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.

NYC Social - March 2013

March is meant to herald the first signs of Spring. Alas Mother Nature hasn't quite got the daylight savings memo - so keep your coat on still and check out what is taking place in NYC this month.

1. Ballet Flamenco: March 6 - 9

Travelling from Sevilla, this renowned repertory company is in New York for a short 4-day performance schedule at the New York City Center. The dramatic performance is entitled "Metafora" - dance being the metophor of life, and will feature 19 dancers and musicians with castanets, fans and my favourite - sweeping skirts of traditonal flamenco dresses.

2. Matisse at the Met: Through March 17

The French artist's exhibition graces the Metropolitan Museum of Art for another couple of weeks. Titled "In Search of True Painting" the 49-painting exhibit portrays Matisse's penchant to creating art in series, building on one while creating another - just like the pair of paintings above which show the same Gulf of Saint Tropez, painted in different styles and colours (or like they say in Thailand: same-same but different!) I think it's very smart of the museum to take advantage of the groupings by displaying his paintings in multiple galleries. In any case, while you are at the Met, check out the exhibit on "Impressionism, Fashion and Modernity" too.

3. St Patrick's Day: March 16-17

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I love the Irish and I love St Patrick's Day! The only thing I don't care for is the ugliness that seems to result from revelers unable to stay sober. I say skip the pub and instead celebrate by heading out to watch the annual Parade taking place on the 16th. This year, the Parade begins on 44th street marching up Fifth Avenue and ending at the Met. Apparently the NYC Parade is older than the United States - a group of Irish patriots from the British Army first marched in 1762. So wear your best green and stake your spot early - it is the largest St Patrick's Day Parade in the world after all! Then once the parade is over, enjoy your Guinness in the comfort of your own home.

4. Ann: starts March 7

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Broadway is churning out some amazing shows this year and here comes another one. After earlier performances in Texas, Chicago and Washington, this play on the legendary former Texan governor Ann Richards comes to New York. Acclaimed Emmy-winning actress, Holland Taylor wrote the play on the late Democrat over the course of four years - pouring over piles of personal and public transcripts, and countless hours of video footage; as well as interviewing family, friends and colleagues. Ms Richards was one helluva firecracker and a great champion to minorities. This is one show I can't wait to watch. 

Here's to the month of hot cross buns - may we finally get some sunshine soon! 

NYC Social - February 2013

Inspired by my friend, Milster's monthly posts on things to do in Paris, I am launching a similar series of fun events taking place in New York. I hope these posts will inspire a visit to the city or if you are local, to take advantage of all the great happenings the city has to offer. 

Fashion Week: February 7 to 14

Donna Karan Fall 2012 (via)

While we eagerly await warmer temperatures to shed off our coats once and for all, the fashion tribe will be eagerly awaiting new cold weather fashion with the debut of Fall 2013 collections. Even if one doesn't have invites to the many shows around town, head to Lincoln Center as the expansive venue affords plenty of opportunity for priceless people-watching. Take your camera, who knows, an aspiring street style star may even ask to pose for you!

Sleeping Beauty at the NYC Ballet: February 13 - 24

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The Winter season of the New York City Ballet is currently in full swing with the highlight this month being Peter Martin's Sleeping Beauty. With over 100 dancers performing to Tchaikovsky's great score, this is a must-see before the company takes a break until the Spring.

The Heiress: through to February 9

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There is only a week left to see this acclaimed play set in New York in the 1850s about a young woman struggling with love and her inheritance.  Frankly I was sold as soon as I knew Matthew Crawley and Celia Foote was in this (alas I dilly-dallied and will be rushing to see it this weekend). If you don't see The Heiress before it's run ends, there is also Scarlett Johansson in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof playing till the end of March.

Bulgari Serpenti Exhibit: February 9 to March 6

Taken during our visit to Tokyo last December

If you were in Rome, Tokyo or New York recently, you may have noticed the beautiful, luminous snake installations outside Bvlgari's flagship store. In conjunction with the Chinese new year of the snake, Bulgari's will celebrate its iconic Serpenti collection with a month-long exhibit at it's Fifth Avenue flagship.  The exhibit will showcase plenty of coiled jewelry and timepieces, as well as photographs, original sketches and one-of-a-kind pieces from the jewelry house's historical archives. 

Clinton Street Baking Company's Pancake Month and City Bakery's Hot Chocolate Festival: Feb 1 - 28

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February is my favourite winter month for nothing makes my heart (and tummy) sing more than having pancakes for dinner. Shove aside any fitness and healthy-eating resolutions for Clinton Street's famous fluffy pancakes served all day. Right now I have my eyes set on the German Chocolate, the Fresh Coconut and the Raspberry ones. 

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Then you have City Bakery's hot chocolate month. Located right by my favourite shopping strip in Union Square, the special flavours they churn out this month are worth making repeat visits for. Always order the house-made marshmallows - they are pricey but at the size of a fist, well worth it. 


Here's to a festive February and let me know if you will be partaking in any of these happenings!

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Ballerinas, Gingham and Dots

Yesterday, Hitha and I caught the Henry Leutwyler exhibit at the Foley Gallery in the Lower East Side. 

Leutwyler was the portrait photographer of the New York City Ballet for a few years - his photos are what graces the brochures of the NYCB. He was recently allowed an all-access pass to the company - resulting in these exquisite behind-the-scene images. 

The exhibit was teeny-tiny (some 20 images) but whatever few photos struck a chord with the dancer in me - the grueling rehearsals, the anxiety before going on stage, the pretty hair and costumes.. 

Nearly 300 of these are set out his tome, Ballet - a beautiful book every dance-lover should own and which I am excited to add to my bookcase. 

Until it arrives, I am going to flip through this beautiful Vanity Fair slideshow repeatedly.

Padini (Malaysia) gingham blouse (sim), AG Stevie polka dot denim (sim and sim), J Crew Shearling Macalister wedge boots (on sale!) with Cole Haan laces, Dinosaur Designs necklace, day-old Dry Bar blowout

(tip - the women's laces are not long enough for the Macalister so get the longer men's laces instead)

Have a great weekend!

Fall Highlights

While I may not be a fan of the cool change that has all but arrived (if I had my druthers it would be summer all year round), life has been pretty fun lately. Here are a few highlights:  

#1: A couple of weeks ago, Thea and I attended the celebratory party for Tracy Reese and Timo Weiland's collaboration with Anthropologie. 

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It was delightful to meet the brains behind the pretty frocks and Ms Reese is as lovely as they come. It was inspiring to hear her talk about how her relationship with Anthropologie began, her pattern-design process and the future plans she has for her brands. Thea wrote a great recap here.

Before I left, I tried on one of Timo Weiland's dresses from his new collection:

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I DID NOT WANT TO TAKE IT OFF. The dress is very Downton Abbey and I have wishlisted it very hard. 

#2: The new Barclays Centre in Brooklyn opened ceremoniously with a series of concerts by Jay Z. We are HUGE fans of Mr. Carter, so we headed out to the new home of the Brooklyn Nets for a mid-week show.

While the performance itself wasn't as great as some of his other shows we've been to, it was pretty awesome to see a local Brooklyn boy making it big on home ground. The venue itself is pretty shiny - with vendors like Fatty Cue and Calexico (and hallelujah, bathrooms every 100m!). I am looking forward to many more concerts here (Gaga 2013 woot!) 

#3 - After a brief break, I renewed my subscription to the 2012-2013 season of the New York City Ballet. The most recent performance I went to was brilliant - under the theme of 21st Century, the repertory that day comprised of Two Hearts, Year of the Rabbit and Les Carillons. 

Out of all, I was most impressed by Two Hearts, choreographed by Benjamin Millepied (aka Mr Natalie Portman).  The routine was modern and very playful, yet it stuck true to what I consider to be classical ideas of ballet.  

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This modern-traditional swing extended to the black and white, geometrically-patterned costumes designed by the Mulleavy sisters.  If the skirts were more opaque I would wear them out in a heartbeat! 

Outfit details: #1: Anthropologie Allnighter Dress, Roberto Cavalli belt, Padini Malaysia clutch; #2: Zara polka-dot top (sim), DL1961 denim