Once again we are heading to NYC for the Mercedes-Benz Fashion week. The weather couldn't be more beautiful 70-80s. This time around no hotels stays to share, we are staying with a friend. While my husband is busy doing HAIR for the Spring 2014, Designer fashion shows ( Richard Chai, Kenneth Cole, Nicole Miller to name a few, 10 in all) I will be keeping to my RAW lifestyle (6 months and going strong) and sharing our adventures out and about in this amazing city. For you Fashionistas you can follow my husbands fashion blog on his website at www.jeffwacker.com
Delta JFK to LGA ... I packed fruit, some almonds, hemp seads, 2 Moms Raw bars (you can purchase these at Whole Foods) and brought along some organic tea bags of choice, apple and lemon for my flight. The airline offers some trail mix, a box with grapes, nuts and cheeses, a kickstart pack : w/ greek yogart a banana and a granola bar they also offer bottled water and regular tea options, for a small price... not so raw, but better options than everything else they offer. *TIP If you purchase with your AX Delta Skymiles Card (I've been a member since '94) you receive 20% off of your inflight purchases. read more here >>>>
We were unable to get our seats together online, full flight. *At check-in always ask to be seated with your flight partners, they generally are able re-arrange and give you new ticketed seats together. This flight however they were not able to help us, our only option was to pay 30.00 per seat uprade to an exit row or priority seating to get seats together.. we decided to bypass and take our chances with the boarding gate attendant. As we arrived the plane was already boarding, LUCK on our side, we were given 2 seats together last row of the plane ! : ) no extra fees.
Fly into La Guardia ! the views are spectacular... statue of liberty all the little islands All this time we've been flying into JFK and EWK, ( not when staying on the Upper East side, just a 20 minute taxi ride) ! ... and LGA is clean, very tech savvy with ipad integrated areas just like the Minneapolis airport. see photos
Delta JFK to LGA ... I packed fruit, some almonds, hemp seads, 2 Moms Raw bars (you can purchase these at Whole Foods) and brought along some organic tea bags of choice, apple and lemon for my flight. The airline offers some trail mix, a box with grapes, nuts and cheeses, a kickstart pack : w/ greek yogart a banana and a granola bar they also offer bottled water and regular tea options, for a small price... not so raw, but better options than everything else they offer. *TIP If you purchase with your AX Delta Skymiles Card (I've been a member since '94) you receive 20% off of your inflight purchases. read more here >>>>
We were unable to get our seats together online, full flight. *At check-in always ask to be seated with your flight partners, they generally are able re-arrange and give you new ticketed seats together. This flight however they were not able to help us, our only option was to pay 30.00 per seat uprade to an exit row or priority seating to get seats together.. we decided to bypass and take our chances with the boarding gate attendant. As we arrived the plane was already boarding, LUCK on our side, we were given 2 seats together last row of the plane ! : ) no extra fees.
Fly into La Guardia ! the views are spectacular... statue of liberty all the little islands All this time we've been flying into JFK and EWK, ( not when staying on the Upper East side, just a 20 minute taxi ride) ! ... and LGA is clean, very tech savvy with ipad integrated areas just like the Minneapolis airport. see photos
Dinner in !... Our girlfriend Oli who we were staying with used Seamless.com t ($5 off your first order when you sign up) to order in again (see my past nyc blogs for more info) to order us up Sushi !... I had the Sprout salad, Salmon, Ahi, fresh ginger, jicama...
The next day, after his first show my husband stopped off at a local outdoor market for some bags of fresh organic produce for me, he's so thoughtful ! (Near lincoln Center triangle shaped island, Columbus Circle.) You can find fresh produce stands and stores throughout the city. We headed over to the Alterna Haircare Headquarters (recently transplanted from Beverly Hills to 5th Ave) to visit a friend and fellow employee Rita who flew in for Fashion Week. Downstairs from Alterna, just in the entrance, we decided to enjoy a light appetizer and cocktail at the Marlin Bar & Grill at Tommy Bahama before a walk to Lincoln Center to people and Fashion watch. Fresh Gluten Free Ahi Poki w/ cucumber and avocado and a cucumber infused Martini - sooo delish !!! And my first ever Coney Island Mermaid Ale ! : ) fabu
Next on my list to get to Whole Foods by Lincoln center to grab supplies... located in the Warner Bldg/Mall ... it was a madhouse... so much chaos.. kids screaming... lines were sooo long, I have never seen such a thing in any Whole Foods in South OC! After grabbing some coconut water and bananas, finding out that avocados were 2.50 piece vs ..99-1.50 each were we live, we put down our items and ran !!!... later we went into a Duane Reade around the corner and got coconut water there... just as expensive ! oye.
MXCo, mexican restaurant for dinner just a short walk from our place... on 2nd Ave... I had a bell pepper salad and a side of quacamole, perfect. Mexican Restaurants are always the easy go-to for the RAW eating lifestyle. Salads, salsas and guacamole guaranteed good eats.
The next day, after his first show my husband stopped off at a local outdoor market for some bags of fresh organic produce for me, he's so thoughtful ! (Near lincoln Center triangle shaped island, Columbus Circle.) You can find fresh produce stands and stores throughout the city. We headed over to the Alterna Haircare Headquarters (recently transplanted from Beverly Hills to 5th Ave) to visit a friend and fellow employee Rita who flew in for Fashion Week. Downstairs from Alterna, just in the entrance, we decided to enjoy a light appetizer and cocktail at the Marlin Bar & Grill at Tommy Bahama before a walk to Lincoln Center to people and Fashion watch. Fresh Gluten Free Ahi Poki w/ cucumber and avocado and a cucumber infused Martini - sooo delish !!! And my first ever Coney Island Mermaid Ale ! : ) fabu
Next on my list to get to Whole Foods by Lincoln center to grab supplies... located in the Warner Bldg/Mall ... it was a madhouse... so much chaos.. kids screaming... lines were sooo long, I have never seen such a thing in any Whole Foods in South OC! After grabbing some coconut water and bananas, finding out that avocados were 2.50 piece vs ..99-1.50 each were we live, we put down our items and ran !!!... later we went into a Duane Reade around the corner and got coconut water there... just as expensive ! oye.
MXCo, mexican restaurant for dinner just a short walk from our place... on 2nd Ave... I had a bell pepper salad and a side of quacamole, perfect. Mexican Restaurants are always the easy go-to for the RAW eating lifestyle. Salads, salsas and guacamole guaranteed good eats.
Day 2 - Central Park with my high school girlfriend Cheryl from NJ came to visit me. We parked in an ICON parking structure (found throughout the city), located just across the street from the ABC's studios, with a Groupon coupon the price of 52.00 for a large suv for 4-5 hrs became 20.00 (put they charged 15.00 xtra for the larger sized suv on top of that) ! Just a short walk... where to set up camp ? so many green grassy reas to choose from.. The Great Park, Sheep Meadow... beautiful salad lunch and a stroll thru just some of the park because it is HUGE !!! *Tip: don't buy your map from the kiosk at the end of the Mall, go to the conservacy house just up from the cottage gift shop... maps are free there. At the kiosk they are 2.00 and are PARTIAL maps ! say wHAT ? *Tip If you leave a $ tip for the conservatory they will offer you a free book mark : ) You can also print a map from their website. (day 2 of Central Park we found out that the 1/2 maps from the kiosk are actually perfectly portioned for all of the MAIN free things and attractions, so not such a rip-off after all)
Lots to see and do... Horse Carriage rides, bike tours, stroll the MALL, an archway of trees with trinkets chotskies, get your portrait painted, artists, entertainers, bubbles... live jazz music, they even have a ZOO !... Head over to the one of the many lakes. The Lake has the Boat House, you can rent rowboats for 12.00 per 1/2 hr. More info here >> The Loeb Boat House. Conservatory water has the little power boats and an Alice in wonderland and Hands Christian Anderson large bronze sculptures....
Lots to see and do... Horse Carriage rides, bike tours, stroll the MALL, an archway of trees with trinkets chotskies, get your portrait painted, artists, entertainers, bubbles... live jazz music, they even have a ZOO !... Head over to the one of the many lakes. The Lake has the Boat House, you can rent rowboats for 12.00 per 1/2 hr. More info here >> The Loeb Boat House. Conservatory water has the little power boats and an Alice in wonderland and Hands Christian Anderson large bronze sculptures....
We were off to meet up with friends for dinner ... it was hard to catch a cab, approx 15-20 minutes with no luck, so here's a great option : catch a UBER ride at Uber.com ! The Uber app connects you with a driver with the push of a button. We've used this service before back in February at the last Seasons Fashion week : ) (they also have these were we live under a different name called lift.
* TIP : Here's a Uber uber.com code for you ! #49ctf this will get you $10. off your first Uber ride. Redeem at uber.com/invite/49ctf
The Pod Hotels
Pod 51 and Pod 39
Great rate 138.00 per night during Fashion Week online at getaroom.com ... found out that one of the Pods, Pod 39 has a great Rooftop bar and Lounge ! We checked it out... stiff drinks... there's a restaurant just inside called the Salvation Taco get drinks while you wait there... (you will need to be on the list (friday night) get a stamp on your hand so you can take the elevator to the top and show it to the attendant). It was hard to get good photos in the dark.. great views of the crysler building the Empire state blg and the new Bank of America Bldg.
Next, it was dinner for 9 at the El Rio Grande, Mexican Restaurant. I had a Ahi Tuna salad with a side of quacamole ! soooo good !!! :) and a prickly pear margi.
*Tip I found a FourSquare check-in Special, sing for your dessert. 9 of us all sang together... Duran Duran's "RIO" for our free dessert ! Technically we should have had 1 per person w/ Foursquare app per person. They served us 3... large desserts to share. Banana ice cream, Flan and one other I can't recall, I nibbled on some of the banana pieces....
Onto Pod 51 for a "pod party"... in our friend Rita's Pod, let's see how many peas can fit into a pod ! (We could technically fit 9 peeps in the bed) super tiny rooms, like a cruise ship, tho much smaller !!!
* TIP : Here's a Uber uber.com code for you ! #49ctf this will get you $10. off your first Uber ride. Redeem at uber.com/invite/49ctf
The Pod Hotels
Pod 51 and Pod 39
Great rate 138.00 per night during Fashion Week online at getaroom.com ... found out that one of the Pods, Pod 39 has a great Rooftop bar and Lounge ! We checked it out... stiff drinks... there's a restaurant just inside called the Salvation Taco get drinks while you wait there... (you will need to be on the list (friday night) get a stamp on your hand so you can take the elevator to the top and show it to the attendant). It was hard to get good photos in the dark.. great views of the crysler building the Empire state blg and the new Bank of America Bldg.
Next, it was dinner for 9 at the El Rio Grande, Mexican Restaurant. I had a Ahi Tuna salad with a side of quacamole ! soooo good !!! :) and a prickly pear margi.
*Tip I found a FourSquare check-in Special, sing for your dessert. 9 of us all sang together... Duran Duran's "RIO" for our free dessert ! Technically we should have had 1 per person w/ Foursquare app per person. They served us 3... large desserts to share. Banana ice cream, Flan and one other I can't recall, I nibbled on some of the banana pieces....
Onto Pod 51 for a "pod party"... in our friend Rita's Pod, let's see how many peas can fit into a pod ! (We could technically fit 9 peeps in the bed) super tiny rooms, like a cruise ship, tho much smaller !!!
Another full day in Central Park seeing the sights ! Strawberry Fields . The Great Park . Belvedere Castle . Shakespear in the Park . Turtle Pond ...
NYFW Style Lounge at the Empire Hotel
Our first Fashion Party of the week... The Empire roof top is always a great time. Fashion indoor and outdoors. Models walked up and down showing the designers pieces. Dj playing outside... Be sure to get a photo of the neon sign while up there. *You have to be on the list to get in and drinks are pricey !
Our first Fashion Party of the week... The Empire roof top is always a great time. Fashion indoor and outdoors. Models walked up and down showing the designers pieces. Dj playing outside... Be sure to get a photo of the neon sign while up there. *You have to be on the list to get in and drinks are pricey !
Breakfasts while here were easy, fresh fruit, fresh green juice (from the fashion shows back stage, my husband brought me this sponsoring brand called Blue Print Juice from the makers of Blue Print Cleanse ... very good !... so many easy to do and grab items right from the kitchen and gym time is a must.... keep that lymphatic systems moving... in NYC it's easy, with all the walking you do to get up town, down town and all around ! : ))
Fashion ShenZhen
Our 2nd little fashion party, near Hells Kitchen area, we were invited by an OC client of my husbands to attend a rooftop fashion presentation from China (not yet available for distribution in the US) Cocktails and appetizers, the goodie bag had the most soft, gorgeous pashima : ) we got 1 each !
The actual runway show was later that evening at Lincoln Center .
While waiting for the show we stopped off at the American Table Cafe and Bar at Lincoln Center, WOW ! Sit at the bar, we felt like we were watching artwork being prepared. The food leaving the line looked ahhhmazing ! I ordered up a plate of pickles, $5. came with a bread roll and some butter. Enjoyed a local NYbeer, Sin Cider, $7. Would return to try out their food or bring friends next season for sure.
So, we made our way down, with no tickets, but with the magic of Wacker... we found ourselves in the tents once again, in the show. The wedding dress and ornate Marie Antoinette dress were ahhmazzing !
For dinner we found ourselves back at the Warner Mall... it was late. The Stone Rose Lounge, upstairs, 4th floor, great views down below of Columbus Circle. I ordered a salad and another cucumber concoction. After waiting some time, we were told that after 11:00p there are no salads available. What ?... so we enjoyed our drinks, sent back my husbands cuban sandwhich. We found a shuffleboard table (it's very dark in this restaurant) and played a few rounds. Then off to find something to eat. We ended up walking back to 2nd Ave and found a Diner, Ritz Diner... ordered the Mediterranean salad (though I love diner food, it was G.Rowsss... steamed veggies !!!!????, only 2 olives to be found, piles of huge white mushrooms and cauliflower) the side of guacamole was fake looking, whipped to an almost dressing like consistency) bleh
Fashion ShenZhen
Our 2nd little fashion party, near Hells Kitchen area, we were invited by an OC client of my husbands to attend a rooftop fashion presentation from China (not yet available for distribution in the US) Cocktails and appetizers, the goodie bag had the most soft, gorgeous pashima : ) we got 1 each !
The actual runway show was later that evening at Lincoln Center .
While waiting for the show we stopped off at the American Table Cafe and Bar at Lincoln Center, WOW ! Sit at the bar, we felt like we were watching artwork being prepared. The food leaving the line looked ahhhmazing ! I ordered up a plate of pickles, $5. came with a bread roll and some butter. Enjoyed a local NYbeer, Sin Cider, $7. Would return to try out their food or bring friends next season for sure.
So, we made our way down, with no tickets, but with the magic of Wacker... we found ourselves in the tents once again, in the show. The wedding dress and ornate Marie Antoinette dress were ahhmazzing !
For dinner we found ourselves back at the Warner Mall... it was late. The Stone Rose Lounge, upstairs, 4th floor, great views down below of Columbus Circle. I ordered a salad and another cucumber concoction. After waiting some time, we were told that after 11:00p there are no salads available. What ?... so we enjoyed our drinks, sent back my husbands cuban sandwhich. We found a shuffleboard table (it's very dark in this restaurant) and played a few rounds. Then off to find something to eat. We ended up walking back to 2nd Ave and found a Diner, Ritz Diner... ordered the Mediterranean salad (though I love diner food, it was G.Rowsss... steamed veggies !!!!????, only 2 olives to be found, piles of huge white mushrooms and cauliflower) the side of guacamole was fake looking, whipped to an almost dressing like consistency) bleh
Our last night out was spent in Brooklyn !
Blink 182 Concert for Charity on 9-11 in Williamsburg Brooklyn at the Music Hall.
The opening bands were pretty awesome, one was from Los Angeles called the New Beat Fund, the other was called DIIV. 600 sold out, standing room only spots. Our friend Daniel who owns OC Drums & Percussion is Travis Barkers Drum Tech and Road Manager thus our tix were free. So, we supported the charity by buying a T.shirt. Daniel gave us 2 pairs of free drum stix and a bunch of picks, as usual. We gave away one pair of stix and a pick to the base player of the NMF, he was more than appreciative : ) Hope we get to see them play again in LA soon. Here's a little about the charity and night, pics. (may add a video later)
Blink 182 Concert for Charity on 9-11 in Williamsburg Brooklyn at the Music Hall.
The opening bands were pretty awesome, one was from Los Angeles called the New Beat Fund, the other was called DIIV. 600 sold out, standing room only spots. Our friend Daniel who owns OC Drums & Percussion is Travis Barkers Drum Tech and Road Manager thus our tix were free. So, we supported the charity by buying a T.shirt. Daniel gave us 2 pairs of free drum stix and a bunch of picks, as usual. We gave away one pair of stix and a pick to the base player of the NMF, he was more than appreciative : ) Hope we get to see them play again in LA soon. Here's a little about the charity and night, pics. (may add a video later)
For Dinner it was Delizias Italian Restaurante, just a walk from our place we were staying. I enjoyed a nice light fresh old fashions Italian salad... brought me back to the days before Ranch Dressing. Would totally grab a bite there again next time were in town.
Up and out before noon. Back to Laguardia. Our roomate gaves us a heads up... *TIP: When flying out of Laguardia, be sure to check which terminal you are in. Delta flies out of both. You can do this just by googling your flight # and date of flight. : ) this can save you from missing your flight.
RAWlifestyle eating on the East Coast and anywhere is a breeze ! Really not worth needing another mention on any future blogs... it's just to easy eating RAW. VEGAN in this day and age... organic though, is a whole other story !
Until next Season I bid you farewell NYC. ~
Up and out before noon. Back to Laguardia. Our roomate gaves us a heads up... *TIP: When flying out of Laguardia, be sure to check which terminal you are in. Delta flies out of both. You can do this just by googling your flight # and date of flight. : ) this can save you from missing your flight.
RAWlifestyle eating on the East Coast and anywhere is a breeze ! Really not worth needing another mention on any future blogs... it's just to easy eating RAW. VEGAN in this day and age... organic though, is a whole other story !
Until next Season I bid you farewell NYC. ~
----------- >
Here are a few random tips and other useful info I found along the way ...
*Minneapolis Airport Foursquare check-in ... Free beer opener/magnet. Score !! LOL
* On our flight someone was allergic to peanuts so in that situation the airline is NOT allowed to serve the usual complimentary packets of peanuts.
* Good news is, Free 1st booze drink in-flight when credit card machines are not working onboard, bad news is that there's no alcoholic drinks after that. They do NOT accept $ on flights.
*TIPs: Using your Delta AX Skymiles Platinum card gets you into the Delta SkyClub, for just 25.00 per person, usually 50.00 per person.
Minneapolis airport : free WIFI, if you watch a short video.
Download the Fly Delta Mobile App : from your phone you can pick seats, see upgrades, standby status changes, free bag and zone 1 loading. : )
Here are a few random tips and other useful info I found along the way ...
*Minneapolis Airport Foursquare check-in ... Free beer opener/magnet. Score !! LOL
* On our flight someone was allergic to peanuts so in that situation the airline is NOT allowed to serve the usual complimentary packets of peanuts.
* Good news is, Free 1st booze drink in-flight when credit card machines are not working onboard, bad news is that there's no alcoholic drinks after that. They do NOT accept $ on flights.
*TIPs: Using your Delta AX Skymiles Platinum card gets you into the Delta SkyClub, for just 25.00 per person, usually 50.00 per person.
Minneapolis airport : free WIFI, if you watch a short video.
Download the Fly Delta Mobile App : from your phone you can pick seats, see upgrades, standby status changes, free bag and zone 1 loading. : )
***************
Here are just a few Organic eateries I googled pre trip, on the Upper East Side, that I did NOT get a chance to experience. Let me know if you do !
Caravan of Dreams 405 E 6th St New York, NY 10009
Rockin' raw 171 Sullivan St. Ney York, NY 10012
Quintesseence 263 E 10th St New York, NY 10009
Gingersnaps Organic 130 E 7th St Manhattan, NY 10009
Organic Avenue 021 Lexington Ave (between 73 & 72)
www.dibythesea.com
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PLEASE JOIN MY BLOG by "liking" me on the right. :)
Subscribe to my YOU TUBE CHANNEL: Di by the Sea
Follow me on Twitter: Di by the Sea
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*Most everything in PINK is hyperlinked to external websites for references.
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