Pass the Bar Cart

Why order just one cocktail when you can order an entire bar cart stocked with your favorite spirit and all the accoutrements that is then rolled right out to your greedy little fingers. Fine, call it a glorified bottle service, but wouldn't this be a silly and ridiculously boozy way to spend a Saturday night? Only in New York, I tell you. Pass the gin bar cart please!

p.s. The bar cart is back ;)
p.s.s. Alan I hope you are reading this, my birthday is only 11 months away.

{The Gin Cart available at the Nomad via NYMag.com}

Sunday Brunch in the City

Happy Sunday friends! I'm off to brunch before a little shopping and this interactive art installation (!) I don't think it can be argued that NYC does brunch like no other city. Bottomless mimosas, bloody mary bars, biscuits to caviar if you please. I've always loved going to The Smith and Hudson Clearwater (our fave!) recently started brunch service but in the case you're feeling adventurous here are some best brunch lists from Refinery 29  and New York Mag. No matter where I am I always go for the eggs benedict! What about you?  Hope you enjoy this last little bit of the weekend!

555 2nd Avenue

Todaro Brothers is often at the end of one of our many "slow-walks." Who needs a typical grocery store when you have a neighborhood spot that regularly imports from the Mediterranean? This is not good for my budget, or my thighs ;)

Want to see more of My New York? Click here!

Fuerza Bruta

People fly.

There's manufactured mist, rain, and wind. I kind of lost myself. 

There's pounding, stomping, touching. 

Rave-worthy music and lights. I think my brother lost himself too. 

It was a first for Alan and I. We have the standard Broadways under our belt, but no such thing as this interactive awesomeness.

Remember the girl flying? Her name is Khadija. We met earlier that week at the Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden. One word: kindred! 

Explaining much more will cause confusion. You should just GO!

Friday, July 6th, 2012...

Do you see me? ;) Fuerza Bruta here!

Country Living's House of the Year : Room to Spare Launch Party

Last night was the most beautiful night for a waterfront social. The newest addition to the Society Social team (my sweet sister!) and I attended Country Living's House of the Year 2012 : Room to Spare launch party.

The celebration was at the Waterfront Plaza in the World Financial Center and as the sun set and a delicious breeze whipped through, we sipped equally delicious cocktails while visiting three perfectly quaint country cottages nestled in the heart of downtown New York. Isn't that the loveliest idea?  Like a secret garden ;)

This is the first year the "House of the Year" is not one house, but three. Each micro-cottage was styled by Country Living editors in conjunction with guest designers and experts- Thomas Paul teamed up with Kreis Beall to design a guest room cottage, Ruard Veltman teamed up with Marcus Samuelsson to design a kitchen cottage, and Barbara Kurgan teamed up with Shauna Alterio and Stephen Loidolt to design a studio cottage. 

Shauna and Stephen, the over the top lovely and uber-creative duo behind Something's Hiding in Here, Forage, and the forthcoming Seed House, hosted Society Social's second photo shoot. In between rearranging, errr tearing apart their gorgeous loft, we struck up a friendship, and I was honored to be able to support them at their big debut! 

Their cottage boasted the most darling personal touches from vintage photos, fresh blooms, a floor to ceiling inspiration wall, and cozy seating area that made you feel right at home!

I mostly snapped a few detail shots as you really must make a visit yourself! Each cottage is bursting with inspiration and clever decorating ideas not to be missed. 

The project will be on display May 17-23 and you can find more information here!

Do tell me if you spy the hornet's nest ;) 

Congrats Country Living, Something's Hiding in Here, and all involved on a beautiful night and amazing finished project! 

p.s. Is this silly? I was totally giddy to see "Roxy Owens / Society Social" printed on my name tag and nearly passed out when an extremely kind someone recognized me from my business! Oh the little things :) 

111 East 29th Street (between Park and Lex)

Aren't the little unexpected pleasures in life the best? This particular weekend my (insert wild, paint the town type) best friend came for a last minute visit to the city. In between dancing on tables and (beer) garden frolicking, we had a lovely Sunday supper at Resto right in my neighborhood. As we were being seated, the waiter handed us old vintage books and upon flipping them open, we were delighted to find the cocktail menu! Just what we were looking for ;)

Want to tag along on my NYC adventures? Click here!

252 Lafayette Street (btw Prince & Spring)

Do you adore vintage fashion as much as I do? If so, Amarcord Vintage in SoHo will be the end of you. Think retro-fab Pucci, Schiaparelli, Dior, Gucci, and Missoni to name a few. Hanging on to your pretty pennies in this smashing little shop is like holding your breath for an unnaturally long amount of time- at some point you'll have to exhale! I snuck into the dressing room with a 1970s kaftan by a Spanish designer and hanging behind me a Pucci mini. Are you gasping for breath yet? ;)

Want to see more of "My New York?" Click here!

429 3rd Avenue (btw 29th and 30th)

Our first time at the Bagel Cafe was at 6am on a random weekday. (Yes, earlier than this very post!)  Our schedules were particularly brutal that week so we decided to sneak in a "breakfast date." Call us cray, but sometimes life has a way of shifting you around to its liking. Now we often go here on lazy weekends when we don't feel like stepping foot out of our neighb.  I like the traditional Nova Scotia and Alan is quite unpredictable!

31 Great Jones St # 1 (btw Lafayette and Bowery)

I swear the entire city is giddy in its farewell to winter, at least that's what I gathered as I made my way to Nolita for the loveliest little lunch with wonderful family friends at Five Points. The grand french doors to the restaurant were flung open (yes! welcome spring!), fresh cherry blossom branches brought in by the dozens as a cheerful focal point, and we dined under a skylight that allowed the warm sunshine to pour in. I ordered the brussels sprouts pizza and not only was it tdf with charred onions, gooey crescenza cheese, and strips of chorizo, but I now have at least another meal.  Mmm, yes!

Want to see more of "My New York?" I'll be starting a series dedicated to my adventures around this magnificent little island starting with a few posts here!

New York Cottages and Gardens Launch

Having a cocktail with Shanan of Eskayel and Kimberly of Kimberly Lewis Home.

The sweet Liz from Shorely Chic and Alana from the New York Design Center. (Pic courtesy of Liz!)

The talented wallpaper queens! Again Kimberly of Kimberly Lewis Home, Shanan of Eskayel, and Katie of Grow House Grow.

Last night I attended the launch of New York Cottages and Gardens at the fabulous Lillian August. The prosecco was on tap, the interiors inspiring, and I loved meeting new people!

939 2nd Avenue (at 50th street)

Last night I rendezvous'd with old Parsons cronies. We met at La Cava, a wine bar, and caught up on five years of life. 5 years sounds like a lot but it sounds like vastly more when we all subtracted the number of years from our current age. (Have you tried that?) All of a sudden I'm feeling intensely introspective. It seems as if I was such different person at 23, altered in so many ways, but innately the same. After all, I was at happy hour ;). Have you changed in the past 5 years? How?

Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn

I had a lovely little lunch today at the brand new Design Sponge office. Grace and Amy hosted a group of us biz owner ladies and it was nice to casually chat with such an inspiring, like-minded group! The space even in its "work in progress" stage was awesome in all its lofty goodness with the unexpectedly perfect touches you would imagine to find in the HQ of such a creative powerhouse.  I can't wait to see it in its finished glory!

159 Lexington Ave (at 30th Street)

The afternoon sun slanted in through the window as we sipped on a perfectly fruity torrontes at my latest stop around the neighb, Penelope Cafe. Think chicken pot pie, mac 'n' cheese, homemade meatballs-- a rustic country kitchen with all the comforts of home.  Do stop by if you're in the Murray Hill/Kips Bay area.

Heads up! I enjoyed a leisurely lunch, but if you're feeling brunchy be prepared for a crowd!

The Corner of West 4th and Jane

According to New York Magazine, it is my "civic duty" as a New Yorker to have a beer and burger at Corner Bistro at least once. The food came on paper plates, the beer was cold and only $3 at that, the company was easy, and aside from getting melty cheese in my hair, I feel like a prime citizen of this magnificent little island.  I do recommend heading to the corner of West 4th and Jane!

Do you have a favorite, no-fuss dive in your city?

Weekend Picture Book

Alan and I had a wonderful weekend around the city. We were out as much as possible, and it was just the thing to get my mind off things! Brace yourself for the longest weekend picture book ever! First stop Saxon + Parole in Noho.

We met our friends Cindy and Adam who have been Manhattanites for years. They are never short of a good laugh and are always full of suggestions for tasty cocktails and fantastic eats! Saxon + Parole serves up classic cocktails, some with a twist.

We caught up over a variety of noteworthy tipples...

Ice Skating at Bryant Park

We had quite a few family activities around the city over the holidays. I think my sister and I taught our precious cousin, Reese, how to ice skate...kinda :)

Sending Our Love from the City!

{Holiday Card from The Butter | Our Christmas Eve Cruise | Our Tree}

A Christmas Eve Cruise

Tonight Alan and I will be boarding the 1920's style Yacht Manhattan for a holiday sunset cruise around the New York Harbor complete with cocoa, champers, and Christmas carols by the Chelsea opera! I first read about the tours on Joanna's blog, and I can't think of a better way to kick off our first Christmas in the city :) Merry Christmas, darlings!

{Photo courtesy of Classic Harbor Line}

Cafe Cluny

Last night my dearest cousin Anna came over for cocktails! I had run to the store earlier that day to pick up some Grey Goose because as I say, "This is not college, I do not have two days to recover." Solid justification for top shelf, right? ;)

I live on the west side around the Hell's Kitchen neighb so we hopped the subway straight for the West Village for our dinner date at Cafe Cluny which is nestled in the darling cobblestone corner of West 4th and West 12th. We had so much catching up to do that we missed our stop, but we didn't mind having to do a little more walking...and a little more talking. Besides, the West Village is my fave for walkabouts especially when you're in the best company!

Our seats weren't ready so we settled in at the bar for another drink (surprise) and Anna beat me to ordering my go-to, gin and tonic! It was my first time at Cafe Cluny and I after taking in the quaint, warmly lit dining space, I noticed that the entire staff wore stripes. Love a good stripe!

I rarely eat meat so I opted for seafood and ordered the pan roasted organic salmon. It came with local turnips, roasted butternut squash, roasted mushrooms, and risotto. Incredibly good and cooked to perfection!

We shared the octopus, I think it was grilled? It disappeared so fast that I don't have much of a description to offer up except- mmm!

Ann ordered the Cluny hamburger and as usual if there is a fry on the table, I have to steal one. Everything was delicious. NY Mag calls it American-French panache.

It was one of those lovely, leisurely dinners with lots of talk of fond memories and excitedly making plans now that we are basically neighbors-- we've always lived several states apart! The check came with sweet treats, the richest morsels of dark chocolate and the Mr. who was finally able to join us after being stuck late at work!

We ended the night with a few more cocktails (lush, who?) at White Horse Tavern, a pub I used to frequent while still in grad school. Not much has changed about it, the pub and my love for NYC. It's really great to be back :)

Well darlings, I'm signing off for a few to enjoy the holiday! I hope you liked coming along on my little dinner date! There will be much more to come. For now, if you are celebrating, I hope your holiday season is filled with loved ones and many blessings!