SATURDAY GUIDE: 'REJECTED' VALENTINE'S DAY HEARTBREAK HAVEN

Celebrating National Singles Awareness Day and want to laugh hysterically whilst getting pissed off of FREE BEER?


Well....then head over to the Upright Citizen's Brigade Theatre with all the rest of the rejects for Rejected Valentine's Day Heartbreak Haven, a night of comedy, live music, and FREE Beer (after the price of admission- $10). Its the cheapest date you could take yourself on in the City. And really, who needs Cupid when you have your beer goggles on!

Send some VD love!

Feel like sharing some VD love with your love ones but after browsing for hours in Hallmark you can't decide what ridiculously overpriced, musical, nonbiodegratable cards will express your sentiments in a way that will show your undying love and devotion (for Obama that is)?

Well then skip the lines and send an e-card. In fact, send a someecard.

Someecards.com pair vintage images with sentiments of all types and unlike Hallmark, browsing these cards can become quite addicting. Plus, you can find that e-card for any type of relationship from your galpal to your coworker to your "FB."

Slightly untoward and shockingly straightforward, these cheeky cards are not for the faint of heart. But for those who believe life is best served with sarcasm, wit and a bit of truth, you've hit the jackpot.

Gettin' in the VD mood....for romantic films

Looking to watch some romantic movies to get you in the mood for Valentine's Day?

Well, then log on to Hulu.com (FREE Streaming Feature Length Movies & Full Television Episodes) to watch some flicks and during the "limited commercial interruptions" maybe steal a kiss. ;)

Looking for a romantic comedy? Check out:

• Picture Perfect
• Someone Like You
  

In love with sports? Check out:

• For Love of the Game
• Wimbledon

I HEART the 80's (Big hair & all?)? Check out:

• St. Elmo's Fire
  

Want to "Snap out of it!" & fall in love with New York all over again? Check out:

• Moonstruck

Are you in love with man's best friend (of all forms)? Check out:

• Dragonheart
• Beethoven's 2nd
  

Do you lust after classic Britsh literature (and the accents, of course)? Check out:

• Nicholas Nickleby

Celebrating National Singles Awareness Day? Well don't you fret. I pulled out some classics that showcase the love between friends, guns and Mr. Miyagi.

• A League of Their Own
• Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels
• The Karate Kid
  

Valentine's Day in the Park!

Hopefully Valentine's Day will be lovely for all you sweethearts, lovebirds, pookies, sugarbuns, etc...

If so, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation may have some activities in parks all over NYC which are sure to make the grow fonder and stronger with some exercise (either for your hunnybuns or the Big Apple)! Plus, what's more sexy than breakin' a sweat with your sweetie? (On a hike that is!!!)

From Valentine's Day hikes to Bird and Eagle Watching to walking tours of Central Park and Union Square to Poetry Reading. Best off all, ALL of these events are FREE! Click on this link for more information.

However, if really your just looking for a romantic spot to get close to your cutie then visit The Parks Department's webpage of Romantic Spots all over the five boroughs. My top picks are Battery Park looking out at the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge at night.

SUNDAY GUIDE: The Frick Collection

This is the place to see and be seen on Sunday midday. The Uppercrust of the Upper East Side loves a deal, especially on some of the best European Art in the World. And you can take part in this deal as well, with PAY-WHAT-YOU-WISH Sundays at The Frick Collection from 11AM-1PM, Every Sunday.

This stately mansion, built exclusively for Henry Clay Frick, is a true testament to the Gilded Age and all of its grandeur. If you would like, I would suggest dressing for the occasion as wandering through the galleries makes one feel quite stately and lends to the splendor of your visit. And don't forget your FREE Artphone that explains many of the paintings, sculptures and rooms of the mansion.

And for those of you looking for a great Valentine's Weekend activity, this is the romantic of all the Museums in NYC. It is also located right across the street from Central Park, so afterwards why not go on an afternoon stroll or a picnic with your sweetheart. I guarentee you, you will be in the mood for love.

For more information please visit http://www.frick.org/.

(Note: There are only two American artists featured in the whole Frick Collection. The first is Gilbert Stewart, whose portrait of George Washington was most likely acquired for patriotic reasons. However, it seemed as if Mr. Frick thought Whistler was esteemed enough to hang with the Old Masters and bought many of his works).

Want to celebrate VD instead of NSA Day?

Strike your arrow here!

Traditionally, I celebrate National Singles Awareness Day by going to a pub with a bunch of other single people, getting royally pissed, singing bawdy songs and eating falafel. It's a rip roarin' good time.

However, if this year you want to trade your NSA Day for some candy, flowers and romantic moments, albeit your budget doesn't want to spring for $34.99/month to get "matched" up, then let Cupid's arrow guide you to this FREE dating site.

OkCupid.com

Now, you only have 7 days to find your VD date, so join NOW!

And speaking of VD, remember this?

If you want to have some fun...JUST WEAR IT, so you don't end up like Mario.

SATURDAY GUIDE: Get Squared!

If you're like me you've just spent your week trapped behind a desk workin' for the proverbial "Man" and clockwatchin'. On Wednesday, when you heard it was going to be a beautiful weekend in the Big Apple and warm to boot (45F!), you were even more eager to stretch those stems and traverse this City when you weren't afraid of becoming a popsicle. If this is so, then have I got the perfect activity for you!

Get some FREE exercise and learn more about our fine City through a FREE walking tour of Union Square. Since Union Square is the third largest transportation hub in the City chances are after this tour you will have the chance to swing by The Square and dazzle your friends, lovers, significant others with an intelligent quip about how it got its name and much, much more.

Union Square: Crossroads of New York

Saturday February 7th, 2009

2:00pm-3:30pm

All ya have to do is be ON TIME
and
find the person holding the
"Union Square: Crossroads of New York" sign
by the Lincoln Statue by the 16th Street transverse

For more information click on this link.

WEEKEND GUIDE: Winter Jam 2009!

Miss the Red Bull Snowscrapers Snowboarding Invitational tonight

and still feelin' that outdoorsy, adventurous, Winter spirit?

Then stop by East River Park in the heart of Manhattan for
WINTER JAM 2009

Saturday February 7th, 2009
11:00AM-4:00PM

You can cross-country ski, snowshoe,
go ice climbing and sled down a 70 foot snow flume!

Feelin' like you need to warm up a bit, grab some viddles
and listen to some tunes?

Then head into the Pride of NY Warming Tent, browse the Winter Market
and hear some great snowtunes from Apollo Run, Dujeous and more!

Best of all this event is FREE!

For more information: Winter Jam's website

35c Movie! (Exact change-No Pennies from Heaven)

We are living in the neuvo Depression, so why not pretend it's 1933?

You can with Film Forum's
Breadlines and Champagne Depression Movie Series!

Starting with....

For one night only Friday February 6th, 2009
YOU can see
the Scandalous, the Salacious, the Sassalcious Pre-code Romp....
I'm No Angel
Starring Mae West and Cary Grant
For only 35c!!!

Now may have been the Winter of your discontent, but no more!
After Opening Night, all films in the series are
2 or 3 films for the price of ONE $11 admission.

Afraid of becoming depressed watching these films? Be more afraid of ruckus laughter, tears of joy and of course, woos of love towards some of Hollywood's finest (albeit, dead) leading ladies and gents! Sample a delightful assortment of films like My Man Godfrey, Platinum Blonde, Scarface, It Happened One Night, Bombshell, 42nd St, Gold Diggers of 1933 and much, much more! This is the ultimate escape from reality from the people who knew how to do it best!

The Film Forum is located at 209 West Houston Street, (btwn 6&7Ave)
(Go to filmforum.org for more information)

Liquid Dinner Party!

The Cheap Chic's Guide to your very own

Liquid Dinner Party

I love, love, love to socialize with my friends and entertain. However, a five course Dinner at Eight every/other week can be a little taxing on the budget. Thus, I came up with the idea of the Liquid Dinner Party.

To start, it is BYOW, B or L, 3 Buck Chuck is usually the drink of choice.

Second, appetizers (if you thus choose) should be anything that is on sale (usually stuffed grape leaves in my area- $6 for 4lbs!) or inexpensive to make (hummus with pita or feta mixed with freshly chopped basil and a dash of balsamic vinegar on top of Triskets) and don't go overboard! Think of your appets as an amuse-bouche just to show your guests that you aren't going to poison them with your cooking.

Next, the main course. After years of missing out on dinner parties, because I was stuck in the kitchen preparing the next course, I learned an important lesson (actually, it comes from the Boy Scouts)- BE PREPARED! Thus, I can have a dinner party at 6:30pm, when I get home at 6pm on a Friday. "How Cheap Chic?" you inquire. You make...SOUP! It can be prepared ahead of time, freezes easily and comes to a boil in less than 15 min, even when frozen. Thus, freeing you up from a hot stove and letting you enjoy being the HOST(ESS) with the MOST(ESS)!

Now, there are many soup recipes in cookbooks at the library, on the internet, or maybe that you have. From a basic Chicken Noodle to a New Orleans Gumbo to an Armenian Apricot Soup the variations are endless. However, I have two standbys that I swear by. The first is a Mexican Tomato Lime Soup from the Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home Cookbook (you can also find this recipe online, but I'm a big fan of cookbooks, so I'm linking you to the actual book). If you want to cheat or tomatoes are out of season, I've also made this recipe with 2 cups of canned tomatoes instead of fresh ones. The second one is a much heartier soup, actually a stew, perfect for winter. This one is a Groundnut Stew, which has many variations depending on the location in West Africa. Below is the Cheap Chic version which is a mixture of my friend Sam's version (Thanks Sam!) and of tried and true testing on unsuspecting guests.

Groundnut Stew
(Cheap Chic Style)

Ingredients:

• oil (peanut or vegetable)
  
• couscous
• pressed garlic cloves (I like at least 4)
• 1/2 tbsp pressed fresh ginger (optional)
  
• 2-cups chopped onion
• 2-16oz cans chopped tomatoes, undrained
  
• 2-16oz cans of black beans
• 2 cups hard veggie (carrots, okra, yams or all)
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• cayenne pepper to taste
  
• salt and pepper to taste
  

Heat oil in a soup pot. Saute garlic (and ginger if chosen). Add onions and saute till slightly browned. Add both cans of chopped tomatoes, black beans and veggies. Once everything becomes hot and mixes together, add peanut butter and cayenne to taste. Soup is done. Cover and let cool. Put pot in fridge if serving within a day or in freezable tupperware if freezing. 15 minutes before entertaining: Cook couscous as directed. Put soup on to de-thaw or bring to warmth. Simmer. In a bowl, put the couscous in and top with the stew. Add salt and pepper to taste. The aroma of this stew is great and sure to bring your guests back for seconds. And really this soup is all about the personal touch so feel free to play around with the ingredients.

~o~o~o~

You always have that one friend that insists on bring something to help with the cooking. If you need no last minute "Oops, I forgot that" ingredient ask them to bring 1 or 2 loaves of French bread. It's cheap (maybe 3 bucks max and they've felt like they've done their part).

"What's the bread for?" you may ask. For making Homemade Garlic Bread (you have to have something to soak up all the liquid)! "But Cheap Chic, I usually buy Pre-made Garlic Bread." This is a big "Hell's No!" Making your own Garlic Bread is cheap and easy (just how I like it). Also you can make it as good (little butter) or as bad (lots of garlic-no kissing for you!) as you like.

Cheap Chic's Garlic Bread

Ingredients

• 2 loaves of French bread
• 1-2 sticks of Butter
• pressed garlic cloves (the more the better)
• oregano (optional)
  

Half the loaves of bread. Soften the butter. Add the pressed garlic to the soften butter and mix. Slather the spread onto the French bread loaves. Sprinkle as much oregano on as desired. Broil in the oven till browned (about 5-7 minutes, but make sure to check it frequently! Broiling can lead to blackening quite quickly!).

~o~o~o~

Now you have a full 4-Course Liquid dinner: appetizers, soup, garlic bread and of course, alcoholic liquid.

And for dessert? Well, I always keep a box of cake or brownie mix (when it goes on sale for 99c) in the house (just in case). Just make sure you have enough eggs and oil handy. It even is a great party activity. Who doesn't love licking the spatula clean or spilt wine flavored brownies?

One final thought- Make sure you have enough toilet paper for when everyone breaks the seal. After all, this is a liquid dinner party!

Enjoy!

Do Your Own Damn Laundry!

I'm not passing judgment on any New Yorker who supports the laundries and local economy of our fine City. However, stop whining about how much it costs to have someone else do your laundry (It's a typical New Yorker trait). It's a dirty job, but someone has to do it right? Well, let's talk economics.

On the one hand your time is money. However, your free time is suppose to be free, but if you work 16 hour days, then maybe your free time is for slipping all-night Diner food down your throat and sleeping off the vodka tonics, Mad Men style. But then you best be gettin' paid to have your laundry lifestyle where someone else toils over it.




For those of us who aren't as dashing as Don Draper and have a fair amount of free time, then doing our own laundry could save a bundle. For instance, top loading medium capacity washers can usually hold 7-8lbs of laundry. That's usually a little less or more than half of a standard laundry basket. Add a full basket and you have between 15-20lbs of laundry. At a dollar a lb (which is usually the standard in NYC, give or take 25c) that's around $20 a basket with detergent & folding included. The typical washer at a laundry mat (or in your own building) costs $2 and you supply your own detergent, dryer sheets and intuitive. Best of all, if anything comes out shrunk or covered in bleach, you have no one to blame, but yourself. For me to do a laundry basket costs $5.25 w/ detergent (which I recommend Arm & Hammer Dye & Perfume Free, $1 coupon at site). That's 75% off the price of having someone else do it and I burn calories walking up and down the stairs and folding. It's a win/win situation for me!

Now a lot of people have many excuses for not doing their own laundry, besides the time issue, I understand that (i.e. it's gross, it's boring, I'm lazy, etc...). But for those of you who want to venture out and need some encouragement, watch this clip from FRIENDS- The One with the East German Laundry Detergent.

List of Top Ten Things To Do at the Laundry Mat

1. Catch up with Mom, your bff, your ex, or your proctologist on your cell phone.
2. Start writing the great American Novel.
3. People watch.
4. Read one of the many great novels of British Literature.
5. Work on Monday's New York Times Crossword Puzzle or better yet, the TV Guide crossword.
6. Hit on someone or at least try to (I recommend Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog for guidance- Act 1)
7. Meditate
8. Read the latest issue of Soap Opera Digest (I once read an issue of People from 1972...it was 2005 at the time).
9. Knit or crochet.
10. Dream you're rich enough to have someone else do your damn laundry!

Bibliophiles Beware!

Ever have one of those days when you know you want to read that classic like The Hound of the Baskervilles, have a hankering to dive into an old issue of New York Magazine or when you promised your book club that you read The Da Vinci Code when in fact you didn't and you can't get a hold of a copy from the library in time?

Have no fear! Google Book Search is here. Now you can read full books and magazines from the Internet!


There are Fiction and Non-Fiction headings with categories or if you just want to read about a random subject like Fads or Courtship, you can browse their Random Subjects Categories as well! I will admit that I whiled away a few minutes reading the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists; Rules, Britannia: An Insider's Guide to Life in the United Kingdom, Blogging for Dummies and my personal favorite allegory on quantum physics which I haven't read since I was 17, Alice in Quantumland.

THIS WEEKEND: Chinese Lunar New Year Parade!

I know, I know. It's only hump day, but having suffered from a case of the "Mondays" all week I can't help but think about the weekend.

This weekend is the perfect weekend to put down those Netflixs and head to Chinatown. "Why Elle*?" you may ask. Because the 10th Annual Lunar New Year Parade is taking place. Best of all it is FREE!!! So grab your best buds and your camera. This is one of the reasons why living in NYC is so amazing.

10th Annual Lunar New Year Parade

Sunday February 1st, 2009

Noon-3pm

Parade route: Starts at Mott St, Chatham Square,

East Broadway, Allen St, Grand St, Chrystie St, NYC

Description: The spectacle features elaborate floats, marching bands, lion and dragon dances galore, Asian musicians, magicians, acrobats and procession by local organizations. Over 5,000 people are expected to march in the parade- From gonyc.com

There are a bunch of other events going on as well, so visit ExploreChinatown for more information on events and Chinatown itself.

SHARE ME!

I just added a SHARE ME! button to the right hand side of my blog. Also at the end of each blog post you can SHARE me as well, by clicking on the SHARE button (SEE BELOW). Now there are 43 WAYS to share my with your friends, family, significant others and lovers. SHARE me on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace or email to name a few...

To add this FREE button to your blog, click on SHARE and More... and then Get Your Own AddThis button. It's FREE and only takes a few minutes to set up.

Update: Taschen Warehouse Sale

I gallivanted down to the store this morning, right around 11am in fact, just so I could make sure I would get the best browsing selection.

There were about five table tops filled with a mixture of books. From The Big Book of Breasts to The Book of Plants- The Complete Plates to History of Men's Magazines, Vol. 5 to Michelangelo, Complete Work, there was an interesting (and somewhat erotically focused- lots of photography books of naked women and sexual exploits) selection. The prices ranged from 99c to $99. Most books ranged around the $7.49 to $29. There was this beautiful tome on Da Vinci, but it weighed in at 25lbs and I believe it would break my coffee table (well, if I actually had one).

Anyway, it wasn't as fabulous as I expected, but it's worth a look if only to see people's reactions when they catch you browsing through a book full of muffs and puffs (and then slyly reach for said book when you are finished, buy it with downcast eyes and then scurry out the store).

Taschen Warehouse Sale!

Okay, so usually I don't like to share when it comes to my absolute favorite art book publisher, but I thought it was only fair to give everyone the heads up (if only for karmic reasons) about the Taschen Warehouse Sale going on this weekend in NYC.

TASCHEN Store New York

107 Greene Street, NY 10012

Tel: +1-212-226 2212Fax: +1-212-226 2218

store-ny@taschen.com

January 23 - 25, 2009

Friday, Saturday 11:00 am to 8:00 pm

Sunday 12:00 to 8:00 pm

Ode to RAMEN (recipe included)!

Yesterday morning as I was commuting, I picked up my daily AM New York (I like it better than the Metro. It's more pop-culturie- and yes, "pop-culturie" is a word. I just made it one.) and happened upon an article about the economy and ramen. It is the ultimate cheap meal ranging from 10c to 70c for a basic package. ("Gourmet" ramen can get as high as $4.50. At least that I've seen.)



Since, I am very, very impressionable, throughout my day, all I could think about was how I wanted Ramen. Hence, on the way home I picked up some Ramen. The article I read that morning gave recipes (I kid you not) on how to make gourmet Ramen with non-dehydrated ingredients. However, I just didn't have the energy to make the actual recipes, so instead I've complied a list for you of things that I like to add to my Ramen (and they're cheap!).

• Bac-Os- faux bacon bits: Just what you need added to your Ramen- more salt, but these yummy little pieces of faux bacon made of soy are just soy delicious! (Okay, so maybe not as great as real bacon, but come on, I'm a vegetarian. I like to pretend.)
• Scallions- they add mild onion-like flavor and some light greenery to your dish (Thus, making it seem good for you.) and are cheap! (I bought a bunch for 25c, tax included.)
• Carrots- add some orange, get better vision (or night vision).
• Plain Yogurt- to give your broth a little more depth. (And calicum-duh!)
• Hot Sauce- to give it a little kick. Again tons of salt, tons of spice. (just how I like it!)
  

And as an added bonus, I decided to include my own Ramen Recipe....

Okra Chaat Masala Ramen

1. Start boiling water in a small sauce pan.
   
2. In a frying pan, lightly saute 1/4 of the bag of Okra in a little oil.
   
3. Boil the noodles in the sauce pan.
4. Add Chaat Masala Spice to the Okra and stir till fully coated and you can smell the ingredients mixing together.
   
5. Strain and place the ramen in a big bowl.
   
6. Add the Okra Chaat Masala on top the Ramen.
   
7. Add Scallions or Plain Yogurt to garnish.
   
8. Eat.
9. Repeat if you find it delicious and a bit sassalicious.

So basically my point is (did I have one to begin with) is that Ramen used as directed is for college. Ramen with a little somethin' extra is the grown-up version of something cheap and easy! As Mary says in 3 Men and a Little Lady (one of my fav movies from childhood), "Try it. You'll like it."

Obama's Free Art Gallery

Starting Inauguration Day a new exhibition opened up at Danziger Projects* all about.....(did you guess yet?)...everyone's FAV, Just-became-pres, Bam Man, Barack Obama.

So go support the NYC art scene and a soon to be "back to reality" presidency.

Can & Did

GRAPHICS, ART, AND PHOTOGRAPHY FROM THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN

JANUARY 20 - FEBRUARY 28, 2009

Danziger Projects

521 West 26th St.
New York, NY 10001

Phone: 212-629-6778

*Special Thanks to Lexis for the heads up!

Happy Inauguration Day!

Enjoy making yourself a piece of propoganda with this great site.

From Obamiconme.com - 'Create your own Obamicon, your image inspired by Shepard Fairey's iconic Barack Obama 'Hope' poster.'

Thrift Store Shopping, Name Brands, Cheap Price!

A few weeks ago my coworker told me about the thrift stores on 23rd St (Thanks, Kirtley!). I was in desperate need for some new clothing, but I am on quite a tight budget. Thus, this weekend, I ventured to 23rd St (btwn Lexington and 1st Ave) to go find some treasures.

Boy, did I hit the jackpot!!!

First, I stopped by the Salvation Army.
212 E 23rd St, New York, NY‎ (btwn 3rd Ave & 2nd Ave)
(212) 532-8115
‎

In terms of thrift stores, it's not the cleanest or the most organized (except for the clothing). Also, if you walk in and are wondering where all the clothes are, they are 1 floor below in the dimly lit basement (and yes the only mode of transportation is a rickety elevator. Looking for the perfect location for a Horror film in NYC?). If you are willing to dig you might come up with some treasures (They did have a great selection of cowboy boots. However at $30 it was still out of my price range.). I did find this gorgeous, gray, GAP shift for work and at $6.99 (tax included) it is a great addition to my work wardrobe. The only major issue I had with the place, was the lack of dressing room. I wanted to try on more things, but I didn't really feel like showing the other shoppers my bright, red Super girl boyshorts.

The next stop was Goodwill Industries.
220 E 23rd Street, New York, NY (btwn 3rd Ave & 2nd Ave)
(212) 447-7270‎


This store is like the Mecca of thrift stores in NYC. First, the store is bright (like fluorescent, Wal-mart lighting bright), big and well organized. Clothing is separated by color and type. I went straight to the sweaters. One of my first picks was a chic, black, Banana Republic sweater. Perfect for work or a first date: classic, but slightly salacious. At $9.99, it made the cut.

Next I headed over to the jeans. I think the final count for the number of jeans I tried on was 40 pairs. However, with over 100 jeans on the rack, it wasn't hard to pick a few out. Another great thing about this store- it HAS A DRESSING ROOM! And on a busy Saturday afternoon, there was never more than a 4 minute wait. I finally settled on 3 pairs, in excellent condition and all name brand: Gap, Express and Guess. At $7.99 a pair, you can't beat it!

Final total:

3 pairs of jeans, 1 sweater and 1 shift = $40.95
(which doesn't even cover the cost for one pair of jeans at the mall).

New Year, New Hair (on the cheap) PART 4- THE REVEAL

Ta-Dah!

One part Becca Moody and one part Lady Gaga, with a little sass mixed in. I guess that's who I've been my whole life, so why would a hair cut change it?

New Year, New Hair (on the cheap) PART 3

So the next morning (did you really believe I would cut my hair while drinking?), I did some research on my "side swept bangs." I recommend Chris Faircloth's Women's hairstyles instructions on Expert Village. His videos will show you how to cut a variety of women's hairstyles, although really I suggest practicing on a friend, not yourself.

I grabbed my sewing scissors, my smaller scissors from the 5th grade, a comb, some water and case things got too out of hand, some wine to calm myself down.

Thus I started cutting and a half an hour later.....

I looked like Lady Gaga, before she went blonde. Instead of stopping and leaving my hair alone (since I obviously didn't manage to pull off the side swept bangs), I thought the bangs were still a little off-centered.......

2 hours later....

I now look like Becca Moody from Californication. And, yes that is the 12 year old daughter of Hank Moody. And, yes that means I look like a 12 year old (well in real life, she's actually 15, but still I'm not even legal).




I'm still coming to terms with my new underage look, therefore, you'll have to give me some time before I reveal the look. Let me have some time to "age it up" a bit. Maybe go more Cleopatra than Goth Lolita.

Stay tuned for the PART 4- The Reveal!

New Year, New Hair (on the cheap) PART 2

So last night was the night that I decided to whip up some D.I.Y. action to become a celebrity (well, at least have celeb hair).

First I decided to get some celebrity inspiration for what I wanted- Enter the Internet and the hairstyle websites (http://www.hairpedia.com, http://www.hairstylesdesign.com).

Second, there were some conditions. No to Brook Hogan, Charlize Theron, or Paris Hilton. My hair has only been blonde once and I got sick of the drag queen comments. Also, since it is Winter, I should go darker in hair color and keep my hair longer.

After searching around the sites for a while, I remembered someone once said I looked like a mixture of Maggie Gyllenhaal and Alyson Hannigan (must be the quirkiness. Well, that or the pronounced chin). Therefore, I decide on an Alyson Hannigan style, which was Dark Brown with side swept bangs.


So now that I decided on my style, it was time for action. Enter the drug store. Oh, so convenient (down the block, real time saver) and oh so cheap for hair color (in a box at $7.58 with tax vs. at the salon, low end starting at $50 plus tax and tip). I decided on L'OREAL Paris ColorSpa Moisture Actif No. 12- Dark Brown. I've used this brand before and love it, because it is about 3 bucks less than most hair color and it is Non-Permanent color (for all us commitment-phobics out there. Plus if the color is abhorrent, in 28 hair washes its gone, whether over the course of a month or one very scour filled night.).

Then I gathered my supplies:

- hair color
- bottle of $6.99 Finca Flichman 2007 Malbec (the wine is the best part of hair coloring at home and it's still under $20 for a color and a few drinks! You can't beat it!).
- wine glass
- corkscrew
- iPod
- old towel


After reading all the instructions and drinking a glass of wine, I began....

Stay tuned for PART 3!

Let's Take Manhattan, Free Museum Style....

I am like most New Yorkers in the fact that this City fascinates the heckaroonie out of me. I am constantly searching to learn more about this City and its people. There is, of course, the old fashioned way to learn about the City, this being by living here, breathing the air and interacting with the myraid of personalities (and they are quite diverse and encompass the good, the bad and the (unfortunately) ugly).

However, sometimes I just want to learn, but with less interaction with...well...the sights, the smells and the sounds (basically, the City proper). Ironically, it just so happens that the other day when I was on the Subway, I saw an advert for the Museum of the City of New York. Eureka!


That's right. Who knew we had our own Museum (well, at least I didn't). Best part is there is FREE ADMISSION EVERY SUNDAY from 10AM-12PM.


And, right now they have Exhibitions on Paris/New York: Design/Fashion/Culture/1925-1940 and Growing and Greening New York that I hear will knock your socks off!

So grab a date, friend, lover or an imaginary other and be a part of it- New York, New York!