Impulse Shopping

Dammit, Miss Tea has gone and done it again. After swearing off spending due to her upcoming trip to Cancun with Rocky, she decided her one-piece was just not good enough for the scattered T-storms predicted by The Weather Channel. It's all about the positive thinking to change that storm to sun...so Miss Tea went out and made a totally unnecessary purchase of a second mix-and-match tankini halter (in coral blue) and black bottoms. So now Miss Tea has two swimsuits for a four-day vacation. Lovely.

Unfotunately, Miss Tea (much like many women) can't just buy one thing when shopping. And what does Miss Tea like to buy every time? Cocktail rings and shoes. This time, it was shoes. Yes, Miss Tea responded to the call of that shoe siren herself, Jessica Simpson, drawing closer to the leopard-print, fabric-covered pumps. Actually, Miss Tea was also looking at the horse hair, leopard-printed pumps by Cole Haan, but it just looked so been-there-done-that. Anyhoo, Jess' heels have platforms. Let's face it, we all could use a couple of inches. :o)

Of course, Miss Tea went throught the questions. You know, the questions one asks herself to help decide whether she should splurge or save before vacation (hence the reason women take so long to shop). Picture Miss Tea asking these questions while looking at these shoes:

Does this look good on me?

What could I wear with this?

Where could I wear this? Work or upcoming party?

Do these shoes make my feet look fat or scrunched up?

Does the color suit my skin tone?

Do they feel comfortable?

Do they look good from the front, back, left side, right side?
Can I walk further than three yards in these shoes?

Let me tell you, Miss Tea answered all of the above questions with just two words:

fuck it.

Miss Tea's impulse buy is now your lesson in shopportunity.

Sexy, sexy!

Schmoozing...well, sort of.

Miss Tea is fatigued today because of last night's soiree. pubLiZity and Miss Tea received an invitation to Manhattan Modern Luxury Magazine's celebration of their Restaurant Issue (July/August 2009). Unfortunately, pubLiZity couldn't make it last minute. Luckily Miss Tea found three friends to replaced her. Yes, it takes three people to replace the illustrioius pubLiZity. Also, Miss Tea likes having an entourage.

Off to the Poliform showroom Miss Tea went, with Natasha 98, Miss Lala and P.Dizzle in tow. Thankfully, the list-checking, crasher-kicking bouncer chicks let Miss Tea through with her, uh, plus three. (Honestly Lala, Miss Tea just gave her name and the woman crossed out the plus one and changed it to three. Miss Tea's reputation precedes her perhaps? Nah.)

When the elevator door opened to the 6th floor, we were greeted by several handsome/beautiful servers who offered us champagne - now that's how you say hello to a guest! Manhattan Mag certainly knew how to throw a swanky party, complete with DJ, a Leblon Rum-stocked bar and some of the restaurants featured in the magazine.

First stop was Anthos, where Chef Michael Psilakis served us his Greek sushi (and almost slaped Miss Lala for taking her plate before he was done putting the toppings on it). Next stop was Jean Georges, where the master chef himself served us breaded shrimp laid on a a special dipping saunce. Our last stop was Bouley, where Chef Isao Yamada served a lobster treat. Throughout the night we sipped on Leblon Sangria Blanco and enjoyed watching all the beautiful people, servers and guests alike, like us.

Here are more pictures from the evening. The Poliform showroom worked well as the backdrop for this event. Miss Tea wishes she had some of these closets and kitchens in her own house.

Miss Tea needs to create a T-shirt that reads "I HEART food." P.S. Were the chefs really there? Um, yeah! But Miss Tea did not take pictures of them, because she was starting to embarress her entourage.

Breach of the Cancun Diet

Miss Tea would like to apologize to Rocky Stillwell for the breach of agreement made regarding the Cancun diet. Despite her attempts to maintain said diet by attending three Bikram yoga classes and feasting on fish for the past week, Miss Tea lost all discipline during dinner at Agua Dulce, a new restaurant in Hells Kitchen. Within the compounds of this "Havana beach club," the initial neglect of compliance occurred with an order of one passion fruit mojito at the bar with Miss Ija.

After being seated and joined by fellow cohort Miss Charly, the infraction continued with appetizers of warm tortilla chips and freshly made guacamole, pulpo gallego (galician octopus, smoked paprika, arbequina olive) and salmon citrus cerviche.

By the approximate third mojito, the ultimate injuction manifested in the dish of churrasco skirt steak with chimi churri, sea salt and roasted potato. All parties present also engaged in the allotment of one smoked tea braised beef short rib with soy charred string bean and crispy ropa vieja. Miss Tea is guilty of partaking in such excessive and exquisite dining, as she admitted such remarks to Chef Ulrich Sterling upon visitation of her party's table.

Such insubordination three weeks prior to the Mexican sabbatical may still be amended if the original purpose of the Cancun diet is reinstated and motivation is reinforced on a visual level. Thus, Miss Tea must review the analysis of the muffin top:

Exhibit A

All this work just to look good while lounging on a beach. Sigh.

Oh yeah, that's my man!

As many of Miss Tea's friends know, she is a faithful follower of Gerard Butler since watching Dear Frankie, and has pretty much seen every movie's he's done during his entire acting career to date. Yes, even before the sweaty, sexy six-pack feature 300. Though Mr. Butler supposed keeps an apartment in NYC (in Chelsea, we think), Miss Tea has yet to stalk, er, meet this fine male specimen. After all, much like Bikram yoga, Miss Tea will need to mentally prepare for her "chance" meeting Mr. Butler, to avoid drooling and muttering silly things. All Miss Tea wants is a photo with him. Un-PC, you can probably guess what she really wants. ;o)

Anyhoo, imagine Miss Tea, shocked, when she received an email from pubLiZity, sent to shake Miss Tea's fanatic faithfulness in her man, GB. Here is the photo Miss Tea received with comment written by gossip columnist Perez Hilton:

Yes, that is Miss Tea's man, right there. Just goes to show that even an ideal man is flawed. Thankfully, this has forced me to lower my standards in men, in general.

Go see The Ugly Truth and Gamer, both films coming to a theater near you! Miss Tea promises no digging in these films...well, hope not!

Swing of Things

Do-ba-do-bop-bop-bop...

Miss Tea spent a beautiful night under the stars at Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park, the location of their Midsummer Night Swing ...a series of evening dancing all summer long.

In honor of Lincoln Center's 50th anniversary, the Young Patrons of Lincoln Center (YPLC) held the "Swing of Things" Summer Event where Miss Tea, Miss Ija and Miss Charly sampled summer creations of area restaurants and specialty cocktails. The vibe was all summer mellow. Despite the fancy food and fancy fashion (the women obviously went home to don their best, shiny cocktail dress and strappy sandals), everyone was incredibly friendly and chatty...not your typical NYCer.

It was a pity that there were much more women that men at this event. If you were a single guy at this event, you seriously had your pick .. and we all looked good.

The folks at Arpeggio served mushroom-topped crostinis with a cream sauce while Vermillion served spicy duck on a polenta cracker (interesting cuisine of Indian-Latin fusion). Miss Tea also tried the pork belly and veal cheeks served by Seasonal. All of it was delish and kept Miss Tea in line for seconds. Other interesting discoveries were Bulldog Gin ("Definitely Delicious. Authentically London" and Starr African Rum - perhaps because the servers weren't as stingy as the ones at the main bar who served a shot glass of wine per person. Boo!

Of course the 3 gals had to inquire about the Young Patrons of Lincoln Center, young professsionals dedicated to celebrating and supporting the performing arts. While Miss Tea is teetering on membership, she is interested in the Fall Masquerade Gala on October 29th.

Because, you know, Miss Tea can't resist the glam...all she needs are swing lessons! :o)

For more information, please visit www.lincolncenter.org.

Move Your Body, Girl

It's official - Miss Tea has a countdown of 5 weeks before hitting Cancun! So this week, Miss Tea has been experimenting with various forms of exercise. Yes, Miss Tea is going to endure all it takes, just for 4 days on the beach. Miss Tea does not want to strut the muffin-top tankini look. Mercy!

On Monday, Miss Tea headed to Planet Fitness for a run...not bad after a little hiatus from the gym and from running in general. There's nothing that can clear your mind better than running 5K in a gym, randomly watching TV and hoping that the person next to you is not looking at how fast you're really going. Miss Tea doesn't mind having people around her when she runs/stretches/sweats because it forces her to do everything with heart (or at least fake it)...for fear of looking awkward or clumsy. Yes, pride and vanity are very good motivators.

By the way, Planet Fitness (www.planetfitness.com) is offering member for ONE YEAR for $99. Offer ends today so chop-chop people!

On Tuesday, Miss Tea tried Bikram Yoga for the first time. This is the 26 yoga postures done twice in a super-heated room for 90 minutes. Luckily, Rocky Stillwell and Miss Lala came to the class with Miss Tea for support. Now, perhaps Miss Tea did midjudge the whole concept. Not so bad in the beginning. Heat was bearable. Balancing was a little issue, but ok, Miss Tea was not alone in that. Miss Tea could even handle the puddle she created from her sweat. Soon the class became challenging. Miss Tea attempted some kind of camel back position and was hit with a strong dizzy spell. After 2 bottles of water and every attempt to achieve every position with some form of decency, Miss Tea had to lie down for a break. She turned to Rocky, lying next to her, and panted, "Are we almost done?!" To which he replied, sadly, "No." And the class just kept going and going and going.

Finally, the class did end. Miss Tea went home and peeled her soaked clothes off her skin. Though she felt better at the end, Miss Tea needs to be much more mentally prepared to do this again. In fact, Miss Tea will go back on Thursday with Rocky (so that he gets his "money's worth").

While there are other studios in NYC, Miss Tea went to Bikram Yoga Union Square (www.bikramyogaunionsquare.com).

Today, Miss Tea is sore and is weary of the Swing Dance Event at Lincoln Center this evening, which she planned to attend with Miss Ija. Forgive her, but Miss Tea may not be dancing, swinging or swaying tonight. Miss Tea will be happy if she gets through the night without spraining any part of her body.

Mum's the Word

Miss Tea and Miss Ija hit the town Wednesdsay night to try out a new, hush-hush, Japanese restaurant called Bohemian. Miss Tea had been rejected before by the GM because she didn't have a reservation, but at least she got a bizcard. The whole concept of this resto is to keep it low-key, hence the Spanish Inquisition when inquiring or reserving seats at the speakeasy.

This small, one-room restaurant is simply decorated with beautiful skylight, a paint-brushed design of the world on white and an alcove Zen garden. Miss Tea guesses there are about 20-24 seats (armchairs and sofas here) plus seating at the counter. The soothing ambiance would make any diner focus on their dishes and the conversation at hand.

If you happen to come across Bohemian and are granted an reservation (seriously, reserve 1-2 weeks in advance to get a seat), Miss Tea highly recommends the Tasting menu...go ahead and spend the money - it's worth it! Miss Tea sampled six dishes, all of which were amazing. They don't have a liquor license so BYOB. Miss Tea brought a yummy bottle of Yellow Tail Chardonnay from Australia (compliments of Lala - thank you Lala!). Hmmm, Miss Tea has started to choose Chardonnay over Pinot Grigio lately. Must be the change in weather...

If you happen to use the restroom, be warned. It is the typical Japanese toilet with remote control on the side. Thankfully Miss Tea has already been to Tokyo and experimented with each of those buttons to know that she should "look, don't touch."

After din-din, Miss Tea and Miss Ija went off to Wine Bar where we had a couple glasses of Chablis and Viognier. Though we didn't order anything, Miss Tea can vouch that the food at Wine Bar is incredibly good for noshing and all those wines lined up against the brick wall just put a smile on Miss Tea's face. There's outdoor seating and the seating is "community table" style inside. Miss Tea prefers coming here at night when it's dark and cozy and full of people.

Ahhh...there's nothing like spending a night out filled with food and wine, accompanied by a good friend who will bitch with you about everything else. :o)

To find out more about Bohemian, visit www.urbandaddy.com (New York) and search for "Bohemian."

To visit Winebar, visit www.winebarnyc.com.