Summer in the City

Memorial Day weekend is New York City's unofficial kick off to the summer season.  Hello, Shakespeare in the Park, Jazz Age Lawn Party, Governors Ball and a litany of other cultural activities from river to river.  And, let's not forget: OUTDOOR DRINKING.  The fun starts even before the first summer Friday with, you guessed it: Fleet Week!  Men in uniforms!  

If you spent your weekend running around trying to snap a #SelfieWithASailor, you are probably ready to cool off and kick back with another summertime staple: ice cream.  Non-dairy ice cream.  

Meet your new obsession: the recently opened DF Mavens in the East Village.  It begins with a flavored cone.  I picked coconut (just because I can't physically get to a tropical island doesn't mean I can't transport my tastebuds there).  

Then, it's time to choose a scoop (or two).  I went with New Orleans Salted Praline and had my own personal Mardi Gras flavor celebration.  

For those interested in supplementing their ice cream experience, DF Mavens also sells vegan pastries, milkshakes, gourmet chocolates, and juices - in addition to pints-to-go of their ice cream.  

Bottom line: this is a must-stop-spot for your New York City summer.  

Bonus: you can mosey afterwards to The Grafton (the erstwhile Lunasa) to get your outdoor drinking on in their back area.  

Summertime, Summertime, Sum-sum-summertime

The great thing about having a blog entitled "My Virtual Vanity Project" is that I can't be accused of false advertising with my posts - I write about whatever strikes me at the moment.  Unfortunately, given the amount of time that's passed since my last post, it means that I haven't been struck by much...or, maybe, that I've been really busy living in the real world!

Which brings me to today's post: summertime!  Of course, with Labor Day weekend coming up, summertime is almost over - wah, wah.  But what a summer it's been!  Especially for those of us who love the World Cup.  Below is a photo summary of my tournament month.

Here I am supporting my favorite country team with two other Azzurri fans.  Sadly, the first game was the only good one for us - a 2 - 1 win against England - because after that, we fast-tracked it to an early tournament exit, thanks in part to that infamous bite [the chomp seen 'round the world].

But at least I had a trip to Brazil to look forward to and live action in the stadium!  

(Mexico v. Netherlands, round of 16)

(Colombia v. Brazil, quarterfinals)

At the end of my time in Brazil, there were four teams remaining in the World Cup: Germany, Brazil, Argentina, Netherlands.  And with Italy no longer in the tournament, I decided to throw my full enthusiasm behind Germany.

My enthusiasm was rewarded with a fourth star for Germany and a third place win in the Smithfield - Lunasa tournament pool for me!

What did you do with your summer?

Last Days of Smithfield

On January 1, 2014, Smithfield closed its doors.

A New York City soccer community lost its home because some greedy landlord sold the property to a greedy real estate developer - to build apartments that none of us can afford to live in on a block no one would visit were it not for a bar like Smithfield (FIT students don't count, as usual).  Welcome to the wealth gap NYC-style.

As many of you know from my Facebook check ins, Smithfield has been my second home for the past 3 years (my last 2 birthday parties were here!), so this was a tremendous emotional blow.  Worse than the hit the patrons took, the staff - every bit a part of the soccer community - found themselves unemployed...Merry Christmas, here's your lump of coal.

And that's what made Smithfield so special - more than the beautiful fixtures, the fantastic spaces, the impressive foodie menu (with first rate options even for a vegan like me) - it was the people.  The soccer crowd, sure, but the owners and the staff (from the door staff to the floor staff (yes, I made that rhyme on purpose)) made you feel welcome, attended to...at home.  To call Smithfield our "Cheers" bar doesn't even begin to describe the psychic space our bar occupied.

Smithfield will have another incarnation soon - another location, perhaps another name.  Until then, here are some good memories of the last days of (this) Smithfield.

(I have left out some names and many other photos on purpose because I didn't ask for permission to post them...if you see this and would like a photo/name removed (or added), please let me know.)

Here's Fitzy who greets me at the door when I arrive (someone else is there when I leave - yes, that's how long I stay).

This is Eddie - I regularly harrassed him to play 1) Sunday, Bloody Sunday and 2) Fields of Anthenry (I'm a one trick pony).

This was the last league match the Barcelona Penya watched at Smithfield.  Getafe lost.  Of course.  

Here's me and Kieron on Smithfield's last night - New Year's Eve.  

Me, Tom and Willy.  

Me and two other regulars (I didn't ask permission to use their names) from the Penya.  Notice the photobombers behind us.  

Me, the Mayor of Smithfield, my friend Inessa...and everyone's favorite Arsenal fan (not).  

Looking forward to being together again under one roof!

Italian Door Knocker

When I was in Italy a couple of years ago, I spotted this really neat door knocker in Verona.  I finally got around to doing something with the picture...turning it into a greeting card. 

5x7 Folded Card

View the entire collection of cards.

And by posting this project on my blog, I get a $10 discount on my next Shutterfly order. :)

Doggies Make Everything Better

After surviving another Monday, this is what I'm about to go home to - doggies make everything better, and I am OBSESSED with mine.

Sometimes people really stink (like Alfie's previous person who threw him away at the age of 9 years and came THIS CLOSE to costing him his life).  And there are days when humanity makes you question why you even bother fighting to make things better. 

But I can always count on this little guy to put a smile on my face when I walk through my door.

So screw you homophobes, racists, misogynists, pedophiles, animal abusers - you who prey on the weakest among us.  After I get some doggie time, I'm coming back tomorrow to fight another day. 

The Foster Year in Review

This year, I began fostering with Social Tees Animal Rescue Foundation in the East Village (I had done on-site volunteering with them previously).  Below are the little ones who have come through my home on their way to their forever ones. 

Here's Reece.  She was so cuddly and cute and full of wonderful puppy energy.  She was with me for about a week, during which time I also had Rusty. 

Here's Rusty.  I LOVED this little guy.  He had so much personality and energy - after Reece went to another foster home, I had him for about another week.  I fell in love with him and wanted to keep him, but I knew a puppy would always find a good home...so I let him go...

Here is Reagan - who may or may not have been Reece's brother.  He was only with me for a couple of days (I got him at the same time I got Rusty) and then had to go to the vet to recover from some sort of bug.  He was a very good looking pup. 

This is Buddy.  He was...challenging.  I had him for about 10 days and worked really hard to do some basic training.  He was a bit stubborn, but I managed to make some progress with him, which I was very proud of - thank you, Cesar Millan!



This is Alfie - my foster failure...I ended up adopting him.  He was on the kill list at ACC with matted hair and bad teeth, but Social Tees pulled him and got him the care he needed...he got a second chance, and I got a great new friend.



This good looking shadow poodle is the biggest cuddle monster - so calm, so sweet.  I had him for THREE WEEKS...and then my sister adopted him.  Hurray!  Mickey got to stay in the family!

And this is Klaus!  My last foster for 2012.  He is going to his forever home tomorrow night!  The poor little guy was found emaciated, tied up outside with fur missing and stained paws.  Social Tees rescued him, and his super personality really came out with just a little love.  He's been with me for over 10 days, and I love the pup.  He is an awesome little guy who will be well taken care of for the rest of his life.



Happy holidays, everyone.  May we all know good health, warm homes and lots of love and kindness. 

ThanksLiving 2012 in Pictures

Last month, I attended ThanksLiving dinner at Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary for the fourth year in a row.  While it's a wonderful opportunity to celebrate, eat amazing food and have a great time, it's also a reminder that the killing season is upon us.  For those of you who aren't vegan, take a moment during your holiday meals to think about the suffering that led to the "food" on your plate.  And then if you think you might like to choose compassion for your New Year's resolution, ask me how: going vegan is easy-peasy, and I can help you veganize your favorite recipes and provide you with some awesome new ones. I'm helpful like that!

Meanwhile, here's a recap in pictures of my Amazing Food Adventure.  Thank you, Kevin Archer, for the delicious meal!  

The bus trip to Woodstock.

Chilling out.

Growin' my feathers back! 

Live entertainment.

Pumpkin pie soup.

Jenny Brown - co-founder of Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary.

"Beyond Meat" with 40 cloves of garlic, cornbread stuffing w/ pecan & figs, cranberry compote, winter greens medley.

Desserts by Vegan Treats!  That chocolate mound is a peanut butter bomb, BTW.