Strand book store - book lover's paradise!!!

I know I have already spoken about this amazing book store here. However, I do not think I have spoken  highly enough of it. Every time I go back to the Strand bookshop, it amazes me even more.
I think I could spend the whole day in this home to 18 miles of books. I am sure you will find there whatever you are looking for book wise. As its website says: "new books, used books, rare books, out of print books, art books, and..." I have said before, a must go destination for book lovers in New York.

I love the quotes they have in different book sections. I have included two below :)

Strand Books: 828 Broadway  New York, NY 10003 (It is very close to Union Square)

Art and Beauty...Inspiring thoughts

I have found this quote at the Strand bookshop. There are quite a few of these messages spread across the shop floor.
Such uplifting and inspiring messages!!!!!

Hope you enjoy as much as I do :):) Nothing like the power of words. It is all in our minds!!!! Art is beautiful and there is so much beauty in Art and in life, do you agree??

Have a great week everyone!!!!!

Love

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What color is the Empire State Building tonight?

Every night I get excited to find out which color the Empire State will be "wearing". Researching for this post, I have found out its calendar. You can check it out here. The colors of the Empire State Building usually will reflect events/celebrations/holidays  happening in the States and around the world, but not to political or religious related events.The only exceptions are Easter, Eid al-Fitr, Hanukah and Christmas.

 For me, the Empire State it is one of the most special buildings in Manhattan and if not one of the most iconic ones alongside the Chrysler Building. Every year, millions of tourists go up to its observatoty on the 86th and 102nd to get a glimpse of the amazing views. The name Empire State was inspired in New York's nickname.

When it was open in 1931, it became ans was the tallest building in the world for 40 years, when the Twin Towers appeared in New York's skyline. After the tragic events on 9/11, it became again the tallest building in Manhattan. Not for long though, as the new One World Trade Center aka Freedom Tower is supposed to be ready in 2013. The Empire State Building is currently the third tallest sky scrapper in the States (after the Willis Tower and Trump International Hotel and Tower, both in Chicago), and the 15th tallest in the world.

I love the Art Deco style and how imposing it looks. Mainly, when you are outside Manhattan. I have been taking these photos over the last couple of months to share with you here. The idea was to have them taken from the same spot, but I had had some wine in a few of these occasions, therefore it is not looking that perfect lol Can't get tired of looking at it!!!! Isn't it beautiful??? I have written the meaning of the colors below the photos :)

Hope you enjoy xxxxxxxxxxxx

Love

In honor of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Partners in Preservation

In honor of the United States Olympic Committee and 100 Days to the 2012 Olympic Games in London

In honor of Autism Speaks and World Autism Awareness Day

In honor of Earth Hour 2012
*Lights off between 8:30p.m. — 9:30 p.m.

In honor of Phil Lesh, Bob Weir and FURTHUR

In honor of the Sakura Centennial

In honor of St. Patrick's Day

In celebration of Easter

Happiness is...So true!!!!

“Realize that true happiness lies within you. Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside. Remember that there is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving. Reach out. Share. Smile. Hug. Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself.”
― Og Mandino

Frieze New York Art Fair coming soon!!!!

Art lovers alike, write down on your calendars, Frieze New York is about to start!!! This contemporary art fair features 180 of the world's leading contemporary artists and will takes place at Randall's Island in Manhattan from May 4th - 7th. Frieze is already very famous in London, where it happens every October at Regent's Park and is coming to New York for the first time.

Tickets can be bought here. Have to book mine too!

Hope you enjoy :) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

5 months after....Life in a New York minute

Today we celebrate 5 months living in New York. Sometimes it seems we have been here much longer than that!!! Mainly now I have a job. It is my 3rd week at work and now I do not have time for anything else lol

Everything happens just so quickly in this crazy city. No wonder why we have the New York minute expression :) The New York minute is taken from the general belief that everything in New York moves faster than the rest of the world. According to Johnny Carson, an American television host, it's the interval between a Manhattan traffic light turning green and the guy behind you honking his horn. So true!!!!!!

Not sure if things happen faster here. All I know is that I am already dreaming about holidays in the middle of nowhere, close to nature, animals and no traffic lights around please!!!!!!

"In a new york minute
Everything can change
In a new york minute
Things can get pretty strange
In a new york minute
Everything can change
In a new york minute"

"New York Minute" by The Eagles

 

 

Phrase of the day...:)

Booking a restaurant in New York - Open Table :)

I am still in shock with the amount of restaurants New York has to offer! Besides, it is impossible to get inside some restaurants without the right connections.

If you are planning a trip to New York, I would definitely advise you to book restaurants at least 1 month in advance. Mainly if you are looking for the restaurants of the moment or even the classic and old school new york venues. The restaurant scene here seems to have so much more excitement than London. People are so passionate about where they eat!!!! I love it :)

So far, for me, I would say London wins in regards to flea markets and museums, but New York is miles ahead when it comes to eating.

Open Table is a good place to start :) Alongside Yelp (I already have spoken about it here  ), it will help you loads.

Hope you enjoy xxxxxxxxxxx

Titanic - 100 years have gone by :(

The Titanic sank exactly 100 years ago, on the 15th of April 1912. One century later, the ill-fated ship still fascinates people.  A few commemorative events are taking place in New York. Many TV programs have been talking about it during this month and the 3D version of the cinema blockbuster directed by James Cameron has been released.

It is very sad to think of how many lives have been lost and how many dreams have sank with the ship.  

If you happen to be in New York during this month and is quite interested in the Titanic's history, do not miss the following events at the city that would have been its final destination.

1. The Drowned Ball: A grandiose remembrance of 100 anniversary of RMS Titanic's first ans last voyage - Hosted by Gemini & Scorpio , you can choose your class/ticket - prices range from $25 to $105.  First Class and Second class ticket holders board at 9pm and can sip champagne while dancing a waltz. The Economy passengers board at 10pm. The dress code is "turn of the century ball meets Mermaid Parade meets zumbi". A virtual iceberg will be created through videos projections and art installations.
This ball will take place on the 21st of April at Zanger Hall (347 W 34th St between Eighth and Ninth Avenues)

2. 100 years later: little known and new facts about R.M.S. Titanic  -  A walking tour led by the Widener University professor emeritus Joseph J. Edgette is taking place at the Woodlawn Cemetery on the 29th of April, between 1 and 4pm (tickets $15, seniors and students $10). The cemetery is the final resting place of more Titanic passengers than any other graveyard in the United States. The professor will recount the lives of some of the passengers.
Woolworth Chapel , Woodlawn Cemetery, Webster Avenue and E23rd St., Bronx

Hope you enjoy :) xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Working in New York - so exciting!!!!!

My first week working in New York was so happy and surreal at the same time. I am lucky enough to be able to walk to work and to work one block away from the Chrysler building. 

I am still amazed and in shock!!!!! It seems I am in a movie with all that craziness and yellow taxis around :) 

The Chrysler building is my favorite building in the whole New York. Can't get bored of looking at it. It was the tallest building in the world for 11 months, when it was surpassed by the Empire State Building in 1931. Now, it is New York's 4th tallest sky scrapper alongside the new New York Times Building (By Renzo Piano), on the 8th Avenue (between 40th and 41st).

I love the Chrysler's building Art Deco style and its elegant lines. Every time I go for my lunch break I keep looking up!!!!! Just to stare at it :) Awesome!!!!

Feeling very, very grateful and happy!!!!! 

Life in New York has truly began and I like it!!!!!!!

Hell's Kitchen Flea Market

Spring has arrived, the weather has been amazing and people are on the streets enjoying this great city :) I love how seasons have the power to change people's moods!!!!! In London, any sunshine is an excuse to hit the pubs. Couldn't be different in New York. And what a better weather than that to visit some of the flea markets around?
The Hell's Kitchen Flea Market is one of the most famous and the fastest-growing fair in New York.  I live very close to the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market and was astonished with the amount of stalls and people wandering around there today. Couldn't believe what my eyes were seeing as it had been pretty empty during winter. Some days we would just be able to see a few stalls.Now I believe the hype around the HK Flea Market!!!!! lol There you will find retro antiques, vintage clothes, old furniture, hand made stuff and bric-a-brac. It is great, but nothing compared to the amazing markets we have in London though :(
There you will find retro antiques, vintage clothes, old furniture, hand made stuff and bric-a-brac.
It is worthy paying a visit if you are in New York during Spring/Summer :)

Hell's Kitchen Flea Market : 39th St, between Ninth and Tenth Avenues

Phrase of the day :)

What goes around comes around and the more you give the more you get :):)

Beautiful day in NYC!!!!!! Have a lovely week everyone

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Life in NYC is truly beginning....Inspiring thoughts :)

Couldn't agree more ;-) Sometimes we have to shake it up and go for it. Everything is possible!!!

I did get out of my comfort zone and it happened to me. I have a job in NYC!!!!!! So happy :):):):) Now, I can say my life in NYC is truly beginning. Very excited with this new challenge. So happy to say bye to my housewife days. After nearly 7 months, I am ready to focus on my career again.

Couldn't have made it without the support of my dear friends and family. Thank you very much people!!!!! Love you all so much <3

Fingers crossed it will all go well. Happy Easter everyone!!!!!!

Loads of love xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Greenwood Cemetery @ Brooklyn

If you were looking for a fashionable place to be buried in the nineteenth century, Greenwood Cemetery would be the place to go. Founded in 1838, the cemetery has once been one of the greatest tourist attractions in the United States rivalling the Niagara Falls. Can you believe it? Neither could I. That is why I went there to see it myself. The mausoleums, statues and views with the Manhattan skyline in the background are impressive. The Battle of Brooklyn aka Battle of Long Island against the British in 1776, took place in these grounds. The Unites States had declared independence 2 months before. The British won and the American Independence was almost lost before it had begun. The site has become a designated National History landmark in 2006.

Among its famous residents are the entire Steinway clan of piano fame, the artist Jean Michel Basquiat, Louis Comfort Tiffany (the son of the founder of Tiffany & Co) and some of the Roosevelt clan.

A great place to go if you are looking for something different to do and enjoy history :) We walked all the way from there to Park Slope, one of New York most desirable neighbourhoods with beautiful brownstone townhouses, great restaurants and shops.

Hope you enjoy :) xxxxxxxxx

Greenwood Cemetery: 500 25th Street - Brooklyn

Phrase of the day :)

Life has been so hectic this week that I haven't had time to write here :( But it is all for a good reason though. I have been interviewing and full of hope I will get my dream job in New York. Fingers crossed!!!!!I am very happy and feeling very positive!!!!!!! Hope I will have good news to share with you very soon.

In the meantime:

Have a lovely day!!!!

Love

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Beekman Tower or New York by Gehry...

I wonder if one can get enough of the iconic Manhattan skyline...It is just so impressive and mesmerizing!!!! And it is always evolving, just like the city that never sleeps :)
The New York by Gehry, formerly called Beekman Tower is one of the newest additions to New York's skyscrapers collection. It was designed by the acclaimed architect Frank Gehry and opened in February 2011.  
Gehry used the same stainless steel curves he used at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, which makes the shape change when you look at it as you move around.
It is the tallest residential building in the Western hemisphere, 11th in the world and the 8th tallest building in NYC. There are nearly 900 flats distributed in 76 storeys.
I particularly love it! What do you think? :) xxxxx

Photos: Disclosure