You see, I don't have a washing machine, never have done. It's always seemed a bit eccentric to others, a bit odd. But that perception changed for me when I discovered that most New Yorkers don't have a washer either. Suddenly, I didn't feel so strange any more - overnight I joined the ranks of my cool cousins across the pond who visit the laundromat once a week to get a service wash. Their take-out attitude to dirty clothes seems a sensible one. It means more employment and less water wastage. You free-up space in your already cramped apartment leaving more room for the necessities of life like more shoes and hats. There's no dripping clothing cascading over your rusting radiators, and you have a smile on your face as you're not dealing with dreary damp undies. Join the club! Bring the laundromat back to London!
Saturday, 30 May 2009
The politics of clean clothes
You see, I don't have a washing machine, never have done. It's always seemed a bit eccentric to others, a bit odd. But that perception changed for me when I discovered that most New Yorkers don't have a washer either. Suddenly, I didn't feel so strange any more - overnight I joined the ranks of my cool cousins across the pond who visit the laundromat once a week to get a service wash. Their take-out attitude to dirty clothes seems a sensible one. It means more employment and less water wastage. You free-up space in your already cramped apartment leaving more room for the necessities of life like more shoes and hats. There's no dripping clothing cascading over your rusting radiators, and you have a smile on your face as you're not dealing with dreary damp undies. Join the club! Bring the laundromat back to London!
Anthropologie
The Anthropologie store near the Rockerfeller centre in New York is just packed full of inspiration. Can't afford the clothes, but the interior and window displays are full of ideas you use in your home. Check out these flowers made of recycled plastic bottles, then sprayed different colours. Eco-chic!
The Diner
First morning in New York: blueberry pancakes, crispy bacon, a side of maple syrup and topped-up coffee. Heaven!
Sex and the City
I was contemplating going on the "Sex and the City" tour in New York, as I'm a massive fan of the show, but by the time my week in the Big Apple was nearly up, I realised I'd done most of it anyway! The brownstones where Carrie sits contemplating life, MePa where Samantha lives and loves in the shadow of the former meat packing warehouses, the cute and taste-tastic Magnolia Bakery - cupcake heaven, Bleecker Street and associated Marc Jacobs boutiques (disappointingly the great second-hand biography bookshop on the corner is apparantly being turned into YET ANOTHER MJ store - think about it Marc - wouldn't it be a more exciting retail concept to keep the bookshop somehow?) So I didn't have to fork out $40 after all - and could tuck into another cupcake guilt free...Carrie would approve!
The Beauty Bar
I have been a little remiss with my blog since returning from New York. Life is what happens when you should be busy writing about it! But I do want to share one of my New York finds. By the way, I LOVED New York. A real buzz in the air, a can-do attitude, a feeling that success is guaranteed if you work hard, entrepreneurship, creativity. Exploring the Lower East Side late one evening, lots of small shops and bars doing good business. One girl sewing at her counter, refashioning clothes, chatting and laughing with customers at 10pm. A cigar lounge with a circle of chaps in armchairs passing a pleasant hour in a fug of smoke. A Victorian Gothic bar lit by candles, and open to the street packed with young lively customers discussing their day. Greek food, health food, Chinese food, French food - every option within a few paces. One place I especially liked was The Beauty Bar.
It's a converted 1950's Beauty Parlour, offering martini & manicure for $10. Just great fun and fantastic cocktails. I'd really suggest you go!
Sunday, 3 May 2009
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