The time has come...

Well, I'm back from New York City. Loving being home but missing the super cool New York. What a city!

I've been wondering what may come of this little blog since I've been home, I did love it so. Out partying on New Year's Eve and I had the perfect idea... pass it on!

So, I'm handing over to three good friends of mine (Bek, Tim & Kate) who are taking the leap and setting up home in NYC for what may be a long or short while. I know they will have an endless supply of fun times and will share all the deets in a spectacular fashion.

So, stay tuned for a slight name change, new mast but the same goodness of Aussies blogging about NYC!

Signing off,
Wanders from West 50th

YAYs 'n' NAYs

Some of my YAYs 'n' NAYs after a little post-NYC pondering...

YAYs

Toasted bagels with cream cheese (oh how I miss thee)

"Bless you" without fail after a sneeze

"You're welcome" after every thank you 

Hell's Kitchen (my hood)

Cheap food (and amazing variety) 

Cocktails

Splitting group dining bills with as many cards as you desire

Shopping (oh the shopping)

Markets, so many great flea/christmas/food/vintage markets

Sephora (cosmetic heaven & soooo cheap to us Aussies)

NAYs 

Coffee

The dry, cold wind that cuts though Manhattan in Winter

Wearing UGG boots beyond a slipper

Sales tax not being included in prices

Massive gaps either side of toilet doors & NO vacant/engaged locks (what the?) 

Subway preachers

Subway stalkers

Employees that don't work for tips being utterly aloof/unhelpful/rude

And I'm sure there's a billion more that will come to me after I post this. I just thought the little comparative
observations you have while living in another country, such as these, are such funny little insights.

Maybe there's more to come...

Balthazar

Balthazar is a French bistro in Soho, a bit of an NYC institution. This being the case it's also incredibly hard to get into. I didn't get there on my last trip to NYC so this time I went twice! (that's fair right?)

It's a hive of activity, especially on the weekends. People are lining up at the door and cramming around the bar waiting for their table. For my Brissy peeps out there, Belle Epoque at Emporium in the Valley is definitely channeling this place. High ceilings, traditional french brasserie booth seating, lots of mirrors and a grandiose bar with an extensive wine list.

My first visit was for brunch. The eggs benedict are highly regarded so the choice was clear. I should mention that I'm not usually a benedict orderer for breakfast, but it was great. The eggs and hollandaise were perfect and it was all served atop crunchy potatoes which was a nice touch. Even the latte was good.

My second visit (today) was for a late lunch. I had heard that the salads and french fries were also a definite 'must try' so that's what I ordered. The roasted beet salad with walnuts and blue cheese was divine. And the fries were great too. Much the same in size to McDonalds (how dare I blaspheme with this comparison but you get the gist) but super crunchy as I believe they're double fried, and served in a cute paper cone.

And to top it all off, a table of strangers across from me sent their waitress over with a glass of champagne for me. They couldn't finish their bottle and were leaving. How cute! I enjoyed every last drop. Salut!

Macy's Thankgiving Day Parade

Way to bring the weather for an outdoor parade Manhattan! It was so cold that I think I actually lost a little feeling in my feet at one point. I'm not joking.

Never-the-less, I rugged up in the full winter kit and went to get a glimpse of the Macy's Thankgiving Day Parade. The balloons are absolutely ginormous and it's kind of surreal seeing these brightly coloured cartoon characters glide along above street level, light as a feather...

Ist cab off the rank - Snoopy!

Kermit's butt

The best seats in the house for seeing right up Shek's nostril

Kung-Fu Panda air-kicking the golden arches

Pikachu on Broadway

A bittersweet last day at work

Oh how the time has flown.

While I'm very excited to get home to my loved ones, apartment and job. I'm also sad to be leaving. This has been an unbelievable adventure, full of 'new'... new city, new people, new job, new tastes and new sights.

Lots of goodbyes today at work, I'm going to miss my GOGO girls. It was a day of eating. Cupcakes galore. I thought I'd surprise them with their favourite cupcakes (Crumbs), to say thanks for having me, and they did the same. Double up!

They then ordered my favourite cheese pizza for lunch. Introduced to me in my first week at GOGO and the single best plain cheese pizza I've ever had. I guess I haven't stopped raving about it. Who would of thought that no topping could be so tasty. And then to top it off (pardon the pun) I was spoilt with my fave choccies and Season 3 of Gossip Girl! My missing season! I've watched up to S2 but S4 is now airing here so I've been a bit confused and the girls at work have been filling in the blanks for me. Super sweet of them.

The gods must of known it was my last loooong bus ride home as we had a stellar run. In the city before 6.30pm, unheard of! And then, amidst the craziness of the bus terminal on Thanksgiving eve I saw my fave bus driver who pipes up with a "Hi Mel" and a chat. Awwww.

Off the bus, onto the subway, and I find myself helping some lost folk work out which train to catch. To which they end with "we'll just follow you, you look like you know where you're going." And there you have it folks, apparently I look like I know what I'm doing in the big smoke. Ha!

Being Thanksgiving and all... I must say that I'm very thankful for this amazing opportunity, the people that encouraged me to do it, my bf for being so damn supportive, my visitors, and all the 'new' things that have crossed my path along the way.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Flea Market month

There are a lot of great markets here in NYC. The last couple of weekends I've been all about the flea markets.

A friend told me about the GreenFlea on the Upper West (thanks Laura!). It's right behind the Museum of Natural History and talk about vintage sensory overload! But it bought me to a little quandry, to fur or not to fur. Fur is everywhere over here right now and there's so many arguments for and against. I must admit I do like this winter look, but faux is just as good. Anyway, I digress.

I had no quandries snapping up some awesome jewellery and bags at the GreenFlea...

 

The East 67th Street Market on the Upper East was next. Not as big and not as good in my book. You could skip this one and stick to the GreenFlea if it's jewellery, clothing and accessories you're after. Although they do incorporate a great farmer's market section, think homemade jams, sweet treats and fresh fruit and veg. I did get a deep green onyx ring and a 1950s thermoset plastic bracelet. Score!

 

It's really easy to spend money in this city! Oh dear. And do not fear, I'm not considering a career change to hand modelling.

All sorts on the Subway

From our four legged friends...

To well dressed retro dudes minding their own business...