Boots for City Slush

This past week the skies dumped a few inches of snow on us, but then it rained after and the streets became rivers of icy sludge. While walking in it I realized that having the proper foot wear is important. If your not wearing a hearty boot your feet and ankles will become soaked and froze, and a good tread on the boot is just as essential, to prevent slippage. I was witness to all of these unfortunate accidents this past week, and decided I don't want to look like a non-New Yorker and come home with wet feet and legs, or worse yet, come home with a broken bum! So, I went straight to my neighborhood shoe store, which sells a slew of great fashionable boots and I purchased my very first Hunter rain/snow boot. (pictured in the first photo) I love them! I can trudge through the thickest sludge. The other two photos are just some neighborhood stores. I liked all the boots in the windows. Shoes are serious business in New York!

Chairs in Bryant Park

Iron and glass

This fantastic and rare iron and glass chandelier is an Erik Hogland. It contains clear glass medallions and 12 candles. Made by Boda Nova Glassworks/Axel Stromberg Ironwork, Sweden circa 1950s. I love the organic shape to it!

Squares of Expression

Since moving to the city, I've been infatuated with pocket squares. It's an easy and smart way to dress up a suit, and add your own personal touch. If I'm wearing jeans and want to dress it up a little I throw on a jacket and shove a square in my pocket.

You can fold your little squares of silk neatly or create points to them or even tuck them in the pocket and let the fabric billow or flutter out! Finding an assortment of patterns and colors to express yourself is never a difficult task either. I love these little squares I purchased from Lord Willy's in Nolita. Their store is small, but the merchandise is of quality not quantity. They specialize in Custom made tailored shirts for the dapper man!

www.lordwillys.com

'round and 'round

Carousal in Bryant Park. Just as I was leaving a guy with a mask jumped on it. I liked how creepy his reflection looked in the mirror. It reminded me something out of a horror film...

My first New York Christmas

Since this is my first year living in NY, I'll post some tourist type photos... I mean I have to right?! It's NEW YORK! And I feel like I'm on a vacation even though I've been here for nearly 3 months. The other night I was near the Rockefeller Center, and really thought I should go by to take a look at the tree and snap some shots. It was a beautiful evening, and all the tourists were crowding around the tree, the children were ecstatic, and everyone was filled with so much energy. I stood there observing the crowd feeling like both a tourist and a local, but not feeling like a New Yorker yet! I'll let you all know when that day comes. (See my November 28th post titled "When can I call myself a New Yorker?)

Happy Holidays everyone!

The Tube, and it's Passengers.

The public transit system is awesome! Being one of those former Los Angeles SUV driving stuck in traffic zombie's, it's nice not driving anymore. Giving up my car for a subway card gives me the opportunity to snap shots while in route to my destinations.

The subway can be completely peaceful and still, or it can be packed with people bumping in to one another. It's a great place to photograph the public and fashion. The first photo of my subway gal was obviously a model, very pretty and thin, and she just had that look about her. I loved how casual and unmade up she was - her baggy fur trimmed jacket, the boots, her great bag with scarf tied around strap, she just looked so relaxed but confident. The girl in the last photo has that edge but with a softness. Loved the dark clothes with the pop of color from the beanie and socks, which by the way she was workin those tubes! Again, another fur trimmed jacket... Oh, and the first photo is my peaceful subway shot.

"I hope you understand my wondrous thrill, 'cause Vaudevilles back at the Palace, and I'm on the bill"

These famous "Palace Medley" Lyrics were belted out last night by the renown Liza Minnelli. Yes, at the Good Ole age of 62 Liza's been taking the stage at the world's famous Palace on Broadway and is wowing her audiences nightly. She's followed in her mama's foot steps...well, kinda. Judy performed at the Palace on a number of occasions, and I believe her last performance's were at The Palace, and now look at Liza...a 4 week run on Broadway's finest. I purchased tickets for last nights performance in advance because I knew it would sell out quickly, and she has even extended her running to four more days due to overwhelming demand. I've loved Minnelli since I was a child, and was very happy to actually see her live at such an amazing venue. Her act was energetic, funny, and emotional. This Broadway diva is still givin it her all, and like her mother, she's not goin out until she's squeezed every last bit of performance left in her...Now that's Vaudeville folks!

Nostalgic for the Dapper Gentleman of Yesteryear

I adore vintage, antique everything really, but making vintage fashion work can be a little tricky. You can go overboard and look like you've stepped out of the bad 1970's with the bell bottoms and green crochet scarf. The 50's...not so bad, but this era did give birth to the embroidered and tropical shirts! Mixing some vintage with current fashion is the key, but then I think you have to find that balance also.

While doing my usual research I Stumbled upon this great website. http://www.fineanddandyshop.com/

It's a New York based company that specializes in men's accessories...but just not any accessories - Classically inspired accessories like what grandpa or great grandpa use to wear. Mix a few of these pieces in your wardrobe for that dapper look.

Great shots below are from Scott Schuman "The Sartorialist". This is what I mean by "The Dapper Gentleman", but with a current twist.

Tres Bon!

While shopping in Nolita the other day I came across Cafe Colonial
and dropped in for a little sweet tooth break. It's a Brazilian restaurant that
has the best Flan I have ever tasted. They call it grandma's homemade flan.
I'm thinkin if grandma made it...it has to be good right?! I ate it all. I should
have snapped an after shot also, but wasn't as pretty as the before!
http://www.cafecolonialny.com/


These little yummie's are from a place in Brooklyn called Colson Patisserie.
I haven't tried them yet, but their on my list. You can order sweet morsels
and such from the website.
http://www.colsonpastries.com/

Book Ends on the Subway

Was on my way to Nolita via subway and this guy was falling asleep

and began to sway from side to side between these two girls. Immediately

I noticed that the two looked like book ends for sleepy guy...both

wearing similar hats and reading.

The Corners of my Life...

A corner for my late night research on my laptop and reading...

A corner for my aroma's...

A corner for my work...

And a corner for buddha...

Partridge in Our Apartment Tree

We walked over to our street corner and purchased this plump tree last night....mmmm smells like Christmas now. I love the scent of pine during this season. All of my little birdies rejoiced when I pulled them from their storage containers. Oh how I love holidays!

The Strand

I know! The Strand has been around for ages, but I really like this book store. Was in there yesterday, and thought I would blog it. The 18 miles of books are lined along walls from floor to ceiling, with 2 levels of an exceptional selection. Since the store carries a majority of used Tomes, the scent of aged paper fills the large shop. I love a book with some history to it! The selection of coffee table books are endless, with an assortment of photography, art history, architecture, interior design, fashion etc. Since the books are used, you can purchase at a fraction of the original cost. So if your looking for signed copies, first editions, or hard to find titles, you just might find what you lookin for at The Strand!

You can view Strand's selection and place orders on the website. http://www.strandbooks.com/

Not for the easily frustrated

The Sculptures by Spanish artist Miguel Ortiz Berrocal are exquisite. I came across one of his pieces at the Antique show a few weeks ago. I just fell in love with it, and wanted it for my collection, but unfortunately it was beyond what I can afford. Miguel's puzzle pieces can be found in art museums, galleries and private collections around the world. These substantial heavy forms consist of many ingeniously interlocking metal elements. The one I had my eye on at the show consisted of about 100 pieces. The 1960's sculpture above titled "Romeo & Juliet" contains about 20 parts. The puzzle is made of gilt bronze, so you can imagine how heavy they are! Assembly requires strength and patience. A great work out for both mind and body.

P.S. Shouldn't this one have been titled "69"? Sorry...I had to mention that!

A night with Alvin

Me. Before the show.

Oprah's arrival.

Oprah. Honorary Chair & Honored Guest of the evening.

"Revelations" Curtain Call

Alvin Ailey Dance Center (my front yard!)

Last nights festivities and performances were spectacular! This was my fourth time seeing the Alvin Ailey Dance Company perform, and they did not fail to impress. The dancers always give 110%. Their passion, skill and athleticism compares to no other. Anyway, I can go on and on about the evening! I did learn that the company is America's cultural ambassador to the world, and they tour more than any other company. Over the course of fifty years, the company has performed more than two hundred ballets by some seventy choreographers for twenty-one million people in forty-eight states and seventy-one countries around the world. Directly across the street from my apartment on 55th St and 9th Ave. is the largest facility dedicated to dance in the United States, which is the Alvin Ailey Center. What are the odds that I would end up living across the street from my all time favorite dance company. Since I was a child I wanted to train with Ailey, I guess now is my chance since it is sitting in my front yard... It's never too late right?!

Art in Motion

I've been a huge fan of Alvin Ailey since my childhood years. At one point I wanted to be a professional dancer, and wanted to dance with the company, but I didn't stick with the training. So when ever I have the pleasure of watching a live dance performance the memories come back to me, and reminds me that dance is truly my first love in the field of art. Tomorrow evening I'm attending the 50th anniversary kick off gala for Alvin Ailey Dance Company. The dancers are performing the piece "Revelations" with live Jazz from the Lincoln Center Orchestra, and Oprah is giving the opening speech. Dance, Jazz, Oprah! Can't get any better than that....

From Chaos to Order!

It feels good to finally get some order back after all the chaos of the past 6 months. I'm the type of person that can not function properly unless my surroundings are organized. I think I forgot to breathe the entire 6 months of the moving process, and I know I have a few extra gray hairs on my head. But all in all the experience was a good one, and Stephen and I are just happy to have a place to call home, and especially a place to entertain. We had our first guests over last night for dinner and movie! Our friend Shane brought this lovely chocolate cake with ginger snap macrons on the sides...I just had to include a photo of it and of Shane...this cake sure made him a happy boy!