I was really excited when I got this invite in my mailbox the other day. I am a big Architectural Digest fan, so sounded like a fabulous after work event. I knew I wouldn’t have to go along alone, b/c for the men that aren’t design lovers…Scotch is a pretty good incentive. Right? Well, doesn’t do anything for me. I digress…I was excited, and the cross town trek was well worth the fabulous evening.

First of all, I got to swoon over all of the fabulous and beautiful, little gourmet treats from the famed caters at Callahan Catering. Talk about creative.

This was just some of the tasty delights that floated around the showroom on lucite trays. There were also pomme frites, fish and chips (frites and cod in newspaper cones), artichoke “lollipops”, nori cigarettes with chicken and wasabi, tuna tartare ice cream cones, mini milkshakes, mini (like really mini) ice cream cookie sandwiches, and the list goes on…I was completely blown away at the presentation of all of these teeny-tiny appetizers and desserts. The presentation was knock your socks off amazing. Props to the people at Callahan.

In addition to the tasty treats and endless scotch and wine, Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams were there to speak in person. They introduced their new Spring 2011 collection. They have a really great custom lamp program they’ve just launched. There are over 270 combinations of lamp design options in a palette of 14 colors. The fabulous editor of Architectural Digest was there as well. She is such a lovely woman, and has lead a really amazing career. The most interesting part of my evening was my hour long conversation with a 70-ish year old man. He is a native New Yorker, Wall Streeter turned designer, and full of fabulous stories. He spend much time in his earlier years in the presence of Philip Johnson and Paul Rudolph (an Auburn Graduate). He had some pretty interesting first-hand stories of both of these men. He is fond of the both the Harvard and Yale School’s of Architecture. He had a lot to say about the New York “way of life”, and definitely voiced his opionin (both good and bad) of how the city has evolved. And the craziest thing he told me, his first apartment was $40 per month, and that was expensive at the time. What? Are you kidding me. What happen to those deals? Now it’s like one-hundred times more. After the event, we hopped on over to one of my favorite, eclectic hotels in the city to grab a bite to eat. Oh, I should mention…though I talked a lot about the food. I only managed to sneak two of the teeny-tiny delights into my mouth. Between the conversations, there wasn’t much time to actually eat anything. So I was starving.  12 o’clock lunch was long gone. We hit up the Crosby Street Hotel for Burrata Mozzarella with heirloom tomatoes and balsamic fig reduction. It hit the spot, and of course I was mesmerized the whole time by all the fabulous little design details. Everything down to the pencils at the front desk are thoughtfully considered! I am seriously considering checking into this hotel for a weekend “stay-cation” someday soon. It’s 12:10am, and the 5am alarm clock is soon to ring. Lights out for me. Night!

images via: callahan catering

Praise Jesus, there is sunshine in NYC! After the 50-60 mph winds on Friday that created “walking-style tail winds” I was in need of some sunshine and warmer temperatures. My weekend has been completely full of yummy food, fabulous company, great entertainment and a fabulous sample sale. Let me just recap a few of the high points. I had two (kinda 3, one’s in utero) lovely  visitors, my brother and sister-in-law. They came to stay with me, and I was SO grateful for their company! Our weekend mission: catch up on eachother’s lives, check our unique baby shops and eat at organic, fresh and fabulous restaurants…Trying our best to avoid the typical healthy Auburn options, Panera Bread and Subway. This is pretty easy here. There are speciality restaurant for any and every food allergy, diet or desire. Back home Subway was a great option when you wanted something half way decent for your insides. Well, there is a Subway literally 50 steps from my apartment’s front door here. Guess what? I have been there ONCE, yes ONCE. Now as for Panera, I don’t think we have one. I kinda miss it

I digress, we ate our dinners here (yes, he won iron chef) and  here (my absolute favorite!!) We got snacks here and here. And had a few other tummy fillers here and here. Do not worry, we did WAY more than just eat. We walked miles and miles and miles, and more miles. So I pretty much lost count. We visited the fabulous High Line Park, and soaked up the beautiful weather!! We went in and out of baby stores. Three of my absolute favorite are: Ralph Lauren Baby, Bonpoint (to die for French baby line), and ABC Carpet and Home baby and kids section. At RL Baby we got him a teeny-tiny sweater and matching blanket. And from the layette, this. Oh he is going to be so stinkin’ snuggly! And at ABC, these little hand towels were fabulous! After all the “baby ooo-ing and aww-ing”, we came upon a fabulous RL Home sample sale and scored big time. Prices were like 80-90% off. Furniture, accessories, you name it – straight from the showroom floors! Score

But honestly I have been saving the best for last, an entertaining and WET night at Fuerza Bruta. It is kind of an indescribable experience. It is an interactive, standing show. It involves walter, running, dancing, music, LOUD music, and well…I will leave the rest for you to expereince for yourself. It goes without saying we got a fare share of “flirting with adventure”.

image via [+]

I came across these images of Central Park while scouring through my computer files yesterday. They serve to remind me that there is light at the end of the tunnel. And spring will return to NYC, one day that is. It might not be soon enough for my liking, but it will come. With the dark comes the light, and with the cold comes the warm…so I known I will survive. In the meantime, we are weather one of the worst winters on record here in the North East. I our attempts to go about our daily lives, we are jumping snow piles on the street, but only to land in a 6″ puddle of slush. But on the positive side…

We get to sneak a handful of snow from an untouched planter to mold into the perfect snowball only to nail our friend two strides ahead on the sidewalk. And we marvel at the glistening sunshine shimmering on the snowy tree branches. So for now Happy Weekend from the Winter Wonderland!

Readers, do you have any fun weekend plans? I am headed to a friends going away party tonight, then settling in for a cozy Saturday and Sunday. Rest is on the horizon!