When in Rome

Happy Labour Day Friday! 

Work has been super busy - the reason for the absence on the blog. In fact, I was prepared to be logged on to work throughout this holiday weekend. In a welcome about-face, I got the afternoon off today and met S in midtown so I could walk home with him when he clocked off. 

We walked down the main Fifth Avenue drag - which any other day would have us briskly weaving in and out of the tourist throng. Not today. The weather was sunny with a cool breeze, we were feeling lovey-dovey plus we had nothing to rush home to. 

We stopped off at Bryant Park for lemonade and hung out outside the New York Public Library. The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building is stunning, both in its interior (you all watched Sex and The City!) and the exterior (with it's iconic regal lions guarding the entrance). We didn't make it inside this time but spotted these statues on the stage-right side of the facade. 

Tell me you think they've come directly from a piazza in Italy too! 

Anthropologie Soja Crossback blouse, Cosmic Star earrings and Expedition Obi belt; J Crew box-pleated crepe skirt (sim and sim, all on sale), Ray Ban Wayfarers, Steve Madden Tippsy sandals (and here too)

We are spending the rest of the weekend in the city - first, to date night tonight, and then to the U.S. Open tomorrow. Hope you have a safe and happy Labour Day weekend too. 

And to my beautiful friend, Lisa - congratulations on your wedding weekend darling! May you and L have everlasting happiness as husband and wife!  

More Issues Than Vogue

I succumbed to the cronut craze on Saturday. 

Each month Dominique Ansel switches up the flavour and the lure of August's coconut was unbearable. Yeah there was a wait but an easy one (albeit a couple of hours long) - I sat down the entire time, poured over September issues and talked to my fellow cronut fanatics I was in line with. Next thing I knew, it was time to shake hands with Mr. Ansel himself waiting at the door and get myself the two cronuts each person was allowed to buy.

Was it worth it? ABSOFKINLUTELY. 

Would I do it again? Depends on the flavour I suppose (rose! rose!). Though I am probably getting S to wait in line then - he slept in on Saturday and only got out of bed as I walked in the door with the goods. Nomination for amazing "wife" award perhaps?

Anyway, the rest of the day was as fun as the morning. - visiting a friend with a patio garden for lots of outdoor drinking and many rounds of Cards Against Humanity (BEST. GAME. EVER); an evening birthday party at a beautiful Soho penthouse rooftop; and catching the latest Bollywood blockbuster at a midnight cinema screening.  

More Issues Than Vogue t-shirt, that infamous Zara skort, Forever 21 diamante necklace, Zara sandals 

Sugar high, prosecco high, laughter high, happy high = my perfect Saturday. Hope yours was as fabulous too!

Norvel Dress at Nougatine

In a bid to get as much al fresco dining in before temperatures dip, this week's date night took place at Jean Georges' sister restaurant Nougatine Terrace. The full menu is served in the outdoor area - just sans the white tablecloths you will find in the main restaurant - and with a fabulous view of Columbus Circle and its infamous replica of the World's Fair Unisphere.

The only downside of sitting outside is that there isn't a lot of light when the sun sets. My deteriorating eyesight meant that the flashlight app on my iPhone made an appearance more than once. Though nothing could take away from the best part of dinner though - a "simple" warm chocolate cake with a gooey centre, served with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream:

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I highly recommend Nougatine, especially for brunch. I love taking visitors here since the indoor portion has expansive views of Central Park West via it's ceiling-to-floor windows. Breathtaking to say the least. If that doesn't convince you, reservations are welcome at the restaurant - so elusive an offering when it comes to New York City brunches!

Anyway, here's the what I wore out to dinner:

Coalface Outfits

Taking photographs for this blog is no easy feat. So my attempts at dressing up appropriately for work is not often documented apart from a few pictures here and there on Instagram. I thought it would benefit me, and hopefully entertain you if I re-posted here what I have been wearing to the office of late: 

Anchors Aweigh

In honour of a close friend's birthday, we chartered a vintage Hinckley two weekends ago for lovely a sail on a warm summer's day. Having had the luxury of sailing on the Sydney Harbour many times, I am slightly embarrassed to admit that while I've been in the city for three summers, this was my first time out on a boat on the Hudson. (And no, the Frying Pan does not count!). 

NYC Social - August

It is August and I am frantically trying to squeeze as many outdoor activities before temperatures begin to dip. So far my summer has been concert-heavy - I saw Justin Timberlake with Jay Z two weeks ago, and Beyoncé just last night. And on the dance front, I am looking forward to Drive East in a couple of weeks.  

Regardless, don't forget to check out the May, June and July calendars for events that are still running - namely the Jazz Age Lawn Party mid-month. Otherwise, here's what's taking place in August:

1. Summer Streets - August 3, 10 and 17

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Seven miles of NYC - from Park Ave at 72nd Street to Centre St at Brooklyn Bridge - will be closed to vehicles for the annual Summer Streets celebrations. While there will be no cars, you can ride your bike, rollerblade or just plain walk the streets - eating, participating in fitness classes or viewing a variety of art exhibits and music performances along the way. The highlight this year is the Voice Tunnel -  an interactive voice and sound installation within the Park Avenue tunnel running from East 33rd to East 40th Streets. For further details, check out the NYC Gov website here.

Dromedary at Daniel

To celebrate a streak of professional success this week, we had an extra fancy Friday date night - and at a tried and true favourite- Daniel (The last time we visited was when we ushered in my 30th last year). My good news at work came on Thursday but we are champions of last-minute reservations. So from the moment we wrangled a table that Thursday evening, all I could think about was this White Cosmopolitan - which is served like such only at Daniel. Comes as no surprise I ordered one even before my water glass could be filled:

From my Instagram

We dined and cocktail-ed - somehow managing to finish every morsel of food as well as the multiple dessert courses placed in front of us - including a basket of freshly baked madeleines and unlimited house-made chocolates. At the end of the meal, the only thing I had energy to mutter was:

Roll.Me.Home.