My Manhattan

      There are many things that I love about New York, and I seem to find more by the day. Every day that I wake up and see the Empire State Building as I walk to work, I feel a jolt of electricity shoot through my body, I never cease to be amazed or inspired by this city. While there is much for me to love, I wanted to share the parts that bring me the most joy, the parts that make New York my kind of town.

1. Long Island City

     This is the neighborhood I call home. A short train ride to the other side of the East River and you feel like you are in another world. I left kicking and screaming, bribed into moving here by my persuasive boyfriend, and now, over a year later, I would not trade it for anywhere else. Voted one of the top 10 places to live in the tri-borough area, LIC is an up and coming neighborhood with beautiful riverside parks and incredible restaurants.  There are few things that bring me more joy then lounging in a hammock with a glass of wine enjoying a priceless view of the city I love.

2. Times Square and the Great White Way

     The lights, the crowds, the glitter and the gruff, when I find myself in the middle of Times Square on a beautiful night, its magical. There was a time that I dreamed of being more then just in the audience on Broadway, and I don't know that that dream will ever go away. It is a melting pot of different cultures and amazing diversity, people come from all over the world to see these famous lights of New York. From Broadway babies to the Naked Cowboy, the few blocks that make up Times Square are where dreams are born and history is made.

3.  Bodrum

   An intimate restaurant on the Upper West Side, Bodrum is a neighborhood gem and my second home. Run by a good friend, it is a restaurant where you can always be guaranteed an excellent meal, wonderful company and a refreshing glass of wine. Named after a hot spot on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, it serves all my favorite Turkish cuisine. Its a good thing I like Turkish food so much since it looks like I will be spending a lot of time in Turkey....

4. The Meatpacking District

   While most of my friends prefer to be in the East Village or Brooklyn, a little (ok, BIG) part of me has a fondness for a little neighborhood known as the Meatpacking District. From W. 14th St to Horatio St, it is such a great mixture of art and style, the best restaurants and high-heeled nightlife, I cant help but love the glamour of these few blocks.

                          

  

So proud of NY for marriage equality!

The Gansevoort Hotel is probably my favorite place in all of New York. My friends might say I am a little addicted, I say I just like a good cocktail and a beautiful view

the beautiful rooftop pool

An inspirational art installation on 13th St.

You cant come to this neighborhood without enjoying some of the best shopping in New York

One of the best parts of Meatpacking is a park known as the Highline. A few years ago, these old train tracks were converted into almost 20 blocks of park. Today, it is filled with wild flowers, lounge chairs and art installations. No where else can you enjoy a gelato high above the streets among beautiful scenery and some of New York's best architecture. 

There is so much to love in this amazing city, maybe that's why Travel and Leisure magazine just voted New York the best city in America. I cant wait to see what is going to be happening next! 

Home Is Where The Heart Is

      So while this blog is about my love for Manhattan, there is another place in New York that has a special place in my heart. I only get to head home a few times a year, usually for major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, but I always try to make it for the Fourth of July. It is when my little town of Cazenovia is at its most beautiful, everything is in bloom, you can enjoy boating on the lake and spending time with friends.

      

  
  Coming home for a few days is like a breath of fresh air, it is a little oasis from the hustle and bustle of every day life in New York City. My only wish is that my visits wouldn't go so fast, and I could spend more time with the family I love and the friends I don't get to see nearly enough.

My dad's masterpiece gardens

      

      My masterpiece bouquet 

Mama and Papa Kells, pre-BBQ

Mr Fevzi

        

The Cazenovia girls I wish were NY ladies so I could see them every day

A Walk Down "The Aisle"

        Last night I was able to attend a fantastic event celebrating the launch of the new wedding website The Aisle and the exclusive bridal collection Issac Mizrahi has created for them .The event was co-sponsored by Martha Stewart Weddings, and was a night of pink champagne, milk shake and cookie cocktails and caviar topped rings. Issac presented a group of 6 beautiful wedding dresses which brides were able to try on throughout the evening. Mingling amongst gorgeous gowns in an airy studio with a view of the Empire State building is a lovely way to spend an evening.

       

 

           

     A few of the beautiful Isaac Mizrahi gowns on display

Issacs sketches for the Fall 2011 collection

   Candy rings and cake from Dylan Lauren's bridal shower featured in the MSW Summer 2011  issue

                                 

                Some sweet treats from Dylans Candy Store

Sylvia Weinstock- Cake Legend!

 Milkshake and cookie cocktails and caviar rings, photos courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings

Cock-a-doodle-Do! The Best Rooster in the House

After four long weeks of waiting and salivating over the menu, it was finally time for my reservation at Red Rooster up in Harlem. I first heard about this amazing new restaurant after reading that President Obama had a fundraiser dinner there back in March. Immedietly, I researched the menu and was instantly hooked. Chef Marcus Samuelsson is a master of Southern  cuisine. Crab, shrimp and chorizo grits? Mac and Greens with Gouda and Cheddar? Fried Chicken with Gravy? Whisky Fudge? YES PLEASE!

Walking into the Red Rooster, you instantly feel like your home. The environment is warm and welcoming, with plenty of room at the bar and to mingle while you wait for your table. Cocktails do not disappoint either, with drinks like "the Spicy Lady" and "the Cats Meow", you immediately feel like you are drinking down south. The crowd is a cool mix of people, from Harlem locals and hipsters to Upper East Siders,  it was unpretentious and everyone was just looking forward to a good southern meal. 

My amazing dinner- Fried Yard Bird

Being Wu-ed

      Resort is often my favorite season of the year. I love the optimism in the colors, the easiness to the clothes. I also feel it is a season where the designers are able to really show their own individual asthetic. Where Spring and Fall are large runway productions, I love the simplicity to most resort collections. The photography style, the models, the individual styling, it has a personality to it that gets lost often on a runway.

      This season, so far, there have been several designers that have truly resonated with me. Jason Wu is a personal favorite of mine, and this season has proven to be no different. He is a master of blending femininty with modernity, chicness and sophistication with an effortless ease. I love the pop of citron and coral against the navy. Mr. Wu recently took a trip to Peurto Rico, and clearly he was inspired bye both the sand and the sea.  

                                              

Another favorite this season is Chris Benz, I love the styling and the photography of the collection, the vivid colors on the metallic background, the clothes just vibrate with energy and excitment.