Have had a good weekend in New York, and hopefully it will continue. Am catching up with James, my cousin, tonight to watch the Superbowl.

Yesterday I finally got in the mood to shop. So I went to Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Fifth Ave and the Rockefeller Centre. Did not actually buy much, as I still found the clothes mega expensive. All these stores are full of designers and things which are still expensive. However I have found 2 stores which are a bit more me (in look and price range!) they are Banana Republic and Club Monaco. They are both my kind of style and in my kind of price range. I just can't get over the money people spend here.

I did buy a pair of shoes though, I wanted some black high heels and I got a new season pair from Nine West for $49!!!!!!!!!! They were originally $69 but they were doing a new season $20 off. That is the biggest bargain. So tempted to buy a whole lot and ship them home for coming years - you always need a good pair of black heels!

Another store I found and loved was called Anthropologie. Was all very pretty, lacy, frilly kind of tops in pretty fabrics and colours. I bought one pretty top full price and then got another on a winter sale which was bargain. I also bought myself a mug so I am not using the depressing cheap motel style mugs in the apartment. It is white with a 'K' on it. Cute. Anthropologie is cute for gifty things as well.

I also stumbled upon free makeup sessions in Bloomingdales. So, as I was going to the theatre I got my makeup done to look pretty.

Saw Spamalot last night at a theatre just off Times Square. Picked up my tickets and then had a piece of apple pie ala mode at a diner across the road. With a glass of wine, where I was asked for id. Again. When I said 'I'm 27', the 22 year old behind the counter said "really, I thought you were younger than me." This I should point out has been happening A LOT. Every time I have had a drink I have been asked for id. So demoralising!!

Spamalot was very funny. They do some very politically incorrect numbers, I was a little unsure how they would go down in New York, particularly a song about needing Jews if you want to be on Broadway. But it did get a laugh. The show was good, not very long, but a good giggle.

However the thing that entertained me the most was the "Nanny Fine" look-a-like who sat beside me with her boyfriend. I am deadly serious, she was Fran Drescher in the flesh. She was wearing mega stilettos, high waisted mini skirt, fish net tights, tight black top and more gold than a Spanish armada. She spent the whole night smooching her boyfriend and did not laugh once at the show. I don't think she got it. But it amused me. The NYC insult here would be that she was "so bridge and tunnel" ie. From Queens or Brooklyn.

Today I did a big walk through Central Park, which I had not done yet for some reason. It looks kind of foreboding from the edge at the moment, it is very grey. The leaves have no leaves and the ground is all covered in dead grey leaves. But today I ventured in at 72nd Street to the John Lennon Strawberry Fields 'imagine' memorial. Once you get into the park it is still quiet green and very pretty. People kept saying that it is like one piece of solitude in the city, but I did not find that as there was people everywhere. Thousands of joggers, walkers, families and tourists on horse and buggy rides. But I did like it, there was fresh air and it was a nice time out.

One thing that constantly amazes me about New York is the dogs. There are dogs everywhere, and not little apartment sized dogs but giant Labradors, st bernards and standard poodles. Sometimes you see someone who is clearly a dog walker as they struggle along the street being tripped over by sausage dogs and tangled but overly enthusiastic labradors. I feel a bit sorry for these dogs, they need back yards. It seems a bit cruel to keep them in apartments where they only see the outside twice a day. These dogs are also some of the most pampered in the world. A block down from my apartment on 72nd street is a doggie day spa where they do yoga for dogs and have doggie play dates. These dogs are also very groomed, some of the poodles are classic. I really want to take photos of them but I suspect the owners would see through me and know I am thinking their dogs are funny looking.

Looking forward to a week of quite mild weather - highs of 50 degrees which is great.