So after a refreshing nights sleep, we woke up bright and early ready to explore the incredible city around us; but first we needed breakfast. Luckily right around the corner we found a cafe of sorts that sold pastries, wraps and even provided you with the option to create your own breakfast box, and for the majority of our stay this became our go to breakfast stop.
Whilst on this trip the University had organised a 'Garment tour' around the garment district and on Tuesday it was our turn to go. The tour involved visiting TrimLab and meeting two of the businesses executives, the spoke to us about their crucial role within the fashion industry, particularly with regards to clothes design, and how they had worked with and help build brands such as Ralph Lauren. Also in TrimLab we got the chance to meet two very talented bloggers, also known as 'The Wanderlust Girls' and they shared with us ll their experiences, tips and advice for working within the industry. (I loved this talk so much and if you want to here more about that check out my previous post - http://itsajungleouttherex.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/new-york-wanderlust-girls.html)
Next our tour guide, and fashion designer Imani Alexander, took us to the fabric store Mood (if you watch project runway you may have heard of it already) and we were given a 'Project Runway' challenge, which was both fun and insightful with regards to what goes into producing a garment. From here we then walked a little further to an amazing magazine store (literally fashion magazines everywhere - HEAVEN) and we had another really useful talk with Natasha Smith, who worked within the PR side of the industry. Again I found this talk really interesting and I took away that if you work hard enough pretty much anything you want to achieve is possible. Finally we had the opportunity to visit a sample sale with the Jewellery designer 'Laruicci' her designs were really edgy and fresh, and she spoke to us about the benefits of having a sample sale and what goes into getting her products ready for buyers. After this we were then free to explore the city further and find food!
Before visiting New York, I read a lot of blogs that talked about what you should do whilst there and one of the many reoccurring things was to try new York pizza, which was music to my ears, because Italian food has to be one of my all time favourites. So whilst walking back towards our hotel we spotted a pizza place, and we just couldn't resist! In all honesty, it did not disappoint, it was one of the best things I had ever tasted and I could have very easily eaten more.
For the rest of the afternoon we explored Herald Square and walked along 5th Avenue, until around 6pm as a group of my course mates and I had pre booked tickets to watch Matilda on Broadway. The show itself was incredible and I laughed the whole way through (although I wasn't able to place what accent the Mother was supposed to have) Once the show finished, despite being extremely tired we couldn't pass up the opportunity to explore Times Square which was a 30 second walk from the theatre. Standing on the red steps looking out at the huge flashing billboards was something I will never forget and to make our night even more special it began to snow!
Our 3rd day was just as jam packed as our day before, on Wednesday morning we walked along the High Line, soaked up the cities incredible views and visited Chelsea Market. Here was sat and ate breakfast (my first time trying French Toast!) and it was SO GOOD, so good in fact yet again I just couldn't eat it all. I loved all the little independent stores, with bakeries selling cookies shaped as New York motifs and little jeweller stands advertising beautiful pieces. One of my favourite places in Chelsea market was a corner of a room which contained walls filled with post-it-notes! Written on them were people hopes and aspirations for the upcoming year, so were truly inspirational, others just there to make you laugh; I though the idea was so clever and we couldn't leave without putting one up for ourselves.
During the afternoon we reunited with our friends and began the walk along 5th avenue to visit the Rockerfella Centre, on our way we stopped off at Grand Central Station (my Gossip Girl fan girling was in full swing) and took a few photographs. When we reached the centre, we purchased tickets and took the first elevator up to the observation deck. Stepping out the views were breathtaking, the sky was bright blue and we could see the whole city so clearly, it was like being in another world, it was so peaceful and tranquil and, in my opinion, definitely worth the money!
After this our day was still not over, as from there we walked up to Central Park and around the Upper East Side (my GG fan girling continued...) however we only stayed there around an hour as we were all so tired. So with the promise to return before we left,hopped onto the subway, crawled into bed and watched the Kardashians.
So
Until next time my lovelies,
Abi
x
