Hairy Kate and Trashley

Well, here I am, back in the US for the election.

Yesterday I went to a book signing by the Olsen twins at Barnes and Noble. Nearly. First of all, the signing was on the whole top floor, which they blocked off. Then, you had to buy the book ($35) before you could go upstairs. I heard one man with his young son - they made him buy two copies.

I saw some stickered copies of the book hidden behind a pillar - at 20% off - they'd obviously removed these from the book signing.

The twins weren't going to personalise copies, just sign their names, and you weren't allowed a camera. What a rip off. I even overheard a Barnes and Noble employee saying to her colleague "Have you seen the book? It's just a bunch of photographs of them." It was true. There was no way I was paying $35 for it.

There were PETA protestors outside, with Hairy Kate and Trashley masks. But MK and A went in the back entrance, so I don't think they got to make their point to them personally.

Perfect New York days

I'm booking my flights this weekend - am gearing up for my stint as an election tourist. I can't wait! I'm already planning the perfect days too.

1. Day One (a perfect Sunday in New York)
First stop Brooklyn Flea Market, then checking out hip new shop Kill Devil Hill, going to church at the Brooklyn Tabernacle, walking over the Brooklyn Bridge, walking up through Chinatown to the Lower East Side - finishing off at Teany.

2. Day Two
Checking out all the thrift stores on West 14th Street, finishing off with lunch at the City Bakery. Then, I will walk across to Union Square, stop in at ABC Carpet and Home and the Gramercy Housing Works - this has the best finds I think.

Goodbye New York

I am back in London, after the end of my New York adventure. I had a great time, and will be back in November as an election tourist, although I may be hyping it up in my own mind too much, no Americans I have spoken to seem to think there will be street parties.

Please check out my other blogs:
My eco blog: http://www.myecoself.blogspot.com/
My style blog: http://www.teaforjoy.blogspot.com/

I will still be updating this blog for any further New York trips, or thoughts on the election.

Best cafes with free wireless internet access

After some deliberation, I've decided these are the best cafes with free wifi in New York:

West 11th Street cafe - great service and coffee, not many tables (very busy in the morning), good speed internet. My favourite (because of the service, God loves a cheerful giver (or barista.))

Aroma Cafe - good for anonymity (it's pretty big) but sometimes the access is a bit slow. They turn it off during lunch hours. Good sandwiches.

Mojo - Charles St. Slightly less relaxed about you sitting there all day, but the interior design is great and there's a good range of breakfasts and sandwiches (I really enjoyed their blueberry pancakes and a vegetarian sandwich with balsamic vinegar and capers (oops, can't remember what else, but it was one of my favourite New York lunches.)

Emma's NY pictures

Emma took all these photos in New York (notice the improvement on my attempts.) If you would like to buy them, please contact me.

Teany

We finished off the evening with tea at Teany, which is one of my favourite places in New York, a tea shop with 98 types of tea! The chocolate macaroon cake was a big hit, really delicious - I was pleased about this, because the last dessert I had here was disgusting - I don't think their strawberry shortcake translates well to the vegan version. We couldn't sit inside as it was too full, but the area where we sat outside had lots of pretty fairy lights - I felt very Mediterranean.