Got Class?

Tonight I'll begin teaching classes at a wonderful local shop in Montclair, NJ called Rock Paper Scissors.

It's been a few months since I was able to WORK work and this will be a nice toe back in. I'm still working on the "full-time, bill paying" sort of job, but this will allow me to meet some people and TEACH! I miss teaching!!

What's in store for this class?

I'll be teaching the Amy Butler pattern for the Barcelona Skirt. (That's the sample I was whipping up for class in my newly unpacked work room to the left!)

There are still a few slots open! Classes are very reasonably priced and the shop has a great work space!

Feel free to call the shop and get the materials list. Also, feel free to use your own fabric (meaning, you don't need to buy it at the shop.)

Class cost is only $30 (plus purchase of pattern and your choice of fabrics.) Machines and tools (scissors, pins, iron etc.) will be provided.

So go make that call, grab your fabric and pop it in the washing machine to shrink it down. Then, join us tonight at 6:30pm where the fun will begin!!

I'll be setting up some more classes for the future and will be sure to give more than same-day notice!! Happy Wednesday!

That Darned Sock!

Pulling my favorite hand knit socks from the dryer today I found that holes had sprung up in BOTH socks. HOLES!!! In my FAVORITE SOCKS!!!

So warm and a perfect fit for my tiny wee feet!

What's a girl to do? I dug through my stash and found the remaining yarn from when I'd knit them...and I darned the socks. It wasn't as daunting as one might think it would be. Yes, that's the color these socks started out as! It lay flat again after a little blocking.

I'd better keep the yarn handy... looks like one of the heels is about to let loose too! Boy are these well-loved socks!!!

Another Year Older... Hopefully Wiser Too

Last night my dear fellow and his family in visiting from the Chicago area took me out to dinner here in our new burb at Aozora, a Japanese French spot. I apologize to you now and tell you to turn down the sound if you click on the restaurant link. IT IS LOUD... and the site is super annoying to use.)

We had so many laughs and succeeded in embarrassing the 10 year old at the table to boot!

The Japanese dishes were wonderful... the French dishes were just "eh" aside from the tasty French desserts (See below in the slide show.) Our waiter was AWESOME! Funny, pleasant and on top of it!

Still trying to figure out how to celebrate my birthday with my friends.

Time for some unpacking!!

It is done...Or has it just begun?

The move was...

Long. Arduous. Exhausting. Emotional.

The movers finished at 3:45am. They didn't bring two trucks of the size promised. One was too small. They tied some of my things onto the back of the truck. Yes, the chaise broke. **breath**

I'll meet them back in the city for the last load on Saturday when I clean it up and leave all the keys.

We have moved one apartments worth of belongings (perhaps more than the average person has in a 2BR NYC apartment...perhaps not) into a 6BR house in the suburbs. (Yes, I'm still cringing at that word.)

The separation anxiety is kicking as I awake and miss my

NYC. Surrounded by over 300 boxes and having under 2 weeks to plow through them before apartment #2 joins the fun and we have all of our belongings under one roof.

**breath**

We will have 5 weeks of family joining us starting in the next few days. Having lived alone for over 10 years and having over 300...make that closer to 500 boxes to unpack to organize our new home I am a little bit... tense. **breath**

For those of you out there who've said this will be a nice 4 months where I can kick back and relax while on severance and on the job hunt... I wonder how that all works. Suggestions? Have you moved lately? It is not relaxing. At all.

We have beds put together and some sleep was had. Now to dive into the kitchen! Oh boxes. Yikes! I just want to be able to COOK again!! Here goes nothing!

PACKING PACKING PACKING!

This has quickly become what my days and nights are filled with.

P A C K I N G

My fella and I are moving into a house end of this month. It's a happy time to be moving in together and it's a wonderful house... but part of me is having separation anxiety over leaving NYC. I LOVE NYC... I'm definitely NOT done with it. This is something I'm going to have to work through. Yesterday I unloaded the 80 flattened boxes from the car and was able to grab 15 small book-type boxes nicely bundled from the street. Thanks neighbors!!

I've begun sending emails to local organizations and knitting groups in Montclair (yes... although I SWORE I'd never do it -- I'm moving to NJ -- it must really be love eh?) Are you in Montclair? Any fun cooking, knitting and gardening groups to share?? I'd be quite appreciative!

I've also decided to join the Girl with the Dragon (toe-along) KAL on Ravelry hosted by my pal Knitgrrl. It will start August 1st, giving me something fun to look forward to besides UNpacking!! I should be able to get into the yarn cabinet by next week and will pick some sock yarn to set aside then!

Time for a PB&J and back to packing I go!! Made headway this morning downstairs!! Need to organize it down there so I can pack and move some boxes downstairs before the final BLOWOUT on Saturday. The fond fair well to my NYC palace-o-fun Yippee!!

A much needed break!

Thank you thank you thank you Carina for joining me at the free Opera concert in Central Park last night. It was just the break I needed from the packing and moving business!

This is by far my favorite menu at an out door concert/show ever. Smart, tasty and fairly quick although cooked to order!

We tried the Ginny, the Sydney and the Wang Ding.

So so good. If I were to franchise a stand at an out door venue. It would be this company.

Well done!!

Back to the packing I go!!

I cannot thank those who've come to help me pack up enough. Your time and company has been so wonderful!! Hugs to you all!

Beer and Poha Chiwda

When my fella's Mom came to visit at Thanksgiving last fall she brought will her a container of Poha Chiwda that had been made by his sister because she knew how much he loved it. What is it? Think Spicy Indian Chex mix. Typically it's served in a bowl with a spoon. You spoon some into your hand and eat it from the palm of your right hand. You don't put your hands into the bowl. When we finally finished it up I requested the recipe from his Mom which she gladly passed along! I finally remembered to get the last missing ingredient and voila -- my own Poha Chiwda. The perfect World Cup snack to go with a beer or iced tea!

Ingredients:

1 lb. *Thin Poha (pressed rice often sold in 1lb. & 2lb. bags - poha shown at right)
1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup peanuts

1/2 cup *split grams (Daliya Split)

1/4 cup broken cashews

4-5 green chilli cut into pcs.

8-10 pc. *curry patta (curry leaves - use fresh if at all possible)

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

salt to taste

small pinch of red chili powder (optional)

3/4 cup vegetable/canola oil (I used only 1/2 cup)

1/2 tsp *rai (black mustard seeds)

2 tsp sugar

Heat oven to 350F.

Bake Poha on a dry pan (ideally a jellyroll pan as shown in photo above right) for about 5-7 minutes, stirring often. The poha will go from tough to crunchy. Remove from oven and pour cooked poha into a large bowl. Set aside.

Meanwhile, heat oil and add rai, green chili,curry patta and salt to taste. BEWARE. The rai will start to pop, so have a cover nearby to put above it after you put them in. When rai begin to pop and the curry leaves have begun to give off their scent (they smell SO GOOD when cooking!) set aside cover, stir, then add peanuts, raisins, cashews and grams. Continue to stir as nuts brown and raisins puff.

Add turmeric and red chili (optional) stir. Add to bowl of baked poha. Stir to combine well until all poha is slightly covered with a yellow color from the turmeric.

Sprinkle 2 tsp sugar all over, cover for 2 minutes.

Uncover, stir and let it cool completely. I stirred it a few times over the next few hours to help it cool without becoming soggy. Store in air tight container. Enjoy!!

* Commonly found in an Indian market near you.

The Neville Brothers visit NYC

SJ and our friend Yuko joined me in seeing the Neville Brothers at one of their NYC shows at the Nokia Theatre in Times Square at the end of May. It's a large venue... don't forget your earplugs! We scored a spot right up front. A great band named Rubblebucket opened for them. What a sound!! DO see them if them if they come to a city near you on their cross country tour this summer.

The first paragraph from their Bio page:

"Someone once said that if Brooklyn and New Orleans had a love child it would be conceived while listening to Rubblebucket: a wild young eight-some from Brooklyn, Boston and Burlington, Vermont (i.e. Ver-brook-ston). Drawing influence from the likes of Talking Heads, James Brown and Bjork, their banging horns and bombastic dance beats provide a landscape for the warm vocals of lead lady Kalmia. In the 2 years since their mythical seminal gig their all-original music has come to define a new genre: rock-ro-beat."

Really, stop by their site for a listen. You won't be sorry.

Back to the Neville Brothers. These brothers still rock. The audience didn't stop moving from the first note through to the last. Smiles on every face, many singing along to old favorites or Neville classics. You tasted a little piece of New Orleans when they played. Aaron's angelic voice coming out of that muscular body was even more special in person. Cyril's drums kept the audience pounding...and his blue sparking shoes - WOW! Art played the keys, showing us why people keep coming back. Charles played a mean sax. Eyes were often on him (including during a sax vs. guitar play-off that was a wonder to hear!)

What a great night!!! You couldn't help but have a smile on your face as you left.

A Life Auto Reboot

Yes, I know back in May I announced that I'd be writing more often... then life happened.

Change and lots of it all at once.

The Shake-up...

After over 11 years my position was discontinued during a

downsizing and merging earlier this month. I'm not the only one cast off (which doesn't make me feel better about it.) It's been difficult to just stop. I'm no good at "relaxing." What does relaxing really MEAN anyway?

(I don't just sit still well.)

The Good news...

My feller and I are waiting to hear from the sellers bank on a house we're in contract for... and I'm packing up to leave my beloved apartment after over 11 years here (I've accumulated a lot of stuff and can't wait to have a BIG house to be able to use it all in!!)

The Bad News...

Add to that my 24" iMac hard drive frying last week in the middle of a back-up. The computer no longer even recognized that it HAD a hard drive. Yes, it's under warranty and it's being replaced -- and yes, all info is toast but I wonder if any of the in-process back-up will be usable. That brings us current!

How have I been spent my first two unemployed weeks (thankfully on 4 months severance)?

After having my resume written (first time in 12 years - scary - I have a great woman I can suggest if you're in need), I've been getting my resume out there for jobs that won't go against my 4 month non-compete, watching World Cup matches at various spots around town with friends who have taken work time off to see them, gardening, reading, cooking (I've got some great recipes to post!!) and writing up some hand knitting patterns (3 of which I fear died with the iMac crash) for a book I've begun to write.

Wanting Work...

I'm interested in sample making (sewing, knitting, crochet), writing (crafts, cooking, travel) and teaching (fashion, craft, cooking) jobs if anyone has any leads out there. I can do hat related jobs after October 9th, 2010.

Part-time and freelance are also VERY welcome!!

The garden...

I've picked beans, lettuce and peas from the garden. Yum! The tomatoes and basil have jump started in the heat of the last week.

Live Entertainment...

My fella and I joined his boss & family to see Cavalia at the Meadowlands in NJ. A beautiful show indeed!! You can see when it's coming to a city near you at the link above.

Movie Entertainment...

I've enjoyed a few movies ($6 morning movies at any AMC theatre in NYC!!) I've especially liked The A-

Team and Toy Story 3 3-D. The A-Team completely surprised me. It was much funnier than I had expected it to be. Totally entertaining. Toy Story 3 brought me back through my own childhood. The loss of a favorite toy. Really a great moive. Get Him To The Greek had funny parts. Please Give was OK. On video I can recommend The Ramen Girl for any of you foodies out there (one of Brittany Murphy's last films.) It fed of my passion for Ramen.

Randomly --- Been researching for a new blender and really want the 5200 Vitamix. Does anyone out there have it? How do you like it??

I have no idea what to do career-wise next. It's all a bit foggy. It could be a blessing that I may not be working as we move and can unpack. I may travel a bit at some point after the move. Regardless my gut says this is a blessing - I'm just not yet sure how/why.

That's the update for today. Time to go watch this afternoon's match and work on a UFO. I've been attacking my UFO box between new designs. There will be hand knits and sewn gifts for Christmas this year!!!

Happy Sunday all!

Hello Gardeners -- A contest at hand

iVillage and Triscuit are having a contest for all of the Home Farmers out there!

It started began on May 4, 2010 at 9:00 A.M. ET and will end on June 1, 2010 at 11:59 P.M. EST.

No, I'm not affiliated with either brand/sponsor but it looks like a fun contest!

Head to the WEBSITE, upload up to 5 photos of your fruit/veg garden with captions relating to Home Farming through the community or at home.

Official Rules are found HERE. Good luck and happy home farming!

Breakfast in Sacramento?

I'd spent a little time sorting through options for how to spend my Sunday in Sacramento until my journey home. Flea Markets, Earth Day celebrations...
When I woke up this morning I was greeted by the rain. Rain rain rain. They don't have rain days in Sacramento because it rains that little. What to do?
Go local! Need a quick breakfast while in Sacramento? I can recommend for you to check out R15 Cafe Bernardo.
Just look at the breakfast burrito I enjoyed (and yes, it beat me! It's HUGE!)

From my bar stool and my knitting I struck on conversations with locals and decided there was but one choice now that I'd checked out of the hotel. The movies! Even Better --- A DOUBLE FEATURE at the historical Tower Theatre!

First up? Greenberg. I'm really glad that I saw this one first. It earned a meager 2.5 out o

f 5 stars in my book. It draggggged. Ben Stiller was fine. It did bring up emotion and frustrations and was painful to watch. I was glad when it was over, picked up my things and dashed to the other theatre for the 4pm of the The Ghost Writer. As I sat I peeked at my phone and see that my two friends that i enjoyed dinner with last night will be joining me and to save seats! How fun!

The theatres at the Tower theatre are long and thin, showing their age. I love theatres like this. They remind me of my childhood when going to see a movie was still an event. Let's talk about The Ghost Writer. I'm going to jump to the end or Roman Polanski's latest first. Thank you. Thank you for NOT putting the typical Hollywood ending. I won't say more about that. I enjoyed the plot and liked the character development. Thank you. I'd give 4 star (out of 5) to The Ghost Writer. A great way to spend a Sunday pouring rain afternoon!

After a quick dinner with my friends I headed to the airport for my 11:59pm flight, with plenty of time to spare. A nice ending to a lovely weekend. Thanks all in Sacramento!

Still learning about TV...

Here is Saturday's Good Day Sacramento TV spot.

**sigh**

I now know that this dress does NOT look nearly as good on TV as in person. It must be the print?

I digress... Today day began wonderfully. The team at the CW31 were great as always. Nice, witty and kind. Upon arrival the woman who greeted me suggested we should do a fashion show with the production assistants and one of the anchors as models.

After a short wait in the Green Room, I was given my wireless mic (always wear a belt on your dress so they have something to hang the mic pack from unless you want to hang it from your bra inside your dress -- that works too) and shortly led into the studio to shoot a teaser. The anchor man wore a hat during part of the broadcast (prior to the one he wears in the clip.)

In a blink of an eye it's done! Blam!

Here it is!

Zooom!

What a long day. A 5:30am flight from Newark to Houston... layover...flight from Houston to Sacramento and VOILA! I'm in Sacramento by Noon. Somehow my favorite charm fell off between the disembarking of the last flight and the rental car terminal. I dashed back to file with the two lost and founds, but I doubt it'll ever show up. It's really pretty and artistic and someone has gotten a new treasure! Hoping they love it as much as I did!

I dashed back to the rental car counter and collected my car. (Thank you Avis rental car lady for allowing me to drop my luggage behind your counter while I raced back to the terminal on one of your shuttle buses!) Before I knew it I was zooming down town to my lodging and to meet Anna Marie for lunch before my afternoon at The Village Hat Shop.

A few words about The Sterling Hotel. Love it. Warm staff, huge rooms and giant tubs & beds. Irons in your room. Desk to work at and easy to connect to (although a little slow) Wi-Fi. They serve a nice continental breakfast and hopefully will have their restaurant back up-n-running soon (new owners or management for the restaurant I believe.) Upon arrival Anna Marie was waiting for me and we dashed to lunch. She'd gotten there a little early and scouted out a fun looking place called Ma Jong's. It's part of The Park Downtown group of restaurants and bars. A group of eateries and drinkeries in one building sharing a central bathroom. Modern decor (see the website.) Between all of the business in that building I think all of the decor trends we've had in NYC over the last few years are present albeit watered down slightly. They are all comfortable at a glance with an edgy "see me here" vibe.
Ma Jong's calls themselves an Asian Diner. It's far less dinery and more order at a counter and we'll bring you your food kind of joint. The decor was inviting, but the benches are rather uncomfortable as they slope forward and we spent a good portion of our energy trying to sit in a manor that was comfortable. The food... so disappointing. By FAR the WORST pot stickers either of us had ever eaten. Ever. Bar none. Flavorless. So sad. I ordered the Mandarin Beef Salad listed as crispy beef, romaine lettuce, vegetables, onions and a lime ginger dressing. Apparently crispy beef means batter-dipped and deep fried beef... which I wouldn't have ordered had I known. The beef was in there, but the batter coating over-powered the flavor. The dressing was tasty on the salad, but left me wanting something far better. My friend ordered the stir-fried rice bowl with brown rice. The rice was a bit over cooked and pasty and the chicken... again, some dry white meat chicken, likely frozen strips with no flavor. The vegetables were tasty though, I'll give them that.
It's wonderful that the company was grand as the food WASN'T!
This will be on the DON'T return list!

After saying farewell to Anna and thanking her for driving up to meet me, I headed over to the Village Hat Shop to select hats for the TV interview that would happen tomorrow morning across town. Viki and her team greeted me with smiles as always and we set about the selecting. Hats packed into the car and I had time for a short nap in an attempt to add to the 5 hours of sleep I'd gotten between 3 flights. Naps. Are. Good.


I was so happy that Toni and I were on the same "passing through Sacramento for the weekend" schedule and after my nap I popped over to meet her. She suggested we eat at the Thai Palace. Good call! Quite good and not too pricey! We enjoyed the Tom-Kha soup which the waiter spooned out from a big bowl with plenty for at least one more person (maybe two!) I enjoyed the Green Curry and my friend had her usual Praram with peanut sauce. The staff took great care of us. Our water was never empty and we were never left waiting too long between courses or for the bill. It's a local spot that will go on my list of places to visit again when I next visit Sacramento!

Bed time it is! Need to be at the TV studio by 7:30am tomorrow!

Seeds of Change

The sun is shining in NYC! The birds are singing, my apple tree is in bloom and it's time (almost overdue) to plant some seeds. I've decided to try out Burpee's new "Ultimate Grow System." I'll be letting you know what I think of it as time goes by. Today let's talk about setting it up.

I ran through the directions and set up the first of two. I have the following comments.

1. Before you do anything, dump out the soil pellets from the growing container and flip it over. Carefully cut out the draining/watering holes that didn't get fully punched out in manufacturing. This will save you from soil spillage later once it's full.

2. Place the seed pellets, one per hole. Place them flat. They expand upwards/downwards. If they flip on their sides they don't expand enough.

It's easy as pie to set up.

I planted 2 flats after work & before dinner!

I planted a variety of things from flowers to herbs to vegetables. I'll be in and out of NYC and the country over the next 5 weeks so we'll see how the self-waterer does! I hope to be planting them all end of May!

It's places in the sun... Hoping the cats leave it alone!!

Once everything was planted I dashed out the door and across the park to meet Lisa at Cafe D'Alsace. Yummy steak frites -- 10 oz. Black Angus Hanger Steak with bone marrow, red wine sauce and fries -- although the marrow was only eh)...lousy waiter. We had smelled truffle oil and asked what dishes on the menu had it. He replied saying it wasn't on the menu and must be on the paella. When we balked "truffle oil on shellfish?" He said, of course and walked away. After reading it, there were two items on the menu with truffle oil... he really should know the single page menu better. They have only one special per day and it's a rotating weekly special (paella always on Thursdays.) That wasn't "terrible" just lousy knowledge of his menu. He continued to be a sub-par waiter and slightly annoying.

The food was tasty though and the evening was just what I needed.

Now to go pack for my trip to Sacramento! The car to the airport comes in 4 hours!!

She's Baack!

The last year seems to have flown by in a blur. Woooosh!

So much has happened and yet little has changed.

BUT -- changes... THEY ARE A-COMING!

I’m still designing hats as a by day (and sometimes night), knits as a hobby (although I'll have a piece in the latest Stitch-n-Bitch book due out in 2010) and cooking up a storm!

I’ve really missed writing here and will be resuming! YEAH!!!

I’m packing up for a trip out to Sacramento for a trunk show at The Village Hat Shop (123 K Street Old Sacramento) on Saturday, April 10, 2010 from Noon to 4pm. Those of you inthe Sacramento area, keep an eye out for me on Good Day Sacramento at about 8am on Saturday morning!

I’ll be tweeting as the day progresses. Follow the Tweets at Madhatrk.

A flash of what the last few months has brought...

An amazing few weeks in India with the BF showing me his hometown and home country:

Knitting (in 4 countries in 4 months!):

Yes - Many friends have had babies these last few months!

Cooking in my kitchen:

Entering the annual Grill It! contest. Shot on a VERY cold day in February. Brrr! Made it to the finals this year...but not on the show. Next time!


Thanks for stopping back by!

I’m BaaaaaCK!

THE UNIFORM PROJECT

What is it?

The Video Explaination:



(From her website:)

The Idea

Starting May 2009, I have pledged to wear one dress for one year as an exercise in sustainable fashion. Here’s how it works: There are 7 identical dresses, one for each day of the week. Every day I will reinvent the dress with layers, accessories and all kinds of accouterments, the majority of which will be vintage, hand-made, or hand-me-down goodies. Think of it as wearing a daily uniform with enough creative license to make it look like I just crawled out of the Marquis de Sade's boudoir.

The Uniform Project is also a year-long fundraiser for the Akanksha Foundation, a grassroots movement that is revolutionizing education in India. At the end of the year, all contributions will go toward Akanksha’s School Project to fund uniforms and other educational expenses for children living in Indian slums.

The Story of Uniforms

I was raised and schooled in India where uniforms were a mandate in most public schools. Despite the imposed conformity, kids always found a way to bend the rules and flaunt a little personality. Boys rolled up their sleeves, wore over-sized swatches, and hiked up their pants to show off their high-tops. Girls obsessed over bangles, bindis and bad hairdos. Peaking through the sea of uniforms were the idiosyncrasies of teen style and individual flare. I now want to put the same rules to test again, only this time I'm trading in the catholic school fervor for an eBay addiction and relocating the school walls to this wonderful place called the internet.

The Dress

How do you design a dress that can be worn all year around? The mastermind behind the uniform dress is my friend and designer, Eliza Starbuck. We took inspiration from one of my staple dresses, improving upon the shape and fit to add on some seasonal versatility. The dress is designed so it can be worn both ways, front and back, and also as an open tunic. It’s made from a durable, breathable cotton, good for New York summers and good for layering in cooler seasons. With deep hidden pockets to appease my deep aversion for carrying purses. More photos of the dress and the dressmaking process coming soon to the Uniform Blog.

The Accessories

The hats and plumes, the dickeys and drapes, the shoes and slips, the belts and brooches – much of what you will see are byproducts of my cyber-slacking on eBay and Etsy, backed by visits to the many local vintage boutiques, thrift stores and flea markets of New York. I am also collaborating with other designers and friends to create original pieces. If you are looking to purge some of your old accessories or if you would like to design a piece or concept an ensemble for The Uniform Project, see Donate Accessories.

The project was written up in the New York Times Magazine blog on November 6th too!

You may be asking --- What has she worn so far?
May, June, July, August, September, October, November...
Tragically there was a fatal accident in the building where they were holding the 6 month celebration of this project last weekend and they have suspended photos at this time. From all that I've read about Jerry Fuchs it sounds like he was a wonderful friend, band mate and overall great man and that he will be missed.

They are still taking donations during this time of mourning even though they have stopped posting photos as of November 10th. I am hoping she will start up again after a period of mourning as this is such an interesting project.

Living Large for Less in NYC

Hurry -- Some deals expire soon!!

Three ways to get out there are see more of it for less in NYC.

Carnegie Hall's Prelude Notables Membership

If you're 39 or under as of September 1, 2009 you can join the $20 Notables membership and are able to purchase tickets (I think 2 tickets per performance) to Carnegie Hall Presents shows for... $20 each while they last.

I've been using this membership for 1 month so far and have seen:

Ravi Shanker & Anoushka Shanker

The Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile

Lang

Lang and Friends

New York City Opera's BIG DEAL

From their website:

WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL!?

The ultimate cultural experience. Fun, accessible, affordable…a BIG DEAL!

Between 21 – 39 years of age? Save BIG on tickets!
New York City Opera’s BIG DEAL! program offers opera-goers 21 to 39 years old an affordable and easy way to experience world-class opera at a fraction of the price. Big Dealers can buy two orchestra tickets at just $30 each, two weeks before any performance. That’s a savings of up to $115 per ticket!

I've had a Big Deal membership for a few years... although last year they didn't offer it as the Opera was more closed than open. The offerings are fewer than in years past due to financial troubles in this economy. Go out and enjoy Opera in NYC! We don't want to loose it!

Tickets for $25 or Less
Don't want to get a membership and don't have a lot of cash? For every performance during the season, New York City Opera offers tickets for $25 or less both as single tickets and on subscription packages. These $20 and $12 seats are located in our 4th and 5th ring for every performance.

New York Philharmonic

From their website:

For a limited time you can experience the magic of Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic at an extraordinary introductory rate: pick your favorite three concerts* and you'll receive a 33% discount. That's like getting one of your hand-picked concerts free.

BUT HURRY – THIS OFFER ENDS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH AT MIDNIGHT.

After that, the cost of great music goes up.

Go - See - ENJOY!!

We laughed... we cried... we had a nice star sighting to boot (Sam Rockwell is quite handsome in person.)

Which show am I talking about? Brighton Beach Memoirs now back on Broadway in NYC. Myself and 3 friends (including one feller) - we ALL enjoyed the show!

The cast is AMAZING. They are actors and entertainers.

Two women you've seen on small and big screens for years, Laurie Metcalf and Jessica Hecht were wonderful! Truly.

If the young actors in this show are apreview of what we have to look forward to from the next generation -- hip hip HOORAY!

Young Noah Robbins, who plays Eugene (the main character and narrator) stole the show. You hang on his every word.

Although the story is set in 1937... it's as relevant and relatable now as it ever was. A war holds their interest and family, jobs and money are scarce and families have bound together to make sure they all survive.

I'm hoping to see Broadway Bound after it opens November 18th. Same family - 12 years later.

Don't hesitate to buy a ticket and enjoy a great play on Broadway. It will be money well spent!

Birthday Festivities

This year I wasn't racing out to celebrate my birthday. Not for fear of turning another year older, but because I'd been so busy that keeping it quiet would be nice.

That didn't happen -- and it was still nice!

A week before said birthday my BF swooped in to take me on an adventure to New Jersey. (Insert joke here.)

We drove through some back roads, into and out of some small cities and just when I was feeling almost like he was lost, we parked on the street in a suburb of Jersey City. We got out of the car, all dressed up, carrying 3 bottles of wine. He looked confused.

The clues:

*Bring an appetite

*BYOB -- I'd brought a selection of wines since I had no idea the cuisine ahead of me.

We wandered up into the houses in this suburban neighborhood. I followed as he walked into a strangers home. Total confusion cleared up as I realized this house was an intimate reservation only restaurant.

The destination? 15 Fox Place, Jersey City, NJ

The house is set up with tables in all of the rooms, including the bedrooms, creating quite an intimate setting. The homes kitchen is, well, the kitchen! The owners have another "regular" restaurant nearby, but not as intimate and special as this one.

They offer one seating per night (open only a few nights a week) and everyone in the house eats the same meal. To some of you that might sound scary to not have a choice of what to eat, but have no fear, you won't go hungry no matter your likes and dislikes! The meal began at 7:15pm and we grazed through 17 courses until we had enjoyed the final course at nearly 11pm.

If you want to treat yourself or a loved one to a lovely, albeit glutenous, night - GO! Enjoy!!

The following weekend I really had decided to keep it quiet during the birthday...but my amazing group of friends began to call asking for a drink out or dinner (thank you all!) Rather than running all over I decided to take them to my favorite noodle soup dive in Chinatown followed by catching Julie and Julia at the cinema. (I'd already seen it on opening day 2 days prior - so good!) After the cinema we popped into a pub for a drink to bring in the actual birthday at midnight -- and yes, there was cake!!

But wait - there's MORE!

I was told drinks were a MUST ON ones birthday... so after Monday's work day, many of us journeyed to AYZA Wine & Chocolate Bar. Tasty treats, chocolates and libations were enjoyed by all!!! (Did anyone get photos??) Thanks to all for a very memorable and fun Birthday celebration.