L-A-M-O-U-R-O-U-S! (Canadian spelling)

Ruched in all the right places: Coral Carmen Marc Valvo Swimdress would be lovely paired with gold and turquoise chandelier earrings. Do it!

Stun the beach-goers with patterns and textures: Juicy Couture Rope Bikini

Hipster Ruffles make you wanna Samba in this Vix Liberty Ruffle

Bandeau a go-go. Trina Turk Peacock Bikini. Bandeau styles are great for snorkelling. Look ma! No tan lines!

It's only okay to stay in your swimsuit if you are ordering from the poolbar. Stay stylish and classy with this Nanette Lepore Tunic.

Bohogi, sounds like a sloppy sandwich, doesn’t it?  It’s my play on words – a bohemian/yogi fusion if you will.  And for those of you scratching your heads, per the Urban Dictionary, a yogi is defined as, “One who practices yoga and has achieved a high level of spiritual insight or a teabag that has been rolled into a joint to add flavour.”  I am obviously referring to the former and not the latter. 

The promise of Spring/Summer always gets me in the mood for bohemian attire.   But for me, Bohogi is more of an attitude – a love of altruistic good deeds, an appreciation for beauty, people, culture and spirituality, a return to nature dressed up in an embellished caftan.   But Bohogi goes beyond that.  It’s really ‘be yourself.’  Are you picking up what I’m putting down?

Close your eyes.  Let’s make believe I decided to erect a giant Bohogi teepee for my friends in my backyard.

Lucky girl has her own library and teepee! Um, spoiled.

Then we draped the walls with these sumptuous velvet Viceroy curtains from Anthropologie.

The will of the universe: We throw a bunch of Sky posie pillows in there and they land oh so perfectly like a shoot for Elle Decor.

And your feet were kept warm with this brilliantly bright Gloria's Garden rug. Love matchy-not matchy.

And we snuggle in this DVF Tie Dye Duvet

Impromptu dance party: We listen to Miike Snow on this Roberts Revival Radio or we ask our friend to bring their iPod speakers. Whatevs.

The more I think about it, it sounds like a fun party idea.  Hrmm, maybe I should plan that.  And, I’m taking credit for coining the term Bohogi.  Give it a few months and it will be all the rage on MTV (just like crazytown). Trust.

The Maldives are sinking. We sort of really, need to go. Shangri-la-la-la.

When I see little macrame white dresses and bejewelled sandals in stores, I have a major pang of ‘wanderlust.’  Resort clothing means vacation time for the snowbirds that flock abroad for a natural tan, sun kissed tresses and major relaxation.  This year, I am on stay-cation (insert ugly, uncontrollable sob) but for my LC dearies, I have compiled the best of Resort so that I may live vicariously through your wine-ing, dining, dancing and romancing.  If you have a fabulous time, that is all that matters.

There is nothing like burying your toes in the sand whilst enjoying a refreshing pina colada.  Or swimming in an infinity pool that stretches into the ocean.  Or gliding carelessly along clandestine cobblestone pathways.  Or dining al fresco watching the sun repose…in a precisely selected vacation wardrobe.

Just the way I like it: Earthy meets ruffle and belted! Alice + Olivia Avindale Maxi

Loving the wispy tiered quality of this Parker Tie Front Dress

• Maxi Dress, Yes Please – A bohemian’s vacation wardrobe staple, the rich colours and breezy material are perfect for long daytime walks on the beach or navigating through market stalls.  There’s something about a maxi dress that puts you in a more relaxed state of mind.  Nicole Richie loves it.   

Balenciaga Oversize Two Tone Sunnies.

• A Fresh Pair of Sunnies – Sunglasses are one of those things that I secretly hoard.  I can no longer justify buying cat eye sunglasses in different shades of tortoise shell.  I know.  It’s just wrong.  Badx3.  However, the ombre effect of this Spring’s crop of oversized Jackie O. styled sunglasses is quite delightful.

Seriously? Seriously. City of Love Ballerina Flats from Anthropologie.

• Dancing In The Street – I have often been interrogated by airline personnel as to why my luggage was sooo over the weight limit.  “Miss, what is in your suitcase?” (insert slight annoyance with smidge of trying not to laugh) To which I replied, “Shoes.”  The right shoes will have you tip tapping on steps, grabbing your travel partners hand to skip down the block and walk-walk-walking all over that city.
• A Relaxed Blouse – Perfect for days when lady-like is in order (such as visits to a church or temple, walks through museums where they crank up the air conditionning, a proper high tea, etc), a painted chiffon blouse would look stunning paired with shorts, accessorized with a few gold necklaces. 

Channelling Landscape Painter in an Anthropologie Flora Blouse

The world is your oyster. Conde Nast Traveller is a great reference for 'where to go next?'

Carrie's shoes always do the talking. Denim studded Loub's. You die.

This weekend gaggles of women and their gays clamoured into poorly ventilated theatres to watch the shenanigans of the fabulous foursome of Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte.  Even as a fan of the original series, I must say that SATC2 was low on substance, enjoyable enough but definitely charged with high-style.  It’s a must-see for all fashionistahs because of the amazing clothes and shoes. 

Admittedly, I was giving many women the ‘Manhattan Onceover’  not to be mean but to fully appreciate their fashion choice from head to toe.  To my utter disappointment, there were very few Statement Shoes in attendance.  I was totally prepared to stop a random to squeal, ”your shoes are sooo cuuuute!”  I believe compliments were meant to be shared.  And vice versa, nasty thoughts should be buried deep in the backyard beside your first pet hamster.

Lovely shoes are the ultimate finishing touch.  With great shoes on, you are more likely to sash-ay chantay down the sidewalk and turn the corner with a fierce stomp and swagger.  Very Naomi Campbell or RuPaul.  For me this summer, I choose caramel leather gladiator t-straps with a high wooden heel.  My friend G appeared in her boho fashionistah chiffon maxi with similar black and blush pink leather stiletto gladiators.  We were on a mind-path. 

Another interesting option is to explore the wovens such as the birdcage bootie, a hybrid of the classic weave in the form of a peeptoe boot.  Have you ever thought of purchasing sandals with cutouts reminiscent of laticework?  They look so pretty in metallic leathers (silver or gold) which is delicious with a tan.  If all else fails, pop your look with a mega-watt bright colour.   

Boutique 9 Demi Wedge in Silver Metallic

Another reason to love Ms. Richie: House of Harlow Snake Trimmed Heel

This is less preppy, more SEX-y: Tory Burch Ankle Cuff Sandal

Summer Vernis: Nouvelle Vague, Riviera & Mistral will look so sweet on your sandal toes.

If you are in search of an in-depth dissertation on what makes a statement shoe, please take a refresher by reading Statement Shoes: The Medium Is The Message.