Find the Free Ferry Sunday, July 12, 2009

The overflowing abundance of free things in New York City still astounds me! Maybe it’s because it’s summer or maybe it’s because the city is huge so funding is always available. No matter the reason, I like it.

My friend from home came for the weekend and I’ve been dragging her to as many sites as possible. Today the lovely free Staten Island Ferry made her day. The fact that no funds are required is amazing since the views from the small ship are increíble! The Statue of Liberty, Governor’s Island, the financial district, etc.

Free experiences can’t be topped!

Booooorn in the USA, but even if you weren’t Thursday, July 2, 2009

July. Are you ready for it? Well it’s here. And it’s free.

Just for the 4th. Lots to do, lots to see, make memories.

1. Celebrate Brooklyn is still going through the month of July (and a little into August.) Shows I’m excited about? July 18 – African Festival. Awesome.

2. Coney Island Fireworks EVERY FRIDAY! Doesn’t matter where you can see them from because the whole thing screams summer fun. (Corny, I know.)

3. Nathan’s Hot Dog Contest. Eat hot dogs until you drop! Or just watch other people stuff their faces and bodies to the max for free. Hu-larious.

4. There’s always a movie. Check out Bryant Park’s or the Hudson River Park’s schedule for great films (some kid friendly, some not.)

5. Brooklyn Songwriters Exchange. It’s back with new monthly performances starting July 20th. Four songwriters will play in-the-round fo’ free at Union Hall.

6. Target High Line Street Festival July 12. If you haven’t been to this one-of-a-kind park, this is the best opportunity. Free live music and plenty of outdoor crafts. Afterward, you can walk to Rockefeller Park and sit out with a blanket, maybe some cheese and wine. (Not free, but nice.)

7. July 18th is the Harlem Book Fair. Help encourage literacy, celebrate authors while enjoying the poetry readings, musical performances, etc.

8. The Today Show has some really fun performances in July for their early as all get our Summer Concert Series. Rob Thomas, Rascal Flatts, The All-American Rejects, Katy Perry and Kings of Leon will all perform in July. Wake up, be there by 7 a.m., and you are golden.

Not free, but worth it:

9. The New York City Spelling Bee – July 18th for $10 (gets you in, some popcorn and gives to Housing Works programs for locals dealing with HIV/AIDS. Worth the money and your time.

10. Midsummer Night Swing – July 7-25 starting at 6:30 p.m. at Damrosch Park. Jazz, swing, salsa, whatever you like to dance to, it’s there. Individual tickets are $15 which includes the dance lesson. So you think you can dance dance dance dance.

Pioneers are SO now Friday, June 26, 2009

The fashion PR firm I’m interning at is amazing, but the best part is our eco-friendly line Stewart + Brown. The line has been around since 2002 when a couple who connected in love used their mutual interests in fashion and nature to produce clothing. And the match was goooooood.

The rack in the Industry Publicity show room brims with comfortable and fashionable pieces that obviously stand out from the crowd of other designers in the room. It isn’t one of those nothing-fits-quite-right/one-size-fits-all experiences; in fact, the pieces look like they would be so perfect you would feel almost naked — stylishly.

And that’s fitting because the majority of the clothing is made from organic cotton = grown from seeds not genetically engineered and from soil guaranteed to lack pesticides, herbicides, etc. The cashmere is just as environmentally safe as it is combed straight off the bellies of goats in Mongolia. Stewart + Brown doesn’t test the ethical waters either. It’s cashmere is made in Mongolia where the art has been practiced for hundreds of years. Cozy, huh?

The couple even proudly boasts that the clothing is biodegradable. Bury it six feet under without a care in the world. But wait! There’s more, there’s more. Stewart + Brown gathers a large amount of fabric from factory surplus. The extra fabric is already manufactured and doomed to the dumpster, but won’t go to waste in these aesthetically pleasing designs.

These pioneers sum it up like so: “Stewart+Brown believes in optimizing their designs and lives to attain the highest standards of quality and functional style while extracting the bare minimum from Earth’s precious capital. Stewart+Brown practices and promotes a symbiotic and harmonious relationship between business, community, and nature. We aspire to apply the wisdom of sustainability to everything we do while inspiring others, just as we have been inspired, to do the same.”

A crocheted mini-dress caught my eye one of the first days I worked. It’s the best eco-chic I’ve ever seen and would look fabulous on Cameron Diaz (a well-known eco-line advocate.) By buying such a cute little number the consumer is assured that at least 1 percent of the proceeds will be given to “non-profit, non-governmental environmental and social welfare organizations.” That’s right, Diaz. Go for it! Use your power for good!

Here are some photos of artwork done by Karen Stewart, a trained artist, from which she gains inspiration for clothing.

You can also check out the Stewart + Brown Web site by clicking here.

Madagascar is in the bag Friday, June 19, 2009

Think fashion is ruining the world? Think again! BTC Elements (which sells only environmentally sound and socially just products) coupled with Mad Imports to bring fair trade products all the way from exotic Madagascar, making this bag not only a steal, but a statement.

Mad Imports was founded by Laurel Brandstetter and Jamila Hubbard. The progressive duo’s company “brings together local and international artists to design and create high fashion purses made from renewable raw materials. The sale of the bags enables families to gain economic independence and earn fair compensation for their talent and hard work.” And “BTC” is an acronym for “Be The Change,” borrowed from Gandhi’s famous quote, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Together the two companies are a phenomenal nod toward conscientious fashion.

The handmade bags have been featured in several big publications like Glamour and Lucky as well as featured on CNN and E! News. Awesome. For more bag styles and info on Mad Imports click here. For more on BTC Elements, here.

Uh, I mean, come on. These are adorable!

FREE! Friday, June 5, 2009

There’s no better way to plan your life on a budget than researching your free options. I have never been to a city where events are constantly occurring that don’t cost a thing — until New York. And I am amazed at the volume. More than any other outing, I love live music. Since it’s my favorite go-to event, I’ve been asking anyone I run in to who seems the least bit musically inclined if they can point me in the right direction. (Preferably one my iPhone can map out for me.) Finally I lucked out. One of my co-interns at Industry Publicity had just compiled a huge list of free events happening this summer in the city for one of our clients. Woo-hoo! Free music (arts, theater, shopping, etc.) here I come.

June 2009 – Click the links below for more info.

Good Morning America FREE Summer Concerts. May 8 to August 21. 7 a.m. Rockefeller Center.

Roosevelt Live. May 23 to September 5. Every Saturday. 4 p.m. Roosevelt Island.

Into the Sunset. Through June 8. Third Floor. Museum of Modern Art.

Museum Mile Event. June 9. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 5th Avenue.

Shakespeare in the Park. June 10 to July 12. Tuesday through Saturday – “Twelfth Night.” 8 p.m. Central Park.

Movies Under the Stars. June 15 to August 17. Monday only. Dusk. Bryant Park.

Isabel Toledo: Fashion from the Inside Out. June 17 to September 26. Tuesday-Friday Noon to 8 p.m.;Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fashion Institute of Technology.

Summer in the Square. June 18 to August 13. Every Thursday. 8 a.m. Union Square.

Street Fairs. Month of June.

Meat revisited Saturday, May 30, 2009

I don’t know how it happened. I grew up in a typical chicken and green beans American family. Well, sort of. But the point is, I was never discouraged from eating meat. In fact, ribs once made my mouth water and meatball subs were my first choice. As the years went by, I just lost interest.

I am not a vegetarian for religious or moral purposes. I think the evidence supporting vegetarianism due to its benefits for the environment have propelled me forward, but that has only been a recent discovery of mine. Therefore, my tranformation is somewhat boring really.

Once in college, I found myself uninterested in the taste and hassle of the animal substance. I would eat chicken every now and then, but dining hall meat just isn’t great. My roommate’s mom was a strict vegetarian who also happened to be an amazing cook. Maybe this was the beginning of the slippery slope.

Regardless, now I’m three years or so into my non-meat-eating ways and can’t seem to stop. I confess that I am a fish eater and when eating out I will usually order a meat option. But I never cook meat, mostly because I don’t know how.

The point of this post is to explore with you my quest to discover the art of cooking meat. And eating mostly vegetarian at the same time. If both can be accomplished, my body and my life will be much improved. So with a fork in one hand and a knife in the other, join me at the table.

Hot new ideasigns Saturday, May 30, 2009

This new post from The Moment’s Pilar Viladas is all about Ikea’s great finds when the wallet looks sparsely portioned, like a limp spinach salad on a hot day, or maybe that is too far. Anyway, the sometimes boring, starkness of its furniture can be a turn off, but no one can deny Ikea has some great ideas.

Best adventures thus far Friday, May 29, 2009

In the few days since I moved in, quite a bit has happened. Not surprising, I guess.

I moved in within a few hours and put my bed together later that night, but nothing else could be accomplished that day because of Memorial Day celebrations. I spent the rest of Monday evening on the sidewalk in Harlem enjoying the food smells and musical deliverings of my friends, plus many other groups’ radios. Everyone in Harlem was on the streets. It was the perfect neighborhood bonding session, complete with a free meal.

Already I’ve discovered a cheap pizza place on 155th that sells huge slices for $2.25 a piece. The grocery, called FoodTown, has a deli where sandwiches range from $2-4 bucks. And I ate three free meals this week as well. It’s been a success! Believe me, pasta day at the Condé Nast building is amazing and was enough to take home and eat for dinner later.

Buying groceries today was a little rough, but without a paycheck to lean on, I expected as much. Soon all will be different. Although, my goal is not to buy anything “extra” — clothes, shoes, etc. — until I have $1,000 in the bank. Hold me to it! This is the frugal life.

Hilarious blog from Gourmet’s W. Hodding Carter Saturday, May 23, 2009

I love this whole experience he describes! Go Stella Go!

Keeping it cheap: First post Saturday, May 23, 2009

There are a million ways to live cheaply in New York. Or so I’ve been told. But from where I sit, it seems like money is required to enjoy life in The Big Apple. However, I’m determined to live on a budget and thus have decided to start this Keeping It Cheap category on my blog for the best finds, cheapest spots and bargain locales.

Stay tuned for my experiences as I try to keep it cheap!