Category Archives: New York City

Looking for something fun to do in the city? Check out the Rosé Mansion!

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Even going to the bathroom is a photo op!

There’s only two weeks left to check out the fun pop up event, Rosé Mansion in NYC.

In case you haven’t heard, pop up events are all the rage right now in NYC. This one is adults only (because of the drinking) and is an instagram lover’s dream come true. Since I love to help keep everyone in the loop, here is a list of all the current pop up events going on right now.

Those are all stickers behind us!
A hallway filled with purple balloons- my favorite!

Your ticket gets you a tour through the many rooms which are basically staged photo-ops. Workers attempt to teach you about rosé and you will get to sample a very small amount in each room. While we were there, on a Saturday night, no one was interested in the educational component but instead taking fun pictures was the goal.

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We left tipsy with a ton of fun pictures and then headed to Mastro’s dinner.  It was a different way to spend a night in the city and even our husband’s had fun although I will say it was mainly groups of women. If you go, let me know how you liked it!

Friday Favs

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Friday Favs- a spot where I share my favorite products, apps, sites, articles, and moments from the week.

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Struggling with a phone addiction? Who isn’t? Read these innovative tips to cut back.

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Attention Foodies! Have you checked out The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2017? The world’s best restaurant is right in our backyard! I’ve listed the other restaurants that are also in NYC- Cosme is the only one I’ve been too and I can say it most definitely IS amazing.

1. Eleven Madison Park (New York City)

17. Le Bernardin (New York City)

40. Cosme (New York City)

Best Pastry Chef: Dominique Ansel (Dominique Ansel Bakery, NYC)

Speaking of food, please tell me you’ve jumped on the avocado toast bandwagon. How can something be so healthy AND delicious? Check out the below ideas from The Ambitious Kitchen for making your avocado toast even more fabulous.toast-1

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Finally, this moment from our Mother/daughter trip to Florida for our last college visits. Decision time!

If you only do one thing the week…get married! (Well, that’s my plan anyway!)

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The time has flown by. It’s been a little over two and a half years since the man of my dreams walked into my life. As a 31-year-old divorcee with two children, my path hadn’t been as easy one but I remained positive and hopeful, choosing to focus on living a life of intention. When I was introduced to B, I was immediately taken by his two sides- his driven, successful, responsible side contrasting with his silly, outrageous and fun side (anyone who knows me well knows my two sides are quite polar as well). He was divorced. He had two kids. He had similar interests. Check, check, check! He also lived in New York. Hmmmmm…

In hindsight, I think this was a huge check. I had often felt suffocated in relationships. Only getting to see him every other week (initially) was a great thing for me. It forced me to confront feelings that I may have over wise overlooked. I missed him. I wanted to see him more. I was in love with him.

After six months, B popped the question in his “go big or go home” way~ on stage at a Train concert to the song, Marry Me. It was surreal, much like everything else in the previous six months.

The girls and I moved to New York six months after we got engaged. The transition wasn’t as easy for me as I had hoped but he was right by my side every step of the way. He’s been my everything for the last year and a half- my family, my best friend, my lover, and sometimes my punching bag.

We will get married tomorrow on the rooftop of 230 5th surrounded by our family and friends. All four of our beautiful children will walk in the wedding. The talented Courtney Ortiz will capture the moments, the one and only Chef Steve Martorano will be cooking his unbelievable South Philly Italian food (we met at one of his restaurants!), and Ron-Ben Israel  is preparing a magnificent cake. Finally, we’ve got the fabulous Louis XIV spinning all night. How lucky are we?!

I am aware of and appreciate my blessings each and every day. I feel so much gratitude that I have found an amazing partner to share my life with. So this week, if you only do one thing, believe in love!

xo,

TFab

Revel in the beauty and wonder of spring

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Ahhhhhh…it’s spring in New York and there’s no where else I’d rather be (well, maybe Paris but New York will do for this year). I cannot begin to express how much I adore the change of seasons. It’s only my second spring and I feel the wonder like a child. In order to take advantage of all spring has to offer, I have made a Spring Bucket List (find the template here). Listed below are a few of the ways my family and I plan on making the most of this season of renewal.

  • Spring Cleaning- what is it about this time of year that makes us want to clean and organize? I found this handy checklist on the one and only Martha Stewart’s website.  I also change my air fresheners to a new, lighter scent and check the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms to make sure everything is working as it should. The hot tub will be drained and cleaned and the patio furniture set back up. Enjoying my morning tea outside is a simple luxury I’m eager to begin again.
  • A spring nature hunt- I can put a check by this one already! My little one loves the outdoors and I love taking pictures so we took the camera and searched for signs of spring in our yard(a lot of the pictures here were taken by her!).

  • Picnic in the park- Doesn’t this picture make you want to pack a picnic basket and set off to the closest park? We are lucky enough to live in walking distance to a lovely park and duck pond so a picnic to celebrate the season is definitely in order. Don’t forget to pack a blanket and some toys for the kids to play. I’m thinking a frisbee and bubbles…I’m sure my girls will complain they’re too old but will then delight in the beauty of the bubbles floating everywhere~ I always do!

  • Shop at the local Farmers’ Market- Why not get your fresh veggies from your local farmers’ market instead of the grocery store? I can’t wait to take my dog and peruse all the goodies and then go home and make a meal of it. Remember, eating seasonally has so many benefits!

  • Opening day at Yankee Stadium- What says spring better than baseball? B’s love for the game has rubbed off on me and the girls and we all enjoy going to games. We’ll be there next Friday, April 13th to root for the Yankees. Why don’t you show your support for your team and enjoy a hot dog while you’re at it? I can almost smell it!

  • Get ready for the rain- Polish up those wellies and make sure you have a fabulous umbrella. I have to admit, I don’t like the rain and have never went for a stroll (by choice) in a downpour but I’m going to give it a go. I can only imagine my little one’s delight and joy when I suggest a walk next time it rains. Life is short; dance in the rain!
  • Make fashion and beauty updates- I would normally be making quite a few spring purchases but I’m on a shopping hiatus until after the wedding (which, by the way, is in 36 days!!!). So instead I created my fantasy shopping list on my pinterest board. One thing I will be doing, however, is sampling all the great spring nail colors. Essie’s Spring Collection and Resort Collection are so much fun! A Crewed Interest in currently on my tips and Orange, It’s Obvious is on my toes. Nail polish is such an easy way to keep up with the trends and who doesn’t deserve a mani/pedi after a long week?
  • Attempt, again, to grow herbs and tomatoes (my daughter’s request)- I don’t know why I can’t seem to keep anything alive. It’s really quite frustrating. I will try again and keep the manicured fingers crossed that something grows.

And that’s it. Well, in addition to planning an Easter Brunch, my daughter’s 13th birthday, my other daughter’s first communion, and, of course, the wedding! Summer will be here before we know it. Time is ever so fleeting so make sure you find ways to enjoy the now.

XO,

Tanya

If you only do one thing this week…go see a play

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If you happen to live in NYC or the surrounding areas, you really have no excuse. Going to see a play, either a Broadway show or off-Broadway production, should be a fairly regular part of your life. A night spent getting lost in a story, in awe of the amazing singing and dancing, and laughing out loud or even shedding a tear, is sometimes exactly what’s needed to forget about the everyday stress that’s plaguing you. Not to mention you will feel cultured and have something more to add to conversations other than the happenings of today’s reality show television nightmare.

Over the last few months, I have seen two off-Broadway shows and one major ticket, The Book of Mormon. Concerning the latter, believe the hype! This show is laugh-out-loud funny and shockingly inappropriate but what else would you expect from Trey Parker and Matt Stone, creators of South Park? It is a religious sattire musical so if you’re easily offended, this is not the show for you. Personally, I thought it was creative and extremely entertaining (I loved the spooky Mormon hell dream!) and thought the overall message was poignant.

I was also lucky enough to check out All New People, Zach Braff’s first play, on opening night. This off- broadway show focuses on one man’s desire to commit suicide and the random people who are called into his life on that fateful night. It wasn’t the greatest show I’ve ever seen but nevertheless it was entertaining and I thought the overall message (yes, I’m big on messages) concerning happiness was worth hearing.

So if you’re stuck in the dinner and a movie rut, put a play on your calendar. As an added bonus, you can feel good about supporting the Arts. Currently running Broadway shows and off-Broadway productions can be found on the following links. If you’re not in the NYC area, check your local theatres for great shows in your own backyard.

P.S~ Next up on my list is the off-Broadway play, Love, Loss and What I Wore. If any of my NY friends are interested, let me know!

xo,

TFab

Two Jam-Packed Weeks~ The Darby and Magnolia Bakery, Samsung Hope for Children Gala, and The Borgata

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The first two weeks of June have been busy, busy, busy!

First up, we had B’s birthday on the 2nd. What better way to celebrate a fabulous person than to attend a fabulous affair, and the Perrier-Jouet 200th Anniversary Cocktail Party, held at Mondrian SoHo, fit the bill perfectly. There we met the absolutely stunning Susan Sarandon and sipped on one of my favorites, PJ Fleur, throughout the evening. I mean really, who looks this good at 64?! Time to stock up on the La Mer, ladies!

On Saturday evening the party continued at The Darby. This swanky restaurant is über trendy and so much fun with it’s lux decor and live music. A carrot cake from Magnolia Bakery and one more birthday wish ended the birthday festivities for another year.

Two days later, we attended the Samsung Hope For Children Gala at Cipriani Wall Street. This amazing event is geared towards raising funds to support educational and health programs for children throughout the world. A-list celebrities were everywhere! The keynote speaker was Bill Clinton but we also heard from Demi Moore, Jennifer Lopez, Jason Myraz, John Legend, Harry Connick Jr., and Tim Baxter, President of Samsung Consumer Electronics. The clips were touching and it felt great to be in a room with so many people who are making sure they are paying their good fortune forward. Below you’ll see my pictures with NASCAR driver Jimmy Johnson (taken for my dad who is a big fan) and Chris Noth, who will always be Mr. Big to me 🙂

Lastly, we spent this past weekend in Atlantic City. It was my first time visiting the city and, not counting the ridiculously long drive (FIVE HOURS!!!), we had a great time. We stayed at The Borgata and enjoyed a delicious dinner on Friday night at Old Homestead. Seriously, it may have been the best chicken I’ve ever eaten and we all know I’m a chicken connoisseur 😉 On Saturday we checked out the boardwalk and did a bit of shopping. We got home relatively early on Sunday so I could spend some time with my sis who came to watch the girls for the weekend and spend a few days visiting.

xo,

Tanya

Jimmy Johnson

Susan Sarandon

Chris Noth