People are like flowers

I love flowers.  They come in many colors and can light up a room.  Flowers can bring joy to women and men. There is something about nature that makes people relax and feel special.  People are like flowers.  Sometimes, a person can walk into a room and make it tranquil.   They can also make others and feel special.  Look at the flowers below.

 

Some of these flowers are familiar and beautiful and some are unfamiliar.  They are all beautiful in their own way.  I remember a child asking me why God made people different colors.  I reminded her about the flowers and how they are different colors sizes and shapes.  The child understood immediately why we have a variety of people.  God loves diversity.   He is the creator of ALL things.  We see diversity everywhere. There is diversity in nature, natural elements, life above and below the waters even the germs are diverse.  We as intelligent civilized creatures know this and still cannot live together in harmony.  What does this say about how we feel about Gods creations? 

Ponty Bistro second Year Anniversary!

Ponty Bistro celebrated its second year anniversary in its Harlem location on August 4, 2016. They held a special happy hour to honor the occasion. The owners are Chefs Elhadji Cisse and Ali Cisse.  Both are Executive Chefs.  They are cousins, from Senegal, who worked their way up in the culinary world and are now owners of the famed restaurant Ponty Bistro located at 144 Adam Clayton Powel Boulevard in Harlem New York.

I was invited  to the anniversary and was impressed by what I saw.  The décor can be described as a cross between a sophisticated French bistro and a mid century modern dining room. The space was warm and cozy.  There was a lot of comfortable seating in the spacious restaurant.  The lighting was intimate which can give the space an adult vibe. You can see and feel the electricity in the room as the crowd relaxes with cocktails and tasty appetizers.  It’s a happy noisy crowd enjoying the ambiance, their dinner companions, and the music.  It’s kind of an African jazz compilation.  I saw everybody moving to the gentle African rhythms.  I talked to some of the diners who spoke in excited terms. They exclaimed their delight with the food.  Most were repeat customers.  I had to admit, it felt like you were at a big family reunion.  Both Chefs greeted patrons warmly.  I pulled the Chefs aside to get their thoughts on their success in the restaurant business. We talked about how they got their start.  They worked for a few famous Chefs like Chef Daniel and Jean George to name a few.  Chef Cisse stated that their previous experience helped to prepare them for the opportunity to make their dreams come true.  He also stated that when they came to America, they came with the desire to create a good life for their family.  Chef Cisse told me that the best way to do that is to “work hard and keep dreaming until it happens for you.”   They both emphasized that they will always have a big vision of their goals.  I asked Chef Ali what he saw for the future of the Bistro.  He said he could see Ponty Bistro all across the country.  I believe him.  Even I was swept up into the vibe, meeting people and enjoying the food and the conversations.  The Bistro attracts an international crowd. I talked to people, literally, from every continent.  The menu is a combination of French and African food.  I enjoyed the drinks and appetizers.  The sangria was fruity and just sweet enough.  The appetizers were hot and tasty.  I had the three cheese gougeres and the crispy tuna.  All the food was fresh and spicy – to perfection.  Between the attentive service, the delicious food, and the friendly crowd; I must say that Ponty Bistro is a great place to unwind and have a great meal.  

Girls Only Weekend Rejuvenation

Sometimes when we need to rejuvenate ourselves we feel we must get on a plane and go across the country or farther. But sometimes we do not have the time or money to do that. So what do you do? Take a weekend break. Somewhere close that you can afford.  Close enough that your work schedule would not be disrupted.  Pick a destination no farther than a two hour drive.  If you are a New York City resident, that place can be downtown White Plains, New York.  It is known as a major shopping destination and for those who need pampering, the spa experience can be found here.   You can expect to find shopping for the bargain hunter shopper or the high end shopper.  Every shopping sensibility is covered in the city of White Plains.  There are two major malls. The Galleria at White Plains Mall and the Westchester Mall are the two major malls in White Plains. They are not the only shopping entities there but they are the two major malls.  There are too many stores to name but shopping is a big event here. 

For those looking for the spa experience, you can go to the Red Door Spa in the Westchester Mall or the Spa at the Ritz Carlton.  If you drive to White Plains there is plenty of municipal parking. There is a movie theatre that is spacious, clean, and built to keep the average movie goer very happy.  There are a variety of restaurants in White Plains that will satisfy the most discriminating taste buds.

There a quite a few Hotels in this downtown area.  We have the Ritz Carlton, Cambria Suites and the Marriott.  All three enjoy a great reputation but I must give an extra shout out to the Marriott.  I find the staff extremely helpful no matter what time of the day or night you need them.  They aim to please in a timely manner.  The rooms are very clean, you are provided with a great hot breakfast – complimentary, and the property is very quiet.  It is also pet friendly.  The rooms are suites with cooking facilities.  There is a 24 hour fitness center, complementary wireless internet, and a business center.  The property is in the downtown area so you are close to everything you will need.  You can walk to shopping, spas, coffee shops, restaurants, business establishments, entertainment and last but not least, the supermarket.

Getting here is easy. You can drive up the Bronx River Parkway or take Metro North.  The Metro North is a half hour ride from New York City to White Plains.  The Marriott is so close to the train station that you can walk there. Coming off the highway to the Marriot is also a close drive in.  So if ever you need a break from New York City, take a chance on neighboring White Plains – you will not be disappointed. There is something there for everyone.  

 Sigrid

The Thanksgiving Tradition

I am not going to go into a big long argument about Thanksgiving. I just want to mention an interesting observation.  I was talking to a group of women about how they celebrate their holidays “back home.”  It was wonderful hearing what they had to say.  In some ways it was the same as the way we celebrate in the United States and in some ways it was different.  The most interesting part of the conversation is that one of the things that made the difference was money.

 When you hear us talk about the holidays we talk about spending time with family, friends and spending money. All the television commercials show us coming together and sporting new “things.” I see less and less about family togetherness in these commercials. Now the holidays include the black Friday or holiday shopping experience.  I hear us talking about taking advantage of the black Friday sales.  The other ladies only talked about the preparations, coming together and observing traditions.  They spoke warmly about seeing family they don’t get to see as often as they would like. 

There is nothing wrong with shopping but now we cut our holidays short to shop.  We eat and run out to find “sales.”  The busiest travel holiday of the year and we eat and then run out to shop.

I heard one store wanted to give their employees time off for Thanksgiving and the shopping center said they would fine the store by the hour if they did not open on Thanksgiving. I wonder what that says about our “traditions and values.”

Sigrid

Fashion Statement – Friend or Foe

When I think of fashion and style I think of trying to look my best.  Experimenting with a new look. I find that empowering and exciting.  I like going outside my comfort zone to make a fashion statement either to the world or just to myself.  I think fashion should be a fun expression of self to world.  If that is so why are women still being heavily judged on how they look?

 The fashion industry should concentrate on helping us look our best not, condemning us for not living up to a standard that changes at the drop of a hat.  A fashion ideal that does not exist.  The women on the runway do not even look like the “true fashion ideal.” This is the 21^st century.  Diversity should be in.  We claim fashion is a personal statement but when someone steps out of line they create a “fashion emergency” and are attacked by the fashion police.  I guess it is not such a personal statement afterall.

I know it’s really all about the money.  They keep the ideal out of reach to keep us spending more money.  Ok, I get it.  But being cruel to women is not very endearing.  We talk about and see how disempowering and dangerous bullying is.  But the fashion industry continues to bully women about how we look.  If someone spoke harshly about a person based on race, creed, or religion the world would attack.  But attack a woman about her fashion statement and it’s open season.  To me bullying is bullying.  Stop Being a Bully!!!

Sigrid