Project knitting

So, here I am in my new Manhattan home, tucked up in bed watching Gossip Girl online and knitting...perfect! I've just started GAP-tastic Cowl by Jen Geigley in a Moss colour. I'm using the same yarn she uses in the pattern (Lion Brand Yarn Wool-Ease Chunky).

I'll post up some photo's when I'm finished it, but if it goes well I feel there might be some of these under Christmas trees all over Ireland next year...let me know what colours you fancy girls (I can buy them before I get home if you leave your comments early enough!).

I want to say thanks to the lovely ladies at Downtown Yarns who sent me to the knitting group on Houston where I met a bunch of lovely people (one of whom was sporting this cute cowl!).

(I picked up their business card when I was in the shop, how cute is this?)

Loot

I know most people associate NYC with shopping, and I gotta say, it hasn't disappointed! I haven't done a huge amount of shopping yet, I have learned the hard way that I have to be very selective and sure about my purchases, especially when you think about having to store them in a small space. So, here are some of the highlights so far for your perusal, enjoy!

Colour

Just some of the lovely colours I'm seeing around the city. I love these aged/ distressed colours...and have recently realised that I am always drawn to aqua/blue/mint, no wonder my sitting room ended up pavillion blue (farrow & ball).

This is the jetty down the street from where I am staying, such beautiful weathering...

A lovely rusted ice cream parlour chair...

The hand rail in PS1 MoMA on Long Island City. The quality of the photo is not great because the security guard told me I wasn't allowed take photo's, not even ones of the stair rail!

The walls in PS1 MoMA, so beautiful!

Foodie Friday

Today's post is all about the sweet side of life. I don't know if I will have enough time here in New York to taste all the goodies they have on offer, but I sure will try my best!

I especially enjoyed having German Chocolate Cake for dinner the other night at Amy's Breads on Bleeker Street(other locations in Hell's Kitchen and Chelsea).

Dylan's Candy Bar on Third Avenue is out of this world and a must for anyone with a sweet tooth or a hankering for some old-time goodies, they've got it all! And the smell is just pure sugar when you walk in...

This shelf is just taunting me, and setting me up for a challenge I hope I won't fail :)

No SATC fanatic/sweet tooth lady's trip to Manhattan would be complete without a visit to the delicious Magnolia Bakery. The morning we got there we were lucky, there were no queues and we doubled up on our order...yum, yum, it's gotta be done! (Credit to Dee for the second shot, thanks!) I finally got to try red velvet cupcakes and boy, they are sweet!

The M&M shop on Times Square is a mecca for all M&M fans (and we certainly had one of those in our group!!!)

This one is for all my peeps, love it!

Tasti-d-lite, fat free frozen goodness (except for the reese's pieces toppings!), 'nuff said!

So, I'll leave you with this thought for the day...

Reading list

On a more upbeat note, one of the things I love about travelling is all that extra time you have to read! I love reading anyway, and anyone who knows me will know that of course I have already been into numerous NYC public libraries, have joined up and got my membership number within the first week and am reading on every subway trip I take...life is good!
This is the stack as it stands so far...I am reading another book which is not in the photo, but hopefully I will get these finished before I head home, or I won't have space in my case for all my new stuff! I've registered these on bookcrossing.com, I get such a kick out of seeing where the books end up after I have left them somewhere...If you are into watching your books travel the world you should check it out.

This is how your book should be enjoyed after a day of wandering the streets of New York...with a cup of Barry's tea and a bowl of love themed peanut m&m's.

Bright Lights, Big City

I ♥ light fittings, and here are some of the pretty ones I've seen so far in NYC...

New York City Public Library

Burrito Kitchen Brooklyn Park Slope

Ellis Island

Can you imagine just how many light fittings there are down there...dreamie...

Slán go foillín

There are a few things that are essential to travelling but are not enjoyable at all. Packing is one of these along with goodbyes. I really don't like goodbyes...

Flip Flop and Mamma Mia went home on Saturday. We had so much fun and made lots of great memories in New York.

It wasn't until the blowing kisses and waving through the departure gates was done that I realised I was all alone in the Big Apple. When I boarded the Air Train and transferred to the subway I had this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, the one you get when you have just done the scary drop on a rollercoaster, and I started to feel really sick. But then, Flip Flop's words of wisdom came to me, and I decided I shouldn't waste my precious time in New York being sad, I would enjoy the adventure.

Also, thanks to my good friends at home (the beautiful Byrne twins), I was going to stay with a wonderful couple and their 2 sons in the sweetest house I've ever seen. I must take some photo's of my new room before my suitcase starts to explode all over it! (This family also have the two cutest dogs, a Chow and a Pug, which I look forward to walking at least once a day...photos to follow!)