Get your shop on

I have finally uploaded my pics from New York and thought I should share with you - after all, you suffered through the countdown as I prepared for the holiday of a lifetime so it only seems fair to give you a sneak peek of what I got up to.

I am going to break down the pics into categories to try and give it some order. Looking through them all, I'm alarmed by how many are photos of food. Is someone a bit obsessed? Possibly.

So here I begin reliving the fun . . . and we kick off with a shopping theme. I'm just so annoyed I forgot my camera at Woodbury Common. Now that was something else!

1. C.Wonder at Columbus Circle. Gorgeous. Colour to die for. Gorgeous jewels and patterns and homewares. Bought myself some leopard print flatties and also a few goodies for some friends. 2. Fifth Avenue.  Hello lover. 3. Tiffany & Co. What's a visit to NYC without taking home a little blue box? 4. Kate Spade New York in Soho. My kind of heaven. Bought a beautiful classic black purse for my birthday, care of my very generous girlfriends. 5. Eataly. Food lovers paradise. I was like a kid in a candy store! A must if you're struggling to find a good coffee. 6. ABC Carpet & Home. Beautiful store, just wish we'd had time to stop for lunch at ABC Kitchen. 7. Bergdorf Goodman. A NY institution.

Not a bad effort considering we had my Dad with us who doesn't care for shopping as much as us gals!

Chin chin!

A dear friend of mine is living in London and I saw on Facebook yesterday that she was enjoying Pimms at the Polo.

Perfect day ever.

Then I saw Miss T's recent post featuring a high society lunch in New York, care of Ann Street Studio's blog. What a visionary explosion of prep and pretty, folks!

Exploring Ann Street Studio's blog further, I was blinded by the beauty of yet another high society event - once again at the Polo. And in New York, no less. Stunning.

Now that I'm in Melbourne, I need to start working my contacts to secure a ticket at next year's Portsea Polo. Ha, what are my chances!?

Pics from Ann Street Studio

Dotty for NY

So, I'm off tomorrow for a whirlwind trip to New York to celebrate my 30th birthday.

I'm hoping I'll look as glamorous as this on my big day - fingers crossed Kate Spade or JCrew can come up with the goods and deliver a fabulous birthday outfit.

I'll need one for my actual birthday (Friday 3 May, hint hint!) and then one for my party when I get back to the Rads. Oh, and I guess I'll have a Melbourne celebration too, so why not throw in another outfit too?!

Wish me luck!

xo

A day to remember

I'm well on my way to planning THE ultimate day in New York in celebration of my 30th birthday.

It starts with breakfast at Pastis. Booked.

Then I think we'll head to SoHo for a spot of shopping and some NY 'downtime' browsing the streets.

We'll have lunch at Dean & DeLuca (Mum appreciates my obsession with the place after growing up with Felicity) and then I'll spoil myself with a Kate Spade bag that I've wanted for years.

The afternoon could do with a little more activity (suggestions, people?). . . but not too much because then we're booked in to Balthazar for dinner. I am SO excited. Bless Mum, she stayed up late last night to ring internationally and book us in - they only open reservations 30 days before each date so we had to watch our calendars carefully.

It's going to be a day to remember, that's for sure!

Any other suggestions to help ring in this milestone? Perhaps somewhere for a nightcap after dinner? Or pre-dinner drink even?

This little piggy went to New York

So I'm FINALLY making some progress on my travel plans for my 30th birthday.

I've had a discussion with the travel agent and got a first draft of the itinerary through. Sure, there are lots of changes that need to be made, but it's progress, right!?

One of the major things I'm keen to lock away is dinner plans for my actual birthday night - Friday 3 May 2013.

I'll be in New York with Mum and Dad and one of my dearest friends Emma so I want it to be ultra special.

Any suggestions of a kick arse restaurant? Somewhere to ring in my dirty thirties in style? I figured I'd have to start making reservations now and even then, I'm probably too late!

I was thinking Balthazar as I've heard brilliant things about it and a lovely new friend recently celebrated her wedding day there.

Or Per Se.

Or Gramercy Tavern.

Or the Boathouse.

I need some guidance, people! Especially those readers from that part of the world, please share!

I'll be asking for lots of tips along the way - we're planning stops in the Hamptons, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, San Fran and LA and I kind of don't know where to start. I'm looking for a Matchbook meets Glitter Guide meets Furbish Studio meets Rue Magazine meets Lonny meets J.Crew meets Kate Spade meets Kiel James Patrick take on the USA.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated, but let's tick off the birthday dinner first!

Classically cool

The Fifth Annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic.

I think I've died and gone to heaven.

How amazing is the Statue Liberty in the background. And the Manhattan skyline. And the "urban garden" event styling. And the fashionable guests. And Olivia Palermo. And yellow parasols. And picnic hampers. And divet stomping.

And Nacho. Yes, Nacho.

Check our more pics here.

Maid to perfection

Love love love!

This hits all the right notes for me (five times a bridesmaid . . . and never one day a bride!)

And have you seen the his & her collection.

So sweet!

Shop the look here

A bright idea

I am completely taken with this phenomenon.

Diner en Blanc

At the last minute, the location is given to thousands of friends and acquaintances who have been patiently waiting to learn the “Dîner en Blanc’s” secret place. Thousand of people, dressed all in white, and conducting themselves with the greatest decorum, elegance, and etiquette, all meet for a mass “chic picnic” in a public space.

It blows me away how grand scale this is, so extravagant and deliberate, yet so mysterious and cheeky.

A bit about how it all started . . . 

Launched with just a handful of friends by François Pasquier over 20 years ago, Paris’ Dîner en Blanc now assembles nearly 15,000 people each year. The French capital’s most prestigious sites have played host to it: the Pont des Arts, the Eiffel Tower site, the Louvre Pyramid, the Trocadéro Esplanade, Place Vendôme, the Château de Versailles, the Esplanade de Notre-Dame, the Esplanade des Invalides, the periphery of the Place de l'Étoile, the Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde and last year: The Carousel du Louvre. The Paris police tend to tolerate this ‘wild’ gathering, if not perhaps even wishing they could join in!

This is what dreams are made of. Brilliant.

What makes the Dîner en Blanc so popular is that it’s a “distinct” evening. There are no political or ideological agendas. It is simply a friendly gathering whose sole purpose is to experience a magical evening, in good company, in an environment that is both unusual and extraordinary.

I am fascinated by this movement and the beauty it's created - right around the world. 

It's got me thinking . . .

Read more about it here. 

Snap happy

You might remember how I featured some awesome photos earlier this year from the New York Times.

Well, they've done it again, this time with fashion designers, not interior designers.

Definitely worth checking out - some of them would make for great gifts at Christmas. I'm thinking perfect wedding presents also.

Ahh, sweet New York!

See the collection here

Taking a bite

I know, I know, I'm way behind the times, but have only caught up on my Adore Home magazine fix just now. There aren't enough hours in the day!

But oh, how I could dedicate all 24 hours of the day to this mag!

I just go weak at the knees for all things NYC.

Bree and I spent 10 days there on my way back from two years in London, gosh, way back in 2005-2006.

And even after all my European adventures, I still rated the Big Apple as my favourite place.

Hello Kate Spade.

It's just magical!

From the shopping to the food to the architecture to the traffic to the theatre, there's something for everyone.

I was especially interested in this latest issue of Adore as it's just over 18 months until I hit up the island again for my 30th birthday. Gosh, I know I'm still young but putting it down in type like that makes me feel old.

Single. And old.

But I have New York to look forward to!

Who could contain their excitement if they worked in an office in this. I mean, working in PR in NYC is about as fabulous as it gets, but in this office? Puh-lease. I would practically sleep there!

And this Rooftop Rendezvous story was totally gorge. Loved being high up amongst the skyscrapers - makes you catch your breathe and feel alive.

And I especially loved this behind the scenes video. Very cool.

Adore Home Magazine "Rooftop Rendezvous" by Summer Kais from Summer Kais on Vimeo.

'Til 2013 . . .

Sing us a song

I was spending some quality time on the couch with Emma at The Loft last week (ie. watching the first episode of Glee with her!) but it wasn't the TV that had me lost for words.

Emma loaded me up with piles of 'vintage' Domino magazines and I found my happy place.

One of the houses that caught my eye was that of Katie Lee Joel.

Yes, ex-wife of the Piano Man himself.

Just look at those peonies and gorgeous vases!

The article was from 2008 but I managed to find an online story complete with virtual tour.

La Dolce Vita also featured pages from Town & Country Magazine.

This dressing room . . . I don't have words for it!

I'm a sucker for natural light . . .

And this kitchen! What I'd do with a double oven!

Beautiful cabinetry.

You can tell a serious foodie lives here.

Hello puppy!

Read all the details about this delightful home over at La Dolce Vita (quite possibly my new favourite blog).