Good morning, Upper East Siders

I’m no Gossip Girl (though wouldn’t it be nice to live in an apartment that plush with one’s very own couture-filled walk in wardrobe?), but the Upper East Side is a brilliant place to spend a sunny day in New York. Want to follow me as I adventure around the city for a day?

Don’t forget to look up: the view from Central Park

First, pick up a picnic of delicious treats and make your way to the bottom of Central Park. Find a nice shady path and just happily stroll; past the man playing saxophone, his smooth jazz floating on the breeze; past the children’s rides (where the ice rink is situated come winter); around the pond where butterflies and dragonflies happily buzz, and find a nice willowy tree to settle under for a happy hour or so. I love just lying back and staring up at the blue clouds and skyscrapers through the leafy canopy.

Essentials for Central Park lazing: Marc Jacobs heels, rose necklace by Make Believe, vintage sunglasses, Marc Jacobs lipstick pen, J Crew notebook, Time Out NY guide and map, Viktor & Rolf fan to create one’s own breeze.

Once you are suitably rested, grab an ice cream and make your way past the horse and carriage rides (jump on if you want to!) to the Central Park zoo for some old-fashioned good-for-the-soul enjoyment (just try watching the seals play and not smile). When you are done, make your way to 5th Avenue.

5th Avenue taxis

Continue along 5th until you reach the Metropolitan Museum of Art (‘the Met’). Venture inside for some brilliant exhibits, or just sit on the steps for a time for some Gossip Girl-style people watching. Afterwards, it’s onwards to the Guggenheim Museum for some cultural fulfillment. Even if you don’t go in (and you should, for the amazing spiral interior as well as the art), do take in the striking building itself, designed by Frank Gehry.

The Guggenheim

When you’ve had your artistic fill (if not, more museums and galleries abound in the area), just wander the leafy streets between 5th and Park Avenues in the streets numbering the 70s and 80s. Despite the impeccably groomed Park Avenue princesses and their tiny dogs, the buildings themselves are not actually as luxurious as you might imagine they should be from the outside. But as you pass the doormanned entrances you’ll catch little glimpses of the gilded lobbies and easily be able to imagine how breathtaking the homes inside must be.

The ubiquitous gilded Park Avenue entranceways

Afterwards, head back down 5th to the bottom of Central Park for some serious retail therapy in Henri Bendel or Bergdorf Goodman. Don’t be put off by the intimidatingly expensive first floor in Bergdorf’s (I peeked at a brooch I thought I might like, but changed my mind once I spied the $25,000 price tag….). Head to the 5th floor for the younger, newer designers and amazing sales section, and you will be in heaven!

Did you like your little day trip? How would you spend a day in New York City?

Love, Miss B xx