An Open Letter

Dear two-wheeled friends in my garage:I miss you!!!

Warmest regards, Mel

Park Avenue Potluck Celebrations - Pomegrante Mimosas

Pomegranate Mimosas

Makes 8 cocktails

2 cups pomegranate juice, chilled
6 ounces elderflower liqueur
1 bottle sparkling wine, chilled

Mix the pomegranate juice and elderflower liqueur in a pitcher. Add the sparkling wine. Pour into Champagne flutes or wine glasses and serve.These delightful Pomegranate Mimosas give champagne a fun, fruity kick. I love the cocktail's ruby color; this festive red makes them the perfect drink to serve at a holiday party. The recipe is simple and easy to make and absolutely delicious to drink -- cheers!

This recipe is from Park Avenue Potluck Celebrations, an awesome cookbook that benefits The Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. PAP Celebrations was just released today, so grab your copy here.

A special thanks to Kelsey at The Naptime Chef for passing along this great recipe.

Park Avenue Potluck Celebrations.

Monty Monday - Out of the Darkness walk

Yesterday was the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's 'Out of the Darkness' community walk in Manhattan. This is always a special day for a cause that's near to my heart -- I've been going to this walk for the better part of a decade to honor the memory of my friend L., and this was Monty's fourth year participating in the walk.

It was cold (39 degrees), windy (20+ mph), and wet on Sunday -- not the best day for an outdoor event, but the turnout was great, and the soggy weather didn't dampen anyone's spirits.

Grey day at the walk entrance:
Tents, ponchos, and hoodies at the registration area:
My hound braving the elements:
AFSP has these bead necklaces that participants can wear:Each color represents a different reason why you're walking. I took purple because I lost my friend L. to suicide, and Monty took blue because he supports the cause:
There was also a remembrance area where you could create a flyer to wear during the walk. It was so touching to look at the flyers pinned to the backs of other participants - some drew sweet pictures and other wrote the names of the loved ones they lost:
After the opening ceremony we were off in the rain:
The walk started in Chelsea and went up along the Hudson River and then snaked its way back down:
Monty was still perky and energetic after the walk:...but we all were pretty cold and damp.

Here's Monty in the car on the way home snuggling up to the heated seat warmer:We were both toasty warm in no time!

A special thanks to the Manhattan walk sponsors:And a huge thank you to all my readers/friends that donated to our walk -- it means so much to me to have your support for this important cause. You guys are the best.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

The Glass House - Part II

Part II of my visit to Philip Johnson's Glass House (part I is here)...

His dog's house:
The Brick House, the counterpart to the Glass House:This building was Philip Johnson's guest room, and it's not all brick -- there are 3 large round windows in the back and multiple skylights. Unfortunately the Brick House has water/mold damage so we weren't able to go in, but it's being restored and should be reopened in a few years.

The mixing bowl shaped swimming pool:
The Glass House, Brick House, and swimming pool:
The entrance to the Painting Gallery, built into a hill like a bunker:Giant (10' tall) canvases on display inside...

Frank Stella:
Andy Warhol's paintings of Philip Johnson:
Julian Schnabel:
Light and shadows inside the quirky, asymmetrical Sculpture Gallery:
Lovers in a Bed II by George Segal:
With Ronda on the steps inside the Sculpture Gallery:
Philip Johnson's study/office:
His desk and whimsical chairs:
Bookshelves galore:
A close-up of a shelf of his architectural books:
'Da Monsta' (the name is a nod to Philip Johnson's love of hip-hop), the funhouse-like visitor's pavilion:For more information on the Glass House please visit their website.

Jim Watkins honored by Westchester ARC

Last week we went to Westchester ARC's 6th annual benefit at Westchester Country Club. Westchester ARC is a terrific organization that serves children and adults who have developmental disabilities.

Our dear friend and WPIX news anchor Jim Watkins was honored at the benefit. Apart from being a talented newsman and an all-around great guy, Jim is the father of a special needs child. He and his wife Lauren are tireless advocates for autism awareness, and Chappy and I were so glad we could be there to see them being honored for all of their hard work.

Here I am with my favorite anchorman during cocktail hour:
And here's Jim giving his heartwarming speech:
He talked about the challenges and rewards that come with being the parent of a special needs child. They filmed snippets of the speech for the WPIX newscast:
The crowd was totally into it:
Westchester lawmakers gave Jim a fancy proclamation. He and Chappy looked it over:
Jim with Chappy (doing his best Vanna White), showing off the well-deserved proclamation:Way to go Jim and Lauren - keep up the great work!

For more information on Westchester ARC please visit their website.

For more on Jim please follow his Twitter (where he talks about giving Chappy a "man-hug") and check out his blog.

Museum of the City of New York party

Last week we went to the Museum of the City of New York's 'New York After Dark' party.

The event was held at The Plaza hotel, in their Palm Court and their beautifully restored Terrace Room. This location was departure from previous years - the party is usually held up at the museum - but it was fun to have a change in venue.

It was my first real night out on the town since my shoulder surgery so I was a little nervous about the crowds, but big and tall Chappy acted as my personal linebacker all evening.

Chris London of Manhattan Society snapped this great photo of the two of us:I went with the black dress to match the black sling -- I try to keep my orthopedic injuries incognito.

DPC from NYSD has a write-up and party pictures from the event here and here.

Museum of the City of New York.

The Glass House

The Glass House was Philip Johnson's country home. It was built in 1949 in the northwestern section of New Canaan. This glass and steel architectural masterpiece - along with the rest of his CT estate and its many buildings - was just recently opened to the public. Last weekend my favorite style blogger, Ronda from All the Best, came to New Canaan and the two of us spent a delightful afternoon on a tour of Philip Johnson's property.

The Glass House is minimalist, modern, and magnificent:All the proportions inside and out are just so, and certain shapes like rectangles and circles are repeated everywhere throughout the house. Each detail is deliberate - down to the circular ashtray and rectangular cigarette box sitting atop the coffeetable.

The living room:Contemporary and chic.

The property's visitor's center has tons of old photographs from the 50s and 60s showing many of the The Glass House's glamorous guests. Andy Warhol spent many an evening sitting in those Barcelona chairs.

The bare-bones kitchen and sleek dining room:
A view of the living room, looking towards the row of cabinets that act as the bedroom 'wall':
The absolute basics in the bedroom:
And only the essentials in the bathroom:With its open floor plan and light from all angles The Glass House feels much bigger than it looks.

Reflection of the sky and trees on the rear exterior:
With Ronda, relaxing in the Bertoia wire diamond chairs by the side of the house:
The Glass House from below, looking like a little jewel box tucked into the woods:More from Philip Johnson's New Canaan property - including his art galleries, sculptures, and workspace - to follow shortly.

For more information on The Glass House please visit their website.

Purses & Pursenalities Luncheon

Earlier this week I went to the 4th annual Purses & Pursenalities Luncheon benefiting the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club. Michelle Smith of Milly and Mary McFadden were honored.

The beautiful interior of 583 Park Avenue, a Delano & Aldrich building that was formerly a church:Lots of pink, lots of flowers, and lots of handbags -- perfect for a ladies lunch.

This event features a *giant* silent auction. Scores of handbags were donated by dozens of designers. Here's a peek at a few of them:
The crowd chatting during cocktails:
With my buddy Michelle Smith (aka Milly) during cocktail hour:Michelle gave a heart-warming speech during lunch -- she spoke about how grateful she was for her supportive, encouraging environment growing up. She said she's particularly fond of organizations like Madison Square because they provide a nurturing environment to those who aren't lucky enough to have it at home.

Michelle accepting her award, with emcee Eric Javits and Madison Square executive director Joseph Patuleia:
My pretty place setting:(I ate that yummy purse shaped cookie in the taxi on my way home.)

For more information on Madison Square Boys & Girls Club please visit their website.