C Wonder

Like most people I have left all my Holiday shopping to the last minute.  As I was running around like a maniac I stumbled upon this little gem, C Wonder. It was absolutely perfect for all the little gifts I needed and I also found quite a few items for myself.










There are a bunch of monogrammed items, (cocktail napkins, mugs, wine stoppers, just to name a few) adorable jewelry, candles, scarves, gloves, the list goes on and on.  And the prices are amazing!  Many things to choose from under $25.  Although you may feel that you are having de je vous from the last time you were in a Tory Burch store I highly recommend making to stop by the Soho Flagship location.

http://www.cwonder.com/

72 Spring St New York, NY 10012

Alice + Olivia Sample Sale

Its that time of year, yet another Sample Sale, and this one is definitely worth writing home about.  I headed over right after work, around 5:30, and I was pleasantly surprised to walk right in, no line.  Once I got inside I was amazed that there was hardly any crowd.  (Be advised that around 6:00 when most people get out of work the line was long and the aisles were tough to navigate.)  I was overwhelmingly pleased with the selection!  This is one of the best Sample Sales I've been to in a while. I highly recommend checking it out!

I snagged this awesome silver number for an upcoming wedding which retailed at $550 for just $200. There are tons of perfect NYE dresses and they are mostly in good condition.

Boozy Brunch

Tre

I have recently relocated to the East Village and I couldn't be happier!  I love being so close to all the great restaurants in Soho, the Lower East Side, and obviously the East Village.  One of my favorite brunch spots is Tre.  It's a tiny little place hidden on Ludlow just off Houston Street. It's easy to miss which is part of it's appeal.









The deal is 90 minutes all you can drink mimosas, champagne, or belini's, and a brunch food item for $21.95.  The service is always great and the drinks are strong (what more could you need right?).  I never feel rushed and the small space feels more cozy than squished.  What I also love is the whole crowd seems to be in the same boat as me and my group, hung-over and dishing about the previous nights scandals!

173 Ludlow St New York, NY 10002

http://www.trenewyork.com/

Pulsd

I have recently discovered this site called Pulsd and am absolutely loving it.  This is a great resource to add to your daily blog reads. They cover everything from food, fashion, fitness, and drinking.  Check it out!

http://pulsd.com/new-york

The Smile

If you are one of the "cool kids" then you have probably already been to this adorable little restaurant.  Just on the edge of Soho this is a perfect place to grab brunch, lunch, or dinner.  It's hidden enough from the main drag of Soho that it isn't frequented by anyone but locals (therefor the dress code is strictly "homeless chic," get used to it.)

The food and atmosphere are both fabulous and rustic.  If you are looking for healthy items there are plenty to choose from.  I love the Homemade Granola or the scrambled eggs with greens and toast.  They also have a good number of salads to choose from.  I like the whole vibe they have going on with many of the ingredients being sourced from local farms.

26 Bond St New York, NY 10012

http://thesmilenyc.com/

DVF Sample Sale

It's that time again, the much anticipated Diane Von Furstenberg Sample Sale!  It starts tomorrow and promises to be amazing as always.  Rumor has it that the crowd can get a little pushy so be prepared and good luck!

Brunch and Jazz

Garage Restaurant and Cafe

Garage in the West Village is one of my go-to spots for brunch.  I've taken both friends and family to this little gem.  What I like about it is that the AYCD (all you can drink-duh) deal is cheap but the atmosphere is anything but.  You feel classy sipping on mimosas while a live jazz band performs across the room. The deal is $17 for any brunch item and add $6 for unlimited mimosas or bloody mary's for an hour. They also have some really excellent items on the menu, I highly recommend the Smoked Nova Scotia Salmon Scrambled Eggs or the Vanilla Bean French Toast.

My advice is get a seat on the opposite side of the restaurant as the band.  Although they are extremely charming they can be a little on the loud side.  In the summer months this is a wonderful place to come for a seat outside and the doors are left open so you won't miss out on the jazz. I also think this a great place for a group to get together but I do recommend a reservation for a group of more than 4.

99 Seventh Ave South at Grove Street

http://www.garagerest.com/index.html

Lululemon Gives Back

One of my absolute favorite places to pick up work out gear is Lululemon.  Anyone who's anyone would not be caught in anything else when sweating it out at the Equinox. Although the clothes are pretty pricey they are totally worth it.  I also love the feeling of the stores, scattered all over Manhattan,  it's very "granola chic."

Given all the turmoil New York City and the surrounding areas have been through recently,  now is the time to give back to our community.  Lululemon has so generously set up transportation for volunteers to take out to Gerritsen Beach, NJ to help with the clean up from the damage from Hurricane Sandy.  A bus picks you up at the Lincoln Square location at 8am and drops you back off at 4pm (leaves plenty of time for shopping!)

1928 Broadway New York, NY 10023

http://www.lululemon.com/newyork/newyork/events/event-48412-2012-12-09

Best Italian in the City

Bar Pitti

There are certain restaurants in this city that have that "Je ne sais quoi" and Bar Pitti is certainly one of them.  If you are looking for a perfect New York dining experience this adorable tiny Italian joint will never disappoint.  The majority of the menu comes to you on a chalkboard that is brought to your table at the time of ordering.  In my experience the waiter usually asks you to hold the chalkboard and usually pretty much tells you what to order.  Usually this might be seen as a negative or bad service but somehow they pull it off.  You get the feeling that the entire staff just arrived in New York City for a little village in Italy just to serve you dinner.

The food is absolutely outstanding.  It's no frills Italian that's done right. About 75% of the seating is outdoor so it's a great choice for the warmer months but if you are lucky enough to snag a table inside it can also be a perfect place to warm up during the winter.  This is also rumored to be a favorite of many NYC celebs including Jay Z and Beyonce, so keep your eyes peeled if you decide to stop by!

Cash Only

268 6th Ave New York, NY 10014

http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/bar-pitti/

Nest Sample Sale

I can't resist a good sample sale and although this is a different genre than I usually frequent it did not disappoint.  Candles are a perfect Holiday Gift and Nest is a great brand. The prices are amazing! ($5-$30 for most candles).

601 West 26th Street Suite No. 1500

(Between 11th and 12th Ave)

New York, NY 

http://www.facebook.com/events/151318424915088/

Bone Lick Park

One thing that New Yorkers do better than anyone else is brunch (yes it's a verb).  It is like religion here, an activity you must partake in at least once a week.  It is completely acceptable to drink Mimosas and Bloody Mary's all day on a Saturday or Sunday when you live in NYC.  

There are plenty of options when it comes to brunch spots.  They range from outrageously over-priced to surprisingly cheap.  I must say brunch is one place where my motto is the cheaper the better. Bone Lick Park is one of those amazing places that serves up good brunch food and strong mimosa's for a low price.  For just $15 you get one hour of unlimited drinks and a brunch item.  I know most places do 2 hours but I've come to learn that they are very generous with this hour so you get more than your money's worth.

The atmosphere is perfect for a low key afternoon recapping the previous nights events.  It's a BBQ place so it has a little bit of a southern vibe and the decor is a little bit vintage which I think is cute.  In my experience the staff is always great and attentive. 

75 Greenwich Ave New York, NY 10014

http://bonelickparkbbq.com/

The Wren

I think of the Wren as the type of place to "see and be seen."  It is always busting at the seams with beautiful people having the most fabulous time.  The drinks are delicious and there always seems to be a plethora of single attractive men waiting at the bar.  There's a cozy rustic feel to the decor and the food.




I had the pleasure of attending a birthday party in the private room downstairs and I must say I highly recommend the space.  It carries over the same vibe as the bar upstairs but with a slightly more intimate feel for special events.


Near the corner of Bowery and 3rd Street it is a great centrally located spot to start the night.  This always seems to be a place that a lot of people are dying to get into so it's a good idea to get there on the early side to avoid the line.  In my opinion it's the perfect spot to grab drinks with one friend, maybe avoid a big entourage because it's always crowded.

344 Bowery New York, NY 10012

http://www.thewrennyc.com/

Viktor and Spoils

The Lower East Side (LES) is one of my favorite neighborhoods in NYC.  It has that gritty "New York" feeling to it and there are endless dining and drinking options.  One of my preferred little spots is Viktor and Spoils located in the Hotel on Rivington located on Rivington and Ludlow.  You enter through a long hallway into a small-ish bar/lounge area. I usually frequent this place on weeknights only and it is always a great crowd.





Being that it is a Taqueria and Tequila Bar the Tequila cocktails are amazing.  One of my favorite aspects of this place is that I usually just ask the bartender to "surprise me" and just make me something with Tequila, and I am yet to be disappointed!  They always use seasonal ingredients and concoct something delicious. 









The dim lighting and sectioned off booths create a very intimate atmosphere.  It's not a bad place to grab a drink after a date or with a group of friends.  Across from the bar it this amazing wall of Jarritos soda bottles back lit with neon colors (great photo op-just sayin). It's not a bad place to grab a drink after a date or with a group of friends.

 105 Rivington St New York, NY 10002

http://www.hotelonrivington.com/Food-Drink/Viktor-and-Spoils

http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/viktor-spoils/menu

Bauble Bar

Ok, if you live in New York City and haven't yet visited the Bauble Bar Showroom then shame on you!  It is such a wonderful little place I can't get enough.  The concept is so adorable, it's a small showroom full of jewels as well as a little bar with wine and cheese!  I mean seriously, what could be better?



I stopped by this week and they have started this fun little Bingo card where you can fill out spots by doing things like tweeting, checking in, and of course purchasing.  What a fun idea and a great way to generate buzz.


The prices are so reasonable and the pieces are SO cute I think everyone I know will be getting a piece of jewelry from the Bauble Bar this season.

The showroom is open until 8:00 pm Monday-Friday so it's a great pit stop after work on your way to happy hour.  And considering they serve wine it will get your night started right!

230 Fifth Ave Suite 610 at 28th Street

http://www.baublebar.com/

http://blog.baublebar.com/

J Crew Sample Sale

What's better than spending your lunch break at the J Crew Sample Sale? In my opinion, nothing!  It's always a little crowded and a little picked over but COMPLETELY worth going.  I only waited about 15 minutes in line (could be a personal record). I would say the best selection this time around is the Collection merchandise and the Jewelry.


Check it out at: 260 Fifth Ave Cross Street 28th St









Thanks to Alexis for keeping me in the loop on everything J Crew! http://jcrewaficionada.blogspot.com/2012/11/jcrew-sample-sale-in-nyc-starts-today.html

The Gift of Glasses

A few weeks ago I finally got around to trying out Warby Parker.  In case you haven't heard of this amazing place, it is a Eye Wear Supplier that offers an amazing service where you can have 5 pairs of glasses sent to you for free!

This is a perfect service for the busy New Yorker on the go who doesn't have time to try-on glasses.  I picked out 5 frames that I liked and within a few days they arrived at my office.  I picked my favorite and just a few short weeks later my very own pair arrived!  I ended up with Thatcher but Winston was a close second.  At only $95 a pop I may have to grab another pair.



Given that it is the Holiday Season I have been brainstorming some good gift ideas.  What's better than glasses?  I can't count how many times people have complimented me on my glasses (my life is so hard) and said how they have been meaning to get a pair.  Well now they can do it, with a Gift Card!



Warby Parker Headquarters 295 Lafayette St Suite 501

888-492-7297

http://www.warbyparker.com/

New Sunday Hot Spot

If you are a fan of the original Ainsworth on 26th street then you will love their new location on 18th and Park Ave.  Ainsworth Park is the new Sunday Hot Spot. If you are like me and "watching sports" really entails drinking and socializing then you will fit right in.  It's more of a see-and-be-seen atmosphere than anything else. Don't be surprised if there is a line outside but bat your lashes once or twice and you'll get right in.

Bottle service is the prefer way to really enjoy this place (duh). And if your feeling like a little nosh to soak up your Sunday buzz the food is actually really good! I recommend the Pulled Pork Sliders with a side of Truffle Fries. And for those trying to watch their waistline the Chopped Vegetable Salad with Shrimp is excellent.



Long story short Ainsworth Park is a no brainier for the after brunch crowd. Enjoy!

212-673-2467

111 E 18th Street New York, NY 10003

http://www.ainsworthnyc.com/index.htm

The Monster Cycle

I have recently developed a passion (read: complete obsession) for Equinox. It is really the only acceptable place to have a gym membership to in NYC. In my opinion the classes are really what make the experience.




Recently one of my favorites has been The Monster Cycle with Michael Macneal.  There are many reasons why I am loving this class.  First of all Michael is gorgeous, (gay of course, just my luck) the classes are always full so I am inspired to push myself as hard as possible, and the music.  I love love love the music.  His whole thing is about the beat of the song and pedaling in sync with the songs he picks.  He also posts all the playlists online! http://www.themonstercycle.com/Playlist.html


If you happen to be an all access member, which obviously you should be, you can catch the Monster Cycle at multiple locations in the city.


Enjoy and remember, it's not fitness it's life!

http://www.themonstercycle.com/