Sleep No More: an amazing NYC play/adventure

So last week when a friend of ours, affectionately known as "Culture Christy" sent out an invite to attend this "west chelsea independent play" I just said sure and didnt really know what I was in for. A few days later, my friend Michelle (who had actually clicked on the link in the email) said "This looks AH-MAZING" I decided to do some background research. One Gothamist article
(http://gothamist.com/2011/03/28/how_to_get_the_most_out_of_sleep_no.php#photo-4) provides tips for the experience including:
- smoking weed before hand may increase the experience
-Bring cash for the caberet bar
- you are required to wear masks so this may be tricky if you wear glasses

Umm masks and a caberet bar YES PLEASE



*Thank god I prepared my outfit to match the white masks i had read about!* however when you look out into the "audience" it can be quite terrifying:


The play takes place in the McKittrick-an abandoned 3 story west chelsea hotel. It's kind of a mix between an extremely well produced haunted house (think entering The Shining) and an interactive theatre production of Macbeth...

I would DEFINITELY recommend going to see this before the production leaves New York (May 7th)

+I LOVED the set design (very authentic and detailed 1930s design in each and every room) You can touch and explore all items, search drawers and follow the actors around the hotel.

+The cabaret bar was amazing and felt like stepping into another era with a live band and old fashioned cocktails

-On the down side (or upside depending on whether you are going solo or not) it is hard to stay together in a group and members can get separated- you are given playing cards when you enter and must start off in the first elevator with like #s. However if you do go with friends, you're likely to all each experience different performances and rooms that you can meet back and share (Michelle saw a baby-eating rave that i somehow missed out on!)

-The play was a bit "harvest, harvest" for me (much like Smith Jerrods "Full Moon" Brooklyn play in Sex and the City Season 6 episode 5 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVJEmPV2GuE) and I didn't really understand what the hell was going on...although i guess if your super familiar with Macbeth -like my drama major fiance, it was somewhat relevant ;)


Sleep No More at the McKittrick Hotel
530 W. 27th Street between 10th and 11th

tickets and info : www.sleepnomorenyc.com

The Nudie Artist!

Last Thursday we attended another amazing opening gala at the Museum of Sex, The Nudie Artist: Burlesque Revived.
We attended the event with friends Jason and Trey, lovelywanderlust.com bloggers Emily and Abigail and fierce Burlesque performers Pink Champagne and Lady Chardonnay.










Definitely worth checking out as they have a vast collection of artwork and photographs documenting Burlesque from the "golden era" of the 1930s to neo-burlesque performers of today.

Museum of Sex
233 5th Ave
NY, YC
10am-8pm

AMAZING monthly jazz night in midtown

It's no secret that I LOVE LOVE LOVE any event that requires a costume, but Club Wit's End monthly jazz party at Flutes Champagne bar in midtown is one of the best theme parties I've been to in New York.

Anne, Jason and Trey and I arrived wondering if (as usual) we would be a tad over-dressed and over zealous...but much to our suprise the entire speak-easy style lounge looked like we had been transported to a different era. The gentlmen all sported bowties and tuxes while the ladies had the fiercest furs and headpieces ive ever seen under one roof!







they have dance lessons cooresponding to the month's theme at 8:30- this month was the charleston, next month will be tap to celebrate Fred Astaire :)

This Saturday was Academy Award themed so they also hosted a costume contest which I won with my handcrafted pearly ensemble !!




April is rumored to be Marlene Dietrich month (perfect for Anne!)



Check it out at:

www.clubwitsend.com


Next party:

Saturday March 26th 7pm-Midnight
Flutes Champagne Bar Midtown
205 West 54th Street, New York City
Tel. 212.265.5169

Burlesque Benefit Show TONIGHT!!

Burlesque Bikini Bootcamp and Paper Dolls present:
'A Night to Remember'
Tonight Friday 2/25
Don Hills
51 Greenwich St (greenwich and spring st)
Doors Open at 830- show at 930
10 donation benefitting Lymphoma Research

Come support a great cause as the Playboy Design team has donated a gift bag of lingerie and other fun Playboy product for the shows raffle and the costumes for the Pink Chardonnays and Kiki are designed by ME :)

Cruise to Nowhere

This may be on the best and cheesiest date idea we've ever come up with! In a constant strive to discover new and innovative date venues, this valentine's weekend Anne and I boarded Norwegian Gem's "Cruise To Nowhere". The cruise ship, which can hold up to 2,394 passengers takes off from a mid town pier (boarding available from 12pm onward on the departure date) and returns the following morning.


for those of you who want all the crazy kitchy perks of a cruise (including a bowling alley, casino, arcade, theater, duty free shopping and unlimited food all under one gigantic roof) but don't think you could handle an actual long term version - this is for you....







Cheaper than a five star hotel and surprisingly fun- Anne and I highly recommend it.

Anne even caved and gave into the "bucket 'o' beer" at the end of the night




Check it out here:
http://www.cruisecheap.com/ships/norwegian-cruise-line-norwegian-gem-cruise-itineraries.html

Surprising perks:
+all amentites (including hot tubs) are open year round
+you can literally take your cocktail anywhere- whether you're lounging in a jacuzzi or playing at the arcade

Some downers:
+the restaraunts are not open for lunch or breakfast so you have to go to the buffet like cattle- i would recommend packing some snacks
+alcohol is not included so this is where you'll spend most of your $$- although prices are still more reasonable than manhattan bars :)

Comic Stripped- Great Winter date

The winter months and brutal cold can tempt even the most cosmopolitan girl to stay in an hibernate. If you're like me and are struggling with the bleak winter weather but still want to be out having fun in the city- the Museum of Sex on 5th Avenue is host to a great new (indoor!) date venue:

The museum's latest exhibit, Comic-stripped consists of 150 pieces includingL drawings, illustrated
books, comic books, magazines, and videos that have used animated characters to explore American sexuality. The artifacts range from "dirty drawings" that were prohibited in the Depression to American icons of today (ie Marge simpson on the cover November 2009 Playboy). My personal favourite piece was Paul Krassner's 1967 parody "The Disneyland Memorial" which was also used as a wallpaper back drop for one of the exhibits main wall.




I definitely recommend checking it out the exhibit is open now at the Museum of Sex:

233 5th Avenue (at 27th Street)

http://www.museumofsex.com/exhibit/comics-stripped

And be sure to sure to check out there aphrodisiac cafe downstairs for some sexy snacks and drinks :)

Long Weekend in the City

So for the first time in a very long time my partner and I were going to be in our favourite spot for a long weekend:Manhattan. I decided to surprise her with a gorgeous new 1950s style bathing suit and a gift card that read "for where I'm taking you this weekend" with a picture of the Hotel Gansevoort's pool. She was ecstatic and we trekked the 5 blocks to our "staycation" Saturday afternoon....

Now for those of you outside NYC this probably sounds excessively ridiculous, but let me explain: Unless you want to take your chances at public pool or happen to have a gym membership that includes outdoor pool access, there are very few pools you can lounge by on the island of Manhattan. The Gansevoort is supposedly the best....

Let me tell you friends- I don't recommend this venue. First of all, we arrived an hour past check in and our room was not ready. We were told to wait at the rooftop bar/pool (without comped drinks or snacks) after an hour+ we returned to the concierge and requested a refund as we'd decided just to head home. They gave us a large discount on the rate so we stayed. We returned to the pool area to find it overrun with too many bachelorette parties to count and drunk singing irish-men with guitars...we felt a little ridiculous with our magazines and travel scrabble but made the best of it.

For any of you readers looking for some Manhattan pool action I would recommend the much less "sceney" Empire Hotel on the upper west side, or if your looking for a more serious commitment, a membership at the Soho House- where there is an unwritten precedent against Bachelorette parties.

We still had an awesome weekend- saved by the Radio City Glee concert on Sunday where Anne and I arrived as Rachel Berry and a very pregnant Quinn Fabrae

Sweet Date Spot! Vegan Chocolate- who knew?

I was recently looking for a cute wine and appetizer spot to take my mom and godmother before our dinner reservation. Anne and I love Cocoa V for their yummy dark chocolates and strange (but amazing) flavour combinations (ie chocolate covered edimame) They also offer all organic, free trade and vegan chocolates.

But we had never sat in their lounge area before. We decided to try it out and absolutely loved the adorable interior, great wine list and delicious chocolate plates. The chocolate plates are def the star of the menu! Served cheeseplate style on a cutting board with knives for sharing, the plates are thoughtfully prepared in categories:
-5 piece of chocolates of either Pure, Nut, Crunchy, Fruity or Exotic Fruit selections, $13.00/plate
( You can also create your own combination of 5 chocolates.)

We had a great time and I totes recommend Cocoa V as an adorable before or after dinner drink spot.

Cocoa V
179 9th Avenue
New York, NY

600 condoms and too many paper towels

If you are looking for an interesting date this month- check out the Museum of Sex RUBBERS exhibit:


I created a dress for the exhibit's director made of 600 condoms all hand washed, sewn and spraypainted :) I attended the opening gala with Anne and some friends and we had a ton of fun. The exhibit has everything from 17th century condom packaging to condom art and dresses.

check it out at:
MUSEUM OF SEX
233 5th Avenue
NY, NY
Sun-Fri: 11am- 6:30pm
Sat: 11am- 8pm

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

YAY- my absolutely favourite time in NYC is here....

My two favourite things about December are gift-giving and Christmas movies. In the past few weeks my girlfriend and I have already seen every holiday film involving Jim Henson or Bing Crosby...If you are also a fan The Tribeca Grand is continuing its Sunday movie screenings with holiday classics.


SCROOGED is this sunday 12/20 at 4pm
RSVP here

or at 630pm:
RSVP here

200 CIGARETTES plays next Sunday 12/27 at 4pm
RSVP here

or 630pm:
RSVP here

a pre-fixe brunch is available before the 4pm showing for 34.95 or you can opt for a 3-course dinner after the 6:30pm show.

for brunch or dinner reservations call 212-965-3565

Tribeca Grand Hotel
310 West Broadway
NY, NY 10013

Celebrate Chanel Style Tonight!

In honour of "Fashion's Night Out" in NYC Tonight all the Chanel boutiques in the city will be hosting special events including:

15 East 57th Street 6pm-11pm:
Personalize Your Own Chanel bag
Vogue Editor Andre Leon Tally will be advising tonights handbag designers from 7pm-7:45pm

139 Spring Street @ Wooster 6pm-11pm
Champagne and Nail Bar
Enjoy complimentary manicures and Champagne at the Soho location
* I hear the new Chanel Le Vernis shade is HOT

733 Madison Ave@64th Street 6pm-9pm
Complimentary Champagne and french chocolates while you shop

Im soo jealous Im not in NYC tonight :( drink and shop lots and lots for me!!!!

Haberdasher-ific

I am OBSESSED with hats this fall...maybe its because Madonna looks so damn good in them...maybe its because I just watched the Shirley MacLaine/Coco Chanel Lifetime Movie...maybe its because I bought the cutest sparkly beret EVER last week...

In any case... I was in New York City to visit my girlfriend last weekend and we stumbled into the cutest hat shop in Chelsea. Elle Christine Millinery on 18th St between 7th and 8th Ave has an awesome selection of women's sculpted fedoras, bowlers and other unique handcrafted pieces. Also- They are doing a "Mad Hatter Scavenger Hunt" this month with online clues that can lead you to win a free cocktail hat.

If your lady loves fabulous headwear as much as I do I highly recommend a trip to Elle Christine's Millinery followed by a romantic night in with Ms. MacLaine and a good bottle of Cabernet.

Elle Christines Millinery
255 West 18th Street
NY, NY
212-242-2457

HOURS:
Tue-Sat 11:00am - 7:00pm
except Thurs 11:00am - 6:00pm
Sun 1:00pm- 6:00pm

Coco Chanel
Available on itunes for 3.99

CRYSTALLIZED

I literally thought I had died and gone to heaven (or at least it's fancy waiting room) when my girlfriend and I walked intoSwarovski's new concept store in soho this weekend. The store which spans the width of the block between mercer and broadway just north of broome street, is a combination of a swarovski retailer and lounge/cafe.

It's a gorgeous place to stop and have a glass of wine or a coffee while you are shopping in Soho. Their Kir Royal was super yummy and seemingly even more bubbly than usual amongst the all the crystals!

Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED New York
499 Broadway
NY, NY 10012
Mon- Wed 10am-7pm
Thurs 10am-8pm
Fri- Sat 10am-7pm
Sun 12pm -6pm

SPA WEEK is back! (and so am I)

Hey guys I didn't realize how long I'd been slacking until one of my loving readers emailed me (Thanks Mal!) August was a little hectic as I had been celebrating the birth of all my main ladies: My girlfriend, my mom, my sis and of course her Madge-sty!

But I am back just in time for lots of fall tips!!!!

SPA WEEK'S s bi-annual celebration is back: Sept 14-20 in Chicago and California, October 12-18 in NYC. As a result: a ton of spas have great gift packages and most have signature treatments for $50.00 or less. (Chicago's Spa @ the Wit is offering it's feature Mimosa Body Polish for $50 and Saks Fifth Ave is doing its Peppermint Patty Pedicure for the same discounted price!)

check out the discounts available at your fav spa here

London Calling

Due to the success of the mini NYC film fest at the Tribeca Grand Hotel,
They are extending their complimentary screenings in May to include London based classic and cult favorites. Screenings take place in their private 98 seat theatre (pictured) at 6:30pm each Sunday.

May 3 -Alfie

May 10-Blowup

May 17-A Fish Called Wanda

May 24-Four Weddings and a Funeral

May 31- Bridget Jone's Diary

The hotel's restaraunt, Church Lounge, is also offering a Sunday night prixe fixe three course meal.

To make a reservation call: 212-519-3565

Tribeca Grande Hotel
2 Sixth Avenue (at White Street)
NYC