Looking back: 2013 in New York City

What a year it was! In 2013, I went on a urban quest, camera on hand, and together we explored New York through my lens : 12 places that I love and consider my favorites. Thanks for sharing this journey with me, it was a blast! Let's revisit every place, and every season, shall we?

The arrival of Spring took us to Brooklyn, where we had brunch at Egg, and drank excellent french press coffee and ate baked eggs on a brioche. We also saw the Cherry Blossoms at the Botanical Garden. Finally, we saw art at MoMA PS1 and had lunch at M. Wells Dinette (had baked eggs, too!)

Hooray for Summer! We spent a morning at the Hester Street Fair, sampling all the food vendors and checking out all the artisan goods. We also took our bikes on the ferry to Governors Island and spend the day there. To close our Summer, we had cocktails at 230 Fifth, my favorite rooftop bar with close up view of the Empire State.

Oh Fall! Everybody's favorite season! To start off, we sail around Manhattan on a cruise and saw the island (and the other boroughs) from every angle. We also went to foodies paradise, Chelsea Market (chocolate ravioli, I'm still thinking about you) and finally, a trip to the Brooklyn Brewery, it was so much fun.

And to finalize, Winter (brrr!). I fought my winter blues eating Viennese pastries at Cafe Sabarsky, kept my stamina up ice skating in Bryant Park, and learn A LOT about immigrant history in NY visiting the Tenement Museum (my favorite museum in the city).

Did you enjoy the journey? I sure did, and hope you guys have your sunscreen and sunglasses ready, because in only a few weeks we will start discovering Miami. Ready? Me too!

New York through my lens: December

TA-DA! I finished my photo project New York through my lens! I can't believe I actually completed it.

For the final month, I went to Cafe Sabarsky, a beautiful Viennese cafe inside Neue Galerie. They serve the most amazing pastries and coffee, and you know those are necessities during the Winter time in NYC.

Come see more pictures HERE.

These past 12 months, I showed you 12 different places in New York City, places that I've been meaning to visit and hadn't for different reasons, and favorite places that I love to re-visit from time to time. I had a great time doing this project, and I hope you guys enjoyed it.

You can see the 12 months and 12 places HERE.

As you may know, I recently relocated to Miami Beach. So, I thought it might be fun to do a Miami through my lens project, starting January 2014.

I hope you're coming along for this next adventure! I'd love to show you my new city. There will be bike rides, beaches, cocktails and a lot of sun. Come with me!

Images: Monica Aguinaga

New York through my lens: November

Hey friends! Today I'm sharing November edition of my photo project: New York through my lens. I went to the Brooklyn Brewery and loved it! You can see more pictures here.

I have a final place to share with you. It's a charming coffee shop in the Upper East Side. But you have to wait until December!

See every month and every place I went here.

Images: Monica Aguinaga.

New York through my Lens: October

Hello, October! I welcome you with a smile in my face, for Fall is a beautiful season, with sunny days and brisk breezes, and I'm excited about everything pumpkin, sweaters and scarfs, and comforting soups.

This month, I went to the Chelsea Market, a true foodie paradise, and I ate, and I walked, and now, I'm sharing my pictures with you. Have you been to the Chelsea Market? If so, what was your favorite place? If not, when are you going?

New York through my Lens is almost over. 2 more months and that's it. But, I'm already planning a new project for 2014. A new city. A new state. A new adventure.

Stay tuned!

New York through my lens: September

Is it September already? No, It can't be. Where did the time go? This month I did the most tourist-y thing ever, and went on a Circle Line Cruise. It was beautiful to go around Manhattan on a boat and see all the landmarks I dreamed on seeing as a youngster. Go to New York through my lens to see this month's adventure, and check out the archive to see past months.

Almost three months to go till the end of 2013! 

Images: Monica Aguinaga.

New York through my lens: August

August came and went so fast! And so the end of Summer is imminent. For this month's edition of New York through my lens, I went to my favorite rooftop bar: 230 Fifth. A must if you're visiting the city. Breathtaking views, a nice crowd, refreshing cocktails, what else do you need to spend a lovely afternoon in Manhattan?
See past months of the project here.

Images: Monica Aguinaga.

New York through my lens: July

This month, as part of my project New York trough my lens, I re-visited one of  my favorite places in NYC: Governors Island. It's a lovely way to spend the day: taking the ferry, riding a bike (your own or rented), kayaking, eating, drinking, taking part of the many art and cultural happenings every year; the list of things to do in the island is endless.

Head over to NYTML to see the pictures. Are you going to Governors Island this Summer?

Images: Monica Aguinaga.

New York through my lens: June

This month, to celebrate the arrival of Summer, I went to the Hester St. Fair, located in the Lower East Side.

I spend a lovely morning sampling all the food vendors (La Newyorkina paletas are the best!). Here are more pictures, if you'd like to see.

Ok, we're almost halfway through the year, and I still have many places to see. If you've missed the previous months, here they are:

January: I fought my winter blues ice-skating in my favorite ice rink: Citi Pond at Bryant Park.

February: I learned a lot about immigrant life in NYC, and got to see first hand how immigrants lived in the 1800's. Have you visited the Tenement Museum?

March: I crossed two rivers (Hudson and East) to have a very memorable breakfast (french press coffee included) at Egg.

April: Spring sprung with full force at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden: Cherry Blossoms everywhere!

May: I visited Long Island City, saw some art and had lunch at Ms. Wells Dinette inside Moma PS1.

June: Summer is officially here, I went to the Hester St. Fair and soak some sun while perusing the artisan goods.

Hope everyone is enjoying the summer! Are you doing anything fun?

Images: Monica Aguinaga.

New York through my lens: May

May is already halfway through.  2013 is going fast, fast, fast. This month, I took the E train all the way to Queens to visit the museum MOMA PS1. I was also excited to try the food at the M. Wells Dinette inside the museum. The cafeteria is set as a classroom, the menu is written on a chalkboard and you sit on a communal school desk. 

See more pictures here.

Previous months: January, February, March and April.

Now that the weather is getting warmer, I'm planning to feature more outdoor places on NYTML: an historic outdoor market in the Lower East Side, an island that used to be a military outpost, and a bike ride to my favorite neighborhood in the city (where Truman Capote lived). Can you guess where I'll be going? Come on, it's easy-peasy! The answer is in the question.

Please, feel free to make suggestions, I'd love to discover hidden gems in the city!

Images: Monica Aguinaga.

New York through my Lens: April

April came and went so fast! I waited until the last possible minute to post April edition of my photography project: New York through my lens (It won't happen again!). I wanted to see the Cherry trees at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden and I thought it would be perfect to celebrate the much anticipated arrival of Spring! This year, the trees bloomed a little later than expected, but you still have time to go see them.

Ok, go over to NYTML to see more pictures.

Previous months: January, February and March.

Images: Monica Aguinaga.

New York through my lens | March

Is it me or the year is going super fast? For March edition of my photography project New York through my lens, I went for breakfast at Egg, in Brooklyn. It definitely lived up to the hype! Everything is delicious.

Hop over to NYTML for more pictures!

Previous months of NYTML: January and February .

Images: Monica Aguinaga.

New York through my lens | February

Hey! The month is almost over, but here's February edition of my photo project: New York through my lens. My quest to discover new places in NYC took me to the Lower East Side and inside the Tenement Museum. It was a wonderful experience. Almost like traveling back in time!

Head over to NYTML to see more pictures.

Did you miss January? I went ice-skating and it was fun!

Images: Monica Aguinaga

New York Through my Lens

Hey friends. Today I'm excited to show you a little project of mine: "New York through my lens", a 12 month photographic journey to discover new places (and re-visit favorites) in NYC.

Originally I wanted to make this project in 52 weeks, meaning I would be showcasing one place a week, but quickly realized that might be a little too ambitious. So, instead, I will be showcasing 12 places, like museums, neighborhoods, landmarks and other favorite places that I love to re-visit.

For January, I went ice skating to Citi Pond in Bryant Park. It's beautiful, I can't recommend it enough. 

If you want to read more about this project, check out the About page, and if you want to get monthly updates, consider joining the mailing list (I won't spam you, I swear).

Hopefully, this will become a little guide of fun things to do in NYC, I hope you are coming along for the ride. It'll be fun!

Images: Monica Aguinaga.