New York on film, part two

New York on film, part one (my favourites)

If I had to choose 10 favourites from all 60 of the photos I spent my night scanning, I think these would be them. It’s a really difficult choice, though, which is a nice thing to be able to say.

film from New York

I just picked up three rolls of film I had developed from New York. I adore film. Nothing captures the light, colour and crispness of the moment quite like it. I will scan the best ones soon. I’m afraid my scanner won’t do justice to how rich the prints are in reality, though. (The Instagram snapshots certainly didn’t, but how fun!)

New York, day 17

Seventeen days in Manhattan. How lucky am I? Of course I’m sad to be leaving, but I’m so incredibly grateful to have had this time here. It’s been magical. I feel like Harry leaving Hogwarts. I want to start counting down the days until I can go back again.

For the past three years that I’ve gone to New York I’ve literally cried my way through the airport, but I didn’t this time, and I think the only reason is that I could not wait to be reunited with the best dog in the entire world. (And to give her her new toy from Barneys New York, which she destroyed in under an hour.)

New York, day 16

Midtown is a zoo today. Stayed just long enough to get some photos of the parade, especially the fire department, for my grandfather who is Irish and a retired firefighter. After that we escaped to the Upper West Side and had coffee at Zabar’s and I cried about it afterwards because the Upper West Side is the reason I never ever ever ever ever want to leave New York. If not for the Upper West Side, I think I would be content just to visit Manhattan on a regular basis. But when I’m wandering through the Upper West Side I feel that I need to live here forever! Ended the night with a Sabon rose petal bath bomb. Highly recommended.

New York, day 15

Today was perfect. Went to the Frick Collection—so, so beautiful. The Lautrec paintings, 18th century period rooms, ‘ginger jars’... the whole museum is stunning, not just the art but the building itself. The door handles! The windows! The ceilings! It reminded me a lot of Downton Abbey. As I looked around what was especially striking was the idea that someone lived there. A beautiful location overlooking Central Park, with one of the most ornate interiors I’ve ever witnessed (though apparently Frick had his house designed to be restrained, simple and unostentatious!). It also made me really eager to read Edith Wharton. The audio guide is excellent (and free!); T. S. Eliot did a poetry reading in one of the rooms!

After the Frick collection Mom and I went to Ladurée to buy two macarons each, which we ate in Central Park. I had ‘incroyable strawberry candy’ and vanilla. I’ve never had the vanilla before because I thought it was too boring—it’s not at all! One of the best I’ve had. We went to the Plaza for a tartine and ended the night with Sprinkles Cupcakes and Sofia Blanc des Blancs. Delicious, and just the kind of girly luxuries that are so characteristic of New York.

New York, day 14

An overwhelmingly wonderful place is the Harney & Sons shop in SoHo. I wish I’d thought to go there sooner—I got my favourite loose-leaf Organic Assam, plus a cup of tea to go. I tried Paris because it’s their most popular, and it was amazing. And it smelled delicious when I walked in because they were baking scones.

And Kate Spade. Neither the SoHo store nor the Union Square location are very big, but I feel like I could spend hours in there just staring. Love, love, love.

In the evening I took a ballet class at the Ailey Extension (as I was waiting outside after class the cutest little puppy jumped up on me; I miss my Lexie so much!) and went back to The Hampton Chutney for dinner. My favourite order, the one I get every single time (though I do vary between the dosa and uttapam) is the #14 seasonal, with roasted butternut squash, beets, goat cheese and pumpkin chutney. They are only going to have it for another month or so. So glad they’ve always had it while I’m here!