Some Summer Creativity

I've always considered myself a fairly creative person, and is it just me or does it seem like we used to get much more encouragement to be creative when we were kids? With all the stress of life as an adult, I've been finding it's actually more beneficial now to get my creative juices flowing than it was when all I really wanted was to gossip with my friends on the playground while sipping Capri Sun.

Thankfully for all my awesome readers, I've taken the liberty of trying out a couple classes in the NYC area and here's what I have to report:

Painting and Wine Class: The Art Studio NY

(Purchased on Groupon for $35 plus $10 for the canvas)

After seeing countless friends spend a fun night trying to copy a painting while sipping wine, I thought this would be a good place to start, especially given the fact that I have never painted anything in my life (with the exception of my dining room walls and some finger painting way back when). My friend Rachel and I shopped our options and settled for a 3-hour class at The Art Studio NY on the Upper West Side. Our instructor, Jacob Premo, was wonderful and encouraging as he led us through step-by-step as to how we should conquer the painting. He was also very flexible--helping other students paint entirely different pictures and even providing neon pink paint and glitter to one student (I was very jealous of her final product). The wine was constantly flowing and between that and the relaxing actions of mixing paints and putting brush to canvas, I was a happy lady by the end of the night. I may not be the next Van Gogh, but now I can say I have an original piece of art hanging in my apartment. The studio offers ongoing art classes for all levels at very reasonable prices, including drawing classes that take place in both the Met and Central Park. For only $39 including all materials, you may very well find me there in the near future.

The original next to my finished work

Me and Rachel with our masterpieces

Adventure Photography: JP Teaches Photo

(Free on Zozi, bring your own camera)

I've owned a Canon Rebel DSLR (fancy camera speak for one of those large cameras that take really good pictures) for about 7 years now, and I'm sad to say that I still don't know completely how to use it. I usually leave it on auto, occasionally venturing to manual when I have something specific in mind. For the most part I've been happy with it, because it takes killer photos even on auto, but with an upcoming trip to Thailand/South Korea (it's okay, you can be jealous), I wanted to up my game. I came across JP Teaches Photo through the deals site Zozi a few weeks back. They were (and are still...GET ON THIS PEOPLE!) running a special where you get a free "adventure" just for signing up, and more free adventures for signing up your friends. I opted for the adventure photo class in Central Park as a way to brush up on my camera skills and have a wonderful evening in the process. Our group of 6 students and 2 instructors met on the west side of the park on a perfect Sunday evening. The impending rain gave way to beautiful sunshine which streaked in sideways as the sun sank toward the horizon. Paul, a professional photographer/lighting designer and self-described "bro," led us through various exercises designed to get us used to motion photography as well as techniques to help us with landscape and wildlife photography. JP, who's specialty is in helping people use their cameras, stood by to answer specific questions like "how can I make the background lighter/darker?" or "where is that button on my [insert pretty much any camera you can think of]?" The most awesome part of the entire class was when Cartman the skateboarding bulldog and his owner passed by just after we talked about stop motion photography. I was so happy I had my camera in hand, ready to go. The two hours flew by too quickly, but I learned so much, and only whet my appetite for learning more. I may or may not have also signed up for the beginner class in August :)

Dark Cave

Lamp Post

Cartman the Bulldog

With all that this city has to offer, who knows what I might try next! Feel free to leave any suggestions in the comments below and be sure to let us know if you try either of these classes. Happy creativity!

Pitch Your Brunch Fork Here

I always like to impress my brother with awesome NYC food when he visits, so when he came for his last trip I made a point to plan a delicious and all-you-can-drink meal that would be sure to wow him. We headed east to The Pitch and Fork and were seated in a cozy booth by the front of the rustic, yet charming, restaurant.

Pitc

One of the first things I noticed was the giant piece of taxidermy over the bar--it's definitely cozy--but then you see "bottomless brunch" on the menu and you're reminded that you are super far away from any place where a pitchfork is used for anything but decoration and the place suddenly feels chic.

The brunch menu is split into a couple of sections--appetizers, "like breakfast," and "like lunch"--to help you decide what you're in the mood for. You can make any entree into an all-you-can-drink 2-hour brunch for just $27 (that goes for the $10 granola or the $24 organic brick chicken). We started with the devils on horseback ($9) and highly recommend you do too. These little balls of bacon wrapped dates wrapped blue cheese are heavenly and they definitely don't skimp you!

Devils on Horseback ($9)

I opted for the grilled spicy shrimp ($24) with grits, fava beans, summer squash, ancho chili, bacon, and basil, which was basically a fancy way to say shrimp and grits. The Grits were perfectly cooked, and the whole dish just flowed seamlessly. I ate every last bite and could have eaten more.

Grilled Spicy Shrimp ($24)

My brother went for the classic steak and eggs (go big or go home right?), which was a rib eye served with eggs and potato hash ($24). The steak was a pretty large hunk of meat for any meal, let alone brunch, and everything was cooked wonderfully.

Steak and Eggs

We figured we had to have the entire Pitch and Fork experience so we asked what was available for dessert and knew what we had to order when our waitress told us about the donuts with bacon glaze and, get this, Pop Rocks! Do yourself a favor and get the donuts so that I don't have to explain the sensation of exploding candy in your mouth while you're trying to savor the warm doughy donuts saturated with powdered sugar and maple bacon glaze, ok?

Taking a look at Pitch and Fork's dinner menu, I'm definitely intrigued. Continuing on what seems to be a trend, they have bacon wrapped bacon for an appetizer and their shepherd's pie sounds pretty legitimate. Combine the awesome menu with a covered back patio, and this place seems to have it all. Ultimately, it was a successful meal and I'll definitely be back!

Savor That Craft Beer

I don't know if the concept of 'craft beer' is really all that new or if it just seems to be getting a lot more press in recent years, but either way, we think it's awesome. With all of the craft beer festivals popping up all over the place, these unique libations have many pedestals to stand on. The latest event to hit the Big Apple, presented by the Brewers Association, is Savor: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience taking place this weekend June 14-15 at the Altman Building and Metropolitan Pavillion.

The event comes to NYC after five consecutive years in the nation’s capital. Attendees will enjoy beers from 76 small and independent U.S. breweries, hailing from 31 different states and representing all regions of the country. Along with tasting some of the finest craft beers, attendees will enjoy a diverse array of food pairings designed by Chef Adam Dulye, co-owner/chef of San Francisco’s The Monk’s Kettle and James Beard Award-semifinalist Abbot’s Cellar, in collaboration with a panel of chefs and Cicerones. Sonnier & Castle will serve as the event caterer.

Savor will also feature salons each of the nights focusing on specific beer concepts such as:

• Cajun and Creole Artisanal Foods and Bieres in Quadraphonic Sensaround
• West Coast Beer, East Coast Food
• Blending Barrel Aged Sour Beers
• Several Shades of Lager: An Exploration and Explanation of Lager Beers

For tickets, click here. See you there this weekend. I hope you're ready to get your drink on!

AWESOME ALERT: Free Outdoor Adventures From Zozi and Bear Grylls

Ever fancied yourself an outdoors enthusiast? What about someone who at least likes trees? Either way, you're in luck because the deals site Zozi is giving away free outdoor adventures in NYC and around the country as part of a new promotion with Bear Grylls. I got the Outdoor Photography Class (regularly $97) and after referring 3 more people, I picked up the day pass to Brooklyn Boulders (regularly $32).

To sign up, click here and select your free adventure! Comment below on what you picked.

Riding Wax Wings at LPR

Last night was one of those amazing New York nights that makes me so happy to be where I am and doing what I'm doing. I have never been someone who remembers the name of every [insert famous band name] song or who can quote lyrics at the drop of a pin, but there are certain artists and certain songs that have clung to me at different points in my life that remain vital to who I am as a person. Joshua Radin is one of those musicians and if you've ever heard his music, or even better, heard him play live, you know why.

The wonderful people at Le Poisson Rouge invited me and a friend to an intimate Joshua Radin performance tonight and I was over-the-moon happy all week in anticipation. LPR is a great venue for a concert because they offer plenty of seating if you get there early enough that enables you to feel like a civilized adult at a concert rather than the college students we all used to be standing chin to shoulder to hip to elbow trying to get a glimpse of the stage. Yes, there is a 2 drink/food item minimum per person at tables, but to be honest, their food is great and their drinks are even better. I'd highly recommend the edamame with truffle salt ($5) or the fresh-out-of-the-oven chocolate chip cookies and milk ($5) if you are in the mood for something sweeter.

There are not many people I'd go out at 10:30 on a Wednesday night to see (the doors didn't even open until 10:15...here's to being hip and happening!), but with a Pina Colada sandwich from Peanut Butter and Co. freshly down-the-hatch (best Greenwich Village dinner ever), we got to the front of the line only to run into other friends and managed to snag a table so close to the stage that we were sitting practically on top of music people (one musician and 2 suited execs perhaps?) that seemed to be "with the band."

My Name is You opened with some pretty mushy gushy loves songs (hey, there's nothing wrong with those) reminiscent of The Weepies and Of Monsters and Men. Songs like Come Back (The summer’s passing so are you and i’ll come if you want me to, but if you leave without me dear i’ll understand. Come back to me my dear. All has been forgiven. For life without you here is barely even living) will melt your heart, but I especially liked Fortunate Ones (We have all that we could need and some more that we don’t even need, so when we see something new why do we now think we need it too? Let me tell you a secret: we're the fortunate ones. Let me tell you a secret: we're the ones with it all).

My Name is You

When Josh Radin came on stage, clad in a dark grey t-shirt, ripped jeans, and an orange beanie and proclaiming this show would be just like us watching him play in his living room, I knew we were in for a treat. He played the majority of his first two albums We Were Here and Simple Times, which I was very happy about, and I loved that he kept stepping away from the microphone and once even unplugging completely for the most authentic live acoustic experience we could ask for. He also played a good selection of tracks from his newly released album, Wax Wings.

Joshua Radin

Playing with My Name is You

Songs like You've Got Growin Up to Do (So the best thing I can give to you is for me to go, leave you alone cause you got growing up to do) and Winter (I should know who I am by now. I walk the record stands somehow. Thinking of winter. Your name is the splinter inside me. While I wait) are super relatable and have definitely helped me through harder times in my life, but the best part of the show was knowing that life may suck sometimes, but sitting no more than 20 feet away from Joshua Radin pretending he was serenading only me made my entire universe infinitely better. I can only hope to one day feel the way he describes in Today (But you are the one I've been waiting for today. And here comes the sun that's been baiting on today) and You Got What I Need (When I see you it's a beautiful world, but when you're gone, I want you in my arms I'm telling you the last time. Baby you, you got what I need. Baby you, you got my sunshine).

Josh also brought up Brandon from My Name is you to cover Bob Dylan's Don't Think Twice, It's All Right:

Ok, enough sap for today. Hope you enjoyed the pictures (taken with my new phone!) and a big shout-out to Lauren for providing the video.

Food Trucks Take Flight

I think I'm still full from Choice Eats. Seriously. But New York is a city that revolves around it's wide array of cuisine and various means of distributing food, so inevitably the blog must go on. The Village Voice recently held their outdoor food truck event, Choice Streets, at the Intrepid and I was invited to go check it out. This event is arranged differently than Choice Eats in that there aren't as many food vendors and the lines are super long, but we still made a night of it, and ate some delicious tidbits from NYC's best mobile vendors.

With our tasting glasses in tow, we started the night at Shock Top where I tried their Honeycrisp Ale, a super refreshing summer beer. If you wanted Lemon Shandy, they were serving it directly from a tap in the trunk of a car!

Because of the staggering lines building at most of the trucks when I arrived, I opted for dessert first, and started at my beloved Cool Haus ice cream sandwiches where I only found about 5 people in line. I tried the snickerdoodle cookie with sea salt caramel ice cream. Yum! And I was very appreciative that they weren't serving full-sized ice cream sandwiches for that would have been a mess.

Snickerdoodle cookie and sea salt caramel ice cream (Cool Haus)

Next Up was Mexico Blvd, one of my favorites of the night with their Adobo Taco--pork loin marinated in adobo served with cilantro, onion and salsa. Next door was Mausam Curry 'n Bites, which served a fairly typical chicken tikka, not bad, but fairly generic in my opinion.

Adobo Taco (Mexico Blvd)

Chicken Tikke (Mausam Curry 'n Bites)

I tried two different mini empanadas from Nuchas and some "Authentic Indian Street Food" from Desi Food Truck (not quite sure what was in it, but there was definitely rice, potatoes and curry involved).

Mini Empanadas (Nuchas)

"Authentic Indian Street Food" (Desi Food Truck)

Tacos (or taco-like foods) were definitely a theme of the night. Big D's Grub served up some spicy pork tacos that definitely had a kick, whereas Mike n' Willies served up their take on a flauta, stuffing falafel into a fried corn tortilla and covering it in tahini. I really enjoyed the latter.

Spicy Pork Taco (Big D's Grub)

Falafel Flauta (Mike n' Willies)

Souvlaki GR was a hit among my friends, but to be honest it didn't do it for me. The charcoal grilled chicken had a funny taste, but maybe I just had a bad batch. The Greek fries were pretty awesome though.

Charcoal Grilled Chicken and Greek Fries (Souvlaki GR)

Wafels & Dinges was one truck I was highly anticipating and it did not disappoint. They were serving up full sized wafels with candied bacon, caramel and whipped cream. Deeee-lish!

Wafels & Dinges

Wafel with candied bacon, caramel and whipped cream (Wafels & Dinges)

At this point unfortunately my camera started to go wonky, and the following pictures are either blurry and/or borrowed (thanks Laura!). Regardless, the burger at Rhong Tiam was amazing and I felt equally excited about the pupusas at Solber pupusas (glad I finally know what that is!) and the arepas at Palenque Homemade Colombian Food.

Burger (Rhong Tiam)

Meat Pupusa (Solber Pupusas)

Corn Arepa with Chicken and Portobello Mushrooms (Palenque Homemade Colombian Food)

We topped everything off with an Arnold Palmer Kelvin Slush and called it a night. Unfortunately Mac Truck sported lines 50-people deep all night and ran out before I gave them a try. I was equally disappointed that Gorilla Cheese NYC didn't even show up. Next idea for an event...an all mac 'n' cheese/grilled cheese food extravaganza!! Who'd be up for that?

AWESOME DEAL: $45 for Up to 600 Fitness Classes in NYC

Since moving to Astoria in December and training for the Brooklyn Half Marathon (eeeeek! This Saturday!), I have yet to commit to a gym membership. I used to be a tried and true member of Crunch on East 34th Street and I honestly really loved it there, but the distance is too much for me now. I've been racking my head as to where I'd like to join after the race and then I discovered a fabulous deal.

Lifebooker, as you may know and love, is a website where you can not only book all your beauty appointments at a discount, but they also sell Lifebooker Loot--essentially daily deals related to fitness, beauty, and health. Starting today, they are partnering with the American Health and Fitness Alliance to offer a deal that almost seems to good to be true. For $45 you can get free 7-month access to over 165 of the best health and fitness clubs in New York (and throughout Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, Staten Island, and more). Each pass is good for a minimum of TWO free visits per club, with some passes good for an ENTIRE MONTH - for a total of over 600 complimentary visits in all. The full list of clubs is available here, but some examples are:

• 2 visits to Crunch Fitness
• 2 visits to David Barton Gym
• 2 visits to Manhattan Plaza Health Club (rock climbing wall!)
• 2 visits to the 92nd Street Y
• 3 visits to Pablo Fitness (spinning and yoga!)
• 4 visits to Club Fitness (great for Astoria residents like me)
• 4 visits to Pure Power Boot Camp

So you can see that even if you only go to 3 or 4 classes over the course of 7 months, you'll definitely get your money's worth. BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE!

Lifebooker is also offering a yoga pass and a Pilates pass each for $45 and also each good for 7 months. To supplement my fitness pass, I'm planning on purchasing the yoga pass, and here's some examples of what that includes:

• 2 classes at Atmananda Yoga (recently featured on Gilt Group)
• 2 classes at Dance New Amsterdam
• 2 classes at Exhale Spa (hello, these regularly go for like $30 a pop!)
• 2 classes at Om Factory (one of my favorite yoga studios in the city, try Forrest and Aerial yoga here)
• 2 classes at Pure Yoga
• 2 classes at Yoga Works
• 2 classes at Sheila Kelley's S Factor (not exactly yoga, but you know you'll have a good time)

If you're into Pilates  the Pilates pass comes with a lot of private sessions, which you know can be very expensive if purchased individually.

To purchase one, two or all three passes, go to Lifebooker, create an account if you haven't already done so, and search for the $45 Fitness Pass in the Loot section. If you have friends in Chicago, Houston or LA, be sure to pass this onto them because there are options available in those cities as well. Happy working out!