Chelsea Market: beautiful food in a restored industrial site

Chelsea Market is a rewarding experience in Mew York City: a delicious meal at Giovanni Rana and some very

cool shopping. I love the old industrial setting, which is the former bakery of Nabisco cookies. 

Spices by the scoop

Industrial fountain, above

The main hallway, below

No Milk, Just Donuts

Dear Imaginary Friends,

Below, check out the mysterious exhortation to avoid milk and embrace donuts.
Just cuz.

As seen on West 26th Street, or thereabouts, in New York City.

Your imaginary Friend,
Patsie

The New World Trade Tower!

What a treat, to stroll across Sixth Avenue, glance toward downtown, and see the new gracious shape of the World Trade Tower! It is a defiant glance back at 9-11, and a forward feeling of national pride, all in one shimmering building. 

Your imaginary friend,
Patsie

The New World Trade Tower, Glimpsed in the Distance

Chelsea Flower Mart in New York City

Dear Flower Lovers,

Our hotel in New York was amidst the flower shops in New York City's Chelsea District. The glories of Spring: cherry blossoms galore, as well as hydrangeas, orchids, palms, etc. I loved seeing everything! As well as the fluffy white kitty "guard cat."

Your erstwhile gardener,
Patsie

I Eat Mice, Too

The Flower Scene on 28th Street

Lemon Trees

Arcadia Gallery in SOHO, Now Showing Rob Liberace in New York

BY ROBERT LIBERACE

Washington Square Hotel

Dear Imaginary Friends,

If you should find yourself heading to New York City, you should consider a stay at the Washington Square Hotel right in the heart of the Village. Washington Square Park is across the street with its motley assortment of street buskers, chess players and interesting, if weird, people.

The hotel is not big on amenities but has very large bedrooms and very large lovely marble bathrooms. What makes it chic? Bob Dylan, Barbara Streisand, Ernest Hemingway, The Mamas and the Papas, Joan Baez, Dylan Thomas, and many other actors, writers and musicians have called this hotel their home away from home.

The hotel was built in 1902 and retains a lot of its turn- of- the-century charm . There is a touch of Art Nouveau in the colorful glazed tiles used as decor.

Your traveling friend,

Patsie

Skinny Cat

Please send this poor cat some cat food. He is made by Giacometti, and he needs a solid meal. You can find him in the modern collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Van Gogh at the Met

Van Gogh and his florals: the white roses piece was owned by Pamela Harriman. She loved it dearly.
Vincent Van Gogh may be infamous for cutting off his ear, but he is treasured for his unusual portrayals of flowers, landscapes, portraits, and interiors.

He was certainly the prototype of the tortured artist who gave his all for his art.

Edward Hopper at the Met

I am a big fan of Edward Hopper. His scenes of American isolation set in the forties carry an intriguing narrative. I am also entranced by the strong lighting he uses in his exterior scene. I am a fan!!!

Vermeer at the Met

Vermeer is widely cherished for his intimate pairings of quiet solitude and convincing realism. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has four or more of his rare paintings. Enjoy!

Klimt at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Gustav Klimt was a famous Austrian artist in the Art Deco period who reveled in patterning. I bet people asked him to spell his name constantly! I'm just saying.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: New Middle Eastern Permanent Exhibit

Antique Turkish helmets

Turkish Dagger

More New York City Christmas Windows

The Less-Is-More approach

Amazing Lego  demo

Simple, yet Beautiful Wreaths

Dear Imaginary Friends,

What is more fun than strolling down Fifth Avenue with your best 120,000 friends to see the fabulous window decor at holiday time?

Precious little. Enjoy!

Your imaginary friend,

Patsie

Fifth Avenue Facades, Decorated for the Holidays

Bergdorf Goodman  Fantasy Vintage Horse Show Window

Tiffany's Merry Go Round Window

What's more fun than walking up Fifth Avenue to peruse the fashionable one-of-a-kind windows? What's more, I hear that Lady Gaga did the windows for Barney's of New York. Wish we could have seen those. Were there Christmas Trees bedecked with raw meat? Who knows, when it comes to Lady Gaga!

New York: What a Town

While taking in the Metropolitan Museum of Art today, who did I run into but four neighbors who live right by my neighborhood just about 4 blocks away.

Has Washington, DC run away and moved to New York City this weekend?

Judging by how hard it is to walk down the sidewalks of Fifth Avenue, all indicators say yes!

Our Austrian Tour Guide at the United Nations in New York