A night of laughs, drinks and nibbles!
The Breakers: Guilded Excess
ToursCommentDon't You Wish You Had a Marble Bathtub?
This past week, I went with about half of my graduating class to Newport, RI for a "Seniors Weekend" - it was so fun! We left NYC on Friday and stayed in town till Sunday afternoon. On Saturday morning, a small group went to visit The Breakers (http://www.newportmansions.org/explore/the-breakers). Even though I was tired, I'm glad I woke up to visit this insanely lavish summer "cottage".
We purchased the self-guided audio tour for $19.95. You can visit more mansions but we had to keep to a schedule and wanted to manage costs. Unfortunately, the photography rules at the mansion are very strict (more likely to motivate you to purchase from the gift shop than to actually protect the house), but I managed to snap some photos for you!
Dining Room
Everything at The Breakers is completely over-the-top. A dining room isn't just a dining room - it is a testament to opulence.
Marble on marble on marble
I am ready to jump in this tub! It is made out of marble and modeled after a sarcophagus - how regal! Throughout the self-guided tour, there were options to listen to additional vignettes about the Vanderbilt family, the servants and the cultural climate "back in the day".
I need a Cake Closet
In the kitchen, there was a Cake Closet - can you even handle it? THIS is what my life is missing!
Check out that BACK!
How beautiful is the back of the property? Some of the rooms are a bit too grand, so the outside is a nice contrast to all the gold leaf. Also, the gift shop has a ton of items you can buy - all of the things I was interested in had nothing to do with Newport or the mansions, so I didn't purchase anything.
If you're in Newport - check this out! I would have liked to have seen the Green Animals Topiary Garden and Marble House. If you are here and have more time, these are worth a visit.
Cheers,
Liz
Take a Stand
EntertainmentCommentA Night of Laughs at The Stand
I recently went on a second date and he suggested an evening of comedy. I was very excited since I love stand up comedy. He chose The Stand (http://www.thestandnyc.com/shows/), a comedy club in Gramercy that I had not heard of or been to yet. Naturally, I was intrigued.
He got tickets for an 8pm show. Doors open at 7:30pm and we arrived about 15 minutes before that and got a cocktail at the bar upstairs. We wanted to get there early to get a good seat for the show. I checked out the cocktail list and was impressed by the variety of the offerings. I went with the 3rd Avenue, made with Bulleit Bourbon, fresh squeezed lemon juice, fresh apple puree, and house-made 5-spice honey syrup.
3rd Avenue
This drink reminded me of apple cider - so delicious! My date ordered a Blue Moon. It was served in a mason jar. We closed the tab and headed downstairs. Overall, the show was great. Several of the comedians stood out: Janeane Garofalo, Christian Finnegan and Earthquake. I loved the show! Here is how the stage looks - took it after the show since taking any video or photos is prohibited during the show.
TINY Stage. BIG Talent.
I really love this venue. $20 to see a show is a fair price - especially given that you aren't required to buy anything once you are there. Unlike some of the other comedy clubs (Comedy Cellar, for example), there is no order or drink minimum. If you are hungry though, the food that people ordered looked TASTY.
Check it out!
Liz
From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk
Museum, ExhibitCommentJean Paul Gaultier Descends Upon Brooklyn
As an MBA student, I get the opportunity to attend a lot of awesome events organized by my classmates. This Saturday, the Luxury and Retail Club organized a private showing of the Exhibit: The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From Sidewalk to the Catwalk (http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/jean_paul_gaultier/). The Exhibit is until February 23, 2014 and this is the only East Coast Venue.
I signed up for this over a month ago and did not realize I would have to get up early on a Saturday to attend this event following a week of intensive classes (as in all day from 10am to 7pm). Then I realized that I was being lame and need to stop whining and get my ass to the museum!
The Brooklyn Museum is located in Prospect Heights. It is about a 30 minute train ride from campus or my apartment. With this new information, I will need to head back again! It isn't that far - you'd be shocked to believe many Manhattanites feel that Brooklyn is a far away land.
Brooklyn Museum
This is the outside of the museum in case you were wondering what it looks like!
Even though we had a private viewing, it did take our tour guide a little bit to get to the actual exhibit. She took us to several other pieces of art in the museum that were influences for Gaultier. I respect that and appreciate the knowledge though I was mostly focused on just getting into the Exhibit before the masses descended!
At the beginning of the exhibit, a pre-recorded video of Gaultier is projected on a mannequin. The overall effect is creepy and captivating. This technique is used throughout the exhibit. You feel like the eyes are following you! AH!
Jean Paul Gaultier is here to welcome you!
Growing up, JPG wanted a doll but his parents didn't fulfill his wishes. As the creative and inspired genius that he is, JPG put some stylish underwear on his bear. As a side note, JPG does not ascribe to the many gender rules we have. He believes that clothing is gender neutral unless it serves an explicit purpose (a cod piece or a bra being the only two).
Un-BEAR-ably cute
I really enjoy Cindy Sherman's work and there was a piece of her wearing Gaultier lingerie. Naturally, I had to snap a pic.
Cindy Sherman
I took WAY TOO many photos. Below, I picked some of my favorites to share with you. I encourage you to visit and see for yourself as the photos do not capture the exquisite detail and artistry of the pieces.
This is ONE PIECE of lace!
One of the main exhibit rooms. The walls ARE NOT spray painted. It is oil painted on and will be painted over when the Exhibit wraps up - intense!
Check out that cod piece!
I wonder what surprise is on the other side...
CAN CAN you see it?
Is that a heel? No! It is the Eiffel Tower. Beautiful detail
Look at the meat dress!
My favorite piece!
The final room has a backdrop of Manhattan
I love the feather detail. So delicate!
Animal lovers don't worry! That isn't an animal skin, it is made out of GLASS BEADS! It took over 1,000 hours to make.
This is an incredible show. It made me appreciate the detail that goes into high fashion, Haute Couture clothing. This isn't Zara or H&M. This is the real deal. SEE IT!
Cheers,
Liz