Yelp - my best friend in New York City after Trader Joe's :)

After Trader Joe's, Yelp is my best friend in New York City lol It was recommended by a friend as soon as we arrived in the city and our relationship gets stronger everyday lol
I do not do anything without asking for its advice...It is an essential tool to have in a city which offers so much as New York does :-) Mainly for newcomers who do not have a clue about restaurants, hairdressers, flowers, eyebrow threading, waxing, real estate, professional services, hotels and travel, etc....Whatever you are looking for, I am sure you can find useful reviews there :D

Crafts @ The City Quilter

As a craft lover, albeit a lazy one at the moment, I am constantly looking for craft shops. I must confess I have not switched on my sewing machine since it arrived in New York. I know I should start using it again considering I have so much time in my hands at the moment. At the same time, I have being so anxious waiting for my EAD (it has been nearly 3 months) that I cannot put my mind into it...
I started sewing last year in London. I always felt like having a creative hobby and sewing appealed to me. Once my mind is into it I find it so relaxing and enjoyable :):) It is so nice to have the feeling you have done something with your own hands. Before we left London, while I was waiting for our visa (waiting has been the main verb in my life for the last year lol), I started making place mats to give to my friends as a keep sake.
Who knows now with the blog I can start sharing some of my humble sewing projects with you? lol
Let's see...
Anyways, the main reason of this post is to share with the craft lovers this amazing shop I have discovered while walking around Chelsea last week. It is amazing for quilter and sewing lovers!!!!!!! You can find beautiful fabrics, tools and books :):):) The City Quilter is located at 133 West 25th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenue).

Phrase of the day :)

When I was browsing at Strand Bookshop, I have found this quote and felt like sharing it with you :) My apologies for the quality of the photo...;-)

Book lovers paradise @ New York City - Part 1

I have always loved reading and books are very dear to my heart. In spite of being part of the kindle generation and buying most of my books online, I love stopping in bookshops I find wandering the streets of this amazing city :) If books are also your thing, New York is one of the best places in the world to indulge :):)
It gives me great pleasure holding a book in my hands and going through it. I am particularly fond of coffee table books. I wish I had the money and space to buy them all!!!!! lol I love this photo of Gwyneth Paltrow by Mario Testino for Vogue America.

Photo: Mario Testino

Anyways, after 3 months living in New York City, I have come across a few lovely bookshops and I am already looking forward to finding a few more on my way.

• Strand Books: WOW!!!!!!! What an amazing store :):):) I have been to the main store on 828 Broadway (at the corner of 12th Street - very, very close to Union Square). I think I could spend days wandering through the wide selection of every single subject you can imagine. It is a must go for book lovers. They also sell second hand books for under $5. The coffee table books are incredible!!!!! A dream come true for the book lovers for sure!!!!

• Around the World: This is s must go place for fashionistas. It is located in front of Bryant Park (28 West 40th Street), between 5th and 6th Avenue. You will be able to find every single fashion publication in the world.

• Barnes&Noble : The biggest and most famous bookstore retailer in New York. 555 Fifth Avenue (between 45th and 45th Street). They are present in 6 others addresses in the city. 

• Taschen: Some of the most beautiful artsy coffee table books can be found here. 107 Greene Street (Soho).  

• Mo MA Store: You can shop for contemporary art books in 2 different locations: in the museum itself  or at the store in Soho (81 Spring St, at Crosby Street).  

• The Drama Bookshop: In this bookshop you can find scripts, theatre books and publications of drama related subjects. When I walked in this shop there were so many people around reading. Not sure if something was going on or if they were actors/writers waiting for a rehearsal or anything like that lol 250 West 40th Street, between 7th and 8th Avenue.

Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge

The same day we went to visit the Brooklyn Brewery, we walked across the Brooklyn Bridge. We thought it would be nice to walk all the way from the brewery to the bridge...And we did regret it as there is nothing to see on the way. I would recommend jumping on a taxi to the beginning of the bridge and start your walk fresh from there. What a view!!!!!!! It was amazing walking across the bridge towards Manhattan just before sunset :)
It was a bit busy but without any doubts, one of the best things I have done in New York so far. And the best thing is: it is FREE!!!! :)

Can't wait to go back and I am sure I will be doing this tour whenever I have friends visiting :)

Free Tour @ Brooklyn Brewery

If you are a beer lover like me and is looking for something free to do in New York, do not think twice!!!! Go to a free tour at the Brooklyn Brewery in Williamsburg on Saturday or Sunday. You do not need to book and just need to pay for the beer (s) you decide to taste :)

You can buy beer tokens before or after the tour ($5 for each or 5 beer tokens for $20). For further information regarding Brooklyn Brewery and tour times check their website: http://brooklynbrewery.com/

Hope you enjoy it as much as I have!!! xxxx

Phrase of the day 2 :):)

It is such a beautiful day here in New York today :):) Feeling very inspired and like sharing positive vibes!!!!! Something I have read @ MoMA yesterday:

Have a lovely day and weekend everyone!

Love xxx

Target Free Friday Nights @ MoMA

Following the list of things to do in NYC, I I went to the Target Friday Nights at the MoMA yesterday. It happens every Friday, from 4pm to 8pm and you have access to all the galleries, exhibitions and films for free. Amazing in this city!!!!! I had been to the MoMA more than 10 years ago with my mother, before the refurbishment and I was very excited to go back :) I was very lucky and did not have to queue to get in.

The MoMA has one of the world's most comprehensive collections of modern art, with works of Picasso, Dali, Max Ernst, Van Gogh, Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Pollock, Miro...The list goes on...I think you could be able to spend days there in order to absorb it all.

My 2 favorite exhibitions apart from the ongoing ones were:

1. Diego Rivera: Murals for the Museum of Modern Art. It is on until May 14th 2012 and contains 5 of the 8 murals painted by Diego Rivera specially for the museum's exhibition in 1931-1932. It is crazy to think it was conceived in 6 weeks prior to the exhibition's starting date.
2. Sanja Ivekovic: Sweet Violence (until March 26th 2012). I had never heard about this great Croatian photographer, sculptor and installation artist. The place of women in today's society is the main subject of her work. It is a mixture of photo montages and media installations.

 It was great to revisit work by American artists and also by European artists who found shelter in America during/after the World War 2.  I would love to learn more about it and I will :):)

Definitely it was my fault for being bored in New York :):):)

MoMA:
11 W 53rd St  New York, 10019

Phrase of the day :):)

So looking forward to it :):):) Just have to stick in my mind I should be doing it everyday rather than waiting for the day I can work....

The High Line - volunteering opportunities

One of my favorite places of "my New York" is the High Line. It is very close to our flat and I can walk all the way to the Meatpacking District :) It is a great program for the weekends as there are loads of lovely places to have brunch there after the walk.
The High line runs from the Gansevoort Street up to 30th Street (West Chelsea). It was a very ambitious urban renewal project which transformed a disused railway into public park with amazing views from the Hudson River and the city from another perspective.

In spite of having being open to the public in June 2009 (the portion between Gansenvoort to 20th Street), it has already become one of the main attractions in New York. You can see most of the art galleries in West Chelsea as well.

I have applied to be a volunteer in the Green-Up Spring Cut back between March and April. The deadline was on the 13th of February, I was a bit late....But I hope to hear something back. Fingers crossed!!!! It should be fun and also an amazing opportunity to meet new people :)

For whoever is interested have a look : Volunteer Opportunity : High Line Green-Up Spring Cut Back

Things to do in New York when you are very bored and tired of waiting for your EAD....

I am so bored!!!!!! And waiting...Waiting for my bloody EAD in order to start job hunting :( It has been exactly 75 days I have applied for it and still waiting...I was thinking about going for a wander today, but felt so lazy to go on my own. To feel better I have started researching things to do with my hubby during the weekend. The first thing I read when I opened the book was:

"If you're bored in New York, it's your own fault." - Myrna Loy

Yes, maybe it is!!!! lol Anyways, to make me feel better, I have decided to sketch a plan of places to go following some guide books advice (not the wisest as I am one for avoiding the very touristic places...). My parents-in-law are visiting us next week from England, maybe I can use some of these tips myself. Not sure as it isn't their first time in New York and and I am sure they have done most of it as well lol Anyways, here we go:

1. Empire State Building - Have been there a long time ago and look at it the whole day from my window!!!! Why I would I want to go there??? lol I love looking at it every day to find out which colour it will be in the evening. It is amazing to think it was the tallest building in the world until 1970 and 1072, when the Twin Towers were built. I love the movie Affair to Remember as well. It was on TV last week :)
2. Central Park: Have been there so many times recently!!!!! What else can I do in the park during the winter??? Maybe I should go for a run there?? Possibly...
3. Ice skating at Rockefeller Centre: Not sure if my parents-in-law would be keen on that. Maybe I can take them for a stroll around the rink :)
4. American Museum of Natural History: I think it is a pretty museum from outside and certainly has great stuff inside. But paying $19 admission fee ?? :(:( The Hayden Planetarium is supposed to be amazing though. Maybe...Again, you would have to pay $19 ...Or you could buy the ticket package to the Museum and Rose Center for Earth and Space plus all special exhibitions, IMAX films, and the Hayden Planetarium Space Show for $33. Sounds so expensive!!!!! Sometime I have to forget about how things work in London, where most museums are free ;-)
5.  Frick Museum: This Museum is definitely on my list!!!!! Have heard lovely things about it. The collection is made mostly of European art. Again $18 dollars to get in...
6. Lincoln Center: I love this complex of beautiful buildings and would love to go to opera or to the ballet there one day. It is New York's centrepiece for performing arts, having as residents 12 companies such as the New York City Ballet, the American Ballet Theatre, the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera. Can't wait to go there in the summer when dance bands perform in the central Josie Robertson Plaza as part of the center's Midsummer Night Swing series. It is worthy going there as well to see Marc Chagall murals Source of Music and Triumph of Music hanging behind the Opera's facade. The library in the complex is great as well :) I will definitely take them there and will try to learn more about it. 
7. Metropolitan Museum of Art: It is a beautiful place to visit and there is always so much going on. Another good choice! :)
8. Museum of Modern Art: I have been there a long time ago. Actually, it was before the refurbishment. It is on my list as well. Apparently it is free admission on Fridays between 4pm and 8pm. There is a very interesting exhibition with Diego Rivera's murals. 
9. Time Square/42nd Street: I can see it from my window and walk around the area at least 2 times per week lol I will give it a miss for the moment!!! 
10. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island: The access to the pedestal and crown of the Statue of Liberty is currently unavailable due to renovations. Might have to stick to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum :)

Yes, If I am bored it is my fault!!!!!!!! I will make these lists just to make me feel guilty and stop saying I am bored!!!! :):):) 

NYC - Burger lovers paradise!!!

OMG!!!!!! I will have to watch my waistline in this city. Food portions are so huge and the options to be naughty are far too many. I thought I had put on a few kilograms since we arrived in November. After 2 months and a half without facing a scale, I decided to weight myself...Surprisingly, I have lost 2 kilograms since we have moved to New York and my husband has lost 3!!!!! Do not ask me how it happened lol All I know is that I am very happy and much more motivated to go to the gym everyday. The gym is my therapy and only New Yorker friend at the moment as I am not working :( If I am already going insane home waiting for my EAD (Employment Authorization Document), God knows how much worse I would be feeling if it wasn't for the gym. I just need to hop on the lift and I am there. So good to have a gym in my building. No excuses for blowing it out!!!! 
When my sister was here for 2 weeks, we decided to rate different burger places in town. Very, very naughty!!!!! I would be regretting it dearly if the scales had told me otherwise. However, I feel like sharing with you what I have learned about burgers in New York so far. On the week my sister arrived Time Out had an article about the best $4 burger (Five cool food chains arrive in NYC - January 26-February 1, 2012). That was our starting point and I am sure will be my compass. Slowly I will tick all the options off this list. So far, my burger ranking is:

1. Burger joint @ Le Parker Meridien (119 West 56th Street, New York, NY, 10019). The place is so cozy and it is hidden inside this fancy hotel. We got lost 2 times inside the hotel before we could find it. So far it was my favorite!!! The chocolate milkshake was delicious as well. The burger was the right size and sort of crispy. Bear in mind, they do not accept cards. It is cash only. You are going to pay roughly 10 dollars for a Burger and a soda. Yummy!!!!!
2. Steak'n Shake (1695 Broadway New York City, NY 10019). We had to queue up for 15 minutes to get inside the place. But boy, it was worthy it!!!! It is very fair priced. For 2 burgers, 2 sodas and 2 French fries we paid around 14 dollars. Very, very good!!!! 
3. Shake Shack. We have been to the one close to Broadway (691 8th Avenue New York, NY). I was very looking forward to find out what all the hype about this place is about. I must confess it disappointed me....The fries were beautiful but the burgers left much to the imagination. They were greasy...For some reason they reminded me of McDonalds. The prices are very high for what they offer. For 2 burgers, 2 sodas and 2 fries with cheese we spent roughly 22 dollars. In my opinion it was the worst out of the 3 we have been. 

I know this list will get longer and longer...Gym here I go!!!!!!!

Things I miss about London living in New York :(

As I have said, I have been very lucky to have the experience to live in the two capitals of the world. Thank God, I am loving this new challenge and life in New York. Nevertheless, after 8 years in London, there are things I do miss about this amazing city. And I am sure, when we eventually leave New York, I will have a list with things I will miss here :). The thing I definitely do not miss is the English weather lol

• Family and friends are on top of my list :):) Mainly my beloved sister who lives in London.
• The markets such as Brick Lane, Portobello, Covent Garden, Borough, Spitafields and Camden Town.
• The high street shops, the British quirkiness, sense of humour and low key behaviour! 
• The fact most museums are free. Here in NYC you have to pay a fortune to get in :( Apparently you can go to MoMa on Fridays for free between 4pm and 8pm though.
• It is so easy and cheap to travel everywhere from London. in 2 hours you are in the centre of Paris or Spain. In 4 hours in Turkey or Greece :)
• Sunday Roasts
• The amount of different parks and palaces around London
• I miss Wimbledon!!! When I met my husband he already lived there and we lived there together for the last 4 years :)
• The prices for everything. I am finding NYC quite expensive apart from transport comparing to London
• The architecture - London is just so beautiful!!!! The architecture matches if it makes any sense lol
• I still think London has a more international feeling than NYC. It seems more cosmopolitan than New York to me.
• Mind the Gap! The tube is so clean and luxurious comparing to the one here lol On the other hand, just works till 12/1am whereas the one in New York is 24 hours.
• The Stylist Magazine (given away for free every Tuesday! lol       
• Chocolate weetabix - can I find it in New York??? Help please!!!!
• M&S goodies
• The banking system 
• The Boris bikes :)   
• The red double decker buses
• The pubs!!!!! 
• How cheaper it is to go to the theater in London. Broadway shows are so expensive!!!!

Things I love about living in New York :)

It has been nearly 3 months since we settled in Manhattan and I already have started my list of things I love about this amazing city. I know this list will change many times with time and each new discovery. It is always good to start at some point though. Here we go:

• Amount and diversity of restaurants/cuisine/street food/diners, etc. Even If I lived here all my life, I am sure I would not experience a fair amount of what New York has to offer in terms of food. Also, I love the fact there are still so many independent and tiny places to eat comparing to London where most places belong to chains.
• The Brunch experience. One of my favourites!!!!! If I could I would go out for brunch everyday :):) So far, I have been to incredible places and can't wait to explore even more. I have a crush on French Toasts lol 
• Cheap transport (subway and taxis)
• The city's energy 
• The amazing skyline - can't get enough of looking out of my window and facing the Empire State, The Chrysler Building, The New York Times building (the new one), etc. Have to find out more about other buildings too.
• The weather. I know I have been very lucky as this winter so far has been quite mild. However, I love the constant sunshine and blue sky. It is nearly 5pm now and the sun is still shining outside :):) It still feels weird wearing sunglasses during winter. In London, I hardly wore them during summer lol
• People have been so fantastic and friendly! On the other hand, they get annoyed easier here lol Coming from London where people say sorry all the time when they stumble on you even if it wasn't their fault is a big change. Have seen quite a few heated arguments because of that lol
• It is easier to live. Everything is 24 hours and all is possible. In the shops you find things you would never thought would exist!!! New Yorkers seem to be very spoiled by services available.  I think I will get spoiled too!!!
• Diversity of shops in areas such as Lower East Side, East Village, West Village, Nolita, Bowery, Noho, Soho and the list goes on. I do miss the British high streets and flea markets though. People are much more stylish and eccentric on the other side of the pond. I have the impression, fashion here is much more commercial. 
• Trader Joe's
• Eataly - I take everyone there :):) Love it!!!!
• Meatpacking District - I like the vibe of the place
• Chelsea Market - have to go to all those food stalls!!!!
• Nolita, Lower East Side, Gramercy, Bowery and Soho somehow remind me of London. 
• The boat trip to Ikea lol 
• Central Park
• Oh, the burgers and cupcakes :):) Hummmmmmmm - very worried with my waistline at the moment! lol
• The High Line (what a wicked idea!!!!). Love the fact it is 5 minutes away from my flat.
• The roof decks - so looking forward to summer to enjoy them properly. 

Can't wait to start making friends as well :):)  I am sure this list will have part 2, 3, 4,5, 6,7,8, 9, etc as time goes on ;-) We have to start exploringon other areas as well such as Queens, Bronx, Brooklyn and State Island. Can't wait!!!!

London & New York City - cities made of big dreams

No doubt New York has a very different energy. All the lights, the skyscrapers, the restlessness, but above all, what makes big cities such as London and New York so special are the people. One of the best descriptions I have found whilst researching about the city was written by the American writer E.B White on his book Here is New York:

"There are roughly three New Yorks. There is, first, the New York of the man or woman who was born there, who takes the city for granted and accepts its size, its turbulence as natural and inevitable. Second, there is the New York of the commuter--the city that is devoured by locusts each day and spat out each night. Third, there is New York of the person who was born somewhere else and came to New York in quest of something. Of these trembling cities the greatest is the last--the city of final destination, the city that is a goal. It is this third city that accounts for New York’s high strung disposition, its poetical deportment, its dedication to the arts, and its incomparable achievements. Commuters give the city its tidal restlessness, natives give it solidity and continuity, but the settlers give it passion. And whether it is a farmer arriving from a small town in Mississippi to escape the indignity of being observed by her neighbours, or a boy arriving from the Corn Belt with a manuscript in his suitcase and a pain in his heart, it makes no difference: each embraces New York with the intense excitement of first love, each absorbs New York with the fresh yes of an adventurer, each generates heat and light to dwarf the Consolidated Edison Company..."

I love this excerpt and identify myself with the third group :) Still not sure what I am after, but I am sure I will find out at some point. Moving to London was a sort of quest as well. There I found out about myself, my other better half and the sort of person I would like to become.  As I said before, feeling part of the world was always my goal. Here I am in another completely different situation, following my husband's steps. In London I found love and about myself, here in NY I do not have a clue. Honestly, if someone had said 1 year and half ago that I would be moving to America, I would have laughed. Life is absolutely crazy!!! That is why it is so fascinating at the same time :)

In the meantime, while I try to work out what to do here I day dream, write and feel blessed for the opportunity to be living in this amazing city.  

Must confess sometimes I walk around with my ipod very lound listening to Empire State of Mind lol It does feel good and I sing along!!!! #crazyandhappymoments :) 

Furniture Hunting in New York City

After finding our flat, the next task was trying to find some furniture to furnish it. OMG, what a journey it has been!!!!! We had shipped many things from England. If we could have had the option, we definitely would have left everything behind and bought everything once we were here! However, when you relocate with work, most companies do pay for the shipping costs + accommodation for the beginning of your stay, instead of giving you the money to buy whatever you need (we tried!!!) :( Therefore, we decided to ship the bits and pieces we had in London. Not many, considering we had been renting for the last 4 years in London, where most flats are furnished. Besides, we didn't know how small or big the flats would be this side of the pond. The only thing we knew is that opposite to London, most flats available for rent are unfurnished in New York. Usually, the furnished flats tend to be for shorter rental periods.
I believe the first dilemma for those relocating is to go to Ikea and buy something cheaper to leave behind in the end of the stay or to buy something more expensive that will last longer and can be taken to wherever in the world you go to later on?
As the plan was/is to stay in Manhattan for the 1st year, we decided to buy better quality stuff which could be taken with us to wherever we go after here. We have found very good deals outside during the sales period (beginning of January). The shops I recommend would be West Elm, CB2, Sit Down New York,  Macy's and Ikea. The taxi trip to Ikea on the weekends is free and is great to take a glimpse of the amazing Manhattan skyline as well.
If you feel like stretching the budget, there could not be a better place to be than New York. Head to Crate and Barrel, Design within Reach, ABC Home, Room and Board, Bo Concept, Restoration Hardware and Bloomingdale's.

Grocery Shopping in NYC - Trader Joe's we love you!!!!

Grocery shopping is this city has been a very different experience comparing to grocery shopping in London. Before we moved here, all I could think of was huge Wal-Marts all over the place with very cheap deals. No, no, no!!!! When we arrived, surprise... They were no where to be found in Manhattan. In order to find bigger markets such as Target and Costco you have to head to East Harlem. If you do not have a car and is not stocking up for 2 years (for a couple) with the size of the packages, it is not worth the hassle. 

In London, we have big chains such as Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrison's, Waitrose, Asda, Lidl, M&S in a very fierce competition. In Manhattan, grocery shops seem to be quite small, with a limited selection and very, very expensive!!!! Also, in the beginning I could not understand why I could not find household cleaning products in the shelves of the grocery shops most of the time. Surprisingly, in order to buy cleaning products, toilet paper and detergent I had to go to the 24 hours drugstores! I was quite impressed by that. Duane Reade, CVS and Walgreens have become my main source of household cleaning products. Oh dear, how would that make sense? Now I have got used to it and thank God I have a 24 hours Duane Reade in front of my building. 

There are a few fancy chains such as The Food Emporium, Gristedes, D'Agostino, The Whole Foods, Fairway, Morton Williams, etc. Our first grocery shopping experience was at The Food Emporium in Midtown East. What an expensive place!!!  For some reason there are 2 different prices for the same product and you never know how much you are paying until you see the receipt back home and collapse lol I just worked out why last week when I was watching a TV show where the presenter was explaining the difference in both prices. Not sure I have understood it fully yet. Have to pay attention when I go back to The Food Emporium or The Whole Foods next time (only in special occasions or if I am too lazy to go to Trader Joe's as there is another The Food Emporium branch very close to our flat).

Our best and favorite discovery this side of the pond has definitely been our beloved Trader Joe's. Where else can you shop listening to Michael Jackson or Phil Collins? Where else do you get free coffee while shopping? Where else are there people holding signs indicating the middle and the end of the queue because there are so many people around at peak times? There are units in the Upper West Side (with an escalator for the trolleys - wicked!!!), Chelsea and around Union Square. We have been to all of them and our local has become the one in Chelsea as it is closer to our flat. The prices are nearly half of the ones charged by the competitors and they have a great selection of fresh products. Ideal for people who cook home as much as we do.On top of that, the staff and products are amazing!!!! I have never seen so many happy people working under a roof :) It is a feel good experience, in spite of being grocery shopping.

Usually we walk there and get a taxi back. So happy taxi fares are so cheap here!!!!!! Please let me know if you have any other tips about  affordable grocery shopping in Manhattan. Would love to find out more about any other deals. Posts to follow: farmer's market  + grocery shopping online :)

How the blog was born...

Well, I have always enjoyed writing to myself. For most of my life I have kept diaries and for some time in my early 20's, even managed to have a fotolog where I wrote about what was going on in my life during those crazy years. Writing for me is a way to understand myself and I find quite inspiring to look back at some of my memories to work out the direction life has led me to and how much I have evolved as a person.
What I know is that so far, life has been truly crazy and incredible!!!!!!!! Of course, full of ups and downs, as it is to everyone else - but thank God more ups than downs :):):) In the end of the day, the main thing for me is being healthy and having a very good family structure with plenty of love. Everything else is just a state of mind. You choose your paths and your thoughts. I always find that the more positive I am, the better everything else becomes. I believe it starts with the small things such as saying sorry, thank you, please, treating people well, regardless of how much they have in their bank account !!!!! And always having a smile on your face. It surely does come back to you.
Talking about love and coming back to you, during these first 2 months in NYC, I have had 2 very special visitors: my parents during Christmas and my beloved sister only 2 weeks ago. When my parents came, everything was pretty much new. We were still living in the accommodation provided by my husband's company, waiting for the shipping company to deliver our stuff and also trying to buy essential things for the new flat such as dining table, chair, sofa, appliances, etc
When my sister came recently, we were much more settled in our new life and this subject of being nice towards other people and avoiding negative thoughts was a current topic of our endless chats over these 2 weeks. Therefore, I was quite happy when I woke up today and saw on my facebook that a friend had posted this great video The happy secret to better work talking exactly about what we had discussed in the last days. The more positive you are, the more positive life becomes to you :):):) We have to feel lucky and blessed for everyday. For having people we love in our lives and for having the opportunity to love and to give the best in us without expecting return.
As I have been feeling quite lonely in my new life in NYC (my husband is working most of the time and I can't work yet), my sister put this idea in my mind that I should write about it. She knows how writing makes me feel good! Besides, the fascination NYC has on many people around the world could be a great source for posts + new ways to try to live and understand this city better. The beauty of cities like London and New York is that no matter how many times you have been to them, you will still have things to do and see. Both cities are always evolving and dazzling people from every corner of the world. Welcome :)

Finding a place to live in Manhattan

Before moving to NYC, I had been here as a tourist a couple of times with my family. On the first time, I stayed in Midtown East and second time in Midtown West. This third and permanently (let's say time), my husband's company found us a temporary flat in a lovely building in Midtown East. Quintessentially NY! With the main tourist attractions, the big American corporate head quarters and sky high prices for pretty much everything. It was very close to the hotel I had stayed at the first time I was in town with my family. And when we finally found our permanent flat after seeing nearly 50 flats all over Manhattan, we settled ourselves in Midtown West. It is so hard for someone who has never lived in the place before to decide where to go!!!! One thing is being a tourist, another thing is being a permanent resident. You can search on Google, read forums, etc. However, nothing is like experiencing the real thing. By experience the real thing, I mean wandering the streets of different neighborhoods to get the true feeling. As I always emphasize, different people have different expectations.
Our plan was to stay in Manhattan for the first year as we didn't and still don't know where I am going to work, my husband's work is based in the south of the island and we wanted to get the experience of living in a shoebox in Manhattan for at least 1 year before filing for bankruptcy with the price of the rents here! On top of that, you will probably live in sky rises with at least 5000 thousand people in the same building. In the rush time, you are likely to have to queue up for the lifts in order to arrive at the comfort of your own home. It is quite crazy! Mainly moving from London, where the houses are pretty grounded and there are not many tall buildings. Also, forget about having washing machines inside the flat. That will be exchanged for dishwashers. Does anyone ever hand wash plates in this city? lol The washing machines will be located in the basement and shared with the whole community in the building.I am not complaining about the dishwasher - my new best friend!!! I love you!!!
After this initial year, we are thinking of moving to the sticks, get a car and a house with garden + spare bedrooms for family and friends stopping over :) After living in a shoe box in London for the last years + a shoe box in Manhattan, we do feel it is time to get some more space and get used to the life in the suburbs. God knows if we will get used to that again! Let's see what happens...
Anyways, going back to the flat hunting soap opera....We were pretty much opened minded about the location to live in Manhattan. In the beginning, our main focus was on the Upper East Side. Then we moved on to Lower Midtown East, Upper West Side, Financial District and finally Midtown West. Funnily enough, it was the only place we saw on Midtown West, but the broker was spot on!!!! Brokers, let's talk about them...Coming from London, where everything is quite straightforward, we never thought we would be expected to pay from 12 to 15% of the annual rent to brokers. Ok, some say they have the best properties Blah Blah Blah...It took us 2 weeks to realize we didn't need to pay the broker's fee if we focused our search on no fee apartments. Some companies/tenants pay the brokers directly and/or  give you a one month free rent (our case). It is worth looking at those, mainly in periods of financial crisis. We used Craigslist (the local Gumtree - one of the most famous sites in London for such things). It is really helpful and all the flats we have seen and the brokers we have met was through it.To be honest, the best apartments I have seen, and I have seen many have been the no fee apartments. The flats are in pristine condition and have been renovated recently.
We worked with 6 different brokers focused on no fee apartments to find our love nest. Two of them were very, very pushy and didn't make us feel very comfortable at all. Therefore, we just did a few viewings with them. The others were very helpful and I wish we could have closed the deal with them all. Make sure you have your pay slips (or pay stubs as they say here), letter of employment and bank statements when you go for viewings in case you like the flat. Because if you do, you have to be very quick and put an offer down immediately. Good flats are like hot buns in this city. They fly off the shelves very quickly!
In summary, you need to prove you earn annually at least 40 to 50 times the amount of your monthly rent. I have heard from brokers that during summer rents go up considerably. We had much more bargain power in late November and December, when the market is pretty slow and everyone just thinks of holidays. Good luck in your search:) Please feel free to ask me any tips!!!!  I will be more than happy to help :)

New Year, New Life, New York

Here I am - living in the big apple with my soul mate after 8 years in London.
It feels weird and good at the same time. I feel very lucky to have this new challenge and for having the opportunity to live in the other capital of the world with my beloved hubby :)
In a way, that is what I have always wanted for my life - to see and feel the world from different points of view.
I do not think London is better than New York, or all the way round. Both cities are amazing and have their own highs and lows. I miss my London, but I am also looking forward to explore and make my NYC as well.
The most difficult thing is not having friends and family around. On the other hand, it has been very good for my marriage. We are closer than ever :):):)
Can't wait to be able to start working though - nearly going insane home waiting for my EAD (Employment Authorization Document). It has been nearly 3 months and I am still waiting...Hopefully I should hear something in the next couple of weeks.
The main idea of this blog is to keep me sane and find out about myself in NYC. I am married, thirty, childless and have no idea about the direction I should take career wise. I like so many things!!!!!!! Hope to learn new things about me in this journey ahead in a new country. NYC bring it on!!!!!