When MNG for MANGO asked me to take photos of my favourite NYC landmark, Times Square seemed like the obvious choice.

It’s strange, though; despite the fact that no New Yorker ever goes there by choice, it’s still a place I think of as being quintessentially New York. Times Square is wild & overbearing & bizarre. It’s totally manufactured & a bit tasteless. It’s swarming with tourists who never look where they’re going, you get constantly harassed by dudes who always ask if you “like comedy”, & the flashing neon lights are egregious at the best of times.

Even so, I kinda love it. When I first arrived in NYC — on the 12th of September, 2006 — my boyfriend & I walked up towards Times Square, & were standing in the middle of it all when the clock ticked over to midnight, & I turned 23. I had never been somewhere so exciting in my entire life! We went to Cold Stone Creamery for huge ice cream sundaes & they sang me happy birthday, & while now I’m quite accustomed to NYC’s rampant pace & uneven charm, these events were totally thrilling at the time!

Summary: I feel pretty fondly about Times Square, even though it makes me feel a little bit nuts!

In fact, Times Square has been vastly improved in the last couple of years, with the introduction of pedestrian plazas, which actually give the masses somewhere to walk & stand. Before this, it was all standing precariously between three lanes of taxis to get the “perfect NYC postcard photo”. At least now you can get a little breathing room!

A little while later, I switched out my oversized hat for a leopard jacket… ! Such a small change can totally transform an outfit. This outfit makes me feel like a girl from a Japanese cartoon.

I was wearing…

Turquoise hat from Forever 21
Leopard jacket from Forever 21
MNG for MANGO grey sleeveless top
Betsey Johnson belt (I seriously wear this with everything, it’s my new staple)
Black maxi-dress (worn under the top) from Forever 21 (this is another new staple — it’s so easy, you just throw it on & go)
Matiko booties
MNG for MANGO satchel

What else can you do in Times Square but pick up a copy of the famous Playbill?!

This MNG for MANGO tank has been a great little addition to my wardrobe. It’s fab for when you want to wear a tank but want something a little more fancy or exciting than a plain ribbed scoopneck! The detailing around the neck keeps it fun, & it somehow seems to go with everything!

These pink lights inside the Times Square Visitor’s Center made my LIFE! I mean, really. Can my office have an entire wall of these?! Mmmm… Hypnotic magenta!

Details… Did you spot my double leopard action?

One thing us jaded city folk could learn from tourists, though? They’re always looking up. In New York, where we get used to locking our eyes on the horizon & subtly scanning for potential hazards in our peripheral vision, we often miss the beauty of this crazy city. Just above our heads, there is incredible architecture, beautiful light displays, verdant greenery & fantastic gargoyles.

It’s wonderful to take a minute & soak it all in. There’s nowhere else like it.

Full disclosure: This campaign is produced by Style Coalition & sponsored by jcpenney. Photos by Lydia Hudgens!