Did you really think that "Reppin Your Borough" would only last one WEEK? She's So New York has been built upon loving the city that never sleeps. We couldn't possibly come up with enough material to cram about the Big Apple, so we've decided that it's only right to make "Reppin Your Borough," a permanent staple on the pages of SSNY. Stay tuned, it's only just begun!!

Are YOU your borough's representative? We want to know your style, your hangout spots, your restaurants, your local music and more! Help us inform the rest of the world and reinforce the notion that New York City is the place to be!

Where You Need To Be: Big Onion Walking Tours

Even if you were New York born and bred, Big Onion Walking Tours assure you that you've barely scratched the surface on discovering New York. For a mere $15 and a couple of friends, you and your homies can enjoy an official grand tour of the city that never sleeps. With a wide range of tours available, the adventurous can find themselves exploring the unknown, ranging from Multi-ethnic eating tours, where you explore Jewish East Side, Little Italy, and China Town while food sampling, Historic Harlem, profiling African American history from the heart and soul of Harlem, USA. They have the Gay and Lesbian History tour where you get to witness an intergral place of history, The Stone wall Inn, to the Official Gangs of New York tour where "Murderers Alley" might be a stop on your destinatation. The possibilities to learn something new about the city you love is in your reach for less than a weekly metrocard.

The guys behind Big Onion can also be seen frequently on Toni On New York, Saturdays on PIX.



She's So New York will return with more on Big Onion Walking Tours as we promise to give you an inside look on one of their many renowned walking expeditions!

For more information on the tour and its schedule, click here

Reppin Your Borough: Queens

By: Portia Walker, Editor-in-Chief

Queens.... Where do we begin on such a borough? Home to some of the greatest legends that ever lived, Queens at times is underrated. But for the lover of all things from the Q borough, you can't get enough of Jamaica Avenue, Steinway Street, Queens Center Mall, Ajax Park, Liberty Avenue - the list is endless.

Born and raised in Queens, I guess my assessment of my borough may be a tad bit biased but screw it, we're talking about the home of some of the greatest jazz musicians the world has ever seen from Louis Armstrong to Billie Holiday, that also had enough time to be the resting place for a cluster of hitmakers, directors, actors, world renowned movie studios, and fashion designers. We are talking about Queens here people!

Queens is the largest in area, the second largest in population, and the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The borough is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States.

Located on the western portion of Long Island, Queens is home to two of the three major New York City area airports, JFK International Airport and LaGuardia Airport. It is also the location of the New York Mets baseball team, the US Open tennis tournament, Flushing Meadows Park, Kaufman Astoria Studios, Silvercup Studios, and Aqueduct Racetrack. (Thanks Wikipedia!)

I can remember spending a majority of my child hood navigating through the streets of Queens. Forest Hills (For the train savvy: 71st and Continental on the R train) can take you to a bevy of restaurants, clothing stores, and nightlife. Other places you might enjoy for ethnic fare is Sunnyside, Astoria, Bayside, Long Island City and Corona. Queens has the highest population of hispanic and Guyanese immigrants in this borough, with Jackson Heights and Liberty Avenue (yes, this ENTIRE avenue) being the home of most. 

Even if you're not from Queens, you've heard of the Colosseum Mall. With the 165th Street pedestrian mall leading up to the two floor mall at the end of the block, shoppers have a bevy of choices to choose from. Want a quick and delicious bite to eat? Be prepared to stand in line for a beef patty on 165th street as Jamaican Flavors houses the best patties known to man. Grab a slice of the greatest pizza ever at Margherita Pizza on 163rd Street.

Rappers and singers are normally a fixture at Club Amazura and the various clubs that are aligned along Jamaica Avenue, but if that's not your scene, you can easily find something to your liking on Queens Blvd. With places ranging from hookah lounges to billards, there is always something to do along these streets. Be careful though, as Queens Blvd has earned the 'nickname' "The Blvd of Death," (look it up). Others places you might like? Austin Street.

Looking for something to do with the kids? Roy Wilkins Park (also the home of the Black Spectrum Theatre) is known for hosting some events including the Universoul Circus. In the summer, you can also catch a wide array of concerts for the perfect summer night. Kings Park in Jamaica is responsible for hosting weekly summer performances for kids, courtesy of Cultural Collaborative Jamaica. The Jamaica Arts Center on Jamaica Avenue houses several kid oriented activities including arts and crafts, dance and more. Other kid friendly places? The Hall of Science, Springfield Park, Flushing Meadow Park, Queens Library, Rock-N-Skate at Rockaway Beach and more.

Did I miss something? Care to fill me and the rest of the world in? Send your facts to besonewyork@gmail.com!

Reppin Your Borough: Staten Island

Welcome to Staten Island! This sometimes over looked part of New York, Staten Island can seem like another world from New York City. However, if you look closely and get acquainted

Wikipedia Says: Staten Island is overall the most suburban of the five boroughs of New York City. The North Shore, especially the neighborhoods of St. George, Tompkinsville, Park Hill, and Stapleton, is the most urban part of the island; it contains the officially designated St. George Historic District and The St. Paul’s Avenue-Stapleton Heights Historic District, which feature large Victorian homes. The South Shore has more suburban-style residential neighborhoods and is home to the two and one-half mile long F.D.R. Boardwalk, the fourth longest in the world.

Locals will skip the history and get straight to the facts. While the least populated within the tri-state area, Staten Islanders can assure you that there IS more to them than the legendary Wu Tang Clan (although who DOESN'T thank Staten Island for them?)

While some say that the best free ride ever is the Staten Island Ferry, SI also offers perfect summer boat rides for a short getaway.You can always find something to get into on Hyland Blvd and local hangout spots include Martini Red, Rab's Country Lanes, Shooters (formerly Chic N Bones) and Buddha Lounge. The fashion obsessed go to Staten Island Mall for the latest trends, while vintage rag lovers go to Bay Street Thrift, and Everyone Loves Clothing.

Are you your borough's representative?  


Do you know of any facts we missed? Fill us in! We're looking for the authority on all things SI. Send us your info to besonewyork@gmail.com!

Throughout the week we'll be featuring Staten Island event happenings and showcasing the hottest up and comers born and bred in Shaolin! In the meantime, it's only right that we hit you with a classic, courtesy of those SI boys, The Wu Tang Clan:



Are you an authority on everything Staten Island? Let us know!

Hello All!!! After a brief vacay, She's So New York is back to business! All this week we are "Reppin Your Borough!," From Brooklyn to Staten Island, we are highlighting where YOU live and what makes living in the tri-state area the place to be.

As stated on wikipedia, New York is the most populous city in the United States, and the center of the New York metropolitan area, which is one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. A leading global city, New York exerts a powerful influence over global commerce, finance, media, culture, art, fashion, research, education, and entertainment.

But besides the facts, we know New York as the beginning of life for the transplants who move from cities, states and countries to live in the Big Apple. We are immigrants, the sons, daughters and legacies of immigrants. This city that gives and takes, loves and hates - cultivates dreamers and believers of the American dream. If you were born and raised here, your loyalties to the city that never sleeps is everlasting, no matter where you go.

We are The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. No matter what language you speak or where you rest your head, everyone knows the slogan: "If you can make it here, you CAN make it anywhere!" This is New York baby, where only the strong survive.

She's So New York will be providing facts and essential borough staples, highlighting events, fashion, music, dance, art, restaurants and more! If you haven't fallen in love with New York City like we have, we'll ensure that you do once this week is over.

Are you your borough's representative? Can you give us an exclusive guide on your stomping grounds? We are looking for recommendations, pictures and more! Send us your info to besonewyork@gmail.com