35 New York street savvy

Every city has a set of unwritten rules around what to wear, how to act and when to do things. Inadvertent failure to follow these rules quickly marks you as a foreigner while careful observation and practice can have you looking like a local in no time. I studied quickly when we moved here over a year ago and can now pass for a New Yorker... until I open my mouth that is. So what do I need to do I can hear you asking? 

Only be out on the street before 10am if you're walking a cute little dog, returning from yoga/pilates/spin/bar method class or getting home from a fabulous night out (smudgy make-up a must)

If you're brunching, make sure it's not before 1pm and dinner... Well, that should be closer to 9pm or 10pm (all the better to fit in more pre-dinner drinks darling)

Wear skinny jeans with coloured Toms or Tory Burch flats (substitute Hunter Wellingtons and Ugg boots in winter) and only carry handbags from Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Mulberry or Coach

Don't wait on the sidewalk for the lights to change; stand on the street and cross while the traffic is flowing (time is money people)

Always be talking - to the person you're with, to someone on the phone (headset only, no hands) and failing either of those, sing to yourself (at least people will give you a wider berth)

If you're wearing heels, catch a cab or carry your Jimmy Choo/Louboutin/Prada babies in your designer handbag and change out of your flats on the street

Never make eye contact. Should you mistakenly do so, make sure you have your Victoria Beckham poker face on

Sigh loudly (or tutt) when walking behind tourists and then make sure to power-walk past them (you have somewhere far more important to be... like in front of them in the line at Magnolia for a sugar hit)

When hailing a cab, stand with your arm languidly raised and don't jump at the chorus of horns when they cross four lanes of traffic to get to you

If you do all those things (as I quickly learned to*), you'll fit right in. Only issue is that you'll be found out when people stop you to ask for directions...

From New York, with love xox

* Apart from the Ugg boots. In Australia, where Ugg boots are from, we firmly believe they are indoor wear only