rings...

These are the three rings, well eight, I bought while in New York. All of them are

from SoHo. The rose and key are two finger rings and are from SoGood on Broadway and

the emerald stacking rings are from Item which is on Broome Street just off Broadway.

SoGood was like the warehouse version of Accessorize with tons of jewellery, hats broches

everywhere inside. Item is a boutique jewellery store. I rarely wear much jewellery

apart form a few key pieces so on my trip I was determined to buy more! 

[Photos by me, no copying, editing, using or re-distributing without permission, thanks]

tickets, bills, bags...

This is all the random paper info, price tickets and gift cards I collected while in

New York... and yes I bought a Glee tee! There was a lot of stuff from American

Eagle, they were selling Help Haiti tee's, giving out paper sheets with special discounts

with your purchase and had a few different gift cards. I also got gift cards from GAP,

Macy's and Dunking Doghnuts when I tried to take some from Victoria's Secrets they

wouldn't let me- the cheek! Even when I explained I was studying fashion, so all

I got from them was a horrible SALE bag. Well and some bargains in the sale.

Personally I think the Uniqlo label is really boring and plain though I suppose their

clothes are basics. I really like the American Eagle price tickets as they were really

clear and simple but still conveyed the brand identity. Overall it was

probably my favourite shop and I wish they'd bring it over to England.


To be honest the most repeated activity while in New York was shopping. 
There were literally daily purchases... to many to count I'm ashamed to say although
I love everything I bought and cannot wait to wear it all and think of NYC BABY! 
And while I'm on the subject... retail heaven it's not like England where they shove
everything into a dingy sterile expanse of space, no the Americans actually think
about our (the consumers) shopping experience. From there being space to move to
quite frankly heaven like changing rooms compared to over here in the UK. My favourite
was Aerie in American Eagle, the Times Square store had beautiful curtains and a chest 
of drawer and lamp in the changing room. I felt like I was back at home not in a store 
and needless to say I bought a few things from them... well they need rewarding for 
treating their costumers s well.


[Photos by moi, no copying, editing, using or re-distributing without permission, thanks]

item soho...

While I was in New York last year I found a gorgeous jewelry shop in SoHo,
they are now planning on opening a another store in the Upper East Side this year,
just off Broadway and instantly fell in love with all their quirky jewelry. It's called
Item (http://www.itemny.com/index.php) and sells all sorts of gorgeous pieces, the
stacking rings are my favourite and they have loads of different sets to choose from.


Last time I found one I found a set of three rings that I desperately wanted,
however it wasn't to be as they didn't have it in my size and we were
leaving in 2 days. This time I just happened to spot it while we were trecking around
SoHo and went in. The next day I went back armed with my student loan and
bought these 5 stacking rings which I plan on wearing everyday! If you ever visit it's
worth a visit if you want something a bit different and not overly commercial like
Tiffany's.

Item NY

444 Broome Street
SoHo

NY 10013

[Photos by moi, no copying, editing, using or re-distributing without permission, thanks]

central park...

The day we decided to go to Central Park it had snowed the night before, so

everything was covered in a dusting of snow. The lake had frozen, the

branches had only a smattering of leaves- it truly was enchanting. As

I come from a small town in Yorkshire I love the countryside the space and

most importantly the way it changes as the year progresses. Needless to say it's

on of my favourite places in Manhattan and I never fail to be amazed that this

compact, bustling city sits around the tranquil park. 




[Photos by moi, no copying, editing, using or re-distributing without permission, thanks]

lights...

I love the blurred lights, this is what happened when I tried to take pics at nighttime in

New York but moved my camera- you're meant to keep it still for like 10 seconds

but seeing as I was in a taxi this was pretty much impossible. Anyway the effect

it gives is quite different, so this is my version of NYC at night.




[Photos by moi, no copying, editing, using or re-distributing without permission, thanks]

you've gotta love soho...

 Right well as far as I'm concerned SOHO is the best place to shop in Manhattan

-there's everything from high street to designer to boutiques. Theres everything from
Victorias Secret to Topshop to Uniqlo and scattered in between are little stores
selling everything from jewellery to jeans. And to top it all off the place itself
is incredible from the graffiti to house numbering, the buildings, shop signs and
street art. I could literally walk along every  block and find something to take a
photo of, and these are my favourites!


I went there on my last day, the same day we were all flying back to England.
We got a taxi down to China Town and walked up along Broadway stopping in shops
zigzagging backwards and forwards to get a few last day purchases. I had to return a pair
of denim shorts as I'd bought them twice... in the space of three days without realising.


Chinatown is incredible it literally is like another world full of hoisin duck pancakes and
fakes everywhere you look. The atmosphere is unlike anywhere else I've ever been,
there are so many people going about there everyday lives and of course tourists.

[Photos by moi, no copying, editing, using or re-distributing without permission, thanks]

the journey into the big city...

On our journey from JFK to the hotel we took the "scenic" past what must be the

cemetery for anyone who has ever lived or worked in New York, not the most

cheerful way to start the trip but I forgot all about that when I once again saw

New York. It was picture perfect, just wish I had a better camera. Glancing the

skyline through the bridge, then seeing yellow cabs again. 

What could be better... the shops maybe? 

[Photos by moi, no copying, editing, using or re-distributing without permission, thanks]

packed & waiting...

So the packing is done, and now I'm waiting to get the coach to Heathrow.

Needless to say I won't look nearly as glamourous lugging my suitcase along

and I had to leave room for purchases so I have been very strict on 

myself and done outfits for each day. Land of Sex and the City, where everyone goes
shopping for Manolo's on their lunch break and Dior dresses are only a credit card
swipe away... here I come!


For my 18th Birthday my mum took me to New York for two weeks so I feel
like I'm going back to visit an old friend... that is the friend thats retail heaven.
Oh and Starbucks, definitely the New York staple with one on virtually every street corner
a hot chocolate will always be just a stroll away.

We're only going to be there for 5 days and I think it's going to fly by,

so much to do in so little time! For uni, yes I'm going to work not just shop,

 I have to look at American stores which are similar to Whistles, so plenty

of excuses to look at gorgeous clothes! This means I'll be looking at everything
about the brands and their stores from window displays, to instore environment to
advertising. They do everything so differently there and the flagship stores are incredible.
Going into a shop in America is amazing, going into a department store is like going into
another world, Bergdorfs, Bloomingdales, Barneys what could be better. Floor upon
floor of the most beautiful clothes and the interiors reminds me of a hotel... and
a really expensive one at that. Designed to entice you in and spend your money
they certainly manage that... now how to extend my overdraft?




[Photo Tim Walker]

the prep...

So my bag is packed, the contents of my carry-on are strewn across

the floor and on Wednesday at 1.30AM my journey back to the Big Apple begins!

Last year for my 18th Birthday my mum took me to NYC and needless

to say it was the best birthday present ever! But this time I'll be looking

at it all from a fashion student's perspective, especially, and most importantly

shops! From Customer Service to Visual Merchandising I want to see the

difference between British shops and the ones in NYC. I'll also be taking pics

and of course shopping!!


[Photo Alison Brett-Hopper]