Hi All,
I know I haven’t posted in a little while. This is for 2 reasons. 1) I am busy doing some updates on the back-end of the site. 2) I have been busy seeing the sights and sounds of NYC.
Check back soon for some posts on Rockefeller Center, Union Square, some great places to eat and a couple of other places. And don’t forget my trip to Trinidad is coming up!
In the meantime, here is a sneak peek!
Guess where I’ll be for New Year’s Eve. I will be in the lovely island of Trinidad. Although my family is from Trinidad and I have been there quite a few times, it’s always nice to go back. Great food, family and parties! I will be there for a family wedding but I’m sure I will get into something for New Year’s Eve because Trini’s like to party. Can’t wait to get back and tell you all about my trip.
Yes, Champagne in a can is apparently the new thing. Who would have known? I was recently invited to a birthday party at a restaurant in Chelsea; The Trailer Park Lounge and Grill. It’s not as bad as it sounds. But it is as cheesy as it sounds. Just imagine a trailer park recreation center with 1950’s decor -neon lights and all.
It’s a good place to meet with friends and have some drinks and yes, you can have some champagne-in a can. I opted for some beer on tap and a margarita. But they did run out of Champagne while I was there. It had a vending machine that sold hair spray and a “how strong do you think you are?” game machine that kept the men in our group busy. They rated “strong” -for a girl. Ha! It was reminiscent of those carnival games from my childhood. It had other 1950’s decor that had us laughing all night. Very kitschy.
Oh, and it had a ashtray disguised in a toilet right outside the restaurant!
The food was okay- tater tots and hamburgers, but I don’t think anyone goes there for the food.
Just a nice place to hang out with a group of friends and spend a Saturday night in the city.
Every year during the Christmas season, Bryant Park in Manhattan is transformed into a magical Christmas city. They erect little “custom designed jewel-box shops”, a 2 story enclosed restaurant, a large Christmas tree and in the center of it all a FREE open air skating rink. The little shops sell things like all natural hair and body products, handmade jewelry, gourmet chocolates, teas, boutique clothing and a variety of foods. It’s a good way to spend a day in the city. I spent the day with my sister, Makeda and my friend, Denese.
Shea Moisture Shop at Bryant Park
We browsed shops- We got some fantastic body products at Shea Moisture!
Skating rink @Bryant Park
People watched at the skating ring which was a little crowded but still had enough room to skate due to it being the weekend and the weather being warm. I didn’t skate this time around -I had to shop! There was a big Christmas tree ( I didn’t get a good picture) overlooking the rink.
Shops at Bryant Park
Max Brenner Chocolates
This shop sells chocolate in a syringe ?!? Not sure how that works but they are well-known for their chocolate and I have eaten at their restaurant in union square before. Needless to say I didn’t try the syringe but saw a couple of people walking around with them. Couldn’t get passed the idea of it. I stopped by the wafels and dinges shop instead for a wafel with gingerbread topping and a little nutella- yummy! It was so good. They are usually in food trucks around the city during the summer so it was a nice surprise to see they had set up a “shop” at Bryant park.
The shops have a european market flair. There are tree-lined alleys and little seating areas where you can sit and take in the scene while sipping your hot chocolate. You almost forget you are in the middle of Manhattan until you look up and see the tops of the surrounding high-rise buildings.
Christmas hasn’t even come yet but I feel like the season is winding down already. Every year I always feel like there isn’t enough time to see and do everything but every year I try. – more posts to come!
I love this time of year in NYC. There are so many things to do (more on that later). The Christmas spirit is in the air. Christmas window displays are up. The Salvation Army Santa’s are out. The air smells of fresh-cut pine trees. Street vendors are selling roasted chestnuts and the Rockefeller Christmas tree is lit. It is all so magical. I have quite a few places to visit before this season ends. Can’t wait to show you all the pics!