Ah, summer in the city. So much to do, so little desire to sit at home in my studio apartment.

Despite the unbearable humidity, summer in the city is my favorite time of year. Partially because it’s when half the population gets the hell out and heads to the Hamptons, so you can actually walk/breathe/etc without brushing up against six other people in the process.

Truthfully, though, I share the same sentiment during fall and spring, too… Point being, I love when the weather cooperates enough for my favorite hobbies take shape: People watching, wine drinking and outdoor dining.

I get a lot of requests to share my favorite spots in New York City, so I thought I’d roll ’em up and showcase the spaces and places I’m frequenting this summer.

Without further adieu, here’s the scoop on my summer guide to New York City.

Exactly 365 days ago, I white-knuckled the broken handles of two 50-pound suitcases (of shoes) and waved goodbye to the familiar skyline of Chicago, boarding a one-way, non-refundable flight to New York (holy shit) City.

At the moment, I’m on a red-eye flight home from San Francisco. (I’m always airborn, apparently.) It’s 1:13 a.m. and I’m drinking red wine, pouring my heart into a long-winded love letter…

I’m oddly struck by how easy the words come.