This weekend I had the joy of taking a break from the city, and heading to my best friend's family's house near Flemington, New Jersey. Needless to say, the mental break is enough to make me want to go there every weekend... but there's so much more appeal than the quietness of the home and the peace of the town we stay in when we visit. I felt like this was the first time I saw the Autumn so far, and just outside their door were a few deer eating leaves. Inhale this bliss with me...for there is NOTHING like the East Coast Autumn!

... this was the consensus at dinner the other night at The James Beard Foundation. For the 78 people that attended the dinner- we couldn't have been happier to have had the pleasure of this dish- I told Chef Jeremy Sewall to open a Lobster Pasta stand here in the city, and he could retire :)

Boston, I don't know if you realise how lucky you are to have this! Lobster Roe Pasta with Grilled Lobster Tail, Brussels Sprout Leaves, Foraged Mushrooms, and Meyer Lemon Butter.

This is my 2nd installment of The Chocolate Show NY because I could not pass up the opportunity to talk about this! Fika is a Swedish chocolate company with one convenient store in my neighborhood, and one shop on Pearl Street. Needless to say, they got my attention with their controversial chocolate sculptures.

I spoke to all the employees as well as the chocolate sculptor, and it felt fantastic to see people pushing the limits and remaining true to the fact that art is... observation, commentary, opinion, subjective creations. I always resonate with things that make me think, or horrify me- and I always remember the things that push the limits... always. Undoubtedly my favorite- dead Red Riding Hood underneath the Big Bad Wolf! :)

Today was my first day, and first time to attend and photograph the NY Chocolate Show. I wish this show was everyday :) I had an amazing, chocolate-filled experience- taste testing, chatting, sharing, and networking= a total win of a day. I got a million samples, and a gift bag for being press. I only wish I knew that there were separate tickets required for the Fashion Show portion the night before....luckily, they had some displays up today.

Without a doubt, this was the most clever and my favorite fashionable chocolate :) Extremely clever, and well-done, and of course very New York.

Enjoy ! :) And I HIGHLY recommend this Chocolate Show to any and every chocolate lover.

I can't help but feel a little holiday spirit already :)

Did I mention that I love my neighborhood? There's a secret treasure on W. 52nd street called Stiles Market. You could easily pass by it and never see it, (even though there's barbed wire on the top of the building- ha-ha-ha!) but for decades, it has been bringing Hells Kitchen locally grown New York State produce.

It is absolutely a treasure, and one of my favourite parts of my neighborhood. At one point, everything was $1, and with the prices in NYC, I keep Stiles Market in my arsenal as a woman, shopper, foodie, food photographer, and meal preparer. Enjoy a few of my favourite things :)

Hello Blog-iverse! I am doing some late night editing, and just wanted to let my faithful followers know about new classes and workshops my best friend Charles Edward is offering. Tomorrow, the first course is a "How To" with your own make-up. He will show and offer advice on how to re-vamp your look with the make-up you already have! He is a genius ladies, and once you have the magic of his attention, and his talent, you will never be the same. I know I am not :) Come on down to Hells Kitchen and check it out! www.charlesedwardstyle.com for info!

I love my job! The James Beard Foundation was born... and 25 years after its birth, I got a last minute call to shoot for their amazing annual auction and dinner. My response... a resounding YES.

This year, the guest of honor was Mario Batali. I have had such an awesome celeb chef year, and I am so grateful to James Beard for all that they do, and allowing me to be a part of their glorious and meaningful work. Here's the whole crew- I just love everyone's open eyes and smiling faces in this one ;)

Isn't she a marvelous Marilyn?? I LOVE Halloween, and this was one of my fav costumes that I saw yesterday. Apparently, she normally has hair as dark as mine, so, I give her extra points for pulling off the blondie wig so well :) Simple yet classic and lovely.