[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 [...]

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 [...]

Auntie Carrie’s Speak Easy is a firm believer in the signature cocktail for any event. If you watch pretty much any show on the Food Network (our personal addiction) you’ll notice that each chef makes a special drink to go with their recipe du jour. Here are two recent Signature Cocktails that we co-created with friends [...]

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 [...]

New York City continues to give me so much joy. A few weeks ago, I was visiting a friend on the Upper East Side and saw this beautiful door front for a yoga studio called

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 [...]

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 [...]

One of the greatest highlights of 2009 was meeting the Queen…Queen Esther that is. She and I were introduced by one of the finest, intelligent filmmakers I have yet to meet (Yea – that’s her being loud at the beginning of the Joe’s Pub clip – see video below) and clicked instantly. In true Auntie [...]