Top Ten and a Half Reasons to Date a Vampire

Kay Hall NYC 2012

Top Ten and a Half Reasons to Date a Vampire

 

Top Ten and a Half Reasons to Date a Vampire

1.  Has lots of money and a big house. (Mortgage Paid!)

2.  Will never buy you silver only Gold!!

3.  A great to-die-for dresser.

4.  Sleeps in the day so you can shop till you drop

5.  You will save big time on groceries.

6.   You can never accuse him of having a silver spoon in his mouth.

7.  If you have a small apartment no problem...he can turn into a bat and sleep in the closet.

8.   He has retractable fangs that click into place so that you and your friends know your safe.

9.  He knows when you're in trouble and will come to your aid but only at night.

10. If you're hurt or sick you can drink his blood. And your friend and family can too. 

10. 5  And... if for any reason you find aging a bitch you will always have a maker nearby. (Where are you going to find another vampire to turn you!!)

 

Where is this in Manhattan?

See if you can guess where this archeological find of yellow pay phones live. I'll give you a hint...MIDTOWN

Marketing Blunders Clinique Make-up

My favorite marketing blunder is when an ad company mistakes a good work with a bad word. Clinique make-up has sadly chosen to call it's new lipstick.... Chubby Stick. How many woman want to pull  a Chubby Stick out of their bag?

 This is just bad on so many levels. Did anyone at that ad agency study semantics?

What's that? Semantics?

It's a study of how words in our culture can send different messages to the brain.  For example you will feel differently when you see a woman in a red dress as opposed to any other color. Red is a highly charged sexual color.

This  same principle  applies to companies that choose fat names to call a product. Aside from the phallic imagery Clinique is a high end make-up. Clear, crisp, clean and classy.

Why on earth would they call lipstick Chubby Stick?
Is it not clear to them that we live  in a culture that sees fat as a bad and dangerours thing?

I might be looking for fuller, plumper lips but definitely NOT Chubby

Marketing Blunders Starbucks

Occasionally I come across a marketing blunder that a company has made. Check out Starbucks!!

This blunder is an accounting nightmare.
Did you know that a Starbucks decaffeinated coffee costs $2.01. Who new? And yes the cashiers do not let that penny go. This means that they will either have to give you nine dimes, a nickle  and four pennies( unlikely scenero) Or they can give you three quarters, two dimes, a nickle and four pennies (likely scenerio).That means that the cashier has to use at least one coin from  compartment in the cash register.

This wastes time, creates and huge need for change ( no pun intended) and must be an absolute accounting nightmare. Did anyone think this through?

Strike on Upper East Side in NYC

Yes people there is an ongoing Con ed strike on 86th and York Ave. This is the first strike I've ever seen in this neighbourhood. Not that there aren't discontented domestic workers, but they don't strike they will loose their job.

Why are the strikers here? Well apparently Kevin Burke the CEO of our great electric company lives in the corner building. You see that big glass thing behind the workers? It was squeezed into the last bit of real estate in the area. I think each floor houses a person, and there is one bored doorman for the entire building.

When you look up you can see  four entire floors with glass from floor to ceiling. Funny in all the time it's been there I have only seen one family leaving.. I seriously doubt Mr. Burke is home.

Storm in Manhattan, Fantasy City,Wednesday July 18th 1012

 

 

Bras and Breasts, Butts and Bulges

All in Manhattan on Wed, July 18th 2012

It was fantasy city in Manhattan this afternoon. The severe storm complete with hail and vicious lightening lasted about 3 hours today from about 3:44 p.m. till 7:30 p.m.

But while it lasted every male in Manhattan got an unexpected erotic fantasy dumped on them from above. Who could predict that thousands of beautiful New York woman of all shapes and sizes would have a wet T-shirt day... all at the same time!!!!

And what woman could know there were so many men looking so wet and wild.

That's why I call this day Bras and Breasts...Butts and Bulges

 

Fifty Shades of Breasts

Best Pharmacy on the Upper East Side

There is no question in my mind that the BEST PHARMACY on the Upper East Side is the Drug Mart on 86th and York avenue. If you have the smarts to experience this jewel of a pharmacy you will receive a personal and warm service.

The jewel at this pharmacy is a  pharmacist named Sylvia. She goes over and beyond  the call of duty for her customers.  It's like you're family. Give it a try!!As a bonus you will be supporting a local business.

PHONE #212 737 8800

Ralph Lauren and the Olympic Uniforms

America... it's time to wake up

Ralph Lauren's decision to make the Olympic Uniforms in China is a clear cold reality. The US and China are inextricably tied together. Made IN China is an American staple

Look around your house. Check out the labels in your closet, look at your T.V and pick up your cellphone.

That's RIGHT!!! All that stuff is made in China.

This is an American Reality. We don't need to blame Ralph Lauren and pretend this is some big deal..

WE gave away our manufacturing base years ago. And why? Well... the manufacturers had to respond to the public  (that's us) for  insisting on only buying the cheapest. Let's take some responsibly here and NOT CAST the FIRST STONE!

BRAVO RALPH LAUREN!!!!!

P.S  They do have a point about the berets. What's up with that?

Bath and Body Works Top Summer Picks

Fragrance for the Fun of it

Bath and Body Works for Me!!!

After a lot of fragrance searching I finally found what I've been looking for this summer. Bath and Body Works offers an exciting experience of aroma therapy in light summer scents.

My rule for the summer is.. CITRUS RULES. Citrus in the summer!!! I like anything with citrus .I like the words lemon or lime in the description. 

Fortunately for us Bath and Body Works offers a wonderful selection  of scents.
I have taken the time to review them individually so you don't have to.

First up are the  spray mists from the Signature Collection.  My favorite standout is Coconut Lime Breeze. Says it all right?

A close second is Sea Island Cotton ( seen at back on far right). It  is an excellent blend of coconut (not too  much to make you smell sweet) and a fresh citrus pause that can be a life saving lift when the office gets you down.

For the evening you cannot miss with  Black Amethyst. It has a rich sexy subtly smokey scent perfect for romance. (on the back left)

Remember these scents are light an fade quickly so you can spritz them on without offending.

The spray mists are a real buy for under $20.00.

When your dog has allergies

If you or your vet have come to the conclusion that your dog has allergies here are a couple of handy tips.
Your mission should you choose to accept it is to start with the most obvious thing. If you have cats for example, cats are most likely the cause. If it is diarrhea, it may be a diet issue. You can switch your dog food to veterinary quality dog food that specializes in combating allergies. Ask for that at your local pet shop. A grocery store will NOT have this. I'm not sure about Pet Co or Pet Land but you can ask. If you are getting nowhere find a small independently owed pet store, talk to them and even arrange to get it ordered for you.

If you have cats you must vacuum twice a day. Also, the best purchase I ever made was the HEPA Air Filter. This thing gets all the cat dander from the air.

After that change the type of bedding that you have. If you have feather pillows get foam. If you have a wool blanket get something that doesn't have wool

If the coughing stops this will mean that your dog  is not allergic to the cats. It will take a bit for the dogs lungs to get out all the stuff causing te cough and it takes about three days. .

If you've got this far and the coughing and sneezing is not going away. It most likely the cats or can also be the kitty litter so change the brand of littler just in case.

If cats are the problem this in what I have done and which you may want to follow. All I can tell you is that is that it worked for me.

I stated giving him a couple drop lets of cough syrum and allergy medicine for children NO alcohol. Still the cough persisted and in this order. Think of this like a recipe it's a good idea to follow it. If you do not like following the recipe it's NOT going to work.

#1.   Brush the cats or cats until there is not more shedding and know that you will be doing this once a day for a very long time.

#2.   Purchase the best product ever for getting cat dander out of the air. This stuff REALLY works. Do NOT buy the cheaper version.. It is made by a company called Simple Solutions.
The product is called, Dander Reducing Serum.    The instructions say to use a damp cloth to apply right to the skin but a cloth doesn't get that deep so I put a little liquid in my hand and rub that directly onto the cat.
You have to do that weekly however it will be well worth it- even if you have kids with allergies and cats.


#3 It is not negotiable that you MUST BUY this product. It is a children's medicine that is supposed to relive cough that dry hacking and horse throat which is common in mild allergic reactions.
The company is called. SIMILASAN. The product is called KIDS COUGH AND COLD.

This is a homeopathic product with $100% tnatual ingredients. I haven done enough research on the listed Active ingredients on the side of the bottle but is was unlike any of the ingredient on the average children's cough medicine. You might want to do research on exactly what thosee words mean in the ingredients It sounded to me like some kind of mixture of herbal extracts.

I gave my dog a "teaspoon" My dog weights about 14 pounds so make the weigTh adjustments accordingly. I gave him about two teaspoons a day one in moNring and one at nigT- when he woke up coughing. Every two days I began to lower the does now he takes a half teaspoon. At this point I am not sure whether to take him off the cough syrup perminantly. There mighT be something in it that his body need to maintain healthy levels, like a blood thinner, or pills for a diabetic

IN FIVE DAYS my dog was not longer coughing on a regular base. He continues to cough a little at night but not as bad as before. Over time I have found that the cough will begin to lessen..

GOOD LUCK!!! Below are pictures of the products I used.

Indian Sloppy Joes-Original Recipes by Kay Hall

Excerpt from the   "I friggin Hate to Cook Cookbook"

This is a great alternative to the same old sloppy Joe's sauce that is usually  too sweet, or too overpowering, and kind of  gooey. This recipe will take you under `15 minutes- honestly with no fuss, no crazy spices that you need to buy.there are no hard -to-get ingredients like twirling or whirling or kneading or food processing.
Even KIDS WILL LOVE IT!!!!

This is all you'll need. And... if you like Indian food your in for a treat.  The ideal product to buy is a tall box/ triangle thing. It reads Kitchens of India on the top and underneath it tell you the type of  Indian food it is. For example, Spinach with Cottage Cheese and Sauce.  And for all those foodies out there underneath that is the Indian name of the sauce. The spinach one is called Palak Peener.

There about four different flavours. but you really can't go wrong with any of them. And...don't be afraid if "curry" is in the title. These are really almost non curry flavored sauces.

The price of these Kitchens of India varies. I have seen it in Morton Williams for 3 for $5.00. And I've seen it in Gristedes for $4.99 each. This is in NYC so far.

All you have to do is get a pound of ground turkey breast and throw it in a frying pan with a tablespoon of olive oil or butter.

DO NOT ADD ANYTHING TO THE TURKEY.  No salt, pepper or anything you usually do.

Once the turkey is done open a packet of the Indian Sauce, stir in and throw it over your bun...which you have cut in half and laid open faced on your plate... ENJOY!!!!!

P.S. If you cannot find this product ask your grocer or get to the Indian section of the grocery store and pick up a jar of a light creamy sauce.

Best Onion Roles Ever from Zadies Bake Shop

If you are looking for the best Onion Roll EVER never fear Zadies is here. Remember those soft oniony rolls that you used to get as a kid? Well they are here on the upper east side at the Fairway on

86th street on the second floor near the bake shop on your left where the Challah bread can be found. They are made at the famous Zadies bakery a staple in the NYC Jewish bread scene. If you have never tried them before get some and use on sandwiches of a hamburger for a wild delight. If you've tried them then you know what I'm talking about!!!

Allergies in Dogs Coughing and Sneezing in Dogs

Allergies in dogs are  difficult to diagnose. The best indicator is that once your pet is removed from the house the COUGHING STOPS.  This CANNOT be done in a Vets office. If you dogs spirits are up, the eating habits normal and the tail is wagging your dog is NOT sick. Allergies, like allergies in people cannot be cured. Like people dogs can develop allergies over time, especially small breeds.

If you have cats in the house your dogs allergies most likely stem from this. Start by removing all the dander that you can. Vacuum the bed, the carpets, brush the cats and buy an air purifier. Symptoms will include a dry cough, watery eyes and the most telling sign sneezing.

To get your dog comfort I have found that a teaspoon of a children allergy medicine will help calm the cough. You can also give your dog a half of Claritin. After you have done you best to remove the allergen WAIT. This will not happen over night. Dander can be microscopic and your dogs have this in his lungs. It will take a couple of days to find out if this is the cause.

Also you should remove all pillows, bed covers and anything that might contain allergens.

And if your dog shares a water bowl with the cats give him  a seperate one. Fine cat hair gets in the water and can cause a cough.

Dogs can also be allergic to certain kinds of kitty litter so you might want to consider changing it as well and GOOD LUCK!!!

Coughing in Dogs- What Vets don't Want you to Know

Coughing in dogs falls into three distinct groups.

The worst by far is heart worm but fear not. Most dogs are vaccinated for this disease.  Also be comforted by the fact that heart worm appears mostly in dry hot places where mosquitoes thrive. The symptoms do include coughing but they are accompanied by definitive signs that your dog is sick. Appetite changes, the dog gets fever is listless and obviously sick. Heart worm is rare and develops over time. Your vet will want to immediately want to do a heart worm exam.and this will run you around four-hundred dollars. If indeed you get a heart worm confirmation the treatment is brutal. They use arsenic to treat your dog which is essentially poison. Your vet will advise you but in my opinion heartworm means the end. There are actual worms which have entered your dogs heart. Sometimes the cure is worst then the disease and this must be considered thoughtfully for the dogs best interest not the owners.

Another reason your dog may cough is Kennel Cough. Kennel cough is highly contagious and is transmitted between dogs.  A dog from the pound will most likely develop this cough as well as some Kennels. DO NOT panic. Kennel cough is easily cured with some antibiotics. Also, kennel cough gets worst at night. When your dog coughs this is the first option for treatment. Advise your vet that you would like to try antibiotics for two weeks before aggressive testing is necessary.

The other reason your dog may cough is that your dog may have ALLERGIES. The coughing will continue even if antibiotics are introduced.
DO NOT RUSH TO THE VET. The vet cannot magically treat allergies because a diagnosis requires time. Please read the next blog for diagnosis the allergies this is something only an owner can do.
"Allergies in Dogs"

Celebrity Apprentice Wrong Call? Fire Lisa Lampanelli

Is it possible that the decision to fire Dayana Mendoza was the wrong call? (see Dayana on the right).
I'm sorry Mr. Trump I think you called this one for the ratings and I can't blame you for that. However, this particular call stuck with me because of the message that it sends. Lisa Lampanelli (on the left), insulted and called this girl names publicly so with such consistency and violence that I would get a restraining order and sure.  Mr. Trump what would you do if someone attached Ivanka like that?

This was a infantile verbal assault on a young woman- a guest in our country.

In every boardroom that I have ever been in the prize goes to whoever keeps their cool. There is no organization that I know of in which verbal abuse is tolerated. I don't want kids thinking that if you scream, cry, and insult people that you even have a place in the boardroom!!

I am also ashamed by the way that celebrities in this country welcomed a young woman like Dayana who is learning the language, learning the culture and has come to NYC to further her carrier. While Clay Aiken was complaining about her lack of musical knowledge he should have thought that  Dayana did not grow up in American culture.

Clay, you have went down many notches in my eyes by the catty way you decided to act towards this young girl. Where is that Southern Gentleman who I have come to love?

I wonder how Dayana would have treated the celebrities if they were guest in her country and impaired by language nuances? I suspect she would do her best to make them feel welcome.

We cannot let Lisa Lampanelli's bad manners be what the world sees that we do with guests to the wonderful City of New York.

And that's why Donald Trump that you shouldn't have hesitated for a moment to fire Lisa

Here is goes. Dayana Mendoza welcome to New York. We are not all like Lisa Lampanelli.
It was really wonderful to meet you and welcome to New York City.  I'm not sure going on the show was the best decision for you but you handled yourself with class and grace. Best of luck!!!.

Green Cab's in New York City... I don't think

You don't crush and Icon

Yesterday it was announced that New York City was receiving a test run on 18,000 cabs on the Upper East side and the other Boroughs. The kicker is that it is NOT a yellow cab!!!..Nope in fact it's a green colored "bile-like" color.

Yellow cabs have become an iconic image for the city of New York since they were introduced. Everyone around the world knows that a yellow cab means New York City.  Yellow cabs are as iconic as the saying "the Green Apple". Maybe we should change that to the "Crab Apple or the Yellow Pear".

This CAN'T happen because this will  rip at the very fabric of the identity of the city. And  in these delicate financial times the "yellow cab" is the one thing we count on to make us feel special... the one thing we can always count on at 3'oclock  in the morning on a rainy summer night.

The mayor's office claims  that the green is preferable because you can see it from far away. From far away? Have you ever tried to get a cab in the city? If you see a cab from far away trust me it's already taken.There is a customer on every block! In midtown in rush hours the savvy cab takers set a "cabbie Trap"  These well healed travelers.stand in front of hotels with dragging small suitcases with wheels so that the cabbie mistakenly believes that this is a airport call and rushes to pick up the ride.  By the time the customer gets in the cabby has no choice but to take them to their destination. Cabs can be very hard to find. No need to see one a mile away. I wonder... are these glow in the dark cabs?

I think that the approach to introducing this green cab was like an ambush. I never hear a word about it then ca-boom!! All of a sudden we have a fleet of 18,000 cabs/ I wonder how much that cost? Is it really the right financial climate to introduce a pilot project?

 If the cabs don't work out we have paid an undisclosed amount for them. Why not test with 500 or 250 green cabs?

Unfortunately, it sounds to me like the deal is done. We are getting green cabs and we aren't going to have much say about it.  Sneaky right?.

When I came to NYC we had the sedans for years/ They were lovely, comfortable, rode well.(see image at top). Then, over the past five years we've been getting all these hybrids, that look like boxes like the cabs from an Arnold Schwarzenegger sci-fi movie that I cannot recall just now. ( he lives in some world in which air is bought and sold like electricity) These hybrids are loud, uncomfortable for anyone over 6 ft, with what I swear are missing shocks.(see above paragraph)

New Yorkers get on this quick before our fate is sealed. Give your input!!!

Cheap Eats Upper East Side: Dallas BBQ for $9.99 for TWO!!!

By far the Dallas BBQ has a fabulous early bird special!!! It is located on 3rd ave between 72nd and 73rd. The attraction for me in the outside seating which is really a plus for any restaurant. You will feel like a King or Queen.

And if you like fancy drinks you can indulge. For ten dollars, yes only $10.00 you can order Margaritas, Strawberry Daiquiris and a wide selection of other fruity fun get me drunk fast stuff conplete with shot.

From Monday to Thursday you can get the special on Monday till Thursdays on the weekends you have to make it before five o'clock.

This fab meal includes a small bowl of really great chicken soup, and a perfectly roasted half chicken with your choice of baked potato, rice, French Fries, and a generous piece of corn bread.

You say it right. That is nine dollars and ninety nine cents for two people ( that is not each) All this for $9.99.) to eat healthy well prepared food in an outdoor setting on the Upper East Side.

I throw in the shrimp cocktail the (small one) with extra huge shrimp and your out of there for under $30.00.

The weird thing is that Dallas BBQ does not serve desert so have a fancy drink instead. And most importantly beware Texas size portions which loosely translated means really really big.

At these prices you can afford to treat some friends to dinner. Above is a pic of my husband Peter G. Pereira enjoying his dinner at our favorite table.

The Sheik parade in New York City

New York City loves a parade. During the coming summer there will be a parade almost every weekend. There will be a Indian Parade, a Israeli Parade, a Greek parade and every other reason to have a parade that you can think of. Today was the first for me a Sheik parade. That's right folks there is a Sheik parade... who knew?

Cheap Eats in NYC

If your ever down on 34th street probably vising Macy's, you'll want to check out this place on 34th about 3/4 of a block down. For 5 bucks that's 5 bucks folks you will receive your choice of a huge block long buffet. You'll get five fantastic items to fill you plate and a soda is an extra buck. I strongly suggest you give this place a try. How can you go wrong. The place is called Lunch Box/

Celebrity Apprentice Rocks

This Sunday Celebrity Apprentice kicked off to a great start. The cast was fun, the women bitchy and the boys full of tetesterone. Great entertainment value. Good job Donald Trump. This is the only show that would love to be on. Maybe some day... Until then I'm a big fan.

I did think however that the challenge that involved Ivanka's Trumps clothing line tipped the scales in the woman's team. I hope that they even this unfair situation out in future challenges.

Ivanka Trump's clothing line proved practical, classy, understated and looked like something real women like myself could. She captured a real goal of many New York woman to look well put together but not over the top.

I think Ivanka Trump could very well run her own fashion house one day. She certaintly has the backing but what she really needs is a geometric visual shape like Fendi or Chanel or Yves St. Laurent that could accent her clothing. This would set her apart and propel her into the future.

This suggestion however. is no small feat. A graphic artist cannot accomplish this. She needs to hire the real thin...g an authentic New York artist who can understand the larger picture, and capture her essence. If you reading this Ivanka, may I suggest that you work with my company and my artist Peter G. Pereira to develop something real fab. He has made patterns for some of the top designers in the world.