A New York State of mind.

New York gets under your skin and in to your blood. It is truly all consuming.

Spending precious time in New York has not only led to some serious withdrawal symptoms but to more of an obsession about what it would be like to live and work there, and I’m totally serious.

The streets just excrete energy. A mass of noise, smells, people, cabs and food stalls on every corner. The fashions move so fast it’s hard to keep up. Absolutely nothing goes unnoticed, from the perfectly matched brightly coloured gym gear to dogs wearing caps and converse trainers.... no really, that happened. No amount of Sex and the City can prepare you for the whirlwind of edgy bars, multinational eateries and designer boutiques. You just have to step in to the flow and let the city take you.

New York offers itself to every mood and occasion. The Meatpacking district for cocktails, the West Village for bakeries, Soho for shopping, Rockefeller for views and Central Park for peace and quiet. There are endless opportunities, and all on your doorstep. Seek and you will find.

There are many comparisons I could make between NYC and London. They both have an overwhelming amount of culture, class and style. What I do know, however, that if it’s Cosmopolitans you're after New York wins hands down.

"The present in New York is so powerful that the past is lost"

"Start spreadin' the news, I'm leaving today (well tuesday afternoon) I want to be a part of it: New York, New York."

If London has insomnia then New York must quite frankly be positively tripping. How on earth do you prepare for New York? Just having a St Tropez spray tan is simply not going to cut it. I'm talking about serious prep. Training the body to sleep less, carbo loading on relentless - you know, that kind of thing?

I have pages of recommendations - underground bars, rooftop parks, my head is spinning just at the thought of it all.

Long has this been the dream. The big apple. Apparently so 'in the now' that events last week are already out of fashion. But there are big expectations to live up to, I mean I truly believe that London is one of the greatest cities in the world, a global boomtown, described as both shiny and gritty. So what to expect from New York? Does it have the upper edge on food, fashion and fun? In just 3 days, 2 hours and 44 minutes I will be on my way to find out.

"If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere,
Come on come through, New York, New York"

"Don't wait for an extraordinary night, make one."

Hello Bloggersphere. Firstly, my sincere apologies for the absence over last few months - new job, new house and all the rest. What is important is that I am ready to launch in to 2012 all guns blazing.....and this Year is set to be a good one. Skiing at Les Arcs in February, New York in May and of course the London Olympic Games over summer. Whoa, hold on tight.

So usually, I’m not one for New Year’s resolutions but this year I have just one, and this one is inspired from the book and film, 'Yes Man'. Now, typically I’m not one to miss out, but this year I have decided to say 'yes' just that extra bit more. Test me.

For those of you who have not seen the new Smirnoff crazy nights advert, watch and be inspired. It's Brilliant. In essence it highlights how important your friends are in shaping who you are and what you do. “These are my people, this is my crowd.” Everybody is different and it’s the sum of those differences that takes something from ordinary to extraordinary.

So... my advice to you (in the words of Smirnoff) ''Don't wait for an extraordinary night, make one.''

A buzzing charity.

As the chill sets in and leaves start to golden I embrace one of my favourite months of the year. There is definitely something about September, with the crisp, fresh, sunny days and autumn fashion trends starting to emerge around the capital. So with the new month, comes the new drive to try something new and this time it’s one of my main passions, food.

I have always heard great things about Jamie Oliver’s 'Fifteen' restaurant (www.fifteen.net) and it most certainly did not disappoint. If you are in to charitable giving and want to know exactly where your money goes I recommend you trot down to Fifteen, near Old Street, and suss it out. The story behind the restaurant (that opened in 2002) was that of 15 unemployed but talented young people who were taken on from the community and trained for a year by Jamie to become professional chefs. They work as chefs in the restaurant over the year and all profits go to the Jamie Oliver Foundation, which puts money back in to training the next year’s future chefs.

The food is truly incredible and every detail spells out Jamie Oliver from the funky candle holders and matching wine racks to the radiant ambiance and trendy waitresses.

Specials included mackerel (see right) with almonds, beef ragu ravioli and plenty of buzz.

What more can I say? Delicious food, fruity wine and addictive atmosphere - that’s my kind of charity.

J'adore Paris!

In a flash Paris has been and gone and I am still immersed in the smells of fresh coffee and pain au chocolate. The most romantic city in the world never fails to capture me when I visit making me think, could I be one of those commuters that travel from Paris to London daily? The quality of life there takes London down a few notches, everyone seems less stressed and more into mid morning coffee and multiple cigarettes in one of the many cafe's lining La Seine. Don't get me wrong, me and London just 'get each other', we have a mutual understanding of work hard and play hard, but I still can’t help but think what it would be like to ‘reveiller’ in Paris daily.

Everywhere you look, beauty surrounds you, from the tree lined avenue Montaigne to the chic French women strutting in Chanel through the Tuileries Gardens. Everything about Paris is beautiful. Fact. Returning to London I still feel high on French food and wine, mostly because a bottle of Bordeaux was polished off on the Eurostar. A few weeks later I am still swooning around thinking about French lifestyle when I bump in to a La Duree in the middle of Covent Garden, can this be for real? My own little piece of Paris in the centre of London?  With that I promptly sit and indulge in some well needed Macaroons..... This is what London is all about. Allowing you everything you want in one city, on your doorstep.  

The Essential City Break

Hi, my name is Emma and I am addicted to city breaks. I just can't stop myself.
This is how I intend to try and make it in a city that has insomnia. In my opinion it’s getting out the city for that 'essential' city break that makes all the difference when you need reviving. Having just returned from Vilnius, Lithuania refreshed and definitely more cultured albeit a few pounds heavier, I have a new lease on life. Aside from the travesty that is Ryaniar one of the great things about living in London is that you can fly out to anywhere at any time. So, for Eastern Europe I was bound. Wondering through the cobbled streets, paddling around lakes, finding castles and drinking £3 cosmopolitans is my idea of relaxation. Not to mention the slightly obscure 'wedding overload' with numerous brides leading their grooms astray through the Vilnius literally locking their vows in padlocks on the bridges over the river. City breaks have a way of making you feel like you have been away forever in another world when, really, a weekend is all you need. So, moving on swiftly, I’m back in London for a few days celebrating London living whilst looking ahead to Paris in a few weeks time to confront yet another one of my addictions, macaroons. C’est la vie!

There's nothing quite like brunch.....

Every time I fantasize about Sunday brunch, that Tropicana ad set in New York pops up in my head ''How do you like your eggs in the morning, I like mine with a smile.'' It opens up to the fabulous world of brunching in London, not just the Big Apple. Whether it's 'ladies that brunch' or a casual Sunday morning with the boyfriend, there is a brunch waiting for everyone. Feeling uninspired? Just check out @simplybreakfast (http://www.simplybreakfast.blogspot.com/) and your taste buds will duplicate themselves. Brunching trends in the last few years have increased dramatically as fashionistas take to the streets to indulge in fresh brewed coffee and eggs benedict with a side of gossip. The best part.....you can sleep till noon and still not be late. Whilst scouting around, like I do in London on sunny Sunday mornings, I believe I have found some of the best London has to offer. Whilst 'Tina We Salute You'(@TineWeSaluteYou) wins in the almond croissant stakes, 'The Breakfast Club' (@TheBrekkyClub) is not far behind with the Bloody Mary, Chorizo and hash browns for the slightly fragile ones. So buy the Sunday Times, turn on the French cafe music and let Sunday roll in at your own pace....easy like a Sunday morning.