i love the big apple..

its times like last night when I am riding the train and thinking-how funny that people often mistake NYers for being outright mean people...when in fact, I think many NYers are really great people.. on the train last night- an elderly women with a big suitcase was traveling and two young men asked may I help with your bag..it was such a small gesture, but a very kind gesture nonetheless.. it made me smile...additionally, i was just thinking how many of my friends in NY belong to wonderful humanitarian organizations..just last night, seeing the organizers' passion and determination to make change- made me so proud to be a part of these organizations....we are always giving of our time and money..its amazing to me..i mean, embarrassing enough I can remember times falling on the street- utterly embarrassed, but within seconds people around asking are you o.k? can I help?? I just have to say, I think this city can be an unforgiving city- filled with many challenges (like finding a no fee apartment), but it can also be one of the warmest and most exciting cities to live in...Happy Friday and I love NYC!

strecthed soo thin....

i never knew what the term "living the rat race" meant till living in NYC...no joke..we are all constantly running...whether it means running to survive or simply just running to have fun...we are always running...tonight i was reminded of this familiar feeling.. because I managed to juggle a long day of work, while looking for a new apartment, having an ortho consultation and completing my day to day tasks....i felt extremely pressured to be out of the office by 6p for a Links School event at the Sea Grille...the event was lovely- great apps, food, drinks and great cause...but by 6:45p I was running to the train downtown to another charity event for Caritas Cubana..again a lovely Cuban event with an amazing art live auction....I managed to stay long enough for a hello to friends, enjoy a glass of wine and then I was heading over to meet a friend at 8:15p at Grey Dog for dinner and drinks..ugh...fun, but slightly exhausting....i guess that's one of the reasons I love this city...never a dull moment...pls note that both the Links School, Fresh Air Fund and Caritas Cubana are organizations I belong to..they are all about helping people in dire need... all wonderful organizations..pls visit the sites...
www.friendsofcaritascubana.org/ , http://www.linkschool.org/ and http://www.freshair.org/.

weekends part II....

the weekend was a great success, but I am bit tired today...Friday we ended up at the Boathouse for the 2009 Annual Gala...there was a silent auction, live music and tasty food...we stayed for a few hours and then got dragged down to the meatpacking district with our friends (Miss Scotland 2009 and Fashion Model of the Year for Scotland)...we ended up at Avenue - where we danced the night away...who knew- they served food there as welll??? piggy little me was very happy..haa...we end up having grilled cheese panini's and delicious fries..after all the partying at Avenue- Gary and I ended up at 1Oak..we danced a bit and then shortly realized that we had to be up in a few hours for a drive out to Long Island, so we called it a night...Saturday, I awoke not feeling my best, but put my game face on for a Great Gatsby meets Eyes Wide Shut party out in Centre Island,Long Island..Saturday evening, we felt drawn in many directions, so we spent some time at the Gatsby party, a Surprise birthday party and a friend's get together...on Sunday, we decided - we both need to take it easy for the next few weekends..on a lighter and brighter note, I begin volunteering today for the Fresh Air Fund as a fall tutor..I am very excited to meet my student..I hope it is a great week for everyone..ciao..

weekends...

weekends are just way too short...i wish i had a 3 day weekend every week...i thought i was staying in tonight, but now I am going to a black tie event at the Central Park boathouse...i was totally stressing at 6p, because a) i did not have time to get a proper blow dry and b) what to wear??? well i settled on the LBD..and surprisingly blew and styled my hair..... i decided i need to invest in a new LBD for fall...hmm..will look around..ok, gotta run..will write tomorrow..

low key date night...

just recently my boyfriend and i had a nice relaxing night out...we decided to walk along the NYC Highline from 20th st. down to 14th st...The Highline is a public park built on 1.45m long elevated rail structure running from Gansevoort Street to 34th St. on Manhattan's West Side...we found lots of people- young and old, sitting, reading and just taking in the Manhattan skyline..after walking, we decided to stop at the Standard Hotel..The Standard Hotel was very busy and packed with people - from the beer garden, to the grille and an outside lounge (right off the lobby).. we sat down at this lounge for wine and snacks .. we found the prices to be surprisingly reasonable... the atmosphere was very chill..i recommend a similar evening for both friends and/or a significant other...cheers..http://www.thehighline.org/ and http://www.standardhotels.com/new-york-city/.

feeling guilty...

i am on this kick to be healthy and lose weight...and for some reason, i cannot avoid the temptation that is presented daily in my office...today's temptation was everyone ordering Chinese food...ugh..i brought my turkey and cheese roll-ups and a side of crunchy carrots for lunch..but something about the cool air, brought along the feeling for comfort food. as a result, i ended up with pepper steak and veggie rice.. the portion was small, but probably not the best lunch choice..you will probably find me sleeping on my keyboard by 3pm..i have to say Wu Liang Ye is spectacular..if you work in the midtown area and want good Chinese..check it out..on a side note- good thing is- I am training for a half marathon and have to run 4.5miles tonight..guess i might make it 5miles and have a fresh smoothie for dinner...hope you all are having tasty yet healthy lunches....I'll be better later/ tomorrow...

boy- its feeling like fall...

a lot of changes..new beginnings..I love this time of year..today marks the last day of fashion week..what a week its been...i was so lucky this year to attend several shows at the Bryant Park tents..we were entertained and hosted by the Mercedez Benz team..i was able to see (Gusto Barcelona, Thuy, DVF, Herve Leger, Christian Siriano, Vivennie Tam, Chado Ralph Rucci, Rebecca Taylor and Tuleh)...breath..yes, it was soo exciting but exhausting..2 full days at the tents, was fun (we drank lots of champagne, but it became extremely exhausting...running from show to show and waiting in anticipation for the start)..it was great people watching and great networking...although everything shown at the tents was for spring, i am excited for all the fall fashion..now I just have to find some way to afford it..ha.

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Race - Sunday, September 13th, 2009

this past Sunday, I was able to participate as a runner in the Komen Breast Cancer race...it was such a great experience, we ran from the UWS and through Central Park. the day was lovely and there was a huge turnout..i hear there is another race coming up in Boston shortly....pls checkout the site and donate...this is a great organization.. http://ww5.komen.org/

fashion nite out..

this year NYC hosted it's very first ever "Fashion Nite Out"... all retail stores in the five boroughs were open till 11p with hopes of plenty of shopping, fun and celebrity sight seeing...I started my evening at Henri Bendel -where designers small and large reigned. We continued along to many stores along Madison and Fifth Avenue (David Yurman, Barney's, Judith Ripka and my most favorite- Oscar de la Renta)...At Oscar de la Renta's private party- we were entertained by Sarah Jessica Parker, Barbara Walters, Oscar and Bette Midler.. it was truly a star studded affair...after all the singing was done, I introduced myself to Oscar and asked for him to sign my "fashion nite out" shirt.. such a great evening, I hope they do it again next year!

Desnuda....

which means "naked" in Spanish...

after a yummy veggie dinner at Westville (E.Village), my friend Carolyn who was visiting from Boston was craving a little wine.. and as a host in NYC, I did the 5min fumbling around of hmm, what area, what scene??? but then, I made the executive decision to take an evening stroll in my neighborhood (E.Village) and see what we may run into...on this evening, we ran into "desnuda".. a spanish ceviche and wine bar....what we got, was a delicious glass of Muscat and tasty popcorn. the secret behind this newsworthy fresh popped popcorn, is a little drizzle of truffle oil and salt in a clever newspaper wrapping..after speaking with our bartender Emilio, he insisted that we try the smoked oysters. the process was unique and exciting. with a flamed torch, he created a smoke effect which he captured in a glass bulb- he then placed these bulbs over the oysters..and the magic began. after sitting for a few minutes, we were ordered to inhale the smoke from the bulb and then the oyster..delicious....by evenings end, we had the couple next to us enthralled and excited to try this dish..all in all it was great service, delish oysters and nice wine..try desnuda..
http://www.desnudany.com/ (122 E 7th Street) 212.254.3515

memorable moments in Taormina...

after returning from a wonderful vacation in Spain, i was invited to visit my good friend Sara's family home in Catania, Italy...it was soo hard to say no, so of course a month later- my bag was packed and I was heading to Italy to see my friend Sara who now lives in South Africa..her home base is Catania, and she was visiting her family and friends for a month..its much easier to get to Italy than Africa..so, i took off for 4th of July weekend, and believe me-i did not have the typical 4th of July celebration or food. what we had, was even better...we awoke every morning to fresh bread, meats and fruit..my friend Kristia and I climbed the famous Mt. Etna volcanoe, we visited several beaches daily and did all the activities of swimming, boating, eating, etc...we took a day trip to Taormina and visited the beach and town. we then took a cable car up the mountain and had one of the most memorable days of the trip...We accidentaly ended up at the Grand Hotel Timeo, when our original intention was to visit the historical theatre which was directly next door.. the theatre happened to be closed, so we ended up at the hotel timeo for a night of piano bar singing (Frank Sinatra) and delicious regional wine, and of course- breathtaking views..we ended the night, by driving up a very curvy and steep road..where my friend insisted we visit this "special" bar.. the bar was funny, because everything was made of penis...very funny and truly unexpected..visit Taormina!! http://www.grandhoteltimeo.com/

hidden little gem...

this summer i was able to visit Barcelona, Madrid and the Costa Brava in Spain...my boyfriend and I did all the typical museums and site seeing adventures in Barcelona and Madrid, but the best part was when we rented a mini car and drove along the coast..we stopped in many little towns, such as: Vilassar de Mar, Sant Pau and Calella de Palafrugell. Each of these little towns had so much to offer, from the quaint taverna- offering up the freshest razor clams, fish, etc. to Sant Pau- where we dined at one of Spain's five star restaurants: Carme Ruscalleda's Sant Pol. The restaurant was a foodie's dream come true. We were seated at an elegant table in the main dining room, with fresh flowers and an oceanfront view. We were attended like a king and queen, and each meal was carefully prepared and delivered to our table. we dined on the summer's tasting menu and had what I think was one of my best dining experiences ever...our final stop was in Calella de Palafrugell- which is a little beach town..we stayed at a little family owned hotel, which offered amazing views of the coast..we drank under the sunset every evening and tried a variety of foods..the best restaurant we encountered was tragamar..this restaurant, offered a delicious variety of Barcelona flavors: jamon, gambas and all things wonderful..yum...Spain amazing!!