New York, New York....

Hello! Ok I'm back for the next instalment of my whirlwind tour of the United States. We pick up from my last stop in Georgia with my adorable friend Jenn ~ us two girls flew up to Newark, New Jersey and caught a cab in to Manhattan.

That's my first view of New York City. Wowzers.

It was a place I felt like I had been before, it was very familiar and there was just this great feeling I had about it. I recognised landmarks from films and TV shows, and even got excited about seeing fire escapes on the front of apartment buildings. It's just so New York!

To me, this city was amazing. Just awesome and huge and overwhelming and fun and buzzing and alive. It felt like a monster sized Melbourne ~ grey, historical and built on a grid system. The city area of Melbourne, however, is like one teeny tiny little section of Manhattan. I felt right at home, and felt totally safe.

The day we landed we had some luck and stumbled upon a sweet flea market a few blocks from our hotel! We had planned to go to Central Park, only two blocks from the hotel, however....

We had no idea that day was the New York City Marathon! Tens of thousands of people competed, and we got caught up in the whole buzz. It was incredible!!!

I did try a New York Pretzel with mustard from a street cart. It was as big as my head, lol! I thought pretzels were tiny things that fit inside your hand, hahaha! It was good, but very smokey. It was great to taste it, but I didn't eat any more while in NYC, lol.

One of the things I loved most not only about New York, but the whole entire USA, was the architecture. And how you could almost pick where you were in the country by looking at the buildings and homes. Above is unmistakably New York. I love it!

In our stumbling that first day, we also stumbled upon one of the famous Magnolia Bakery stores! It was on our to-do list so that was a great bonus! I got the very last Red Velvet cupcake they had, and it was soooooooo worth getting. Fab-o!

A great place to eat was Rosa Mexicano. They are known for their pomegranate margaritas (wow like rocket fuel! I think they were 90% tequila 10% non-alcoholic stuff!). They're also known for their table side guacamole making! They bring a cart over to you, and make the guacamole fresh to your liking. Delicious!

I got to also experience an American Diner ~ right across from our hotel. Many a breakfast/brunch/midnight snack were had here!!

One day we were meeting up with Bethany and her family at FAO Schwarz on 5th Avenue. Love how they have a soldier greet you at the door!

Their candy section was super cool. They had these huge soldiers made of jelly beans. Imagine being that person there putting on each individual jelly bean. These things were up to the ceiling high....

This is the toy store featured in the Tom Hanks film BIG. Remember when he played the piano in the store with his feet? Well I got to do the same with Bethany's son, hee hee!!! Oh hey if you want to buy one of these for your own home, they are selling them for a cool $250,000. Ummm, think I'll pass...

Bethany was a delight to meet. She's so elegant and graceful and beautiful. A warm lovely kind soul. I'm so glad she and her family made their way from Rhode Island that day. It was great meeting you guys!!! You can catch Bethany's blog post on her NYC adventures here.

Further up 5th Avenue, "You're Fired!". Haha, couldn't resist!

The Disney Store, three floors of fabulousness....

Rockefeller Plaza became known as Election Plaza since it was a day or two before the election. Everything was lit up all cool like a US flag. Loved it!

Times Square ~ no Naked Cowboy to be seen sadly :(

We ate one night at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co, it was fun and the cocktails were great!

Oh the candy section in Toys R Us.... jaw dropping....

Another day we met up with the wonderful and super fun Barbara Jacksier and her friend Chitsou in Chinatown for Dim Sum.

Jenn was kinda worried that she wouldn't know what each dish was. I kept reassuring her everything would be fine ~ and the first dish to come out was..??? Chicken Feet. Ummm.... no thanks.... Even our Chinese friend Chitsou wasn't a fan. They could have brought out anything else first, but it had to be the chicken feet! No, we didn't eat it.

But other than that, as they say, "when in Rome..." it was all delicious, whatever it was!

I was also lucky enough to be surprised while having Dim Sum, to get a phone call in the restaurant! It was someone who wouldn't tell me their name.... and they said, open up the parcel and you'll know who I am.

Barbara then passed me a package and to my delight it was a beautiful rose painting that I won on Jo's giveaway! Jo was so lovely on the phone, she sounded so happy and vibrant. I was so excited to receive this, Barbara took this next photo of me while I was talking with Jo.

I am so honoured to own this beautiful rose painting, created especially for me. She also sent goodies for Leroy (who has promptly eaten them all already!). Thank you Jo!

No visit to Chinatown is complete without a stroll down Canal Street to see some very creative interpretations of designer bags etc. This day was such a buzz and a great way to experience another part of New York that we probably wouldn't have tried, without an ex-local (Barbara) and a current one (Chitsou). That's Barbara there on the right above. She has more photos of our adventures that day on her blog here.

What a whirlwind day that was. We got to also experience Soho (super cool), Anthropologie (WOW, I can't tell you how much I loved that store) and Pearl River Trading Co

We were driven out on Election Night to a trendy Downtown bar, by Barbara's friend Scott. The ultimate tour guide from New Jersey ~ along the way he made sure Jenn and I were able to see the Statue of Liberty, and the Brooklyn Bridge!

We got to see Rupa and the April Fishes perfom live that night. That's Rupa above, and Barbara's friend Chitsou on the left. They were really cool!!!

(Barbara and Scott)

After the election result was announced we headed off to Union Square and I got this photo above, along with press photographers beside me. Ironic that this is the place we happened to see Fred Armisen walk past! It was like New Year's Eve in New York that night. I was so lucky to be there during any election at all, let alone a historic one.

Jenn and I made sure we found Tinsel Trading. Wow. Wow. Wow. I think that about sums it up!

And on our 2nd last night there, Jenn made sure I got to see my first Broadway show, and what a show it was, Wicked!!! I loved it of course. The costumes had me going ga-ga, and being in the third row, we got to see the incredible detail in them. Wow. Now I want to see it here in Melbourne so I can see it again!

You can also catch Jenn's photos and stories of NYC here on her blog too!

Now, you might be wondering, where is Central Park?

Well, it was one of my very favourite parts of New York and I got some beautiful photos that day, so it's getting a post of its own, next time.

Hope all my US friends had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Bye for now,

Natasha xo

We're not in Kansas any more Toto

Well, she DOES look like Toto, and she IS in Kansas! She's the ever-so-sweet Twinkle, Karla's little friend in a fur coat.

I'm home, safe and sound. Trying to get back to my regular everyday normal life.

I'm having some jet lag issues, waking with headaches each day is not fun ~ I think three weeks of being constantly on the move, lugging around suitcases, meeting so many lovely people, seeing so many sights, flying on so many planes, being body searched at the airport too many times, "creative" packing to get my heavy stuff into my hand luggage, little sleep, lots of laughs and fun and general silliness ~ is all catching up with me.

I'm so happy to be home with my family ~ Leroy was so excited when I surprised him by picking him up from pre-school an hour after I landed. Am I imagining it or has he grown so much in three weeks? I just keep squeezing him and planting kisses on his head. For now, he's not annoyed by it! He's such a beautiful happy boy. I'm so sad he is starting school so soon....

Hubby and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary yesterday. How fast the ten years have flown. We figured we'd maybe change one day in those ten years, not a bad strike rate. I love the guy even more today than 10 years ago, if that's possible. He surprised me with a night at a hotel right on the beach. The view was fabulous even if it was extremely windy, rainy and cold. Love watching the waves crashing wildly. Party animals ~ we were asleep by 9.30pm, lol~ Blame it on the jet lag!

I also came home to a new bedroom and bathroom! It's all antique white and I am loving it! The first night, I woke wondering where I was, thinking I was still in Kansas, not recognising our own bedroom.

I've still got tons of unpacking to do, as well as catching up on being a Mum and wife, and trying to be a domestic goddess.... trying.... lol! So I will update my blog when I start the mammoth task of sorting and resizing from the 2,000+ photos I have!

Thanks for stopping by and for your visits while I was away, I've enjoyed reading your comments and though I haven't had a chance to come visit you back, I sure will very soon!

And now, the vacuum cleaner and mop are calling me...

Natasha xo

Froth overload!

Hi everyone! Just a quickie here ~ I'm in Kansas with the lovely Karla Nathan, getting ready to leave her home in the morning. Just thought I'd quickly update with a few pics from Silver Bella Vendor Night for you to check out our froth and foofy tulle overload that night!

(L-R: Jenn Hayslip, Rosanna from Italy, Andrea Singarella, Cheryl Dack, Me)
Me with Stacy in her red magnificence (seriously the most amazing prom gown I have ever seen in my entire life!)

And my current and final hostess in the US, the lovely Karla Nathan herself.

(these pics were taken by Karla and her friend Shawn ~ my camera battery died that day and my converter plug was of course, in another state, so most of the Silver Bella pics I will post will belong to other people! lol!)

Well, I better get moving and head off to bed. This time tomorrow I will be on a plane home. I've had an amazing time here in the US, it's been the trip of a lifetime for me and I have loved every minute of meeting people who I have been friends with across the oceans. I'll be updating my blog one day soon, starting with my NYC pics and working through my trip. But for now, I'm looking forward to getting home to my family and giving my hubby and my boy big "squeezles" (Leroy's word for a big tight hug!)

Catch you all soon,

Natasha xoxo

Oh ~ and I've decided I won't be opening the shop when I get back for the two weeks I had planned to have it open ~ the day before I left, a friend who has a shop came and cleaned me out of stock so I have barely anything left to even re-open my shop with.

Then it will be Christmas and our Summer vacation time in January.

The little guy is starting big boy school in two months, so the shop is taking the back seat for a while. (If you placed a special order with me before I left for my trip, I will definitely do it in the time frame I said I would!)

Silver Bella Bound

Ok so I have tried for several hours to get the photo stuff to work on blogger and it is driving me up the wall. It's shuffling the order, resizing them, going all weird on me. I wanted to show you New York, Connecticut and Pittsburgh, but it's now 10.15pm, and Heather and I have to leave the house at 3.30am (yes, AM) to get to the plane to Karla Nathan in Kansas! AND I still have my two suitcases to pack right now. Yes, two suitcases.... I had to buy a second and it's already almost full.... yikes! I hope the Silver Bella vendors have TINY and LIGHTWEIGHT stuff for me or I am in trouble!!

That's Heather and I today above, my sweet dear buddy who I've known a few years now and is as adorable in real life as she is on her blog, on the phone and in her emails ~ I've been having a ball here in the US and seeing so many wonderful places and visiting so many beautiful friends. I can't believe I have been here for two weeks already and am heading home in just under a week.

I'll have to fill you in when I get back home on our adventures. Hopefully blogger will behave by then!

Thanks for stopping by and for the sweet comments you've been leaving me!!!

See you next time!

Natasha xo

Hello USA!

Hello from the good ole U S of A! I've landed safely and have been here for 5 days now, and I'm having a blast of a time! Here's some pics of my days here so far....

My first glimpse of American soil, coming in to land in Los Angeles. You guys are really turning on the good weather for me! It was like Summer when I landed!

First port of call, Rachel Ashwell's Santa Monica Shabby Chic store. To say I was in heaven and in awe is an understatement.

Super fun Dede picked me up from the airport and we had such a fun couple of days together. Here we are inside Shabby Chic (BTW that prom gown on the right was $1200, so gorgeous but SO far beyond my reach!)

Then we went on to Venice Beach to Bountiful. Wowzers. I was warned, the prices are not for the faint hearted. Well let's just say, it was a beautiful inspiring place to LOOK at. DRIPPING with chandeliers (some were around $7,000 each), old architectural mouldings, rusty iron planters and urns, French furniture.....

And Dede at the front gates. Are they not the most amazing gates you've seen at the front of a shop?

Next day we headed up to Hollywood to meet up with such a sweet and talented girl, Christine. I got a little glimpse of that famous sign on the hills (can you see it below?)

...And we met up at the Chinese Theatre where I have always wanted to see Marilyn Monroe's hand and foot prints.

Can you imagine my surprise when driving through Hollywood I looked up and saw this big billboard with one of our Aussie TV shows on it? Starts Sunday 10.30pm on HBO. Hilarious show, (lots of swearing but so freaking funny!).

And onto some vintage shops that day. Christine brought a cool book with her that detailed the best vintage finds in LA, and Golyester was no exception. Again, leave the purse in the handbag, strictly viewing pleasure only. Even a vintage lady worked there!

I thought of Heather when I saw this wall with creams, lace and feathers...

Here's gorgeous Christine modelling a vintage hat so beautifully....

...And me hamming it up in a fun silly foofy lace hat! Christine gave me that gorgeous charm on my neck, how adorable!

Thank you Dede and Christine for the fabulously fun time, great food, laughs and cupcakes in LA!

************************************************************************

Next day was spent being BODY SEARCHED at LAX, then speaking on the phone with this sweet and strong lady, and flying across the country over to Jenn in Macon, Georgia. Amazing change of scenery, I am loving every minute of my time here with this adorable girl. She drove me through Macon to see the fabulous old homes (I adore American architecture) and I was hanging out the window photographing every house, oohing and aahing away.

As you all know it was Halloween yesterday. This was my first experience of a full blown Halloween. Aussies just don't really do it. We have a few things in the shops but really, we'd be lucky to get one or two trick-or-treaters. I was blown away by all the decorations in people's yards and the fun time we had trick or treating!!!

Someone put this cute thing together, ghosts ring-a-rosying around a tree! My fave, this had me giggling away!

Jenn's sweet son Grant and I carved a pumpkin together. My first one! Messy and fun!

My first Halloween pumpkin carving effort!

Jenn and I got all dressed up, she was the prettiest witch I've ever seen! She organised a costume for me, I was a pirate wench, hahaha!!!

Jenn and her cute kidlets, little Vivi was "double trouble" half angel half devil, and Grant as you can see was Skellebones

Check out Jenn's cool stockings!!!

And her hubby Curtis wore one of Holly's sweet crowns, for a whole minute!

Out trick or treating, how cool is this pumpkin?!!!

With Jenn's neighbour, Dracula!

And the pumpkin all lit up

Today we drove a few hours down to the beautiful town of Savannah. Their streets were filled with big oaks dripping with Spanish Moss. A very eery fantastic sight for me, something totally new and unexpected, I loved it!

As well as being a beautiful town, we got to meet one of the loveliest bloggers around, talented mosaic artist Penny Carlson.

After a delicious lunch, we shopped and had a lovely time together! My fave shop hands down was Vintage General, where I saw the most fabulous Christmas items. We're pictured below here with Elizabeth the lovely owner. What a beautiful store..... The Paris Market was also gorgeous up the road. Here's some pics from Vintage General...

And now, we are getting ready, and I'm about to re-pack my suitcase so we can head off on another plane, this time up to have some fun in New York! Manhattan here we come!!!

Thanks for stopping by! Sorry I can't come visit you back, I've got limited computer time and wanted to keep my friends and family back home updated as soon as I could.

Bye Y'all (well, I have been hanging around Southerners, after all! It's true what they say about Southern hospitality by the way, Jenn is absolutely adorable and so kind!)

Natasha xo