Jet setting for Beauty & Food

I am ready to share my recent finds in WONDERFUL Chicago. Guest speaking at the International Esthetics Cosmetics and Spa show is always an honor and my pleasure. But playing in a city I travel to is always a JOY. I love to discover new hot spots and to visit my fave places I continue to go back to.

Welcome to Donut Heaven! Stan’s Donuts is an awesome donut place I fell in love with. While I love Do-Rite donuts and will never stop. Stan’s Donuts and staff  was the best! For almost 50 years Stan has crafted some of the world’s best donuts and started in Los Angeles. So many choices so little time!!! And they are ginormous!Don’t let the name fool you they have bagels and so many other yummies too.Including a Dirty Chai Tea! I love the name. Don’t you?

Next I had to stop at Ming Hin in Chinatown for DIM SUM …I ordered an array of fabulous delights from dumplings, to shrimp to Chow Fun. I did not order the tough bird staring at me on the menu. Although it was tempting to TRY.

I

I always go back to Merz Apothecary for old time pharmacy and beauty finds and for a drink at the Palmer House.So tres chic.

I adore shopping the Magnificent Mile with all the amazing stores but  I love to go downtown on State Street that great street with mom and pop shops and eateries. I love a store called Agaci for fashionable finds.Nordstrom Racks there too.

The beauty show was filled with energy and mystical crystals. I got a Chakra reading by the master Linda Bertaut. She said I am SUPER-CHARGED with lots of energy!!! But warned me to watch out for burn out.I guess it is all about moderation isn’t it? Visit: http://www.chakralicious.com for more info.

Korean beauty is still trending and there is beauty from the sea with Repechage skin care.

I discovered some more fun beauty things. Stay tuned for my posts.

Oh and its almost time for MY Spring Beauty Giveaway! Come back and see how you might win and score.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Biting into that juicy apple …NEW YORK,NEW YORK!

I LOVE NEW YORK….Don’t you?

Counting down to a fabulous time!

I’m so looking forward to guest speaking,shopping the show floor,seeing my beauty pro friends,meeting new people and more! It is such an honor to be asked to educate at this show! I have meetings with many VIPS and going to take in all the show has to offer. alongside this show is the International Hair Show…can’t wait to explore that show floor and sit in on some hair classes too.If you are a PRO and attending the show…come by my class and say “Hello!”

Before and after long show days will be spent to shop til I drop and eat my way through the city~ Don’t laugh but I cannot wait to bite into a hot bagel with cream cheese toasted,hot dog from a street vendor and devour street food in Chinatown and throughout NYC.I see there is a new yummy popcorn Food truck can’t wait to taste!

New York is the city that never sleeps and I will not rest much either.There is no place like being back home and working there too!

Biting into that big juicy apple.

Stay tuned…I will kiss and tell!

TOP 12 List to Visit in Chicago oh my!

Have I got a lot to share with you from my all things beauty and yummy stops! 

Looking for a beautiful blowout bar? Blowtique IS the go to place. They offer several styles The Chicago,The New York  The LA and more!

Thread Away is a salon for the ancient ritual. Threading is another form of hair removal for face or brows.

Mud Facial Bar is the new hot spot for cleaning your face.The specialty is MUD.

If you are looking for an elegant place where the whose who of Chicago goes to get their hair done and more. Book an appointment at George the Salon

Besides the Magnificent Mile of Michigan Avenue.

Glamour Closet offers designer and other brand bridal gowns at awesome prices.

AGACI (in downtown Chicago) is a great place to shop and enjoy THE LATEST and greatest in all things accessories and fashion.And the PRICE is right!

LOVE FOOD? Me too!

Check out the many YUMMY FOOD TOURS…Chocolate Tour,ChinaTown tour and more!

Eat, walk and be merry.

One of the companies is:

http://www.chicagofoodplanet.com

Pierogi Heaven in the LOOP area downtown Chicago. I AM POLISH so this place really rocks my lips and heart.

Off The Tracks Grill for quick breakfast and or lunch only. AWESOME Chicago style hot dogs!

EATALY is all the rage in NYC and has now arrived in Chicago.If you love all things Italian you will love this shopping and dining mecca. They even have a Nutella Bar.

Chinatown has some awesome bakeries,bubble tea spots and DIM SUM. My
absolute fave is Ming Hin Cuisine.

This is just a taste of what I love and explored. I love visiting this beautiful,friendly, chic city!

SMILE & SAY CHEESE!

On my trip to work in NYC last week I ate my way all around the city. From Chinatown to uptown to those awesome Sabrett hot dogs from the street vendors. But the BEST thing I ate the entire trip counting the upscale delicious restaurants was this FOOD TRUCK on my way to shop on Fifth Avenue.

Interestingly called the MILK TRUCK.But there wasn’t milk there was CHEESE. The grilled cheese sandwich is the best i had in my lifetime!

If you visit Manhattan any time soon or this summer. YOU owe to yourself to not miss out. I should have taken a photo of it on my iphone.BUT I smelled it,bit into it and never stopped until all that was left was the parchment like wrapper.

WISH I WERE THERE…right now for another grilled cheese sandwich.

See you next month YUMMY cheesy Milk Truck!

Every Stone Has a Story in NYC

I promised I’d share my recent adventures back home to NEW YORK CITY.

Let’s get started with that beautiful city they loved so much they named it twice…
NEW YORK,NEW YORK!

Every stone,sidewalk building has a story and tells you it if you listen.I never knew how much I would miss the Northern states until I moved for my husband to the land of sunshine,Disney World and who could forget those beautiful palm trees.

New York is a very special place!

I know I have posted blogs about New York and New Jersey before but I can’t get enough of it. So, this last trip a couple of weeks ago is no exception.

Always delighted to be invited to guest speak and get in some family and fun time too.
All work and no play make Noreen a dull girl!

Here are my TOP TEN Fun Stops in Manhattan this trip

1.You must stop off Broadway just a couple of minutes from MACY’S 34th Street for an all things yummy stop!Eat and drink the night away if you are lucky enough to catch Broadway Bites they are fairly new street food.OUT OF THIS WORLD!

2.Europe’s H&M store is around there too and so are lots of other shops. Get off the main streets and shop until you drop.They don’t call it the Fashion Capitol for nothing.

3.Stop at Joy NAILS across from Madison Square Garden and Penn Station train station for a manicure and pedicure that ends with a shoulder massage and a TOOTSIE ROLL candy…FABULOUS mani & pedi on the cheap!

4.Chinatown stop for some Dim Sum a Chinese version like Tapas that are mini portions of all kinds of food…including chicken feet for the adventurous.The pastry shops that are new to Chinatown have a yummy French Vietnamese influence and taste divine.The fresh fruit stands are amazing and so are the street food hot Chinese donuts made before your very eyes.Need your watch battery fixed? Stop down Mott Street and there is this darling little old man in a tiny cart stand on the street that instantly changes all my watches I may need to bring him…and on the cheap!

*You’ll also find decorative touches for your home,chinaware and great gifts!

5.Take a ride and hop to the station for the Staten Island Ferry as seen in movies you’ll enjoy the view and can almost touch the Statue of Liberty too.

6.Little Italy offers a taste of Italy and has rich movie history from delicious Italian food,Italian deli’s,ice cold gelato and the famous bakery Ferraras!!! Since 1892 they are whipping up the best desserts,cappucinno and more for you!

*If you need a haircut there is even a famous celebrity stop Barber shop.

7.Uptown when I need a chocolate lift there is Serendipity 3 for FROZEN HOT Chocolate treats or a lovely meal.

8.Central Park is NATURE’S eye candy! Enjoy the view and enjoy some ice cream or a street vendor hot dog too.I love to people watch here too!

9.Dinnertime is the perfect time to visit Southern Hospitality an eatery mid town that just happens to be one that Justin Timberlake …yes, you read right Justin Timberlake the quad threat guy AND two of his friends own this down to earth yummy southern style place. I love the Fried Chicken salad and corn bread with honey.I’ll post more about this great place another time.

10 Dylan’s Candy Bar (designer Ralph Lauren’s daughter is a partner in it ) this uptown is a sweet hot spot near Bloomingadales Dept. store where i used to work.You gotta make a trip there and enjoy the candy staircase too.They have candy from your childhood and popular today too.

These are some of my  fave places I hope you will TRY your next trip or your first trip to Manhattan.

I fill my days from morning til night with tons of things to do in my day.

Exhausted but happy at the end of the day…take a bite out of the big apple and enjoy your days!

Fall in NYC and New Jersey

Fall in New York and New Jersey …there’s nothing like it. There’s the hustle and bustle of people everywhere.The scent of sugared nuts from pushcart vendors and the crisp cool air.
I went to guest speak and worked lots but I also love to add some pleasure after business!
I shopped till I dropped for some new fall/winter fashions.I love to window shop first and enjoy the view.I also like to see what’s IN and NEW.This helps me stay focused on what I want to ADD to my fashion wardrobe.I also am not a snob to street vendors. I love the fashionable finds I may find for $5.00 beautiful bucks to $25.00 it is so much fun! From perfume,to handbags,sunglasses and scarves they’ve got a rainbow of exciting products to make you happy and look good.Chasing that bargain.

I also love to eat and the Mac & Cheese Food truck was music to my ears or LIPS! I first heard the people chatting outside in front of the cart and how delicious the food was. Next,I had to try the creamy and dreamy looking food.So, I did and it was lip smacking good.

Macy’s Department store 34th Street the home of the MACY’S DAY THANKSGVING PARADE is the absolute best and largest dept.store in the world.Floors and floors to adore. They even had a makeover on the first floor since I visited a few months ago. The makeup,fragrance,jewelry and accessories departments have an awesome bright city lights new look.I had a great shopping trip.

Bloomingdale’s department store where I also got my start in beauty had expanded their beauty and fragrance departments and the entire first floor had a makeover too. I have many marvelous memories from my days working there and at Macy’s where I waited on countless celebrities and New York socialites.

Henri Bendel…a store to behold! One day I’d love to brave it and see if my products could be sold there.
It has always held a place in my heart.Mini boutiques inside a department store it is chic, class and charm all in one. You can always find the UNIQUE and fabulous finds.

A walk in Central Park and visiting my dear friend Joel Teron makeup artist at the Mac Store uptown across from ABC TV Studios was a fun highlight to my visit. I am so sad I missed Bette Midler, Whoopie Goldberg and Regis Philbin’s wife JOY who are frequent shopppers at the store.Joel showed me the new Rhianna collection and painted me pretty. Afterwards we had the best most unusual PIZZA.I must go back.

Dim Sum in Chinatown a Chinese brunch with mini plates was a MUST DO. I ate my way from the carts to the streets with tiny delights.The carts of vendors have Asian fruits and veggies…I bought fruit that looked like they were on stroids.Delicious bodacious delights.I missed the Dumpling Festival but there’s always next year.I found a uniqe Korean spa that was a place of peace I must go back to.

Short Hills Mall next stop on New Jersey…an elegant ala Rodeo Drive type Mall. I had not been there in awhile. Was it delightful!

The farm stands,pumpkins,apple orchards and gorgeous fall plants were so beautiful.Natures’s eye candy!

Dining and shopping with my sisters and family time was the best time…and the icing on my fall in New York cake.There’s no place like home and being with your family.Especially sisters!

I grew up here and although I live in Florida too I call this HOME.
I NEVER get tired of going up North.I love NEW YORK and NEW JERSEY. There’s so much to explore.If you haven’t been to visit up NORTH and the big city. Don’t even think about it. Hop on a plane and do it!
Life is too short to MISS out on the magic of this beautiful city.

Yummy Dumpling Festival

You know I love to write about beauty and food! SO, I MUST SHARE the news with you about the annual Tang’s Natural Dumpling Festival in NYC’s Chinatown.
Saturday September 28th,2013 at Sara D. Roosevelt Park from 12:00-5:00.
A yummy way to spend the day and explore the culture,beauty and food especially Dumplings!
If you love all things exotic and Chinese and you live in New Jersey, New York,PA and Conneticut…this may be a fun weekend for you to do!

Stop by the FACE SHOP on Elizabeth Street for Asian beauty delights!

There will even be a Dumpling Eating Contest in town.

Taste life it is so delicious…EXPLORE beyond your door!