"Sup," in the city:

Hot off the 34B cup press... What's, "sup," in the city my blogging peeps... Are you ready? This is so fun... The house, and when I say house I mean mansion, that Mr. Big offers to buy Carrie in the Sex and the City movie is the SAME house I have been working in for the last few days. No need to read again. It's true! 2 East 63rd Street was used in the incredible apartment scenes AND is the location for the Holiday House benefiting the Susan G. Koman foundation! Go back and rent the flick and the room you see when Big and Carrie walk in the door... YES! it's the room my firm has for the show! Want proof? Here's what I know... One block off of Central Park, 5 floors, allegedly on the market for 70 million bukaroos, complete with an interior courtyard and library, living room and dining room dating back to the late 1800's (A plus sighting)! Yes, it's true it is in major need of come TLC, but still unbelievable real estate in NYC. Click here for more information on this amazing address! PS The girl working on the room next to us is a contestant on Top Design-I know never watched it either (D minus sighting). So today while walking to the house I passed Adam Sandler on East 63rd between Park Avenue and Madison Avenue! (PS his chin is getting super chubby-I know-happens to the best of em)(A minue sighting). So the evening got better when walking to get a glass of wine at the renowned Odeon (Tribeca) and stumbled across a taping of the new pilot show, Fringe, for FOX and saw Joshua Jackson from Dawson's Creek (B minus sighting)! So just when you think, WOW, this girl is where it is all happening consider this... For the 1st time since I have been traveling to this city I saw NOT ONE but TWO rats on the same day down deep in the bowels of the city's subway system. Not quite as glamorous for sure. Also, not as glamorous flying coach back to the midwest tomorrow morning. BUT, stay tuned for an update on the Fashion Friday: The MUST have-being seen everywhere trends from the big city.

I recall, City Hall?!?

The more I scour the big apple the more I love it, and the more I appreciate home. The fresh air, the green grass, the open space to breathe, you know it's the land of 10,000 lakes. So it's no surprise N' Yorkers flock to see a little green-to get a taste of what we probably take fore granted. Herds of folks flock to the big mack daddy of parks, Central Park, of course. But who can resist another little gem nestled right in the heart of downtown? It anchors the end of the Brooklyn bridge on one side and the famous Woolworth Building on the other. City hall park is the place to get your face on camera as the local TV stations seem to always be at bay outside the building. In the courtyard an incredible fountain thrusts water and creates THE background for all the "city hall" newly weds. Gas lanterns create a little romance in the sometimes impersonal city. Funny looking camouflage trees flank the perimeters of the green space, "holding" it within one square city block. People perch for a moment, have a Starbucks from any of the surrounding corners, or use one of the benches for a place to catch a nights sleep, after all it's still NYC.

A birds eye view.

Everyone knows exactly where they were and what they were doing (Me? In my car 394 and Louisiana-thinking it must be a sick joke.) What we didn't know is the impact left not only on families who lost loved ones but on the battle front, on travel, the economy, homeland security, the presidential election 7 years later, the NYC skyline, etc, etc, etc. I have found it incredible (for lack of a better word) to hear New Yorkers recap their personal stories of that tragic day. They didn't need to turn on their TV's to understand the complete loss and devastation. They are all missing someone. They all feared first hand, not from thousands of miles away. They all know what a difference 15 minutes can make. They all have different feelings about the new Freedom Tower. On one hand I understand why tourists roam around the view less barricade for a glimpse at the site and on another I understand why New Yorker's would feel it's in bad taste. I'm not willing, able, or interested in commenting why almost seven years later ground zero is still ground zero. Who am I to wage my opinion of whether the site should be a memorial structure, two new twin towers or a memorial park? I'm just one 34B cup with too much time on her hands, a digital camera with a little vacant memory space and a blog rambling on about whatever is on my mind.

The links below have more photos.

The Deutsch Bank. (click here for more info. Building remains covered in scaffolding since 9/11 and sadly 2 NYC fire fighters lost their lives battling a fire in the empty building in August, 2007.)

Earth being moved.

24-7 Construction.

Completion in 2011?

All the pretties...

Think quick! What does 1 34B cup + 1 Fab Over Forty = ?Give up? One helluva a good time at the Giorgio Armani makeup counter at Saks (5th Ave and 49th Street, NYC). Oh yes, its true. The makeup guru (doesn't she look SMOKIN' H-O-T!) roped me in like a baby calf at the Brown County fair. After a day of schlepping in the steamy hot city Rafael had his hands full trying to degrease my shiny forehead and bronze-me-up like an air brushed super model. As you can see the first step was this crazy, cool, foaming cleanser to suck out the oil and dirt and let in the fresh H2O. No surprise my face bubbled like an Elka Seltzer tablet! Next some concealer on upper lids and under eye area to brighten, then a layer of some kind of powder mixed with some kind of bronzey foundation stuff (I told ya-he's good-and I... don't know what the hell I'm doing), next a medely of eyeshadow so perfectly nude I was amazed, followed by a bronzer and perfect "10" blush, a sleek (not sticky) gloss, a tweek to the bushy brow line and the finale was this glittery, fabulousness of a mascara! I looked like a million bucks and the total dollar amount for all that makeup would be too (honey, don't freak-I made it outta there with a nominal investment-gulp)! I mean this isn't the kind of makeup you see at Walgreen's or Duane Reade for that matter (nor are the prices) but having the cutest makeup artist in all of Manhattan making you look smashing counts for something, doesn't it? AND this is the most quality chemistry in makeup on this planet (I know, sooooo dramatic). Ok, no surprise I am way over my head with all this makeup talk, so if you really want to learn more turn to the professionals (I required 2 recaps on the whole process in order to try and recreate it myself) Rafael (love him) or Kari (again, http://www.faboverforty.com/). All this glamour calls for a night on the town (alas, a topic I have a PhD in), doesn't it? Sure we could gone to some swanky upper East side club or restaurant for fancy drinks and dinner... but we, in all our fanciness, chose Edwards in Tribeca for salads and sodas. Good food, good makeovers, great company!

Nothin' like the view...

...from the cheap seats (and lets face it-nothin' cheap about a day at the ballpark anymore). Incase you have been living under a rock or really don't give a pop fly about baseball THIS is THE LAST year the Yankees are playing at the original Yankee Stadium (opened in 1923)! The new Yankee Stadium is right across the street waiting to over shadow all the history made by Mickey, Babe, Joe Di, Etc! I wonder why we can't just let the greatest ballparks of all time be? Does Budweiser really need to sell more seats + more beer at each home game (the stadium holds 57,545)? Anyway people, this is part of American history and it's going fast so warm up your Visa, MC or Am Ex with an inflated, over-face-value-ticket (unless you were like me and bought seats back in March) and experience it for yourself. Bring along tons of cash for the $9.00 beers and $5.00 dogs (and some Zantac if your heartburn prone). Purchase yourself some NY garb so you look the part and enjoy an afternoon with the "home town nine" as it was meant to be: OUTDOORS! Grab the 4 train uptown (were you paying attention) and head to the Bronx and put your finger on the pulse of the strong, impressive and wildly over payed New York Yankees (opps they lost to the Reds 2-4). You gotta do it-just so you can say you did, don't ya, huh? Anywayz, it was the BIG surprise (before he guessed it-long story) I had been planning for a million years for my hubby's 32nd birthday (honey if your reading: better remember to award me the Best Wife Ever Award). Totally fun, totally cool, just go do it!

PS Today was a toss up for my hoakey, have witted attempt to coordinate music. Is the better ball song Cheap Seats by Alabama or Put Me in Coach by John Fogerty? Cast your vote for MVP on my poll!

I recall...

...Central Park in fall (OK so not really fall more like early summer). So tell me if you've had this kind of moment before... it's a moment always burned into your memory. Not in a bad sort of geriatric "junk" kind of way (you know who you are), but more a moment in time never to be forgotten. I have been fortunate to have lots of these sort of blissful memories-you're at peace, your surroundings are inspiring-dare you say perfect? You are completely, well, simply put, happy. This is how I felt the first time my hubby and I stopped by the Tavern on the Green in Central Park last year. The building is old, full of history, if the walls could talk you could fill the air waves of 1,000 blogs. A glass atrium sparkles with numerous, voluptuous, colorful, jewel-like chandeliers. Pink (go figure) and white linen table clothes placed perfectly on heavy, white, iron tables with coordinating chairs. The central courtyard is covered with a canopy of trees, full of summer foliage, baskets dripping with flowers suspended from its strong arms. AND what sealed the deal for me...hundreds of English, floral patterned, fabric, lanterns suspended from the highest crook to the lowest bough. The condensation from the side of my cold, lemonade glass, cooling my warm hands. My cute, sun-kissed hubby sitting across from me, eyes sheltered by his Lacosse aviator shades, ordering us a chocolate cake drizzled with raspberry. I loved it all. I was completely, well, simply put, happy. A moment in time I will always remember.

My hubby remembered the lemonade was $11 a glass. He was completely, well, simply put, astounded. (but I think he still loved it too). We went back again last weekend-and my memory served. Check it out for yourself...

Be sure and see the photo as promised of the weekend birthday boys. And 34B cup "does the subway" photos...

In Transit

There is something to be said for city living relying solely on public transportation. Think about no car payments or pricey insurance with two consecutive speeding tickets (not me, my hubby). Never would you have to haggle with a car sales person for an entire afternoon until out of sheer exhaustion you purchase the vehicle to "get it over with." No more sweating/freezing/crying at the pump watching the dollars fly by at $4 bucks a gallon. Instead you show up at the station, slide your handy metro card through the greasy card slot and "stand clear of the closing doors" as the train car speeds away to the next stop. The investment is nominal at about $80 for unlimited chances to sit back, relax and let some other knuckle head get you to where you need to go for 30 days. I doubt anyone is driving an insured car, fillin' er up with gas for less than that unless you call yourself "Uncle Buck." As a little bonus you are forced to get-cher rump in gear and walk more, you know, a couple blocks here and a couple blocks there but every little bit helps. The NYC subway system is pretty easy to use once you get the hang of it. One helpful hint to get ya moving like a crabby New Yorker in a hurry is this: Ready? Uptown vs Downtown vs Cross town. Every single time you get on a train you are going to need to know if you are headed uptown (i.e. Central Park, Upper West Side, Upper East Side, eventually Harlem, and the Bronx) or downtown (i.e. Soho, Tribeca, Financial District, Battery Park, and eventually Brooklyn). Crosstown means just that smarty pants, going from the West side of things (lined with the Hudson River) to the East side of things (lined with the East River). Here's where they throw you one little side winder. You gotta watch for the "local" trains that stop at every station and the "express" trains that only stop at the larger transit stations with lots of connections (i.e. every single train stops at Grand Central Station). OK fine, so enough the transportation lesson-you get the point. It's A. Easy B. Cheap C. Convenient with an added fitness factor.

So on the flip side of the subway tracks taking the train will take a little more time and planning. Your not gonna "buzz" up to Central Park for a couple of hours then to Soho for lunch and then to the upper East side to your favorite antique store and back home to Tribeca. Instead you need to get a game plan before you step out the door so you can make the most of your time in the city. Second, we (as in all us car owning, gas burning, global warming folks) take for granted the "luxury" of being able to park our rig right in front of the grocery store, load (or if at Byerly's have them loaded) into your car so we can drive into our attached garage and unload them easily. In the city market trips are often and for a small amount of items and when you go on a complete bender at the Triple B (Bed, Bath and Beyond) you'll fork out $20 bucks to have your goods delivered later that same day. These are just the facts Mam. So having a car is A. Fun (depending on the kind of car) B. Flashy (again depending on the kind of car) and C. Convenient too. So whatever your typical means of transportation... the grass may always be a little greener on the other side of the median.

Later today... I finally get a camera cord and change up some of these stock photos to BCup photos. Tomorrow... One of my favorite spots in the big apple.

LIVE from New York...

...the greatest city in the world.

It's Daaaavvvviiiiid Lettermaaaaan! Yup, you got it. The B cups and my hubby made "the gold list" casting call for the studio audience. Lets just say this. 3 rows back and sitting at the end of the aisle, I was ready to "name that cut of meat" if Dave woulda asked. Prime seating as they "warned" us for our 1 minute of fame. But, alas nothing doing with the audience tonight except for a wide pan of the whole gang (scope me out tonight in a white, short sleeved T-like every other Tina, Diana, and Harrieta). The whole process to get those coveted tickets required us to spend the better part of 7 hours in Times Square, but worth the time investment to see Dave, Paul, Biff, Alan and special guests Jason Bateman (hottie), Teri Garr and Keyshia Cole. Yes, the Hello Deli is right around the corner, and yes it is just as dumpy in person as it looks on TV. The Ed Sullivan Theatre really is about 60 degrees (cold enough to hang meet), and for sure we recommend you try and get seats its a ton of fun. Speaking of fun, gotta run for dinner reservations in the West Village. Tomorrow, Fashion Friday is gonna play second fiddle, cuz I gotta wish two of my favorite boys a Happy Birthday!

Yo Rocky, move ovah...

Some days a workout is painful. Whatever the ailment, physical or mental, it stares you in the face and then spits a big loogey in your eye, socks ya right in the gut, elbows ya square in the kidney, and jabs directly in the center of the B (or C, D, E (bi-atches) etc) cups (or sackage depending on gender). It's tough, you're dog tired, each leg weighs a metric ton. You start to sing a cadence in your head, "my drill sargent's so damn mean," and then your imaginary troops echo, "my drill sargent's...you get it, "took a piss in my canteen," "sound off one, two, sound off three, four." You take a deep breath, give yourself the internal pep talk, wipe the sweat from your brow, and then... somehow, someway you dig deep and forge ahead knowing that in the end you'll feel and look better because of it.

Then you have the days of glory! All systems are go! Feeling lean, and strong and fit your body strides with the perfect bio mechanics. You dare that skinny broad on the trail ahead of you to pick up the pace, b/c your about to blow her doors off (I don't really even know what that means...) In stereo Eye of the Tiger is your theme song, "yo Rocky, it's all me today." Today I had one of these days. How can you not when you have the opportunity to run from downtown Manhattan (Tribeca) to Brooklyn, courtesy of the historic Brooklyn Bridge? Never mind the energy required to put one foot in front of the other when you have scenery like this to keep you occupied. Crossing the 1883 suspension style bridge is about 2 miles round trip. If you are in the mood for a little more cardio jog around City Hall and the City Hall Park for more fab scenery. Today, the endorphins were flowing (or maybe it was all the exhaust/smog I was breathing) and I looked over my shoulder to see this old gal (she looks kinda tiny in the photo). Is she a good lookin' lady or what? And yes, if you must know I most certainly did run today with my camera in my sweaty palm... don't say I never do anything for you. Anyway, hugs and kisses from the big apple (especially to my cute hubby and Miss Kato).

Planes... Trains... My B cups are strained!

"I want my f'ing car right f'ing now... You're f'd!" A classic line from a great movie. This, my friends, is the way I feel after the last couple of days. A plane to and from the big apple. Trains, including the A, C, N, 6 local, and 5 express, from downtown to midtown/uptown back downtown. And cars massive amounts of them crowding the byways of the Brooklyn Bridge as I ran across this morning breathing in the toxic exhaust(I'll tell more later). And mine waiting for me at the airport in the green ramp, floor #?, and row who knows. It's a whirlwind of transportation that I am stuck in. I'm so busy I am not even sure what my carbon imprint is doing. What I am sure of? Exhaustion. Three full days of schleping. Hiking, talking, smiling, selling, working, laughing, more schleping. Tonight... Top it off with a night cap including one cosmo, 2 glasses of pinot, a decaf coffee and a lame blog post. I'm gonna sleep like a baby (can't wait to snuggle with my hubby-no funny business-I'm too tired, headache, etc). You better rest up too! Tomorrow is Fashion Friday!

My B cups went to NYC and all I got was this stupid blog post...

Happy FF! Here's the deal. I am gonna make this as short as my best pal Amy B is (Ames you break 5 feet, don't ya?). I LOVE "I heart NYC" T's. As a matter of fact I own one, my husband owns one AND I bought one for cute, lil Hank for bloggey sitting a few weeks ago. This is a classic piece of true Americana. But please, whatever you do, keep this shirt tucked in your suitcase until you get at least 200+ miles away from Manhattan. Seeing people with a still creased in the shoulder, not one bit mis-shapen or shrunk shirt on walking down Mercer Street screams, "I'm a tourist and I woulda worn my fanny pack if I hadn't read a story about people getting mugged!" Yes we all love a little hokey memorabilia from our travels and I am not above it. I am just saying that 3 for $9.99 T you bought from the man with the bad B.O. on the corner of Prince and Broadway will be much cooler if you exercise a little restraint and wait till you get home to wear it. So there you have a little traveling fashion 101 whether you like it or not.

Like it or not MOM is coming for the weekend (kidding I love it when the double L (Linda Lou) visits). I am sure I will have a whole weeks worth of material come Monday-not that I would ever put you through that... Love ya'll and have a great weekend!

Rules of East coast engagement...

Sometimes you really gotta work it. I mean shake what-cher MOMMA gave ya and get your pimp on to get a interior design job in the big apple. No one and I mean no one does that better than the Brooke and Andrew show (the ambiguously 1/2 gay duo). We worked the Kips Bay Showcase House Gala last night like a part time job. And I learned a couple of great tidbits to keep in your back pocket should you ever decide to try Manhattan on for size. No. 1: If this show house was what established East coast designers have to offer they better be ready for the punch the Midwest crew has to offer-we could do what they did in our sleep, hungover, after laser eye surgery with 4" Manolos on! No 2: New Yorkers are a lot like eggs. They all have this sort of hard shell, but it takes just a tiny bit of effort to crack the veneer and they melt in your hands. I just don't think are used to randoms striking up a conversation (I'm sure you are so shocked since I am so shy). So when I/we do they are as easy as girls on prom night. We met a developer from the Upper East Side who asked where we were both from and when we told him he said, "aaahhh, no wunda you-ahhre so nice." (work with me, I'm tryin' my best to capture the accent) No. 3: Getting wasted at a big function only makes you look like a huge tool-box. Not that we all don't already know that, but non-the-less a good reminder. No. 4: Andrew really will do what it takes to get a job in NYC. We saw this perfectly quaffed, beautifully dressed, glamorously covered in jewelry woman who looked like she needed some male companionship. I said, "Well, you said you would do what it takes!" He said, "yup, and I will but I am not making any promises." And then I said, "bring as close to an A game as you can and leave only after a little snuggling and you're money." (yes-fellow bloggers-I was pimpin' him out) No. 5: A great little black dress is always a good choice for the unknown dress code situation. A friend of a friend used to say, "I'm not overdressed, everyone else just looks like hell." Amen.

No I didn't forget... Tomorrow a little souvenir for your Fashion Friday...

A smidgin' of the east coast...

Well now that didn't take long now did it? I think I just might be hooked. I think I may like being a part-time New Yorker. I mean just today I left the apartment in Tribeca and jumped on the 6 train uptown and got off Spring Street just in between Lafayette and Broadway (Soho for all you Midwesterners) to run a few errands and act important. This city has great energy and ooodles of people everywhere. I noticed a few things... people don't look at people much-everyone is just pretty much on a mission to get where they need to go and making any eye contact just isn't worth the extra effort. I notice people wear A LOT of black, brown, grey and navy-so just to go against the grain I bought something I have had my eye on for really long time. Now if these don't say hello 34b cup I don't know what does! Yes, the low tops-woulda sprung for the high top Chuck-e-Taylors except they didn't offer them in my signature color. I spotted Keri Russel and her cute little bambino strolling down W Broadway by the Amish Market. Of course I can hear city folk round here talk a little funny and though I haven't quite put my finger the exact problem yet I do know I am a little more aware of how the folks in the movie Fargo sounded. I am amazed at how everything gets delivered. I mean I have NEVER been know for being frugal, but picture me on the subway, sweating like a hoar in church, toting more bags, upon parcels, upon packages trying to avoid the average $15.00 courier fee?!? Listen I give up-once the 35b cups began to collect the always attractive cleavage (or lack there of) sweat-I gave up surrendered. Sign me up deliver it all-the $15 bones is worth it my friend. Only in the big apple does the cute chick at triple B (Bed, Bath and Beyond) asked if my boss, "was my husband?" What she was really wondering is why does your "husband" like boys too, or why is he "gay as dutch doors" as he himself says?!? We both got a kick outta that! I mean where else do you get to stay in a great apartment on the 31st floor (overlooking the "hole" - I know a little grim -think 9/11) with your other boss, who is also as he says, "a little light in the loafers" AND have cocktails at the proper hour, a pre-dinner drink, followed by wine with dinner, succeeded by an after dinner drink and just in case I wasn't fuzzy by then one more "night cap" at home in our jammies. Why not have that last shot of port before bed. Gheez-these guys/ladies/whatever really know how to take care of a woman (alright, in some ways). Anyway, think of me tomorrow night as the B's sail over the US of A headed toward home (and detox).

I can't go until I say a very special thanks to my bloggy sitter and friend, Ms. Nicki. I mean did she do a great job or what? And if you think I didn't text her in a moment of panic about missing a post then you are totally kidding yourself. Ahhh, it's gonna be good to be home.

34b Cup Does Manhattan

It's not that I didn't want to tell you, but I just found out myself. Before you get all panicked you should know this doesn't change things between us. I'm still going to give you a daily dose from the 34b cup (is that weird?). The only difference is it may be updated at Eastern Standard Time. I have been granted a great privilege from the interior design fairies (am I good at this "pun-thing" or what?). Ya see GF is opening a satellite office in NYC and yours truly is the liaison for all projects a la Manhattan. Is that cool or what? So while we may have to reschedule a happy hour here or there you will be supplied with blogging tidbits straight from the big pomme de terre. I'll be combing the island for celebrity sightings, fun little nooks and crannies and the trials and tribulations of using public transportation (oh ya and working too I guess). By the time you read this Monday entry I will already be hookin' for a project for one of those "Real Housewives of New York City." No, no the casa 34b will not be relocated from the Mississippi to the Hudson. I, my homeys, will just work on becoming "silver elite" status with the our local airlines. So for the next few days I have, my friends, insured you will be well cared for. I have hired the best bloggey-sitter there is. Our favorite author of "Hank's Dream" and "Nicki's Dream" will get the blog du jour to you until I get the NYC computer up and running (tech support already on speed dial). Ok, this is gonna be fun and exciting not to mention a GREAT experience-so check your bag at the gate and come back tomorrow for breaking news.