m i n d i n g m y l a n g u a g e | day fourty-six

Waking to one of the best surprises this morning, an overflowing cupboard of balloons filled our apartment for my 'New York' birthday, albeit 5 days before the real deal. It was magical, even a little Babycakes Wonder Bun made it with a candle to blow out, far too exciting for words. Ignore 'IT'S A GIRL' blazoned over the balloons, they make it all the more special because it's a wonderful surprise and I have to say, even though it's just the two of us, it really does feel like my birthday.
It was a spectacular day yesterday, reaching new heights at the observation deck of The Rockefeller Center. We then ventured into Anthropologie before setting off to The MOMA and finally, an afternoon in the very cool Mott Street and Elizabeth Street. That's where this dress is from, it was at a fabulous little vintage shop called Second Time Around and it's Banana Republic. Luckily I packed my waisted belt as on such a warm day, it's the perfect little dress to run around the city on my 'New York' birthday.

m i n d i n g m y l a n g u a g e | day fourty-five

My my what a difference a day makes. The sun's out shining over NYC again and it's put everyone in a whole new perspective. We spent the chilly day yesterday running back to West Village quickly in the morning before setting off to battle the line at TKTS in Times Square. Luckily we got to see The Phantom Of The Opera and I have to stay it was one of the most spectacular shows I've seen. The sets, costumes, voices all came together magnificently and it was well worth the efforts. After that we made a mad dash across town for tea at Alice's Tea Cup before SERIOUS INDULGENCE at Serendipity. The frozen hot chocolate was a fountain of oozing thick, rich chocolate over the edges of a ginormous bowl and topped off with decadent whipped cream, for me, it was the pecan tart that set pulses racing. We finally topped the night off with friends though at two of Robert De Niro's bar/restaurants, first for a drink at Locanda Verde, secondly for dinner at Tribeca Grill. It was a fabulous night with great atmosphere and incredible food. We've been in NYC a week today and it's impossible to believe that my part of the trip will be over in a couple of days. We're off to make the most of it. Good day.

m i n d i n g m y l a n g u a g e | day fourty-four

Thawing and drying out at the end of a long day, we came home last night after our day on the Sex and The City tour, expedition on 5th Avenue and brief stop in at Macy's. The weather's not much better today, so we're rugged up again and stepping out to Greenwich Village, before a Broadway show in the afternoon.
This little Marc Jacobs cardigan is the warmest cardigan I now own I've decided. It's my purchase from Cris in San Francisco and it's perfect for this kind of weather. Not chancing it in the rain, boots over jeans are on the cards today and I think that will be fine. Fresh washing picked-up yesterday, finally back in the habitual comfort of my jeans is bliss.
Up, up and away...

m i n d i n g m y l a n g u a g e | day fourty-three

Emotion. Joy. A Spotted Pig. Bar top dancing. All in a day's work. Let me begin from the very start. With an emotional visit to Ground Zero and a guide given by two women who have had very personal losses during the September 11 attacks, we were moved to tears and it wasn't even lunch time. Then we moved onto a more momentous occasion when we went to visit the Statue of Liberty from a very distant Battery Park. We've had a fantastic run of weather in NYC until today, and yesterday was no exception. It led to dinner with friends at The Spotted Pig for amazing burgers before the real fun began. Hogs and Heifers is the original pub where they filmed Coyote Ugly, and the bar girls are truly nuts. They dance on the bar, drink all the shots that people buy for them and yell profanities through their mega-phone. They even got us up on the bar, oh my goodness, what an experience. Firstly, to a good old country song that escapes me, and secondly to "Shake Your Tail Feather", danced with all the enthusiasm of a Hollywood moment, pure crazy fun!
Today is met with a down pour of rain and disappearing mercury in the thermometer, but we'll be enjoying all the sights from the comfort of the Sex and The City tour bus so it doesn't matter. Reports to follow. Stay tuned.

m i n d i n g m y l a n g u a g e | day fourty-two

Feeling exceptionally ready to take on the day, the sky is a little gray but we're happy to venture out and see what the day brings. With a wave to the Statue of Liberty and a visit to Ground Zero on the cards we're also hoping to see a Yankees game, fingers crossed. The Spotted Pig is also tonight's destination of choice.
Feeling fresh and ready in a simple white tee, I've got my armour on and feel completely comfortable. It's so nice to be visiting New York in the spring.

m i n d i n g m y l a n g u a g e | day fourty-one

Expressions of a big Saturday night out in New York cease to come to me, there is no explanation. After our day of walking down Bleeker Street through Greenwich Village, into Soho and later into the Meatpacking District, we made a stop in at Babycakes before heading home to get ready for our night out. We had a very quiet day today, before forcing ourselves to emerge and descend on Times Square this evening, seeing it all lit up as the busy and bustling area that it is. There are people absolutely everywhere and as the weather is so nice, it's brought everyone out from the cold. Weekends in New York, impossible to compare to anywhere else.

m i n d i n g m y l a n g u a g e | day fourty

"Sunshine, on my window, makes me happy, like I should be..." Waking to the sun blaring through he apartment on this very New York Saturday morning, we took it pretty easy considering our efforts yesterday. We're off to Greenwich Village and Soho today, and will even find an afternoon spot of tea when we return to the holy grail of gluten and dairy free cakes, our good old Babycakes we visited in LA.
I haven't really told you about our apartment yet have I? Well, it's cute and cosy, and minus the scary leopard print doona cover it's still a nice little place. It's comfortable and we've finally been able to cook our own food, such a blessing after nearly two weeks of bought meals. The aggression on the roads outside is such a contrast to what it feels like inside, and it feels wonderful to be in a city where it's warm enough to wear one of my favourite Jac & Jack dresses and sandals again. Good enough to raise anyone's spirits.
Here's to a fabulous weekend in New York City. Cheers.