London Calling!!

Well I did it, I lived my gurlhood dream- to visit London!! The accents, the London Eye, Jamiroquai - Oh my!!

I met with a couple on the plane who are travelling all around Europe for the summer... hung out with them.. met with their relative.. stayed a couple nights at a hostel in Kings Cross... what I noticed about London that it had that old, classic London that I've envisioned, it had a little New York (i.e bike share, bike cabbie, and etc), and for the blue I didn't see Chelsea but I've encountered a lot "blues" on my way-- jetlag, pubs closing early, no connection, and a ruined camera-- yet it still didn't ruined my trip.

The view from the London Eye

Big Ben

a lil' shopping at Spitfield Market

Magnificent view from my room at Strand Continental 

Street performance at Covent Garden

La Piece de resistance.... heading to Guildford/Surrey to the music festival at Stoke Park (see my musical inspiration-- Jamiroquai).. Stoke Park to me felt like Woodstock but hooked on disco, acid jazz,  soul, and of course Jamiroquai!! -- it felt good to meet other fans including as I say it so endearingly my "Jamily" from all over the world. 

singin' Runaway

Happy Bastille Day!

Maybe it's the francophile in me or that it's the eve of my birthday I have to say that Bastille Day is now my new favorite holiday. Being the French equivalent to Independence Day. It was a nice Saturday evening to celebrate the French holiday listening to jazz at Brasserie Julian in the Upper East Side. It kind of let my guard down about the Upper East. There was so much celebration with France celebrating their 223 years of independence and two couples celebrating their 58th and 5th anniversary. I had my Julian's burger et pomme frites with my Rosé. 

Enjoying my Rosé

What made the evening special was Quebec chanteuse Myriam Phiro and as I would call her the  "modern Edith Piaf" singing her classic and my French anthem "La Vie En Rose"..

Her voice and the ambiance transports me to Paris' Golden era-- relaxing, wandering the streets, and enjoying the simplicity to life. It's nice to find a French brasserie in the city that plays French music and shows authenticity to the culture. I've found out from two guests that the brasseries in Paris play American culture.

This is how I vision it with its simplicity, carefree appeal, and that "joie de vivre".

'No Reservations' at the Plaza Food Hall

It was a nice get together with my friends at the Todd English Food Hall at the Plaza. Being at the Food  Hall with Patrick and Vanessa gave me that Eloise-Holly Golightly-Anthony Bourdain inspiration. It was fun seeing friends, swapping stories about our lives and future endeavors-- and of course enjoying the food and the Valdo prosecco selected by culinary genius Patrick M. Bradley Jr. If Goldilocks had a sip of this crisp, sparkling drink she would say, "Not too sweet, not too dry, but just right." My favorite dishes are the salmon pizza and the lobster hushpuppies - considering this is the first time I've had lobster. What I love about the delectable pizza was the olive oil lightly soaked on top of the salmon.

Our Shared Course

• Valdo prosecco
• Lobster guacamole with chips
• Salmon pizza (sans the eggs... merci beaucoup Patrick)
• TE sliders and french fries sprinkled with parmesan cheese
• Lobster hushpuppies
• Risotto tater tots

And of course Jessica was our gracious server.... We were for desert for now but we decided to make our next stop at Pazza Notte (1375 Ave of the Americas) where we had the delicious tiramisu (I don't drink coffee but it's soaked in coffee--- mon dieu the irony!)

*My random moment was that I bumped into my server Jessica from the Plaza and later hung out with her at Aspen (157 West 47th St.)

the iconic Farrah Fawcett smiling at Aspen.. 

Happy National Aperitif Day! Bonjour Lillet Rosé!

I learn so many things just by wandering in the city especially in West Chelsea. I just discovered that May 17th is National Aperitif Day and that there's a brand new Lillet Rosé.  So I thought it was best to bring my "inner wine connoisseur" to the Meatpacking district at Le Paradou and try the new Lillet. To me it has a nice, light, sweet yet a slighty crisp taste to the aperitif beverage. It has grapes, oranges, and other fruits to create this summer, refreshing drink that can enjoyed anywhere even day or night. There are times like this that I should've brought my camera with me.. the drink just like restaurant had this French simplicity with Edith Piaf's "La Vie En Rose" playing in the background. What like about this versatile Bordeaux drink that it's not just a wine it can be used for cocktail or a martini. 

Follow the FIFA World Cup Road

It's not a year expedition but I got to start off somewhere. After watching the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa on the telly (it's not enough to watch it on tv) it piqued my interest to watch the soccer event in Brazil. I caught that "soccer bug". Just one month in Brazil (June 12 2014 to July 13 2014) supporting USA, England, Germany, and bien sur Brazil. Plus watching David Beckman play gets me excited. Putting this in writing - well in advance- is even pushing me to do this. The five pillars that I need to do this: research, preparation, discipline, finances, and motivation. I'm not gonna lie, living in NY makes the goal a little bit hard but I just need to budget (thrifty) and a little discipline. Motivation from my travel idol Rolf Potts and the bloggers of Never Ending Voyage, have great ideas on saving up to travel and following their travel pursuits. My personal favorite topic from their blog is "How We Saved 75% of Our Income to Travel". I would be going cold turkey but with a little creativity, hard work, and motivation I will be able to achieve that dream. Even though I'm living in one of the most expensive (and fabulous) cities in the world I feel like there are so many ways and opportunities to achieve my FIFA goal.

What's Going On Hotel Chelsea?

What happened to the artistic, historical haven to the artists, musicians, writers, and actors? The landmark hold such much history in the West Chelsea neighborhood. Every time I think and hear the name "Chelsea Hotel" famous residents like Andy Warhol, Edie Sedgwick, Bob Dylan, and Allen Ginsberg (and the rest of the beat writers) come to mind. It's practically a ghost town when I walk down 23rd between 7th and 8th, even at night I don't even see the red bright lights shining the "Hotel Chelsea" name. When I get a glimpse of the inside of the hotel I don't see the murals plastered on the famous Chelsea walls. It broke my heart that it's not open to the public like it used to be. Seriously what's going on? Will there be new management? Or it's just for the HC residents? Like disco, is the Chelsea dead?

Even though, I haven't grew up in the Chelsea or been a New Yorker that long but learning so much history about it gives me unspoken connection. There are many so many memories and demons that took place in this hotel. I can picture Allen Ginsberg conversing with the other beat writers, including Gregory Corso and my personal favorite Jack Kerouac. Or Andy Warhol filming "Chelsea Girls" in this hotel. I love heading to the hotel and reading the plaques dedicating the artists, writers, or I like to call them "the artistic contributors" to this West Chelsea legacy. From Dylan Thomas to Mark Twain. For just one night I'm glad I slept in the Chelsea. I don't know what the future will be for the Chelsea but I miss it and I want  it to come back. All I have to say is "Save the Chelsea!"

New York City: The Golden Opportunity

It was July 15th, my 21st birthday. I received the gift that I was yearning for a visit to New York City. The beautiful gift was given to me by my two loving parents. I spent the entire afternoon in Manhattan and later headed to New Jersey. Entering the tunnel to get to my destination was a moment filled with anticipation, excitement, ecstasy, and full of noise—I love it. New York City is exciting, thrilling, fast paced but also a stressful city. New York and I are two opposites that somehow attract. It gives me excitement, gratification/ pleasure, and content. Is a mind blowing city. I was enthralled by their buildings, skyscrapers, shops, and people. It also gave grief with the 9/11 incident. World Trade Center affected me because of the incident the occurred 5 years ago. New York still proves that it is a sole survivor and nothing can harm or kill the livelihood of this beautiful city. I always wonder how could an indivual like myself have a huge fascination with the Big Apple. Maybe it's the tall buildings, the red double decker tourbuses, or the thriving population that caught my eye. When I imagine New York, I imagine that I am Holly Golightly or even Carrie Bradshaw who walk around in awe. When I think of Sonny Rollins' rendition "On Impulse" I vision myself strolling to Central Park and fully getting to know New York. I wanted to vision New York change its mood from daytime to nightime filled with lights and action. Unfortunately I had to leave New York and head to New Jersey. Leaving the big apple was emotionally difficult. Heading the tunnel to depart New York felt like leaving behind a friend, more liking saying adieu to a friend.