Tonight after work I scuttled up to Bryant Park after spotting that its regular juggling class was still going ahead, despite looming New Year celebrations. But when I got there – there wasn’t a bean bag in sight. Gaah. Wandering around the park at a loss for what to do, I spied a crowd gathering …
Read MoreArchive / December 2013
December 30, 2013
…dodged the scaffolding at St Patrick’s Cathedral
When I got to St Patrick’s Cathedral – the highlight of Fifth Avenue’s skyline – tonight, I was disappointed to see the place was filled with scaffolding. Ugh. How was I supposed to see this famous 19th century church in all its glory? But instead of whining, I realized that this was an entirely new …
Read MoreDecember 29, 2013
…went aboard the USS Intrepid
We landed in New York last night – and unfortunately brought the bad weather back with us. But while it wasn’t particularly pleasant to be walking around with a soaked jacket, it did mean that I got a very authentic experience when I went to The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum this afternoon. You know …
Read MoreDecember 28, 2013
…took an American to afternoon tea
Remember when I was back in the summer and made a beeline for a cuppa at Gravetye Manor? Today I decided to treat Ryan to the same British favorite – this time at Alexander House, a luxury spa and hotel in Turners Hill. We headed to the gorgeous house, which sits at the end of …
Read MoreDecember 27, 2013
…visited a llama farm
You see all sorts of wildlife – pheasants, badgers, deer – in the countryside near to my parents’ home in West Sussex, but who knew there were also llamas lurking in the fields? Ryan and I headed a few miles away to the Llama Park in Ashdown Forest to meet Heather and a variety of …
Read MoreDecember 26, 2013
…climbed to the top of St Paul’s Cathedral
I lived in London for two years before moving to the U.S., but due to night shifts, shorthand classes and complacency, I never got to know it. But today I finally took my new Today’s The Day I attitude to my old home. Ryan and I jumped on a train (some are finally working!) and …
Read MoreDecember 25, 2013
…had an alternative Christmas
First of all – Merry Christmas! Secondly, it’s Christmas Day, so you’ll forgive me for being a bit rubbish today, won’t you? I’d planned to whip up a tasty Christmas dessert with Mummy Warren for my new thing today but – you got it! – we’re still out of power and hot water courtesy of …
Read MoreDecember 24, 2013
…walked on The Pantiles
A storm hit southern England last night – leaving my family’s home without power or heat (just in time for Christmas) and trees strewn across roads and train tracks. It meant that our plan to play tourists for the day in London was scuppered – no trains were heading north. So instead, we jumped in …
Read MoreDecember 23, 2013
…saw England’s tallest Christmas tree (lit!)
(First of all – sorry that my blogs have been so late this week! I had no power over Christmas thanks to a big storm in the UK. Bear with me and I’ll pop up the last week’s posts now…) When I was home in Sussex last month, Mummy Warren and I toured Wakehurst Place …
Read MoreDecember 23, 2013
…toured Brighton’s Royal Pavilion
I’ve hopped across the Atlantic for the week – my first time back in the UK for Christmas in three years. As well as gluttony beyond belief, this longer trip also allows me to visit some of my favorite spots outside my hometown – and to be a tour guide for Ryan, who’s visiting too. …
Read MoreDecember 21, 2013
…took the East Village Mosaic Trail
I’ve lived in the East Village for nine months now and I’ve obviously not been paying attention. Today I was looking for new things to check out nearby and came across the Mosaic Trail – quirky mosaicked lampposts just a stone’s throw from my front door. Even though I pass the lampposts every single day …
Read MoreDecember 20, 2013
…partied at SoHo house
New York City obviously has lots of exclusive spots. Among them is SoHo House – a members-only club for the media with bars, rooms, a gym and a roof deck pool with stunning views over the Meatpacking District and to south Manhattan. And for some reason they allowed MailOnline to throw our Christmas party there …
Read MoreDecember 19, 2013
…yawned my way through a murder mystery
A couple of months ago, Ryan and I spotted a Groupon for a murder mystery dinner set at a masquerade ball – and we were sold. Tonight, after weeks of waiting, it was finally here. So he donned a tux (what a dish!), I dug out a floor-length gown and white gloves, and together we …
Read MoreDecember 18, 2013
…bought a Christmas gift for a child in need
I’ve been feeling the urge to do something nice for someone, seeing as it’s Christmas (because it’s banned all other times of the year, obviously). So I headed to the city’s most comprehensive guide for volunteering, New York Cares, and came across Winter Wishes. Every year, the program gathers thousands of presents from donors for …
Read MoreDecember 17, 2013
…met Santa at Macy’s
I’ve seen Santa a few times over the past week but today I decided to visit him in one of his most famous spots – Macy’s on 34th Street. Rachel and I prepared our wish lists and angelic faces before heading to Santaland on the 8th floor of Macy’s, the world’s largest department store. All …
Read MoreDecember 16, 2013
…visited St Bart’s Church (and saw St Nick)
I’d been looking forward to some carolling on the steps of St Bart’s church in Midtown with Ryan and Helen tonight so we scooted up there straight after work. Unfortunately, either we scooted too slow or the singers were too fast because when we arrived, the choir had disbanded and were munching on festive biscuits …
Read MoreDecember 15, 2013
…went back in time at the Merchant’s House Museum
I love having a good nosey around a stranger’s house – and I also love visiting old properties frozen in time, so that I can wander through the rooms, imagining myself as a former resident. Today I got to do both at the Merchant’s House Museum. My friend Jade had suggested heading to this house …
Read MoreDecember 14, 2013
…went to a Christmas carol event – for dogs
You know what? I’ve been seriously selfish this holiday season. The whole time I’ve been thinking about how best to get myself in the Christmas spirit, and I’ve failed to make sure Georgia gets the same treatment. Georgia is Ryan’s eight-year-old Shepherd-mix – and she is such a beauty. I’m sure Ryan is well aware …
Read MoreDecember 13, 2013
…shopped at Essex Street Market
Remember how I used to make doughnuts and delicious Chinese food at the start of the year? Well, that very quickly went downhill once I realized that there are far more exciting things to do in New York than stay in my kitchen. But when I finish this blog at the end of the year, …
Read MoreDecember 12, 2013
…browsed a trunk show
I’ve got to be honest, I still don’t really know what a trunk show is. I think it’s where people bring trunks of goodies and open them up to be sold, or it could be the equivalent of a car boot sale (like we have in the U.K.), seeing as ‘boot’ there means ‘trunk’ here. …
Read MoreDecember 12, 2013
…visited the Christmas window displays
While New York lacks some of my favorite Christmas traditions, it also has many of its own. Tonight I went to check out department store holiday window displays and, correct me if I’m wrong, but I’ve never seen such an elaborate or thoughtful equivalent over in the UK. The windows are so cute, creative and …
Read MoreDecember 10, 2013
…watched a festive variety show
Tonight was a flurry of many new things, courtesy of my friend Linnea, a food writer and knower of all things New York. We’d planned to go to a festive variety show in the East Village, but at the last minute, an invite to a night organized by Hendrick’s Gin popped up, so we decided …
Read MoreDecember 9, 2013
…saw the Rockefeller Christmas Tree
Tonight I headed to the city’s most iconic Christmas landmark: The Rockefeller Christmas Tree. Ever since 1933, the 100-ft tree has lit up the base of the Rock in Midtown and now it towers over flitting ice skaters and swarms of aimless tourists. Its lights were switched on last week and today was my first …
Read MoreDecember 9, 2013
…made a gingerbread masterpiece
I’ve been to various creative Christmas exhibits this year and they’ve left me itching to get out the glue gun. Today I finally got the chance to get messy – as Ryan and I helped his family construct a gingerbread village. We headed to his family home in Long Island where his mum, Stephanie, had already crafted …
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