9/11: 10 Years Later

From September 1st, I was already reminded of what was coming. With this year being the 10th Anniversary of September 11th, the media overload only made me more anxious and uneasy. It wasn't until someone else commented on my demeanor not being like my usual self did I realize how much the upcoming day was actually affecting me. During the week leading up to the anniversary, I relived the weeks after September 11, 2001 over and over and over again. It is not something that I share with most people, but this year I am ready to open up and share that I lost my grandfather on September 11th.

Because my grandfather's influence is a part of who I am today, I now feel it is time to share a bit of the story. My grandfather was a man who stood for quality. From the way he carried himself to the way he treated others, it was evident that he was genuinely a class act.

Although I was not thrilled at the time, I remember the day he gave the assignment of ironing (by his standards) my school shirts for the entire week on Sunday evening.

I vividly remember how hard he laughed as I unwrapped my gag Christmas gift (two empty toilet paper rolls) and how excited I was to discover my real gift of a CD player that I wanted more than anything and not-so-subtly hinted at weeks before.

I remember discovering just how hard it was to clean a fish tank, trim trees, clean a pool and learning to tie a solid knot (all on one Saturday) with him.

Because he was so much fun to me, I now wonder how he managed that on top of everything else he did. I now have an even greater appreciation for the quality of man he was, and it makes him that much more special.

The saddest part for me is the moments I wish I could have experienced with him: my high school graduation, college graduation, getting my driver's license and first car, and eventually getting married. There is something so special about when a grandparent is proud of you, and I so miss that. But that is my motivation to continue to create moments that would make him and my grandmother proud. (My grandmother passed away two days before the 5th anniversary of 9/11.) I continue to remember the moments we had together. He was more than a grandfather. He was like a father and a friend to me. I am so grateful for the moments we shared. Though it has never been the same.

It seems fitting that my mother and I went to the 56th Fighter Group for brunch today. In a World War II setting that has been preserved, it felt as if we were among American history. Seeing the American flag that was adorned with all of the names of those lost on 9/11 reminded us that we are in fact a part of American history.

Photo credit: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ87Khz3hfNHdVq4Ooo2nzPsdWFEcN0ZfhCl2dXKcES4sR882uEMV5KbbZbgFbeHfJPb7RCXqbkSJAF3o5ZSTtKT5lgwtfYizSy5xvfwWccMfjbsrYU2nX-QEY-hGT6FLEFX6HXgCbAVQ/s400/01.jpg

NYC Staycation: Empire Hotel

Spending a night in a hotel is always fun, even if it's in your own city. Empire Hotel, a hop, skip and jump away from Lincoln Center, was our home for the night of our friend's birthday. Our cute double Queen bed suite was complete with a desk and a lounge area that made the room comfortably spacious.




















Upon entering the hotel, one might feel as if they've escaped the concrete jungle and have stepped into the wild jungle of Africa. From the animal printed furniture to the forest tree-scaped walls, the hotel is completely dressed in a sexy safari theme. (Note: What's funny is that with my sexy cheetah print dress, I fit right in.)


I'm such a sucker for details like the cute little baggy that the toilet paper came in.

Empire Hotel is also known for its rooftop lounge, which is not restricted to guests. Whether it be for happy hour lounging or nighttime dancing, Empire's rooftop lounge is certainly a hot spot in NYC.

I enjoyed my brief time at Empire and would certainly recommend it to anyone, whether you're visiting or want a brief staycation.

Fun Friday: 5 Cheap Treats under $5

Who says you have to break your pockets to have fun? I sure don't. Eating is one of my absolute favorite things to do, so I make it a priority and am willing to spend a few extra dollars for a great dining experience (instead of on a new pair of shoes or a weekly manicure, but I digress). However, you don't always have to spend a lot for a tasty treat. I've found some great food deals, all under $5:

2 Bros Pizza (Several locations)
I remember my elementary school days when I would go to the pizza shop after school for a slice that was $1.25. Now, especially in Manhattan, that is not a reality. EXCEPT at 2 Bros Pizza, where a slice is $1 (no tax!) ALL THE TIME. My first time seeing the sign, my thoughts went from "this can't be true!" to "this is a dream come true!" The best part about it is that the pizza is really good. Because of the high volume of traffic they get, they're popping pizzas out like a factory. Chances are that your slice will be hot and fresh. This is where I go for a quick pizza fix.

Gray's Papaya (Several locations)
This is no secret because Gray's Papaya has been around a while and has been featured on shows (like Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations) and even made appearances in movies (like The Back Up Plan). That doesn't make it any less exciting to get the Recession Special: two hot dogs and a drink for less than $5. How can it get any better? It's open 24 hours. That's how!

Croxley's (28 Avenue B; also in Long Island)
Imagine a place where wings are 10 cents and there are over 100 different beers to choose from. This place exists, and it is called Croxley's. I don't even drink beer, but at Croxley's you just have to. Who can resist a beer and wings for under $5?

Agozar Cuban Restaurant (324 Bowery)
Grab a buddy (or a stranger) and get 2 for 1 tapas. From Costillas (ribs) to the Cubaniche (Cuban sandwich), they offer some tasty treats. Happy hour is 5pm-7pm, and drinks are 2 for 1 too!

IHOP (Several locations)
Please forgive me. This is only available for a limited time, and with tax it is more than $5. However, all-you-can-eat pancakes at IHOP for $4.99 is one of my all-time favorite deals. I just had to include it.

There are countless deals throughout the New York City. Please believe that I will continue to share as I discover them.

What cheap treats do you indulge in?

P.S. NYC Restaurant Week is coming up (Jan 24-Feb 6)! It's the perfect opportunity to try a restaurant that may normally be outside of the normal budget at a discounted price.

Straw Bar

I finally did it. I went out in Long Island, and I enjoyed it.

I checked out a fairly new spot in Huntington Village: StrawBar

I tried a White Chocolate Strawberry martini, which I wasn't a huge fan of. It tasted a little bit like medicine. There were a few other ones that piqued my interest that I'll try next time.

Because there was a game on, we got 25 cent wings. You can't go wrong with that.

And the best part...the fried oreos. I also tried the red velvet cupcake, which was okay, but the fried oreos took the cake!

Vamos Comemos!

As if the girls getaway wasn't enough, the topped off with an impromptu dinner at Cabana. I have been to the South Street Seaport location before, but this time was a trip to Austin Street (which I just found out is actually the original one).

It all started with A Brazilian Wax, which was a concoction of rum, passion fruit juice and pineapple juice. It was dee-licious!
Bocadillos (the sampler) which included shrimp fritters (I really liked those) veggie fritters (I wasn't crazy about them), jerk chicken wings (they had an interesting twist to them), and empanadas (I ate it but could have lived without it).

It got serious when my Pollo con Camarones arrived. It was a tower of rice, tostones, chicken, topped with shrimp and surrounded by a moat of gravy. It was accompanied by a small bowl of black beans. Each bite was savory and delicious.




The deal was sealed with the Tres Leches Cake. It was saturated with sweet goodness that melted in my mouth with each bite.

After that, all I can say is mmmmm with pure satisfaction.

Girls Getaway: Westchester

I have to say that this weekend was exactly what I needed. One of my friends takes her birthday so seriously that she goes to great lengths to orchestrate elaborate celebrations. This year she planned a mini girlfriend getaway to Westchester. After a quick hour long road trip, we arrived at the Ritz Carlton Westchester, where we were greeted not only by the friendly hotel staff but also by the ladies of My Nails at V, who were there for our spa services for the evening. (I was shocked to find out that they traveled as far as we did.)

Once we were escorted to our suite, complete with a living area, we spent the next several hours snuggled in our robes getting pampered, drinking wine, eating Buffalo Wild Wings, playing Taboo and watching movies. It was the perfect girls night. We did not have to worry about setting alarms, going to work the next day, driving home or anything else, and it felt amazing. The next morning our only concern was to try out the rain shower head before heading out to the mall.

From what I saw of Mamaroneck Village, relaxation is a priority. Spas dominated the strip we drove along. With a number of dining and shopping options, Mamaroneck served as the perfect quick getaway for us. I would definitely love to go back to explore it even more.

Millionaire Matchmaker comes to New York

I was so excited about Millionaire Matchmaker coming to NY that I originally planned to blog about each episode, recapping the NY hot spots and Patti Stanger's tips. I must admit though, that I was disappointed with the first few episodes. The millionaires and millionairesses were difficult, some impossible even, and none of the pairings seemed to work. I was starting to worry that this season of Millionaire Matchmaker was a little too real and was going to be a victim of the reality of dating in NYC. But I really wanted to hold on to the hope of some happy endings, at least some fun dates. I was willing to accept that New Yorkers may not be ready for relationships, but they could certainly play the dating game.

Thankfully, the last few episodes have delivered some happy endings. I enjoyed the chemistry between the Albie Manzo and his date. I thought it was really cute how flustered the guy was when he was on his mini date with the Cindy, romance novel millionairess. I also loved the chill yet fun vibe that PJ, the Bahamas millionaire, had with Patti's friend.

On last night's episode, the mixer was at Carnival. I already wanted to go there, and now I want to go even more to see what it's like for myself. I was also excited about the helicopter ride to the winery date. I've done a helicopter ride once and would LOVE to do it again, and I would love to go to a winery as well. The other date to Coney Island was fun as well.

Also, on last night's episode, Patti advised the millionaire to leave his BlackBerry and all other devices at home when on dates and to focus on the present moment with the woman he is with. She also recommended that the millionairess turn down the masculine energy when interacting with men. As a person who is building a business and strives to be a superwoman who can do it all, I can certainly relate to both situations and could definitely benefit from both tips. I also love the tips from Dr. Lillian Glass, the body language expert. The things she says make so much sense, and now I am more conscious of body language, mine and others.

Now I can be excited about future episodes. If you've been missing out on the fun, you can catch up on the old episodes here.

Happy Hour: Agozar

So I didn't make it to FOUR last night, but I did make it to Agozar Cuban Restaurant tonight. I met some fabulous ladies, including Danielle Fabulosity herself. It was so uncanny that a friend suggested that I join her meetup group, only to find that my namesake is quite like myself. An adventurous traveler and social organizer, just fabulous all around, she was more than a pleasure and a wonderful host for tonight's event.

Happy hour offered two-for-one tapas and drinks. After the mariquitas (plantain chips with yummy guacamole and black bean hummus), cubanito (a cuban sandwich slider), Pasion a Agozar (that had passion fruit juice!) and a Cubano Colada, I certainly had a happy hour.

Craving a Yummy Cocktail

T.G.I.F. Oy vey!

It has gotten to the point where I lose track of the days and honestly cannot remember what my week consisted of. My body is telling me that I'm tired from something, but without some serious conscious effort I do not know what from. And quite frankly, I'm not willing to use the mental energy to figure it out right now.

Between working at the restaurant, where I'm now training to be a bartender (woop woop!), and networking events, meetings, and other obligations, all usually in the city, my calendar is pretty packed. It has just become the nature of my life at this point that I am most busy during the evenings into the night (or even early morning). My mornings are then dedicated to writing, planning and things of that nature. A day off for me does not mean the same thing as it does for most people. My day off usually involves a to do list of writing assignments and/or errands to catch up on.

The craziest part about it is that I LOVE IT! I sometimes stop and realize, I am living the life I want! That is an AMAZING realization. I have a flexible schedule at my "day job," which allows me to pursue my passion as I please, and in the process I have come across some amazing people and experiences. It is not all peaches and roses. There are times when I come home numbly exhausted from a double shift, or when a clone of myself is the only way I can really be at all of my simultaneous obligations, or when the one, sometimes two, hour travel time from the city seems daunting. However, I have accepted that these are the choices I've made to have the life that I want, and I am OKAY with that. Honestly, I could not imagine it any other way.

With that said, this was one of those weeks when I am tired and honestly don't know why. What I do know is that I am craving a yummy cocktail, and I know exactly which one. It is from Harlem Lanes. I believe it is a Passion Fruit Martini rimmed with brown sugar. I may not remember the details of the drink, but I do remember how I felt when I tasted it and savored each sip. It was fruity, which always sends my mind to a tropical island, and the sweet crunch of the sugar was the bonus that I loved most.

It was such a pleasant surprise because I did not expect such a cocktail at a bowling alley, but it is clear that they take their cocktails seriously. For example, the Yin Yang Martini. Many of us have seen different versions of a Chocolate Martini (which is probably my favorite drink), but THIS one is extra cute. They garnish it with cookie crumbs in the shape of the yin yang.

Next week's agenda includes a friend's birthday outing to FOUR, and I'm so excited because I've wanted to go there for a long time. I plan to try a fun, new cocktail.

Bloggers Social

Yay for another great event. Despite the rain, the Bloggers Social at Stitch went well. It turned out to be an intimate gathering. There were some great people in the room and even greater connections made.

Of course, it is always pleasure working with Desiree and Rachel from Red Rover Style (as pictured). I finally met Lauren Fairbanks of LifeStlyer Magazine, which was such a pleasant surprise. The person that made an extra special impression on me was Rachel from CatchAFire.org. Catch A Fire is an organization that connects professionals with non-profits that can use the skills that the professionals have to offer. I was so surprised to hear how low volunteerism is in New York. Rachel's presentation lit a fire under my butt to get going on my volunteer efforts. I caught the fire (Sorry, I had to say it.)

Here are some pictures from the event.

OMG! I'm gonna be on TV!

Hopefully you'll see me.


A few weeks ago I went to a taping of the Rachael Ray show! (Now I can cross that off my Life To Do List. YES!) And yes it was as cool as I'd hoped it would be.

The experience was great from the beginning: I was comforted to see such a friendly staff. The opening comedian/show hype man (I wish I wrote his name down. I'm going to do some research to find it) was hilarious and set a great tone for the show.

I remember how excited I was when Rachael first introduced her rotating set, and experiencing it was even cooler than I imagined. I was so happy to find out that Rachael Ray is just as personable as she seems. In some dead time in between the taping, the audience got the opportunity to ask her questions, which she was more than happy to answer candidly. Although she did admit that she was tired (I can't even imagine what her schedule is like), she quickly got into the swing of things. PLUS, she had on some really cute peep-toe booties that are on now on my wish list.

No visit to the Rachael Ray Show would make sense without a tasty treat. We got some cupcakes from Butch Bakery. The owner is a former Wall Street executive, who reinvented himself with a mission to also transform cupcakes into a manly snack. With unique, masculine flavors, like Rum & Coke and Beer Run, the cupcakes are so big that I felt like I was eating a cheeseburger.

There was a fun segment with Ted Danson, who was there to talk about his show Bored To Death. There was also a brief segment on the Jonas Brothers' Day Made Better Campaign, in which they collaborated with Office Max to donate school supplies to a school in California. (For some reason, that segment aired on September 29th.)

With a Bored to Death DVD, a Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam DVD, a copy of Rachael Ray Magazine, and some more snacks to show for it, I must say that I had a GREAT time.

The show is airing on Tuesday, October 19th. My DVR is already set. I hope you can catch it. Look for me!

10.14: FREE Bloggers Social

Since starting Her Journey, I've learned a few things about networking. One thing I've learned is to have a goal or two set prior to the event. This helps me prepare for the event and ensure that I am productive in some way. Here are my goals for the Bloggers Social:

-Use Flip cam (I forgot to take it to the soiree)
-get at least 5 tips from other bloggers
-share 5 tips with other bloggers

I'm also really excited about playing the Keep It Real Game. I got a little glimpse of it at the Soiree, and I'm looking forward to playing it again.

10.14: Another bloggers event

Desiree Frieson is on a mission! After a great Bloggers Soiree, which raised over $500 for Restore NYC, she is at it again with a FREE Bloggers Social. HerJourneyMag.com and RedRoverStyle.com are on board for another great event. As I work on building my blog, I'm really excited about meeting fellow NYC bloggers.

Here are my top 5 things from the Bloggers Soiree:
1. I met Alexis, the winner of the IAAS.com competition that I entered earlier this year. It was a surreal experience, and what was most exciting is that she was sooo pleasant.
2. Playing the Keep It Real Game. It was a very interesting game that gives you the opportunity to really think about yourself and even discover things about yourself and those you're playing with.
3. Hearing the funky sounds of Alexis Foxe. My favorite line from one of her songs was "My grandpa always said 'the early bird eats breakfast twice'" LOVED that! LOL.
4. The tremendous support that went to Restore NYC and raised awareness about sex trafficking.
5. Seeing how Desiree planned this event with undying determination was inspiring and stretched my own ideas of planning an event.

See what people had to say about the Bloggers Soiree (click to read the full articles):
-"All in all it was a great event." ~The Manifesto Part 2
-"Most importantly, this event made strides in helping to end human trafficking by providing a safe house for victims through the donations made to Restore NYC." ~Red Rover Style
-"...a fantastic event." ~Desiree Frieson

I'm really looking forward to the Bloggers Social. Get your tickets ASAP because free things go fast.

Take a quick trip back to childhood

This assignment for Guts.Glam.Grace. Magazine really made me want to take a quick trip back to childhood. Betsey Johnson designed a suite for The Plaza Hotel based on the Eloise books. Even though I have never read any of the Eloise books, I was intrigued by her story. Take a quick trip back to your childhood and allow me to introduce you to Eloise, a young, feisty and adventurous little girl :

Betsey Johnson for The Plaza Hotel

I. LOVE. New York.

As if I didn't already love New York. One of the main reasons I love my city is because it is filled with new reasons for me to discover. I have to admit that I am a little sad about summer coming to an end. On the other hand, I'm embracing the fact that as an adult I have the freedom to extend the summer fun. In true NY summer fashion, I discovered a new rooftop lounge. Rare View is a newly opened bar and lounge on the rooftop of the Fashion 26 Hotel, which has also opened this year. Although I didn't stay long, I enjoyed what I saw, from the amazing view of the Empire State Building to the cute and chic seating and overall atmosphere. I will definitely be back.

My other discovery from this weekend was the mouth-watering goodness I found at brgr. I've driven by before and have taken a mental note to check it out. I figure if your name is "burger" you have to know what you're doing when it comes to burgers, right? If New York Magazine voted them as the Best Milkshake, then I need to see what all the hype is all about. I promise my mouth watered at the thought of a great burger and shake. Because I happened to be on that block this weekend, I could not let the opportunity to pass me by. After a lunch of: The Down on the Farm Burger, which I added a fried a egg to (after seeing a bacon egg and cheeseburger on TV I've been obsessed), sweet potato fries and a black and white shake shot, which was my favorite part, I can now say that brgr has one more fan. The burger was juicy and satisfying, the fries were crisp (just how I like them) and not too thin, and the shake shot was the perfect little treat to top it all off. Something about the shake shot evoked the childhood memory of having Mister Softee on a summer day...mmmmm. What's cool is that they also have turkey burgers and a garden burger for everyone to enjoy the mouth-watering goodness.

I'd also like to share that this love for New York has been magnified by the love of friendship and sisterhood that has been rekindled this weekend. Since September 1st, Girlfriendology has been honoring the Month of Friendship with daily suggestions on ways to reconnect with girlfriends. I must admit that it got me thinking about how much more girl time I could use. I also felt a bit guilty because I could certainly work on being better friend and not becoming so focused on work and business that my friendships suffer. However, this weekend I had the honor of meeting an amazing group of women through She Creates Change, many of whom I already consider new friends. With this new love of friendship, I am even more excited about my friend's visit to NY. Not only will we have the chance to reconnect as friends, but I know that we'll also discover some more reasons why I. LOVE. New York!

P.S. The Bloggers Soiree is ONE WEEK AWAY! Another reason to love New York!

Bloggers Unite!

SAVE THE DATE!
September 27, 2010

Her Journey, Desiree Frieson and Red Rover Style are collaborating forces to bring an unforgettable event to NYC!

Join us and 300 NYC bloggers on September 27, 2010 at Libation NYC to mix and mingle AND support a great cause. A portion of the event's proceeds will go to Restore NYC, an organization dedicated to providing safe housing for survivors of sex trafficking.

With a special performance by international singer and songwriter Alexis Foxe, "Bloot" goodie bags, giveaways and MORE, this is guaranteed to be an A-MA-ZING event.

Special thanks to the sponsors:

To guarantee your spot, purchase your ticket TODAY: http://bloggerssoiree.eventbrite.com/

Her Journey Magazine Anniversary Issue: 88 Things to do in NY

Going along with my Summer To Do List, Her Journey has released a special edition issue for our 2nd Anniversary: 88 Things to do in NY.

Open publication - Free publishing - More anniversary

How many of these things have you done?

Mmmm...macbar

I am proud to report that I have checked off one more thing on my Summer To Do List. I don't remember how I found out about the macbar, but since hearing about it I've wanted to do. In a serendipitous way, while at a networking event that I really wasn't feeling, I noticed two women eating out of macbar containers and asked them where it was. A few contacts later I made my great escape to start my quest for the macbar.

I have to admit that it was bit smaller than I expected, but I soon realized that this little noodle shaped establishment had a lot of personality. Offering macaroni and cheese with a variety of embellishments including spinach, corned beef, and lobster, they have definitely taken the mac and cheese we all remember from our childhood to a whole new level. Yet they somehow still evoke that nostalgia with the noodle shaped lunchboxesque containers (which you get to keep!) they serve the meals in.

Naturally I went with the Mayan Chipotle, which includes chicken diablo, chihuahua cheese (which I found out is actually a real cheese), and green onions. Even though it wasn't as spicy as I would've liked, the red pepper flakes and sriracha sauce readily available rectified that minor detail. My little noodle packed a big punch. Garnished with green onion shavings, which added a little extra flavor and an eversoslight crunch with each bite. It was definitely topped with an extra helping of cheese before being baked. After penetrating the initial layer of cheese, I found savory chunks of chicken that had enough flavor to stand on their own.

I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed my experience there. It was quaint. Everyone was friendly. It was an interestingly run operation. While there I noticed that they deliver...by skateboard! and that detail just fit too well.

Also while in the area I discovered a bookstore that was just too cute. The seating area had little personal sized tables that folded like books; The wall was lined with pages on a novel; And there were books suspended from the ceiling as light fixtures. When I have a reading room in a house of my own it will definitely have the feeling that I felt there.

Fun Find: Diner's Deck

I was recently introduced to the Diner's Deck and thought it was something worth sharing. Native New Yorkers and visitors alike can find value in this deck of cards. 52 cards, each offering a discount to an NYC restaurant, is a great way to tackle the endless dining options NY has to offer. There is also a Bar & Lounge Deck and a Brooklyn Deck.

If you play your cards right, I'll share some more fun finds. ;-)

Gotta Love NY: Brooklyn Bridge

As I mentioned in my post about my Summer To Do List, I am wasting no time in kicking off my summer activities. Today was way to beautiful to not seize the opportunity to start the summer fun. A solo journey into Manhattan proved to be a rewarding one.

In my short sleeve shirt, I leisurely walked several Manhattan blocks, simply taking in the warmth of the sun that my body has been craving and has been deprived of for so long. In the spirit of starting my summer, I accomplished one thing on my Summer To Do List: I bought an I (heart) NY t-shirt. I have lived in NY for most of my life (minus the four years I spent in Atlanta for school), and I have never owned one of these shirts. 1. Because they are primarily geared towards tourists, but if anyone loves NY, it's the natives. 2. They've always been huge t-shirts that you wear to sleep (maybe I did have one of those when I was younger). But now that they have cuter and more fashionable ones, I felt it only right that I have one of my own. I stuck with a classic white, but I may add a few more to my collection before the end of the summer. I don't have a picture of it to show off, but it will certainly show up in a number of my pictures throughout the summer.

Another one of my accomplishments involved some photo fun on the Brooklyn Bridge. After tackling the Brooklyn Bridge last summer, I can now walk across it with a feeling of triumph. What I love about the bridge is that it seems to bring together more than just two boroughs. Man, woman, child, biker, runner, nun, boy scout, cars driving by, helicopters flying over, and boats sailing under, all of this I witnessed while there. The bridge is a form exercise for some, a means of transport for others. It can be romantic, relaxing, educational, fun. All of that hidden in this huge structure that so many New Yorkers have yet to experience for themselves.

Even though the day was uneventful in some sense, it was exactly what I needed to kick off my summer. Stay tuned because I will be sharing my many adventures...and there will be many!

What do you have planned for the summer? Have you ever walked across the Brooklyn Bridge?

Photo courtesy of yours truly. I'm stepping up my photography game.