Gilty Pleasure

In New York, it's all about fashion. Even when you think no one is watching, someone is and someone has an opinion. Like it or not, that's the way it is, so you better play along right? Well, I think there's no better way to begin than to join this fabulous site I discovered recently.

Gilt Groupe is a New York based company that sells designer clothes, shoes, jewelery and home wares for ridiculously marked down prices. The good news for you, my out of town readers, is that it's free to join and anyone can do it.

What makes Gilt Groupe unusual is that it does not have a constant stream of the same merchandise. Everyday at noon a new sale or couple of sales begin and things sell out very quickly. So, if you are not someone who checks email/Internet consistently, this is not for you. However, if you manage to snag some loot, you will be handsomely rewarded. For example, check out the photos below to see what I practically stole this morning:





First the sweater from Design History - I bought it for $34 and it was originally $172. Next, the skirt from IISLI was originally $228 and I got it for $34. Last, my favorite new yellow silk party shirt from Alice + Olivia was only $38 down from $220. You just can't find these deals in stores people, ANYWHERE in New York.

The site has both men's and women's sales as well as children's, so it truly is for everyone. They offer member benefits as well, so click here to get started.

Happy Shopping!







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Leaving the New York Bubble

If you really want to observe how New York has had an impact on your life, leave it.

I don't merely mean take the Q to Brooklyn or the LIRR to Montauk, but escape the New York bubble. To do that, you usually need to get on a plane, or a long train ride, or an even longer bus ride or an even even longer car ride.

I did not realize how important this step is in the whole "moving to New York from someplace out of New York" process, by my recent 5-day trip to Denver made me understand the city from a more enlightened perspective.

I have only lived here for about six months -- half a year if you want to think about it that way. Long enough to feel established and grow some short roots but short enough to still completely flounder at the awe of the city's magnanimosity, my time here has convinced my lifestyle that it needs to adapt in ways my brain didn't even acknowledge.

Exhibit A: Denver International Airport (DIA) uses an underground tram system to connect the three concourses with the main terminal and baggage claim. Within five minutes of disembarking the plane on Mile-High soil, I found myself face to face with a tram about as crowded as the R train on a Tuesday night at 9:45 p.m. (before most of the major shows let out but early enough so those leaving the comedy performances and the earlier plays care pining to get home). There was definitely room. But I was not going to succumb to the stubbornness of the weary travelers who would rather have their two feet of circum-personal space than let me on. Without a thought (all of this analysis came after), I pushed on, found a grab bar and awaited my baggage claim stop. Then came the thinking -- "Wow, that was really New York of me!"

Exhibit B: I dare any New Yorker to step into a suburban supermarket (not just a grocery store or a market but a SUPERmarket) and not feel envious. Even if all you eat are frozen Hungry Man dinners of mashed potatoes and Salisbury steak and don't care about the selection of fresh, pure produce, you would still feel jealous of the significantly lower prices. Aisle after aisle, frozen food freezer after deli counter, prepared food bar after produce racks (complete with those misters which make a "thunder" noise before turning on), cheese cooler after organic food section, sample table after fresh fish department, I stood enamored at what I was missing out on. Sure there is Whole Foods, the cult market of Manhattan, but have you seen the inflated prices there? Just to satisfy my urge for suburban SUPERmarket greatness in New York, I bought a box of scrumptious, juicy blueberries for $1 and two California avocadoes (the only true avocado) also for $1 each. Call it gluttony if you want, but I love my fresh produce.

Lastly, Exhibit C: Since moving to Manhattan, I've developed my already keen sense of direction to one in which I think of almost everything in terms of North, South, East and West. With a grid system like ours, it's so easy to find your way around; except when you go below Houston, I'm a little rickety. However, when you take away the grid, the park, the water, boy, I have no idea which way is up. At DIA, I finally figured out which side of the terminal I should tell my Aunt to pick me up by figuring out that I could not see the Rocky Mountains in any direction so I must be facing east. If you haven't figured it out, I use landmarks a lot. Perhaps a few more months of internal compass training in New York should do the trick of fine tuning my sense of direction enough not to get me lost in other parts of the world.

[Random NY fact: Manhattan doesn't exactly run due north to due south. The island is slightly slanted to the East. So when you walk up 5th Avenue, you actually head northeast instead of due north like you would think. Ssssh! Don't tell anyone though or you might be the enemy of many pedestrians. New Yorkers have adapted faithful directions to fit their needs.]

So get out New Yorkers, out I say! Then come back. Don't forget to share your renewed perspectives with me. Remember, you can only really appreciate what you have until you see both what you and others are missing out on.








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The Best Way to Travel to Travel?

So I'm leaving New York tomorrow for the first time since I moved here (well, if you don't count trips to Long Island leaving New York). It's kind of a big deal. I've been so absorbed in the riches and rigors of the city that the thought of leaving is a little disheartening. If I'm at the center of the universe, what could happen when I leave?

Then I think, well, it's only 5 days. I think Manhattan will go on without me. Surely I will go on without it as I am traveling tomorrow morning from JFK to the mile-high city of Denver, CO where the weather is said to be warmer than the balmy negative digits New Yorkers are sure to experience this weekend. But what I am most looking forward to is the presence of oxygenated air. Sure the atmosphere is thinner, but I guarantee that the proportion of O2 is still greater there than it is here with all the taxi fumes and cigarette smoke. Oh, New York.

But back on topic, I am somewhat puzzled at the matter of how a girl gets to the airport in this city. Bus? Cab? Walk? Train? Blimp? Tram? Space Shuttle? For someone who has gotten used to rapid public transit, I am dumbfounded as to how to make my way to a place further than a 20 minute subway ride away.

Looking at MTA map, I can take the subway to Penn Station, take the LIRR to Jamaica where I can then get on the AirTrain Bus...too many modes of transportation for me. I could also take the subway to Port Authority and pay $18 to get on a bus to JFK - definitely a cheaper option which cuts out some time.

Then again, my flight leaves at 8:30, the wind chill tomorrow is said to be at around 1* and it's going to be snowing. Maybe I'll just make it easy on myself and hop on a cab. Next time I'll be more adventurous.

Any tips for next time would be much appreciated.

A Touch of Union Square Class

High tea has been a Mom-n-Me tradition as far back as I remember. It's not a snooty thing like you might think, although my mom used to dress me up like a "society lady" when I was six years old, with a hat and everything. (I think it was a guilty pleasure).

So on my mom's recent holiday NYC visit, we decided to continue the tradition and have tea, metropolitan style. I searched Google for the best and most unique tea houses in the country. My search took me from the elite hotels to the smallest of boutiques, but we settled on Lady Mendl's Tea Salon located off of Union Square inside the Inn at Irving Place.

It was a brisk Monday afternoon (yes, I played hookie from work), and we were delighted to enter the warm reception area of the Inn with a fire crackling, mistletoe hanging and the most charming employees I've met in New York. They took our coats, welcomed us to tea and gave us a choice of tables, by the fireplace or the window. Like you even had to ask my mom, the window was our destination.

Our friendly and attentive server brought the first course, a mixed greens salad. Interesting, since salad isn't traditionally served at high tea, but I went with it. The slight tang in the dressing was refreshing after a full day of walking around. After the salad, we ordered our tea (and the Champagne to ring in the New Year of course). If you are in the mood for something light but extremely flavorful, I'd recommend the White Peony. Of course you can't resist mixing in the sugar cubes hand-decorated with candy roses.

Next came the finger sandwiches. I used to love these as a little girl because the crusts were cut off and if I didn't like something, I only wasted a little bit instead of a whole sandwich. Plus, there's the whole nice idea of not having to make decisions when you can try everything! The menu at Lady Mendl's stayed traditional with egg salad and cucumber rounds, but added a seasonal twist with the turkey and cranberry (a personal favorite combination) triangles and a little kick with the goat cheese circles. The best part - they offered seconds!

Then the scones came. Fresh baked plain and cranberry goodness with the usually jam and clotted cream accompaniments. Those were gone within minutes.

After two pots of steaming tea (at this point, I too was glad we were sitting by the window) they brought out slices of cake. Again, unusual since high-tea desserts usually follow the pattern of the sandwiches are are little, meant to be eaten in a bite or two. My mom tried the vanilla and I tried the chocolate, and although I usually prefer the rich taste of cacao bean and sugar, I must say my mom made the better choice. Her's was more textured like Phyllo dough, while mine was a tad dry and sticky. Her's also came with fresh berries while mine only came with coulis. Fresh berries are always better than coulis.

Right when we thought we'd sipped our last sip of tea, our ever so pleasant waiter (did I mention that all of the service staff were male while all of the patrons were female?...Nice for a change) brought the final course - the finger desserts I'd originally thought went missing. But alas, they were present in the meal, chocolate covered strawberries and all.

The whole experience was wonderful and relaxing. With 20 different flavors of tea and five lovely courses of food, Lady Mendl's is a classy refuge away from the snow and the taxi fumes that tend to mess with your head when you are outside for too long. Slightly pricey ($35 per person plus $10 for Champagne), the experience would be fun for a celebration or to entertain out-of-town guests. Although, I wouldn't be adverse to going for no particular reason either.








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Nespresso Me Happy

I've been meaning to visit Nespresso since September. I've had a free cappuccino coupon sitting in my pantry and, for goodness’ sake, I live within walking distance.

So today I did it. I took out the coupon and walked down to the Nespresso Boutique Bar (on Madison Ave. between 65th and 66th) to meet a friend. Upon entrance you are intrigued by the decor of little espresso "pods" in unique colors covering the walls, invited by the sweet smell of brewing espresso and welcomed by friendly servers dressed in gold and black. You will feel very "New York" when you sit down in posh silver chairs and glance through their menu of 12 flavors of espressos made into several frothy, iced or no-frills drinks.

I ordered the cappuccino, which was brought to the table with a long sugar sleeve and a small square of dark chocolate. My friend got the same, plus two mini-pastries, the smallest croissant I’ve ever seen and a lemony Madeline. This place doesn’t necessarily fall into the “cheap Manhattan” theme of things to do, with the cappuccino at $5 and the mini-pastries at $6 for two, but time-wise, you can spend several blissful hours there and dole out less than $15.

Obtaining the bill proved to be a bit difficult since our original waitress disappeared without notice, but overall the experience proved a good intellectual setting great for conversation, could satisfy a sweets or caffeine craving and was a different (slightly verging on elitist) change of venue from the hundreds of Starbucks scattered throughout the island. For those in Lower Manhattan, there is another location in Soho for your convenience.







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A Walrus of an Aquarium

Seals, penguins and jellyfish - how could you go wrong? I decided to start my new year right with a little marine love and trekked to Coney Island to visit the New York Aquarium.

Whenever I travel, I make it a point to visit that city's aquarium, if there is one. It's often the best way to gauge how well a city can incorporate nature into an urban environment. Having a degree in environmental science, I am always impressed when an aquarium can meld these two antitheses of worlds.

Upon arriving at Coney Island (yes, there is an extra special benefit of going to the aquarium that you get to walk around Coney Island afterward) after an hour and a half ride on the Q train (that's the downfall), I flashed my Bank of America card to get free admission. (After a careful look back I cannot find a previous blog on this so pardon the aside: If you are a Bank of America card holder you can gain free admission to many popular museums throughout the country on the first weekend of every month. Check out this link to find out which you'd like to get into for free).

Many people might not know this, but the NY Aquarium is open 365 days a year. Just make sure you visit on a fair-weather day because the exhibits are spread out through several buildings and you must wander outside to make your way from the sharks to the jellyfish. Plus, who wants to sit through the sea lion show in the rain?

Saturday was a perfectly crisp, clear day, perfect for viewing the marine creatures of the sea. After viewing the main tank near the entrance, we made our way through to the viewing windows of the seals, otters and the year and a half old baby walrus. If you ever want to feel skinny, go visit the walrus. That thing has more jiggling blubber than anything I've ever seen, but he was really fun to watch frolic through his tank. Next up was the shark building. Often in New York, we forget about the Earth's original predators as we most often fall victim to anthropomorphic enemies like traffic accidents, construction hazards and general city pollution. Watching the sharks in their tank and silently shuttering at the sight of their razor, predator teeth brought me humbly back to "human" land, if only for the afternoon.

I gazed at the delicate, almost ghost-like jellyfish, read about fish that change from male to female and back again (very fitting for this city), and of course sat through the sea-lion show. Even though Osborne the sea-lion was the only creature to make an appearance, the show did not lack in hilarity or amazing-ness. I was one of those children who always pictured myself as a dolphin trainer at Sea World when I grew up. That never materialized, but I can never turn down a couple of good marine mammal tricks.

All and all, I would recommend you visit. Take an afternoon away from the city and take a trip to the sea. Oh, and if you want a sea-lion kiss at the show, sit in the front row.







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