New York - Shake Shack, Madison Square Park

Shake Shack at night

So somewhere that Katie kept going on about that we had to try was Shake Shack in Madison Square Park. I think she was excited by the hype that surrounds the one that recently opened in Covent Garden which apparently always has a massive queue -  haven't seen that though... I have been in completely the wrong country. So, we had to try out the original while were in New York, obviously.

Back to Nottingham - #FinalYear!

So I moved back up to Nottingham a couple of days ago for my fourth and final year. So far, all I have wanted to do is annotate everything with #Notts #UoN #FinalYear ... having been away from uni for so long, it's surreal to be back. I was going through the list of meetings and talks I have to go to this week before lectures and classes start next week and have to double check which building they are all in, fingers crossed I'll find them! (I will, I'm just unnecessarily stressing!)

I have a touch of pink in the kitchen too

New York - Keeping The Standard High at Le Bain

It was a Saturday, so obviously drinks were a must! The Standard High Line is a much talked-about hotel right on the High Line in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan. It's well known for its brunches, but what we wanted was the view!

So, we went to join the queue for Le Bain, the penthouse disco and rooftop bar in The Standard. I also just read that in the summer the disco has a plunge pool in the middle of the dance floor. Amazing!

New York - Exploring the West Side of Manhattan

We spent a slow Saturday afternoon exploring the West Side of Manhattan, with most of it being spent up on the High Line. We did stop off at Wicked Willy's Bar on Bleecker Street for one cocktail on the way - well we had already started at brunch, so why not keep going? We had seen the Wicked Willy's bus/bike/whatever they choose to call it the day before pre-Peanut Butter stop, and thought it looked like fun. Or in their words, 'Time flies when you're having rum'. Step inside in to the Caribbean, with signs to different Caribbean islands pointing in the correct direction and how many miles they were away. They also had funny quips posted around the bar, such as 'If you're drinking to forget, please pay in advance' and 'Men - No shirt, No service. Women - No shirt, Drinks'. I didn't manage to get any snaps in there though, you will have to visit yourself!

The Sunburnt Cow, New York

I've had issues with a broken computer and no internet since coming back from New York and moving back to uni, so I had to wait for all of that to be sorted so I could add some lovely photos!

Something that New York has a bit of a reputation for is the drunk brunch. Obviously we had to put it to the test! My issue with brunch is generally that I'm an early riser so want breakfast sooner rather than later, but this time I held out for long enough! Having spoken to a few people and a bit of searching for places to brunch on Google, our destination of choice was The Sunburnt Cow.

Clearly a popular place!

New York City Break Part 2

Enjoying the view

We decided we should at least do some touristy things while we were in New York (most of the afternoons turned in to shopping!) and we did manage to walk around the majority of New York, well, up to about halfway up central park.

New York City Break

So, I have just returned from an unbelievable long weekend in New York City, and back to the world of blogging, with a little bit more pink in my life!

Back to blogging with some pretty pink bracelets

I managed over 400 photos, and still wish that I had taken more. (I pity anyone who comes across my Facebook, it will soon be photo overload!). I'm not sure what the best part of our city break was, so I'll go through it from the start, though it may take a little time.

Instagramming away!

New York, New York!

Carrie Bradshaw, eat your heart out! Katie and I are coming!
On a more serious note, I leave for the airport in about 10 hours, need to go bed now but seriously need to pack and actually work out what I'm taking with me... I have no clue! How many pairs of shoes are necessary..?!
So I may be on the quiet side this week, but be prepared for a full city break follow up once in back!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

So, at the request of my mum (any excuse to bake!), I rustled up some cookies for her tennis friends one Sunday. Apparently the freshly baked cookies went down very well mid-play!
I've still yet to master cookies that rise and stay risen, I always find that once you take them out of the oven they still go flat, but are still tasty!

Mixing it up

The Breakfast Club & Rugby

So, my sister is on her company's touch rugby team, and they had spare tickets for the Aviva Premiership London Double Header at Twickenham. Hardcore Saracens supporters that we are in our family, I was definitely there!

I got the train in to London to meet Katie (I still haven't quite got my head round the fact that she does live there now... I must have been in France for too long!), and we went for brunch at The Breakfast Club in Battersea Rise. This is the first time I have ventured here, though Katie sings its praises. This particular Breakfast Club is influence by a '50s style kitchen along with a launderette - I was sitting with washing machines behind me!

Me and my washing machines

Chocolate, Peanut Butter and Cinnamon Cupcakes

So finally, I have met my birthday present. The gorgeous raspberry ice KitchenAid. So, my favourite things to bake are cupcakes, so they had to be the first thing I made.
Firstly... Oh. My. Gosh. I love it... so easy to mix things up and far quicker than the handheld electric whisk I would normally use.

It's so shiny and pink!

Chocolate, cinnamon and peanut butter cupcakes

The Kings Arms Berkhamsted - Welcome Home!

So yesterday I made it back safe and sound from Cannes and am trying to find my feet again! I got on the plane, avoiding any tears; I was so close at one point then realised people around me would think that I was a bit weird, crying in the queue to board, so pulled myself together!

I landed in London to glorious sunshine and hopped in the car with my dad and did the M25 with the roof down and wasn't cold. However it is now chilly and wet, I'm not impressed and a bit scared to venture outside today. I was greeted home by a big banner across our dining room window, some balloons and my mummy. It is good to be back!

My Third Year Abroad in Cannes - Looking Back on Life!

To quote one of my favourite films, Grease (note to self, I haven't seen this recently enough - find DVD when home!):
"... is this the end?"

"Of course not; it's only the beginning."

Sophie and I, 29/08/2013

I have now spent a year and a week exactly in Cannes, with about a total of a week in days spent in the UK, and when I wasn't on the Riviera I was skiing, and now it's time to say goodbye.

I can't believe that so much has happened in a year. There have been highs and lows, ups and downs, but I wouldn't change any of it.

Monaco Madness - Twizy Time

So each time I go to Monaco, I come back thinking what exactly have I done all day and what is there to do there? Spend an hour on the train, see stunning views all the way from Cannes - Villefranche is in a world of its own for views - and then I find myself walking a bit aimlessly around Monaco for a while, go for lunch and then head back to Cannes.

Monaco last November

A Luxury Yacht Charter on the French Riviera!

So, I have spent the past 9 months staring at yachts and boats all day every day for work, and have had the chance to go out on twice on a little rib and a solid little motorboat. Once in May when it hadn't quite warmed up yet, but the sun was out and shining and the waters were clear. We also went out on perhaps the cloudiest day in August on a Key Largo, and the sea was rather dark and choppy... Still it was fun being up front an splashed/drenched in the waves. Surprise surprise there's no picture proof of the day as it wasn't camera safe!

Pretending to drive