How many times have you had to ask "So what's the dress code?" In this episode, we'll walk you through the best tips for common occasions in the city. Whether you're commuting to the office or going out for brunch with friends, there's a few general guidelines for looking fashionable without having to sacrifice comfort as you move from point A to point B (you can't afford to Uber everywhere).

Check out our Basics & Investment Pieces episode for where to buy versatile items in your price range and utilize Pinterest and Instagram for some extra outfit inspo!

This week on the podcast we’re helping you navigate the essentials for building up your perfect New York wardrobe. Take a walk from the East Village to Soho and you’ll see enough outfit inspiration to fill a Vogue magazine (and make you question everything you own)! So before you load up your Zara cart with hundreds of items join us as we share all of our secrets on where to save (and maybe splurge)!

We’ve included a brief list of some items below but check out our website for some of our favorite key pieces!

Favorite Stores for Basics

Splurge Items

Welcome back and to the second season of Seeking Street Smarts!

Join us as we discuss our tips for spring cleaning and how we turn our old clothes into money-making opportunities.

Local Charities:

Resale Websites:

Consignment Stores

In this final episode of our Health and Wellness Series, we discuss what it means to implement self-care both mentally and physically. It’s been a crazy year and the way we approach wellness has changed dramatically, and the meaning of self-care has changed for each of us. Join us to hear how one introvert and extrovert approach self-care in the city, from making doctor’s appointments to affording facials, we talk about it all in our journey to finding our inner peace (or as Julia likes to call it - your inner Hot Girl Energy). 

Our Favorite Resources:

This week’s street smarts are brought to you by Beth Moncel of the popular blog, Budget Bytes. Beth is a master of creating low-cost meals that are both flavorful and nutritious. We sat down with Beth to discuss her approach to creating budget friendly recipes, get tips on navigating the grocery store (without grabbing all of the snacks), and asked her about some of her go-to recipes. Pro-Tip: Whip up some of her famous dragon noodles (recipe linked below) as you listen to this week’s episode!

What to expect in this episode: Meccay & Julia sit down with Beth Moncel of @BudgetBytes to talk about the creation of her blog, versatile kitchen basics, and cooking flavorful meals that don't break the bank.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Unsure of how to equip your kitchen? Check out this article on Serious Eats that outlines all the basics for you!

There is no "one-size-fits all" plan to healthy eating and nutrition, as it depends on factors such as budget, location, dietary restrictions, and plain ol’ preferences. A good rule of thumb is to eat a variety of nutrient dense foods, but even that can feel overwhelming. The endless aisles and product options and grocery stores can be intimidating – especially when you’re hungry from your 10 block walk to the store. 

What to expect in this episode: how to stock your kitchen basics, approach the grocery store, and utilize Meal Kits to diversify your menu at home.

Stocking your pantry

Check out this article from BudgetBytes with the items that she likes to keep on hand to help her whip on meals on the fly.

Shopping / Delivery 

Check out this EATER article on the best grocery delivery services in the city from Local Supermarkets to Farm-based suppliers.

Affordable Produce 

We’ve all seen the fruit and vegetable stands placed around NYC, but have you actually stopped to look at the prices? They can be a GREAT way to find affordable fruit. Goodbye $6 Whole Foods blueberries and hello 2 for $5 deals. Heads up – Most only accept cash!

Trying New Recipes

Affordable Meal Kit Delivery Options (Use that free trial!)

1.  Hello Fresh

2.  Blue Apron

3.  Home Chef

4.  Green Chef

5.  Dinnerly

We’ve all had those days where we just want to enjoy a nice lunch, but the $20 dollar Sweetgreen salad sounds just as delicious as it does painful. Here are some ways to make enjoying lunch with the office about the networking and less about budgeting.

1.  MealPal ($6 a meal)

2.  Ritual (Get your entire office to join and you save $$$)

3.  Daily Harvest

In the first episode of their podcast, Meccay and Julia begin covering Health & Wellness by providing tips, tricks, and useful resources that will help you kickstart your journey into Physical Fitness.

What to expect in this episode: how to find gyms and studios, working within a budget, and the process of creating a sustainable fitness practice that is best for you.

Helpful resources:

Online Classes

NYC Gyms / Studios (ranked by average price):

At-Home Equipment

Welcome to Seeking Street Smarts, a podcast by two real girls bringing you the street smarts you need to thrive.