We’re now well into the New Year so I thought I would update you on how I’m getting on during what could be my last 6 weeks in the city (sob!)

I’ve been enjoying trying lots of new restaurants, bars and other indoor activities now the weather has turned colder so I’ll share a couple of my favourites with you!

I went to see The Imitation Game at the cinema last weekend (definitely recommend!) and a little store along the way caught my eye (plus I wanted to shelter from the rain) so I popped in to pick up a more sophisticated alternative for us to munch on than popcorn….

These turned out to be the most delicious macaroons I have ever had – I never really saw what all the fuss was about when it came to macaroons until I had these – the place is called La Maison du Macaron and is along 23rd Street – I’ve since heard that the queues can get pretty long but it was pouring with rain when I went so I just waltzed straight in! Go on, I know you want to see a close up… (featuring salted caramel, blood orange and mango, apricot champagne, rose, pistachio and chocolate- Yum!) – I’ll definitely be making a few more trips there!

I also finally managed to eat at The Spotted Pig in the West Village where of course we sampled the famous Pig Ear Salad – it was surprisingly delicious – just like eating pork crackling and not at all like what you think an ear would taste like (which I was very glad about!)

We’ve also had some snow here in the big apple as the temperature has plummeted over the past week or so. I braved the cold to take a couple of snaps behind the office – the snow in the city just turns to grey slush within a couple of minutes, but it’s much prettier upstate:

I finally managed to tick off all the Manhatten boroughs before New Year so on Friday it was time to venture over to Hoboken in New Jersey  for a party – it actually seems like a really nice neighbourhood, despite constantly hearing jokes about New Jersey! There is so much more space there, even though it’s still fully connected to the subway system, and it has great views across the water to the city so I bet it would be a really nice place to hang out in the summer.

Saturday was cold so I treated myself to a manicure and then yesterday it was my friend Cynthia’s birthday celebrations. We started off with “blow outs” at Dry Bar (where you basically pay someone to dry and style your hair, while you drink champagne… there are definitely worse ways to spend an afternoon!) so now I’m a true American girl with my nails and hair done, ready to take the week by storm!

You choose your style from the “Menu” – I went for the “Dirty Martini” – a tousled look, and then they hand you a glass of champagne and set to work.

The finished product (yes, I know a lot of us were wearing stripes that day and happened to all stand in a row!)

We went on to have an amazing meal in Chelsea afterwards where Tuna Tartare came in the cutest can and the pizzas were pretty amazing too!

Such a nice way to spend a Sunday and the weather has finally turned so it makes getting around a little bit easier! Sadly, I also no longer have the excuse that it’s too cold to run across the road to the gym but hey, hopefully that means I can keep some of my New Year’s Resolutions!

Have a great week!