Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday

Do you do Black Friday? After you've stuffed your bellys on Thursday and watched the games, do you really want to get up the next day extra early to stand on extra long lines and deal with massive crowds for that one or several great deals?


Well, if your answer is yes you are not alone! Even in this very tough economy, many people have waited for this day in hopes of being the first on line outside the store doors, even if that means getting there at 12 midnight for a store opening at 4:00am. I went out once on a Black Friday, a few years back. Like I said, I went out once!


Maybe, Cyber Monday is more your speed!? There are no lines, no mad dash for that last cashmere sweater in your favorite color and best thing yet you can do it in you pj's.

Yep, Cyber Mondays it's a really good thing!

Thanksgiving!

What are you truly thankful for? Every year in November I run around from store to store, just to haul home bags and bags of food to feed an army. I labor over a hot stove, I endure hot heat from the oven all in the hopes of making a great Thanksgiving dinner! Yet, most cooks don't get a pat on the back or even a thank you for the food. Don't cooks need love too?


There's no store cooked turkey, yams, pies or cakes here, this is the real deal!!! Everything made from scratch and with love! Getting up at 2:00am can be a chore, and it was, but when it's all said and done your happy to see the food gone, seriously cause there's just no room left in the refrigerator and your happy that it's gone cause if it isn't that means you did something wrong and you need to leave the cooking to someone else! No, really you do!



Although, Thanksgiving can be very nerve racking for us cooks, it's also great to see the people you care about come together, laugh and enjoy each others company, without Uncle Ed having to many glasses of "Nah, it's just water" do a little jig and pass out on the floor!


So, here's to being thankful for great cooks, great food, great company and not having to pick up Uncle Ed off the floor this year! Well, there is still Christmas!

Home Decor Projects

I love doing projects on the cheap.... okay I love just about anything on the cheap, except a man! Lol

So, when I came across this great picture and this great blog ChicModernVintage, I had to blog about it. I love the cleanness and brightness of the room. I have seen these circle Abaca pendant lamps in a lot of stores and in magazines, and always wanted a few for my house, and now thanks to ChicModernVintage I can make them myself, in any color I want and get them the way I like them, on the cheap!

There are a lot more do it yourself projects on the site as well, and it's great for those who are crafty, and want to make something more personal and unique. There's even a YouTube video and pics to show you how to do it, so get to it!

Get Something And Wave!

A traditional sign of the end of summer in New York, is the West Indian Labor Day Parade. This annual parade is a sea of vibrant colors of costumes, that can leave very little to the imagination for all the skin that can be on display, but here in the states its very tame in comparison to the many other places that celebrate carnival.


There is a strong injection of reggae,calypso and soca music that fills the streets several nights before the actual parade. There's even a kiddie "mas" parade two days before, that's a parade for children dressed up in vibrant costumes similar to the adults.


Eastern Parkway, in Brooklyn is normally crowded but the parade brings thousand of people to enjoy the music, costumes and the variety of foods and drinks that are traditionally from the West Indies.


It's a good time to be had by all!

Staying Cool In Cool Hats

I don't know if we have Ne-Yo to thank for repopularizing the wearing of Fedoras,
but it has become a nice refreshing trend!

These stylish hats come in so many colors and fabrics, and they can be dressed up or dressed down. I've even noticed several women sporting them on the streets, with shorts, jeans and even long summer dresses.

If you decide to buy one of these hats, it's important to make sure it fits and that it's flattering on you! Cause we all know not everything is for everybody.

Be A Tourist For The Day

I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. I have lived in a few other states but nothing compares to good old NYC! That being said there are places that I have never visited in my home city, and the same can be said about most native New Yorkers. So, this past weekend we took a trip to a place I've heard about but have never been to. I blogged about it before so I figured I should go to Governors Island.


Although, Governors Island Ferry building is right next to the Staten Island Ferry building, I never noticed it before! It's actually very pretty. The trip by sea was very short, about 7 minutes not much time for sea sickness.:)Once we got back on land on the other side, we were greeted by a lot of lush green grass, and buildings all over the island.


You can bring your own bikes to the island or you can rent some on the island, if you don't want to do either there are buses that transport you around the island.


On the day that we went, which was this past Saturday there was the history and culture of the Native Indians who once lived there and the New York area. We went inside a Tee Pee, saw Indian made head dresses and dolls and we also enjoyed bags of Popcorn which is a Native American Original, distributed by
http://lakotafoods.com/default.aspx

I had to ask the bus drivers, considering the large population in New York and the need for more housing, who lives on the island? As I said there are a lot of buildings on Governors Island, yet no one lives on the island except the care takers of the island. From what I learned, the Cost Guard and there families use to live on the island up until 1996, but now a lot of the buildings are set for demolishing, making way for a big park.


We also enjoyed Miniature Golf, Free Kayaking and a great view of the Statue of Liberty. We had a great time at Governors Island! It's a great place to visit not only for the things to do, but for the history and scenery. Did I also mention that it's FREE! So, what are you waiting for?

Free To Do In NYC

I love summers in New York, there are sooooooo many things that are free and unique to do, you just have to know about them in advance to take advantage.



I'll do what I can to keep everyone informed of the up coming movies, tours, street fairs and food festivals. Here are a few active, adventurous and free things to do.



1. Every Wednesday night from April-October, there is free group in-line skating starting at Union Square 14th st. You can bring your skates, bring your friends and skate the streets of Manhattan for 2 hours. weskateny.org).


2. Alley Pond Park Adventure Course, has a zip-line, climbing and bouldering wall, a trust fall station, swings, nets, leaps and balance platforms. It's the first challenge course in NYC and state of the art challenge course in the United States. It's first come, first served for up to 40 people per session. It's located at union Tpke at Winchester Blvd, Bayside, Queens 718 217-4685. Sundays May-November http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/alleypondpark


3. Free Bike Fridays at Governors Island. Hand in your driver's license or credit card and get a bike for an hour. http://www.govisland.com/Visit_the_Island/this_week.asp


4. New York Outrigger, is a free weekly beginner session on the Hudson. You start off with your lessons on land, and then you have an hour on the water. Saturdays 10:30, 11:15, noon; April-October. newyorkoutrigger.org

In New York, Black Is Always The New Black!

I remember growing up as a child and purple was my favorite color until age 9, then red and by age 12 I became a Smurf and had a long love affair with the color blue all the way through college.

Well, I'm all grown up now and I can't say that I truly have a "favorite color" anymore. I use to hate pink, even though I had a few articles in that color, but I didn't go out of my way to wear it. Now, I love how I look in orange and yellow and even pink.

My how times have changed.

While going through my summer clothing, I noticed something a little disturbing, could it be that I have a new favorite color and didn't realize it? I found skirts, t-shirts, halter dresses, strapless dresses, long sleeve T's and halter tops, all in this one color. So, I had to ask myself, when did "Black" become my favorite color?

I use to laugh at New Yorkers who dressed in all black all the time, no matter the season, just because they liked it. Black is hot, and it absorbs the sunlight on those hot sunny days. It is also slimming and it does go with everything, but it also shows lint and dandruff more easily.

Well, I do like the way I look in the color and I'm not changing my wardrobe anytime soon, so "Rock on Black"

Snack On The Go!

I'm big into healthy snacks. I love nuts, raisins trail mix, granola, carrot sticks, fruit and the list goes on and on. So, I decided that I would try to bring a new snack to me and maybe to you at least once or twice a month, so here goes.

I went into Trader Joe's the other day, and I wanted something quick, healthy and filling. I came across these handy little bars, that at first glance look like candy bars, but there not.

LaraBars, are gluten free, dairy free, soy free, non-gmo, vegan, and kosher. It has no added fillers, no artificial sweeteners, no artificial flavoring or supplements. In other words it has a lot of good for you natural stuff inside.

I know! I know! You're like, "Without all that bad stuff, does it taste good?" Well, I wouldn't be writing this if it taste bad..... Duh! Yes, the LaraBars are very tasty! I'm going back for more. Check them out the next time you shop.

My New Favorite Thing.....

I went into DSW the other day, for those of you not in the know DSW is a big shoe store that sells brand name shoes at discount prices. I was in need of a new pair of running sneakers. A few weeks back I threw out my old pair, and although I went on the hunt for new ones, I just could not find a pair that I thought was cute and comfortable at the same time.

Some sneakers are cute, but they fit to tight or to short or to wide. It's really important to have the right combination of comfort, support and style. So, I came across this cute little all black Nike sneaker, I was in love! It's cute, it's neutral so it goes with everything in my wardrobe and it was cut smallllllllll...... Why! Why!

It's ok, I looked for the next size up, I wish that I wore a size 8 but I don't so the hunt was on for a size 10, that's right I said it a size 10. Couldn't find it! Moving on then, I came across a pair of Adidas, cute black and grey with a little splash of lite green.

I can work with the colors, tried them on and they were the best fitting sneakers I have ever placed on my feet. Ever! I have never worn Adidas before, but now they have a fan, so check them out.

Now, all I need to do is get back into running.....

Strong Like Bull!

May, brings flowers and for me another birthday.... If you're into the whole zodiac thing, then you might know that May is the month of the Taurus! If you're interested in the Taurine in your life here is a little info. The second sign in the Zodiac, Taurus is ruled by Venus, the planet of love and desire. Taurines are strong and solid, and Taurus governs practicality and security. It is a feminine sign and very magnetic.

Practical, reliable Taureans are great lovers of sensual pleasures, although they do tend to be rather stubborn, possessive and conservative. Firmly anchored in the material world, they have a fine grasp of what is needed in order to lead the good life. Of course, they are capable in emergencies, where they have an instinctive understanding of what to do, but under normal circumstances, no-one can force them into anything without due time for thought and consideration.

In a nut shell we love to look at and have beautiful things around us, including people. We make great loyal friends that you can count on, and if you need someone with nerves of steel in an emergency call on a Taurus!

Give your Taurus some flowers today!

Spring Season = Mating Season?

Asia: The lure and lust of Spring! I don't know about other people, but I know that Spring puts an extra bounce in my step. It energizes me, makes me happier and it even makes me lose weight... That's right I lose weight during the warmer months, and I think its due to all the sex! They say it's hard to have a relationship in NYC, but it's not hard to hook up (I am in a relationship). After being cooped up all Winter long alot of people are ready to give birth, cause they were cooped up all Winter long, or they're ready to take there clothes off and enjoy the sunny days.
The shedding of coats and long sleeves and pants, and the exposure of skin titillates the senses for men and women, and you do notice other people more! I don't know about you, but I even feel sexier and want to dress pretty. How can this not be Mating Season!!!

Spring Has Sprung!

Asia: Finally Spring is here in NYC and it feels so good.... After record breaking snow falls of 36.9 inches and mass floods, most New Yorker's will agree that temps of 60 degrees is a highly welcomed change.

I always look forward to the Cherry Blossoms, it's kind of a magical feel for me when I'm walking down a tree lined block... and yes we do have trees in Brooklyn! I imagine unicorns and castles and magical secret gardens, but not to get away from my tomboy roots I am riding a horse bare back, with leather pants a leather bustier and a pink bow and arrow! Heee hee

If your in the New York, take time out to smell the Cherry Blossoms and the Roses at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, it's a great day date location and a very romantic setting.