Liahnna Francisco- Make-Up Artist

Liahnna Francisco

Nars, Make-Up Artist

HENRI BENDEL NY

712 Fifth Avenue

NY, NY 10019

For an appointment with Liahnna call the NARS Counter – (212) 904-7954

www.henribendel.com

Liahnna would love to have you and your friends at an event she is organizing at Bendel’s THIS WEEKEND.   Check it out!

The Bronzed and Beautiful Summer Event at Bendels- 712 Fifth Avenue

August 14th-15th- 16th (Friday, Sat , Sun) hosted by NARS Cosmetics, Model Co. and Sun Spot Tanning Center.

Event features:

The national makeup artist team from NARS Cosmetics will be there offering complimentary makeovers and inside beauty tips/lessons

Model Co. team will be there with airbrush tanning for a post makeover finishing glow

With any purchase, as a token of appreciation, you will receive a complimentary tanning session in one of the beds at Sun Spot Tanning Center nearby at 139 East 57th Street.

Appointments are available Friday and Saturday 12pm- 7pm; sunday 12-6pm. You can make an appointment by calling the NARS counter at Bendels and asking for Liahnna (212) 904-7954

Liahnna & Stef at Bendels Post Make-Up Application

For my birthday I enjoyed a few nice dinners around the city with friends and family and celebrated with some friends at the rooftop bar on the Upper West Side.  Thanks to all of you who sent me birthday wishes and who participated in the festivities.

My favorite surprise of my birthday was the hand designed b-day card I got from my friend Katie.  She is so talented, sweet and thoughtful and so I’d like to showcase her card on my blog.  Check this bday card out!  If you want to learn more about Katie check out her website and/or blog!

Katie's Personalized Bday Card

My favorite Pizzeria in Times Square- Bella Vita.

Bella Vita Pizzeria

Tel: 212-730-1479

211 West 43rd Street, NYC

It breaks my heart when I see tourists eating at Sbarro’s and this random Gyro/Pizza place on Broadway when they could just turn the corner from Broadway onto 43rd street and have much better quality pizza with so many options.  I spend most of my working hours in Times Square and so when I’m in the mood for pizza I always head to Bella Vita.  They have delicious pizza, pasta, salad and panini.  You can even order whole wheat pizza and whole wheat pasta as well.

Slice of Bella Vita Pizza- Sun Dried Tomatoes and Olives- Delish!

The owner, Charlie, does a great job at welcoming and seating people.  He’s really dedicated to running a great pizzeria.  In fact, he recently spent some time in Italy to learn from the best.  There are sit down options at Bella Vita and a couple of counter/window seat options for a quick bite as well.  I highly recommend having a slice at Bella Vita.  My favorite is the pesto/mushroom slice.  I also love the Fusilli e’ Pesto Cremoso- Tri Color Fusilli Pasta with Prosciutto in a creamy pesto sauce.  I often get pasta at lunch time as a take out item and it lasts me two days!  Don’t forget to say hi to Charlie!  Buon Appetito- you’ll never eat badly in Times Square again!!

Charlie- The Owner of Bella Vita Pizzeria

Sorry to have fallen MIA a bit, but I have been working  on getting this blog to be more focused and effective.  I know, I know….  no excuses–  but I’m back.  Thanks for your patience and a special thank you to all of you who have provided valuable feedback.  I really appreciate it.  Please keep it coming–>

email:  info@yourcitysimplified.com

This is definitely a work in progress; however, as of now I have decided to target my posts to fall in the following five areas:

1) Upcoming Events

2) Networking/ City Stories

2) Food and Wine

3) Cultural Connections- Ode to Italy

4) Other Passions- the infamous miscellaneous category

I’d like to take this opportunity to catch you all up on the past month or so and bring you up to speed!  So here come the posts!

Thanks for reading!

~Stef

What is Meezoog?

Meezoog is a trust based community for those who wish to meet, date and network amongst people they can trust. It is an answer to those who are not satisfied with the fake profiles, random mixture and quality of people often found in the open dating and network sites.

How does it work?

As everyone in Meezoog is connected in up to four degrees of separation, when you search for someone single in your area, you can see the chain of relation for each person in your search results. The benefit of this is that you’re not going out totally “blind.” Also the shared background that you have with a Meezoog member may result in a better long term connection or a more successful date than with a totally unrelated stranger. In other words, even if Meezoog members don’t hit it off romantically, there’s a much better chance they’ll remain friends.

I’m not single. Is Meezoog for me? What else is there to do?

1. If you’re new in your city and want to meet like-minded people, Meezoog frequently hosts interesting online and offline events and parties for everyone.
2. Become a Meezoog Matchamker! Meezoog is about friends bringing friends and friends helping friends. If you’ve already found love in your life, why not help someone you care about find it too? Be active – search for them and suggest a match. We give you the tools so you can break the ice and really make a difference in perhaps the most important aspect of someone’s life.
3. Meezoog members tend to be well educated and professional. More than half of our members have a masters degree or higher. A large portion do volunteer or non-profit work. If these are the kind of people you like to associate with, Meezoog may also be the social or career network for you.

If it’s a closed network – how does it grow?

Meezoog grows from the inside out – a friend brings a friend. It started as a seed group and as the circle spread outwards, new communities organically formed. Now we have healthy, growing communities all over the world.

What is Meezoog’s Social Proximity gauge?

A part of each profile is a Social Proximity gauge that uses Meezoog’s unique algorithm to give you a sense of how well you can “trust” that person. It takes into account subjective and objective factors such as the type of relationship between members, the duration of the relationship, and more. It answers the question – how well do people really know their friends?

How can I join?

If you have not been invited by someone directly, you can search to see if there’s anyone you already know inside using your email contact list for example. Once you find somebody, you can connect to that person as long as they can vouch for you. Click here to see if there’s someone you know in Meezoog.

Napkins were presented from above with a smile.  

Water was delivered in an elegant pitcher.

This water pitcher was awesome!

The chef came out from behind the counter/kitchen to hand deliver the desserts to the tables too. 

Chika- the owner spent her time delicately decorating and creating desserts behind the open bar which was like watching an artist.  There was another chef who mixed batter, the waiter had a friendly smile and happy demeanor and even the bus boy had a special glow.  (Okay, maybe now is time to admit that I have a secret crush on MOST bus boys- they are so helpful and often go unntoiced!   Let’s hear it for the bus boys of the world!)  My friend Alessandra and I were snapping photos left and right.  It’s acceptable for her– she’s a tourist after all, but for me?!  Ah, whatever, I have blog now and I’ll do what I want!

We ordered the 3 course dessert and we each had a glass of dessert wine.  The desserts were beautiful to look at; however, the portions were miniscule and the bill for dessert and one drink a piece came to more than our dinner that night!  

I’m going to say that this is a great place to go for the EXPERIENCE, but I would make sure you have an out of towner with you  or go on a special occasion.  All in all, I’m happy we went that night to ChikaLicious.  We had fun being tourists and taking in the ambiance but the food itself left us wanting a little more for our money.  Don’t get me wrong, the staff was friendly, the presentation was great and there was even music playing for you in the bathroom!  Just wish I didn’t have to make a trip to the ATM the next morning so desperately!

Anyway, when we left ChikaLicious there was a long line of people waiting to get in.  So despite my review… you be the judge!

Line to get into ChikaLicious on a Thursday night

Make sure you check Twitter before heading out because I learned this the hard way:  one time the truck’s generator broke down and I forgot to check Twitter and I was literally heart broken when I didn’t see the truck parked on 45th and 6th.  This was definitely my own fault because the Rickshaw Dumpling people definitely did Tweet that the generator was down and that the truck wouldn’t be out that day.  Oops, my bad.  Anyway, the lines get really long in Midtown and so I recommend waiting for the Tweet that they are parked and then rushing over ASAP.  Don’t forget to get your frequent dumpling card and cool postcard/sticker when you pick up your dumplings!  Buy 8 dumpling orders and your 9th dumpling order is free!

Although I am most definitely a hardcore carnivore, my favorite dumplings would have to be the vegetarian edamame dumplings.  Other dumpling options on the truck include: chicken and basil, pork and this past week they even featured duck dumplings on the truck.  There are 6 dumplings in each order and each type of dumpling comes with its own dipping sauce.  Please note: you cannot mix and match dumplings so I recommend you go in on it with a friend or a co-worker and get a few different kinds and sample each others dumplings.  Hey, that’s what friends are for, right?!  Don’t forget to try the Watermelon-Ade too.  It’s unique and very refreshing and you feel healthy because you just drank watermelon juice, nice!

So what are you waiting for?  Get on Twitter and start following @RickshawTruck at www.twitter.com/rickshawtruck.  You’ll be in the know and be the envy of your coworkers when the truck is in your ‘hood.

Tina and Stef ready for a shared lunch of a variety of scrumptious dumplings!

Ok, so if you’re not into Tweeting just yet, I’ll give you a little cheat sheet (but please don’t take my word for it.  Best to check Twitter just to make sure before venturing out just in case!):

Mon- Dumbo: Wash St & Front St

Tues- Midtown: 52nd & Lex

Wed- TBD: Check Twitter

Thur- Financial: Coenties

Friday- Midtown: 45th and 6th

If you want to visit the actual Rickshaw Dumpling Bar it’s located at 61 West 23rd Street between 5th Ave and 6th Ave.  There are a few more menu options at the restaurant than on the truck for obvious reasons, but visiting the dumpling truck is a very fulfilling and worthwhile experience. Added bonus: you might make a few new friends while you are waiting in line who share your love for dumplings as well.

Oh, one more thing, they have great t-shirts for sale with sayings such as:  ”Who’s your edamame?”  and “Nice dumplings…”  Heck, I want one or two… okay I’m going to stop now!

Anyway, check out their website at www.rickshawdumplings.com It’s a fun, well designed site to browse and the music is catchy as hell!

Tina ready to enjoy our dumpling feast!

Shuki invited me to the NY Gypsy Festival Party with Zlatne Uste & Raya Brass Band on Saturday night.  We danced to ethnic music from Serbia, Macedonia & Bulgaria at Drom on Avenue A.

Stef & Shuki @ Gypsy Party

I crashed at my Aunt Ruthie’s apartment and she is an early riser with always something fun to do.  She told me to get dressed quickly because she had signed up for a free seminar at Pottery Barn on 59th Street.  Being the “event junkie” that I am I agreed and left the topic up to chance.  I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the topic of the seminar was entertaining outdoors!  I got some great ideas for my upcoming birthday party that I am throwing.  Shhh it’s a secret though.  I’m not spilling the beans here!  

After the Pottery Barn seminar Ruthie and I met up with my friend Ashley and her boyfriend Matt.  

Ashley, Matt & Stef @ BBQ Festival in Madison Square Park

Off to the Madison Square Park BBQ festival for us!  

Aunt Ruthie with Ribs Galore

10 Ribs, 1 pulled pork sandwich, and one corn on the cob later we were off to see Billy Mays of OxiClean who was there as a sponsor and giving photo ops.  Strange but true.  I guess BBQ Sauce is messy so everyone was in the market for some Oxiclean.  (Sadness- two weeks after I took this photo with Billy Mays he passed away.  RIP Billy.  We miss you!)

Billy Mays the OxiClean Infomercial Guy at the BBQ

Last but not least, on the way back to Ruthie’s car we spotted a street fair on Third Avenue.  

At first, I admit i said that street fairs are normally all the same, but Ruthie and I could not resist and we were pleasantly surprised.  The first booth we hit we met a very talented caterer.  Ruthie and I split a rich Kaluha Cheesecake as we patted ourselves on the back.  

Caterer at Street Fair

Stef & Amanda

 does a great job planning events and negotiating great deals.  She is very welcoming and is the perfect hostess.  She helps to introduce girls to each other and even though her events are female only she has a great network of friends and I hear she is a talented matchmaker as well!

Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of attending:

Summer Hair Night * 6/11 * 7 PM * The Warren Tricomi Salon at The Plaza

 
“Urban Girl Squad had a night of summer hair and style with the Warren Tricomi salon stylists at The Plaza! We mingled with friendly Urban Girl Squad ladies and received blowouts, manicures, gift bags, wine, and cheese. Check out Guest of a Guest for the fabulous pics!”

Wow, what a great deal and such a fun night.  First of all, I randomly recognized one of the girls to be my tour guide from my pre-frosh visiting day at University of Delaware.

UD Blue Hen Ambassador Tour Guides Reunited

 We hadn’t seen each other in 9 years but I recognized her as she was my favorite tourguide of all time and was very memorable!  

Wine and cheese appetizers were supurb and West Side Story (the movie version) was playing on a large televised projector screen.  

"I Feel Pretty" West Side Story on TV during the event

Shuki, my hair  stylist did an amazing job styling my hair with a curling iron and her magical skills.  

Shuki my hair stylist and new friend at the Warren Tricomi Salon via UGS Event

Shuki's masterpiece hairstyle

If you would like a style or cut by Shuki you can contact her at : 

 email: sukranalmac@gmail.com

cell: 646-623-9319

We stroke up a conversation and realized we both like international crowds.  She invited me to a concert next week to hear Italian pop singer Jovanotti!  I’m really looking forward to this.  We exchanged contact info and then she invited me to a Turkish Gypsy Party in Alphabet City over the weekend.  Not only did I get my hair styled via UGS (Urban Girl Squad) but I gained a new friend.  That same night I got to know Amanda, the organizer, better and I met many other fun Urban Girls as well as we showed off our amazing new dos and nails and got bottle service at the Whiskey Bar around the corner.  

Urban Girl Squad hosts events on a monthly basis.  The next event looks great!  Reserve you space early or you will be closed out!