Meadowland. A few scattered blossoms or a field of flowers and water.

I simply had to make a trip to Saks the other day and, because it was still nippy, I thought I’d take the subway. I could have walked but…Tinerate, as per usual, I became completely turned around when I got off at 51st Street and consequently emerged from the wrong exit and ended up heading uptown. Good thing is that I actually know that part of town quite well and was able to recognise my mistake within a few streets…but not before I had strolled past this charming courtyard…waterfall and all…smack bang in the the middle of mid-town. Who knew it was there???

Anyhoo, so it got me to thinking… In a place where space is at a premium… unless of course, you are fortunate enough to have earned buckets of money or be one of the silver-spooned-set-living-on-the-Park born to a healthy trust fund …and it is a necessity to make the most of every bit of teeny weeny space that is available, it is no wonder that charming pocket oases seem to pop up all over the place in NYC at this time of the year.  Barely anyone has a backyard and although many buildings have rooftop gardens, often these are not utilised by the occupants (think trudging wine, nibbles, dinner up the stairs…) so the opportunity to eat Alfresco is not something that happens on a regular basis and hence the little patches of eateries and inviting floral benches currently dotting the city.

Seriously sidetracked in Saks, the day had warmed considerably by the time I emerged from its way-too-tempting storied walls and, on a whim, I ducked across the street. Very glad I did!

Imagine taking time out over lunch to sit on a bench amongst this little paradise. And right here in the buzzing epicentre that is Rockefeller Centre!

Anyhoo, fast forward to my walk back to Greenwich Village and the tabletops to try… (and this is only what I saw on the very direct route straight down 5th Avenue. Imagine what I might have seen should I have meandered and detoured!)

In another life, I used to live by Bryant Park and it is still one of my favourite patches of green. Lots of lazy lounging catered for here

At the intersection of 23rd, a very very minimalistic urban cafe; without even a brolly there is just too much concrete here for me and its only saving grace is that it lies in the shadow of the Flatiron building…

 …and when you look behind, (or I guess ahead all depending on which way one is heading) there’s the Empire State. Not too shabby location location location

And then, almost at my front door and right in my back yard, I also found this little retreat where I could happily perch under the shade of a leafy branch for some serious people watching.

Till next time.

Tipsy Pipsy xo