New York Magazine publicist

I am now on the list of a New York magazine publicist. I know this is like ripping open the curtain on the Wizard of Oz, but I just had to tell you as evidence of my moving up in the world.

Additionally, I met with Lindsay, the Editor in Chief of SpreeNewYork to discuss my being a semi-regular contributor to the site. More on that exciting development shortly. Consider this the pre-announcement.

Buy my stock while you still can. It's GSNYC on the Amex.

And here's a fun Father's Day gift, from a male stringer who I will spare by not mentioning his name. Although, let's just say he's appeared within these pages before...
THE MANGROOMER

Broadway Panhandler: Annual In-Store Yard Sale

Broadway Panhandler, where I bought my dad an expensive cooking knife for Christmas, is having their annual sale, where you too can purchase expensive cutlery for less. They are located at 65 E. 8th Street (Between Broadway and University)...

From: http://kitchen.apartmenttherapy.com
The Panhandler doesn't have a yard in their new location, but that's not going to stop New York City's leading kitchen store from holding their annual summer sale. The sale starts tomorrow and runs through June 11.

There will be special deals from All Clad, Wusthof, Le Creuset, Cuisinart, Braun, Krups, OXO, Zyliss, Peugeot, AMCO, and more.

Share Your Soles

I just heard about this organization through my "day job" and thought that it sounded like a worthy endeavor - Share Your Soles - read on regarding their mission and how you can get involved:

The shoes we give to needy children may be the only pair they ever receive in their lives. Please be sure that the shoes you share are gently worn or new, clean and can withstand heavy wear. When selecting shoes to donate, please follow our requirements:
Children’s shoes: boy’s, girl’s and infant’s -- must be new or gently worn
Adult Shoes: Men/Women, dress shoes, and casual shoes are needed -- must be new or gently worn
Shoe types: Winter boots, Cowboy, athletic shoes, canvas shoes, sandals, school shoes, Roller Blades, Slippers, Boots, ice skates, spiked shoes, wrestling shoes.

Remember -- Go For Quality Shoe donations (in good repair) can be dropped off at any of the Share Your Soles Drop Sites or collection centers.

If there is not a drop site in your area, you can ship them directly to our Processing Center at: Share Your Soles, 11701 S. Central Alsip, IL 60803

If you have 10+ pairs of shoes, please send them directly to our Processing Center.
Used shoes and shipping costs are tax deductible ($2-$3 for each pair of shoes).

Monetary donations are also needed -Mail your contribution to:
Share Your Soles, 11701 S. Central Alsip, IL 60803-3422 (make checks payable to Share Your Soles) OR make an online donation via Paypal

Drop Sites: Shoes coming from drop sites ultimately arrive at the Share Your Soles processing center. As our foundation is expanding, we will be updating our drop site locations. Please check back to see if one is going to be in your area, or if you would like information about becoming a drop site location please feel free to contact us at info@shareyoursoles.org

NOTE: IF YOU ARE CONDUCTING A SHOE DRIVE - CONTACT US FIRST
Take a minute to give us a call at (708) 448-4469 and learn about the best way to conduct a successful shoe drive.

Share Your Soles Processing Center: 11701 S. Central, Alsip, Illinois 60803, e-mail info@shareyoursoles.org
(708) 448-4469 Fax - (708) 489-0317

Hours: Tues 10-3 & 4-8, Wed & Thurs 10-3, Sat 10-3
(708) 448-4469
Drop bin located at rear of building

Mi Ropa; PDT: Hot Dogs & Cocktails

This past weekend my friends at Fabric Renewal in Bloomingdale, NJ delivered my spring and summer apparel. Except after they left, I realized: NO PANTS! Or suits, or jackets...I guess they took my direction on the phone regarding seasonal clothing a bit too literally.
So I called back and explained the dire situation: I need pants. In fact, I love them. They kindly came back yesterday morning, and on clothing racks displayed in the middle of E. 80th St. I went through everything, picking and choosing what I needed for this time of year, and sending the rest back with them to be stored for the season.

People were oggling the literal display at 8 a.m. in the middle of the street with sheer wonderment. I am now seriously upset that I didn't catch it on film because it was something to be seen. "Who is that? What the hell is she doing?" Too funny.
And in other [food and drink] news, I am appealing to my friend to take me here, or at least go with me (see photo)...

From the New York Times' "Urban Eye"
One Hot Dog, Heavy on the Secret Sauce
By MELENA RYZIK
Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Three great tastes that taste great together: lowbrow food, highbrow cocktails, and secret bars. PDT is a surprisingly classy lounge tucked inside an East Village hot dog shop. You want in? Approach the phone booth, find the hidden camera and hope the guy who’s manning it likes your smile. Once inside, you can order a deep-fried, bacon-wrapped hot dog and a "precisely calibrated, classically inclined" drink, like a mean mint julep or pisco sour. The name stands for Please Don’t Tell. You won’t, right?

PDT, inside Crif Dogs, 113 St. Marks Place (Avenue A), East Village, (212) 614-2728.

H&H Bagels/Sale: Diane Von Furstenberg

I think I had the best bagel ever, or at least in 8 years, when I visited the H&H bagel shop on the Upper East Side this weekend. I think it's in the 80s on 2nd or 3rd Ave. I'll have to revisit and give you the specifics so that you too can enjoy it as much as I did. I have been to the one way over on the West Side Highway and that place is really like a wholesale factory, without the wholesale prices. But this...THIS was a real bagel store and they toasted my bagel and applied light plain cream cheese and everything. It changed my life.

I also noticed that there is a Pinkberry up there as well - again, somewhere in the area of the 80s and 2nd Avenue. I just made a special trip to the one in the 30s, not having any idea there was more than one. There is always a line out the door, so I have yet to return to the frozen crack that it is. I guess this means I am truly not addicted. Yet...

...in other news...
From New York Magazine's Best Bets
STARTING TOMORROW
Diane Von Furstenberg's signature wrap dresses will be on sale (from $150), as will trenches (starting at $350, down from $570), swimsuits (from $64), and caftans perfect for summer cocktails (starting at $90).
When: 6/6 (9–6); 6/7 and 6/8 (10–7); 6/9 (9–3).
Where: 260 Fifth Ave., nr. 28th St. (212-725-5400).

Personal Affairs: E. 80th St.

I have written about Personal Affairs before (aka "pa"), and am now almost overwhelmed with the fashion coincidence - I am a personal neighbor of this store that I enjoy so much. Our first meeting a few months ago in a word?: Kismet.

So anyway, this German designer dishes up a number of interesting styles - I find that my large American frame makes it difficult for me to wear many of their structured tops and jackets (many of which I love), but I am seemingly able to find my way into some of their pants - which, incidentally are on sale. Some 30% off, some 40% and some for just $35. I purchased two pair of the $35 version yesterday and may be up for one more later today if they fit my lower half appropriately.

I also tried on the pictured dress (left side), which actually fit me and I almost bought, but just couldn't think of a good enough reason. The color and the material is great. You should go buy it. Then I will self-flagellate for not getting it when I had the chance.

Movin' on Up

OK, so I have finally landed in my third temporary living spot since April 16. This one on the Upper East Side. The good news on this is:

a. I should be able to stay here until I am able to move back into my apartment (fingers crossed).
b. Although I don't have a computer, joining Equinox was a wise move because they provide free I-net access (how do you think I am writing this?) - and there's one close by.
c. There are lots of stores, particularly thrift shops, that I will check out for you. There are also a ton of restaurants - an obscene ton, in fact. Hopefully I will be able to control my eating habits in this habitat.

Next move: getting a computer/lap top and high-speed access at home...

Carry on...

Upper Worst Side Shopping

Wow, Columbus Avenue sucks. I remember back in the day when going shopping over there was a creative and sensory joy. OK, perhaps this is me glorifying the 80s once again, but I don't think so. Betsey Johnson is still there, and like I have said before, she seems to have somewhat sold out. The clothes and the staff are "nice," but they don't tend to kick ass as they once did. I found the only black pants and sweater in the joint, amidst a sea of pretty frilly dresses in sherbert colors. I think that the Betsey of the 80s would kick the current Betsey's ass and not even bother to take her name.

I am moving tomorrow, which means that I should also be getting some of my clothes back this weekend, which also means that I may be able to get some of my old life back, i.e. shopping and a computer?! I shall take one thing at a time. Bear with me!

Fat Pig! (BBQ in Williamsburg)

Many fun times were had and inappropriate commentaries made the other night at Fette Sau, the Williamsburg BBQ joint on Metropolitan Ave. I'm not exactly sure why I continue to find myself at so many barbeque restaurants these days, but it does seem have become something of a raging culinary trend in our fair city.

With seating both inside and out, this place offers big giant plates of meat and sides to be shared at solid picnic tables. I loved the pickles. Others couldn't get enough potato salad. But what seemed to tickle everyone's fancy the most were the jugs o' brew. Real giant jugs. Filled with beer. Really!

Fette Sau also offers a mighty selection of Bourbons and some wines, but after we drank for free while watching everyone's favorite local band, Shiny Shoes, at Trash Bar, some wiser (and more sober) heads prevailed. Beer it was.

Apparently this place is packed to the rafters on most days and nights. So go at around 10 p.m. - the selection of food will likely be smaller, but you should be able to get a table and chow down among your posse.

Pinkberry

OK, so I read a little bit about Pinkberry - the frozen yogurt-esque joint at 7 W. 32nd St. and decided I had better check it out for myself.

Basically, it is a great marketing concept. I'm not exactly sure what I mean by that, but they offer only 2-3 flavors of their frozen delights, with fruit and other interesting toppings, and then charge you an arm and a leg for it. And you buy it and eat it and wonder "was that good?" But since it all started in LA, this all kind of makes sense.

There is something very "Tuscan frozen yogurt" about the taste - remember? Buddy Hackett as the commercial spokesperson? Oh jeez, I am so tragically dating myself.

Anyway, for me - and here I go again dating myself - the experience brought me back to 1988 when I went to see Depeche Mode at MSG with a crew of Korean guys who were in my high school class at the time. We went to 32nd St. to eat Korean food (for those who don't know, this area is pretty much all Korean) and then go be alternative new wave rockers. I think I still have the "Music For the Masses" T-shirt somewhere.

Which also makes me think about how well-dressed these guys were. They all wore Girbaud clothes and long overcoats. Girbaud at the time were all about baggy cotton trousers with very narrow - and in many cases, "snappable" - ankles.

Pinkberry Kisses,
GSNYC