Gabriella throws a Party

Last night there was a line out the door at 440 West 14th St. Many of the people passing by thought it was a new before hours club in NY's hot and happening Meat Packing District. In fact it was a party to celebrate the success of her new store. Gabriella of Gabriella New York Bridal Salon engaged the help of some of her friends to throw a soiree in her beautiful space. There were many familiar faces in the crowd of wedding planners, magazine editors, cake designers and photographers.


There were flowers by Mathew Robbins from Art Fool, Moet Chandon kept the champagne flowing and music by Elan Artists


Peter Callahan's staff served up wonderful cocktail food and as we left everyone was given a little bottle of bubbly to take home. Yes to Moet Chandon and thank you Gabriella for getting us all together

And the Bride wore 3 dresses

Everyday when I get to the office I check my facebook page and more often than not I get a to have a chat with Ivy Tsui, a student who lives in China. We met last year when her brother Ted and his wife Michelle took a group of their friends to explore that great country and then ended the week of travels with a wedding celebration in Macau. I can honestly say I have never eaten so much and so well. Every meal was a banquet. The sight seeing was amazing as the country was gearing up for the Olympics. By the time we got to Macau everyone had become good friends. Many of the guests had had clothes made for them to wear to the wedding including the Bride who changed 3 times in keeping with tradition. See Michelle in all of her dresses at the end of the post

Life is a walk in the park

This morning on my way to work I walked across Central Park to go and make my yearly pilgrimage to see the tulip magnolia trees in front of the Frick in full bloom. To be honest I have visited them every day for the last week waiting until they were perfect

On the way I visited a few other of my favorite trees and smiled at the squirrels. I thought about when I used to spend hours climbing in the big old camphor laurel tree that stood in front of the house I grew up in in. We don't have squirrels in Australia but at night the old tree became the playground for all the local possums.

The Cat on a Hat, An Easter Day Parade

It was freezing on Sunday morning but luckily the sky was blue. With an extra warm scarf and gloves I headed out to 5th Ave to see if there would be any early birds at the parade. The first person had a cat on his head (to keep him warm I am sure)
There were babes, bunnies, divas and dogs and lots of tourists. I think the whole of Montreal had come to visit our beautiful City. Of course Bill Cuningham was there quietly snapping away. I always know I am in the right place at the right time when I see him and his camera.

Where is the rain Good Friday?

The forecast this morning was for precipitation so I got out my umbrella and headed to Central Park to see if I could prove the theory that in fact ducks hate rain. Lucky for me the day decided to do the weather man wrong.

Who ate the Easter Bunny?

Today I went to buy my rabbit a sister but they were all gone

Mostly Modern

Where do you take a chef out to celebrate on her night off? Last year just after she set up her new catering company, Miss Reingold Catering, my friend Rachel Mulcahy helped me close on my new apartment. Now she works double time as a lawyer by day and a chef by night. I wanted the night to be delicious and fun and so we went to my most favorite restaurant in NYC, The Modern. Her husband Brian works close by and although they had been to the bar after visiting MOMA they had never eaten in the main dinning room.

You have to love Rachel and her flair for things. She arrived in the perfect Diane von Furstenberg dress that must have been inspired by a Mondrian Painting.


The food was delicious from the cucumber panna cotta to the white asparagus with morrels, There were escargot wrapped in crispy potato, wild salmon with celeriac puree, chorizo crusted sea bass and for desert a pineapple plate, a lemon napoleon and a chocolate tart. We all happily argued over who's meal was the best.



And don't think that is the end because as we were leaving we were all handed a little gift bag. This morning the memories lingered on as I cut into the lemon cake.


Did you ever eat in a Danny Meyer establishment that you didn't love? Not me!

How Does it End Mr McInerney?

Thanks to the fabulous Alison Mazzola I was included on the guest list last night along with the likes of Roger Waters, James Lipton, and Charlie Rose for the book signing Party in Celebration of Jay McInerny's new book HOW IT ENDED.The Party was hosted by 3 quintessential NY women, Jay's wife Anne Hearst McInerney, Candace Bushnell & Nicole Miller. Carmen Dell'Orefice was so excited to have her book signed that she kissed it!


Above: Anne Hearst McInerney & Amanda Hearst, Andre Balazs with guests, Cru Restraunt, Marisa Bregman and friend chatting to Roger Waters




James Lipton and Jay McInerney, Barrett and Maise McInerney, Charlie Rose...and the list went on. At one point Gary Fisketjon, Jay McInerney & Morgan Entrekin became the 3 monkeys.

AND TO END THE NIGHT........

The Adventurous Rabbit

I woke up yesterday with out a plan and nothing to do. This was a very dangerous situation and could have meant a day in bed doing nothing. I knew it was going to be warm and beautiful so I had to come up with an idea. With just one week until Easter, I thought I would go and find myself and Easter Bunny and take him on a tour of NYC.
I went down the street to the nearest store and there was my rabbit waiting for me. I nearly got arrested when the shop assistant caught me photographing the beginnings of what was going to be a fabulous day. The following photos are not really in order but see how many places you can recognise! I took over 800 photos and we didn't get home till after 9pm.








Thanks for looking!

Match making Grannies Unite

This morning on their way to the gym newly engaged Hannah and Lee popped in to see my wedding pictures. The 2 met when their grandmothers got together and decided to do a little match making. I guess you could say it is an arranged marriage! They told me how Lee is afraid of being photographed. I love to hear that. I know it is worse than getting teeth pulled. My solution was to pull out my camera. They didn't have time to think. If they were nervous it didn't show. No hair and makeup or worrying about what to wear, they just look great together. Go Grannies go!