Abs, Orpah and MoMA

So yesterday I planned a day of gallery/museum visits...but did I make it to a gallery/museum...not one! 

Let me tell you what happened...

First of all I got off the bus about the 3 stops to early had to walk for a while to get to the subway. After wasting about 30 mins, I got on the subway and made my way straight to MoMA (Mueseum of Modern Art) which currently has a exhbit called 'The Rain Room, which is gettting lots of press so I wanted to see it for myself. I qued for about 15mins to buy my ticket (I pretended to be a student, but didn't pull it off!) then once I paid for my full price adult ticket, the lady deicded to tell me that there was a 5 hour wait for the Rain Room!! I couldn't beleive it! I said I wasn't going to waste my day queing and asked for my money back! Lol! With a filthy look but no speech she returned me my money I wandered to 5th for some retail therapy. I was also on the hunt for the lastest issue of Oprah as Kempton & Co are in the August Issue!!!

Look who I pumped into on 5th...

One for the girls! ;)

After this 'photo opportunity' I had a wonder around Abercormbie but nothing took my fancy (apart from the obvious!). On a practical note I did actually want to buy some light weight clothes as its super hot here. I decided to head to a few high street clothes shops but got a bit side tracked and found myself in Henri Bendal and ended up buying an NYC bracelet by Alex and Ani. 

Next it was time for lunch as it was starting to get on a bit. I bought a lovely salad to takeway and sat right out side the Rockfeller Centre in the sunshine. 

I had planned to make my way to another Museum in Soho, in the afternoon but after I'd finished lunch I wanted to find some wifi to contact my Enlgish peeps; so where might I happen to find wifi but in a cocktail bar...

After several texts, emails, Facetime natters and a couple of cocktails I deicded it was too late to head to the Museum, but the shops were still open so I had a wander around 5th & 6th Ave. I also checked out a few news stands but still no sign of Oprah. 

Later on I caught the subway to the East Village to meet my firend Catherine for supper...and look what I found on the way to the platform....

I was so excited, I showed everyone on the train! lol! 'The Lambskin Anglo Bag 'could change your life'! Woo! 

I reached the East Village without getting lost, (very pleased with myself as I even had to swtich trains!). We ended up having supper at a funky Mexican Restaurant. 

Upon arrving home  I came back into wifi signal a noticed that I'd had a text from Caitlin, so it was a change of shirt, a spriz of Chanel and back out to the B&T (Bait & Tackle; now I'm a 'local' I'm allowed to abriveate it! The barman said so!). 

Sunny Sunday

The weather has been really hot and sunny over the last few days. Yesterday I had the day off and decided to be very lazy and pack up my bkini, book and shades and went up on to the roof for a spot of sun bathing. (Unfortunately, as I had no one to rub suncream on my back, I'm looking a little bit like my friend Larry this morning!). 

It was coconut water and banana flavored if you were wondering (tasted a bit like suncream!) 

In the evening I went for a wander and a cocktail...

I've walked passed this statue a few times but last night it was lit up and looking very pretty.

I took this photo through the window as the shop was closed. I'll have to go back when its open as it looks very intriguing.

The Freedom Tower- still red, white & blue following the 4th July. 

Fun, Frolics and Fireworks on the Fourth!

Yesterday was the first time I had ever experienced the 4th July in the US and it was lots of fun!  

Fourth July Cake at Baked 

Frank's 1987 Stars and Stripes Converse (they're older than me!).

After work Caitlin and I made a lovely little picnic, complete with Larry the Lobster, to take on the the roof before the fireworks.

Larry! 

Look what I found.......

....glad I kept those bibs from the Oyster Bar! Hehe! 

Although the fireworks weren't overhead, it was still a very pretty skyline and a great atmosphere. 

Blurry but beautiful 

After the fireworks we ventured off up the road to the Bait & Tackle (by this point we were still wearing our totally awesome Oyster Bar bibs and we had discovered that they could double up as a cape if we turned them back to front! Hehe!).

King James and The Special Men were performing at the Bait and Tackle which made for a fun night of dancing and honorary tambourine playing!  

I have been quoted....on the topic of Jay Z!

Yesterday a photojournalist came into the store and interviewed me about my thoughts on the fact that Jay Z was in town. I actually had no idea of this but thought he might like to do a spot of food shopping while he was here.....

http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20130703/red-hook/jay-z-plans-red-hook-party-after-canceling-midtown-show-officials-say

HAPPY 4TH JULY!

Happy 4th July!

Hopefully I'll have my own fireworks photos for you by this evening! :) 

'Not all those that wander are lost.'

After a day of feeling rather homesick yesterday, I decided to go out and about to for a day of exploration as its fast becoming my favourite past time in this city. So this morning, armed with both suncream and a brolly, (the weather is rather unpredictable) my camera and I caught the subway into Manhattan.

As I was feeling somewhat in touch with my emotions I decided to visit the 9/11 memorial. I found this experience unexpectedly overwhelming. Although none of my firends or family were killed in the falling of the Twin Towers, being there today almost bought me to tears. I felt so many different emotions,  both about what happened on 9/11 and its aftermath as well as things that have happened in my own life.  On the day the planes hit I remember that my Mum and Step Dad were having a day out and a Fruit-de-Mare in the seaside town of Beer in Devon, and I had got back from school and turned on the TV to see the footage of the attack on every channel. At the time I had no idea of the enormity of what I was watching.

Today, looking into the vast square voids, I felt a huge of sense of loss and remembrance. The never ending list of names around the perimeters of the pools really bought home the scale of what had happened and how many thousands of people had lost their lives or had been affected by this unforgettable and tragic attack. 

The South Pool in the footprint of the South Tower.

After taking some time to watch the water cascade down in to the darkness of the pools, I looked skywards.....and rising tall above the two pools stood the new Freedom Tower, shining from every angle. This immediately provided me with a much needed sense of hope and strength. 

(Unfortunately my lens couldn't get the pool and the full length of the tower in the same shot, so if anyone would like to send me a wide angle lens please feel free!) 

The freedom tower reflecting in another shimmering skyscraper. 

After the memorial I took a stroll back to the subway and decided to head to the Chelsea Market for lunch. It was nice to go back there as when I visited on my birthday I felt a bit rushed so today I made sure I had a leisurely wander. Lunch was yummy - a quinoa & tofu salad (I know most of you are thinking yuk, but it was right up my street!). 

I then ventured up to The High line which is an old elevated railway line that has been turned into a garden and walkway. At this point it started to rain so out came the brolly.

As I didn't have to be anywhere particular at any particular time, I put my map away and just went for a wander.  

I didn't realise I was in the running for this.

I still felt a bit sad so I decided to have some retail therapy followed by a cocktail. I felt a bit closer to home when I saw the flags of one of my favourite and familiar shops - Topshop.  After trying-on session and a small purchase, I strolled to Tiny's for a 'French Hooker'. 

Now I've returned to Red Hook and I'm ready to go to bed and rest my well wandered feet. 

Goodnight. xx 

...........

I have no words, only photos for you tonight...

The Queen Mary 2 

The sun is finally shining on Hometown after being devastated by Sandy. 

The calm after the storm. 

X