Summertime in New York or How to be a hot child in the city

"September: it was the most beautiful of words, he’d always felt, evoking orange-flowers, swallows, and regret."

— Albert Camus

Welcome Back! 

As reality takes hold and the summer holidays seem like a distant dream that may never even have occurred I decided to share a belated post I started writting about a month ago and  just managed to finish  (I blame being lost in a summer haze and the rough return to reality). A guide to New York (mostly) in the summertime enjoy...hope it makes dream, pack a bag with a bikini and a toothbrush and book a ticket to anywhere where the sun is still shinning!

I just came back from 10 gloriously fun days in The Big City, the city of my dreams, New York. Though I missed a day and a nights' sleep getting back to Europa and hence feel all jet laggy and dazed my head is still in the clouds from all that fun and frolic we had and all the beautiful people I met. My bestest friend now lives in New York and though it was my third visit in the past year and a half, the city always seems new and never ceases to take my breath away. Enjoy some tips on what to do and see and of course some photos from our fantabulous journey, oh yes and a song or two. Big summer love to you all, hope you are dancing somewhere under the sun...

Warming Up at PS1 MoMA 

I can't think of a better way to start our summer tour than the MoMA PS1Warm Up Party, which has become somewhat of a summer tradition for us. EverySaturday, during the summer, MoMA PS1, conveniently (!) located in Queensthrows a daytime party which includes gigs, DJ sets, exhibitions, a largeoutdoor installation (this year it was a fully recyclable, air purifying andvery refreshing meteorite called Wendy!) and last but not least James Turrell's Meeting, a site-specific installation that has been at PS1 since 1986 and consists of a very relaxing room with a subtle orange glow that has a rectangular window/ceiling to the sky,  which is by definition a completely new place every time I visit it and makes me feel want to lie in the middle of the room and let time slip away. Another definite highlight was the projection of Jack Smith's 1963 film "Normal Love" a riotous combination of Dionysian debauchery and horror kitsch to be cherished! 

Yayoi Kusama Exhibition at the Whitney 

A lady that was born to be artist and defied all conventions and stereotypes to be one, a Japanese woman emerging in the Western, male dominated art world of the late 50s early 60s to become Japan's most celebrated living artist. Whether its her signature polka dots, her psychedelic octopus trees, her obsessively phallic furniture pieces, her self-obliteration photos, her intimate mourning collages, or her Body Festivals organized in the fluorescent free love spirit of the late 60s, this lady has left her mark on art and on our public consciousness. Battling with metal problems she voluntary lives in a psychiatric clinic in Japan and continuous working at a manic pace. It was such a real treat to get to see this retrospective exhibition. A useful tip: In case you want to visit "Fireflies on the water" go to the Whitney at opening time as tickets get sold out within the hour. Enjoy some of my favorite pieces. 

Lincoln Center The Clock   

Few things in life are worth over 2 hours of waiting on the sidewalks of New York, "The Clock"by Christian Marclay might just be one of them, a truly hypnotic 24 hour (only during the weekend) video montage of clips taken from thousands of movies, of all genres and periods, that take place in real time, a cinematic memento monti where art and life are fully synchronized I got to enjoy an hour and a half between 1 and 2:30 am, and as we know nighttime is the right time when all the monsters go out and play and when magic happens so my advice is go as late as possible and BE PATIENT, admission is free and you can stay in for as long as you like! 

As you might be more patient than me you might also want to check out Shakespeare in the Park, one of New York's favorite summer traditions, admission is free and people start queuing in Central Park from 8 in the morning to get the precious tickets. 

Definitely visit the Williamsburg flea market, on every Sunday with ample hidden vintage treasures, records, Victorian mourning jewelry and food, pick a sunny day as the river is near and the grass is green! 

La Bonbonniere for lunch

A West Village dinner favored by the likes of Ethan Hawke, the spaghetti with broccoli comes highly recommended. 

P.J. Clarke's for Oyster Happy Hour 

A New York classic. Tip: add a dash of Tabasco to your oysters, it will cause a miniature gastronomic explosion! 

David Burke's Townhouse for a gastronomic real treat on the Upper East Side

American elegance at its best, if you're on a budget they have a pretty awesome set lunch menu. 

Drinks on the rooftop of the Standard Hotel, especially on a Thursday for Le Bain, the view is breathtaking, the people are beautiful and be warned there is a serious chance that some young stranger or some good friend might end up dragging you in the hot tub after-hours. 

The Beauty Bar

Cause for 10 dollars you get a cocktail and a manicure, also the music is fine and you might catch a stand up comedy show.

The Back Room 

A real blast from the past located in the Lower East Side. A speakeasy tucked away behind the faux facade of a toy store. The music is rocking and booze is served in teacups as a reference to clandestine drinking during the Prohibition era. 

St. Jerome's 

A Lower East Side divebar, the music is good and the beer is 2 dollars before  midnight! Random useless piece of information: the bars owner is Lady Gaga's ex-lover!

Home Sweet Home Totally awesome smoky basement bar with goth barmen, different parties every night and live music, beware of dancing all night, drinking 16 beers and starting up a fight, things can get messy in there! Tip: every Wednesday Weird Records throw a party with 5 dollar entrance and guaranteed fun! 

PRAVDA 

A Russian speakeasy located on the edge of Soho, for its over 70 different tastes of vodka and its delicious borscht.

Bergdorf and Goodman 

Definitely worth passing by if only to admire the gorgeously opulent store windows. 

Big Gay Ice Cream Shop

For a real treat, I definitely recommend trying a "Salty Pimp" delish! 

A summer must: Get HIGH on The High Line, a perfect specimen of organized urban gardening (preferably during sunset as the view is breathtaking!) 

Patricia Field

All things camp, glam and fabulous hand picked by the Patricia Field, the lady that styled Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw and Meryl Streep in the Devil Wears Prada in her store at NoHo. Warning: you might have to dig a bit under all the studs to find a real gem!

Beacon's Closet for vintage shopping

You can find some really under priced  gems!

 Reunited 

Pedo Glasses
 

 MoMA PS1 and a bit of Wendy

Wendy

 Loved this movie, a riotous combination of Dionysian debauchery and horror kitsch, a must see for any self-respecting cinephile

Club Kids

Warming Up at PS1

Park Life 

Giant Bubble Snake at Central Park

 The High Line Zoo

Highline

Guggenheim

Love

Loving Yves Kleins' International Blue

HEAT aka Melting Salty Pimp 

ACE Hotel 

When in doubt spray paint it gold!

At PS1

How at the Standard Hotel the night ended in here!

Sexy pool table

Colours in Brooklyn 

The art of coffee making in Brooklyn

Surf Bar

Surf Bar 2

Bergdorf and Goodman

Dressing Up Guess Who?

Kusama for LV

Kusama 2

Kusama's Body Festival

At the Whitney

Cool Britannia

So I recently escaped to Londontown, the second city I ever called home and the place that I always dream of running back to (soon to happen I hope!) and I thought I would share some of my favourite things to do in the big smoke. To make a rough guide to London would be impossible and outdated the moment it is completed, in a truly vibrant and alive metropolitan city like this we all find our little corners, flavors and scents and make up our very own experience of this magically chaotic place. This is mine.

London you may be harsh and fast-paced and ridiculously expensive but you always keep me on my toes make me feel like I never know what might be waiting for me just around the corner. A love letter to the city where everything seems to be happening!

Life in the West

For Brunch:

Truc Vert: Eggs Benedict royal have become our Sunday ritual, really cozy cafe/delicatessen located in the heart of Mayfair 

For your afternoon tea:

Sketch: easily my favourite cafe in the whole wide world, delicious sandwiches and cakes and the coolest toilets I have ever seen! You can also enjoy a cocktail after hours but stay away from the restaurant at night, overpriced disappointing food!

Laduree: a good excuse to enjoy those delicious macaroons 

For Lunch and Dinner:

Aubaine: five lovely french restaurants scattered around West London, perfect for a relaxed dinner, the lobster spaghetti and the beef fillet are delicious! They also make their own bread!

Beach Blanket Babylon: I used to live just around the corner in lovely Notting Hill so I ended up going there for a quick drink on a regular basis, beautiful people and a lovely kitsch decor. I am sure the food must be decent too!

Bob Bob Ricard: Lovely retro aesthetics with baby pink details,delicious lobster burgers, and ample champagne along with a special "PRESS FOR CHAMPAGNE" button. Love it!

Randall & Aubin: Absolutely adore this Soho Brasserie, the oyster platter is a real treat!

Momo: for delicious Lebanese food and fresh mint tea

For movies:

Electric Cinema: Reserve an old velvet couch, lay back and enjoy some pumpkin hummus and a glass of good wine during the nights feature presentation


Curzon Cinema: Absolutely adore the one in Soho, excellent programming, you get the chance to enjoy a lot of indie gems and a beer before the movie whilst you browse through their DVD collection is a must!

For a real treat:

Hakkasan: an amazing culinary journey and spectacular exotic cocktails 

NOBU: simply the best sushi in the universe

Yauatcha:  amazing dumplings, crispy duck salad and cocktails!

Gordon Ramsay: enough said!

Asia De Cuba: for the decor by the one and only Mr Stark 

To shop till you drop:

Selfridges: It simply has it all! And the best store windows ever!

Browns: Love love love their selection of the beautifulest clothes around!

Dover Street Market: get lost in the asymmetrical world of Comme des Garcons, amazing brands and items!

Fortnum & Mason: for some delicious luxury grocery shopping

Top Shop: The best high street has to offer

Bond Street for all the boutiques!

I can never resist visiting 

Foyles to catch up on my reading and HMV for the amazingly cheap DVDs and to get up to date to what the kids are into today in terms of music!

The Hummingbird Bakery in Notting Hill after a Saturday stroll through Portobello Market

I have also established another London ritual champagne with Stan the moment I set my foot in the City at the Champagne Bar at St Pancras can't think of a better welcome 

Life in the East 

To shop:

Beyond Retro: Vintage gems to be cherished

Absolute Vintage: another treasure chest for the lovers of vintage clothes

Columbia Road Flower Market: all those beautiful flowers can make anybody's day! The perfect Sunday activity!

Spitafields Market: mainly for the delicious food but for also for everything else your heart desires every Sunday!

To eat and drink and dance:

The Old Blue Last: for hipster fun, gigs and Vice parteys  


Hawksmoor: for the deliciously cheap burgers, the perfect drinks and the great atmosphere!

The Big Chill Bar: For the music! 

Cafe 1001: for the unexpected concert fun, the good music and the Sunday BBQs

Favela Chic: for the mojitos and the fun (though the one in gay Paris is way more fun!)

Jamie Oliver's Fifteen: strongly recommend the lunch menus! A delicious bargain! 

and last but not least the open 24 hours 7 days a week Brick Lane Bakery, for the best beigels in town!

Other essentials

Efes Pool Club & Bar: where all the indie kids stumble drunkenly at the end of the night to smoke some fags, play some pool and enjoy a can of beer for 1,50! Open until 6 in the morning!


White Heat: put on your dancing shoes and have some fun.

Tate Modern: One of my favourite museums! Love the late night visits on Fridays and Saturdays!

National Portrait Gallery: they usually have amazing exhibitions, and are currently hosting the super popular portraits by Lucian Freud (expect a review after my visit at the end of April!)

V&A: for their exhibitions

The Old Vic: for some culture! Kevin Spacey is the Artistic Director of this lovely theater!

Ronnie Scott's: for all that jazz! 

All those lovely baby pink details at Bob Bob Ricard

Cool Britannia

Toilets at Sketch

Sketch

Sommerset House: where you can ice skate during winter and enjoy exhibitions and art fairs all year round! 

How we ran away to Paris on a whim, met John Galliano and discovered that love is a laser quest!

Sorry for the radio silence but a lot has happened recently and life seems to be a bit of whirlwind  at the moment, full of instabilities, turbulence and unpredictable twists and turns! Yet last weekend was one of the best weekends I had in a while so I wanted to share with you how I ended up going to Paris on a whim and feeling utterly alive again! It was Friday and me and a colleague and dear friend, we were both suffering from a broken heart you see, decided to escape to gay Paris for a weekend of fun and frolic, after going through a brief list of fun activities to distract ourselves. A few hours later and after recruiting another friend, we were on the road! Battling through snowy Brussels (yes, the first snow this winter season found us on the highway trying to escape our often a bit too gloomy city) with an excellent soundtrack to go along with our elevated spirits we embarked on a sweet adventure! On the road this became our song....

  

Do you still feel younger than you thought you would by now
Or, darling, have you started feeling old yet
Don't worry, I'm sure that you're still breaking hearts
With the efficiency that only youth can harness...
 And do you look into the mirror to remind yourself you're there
Or have somebody's good-night kisses got that covered

Le Marais (my favorite neighborhood in Paris! also known as the neighborhood of the gay Jew) opened its arms and embraced us by offering ample nourishment, alcohol and lovely people to mark our arrival! We wondered and got lost and saw Diane Arbus's amazingly haunting photos and met John Galliano and tasted the greenest of teas and Paris was a dream and it made us smile!  

 

 GAY JEW

 Our Parisian door

 What bread looks like in the Marais

 

Our pet for a night