Pieces from Maison 10, collection ‘My Life in Yellow’
Discovering the city in yellow
Amidst the swarm of people walking on the streets, honking cabs, flashing lights, and hurried footsteps, your eyes might catch a small square slapped onto a lamp post, a railing or subway entrance—bold, handwritten words in black ink against a yellow background sticky paper. It might say something like, “I hope you think of me when it rains” or “You are someone’s favorite story” or “Lets Make Out”
Maybe its what you need to feel, to feel human, loved, thought of or just any emotion of connection in this big big city. The artist who shares these thoughtful stickers for New Yorkers is Kate Goerlich, and I managed to catch an acrylic on stone version of her work. Its just what I needed in New York, and also after New York to remember the city
My Life in Yellow
Hamilton at Broadway and in the Financial District
Catching Hamilton on Broadway offers a crash course in 200 years of American history and a vivid explanation of how and who made New York City the financial capital of the world
The history nerd in me made it a point to visit Trinity Churchyard in the Financial District to pay homage to Alexander Hamilton’s grave. I also toured the Hamilton Grange National Memorial to see Hamilton’s historic home
I even downloaded Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton playlist on Spotify and listened to the entire soundtrack on loop several times over. I’m told I’m not alone in my appreciation and borderline obsession with Hamilton’s groundbreaking performance, especially the hip-hop style rap battles and operatic songs depicting non-fictional events. Truly a treat for the eyes and ears
Hamiton, and Hamilton
Roadside palm reading. While walking with my girlfriends one afternoon I stumbled across one of those sidewalk NYC palm readers you often see scattered around the city. Normally, I’m a skeptic when it comes to anything deterministic—fate, destiny, all that—but in the spirit of fun, I decided to go for it. The palm reader took her time, studying the lines on my hand with great seriousness. She pointed out all sorts of things, including the very obvious lack of a ring on my ring finger.
After a few dramatic pauses and some quiet contemplation, she delivered her verdict: there was a man in my life—a friend—whom I wasn’t giving a proper chance. If I did, she said, this relationship had the potential to turn into something lasting. Ring-level lasting. It took me about 15 seconds to consider whether there was any truth in what she said, and another 15 to realize this exact reading could apply to just about any single woman in her 20s or 30s living in New York?!
Compact Comfort vs Culture? Any franchise hotel like the Marriott or Hilton will give you compact comfort—think clean, efficient, and tiny rooms that get the job done. But member-only clubs like The Ned Nomad or Soho House offer that same comfort with a serious upgrade: intimacy, aesthetic charm, and a built-in cultural community. The rooms aren’t just places to crash—they’re little pockets of personality, with velvet door curtains, leather couches, vintage rugs, and dim lighting that feel very ‘artist’s loft’
The community vibe is what really seals it—curated food tastings, art shows, and live music nights where you don’t even need a reservation (though visiting members can usually bring just one guest). I stumbled into this world of member clubs in NYC recently, and boy there’s no going back
Any city hotel vs member club residences, NYC
Indian food recommended by Indians.Kebab & Sharab’s butter chicken, Curry in a Hurry’s curries (located on Murry hill also called ‘Curry Hill’), and Thelewala’s famously spicy chicken rolls top the list of the most ‘easy’ and authentic Indian food you can find in NYC. Easy, because just like in India, you can often find a spot or order takeaway without a reservation.
Easy food staples, Indian take-aways, Korean Corn dog in K-town and street cart kebabs
Other signature food staples. Some food items in New York inspire truly polarized opinions, much like the classic pineapple-on-pizza debate. You either love them or you hate them — there’s rarely an in-between. Take Magnolia Bakery’s famous banana pudding, for example. Then there’s K-Town’s corn dogs and tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), or Paris Baguette with their Korean twist on French pastries. On all of these, I am on the side of ‘love it’ — and would highly recommend.
60+ floor restaurants and bars but not in cloud9. Visiting one of New York’s high rooftop restaurants is usually all about the view — the iconic skyline, stretching far and wide, especially when you're up on the 60th floor. The top spots often require reservations weeks in advance. But there’s one more thing you might want to consider when booking: cloud cover. I learned this firsthand at Manhatta, a bar perched high in the Financial District. From the 60th floor, I eagerly pressed my face to the window, expecting a panoramic view of the city below. Instead, I was met with a sea of grey, as if opaque blinds had been drawn over the entire skyline. It took me a moment to realize — it wasn’t blinds at all, but just clouds. So, the next time you’re booking a rooftop spot, check the forecast.
Time is money at broadway, comedy clubs, restaurants and bars. You want to do some of the classics, which include Saturday Night Live (SNL), John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight, top comedy club performances, or hit Broadway shows like the Hamilton, Les Milserables, The Book of Mormon, Chicago. And then there is the new - on average 10-12 new shows produced per year on Broadway, often also starring Hollywood actors/actoresses. Picture of Dorian Grey - a one woman play, or GoodNight and GoodLuck with George Clooney? Time is money and catching any of this requires prior research/booking and the likes.
Collection of country-towns. In Koreatown, you'll find 24/7 Korean BBQ spots, lively karaoke bars belting out Gangnam Style and Rosa songs, and Korean beauty stores where you can pick up popular products like face cushions and micro-needle creams. Then there's Chinatown, with its bustling markets and top-notch dim sum. Little Italy has its own distinct charm, where bartenders offer you free limoncello shots, also sing "Bolla Re."Outside of Manhattan, you can explore Jackson Heights' Little India, Astoria's Greek Town, and other diverse pockets in Queens and Brooklyn. I’d definitely recommend visiting at least one of these neighborhoods for a ‘country’ experience
Escape from the hustle at bird’s eye with High Line. True to New York’s character, the High Line offers something for everyone. Whether you’re in the mood for a leisurely walk, sitting by the viewing platform, or simply feeding the birds, there’s no shortage of ways to spend your time. You can grab a quick snack from one of the mini food carts, unwind with a book by one of the small gardens, or even dive into the various athletic and art events that pop up along the way. Or simply date night. Inspired by the design of Paris’s Promenade Plantée, also known as the Coulée Verte, the High Line was built along old elevated railway tracks, transforming what was once industrial space into a lush, urban oasis it is today
The Patchwork That Is NYC
Every time I arrive in New York City and step off the train at Moynihan Train Hall, it feels like walking into a vibrant show. Every square inch is alive — musicians jamming, street vendors calling out, protestors holding signs, businesspeople in suits, tourists snapping photos, and the occasional wanderer just doing their thing. The city feels like a giant quilt, stitched together from countless unique lives. This dynamic is reflected in the different neighborhoods.
Heading south to SoHo, East Village, or West Village, the energy shifts —cobblestone streets, vintage lamp posts, and pop-up art galleries nestled between boutique shops
Downtown’s Financial District (FiDi) contrasts sharply—steel and glass towers, suits and briefcases, and the purposeful stride of people who know exactly where they’re going.
All these distinct patches collide to create one giant diverse city that has either something for everyone, or too much for any one?
Outside NYC. DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) is just a quick hop from NYC, offering a unique mix of converted warehouses, trendy galleries, chic cafes, and those iconic views you’ve likely seen in movies and shows like Spiderman and Sex and the City. On my visit, I even walked all the way to see Carrie Bradshaw’s famous house, (it’s in Manhattan, of course), only to be greeted by a sign that read, “This is private property, please donate to <charity options> if you must stop and take a picture.” Hilarious, but a pretty perfect idea to capitalise on all the eyes the property gets day after day!.
DUMBO is definitely a great spot for a fun half-day visit. But if you want to extend your NYC adventure, there’s so much more to explore—Staten Island, The Bronx, and Queens each offer their own unique experiences. Outside NYC is still a lot I haven’t seen yet, and intend to soon
