Food in New York City

Well, if I could describe the food in New York City in one word,

it would be BREAD!!!

Oh my goodness! My friends fed me fresh bagels everyday.

We went to Chinatown one night. This place we ate had dollar bills for wallpaper.

I discovered sesame noodles made with peanut sauce.

The fried rice wasn't bad, either.

Then there was the New York Pizza...

There were fruit stands on the streets.

There were lots of sweets. Chocolate shops in midtown and sweet shops on Long Island!!!

There was no dieting in the Big Apple!

WHY WOULD YOU???

Living my NYC Reality Show Dreams!!!

A few years ago, I would have scoffed at the idea of watching reality tv. Now, like most America, I'm hooked. During my trip to NYC last week, I got to go to locations where three of my top reality shows are filmed.

First, my fav--Project Runway!

In New York City, FASHION RULES, and I was welcomed by wonderful shops with great dresses displayed in the windows.

There was even a store named after me!!!!

We went to Parson's School of Design where Project Runway is filmed. You couldn't go inside--it's a school with tons of security.

But it was fun just seeing it!

Hey, where was Tim Gunn?

Next, we dashed over to KLEINFIELDS wedding dress store, the home of the reality series

SAY YES TO THE DRESS!

This is what you saw as you entered the store's shopping area.

Okay, let me just say here for the record....

I've NEVER seen such beautiful dresses in my life.

They take your breath away.

Seeing them on TV doesn't translate.

The first rack of dresses I saw were high-end designer gown

priced at $35,000!!!

The detailing was unreal. Here are silk roses cascading down the back of a dress.

I died.

Some dresses had this cris-crossing thing going on. I've seen it on the show,

but in real life, it's ten times more lovely.

Note the bejeweled dress in the background.

On TV, I thought these overly sequined dresses looked cheap.

In person, they are divine!

My other favorite fashion reality show is the Rachael Zoe Project!

On season one, during NY Fashion Week, she took a now famous (or infamous?) 20 minute shopping trip to New York Vintage! This is a cozy vintage dress store on 25th street.

They wouldn't allow me to take pictures inside the store,

but imagine trying on

A vintage Dior gown!

There were endless shops...

High end

And then something more like my speed.

Yes, there is a GIANT TJMAXX in Manhattan!!!

I died again!!!

Ladies, it was TEN TIMES bigger than your regular TJ Maxx stores.

I got lost in the handbag department.

A sea of handbags...What a dream come true!

My friend Paula and I came home from one day in Manhattan

exhausted but fashionably fulfilled.

We were greeted at the door by Lizzy!!!

Now, here is a fashionable pet!!!

Shopping in New York City

Last week I hopped on a train, the Amtrack Carolinan 80, and went up to New York City for my first ever trip to the Big Apple. I stayed with a college roommate, who I haven't seen in 30 years. We spent two days in Manhattan.

Day1= Shopping!!!

First on my list (yes, I had a list written on a white notecard) was bead buying.

I found this bead shopping in New York article, which told me where to look--

the bead places in the big apple are on 36th, 37th, and 38th streets, between 6th and 6th Ave.

I went to a ten-story warehouse owned by Carl on 38th ave.

According to the article, he owns the entire building and has been in the bead business

since he was 16.

I got off the 2nd floor elevator and saw this...

Are you completely amazed?

I was.

I've read about this place--stacks of VINTAGE glass beads five feet high and five feet deep.

Carl met us at the door and gave us a brief tour.

There were rooms of metal chain and findings, pearls, semi-precious gemstones, and two rooms for vintage glass beads--one is very pricey, one is not so expensive.

Here you buy by the pound.

Carl's daughter and "grandma" were there working, packing up orders and weighing beads.

Carl handed me a cardboard box, smiled, and said, "Enjoy".

I spent alot of time in this corner, which had the less expensive vintage beads.

Of course, I started in the most EXPENSIVE Vintage glass beads pile...

Carl handed me this and I died...

Then he handed me this, clear glass crystals from Austria!

I helped myself to more vintage beads in the high cost pile. Who could resist? As you can see, I'm a bit nuts over purple and green beads...

So, I wandered next into the PEARL room.  I found these delicious button shaped pearls.

Most of the strands are very long!

Finally, in a remote corner, I went exploring for more vintage glass beads and found these gems.

The beads come packaged already in small to medium clear packages.

This makes them easy to toss inside your cardboard box!

Most beads came assembled in large hanks. Trust me, you get your moneys worth. However, some bead treasures are loose inside the packages. I took these home with me. I'm a bit nuts over the dark green ones!

When I came home, my ragdoll cat Abigail was waiting. She loves beads.

So, if you are going to NEW YORK CITY any time soon AND if you have a wholesale business license for your bead habit, visit CJS Sales Warehouse. Ask for Carl.

Wear old clothes.

Be ready to get dirty... and very happy.

Welcome to my new Blog

It's the beginning of a new academic year.

It's the beginning of a new blog.

Come walk with me through the mysteries of life.