[I originally wrote this post for the beyond fabulous Savvy Host Blog, a must visit for all lovers of cocktails and entertaining.] Unless you are like Auntie and I, who run our own Speak Easy, (no address given. So please don’t ask), the theme of 1920s is so done. But what’s sexy right now? An [...]

Everyone knows the basic travel tips: roll your clothes when packing, use curbside check-in, but do you know how to travel the SpeakEasy way? When I am not obsessed with cocktails and the arts, I am working in film production as a Cinematographer. I travel a lot. Especially overseas. Add these simple tips to your [...]

My father, Bob Martin (more appropriately known as Auntie Carrie’s nephew) is an excellent painter. I’ve grown up watching him paint and over the years, I have made attempts to approach my own paintings in a similar way. Long story short, it never happened. He’s trained. I am not. He is patient. I’m far from [...]

Without a doubt, New York has some of the greatest museums on the planet. Tourists so frequently attend the obvious ones, that they miss out on some incredible gems off the main path. Two of the strongest museums are The Studio Museum of Harlem and PS1 (once a public school turned Contemporary museum) located in [...]

I always have a reason to celebrate. If you’ve read my How to Throw a Party post, you’ll notice what a fan I am of a party themes and in turn, drinks, invites, costumes, food selection to support the theme. I think it makes the event more fun. Silly? Very. But more likely to get [...]

Auntie’s Brother-in-law (aka my Grandfather), I am told, was a great admirer of Irish music and culture. He would have certainly enjoyed my recent night on the town. There is a misconception that New York City is an expensive city to live in. Certainly, the asking price for most cultural events is steep. However, I’ve [...]

First, let’s get this out of the way: I want one. I want an Oscar. So any witty banter about the value of the event, recognition of the injustice of the Oscar sweep & the network’s only hope for higher ratings or jibes about “next there will be 20 films up for Best Picture” are [...]

One of my most treasured pieces of jewelry are these beautiful, powerful earrings from Alexis Bittar. The kind that when worn with tired looking jeans, flip flops and a Hanes tank, get you upgraded to First Class. I was walking in Chelsea last week and saw the new ad campaign for Alexis Bittar featuring the [...]

I WISH I had thought of that tagline first. What? Brilliant!!!! If you read this post in time and happen to be in the Phoenix, Arizona area, you must rush out to the Hoop Dance Competition happening at the Heard Museum. Exhilarating! Impressive! And you will feel so much pride, even if you haven’t got [...]

Last week, Auntie and I had the great fortune to be introduced to Stephen Marc, a gifted photographer (and we imagine teacher as well. He teachs at the ASU Herberger Institute for Design) We met at the Tempe Center for the Arts – a gorgeous institution that houses a wonderful art collection plus concerts and [...]