Sixth Sense

It's not exactly as stylish as an iPhone, but this device is infinitely more useful...

V.D.I.Friday

Van Damme It's Friday!

Bob and James breakin' it down

For the tap-enthusiasts in us all:

I'm famous!

Okay, I'm not really famous, but I am in the most recent edition of New York Magazine! I went to a photo shoot for New York newbies at Chelsea Piers a few weeks ago. The feature story, called "Arrivals" interviewed 160 people who followed their dream to move to New York - I was one of them. Here is a photograph of the shoot, which was fully of energy, excitement, camaraderie and hope, that I couldn't help but leave feeling recharged and more in love with the city. While there, I spoke with some amazing people. I chatted for nearly an hour with one couple, a music duo who, after traveling the country for 15 years, decided to settle in the East Village. They bought their studio apartment a few months ago and are living amid boxes of records and countless instruments, and they love it. A man named David just finished writing a book about Jewish delis, and Brian thought he was just visiting a friend in Brooklyn for a few days; he has been here for four months. My story isn't as glamorous, but still, I'm living the dream.

CNN breaking news?!?

As a way to stay informed about the world's big news stories, I get CNN Breaking News headlines e-mailed to my work e-mail address. Most headlines fed to my brieann.szatkowski@company-Brie-works-for.com address are journalistically considered "breaking news" and about things that could possibly impact my day as a PR/communications professional. However, occasionally I receive e-mails from CNN and just roll my eyes. For example, here is a "breaking news" headline I received at 2:15 a.m. EDT: Just in case the image's text is too small for your eyes - the headline is "Ashton Kutcher is first to reach 1 million Twitter followers in contest with CNN." I understand the whole "social media breakthrough" that is Twitter, but come on. Is Ashton's milestone really something that should be considered "breaking news?" Because he reached the 1 million mark as part of a contest, does this mean he has really accomplished something noteworthy? Was this contest stupid? Discuss.

And we're officially fans

I love live music. There is nothing that gets me off my ass and on my feet more than a rockin' band, especially if I am familiar with the songs or know one/some of the musicians. While I would not call myself a music snob (I listen to a huge variety of music genres and am an equal opportunity listener), I would also not call myself a "fan" of many bands. I like many bands, but to label myself as a "fan," I have to personally be committed to that band's success, believe in the talent of the members and have a desire to see that band go far. Saying that I am a fan of XYZ band is saying a lot.

With this in mind, I want to officially declare myself a fan of Nine Circles. The Jersey-based band is booking gigs throughout New York and New Jersey, and its calendar is filling up fast.

Last night, Jackie and I headed downtown to Crash Mansion to see our new fave band rock out in the basement venue. After throwing back some shots with bassist Steve Morris, and chatting for a minute with guitarist Tom Spears, Jackie and I assumed our standard position - right next to the stage - and rocked to Nine Circles' tunes. The band's next album comes out on May 19.

The guys:


The girls:


And me:

Free panini night

Last night, Jackie and I spent a delightful hour at Vero, a restaurant and wine bar on 53rd Street at Second Avenue. A few weeks ago we learned that every Monday night, Vero will feed you for free if you order a cocktail, beer or glass of wine! Always in the mood for wine and desperate for a free meal, Jackie and I followed our source (Shecky's) to the popular midtown bar and were pleasantly surprised. Vero is a cross between an intimate bar and hoppin' restaurant. The clientele reminded us of, well, us - middle class, young New Yorkers. Jackie's "Sexy Sangria" and my glass of Shiraz were delicious and moderately priced ($11 each), but as we were each awarded a free panini with our beverage purchase, we were more than happy to part with less than $15 (including tax and tip). Our pressed sandwiches provided the perfect balance between bread, cheese, vegetables and (in Jackie's case) meat; and they tasted like more.

Another instance of spontaneous dancing

Did you know?

David, from The Geek Whisperer, posted a video that Jackie sent around via e-mail yesterday afternoon. I have seen similar videos before and they always seem to surprise and excite me. Check it out here...

Newest obsession

For us city girls, running from the subway to Starbucks to work to lunch to the gym in what seems like a monsoon is commonplace and something with which we must quickly learn to deal. While tiny, fashionable umbrellas are easy to find and a staple in most young women's totes and hobos, galoshes, even the Burberry and Coach designs, are still monstrous, hard to carry and leave something to be desired. But Shuella is making unglamorous and bulky galoshes something of the past. This company makes thin, waterproof galoshes that slip over your shoes to keep this season's Prada wedge safe from rain and subway scum.

Visit http://www.shuella.com to purchase a pair of these inexpensive (they are currently on sale for $35) and compact shoe umbrellas.

Newest obsession

How unbelievably awesome are these tights? They are not quite fishnets and not quite tights. I got them on sale for $10 at www.urbanoutfitters.com and paired them with a red shift dress, black vest and long chain necklace.

Real Housewives of NJ??

Thanks to a tip from my friend Laur, I found out that the next season of the addictive and trashy (hellooo Real Housewives of Atlanta) reality show series "The Real Housewives of..." on Bravo is set in... NEW JERSEY! I am so excited for the premiere, which occurs on Tuesday May 12 at 11 PM ET. There is a special sneak peak on Tuesday April 7 at 11 PM ET. The description cracks me up... "The hair is big, but the drama is bigger in the newest installment of the "Real Housewives" franchise, The Real Housewives of New Jersey."

For me, the Real Housewives of Orange County is and always will be the best. The New York season is ok so far. The Countess Luann is pretty entertaining with her high-and-mighty routine. The Atlanta season was like a joke. Kim and all the other ladies were so pitiful, even in comparison to the other seasons which display materialism and pettiness at their best. I watch the marathons while at the gym and I am so excited to see my home state in all its glory!

A bad week: Natasha Richardson still in critical condition

Can you believe that Natasha Richardson might die? While her medical status has yet to be confirmed, reports are surfacing that Ms. Richardson is brain dead from a seemingly minor ski accident where she appeared fine immediately after falling. She is currently in Lenox Hill Hospital (which is directly across from my UES subway stop at 77th Street and Lexington Avenue). I hope she pulls through, but the more I read, the less hopeful I am.

Update: Ms. Richardson died this evening in Manhattan. Her tragic death was a huge shock for friends and family.

A tribute to Fred

Hayley and I go way back. So far back, actually, that I think Hayley has spent about 12 hours of her life not knowing me. She was born two years and 10 days after I was, and, as my parents were best friends with her parents, I met her before she even turned one-day-old. Hayley and I grew up next door to each other and were best friends from the moment we met. And when her mother and my mother gave birth to boys only six weeks apart, Tyler is Hayley’s little bro and Brett is mine, we were thrilled to add them to our ever growing mob of upper-High Bridge children.

In the 1980's, Hayley’s Nana and Papa (High Bridgeans Jackie and Steve) opened an ice cream parlor, which was later expanded into a diner-like restaurant, in our tiny town about two miles from our homes. I can’t remember NOT eating ice cream from Gronsky’s Milkhouse. As soon as we each turned 14, Hayley and I began working at the Milkhouse. As official Gronsky Girls, we scooped hundreds of ice cream cones for little league ball-players from the ball parks down the street, families of four and families of 10, local teenage hooligans and even a Madonna-look-alike.

Additionally, when we entered high school, we waitressed in the restaurant every Sunday morning. Each week, we alternated being “head waitress,” who would have to come in at 6:00 a.m., and “assistant waitress,” who arrived an hour and half later. Every Sunday morning, she or I would arrive at the Milkhouse at 6:00 a.m. to find her Nana and Papa already there, warming up the grill, making the first batches of coffee, organizing newspapers and cooking the famous Gronsky home fries. And Every Sunday morning, when we pushed the squeaky door open, Hayley and I would see Fred the truck driver/meat man/bus driver sitting at the end of the counter with baseball cap on his head and a mug of hot coffee in between his hands. Fred was an awesome guy and was one of the few older men we actually liked. He would chat with us all morning as we put out milk for coffee, refilled the sugar packets and helped Jackie cook before the cook, her son Todd, took his place behind the griddle. Fred always remembered what you talked about the week before and would follow up on our stories and tales of being high schoolers and, later on, college students. He was an early morning fixture in the Milkhouse and both Hayley and I found comfort in his presence and the easy conversations we held. Fred was also one of the only Gronsky’s Milkhouse patrons to never mix up me and Hayley (apparently, we look like twins) so he got extra respect from us.

Fred died early this morning. He had a heart attack while driving a dump truck and crashed into the side of a building in Flemington, N.J. Needless to say, Gronsky patrons are mourning his death, as are Hayley and I. Actually, we are more than a little upset. He will be missed, especially by his fellow Gronsky customers and employees. Rest in peace, Fred.

Rest in Peace

This morning I got some very sad news. One of my favorite customers at my family's restaurant, Gronsky's Milkhouse, passed away his morning. He had a heart attack while driving a dump truck and crashed. I just saw him this Sunday when I was in New Jersey visitng my family. We all called him Fred the Meat Man because, well, he sold meat. It is not an overly imaginative name, but we give little nicknames to people because we often do not recognize or remember last names and its so much easier to subscribe descriptive monikers. Anyway, Fred was such a nice man. He would always ask about everything going on in my life and he would be so happy about everyones accomplishments. I will miss him a lot and will be dissapointed that he will not be there when I return home.

In other sad news (sorry to be such a downer today - I will try to post something fun later), my uncle Todd's beloved dog Winston passed away a couple of weeks ago. He was a very loving, friendly, and cute dog. His friend Bradford, who is pictured in the photo below with Winston (with the dark brown fur), misses him alot. I hope everyone else's day is not as depressing!

Summer pressures = healthy improvements

In exactly two months, Jackie and I will be rappelling down waterfalls, scaling up a volcano and kayaking through mangroves in beautiful Costa Rica. And month after our Costa Rican adventure, we will be sunning ourselves like iguanas on rocks in the Hamptons. These summer activities are synonymous with skimpy clothes and bathing suits, which is enough of a motivating factor for any woman to want to lose a few pounds.


It is with this in mind that I registered for Self Magazine's 2009 Self Challenge. This program allows you to track your eating habits and workouts online for free. There are also tools and resources to help you lose those L-Bs and tighten those abs and gluts. While my vegetarian and active lifestyle is generally very healthy, I've recently accumulated a few extra pounds on my 5' 3" frame and would love to get rid of them ASAP. The food and exercise logs are key for me as they allow myself to really examine what I eat and how efficient my activities are in burning those kcals. I've only been enrolled in the Self Challenge for a week, and I am already making minor changes to my lifestyle. For example, I have recently added more strength training to my workouts and I have started eating more during the day and less in the evening. I'll keep you updated on my progress and will let you know when (positive thinking here!) I reach my goal (drop a dress size/lose 5-7 pounds).

Marc Jacobs bags rock my world

A yeah, like the cheese reader forwarded me a link to this divine Marc by Marc Jacobs bag! The color is perfect for spring and summer and the adjustable strap lets you change your look quickly and easily. You can get this bag, and many other gorgeous Marc bags, at luxury department stores, think Neiman Marcus, Barney's and Saks, or Marc Jacobs retail stores.

P.S. Keep the links and fashion suggestions coming!

Britney's Circus

Last night, Hayley and I (with my mother and her uncle) attended the Britney concert at the Prudential Center in Newark. The show was, in a word, AWESOME! Britney looked fantastic, her dance moves were classic Britney, as were her costumes. It took her a few songs to get used to being on stage - she looked and acted very nervous in the beginning - but she quickly became comfortable and really got into the show. My mom took a lot of video and here are a few for your viewing pleasure...

Perez Hilton filmed an introduction, which played before Britney's first song, "Circus:"


Britney getting "In the Zone:"


One of my favorite songs, "Everytime:"


"Slave for You" was so hot:


And she closed with "Womanizer:"


Thanks, mom, for taking so many great videos!

The concert was worth every penny of the $500 my mom and I paid for tickets! And if you think that was a lot, the girl sitting next to me flew all the way from Melbourne, Australia just to attend the concert! Crazy? Maybe a bit extreme, but I'd probably do the same thing.

She Rocks

A new favorite!

I'm moving to California!

Okay, so I'm not, really, moving to California. However, after reading this article, I am tempted to pick up and move to, what I think is, the nation's strangest state.

Democratic State Assembly member Tom Ammiano thinks mariguana could be the answer to California's economic misery. According to the article, "Can Marijuana Help Rescue California's Economy?," Ammiano introduced legislation that would legalize pot and allow the state to regulate and tax its sale. Pot is California's biggest cash crop, responsible for $14 billion in annual sales. The state's tax collectors estimate the bill would bring in about $1.3 billion in revenue each year.

Will marijuana actually be legalized in California? I highly doubt it will happen this time around. But one can only hope. That state is a financial disaster.