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Hash 55, Bon Jovi and Harboring Hearts

Bon Jovi Live at Madison Square Garden 2.24.11
Hash 55 Signature Cocktails

What do they have in common? They were all apart of my Thursday night. And, no, not literally hash (although the invitation did promise “hash brownies”); it was the opening party for Hash 55, a new modern, eclectic lounge and hookah bar in Midtown.

Generally, I’m not one for Midtown bars, but the timing worked out perfecting since I scored two tickets to Bon Jovi at Madison Square Garden and figured, why not? I grabbed my date, got a drink and endured an over-booked party –we lasted about 20minutes. I don’t care how much free alcohol is in tow, it’s not worth being constantly bumped into because a party is at capacity. And I’d love to comment on the food (mainly the brownies), but literally the poor waiters would come out with horderves and would get pounced on. The problem was the party was thrown upstairs in the lounge, which is a very cool, intimate space that on a non-open bar, invite-the-entire-city type of an evening, would be a great hang out. And their signature cocktails are great! The downstairs is a large seated restaurant with bar. I wish they extended the celebration into that space so we had more room (the restaurant only had a few reservations). So naturally, my date and I

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AHALife and Ivanka Trump Do Good

Event: Ivanka Trump and Ahalife Jewelry Event
Date: February 7, 2011
Location: Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry Boutique, Madison Avenue, NYC

Wendi Murdoch, Shauna Mei and Ivanka Trump
Ivanka Trump Girl Up Bracelet

I kicked off the week with AHAlife and Ivanka Trump at a private event hosted at her jewelry store on Madison Avenue. If you’re not familiar with AHAlife.com, you should be or at least sign up for their newsletter. They are a website that sells unique finds from all over the world curated by a series of tastemakers (all of which you can “meet” on their site). One of which, Wendi Murdoch, featured Ivanka Trump’s Girl Up Bracelet, which went on sale on AHAlife the very next day.  Priced at $40, 100% of the proceeds from the sale benefits the United Nations Girl Up campaign, an organization that works to improve the lives of girls globally.

“We help provide basic needs such as access to school supplies, clean water, life-saving health services, safety from violence and more for these young girls,” says Trump. The bracelet features a sterling silver chain and a coral silk cord joined by two sterling silver charms—the Girl Up bird and the Ivanka Trump logo.

Considering you’ll likely never see anything at the Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry Boutique priced at $40 (or on AHALife.com), let alone with the proceeds going to such a worthy cause, I would recommend jumping on this opportunity. Oh look at that, I just

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Starbuck’s NEW VIA French Roast

Starbucks VIA French Roast

As some of you may remember, it was almost a year ago when I was first posted about Starbucks VIA Ready Brew coffee ($2.95/3pack, $9.95/12pack). Starbucks was one of the sponsors at New York Fashion Week, and I was in between shows and in dire need of caffeine.  My options we’re either their instant VIA coffee or one of their overly sweetened packaged drinks. Having only experienced instant coffee that tasted like watered down dirt, it was out of complete desperation that I tried the VIA Italian Roast, much less expected to drink the whole cup. To my surprise it tasted exactly like their regular brewed coffee—my mind was actually blown.

Starbucks VIA Collection

This month Starbucks launched their latest VIA flavor in French Roast. I had the pleasure of spending National Coffee Break Day (1/20) with them for an exclusive tasting and flavor profiles of each of the VIA varieties.  First off, VIA has come a long way since last year, they now offer an extensive range of flavors including Italian, Columbia, Vanilla, Mocha, Caramel and Cinnamon Spice, as well as a VIA Iced Coffee. It’s no wonder they are the No. 1 selling packaged coffee globally. Although, that’s not surprising considering how convenient

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New Years Eve Affaire with Fig. 19

Affaire Restaurant and Lounge

I have a lot to catch up on –especially since I’m only now reflecting on my New Years. Despite popular belief, NYE is generally a HUGE letdown in NYC –it’s cold, you can’t catch a cab, you need to pick your party wisely since bar hoping is next to impossible, so are the bar crowds, the cover charges… and at the end of the day all you’re looking for is that great crowd and perfect midnight kiss.  Usually the only place that can be found is in the movies. Then again, lately it feels like my life is something straight out of one so it should have been no surprise that I had an amazing night. I got to do the girly get ready thing, and go to one of my bestfriend’s apartments (complete with multiple clothing and shoe options), crack a bottle of wine and glam up for our evening out.

I then begin my night at a private party a friend of mine was hosting at the soon-to-be-open-to-the-public bar, Fig. 19.  Opened by the same owners of Home Sweet Home, the new speakeasy is located directly above it at 131 Chrystie Street. When you arrive, you walk up the stairs, go through the NP Art Gallery, and Fig.19 unfolds into a charming bar with exposed brick. Rob Pope from Spoon and Clarke Baechle from The Faint DJ-ed the event and despite being warned not to be the jerk that shows up at 11:30pm trying to get in – I of course was! Fortunately, the bouncer had a sweet spot for me, and before the clock struck 12, I was celebrating with new and old friends, champagne in hand.

After the countdown (miracles of miracle), I found a cab and headed over to the E. Village for the opening party of Affaire. Originally, China 1, owner Andrew Krauss converted the large dual level space into Affaire, an upbeat French restaurant and lounge. Complete with

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Jose Cuervo Launches Tradicional Silver Tequila

JC: Reserva de la Familia, Tradicional Reposado, Tradicional Silver, Platino
Rene Valdez for Jose Cuervo

I am no Tequila expert –I learned that last month at a private Tequila tasting hosted by Rene Valdez, Jose Cuervo’s National Tequila Ambassador. Then again, I never claimed to be, I’m not one that savors the taste nor do I enjoy having it on the rocks. As far as I’m concerned, mix it with something fruity so I don’t have to taste it and if it doesn’t give me a hangover the next day then it’s good quality in my book. Needless to say I seized the opportunity to attend the tasting and get better acclimated with the alcohol and learn it’s rich history.

For starters I learned that Jose Cuervo is a real person — Jose Antonio de Cuervo to be exact! And the man invented the Tequila industry over 250 years ago, before Mexico was even Mexico. The original distillery, La Rojeña, where Cuervo produced the first ever agave spirit (modern day Tequila) still stands today. 50 years later, the Cuervo family obtained the first license to sell and distribute Tequila –hence the 1798 date on the bottle.

The most expensive bottle of Tequila

My favorite part is ten generations later, it’s still a family-owned and operated company! This month the Jose Cuervo family is introducing Jose Cuervo Tradicional Silver ($24.99/750mL). A reminiscent version of the original Tequila created more than 200 years ago by Don Jose Antonio de Cuervo in celebration of their rich heritage. So if you’re a tequila fan add this piece of history to your collection.

And speaking of Tequila, on Christmas Eve, Ami Mesika of GM Diamonds was confirmed as the maker of Tequila LEI 925; the most expensive bottle of Tequila –literally. The bottle is priced at $3.5 Million dollars thanks to it’s design of 3.6kilo of platinum with 6,400 diamonds on it for a total weight of 415ct.  Needless to say, it won the Guinness record for the most expensive bottle in the world.

Of all the things I’d think to put 6,400 diamonds on, this would probably never cross my mind. Whenever I read stories like this, I’m baffled.

If you’re going to San Francisco…

I know I keep talking about fall and spring, but truthfully I’m soaking up every last bit of summer and jumped on a flight to sunny San Francisco.  NYC, I love you, but you’re going to have to do something about that rain if you’d like to hold me down.

If you ever find yourself in the bay area, here’s a small list of recommendations.

Dodge Challenger

1. If you need a car, rent a sweet ride. For me that translated to an orange, V8 hemi Dodge Challenger (think modern day Dukes of Hazzard). All that was missing was my daisy dukes (and 001 on the side of the car)!

Domaine Carneros Winery

2. Rev the engine and take that car for a ride! If you like wine, do a day trip to Napa. Ideally find a local friend to recommend some good choices (and drive you). I did and loved Domaine Carneros (I would like to live there) and Duckhorn Winery.

The drive to Santa Cruz

3. If you’re more of a beach enthusiast, drive along the coast to Santa Cruz . Pack a picnic (and good tunes) and enjoy scenic drive.  Don’t forget

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