A Cryin' Shame

RIP Falai, one of my fave restaurants in NYC. Twas the best meal I've had this year and among the best ever. Closed due to "technical difficulties." Rip my heart out.

Alexander McQueen

I finally got to the Alexander McQueen Exhibit at the Met this week :) I had tried to go once before, but had not allotted 2 additional hours in my excursion for standing in line, so I left. This time, I went early (which didn't help AT ALL), brought a bottle of water, and a book. Still waited in line for two hours, and at one point I felt very much like Rodin's sculpture: exasperated and on the brink of death. But, it was totally worth it.

Death by crowds and standing. 

 The exhibit showed a huge range of his work, from highly tailored menswear inspired pieces, to leather bondage body suits, gorgeous flowing gowns and of course, the totally bizarre (No one needs crocodile heads for shoulder pats, sorry).

This jacked, red jeans, chunky black biker boots and my closet.
We'll call it a date.

The Met people were pretty adamant about not taking pictures, so I snagged a few of my favorites from their website. Unfortunately, the workmanship, detail and color don't translate that well to pictures. My all time favorite was this chartreuse beaded, horsehair dress. The color and contrasting textures were unexpected and stunning. 

Another highlight: Gold feathers. Sexy silhouette. 

Really nothing more to say except,"Can I have that?"

and maybe and invite to a party where it would be appropriate. 

This parachute silk cape thing was not one of my favorites, but what was happening in front of it at the show was possibly my favorite moment of the day. A ten year old girl was settled in front of it with her sketch book, sketching away. I was immediately jealous. What a good idea. She was completely unfazed by the plastic surgery/alien faced Upper East Side hags shoving to the front of the crowd, or the gay boys bopping her with their man purses. She was totally entranced by the billowing cape. You go ahead, girlfriend. That kind of magic is really what it is all about.

Atlas

It took one year, but I just found my go to neighborhood bagel shop. Atlas is a 5-7 minute walk from my apt. Quiet. Cozy. Wood benches. Mismatched mugs sporting airline logos. A mobile made of globes. Friendly people. Just right food. Exactly what the neighborhood coffee shop should be.

Everything bagel (h&H bagel that is) with cream cheese, pesto and tomato. Chai Latte w/ Soymilk. Perfection .

Farmer's Market

Farmer's Markets are on my list of favorite places (not to far on the list from Wegmans). I like that they are a way to support local farmers, find delicious, home made food, and bring a community together. I spent Saturday am at the Farmer's Market in Waimea. It was a slow, sunny Saturday and my help wasn't really needed, so I spent the morning lazing in the grass, people watching and listening to the Saturday morning news between neighbors (common topics of convo: recent hikes, beaches, and their dogs). The people here greet everyone with hugs and kisses (even strangers, which throws me off when I go in for a handshake :) They offer to share picnic tables with one another. I like how the people of the Big Island genuinely love their community. It's infectious. New Yorkers show their love too, but here it's love without so much ego.


Super fresh spring rolls from the Vietnamese food tent, Rosemary Gorgonzola foccacia and passion fruit tea cake.

The Pan

Nothing beats having a weekday off in NYC. Everything is better on a weekday- the grocery store, laundry, brunch, the subway, museums. Today is Day 2 of summer vacay, which I spent at one of my favorite places in all of NYC- The Frying Pan.

If you don't know, the Pan is an old boat that sat at the bottom of the Chesapeake Bay until someone dragged it out and turned it into an awesome, always packed bar just above Chelsea Piers. While it makes an amazing happy hour spot, it is an even better lunch spot. I went with my coteacher, Michelle and spent a couple of hours taking in the sun, aggressive breeze, view of Jersey, and Coronas. And the best part? There were l0 people in the whole place.