{image via here}

Happy Thanksgiving bloggies!! And especially to A…I wish we were cooking up a fine turkey feast together just like last year. Mmm mm.

Day 4 to 8 –  New York City!

We stayed at the Warwick Hotel, another great location close to everything. Despite already having some concern about our baggage limit after the damage done in LA, yes we continued to shop! I bought a few more weekend clothes, new work pants & skirt that I have been in desperate need for, some pretty gemstones to make a couple of necklaces, mustard and pumpkin coloured yarn from Lion Brand, and the new Victorias Secret fragrance – Incredible. It smells so good I could almost drink it!

Amanda also met one of her culinary idols, Giada De Laurentiis at a book signing in Barnes & Noble. She is just as bubbly and gorgeous in person as on tv.

New York is not at all like what I imagined…it’s better. So big, so clean, so friendly. Central Park was gorgeous, with all of the cherry blossom trees in bloom and who doesn’t love squirrels – they’re so cute! And I’ve never seen anything quite like the view from the Empire State Building…it was simply breathtaking.

Again, we ate so many good things…Rue 57, a French restaurant only two blocks from the hotel, The Plaza Food Hall, Payard and the best spinach and ricotta ravioli from Eataly! I can’t wait to try to re-create it.

And last but certainly not least, our Martha Stewart tour in Manhattan. A big thank you to Heather Kirkland for being our guide and for sending those two wonderful gift bags to our hotel! The generousity was overwhelming and extremely appreciated by both Amanda and I. I still can’t believe we actually spoke to Darcy Miller and Hannah Milman, waved to Kevin Sharkey in his office, walked through shelve after shelve of amazing props, experienced inspiration overload via the craft department and ate delicious cherry pie from the test kitchen!       

It truly was an amazing experience that I will treasure always.

 

Cupcake anyone…?

Choice fatigue at M & J Trim.

The Flat Iron building.

Central Park.

Our holiday was awesome!!

For the past week I’ve still been feeling a little jet lagged (perhaps the grueling 24 hour journey home had something to do with it) or is it that I just don't want to be back at work already? but after some early nights and an afternoon nap today, I think I’ve finally caught up.

So, where to begin…

Day 1 we arrived in LA starting our Wednesday again (no, it wasn’t ground hog day, just a time zone!) and drove to our hotel, the Holiday Inn Santa Monica. We had a lovely lunch sitting in the courtyard of Il Fornaio discussing our plan of attack. Within minutes from the hotel was Third Street Promenade, now known to us as shopping paradise, and where we would spend the next two days burning through our holiday cash! Cha-ching! Each night felt like Christmas as we fossicked through our loot!

I bought a mixture of clothes to put away for spring/summer, black & nude ballets, MAC pro pans to complete my two eye palettes, a couple of OPI polishes to add to the collection, new fabulous makeup brushes (a big thank you to Kim & Maria at Sephora for spending so much time with us) and a pair of yellow Hunter wellies that have been on my wish list for some time. I also bought two sheets of decorative aluminium sheeting from Home Depot so I can make a pretty jewellery organiser like this one.

During our stay we ate so many yummy things – PF Chang’s, Johnny Rockets, Chipotle (craving another burrito as we speak) and ate a cupcake or three at Vanilla Bake Shop. We also had the best dinner at True Food Kitchen on our first night. We were both feeling jet lagged and not particularly hungry, but our lovely waiter suggested we try the Hangover RX, a combination of coconut water, orange and pineapple juice. SO GOOD. And then of course we saw the grilled salmon and quinoa and local beet salad. Suddenly we were hungry! And then came the dessert – I had the banana chocolate tart and Amanda had the strawberry rhubarb crisp with maple ice cream. Both were delicious!!

Day 3 we drove down the gorgeous coast to the outlets at Camarillo and I bought a lovely black handbag from Coach to replace my disgusting old one that was falling apart and a pair of nude pumps from Nine West.

Like I said, we girls know how to shop!

 

Watching the sunrise as we flew into LA.

Night shopping along Third Street Promenade.

Banana Chocolate tart – delish!

Vanilla Bake Shop's Easter window display – love it!

Santa Monica coastline.

 

 

Well I am back from holidays peeps and it was nice to only have a short work week to get through before now having a couple of days to catch up on a few things. Number one on the list – finally publish a holiday post!

Wishing you all a lovely Easter.

Below is the result of a last minute decision last night to bake Easter bunny cupcakes. Not bad for a first attempt at figurines. 

 

It still feels completely surreal that tomorrow we are setting off on our holiday!! Our bags are packed (mine somewhat lighter after a strict re-pack) and our driver will be here at 9.30am to take us to the airport.

Things will be a little quiet around here until I get back, but of course then there will be holiday news and pictures to share.

Oh and one more thing that is almost too good to put into words…being the Martha Stewart fans that we are, (unbeknown to Amanda and I) Colin tried to purchase tickets for us to attend a show whilst in New York. Turns out they aren't actually filming that week, but instead generously offered us a tour of Martha's empire – studio, test kitchen, prop room etc. UNBELIEVABLE! It gives me goosebumps. So of course I'll be sharing that when I get back. 

Mushi aka Packing Supervisor.

Bon voyage!

What an eventful last few days it has been! If having to plan and pack for an overseas holiday wasn't enough, add to that taking a turn for the worst on Thursday and spending the night in hospital. Turns out I have a viral infection of the inner ear which effects your sense of balance, hence why I was struggling to walk in a straight line and my vision was blurred. I'm still feeling a little wobbly today, so rest is again number one on the agenda for today.

Fingers and toes are crossed that I will be back to normal in time for our holiday.

Here's a photo from a couple of days ago of one of our liquid amber trees. It won't be long before the leaves will be shades of burnt orange, red and yellow.

 

https://hellonicabella.com/nicabella/2012/03/well-what-an-eventful-last-few-days-it-has-been-if-having-to-plan-and-pack-for-an-overseas-holiday-wasnt-enough-add-to-that.html

before we board the plane and our adventure begins.  I cannot wait!

This week at work has been crazy, to say the least, trying to get everything organised before I go so it will run like clockwork in my absense. Thankfully I have lovely Miss Jess to help me out.

I also have to finish a dress that I want to take with me (more details on that later) and who knows what I was thinking when I started knitting a new scarf yesterday, that I'd also like to see packed in my suitcase. Seems I craft better under pressure…

Oh how life can change in an instant. Something amazing happened over the weekend. And I mean AMAZING.

On Saturday Amanda and I were surprised (by her husband Colin) with airline tickets to LA and New York…and we fly out next Wednesday. That's right, we are leaving the country in 9 days time!

Whilst Amanda jumped around hysterically for the both of us, I simply burst into tears, happy tears. And then we just stood looking at each other in total disbelief.

I simply cannot put my excitement into words. It's just so freaking awesome.

Thank you again Colin, I feel really blessed to have you as a brother in law and to know you're watching out for me.

So now the crazy holiday planning begins… 

I am not usually one for New Years resolutions etc, but found it almost impossible today not to think of what the beginning of a new year means to me.

I hope in 2012 I will learn to say no to myself more often and no to others less. Be more patient, worry less, smile and laugh A LOT. Forgive what I cannot change.

And just be the best person I can be.