Their house is a museum..

My hip friends Sarah and Roland came to town from Portland exclusively to see the Charles Addams exhibit currently at the Museum of the City of NY.  Charles Addams is most noted as the famed cartoonist who created the Addams Family.  What I am most fascinated by is that he was a friend of one of my favorite film directors - Alfred Hitchcock -  who's surprised by this?  Hitchcock had Cary Grant reference him in his film, North by Northwest.  Although I missed joining them for the exhibit, I did meet them at The Metropolitan Museum instead to see the American Women's Fashion Exhibit.  There were so many gorgeous dresses on display that both Sarah and I could picture ourselves in - luckily they had security!  We also ran through (literally) the Picasso exhibit.   

Of course, one of my favorite places in the city is the High Line and no true-blooded New Yorker will allow their guests to go home without seeing it!  The Standard Hotel hugs the High Line and just look at the view of their outside seating area from above.  Other wonders on view were the grand architecture in that area - including Frank Gehry's glorious IAC Building.  I think Gehry is in the process of rebuilding all of NYC - he is also working on the Beekman Towers and was until recently slated to build the Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn - he is linked to Picasso's beloved Spain by his famous Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.   

 

    We ended our night back at  The Greenwich Hotel where they were staying.   It's owned by Robert DeNiro and all I can say is - when can I move in?  It's beyond gorgeous with an outside patio that is quite lovely, a room with a large fireplace and over-sized leather Chesterfield sofas.  We had dinner in these chairs nestled near the roaring fireplace - great company, great food and a great atmosphere - what more can one ask for?  Well, a fun Saturday morning at the Chelsea Flea Markets - that's what!  Sarah and I braved the early morning hours to get a jump on the goodies being offered at the Fleas - there are 2 on the same block we discovered, as our cab dropped us off at the one indoors.  So much stuff - Roland wanted one of these - I liked the snappy little Kodak in the brown leather case.  I am a rotten haggler so I shyly asked if I could get the camera for $50.00 instead of $75.00 - I was happily surprised when he said yes!  Although I did not buy it - it was fun to hone my haggling skills!   Sarah and Roland are both highly creative and fun -  I can't wait for their next visit!   Happy Monday!

McDreamy!

On a recent walk up the West Side Highway I anxiously looked for a building that I had stumbled upon last Fall.  It was a gorgeous Autumn day and my friend Annie and I walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, through Battery Park and up the West Side Highway, when we first discovered - not this building, but a drop dead gorgeous man :) (all the single ladies).  He was running in front of us - our view was suddenly much improved - too bad Annie is married - ha!   As we stalked this man - oops, I meant to say, continued our journey, we were both stopped in our tracks when we saw this magnificent building.  Gleaming pink fresco (actually called "Pompeii Red") with terraces and beautiful carved archways - it was my dream building!  Towering high above the other buildings in the West Village just calling out for a visit - so Annie and I obliged!  We first knocked on these very impressive castle-like doors and was greeted by a gentlemen who told us that these were private residences - of course they are!  He did however let us into the unbelievably gorgeous lobby - a bit dark, but lovely nonetheless.  

We left the building feeling über satisfied and returned to our walk when the unspeakable happened - dreamy "McJogger" was heading our way.  Being the consummate flirt, I smiled and so did he - I believe Annie did too but I chose not to focus on that:).  Our eyes followed him as he ran towards our new building - we both thought, what could make this more perfect is him running into our dream building - ah!  He ran right by it and we kept walking - sigh.  

So, last week while out with my friend Cameo - who knows everything by the way, I showed her my dream building and she of course knew all about it - "Oh, that's the Palazzo Chupi created by Julian Schnabel."  She went on to tell me how much it cost and the blogger who wrote all about it.  I thought Julian did the art for the film Great Expectations - WRONG!  Francesco Clemente did - although Julian, an artist himself did direct one of my favorite films - Basquiat.  

 I can picture myself on this terrace, tossing flowers down to my fellow New Yorkers!  

A sunny day in Soho

The best days to me are the ones that are unplanned and unfold in deliciously unexpected ways.  Yesterday my friend Cameo and I decided to take advantage of the gorgeous day and meet for lunch in Soho.  Along the way, we made a few fun discoveries.  One thing is that she collects subway map art, which I had never heard of.  She spotted the vendor like I would spot a Prada bag on sale!  The prints are created by an artist named Santo, not pictured here (this was one of Santo's little helpers:) - actually, he too is an artist - Gavin Weir).  I bought this one - love the vibrant colors! 

We ran into this man - how cool is he?  He was perched right outside of the Puma store that to our surprise, featured one of our favorite artist, Kehinde Wiley. His most noted art features beautiful portraits of black men and women with colorful graphic wallpaper backgrounds.  

We did finally eat at one of my favorite places in the city - Despana.  Great Spanish cuisine and an awesome environment. The only thing missing was my friend Tony - with a smile, he once suggested my now favorite manchego cheese and spicy chorizo.   He then slipped me his number on a card - hmm, smooth, like manchego - I liked it!

Going into Despana, Cameo realized how close we were to Central Market Street and suggested that we go after lunch.  I of course got excited because all I heard was market and thought that we were going to shop.  Over lunch I mentioned a show that I saw on Bravo called 9 by Design.  Cami's face lit up as she explained that Central Market Street is where their house is located.  Apparently the fabulous Novogratz duo designed most of the block - I LOVE this couple!   To live life with unbridled creativity and take smart risks is such a rush -  whether it works or not, you tried.  In their case, it is definitely working!

This place was right across the street - must go back for drinks with friends! I took this photo because of the of the Police station building that is reflected in the shot.  The dome was mimicked in the rooftop dome on the Novogratz's building. Splendid architecture and it was converted into condo's years ago.  

I did get my shopping in and so did Cami ... 

The day ended at Trader Joe's on 14th street - it was insanely crowded!  I love the store though and where else could you find red sunflowers!

Je' t'aime Bryant Park

Bryant Park always reminds me of Paris.  The park chairs and tables, the iron work, urns filled with beautiful flowers, the curved trees that shelter a path, the food kiosks, and my favorite - the carousel.  I was asked today while taking these photos, if I wanted to ride on the carousel - for $2.00 how could I say no?