It's all about the closing!

I finally got to see my dear friend Leonora's art exhibit in Montclair, New Jersey which ended yesterday. Leonora gave me a private tour and description of her art.  As I said to Leonora, it's much more fashionable these days to attend a closing than an opening!:) Now, if I can only get them to serve champagne and hors d'oeuvres at closings!   Leonora is an artist in every sense of the word, she shoots photography, makes paper and designs jewelry.  One other thing that I discovered is that she has amassed quite an impressive collection of art from other artists.  As difficult as it was to select one of her images that I loved most, I did, and it's this one:

Our glorious afternoon included a healthy walk through her beautiful neighborhood, that oddly enough reminded me of my younger years growing up in New Jersey and biking through the streets of Montclair with friends.  We were not from Montclair, a few neighboring towns over and Orange street ran through all of them.  While sitting and having the most amazing gelato I have ever had in my life(seriously, and I have had it in Italy), I could see Eagle Rock Park and the South Mountains - where my sister and I would go on bike treks up these insane hills - she said I made her, but she's the older sister - now how could I have made her?:)

  

Let's get back to the gelato, Leonora took me to Gelato Guiliana where their award-winning chef from Italy makes the most outrageously delicious gelato that has virtually no fat!  HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE, we asked the lovely owners who happened to be there and emanating pride as they spoke very passionately about their products while suggesting that we try almost every flavor.  They use milk instead of the high butterfat creams found in most American ice creams and no cream at all in their delicious fruit flavors.  Even if you have to catch the train, which is only 25 minutes outside of Manhattan - do, you will not be disappointed!

After visiting an amazing antique store and more walking we ended our afternoon back at Leonora's fabulous "salon" which is what her beautiful home feels like, and sat in her sunroom for great food and conversation.  Oh, and let's not forget her lovely neighborhood horse - how random it was to run into this guy - he was, like my day spent in Montclair - perfect! Thanks Leonora!

One night in NY...

Last night I spent an unspeakably wonderful time with a few unspeakably wonderful people!  Living in New York for as long as I have, you encounter all sorts of people from all walks of life.  Young, old, poor, rich, homeless, storeowners, politicians, actors, clergy, artists - this list could go on forever.  I am the type that relishes every single moment and mostly every encounter.  I like to talk to everyone - I wasn't kidding when I said in an earlier blog that I am the Mayor of Brooklyn:).  I find people's stories to be fascinating!  On my way to Tribeca yesterday, I met a cop on the subway platform - we began to talk and he told me his whole story - he has been a cop for 20 years and is one year away from retiring.  He's a young man who had warm blue eyes and a kind spirit in spite of what he must have encountered throughout his career.  I suggested that he write a book about it - my other thing, always trying to enhance the lives of others - some might say meddlesome, I say "enhance":).  As he exited the train we both smiled and yet another great connection was made - ah, New York!  Well, my night did not end there,  I then had dinner with friends and was later invited to join Bravo's Top Chefs  for their reunion dinner at Buddakan.

Here's something that I will never do - turn down great food and an opportunity for fun!  Carpe cibus - seize the food!  When I arrived, they were all seated at my favorite table in the restaurant - you know, the one where Carrie in Sex in the City had her wedding dinner.  I happen to LOVE the show and therefore I immediately LOVED all of them.   Fortunately, they did not disappoint - what a group of fun-loving, spirited and creative folks!  There was genuine mutual respect and commraderie - even among those voted off.  These days when people on reality shows typically display the worse aspects of human nature, it is refreshing to see those who can maintain dignity and respect.  Here are a couple of snapshots that I took of them on the stairs of the restaurant - aren't they all cuties and I'm not angling for a free meal - well, maybe.  

A classic in deed!

Turner Classic Movies(TCM) has wisely dedicated their July Star of the Month to actor Gregory Peck.  Gregory Peck is one of my favorite actors who happened to star in one of my favorite films (also books by Harper Lee), To Kill a Mockingbird, which won him an Oscar.  Although, this was not his only nomination for an Academy Award -  he received many, including for his role in Gentelman's Agreement, a film that dealt with anti-semitism and discrimination against Jews.  Peck was a great man and a humanitarian, he was honored by President Lyndon Johnson with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  It does not surprise me that some of the roles he chose to play were a reflection of his character in real life - he was Atticus Finch! Do they make them like this anymore?  Check out his films this month on TCM.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SERE!!!!

My brother and his wife have 2 smart & terrific kids (I am an unbiased aunt:)), and today is my adorable niece Sere's birthday.  I wish her the happiest birthday ever with many more wonderful and blessed years to come.  She can read this at 2 yes - I did say that she was smart:) Happy Birthday cuteness!

Images:  Balloons; Confetti ice cream pops; Confetti ; Cake; Hats

The Great Martini!

Martin, my wonderful brother, is the "Great Martini!  Growing up, Martin(far left holding his diploma) was the best role model a young girl could have.  I idolized him and was determined to live up to his expectations.  In a neighborhood where there were less than savory characters, my brother and his friends were the young black men that you seldom see represented in the media.  They were smart, honorable, loving, funny(beyond!), compassionate, supportive of one another, driven and dedicated to their families.  I use to beg my mom during the summer months to let me stay up late so that I could sit outside with him and his friends - he would always let me.  Martin is an excellent writer, artist, athlete, enjoyed architecture, music and sports growing up and aside from my mother, is in many ways the nucleus of our family.  He has traveled the world but has seldom missed getting back home for Holidays and like Santa, his arrival is always eagerly awaited. He's been a huge influence to all of us.  So, as yesterday was his birthday, here's to many more years of laughter and great times with a man that means the world to me!  Happy Birthday bro - let's have a laugh together! 

  

All Rise...

... for the honorable Edward Norton!   Over the years he has become one of my favorite actors but more importantly, he has become one of my favorite humanitarians.  It must run in his blood to be civic-minded and an activist.  He is an Enterprise Partners Board Trustee, which is an organization that provides financing for green and affordable housing and was co-founded by his grandfather James Rouse.  Aside from being one of the key figures in saving and building my beloved High Line, he also produced the documentary "By the People" which covers President Barack Obama's presidential campaign.

In some ways, this close coverage of the campaign and their fundraising efforts, must have inspired his new venture Crowdrise.  Crowdrise is a social-fundraising website that allows you to create on-line fundraising opportunities for either your favorite charity or support any existing charities posted on their site.  It's quite clever and I suspect will catch on just like Facebook.    Please join him and "Do the Right Thing" - oh, not the Spike Lee film that he was in but,  25th Hour is and one of my favorites:).  

Model Citizen

Speaking of Harlem - I used to go to a hair salon there called Maritza's and would often run into Liya Kebede.   Liya was always well-poised and gracious.  I was surprised to see her there,  frankly because although Maritza's does great hair, it is a relatively humble and basic environment.  One would think that a world-class Mega-model (so tired of the "Super Model" phrase:)), would have Frederic Fekkai on speed dial.     

So,  when I received an invitation from Barney's promoting Liya's relatively new clothing line Lem Lem, I thought, she's worthy of a Trae Bien profile:)!  In addition to launching a new clothing line, Liya is an actress, mom, started  the Liya Kebede Foundation for mothers and children and was just named one of Time Magazines 100 Most Influential  people. (Truthfully, I wish that they would narrow this list down - I think I saw my uncle Bobby on that list and he's dead).  

Here are just a few images of Liya - like her fellow Ethiopian model Iman, she is stunningly beautiful inside and out! And how cute is her baby - wearing Lem Lem of course!  

Happy B-Earth day Matteo!

It is so befitting that my brother Matt's birthday should fall on Earth day!  As a child, Matt collected butterflies, fireflies, built an ant farm in a shoebox, had snakes in his bedroom (that one morning ended up in my sister Robin's closet and shoe), fish, was always kind and good with animals.  He is a loving and gentle soul and of course, in my unbiased opinion - one of the greatest artist alive!  A series of trees that Matt painted for one of his children's books, left us breathless.  

So, in my attempt to honor his day, I have painted a tree - just what a real artist wants, a sloppy painting from a non-artist:).  It was however, painted with love and fond memories of him and our childhood.  

Painting is in the mail Matteo!  Happy Earth Day everyone!