It’s been more than a year and a half since, Gossip Girl went off the air and I still miss it. So I certainly wasn’t going to pass up my chance to take a tour of The New York Palace, which has just completed a $140 million renovation. This luxury hotel, famous for its large courtyard that faces Madison Avenue, played a starring role in Gossip Girl, as almost half of the main characters have lived there (or even own it) at some point in the show. The Palace always looked good on TV, but this new facelift makes it absolutely spectacular. As Mayor Bloomberg said in his speech at last night’s grand opening party, “Serena van der Woodsen would definitely approve.”

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a wonderful place to visit any time, but attending a party there afterhours on World Malbec Day was truly special. On April 17, Wines of Argentina celebrated World Malbec Day with a walk-around tasting at the Charles Engelhard Court in the American Wing of the Museum. Not only was the setting spectacular, but there were tango dancers and live music. The Argentines know how to throw a party!

At $2795 per night, most people can’t stay too long at this Great Gatsby—themed fantasy room. But you can bring it home with you! Yes, you can outfit your home just like The Fitzgerald Suite, as the identical chandeliers, lamps, desk chairs, sofa, bookends and more are available at RH, Restoration Hardware. Quite the souvenir!

When I heard about The Fitzgerald Suite at The Plaza Hotel, I couldn’t get there fast enough. The Great Gatsby movie and The Plaza Hotel are natural partners; not only did Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald frequent the Plaza but a scene from the book and movie takes place there. I was very excited to be invited to take a tour of the suite with Catherine Martin, who designed both The Great Gatsby and the suite.

On Friday, February 1, I found myself at Times Square as the clock inched toward midnight, excitedly waiting for something big to happen: a #MidnightMoment. Was I one month and one day late in celebrating the New Year? Nope! I was there for the debut of Tracey Emin’s first public-art project in the US. For […]

I had heard about the Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden for years, but I had always thought that it was something just for kids. Until I had my son (who just turned two), I didn’t get excited about trains unless I was planning a trip to Europe. But now that trains […]

There are always musicians in Central Park, but today there many more than usual thanks to a brand new festival called Jazz and Colors. There were 30 jazz bands in 30 locations all playing the same set list from noon—4pm, with an hour-long intermission. I arrived shortly after the second set had started and after […]

I’ve taken a cruise around New York City a couple of times, but never with a group of clad in dirndls and lederhosen. I’ve been helping with the Austria Tourist Office’s #dirndlNYC campaign, and they invited me to accompany the Dirndl Ambassadors on a Circle Line Cruise. It was a fun-filled summer evening. To see […]

Although Laduree, the world-famous macaron purveyor, opened their first U.S. location in April, it took me until this week to walk to the mere mile from my home in Manhattan. The good news is that by the time I got there, the lines had died down because all of the true macaron lovers had already […]

When you hear the name Trump, you think combovers, “You’re fired!” and birth certificates. When you hear the name Trump SoHo hotel, you think glitz, glamor and over-the-top luxury. And indeed, you would not be disappointed, on all accounts. I mean in regards to the hotel. I’ve never met Donald Trump. But I did get […]