The Allure of Macy's

On Saturday, Winnie - who gets all kinds of wonderful invites to events - told me I should register for this year's Allure event to be held at Macy's Herald Square.  I did and was so happy that I did.  It was early...8am...2 hours before the store opens.  The first 300 would get a gift bag.  Winnie & I were there around 7am.  And from our place in line, we would be assured a gift bag.

We signed in, got our ticket to redeem for the gift bag on the way out and went to enjoy coffee, an assortment of mini croissants, danishes, muffins, quiches and fruit ka-bobs.  We even partook in some Mimosas.  As a sweet treat, tiny meringue kisses melted in our mouths.

We watched demonstrations by professional make-up artists applying eye shadow, foundation and filling in eye brows.  All very informative and interesting.  Then we walked around the beauty counters in the newly renovated Macy's which was beautiful.  The store was in the throes of getting decorated for the holidays.  I have to admit, in search of the ladies's room, it was odd to be wandering around the store that was not yet opened to the public.

Macy's is part of my childhood memory.  This was our go-to store.  As a family, we would shop there for our start-of-school clothes.  My mom would take us to buy fabric and sewing notions and then lunch across the street at Woolworth's cafeteria.  As a child, I had no idea it was this huge department store...the biggest in the world...to me...it was simply where we went to buy clothes and such.  Back in the day,  I knew this store like the back of my hand.

Both Winnie and I purchased fragrances and in doing so, received an over-sized Macy's tote.  I was the first customer of the day at the Calvin Klein counter and the salesgirl gave me a bonus gift of a miniature Obsession spray, lotion and shower gel in a sleek make-up bag.

But our gift bag upon exiting was very exciting.  We got a full sized bottle of Estee Lauder's Modern Muse (a new fragrance retailing at $78), Mac's red lipstick, Benefit's It's Real mascara, Lady Gaga sunglasses and an array of fragrance samples.  A silver make-up bag and compact mirror and of course, their latest issue of Allure.  It certainly was worth waking up early for.  Thanks, Win for a fun Saturday morning.

Foundation

Eyes

Our goodies

Nikki's ING NYC 2013 Marathon Medal

Barbados 1981

I was organizing or trying to organized my huge collection of photographs and came across images of the 2nd part of my honeymoon in 1981.  We only had 5 days when we went to Nice & Monte Carlo after our wedding in May so Stan and I went to Barbados that September.  We stayed at Cunard's Paradise Island hotel and when I looked at these photos...all I remembered was how "fat" I thought I was!  Ha!  If I could only go back and tell my 24 year old self that I was fine and should be happy with the way I looked....As they say....youth is wasted on the young!

I've never shown anyone this photo because I looked FAT!

Stan tanned very easily...(Nikki is like that too) and he
got tremendously dark on this trip.

Alzheimer's Walk 2013

Today was the 2013 Alzheimer's Walk and I have attended every year to support Marianne.  Both her parents suffered and passed from it.  Her brother-in-law is also affected.  So it's understandable that she has committed herself to this cause.  She is on the board of directors and this year, she was chairperson.  And as in every other year, she does a phenomenal job organizing the event...including the luncheon she hosts in her home afterwards.  This year was no different. Kudos all around!

Marianne & John introduced to the stage by Vincent Garber

Sushi appetizers

Desserts & Halloween Candy Bar to the right

The Proposal

I hope Nikki & Tom won't mind but Nikki (finally) forwarded the photos and I just had to share!

Love-Love

This post took me so long to write and upload photos that the Open is already over!  Nikki invited / treated me to the US Open on the second day of play.  We got to see my favorite, Novak Djokovic (#1) and Victoria Azarenka (#2).

I started to love tennis...particularly the US Open when Jimmy Connors and Chris Evert were at the height of their success and became a short-lived couple - they were tennis's sweethearts and I love a romance more than anything.  This was mid to late 70's.  I got hooked.  Over the years, I followed the slams on TV - resulting in Pete Sampras being my all time favorite player.  I have yet to "love" a woman player - I guess if I had to name one, it would still be Chris Evert.

I have attended a few US Open matches held in Flushing Meadows.  Never at the old Forest Hills stadium. The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center housing Arthur Ashe, Louis Armstrong, Grandstand and the surrounding smaller courts plus a wonderfully varied food court - is a great experience.  This visit was Nikki's first time and I'm so happy I got to share it with her.  We were so lucky we had an exceptionally beautiful night for the matches - no - gulp - rain.  PS:  Nadal won the Men's and Serena won the Women's.

Food Court seating

In front of Arthur Ashe

Gift shop

Great view of the World's Fair sphere from the top level of Arthur Ashe

Overlooking the side courts

In our seats

Djokovic

Mayor Dinkins - always at least one appearance

"Vitka"

Mexican & Salted Crack Caramel

A chance to dine with Nikki....always a good thing.

After working 6 hours, I drove to her place and asked her to decide on how to fill my empty tummy.  She asked if I wanted Mexican.  I can always go for Mexican.  I like her area with it's trendy and trending new eateries and one can never go wrong with a "foodie's" choice.

She said "Chavela's" on Franklin had great chicken Mole.  I was game but not to walk there.  Not after being 6 hours on my feet and on a muggy humid day with possible threats of a thunderstorm.  We drove over and easily found a spot.

I was thrilled that it had good AC.  And a nice lunch menu...$6.95 for a nice variety of Mexican eats. Choosing one from the left and one from the right of their "Duo" option - I got a chicken Mole soft taco and a Flor de Calabaza (squash blossom & queso Oaxaco) with an ice coffee.  Nikki ordered the tortilla soup and 1/2 torta.  So fresh, so delicious with the typical slight kick in seasoning.

My ice coffee & water in glassware that makes one
feel like you're in Mexico!

Nikki's Lunch

Mine

Nikki treated me to this excellent meal and as we left the restaurant, I asked if she would like some dessert. Ice cream in particular to which she exclaimed she knew exactly the place!  I asked her for the name and when she said "Ample Hills" - I reacted as if I had just met a movie star!  I had just seen them featured on one of the cooking shows and it looked so good that I vowed to make sure I make a visit!  A quick drive over and we were inside sample tasting their hand crafted flavors.  Nikki loves their "Ooey Gooey Butter Cake" and I couldn't resist the flavor shown on the show - "Salted Crack Caramel".  I went with a cone which was a mistake.  It's a pretty good size scoop and on such a humid day, it was melting faster than I could get it in my mouth.  But it was extremely tasty and a decadent treat.

Stock photo - Eric W.

As I said to begin with....dining with Nikki = a good thing!