Thank You, Wanda!

Isn't it fun to get a gift in the mail? I was so happy to win The Black Dress Traveler's recent giveaway and receive a Sonya Kashuk the Scarlet Starlet Brush Set.

{What I won! Thanks, Wanda!}

{The beautiful Ms. Mann}

Wanda Mann of The Black Dress Traveler got a passport at 15 to study in Spain overseas at 16, and has since lived a life with a love of travel. Wanda's blog covers "Saucy Snippets about Destinations, Fashion, Beauty, Food & Wine, Events & Everything Fabulous!"

{Adler Thermae Spa & Resort}

Here's a recent Black Dress Traveler post with a report from Italy. I love to visit Wanda's blog because I always fell like I'm going on a mini-vacation!

"Located in the heart of Tuscany and surrounded by rolling hills and terraced vineyards, Adler Thermae Spa & Resort was named one of the 10 best wine spas in the world by Gayot. The philosophy at Adler Thermae is "wellness and balance" and the property offers many treatments using the grapes and seeds from the local vintners, including the Bacchus Ritual which is a luxurious massage and wine bath. Wine tasting is also available in the Adler Thermae’s cellars and an outstanding wine menu offered at dinner. Molto bene!"

Thank you, Wanda!

Loretta

Jackson Heights, The Most Diverse Neighborhood in NYC

Wanda at The Black Dress Traveler often posts her NYC picks for the upcoming weekend. Her choice of a Indian walking and tasting tour of Jackson Heights this Sunday gives me a great excuse to share more of my NYC trip pics...

Let's head to Jackson Heights, Queens, the most diverse neighborhood in all New York City...

{5th Ave to Queens}

I stayed in Jackson Heights with my sister-in-law, Italian brother-in-law and my wonderful little niece and nephew while I was at my jewelry conference. It's an E or F train out of Manhattan. The subway travels under the East River. (Always amazed a river is flowing above me!)

{a great time to sit and relax on the train in the evening, but prepare to stand during morning rush!}

{37th Avenue, Jackson Heights, Queens}

The streets of Jackson Heights are so much fun to stroll, listening to neighbors speaking thirty different languages. Two-thirds of Jackson Heights residents are born abroad.

{evening at the Trade Fair grocery}

Open-air displays of fruits and veggies. You can choose from not one, but many different types of oranges. I chose some tiny sweet ones for breakfast the next day.

{the good buys}

 My Puerto Rican mother-in-law always finds the produce so much cheaper in Queens then where she lives in Westchester County!

{I would have explored every aisle if I had more time}

So many different types of ethnic foods in the grocery stores. Are these corn and cheese cakes? Let me know if you know what "arepas" are...

{shop filled with colorful Indian Saris}

Those in-the-know head out of Manhattan (including my clothing designer friend Antoinette) to dine in Jackson Height's well-regarded Indian restaurants. You'll also find more amazing South Asian restaurants (Nepalese, Himalayan...) as well as distinct Latin American eateries and street carts representing Colombia, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, El Salvador, and Mexico.

Here's the full scoop on The Black Dress Traveler's weekend pick:

Indian Culinary Center: Jackson Heights Walking & Tasting Tour
Sunday, April 10. 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. $40
Explore the culinary delights of Jackson Heights with Geetika Khanna, founder of the Indian Culinary Center. Start your day with an authentic Indian breakfast with Masala chai and then visit stores that sell gold jewelry, saris and music. Stock up on exotic ingredients at a large Indian grocery store and get great deals on spices, veggies, and snacks. The adventure ends with a traditional Indian lunch. 

Next week we'll head off the bustling commercial streets of Roosevelt Ave and 37th Street to the quieter residential 35th Street. I'll show you the stately architecture of Jackson Height's pre-war brick garden co-op apartments in Jackson Heights: Part II!

Loretta
Have you been to Queens? Tell me about it!

More NYC and meeting The Black Dress Traveler

{43rd Street}

Let's go back to my NYC trip pics! 

{Wanda and I outside the 45th Street Theater. photo:Shaye Strager}

Let me introduce you to the fabulous Wanda Mann who pens the blog  The Black Dress Traveler! I met Wanda at a performance of "Women Playing Men as Women" (to watch our mutual friend Duvall OSteen!) at the 45th Street Theater.

Wanda's blog covers "Saucy Snippets about Destinations, Fashion, Beauty, Food & Wine, Events & Everything Fabulous" from her home base of New York City. As soon as I met her, I was blown over by her infectious smile and the zing in her voice.

{source: The Black Dress Traveler}

I adore her attitude that the "little black dress" is a reminder to live life with a dash of flair whether you are traveling to work or circling the globe. Wanda implores everyone to have a little black dress approach to life no matter where you are or what you are wearing. She writes fluently on topics from trendy spas in Austin to her favorite Argentinian wines.

{source: The Black Dress Traveler}

Here's a photo from a recent Black Dress Traveler post that shows Wanda's roots - her grandmother Bertha, a performer and recording artist who, in Wanda's words "loved big furs, big jewels, and had even bigger love affairs..." Now we can see where a bit of Wanda's fabulousness came from!

{neon Johnny Cash lyrics overhead at Southern Hospitality}

After the play (which was awesome and based on Edward Albee's Zoo Story), I headed with Duvall to celebrate the performance and her co-star's husband's birthday at Southern Hospitalty BBQ bar and restaurant on Second Avenue near 76th Street. Owned by Justin Timberlake, Eytan Sugarman and Trace Ayala, it was my chance to try fried chicken livers, but I passed.

me: "What is that, that looks SO good"
he :"Fried chicken livers! Try?"
me: "Ummmm...."

Great pulled pork, though! We were all in a clubby room in the back, away from the bar scene in front.

{back room at Southern Hospitality - love the paper towels on the tables!}

I had to snap a picture of this room - the black and white plaid wallpaper against the tufted seats is fantastic! Have you ever seen plaid look so graphic?

{Duvall was so kind to drag my luggage}

Then it was off to catch the E train to Queens. I'll write about Queens, soon!

Loretta