Picture of the Week: 18th - 24th June

On Monday I took the day off on holiday and jumped on a bus at 7:30am all the way to Boston for the day. The sun was shining (yes, yet again) and after just 4.5 hours I was in Massachusetts. 


Boston is a beautiful city...somewhere I would happily grow up and grow old in. It's got history around every corner of the small city centre and it's as pretty as a picture. We walked the freedom trail, we ate oysters & italian food and visited Harvard. Beats the usual Monday stuff... 

Picture of the Week: 11th - 17th June

On the Saturday I got lucky. The sun was shining, it was warm without the humidity...and I got the opportunity to head upstate and help at an international polo tournament with some work colleagues. 


The event itself was at Mashomack Polo Fields, 2 hours out of the city and awash with rolling hills and beautiful countryside. This is exciting enough on it's own but add to it the Maharaja of Jaipur and his family, the members only club house and an opportunity to ride around in golf buggies, and you get an incredible day trip out of the city.

Picture of the Week: 4th - 10th June

This was the week that I got not one but two sets of amazing visitors. First up was the family...we cycled, bused, subwayed, they boated and yes, we helicoptered our way around Manhattan. Drinking in the joys of New York, and some pretty damn good meals. 


Second up was Tasha and Tom, my husband and wife team from my London home...we hit some of my favourite bits of the city and drank some awesome cocktails (shout out to Stanton Social's Strawberry Fields) but mostly it was just overwhelmingly lovely to be able to share some of this year, the places I've found and the things I love, with the people that will always be special to me - no matter which location I may reside. 


This picture is Tasha and myself enjoying the journey back from Hoboken Station to my apartment...it may be Jersey, but it's got a view to die for!

Captured...

Sometimes, even in New York, you finish work and just want to head home, curl up on the sofa and drink tea. The problem is that most of the time, in New York, someone can come along at the last minute and make you a better offer!

And so it was last night...Miss Elly Lacey unearthed a free screening hosted by the Anonymous Film Club at Yotel and I put my washing off for yet another evening. Personally I know Yotel thanks to their  “all you can eat + all you can drink” brunch, but a film screening?! I was sceptical to put it mildly...but what else can one do on a Monday night in NYC?!

It turned out the be one of the most fascinating documentaries I’ve seen, about a truly interesting man. The film is called Captured, shot by Ben Solomon and Dan Levin! Anyone who has spent time in the modern Lower East Side & paid $16 for a cocktail in one of the area's many bars should watch it. It had soul. 

It focused on the work of photographer & videographer, Clayton Patterson (who incidentally reminded me an awful lot of my late Uncle Steven). Rooted firmly in the context of a life spent in the small bit of Manhattan known as LES. I have gone from being ignorant to a huge fan. He was in the thick of the LES riots and used his work in fight against the injustice of state-authorities of that time. In addition he created an accidental fashion line and runs an art gallery. The guy is a legend.

In their words:

CAPTURED is the story of one man's commitment to chronicling the legendary Lower East Side, and the individuals who define it. Since the early 1980s Clayton Patterson has been fully dedicated to documenting the final era of this historic and eclectic neighbourhood long known for its humble streets, revolutionary minds and creative influence. He has obsessively recorded its many faces: from drag to hardcore, heroin to homelessness, political chaos to gentrification. CAPTURED profiles Patterson's odyssey from voyeur to provocateur, and from activist to renegade archivist. This fast-paced documentary includes Patterson's rare and renowned footage of the Tompkins Square police riots, and provides a close-up look at a fascinating character and chapter of urban culture. 

I would implore anyone with a vague interest in the LES to give up 90 minutes of their time for this film!

Picture of the Week: May 28th - June 3rd

Saturday 2nd June was a big day in my world. Not only was it my birthday - tipping me over the the 'early twenties' mark and taking me to the grand old age of 26 - but it was a great day to get all patriotic in NY. It was of course the Queen's Diamond Jubilee!

I celebrated with a few of may favourite things (no raindrops or roses included). Brunch at the uber-chic Gramercy Park Hotel Terrace, an afternoon in the sun on the Highline, several drinks on The Frying Pan, a boat moored on the Hudson river and finally a rooftop party. Thanks to all who made it and those who sent messages...it was an epic day!

Oh and the following day I join the family on a helicopter - something tells me 26 is going to be my favourite year!