As I'm about to head back to Colgate and the off season (a.k.a. no NYC and no traveling) has officially commenced, I figure there's no need to let Cosmopolitan K fall off the radar. So what better to accompany a cosmopolitan gal than a healthy dose of pop culture write-ups and reviews.
First up? The Carrie Diaries.
Your gal pals are back. Well, kind of...and all grown younger that is. Carrie Bradshaw has hit the small screen again in The Carrie Diaries (CW's new show based on Candace Bushnell's prequel to Sex and the City).
While the show is definitely younger fare, with a 16-year-old protagonist and classic boy/family/coming-of-age issues, the production value is high. Young Bradshaw, played by AnnaSophia Robb, is perfection. Maintaining Sarah Jessica Parker's nuanced sassy and self-doubted character, she brings inspired light to the story of how our favorite gal pal came to be. And don't worry, the fashion may be 80s, but it's still looking fab.
In fact, the show pays homage to the original in many ways. While brunch at fabulous NYC restaurants with Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda may not exist, sex talk still runs rampant at library tables and in store dressing rooms with high school friends and new acquaintances. With a cool crew like Mouse and Maggie, nothing is off limits, including hot dogs in key holes...you get the drift.
Bradshaw's famous narration needs a little work when it comes to her teen self, and at times the show can push melodramatic and cheesy dialogue limits, but it's kept me hooked...and I'm not even in high school anymore.
Here's looking forward to the next few diary entries.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
A London To-Do: Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkeley
For the fashion obsessed or even those looking for a more "fun" afternoon tea in merry old London, The Berkeley is the place to be.
What started off as a sixth month brainchild trial of Head Pastry Chef Mourad Khiat turned into a more than six year phenomenon. A clever twist on Ready-to-Wear and the runway, Prêt-à-Portea presents you with a wide assortment of tea to pair with your fashion-inspired pastries. Don't believe me? Ask the dishes!
Every six months the "collection" of pastries changes. Currently, the set of tea plates are graced by the Autumn 2012 collection, which I had the pleasure of experiencing. My personal favorites were the Burberry Prorsum (layered praline, dulcey cream, and chocolate mousse trench coat topped with stylish violet umbrella) and the Manolo Blahnik ("Neurotica" pink polka dot cake pumps with gianduja cream). And may I suggest that you try the Caramel Indulgence tea? (If you don't like it, you can always switch your tea).
While I always like dressing up, the dress code is "smart casual" (no shorts, vests, sportswear, flip-flops, ripped jeans, or baseball caps).
Tea at The Berkeley (located in the Knighstbridge section of London) will run you approximately £39.00 per person and is offered between 1:00pm and 5:30pm every day. And for your convenience, you can click here to find reservation info. Bon appétit!
What started off as a sixth month brainchild trial of Head Pastry Chef Mourad Khiat turned into a more than six year phenomenon. A clever twist on Ready-to-Wear and the runway, Prêt-à-Portea presents you with a wide assortment of tea to pair with your fashion-inspired pastries. Don't believe me? Ask the dishes!
Every six months the "collection" of pastries changes. Currently, the set of tea plates are graced by the Autumn 2012 collection, which I had the pleasure of experiencing. My personal favorites were the Burberry Prorsum (layered praline, dulcey cream, and chocolate mousse trench coat topped with stylish violet umbrella) and the Manolo Blahnik ("Neurotica" pink polka dot cake pumps with gianduja cream). And may I suggest that you try the Caramel Indulgence tea? (If you don't like it, you can always switch your tea).
While I always like dressing up, the dress code is "smart casual" (no shorts, vests, sportswear, flip-flops, ripped jeans, or baseball caps).
Tea at The Berkeley (located in the Knighstbridge section of London) will run you approximately £39.00 per person and is offered between 1:00pm and 5:30pm every day. And for your convenience, you can click here to find reservation info. Bon appétit!
Monday, December 31, 2012
Things to See: V&A's Hollywood Costume Exhibit
One of my prized Christmas possessions this year is the book for the Victoria & Albert Hollywood Costume exhibition in London. While I was abroad last semester, I had the pleasure of seeing the content behind the Vanity Fair write-ups and Dorothy-covered posters, and I will tell you that it is more than worth the £15 entrance fee.
Curated by Deborah Nadoolman Landis (who provided Indiana Jones with his Raiders of the Lost Ark uniform), Sir Christopher Frayling, and Keith Lodwick, the Hollywood Costume Exhibit does something similar to the Great Movie Ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios. It takes you on a journey through the movies, lets you get closer to your favorite characters for a moment, and then brings to life what goes on behind the scenes.
The exhibition is divided into three rooms. The first, after a mood-creating video montage, takes you on the journey from script to character realization. Here such gems as Charlie Chaplin's Tramp costume, Scarlett O'Hara's green dress, and a dozen or so period costumes are just a fraction of the display. Crafty graphics and the juxtaposition of sketches and real costumes bring the concept to life.
Next you get to cleverly sit down at a table with a few famous director/costume designer duos and hear about everything from Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds to Johnny Depp. That's not all the room has to offer though. It also brings you everything from Avatar and Meryl Streep.
Finally, in a triumph of gatherings, you enter the grand finale. To rattle off all of the costume masterpieces on display would be near impossible, but this movie-buff began to get a little teary-eyed as she passed Audrey Hepburn's Eliza Doolittle costume, the black Breakfast at Tiffany's dress, Nicole Kidman's feathered pink Moulin Rouge concoction (soaring high above the rest on a swing), the green Atonement dress, Daniel Craig's Casino Royale tux, the likes of Superman and Batman, and Dorothy's pinafore.
With a cast of character's like that, how could you ever want to leave?
The exhibition's poster. Note the dates!
Curated by Deborah Nadoolman Landis (who provided Indiana Jones with his Raiders of the Lost Ark uniform), Sir Christopher Frayling, and Keith Lodwick, the Hollywood Costume Exhibit does something similar to the Great Movie Ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios. It takes you on a journey through the movies, lets you get closer to your favorite characters for a moment, and then brings to life what goes on behind the scenes.
The exhibition is divided into three rooms. The first, after a mood-creating video montage, takes you on the journey from script to character realization. Here such gems as Charlie Chaplin's Tramp costume, Scarlett O'Hara's green dress, and a dozen or so period costumes are just a fraction of the display. Crafty graphics and the juxtaposition of sketches and real costumes bring the concept to life.
Next you get to cleverly sit down at a table with a few famous director/costume designer duos and hear about everything from Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds to Johnny Depp. That's not all the room has to offer though. It also brings you everything from Avatar and Meryl Streep.
Finally, in a triumph of gatherings, you enter the grand finale. To rattle off all of the costume masterpieces on display would be near impossible, but this movie-buff began to get a little teary-eyed as she passed Audrey Hepburn's Eliza Doolittle costume, the black Breakfast at Tiffany's dress, Nicole Kidman's feathered pink Moulin Rouge concoction (soaring high above the rest on a swing), the green Atonement dress, Daniel Craig's Casino Royale tux, the likes of Superman and Batman, and Dorothy's pinafore.
With a cast of character's like that, how could you ever want to leave?
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Holidays in the City
While clearly one of my New Year's Resolutions is going to be "blog more," I couldn't help but to get a hopeful head start on that.
Christmastime (and the week after) is my favorite season in NYC. The lights, the magic, and the chill in the air letting me show off my winter wardrobe all warm my heart. Just before December 25th rolled around, I went into the city with one of my best friends from college to experience the perfection of the season.
So, what do two twenty-somethings do for a few days of holiday cheer in the city? Well, of course, it all started at Serendipity.
Way back in 2001, Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack starred in a movie by the same name and brought heightened fame to the Upper East Side dessert haunt. Before that, in 1996, Serendipity's ice cream made an appearance in One Fine Day. But well before either big screen appearance, the restaurant was founded by Stephen Bruce in 1954.
Located at 225 East 60th Street (between 2nd and 3rd, also right by Bloomies and Dylan's Candy Bar), Serendipity III is a place of eclectically cramped quarters, Tiffany lampshades, and uber-famous Frrrozen Hot Chocolate. It's also home to the most expensive dessert in the world: the Golden Opulence Sunday ($1000 and 48-hour notice necessary...I asked a waiter last summer if they ever get ordered and he said "about once a month.").
While it's definitely on the more touristy end of things, and while there's also another location in Vegas, Serendipity III still holds its own.
For lunch, Lara was so intrigued by what the man seated at the next table was eating that she asked...and ordered the same! According to her, the Virginia Slim Open sandwich is incredibly filling and incredibly good.
I personally went for the Eastside Western omelette, which was so stuffed to the brim with onions, peppers, ham, cheese, and tomatoes that there was no way I could eat all of its contents.
And of course, we both partook in the divine Frrrozen Hot Chocolate. They have it in a few flavors nowadays, but we went for the classic.
So while we didn't pleasantly happen upon it by chance or sagacity, we did enjoy every bite and sip.
Christmastime (and the week after) is my favorite season in NYC. The lights, the magic, and the chill in the air letting me show off my winter wardrobe all warm my heart. Just before December 25th rolled around, I went into the city with one of my best friends from college to experience the perfection of the season.
So, what do two twenty-somethings do for a few days of holiday cheer in the city? Well, of course, it all started at Serendipity.
The view from our seat.
Way back in 2001, Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack starred in a movie by the same name and brought heightened fame to the Upper East Side dessert haunt. Before that, in 1996, Serendipity's ice cream made an appearance in One Fine Day. But well before either big screen appearance, the restaurant was founded by Stephen Bruce in 1954.
Located at 225 East 60th Street (between 2nd and 3rd, also right by Bloomies and Dylan's Candy Bar), Serendipity III is a place of eclectically cramped quarters, Tiffany lampshades, and uber-famous Frrrozen Hot Chocolate. It's also home to the most expensive dessert in the world: the Golden Opulence Sunday ($1000 and 48-hour notice necessary...I asked a waiter last summer if they ever get ordered and he said "about once a month.").
It also has one of the prettiest restaurants in town.
While it's definitely on the more touristy end of things, and while there's also another location in Vegas, Serendipity III still holds its own.
For lunch, Lara was so intrigued by what the man seated at the next table was eating that she asked...and ordered the same! According to her, the Virginia Slim Open sandwich is incredibly filling and incredibly good.
The Virginia Slim: Turkey and Jarlsberg? Yum!
I personally went for the Eastside Western omelette, which was so stuffed to the brim with onions, peppers, ham, cheese, and tomatoes that there was no way I could eat all of its contents.
Getting western on the Eastside.
And of course, we both partook in the divine Frrrozen Hot Chocolate. They have it in a few flavors nowadays, but we went for the classic.
So while we didn't pleasantly happen upon it by chance or sagacity, we did enjoy every bite and sip.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Around the Town: Verona
Based on the timing of our trains, we didn't quite have enough time to visit another attraction in Verona. However, we did have ample time to wander the town and grab a quick bite to eat "take away"-style. As we made our way through Verona's crowded streets, we passed many shops that one could find in New York or even at the Short Hills Mall. We also passed a makeshift bowling lane where little kids could try their luck and attempt to get a strike. Most weren't able to get the ball down the plank even, but it was quaint nonetheless.
Eventually we found ourselves in Piazza Bra. This piazza is probably the most beautiful site to see in Verona thanks to its central tree-filled park, arched walls, and ancient arena. The Arena di Verona was built in 30 AD and, at the time, was outside the city walls. It began to be used as a theater starting in the Renaissance and this tradition has continued into today. It's a particularly incredible venue as the arena is in much better shape than Rome's colosseum. During the day, you can tour the arena. Or, for those of you more inclined for nighttime performances, we did see their "Opera on Ice" schedule advertised.
We sat on the curb staring at the beautiful arena for sometime and grabbed sandwiches and gelato at Gelateria Emanuel Café. I wouldn't say that it's top notch food, but the sidewalk café atmosphere was something to be enjoyed.
Before we knew it, it was time to hop our train home. And we departed Verona from its beautiful train station on a modern Hogwarts Express compartment-style train.
One of the many old walls in Verona.
Craving going bowling after this.
Eventually we found ourselves in Piazza Bra. This piazza is probably the most beautiful site to see in Verona thanks to its central tree-filled park, arched walls, and ancient arena. The Arena di Verona was built in 30 AD and, at the time, was outside the city walls. It began to be used as a theater starting in the Renaissance and this tradition has continued into today. It's a particularly incredible venue as the arena is in much better shape than Rome's colosseum. During the day, you can tour the arena. Or, for those of you more inclined for nighttime performances, we did see their "Opera on Ice" schedule advertised.
Arena di Verona
We sat on the curb staring at the beautiful arena for sometime and grabbed sandwiches and gelato at Gelateria Emanuel Café. I wouldn't say that it's top notch food, but the sidewalk café atmosphere was something to be enjoyed.
The sights of Piazza Bra.
Before we knew it, it was time to hop our train home. And we departed Verona from its beautiful train station on a modern Hogwarts Express compartment-style train.
Fairwell, Fair Verona.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?
Once upon a time, in Mr. Downs' eighth grade English class at Newark Academy, we read Romeo and Juliet. Aside from the essay and project that we had to do on Shakespeare's beautiful tragedy, we had to memorize one of its many monologues.
My 13-year-old self stood up in front of the class, to the side of the podium instead of behind it, and began Juliet's oft-quoted and fanciful balcony performance. Approximately seven years later, I finally made it to the balcony itself.
Well, to be quite honest, Juliet's famous proclamation of "be but sworn my love and I'll no longer be a Capulet" probably never happened. And if it did, it's questionable as to whether or not it happened at this site. In fact, as I learned from the museum, Shakespeare's play is an adaptation of The History of Romeus and Juliet by Arthur Brooks, which is a translation of an Italian novella by Matteo Bandello. Bandello supposedly heard the story from one of the residents of Verona.
La Casa di Giulietta is the former home of the family upon which the Capulets are thought to be based. It is a museum that has been born out of the fame of Shakespeare's masterpiece and the way that it has touched the hearts of so many "star-crossed lovers" since. And I smiled from ear to ear for every second of my time there.
For approximately for euro you gain entrance into the beautiful Italian palazzo. Traveling up flight upon flight of stairs, you make your way through the house. A very "bare bones" approach has been taken as the furnishings are minimal, but there are many framed pieces of art inspired by the story, as well as different published copies of the text. The first floor offers the balcony, where you can gaze down into the courtyard at the statue of Juliet and the ivy-covered walls. The next floor offers a bedroom containing an antique bed, images from the 1968 movie that accompany the labels, and two encased costumes from the period. Also, if you haven't seen that 1968 version, you must. It's the best one.
As you continue your climb, you find a room with a specially designed computer set-up where you can write your own "letter to Juliet." In case you haven't seen the Amanda Seyfried film "Letters to Juliet," there's a phenomenon where people write letters to the fabled character. Beginning in the 1980s, a group of local volunteers founded the Club di Giulietta and attempt to respond to the thousands of letters that arrive in Verona each year. There's a kind of sweet magic to that, which I appreciate.
Next you find a dining room that would have been typical of a rich family at the time, as well as more stunning views. While my two lovely friends decided to make fun of the lack of historical grounding the museum has the entire time, I chose to embrace the moment. After all, who doesn't love to ground their literary inspiration in something real on occasion?
While we didn't make it to Juliet's tomb, which is on the other side of town, but tour-able nonetheless, I just thought I'd mention it as it adds an extra component to the story.
Also, before I forget, it's great romantic luck to rub the right breast of the statue of Juliet in the courtyard of her house.
For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.
My 13-year-old self stood up in front of the class, to the side of the podium instead of behind it, and began Juliet's oft-quoted and fanciful balcony performance. Approximately seven years later, I finally made it to the balcony itself.
La Casa di Giulietta is the former home of the family upon which the Capulets are thought to be based. It is a museum that has been born out of the fame of Shakespeare's masterpiece and the way that it has touched the hearts of so many "star-crossed lovers" since. And I smiled from ear to ear for every second of my time there.
For approximately for euro you gain entrance into the beautiful Italian palazzo. Traveling up flight upon flight of stairs, you make your way through the house. A very "bare bones" approach has been taken as the furnishings are minimal, but there are many framed pieces of art inspired by the story, as well as different published copies of the text. The first floor offers the balcony, where you can gaze down into the courtyard at the statue of Juliet and the ivy-covered walls. The next floor offers a bedroom containing an antique bed, images from the 1968 movie that accompany the labels, and two encased costumes from the period. Also, if you haven't seen that 1968 version, you must. It's the best one.
My inner actress.
One of the period costumes.
As you continue your climb, you find a room with a specially designed computer set-up where you can write your own "letter to Juliet." In case you haven't seen the Amanda Seyfried film "Letters to Juliet," there's a phenomenon where people write letters to the fabled character. Beginning in the 1980s, a group of local volunteers founded the Club di Giulietta and attempt to respond to the thousands of letters that arrive in Verona each year. There's a kind of sweet magic to that, which I appreciate.
A blank page for one's letter to Juliet.
Next you find a dining room that would have been typical of a rich family at the time, as well as more stunning views. While my two lovely friends decided to make fun of the lack of historical grounding the museum has the entire time, I chose to embrace the moment. After all, who doesn't love to ground their literary inspiration in something real on occasion?
A few interior shots of the house.
My lovely friends making fun of the museum.
Also, before I forget, it's great romantic luck to rub the right breast of the statue of Juliet in the courtyard of her house.
For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.
In Fair Verona, Where We Lay Our Scene...
In the morning we left Venice for another famous city in the Veneto region: Verona. Maybe it's because Romeo and Juliet is one of my favorite Shakespeare plays, but for some reason I really wanted to see Verona during my time in Italy.
Labeled as a UNESCO World Heritage site due to the city itself, Verona's biggest draws are "la casa di giulietta" and its arena. According to my research, Verona has approximately 265,000 inhabitants. According to my experience, it has just as many tourists.
When we were there, the streets of Verona were almost too packed to be enjoyable. You could easily see that it was a beautiful city (especially while in its main square), but the streets were cramped and the attractions were more crowded than Disney World.
Upon getting there, it was a quick bus ride to the city center. Like many Italian cities, it seems as if Verona progressively built on top of itself. There were sections in certain areas where the old city floor had been excavated (an interesting site to say the least).
After walking around for a bit, and grabbing a quick caffé macchiato, we were ready to go...and this girl dragged her two guy friends to the girliest attraction in town: Juliet's Balcony.
Labeled as a UNESCO World Heritage site due to the city itself, Verona's biggest draws are "la casa di giulietta" and its arena. According to my research, Verona has approximately 265,000 inhabitants. According to my experience, it has just as many tourists.
When we were there, the streets of Verona were almost too packed to be enjoyable. You could easily see that it was a beautiful city (especially while in its main square), but the streets were cramped and the attractions were more crowded than Disney World.
Upon getting there, it was a quick bus ride to the city center. Like many Italian cities, it seems as if Verona progressively built on top of itself. There were sections in certain areas where the old city floor had been excavated (an interesting site to say the least).
A slice of "old" Verona.
One of Verona's many little piazzas.
I might be a coffee addict...maybe.
After walking around for a bit, and grabbing a quick caffé macchiato, we were ready to go...and this girl dragged her two guy friends to the girliest attraction in town: Juliet's Balcony.
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