Weather Wise

So it seems that the latest topic between me and my fellow 'soon-to-be-New-Yorkers' is the major issue of the weather! With all this talk about flight cancellations at Heathrow, it's no wonder the world (eg: me) has been lead to panic.

I've decided to be a dedicated blogger, and provide you with some factual evidence - something which you would never usually associate me with!! With the help of my good friend Google, I came across several online articles and weather reports:

U.S. Northeast digs out after storm snarls travel

For a start, I've learnt that New York is in the 'North East' of America.

Secondly, that they've been hit just as badly by the snow as we Londoners have - if not worse.

Looks like I will be needing those pair of Topshop gloves after all...!

Boxing Day in the UK

It appears that Boxing Day seems to be a popular calender date on which to go away (on holiday I mean, not off in a sulk). Both my Facebook and Twitter have been full of exclamations of people's excitement:

"Off to Australia, wont be contactable for the next month."

"Leaving for the airport!! Eeee!"

"YES, hello skiing."

How horribly depressing for me to read.

Whether it be due to 'Mills Family' traditions, or just a lack of Christmas spirit, Boxing Day for me implies the following things - leftover turkey, watching films, and lazing around. In fact, I'm currently sitting on my bed, with both my sisters in the room, having just scoffed our faces with tea and chocolate biscuits.

It fills me with the sense of being incredibly British; which led me onto thinking the question - What are the Christmas traditions in New York? Surely the Big Apple is filled with more than enough excitement and entertainment for the whole world, not just the glamourous citizens of the thriving capital.

I discovered an article online from an indie travel guide (never in my life have I felt like such a tourist whilst being in the comfort of my own home?!) which pointed out all the 'un-missable' for a Christmas in New York, and here are my top three favourites:

- The lighting of the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center

'Join stars like Beyonce, Harry Connick Jr. and Tony Bennett for the hour-long celebration, which traditionally kicks off the holiday season in New York.'

- Ice Skating at the rink at Rockefeller Center

'The world-famous rink, sunken below street level, is surrounded by white lights, flags of the world nations, a gorgeous fountain adorned with the Greek God Prometheus and the famous Christmas tree. You can skate, spin or spill accompanied by music pumping through loudspeakers.'

- The Christmas market at Byrant Park

'Over 120 tiny shops line the park’s perimeter, creating a European-style Christmas market. Vendors sell unique gift items from around the world in stalls decorated in their own hand. Jewelry, hand-made crafts, winter hats and gloves, cards, pictures, ornaments and specialty foods are just some of what’s on offer.'

And what's even more exciting is the fact that the famous Christmas tree will still be on display for the first week of January - definitely going to have to get a picture with the Fir itself!

10 days to go...!

2 Week Countdown

It is officially 14 days until we head out to New York!

As much as this excites me, it also fills me with a great sense of panic, as I am in no way, shape or form, ready. This is the first year I've dragged myself to buy a coat for goodness sake, so the chances of me having gloves, scarves, hats, or any clothing remotely warm for January in the Big Apple is out of the question.

But have no fear, for Topshop is here! (I would like to take this time to apologise to my debit card in advance.)

Usually I cannot stand 'winter chic' and I am certainly not a fan of 'layers'. The idea of being snuggly and cosy in all my items of knitwear is indeed, a warming thought, but the harsh reality hit home when I caught reflection of myself in a passing window - goodbye angelic snow Queen, hello Yeti.

Despite this, I've created a little montage (can you tell I study in the 'Art and Design' school?) of items that I need to purchase, in order to be a successful tourist in NY. Requirements include: fashionable, yet warm. Stylish, yet practical.

And here is the shortlist:

Leather Sheepskin lined Headband £25 TOPSHOP - Chiffon Lurex Snood £18 TOPSHOP - Star Stud Leather Gloves £18 TOPSHOP - Faux Fur Buckle Gilet £80 TOPSHOP - Chunky Cable Knit Over-The-Knee Sock £8 URBAN OUTFITTERS - Knitted Chain Crotchet Top £46 TOPSHOP - ARELLA Heeled Hiker Boots £50 TOPSHOP - Nails in Grunge £6 TOPSHOP - Vintage Cherub Necklace £18 AURORA BLOOM

NB: if anyone just so happens to want to be a darl and help poor little pauper me in gaining these clothes, then feel free to drop me your credit card details in the comment box below...

- It's funny, because I remember reading a novel by Lindsey Kelk not so long ago. The appropriately titled I Heart New York quickly became a page turner, and shortlisted as one of my favourite books, alongside Lauren Weisberger's Chasing Harry Winston and Everyone Worth Knowing.

Having finished it (I wont spoil the plot/I'm too lazy to go into details - read it yourself!), it became obvious that my dream was to move to New York and become a blogger for a magazine - so you can just imagine how much I feel like a human embodiment of the saying "living the dream" right now; although on a slightly smaller scale, as I'm not so much moving abroad and publishing to the masses, but embarking on a course trip and writing to a wide range of approx. 20 readers!

Nontheless, cliche though it may sound, the book is inspirational in a 'accessible to everyone' sort of way! I recommend it, thoroughly.

PLUS I discovered that there's a handy little guide to NY in the back of the book as well - so guess who's going to be looking like pro in the Big Apple snow!

With a bit of brown hair dye and a strict salad diet, it may as well be me on the cover!

And with only fourteen days and counting, it might be time to re-establish some faith: please God say that I will still be going, and will not end up being a victim of flight cancellation due to the snow...!