Rock Shic

#620 Date Night – The Imitation Game

Digging the period colors and ensemble here.  This also happens to be one of my favorite scenes from the film (right after they crack Enigma!!!)

Benedict Cumberbatch, where have you been all my life?! You play nerd-sexy so well!  This, btw, released today (how timely!) kind of made me love him all the more. 

The new poster-boy for geek-chic

The real Alan Turing...

OMG! Tywin Lannister is also in the film... that should be reason enough to go.  I was so excited when I saw Charles Dance I was "shushed" by hubs! #bestcastever

Happy Saturday!  It’s rare that I write about movies (the last few times being here (Ginger and Rosa) and here (The Revolutionary Optimists)), and it’s largely because… well, with little Rockshic to care for, plus mommy's full-time professional gig, we simply don’t have time to go to the movies that often.

So far, the only other movie that hubs and I have gone to see is the last installment of the Hobbit, Battle of the Five Armies (practically a prerequisite when you’re married to a Kiwi) at Coconut Point, and that was a luxury onto itself!

Suffice to say, date night does not happen all too often between our busy schedules, but when it does, and when you see a movie as good as the Imitation Game, directed by Morten Tyldum – well, it leaves a pretty large imprint in your mind.  

I suppose the story of the great mathematician and cryptanalyst (awesome job title btw), Alan Turing, is so seldom told in the US, that it warrants a product as good as this one to help push the message across.  Turing was a master brain force (pretty much Russell Crowe’s twin a la Beautiful Mind), who served instrumental to the decryption of the German military code “The Enigma,” and thus helping the allied forces defeat the Germans during second World War.  How's that for a CV.  Oh, and did we mention that, in so doing, he actually helped shorten the war by an estimated 2 years (insane).  

What does he get for all of this, you ask?  Well, apparently, nothing but grimness – persecution for being gay, which, for all intents and purpose, led to his suicide at the age of 41.  Talk about the ultimate under-appreciated employee!!!  I suppose I could never complain about my job again...

All kidding aside, I highly recommend the movie.  The English actor Benedict Cumberbatch completely nailed the role, and Keira Knightley was crazy enrapturing herself as the lone woman on the all-male cryptanalyst team, aka “Hut 8.”  Okay, so I think the producers of the film tried to make her look nerdy and homely, but, well… in hubby’s own words, “they failed.” 

I suppose this begs the question of, how good is Eddie Redmayne in the Theory of Everything?  He better be pretty darn flawless if he’s killing it at this year's Awards circuit for this role as Stephen Hawkins in the Theory of Everything.  And how good, really, is Birdman? (aka the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance).  These are all open-ended questions, btw, as I have yet to see them for myself.

One thing is for sure, I am officially obsessed with the story of Alan Turing (I know I know, talk about being super late to the game), and simply cannot wait to read his biography by Andrew Hodges!!

Pre-movie drinks at Charley's Boathouse, next door to the Beach Theater, a quaint little art-deco cinema right on the beach!  Though we later discovered that you can actually get waiter-service inside the theater (wine, dine, movie, the whole shebang), score!!

By far one of my favorite scenes from the movie (Keira Knightley kicking some math-geek butt!).

A little bit random, but this was one of the WWII renderings from the film, and I am kind of in love with that retro pram! #vintagestyle

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#619 Reminiscing – Walks on the Beach

Okay, so Snowmageddon didn’t quite live up to the hype.  That said, there’s still plenty of snow on the ground (though really it’s business as usual back here in the big Apple).

In the meantime, I’m kind of over this whole snow/cold business, and looking forward to my weekend away in the Gulf-coast.  In the spirit of lusting after nice weather… I’m sharing some photos taken of the Nuke and I on Naples Beach, one of our many beach days captured in sunny Florida.

The nice thing about this particular coast-side is that it’s right by the Naples Pier (where you can supposedly spot dolphins if you walk far enough out on the dock).  Dolphins or not, it’s still a lovely place for a leisurely sunset stroll, which is precisely what mommy and bubs did that very Sunday.  It’s a great place to bring your coffee and just unwind with nature – something I feel like we all desperately need at this point.  In fact, it's on one of my top to-do lists for Naples, see here.

That said – happy Tuesday my prettikins!  I for one, am enjoying this “snow day” of ours and catching up on my writing.  By tomorrow it’ll be business as usual, and back to the hustle bustle of the daily grind.  So enjoy Snowpocalypse while it lasts everyone!!!

 

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#618 Snowpocalypse 2015

Snow blizzard outside my office windows #nyc #stormwinds #Juno

Some sweet treats from Roni-Sue Chocolates to get me through the Snow Storm! With butter-crunch bookies, walnut snowballs, flour-less walnut brownies, banana nut muffin, and super fudgy brownies.  #noms

So, I’ve been back in Manhattan for less than a week… and already we’re in the midst of this mega, purportedly “biggest ever” snow blizzard in history.

What is up?

As you can see – Winter Storm Juno has arrived in town and is a fierce force to be reckoned with.  All conceivable means of public transportation have been shut down (and this in the city that never sleeps?!), while Mayor Bill de Blasio has effectively issued a travel ban on all roads, bridges, and tunnels.  Yikes!!

My personal way of preparing for Juno is somewhat akin to my approach towards Sandy a few years back… with a healthy dosage of skepticism.   How bad could it possibly be?!  Although in truth Sandy was pretty bad, and clearly I’m a lot more guarded now having learned my lesson from history.  

I will admit, there is something oddly exhilarating about experiencing a “state of emergency” with your fellow urban dwellers.  For one thing, it lends a tremendous sense of purpose and community to our lives, which often seems to be sadly lacking in a city like New York.  Somehow, it takes a looming Snowpocalypse to bind us all.

I also find this to be a fascinating window into the complex workings of the human psyche.  The idea of alarm, the possibility of lacking something, the very concept of not having everything at our finger-tips … these are all novelties in this day and age, a feeling that urbanites like us are simply not accustomed to.  Therefore, any potential emergence of such senses could lead to fright and induce anxiety (that, and seeing bucketing snow outside your window, while every media outlet is telling you that the end is near certainly doesn't help).  All of this serves to explain why folks seem so flummoxed and in a sudden state of panic – lining up outside of Whole Foods and Duane Reade to procure a month’s supply of food and toilet paper, for what is effectively a two-day snow storm.

Perhaps going through these motions of blizzard preparation (and I am guilty as charged, as I just ordered an obscene amount of Chinese food from Grand Sichuan on St. Marks, not to mention an elaborate array of baked goods and chocolates from Roni-Sue's) – marks our own way of connecting with humanity – to be plugged into the local state of affairs, so as to feel alive and relevant.   

Then again, perhaps this would all pass quickly, and tomorrow we’ll wake up and say, “What snow?”

So long as there’s heat and electricity, I don’t think that this city (or at least downtown Manhattan) would ever turn into Planet of the Apes the way it had during Hurricane Sandy, circa 2012.

Though I won't lie, I am very relieved that both hubs and the Nuke are safely tucked away in Southwest Florida… doing what boys do best, cruising and frolicking.  The greatest irony of all?  The theme of little man's class today at the library – and I kid you not, was.... SNOW!!! 

Would you believe, this was the featured book for today's Story-time down in Naples, Florida? #ironic

Nuker's masterpiece snowman, if I do say so myself!

Our little cruiser earlier today.  Is he a lucky chappy or what!

Daddy and Nuker selfie down at Naples library #love

Meanwhile, back in Manhattan... Snowpocalypse is looming.

The good news that keep pouring in as I type.

A little oasis inside our neighborhood Ronie-Sue Chocolates, hand-cut truffles anyone?

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#617 Seashells by the Seashore

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#617 Seashells by the Seashore

Happy Saturday! 

So it’s been one hectic week, as usual – but this mamma is staying put in NYC for a change, while hubs flew down to Florida to be with the Nuke (miss them!!).  Both work and other engagements precluded me from joining them, but in the meantime, I wanted to share with you some recent shots from our latest mommy-and-baby music class in downtown Naples (right next to the Inn at Fifth where we had brunch just a few weekends ago!).

The 45 minute class was held by Family Tunes at the Sudgen Community Theater (701 5^th Avenue South, Naples FL).  They incorporate the Music Together Program, which – unlike a lot of classes we’ve done more recently (see feature on TLB Music here), adopts an eclectic, kinesthetic learning approach towards learning, with a mixed-age style.  It’s learning by doing, listening, and visualizing, if you will – and I think that it can actually be quite effective at this young age.

The best part?  New tunes!!  Personally, it’s refreshing to hear new music outside of the typical Manhattan circuit, and I love, love, loved the all-time favorite tongue twister, “She sells seashells by the seashore.” 

How very, very apropos for our little Winter beach bunny!

 

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#616 Shortcut style – Reduce your faffing time!

You may have seen me mention this before, but ever since I’ve had a baby boy – this mamma stylist is very much into male fashion, and you know that I never mind a little tie action here and there for the little guy.

Which brings me to the topic du jour – CLIP ON TIES!!! Yes, yes… there was a time when men would be chastised for wearing a clip on tie. But really, when you stop and think about it, clip on ties are kind of ingenious, no?  For one, they’ve hugely increased in popularity in recent years, thanks to the following three factors.  AND – they can even help boost your little style mantra – so my verdict is, by all means, go for it!

Below are some of the ways that a clip on tie can help boost your style status.

1) Reduce your faffing time (by and large my personal favorite!)

Clip on ties re super easy to secure – as their handy grips clasp well and snug underneath your collar so you can achieve a smart look without all that faffing around.

When you're in a rush or have overslept (which is pretty much my life… every day), trying to neatly knot your tie can be incredibly stressful (okay thank goodness I don’t have that problem, but somebody somewhere is!!!).

Bottom line: Clip on ties are completely stress free! Simply clip one on for the perfect knot and length every single time (Et voilà! You’re good to go). Who doesn’t dig some easy breezy comfort style?  I know the Nuke does… instant style points there. 

2) No pulling or strangling

Unlike traditional ties, clip on ties do not wrap all the way around your neck, so away with all that pulling grimacing, and discomfort!

Having more comfort and freedom in the neck area allows you to concentrate on looking suave, say yes to that!

3) Lots of colors and patterns to choose from

Myth?  Clip on ties are plain and boring. Reality?  So not the case!!

Clip on ties now come in a huge variety of colors and pattern, so you’ll definitely be able to find something fabulous and stylish to suit you. Whether it’s for the office, a formal event or even a wedding.

Having said all of this… I may need to start looking for a clip on tie myself for both hubs and Rockshic baby.  Preferably matching!

Happy Hump Day all!! Xoxo.

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#615 Mommy’s Delight at Blue Hill, West Village

One of the (many) perks of flying back and forth between NYC and Southwest Florida is that I get to (still) enjoy some one-on-one time with friends during the work-week, and satisfy my tummy cravings.  

Case in point – last week I got to catch up with a fellow mommy (who flew in herself from London!) over dinner at Blue Hill in Greenwich Village.  I’ve originally been to the flagship (Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Tarrytown, upstate New York) back in 2012 for hubby’s birthday.  I remember being so keen I actually made the reservations while we were still in New Zealand. 

Now, fast-forward nearly three years later, and this Manhattanite finally made it to their Manhattan location on 75 Washington Place, a rough 10 minute ride from her own apartment.  Seems a bit backwards in logic, but such is life. 

“Are you ladies celebrating anything in particular?” inquired the maître d when my friend  made her reservatio.  “Yes!” She retorted, “we’re celebrating being mothers… and our babies turning one.”  This is more or less true, though as you might know, the Nuke turned one nearly four months ago, but who’s counting.

While nothing quite compares to the experience of dining at Blue Hill Stone Barns (I think the proximity to the open-land, sprawling estate, Agriculture Center, and actual  Blue Hill farm may lend a punch to the overarching panache) – our dining experience at Blue Hill New York was still a very special one indeed. 

We opted for the six-course farmer’s feast  (how could you not?), which began with sine Maine Crab, followed by the most delicious squash/Bolognese concoction I’ve had to date (reminded me of the carrot creation at Eleven Madison Park), add in some farm eggs in smoked saffron broth, and ending with eight-year old grass fed beef from the Blue Hill Farm.  Of course, this thoughtfully concocted menu (which finished with a simple mix of apples, cranberries, and white chocolate, how very farm-chic!) was also interspersed with a ton of amuse bouche and chef’s compliments – so much so that I was one stuffed little piggy at the end of the feast.

The ambience felt intimate and sophisticated, definitely a great place to dine with a dear friend (or a discerning date!).  Hands down, I would recommend this truly unique dining space, and if you can – do visit the mecca that is Blue Hill Stone Barns at some stage!  I’ll have to dig up some of our older photos in the archives and do a separate post on that eating extravaganza sometime.

We ended up splitting a bottle of vino, but yours truly kicked off the evening with their "Sweater Weather" cocktail (with smoked American Prairie Burbon, black walnut bitters, and nonino amaro).  Very Winter-friendly!

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#614 Chihuly Ceilings and Other Greats – Artis Naples

This afternoon I took the little Nuke out for an artsy-inspired outing.  We’ve been cooped up indoors for far too much of this long weekend – largely because mamma’s been busy on her laptop and conference calls for the better part of her time here.

However, with the weather so pleasant here in the Gulf-coast, it would be positively criminal to not venture outside.  Wouldn’t you agree?

I’ve actually been meaning to go to Artis Naples (along with the adjacent Baker Museum) for quite some time now.  Who knew that it was so close and right under my nose this entire time?  (It’s right behind the Waterside Shops, last seen here – which I quite like, and also across the street from my yoga studio (featured here and here), where I’m a regular).

That said… our trip to Artis Naples was well worth the visit!  Trust we’ll be back. 

The Chihuly Persian Ceiling alone made the exhibit very, very special.  We were lucky too – that it was such a quiet afternoon, and mom and bubs had the Chihuly walk-way all to ourselves (a facet I suspect would simply be unheard of Manhattan). 

We were also quite impressed with the Warhol exhibit of his “Endangered Species” collection (Tigers, Frogs, and Pandas, oh my!). 

In fact, Artis Naples even has a “Make-and-Take” workshop room for little tikes, where the kiddos get to channel the masters’ inspirations and create their own masterpiece (love it).  More details on these family workshops can be found here.  The theme of the month was (unsurprisingly) based on Warhol’s endangered animals.  Judging from his facial expression, I’d say that the little man was pleased!

If you have some time, do also venture forth to the outdoor sculpture garden, as it’s truly a great place for the littles to run around and for the grown-ups to sit back, relax, sip a cup of latte (the museum also come equipped with cafes, of course)… and best of all, enjoy the sunshine!

My little busy body at the Art Museum...

 

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#613 Sunday farmer's market in Florida

One thing that I do love doing is visiting the local farmer's market of places I go to... See recent post in the Catskills.

There's nothing better than visiting the Farmer's market in flip flops and nice weather.... It's just not the same in the winter time.

One of my favorite local farm-stands in Naples is the Collier Farm stand (of the Collier county, naturally).  I love the variation of tomatoes they offer, as well as their deliciously sweet carrots and eggplants.  Just look at the colors!

I must say, the produce down here on Florida is pretty impressive, particularly the citrus and strawberries (yum!).  We grabbed a bit of both, even took home some orchids, as you do.

It's the ideal family outing, and one which I hope to maintain and cultivate  as much as I can!

hope you and your family had a wonderful weekend!! Here's to a great start of the week.  Xoxo.

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#612 New Year – New Hair

Right before heading to Miami, I went to the Peninsula Hotel spa to get a much-needed haircut.  The new salon, Vu Hair (by Vu Nguyen), occupies the fabulous space upstairs at the Peninsula with a view, and I got the royal treatment there, replete with Jasmine tea and champs, lots of head massages (say yes to that), and just the right layered coif I was looking for. 

Oddly enough – despite living in Manhattan, I don’t often go to the mega hotels in mid-town (call it the proclivity of a downtown local, I suppose)… unless for a pre-specified event (say, wedding at the St. Regis, fashion week at the Empire, or pre-theater date-night at the Palace).  Though when I do, I’m always pleasantly surprised, and also rather impressed by the well-curated ambience and hotel décor – it’s always inspiring to the senses, and reason for me to pause and appreciate.  This is no less true for the Peninsula on 700 5th Avenue. 

I’ve only ever been to the flag-ship Peninsula in Hong Kong, where my jet-lagged-self snoozed away during my deep-tissue massage (pampering and indulgence at its very best); and marveled at the rain-forest steam room and sauna that came equipped.  To this day, it was still one of the top spa experiences I’ve ever had.

But I digress…

You know, being a busy working mom, it’s often hard to find time to be well-groomed.  Case in point, I only JUST got a mani pedi yesterday in Naples (the last time was at the Town Spa in Manhattan in the aftermath of Fashion Week); and I think I’ve probably rescheduled my hair-appointment at the Peninsula about four or five times.

Sometimes though, no matter how difficult it is to leave the munchkin at home, or tear away from your work at the office, you just have to force yourself to do it (as I had that wintry December evening pre-Christmas Eve).

The result?  You won’t regret it!!  I love my brand-new haircut (see results in Miami below) – it was quite a dramatic change (I must have chopped off close to 8 or 9 inches); and not only is it super fun to style, but it also shortened my morning routine quite significantly, without having to worry about blow-drying all that hair.  Win win!

Next stop… contemplating getting some highlights, any thoughts?

 

The holidays, New York does it well.

Digging the ScarJo portrait in the lobby, by Annie Leibovitz

TA-DA!! Finished result in Miami :)

 

#611 Savoring the Inn on 5th, Naples

All I have to say is… TGIF!

This mamma’s been mucho, mucho busy – think two flights in just under three days kind of nutso (and one where I’d mistakenly booked my return for the same day as my arrival.  Ooops). 

What can I say, that’s just how we roll these days.

As part of Rockshic’s New Year’s Resolution for 2015, I have dedicate myself to the following three things:

1) Spend more time with family (absolutely sacred, in my view)

2) Share quality, one-on-one time with hubs (need to focus on our relationship, something which I so often overlook ever since Nuke’s arrival)

3) Allocate time for self, to work on my fitness (which sadly always falls by the way-side, but I need to be better about keeping my physical and mental resolve!)  See my post-partum series to get a glimpse of my path to progress. 

That said, with all of this fiery intensity (January is seriously the busiest part of my work year!!) and traveling, I kind of miss time dedicated to my little family (number one on my list).   These pictures were taken last Saturday, during our last family outing in Naples, where my dad had an art show in downtown Fifth Avenue South. 

I’ve actually heard many great things about the newly renovated Inn on Fifth, Naples hotel, ever since our first arrival last winter – and the hotel restaurant, Avenue 5, is quite lovely!! With its high-vaulted ceilings, airy façade, and large bay-windows (which opens up to the town theater courtyard), the overarching set-up is fantastic for day-time dining… and absolutely ideal for a lazy family afternoon lunch. It’s quite a different ambience to the Gumbo Limo of the Ritz Carlton Naples, but equally enjoyable!  In the case of the former,  you get to enjoy a fantastic meal, followed by a stroll along the shops and cafes of downtown Naples… and catch those post-holiday sales that I’ve been savoring as of late.

Oh – and do try their lobster sliders with fried green tomatoes, it’s simply to die for! In fact, Avenue 5 has an entire section dedicated solely to lobsters (the owner Phill McCabe is originally from Maine so that makes sense), which one wouldn’t have expected upon arrival.

Happy Friday you guys… you have no idea how relieved and happy I am that the weekend has finally arrived!!!

 

My little guy's kid's meal! Which I was super impressed by... lobster mac and cheese, fresh veggies, and fruit cup #win

 

Talk about kismet! &nbsp;Outside of the Inn on 5th is the Naples Community Theater, which is precisely where we enrolled Nuke Baby for his weekly music class! &nbsp;Full feature <a href="http://www.rockshic.com/my-blog/2015/01/617-seashells-by-the-seashore.html" target="_blank" data-mce-href="http://www.rockshic.com/my-blog/2015/01/617-seashells-by-the-seashore.html">here</a>.

 

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