Must See TV....One Returning and a Current Favorite

I am so excited for the return of the Rachel Zoe Project on Bravo. Lately there has not been very many shows that hold my attention, but I can't wait until August 3rd to be back in Rachel Zoe's crazy fashion forward life. While she has had her share of controversy in the past the Rachel Zoe Project shows Zoe as a very hard working, focused stylist who has a great eye. It is always inspiring to see someone who has such passion for their craft. Plus, I say as I go into complete girl mode, she has the most amazing clothes!

Lately I have really been enjoying HGTV's Selling New York as well. Have you all seen this show? It airs on Thursday nights and follows real estate agents around the city showing the best real estate eye candy in Manhattan.

What is on your must see TV list currently?

Am I the Lone Person

who has never seen Twilight, New Moon or Eclipse? Not totally devoid of pop culture, I do know who Kristen Stewart is. There is an awareness of the whole Team Rob vs Team Taylor showdown. I think I am just going to chalk this whole disinterest up to being in the wrong age bracket and I will let the younger generation have this whole phenomenon.

My youth looked more like this:

The Lost Boys was my vampire movie of choice!

What were your must see movies growing up?

Sex and the City 2 the Countdown-Celebrating the City

It has been said that Sex and the City had five main characters-the four girls and New York City. Indeed that seemed to always be the case. While shows that ran during its original run on HBO, shows like Friends and Will and Grace, were set in New York the most you ever got as far as shots of the cities were a few seconds of buildings spliced into their real film location of

Los Angeles.

Sex and the City was different. They took the city and intertwined it into all of the story lines. They shopped in the real stores not in some recreated set, dined in restaurants that they would make popular overnight and had hoards of tourists on buses to drive by Carrie Bradshaw's apartment. If you are going to NYC and want to see the sights from the show there is an actual Sex and the City tour that you can take that will drive you to all of the hot spots. If you want a more economical tour or just want to relive your favorite moments from the show I have compiled a list of some of the places you may remember from Sex and the City:

Columbus Circle fountains located at the corner of Broadway and 59Th Street

Who can forget the scene below where Carrie in her beautiful white dress, rejects Aiden and they finally come to the realization that they want different things. The fountains at Columbus Circle provided a beautiful backdrop for a not so happy ending.

While we are on the not so happy ending talk let us next go to the NY Public Library at 42ND and 5Th:

This location was the scene for two very memorable Sex and the City moments. First of all do you remember when Miranda was armed with those life changing words "He is just not that into you"? She then wanted to spread her wisdom to others, despite the fact that they wanted no part of it. The stairs outside were the spot for Miranda's Dr. Phil moment.

Anyone who has seen the first movie also knows that this is the location of Carrie and Big's wedding meltdown. The staircase on the right is the very place that she received the news that Big wasn't showing up.

On a side note I highly recommend visiting the library if you have a chance. It is truly a breathtaking building and definitely worth spending some time exploring. If you love architecture you will enjoy it and the Sex and the City memories will make it even better.

The Plaza Hotel at 768 5Th Ave.

I promise we are going to get on to happier times shortly! The Plaza was also the setting for more than one Sex and the City moment. The first was when Carrie lost it when she had to read a poem for Miranda's friends wedding. She pretended that she lost it because she was happy for the couple, but in reality she was hurt because Mr. Big had received a phone call during her poem and she felt neglected.

The next time the Plaza Hotel was featured it was also during a scene with Mr. Big and Carrie, but this time it was an outdoor shoot. Carrie walks past the Plaza just in time to see Big and Natasha finishing up their engagement party. He sees her and walks over. She asks him why it wasn't her and we all know how that ends. She quotes The Way We Were and tells him "Your girl is lovely Hubble". With that she leaves him confused and turns and walks, hair blowing in the wind, out of his life...temporarily of course!

Tiffany & Co at 727 5Th Ave.

Wow all of these breakups! I promised to get this going on an up note! Tiffany & Co was the location where Charlotte pretty much proposed to herself....with a little help from Trey. Alrighty!

If you visit Tiffany & Co you are in the right vicinity of many of the shops featured on the show. 5Th Avenue is a plethora of amazing world class shopping and one that is getting much attention from Sex and the City 2 is Bergdorf Goodman at 754 5Th Ave.

Let me give mention to a few shops that are must see SATC hot spots off 5Th:

Prada-575 Broadway

Patricia Field-302 Bowery

Manolo Blahnik-70Th and Madison

Barney's-60Th and Madison

The Magnolia Bakery at 401 Bleeker St.

The cupcake place made famous by Carrie and Miranda is the Magnolia Bakery. Expect a line if you pop in here for a sweet treat.

While you are in the neighborhood:

Carrie Bradshaw's apartment at 66 Perry, between Bleeker and West 4Th Street

While this is not the real street address listed as Carrie's address on the show, this was the apartment where they shot the outside scenes for the show. If you visit please beware as I have heard the owner does not enjoy all of the Carrie fans who flock to her stoop! I don't know about you, but if I owned that apartment I would have a Sarah Jessica Parker cardboard cutout and offer photos on my steps for $10 a pop. Heck I would even offer a SATC wardrobe to go from tourist to stylish for your photo....for an extra fee of course! ;) What is with these people who do not want to be entrepreneurs! A bonus tip here-while you are in the area keep your eyes peeled for Ms. SJP herself. She literally lives seconds away from her character's apartment. Out of respect for her and her family I am not going to post her real address here, but you may just see her out and about!

Bryant Park 40Th to 42St's at 6Th Ave.

Like many of the other locations, Bryant Park has been featured several times on various episodes. During fashion week this location is turned into a tent city housing all of the top names in fashion. It was fashion week when Carrie, wearing her Dolce and Gabanna brilliant blue coat and jeweled underwear became fashion roadkill. It was also fashion week on the first movie when after the girls went to the show, Samantha was met with angry women upset that she was wearing fur.

Bryant Park, while much smaller than Central Park, is still a great place to visit. The NY Library featured above is adjoining it and it is very close to major tourist attractions such as Times Square. The classic carousel below is in the opening scene of Sex and the City the Movie as Charlotte and Harry have little Lily out for a day in the park.

There are so many locations in the city used for filming so let's quickly run through just a few more:


NY Stock Exchange 18 Broad St.

One of the few times we ever saw Carrie Bradshaw in a subway station was when she was desperately trying to get to the NY Stock Exchange in time to ring the opening bell.

Staten Island Ferry

She may have been drunk, but she was sober enough to have a vision! Charlotte shouted from the ferry "I'm getting married this year!" as Carrie tried to make sure she didn't fall off the ferry before she could make that a reality.

Times Square

As Smith's PR guru, Samantha was able to get him a very provocative billboard right smack in the middle of Times Square. He was more embarrassed than thrilled at first, but in the end it was the catalyst that put his career in the right direction.

This week instead of a trivia question I think we will do something different. Tell me about your favorite scene from Sex and the City,(please keep it PG as there are little ones who stop by from time to time as well).

Once you leave a comment you will be entered to win the soundtrack from Sex and the City 2:

Win it before it is even released and it will be mailed to you on May 25Th!

Leave a comment now until midnight Sunday! Check back on Monday to see if you are the lucky winner. Best of luck to all!

Sex and the City 2-the Countdown Continues

There is no doubt that one of the things that made Sex and the City such a hit was the fact that each episode had as much eye candy as watching a runway show. While Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda each have their distinct styles Carrie Bradshaw seemed to start more trends than all of the others combined. Whether it be the oh so expensive, absolutely gorgeous heels, the hoards of girls who began wearing their names on gold plated necklaces inspired by Carrie, flowers pinned onto everything or Juicy terry cloth dresses Ms. Bradshaw was the go to girl for style when the series originally aired:

We couldn't leave out the classic tutu!

In the first Sex and the City movie Carrie not only had a flower she had a flower that obviously had a growth hormone!

Going classic for her first day at Vogue. I always loved the collar on this jacket.

From the movie trailers and the photos that have been leaked Sex and the City 2
seems to have Carrie with slightly more defined, but still risky looks.
As you may have noticed I love all things 70's inspired which really has me loving the Halston Heritage Collection that she is wearing below:

(You can click on both pictures for a quick link to purchase the looks)

As promised there will be a great Sex and the City giveaway every Thursday leading up the release of the movie. This week the winner can choose from either:

or start from the beginning with:

Also if you already have these items and would like the Carrie Diaries instead then that can be arranged as well!

This week our trivia question is so easy, made even easier by the fact that if you look really closely you can spot the answer! This one comes from one of my favorite scenes in Sex and the City the Movie, because while Marilyn Monroe may have thought diamonds were a girls best friend, Mr. Big knew that it really took a gorgeous pair of shoes to get his girl.

What brand are the shoes that Big proposed to Carrie with?

Enter by:

1. Leaving a comment here with your answer to the trivia question.

2. Be or become a follower of this blog.

Entries will be accepted until Sunday midnight. Check back Monday to see if you are the lucky winner!

I will leave you with my absolute favorite quote from the show as my shopping addiction has me fearing I will one day suffer a similar fate:


"I will literally be the old woman who lived in her shoes!"

Sex and the City 2... the Countdown Begins!

As promised Joy De Vivre is beginning the countdown to the anticipated movie, Sex and the City 2, today! The next four Thursdays will be filled with fun reminiscing, trivia and tidbits about the show that brought us fashion, NYC and friends in a way never before seen.

Whose character are you most excited to see come back to the big screen?

I am excited to see where all of their lives are going, but I must say I will be very upset with Carrie if she cheats on Big. I know, he probably deserves it, but I am still partial to Mr. Big.

This week our trivia question is oh so easy! It is ridiculous how easy!

Here goes: We all know that Carrie ended up with Mr. Big. Who did she consider her other great love?

This week our giveaway item is:

The Carrie Diaries, which is the prequel to Sex and the City.


How to enter:

1. Leave your answer in the comments section and if it is correct you will earn one entry.

2. Be or become a follower of my blog and you will earn a second entry.

Check back next Monday to see if you are the winner!

While you are here don't forget to also enter for the "Have You Seen This Etsy Shop?" giveaway this week!

Wonderland, It is Not Just For Alice Anymore

Always a sucker for a fairy tale, I have loved Alice in Wonderland for as long as I can remember. Growing up with the original Disney movie version of the story I was a little curious about what they would do for the updated Tim Burton take.

Finally yesterday I had the chance to go and find out! The new Alice in Wonderland is not a remake of the original story. It is more of an addition to the story and shows Alice years later as she goes back to Wonderland.

It is truly a beautiful movie. The costumes, the sets, the makeup...the colors are so vivid that you almost feel like a tiny Alice in a gigantic candy store. If you have not yet seen it I highly recommend you do!

With all of the color and whimsy wrapped up in Alice in Wonderland it is no wonder that the story inspires everything from kitchenware to jewelry and all points in between.

Give your kitchen a colorful twist with this tea party inspired china.

If you have the money the Disney parks can give you pretty much anything you want for a party. This Mad Hatter inspired cake is available through their wedding department. If you have never checked out their site you must! Such beautiful ideas!

Urban Decay did a take on Alice in Wonderland with their makeup collection. It is sold out online, but still available on Ebay. If this is a must have item for you first check your local Sephora's and such just to make sure they don't have it before paying inflated Ebay prices.

The Alice is Pretty In Pink Crystal Necklace is available on Etsy.

Swarovski has designed the Tea Party White Rabbit featuring a pocket watch, trumpet and of course the rabbit.

Tom Binn's Queen of Hearts Drop Earrings are certainly Disney jewelry for the modern girl. The safety pins, hearts and multiple chains create a look far removed from Alice and her poufy blue dress.

My personal favorite thing to come from Alice in Wonderland...The Mad Hatter's Tea Cups at the Disney parks! Since we are all friends here I will share these ridiculous pictures with you all of Gabriel and I enjoying time at Disneyland.

Don't Mess With America's Sweetheart

Unfortunately in Hollywood most things do not glitter quite so brightly in the light of day.

The stars usually don't shine once you see their reality is vastly different from the silver screen. Thankfully though, there are a few that make you want to root for them. A few actors and actresses still exist that you can admire in real life as much as you care for the characters they portray in your favorite movies. Sandra Bullock is one of those few for me as I know she is for many of you.

Sandra always seems to step forward to give when needed in a quiet way, not in a photo opportunity way. You all know the type of stars that always seem to have a camera around when they are picking up a sick baby or handing out bags of food. Sometimes I think in the back of my mind that some of those celebs drop the baby and eat the food themselves as soon as the camera lens is firmly in place. Sandra Bullock, thankfully, has never seemed that way. She made me a bigger fan when I once saw her on TV talking about her home in Austin and how excited she was that they had gotten a Whole Foods in the city. So very down to earth from someone who could easily fly across the world for any cuisine she wanted. Plus I think she has great taste in her pick of cities as Austin is one of my favorites.

This week our girl has been having a few issues, but I say
let's celebrate Sandra Bullock for the awesome chick that she is!

I loved this Alexander McQueen number. The brilliant blue details made it my favorite of hers this award season.

A much softer look for Sandra here in gorgeous flowing ruffles.

I shall overlook my jealousy at the fact that she is standing with Robert Downey Jr. whom I love. But geez Sandra would it kill you to stand a few inches away from him! :)

Standing so proudly with her golden man. Such an accomplishment!

You be proud Sandra for being true to yourself in Hollywood and being well...normal! And note to jerk man and ugly forehead tattooed woman...you deserve each other! Nobody messes with Gracie Lou Freebush and comes out better in the end. Did you not watch Miss Congeniality 100 times like I did? Well you should have and you would have known better!