The Big Easy

Get ready for fun, this weekend was a girls weekend away in New Orleans! As luck had it, it coincided with the French Quater Jazz Festival, providing a great atmosphere in the city.

We started the day at the famous Cafe Du Monde for beignets and coffee........................

















.............. before hitting the hard liquor with a Bloody Mary and relaxing in Jackson Square to the sound of jazz.





































Susan, Alex, Debbie and Donna.























We then wandered around the French Market and French Quarter before stumbling upon the Mississippi River.......................

















and an authentic Cigar Factory.................
















By late afternoon we were happy to check into our hotel room.....................















.................and put our feet up!

Dinner with Jerica

Friday night we caught with Jerica who are back in New York for a wedding. "Jerica" is the celebrity name I have given to both Jay and Erica - haha!

It was lovely seeing them, and this time was extra special as we were told a "Baby Jerica" was on the way!

Congratulations, we couldn't be happier for you both, exciting times ahead!

Moving Day..........again!

I can barely believe a year has past since we moved into our little flat 26A.

However with our lease being up and rents rising, we decided to make a fresh start in a new unit and neighborhood.

We have been excited about this move particularly due to the fact there is much more closet space, an open kitchen, 11 foot high ceilings, and a separate bathroom rather than having to go thru the bedroom :) Plus we have the added bonus of an outdoor patio - a rarity in New York.




























































With the last move being from Oz to the US, I was considerably less stressed this time around!

The movers arrived bright and early, and by late afternoon we were unpacked and settled into our new place. With the exception of a few book boxes and some frames that need to be hung - we are just about finished!

Our new apartment is just north of Hell's Kitchen, know for its abundance of eateries, wine and food shops. We are closer to our respective offices, and are able to walk to and from walk, which is just lovely now the weather is warmer.

We are 5 blocks form Central Park, and 2 blocks from the Hudson River, so if you are bringing the yacht its Pier 95!!

There is also an abundance of marvelous park area that will surely come in handy in this summer. We can't wait to share our new home with you - visitors welcome!

Farewell Angelique

Last night amidst the rain and thunder, we made our way to Soho to the trendy Circa Tabac, the last smoking bar in New York.
















It was to farewell the lovely Angelique who is leaving New York to head back to Greece. Angelique has had major modeling success since moving here, and most recently she was on giant poster as the "Loehman's Girl" for the new spring/summer collection.





















I can't tell you how funny it has been sitting on the couch thumbing thought a magazine/brochure and have her little face looking back at me!

All the best Angelique - we will miss you!

UWS & Columbia

Sunday morning, albeit with a slightly pounding head, we caught the subway all the way to 100th and Columbus.

In Sydney, David and I use to joke what we did not go any more west that Pyrmont, and generally speaking in New York, we don't go much north of 60th street - so this was quite the adventure!

The upper west side is full of pockets of neighborhoods each very different to the next. Our first stop was Tom's restaurant most famous for being the Seinfeld Cafe.















We then pounded the streets until we reached the church of St John the Divine.

The building itself is truly gothic with vaulted ceiling, large columns, and the largest stained glass window in the US. Inside the church is massive, with the main area being tall enough to fit the Statue of Liberty.

We had a lovely time wandering round and listening to the organ, before heading outside and enjoying the sun in the surrounding gardens.

It was then onto the sprawling grounds of Columbia University. We toured the most recent constructions as well as old favourites such as the library, so it was nice to see what the fuss was all about, despite our sore feet at the end of the day!

Saturday Silliness

Saturday night we were joined by Mary & Co for dinner and drinks.

With hectic schedules and our impending move in a few weeks, it was a great opportunity to catch-up as well as chow through the perishables in the fridge and freezer!

David made his famous marinated skirt steak paired with Spanish rice, creamed spinach, roasted potatoes and a fresh salad with mozzarella and tomatoes.







































As demonstrated below silliness ensued quickly after much consumption of wine!

Katz's Deli

With the weather warming up, we have finally had the chance to head outdoors and explore some areas of the city that are further afield.

On St Patrick's Day we headed to the Lower East Side to see the tenement housing where the Irish immigrants lived in the late 1800's.

What could be more Irish......perhaps potatoes & leprechauns!

There is a great museum that runs tours through the tenement houses, guided by period characters dressed in costume. The area itself is still very nostalgic, it is the area that was used for the film Gangs of New York. There is still evidence of 'old' New York, with cobble stone streets, historic buildings, drunks and even a few modern day crazies!

After a stroll in the sunshine we headed to Katz's Deli, the oldest deli in New York.




















David enjoyed their famous corn beef and pastrami sandwiches.






















Packed to the rafters!















However Katz's Deli is most famous for the scene in When Harry Met Sally......