Dancing with the Stars - Season 15 - Week 1

Over the past 14 seasons of Dancing with the Stars I have always written mini-reviews of the show for friends and family.  This year, I thought: why not just put everything on my blog?  Things won't be as polished and detailed as, say, what's happening over at Lockhart Gardner: An Inside Look at The Good Wife, but maybe that's part of the fun.  Here's the place for quick thoughts, lots of dashes and plenty of commentary on sequins, feathers, footwork and the art of dance.  Please chime in and join me on this season 15 all-star journey!

Season 15, Week 1

Kym & Joey – These two are hilarious and so much fun to watch.  I wasn’t completely impressed with Joey’s dancing, but I definitely want to see more.  Also, as someone who sequins things, I can say with confidence that Joey’s glitter jacket was a serious masterpiece!  1 vote.

Shawn & Derek – Pa chow!  This dance was lively, fun, bright and energetic .  Quite frankly, I wanted to be Shawn Johnston during this entire routine.  I think this dance set the tone for the rest of the evening – these two are in it to win it! 3 votes.

Sabrina & Louis – Speeeeeeeeeeeeeeechless.  I may or may not have Cha Cha-ed in my living room while this team wasdancing.  It’s still shocking Sabrina was cut back in ’07, but tonight she proved that she is absolutely a mirror ball contender.  3 votes.

Helio & Chelsie – Before I even get to the dance, can I just give Chelsie 1,000 points for having the best dress?  If that was in my closet I would wear it everyday.  Now, to the dance.  I think these two have a great vibe.  They are polished and driven, but they aren’t so serious they forget to enjoy themselves.  This dance was fun and beautiful – kind of like how I think they will end up being when all is said and done. 1 vote.

Pamela & Damian – I found this dance to be… interesting.  I don’t think it was entirely coincidence the lyrics in the song said “you know I’m no good.”  I completely agree with Bruno – she needs to work harder, especially with this group of all-stars.  Early prediction: She’s not in it to win it.  No votes.

Tony and Melissa – These two are just the cutest – I love that they’re getting a second chance.  “Hey Big Spender” was such a fun number to start with (of course, Broadway always wins the day!).  Fun, flirty and worth 1 vote.

Apolo and Karina – Party Rockers in the House Tonight is a complete and total understatement! These two brought their A game and so much fun (and not just because they were in neon, but yes, that too).  Apolo is a true competitor and with Karina’s firey spirit, these two could be tough to beat.  1 vote.

Gilles and Peta – Be still my heart - Oh Gilles.  So handsome.  I loved this vintage and classic Foxtrot.  Everything about this dance was sophisticated and well thought out, especially for a week one number.  Beautiful and sweet – 1 vote.

Bristol & Mark – Two points for Bristol not being in a Gorilla suit to start the show.  All kidding aside, she’s looking good and much more confident than she was the last time we saw her.  It was almost like she was a whole new person.  I was kind of impressed at this transformation.  I’m completely with Carrie-Ann – she is definitely the most improved.  Look out Pamela, Bristol’s on your tail!  No votes (I don’t have enough to just be throwing around!).

Drew & Anna – Anna ‘tough love’ Trebuskya and Drew ‘save a horse’ Lachey.   I feel as though this is one of the strangest matches of the season, but so far it seems to be working.  One thing that might hold these two back is the fact Drew is a bit whimsical and Anna’s game-face is so strong I don’t know if they’ll end up having fun or just wanting to leave glass in the toes of each other’s shoes.  No votes.

Kelly & Val – I’ll be honest in saying I’ve never been Kelly’s biggest fan.   That said, I thought she rocked the Cha Cha, especially since she’s never done it before.  Interestingly, because season one was so short, she actually has less Dancing with the Stars experience than someone like Bristol.  I don’t know how that will play out in the long run, but for now, I think she and Val have a solid foundation from which to build.  It’s just too bad I don’t like either of them that much… .  No votes.

Kirstie & Maks – Kirstie’s eggplant coloured dress was just lovely.  For me, that was probably the highlight of this routine.  It was a little lackluster and a hint boring… in my opinion.  Now, the Tom Bergeron kiss definitely kicked things up a bit.  It’s just too bad that wasn’t part of the routine.  No votes.

Emmitt & Cheryl – I’ve always loved Emmitt in a jewel-toned shirt (and matching emerald shoes!), so tonight really didn’t disappoint.  This Cha Cha proved why this dynamic duo won their first mirror ball.  It was smooth, fun and so polished without looking too practiced.  What a great performance! 2 votes.

My Top 4:

• Shawn and Derek
• Sabrina and Louis
• Gilles and Peta
• Emmitt and Cheryl

My Bottom 2:

• Pamela and Damian
• Bristol and Mark

The Best of NYC - Insider Recommendations

A few weeks ago I was asked for insider recommendations of great things to do in NYC. Instantly, my mind started racing. Favourite places? I have dozens. Best hidden gems? There are hundreds. Oh New York... how I love you.

Limiting the list to a reasonable visit was almost impossible, but since this question comes up all the time, I thought it was about time I put something together. This list will continue to grow, but for now, here's a starting point for 'The Best of NYC.' Enjoy!

Casual Fun
1) Walk the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn. The reward on the other side? A trip to Grimaldi's, an authentic pizzeria that will make you question all other pizza you've ever eaten. Note: Grimaldi's is a cash-only establishment. If there's still room for dessert, walk towards the river (only about five minutes further), and grab a sweet treat from the river walk ice cream shop and enjoy while overlooking Manhattan. Pure bliss!

2) The Brooklyn Botanical Gardens - A beautiful oasis in the heart of Brooklyn. Saturday mornings are free and there are tons of amazing brunch places within a 15 minute walk in any direction.

3) The Highline - NYC's newest and most visited park. They've converted old elevated railway tracks into a pedestrian park and it's simply wonderful. Be warned: this park is gaining popularity, so if you're willing to brave a day that's not quite as nice, the crowds will be thinned and the walk will be much more peaceful. If you start at the south-end of the walk, you can always browse through Chelsea Market (where sample sales can often be found!) and, just across the street, grab the world's most delicious latte and ginger molasses cookie at Blue Bottle Coffee (also, a cash-only establishment). If coffee is a passion, don't let the small front counter fool you - on the right of the counter there is a staircase that will lead you to a coffee bar where they serve different and unique brews along with some other delicious offerings (like preserves with brioche toast).

4) Ninja. This dark ninja cave meets dinner. I don't want to give too much away, but it's a delicious and memorable dining experience that's sure to surprise!

5) Looking for a walk? Head to Prospect Park in Brooklyn and browse through some of the esteemed real estate of Park Slope. Dream.

Higher End Experiences
1) Martinis? Yes please! Head to The Jimmy in SoHo - It's a high end rooftop bar that's perfect for watching the sunset over New Jersey. Expect a cocktail to run you anywhere from $15-$20, but it's totally worth it. Note: If you get there before 7 (I think!), enter through the hotel; after, enter through the unmarked door on the east-side of the building.

2) Bar Americain - If you're looking for a delicious dinner, pre-Broadway show, look no further - Bar Americain is just the stop you'll want to make! It's Bobby Flay's restaurant (and he frequents this location, so keep your eyes peeled!). The creamed kale will change your life. Just saying. Also, if you're a salmon lover, indulge. Everything here is delicious.

The Best of Touristy New York
1) Top of the Rock and NBC Studios. In my opinion, The Rock is a much better tourist experience than the Empire State Building, so it's always my preference when trying to get a great view of the city. I always like to combine this with the Tour of NBC Studios - you get a deal doing both and, who doesn't love a little Rockefeller history? Tip: I recommend getting tickets early and doing a Thursday afternoon tour. Specific, I know. There is a reason though. If you go on Thursdays, the cast of Saturday Night Live is likely to be rehearsing. You just never know who you'll see in studio or wandering the halls! I've seen Melissa McCarthy and Kristin Wig there.

2) 9/11 Memorial. If you haven't been, I strongly encourage you to stop by for a visit to see the fountains and look at all the work that is being done. Once you've finished with the Memorial, take a walk through Battery Park City - a great place to catch the Statue of Liberty and escape from the concrete jungle.

3) The Guggenheim. Every time I see this Frank Lloyd-Wright building, I get a little happier. It's a beautiful museum that is well worth admission (that is, if they aren't changing exhibits. If this happens, I recommend heading straight over The Metropolitan Museum of Art which is GIGANTIC and, believe it or not, a building that was constructed just to be a museum and nothing more. I like to imagine it was once home to NY royalty).

4) Harlem Gospel Tour. This tour takes you to parts of Manhattan you probably haven't ventured to before, unless you are a braver traveler than most! Sit in on a church service, listen to a great gospel choir and see some stunning architecture just above Central Park North.

5) Columbus Circle, Midtown, SoHo and Greenwich Village. Walk around, take in all you can. The shopping, the ambiance, the simple pleasures of NYC.

6) Stage Door Tour - Behind the Scenes at Radio City Music Hall. Learn about how the living nativity gets created in the Rockette's Christmas Spectacular, the history of the building (right down to the carpet!) and then meet a Rockette! Tour guests also get a discount at the gift shop after, so you can snap up your 'how to be a Rockette' t-shirt and star practicing!

Theatre1) Broadway, of course. All of it. Looking for a better deal on tickets? Visit TKTS booths around Manhattan and Brooklyn (I suggest the location at the South Street Sea Port as it is much less busy than the one in Times Square). I recommend pre-browsing their Website to check out what shows are typically being offered at reduced rates.

2) Sleep No More NYC - It's a film noir style production of Macbeth, taking place in an abandoned hotel on West Side. It's interactive (you wear a mask throughout the whole show and follow the actors through six floors of set!) and it's guaranteed to be unlike anything else you've ever seen. Truly, this is the show everyone in theatre is talking about. You must get tickets in advance as it sells out early (and with vigor!). When looking, book the early showing as you get to experience the show three times, all in different ways.

Random
1) As a huge fan of television and movies, I was always on the lookout for new shoots in the city (especially if it relates to The Good Wife!). If you're interested in watching something film in NYC while you're there, check out On Location Vacations. If you have Twitter, follow @OLV as well, as they are always posting updates, live from the street!

2) Joe Fresh. I know, right? Well, they've opened a beautiful store on Fifth Avenue that's worth the time it takes to get there, if only to look and see what Joe Fresh is like in NYC! While you're in the area, pop by Bryant Park and the New York Public Library. The Library offers daily tours if you want a little history with your shopping.

3) For something completely different, head to the northern-most tip of Manhattan, Inwood Hill Park. It's Manhattan's last remaining forest and is full of rich history. In fact, this area used to be the vacation land of those who lived downtown! Just on the other side of the river, the Bronx.

4) Social Eatz - If you want to have the best burger of your life, go to Social Eatz and order the Bibimbap Burger. Asian-American fusion. Pure deliciousness.

5) Ilili - If there's one thing I love, it's Mediterranean food. Okay, there are thousands of things I love, but this is in the top 50. Ilili NYC has some of the best Mediterranean food I've ever eaten (and as someone who feels they should have been born Greek, believe me, I've had a lot of experience in this type of cuisine). Great service and amazing food - best served with friends.

Don't Forget...
1) NYC is not quite the dream-like place Sex in the City would have you believe. You can't wear stilettos all day and run, carefree, through the streets of the city. Disappointing, I know. At night, I definitely recommend 5 inch heels and a sequin dress, but during the day you have to be a little more practical. The fact is, if there's one thing you're going to do in New York, it's walk. A couple of pairs of good shoes will serve you well. Socks and runners will make you look like a tourist, so think about some nice boots, cute ballet flats or splashy sandals. Need to stock up on shoes while you're there? Check out Century 21 in the Financial District or up in Columbus Circle.

2) The MTA offers $29 seven-day all-you-can-ride transit passes. If you're trying to get from a stand-by line for Jimmy Fallon in the morning and race to a live taping of The View just 45 minutes later, this pass is going to save your life (oh, and save you money). Hop on, hop off and enjoy all the Subway has to offer.

A New York City Christmas

I'm not going to lie - there are thousands of amazing things about living in New York City.  I often find myself looking around saying, "seriously?" and "how did we end up here?"  It's such a bright and dynamic city... and with the exception of some a lot of questionable smells emanating from sidewalks, street corners, subway grates and unmarked buildings, it really is one of the most magical places on earth.  At Christmas, this is especially true. A New York City Christmas is something everyone should experience at least once, if just for the shopping alone.


This year, I tackled the challenge of cramming my NYC holiday extravaganza into two short weeks.  It required commitment and dedication, but I managed to take in the Radio City Rockette's Christmas Spectacular, the New York City Ballet's Nutcracker, the Lincoln Center Winter Festival and, my favourite holiday tradition: viewing all of the amazing Christmas window displays.


I'll let my photos speak (mostly) for themselves - I hope you enjoy my view of "A New York City Christmas" just as much as I've enjoyed sharing it...

At Macy's, you can always expect style with a side of sequins

This year, Macy's tackled a whimsical "history of Christmas ornaments"

A tribute to Elton John?

Macy's - Herald Square

A toy soldier at Rockefeller Center, overlooking the skating rink

A light show projected on the building across from Rockefeller Center

 If you've ever wondered how they get the lights on the Rockefeller Tree, here is the mystery unveiled: wooden scaffolding built up around the tree

I just can't help it: I can't get enough of Nutcrackers!

The Rockettes display at Henri Bendel

One Singular Sensation.  Okay, that's A Chorus Line, but it seems appropriate!

Meanwhile, the windows at Berdorff Goodman...

Over at Berdorff Goodman, they created amazing displays focused on single construction mediums.  Here, the aquatic scene is made exclusively of mosaic tiles

Berdorff Goodman: A display made exclusively of paper

Birds of a feather...

A view of Lincoln Centre

The magical ballet!

The Lincoln Center Winter Festival: Tree lighting time!

Looking into the amazing Lincoln Center square

Inside Radio City Music Hall after the Rockette's Christmas Spectacular

Inside Radio City Music Hall - Glitter tree!

A view of the infamous Radio City Music Hall... one of the happiest places on earth

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year! 

Glamour

glam·our/ˈglamər/

Noun:

The attractive or exciting quality that makes certain people or things seem appealing or special: "the glamour of Monte Carlo."

Here I am with my cape/coat and my Glamour bag outside of Carnegie Hall.

For the second year in a row I have been lucky enough to attend Glamour’s Women of the Year Awards at Carnegie Hall.  It goes without saying I’m a fan of the glitz and pizazz such an event brings.  From celebrities to sequins, the evening is an all-out star-studded extravaganza that’s inspirational and entertaining.

If you don’t know what the Awards are about, here’s a quick rundown.  Each year, Glamour selects around 11 women who are doing amazing in things out in the world.  These women can be politicians, artists, fashion designers, royalty, actors or activists, and every year they are selected by past recipients and honoured at the Awards. 

As I’m clearly not famous (well, at least not yet), how I was able to attend this event is a bit of a mystery, that is, until you discover the world of being a seat filler.  Basically all televised awards shows get a group of people to dress up and, well, sit in empty seats so the theatre always appears full. If Cher gets up, you sit in her seat.  When she returns, you give her seat back.  This particular example hasn’t specially happened to me, but I have seen Cher at the Awards, so I’m speaking from experience. Ish.

Last year, I braved this new world of seat filling on my own and I moved about the theatre a number of times, filling empty chairs and having a few brushes with fame (thank you, Stanley Tucci – I’m still talking about you).  This year, I convinced my husband to come along, but unlike last year, after we sat down in the 10^th row, we didn’t have to move.  We sat across the aisle from Tory Burch, Lea Michelle, Gloria Steinem and Jennifer Lopez; we listened to colourful stories from Arianna Huffington and shared in an inspirational adventure with Esraa Abdel Fattah.  The night was full of girl power… and it was awesome.

“The Bests” – in my opinion

• Most Inspirational Story – Withelma “T” Oriz-Macey
• Best Dressed – Lea Michele
• Best Acceptance Speech – Arianna Huffington
• Best Surprise – A four-way tie for unexpected award presenters: Jennifer Aniston, Emma Stone, Barbara Walters and Diane Sawyer
• Funniest Speeches – Arianna Huffington and Chelsea Handler

Of course, it wouldn’t be a truly glamorous event without an equally fun bag of goodies at the end of the night.  So, what was in that bag?

As the title sponsor is Loreal, you'll notice a pattern of strategic product placement.  Here we have full sized bottles of shampoo, conditioner and hairspray.

Loreal make up fun! False lash mascara, Glamour Women of the Year lipstick in 'blazing sangria',  'blushing berry' lip gloss, and 'smokey for all eyes' eye shadow (a product I'm frankly skeptical of... how can one foam brush blend everything in one sweep?)

A Pandora collector's guide and, perhaps most importantly, a bottle of 'Youth Code' serum.  Apparently  if I put it on  in the morning I'll look like me and by the end of the day I'll end up looking like Abigail Breslin.  Quite frankly, as long as it can guarantee I'll look as good as Julianna Margulies at some point in my life, I'm willing to try it out. 

Super Fans

Spending hours in stand-by lines of television shows can be either a frustrating or rewarding experience… much like how rainy days can go one of two ways: full of gloom and disappointment or crammed full of fun and unexpected surprises.   When you get a frustrating, gloom-filled, disappointing day, it’s best just to go home and turn on the Wendy Williams Show because sadly, your day can’t get much worse... but when you get a rewarding day jam-packed with fun and unexpected surprises, you’ve hit the rainy day lottery.  Last Thursday, alongside a group of friends, the rainy day jackpot was ours for the taking and no inverted umbrellas or messy hairstyles could stop us!

Writing about the entire day would take approximately 8,000 words (yes, it was that crazy), but the story that will live on forever is short-ish, oh so sweet and involves 30 Rockefeller Center and that late night host named Jimmy Fallon.

Life lesson: Friends who will spend rainy days in stand-by lines are keepers

When we lined up for tickets in the morning, we only knew of one specific guest: Eva Longoria.  Now, having seen Eva on a few talk shows over the last year, I’m not ashamed to admit I have a bit of a girl crush on her.  She’s smart, fun, competitive in family games like charades and can cook.  Basically, if she lived next door, I would befriend her and borrow cups of sugar.  All of us were just excited at the prospect of being in the Jimmy Fallon audience, no matter who else was going to be on the show – Eva was a bonus and anyone else would be icing on the cake.

Coming back in the afternoon to redeem our tickets, we lined up in numerical order – we had tickets 17-20 and were reasonably confident in our positions.  The first cut the NBC staff made: 1 – 36 would get to go to the next checkpoint.  No guarantees on audience admittance, but the further you get into 30 Rock, the better.  Horray – and we’re off!  Next up, we find ourselves in a boarder-line deserted hallway with the top 36.  The next cut: 1 – 15 would get in.  Disappointment… and not just for us, but for ticket holder #21 who had her wallet stolen a few hours earlier and who was still in line to see the show (WHAT?!  I would be losing my mind if I was in NYC and had lost my wallet… I wouldn’t be in line to see my hopeful new bestie do a 15 minute interview with no guarantee of Jimmy’s ‘thank you note’ bit).  But wait!  As they look at the top 15 it seems some people are missing… they are willing to take the next four people in line.  Hello rainy day lottery!

Hello upgrade opportunity!

Wristbands up!

After taking a quick look at our little group they handed us tickets, attached green bands to our wrists and pulled us out of line to take us to another roped-off area.  Puzzled, we stood with a group of about 20 people until our beloved NBC girl came back and announced she had “an upgrade opportunity available.”  You had me at “upgrade” NBC – this could only mean good things!  The offer was to be in the bandstand and dance/sway on stage when their musical guest performed.  Well, this was better than we ever could have imagined.  Ummm, yes, we’ll take it! 

Wait, should we at least know more about this band? 

Fast forward. 

Jimmy slow-jammed with Brian Williams. Eva was awesome. Kal Penn was entertaining.  We’re up. 

During the last commercial break we are taken on stage with a clear view behind the scenes where we see what can only be described as “alien monsters.” The band: GWAR.  If you aren’t familiar with them, neither were we.  According to their cyber fortress, GWAR is a heavy metal band that’s been around since 1984, they are all about outrageous costumes often made of rubber, body paint and obscene lyrics.  Of course, they were on Jimmy Fallon to perform a new hit from their current album, ‘Bloody Pit of Horror.’  Oh sure. To get the full picture, I encourage readers to visit http://www.gwar.net/ - my words alone aren’t able to do justice to this group.

So there we were, on stage in the bandstand, clouds of dry ice encircling us as GWAR performed their song.  To be honest, it was difficult to understand – it could be because the singers were wearing enormous amounts of rubberized head gear, or it could be because we had to head bang so as to appear like number one fans.  Either way, nothing could have prepared us for the slaughter that happened next.  Yes, slaughter.  By the end of the song, band members were fighting on stage, tearing chunks of flesh from their costumes and trying to decapitate each other with saws.  At some point I had to ask myself, ‘why couldn’t we have landed on Josh Charles day… Josh Charles day would have been so much dreamier,’ but it’s one of those things you can’t question.   The universe wanted us to see GWAR.

The only way to truly sum up this experience is by saying one word: hilarious.  How we made it into the audience, how we were selected to be bandstand members and how we managed to land on GWAR day is simply a mystery.  It’s something that a very few people would ever experience – a true, ‘if not now, when?’ moment.    That said, if you’re in Calgary on November 5^th, they’re playing at MacEwan Hall.

And that’s how we became super fans of GWAR, super fans of Jimmy Fallon… or maybe just super fans of those things you look back on and say, ‘only in New York.’

Even Jimmy Fallon was scared

Remember to Love

Ribbons tied to the gates of St. Paul's Chapel

On the street the other day, I overheard two men bragging about how many Jeeps their respective families own.  One man’s family has four, the other, nine.  Nine Jeeps in the family?!  Variety is the spice of life, but Jeeps are clearly the starchy side for this meat and potatoes crowd.

With the 10^th anniversary of September 11^th around the corner, the sobering realities of that day’s events are ever-present around North America, and especially New York.  Here, people are finding ways to pay tribute to those who both survived and lost their lives.  TV shows are offering moments of silence, reporters are interviewing those who made it out of the wreckage, drug stores are offering free American flags and churches are giving people "Remember to Love" ribbons so they can write messages and tie them to the surrounding wrought iron gates.  So, how does this fit in with the guys talking about the Jeeps?  I’ll get back to that eventually.

A decade ago, I couldn’t ever have imagined I would be living in New York City, let alone mere blocks away from the World Trade Centre site and watching these things go on around me.  It’s difficult for me to believe it has been 10 years: in many ways it seems like yesterday and in other ways I can hardly remember a world without the date “September 11” being associated with the attacks.  I remember the morning it happened, watching, in shock, as the Trade Centers came crumbling to the ground and as I walk the streets that would have been covered in debris, I can only imagine the chaos that would have been running rampant throughout lower Manhattan.  Even today, you can tell the events of 9/11 are within those New Yorkers who lived through it – the feeling is palpable and I don’t think that will ever go away.  Even for me, I won’t ever forget being outside when airspace over Calgary re-opened and a plane flew overhead.  I stopped on the street and looked into the dark sky, thinking that things wouldn’t ever be the same again.  Our world was forever changed, New York more than anywhere else.

10 years ago, I was starting my first year of college, I had just met the man I would later marry and I was embarking on a great new adventure.  By the time I graduated, the events of 9/11 were in my text books as a piece of modern day history and these days, watching the rebuilding of the site has become part of my daily life. 

Now, with the 10 year anniversary on the horizon, threats of another attack have surfaced.  Checkpoints have been set up and those riding the subway are being spot searched.  I’m thankful for the vigilance of the NYPD because, well, this is what living modern day history looks like in New York City.  If Michael Bloomberg can ride the Subway, so can I; if the average person can talk about how many members of their family own Jeeps, I will listen and be grateful for the lightness of the conversation; and if New Yorkers can carry positive spirit, strength and resilience with them, I can, too. 

In a world where variety is the spice of life, I’ll take meat and potatoes this weekend. 

One of the many police checkpoints that has been set up in Manhattan

A cherry-picker style police tower overlooking the Trade Center site

Construction in the reflection of a nearby building

10 years later, the rebuilding continues