New York Busy Girl

During the holidays people are so busy and get so stressed with traveling, shopping, cooking. It is easy to get lost in the hustle and forget about the spirit of the holiday, which is to be happy, make wishes and dream. My cousin Donna Hunt wrote a book titled “Reach For the Stars: American Idol Dreams.”  Within the pages she writes about her dream to be a pop star, but realizes that it’s ok for dreams to change and often do come true.

Writing a book is hard enough, now try putting in personal information about your life. That is no easy task.  So I asked Donna some questions about her experience, the book and what her dreams are now. Then pick  up a copy and get inspired to make some dreams of your own…
A mom of two beautiful children, a former guidance counselor and also the wife to my amazing cousin Bryce, and can kick you butt with her karate moves–Donna already has an amazing life. But something was missing–

How did you come up with the idea to write Reach for the Stars?

“I actually didn’t just sit down and come up with the idea.  As I began to become a die hard fan of Clay Aiken, I decided to write him a fan letter, my very first fan letter ever.  I never asked for a response for the obvious of reasons, but when I didn’t get one it didn’t stop me from feeling disappointed.  I began to write in a journal regarding my thoughts of the almost impossible, connecting with these stars on a personal level.  As the journal transformed into numerous pages of what I felt numerous people could relate to, I realized that I may have been able to do something substantial with it. ”

You are revealing a lot of personal feelings and experiences.  Was that hard for you?  What was the reaction?

“As I began writing about my experiences, the book was more of a shell because I was leaving out a lot of details.  I realized that in order to capture the audience I needed to include more personal pieces and show a little bit of the person I was in order for the book to grab the reader’s attention and to connect with them.  It was hard for me, but that is the art of it.  A lot of people feel very uncomfortable with the content of the book but in reality, if people can’t admit that they are human and have thoughts and feelings that are sometimes embarrassing, than in some respects they are living in denial.  This book is not for everyone.  Some people have never been star struck and don’t understand it, but very many have and do.  On the other hand, everybody brings fantasy into their world of reality.  If we didn’t life would be really boring.”

What advice would you give to others that have similar dreams?

“I would tell them to read my book.  Everybody has dreams and you are never too old to live them out in some way.  It may not be the ideal dream you started with, but “sometimes on the way to a dream, you get lost and find a better one.”  People’s dreams change as they grow in life we too change.  I may have had a dream once to be a pop artist but instead I’m living that dream through watching a the reality show American Idol, which has brought this same dream alive for so many others, and I’m writing about it. ”

Who are your top three idols?

“My top three idols are Clay Aiken, Jason Castro and Carrie Underwood.  Only one of them held the title.”

Which idol do you think is the most underrated?

“I would have to say Carly Smithson.  Again, she did not hold the title, but has an amazing voice and you do not hear that much about her.”

Is another book in the works?

“I have a children’s book which is completed and waiting for illustrations and a fictional novel in the works.  I am going to start in the same way with these two books in finding an agent to seek out a bigger house.  If I can’t land a deal, then I will take the self publishing route.  Both have their advantages but either way, writing a book and having it published, holding it in your hand, is an amazing accomplishment.”

What are your dreams now?

“My dream is to continue to be a great mom and wife. I will continue to write and absorb myself in music and at the same time, find new challenges in life everyday.  I feel that it is never good to be satisfied.  I think that if we settle for satisfied, there is no room for growth, new opportunities and excitement.  I need that in my life.  I believe everyone does.”

To purchase the book head to: http://amzn.to/sD0bfq 

 A little more about the book:  Through American Idol driven fantasies and the once dream to be famous, Reaching Out To The Stars is an inspirational memoir about celebrity obsession and what lies beneath it. Through real life experiences, the Donna creates a creative perspective showing a direct connection between fantasy and reality and inspires the reader to live out dreams by creating happiness and excitement in life.  And for Donna, sometimes on the way to a dream you get lost and find a better one.

SELF Magazine wants everyone to take time for themselves, so have named today November 1st, SELF Day.  69% of readers said they felt guilty for spending a day doing just what they want.  Well here is your excuse to do something just for YOU!

I love this concept and think everyone should take at least 30 minutes tonight to do something great for themselves.  Go out to dinner and order what your really want to eat (regardless of calories!), paint your toe nails, do a face mask, journal, pick up that book that’s collecting dust on your night stand, dance! Whatever sparks your fancy.

Need a little inspiration? SELF put together 16 ways you can spoil yourself, whether you have 5 minutes, 20 minutes, an hour or a half a day–and many are FREE! I personally like the idea of joining a flash mob or trying a fun workout class like Zumba or Urban Rebounding on trampolines with my friends!

Now I know that they said it is for today, but I think we should give ourselves a “SELF” day once a month.  Being overwhelmed with the day-to-day, it is easy to get stressed and sometimes unnecessary.  You get frustrated at home with family, you argue with your boyfriend, you stress at work–but if you take a little time to decompress and enjoy something just for you it may make your days overall seem a little bit better.

So take a little longer shower with awesome smelling body wash, go for a nice run, paint a picture…the ideas are limitless. The important thing to remember is that YOU want to do it. It’s not selfish is self-preservation!

"The Afterlife" at Ofrenda

Are you going to be a trickster or give treats tonight? Either way, tonight is a night to let loose and let your inner freak flag fly!   What better way to start of this bizarrely cold Halloween with a delicious cocktail!

The restaurant, Ofrenda in the West Village, are offering a Day of the Dead / Halloween cocktail called “The Afterlife.”   Created by Jorge Guzman, who explains the exotic spices in this cocktail complement the bold  flavor notes and sweet tropical fruits found in Espolón Reposado.  Essentially, the drink is a celebration of life and death. Both sweet and spicy notes in the drink echo the light and dark moments that  people experience throughout their existence on earth. In the 
afterlife, these moments live on and continue to be celebrated.”

Make the spooky concoction for your guests tonight or head to Ofrenda to try one for yourself before causing mayhem on the streets. And try one of their yummy meals on the menu while you are at it. Even ghouls and ghosts get hungry!

The Afterlife
1.5 oz Espolón Tequila Reposado
.5 oz Frangelico
.5 oz Lemon Juice
1 oz Chile Piquin-Cinnamon Syrup
2 dashes of Wormwood Bitters
Directions: Shake ingredients together and strain into a rocks glass 
over ice. Garnish with a lemon twist.

A little bit about Oferenda: 

 In Spanish, the word Ofrenda means an offering, a gift. The owners of 
the West Village restaurant Ofrenda have a purpose; to offer authentic 
flavors of Mexican home style cooking in all their variety. The 
restauranteurs whose vision Ofrenda fulfills are Chef Luis Arce Mota, 
along with partner Jorge Guzman. Luis emigrated to New York from 
mexico and Jorge from the Dominican Republic.

http://www.ofrendanyc.com/    Address: 113 7th Avenue South NYC

It is rare that my brother-in-law Jeff recommends something, but when he does–you know you must actually stop and take notice.  So when he told me about Samantha Eisenstein Watson’s upcoming event, I was sure to check out all the details.

Samantha is the co-founder of  The SAMFund for Young Adult Survivors of Cancer–a really awesome non-profit based out of Boston, MA.  They are heading to the Big Apple on Thursday, November 17th for an event you surely do not want to miss!

Mix cocktails, appetizers AND a stand-up comedy show with raising money for young adult cancer survivors and you get night well planned! 

Why is supporting The SamFUND important? Think about the bills, student loans, bar tabs that you have acquired in your life–now factor in Cancer. Hundreds of doctor visits, expensive medications, not to mention not being able to pay regular bills because you may not be able to work as often as you would like, if at all.  Those expenses and bills are all going to add up.  Maybe you didn’t get a chance to finish college and the idea of paying those loans seem completely unlikely.  That is where the SAMFund comes in. They provide grants and scholarships to young adult survivors to help supplement money that was lost during treatment. The grants and scholarships we provide help pay for transitional issues such as education, living, job search and lingering medical expenses. They will partner with existing organizations to provide the best support possible so that these young adults can not only survive, but move forwad.

So here is your itinerary:

Go to the Gin Mill from 6-7:30 PM for some libations, then head to StandUp NY at 8 to laugh your ass off –followed by whatever mischief you can come up with on your very own because you are so excited you had a good night and did something good for someone else…

And…you have options.

$35 for open bar and appetizers at the Gin Mill  at 442 Amsterdam Ave NYC– $15 per ticket is tax-deductible

$45 for the comedy show at StandUp NY  at 236 West 78th Street– $25 per ticket is tax-deductible

$75 if you’d like to attend both — $40 per ticket is tax-deductible

Get your tickets right now!

Remember–Your support will truly make a difference in the lives of young adults who are struggling, but determined, to move forward after cancer treatment.

At my job, I am introduced to many interesting people, cool new products and many-a-time, something absolutely inspiring.  I recently came across a cool company called  WhatchyaGot.  Founded by Julie Gallegos, the company designs really cute multi-use bags.

Originally designed to be a specialty medical bag–the  functionality and style has made it a go-to bag for anyone on the go.   This is the bag that will put any messy, disorganized person in order in no time.  They have called it the “Swiss-army knife of bags,” and I would have to agree!  It has a multi-sorting system with 4 expansive pockets and 10 interior plastic loops, your essentials are not only securely organized, but accessible at a moment’s notice! Plus the bag offers a one of a kind insulated pocket for temperature control items, snacks, liquids, gels and medications. The added bonus–there are a range of styles that are all really fun.

These bags are not big and bulky and will make your life easier. And if you have ever looked into my purse or travel case, this is just what I need!

And it’s a gift that gives back: WhatchyaGot is committed to helping those brave and courageous individuals who battle life-changing illnesses.  They will donate 10% of all proceeds to raise awareness of cancer, heart disease and directly to programs for patients, survivors and their families.

Head to: http://www.whatchyagotbags.com/to get your’s today! This would be a great gift for a new mom, a college student, a frequent traveler or  someone in need of a little organization!

What’s in the bag: All WhatchyaGot bags feature a three-sided zipper closure, back zippered pocket, 1″ webbing carry handles, 1.5″ adjustable/detachable shoulder strap with rubber shoulder pad, two interior mesh pockets, one interior zippered pocket, one insulated zippered pocket , 10 interior elastic loops. Interior satin lining. Exterior metal hardware. Zippers are durable heavy-duty self-healing nylon. Bags include one matching removable zippered pouch and one cell phone holder.

Sometimes I experience things that I want to keep as a secret all for myself. I don’t want to let everyone know what awesome gem I discovered, but then I feel guilty for not sharing.  That is exactly what came over me today after my hair appointment at Fox & Jane.  I got more than a killer haircut, which by-the-way I did, but I had an amazing time chatting it up with my stylist Jennifer.

She welcomed me like an old friend, instead of actually meeting me for the first time at that minute, and asked if I would like a glass of wine.  “Why I sure do!”  The intimate three-chair salon allows stylists to pay individualized attention to clients without dividing their time between stations.

Jennifer, the cutest, most upbeat ball of energy heard my requests and gave me great advice about what would look best on me. There was not crazy hair cut suggestions or wild pressure to dye this or butcher that. She laughed at my desire for big Texas hair (I had hair envy from her beautiful curly locks). After a fun chat, where I confessed most of my secrets to Jennifer (there must be truth serum in that wine!), she gave me a gorgeous cut that made me feel like a princess and reflected my personality.

So if you are in the market for an awesome haircut or color, great conversation and a good hour or two in general–make an appointment at Fox & Jane. You will NOT be disappointed.

For a cool deal, check out GiltCity’s feature for a cut, color and blowdry for $106! http://www.giltcity.com/newyork/foxandjane?c=salon_spa

To see all their offers check out their website at: http://foxandjanesalon.com/

Call: 212.837.2774
154 Orchard Street, Store B
New York, NY 10002
info@foxandjanesalon.com
Salon hours of operation: Sunday-Friday 11-8   /   Saturdays 11-7
Reception hours: 11-6 Daily

Steve Jobs was a brilliant man, the founder of Apple, a father, mentor and a fighter. He lost his battle with cancer last night at the age of 56. It is a travesty that we will not be able to hear more from him, but below are some of my favorite of his quotes.  They will inspire you and hopefully make you try a little harder to enjoy life, work to achieve your goals and strive to be the best you can be.

“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me … Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful… that’s what matters to me.” [The Wall Street Journal, May 25, 1993]

“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” [Stanford commencement speech, June 2005]

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.” [Stanford commencement speech, June 2005]

“We made the buttons on the screen look so good you’ll want to lick them.” [On Mac OS X, Fortune, Jan. 24, 2000]

“When you’re young, you look at television and think, There’s a conspiracy. The networks have conspired to dumb us down. But when you get a little older, you realize that’s not true. The networks are in business to give people exactly what they want. That’s a far more depressing thought. Conspiracy is optimistic! You can shoot the bastards! We can have a revolution! But the networks are really in business to give people what they want. It’s the truth.” [Wired, February 1996]

“When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: “If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.” It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.

“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” [Stanford commencement speech, June 2005]

“Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while. That’s because they were able to connect experiences they’ve had and synthesize new things. And the reason they were able to do that was that they’ve had more experiences or they have thought more about their experiences than other people.

“Unfortunately, that’s too rare a commodity. A lot of people in our industry haven’t had very diverse experiences. So they don’t have enough dots to connect, and they end up with very linear solutions without a broad perspective on the problem. The broader one’s understanding of the human experience, the better design we will have. [Wired, February 1996]

“No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” [Stanford commencement speech, June 2005]

Looking for something cool to do this Thursday that is not the normal thirsty-Thursday binge drinking fest at your local pub? I got you covered! Check out “Mop-oholic” – a one-woman comedy from the adorable Susan-Kate Heaney at The P.I.T.

What is Mop-oholic do you ask? Well essentially Susan-Kate Heaney has a little love for mops. Yes, the floor cleaning tool. In fact, Susan talks to them, literally speaks to these inanimate objects. She has over 30 mops—they are her friends. 
 
In her show you will laugh as she tell of  moving to New York City, her first jobs and relationships, and themes of belonging, love and ultimately acceptance—all as narrated by her mop collection. Directed by Deanna Raphael. 

Curious? Need more? Watch this:

 
Mop-oholic will be performed this Thursday, October 6 at The Peoples Improv Theater (The P.I.T.) at 123 East 24th Street. Tickets are $5 and can be reserved at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/177274.  For more information visit www.mopoholic.com.

Whether you have been personally effected by Cancer or a family member or friend has suffered from the disease, I think it would be safe to say that everyone has been touched in some way.  My father passed away from soft-tissue sarcoma, my brother-in-law fought (and won) his battle with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, and I had skin cancer myself.   There are many volunteering opportunites out there for all types of cancer–whatever your interests or skills, there is a place for you.  All you have to do is choose. October is National breast cancer month, so there is no better time to get involved to fight for the cause.

Participate in a fund-raiser (start one yourself), start a support group in your town, knit chemo caps, drive patients to clinic visits, or do peer counseling. Below are some great organizations that may spark your interest. Remember that every penny and even the smallest effort can make a difference.

Cycle for Survival was co-founded in 2007 by Jennifer Goodman Linn and her husband, Dave. Cycle for Survival is the national, indoor relay-style team cycling event that has raised more than $9 million in support of lifesaving research on rare cancers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and in the past five years has funded twenty-five clinical trials and research studies.  Register or join a team today or make a gift to Cycle.  To join a team go to  www.cycleforsurvival.org

TeamHope national marathon team participates in races such as the ING Miami Marathon or ING New York City Marathon. Team members raise money for pancreatic cancer research as they stay healthy. Go to www.IAmTeamHome.org

Every once in a while you go into a store and walk out feeling really good about yourself—not only from the great finds you purchased, but from the people you meet along the way.  I had this experience in the town of Wellesley, MA this weekend at Second Time Around (www.secondtimearound.net), a premier upscale consignment company.

I was familiar with the store from their Soho location on Mott Street in my neighborhood, so when I was waiting for my boyfriend Joe to finish up his hockey practice (he is the head coach for a Wellesley youth team)—I stumbled upon the store on Washington Street in Wellesley, a cute town right outside of Boston that I spend a lot of my time in. The manager, Cindy welcomed everyone who walked in the store, gave great advice and was so interesting to talk to.  And then I went digging for treasure…

When you think consignment, you think “used” or perhaps “worn,” but Second Time Around has amazing brands at a fraction of the cost. I think I would call these gems—“previously loved” and now we are lucky enough to have them too. Think of all the history that blouse you found may have seen—a great first date or maybe even an important meeting at work.  You never know! In each store, there are a wide variety of great tops, bottoms, shoes accessories or even a dress for the upcoming special occasion.

I walked out with some amazing pieces for my Fall wardrobe (and saved some major cash!) including a Cynthia Steffe blouse (with original tags on it); Milly sweater, DKNY sweater that I adore and even a Theory silk sleeveless blouse that will look great tomorrow night when I am working SELF’s Women Doing Good Awards.   

A couple of tips for you when consignment shopping:

1. Be patient. This is not like a department store. You need to go through the racks and sift through your sizes because there is only one of each item. If you take your time, you will be sure to find something amazing.
2. Try things on: All designers sizes range a little differently. High end can skew a little on the smaller side than general mass retailers.
3. Educate: Knowing the amazing deal you are getting is half the fun! Know what certain brands cost typically and then when you pay the discount price you will love that top or skirt so much more.  My Cynthia Steffe top had original tags on it for $198 and I paid $35! My smile lasted a long time after that purchase.
4. Chat with the staff: They know what is on those shelves and racks. Let them know if you are looking for something specific or if you love a certain designer. They will hook you up!

Other brands I saw on my recent visit were Diane Von Furstenberg, Nanette Lepore, Tibi, Michael Kirs, BCBG, Ralph Lauren, Chloe, Free People,  Tory Burch and Burberry.  I almost didn’t want to write this because I didn’t want my new fashion secret to get out—but in the spirit of all good things fashion, I couldn’t keep this to myself.

So whether you are in New York, Massachusetts or even Connecticut—stop by one of the locations and find something special that just may bring you some luck.