Whenever we go to America I have a shopping list in my mind that I forget once I’m there and end up buying things I don’t really want but get carried away with in the moment. This year I’m trying to be more mindful in GENERAL and have kept a note on my phone with gaps in my wardobe (and other areas) so I shop smarter when I’m out of the house. I thought it might be a good idea to do the same for my ‘souveniers’ so I’m sharing this for fun but I’m also going to use this as my ‘REMEMBER THE THINGS YOU REALLY WANTED’ while we’re in the city.

ALSO, it will help me get an idea of budget. I’ve been looking at some sweatshirts etc with travel in mind and realistically, I’d rather save that money to put towards something nicer from NYON that I”ve been lusting after.

So let’s start there.. New York Or Nowhere. I can’t wait to visit this store. Depending on how flush I’m feeling, I’d love a sweatshirt but I may get more summer wear from a tshirt and they’re a fraction of the cost.

I would say this might baffle locals but they have a whole section of merch that suggests I am far from alone in this one. ZABARS! The famous deli from film and TV is on my list for a visit and they sell everything from branded tea towels to CLOTHING but the thing I MUST take home is going to be a tote. I think a mug too but I’m seriously lacking in mug storage space.. I may have to stop. I am considering a tea towel for framing in the kitchen - too far? I don’t think so

Going back to the budget.. these are big money buys BUT some of my very favourite things. I have several pairs of shoes from SJP Collection and for the most part I’ve bought them on sale. There’s usually a great deal to be had at Bloomingdales (where UK travellers can get 10% off) but I do want to visit the new flagship store they opened round teh corner from Carries stoop. They would have to be really special or on offer for me to buy bu they’re on my maybe list.

The City That Finally Sleeps by Mark Seliger. This coffee table book has been on my wishlist since 2020! It's a collection of photos taken of the city during lockdown and all proceeds went to the relief efforts at the height of the pandemic - I’m not sure now - but the shipping is more than the book itself to The UK so I haven’t been able to justify it. I haven’t found stock online but I’ve reached out to a few independent book stores to see if it’s possible to order it in for my to collect while we’re there. Fingers crossed.

For now that’s everything on my shopping list that feels specific to the city. Would you be interested in more holiday planning posts? I like to plan out my wardrobe ahead of time and make very specific itinerarys for New York trips that I really don’t for anywhere else. It may be helpful for those of you visiting for the first time to get an idea of what we do when we go and how I make the plan?

Let me know..