The Holidays are Here!

 

A 74 foot Christmas tree was rolled into Rockefeller Center today, which means the holidays are HERE!@%#@!!

As you can tell this just tickles me red and green and I cannot wait to roast chestnuts on the open fire, deck the halls, and see little sugar plums dancing in my head.

I feel just like Jessica doing her daily affirmations.  I like Christmas!  I like Thanksgiving!  I like Hanukkah!  I also like my haircuts!  Check it out:

Jessica's Daily Affirmations

I think if I start doing my affirmations like little Jessica (and Charlotte from SATC) then I would be 50% less of a sourpuss on Monday mornings and 10% less of an angry aggressive New York pedestrian that always thinks I have the right of way.  No more, because, I like my LIFE (loud clap).  Happy Holidayssssss!

My Grandfather the Maestro

Last night I called my grandpa and he had just wrapped up a banjo lesson. He is 89 years old. He can’t wait to play a diddy or two for me when I’m home for the holidays. My great aunt Glo said he has been having a grand old time and has been strumming on his banjo with his instructor for days. My grandpa is a bit of an eccentric so his hopes and dreams of becoming a banjo-playing maestro shouldn’t really come as a surprise to me. Last time I was home his passion was model ships and a number of mysterious packages of old battleships were being delivered on the front stoop. No one acknowledged the new nautical decor but there was a constant fear of the three foot Titanic replica cropping up as a center piece in the living room on any given day.

These are not the follies of a man late in his life - nothing of the sort. If you were to ask my grandpa what age group he was in, he would say middle-aged (I casually confirmed this just a few years back). This sentiment is evidenced by the fact that he recently traded in his beige Lexus for an Escalade, no matter that he hasn’t been behind the wheel in years. So now my grandpa and Fifty Cent are both riding in style, although I reckon Fifty Cent’s Escalade is not carrying nostalgic battle ships and a small banjo as cargo.

And the Tony Goes to...

This past weekend I saw Memphis (the Broadway play, not the city) and loved every second of it.  I am a sucker for pure entertainment and this is a great show for dancing, music, and a slice of Southern life in the 1950s.  I only tear-ed up ONCE (there us an undercurrent of race relation struggles pre-Civil Rights movement that could pull anyone’s heart strings).  Otherwise it’s all laughs, crazy quick-steps, and rhythm and blues. 

Memphis won best musical at the Tony Awards this year, so if you dont trust me trust the critics!

Operation Boycott Halloween

Call me the Grinch who stole hallows eve, but this year I decided to keep my sexy ladybug costume in the bottom of my closet, and not dress up or pay any homage to this good for nothing holiday.  Going rogue on Halloween may seem like no fun, but please see case study one, called Last Year on Halloween, as to why this idea makes perfect sense:

Last Year on Halloween: I dressed up as a flapper, and similar to most female Halloween costumes, this means I was out on the town in a scrap of fabric and a string of pearls.  It was 35 degrees.  As for a destination point, all bars either had a cover charge of over 100 dollars or a line down the block and around the corner packed with out-of-towners looking for a last minute costume party.  After getting jostled around in my flapper costume and never actually being served at the bar (too many angle wings edging me out), I had to walk home from the west side highway in said scrappy dress and stilettos in aforementioned 35 degree weather.  Not to mention this walk was twice as long due to road blockage from the Halloween parade that paraded right down my street in all its glory.

I think this is ample evidence as to why Halloween should be circumvented at all costs.  Now I will tell you how my Halloween boycott ended in great fortune and a magical weekend for all you naysayers out there:

1.  Friday: Since the crowds were going to be out Saturday and Sunday, my friends and I hit the town Friday night.  Streets were clear and we all had on warm outfits to combat the cold weather.  We hopped to a few bars and then, feeling bold, sauntered up to Avenue with a group of 8 guys and girls.  No tables, no thank you.  They let us right on in and we danced it up until one of the boys fell asleep standing up on the dance floor.  This was our queue to head home and call a great night a night.

2.  Saturday: I furtively left my building as to avoid any and all Halloween traffic and snuck in a round of Soul Cycle.  I clicked into my bike, and who do I see three bikes down, looking like swan lake - Charlize Theron.  Wearing only a sports bra and spandex (my boyfriend is cursing the fact that he last minute opted out of this class), she looked better than ever.  I soul cycled like crazy just to keep up and impress this celeb whom I will never see again.  Got in a great work out, still sore from trying to be a swan on my bike like Charlize.

3. Sunday: For Halloween proper, we left the city all together and went upstate to Blue Hill at Stone Barns.  We toured the town of Sleepy Hollow nearby (had to sneak some tradition in), talked to ladies in bonnets who thought it was 1830 and were picking herbs at a nearby estate, and had spiked apple cider in a local pub.   Before dinner, we walked the farm and cooed at the turkeys and piglets on the premises (vegetarians beware: I'm fairly certain, although was too scared to confirm, that these animals do become dinner at some point).  After touring the property we sat down to a 5 course meal.  We learned that at Blue Hill there is no menu, the chef just cooks what he feels at the time.  Special requests are permitted so we let the chef work his magic with one caveat, 'no organs' (thanks to a tip from the waitress - we would not have considered organs in scope otherwise).  The vegetables from the farm were the show stoppers of the evening.  At one point we were served just a piece of lettuce on a plate and it was so flavorful it could have been the entire meal.  The beets were also the best I have ever had (think vegetable fireworks in you mouth).  By the time we finished the food, wine, and pulled our Zipcar back into the city the Halloween parade had just ended.  Perfect timing!

Operation Boycott Halloween - success!

The Lion

I love Sunday night at The Lion because it is so cozy, and more importantly, because I can never get a reservation there Monday through Saturday so it is my only option.  We sauntered in last Sunday the minute it opened, no later, and sidled up to a leather booth in the bar area.  I ordered the garden salad, which sounds boring but was decadent (I swear), and their signature hamburger.  My boyfriend, who has a knack for always ordering the most expensive thing on the menu, opted for the steak special.  It was 100 dollars (apparently it was infused with truffles).  I personally would have preferred a Vince tank top on the side for such a lofty price, but it was in fact a very good steak.  Minus the truffle steak trip-up, it was a great Sunday night meal that made for a much less gloomy Monday morning.  A bonus Russell Simmons sighting with a fashionable chippy at a table near by also added to the fun.

Leaf Peeping!

According to Wikipedia, 'Leaf Peeping' is an autumn activity in areas were foliage changes colors.  This creepy phrase feels a little bit like you are watching leaves undress from an apartment building across the street, but, judgement aside, admiring fall foliage is my fave October pastime.  So, we journeyed up to the Mohonk Mountain House in upstate New York to peep, hike, and mountain bike for the weekend.

The leaves were beautiful, the mountain house had a fire burning in every room, and hot apple cider and cookies were served at 4PM every day.  Yet, after three days of hiking every trail on the map, mountain biking, and canoeing around the lake - these New Yorkers were ready for some action back in the big city! 

Although we did take back with us some of the Mohonk Quaker good cheer courtesy of Bill, the mountain bike instructor.  He regaled us with tales of his love for his job, being outside, and his hope to make Employee of the Year.  Of course we asked - what do you get if you win?  A big bonus? A promotion? A trip to Hawaii?  Bill looked at us like we had gone batty and said "No you get a really nice big plaque...and a meal ticket, in the main dining room at the lodge! "

And that's enough - or at least it should be.

 

Sexiest Shoe of the Year

Went to the Womens Wear Daily Sexiest Shoe of the Year Party Thursday night.  What a great occasion for a party.  Of course, there should be a sexiest shoe, and we should be drinking champagne in its presence!  The fab crowd was mostly ladies in their own sexiest shoes (and probably the most painful), and a few men in some pretty fierce loafers.  The grand unveiling of the shoe of the year revealed a racy Louboutin with bedazzled flames up the side.  Lucky winner, below.  I personally prefer something a little more subtle (I voted for the lacey peep toe with the bow embellishment, sexy Connecticut, if you will).

 

Since the party took place on the 8th floor of Saks (the floor with its very own zip code), there was some late night open bar shopping available as well.  I walked out strongly advising a lady to treat herself to the $2000 Chanel boots she was trying on over a glass of Sauvingon Blanc.  At the time this seemed like life-changing advice.  Note to self, hand over your credit card before drinking and shopping!

Donkey of the Week

There were many donkeys this week, so I will have to call a tie between GOP Congressional candidate, Rich Iott, and candidate for Governor of New York, Carl Paladino.  Rich, donkey candidate number one, was caught dressing up as a Nazi and happily posing for pictures with his Nazi-impersonating friends.  It gets better - apparently, he is a part of a special club of freakish Nazi sympathizers called Wiking, which has been dubbed a World War II historical re-enactment society.  Sounds fun!  Donkey candidate number two, Carl, has been awkwardly back-tracking from a string of homophobic slurs said this past week.  This loose-lipped budding politician said homosexuality is not a '...valid or successful option' and then continued to spout nonsense regarding the Gay Pride Parade in New York:

"I don't know if you've ever been to one but they wear these little Speedos and they grind against each other and it's just a terrible thing."

You never know, our next political hopeful may very well be one of the members of that Midwestern cult that was staging an uprising against the U.S. government back in April.  Throw on some army fatigues and run around like a looney while being politically incorrect and you just might land yourself a nomination!

Weekend Eats

I could eat heirloom tomatoes every day for the rest of my life, which is why I love love the Heirloom Tomato Salad Simply Dressed at Morandi.  It’s the best in the city and it’s seasonal - so go get it while you can!  Admittedly, this recommendation comes from the girl who brought tomato and mayonnaise sandwiches to school every day growing up (I was never popular in the lets trade lunches category), but even the tomato skeptics will love this salad. 

I also swung through Commerce last weekend for a Friday night bite with my besty.  We ended up waiting at the bar for 30 minutes, but this scored us a free round of drinks and more time to catch up over cucumber and mint martinis (my fave, as you already know).  The hot braided rolls were scrumptuous, and the sweet potato tortellini with hazelnuts and pomegranate is also a must!

New Beginnings at 'The End'

Montauk is referred to as the End by locals and tourists alike because it is the furthest Eastern point of New York.  It is the hardest to get to Hampton and because of this fun fact,  the most peaceful.  Lets just say Fort Pond Bay is a far cry from 30 dollar beers at Nellos and after parties at the Axe Lounge (there is nothing sexy about deodorant, lets just pretend its still called Dune).  Montauk was also the destination of choice for our two close friends to tie the knot, lets call them Matt and Lesley.  Matt and Lesley's wedding was one of the first in our group of friends so instead of repeating a dress and calling dibs on a Crate and Barrel blender, we decided to go all out.  The wedding weekend started at Barracuda Bar at The Montauk Yacht Club, where we kicked off the festivities with champagne and more champagne.  A few of us didn't make the best first impression on family from out of town (someone, no names, fell asleep in front of the automatic door which triggered it to open and close repeatedly and rendered a subsequent visit from management), but we had Saturday night to make up for it. 

The ceremony and reception were held at The Surf Lodge, which was the epitome of beachy chic.  The bride decided to buck tradition and wore a knee length dress, but stayed sassy with a pair of hot pink Louboutins.  The groom and groomsmen also looked dapper in preppy colorful ties and navy suits with boat shoes.  We danced the night away to a mixture of live music from Steve Acho (he's the best, download his music on iTunes) and a DJ.  Tiers of cupcakes were served instead of wedding cake, and Havaianas flip flops were handed out to everyone so we could really get down with our bad selves on the d-floor.  Dancing reportedly continued into the early morning as we all held on to one last night of summer.  I'm sure this wedding is already lighting up the blogosphere, but I had to impart a few short words because it was just perfect - a great night with great friends.  Congrats again to Matt and Lesley!