I Heart NY More Than Ever

Well I've been back for a little over a week and I'm already devastated at how faraway it all seems.  To wake up one morning looking out over Central Park and the next out at familiar suburban power lines is quite a shock to the system.  BUT it is good to be home and as I can't possibly describe how fabulous it was to finally visit New York, I shall let some of our holiday pics attempt it instead.

Bethesda Terrace

                      The Reservoir in Central Park                   Bryant Park

                           The Russian Tea Room                         Tiffany & Co

The Flatiron Building

               Checking out of the Waldorf                 The view from our room at the Plaza

                          Last night in NYC                             Empire State Building

The Plaza (from Central Park)

9/11 Memorial

The Guggenheim

Looking up at buildings on Central Park West while rowing on The Lake

                      30 Rock                        Wall Street Bull               NY Stock Exchange

                       Afternoon Tea at Palm Court                Upper West Side

Time Square

A waldorf salad at the Waldorf

Aboard the Staten Island Ferry

On the Hudson looking down towards the Statue of Liberty

The Mall in CP.

Loved every minute of it.  Can't wait to go back.

Nicolex

PS  Yes, this is just yesterday's post updated with labels on the photos.

Queensland House

Not only is Hayley from Porchlight Interiors. selling her beautiful home but it's also featured in the current issue of Home Beautiful.  I've seen it popping up in Bloggington over the week but I have to have my 2 cents worth too so I can share some of the particular fabulosity that I'm loving.

I'll start with the kitchen, what's not to love?  The island bench, the cabinetry with glass shelves and shelves lined with glasses, the subway tiles, the clock, the dark floor boards, it's all superb.

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Oh and see that peeking through at the end, a butler's pantry with contrasting grey cabinetry. Amaaarzing.

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Absolutely adore the cluster of different sized globes over the dining room table, with that, the wallpaper and the mirrors, it's really quite an exotic room.

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The panelled ceiling, no words.

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The cozy dine-in cellar has so much atmosphere.

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The cabinetry, counter-top and hardware of the double sink.  Perfect.

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The colour on the wall is so fresh, love the finish of the teeny tiny mirror and the dark furniture.

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I want that coffee table in the middle of the room.  

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You can see the full listing over here.

Nicolex

Find Of The Day

Yesterday while catching up on some missed episodes, I became obsessed in a have-to-have-it-now kind of a way with a necklace worn by LuAnn de Lesseps in the Real Housewives of New York City (my name is Nicole and I am an addict). It's certainly not for the faint of heart and not only am I not a butterfly person, I'm most definitely a silver over gold gal any day of the week.  BUT I JUST LOVED IT!

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As all obsessions lead to Google I soon found out it was by Kenneth Jay Lane and are you ready for the best news?  It only costs $101.55 at shopbop AND shipping to the land of Oz is free!  I kid you not. It's meant to be ladies:)

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Once I realised the necklace had made it's debut many moons ago in the second of series of SATC (how did I not remember it?) it felt like the full stop at the end of my must have.

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It's definitely the type of piece you'll either love or hate with passion so I'll let you make your own minds up.  As for me, it's only a matter of when. This baby is mine.

Nicolex

For the last 33 years (still young enough for it not to be a crime to mention the age) the most important thing about September 11 in our family has been a birthday.  And it still is.  Happy Birthday Tilly!

For the rest of the world, and NY in particular obviously, September 11 marks the anniversary of the terror attacks that changed the world forever.  I thought these photos of the 9/11 Memorial that was dedicated today (and opens to the public tomorrow) were worth sharing. The two pools are quite something.   

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The view looking back towards the city last night.

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And PS, if this picture doesn't make you want to visit New York, I don't know what will.

Nicolex

Vanity Fair: September Issue

Angelina Jolie is her breathtakingly beautiful self on the cover of this month's Vanity Fair.

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The issue went on sale yesterday so I hope my copy arrives before we fly out in a few weeks time,  I need to add it my 13hr flight survival pack!

Nicolex

Fashion Friday

And out of the blue I'm back.  I didn't realise how hard it was going to be to write about anything other than New York as we count down to our holiday (I don't want to bore you with it before I've even left).  So I'm thankful for Fashion Friday, an easy post to help me on my way as I try to get my vibe back :)  

Love her or hate her, I do love the Vionnet dress Madonna wore to the Venice Film Festival last night. 

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Just something about the colour combo I really like.

Nicolex

Orange Obsession

Do you ever surprise yourself by liking something you didn't think was in your taste palette?  I REALLY love this Laura Ashley fabric and on no level did I think I was an orange person (clearly I'm embracing my inner coral Bec).  If the passion doesn't subside, I am definitely covering a "statement" chair in it next year when we do our extension.

Hortense Orange

Their Colinton armchair and  footstool.

I feel like I hardly know myself.
Nicolex

Carnell Estate

Welcome to the grand Scottish estate Brangelina and their brood (such a tired way to describe them I know but is their a better expression?) are calling home for the next little while.  The 16th Century 'house' is set within extensive gardens and park lands which I imagine give them the privacy they desire from the locals.

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The grounds are just so beautiful, and wouldn't it be lovely to spend a winter like this.  You can read more about the history of the estate here if you're interested.

Nicolex