We have approximately 48 hours in New York City to get Hurricane ready and whilst most are stocking up their cupboards with bottles of water and non-perishable goods, I have one thing on my mind and one thing only.
Wellington Boots.
It has become quite apparent that in a city like NY, where rain may be shortlived but are pelted like bullets, Uggs or suede tassell boots are just not going to cut it. I'm a big fan of the Wellington anyhow, they are perfect for that random week of snow we always seem to get in the UK and there is always some brand willing to oblige with a rather funky pattern. But whilst I miss my jack russell print Wellington's (RIP) I realise it's time for me to move on and mature in my practical fashion endeavours. CueMarc by Marc Jacobs.
The Marc by Marc Jacob affordable, almost brinking on cheap, diffusion line, has once again delivered a must have that is not only effortlessly stylish but also extremely useful. These plain black boots are perfect for that front door to office fix. Not only are they a sturdy boot but with their plain black exterior and their minimal branding, although just enough for people to realise you take pride in your ensemble, they allow for a sleek look that doesn't compromise the rest of your outfit. Teamed with just a $35 price tag it means they're practically impossible to resist, even for the most financially of challenged people.
Inspired by the final debate? Committed to the Democratic Party? Or just think Barack Obama's cute? Whatever your reason for being enthralled with the Presidential campaign, nothing says "Barack's my man" than this super cute coffee mug from one of my favourite NYC stores Fishs Eddy. Get a taste of the First Lady's life and start your day with this man staring back at you for just $11.95.
If you think he'll be lonely in your cupboard, then fear not, they sell Michelle too, to keep him company...
Living in NYC and on a budget requires me to be stylish but thrifty, which isn't always possible when you're tempted by the swish stores of 5th Ave. So with the new season approaching, meaning a wardrobe revamp is on the cards, I was thrilled to learn that Izabel London were kind enough to offer me and my readers a 10% discount off of there already affordable line. Izabel London is offering the discount to all To ELLE and Back readers, up until midnight on November 15th, when you type TEAB10% at the checkout.
The online retailer has a plethora of choice and whilst not everything is to my taste there are definitely some gems amongst the mix.
Raise your hand and say "Aye" if you've been waiting for the Pumpkin Spice Latte to arrive in the UK for as long as I have. This autumnal flavoured drink emulates a crisp sunny day, with leaves crunching beneath your feet and New England style pumpkin displays on show, in a cup.
I first sampled this cinnamon, spice and all things nice, delight back in 2005 and have yearned for one ever since. For those that are familiar with the drink, you may even be aware of the Facebook and Twitter campaigns that have dedicated their time to delivering this seasonal beverage to your door. Of course it finally makes it's debut the year that I happen to be living in the US and can have one whenever I want anyway.
For those of you in the UK seemingly unaware of this new option at your local Starbucks, ensure that it is your order upon your next visit. If October and Halloween fills you with good spirit and that cosy sensation, then this is the drink for you. If you hate cinnamon, pumpkins and are slightly deterred by the idea of a somewhat orange coloured coffee, then steer clear.
Last weekend marked a change of the times. New surroundings, a new room in my apartment and most importantly a new roomie and therefore the end of mine and Molo's NY Room Anthems. Like Frank Ocean'sThinking Bout You, We Belong by Everly aka Hayley James Scott of One Tree Hill, would be played at least once every morning. Incorporate it into your morning ritual for an empowering start to the day.
This wednesday Julia Child would have been 100 years old and to celebrate, Sur La Table, are holding numerous cooking classes inspired by the national treasure. They kick started this homage to America's favourite tv chef, last night, with "An Edible and Musical Birthday Celebration". The night comprised of a fusion of food and opera, which is what enticed me in the first place. This untraditional cooking class was combining two of my vices, good food and performance.
Upon arrival you were greeted with an array of cheeses and italian breads, along with either lemon infused ice water or espresso/cappuccino from one of Sur La Table's Nespresso machines. Usually their cooking classes require you to get involved with the cooking too but due to the nature of the performance, an audience area was set up instead, with volunteers brought up on occasion.
Once we were seated the performance began from the fresh performance group, Vital Opera, in which one of the groups singers performed "La Bonne Cuisine". An entertaining comedic piece which prepared the audience for the rest of the amusement they could expect to be an integral part of. Resident chef Joel Gamoran then took to the stage to begin his demonstration of some of Julia's much loved recipes. His amusing anecdotes from culinary school set the kitchen alight with laughter, just as the previous performance had done. The natural banter made for a lighthearted and fun atmosphere and ensured strangers felt at ease to chat freely with one another in the interim.
Highlights of his cooking demonstration included his audience-volunteer-hollandaise-sauce-competition and his salt water Russian Roulette test, which I fell victim to. Joel wanted to demonstrate how the perfect french mash potatoes should be made, which apparently includes them being boiled in very salty cold water. So salty it reminisces sea water. Three guests were asked to volunteer, in which I was one. A small glass of water were handed to each of us and Joel explained that the person that got the salty water will pull such a disgusted face that the rest of the group will always have that image ingrained on their brain and appreciate how much salt they should be using. Apparently my face was the perfect demonstration. I was rewarded for my good humour though with an autographed cook book fromEatalyowner Mario Batali, which won't go to waste in my next eight months in NYC and beyond.
After being served our meal of chicken with mushrooms and brandy, french mashed potatoes and asparagus with hollandaise sauce, the final performance began. Vital Opera created a rendition of one of Julia Child's episodes of her television show, with Ellen Graham as Julia. Adorned in a Julia-esque outfit, wig and all, she sang her chocolate cake recipe, whilst baking and intermittently spoke with that distinctive Julia voice, when you were least expecting it.
But no birthday party would be complete without a verse of Happy Birthday of course, which rounded off our two hour class nicely, especially when we were given some of Julia's birthday chocolate cake to taste too.
This class was just $40, considerably more affordable than the rest of their classes, although none too expensive with the average price being about $69. The cost was more than worth it for the fabulous two hours spent at Sur La Table though, that went by far too quickly in my eyes. The class with a difference provided such fun entertainment, consistent laughter and genuine passion for food, performance and of course the beloved Julia that I definitely plan on trying to attend one of their other classes in the future, even though it will be lacking this unique take on cooking demonstration.
Classes honouring Julia Child at Sur La Table are running for the next week, a full calendar of upcoming classes can be found here.
NEW YORK BUCKET LIST ALERT: Party with Mac at Macaulay Culkin's ipod - CHECK
Yo Mac, now I want a picture of us all slapping our faces a la Home Alone...DEAL?!
Only in New York City could a former child star, armed with his ipod, host a random themed evening in a small bar. So I shouldn't really have been shocked when I discovered that my favourite eight year old, Kevin McAllister, appears once a month, on a thursday, at le poisson rouge on Bleecker street. His ipod filled with his favourite tunes and a crazy idea, like June's, "Dinosaur Birthday Party" theme, for example. I have no idea what odd antics took place at that party, perhaps Barney turned up to try and re-ignite his career, after all where is that purple dinosaur these days? Perhaps in a bar in Chinatown hosting a karaoke session, his rendition of that "I love you, you love me" song he rocked every episode, on repeat. I digress...
Despite my shock and dismay that Macaulay, sorry Mac as he is now formerly known on the NYC bar scene, is having to host these evenings sans the Wet Bandits and his plan to save Duncan's Toy Chest, I was not letting another month go by without my attending. So when I discovered that July was his "New Year's Eve Party", I knew I needed to be present.
Upon arriving we were handed NYE paraphernalia, aka a party hat and one of those trumpets. For FREE. Did I also mention that entry is FREE?! I would have paid but ssshhhh don't tell Mac. We were promised a countdown at every hour and we arrived right before the first one at 11pm. We'd already been hounded with whatsapp messages from a friend exclaiming "I can see Macaulay Culkin"... "I'm stood in front of Macaulay Culkin"...you get the idea. Molo and I had party prepped ourselves with a slightly different playlist than usual. Gone were Drake, Rhianna and Jay Z, instead the Home Alone soundtrack played loud and clear for all to hear in our apartment. And there, when we arrived, was Mac, sat on his throne adorned in his party hat.
"Well I guess it must be about to hit midnight in Nova Scotia...10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1..."
Auld Lang Syne began to play and Mac launched himself at us for a big festive New Years hug. He waded into the crowd to pass on his best New Year wishes to all.
Right before midnight he returned again for another countdown, again launching himself into the crowd to wish everyone a Happy New Year. No one is more aware of how weird this evening was than me. Trust me. It was amazingly hilarious though and considering none of my group were drinking alcohol, we had probably one of our greatest nights in NYC yet. We didn't stay after the second countdown, it was a school night after all but the hour and ten minutes were just enough to have a great time and truly soak in the atmosphere that we were partying with the kid that saved his house and a New York toy store from the same pair of dimwitted thiefs.
Clearly tweeting what fun I'm having. OBVS!
This months edition ofMacaulay Culkin's ipod takes place this Thursday 9th August from 10pm with the theme, "Sluts".
After my foray into Mac's crazy world it begs the question, "Do you give up, or are you thirsty for more?" (shameless Home Alone quote thrown in)
Mac...I am definitely thirsty for more...
And if you still haven't quite understood how you need to book your trip to NYC around this event then check their latest podcast, where Mac will tell you himself...
*Images taken from a friend and www.lepoissonrouge.com
Bond No.9, if you haven't previously been introduced, is such a funky and quirky scent-sational idea! They are also sensationally expensive and as much as I personally adore the fact that each perfume is tailored to a different area of New York City there is no way that my intern wage can cover the cost currently.
If you've been a reader for some time you know that I'm a fan of the high-end meets eccentric and Bond No.9 fulfills both categories. If you've got the funds then I wholeheartedly point you in their direction here.
If, like me, you are currently a little financially challenged, read poor, then perhaps just as fun and at just a fraction of the price you should consider The Scent of Departure. Pay homage to your favourite city, whether it be Tokyo, Dubai, or my personal preferences London or New York.
The Scent of Departure is a unique slant to your dressing table, an awesome gift idea for someone on their travels and a dedication of commitment to your city.
I personally prefer the fragrance of New York but my patriotism is forcing my hand in the London direction.
There's not a Summer that goes by without someone squealing in delight over their latest Havaianas purchase. Honestly, I don't own any but I always imagined some day I would and I think that day may arrive sooner than expected.
After getting stuck in the E of the LOVE sign on 6th Ave, another story entirely, some friends and I breezed past Bloomingdales to be greeted by their window display informing us we can "Design our own Havaianas" in store. *insert squeal here*
The interactive shopping experience isn't limited to NYC though. Turns out you can shop your perfect pair of flip flops online too. Fancy yourself as the next Diane Von Furstenburg, Sarah Burton, Stella McCartney? Well here's your chance to put your creative skills to practise.
If I was to meander over to "proceed to checkout", these would set me back $45. More expensive than a $3 Old Navy pair of flip flops but infinitely more fun!
I don't know a lot about music but I do know when I'm in love with a record, yes I do still call them records, they become somewhat of an anthem on my ipod. I've been obsessed with Beyonce'sI Miss You this year, for example, which is constantly on repeat and a favourite morning track of Molo's (that's Mohini and Louisa to those of you less informed, yes we've TomKat'd ourselves)
The latest morning room anthem is soulful singer Frank Ocean with his track Thinking Bout You.
So it's no surprise he actually penned I Miss You.
I still prefer the Beyonce version but this is rising up the Molo NY Anthem charts too...
