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!!

Merry Christmas!

I am planning on getting in front of the fire in a few hours and not moving for a couple of days. I'll drink champagne and eat shrimp and worry about it later. I'm so sad I did not get to do all the Christmas posts I had planned on, the season got away from me, and I had some other projects. But I plan on returning full force in the New Year! 

Ruby Red

I had a GREAT weekend. Had the engagement party at my most faaaavorite restaurant in NYC on 19th street. The dress was a challenge but when I found it- I knew! THEN the shoes were a challenge until I found these...love at first sight! The evening was very red...red shoes...ruby red tuna tartare....and a cranberry cosmo...ALL.DOWN.THE FRONT. OF MY DRESS. And splashed on my shoes! The sheer horror! The dress, amazingly, was salvageable- DvF magical fabric to the rescue again! But my shoes...they will need some resussatation. Still an incredibly magical night.