Sunday at the Frick

We crossed off an NYC bucket list item last month when we visited the beautiful Frick Collection on the Upper East Side. We never got around to visiting for no other reason than being spoilt by free entry to almost all the big museums through my (now-former) employer's corporate responsibility initiatives.

So we did the next best thing, and visited during the museum's pay-as-you-wish hours one Sunday afternoon. Henry Clay Frick invested much of his wealth in acquiring European art, furniture and sculptures and the house is filled with impressive pieces. Most are displayed where Frick originally intended when this was still a residence for the family. 

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It's considerably small relative to the neighbouring Met but we still found Time Out magazine's list of 10 must-see works helpful for some degree of direction. There are also descriptions and a quick history lesson of everything in the audio guide which is free with admission. 

No photos are allowed anywhere in the museum but in the beautiful Garden Court, so we took advantage:

Oak Tornado dress (on clearance), Preen by Thornton Bregazzi sunglasses, and Giles and Brother railroad spike cuff

Mansur Gavriel cammelo/antico bucket bag, very very old Sportsgirl belt, and Brook & Lyn x Anthropologie necklace

Ivy Kirzhner Babel sandals (breaking my rule against buying multiples, it's the black pair to the gold version I wore to my wedding reception - which amongst other styles, is on super sale here)

Chelsea Galleries in Philo

Happy September! S and I spent Labor Day in New Orleans (which I have since realised is pronounced "AWHR-linz", not "awh-LEENZ". This month is a big one in the J-J household, not least because my parents and brother have just arrived from Kuala Lumpur. It's their first visit since we moved to the country and I am excited to show them my New York. 

Here's a post I set up just before they arrived, on our visit to art galleries in Chelsea not long ago. The best way to navigate the many galleries is via the Chelsea Gallery Map (also available as an app) - which provides detailed locations of each gallery in the area, a description of the exhibits being shown, as well as the functionality of being able to save your favourites. I tend to prioritise exhibitions that are wrapping up - which in our instance that weekend were Keith Haring and Tara Donovan below:

If you have time though, just ditch the map. That's how we stumbled upon Eugenio Merino's Always Shameless exhibit (press release here). Merino created life-like bodies of the world's most evil leaders and placed them in Coke vending machines. If you looked closely, you could tell that an incredible amount of detail went into the sculptures.  They looked so real that I hesitated from staring too long due to a silly, irrational fear of the statues' suddenly opening their eyes! I had never heard of Merino before this, and read that he initially became famous for his "Punching Franco" piece, where he sculpted the head of Franco and stuck it on a punching stand, which was also there for viewing.

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Other than that, I thought the tiny statues of Kim Jong Il and Mao Ze Dong below were particularly funny #Napoleancomplex

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Here's my gallery-hopping outfit, taken in front of Eduardo Kobra's giant mural on 25th and 10th (also seen here):

LPD New York t-shirt and Anthropologie Sloping Skirt

Mansur Gavriel bucket bag cammelo antica (back in stock), Nike Liquid Gold Dunk Sky High and Ray Ban wayfarers

Have a great weekend! 

NYC Social - January 2014

Happy new year everyone! This series took an unintentional two-month hiatus but it's back. While this post always takes a while to put together, I love writing it and plotting out my weekend plans at the same time, so I do hope you enjoy reading it too.  

We have a bumper issue this month, including a bunch of events which wrap up this weekend. Layer up, grab a hot chocolate and get yourselves out there stat: 

1. Robert Indiana Beyond Love: through January 5

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You might know Robert Indiana from his famous "Love" series of art. This broader retrospective attempts to reveal reasons Indiana is one of America's most prolific artists, showcasing various paintings and sculptures from post-war 1960s. The bulk of the exhibition is non-"Love" but fans will not be disappointed as there is an original 1966 version and a recent re-creation of a 6-foot, 3D sign that lights up.  

NYC Social - October

It's October and I have numerous questions - like how is it already Q4 2013? How is it already Halloween season? What's with all the HOLIDAY paraphernalia out in stores? But most importantly, how is it only 8 weeks to the big wedding?? Felt like it was just yesterday we were frolicking in Gramercy Park getting engaged and all. 

For that reason, wedding planning will have me hibernating this month, but you don't need to stay home. Per usual, NYC is never short of things to do so here's what's on in October (and don't forget to see last month's entry too):

1. Betrayal: October 5 - January 5

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Previews have begun for Fall's most anticipated Broadway opening. Written by Harold Pinter, the autobiographical play is about infidelity and its consequences, but depicted in reverse chronological order. The show stars Mr. (and Mrs.) James Bond so I very much believe initial reports which suggest tickets will sell out before the run is over. This is one time I am not taking any chances. If you need a theater buddy, you know where to find me! 

NYC Social - September

Happy September! I had such a relaxing Labor Day weekend that I couldn't get on the computer long enough to post this month's Social. It is unofficially the end of Summer - but if this month's events are any indication, the city isn't ready to slow down just yet! So check out what's happening this month (and last month too) and be sure to enjoy the remnants of the sunshine!

1. Fashion Week: September 5 - 12

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It is Fashion Week yet again with the Spring 2014 shows starting this week at Lincoln Center and beyond. Just like my advice last season, it doesn't matter if you have invites to shows or not - just head up to the plaza in front of Lincoln Center, plunk yourself by the fountain and people-watch till kingdom come.

When in Rome

Happy Labour Day Friday! 

Work has been super busy - the reason for the absence on the blog. In fact, I was prepared to be logged on to work throughout this holiday weekend. In a welcome about-face, I got the afternoon off today and met S in midtown so I could walk home with him when he clocked off. 

We walked down the main Fifth Avenue drag - which any other day would have us briskly weaving in and out of the tourist throng. Not today. The weather was sunny with a cool breeze, we were feeling lovey-dovey plus we had nothing to rush home to. 

We stopped off at Bryant Park for lemonade and hung out outside the New York Public Library. The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building is stunning, both in its interior (you all watched Sex and The City!) and the exterior (with it's iconic regal lions guarding the entrance). We didn't make it inside this time but spotted these statues on the stage-right side of the facade. 

Tell me you think they've come directly from a piazza in Italy too! 

Anthropologie Soja Crossback blouse, Cosmic Star earrings and Expedition Obi belt; J Crew box-pleated crepe skirt (sim and sim, all on sale), Ray Ban Wayfarers, Steve Madden Tippsy sandals (and here too)

We are spending the rest of the weekend in the city - first, to date night tonight, and then to the U.S. Open tomorrow. Hope you have a safe and happy Labour Day weekend too. 

And to my beautiful friend, Lisa - congratulations on your wedding weekend darling! May you and L have everlasting happiness as husband and wife!  

Anchors Aweigh

In honour of a close friend's birthday, we chartered a vintage Hinckley two weekends ago for lovely a sail on a warm summer's day. Having had the luxury of sailing on the Sydney Harbour many times, I am slightly embarrassed to admit that while I've been in the city for three summers, this was my first time out on a boat on the Hudson. (And no, the Frying Pan does not count!). 

Brunch at Hundred Acres

Greetings from Kuala Lumpur!

I am back at my parents' place together with the fiance and my future in-laws to organise all things wedding-related for our nuptials later this year.

Wedding saree shopping yesterday was a success and today we continue trousseau accumulation with a visit to the jewelers. I am trying to instagram when I get the chance - mostly it's been all the good food I've been indulging in. since if there's anything Malaysians like to do best is eat - but I am attempting to diversify! 

If you've been following my posts there, you'd know of the mille crepe cake my brother surprised me with at an intimate dinner my parents hosted on the weekend. Which brought the birthday cake count this year to five! While I think that's way more cake that necessary for a 30-something, I am not shy to say that celebrations usually extend LONG past the actual day in my neck of the woods.

This year, it began on on my birthday eve with a lovely Sunday brunch in the enclosed garden room at Hundred Acres. 

NYC Social - June

I am a Gemini which makes June my favourite month of the year. I have been craving for a little bit of heat, which is here long last. All that warm weather deprivation makes me want to indulge that little bit more - more wine, more relaxing, more outdoor time and naturally, more shopping. If you are in NYC this month, here's how you can indulge too:  

1. Alvin Ailey at Lincoln Center: June 12 - 16

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The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre will take up residence at the David H. Koch Theater in Lincoln Center this month for the first time in 10 years.  The acclaimed contemporary dance company will perform seven shows, which you can see snippets of here. When not at the Lincoln Center, the company performs its touring and regular season at the NY City Center. Purchase tickets for the limited run here.

2. Museum Mile Festival: June 12

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The only thing better than free museum entry is late hours AND free museum entry. From 6-9pm on the 12th, one can sample the museums along 5th avenue from The Met on 82nd Street to El Museo De Bario on 104th. The strip will also be closed to traffic - where there will be street performers and live music. Tip: the event only goes for 3 hours so strategise which museums to visit wisely. Visit the website for more information. 

3. Jazz Age Lawn Party - June 15 & 16 and August 17 & 18

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It's all about Gatsby this summer so dust of your flapper getup and art deco accessories for this annual shindig at Governor's Island. There will be plenty of jazz, prohibition-era cocktails and enough drop waist dresses to drive any 20s enthusiast into a frenzy. When you need to take a break from swing dancing, marvel at the array of vintage cars and stalls selling antique goods. This is a very popular event so get your tickets in advance here.

MOMA Rain Room Survival Tips

We lost our Saturday to the MOMA Rain Room. 

This Instagram was taken barely halfway through our arduous wait. At the two hour point, we decided to just commit to waiting however long to enter the most talked about exhibit this Summer. Well it took 5 hours dude. FIVE RIDICULOUS HOURS.

The 10-15 minutes we spent inside was glorious though. The exhibit is unique and really fun but I admit the photo ops are the main drawcard than the actual special effects of the exhibit. 

We suffered so you don't have to. If you can't make it during the weekday (the best time to avoid the inevitable long lines), here's how to make your Rain Room visit as painless as possible: