I `ve just got back from New York…i hadn`t been for over ten years, this time i had a completely different idea of how i wanted to experience the city…I wanted to feel like i lived there, so we rented an apartment in the lovely East Village and soaked up the city`s amazing atmosphere.

The best thing about New York (and there`s lots of amazing things!) is the community feel the city has- the East Village is probably the area where you can feel this the most, with people gathering in Tompkins Square park to playing chess, basketball, swim, walk the dog…a pop up cinema appeared one night encouraging people to gather to watch ‘Taxi Driver.’ You can see community gardens, free events everywhere you go and the feeling of community is everywhere, maybe it`s mainly down to the hot weather that encourages people to socialise in a park until the early hours, but there seems to be more opportunities for this to happen.

Here are a few of my favourite things we did…relaxing in Soho…

people watching….

A trip to my favourite art shop…i remember going here the first time i was in New York and was very happy when we just came across it walking out of Soho…four floors of excitement!

Grand Central station…so romantic and one of my favourite places…

we came back at night for some cocktails to the lovely Campbells Apartment bar…

A broadway show…One Man Two Guvnors was hilarious! i loved the old fashioned english humour about it…although i can`t deny the humiliation of a supposed audience member really upset me! (what a relief she was a part of it!) Before going to see this show we had sushi in Bryant Square Park, (my favourite square), where they were about to show ‘The wizard of Oz’ on an outdoor cinema screen.

The choice of food! Just a simple sandwich is amazing….i found myself fretting over making the right food choices….but the sushi and seafood always hit the mark.

The beautiful library….

The beautiful architecture you can admire whilst shopping….

and finally New York sunshine! I can`t imagine enjoying the city quite as much in the cold.

I realised when i was in Whitby how much i appreciate being by the sea….i don`t have nearly enough seaside holidays! I must plan seaside getaways more often because my walks along the beach and ice creams have really reinvigorated me!

Robin Hood`s Bay is really near and was the most adorable place with tiny ice cream parlours…it was like stepping back in time and even though it was the most beautiful day it didn`t seem too busy. Sea, sun and time warp was sooo relaxing!

Cosy pubs for a refreshing gin & tonic……

Whitby scampi and fish and chips on the beach- whilst keeping an eye out nobody tries to steal a chip!…

And the weekend is over far too quickly….

I hope you got out in the sun this weekend…..i don`t know about you, but because i`m so appreciative of the sun when it finally does come out there is a certain amount of anxiety about making the ‘most of it’- as it involves ticking off a list of summer fun; picnic, BBQ, go to the beach, sunbathe, eat ice cream, have a gin and tonic, swim etc..! (you see life is hard when it`s sunny!) I spent the weekend in Whitby (i`d never been before) it was sooo lovely and the list just got ticked without even me trying!

We went to Nunnington Hall, the miniature displays were supposed to be good, but there was unexpected inspiration too…

the amazing wallpaper…

this AMAZING quilled jewellery box was probably the most inspiring of all…

below one of the many beautiful miniature displays..

there was even an exhibtion of Chagall and Miro drawings and paintings!