Never forget your pinstripe glory

Andy Pettitte has RETIRED. And he did is last week?? And I didn't find out about it today?? What has the world come to.

Pitching is the key to baseball. And well frankly the Yankees haven't had great pitchers since David Cone, David Wells, Orlando Hernandez and Pettitte took the mound for the Bronx Bombers...back in 1998! Yes, we won the world series in 2009... but we did it on a three-man rotation! because we had no faith in our other two starters.

Pettitte celebrates after winning game 5 of the 1996 World Series ( right and left )

Now that Pettitte is gone, the Yankees face the tough challenge of finding his replacement. Having already lost out on Cliff Lee, Carl Pavano and Jorge De La Rosa, the prospects are dwindling... and pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report back to work in less then two weeks!

Pettitte's stats for the past three years are as followed:  has won 39 games with a 4.09 ERA in 527.2 innings while pitching in the AL East ( the toughest division in baseball).

Pettitte Pitching in the World Series 2009

Celebrating his 5th World Series Title in 2009

Besides his small run in with law after being caught using steroids, Pettitte is surely Hall of Fame worthy. And he will be missed.

As of now, all I can say is- it's going to be an interesting spring.

Tributes to Pettitte were displayed at Yankee Stadium the day after he announced his retirement

plastic joy award... take 2?

Ok so i watched The Proposal last night with my sister...and I completely forgot that part of  it was filmed in NY

so....

my #6. Ryan Reynolds as Andrew Paxton in The Proposal


because well - HE'S THE SEXIEST MAN ALIVE 2010. enough said.

New York Girls, They really mess me up, Chelsea Pearls, Sound like a buttercup

Carrie: New York City is all about sex. People getting it, people trying to get it, people who can't get it. No wonder the city never sleeps. It's too busy trying to get laid.

Carrie: Despite the fact that there are over eight million people on the island of Manhattan, there are times you still feel shipwrecked and alone. Times even the most resourceful survivor would feel the need to put a message in a bottle, or on an answering machine.

Carrie: Maybe I can't leave New York. I don't know how I'd do someplace else.

Miranda: Why do I think living in Manhattan is so fantastic?
Carrie: Because it is.

Carrie : The gay straight man was a new strain of heterosexual male spawned in Manhattan as the result of overexposure to fashion, exotic cuisine, musical theatre and antique furniture.

title- "New York"- by Lady Gaga

The Breakfast Club

This past winter break I met with my great-aunt in New York to discuss my internship options for the summer ( she's a big-time lawyer, someone that I aspire to become). Lunch was great, and my aunt was especially welcoming, friendly, and helpful... but what I most remember about this lunch was my aunt's story about her Saturday breakfast ritual. She told us how one morning a few months back she went to her usual bagel store on her way to work ( yes , she does work Saturday mornings! .. on her own free will) and she sat down next to this perfect stranger to eat her breakfast. My aunt and this total stranger ended up talking all through their breakfast, about work, families, New York, the usual non-invasive conversation. However, what is so amazing about this friendly conversation between two strangers, was that it turned into a real friendship! From that day on, every Saturday morning the two women meet up at that same bagel shop and talk about their lives. They discuss their children, their grandchildren, their work, whatever is on the days menu...who knows. But what I am sure of, is that this really only happens in New York. A friendship formed on Saturday mornings. A ritual established. A city that continues to throw things at you that you probably never even saw coming.

Lesson of the story: Next time you run into a perfect stranger- SAY HELLO- who knows they could just be your next best friend!! ... or you know, just another experience and story to tell ,  in a city that provides tons of them.

All you need is love

I was inspired to create this blog by one of my good friends, The Dolly Rocker Girl ( whose blog is absolutely AMAZING- and you must check it out for yourself!).  One of her recent posts was her take on the "plastic joy award"  where she was forced to sit down, think long and hard, and pick five men from television or the silver screen that have, lets say, made her swoon. I found this post to be very entertaining, especially when I read the list she came up with ( which ranges from yes the brooding but oh so powerful Chuck Bass- to Tim Curry playing  that sweet transvestite from Transsexual Transylvania ).

Although I wasn't nominated specifically to follow up on this award, I did read one of her followers list as well, Glamoretta, who encouraged anyone to give it a go, so that's what I'm about to do. However, to make it more geared toward the theme of my blog ( the oh so wonderful New York City)- I am making this challenge even more difficult, by limiting myself to only those dreamy male characters who played out their lives for the world to see in the Big Apple!


1. Chace Crawford as Nate Archibald on Gossip Girl

I am a huge sucker for the sweet, good, boy next door type, who always appears to get screwed. If you have ever watched Gossip Girl, you might be inclined to argue that Dan Humphrey portrays this character perfectly, however for me its always been all about Nate. Chace Crawford, as yes, I don't know what to say about him, except that he actually makes my heart race when I see him on screen. And as for his character Nate, the boy has lost all of his money, both of his girlfriends ( one to his best friend, and the other to his cousin? come on how do you NOT feel sorry for the guy) , and his father went to jail! And yet, even after all of these awful depressing events occur in his life, he is still this sweet guy who puts others needs in front of his. 

2. Charlie Sheen as Bud Fox in Wall Street 

I will be the first person to say that I am NOT a fan of Charlie Sheen. However, when I watch Charlie as Bud Fox in Wall Street ( pre his crazy antics in hotel rooms with escorts and drugs) i can't help but find him extremely attractive. Maybe it's the whole plot of the story, poor kid trying to make it on Wall Street during the 80's, turns corrupt, screws his father, and then feels bad about it and figures out a way to fix the entire situation, only to get caught and go to jail at the end, that gets me. Whatever it is, Sheen is just too slick to not love.


3.. James Marsden as Kevin Doyle in 27 Dresses

I always say that when I look at a guy, the first thing i am immediately attracted to is his smile.  James Marsden might possibly have the most amazing smile i have ever seen- when i watch him on screen, when he smiles, it almost contagious. The last scene, when Katherine Heigel is walking down the aisle, and the camera pans to James who looks up at her as if she is the most amazing thing he has ever seen, my heart actually aches. 27 dresses, is the epitome of what all good romantic comedies should be like, and i credit that entirely to James.


4. John Cusack as Jonathan Trager  in Serendipity

I fell in love with John Cusack for the first time when I watched Say Anything- his desire to win the girl, and the whole boom box scene, it's what every girl dreams of.  And in Serendipity, Cusack is oh so adorable as Jonathan Trager, when he is set upon finding that girl he met almost a decade ago because he believes in fate and destiny. The whole story is just so unrealistic that you can't help yourself from rooting for him. ( Plus, on a side note, they first meet in Serendipity... one of my favorite restaurants in New York... although I'll save why for a later post!) Anyways, I would let Cusack chase me around the city any day of the week. 



5.. Jake Gyllenhaal as Sam Hall in the Day After Tomorrow

Ok i admit it :  i have never actually finished the Day After Tomorrow. The concept of New York City being hit by a natural disaster of that magnitude ( basically apocalyptic)... well suffice to say it freaks me out. But that doesn't mean I can't admire Jake during the early years of his acting career. Emmy Rossum was one lucky women.



Well those are my top 5 men who have added some sizzle to the Big Apple either on tv or in the movies in my opinion. However, one thing is for sure- New York is never in shortage of leading men.

title- "All you need is love" - by The Beatles

the New York Jets are now hiring

The New York Jets need a new coach.

No we haven't fired Rex yet for talking trash and making things "personal" between himself and Peyton... and then Bill(  so all of you Rex haters out there, learn some love because he's going to be around for a while) but gang green is indeed in need of a new strength and conditioning coach.

Sam Alosi had decided to leave the Meadow-lands, supposedly on his own free will- for greater and greener pastures?

Well, I'm not so sure about that. For all of you out there who don't regularly follow football, you might know Alosi as the man who tripped a Miami Dolphins player on the sideline during the Jets game on December 12th 2010.

Alosi who was fined and indefinitely suspended when evidence surfaced that he not only intentionally tripped Dolphin defensive back Nolan Carroll, but that he instructed Jets' players to try and obstruct the Miami players as well, announced his resignation today from the Jets franchise.

Now lets be serious, this was probably the best move for Alosi and the Jets as well. From a fan's perspective, I have to say this tripping incident did not look well for the always undervalued and poorly perceived Jets team. It made our franchise look just as shady as when Bill Belichek and the Patriots were caught taping the Jets defensive signals- and COME ON, we are better then that!

So Sal, although you made our team very fit, I have to say I'm not sorry to see you go. Good luck wherever you land as long as it is far far away from an NFL sideline.

The New Workout Plan... all those mocha lattes you gotta do pilates

So this morning I woke up at 5 :30 ( yes in the morning- and no the sun was not up yet) to go to the grand opening of my school's new fitness center at 6! Yes I am slightly insane, but I hated our old gym so much, that I couldn't wait to get my first peak at the new machines and weights! But get this, by the time I arrived at 6:05 the gym was packed! I was forced to wait on line to even enter, and then forced again to wait for my stationary bike. But trust me, by the time I had those brand new dumbbells in my hands, it was SO worth it.

The thing is, I find going to gym extremely refreshing. It allows me to blow of steam, and to get rid of my stress in a healthy manner. But during my Freshman year of college, I actually ended up dreading the gym. Our old fitness center was a mess ( and that's putting it nicely!) . Although less then 20 years old, it was cramped, and unorganized. The cardio machines were haphazardly placed throughout the room, and you were forced to do all of you ab workouts in a hallway barely 2 feet wide! I found myself with no place where I could comfortably work out!!

Luckily for all of you currently living in New York- this is never a problem!! The city is filled with plenty of workout spaces.  And those who are living within its boundaries are constantly bombarded at every street corner with advertisements in windows for new aerobics classes, spinning, or even karate. You name it, the fitness opportunities are endless.

However, there is only one place in the entire city worth mentioning that offers you everything in one convenient location. And in case you haven't already guessed it, that would be The Sports Center at Chelsea Piers. Chelsea Piers provides members with both breathtaking views of the Hudson River, as well as state of the art athletic facilities, including an indoor swimming pool, running track, climbing wall. sand volleyball court, regular volleyball court, boxing ring, and basketball court... if you can imagine it, it's there. Trust me!

But what's really important here is that we all exercise. Whether you belong to Chelsea Piers, or some other gym out there, as long as your comfortable, and you're staying healthy that's all that matters!

Until next time... stay active New York!

title: "The New Workout Plan" - by Kanye West

DASH has arrived...and with it, a new reality show

The Kardashian's are taking New York, or at least they claim to be on their new reality show "Kim and Kourtney Take New York" which premiered on E! last Sunday night. The fabulous twosome, infamous for their appearances on "Keeping up with the Kardashians" -possibly the most addicting reality show based upon nothing ( and don't lie you watch it too!!) - have left their warm digs in sunny LA to brave the cold and wintery mix that seems to be pounding New York City this winter.

In the first episode we find Kim and Kourtney planning the opening for the third installment of their designer store DASH in a boutique in Soho. And although I am super excited to see what impact the Kardashian girls might have on the New York fashion scene, I can't help but think back to the other reality shows that have chosen New York as the backdrop to their crazy and quite ridiculously unreal adventures.

Kim and Kourtney might think that they're stealing the show in New York, but really they're nothing new to the Big Apple. Reality shows come and go, but New York remains the star.

So here's a look back on some of those other reality shows and stars, that at one point of another we did LOVE, who payed tribute to NYC.

Kim and Kourtney Take New York

Kim and Kourtney sit front row at the Jill Stuart fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2011( left) and stroll in Central park (right)

The City

We all loved and rooted for Lauren ( or as i stil affectionally call her LC) Conrad's friend Whitney on "The Hills" - mostly because she appeared to be the only sane one on that show- but when Whitney made the decision to star in her own reality show, it came as no surprise that it would be set in the Big Apple ( just about as far away as you could get from Speidi ).  However, Whitney truly made the City her own. Working at DVF, most of the show was shot either down in the Village, Soho, or the Meat Packing Industry, places that don't regularly make it onto television. Plus throw in a little socialite drama, thanks to Olivia Palermo, and you've got the perfect concoction for reality success: cat-fights, fashion, and New York City. 

Real Housewives of New York

The Real Housewives of New York, which airs on Bravo, follows the lives of 5 middle-aged women who make their living in the Big Apple. Although I wasn't a big fan of this season ( really nothing competes with the Housewives of New Jersey, and Danielle Staub), there is no shortage of drama, fights, and NYC parties.  

Real World: Brooklyn

7 strangers living in a house in New York- enough said. 

NYC Prep

Ahh NYC Prep, the short lived, yet so insanely addicting reality show on Bravo, that followed the lives of 6 adolescents growing up in Manhattan. The kids basically portrayed that rich New York Stereotype perfectly. Taylor, the only character who attended public school, was completely obsessed with hanging out with the right crowd, while the cameras followed Camille looking for community service opportunities as a way to buffer her all so important resume ( while still only in 10th grade!). The cast of privileged prepsters, made you squirm in disgust while at the same time kept you wanting to know more. Hey, it's a kids dream to have the freedom New York provides. 

Project Runway

And finally, the last worth mentioning would have to be Heidi Klum and the mega hit that is Project Runway. Where else would you expect a reality show involving fashion designers to take place, then the city with Parsons, and Fashion Week. 

The City that Never Sleeps

New York City. The Big Apple. The Greatest City on Earth... Ok, so that last statement might just be my opinion, but its an opinion I hope to share with every single one of you through this blog. People say that you can fall in love at first sight, and that's sort of what has happened to me with New York. Born and raised in Manhattan for 11 years, I live and breath New York. From the sports, to the fashion, to the entertainment, to the politics that envelop this city and make it what it is.

Sinatra said it best when he sang that New York is the "city that never sleeps." This city thrives because of the people who inhabit it, from the artists in Williamsburg to the socialites of the Upper East Side. And there is never a dull moment.

I decided to take up the venture of creating this blog as a way to express my undying love for this city. And maybe, if someone out there reads this, they'll learn to share my ridiculous obsession as well.