For the Habitually Chic Heather, inspiration and design are just two of the innumerable themes that can be found in abundance in both New York City as well as her blog.  Habitually Chic is the one-stop spot for the aspiring artist/interior designer or the curious New Yorker who is simply eager to seek out some new design tips for their ever-changing apartment and lifestyle.  Heather blogs about everything from fashion to photography and doesn’t stop there.  Anything that catches this trendsetter’s attention is worth writing about and spreading the word.  Whether you’re interested in broadening your artistic horizons or desperately needing to impress your high society friends with your knowledge of the latest in haute couture, this blog is certain to become your new go-to guide and addiction.

Tell us about your blog Habitually Chic and what you cover?

I am an interior designer and predominately cover inspiring decorating and designers on my blog (www.habituallychic.blogspot.com) but since I feel that all design is related, I also write about art, architecture, photography, fashion and books.  I am lucky to live in New York where I get to attend chic events and meet top designers and other influential stylemakers.  My readers love hearing about my adventures and appreciate my insider access, candor and humor.  Decorating is not always glamorous! 

Why did you start your blog? 

I was working for a top interior designer and would check out design blogs in my spare time.  I happened to read Style Court and The Peak of Chic who were both covering the soon to be opened Charlotte Moss Townhouse.  It got me thinking that if two bloggers in Atlanta were discussing something that I walked by everyday, then maybe I should start my own blog and write about the design world from the New York perspective.

What brought you to New York?

I had wanted to live in New York since I was little and was lucky to work for a company in Boston that had an office here which I transferred to August 2001.  Not exactly the best timing but it made me a real New Yorker right away!

What do you love about living in New York?

I love that you can get anything you want delivered at any time of the day!  I also love that magazines and movies come out earlier in New York than other cities so we get to see things first!  But what I love most are all the wonderful museums and galleries.  I could never live without art!

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

Having a dream!  I don’t think anyone would move into a shoe box sized apartment unless they were working toward a larger goal!  The fun part is meeting people and finding out what that dream is…fashion designer, famous movie star, successful business mogul or top model.  Since there are so many people living here who have already achieved their dream, it definitely keeps you motivated to keep going!

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?

That we really are nice and helpful! It may take a minute to get their attention but New Yorkers will gladly give a tourist directions or help someone in need.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

The energy!  I miss the all the people and hustle and bustle even though that’s what sometimes annoys you when you live here!

What’s your favorite home store?

I have two favorite stores.  The first is Gracious Home.  It is the go to place for every interior designer in the city since they sell everything you could every possibly need including the kitchen sink!  And they deliver! My second favorite store is Pearl River.  They have great selection of Asian home accessories and tableware at a great price.  The rice bowls are perfect for displaying beaded necklaces or matches from all the New York restaurants.  The possibilities are endless! 

Best place to find a design bargain?

Talk to any designer and they will tell you how much they love the Housing Works Thrift Shops!  My best find was a matching set of gold rimmed champagne and wine glasses but you can find amazing furniture and art if you are lucky and get there at the right time.

Best place to find design inspiration?

I think that it’s important to visit the expensive antique shops even if you can’t afford anything so you can educate yourself and train your eye so you know what to look for when you go to the flea markets! 

Best place to get away from the tourists?

I love that just a few blocks over from Broadway in Soho, the streets are quiet and peaceful.  Elizabeth and Crosby Streets have wonderful little boutiques that are never crowded. 

What’s the last movie that you saw?

I just saw the Valentino documentary at the Film Forum and in the audience was one of the fashion reporters in the movie! 

Strangest/ coolest NY experience you have ever had?

I was walking to Bed Bath and Beyond when I looked over and saw a man in full cowboy regalia riding a horse down First Avenue!  And there was no camera crew following him.  It’s those crazy only in New York moments that make living here so much fun!

What are some of your favorite home decorating tips?

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New to New York City?  Unsure of how to start looking for an apartment? Curious about where you can start making friends?  For many of these answers, you can turn to New York City newbie, Mary Hilton’s blog.  She made the move to the city from Washington D.C. a few years ago.  Living in New York City had been a dream of hers for a while, and once she made the move she found that her friends and family were extremely eager to know how she was doing and how she managed to make all of the logistics of her move work.  In an effort to appease her friends and keep fellow “newbies” informed, Mary started a blog.  Newbienyc is an excellent source for NYC-centric How To’s, local events, and posts that remind you why this city is so great.  So whether you’re a native or a newcomer there’s something to learn from checking out this blog!   

Tell us about your blog and how you got started?

When I moved to NYC about two years ago, my friends back in DC kept asking about life here. So to avoid telling the same stories time and again, I started my blog. It really just grew from there. I started getting questions on specifically how to move here – find housing, make friends, etc. so I added some ‘how to’ info. And as my passion is arts, culture and theater, I also found myself an avid critic. The blog kept me sane while looking for work and having so much free time on my hands. 

What brought you to New York? 

I’d always wanted to live here, yearned for it. I had three major turning points in a short space of time – the death of my mom, the end of a relationship, and hitting 40. I realized that if I didn’t live my dream now, it would never happen. So I quit my job in DC, put my belongings on Craig’s List, and just became a New Yorker.  

What do you love about living in New York?

Certainly the excitement and the culture. This is a city that makes you feel alive every single day. The freedom to be truly, authentically yourself. But really, it is the people that make New York so extraordinary. 

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

The ‘f-you’ attitude of ‘this is who I am, take it or leave it.’ And an unabashed loyalty to and love of the city. 

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?

That at its heart, this city of 8 million really is a small town. There is a thread of connection that runs through all New Yorkers that is really quite extraordinary.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

The noise, excitement, and ability to get ice cream at three in the morning. 

Best tips, tricks or insider info?

Accept every invitation without fail. You never know what you are in for. Someone may casually ask you to a gallery opening, and you find yourself among celebrities and your favorite artists. Go to an off-broadway show and you may wind up sitting next to the playwright. Most importantly, don’t be a wallflower. Talk to people, hear their stories, and connect. The only way to survive in this city is to have a personal and social network. 

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?

I get a thrill every time I see the Empire State Building lit up in the skyline.  

Best place to dine late night?

Any diner. 

Best live music venue?

Cornelia Street Cafe. Or anywhere in Central Park in the summer.  

What’s the last cultural thing that you did?

The Peruvian movie ‘Oblivion’ at Film Forum, my favorite cinema in the city, followed by a walk around the Village for springtime people watching.  

Strangest/coolest NY experience you have ever had?

Being casually asked last-minute to a ‘little gathering’ at a Chelsea art gallery, showing up to discover a red carpet charity event where I got to interview Claire Danes for my blog. Again, accept every invitation, no matter how tired you are! 

Best area or neighborhood for fun on a budget?

The Lower East Side reminds me of the New York I fell in love with years ago. Raw in spots, there is an unbridled energy that has not been suppressed by chain stores or incongruous architecture. 

Best way to spot a trend?

For fashion, you’ll learn everything you need to know about coming trends across the country by people watching. Don’t fall into a dream state when walking to and from the subway, easy as it is to do. Look around, take in the people, and you’ll see patterns that will predict the next must-haves. 

What is the best advice you could give to someone who has just moved to New York City?

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For those people who in High School just missed being voted the hippest, liveliest, or most fun person in the grade, there is now a new site for them to redeem their past social misfortunes. Socially Superlative is a web journal that keeps itself in the know about the latest openings, parties, cultural events, and launches taking place throughout New York City. By staying on top of this site’s most recent posts, you will surely guarantee yourself the trophy title – Biggest Event Enthusiast – among your friends and co-workers! You can thank blog contributors Alice, Yvonne, and Mosaka in your acceptance speech.

What brought you to New York?

Mosaka: Native NYer; born and raised
Yvonne: A college education, which has since gone to waste.
Alice: Both Von and I went to NYU, which is one of the most expensive educations in the nation. Thus, we shamelessly mooched off the free food, booze and swag on the NYC party circuit after classes. Now SS lets us replace “shamelessly” with “legitimately with a press pass.”

What do you love about living in New York?

Mosaka: The nightlife, the parties, the fast paced environment, the fact that you can get anywhere in the city in less than 20 minutes, the fact that you can meet someone new everyday, the diversity, it’s energy, the fact that I can buy soy hotdogs from a street vender in Soho, the skyline at night, the fact that it is forever changing.
Yvonne: There are always people crazier than you.
Alice: The ridiculously high standards we hold restaurants to. I protest dinners at places with less than at 25 in Zagat.

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

Mosaka: Growing up here? (sorry I’m bias)
Alice: Someone who maximizes luxury by mixing high and low or expensive and cheap. Italian food is dinner is at Il Mulino and midnight snack at John’s Pizza, both in Greenwich Village. Red carpet outfits are composed of H&M, cheap vintage discoveries, but completed by irrational $500+ shoes. Having the same level of fun at the latest “it” club like 1Oak or Tenjune and frat-astic Brother Jimmy’s in Murray Hill but also never passing up apartment parties.

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?

Mosaka: Nothing really. New Yorkers have done and seen it all.
Alice: The ease of D-List fame, which is best defined as non-celebrities derisively spotlighted in Gawker. There are people who are known for just their blogs. If you’re getting rejected by invites from SS (sorry! many are not open to the public), then start writing about excruciating yet voyeuristic debauchery while being frequently photographed by the paparazzi.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

Mosaka: The parties!! And my yorkie Max.
Alice: Having too much to do. Boredom has yet to enter my vocabulary.
Yvonne: Accessibility to food 24/7

Best tips, tricks or insider info?

Mosaka: Yes, make friends with bouncers, Dj’s, anyone and everyone who is in the know. Be friendly to people even if it is the waiter passing out drinks. These are actually some of my favorite people to talk to at events.
Alice: Tip graciously. You can skip lines at pretentious clubs by getting the doorman to remember you. I’ll start with event at a club, like Bijoux, so I get in by through the guestlist. Afterwards, I’ll introduce myself by giving a business card and thanking them for the service with a tip ($20 but I am a girl, boys should aim higher). When I go back and they let me skip the line, I’ll almost always thank and tip again at the end of the night. I’m frugal towards things for myself, but always a generous tipper for karmic service.
Yvonne: Talk to as many new people as you can.

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?

Yvonne: Ice skating in Central Park’s Wollman Rink
Mosaka: Von stole mine

Best place to dine late night?

Mosaka: Wo Hop in Chinatown it’s open 24 hours! And look out for the picture of Gino!
Yvonne: Coffee Shop for their mac & cheese and cheese fries, or San Loco for nachos.
Alice: Cafeteria for grilled cheese on Texas toast. Any place in Koreatown (32nd between 5th Avenue and Broadway) for do-it-yourself barbeque and a side of japchae, which are Korean stir fried noodles with vegetables.

Best live music venue?

Mosaka: I used to go to Roseland a lot back in the day.
Yvonne: Not really the best venue, but my good friend performs at Spike Hill in Williamsburg for Thursday open mic night. Very chill, and fun to support your friends.

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)

Mosaka: Fashion show at the Museum of Natural History?
Yvonne: Does seeing High School Musical 3 opening night count as “cultural?”

Strangest/ coolest NY experience you have ever had?

Alice: The most entertaining was an MTV Awards after party that was hosted by Wyclef John. My friend coquettishly waved to him and we all ended up dancing on stage. The rest is her story to tell…and I think he was married at the time. Celebrity encounters happen all the time, but rarely occurs outside of NYC, am I right? The strangest NY experience was at Deep when we wandered into the VIP section where the owners’ girlfriends invited us to join their table. The owners were all a “family” with names Vinny, Danny, and Tommy and one guy responded to the “what do you do question” with “creative loans.”

Best area or neighborhood for fun on a budget?

Mosaka: Anywhere in New York just read the event section on Socially Superlative..we’ll take care of you!
Yvonne: East Village is steadily becoming more expensive, but you can still find great deals.
Alice: Chinatown; dim sum is rarely more than $10 a person and you are stuffed. For free dessert, go next door to Aji Ichiban, a candy store with tons of weird dried seafood samples.

Best way to spot a trend (this can apply to a trendy new band, new restaurant, hairstyle… anything, really)?

Mosaka: I don’t really follow trends or the next “it” thing I play by own rules. I am actually pretty clueless when it comes to stuff like that. I didn’t even know what a blog was until January of this year when I started reading Dlisted which is the only other blog I read. There are writers on my site who read multiple blogs so they help me stay in the loop, but sometimes they mention names of people in their reviews and I have no idea who these people are. Like I said I am pretty clueless.
Yvonne: Copy your cool friends!

What are some of your favorite New York City events?

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Do you feel as if your iTunes library is lacking? Is Pandora no longer exciting your aural senses? Are your musical preferences the butt of your hipster friends’ jokes? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, Burn the Bowery and it’s creator Steve are here to help. Steve’s indie music blog offers an extensive selection of independent and DIY artists to continually stimulate anyone’s musical tastes. This blog features up to date music news, concert listings, album reviews, and artist video interviews. Regardless of whether or not you are a wannabe or an already established music junkie, there is always something unknown and unheard of that is worth discovering on this site.

What brought you to New York?

One of those rare native New Yorkers, I guess. I was actually born and raised in the NY area. Have lived in Astoria for the past 7 years or so.

What do you love about living in New York?

Wow! There’s a lot of things, I love the accessibility of NY, just being able to get basically anything you want or need at any given time. Also there’s an endless amount to do or see & being a music fan it’s one of the best cities to see live music. Tons of great NY bands and everybody else usually comes thru the city when on tour.

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

Being resilient.

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?

Think we’re actually more patient then anyone gives us credit for. We put up with a lot throughout a day…

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

The energy of the city. Have traveled a decent amount and haven’t been anywhere yet that can match NYC’s energy.

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?

The Statue Of Liberty/Ellis Island, there may not be a better place that captures the history of the city. Plus all my grandparents went through there.

Best place to dine late night?

Well I don’t know if you’d consider it “dining,” but one of my favorites after a good night being out on the town is Rosario’s Pizza on Orchard & Stanton. Could be the best slice in the 5 boroughs! Say hi to Sal if you’re there, the man is a NYC legend.

Best live music venue?

It’s a shame a lot of good one’s have closed down over the years, but Bowery Ballroom is still a great place to see live music.

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)?

Museum of the Moving Image

Strangest NY experience you have ever had?

It might be getting stuck in the middle of a fight between a pimp and a Kennedy Chicken worker armed with an electric knife.

Best area or neighborhood for people watching?

You really can’t go wrong anywhere in New York people watching, but Alphabet City has always been an old favorite.

Strangest NYC moment?

You mean besides the pimp fight?? Maybe watching a guy fall through a glass table and still managing to keep his cigarette lit.

burnthebowery.blogspot.com

Who’s your favorite band or musician this month?

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Has hunger struck your zip code, or maybe just your belly? Don’t fret! The Feisty Foodie has your stomach’s best interests at heart. Yvo, aka the feisty foodie, uses her blog to keep every New Yorker’s inner gastronome alive and well fed. The Feisty Foodie features everything from “scrumtrulescent” home recipes to brutally honest restaurant reviews – her recommendations are a guaranteed win and will always leave you satisfied!

What brought you to New York?
I was actually born & raised in Forest Hills, Queens. After moving around NYC for a bit in my early-mid 20s, I found there really is no place like home, so I bought a place and moved back to Forest Hills.

What do you love about living in New York?
Gosh, what’s there not to love, as corny as that sounds. There’s the culture, the love, the people, the food, the energy… and best of all, where else can you decide at 2 am that you want pierogies and just go out and get them, no question? Seriously, though, the energy is just awesome, it keeps you pumped, excited, and ready to go for more. There’s a real hunger in the air for not just food, but for knowledge, for fun, for the next big thing…

What do you think makes a New Yorker?
The ability to walk nonchalantly across a busy New York street, narrowly get missed by a speeding cab, stop, shake your fist after it, and scream properly, “Hey! I’m WALKIN’ hea!” Honestly, I don’t know. It’s something innate that not everyone has, and some people never will.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?
Definitely the energy. There’s nothing like it in the whole world, not that I’ve discovered anyway. The city that never sleeps, the vibrant wakefulness you can feel at 3 am and how you just know there’s always an adventure just around the corner. On a more personal, specific level, though, I miss my own bed and my dog the most when I travel. Neither ever disappoints, a good comfy snuggle with both is just the best after a long flight. Or at the end of a roadtrip, yeah, I’m sad that another great trip is coming to an end, but that moment when the car or bus or whatever is coming close to the city, that first glimpse you get of the skyline – be it daytime or nighttime – that one always just makes me suck in my breath a little and go, “Oh,” and that’s why I will never move from NYC.

Best tips, tricks or insider info?
Be open minded to new experiences. Even if you think you hate a cuisine or type of food, spend some time figuring out why – is it the texture of a food? Maybe it’s better raw than cooked, or vice versa. Is it the combination of spices? If so, you probably really can’t get into that cuisine if you just flat out don’t like the taste of their spices, but try cuisines of their neighboring countries; it should be similar but not quite the same, and maybe ease your way back into the one that offended you in the first place. Try stuff you don’t like again, every so often, because tastebuds change and you may just find yourself suddenly loving that which you didn’t like originally. Seriously – be open minded. There’s a reason somewhere, people love what you hate. Food is enjoyed and savored in countries across the world, there isn’t one whole country or culture anywhere that completely views eating only as a necessity and not to be enjoyed. Try to find something new you like every day – it might be a challenge but what a fun one!

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?
Central Park.

Best place to dine late night?
Anywhere in the East Village for a quick snack, or a diner in Queens for something more sit-down and drunken.

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)
In the past month: cheese & wine tastings and classes; press events for various food-related items; the last baseball game at Shea Stadium; Target Free Friday nights at the MoMA.

Strangest/Coolest NY experience you have ever had?
Walking from Central Park starting at midnight, down to the Brooklyn Bridge and standing at the midway point, trying to watch the sunrise, on a chilly August night.

Best area or neighborhood for fine food on a budget?
Hmmm that depends on what you mean by “fine.” If you just mean good, then Queens, I would say Jackson Heights has a lot of good, inexpensive options depending on what your tastebuds like, though I haven’t fully explored the area yet. If you mean slightly upscale/trendy, that’s a harder call, but I think Forest Hills offers a lot in the way of options, though I’m still feeling out a few places to try to get a better idea of what they’re about. There are some solid options that I’ve stumbled on and seem to be very promising, while other places are surely best forgotten. Stay tuned…

Best way to spot a food trend?
Really, just keep your eyes peeled and tuned to the scene: go out and eat a lot, and often, at all the latest places, and keep up to date on the blogs and other online foodie information sources. I’m not that into trendy eating, so something has to be fairly obvious before I notice it…

Final Thoughts?
The most important thing, I think, is to never take yourself or your food too seriously, or it loses its fun. Just have fun and if it tastes good, eat it. If it doesn’t, be polite about it. NEVER say “EWWW” to anyone else’s food – that is the rudest thing a person can say to anyone. Just accept that not everything is for you, and move on… there is no need to insult other people or their food choices. Food is deeply personal, just like religion and politics. Seriously though – just have fun!

feistyfoodie.blogspot.com

Do you have a secret recipe?

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What started as an innovative way for a public relations company to utilize the internet, has become an all encompassing source for arts and entertainment events in NYC. Termeh Mazhari not only uses New York Buzz to promote and endorse her PR clients, but also posts reviews of new shows, interviews with trendsetters, and info for all sorts of art exhibits. And Mazhari wants to hear from you. If you went to the Francisca Bastos Jewelry Show or caught a performance of Celebrity Autobiography at the Triad, tell her about it. If you want to spread the word about an event of your own, shoot her an email. Log on to see what all the buzz is about!

Tell us about your blog: New York Buzz is a perso-professional blog that reaches out to New Yorkers who want to hear about cool new happenings in their city (and occasionally beyond). I first launched the blog in April, 2008, soon after AMP3 Public Relations (an A&E-focused PR firm in NYC) hired me as their social media publicist.

The initial purpose of the blog was to offer an up-close-and-personal portrait of our clients (most of whom are in the entertainment industry), but it also featured their latest news and events. In September 2008, I decided to open up my blog to non-clients. So now, anyone who has an interesting New York event they want to promote can just shoot me an email and I might feature it on my blog.

What brought you to New York?

I work in the city, but actually live in Great Neck, Long Island, which is only a 22 minute express train ride away from Penn Station. I came to New York from Philadelphia in search of better work opportunities and a more exciting, multicultural environment. Does moving to New York ever really need a reason though?

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

Well, the obvious answer would be ATTITUDE – and, although that’s certainly true, I’d also add that it’s their open-mindedness and willingness to think outside the box.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

The late-night store hours! It truly is the city that never sleeps.

Best tips, tricks or insider info?

I like to browse New York Magazine’s Sales & Bargain section for info on upcoming sample sales at clothing stores. I’m also surprised that more people aren’t aware that most NYC museums have “pay what you wish” days – check out here for details.

And lately, I’ve been loving Restaurant.com. They have hundreds of Manhattan restaurants in their database and you can get discounted coupons for dirt cheap! (another secret: there’s almost always a discount code to make the coupons even cheaper!). I just bought a 25 dollar coupon for only 4 dollars!

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?

The Flatiron building! I walk by it every single day on my way to work and it never ceases to take my breath away! It’s simply stunning.

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)

I went to see Celebrity Autobiography at the Triad theater! Abso-friggin-hilarious! Kristen Johnston’s spot-on reading of Zsa Zsa Gabor’s autobiography almost made me wet my pants!

Best area or neighborhood for fashion steals?

SoHo! On Broadway, between Canal and Houston – lots of small boutiques with great, fun finds that won’t break your wallet!

www.newyorkbuzz.org

What is Your New York Buzz?

Tell us all about it!

Scott Lipps has dedicated himself to making you almost as cool as he is. He has created a blog to bring you what he calls “Fast Forward Pop Culture.” It is a one-stop reference guide for everything new and cool in pop culture. Scott spends hours researching everything from what you should buy to where you should eat and what you should watch. And, of course, only the newest Macbook, newest fashion line at H&M, newest play to hit Broadway, newest art book, and newest food event make thenewblog.

Tell us about your blog and how you got started? I used to read countless things looking and seeking out all the hot new things in pop culture and tearing things out of every kind of publication I could get my hands on. Thus, I saw a necessity to have all this info under one roof, hence the newblog.

What brought you to New York?

I was a rock n roll drummer playing in a very popular LA band called Black Cherry… we featured Paul Black, the singer of LA Guns. I had an injury and started working in management and next thing you know, a few years later, came to NY to partner in a modeling agency. Now One Management is becoming a great entertainment company with branches in fashion, film and music.

What do you love about living in New York?

I love the urgency and excitement of NY. It’s like no other city. But I have to be honest, it can also wear you out if you go out as much as I do… lol.

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

Honesty and integrity, that’s all about NY. NYers are a breed unto themselves.

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?

You can pass the same street 5 times and see something new all the time. There is so much to see and do here culturally that you never feel like you’ve exhausted all your options.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

I miss hopping in a cab and jumping from place to place, and the energy in the streets. Love the west side, Battery Park too. It feels like I’m in another city, not to mention the amazing food and culture.

Best tips, tricks or insider info?

The best tips? Read thenewblog.net!!!!! I spend hours on researching what’s hot, new and happening in cities like NY and it all comes to you free of charge!!

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?

Never done one in NY, but I’d have to say those cheesy tourist buses. I took one in London and I was able to see things I probably would have missed on other trips. Cheesy, but fun.

Best place to dine late night?

Love Sushi Seki. Although I haven’t hit it too many late nights, apparently it’s open real late.

Best live music venue?

Still like Irving Plaza or the Fillmore, but I feel like the time is right for a new music venue! Stay tuned for details…

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)

Probably the Chappelle show at the Shifrazi gallery!

Best people watching?

Bar Pitti, always a good scene.

What is the newest, hottest thing in New York we should know about?

Where do we start? So many… I have to refer back to my blog. You’ll hear about lots of the NEW best stuff around.

Best place to throw a party?

Have to go with my home away from home at the Gramercy Park Hotel Rose Bar, always family night for me.

www.thenewblog.net

What’s Your Newest and Hottest NY Discovery?
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Greenpoint may be famous for its hipster status, but real people still live there. Justine Carroll is an actual, native Greenpointer with true roots in this ever-changing zip code. Justine, her sister, and several of her friends blog about all the goings in their hood. They know where to eat, where to shop, and which bar to watch the debates in. They even have the scoop on Enid’s Annual Apple Pie Bake-Off. Trust the Greenpointers to know the deal.

Tell us about your blog: After moving away from the neighborhood I grew up in for many years, I came back to live in Greenpoint in the summer of 2007. I’d already been blogging for a while with a personal site as well as some guest writing stints. So when I moved back to Greenpoint I had the idea of starting a blog that fused my past and my present in the neighborhood together. Something that separated me from other local bloggers was my history and roots in the neighborhood. I feel like I give a voice to the people who are born and bred here as opposed to the countless Brooklyn blogs that are written by transplants.

What brought you to New York?

I was born and raised in Greenpoint, Brooklyn New York – third generation!

What do you love about living in New York?

My favorite part of living in New York is that it’s one of the only places in America that looks different. Almost everywhere you go in this country, the landscape and the neighborhoods look identical to each other. From one town to the next, from one state to the next, there’s always a mini strip mall along a four lane highway with a Red Lobster and a Wal-Mart. It’s scary.

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

Being a New Yorker is absolutely something that takes generations to become. It’s not a geographical thing, it’s a part of you. I didn’t even realize that until 9/11 and I saw those towers fall. Every New Yorker I’ve spoken to felt like a piece of them had been taken. Whether they lost someone or not, it was the fact that something we saw every single day of our lives for so many years, along our unmistakable skyline, was gone. It took a piece of a New Yorkers identity away.

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?

Truthfully not a thing! I have seen everything and anything from New Yorkers. I’ve seen the disgusting, I’ve seen the heartwarming. We’re a melting post to say the very least, and with that, you get it all.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

When I leave New York I miss the liveliness. Even though Greenpoint may not be a 24 hour mecca, it’s still comforting that I can run down the block to a bodega at 3am and get pretty much anything I would need at 3am! Other places are desolate by 8pm!

Best tips, tricks or insider info.
Any Greenpointer knows this but if you’re visiting or new to the ‘hood keep in mind that the G train is a short train. Only 4-6 cars depending on the time of the day. Which means you need to wait in the center of the platform for the train, otherwise, it’ll pass you by!

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?

It’s gotta be The Cyclone at Coney Island. There’s nothing like riding that rickety old roller coaster and getting beaten and dirty in just a minute and a half.

Best place to dine late night?

This is definitely going to my local favorite joint, The Habitat (http://www.thehabitatbrooklyn.com/). Serving food all night – you can get Empanadas or Waffle Fries until 4am! And up until like 10:30pm they have a full menu with weekly specials. The food is delicious and the staff is one of the nicest in the neighborhood.

Best live music venue?

I have to go with the now closed McCarren Pool. I really love an outdoor venue. I secretly wish they would build a pavillion somewhere along the North Brooklyn waterfront. There’s nothing like catching a concert under the stars.

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)

The last thing I did that I hadn’t actually checked out in awhile was the San Gennaro festival in Little Italy this year. Just a couple of weeks ago, I had some friends who were working at a restaurant in the area and got a chance to go there a couple of times. It’d been at least a decade since I went to the feast but it was surprisingly a lot of fun. Even though Little Italy is changing and losing its identity, when the Festival comes around, it seems to be stronger than ever.

Best people watching?

Hands down without a doubt Bedford Avenue and North 6th Street in Williamsburg. There’s a couple of benches in front of New York Muffins on the corner and with a muffin and coffee in hand you can sit there any weekend afternoon and see a parade of crazy fashions. It’s some of the best people watching I’ve ever done.

Best ways to find deals on clothes in Greenpoint?

Greenpoint has a lot of different levels of shopping. You can go from thrift shopping at places like the Salvation Army on Manhattan Avenue to cheap fashion at stores like Rainbow on Calyer Street and Payless Shoe Store on Manhattan Avenue. Or you can step it up on Franklin Street with trendy and fashion forward boutiques like Alter (with one shop for men and one shop for women directly across the street from each other!) and Hayden-Harnett. To find deals in the hood, sometimes you can find cute things in Rainbow good for one or two wears or a pair of cute shoes in Payless. One of the best places to look in the neighborhood are some of the Polish owned stores that many people might be quick to pass up. There are quite a few along Manhattan Avenue that have nice quality goods at reasonable prices. While some of the goods in the window might seem a little gaudy to attract those older ladies, if you take a peek inside you can sometimes find something really great. Especially leather goods.

Favorite New York moment?

My favorite New York moment is the early morning after a big snowfall. Everything looks gorgeous in the city and the streets are so quiet, everything covered in a white blanket of beauty. It’s breathtaking every time.

www.greenpointers.blogspot.com

Do You Have a Greenpoint Recommendation?
Post a comment and let us know!

]]> http://www.coolinyourcode.com/2008/10/13/greenpointers/feed/ 0 http://www.coolinyourcode.com/2008/10/06/everblue-energy/ http://www.coolinyourcode.com/2008/10/06/everblue-energy/#comments Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:39:33 +0000 Cool in Your Code http://www.coolinyourcode.com/?p=2652

Chris Boggiano is a hero, a conservationist, and a local historian. After graduating from West Point, Chris was deployed to Iraq and served in the US Army for five years. Upon returning home, he decided to do his part to help fix the country’s energy dependence problems and started Everblue Energy. Sharing philosophies on efficiency and sustainability, Everblue Energy shows you all the little things you can do to make a big difference in preserving our natural resources.

Tell us about your blog: My friends always make fun of me because I’m the guy who has to write letters to anyone who writes a book or newspaper article to give them my two cents. A blog is kind of the same thing, only I don’t actually have to bother someone to give my opinion.

Also, it’s safe to say that I’m addicted to reading random articles buried deep in the newspaper that most folks don’t get to. Occasionally, I’ll email out those articles to friends, and I’m always amazed at how much people enjoy getting them from me. Sometimes I think they’re just being polite and really send those emails straight to their spam folder, but in case they’re not, I like the idea of having a blog so that I can share more of that kind of stuff without getting annoying.

What brought you to New York?

I’m actually from just across the river in Jersey City. I was born and raised there. From the street corner of my highschool downtown you could look one direction to see the twin towers and another to see the Statue of Liberty.

What do you love about living in New York?

The food. I was in the Army for five years and got to live in places like Germany, Kosovo, Iraq, Korea and Kentucky. Each place has its own local specialties that are awesome, but everything else is garbage (try eating pizza in the south). New York has all of the good stuff from everywhere else all in one spot.

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

The never quit spirit. I’ve worked with people from everywhere around the world, and hands down, pretty much every New Yorker that I know will never take “no” for an answer. I can’t say the same for everyone else.

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?

It’s a small world. There’s millions of people in a very small area, but we’re all on top of each other, so it’s inevitable that we cross paths so often.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

The traffic! Ok, not really. When I leave I miss my family the most because they played such a large role in my life growing up. I’m something like 24th generation Italian-American. If there was an Italian on the Mayflower, he was probably a relative of mine. So, I’ve got a million cousins that live all over the NY area. It killed me not seeing them all of the time while I was living overseas with the Army.

Best tips, tricks or insider info. for Green living?

I think it’s safe to say that 99% of the population isn’t willing to give up their creature comforts to save the planet. I can’t really blame them. Beyond trying to tell people to at least do little things that will cumulatively make a big difference we are working to change the system and encourage people to think differently. When looking for an apartment, a house, or a building always tell your realtor that you would like more green options. That will get the message out to the building industry to build greener.

Chicago’s Take Five Pledge is something everyone can do to make a difference.

1. Change four of the most commonly used lights in a house to compact fluorescent lightbulbs.
2. Turn off the water while you’re brushing your teeth.
3. Replace one car trip a month with biking or public transit.
4. Plant ONE tree.
5. Stop using plastic shopping bags.

None of these things require much effort, but if everyone did them it would add up. If everyone in NYC did just the first thing on the list it would be the equivalent of taking something like 160,000 cars off the road.

Best piece of local history that you secretly love?

The Dutch first visited the Hudson River in the early 1600’s. In the 1970’s, my father was a motorcycle cop in Jersey City. There was a bad storm and it washed away part of the Palisades to reveal an old Dutch catacomb that they had tunneled into the cliffs. Some kids discovered it, went inside, and found a bunch of Dutch bodies that had been buried in there that were encased in lead to prevent the spread of disease. The kids took one of the entombed bodies and carried it outside and broke it open (boys will be boys). Inside was a perfectly preserved, blond hair, blue eyed little girl.

Since it happened in Jersey City, no one really cared about it. The city dug a hole by some nearby railroad tracks and buried the body. They then filled in the entrance to the catacomb with cement. It’s still there, you just can’t get inside.

I love to walk from my house to that spot and hope that someday the powers that be will knock down the cement wall and go back inside and preserve what’s left in there. You can’t find history much older than that in the US. It’s been sitting there for 400 years, so at least it’s not going anywhere.

Best place to dine late night?

I’ve always loved Mike’s Papaya in Manhattan. They have $.25 hotdogs and my friends and I always find our way over there at the end of the night. After drinking, I’d happily pay $10 for the same thing and not care.

Best live music venue?

Liberty State Park in Jersey City. It’s right on the water overlooking Manhattan, Hudson Bay, and the Statue of Liberty. It really doesn’t get better than that.

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)

I can’t even remember. I’m terrible with “culture” although I wish that I wasn’t. If I visit another city, I’ll go see all of their cultural attractions because I know that I might not be back for a while. In NY, I manage to tell myself “I’ll do that next weekend,” but never get around to it. I went to a Yankee game in the spring if that counts.

Best people watching?

Anywhere near the water. Folks like to go walking there so you can see lots of people that way.

Best ways to make old NYC apt. buildings energy efficient?

The average house and apartment building in the NY area is very old compared to the rest of the country. The good news is that old places there are generally smaller than modern places, which means they have less space to heat in the winter or cool in the summer.

However, old places are also terribly inefficient. Air sealing is the most cost effective way to fix the problem. By that, I mean filling in all of the little gaps and cracks around a house (around windows, doors, etc.) that let air leak to the outside. It’s cheap to do because it usually doesn’t require much more than a caulk gun, and just about anyone can do it. The best part is it’ll make a place way more comfortable because it’ll reduce drafts in the winter.

In a world of “enviro friendly” products, what is worth the money and what is clever marketing? How do we spot the difference?

I actually named our company Everblue because I was sick of seeing so much green marketing and wanted to try out a new color. Nowadays, they’re practically advertising gasoline as green, so it can be confusing to know what’s good and what’s garbage.
Generally, any gizmo that claims to cut your energy bill by 80% is a bunch of crap. The same holds true for any other product – if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. A good way to determine if something is legit is to ask whether it’s backed by an authority in the field such as Energy Star, which is a government sponsored energy efficiency program. Usually products have to undergo independent testing to get those certifications, so it’s more than someone just re-branding the same old stuff and calling it “green.”

www.everblueenergy.com

What are you doing to “green” up your world?

Tell us all about it!

Tell us about your blog: As a web producer, I love the Internet and writing, so I’ve had many, many blogs over the years. I literally had a four-block year of my life with (at least!) one post for every day. This is great and pathetic, simultaneously.

I was so busy writing and blogging for other people, I didn’t have time to write everything I wanted to as often as I’d like and was looking for a way to get my thoughts out without having to make time to write.

One of my first real Internet paying gigs was when I was 18 or 19 years old. I was one of the youngest staff employees there, except for, quote, the youngest intern ever. I think he was 14. (Yes, years old.) But, no joke, the kid was a seasoned web veteran and impressed the pants off everyone in the room. Segue to now, this intern is David Karp, the founder of Tumblr–an amazing blogging platform (tumblr.com) which solved my problem and got me back into blogging on my time. It’s intention is to get small, digestible bites online quickly and easily–even by phone. You really have no excuse to not update it, and I’m so happy he’s nerdy enough to bless us all with his genius. (He has an amazing pants collection by now to prove it.)

“WhiterThanYouriPod” is really an ode to my paleness. I’m almost the whitest person alive, I’m sure, and I needed a clever way of describing it since it was the quintessential “white” tech item at the time. Since then, Apple’s busted out some bold chrome colors and discontinued the ffffff (Hex color for white), so I guess I should really change it to WhiterThanYour3G16GiPhone, but I’ve already branded myself.

What do you love about living in New York?

New York is an amazing place to work. Unfortunately, I haven’t made the jump to living in the city yet, so I spend some quality time on the Long Island Rail Road pondering when I should stop torturing myself already. This, however, lead to me blogging constantly via iPhone about all the crazy events that happen on the train (i.e. hitting people, conductors from hell, passengers who fall asleep on me, guys who follow me two blocks post-train exit to awkwardly ask me out on a date). I had so many posts, I started my own tumblog dedicated to all things train: http://lirrdrama.tumblr.com. It’s kind of like Overheard In New York, but confined to railed mass transit.

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?

What’s funny about NY commuters is that it’s not our commute that’s awful, it’s each other. One day I will blog about how someone got shot in the face for talking on their phone, I swear. Throw a bunch of different people living their blue and white collared lives into a small space and insanity occurs. I’ve witnessed people open the door to the restroom to yell at the passenger occupying it for not locking it. Who DOES that?

The worst is when people sit in the aisle of a three-seater with the intention of blocking you from getting in there. I don’t know what it is, and I’ve even found myself doing this: No one wants to make anyone else move. We would sooner stand in the aisle than sit in that middle seat or ask Lawyer McLawyerson over there to move his affidavits and suck it.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

I’ve been to London three times in the past couple months and I don’t think I’d be as good at my job there. Seriously. I think New York just gets into your bloodstream and affects everything that pours out of you. But, I must say their subway system is cleaner, carpeted, color coded and filled with the sounds of hot British accents. They also have a lot less free Wi-Fi.

Best tips, tricks or insider info?

I think everyone should have a blog, or at least try it on for size. Very few people are truly good at blogging, cause at the end of the day, you do need to have writing skills and a keen understanding of the web. Embedding things and posting links does not a blog make, but it’s something anyone can do, especially with the bevy of applications floating around out there. Look at Perez Hilton. The dude gets more traffic than Jesus, yet his site looks like he bought it at a used-blog wholesale outlet. It’s all about the content. You don’t need slick graphics if you have a point of view, and everyone surely has that.

Find some blogs you like. Ask yourself, “What is it you like about them? What keeps you coming back?” Use that as a starting point and you’ll be surprised with the results.

Another tip: Google yourself. You’ll find embarrassing message board postings defending the Backstreet Boys’ honor circa 1998 that you can’t do jack about now.

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)

I blog a lot, and that means in some seriously random places. I live-blog award shows as I’m watching them. I’ve blogged at concerts and posted pictures in real time. I’ve even blogged in a bathroom once, which is seriously worse than it sounds, but I assure you I was only waiting in line and it was funny at the time, I swear. No, really.

www.whiterthanyouripod.com

What would your blog focus on? Post a comment below!