Last Friday, my friends and I had cocktails and dinner at Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar, located at 551 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10176. It is beautifully sleek, an oasis in the summertime heat. Its palatable cuisine, really nice staff—invokes me to say: Catch it if you can at www.tommybahama.com.
Catch It: Demarco: Easy Style
“What I like about Demarco,” said Ethan, from Massachusetts “is its open atmosphere. It’s not an overdone cafe; this is more of an easy style that happens to have really good coffee.”
Demarco is located at 569 Lexington Avenue (between 50th and 51st Street) in New York City; it’s aesthetically modern; rectangular, rich flavor in the neighborhood, of fresh-brewed fragrant coffee.
I was there the other day for lunch, engrossed with my grilled cheese sandwich and cappuccino. I sat next to Ethan, who was sipping espresso. At about fifteen minutes later, I started to leave, and suddenly, asked, “What is distinctive at Demarco?”
“The relaxed feeling as soon as you walk in the door,” he said.
“Absolutely,” I said, “and the friendly staff is great too!”
Catch it if you can at www.demarcocoffee.com
Catch It: “Love Bite” at Pret A Manger
My own select pleasure is walking throughout Manhattan; my own chic treat is Pret A Manger’s “Love Bite,” its own handmade, dark chocolate, coconut and walnut brownie. A week ago, I entered the restaurant at 1200 Avenue of the Americas (47th & 6th Avenue) in New York City.
The upbeat, fun, creative energy, enticed me to buy two “Love Bites,” but, I stayed with my diet, and purchased one. The cashier was friendly, her name was Karima; moments later, a young man walked onto the floor carrying sandwiches with a giant smile. “Fresh Food,” he said.
I am aware Pret A Manger is an international success; and on a cold day in May, I felt right at home, in line with tourists, and New Yorkers enjoying their own exclusive meal at the fashionable, friendly atmosphere—Pret A Manger.
Catch it if you can at www.pret.com
Posted in Bakeries, Brownies, Chocolate, Mini Baguette Sandwiches, Restaurants
Tagged Brownies, French, Midtown Restaurant
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Catch It: Jennifer Nnamani: Upcoming Event: Fashion Envie
Jennifer Nnamani is an enterprising entrepreneur in the world of fashion; in particular, Eco-Friendly Fashion. She is the CEO and Founder of Beau Monde Society (BMS). Her company is based in New York. I sat down with Ms. Nnamani over coffee one afternoon, and admired her distinctive style: “Blue nails, lime green heels, vintage wear with a touch of modern, classic flair.”
CATCH IT: What is Beau Monde Society (BMS)?
JENNIFER NNAMANI: BMS is a cultural and fashion forward conscious company seeking to enlighten by challenging the status quo. Our marquee is to create lifestyle branding through various mediums by merging fashion and creative ideas to carve a unique niche.
CI: What is Fashion Envie?
JN: I created Fashion Envie to showcase emerging eco-friendly, designers and artists. From my experience and extensive research, there are not enough sustainable platforms to represent and/or showcase eco-friendly designers in New York City. Our upcoming event is on April 20th at 6:30 PM; located at 81 White Street, New York, NY 10013.
CI: How did you become interested in fashion?
JN: That would be my parents; because, my father is a fashion designer and my mother is fashion savvy.
CI: What is your educational background?
JN: I received my MBA from New York Institute of Technology, and my bachelor’s degree from East Carolina University.
CI: What is your daily routine?
JN: I clearly do not have a set routine. I start my day with a variety of projects. I research on the latest trends: domestically and internationally. I, of course, read blogs about fashion, and network with others in the business.
CI: What was the foundation of BMS?
JN: I love style, fashion and I care about the environment. I believe fashion can change the environment. It’s a great way to get the message out there, and show to how small steps can change the environment.
CI: What advice would you give an aspiring young person who is interested in the fashion industry?
JN: I encourage everyone to do what they love. If they love it, and have a passion for it—then be good at it.
CI: How do you describe your personal style?
JN: My style revolves around Afro, bohemian, classy, and sleek…all wrap up in one. I try to dress comfortably as possible. And so, comfort is my main style and if it’s comfortable—I wear it.
For further information about Beau Monde Society (BMS), please contact Ms. Nnamani at www.beaumondesociety.wordpress.com
Catch It: Joel Harper: Fitness Guru
Once, I went to see my internist, and everything was fine, until, he said, “you have gained 15 pounds; I never thought you would gain weight—being a marathon runner. When you first became my patient; you weighed 120 pounds, are you not running?” I thought to myself, “no, and now, I guess, I will forget about eating the chocolate croissant in my hand bag.” Still, I started running in Central Park again.
After the Christmas holidays, I spoke to my girlfriends about their exercise routine for 2013. “What would you ask a fitness guru?” I asked Jeannie, Lisa, Kelli and Lauren. Later, I decided to write to Mr. Joel Harper with their questions. I met Mr. Harper years ago at a Wellness Conference in New York City and purchased his fantastic FIT PACK DVD. Whereupon, I workout with his DVDs, along with now walking in the park.
If you are unfamiliar with Joel Harper, his biography states it simply, “Celebrity trainer Joel Harper has been developing custom workouts in New York City for 18 years. His clients range from Dr. Oz to Olympic Medalists who are striving for break-through performances, to 10 year old kids just learning to appreciate their health.
With a client list as diverse as his training methods, he regularly works with well-known actors preparing for new roles, musicians embarking on world tours and business executives desiring increased energy and strength.
Joel has appeared in various publications from “O” magazine and Esquire to Bottomline Health. He has created all of the workout chapters for the New York Times best selling YOU BOOKS and the accompanying workout DVD’s with Drs. Mehmet Oz and Michael Roizen and the popular FIT PACK DVD.
Joel’s unique workouts have been seen on various programs including: ABC & Fox News, Oprah, the Dr. Oz. Show, Good Morning America, and Larry King. Joel is the creator of the PBS best selling DVD, FIRMING AFTER 50 and the currently running SLIM & FIT.”
Jeannie: Marketing Director
The one question I would ask an exercise guru is what exercise and food group helps to burn fat in the stomach so that you can obtain flatness in the whole stomach without having to do a Tummy tuck. Cardio-getting your heart rate pumping and wearing this rubber belt when you do: http://www.joelharperfitness.com/shop/fitpack-fitball.html on top of a t-shirt. Completely eliminate desserts. Every time you have a craving eat fruit, especially Raspberries!!!
Lisa: Mom & Legal Assistant
What is a better exercise program for women in their 50’s weight lifting or yoga? A combination of both. You can NOT do one without the other. This DVD will show you effectively and efficiently how to do it: http://www.joelharperfitness.com/shop/slim-and-fit-workout-dvd.html You want to exercise and then immediately stretch=burning/toning and elongating. You want long lean muscles right?
Kelli: Interior Designer
I’m a 50+ female who has not been terribly active, but now desires to begin a fitness plan. Any recommendations as to the best approach to begin? I’m interested in a holistic approach — i.e., fitness combined with nutrition. Yes, in your head. What is your “deserve level?” Do you feel like you deserve to be in the best shape of your life? If you do, let’s get going on doing FIT PACK TOTAL 6 days a week for 20 minutes a day http://www.joelharperfitness.com/shop/fitpack-total-workout-dvd.html and eat only foods that are going to nourish your body. If your deserve level is somewhere below it is best you sit and meditate to figure out exactly what the issues are and pull out a piece of paper and come up with simple direct action steps to bridge and evaporate the gap.
Lauren: Gourmet Chef
I don’t like going to the gym, and even though I have my DVD exercise tapes, I still don’t make time to work out for thirty minutes a day. Do you have a quick workout routine for “lazy ladies?” Yes, it is 3 minutes and you can do it for FREE on Oprah. Here it is and yes do it NOW: http://www.oprah.com/health/The-3-Minute-Workout-with-Joel-Harper-Video
To my girlfriends, thank you for your questions; to Mr. Harper, thank you for inspiring us ladies; and to my readers, I wish you an enthusiastic and energetic 2013 of wellness.
Catch it if you can at www.joelharperfitness.com
Catch It: Gotham Scoop 2013
Though I love spending the holidays with my family in Atlanta, I especially adored eating my Aunt Sarah’s Sweet Potato Pie, and reading a favorite book—again. On Friday, I was on the subway, and counted eleven people reading either their Amazon: Kindle; Apple: iPad or Hardcover or Paperback book.
I thought of my sister Angie opening up her Christmas present from my brother Michael, who gave her a Kindle, and her excitement about all the books that would be at her fingertips. So, I asked six friends: “What are your top three or four books?”
First, I will share my list: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens; East of Eden by John Steinbeck; and The Glass Key by Dashiell Hammett.
Kelli’s List:
IQ84 by Haruki Murakami,
The Twelve by Justin Cronin, and The Garlic Ballads by Mo Yan
Karel’s List:
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho,
On Thin Ice by Susan Andersen, and The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Ernest’s List:
Born to Run by Christopher McDougall,
47th Street Black by Bayo Ojikutu, Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, and
The Leadership Lessons of Jesus by Bob Briner and Ray Pritchard
Miriam’s List
The Collective: A Novel by Don Lee,
Crazy Brave: A Memoir by Joy Harjo, and Drifting House by Krys Lee
Sharon’s List
Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill,
The Red Chamber by Pauline Chen, and Island Beneath the Sea by Isabel Allende
Jesse’s List
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
Dying to Be Me by Anita Moorjani, and Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts
A book makes the world go around, and love of books is an everyday adventure.
Catch it if you can at www.rizzolibookstore.com, www.vanalenbooks.org, www.shakeandco.com, http://greenlightbookstore.com, www.nypl.org.
Catch It: Phamie Gow: Pianist in Motion
A week ago, I hiked along Avenue of the Americas at Forty-Sixth Street. I observed the boundless bright lights of “Christmas Cheer,” then strolled sometime later into the Church of the Heavenly Rest at 2 East 90th Street and 5th Avenue.
At 5:00 PM, the church seemed empty except for the serene sounds from a lady playing on a Steinway piano. As I listened to her eloquent performance; her music reminded me of a time growing up in Georgia; and hearing the heartfelt music at “Little Friendship Baptist Church.”
When she finished playing, I introduced myself; and asked if I could interview her for Catch It?
The following week, November 26th, I met with Phamie Gow at the Heavenly Rest Stop (Fifth Avenue, between 89th and 90th Streets). Ms. Gow is a classically trained pianist, an international musician/singer, composer, and recording artist. She has a degree in Scottish Music from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD) in Glasgow, Scotland.
CI: Were you born in Scotland?
PG: Yes, although, I have lived in different parts of the world: France, London, Spain, and North America. Now, I am living in New York City. I am open and receptive to all cultures, and it sort of changed my sense of nationality, I feel a little Spanish, French, British, but never shall I forget my Scottish roots, so I am a tiny bit of everything.
CI: When I listened to your music, I felt “universal love,” when did you know you were a pianist?
PG: I have to give a lot of credit to my parents, my mother was a poet and a painter; my father is a painter, and he used to be an art teacher. I remember my mum said when I was two years old; I was dancing along to the rhythm of the washing machine. I was just musical; I had rhythm, because rhythm is music—heartbeat.
CI: Did you have a piano while growing up in your home?
PG: I started playing when I was eight years old; my parents got me a piano, a real honky-tonk piano. It was only when I was twelve and a half years old; I was composing and finished my first composition. From then, my music was something I had to express; I felt something from the heart. In fact, I taught myself to play the harp from the heart. Six months later, I had my first public performance. And from that time, people were interested in my music and encouraged me to stay with it.
CI: Could you expound more about playing from the heart?
PG: I feel a spiritual connection; I feel so much love for this music when I play. It’s almost an out-of-body experience, and people have mentioned it to me that they feel it, too.
CI: Are there any special performances you have had that stands out more than another?
PG: When His Holiness the Dalai Lama came to visit Scotland, I was honored to perform at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh; and I was invited by the composer, pianist Philip Glass to perform with Patti Smith and her band at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
CI: What is the best part of living in New York City?
PG: You get what you want out of the city; there is so much here, you can make your life the way you want it. Every time I have been here, I have learned so much. And then, I have the Church of the Heavenly Rest—I go there to worship, to play, and the people are delightful, very nice. Finally, I have Central Park, I love being so close to nature.
CI: If you could ask a question to Ludwig van Beethoven, what would it be?
PG: I would ask Beethoven about his work in the latter part of his life. Did he have a vision of what he wanted to achieve when he was younger?
CI: It was as if, he didn’t have a disability, because he created so much work.
PG: He was awesome. And, I just wondered if he didn’t have that disability, would he have written so much music. It is almost like that pain and ethos brought more to the musical world that he created.
—Personally, I feel very blessed to be on my musical journey, thus far.
CI: Thank you, Phamie Gow.
Last Wednesday, I skipped by West 58thth Street, and glanced at two teen-aged girls who glared through the windows of Beethoven Pianos at 232 West 58th Street, New York, NY 10019. I smiled and murmured, “There goes two other geniuses—in motion.”
Catch it if you can at www.phamiegow.com, the Heavenly Rest Stop at www.ouicaterny.com, and www.beethovenpianos.com.
—Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
Posted in A Christmas Story, Beethoven, Classical Music, Musicians, Pianist, Scotland
Tagged Christmas Cheer, Classical Music, Pianist, Scottish
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