What I've Been Up To Lately

Last week I had the pleasure of spending some time with one of my favourite people from home and her new fiancée (congrats again guys). It gave me an excuse to continue being a tourist, something that lingered on into my weekend, when my friends had long gone off to Boston on the train.

Here are some of the things I got up to....

Ate a chilli-dog on the Circle Line Cruise (no they are not all mine)

I have definitely mentioned before how much I love this cruise. If you are coming to New York, make this part of your itinerary, you won't be disappointed. Maybe just steer clear of the chilli-dog, they are not so nice.

Took more photos of The Statue of Liberty

While I have never been, and probably will never go, over to Liberty Island on the ferry, you get a pretty good view from the Circle Line. I just don't see the point of paying for another ferry when you can see the whole island of Manhattan and get up close and personal with Lady Liberty herself.

Took more photos of the Staten Island Ferry

For me the Staten Island Ferry is not a thrilling tourist experience. I went on it once. Over to Staten Island. And I got straight back on the next ferry coming back to Manhattan. I do like the look of the big orange beast though, hence the photos.

Took more photos of the Brooklyn Bridge

I love this bridge and getting shots from underneath it. For me it's better than dealing with the swarms of people on the path above.

Got a fresh pedicure

Enough said, who doesn't love buffed and polished sandal ready feet?

Ate at the 'Seinfeld Diner'

I went up to the 'Seinfeld Diner' aka Tom's Restaurant for a heavy breakfast and coffee refills with my visiting friends.

(Note: this photo was taken last year when the weather was much colder)

Bought a new belt from J.Crew

This belt was originally purchased to go with a dress I bought for an upcoming casual wedding. But I think it is going to become one of my favourite wardrobe staples.

Ate a Shake Shake burger (finally)

These burgers are famous, everyone talks about them and people line up for over an hour to get one (we did too). Was it the best burger I have ever eaten, I don't think so. But having said that, they are still pretty good and are surprisingly small yet well sized in a culture that likes to super-size everything.

Looked at art in the park

After indulging in my burger and fries we strolled through the park and I took photos of flowers and art - as you do. The sculpture by Jaume Plensa: Echo, looks especially good lit up at night.

Took a walk down memory lane

Madison Square Park was the scene of my engagement. It has always been one of my favourite parks in the city but now it will always hold an extra special place in my heart.

Hooray it's Friday!

Image Credit: Vogue.com

It has been a big week catching up with some great friends from home, I miss you already! But very much looking forward to some R&R this weekend. Enjoy yours!

Cobalt & Turquoise

The combination of cobalt blue and turquoise is one of my favourites for summer. I love how fresh it looks, it is definitely a combination I will be trying this summer. Here are some different ways to put these colours together...

Image Credit: Style.com

Image Credit: Atlantic-Pacific

Image Credit: Cupcakes & Cashmere

Image Credit: Yumi Kim

You could always just find a print that incorporates these two colours...

Image Credit: Tommy Ton for Style.com

And if in doubt, just grab a friend and you can look great standing together!

Image Credit: DVF

 Image Credit: Tommy Ton for Style.com

10 Commandments

[This post has been bubbling up inside me for a little while now so I apologise for its negative tone in advance]

While I love so many things about New York, there are a few things, as with any city, that I could take or leave. If there is one thing about New York that I would leave over anything else, it is the sidewalk etiquette, or lack there of. I find walking around the busy streets incredibly frustrating. 

I admit it, I am terribly impatient. Slowness is not something I tolerate well at the best of times. However, what I am talking about is some peoples complete lack of awareness of their surroundings and those around them. This leads these people to commit a multitude of what I like to call sidewalk sins. Things that to me should be common sense but clearly are not to everybody. I am not giving up though, I believe that if we all work together we can make the sidewalks a better place for us all.

Here are my 10 Sidewalk Commandments (in no particular order). 

1. Thou Shall Stick to the Right

Image Credit: Improv Everywhere 

As with traffic on two-way streets, stick to the right. When you are on a busy footpath make it easier for yourself and everyone else and stick to the right, unless overtaking. Some days I wish the above image was a reality - I love it!

2. Thou Shall be Mindful When Walking Slowly

Why is it that the slow walkers are some of the hardest to pass on the sidewalk? Am I missing something? It seems to me that there is something about walking slowly that makes you command the whole path. If you are slow, walk on the right of the path, not the middle. It's not that hard. 

3. Thou Shall Give Others Their Personal Space

Image Credit

While I understand that when the streets are as busy as the image above it is hard to be mindful of personal space, I will not and do not excuse those people who invade my personal space unnecessarily. I have often commented to Michael that I have never before had my personal space violated so often as since we moved to New York. I get it, it's a busy city, people are used to standing on a crowded subway car or waiting at a busy bar. But c'mon people, it's not always that crowded. Take a step back, give me some room, and please keep your hands to yourself, I will slap you!

4. Thou Shall Not Stop Dead

Nothing irritates me more than people who just stop dead in front of me on a busy sidewalk. I would rather not rear-end you, so step to the side before pausing. I am sure you don't want to be trampled either, so next time, think before you stop.

5. Thou Shall Not Cut In

This goes along with sin number four in terms of my irritation factor. When exiting a store/apartment building/restaurant/whatever, please check the flow of traffic before you step out. I am a fast walker, it is so frustrating when someone steps out straight in front of me rather than wait for me to pass. This irritation is made even worse when these said people continue on to commit sin number two.

6. Thou Shall be Mindful When Walking in a Group

Image Credit: Daily Stab

Yes Charlotte, Carrie, Miranda and Samantha I am talking to you. If in a group on a busy footpath, break your group to let others pass you. Don't expect others to step out on to the street to get around you. And no, people can't just vanish into thin air, you need to step around them.

7. Thou Shall Not Get in Front

There is a terrible intersection culture in New York in general (watch this if you want to see what I mean). But in terms of sidewalk sins, I can't stand it when I am waiting at an intersection and someone comes and stands right in front of me, as if I am going to be walking slowly and they better get ahead now to save getting stuck behind (refer to sin number two). Really? I don't think anyone who has stepped in front of me has ever walked quicker than I do. Unless you are an Olympic speed walker, just stand behind.

8. Thou Shall Know That a Pram Does Not Excuse Rudeness

Image Credit: Mail Online

This sin is not a daily occurrence, most people with prams are perfectly lovely. However, it does happen often enough to make my 10 Commandments. If you have a pram (whether parent or caregiver), this does not give you the right to bully others on the side-walk. The rules of etiquette still apply to you, keep to the right, don't stop dead and please don't ram other's ankles to get their attention (yes I have both seen this happen and had it done to me).

9. Thou Shall Not Blow Smoke In Other People's Faces

This one shouldn't be two hard to understand - to me it would be common courtesy. Yet, it happens Every. Single. Day. When smoking while walking along the footpath, please don't blow your second hand smoke straight back in my face. It is disgusting and will illicit a very angry response from me. I will speed up to get passed you sending a deadly look your way as I get in front.

10. Thou Shall Realise the Average Person Can't Read Your Mind

When on the footpath, some people seem to think that everyone around them can read their mind. I strongly dislike it when someone sighs at the back of my head or steps on the heel of my shoe when they want to pass me on a busy footpath. I don't read minds so next time a simple "excuse me please" will work wonders - go figure!

So you now know all the 10 Sidewalk Commandments, please go forth and share them with your fellow man and woman, and one day our dreams of sidewalk peace may just become a reality!

Savage Beauty

If you are planning to visit New York between now and August 7th I highly recommend a visit to The Metropolitan Museum of Art and in particular the exhibition Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty.

Even if you are not a McQueen fan you can not argue that this exhibition isn't hauntingly beautiful. An incredible tailor each piece is perfectly constructed by a highly skilled craftsman. He once said, “Everything I do is based on tailoring.” McQueen’s approach to design combined the precision and traditions of tailoring and patternmaking with the spontaneity and improvisations of draping and dressmaking. It is this ability to blend discipline and impulse, that defines McQueen’s uniqueness. A quality that can't be taught or replicated.

The Savage Beauty exhibition also offers an insight into McQueen's design inspirations. He was incredibly imaginative and innovative. He was passionate about history and politics, being particularly inspired by the Victorian Gothic era of the nineteenth century. He was also very proud of his Scottish heritage, as referenced by the use of his family tartan in some of his most famous designs.

There was so much to see. It was an incredible exhibition and I plan to go back again before it is over. Here is a look at some of my favourite pieces from the exhibition...

Images from The Met Museum

It's the Weekend!

Yay it's the weekend again. I have been especially looking forward to this weekend as Michael is finally getting back from Brazil tomorrow. 

Image Credit: CentralPark.com

Enjoy your weekend, I hope you are doing something exciting!

And the Living is Easy

As the temperatures in New York have begun to soar, there are some days where the only respite will be to sit at home in front of the air-con. Lucky then, that we have a comfortable living room to relax in, if that is where we will be spending more of our time! 

New York apartments are small, really small, so when decorating we tried hard to make sure our space was going to look open and large (well as large as it can). Here is our result...

Dining table, chairs, coffee table and cream rug are IKEA; Lounge is from Room & Board; 

Colourful Rug is from Crate & Barrel; Cushions and Art are assorted.

Here are some more great pics for living room inspiration (if ours doesn't do it for you)...

 Images Credit: Design*Sponge

 Images Credit: Design*Sponge

Image Credit: ELLE Decor 

Image Credit: ELLE Decor 

 Image Credit: ELLE Decor

Image Credit: Lonny Magazine 

Image Credit: Lonny Magazine 

 Image Credit: Lonny Magazine