Summer flies swiftly by each year. My family, my children and I split our time between Europe, India and the Far East, avidly exploring the world - spending a good chunk of our time, of course, at our home in India. Come the end of August, however, I bid adieu to India and prepare to return to my second home, in New York city.

Although I've been splitting my time between two continents for more than a decade now, the transition from one world to the next remains as fascinating as the first time I made it. New Delhi, Mumbai and New York are so different, yet so similar, from their simultaneous fall Fashion Weeks to the abundance of holidays that occur before January. Being in New York during the fall for me, a native of India, is at once familiar and strange and I find myself looking forward to the journey to America as the summer comes to an end.

Overwhelming as it is to deal with organising my life back again in the city - particularly tackling the mountains of paperwork and preparing my children for school again - I feel an undeniable sense of excitement about the approaching season. Essentially touching base with my dear friends, planning fall parties and preparing for the upcoming winter holidays.

Even before the celebrations can begin, I must explore the possibilities of a new fall wardrobe...! As a former fashion designer, there's nothing I look forward to more than the new fashions, which evolve as quickly as the seasons themselves. Fashion this year, like never before, showcases the woman of today - full of confidence and coming into her own. Among my top choices are the wide belts, skinny pants, classic white shirts, heavy heels and elegant furs in the windows of J. Mendel and Dennis Basso - all delightful! My wish list also includes Jimmy Choo's fur-trimmed shearling boots, J. Mendel's feminine gowns, Ralph Lauren's black label velvet skirts and jackets, Louis Vuitton's tweed jackets. After a long day shopping along Madison Avenue - to me, truly one of the world's greatest boulevards - I often like to stop at one of the fashionable cafes along the way, such as Le Charlot, BilBouquet, La Goulue and Nello. There, chic shoppers enjoy a glass of wine and a bite to eat while chatting about exotic summer adventures, South Hampton gossip and talk of the fanciest summer camps all over the country.

My attention isn't entirely focused on fashion! New York is alive with energy, as people seem to emerge from the shadows in the fall to take advantage of all that the city has to offer. Chief among all pleasures is the famed Central Park. What a thrill it is for me to stroll among the early morning joggers, making the rounds near the reservoir; and what better to inspire me to get into shape after the countless culinary indulgences I enjoyed in New Delhi and Mumbai all summer? As with each fall, I begin a new fitness regime to squeeze myself back into my size 2 jeans. Thank the Lord I'm not alone in this struggle: the gyms and yoga centres throughout the city, from the 'David Bartons' to 'Yoga Works', are filled to the brim with gorgeous women doing pilates, spinning and, of course, yoga. When I first came to New York, I was highly skeptical about the Americanised version of this desi ancient practice, but after I learnt that my instructor was among dozens, if not hundreds, of highly educated and trained yogis throughout the city, I had newfound respect for the regimen and began doing it regularly.

Of course, after all that sweating and stretching, I feel that a few pieces of Halloween candy are well earned. The thought of warm, fresh, spiced pumpkin pies makes my mouth water even now and I cherish the memories of my sons and I roaming the farmer's market to choose pumpkins to carve into jack-o-lanterns that will welcome eager little trick-or-treaters. Halloween isn't just for children, you know.... My husband and I are among the many busy New Yorkers who occasionally enjoy a treat of our own, attending festive costume parties where dressing to kill is de rigeur.

As soon as Halloween has ended, I start worrying about my Thanksgiving plans: ordering a turkey, organising endless dishes, inviting friends and family over for an indulgent meal to celebrate the birth of America as a country. We often attend the world-famous Macy's Parade which occurs on Thanksgiving morning. My children adore a delectable stuffed turkey, while I favour sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top. I try not to feel too guilty when I (admittedly foolishly) stand on my weighing scale the next morning. The numbers go up a bit but it's nothing that a staunch New Year's resolution can't handle.

On occasion, my family and I do skip Thanksgiving in the city and escape to my idea of paradise: the warm waters and sandy beaches of St Barths. Upon arrival, it becomes immediately clear why so many in the jet set become addicted to this destination, with its endless gorgeous waterfront, fabulous cuisine and chic people (and needless to say, amazing boutiques!).

But quicker than I can soak up the rays, I'm gearing up for the grand finale of the winter season: Christmas and New Year. There's truly no more magical time in New York and it serves as such a reminder as to why we choose to live in the city throughout the winter. In preparation for these glorious holidays, New York City suddenly starts to light up everywhere: tree-lined blocks sparkle with tiny, brilliant lights strewn into their branches; shoppers gaze at the festive window displays at Saks Fifth Avenue and tourists flock to the famous giant Christmas tree erected at Rockefeller Center. On occasion, I take my sons, both avid hockey players, to ice-skate at Rockefeller Center or Wollman Rink. We also make an annual trip to the Christmas spectacular show with the Rockettes at the Radio City Musical Hall, and often catch a performance of the Nutcracker Ballet at Lincoln Center to truly soak up the spirit of the holidays. On longer weekends, we take advantage of the picturesque New England scenery, driving to Vermont or Massachusetts to ski and spa.

Which brings me to the inevitable end of a brilliant year and the beginning of a new one. While other New Yorkers may be watching the ball drop at Times Square, I'm busy reflecting on the mixed emotions that the New Year inevitably brings for me. While I enjoy every minute of my life in New York, I can't help but think about my family and friends back in India, my first home. Yet despite this internal struggle, as the clock strikes midnight, signalling a new beginning for all, I think of how indescribably happy I am for the privilege of being able to live in - and compare - my parallel lives here and in India. Both so beautiful and so full of pleasure and promise; both compartmentalised in different parts of my heart, never to mix, always to remain cherished in their own separate ways.