Local Adventures- A New York City Kind of Day

While strolling through NYC one day,
in the very merry month of May,
I was taken by surprise,
by a pair of rogueish eyes (my boyfriend’s),
in a moment my poor heart was stole away.

More and more, I come to explore this great city in which I live. More and more I fall head-over-heels in love. This past Saturday, my boyfriend and I marched on in the pursuit of adventure. Join us, will you?

The day began with a trip to see Banana Shpeel, a Cirque de Soleil Production, at the Beacon Theartre

If you know me in real life, or follow me on twitter, you will know that I go ga-ga for frozen yogurt. Naturally the boyfriend and I made a stop at Red Mango, to partake in some frozen deliciousness.

Post fro-yo indulgence, we wandered a bit to explore the surrounding area. Not much later, we arrived at Buddakan for dinner.

Dinner, as you know was legendary. Too full to even think about making the trek back home, we instead wandered into the magical place that is the Chelsea Market. From lobster to gelato, the market has it all.

The Chelsea Market building was established in a space that used to belong to The New York Biscuit Company back at the turn of the 20th century. Now, the eclectically decorated space holds all kinds of delights for both the eyes and the tastebuds.

Photographer Dave Mead's work graces the walls of the Market. The Magnificent Specimens of quirky, mustached and bearded men's portraits thoroughly amaze and amuse onlookers.

My boyfriend and I just had to pose with that big, faux 'stache.

The scents coming from Amy's Bread held us in its thrall. We couldn't eat again, but that doesn't mean we didn't take some fresh baked doughy goodness home.

And finally, we refreshed ourselves with delicious fruit bars from People's Pops. The fresh fruit that goes into these frozen bars of goodness are grown by local farmers. I enjoyed a yogurt, pear, and maple syrup bar. Nom

I think we both learned that day that there is so much waiting to be explored in this great city of mine. When was the last time you went on a local adventure?

The War on Brows, Won

It is not often that I will employ the word soldier when describing myself, but every so often a topic comes up that demands the adjective. I am a soldier in combat, doing battle (and most often losing) with the unruly caterpillars below my forehead that I call eyebrows. They are naturally bushy, naturally coarse, and naturally a pain in the tuchus.

Enter my knight in shining armor, and the only person that can help me fight the good fight. Say hello to Ramy of Ramy Beauty Therapy, and the Ramy Spa in NYC.

Ramy is a makeup artist, entrepreneur, and all-around brow boss. With a client list that reads like the seating chart at the Grammys, his reputation for being the best isn't a boast, but truth. I consider myself very fortunate in having the opportunity to have him work some brow magic on me.

Trust me when I say that Ramy had a real mess on his hands when I arrived at his second floor salon in downtown Manhattan. Sporting three weeks of eyebrow growth, I was looking less woman and more wookie. We had a brief chat regarding my brow shape, what I was looking for, and how we would get there. I then lay back in the cushy chair with the bright lights shining, and a renewed hope that my brows could indeed be saved.

"Cars should be waxed, not brows" said Ramy as he wielded his weapon of choice- tweezers like a true warrior, and plucked away at my unruly brows. As he deftly shaped and sculpted, he shared with me several nuggets designed to help me fight the good fight. For example, Ramy recommended I keep a pair of tweezers by my toothbrush, plucking any stray hairs I may see in between appointments. The idea is that the brows will fill out a bit, but the shape will more or less be maintained. Great idea, right?

Fifteen minutes later, Ramy had worked his magic and it was time for the big reveal. Not only did he slay the caterpillars, but my brows were in the best shape I think they have been, ever. The line of my brows was clean, my arch was sky high, and the thickness was absolutely perfect. With very little guidance from my end, Ramy gave me results that I could only dream of previously. Naturally, I am over the moon.

The obligatory before/after shot.

For brows that are nothing short of amazing, be sure to visit the Ramy Spa in New York City. Ramy will change the way you think about your brows, I promise.




*Service was provided complimentary for review purposes.

ESPA at The Peninsula Hotel

Heaven really is a place on Earth, and its location is right in the heart of Manhattan. Say hello to ESPA at the Peninsula Hotel in New York City.

Lancome Had Me Chris and Tell- The Saks Event with Chris Benz

Every season has it, that one "it" shade of lipstick that every girl must have. Usually released as a limited edition color, beauty lovers go crazy and the product sells out in a hot New York minute. The lucky few who get their hands on it are stuck in a state of cosmetic induced euphoria (that would be me), and then there are those who were too late, and who are left to hang their heads in shame while frantically searching through ebay on the daily. I have been there, and it isn't pretty.

Not so this time, as I am now the proud owner of Lancome's newest lipstick in the Pout a Porter Lipstick, Chris and Tell. A collaboration with hotter than hot fashion designer Chris Benz, this creamy, sumptuous shade of coral is the hottest color of the spring season. I actually had the opportunity to meet Chris Benz today at a Saks event, as I got the story behind the shade.

Me: Who is the typical Chris Benz girl, what does she look like?
Chris: I don't have the specific look of the girl in mind, but I do have a general idea of what she would be like. She is funny and down to Earth, without being too serious. She is glamorous, but in a casual way

Me: Why a coral?
Chris: We were actually originally going to go with a nude beige. During the creative process, we had a look at the standout colors from the spring line, and then we just started mixing colors. A little bit of this, a bit more of that. In that sense, it was a very organic process.  In the end we had the shade you see here, and we were very happy with it.

Me: So why a coral?
Chris: The coral shade of the lipstick is a new update on a classic color. Kind of like your grandmother's coral, but fresher. It is chic, universally flattering, and easy to wear. Bright, but not too bright, a coral that is pink and not orange.

Me: So are you a fan of making the lips stand out?
Chris: Well, I do feel like a lively lipstick is an easy way to update an outfit. With each different lip color that you put on, you change your look, and how you feel.

And that folks is the inside scoop. Chris was an absolute delight to speak with, and extremely down to Earth. Oh, and he has the patience of a saint, as he waited while I pulled my camera out of my Mary Poppins-esque bag, to snap the pic you see above.

Unfortunately, Chris and Tell seems to be sold out almost everywhere. If you do visit the Lancome website, it might tell you which locations near you will still have it. Good luck beauties!

Stay tuned for swatches and a more in-depth review of the lipstick, if I can bring myself to open the box that is.