NEW YORK: DAY 5

I have to admit, our last full day in New York was a bit of a flop, there was ridiculously heavy rain all day long... but as it was our last proper day we had to venture out. We had planned to go back to spend most of the day in Central Park and the rest at the Columbus Circle Holiday Market.

We ventured out and did some shop hopping on the way up to Central Park, calling off at the NBA store, Barneys and Tiffany and Co, but when we actually got to The Central Park Zoo, there was literally only 4 other people there! However having the Zoo to yourself isn't a bad thing, and despite the rain, the animals were really active! The penguins in particular and the grizzly bears were absolutely amazing to see. However, I booked tickets thinking it would be like Madagascar, but sorry to burst your bubble people, but the zoo is actually tiny!...and apart from the penguins, you will not find lions, zebras or hippos...

We then had a walk along to the Columbus Circle Holiday market, which I had been looking forward to the whole holiday, however I must admit, there isn't actually that many stalls who are selling Christmassy things! We then headed back to Times Square for a Shake Shack lunch and visited Sephora and the Disney Store before heading back to the hotel to dry off and eat pizza. Safe to say, we didn't venture out again that night!

 

NEW YORK: DAY 4

I feel like day 4 was an absolute marathon, as we tried to cram so many sights and so much walking into one day!

10am was our slot for the Statue Of Liberty boat trip, and as it departs from the very bottom of Manhattan, the subway was essential... but lets not talk too much about that. The boat trip in itself offered such incredible views of the City, and the Statue of Liberty. Ellis Island, is also blessed with insane views, and as our ticket permitted access into Lady Liberty we were able to see so much more! Although our ticket permitted us into the immigration museum, this wasn't for me, so we headed straight back to the City.

Any visit to New York should include a visit to the 9/11 memorial, I expected there to be a very morbid feel to the place, but it was surprisingly tranquil. You have probably seen pictures of the huge memorial fountains, but I had no idea there were two of them (although really that makes sense) and in reality they are unbelievably big. 

We then headed back up to Macy's and Bryant Park Christmas market, where we had discovered a hut selling 'chimneys', its basically a cinnamon tube made with pretzel, and filled with Nutella, caramel or jam, so delicious.

The best part of my day had to be dinner, we booked a table at Carmines, a family Italian restaurant in Times Square. Which is voted one of the best restaurants to visit whilst in NYC, they pride themselves on Italian dishes to serve 3/4 people, so we ordered a giant plate of meatballs, we got so much we had to take the rest to go. Literally the most delicious food ever, and it actually worked out cheaper than some other chain restaurants we had been too early in the week. Definitely one to visit... 

CAMEL COATS

FUR COLLAR BOYFRIEND COAT- £65- TOPSHOP
Remember that moaning post I did yesterday about not having anything to wear now its autumn? Well thank goodness my mam took me shopping today! We went to The Metro Centre in Gateshead, for the North East people you will know how fab it is for shopping! After a near breakdown in River Island- (all thanks to a highly inappropriate and over priced grey suede coat) I spotted this gorgeous boyfriend coat in Topshop.
I'm going to New York in November (as if you didn't know), and lets be honest, a leather jacket isn't going to cut it. I have been torn between buying a proper puffy jacket, or a boyfriend coat, but came to the conclusion that a coat like that is never going to go with my outfits. Admittedly I still might freeze to death in this coat, but teamed with a jumper and big cosy scarf, i'm hoping it will do! No pain no gain right?
Of course the camel coat has been an on going trend, and will always be a style staple in your wardrobe. I would much rather spend my money on an investment piece... well thats how I justified myself...