AWESOME ALERT: $35 All You Can Eat and Drink Party Celebrating Astoria

One of my favorite local blogs, WeHeartAstoria, conducts a best of Astoria survey every year (a real resource for me my first year living in Queens!). This year, they are throwing a party to celebrate the results!

At $35 a head, this all-you-can-eat AND all-you-can-drink deal at The Strand Smokehouse is one of the best deals I've seen all year. Also, the first 100 people will receive Astoria-themed gift bags! This is all going down from 6-9pm on Thursday 3/27. Click here to purchase tickets. I'm sure they'll sell out!

Getting to Know Gnossem

Driving is not a pastime I ever really miss (except when I want to jam out on the radio where no one can hear me, but I digress). I can hardly tell a Mazda from a Ford. However, my interest is piqued when I hear the words Maserati and party in the same sentence.

On Saturday night I was invited out to the West Side dealership (we were practically in the river, but so it goes in a city where everyone walks or takes the subway) for a party celebrating the launch of Gnossem, an Asian fashion collaborative previewing in NYC for the first time. Designers they promote include Zenchi and Zardoze each from Singapore, TOTON from Indonesia, and a host of other independent labels.

The event was jam packed with interesting characters. Some were oogling the cars, others were taking advantage of the open bar, and all enjoyed the fashion show hosted by Gnossem’s founder Lisa Crosswite.

DJ Timo Weiland spun some great tunes and the folds from Illy, Zico and Birthday Cake Wines/Ice Cream Cellars were on hand giving out samples.

Oh and remember those guests I mentioned oogling the cars? Oh right, I was one of them :)

Sweat Through the Weekend

Put away the silk shirts and stilettos and take out something you can sweat in! Two events are happening this weekend that will give you so much more than a plain ole workout (or for that matter, sitting on the couch eating your recently acquired Girl Scout Cookies) can.

Sweaty Saturday

"Get fit. Give back." is the motto for Sweaty Saturday, a second-year collaboration among close to 50 NYC fitness studios and Partnership for a Healthier America, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending childhood obesity. Studios including Barry's Bootcamp, Alycea Ungaro's Real Pilates, Cyc, Pure Barre, and SLT will be offering different classes throughout the day with a portion of the proceeds going directly to the cause.

Well + Good's Sweat Series

Speaking of Barry's Bootcamp, Well + Good is kicking off their Sweat Series this Sunday at Athleta Flatiron (126 Fifth Avenue, at W. 18th Street) with a free Barry's Bootcamp class with instructor Layla Luciano. Doors open at 9am for the 9:30-10:30 class, but it's limited to 30 people so get there early! The event will feature free post-workout treats from Drink Mercy elixirs and one attendee will win a $100 gift card to Athleta. Future events will feature BariMacro, Power Yoga and Barre3.

Shape Up Your Face at SPACE.NK

Living in the city, your skin comes in contact with, let's face it, all sorts of nastiness throughout the day. Standing next to a heavy breathing subway rider, urban pollution and stale office air, and plain old winter weather can take a heavy toll. Because of all this, I was psyched when SPACE.NK apothecary, a fancy-pants beauty store originally from London, invited me in to try a facial peel from famed Manhattan Dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross.

While waiting for my aesthetician Salvatore, I had a lot of fun watching a customer's dogs frolic throughout the store. Not to mention the fact that the larger one was an exact replica of my mom's dog at home, any experience for me is made better when there are cute canines to cuddle.

Salvatore explained to me that the line of products offered by Dr. Dennis Gross is clinical strength, but vegan friendly and paraben-free. All products are multi-functional and good for all ages and skin-types. He is most known for his Alpha Beta Peel, a combination of 5 Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids plus retinol, ubiquinone, resveratrol and a host of antioxidants, vitamins and soothing botanicals, which is what I tried. It was designed to brighten the skin while eliminating scarring and sun damage as well as any wrinkles if you happen to have them. 

My skin was cleansed and Salvatore started a 3-step process of applying different products to my face. The first two tingled and almost burned, but they weren't too uncomfortable. He likened the sensation after the second product to what happens when you mix baking soda and vinegar - at first there is a drastic reaction, but then it slowly fizzles down. The last one was very soothing and immediately stopped all the burning. 

Immediately after the peel, which normally costs $225 in-office, I noticed some of my acne scarring (darn teenage years!) had gone down significantly. Several days later I still notice a difference, and had no adverse reactions on my skin, which can often be sensitive.

If you don't want to shell out the big bucks for an in-office peel, I'd recommend checking out the daily Alpha Beta peel packets. You can do them at home and BONUS! Good Morning America announced a special 50% off deal on several products from Dr. Dennis Gross. You can view the deals here, but know that they are only good through tomorrow 2/21 3am EST.

Awesome Works Out Again! (Bonus: FREE CLASSES)

Fitness has lately become a well-documented thing on this blog, but I'm keeping the endorphins flowing with yet another class recommendation!

I came across Cyc Fitness a few weeks ago in an email newsletter (check out Well + Good for all things healthy living in NYC if you haven't already!). Cyc is a Madison, WI spin studio transplant that recently opened up shop within the David Barton Gym at Astor Place. It's similar to your Soul Cycle or Flywheel in that it offers a full body workout using 2 lb bean bags while you are spinning. But I found it unique in that the workout incorporates various other "sports," like swimming and basketball to name a couple, to get you having fun while working out.

Cyc calls its instructors cycologists, a clever play on words, but also relatively true in that the instructors seem to get to know you throughout the class, always encouraging you to do better and push harder. I had Amber as my cycologist, and would highly recommend her high-energy class! The rest of the staff at Cyc was wonderful as well, helping me set-up my bike (much fancier than any spin bike I've ever ridden!) and answering any questions.

It's both a blessing and a curse that Cyc is located within a well-established gym. Blessing because you get open access to the entire gym up to 2 hours before and after your class and you have access to a full locker room (bring your own locks!) with showers, towels, etc. However, you will have to deal with the crowds that come with a giant gym, and if you've never been inside, well, David Barton Gyms have a certain vibe that is fairly club-like and in-your-face. So if that's not your thing, be warned.

Classes are normally $25 (shoe rental $2), but you can take advantage of their awesome snow day offer to score a free class! If it snows more than 2 inches, all classes are free the next day. This promo goes through March 17. Also, it doesn't appear that they are being too strict with this policy, as I know it hasn't snowed that much in the past day, but you can book the 7am, 12:30pm, and 5pm  classes for free tomorrow 2/19 (5pm with Cyc founder Keoni!). Hurry up! There are limited spaces available. Sign up here!

Awesome Works Out

New Year's resolutions or not, I have always loved trying new workouts. Logging constant miles on the elliptical or crunching hundreds of times gets insanely boring and make me burn out. So when the folks at Alycea Ungaro's Real Pilates (177 Duane Street) invited me to come try their signature class SpringTONE, I was all for it!

The studio is on a very pleasant, very "TriBeCa" block, and it was super warm to walk into out of a snowstorm on a Monday evening. I was greeted by Alycea herself and shown around the studio. The upper level is where private sessions take place, and I watched as clients from all walks of life seemed to be pulling, pushing, and breathing their way to fitness.

My class took place downstairs, where there were 10, for lack of a better word, contraptions; one per student. If you've never taken a Pilates class (I'm not talking mat Pilates here, but anything with a machine), it can be a bit intimidating. Reformers look especially like torture devices with all of their metal springs, leather straps, and metal and wooden bars.

My class was taught by Vanessa, a playful instructor who had the ability of seeming truly pleasant as she talked us through exercises that made me feel like my inner thigh muscles were going to explode out of my legs. For 45 minutes, I pulled on springs, hollowed out my core, balanced in a squat position, burned all of my muscles, pulled on some more springs, and finally stretched out. It's funny how much of a work out you can get from minute movements, but I was seriously sore for 2 days after this class. As for difficulty level, there was nothing I felt I couldn't do, but I did occasionally have to bend my knees when Vanessa asked us to keep our legs straight.

Alycea Ungaro’s Real Pilates recently launched a brand new luxury lifestyle boutique curated by What Not To Wear's Amy Salinger. Clara's Lifestyle Boutique is an all inclusive luxury one-stop-shop and features 'fitness wear with a function.' It features a range of lifestyle items and features some of today’s top fitness brands including Lole Women, Nancy Rose, Om Girl, Beyond Yoga, among others.

Classes are $30, but they get cheaper when bought in packages. I would highly recommend the studio as it's clean, friendly and close to multiple subway lines. Be sure to report back if you try it!

Lusting for Lush

Despite the often overwhelming scent explosion that invades your nasal passages upon entering, Lush has always been one of my favorite stores to pop into and treat myself. Their bath bombs and hand scrubs are divine and their salespeople are seriously the happiest people on Earth.

Long known for their storefronts in the US, Lush has been offering full spa services at several of their UK locations for years. Finally bringing luscious luxury across the pond, they opened one of their first 2 US outposts right here in NYC! And they're throwing a party to boot!

Visit the new store at 783 Lexington (at 61st St.) on Saturday 2/15 from 12-5pm and enjoy complimentary face care experiences, VIP gifts with purchase, cupcakes, and sparkling wine! Bonus: be one of the first 100 people to arrive and receive a free gift, but you must RSVP to lexington@lush.com to qualify.

Free Fitness Party at the 92Y

When I used to live on the Upper East Side, I belonged to the May Center at the 92Y and I would recommend that gym to anyone. It was always clean, the locker rooms are relaxing, and I never had to wait for a machine. The best time to join is when they have their annual open house, which is--good news!--happening this Tuesday 2/11 from 5-10pm.

The event will feature drop-in classes like yoga, spinning and splash dance (dancing in a pool?! how cool!) as well as a wheel of fitness where you can win guest passes, fitness prizes and free services. If you are interested in joining, you can sign up for as little as $69, which any Manhattanite knows is a steal of a gym membership.

AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 2 Tickets to The Realistic Joneses

Living in NYC, we often know a little too much about our neighbors. For instance, I live below an elephant on caffeine and in an old apartment, I knew far too much about the coitus preferences of a couple that lived in the building next door. A new show starring (wait for it!) Academy Award nominee Toni Collette (Muriel’s Wedding, Hostages), Golden Globe winner Michael C. Hall (Dexter, Six Feet Under), Tony Award winner Tracy Letts (Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Homeland) and Academy Award Winner Marisa Tomei (My Cousin Vinny, The Wrestler) invites you to delve deeper in the private lives of your neighbors. Written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Will Eno and directed by Sam Gold, of Fun Home fame, The Realistic Joneses is sure to be a hot ticket on the Spring roster of Broadway shows.

Good news! I'm giving away 2 passes to the invite-only dress rehearsal of The Realistic Joneses on Wednesday March 12, 2014 at 8pm. The winner will see the show before anyone else! Please only enter if you are able to make this date as no other dates are available for this giveaway. Please use the form below to enter by Thursday 2/13. Good luck!


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Can't Buy Me 50 Years of Love

Fifty years ago, The Beatles made headlines in America, and the music world was forever changed. If you caught the 2014 Grammy awards on TV a few weeks ago, you witnessed firsthand how much the 2 remaining boys from Liverpool can still rock out. We thought it was pretty awesome!

The wonderful Paley Center for Media is celebrating in it's own way this weekend. They will be presenting two essential programs for the Beatles fan at 1 pm on both Saturday 2/18 and Sunday 2/9. Experience their debut as it happened by seeing the complete Ed Sullivan Show from February 9, 1964, including commercials; and see the behind-the-scenes antics and the hysteria in the city captured in a cinema vérité documentary from the Maysles brothers. You might have seen clips of these shows on TV or YouTube, but now you need to see the Fab Four as big as life on a movie-size screen.

The screenings are free for Paley Center members, $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors, and $5 for children under 14.

AWESOME ALERT: Get Your 28 Flavors of Hot Chocolate!

Eeek! We're already a week into February and I'm slacking! City Bakery's Annual Hot Chocolate Festival began February 1st and goes the entire month. Here's the calendar of flavors:

Don't forget your Love Potion Hot Chocolate for Valentine's Day and I'm sure the Creamy Stout Hot Chocolate will blow your mind. As always, I have to throw my plug in for their peanut butter cookies. Don't think, just do it.

Alabama in NYC

When you think of Alabama, what is the first thing that comes to mind? I won't fault you if you draw a blank. However, after being invited to the Art of Alabama Food photography and tasting event last week in Chelsea Market, I can definitely say that this southern state ranks high on my culinary list! And no, not everything was fried!

I love a good food event, and this one certainly did not disappoint. I was initially apprehensive that I was going to walk into a room full of good-enough-to-eat photographs without a single edible morsel to nibble on, but thankfully my worries were nixed when I walked in and found several representative dishes and a full open bar.

First up was a Sassy Slider from Lulu's (Gulf Shores, AL), which I wish I a) took a better photo of and b) had room for 5 more! These things were not your typical slider. The beef was fresh and tender and it was topped with bacon, bbq sauce, and pimento cheese (that was the kicker for me). I thought the pickle and tomato on top was awful cute as well.

Lulu's Sassy Sliders

Next up was a BBQ Chicken Stuffed Potato Skin with Alabama White Sauce from Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q (Decatur, AL). Now, I've always known BBQ sauce to be red or brown, but white?! This took things to a whole other level. The chicken was moist and I mean, who can resist a potato skin with bacon and cheese? But the white sauce, which was very peppery, truly rounded out the dish. I would highly recommend you scope this out.

BBQ Chicken Stuffed Potato Skin with Alabama White Sauce

A dish I most certainly associate with Southern-style cooking, Bouillabaisse, made an appearance courtesy of the Hot and Hot Fish Club (Birmingham, AL). This was a fairly typical dish, except for the addition of the only-available-in-Alabama tiger shrimp--those puppies were LARGE! The crunchy bread with spicy rouille was also vital for scooping up the remaining broth.

Hot and Hot Southern Bouillabaisse with Spicy Rouille

I only had a bite of the next dish because I can't really eat raw red onions, but the West Indies Salad with crab from Compleat Angler Seafood Grille & Bar (Orange Beach, AL) was just so pretty!

West Indies Salad

Last on the savory list were the raw oysters with celery root whipped cream and caviar from TRUE (Montgomery, AL). I like oysters, and you know they have to be fresh. TRUE's take on serving these bivalves was unique, although when you swallow an oyster whole, I don't like to get too fancy with toppings in general.

Raw oysters with celery root whipped cream and caviar

Desserts were on the mark at this event; seriously, I took seconds of each of them! First was a PB&J in Phyllo from Cotton Row (Huntsville, AL); a dish which originated with the chef forgot to bring dessert to an event and quickly improvised using ingredients in the client's kitchen. The result is stupendous and ooey gooey! Next was Chevre Cheesecake from Belle Chevre (Elkmont, AL). OMG! You think you've had cheesecake before, but you really haven't until you have tried this. I'm still going to put ricotta cheesecake at the top of my cheesecake preferences, but using goat cheese give a whole other flavor palate which is super intriguing and the candied lemon blends perfectly. It took all I had not to ask for a pie to take home.

PB&J in Phyllo

Chevre Cheesecake

Serving the Chevre cheesecake

Drinks were fairly representative of the South, but I'm not exactly sure what made them Alabama-specific (does it even matter?). The first I tried was the Donnie Draper with Bootlegger Rye, bitters and orange, essentially an Old Fashioned. I also had a few sips of the Bloody Mary made with Lulu's Perfect Pepper sauce and garnished with pickled okra and an olive. Can't say I've ever had a Bloody Mary outside of brunch hours, but it was very tasty.

Donnie Draper

Bloody Mary

Here are a few shots of the event, complete with an energetic jazz band:

  

The Art of Alabama Food exhibit will be traveling the country, but until you can get your fix, I'd recommend checking out their website, which will direct you to some excellent restaurant recommendations and even recipes!

FLASH GIVEAWAY: 2 Tickets to a Screening of Romeo and Juliet on Film

In case you don't remember, Orlando Bloom (swoon!) was recently on Broadway starring with Condola Rashad in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Well, the higher powers that be decided to capture the last week of performances on film and put together a cinematic experience that people all over the country can enjoy. The film will be in theaters February 13-16, in time to celebrate Valentine's Day with your sweetie.

One of my awesome readers will win a pair of tickets to the screening at a theater of their choice! I'm doing things on a tighter schedule than normal, so pardon the inconsistency with my other giveaway formats. The first person to comment below with their email address and favorite love story wins the passes! I'll be in touch soon after. Enjoy!