GOOD LUCK!

Graduation for the girls from Spence.

Spence is one of the oldest schools in Manhattan. It is an all-girls school and is known for the rigorous approach to education. It is a well respected institution among the parents and the most demanding universities and colleges. Let’s wish these girls the best of luck in whatever they are doing next!

I SEE ... A FAMILY.

TAKE A BREAK.

A little break in the middle of a busy Monday. Midtown is full of office buildings. Truly serious mood reins here on week days, especially on Monday! But if you need to get away, if only for some minutes, there are small islands of serenity in the midst of hectic Manhattan. This one is on 53rd street, between Fifth and Madison Avenue. The sound of waterfall is loud enough to cover the traffic noise. And that is a welcomed change.

Wishing you a lovely week!

ON THE RIVER.

Between two bridges - Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge.

It is a hot day in New York today. I found myself exploring the East River - perfect timing, because the breeze and the water make it just about bearable.

MARBLE BEDROOM

Salon 94 is a contemporary art gallery, which occupies the ground level of a townhouse, where the owner lives with her family.

This is the first furniture exhibition of Paris-based fashion designer Rick Owens. I happened to like his approach to fashion very much, so my interest for his talent, applied elsewhere, is a natural outcome. I also love the concept of a mini-gallery as an extension of a home. The exhibition is really just one room, the bedroom. The Marble Bed (enormous!!!) that you see on the picture was sold for $216,000! Not sure about mink curtains though.

 Salon 94 has a downtown branch – Salon 94 Freeman’s – where the space is generous for large exhibitions. And there is a new addition that is about to be opened in September, the third exhibition space, Salon94 Bowery, also downtown.

This one though, at 12 East 94th Street, is special. In addition to a very interesting choice of exhibits, it has an intimate feel of visiting somebody’s home.

AFTERNOON STROLL

It was such a typical summer day today – sunny, hot and humid. The late afternoon, even though still very warm, came with a bit of relief: a light breeze. Perfect for a family promenade, as we can see.

Wishing everybody a wonderful weekend!

THE HANDS THAT BUILD THE HOUSE.

I just love the subject of my post today!

 For many many months now I am passing by a major construction that is going on in my neighborhood. The site is one of the buildings of Ralph Lauren flagship complex on 72nd and Madison. I saw the old building being demolished and now am witnessing the birth of a new one. When it is finished, it is supposed to compliment in style and beauty the building that is just across Madison Avenue, also a part of Ralph Lauren Boutique, - the magnificent Rhinelander Mansion, a French Renaissance revival.

 I always wondered about the people who are working on something so rare for the New York construction scene. Obviously, they are masters of their trade, so they have probably a vast experience with some interesting examples of architecture. But working on a replica of such a splendor… It must be quite something.

 So, finally, I came to the subject of my post – the hands that build that house:). Please meet Jim, Max, Dario, Mike, Navel and lovely Tanisha. From this day on I will always think of them whenever I see this new building – while it is being born, and when it is finished and unravels itself in its full glory. I am sure the building will have a playful smile, warm heart and pure goodness built into its DNA – coming from these people I wouldn’t expect any different.

 I have to mention – they were sitting just like this, in a perfectly balanced, full of character, group, when I was passing by and made a bee-line backwards to ask permission to take their picture. Tanisha is the most relaxed and feminine girl - the perfect “cherry on top” of this male formation!

Thank you! Looking forward to seeing you all when I pass this place again, and again, and again…

WAY TO ART.

The artist of this elaborate chalk painting on the sidewalk outside of Carlyle Hotel counts on the attention of art patrons – a typical crowd at the tony and classy Bar and Café at Carlyle. Although it could be the proximity of an art Gallery that inspired the chalk artist to show his skills. The Helly Nahmad Gallery, that is specializing in Impressionist and Modern Art, including regular representation of Picasso, is just next door.

The chalk painting has a phone number on a side for those with an interest.

DUMB LOOKS... FREE

Today is the First of month, the Theme Day.

The Theme for today is "Funny Signs". This one is from one of the vendors at Union Square. I suppose the vendor was getting exasperated with never-ending questions from the never-ending flow of never-ending crowd. 

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

GONE FISHING.

Empty Park Avenue???

It is Memorial Day today.

And this is Park Avenue, usually bustling with hectic traffic typical for Manhattan. Not today though. The feel actually is surreal. I was choosing between this and an identical picture without the dog. Without, it could look like I just caught a rare moment of emptiness. But no, this is a general mood on the Upper East Side this morning. Everybody left. Well, speaking relatively of course.

The Memorial Day marks the start of summer. This is a “long” weekend (3 days) around which many choose to add days off, turning it into a mini-vacation. This is the weekend when the beaches are officially declared open and many families make their first long trip to summer houses, emptying the streets of residential parts of Manhattan. The summer mood installs itself all over, and this is a welcomed change. I personally love New York during summer.

If you click on the picture, you will see on the background the MetLife Building which is located 40-something blocks away – it towers over the Grand Central on 42nd street.

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, commemorates U.S. soldiers who died while in the military service and dates back to 1868. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. Soon it was picked up by all states. Since 1971 Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday of May. And since 2000 on this day at 3 in the afternoon all Americans are asked “To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence”.

BACK HOME!!!

It doesn’t matter if your journey takes you away to some beautiful places. Coming back home and seeing THIS – priceless. That’s what makes New York so special – returning from a long trip I would not choose any other spot on the planet to be landing to in order to get home. It is hot, it is smelly, it is loud and often dirty, yet it is so … alive!  

A trip to a lovely place, a meal of fresh (????) oysters, and then being horribly sick from them forever – ah là là là! That’s why I will not tell where I went;). To knock somebody out for almost three weeks… that was one angry oyster I’d say!

So good to be back.

MORNING

THE ROAD IS OPEN

This little boy was on the way from a toy shop with his dad. The subway car was somewhat crowded and all the eyes were on him. The basketball and soccer ball (European football) were not the only choices: his father also had a baseball, still in its original package. The little kid was absolutely overwhelmed with so many temptations!

The good thing is that all three games are not only popular to watch, but also to be involved in. Starting from a very young age boys and girls get into some sport, and these three – soccer, basketball and baseball – are among the most popular choices. So for this kid the road is open! In a couple of years he will make a choice what ball he wants to play with the most.

WHATEVER LOLA WANTS...

Yep, that’s the name of this white cute fluff - Lola.

This couple (and Lola of course!) represents a typical weekend mood on a warm sunny morning in Manhattan. Yes, during the week the dress code is restricted (although not as it is in some other countries) and the pace is … well, fast. The weekends though are relaxed, both in the appearance and in the choice of activities.

Weekend brunch (a late breakfast flowing slowly into lunch) at a table outside on a sidewalk is very often the best time to catch up with friends and family. I definitely prefer sitting outside: yes, my giant dog issue:). My favorite neighborhoods for this are West Village and Nolita. These areas are completely different from what we all are used to whenever we imagine Manhattan – no skyscrapers, no wide avenues. On the contrary, buildings are low, the ambiance is more “neighborhoody”, the cafés are plenty, and the little boutiques tend to have a name on them rather than the title of some behemoth fashion chain. Love it! Would I prefer to live there? No! My aforementioned giant dog needs her “backyard” – Central Park. We are happy though that we have downtown for such needed doze of calming bliss.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

“Making the decision to have a child - It's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”- Elizabeth Stone

This Sunday, May 9th, is Mother’s Day in many countries of the world.

Happy Mother’s Day! - to you, to your mum, and to a special mum you know.


This picture is from Café Gitane in the West Village on Jane street.

WORLD FINANCIAL CENTER 2&3.

The home to some grand American financial institutions like American Express and Merrill Lynch. The offices of the Wall Street Journal are also there.

ALWAYS THERE

Time Square Subway station.

The name of the K-9 dog is Maddux. Born in 2007, he has been “in service” for more than a year now, working side by side with his human partner Stephen. Their team – a dog and a man - is specializing in patrol, tracking, evidence recovery and criminal apprehension.

 Stephen and Maddux have been assigned to this area long before the last week’s events. They are monitoring the Time Square along with other Dog Patrol teams. Whenever I pass by, somebody is always there.

THE MORNING AFTER

When I was passing the Metropolitan Museum of Art on my way to work this morning, I saw this scene: a crew of cleaners was hard at work, washing the steps of the Met and the surrounding area. It felt very much like bringing back in order your own place after some eventful party.

 Last night there was a big celebration in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Costume Institute Gala, an equivalent of the Oscar for the fashion world, is an annual event, and attracts all sorts of famous personalities, not only those who are in fashion. You can read about the festivities in many newspapers. A lot of them are placing the pictures from the event on their front pages.

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS

North Park in Battery Park City, next to the Hudson River.

Minutes from where the towers of World Trade Center once stood.

MORNING WASH

The mornings on beautiful days like this are in particular special here, in Manhattan. Early, before it gets busy, the doormen are coming out to wash the sidewalks. The sunny streets are sparkling clean, and there is a very distinct smell of the wet asphalt, the smell of the city. Manhattan is waking up to another amazing day. I wish I could bottle this happy feel!

 On the picture is Gabriel – a lovely doorman who has been working in the same building for more than 30 years. He is a sweet , caring and dignified man. He too, loves this kind of mornings – he treats his part of beautifying his city with pride, and enjoys the “washing” routine, which he worked out to perfection. It is always fun to watch him. And when he sees you, the kindest smile lights up his whole face. Good morning! And your dog gets a treat;). Ah, life is beautiful!

If you walk just half a block pass Gabriel, there will be Fifth Avenue, Central Park and Metropolitan Museum of Art. So this is Upper East Side, between Madison and Fifth Ave.

JULIET...

…and her Romeo.

They are forever in each other’s embrace. Lovers’ dream.

Today is the 1st, which means it is a Theme Day. Here you will see the pictures from all the participants.The theme of today is "Statues".

 Standing right outside Delacorte Theatre in Central Park, this statue is a tribute to Shakespeare, whose plays are performed here every summer. And this picture is my tribute to the dear to my heart Verona and to all Romeos and Juliets.

Sculpted in 1977 by Milton Hebald, it was a gift to the Central Park from George Delacorte.