Love You MJ

I'm no fashionista, but I do enjoy the livelihood of the city when Mercedes Benz Fashion Week comes around. You can't look at one newspaper, local magazine, or newscast that doesn't mention the fabulousness of this event. World renown designers come together to display the trends and looks for Spring 2009. I can't discuss Fashion Week without mentioning the presence of every major movie, television, music, star! Kanye West and the Olsen twins at Marc Jacobs, Ivana Trump and Vanessa Williams at Carolina Herrera, Lindsay and Samantha at Charlotte Ronson (Sam's sis), Oympian Nastia Liukin at MaxAzria..... and sooo many more. It was a celeb-stalkers dream! 

These 15 minute shows determine all you will see in the stores this coming Spring. With so many designers, it is amazing to see everyone's own distinct taste and interpretation of upcoming fashion. My personal favorite was Marc Jacobs (who also happens to be my fav designer in general). Although he can be costumey and very over-the-top with not only his runway design, but his ready-to-wear line also, he never ceases to lack true creativity. His theme was, as style.com described, "Mary Poppins meets Dubai". What does that mean? Mary Poppin-type hats, skirts bustled below the knees, colorful and intricate prints, mixing prints in the most interesting ways, thick belts, and so much more! Looovee it! 

GG Addiction

"What's this? Chuck's date and Blair's date are mother and son? And Nate and Blair are exes? And Nate and the mother are in a book club? Now there's a novel plot twist. " -- Gossip Girl

Now if that isn't an enticing line in a show, I don't know what is. I love a good quote from Gossip Girl, and that is by far my favorite. Of course you would have zero clue what I meant if you have not seen the show, and if you have not seen it yet....YOU ARE MISSING OUT! Ok, so maybe it's a modern-day 90210, or a more modern day OC, none-the-less it is addicting.

The uber privileged, typical high school drama no longer takes place on the West Coast and finally takes place in NYC. The infamous Upper East Side high schoolers rock Diane Von Furstenberg headbands and Balenciaga heals to class where there is no shortage of sex, lies, and scandals. Maybe I am a bit bias living in the same city where the show takes place, recognizing the streets of Manhattan, laying out on the same beach in East Hampton, and shopping in the same stores (mostly window shopping where they shop). Blair, Dan, Serena, Nate, and most notably (to me) is Chuck....all combine to make an intriguing cast I can't help but follow each week. There aren't many shows I watch religiously, but this is definitely one I will turn on every Monday at 8PM EST.

You Go Girl!

I am super excited for the newest season of America's Next Top Model. Yeah I know it is cheesy to some, but me, I love this show! Like most sane people, I find Tyra overwhelming and self-absorbed, but she does know how to make a show worth watching. Whatever, it is on my Fall-To-Watch List along with Gossip Girl and Entourage.

So maybe these girls are young and therefore ignorant and naive, but I cannot believe the negative talk about Isis (the transgender contestant). In today's world, gays, lesbians, transgender, transsexual, etc. are more accepted...or so I thought. These girls were not only saying how uncomfortable they felt being in this competition with a "he-she", but many of them say, "she has no right to be in this competition." All I have to say is, "You go girl!" Isis is a pretty woman and deserves her spot in this competition. As for her least support from the group, Brittany B., she was the first to go. Karma Karma Karma.

My 2 Favorite Men (In New York)

After graduating college at Indiana University, I was unsure of my next step in life. I applied for jobs all over the U.S., mostly in Chicago, New York, and the greater Midwest area. My thought was that if I did not find something in New York, that I would like to be close enough to my home in Indiana to come home at times. Well, I was wrong, and I decided to take a leap of faith and move to NY. Of course this was made possible by my friend Courtney who had a spot open on her futon with her friend Kathryn, but it also helped that my boyfriend of year at this time was already working in NY. Long story short, I have been here for a little while now and have missed my friends and family so very much. However, I am fortunate to have a great group of friends from IU and to have my wonderful boyfriend, Rob, around. 

Unfortunately, due to my boyfriend's occupation, he can be put on projects all over the U.S. for any length of time. He is currently on a project in Pittsburgh, PA for the next year, and I am only able to see him on weekends. Not only do I miss him, but I also miss his doggie, Sammy (Sammy Dumplings is what I like to call him). These are my absolute 2 favorite men (other than my father, brother, grandfather, and 2 doggies at home...duh!) I spend just about each and every weekend with Rob and Sammie and I wouldn't want it any other way. 

Ohhh Risotto

As you can see, I love food! Not only do I love food, but my friends love food also! So much in fact, that we could spend hours looking through cookbooks, giving each other tips, and best of all cook with one another. This past Sunday, my friends Courtney and Megan decided to make a lovely dinner. For $20 a person we were able to make a tomato-basil-olive bruschetta, butternut squash and mushroom risotto, baked asparagus with freshly grated parmesan, and a couple bottles of wine. To top things off, it was a beautiful evening and we were able to enjoy our dinner on the lovely patio. Oh...but I cannot forget our trip to our favorite tea joint, Teany, where we sipped delicious tea and indulged in a vegan chocolate macaroon and carrot cake. Mmmmm!

My First Broadway Show

                            

I have lived in NY for over a year and had not been to a Broadway (or off Broadway) show, that is until this past Tuesday, when my friends and I went to see Avenue Q at the Golden Theater on W. 45th. I was sooo excited to see this show because I had heard so many great things about it (and because it was my first one). My main attraction to Avenue Q were the characters...most of which are puppets. This was Sesame Street on crack!  Even a few of the characters mimicked some well known Sesame Streeters - Trekkie Monster = Cookie Monster and Rod & Nicky = Bert and Ernie, but of course this was an adult show (full of politcally incorrect jokes about sex, race, careers, and more). There was even a puppet sex show (the second best puppet sex show since Team America)! The best part was that my friend and I ran into the cast leaving the theater and we were able to get some pics with them! I loved it so much that I would definitely see it again...although I should probably venture out into the Broadway world considering I only have one under my belt.  

Spitzers!

The L.E.S. is full of vintage boutiques, eateries covering all parts of the globe, wine bars, and booze bars. I lived in this area my first year in NY and enjoyed every moment (although I lived on the futon in the middle of the apartment). My friends and I have spent many evenings in the neighborhood, hopping from restaurant to bakery to bar. A relatively new addition (moved onto the corner of Ludlow and Rivington last winter) to the neighborhood is Spitzer's Corner. They have a HUGE selection of beers (they only serve beer and wine as far as alcohol is concerned). I'm talking about a front and back list that is about 3 feet long full of beer choices, some of which they brew themselves. They serve anything from your normal 4% alcohol beer to a brew with 14% (I guess I won't feel bad being a "one beer queer"...pardon my politcally incorrect use of words).

My main point of this blog is to, of course, discuss their food menu. This place has amazing "bar" food...if you consider grilled bass and sesame-crusted asparagus bar food. My friends and I went to Spitzer's last week and ordered the following:

* Herbed Popcorn (olive oil, rosemary, thyme, and sea salt)

* Watermelon Salad with Feta and Olives

* Sesame-Crusted Asparagus with Citrus-Soy dipping sauce

* Paparadelle Crudo (fresh paparadelle, veggies, pine nuts, parmesan, and herbs)

* Spitzer's Sliders (bacon, tomato, and cheddar cheese)

* The day's special, which was grilled Chilean Sea Bass with a delectable orange sauce

All of this food + Good beer + A reunion with old friends = A lovely Friday!