Daily Candy!

I'm so excited to be on Daily Candy! See it here.

NY tree vs. St. Lucia tree

To the left is our tree-our first tree! Sadly it is starting to shed it's needles. My husband insists that this is because I don't fill the stand with boiling hot water {sigh}. To the right is the tree at our hotel in St. Lucia. They wrapped it in red and green tulle. It was very pretty actually-maybe next year we'll experiment! Merry Christmas!

Christmastime in the City

Back just in time for the short week and the holiday hustle and bustle in the city. This is without a doubt my favorite time of year.

Going to the Chapel

I'm getting married on Saturday so no posts for a bit!

Alta

This was a commission- I haven't eaten here but the building looks so cozy.

Dinner Party

My mom's cousin Brigid and her husband Winfred threw a dinner party in our honor last weekend in their cozy, quirky, seemingly styled by Wes Anderson apartment that bumps up against the Chelsea Hotel.
The apartment is filled with artifacts from their extensive travels and loads of books, mirrors, and artwork. And it has a fireplace!! Brigid served Coq au Vin and lots of champagne.
And for dessert, a chocolate cake...in the shape of a wolf's head, complete with bloody fangs. It was delicious. We didn't ask questions. The perfect end to a lovely evening.

West Village Steps

I lived at the Vintage Show this weekend. I went not once, not twice, but THREE times (I am indecisive, and it's right in my 'hood, so it's really not that bad.) I was on a mission and the show definitely delivered! I got accessories for the wedding which I won't talk about yet in case it is bad luck! I did get my mom her earrings for the wedding though...1950's chandeliers. Sooo cute.

I saw some great characters, including on Friday a drag queen sort of in half drag, including purple spandex leggings and a t-shirt with a stuffed bra. Then on Saturday he was in full drag with blonde bouffant wig. Then I saw this woman below- with a chic gray bob and a pillbox teetering on her head.

Top Secret

Someone told me no more shoe posts. I can't help it. Especially since I've discovered an amazing source where I purchased these two gems. Ok- I did not discover it. I've just never been there. It's on 18th and 7th and I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. Just don't tell anyone else about it. And if you see a pair of Vera Wang Lavender Label perfect silk nude flats in a 6 and 1/2, please hide them for me.

Lonny Magazine!

I am so excited to be a part of Lonny, check out my illustrations throughout. I am also on the contributors page  and my profile is on page 27! This was such an awesome project. The founders Michelle and Patrick are not only talented, they are great people too. Above is Patrick's pic of Deborah Needleman's table and lanterns, and below is my illustration.

 

My Site!

I haven't been around here much...it's because I have been working on my real live site! And now it's done! I am so thrilled and I owe it all to Matt D.- thanks buddy!!

Two reasons why I prefer my new neighborhood to my old one.

Goodbye Summer

The weather is suddenly unbelievably gorgeous, but this weekend it's goodbye Summer. And goodbye to my Pierre Hardy for the Gap sandals which have seen better days. They have served me well but it's time to toss them. Other New Yorkers can attest that with all the walking, you're lucky if shoes don't fall apart after one summer. I wore these for two summers so it's about that time. On to ballet flats and boots!

It was the middle of the week, and I was all set to go home and get some painting in. Then Chris said, let's try Monkey Bar for a drink. Twist my arm. I drank Whiskey Sours because it seemed like the right thing to do.
Then I saw Thom Browne in all his wee-suited glory. I couldn't resist a little homage in the form of an illustration.

Summer Dress Envy

I am always looking for summer dresses to just throw on. I love this one I saw on a girl walking in Tribeca last week. Not too sack-y, not too fitted. Perfect with her yellow sandals.

Philharmonic

I went to the Philharmonic in Central Park last week on what was probably the most beautiful night of the year. What a mob scene! The crowd was so large that people tied balloons to their spots so their friends could find them. I guess this a common phenomenon, but new to me since this was my first time there. Tons escaped into the sky.
I liked the music but I have to say what impressed me most was the gorgeous feast everyone packed: baguettes with brie..lots of fresh figs..and wine and champagne in real glasses. Some people ate by candlelight too. I was a little more low end with a veg sandwich, trail mix, and rose in a plastic cup. The ambiance was just as nice though!

Summer in the City....

..means the street fruit blueberries finally taste good.

..means urban lemonade stands. Only in NYC (or maybe L.A.?) would the children offer 'Regular' and 'Sugar Free'.

Gemini

Sari recently gave me a fabulous project: An illustration/portrait of twins for their May birthday. One loves photography and travel, and the other loves to cook. So much fun!

More Trips

This past weekend was Memorial day at the Beach. We had a ton of seafood and I made white sangria. My brother's girlfriend and I drank a good portion of a huge pitcher in a matter of hours.
The weekend before went to the Berkshires where I was amazed by the amount of lilacs everywhere. Chris's mom told me that the deep purple ones are called "French Twins" since they share a stem. She sent me home with the huge bunch of the light purple, which have such a strong amazing scent that made my tiny apartment a much happier place.

Pearl River

Broadway Buddhas

Escape from New York

I knew this past weekend's weather was just a tease so I squeezed every bit of enjoyment out of it. I was invited to Mario and Donald's amazing home in NJ for brunch on Sunday. The food and atmosphere were right out of Martha. They set up a table in the shade with vintage linens and we ate a half dozen glorious salads. Birds were chirping, clean NJ squirrels- not the dirty scary NY breed- were climbing the trees. There are some things NYC just cannot offer. 

A Table In Heaven

I watched a great documentary last night on HBO- Le Cirque: A Table in Heaven. It was about Sirio Maccioni, the founder of Le Cirque, and his family. I walk by Le Cirque every day and it was interesting to get an idea of what goes on in there. The best part was watching the dynamic between Mr. Maccioni and his three sons Mario, Marco, and Mauro. They are these really passionate people with conflicting ideas on running the restaurant, yelling at each other in Italian most of the time.  At the end, Mr. Maccioni goes to church on his bike, then kind of rides off into the sunset. He's wearing these red pants, a white button down shirt, and this little Gucci tote over his shoulder. He actually looks kind of chic. I sort of want some red pants now.

Momofuku

I went to Momofuku noodle bar last week and I can't stop thinking about ramen. Specifically, chicken ramen with scallions and seaweed in a gloriously salty broth. We also had the steamed pork buns, which they are famous for. If you like grease then they are for you. I had to eat predominantly steamed spinach the following day to counteract the effects.

Bodega Roses

Jen moved to Park Slope recently, so Sari and I went out there for a little tour of her fave places. We saw the communist food co-op, the bar where she plays trivia, and the place where she's been to Johnny Cash night (was it Johnny Cash?)

She also took us to Sweet Melissa, a great pastry shop with a garden in the back. Looking forward to more Brooklyn adventures!

Leopard Coat

I went to the Manhattan Vintage Show last weekend at the pier on 55th street. I was looking for wedding things- I was unsuccessful in that endeavor, but I did see lots of great vintage jewelry for everyday and lots of leopard. I have been looking for a leopard coat I think since I was probably 14 years old. I saw this one on Emmanuelle Alt over at The Sartorialist. I am in love with it. It is perfect. And I can't find one similar anywhere. You have to be careful because there is a fine line between Lorraine Bracco in Goodfellas and Kate Moss. I'll keep searching.

Someone just won the NY lotto for about a bazillion dollars. Just some things I have my eye on for when I win....

The Duane Reade Heart

All I ever want for Valentine's Day is a heart shaped box of chocolates from Duane Reade, CVS, or anywhere this box of Russell Stover goodness is sold. Ask me if I ever get one. Nope. I love the high end stuff from Jacques Torres or Marie Belle, but Valentine's Day calls for something not so serious. Or maybe it's sentimental value; it's what my dad used to get my mom every year. Throw in some Veuve Rose and some Buttercup Bake Shop cupcakes (in the great NYC cupcake debate, I say these win the prize) and you have my perfect Valentine's Day!

John Derian

Off the Bowery on East 2nd Street is John Derian. I swear that from now on any time I need any sort of gift I am going there. It is so well curated, and so full of little treasures. He carries his own line of furniture and decoupage, as well as Hugo Guinness art and some pieces by Leanne Shapton, a very clever and witty illustrator who is one of my favorites. Above is the decoupage tray I was most drawn to (of course!) 
After John Derian I walked over to Veniero's, an old school Italian Pastry shop on E. 11th street. They have the best cheesecake in the city, I think. It's been around forever- I don't like to admit how often I went when I briefly lived in the East Village!

I was thrilled to see that Michelle Obama chose Isabel Toledo to design her inauguration ensemble. Isabel Toledo and her husband Ruben are my heroes of the fashion world. Isabel is an incredible designer, and Ruben is the best fashion illustrator of our time. They have a great story. They met as teenagers in NJ and have been collaborating ever since. Actually in High School, she was dating his brother. I learned this little fact and many others when I heard them speak at FIT, which was truly the best lecture I have ever been to. They were as witty and charming as I expected them to be. I even raised my hand and asked Ruben some inane question just to interact with them!

A couple of months ago, I was walking through midtown with Chris, and Isabel and Ruben Toledo walked by us on the sidewalk. I whipped my head around and back to Chris and said "DO YOU KNOW WHO THAT WAS??!" Of course he probably expected me to say it was some actor or some traditional celebrity. But no, I was THAT excited to have a brush with Isabel and Ruben Toledo, who by the way looked impeccable as always.

The Bowery 2

Gemma in the Bowery Hotel is all drippy candles and ambiance...
They have this white pizza with truffle oil which is very good...but really what to get as my friend Audra can attest to is the Burrata with a glass of rose, perfect. 

The Bowery

For my first 'NYC neighborhoods' post I decided to start in the Bowery...that stretch that is sort of Soho/E.Village and 3rd ave but really not. I went to the last day of the Elizabeth Peyton show in the snow on Saturday. I hate to admit it but it was also my first visit to the New Museum!
I was really, really surprised by how small her works are. (That is not a self portrait, sadly I am short! And blond.) I've only seen pics and thought they would be large.  I really like her use of color in the paintings (intense greens against sharp reds and lavender), but I prefer her works on paper to her paintings. 

A couple more Bowery posts to come!

Something new

I'm going to try something new that I'm really excited about. Each week I am going to pick an NYC neighborhood and my illustration (or illustrationS) will be based on that neighborhood. I love exploring the city and although I picked a grrrreeeat time to start (rain, wind, cold etc) it will be a fun project!!