Ye Waverly

With all the buzz surrounding Ye Waverly Inn, I thought it high time to head down there and see if I could actually score a lucrative table next to regulars Calvin Klein, Molly Sims, Milla Jovovich and various Vanity Fair editor types.

As it turns out, the Waverly is so heavily guarded and overstaffed that even going to the bathroom (which was my only glimpse into the actual restuarant) means a full up and down to see if you are actually worthy of stepping that far back into where the special people are.

The Waverly isn't open to the public yet, and speculation abounds as to if it ever will be. The menu still says Preview, as it has for the past month, and there's no phone number. On my way back from the ladies I bumped into what seemed to be the manager and took the opportunity to ask him how to make a coverted reservation. Here's how the conversation went: (him, looking dandy and with his nose turned up) "We take reservations two days in advance" (me) "But, there's no phone number, correct?" (nose upturned even more) "Yes, but we have two girls here from 12 to 6 that take your reservation by walk in" (me) "So, what if you have to, you know, 'work' during 12 and 6?" (eyes rolling) "well, then I guess you have to send someone" (me) "Yeah", (followed by a fit of laughter) "that would be nice, wouldn't it?"

As I made my way back to the bar, Michael Caine was being seated at one of the numerous empty tables (obviously reserved for types that have access to the secret number, which does in fact exist). And even though the latest review in New York Magazine claims the food is only so so, like everyone else who is turned away but enchanted by what lays beyond the 4 stool bar, you can bet I'll be back to try again.

If the scrunchie fits.....

You know that Sex and the City episode where Carrie makes fun of the woman who couldn't possibly be from New York because she's wearing a scrunchie? I object to the scrunchie as much as the next girl (and New Yorker), but when the scrunchie is a brilliant orange, which just so happens to match EXACTLY the hairs on your head, that's when the scrunchie moves into a whole other level.

You can't see it here, but this is the second time I've seen Jeanne Claude out on the town, scrunchie included. It's also the second time I've seen her wearing a wind breaker. She's also a funny one about getting her picture taken. George and I ran into the pair of them at an opening a few weeks ago and poor George was flatly denied a photo op. I lucked out this time around, but when I went to stand next to Jeanne Claude I was told no way, if the photo was going to happen, I had to stand next to Christo.

Breaking it Down on the 6

Ha! Take that all you Williamsburg hipsters. I never once saw breakdancers on the 'L' train, but on only my second trip up to the Bronx (my new neighbourhood) I was treated to this:

two weeks of non-stop art

So, you know when you tell people you're moving to New York and they start to say or think things like "we're never going to hear from you" or "you'll be so busy you'll forget all about us". Ok, so maybe that's more an example of what my parents were thinking about my move to New York, but damn if these past two weeks didn't prove them right. Again.

Let's start with Wednesday, February 21st, where about 1000 people, and so many West Coast faces, packed into the MoMA for the opening of, among other exhibitions, the Jeff Wall show. I would have died happy knowing that I've seen just a few of these incredible works up close, so to have a chance to see 40 of them all at one time was pretty thrilling. No one does the lightbox quite like Jeff Wall does, some of those images felt so real I thought I was going to step right in. It was great too, to see so many familiar Vancouver faces taking it all in.

But before we get all caught up in the whole Armory week madness that ensued, let's back it up to Tuesday night, where George and I were graciously invited to a private screening of a new film about Donald Judd. I would give you more info, but the film is still in the production phase, and I'm not sure how much they really want people to know about it. What I can tell you, is that Judd was a huge fan of the bagpipes, and following our screening, all 40 or so of us were led back to Judd Foundation through the streets of SOHO by bagpipe. It was weird, and it was wonderful. Upon arrival at 101 Spring Street, all of us enjoyed wine, cheese, and a private tour of Judd's former residence. These tours are open to the public every Friday, and I HIGHLY recommend you take one in. With friends like John Chamberlain, Frank Stella and Dan Flavin, Judd's house makes for a mini modern museum.

2000 shoe odyssey

Oh vintage shoes. A size ten gal's most coveted and difficult to find item. So imagine my sheer and utter joy when I discovered Girls Love Shoes, a New York City store with, no joke, 2000 pairs of vintage shoes. They line the walls, they cover the floors, and there's an archive in the back with access for only movie stars and Calvin Klein, who had just popped in last week. I found myself a hot little red pair of flat leather sweethearts for $50, and a black 80's era set for just $60, both sure to come in handy the next time I try to talk myself into a rock show. If you're in New York, don't miss this shop!!!!

85 Hester Street on Orchard. Grand Street Station.

All hail Marc

Photographers struggle for that perfect runway shot




Fashion nirvana. That's one way I would describe Marc Jacob's F/W 2007 collection. Wait a minute, back up, FIRST I should tell you that I managed to actually get myself IN to the Marc Jacob's F/W 2007 show, sans invite. Yes, friends, I must be one smooth talker, because not only did I score the most sought after and oh so precious ticket in town, but - and now I'm bragging - I didn't even have to work that hard to do it. Seems the cute young fellow who got me in has a sister who's an artist. I tell him I'm in art pr, he thinks that's cool, and the rest, as they oh so often say, is history.

These terrible phone photos don't do the show justice, but the belts, shoes, and incredibly simplistic pieces in this collection, set everyone's heart a flutter. I'm no expert fashion reporter but the collection, as WWD notes, is "inspired by Bertolucci's film The Conformist, was full of chic tailoring, autumnal colors, and Stephen Jones's 'dramatic brimmed diva-by-day hats'". You can watch the video of the show, and read more here. I think I even saw a smile on Anna Wintour's face as she walked past me on her way out. And I know you're all wondering so here's the scoop: Anna is very very tiny, in frame and in stature. She had what looked like 4 assistants with her, and she moved past me so fast I couldn't tell what she was wearing, but her skin was absolutely flawless.

After the show all the see-and-be-seens headed to Eugene for a Marc celebration, complete with free champage for all (if you could even get to the bar) and a general mish mash of writers, photographers, media, and their darlings. I even got to become one when celeb photographer Patrick McMullan took my picture. Seems he has a thing for vintage as much as I do since he could not stop asking me about my 50's era little coat. But in an even stranger New York coincidence (and they seem to happen often here) his company is shooting my next big event.

Once the champagne buzz had started to wear off I knew it was time to head home. And so I did, with a big huge grin on my face and having just shared air kisses with Marc Jacobs.


Marc watches Marc at a party honouring, well, Marc

First Day Hooray!

This morning I took the L train to Union Square and walked up to my brand new office on West 22nd (not without a coffee stop first - FYI, a mocha and a muffin from Starbucks will set you back $5.25, but a coffee and a danish from a sidewalk coffee cart, a solid buck and a half.)

What a whirlwind of information that was thrown at me. First on my to do list, a meeting Monday morning with the Vilcek foundation at the Mandarin Oriental to discuss the awards dinner taking place March 14th. On Wednesday, a tour of the Judd museum on Spring street, on Thursday a press conference at Bloomberg's announcing the Van Alen Envisioning Gateway Project....and that's just for now. The week after I'll be in full Pulse/Armory mode, including putting final touches on a VIP party at the Hudson Theatre.

As I walked back to 14th street at 6:30 tonight following a fast paced first day and desperately looking forward to that left over red from last night, I stopped and took a good long look up at the skyline. The thought that came to my head?

"I think I'm gonna like it here".