The Chocolate Tradition...

In my neighborhood, I can sit at the Chocolate Bar to satisify my sweet tooth. But if the guilty pleasure is not just down the street try these treats for Valentine's day:

Handmade artisan chocolates that use organic chocolate from France, this 16 piece Signature Valentine Collection of treats from Oliver Kita is heaven.

A box of chocolate hearts from Woodhouse Chocolate, handmade in the Napa Valley.

Custom M&Ms that say I LOVE U!

Godiva's Chocolate Lover's Tower.

And if that's not enough sweet bliss, than dip yourself into a bath of chocolate, literally. At none other than the Hershey Hotel, you can choose anything you like on a list of spa treatments from a Whipped Cocoa bath to a Chocolate Fondu Wrap, ranging from $40 to $160.

How sweet it is!

Soy & Green Tea Tip...

I drink a fair amount of green tea everday...mostly for the benefits, as it's rich with antioxidants. Antioxidants are said to help prevent heart disease and certain cancers, and my theory is it has kept me from catching a cold this season.

A few foods that also contain a high amount of antioxidants:
Apples, Artichokes, Black Beans, Blueberries, Cranberries, Pecans, Red Kidney Beans, Strawberries, Walnuts and Dark Chocolate.

Also, adding soy to your diet can promote health and a longer life...The Food and Drug Administration recently approved a health claim stating that eating about 25 grams of soy protein daily as part of a low-fat diet will decrease the risk of heart disease.

To read up on food and nutrition visit the Department of Agriculture site, that provides research and studies daily.

Live long!

Spring Cleaning is around the corner...

It feels like everything needs a complete overhaul after the winter months. If you live in New York City like me, space is precious and closets are minimal. Still there is lots of room to improve...

An organization guru and fashion stylist, Melanie Charlton, founder of Clos-ette gives expert advice on cleaning out your closet or designing a whole new plan. From an in-home consultation to the final installation, Clo-sette will help you transform "chaos to couture".

Custom Kicks...

Sneaker companies let you get creative online. Design your own?

Yes please!

For my birthday over a year ago I requested a pair of pale pink skull & cross bone Vans, since then, I have been suprised that people haven't jumped on the artistic bandwagon.

I recommend slipping on a pair of custom designed Vans or sporting out in Nike's. Each site provides a color palette and patterns to choose from...My K-Swiss and Converse let you monogram your kicks too. Last but not least, if you're lacking your own ideas, Stubbs & Wooton has a line of unique shoes and slippers that go from beach to black tie.

It's also a great gift idea, think...bridal party gift, or cute baby sneaks.

Either way, you can RUN away with your own style!

Nothing is better than this...

The best chocolate chip cookies

1 cup butter, melted
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. In a medium bowl, stir together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Add the vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and baking soda, gradually stir into the sugar mixture. Fold in the chocolate chips. Arrange sparsely on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.

A band of the world...U2 captures 3D film

I've never had an experience quite like this...I sat for 85 minutes completely mesmerized and chilled. National Geographic produced the first live action concert movie. On tour with U2 across cities in Latin America, the energy was incredibly intense and theatrical. I've seen U2 live 4 or 5 times, in the last 15 years, never as close as this...It was a virtual experience at the IMAX theatre on Broadway in New York City. There are times it feels so close, you could reach out and touch Bono from your seat.

Which leads me to the popular question: What one living famous person would you choose to have lunch or dinner with...? My answer would be adamantly, Bono. Primarily because I am a music lover and secondarily, because as a political spokesperson and do-gooder, he is the true hero version of a rock star. He has corresponded with the Gap, Apple and other retailers to raise money and awareness for Project Red, the Global fund he co-created, to help women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Unfortunately and luckily at the same time, I'll just have to settle for the fact that I met him once, briefly upstairs at Socialista and that he said hello and kissed both cheeks while smiling through his 'literally' rose colored glasses. And that time I wasn’t wearing my 3D glasses.

My favorite songs in the film were One, Beautiful Day, In the Name of Love, The Fly and With or Without You. A few I wish he had played; Elevation, Walk On, Until the End of the World and Ultraviolet.

See where U2 3D Live is playing.

Mirror Mirror on the wall...

Mirrors are not only for hanging. Check out these two pieces for the bedroom.

Wisteria's chest of drawers. (see left)

West elm's side tables.

Well I'm Southbound...

I wish I was literally.
Unfortunately, I'm stuck as the temperature drops in the city, wishing I was at an outdoor concert. I saw the Allman Brothers live when I was in High School and College. I bet I could track down the ticket stubs and find out exactly where and when. For some reason every time I hear them and in particular the song Southbound, I feel like I am outside.

The next best thing...Learn to play it inside. If you don't have Guitar Hero. Go to Chordie an online search engine for guitar chords and lyrics.

If you want to head Southbound, you're only 4 chords away.

Batman is not the only one in Gotham who has a cool car...

A passion for beautiful cars, and driving, the founders of Gotham Dream Cars created a premier exotic car rental company based in New York & Miami. The fleet of cars you can choose from? Whatever your heart desires (almost). Anything from the Aston Martin DB9 Volante seen left, described as "throaty, deep, refined and luxurious," to a classic Bentley, to a Lamborghini Murcielago with 'scissor doors' to the Rolls Royce Phantom.

Prop a car, rent one for a weekend getaway, or auction off at a charity event. Either way, it's win-win, because if you don't have the down payment for one of these ultra-luxury cars, you can just play for awhile, at a small fraction of the cost. Rates range from $995 a day to $2,250, and $4,950 to $9,950 for the week.

On my wishlist but not for rent, is Aptera's electric vehicle. Only available in California so far.

Coral Reef...

When summer feels far away, you can add accents of the sea to your home. Coral has been making a comeback since 2006, here are a few things I've picked up for my city apartment.

Pottery Barn's Shell letter opener & Coral Magnifying Glass
Anthropologie's Natural Wonders 2008 Calendar
Beaded Coral Pillow
Blue Coral cocktail napkins

Gwyneth in Gucci...

At Madonna's 'Night to Benefit Raising Malawi and UNICEF', the red carpet was dressed in Gucci. Gucci opened it's 5th avenue store this week and sponsored the event. Gwyn in particular was glowing in a mini pink frock embellished with a giant satin bow. Which I adore.

Donate to the cause 'Raising Malawi'.*

*Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, suffering from famine, drought, poverty, and diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and hepatitis. Raising Malawi is a grassroots initiative offering lasting solutions to the orphans of Malawi.

Scrabulous!

The joys of online word games...
You can play Scrabble Online for free, no software, no additional applications needed.
And for the vocabulary challenged...
The Scrabble Solver lets you put in up to 7 letters and finds all words associated to the letters you've entered.

Game on!