Monthly Archives: May 2010

A New York Story: Part 2

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So, where was I?

Oh yes, so we entered this lavish hotel room (the entire thing isn’t even pictured on the video.. it was huge!) and popped another bottle of tres chic champagne (can I ever go back to sparkling wine again? Consider me a spoiled woman.)

Within the hour, we were met by our personal concierge for the weekend who gave us details about our night’s plans:

Birthday dinner party at STK in the Meat Packing District, then a private booth at 1Oak – a new-ish nightclub where – get this – they give the up-down stare and, if they don’t dig your vibe you DON’T GET IN. Huh?

Well, apparently we made the cut. And so did our dinner at STK. My basic review of the resto is that it was…loud. Good food, so-so service, uber-trendy crowd of professionals and a live DJ who plays the tunes on high-volume the entire night. Made it hard to have a gab with your friends, but nothing matters after that third bottle of Dom Perignon. Fact.

Later, the club was small, trendy and loaded with some seriously beautiful people. New York attracts people from all corners of the Earth and so, it’s inevitable, you’re going to get some of the planet’s prettiest. Our booth-waitress at the club was one example. At one point A’s cousin – who joined us for dinner and dancing – turned to me and asked, “Are you bi?” after I had said our waitress was “stunning”.

“No”, I replied, “just very observant.. and that woman is Angelina-beautiful.” (you all know I’m just an young-old married woman up in here.)

…Anyway

We went well into the night – all seven gals, one of them even pregnant.. she is now a legend in my mind – and were then whisked back to the hotel for a relaxing night’s rest. Man, did I sleep HARD.

And, if I thought nothing else could surprise by this point, on Saturday morning, I woke up to this view:

I love the city. Any city. I am a city girl. And this view of one of the most astonishing cities on the planet was like art to me.

Now, you’re never going to believe this, but my little ‘ol blog won’t allow me to upload any more photos right now…? (technology hates me.) Which means I have to end the post here. Seriously.

(and no, this was not intentional! Man, and I had so much more to spill about our almost-celebrity weekend in New York. Ughhh..)

Stay tuned for Part 3 soon…

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A New York Story: Part 1

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The day had been frantic.

A car was scheduled to pick me up in just five hours and I had yet to shower. There was a flooring guy pounding on my floors, a security system guy making our house secure and flurry of ideas for blogs, short stories and wardrobe slowly drowning out all sense of time in my head.

But I felt relaxed.

***

My last week at work, my good friend (again, let’s cal her ‘A‘) messaged me to say that her beau was gifting her a lavish weekend in NYC, just the girls.

“What?” was my first reaction. My second reaction was, “Fuck ya, I’ll be there.”

A’s beau doesn’t live on this continent. That’s all I’ll say. It’s not my relationship to talk about, so I won’t. Because I love my friend dearly and know how important her privacy is to her, I’ll keep those details to a minimum. So..

But that doesn’t mean I can’t tell you all about the fantasy that was my weekend in New York City. Here, I’m an open book …or at least a very detailed chapter in one.

A tinted-window SUV (sorry, Mother Nature) pulled up to my house at 4:20 p.m., sharp. My bags were taken for me. Doors were opened without me having to ask, and cold water was waiting inside. “Thank God!” were my first words in the car. “I have major boob sweat happening here.” What can I say – I’m all class.

Any of us in the car (another SUV at the other end of the city picking up three more friends) could have only imagined what the weekend held. We were all sent an itinerary filled with unknown names of swanky restaurants, clubs and the kind of hotel where you don’t actually have to steal stuff, because they just give it to you. Like I said, I’m All Class, baby.

At the airport, we entered this small and private Customs area, did the passport thing, then were once again whisked in the SUV to the tarmac, at the foot of the plane. No horrendous lineups; no rude Customs agents; no screaming babies; no grief about liquids in our luggage; and no awkward-over-head-compartment moments.

The trip was a 10+ for me right there.

A chilled bottle of Dom Perignon awaited. We hit the music on the iPod, popped the cork, put up our pedicured feet and just took it all in. One hour later, we were in a small New Jersey airport. Half an hour after that, we walked into this…

Part 2 tomorrow…

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VLOG: #16 is off the List! And how I let a little, er, Christian(ity) and Cindarella fit into my life.

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{shoe} Christian Louboutin, ROLANDO

It’s been a while since I posted a video so I’m thrilled that it happens to be this one… crossing #16 off the List!

Now, this is not a justification, rebuttal or defense, but rather a pontification on a gal getting a little luxury in her life.

(wait, let me get on my soapbox first… all the ladies, gather ’round..)

There is no shame in luxury. There is no shame in a decision to want to feel a little luxurious from time to time. There is no one definition of luxury either. Some people drive in it; others eat it; I prefer to walk in it.

Some people spent a few hundred on several purchases, while I spent all my pennies on one big motherload (and one vintage satchel in Brooklyn for $25, but whatever).

I believe in Cost Per Wear – the more you wear it, the cheaper it becomes. I believe in turning my morning oatmeal experience in an extraordinary one by wearing my shoes to stir oats, add raisins and chop fruit. I may even water the grass in them later, too. And if you know me in real life, expect to see me wear these bad boys everywhere. For the next five years.

This was one of the most fascinating and exciting weekends of my life – private jets, drivers, lavish dinners, exclusive clubs, fancy hotel suites and excellent company – courtesy of my friend’s very generous beau, to celebrate her 30th birthday. It was the way I’ve always wanted to experience New York City (Lord knows I’ve hauled ass on a bus and eaten off a street cart before) and so this was a fantasy weekend in more ways than one. I am so grateful for the best 48-hours I’ve had in a long time.

It was wonderful to step outside of my usual life and enjoy, even for just a few minutes, the feeling of something extraordinary. It felt even better to demystify the secret world of luxe. People with money are just regular people with money. People with celebrity are just regular people with extraordinary jobs. And people who buy expensive shoes don’t necessarily have the best style. Trust me. They were all around us.

See?



And so, in my humble opinion, dear readers of this little ‘ol blog, luxury, in its many forms, is something every gal should experience before she turns 30, in her own special way with her own special people in her own special fashion. You’ve made it through a decade of shitty jobs, loss, heartbreak, cramped apartments, an identity crisis and too many hairstyles to count – YOU DESERVE A LITTLE SOMETHING AT THE END.

I’m certainly not the first girl to slip a shoe on her foot and enjoy a little fairytale.

So, will you put “add a little luxe to my life” on your own Birthday List?

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I’m back. Birthday Lists. And I left my heart in New York City.

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Oh, do I have so much to tell you!

…but not yet.

I just returned so need some time to get settled..blah blah… but wanted to give a sneak peek (sorry, a BlackBerry photo, for now) of what #16 looks like crossed off my List:

Also, I was thrilled to learn that Kyla Roma – who authors one of the top 10 blogs I love and recommend these days – has created her own Birthday List!

I’ve been gathering several of yours, lovely readers of this little ‘ol blog, and am still compiling (so please do send them my way!) but I wanted to redirect you over to Kyla’s blog because her List is an inspiring one. Check out a few of her other posts, especially her “About” page… you’ll adore this lovely young woman.

So tell me, you ever been to NYC and love or hate?

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I’m leaving…on a PRIVATE PLANE!?

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The weekend is fast approaching and it’ll be a long one here in cozy Canada – something about a Queen? – anyway, my good friend (we’ll call her… A) is TURNING 30 tomorrow. No big deal, right? But wait.. she is dating a wonderful gentleman who is treating… wait… I have to take a breath..

…ALL HER GIRLFRIENDS TO A WEEKEND IN NEW YORK CITY!

We’re talking private plane, drivers, fancy dinners, lushes brunches and a swanky suite in one of the city’s most stunning hotels. I can’t even contain my excitement as I write this! Phew!

My car (can’t eve believe I just wrote that..) arrives at 4pm tomorrow. And don’t worry, my point and shoot and video cam will be in tow, my friends.

I was just in NYC three weeks ago to celebrate a friend’s bachelorette/you’re-getting-married-so-let’s-go-shopping-and-have-way-too-much-champagne-weekend, which was heaps of fun… but this, oh dear readers of this little ‘ol blog, this weekend will be something I’ve never experienced.

And with that, there might something crossed off the List. Er, can you guess?

Question: (and this is quite possibly the first and last time I will ever ask a Q like this on the blog, but here goes..) WHAT SHOES WOULD YOU INDULGE IN.. you know, for the List?

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