A day of Thanks...

It's easy sometimes, when you've spent time with family or talked to friends you miss hugely and who, on occasion, need you to be home for them it is too easy to miss home. I missed home terribly this week...and then I had one of my favourite days since I got here and remembered that I'm one lucky lady and I should be giving thanks for every second I'm here. So I did...


The day started at 6am. This is not a time I regularly recognise nor approve of but it had a purpose. I was off to the Macy's Day Parade!


Having been warned to get there early we arrived to the parade route at Columbus Circle just after 7am...not early enough to bag a spot at the very front and we began to wonder up the route in search of a suitable space. Joyfully (or actually tired and a bit ratty) we decided upone a spot between 62 &63rd Street on Central Park West behind a group that had set up camp outside the barriers at 4am.  We were lucky that it was a spot we where we could see the parade route and so we stuck with it.The sun was shining and after an injection of coffee and a doughnut the team was happy! At first we got slammed into by passing crowds but it was not a problem because once the parade started everyone stopped and enjoyed the show...and what a show!

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is something everybody should do once. the floats are immense, the balloons are crazy to see and the martching banding caused me to swell a little bit with just how lucky I was to be there. I took 138 photo's which is both shocking and unsurprising. I could have taken 100's more.

 



A Moment in Time...

It has been a while since I updated this blog. This is no accident and at very recently I did consider taking it down completely.

The reason for this questioning of myself is that very recently I was the subject of a prank which was not malicious necessarily, but was definitely in bad taste. It was about this blog.  I wouldn't normally mention it but for the fact that, as a result I have not felt comfortable updating in a while.

Then I stopped and realised that I was not writing it for the individuals that carried out the prank...in fact I could not care less what they think or how they perceive me. I know who they are and it doesn't surprise me in the least that they chose to behave like children. I write this for the friends I adore back home (and some over here in NY) as if I was talking to them directly and it only matters to me what they think.

If someone from the outside reads it then welcome, I hope you enjoy it, but that is not the intended audience and consequently I won't apologise for anything I write.

What annoys me is that, for a moment, I forgot myself. I forgot that I am completely comfortable with who I am. I may not have cured cancer, written a novel or even understand maths fully but that does not mean that I'm not proud of who I am, what I do and the people I get to call my friends and family.

Nobody has a right to judge you unless they know you and nobody knows you unless you give them that opportunity. This is a lesson in judging who's opinion matters because most of the time the person attacking you is not the person that matters.

In summary, I have remembered myself so expect many more posts...

XOXO

Brunch at the Standard...

The Standard is a hotel that straddles one of my favourite things in New York. It has a number of bars and places that are so supremely chic it feels like a lie for someone like me to be able to spend time here...but spend time here I have. 


Back in November when my mother visited we decided that the waiting time for brunch at Pastis was just too damn long when there is no space to stand at the bar we headed to the Standard Bar& Grill for an alternative and what a decision to make...I loved it so much that I will be taking the girls back on New Year's day for the ultimate hang-over brunch - although not alcohol this time. 


So why was it so good?


Firstly the decor is beautiful. We remained in the front section which has a very cool kitsch New England style space. 

The back room is larger, intimate and much darker. It has wood paneling, red booths and very hot waiters...I have yet to decide which is my favourite!  

We opted to wait for a table at the bar which wasn't crammed with people as is normal in NYC. There was plenty of room for us to sit and enjoy a drink (I had a Bloody Mary which almost matched Pastis with how good it was and mum enjoyed a morning Pimms Cup...very refined) for around 30 mins before being shown to our table by the window...perfect position for a spot of Meat Packing people watching prior to brunch. 

Sadly, given how long it has taken me to write this, I can't remember what mum had but I opted for two poached eggs, sourdough bread and home fries, the home fries rocked my world! Upon completion and feeling nicely full we almost got the cheque...then mum saw the bread & butter pudding, I saw the apple crumble and suddenly we were on to a second course. 

The deserts were incredible! Honestly, I don't think I've had better in the city. It was worth being so full we found it uncomfortable to move...they were so good!

Finally we finished off our coffees and paid up (excluding the alcohol it was only $30 each...bargain)...before attempting to walk off our over-indulgence on the Highline. I can't wait to go back! 

XOXO