I'm always out and about at events but it's nice to go to the ones that actually benefit someone else which is what happened when I headed to 1Oak for the first annual WishNYC: A Toast to Wishes event to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York. Conceived earlier this year, a group of organizers who were already friends decided to put their know how together to help grant wishes for 5 local children that are battling life threatening medical conditions. The success of the event came in raising over $40,000 in ticket sales, tables, raffles (Valentino, Ferrari driving experience from Gotham Dream Car, hotel stays and more) and donations! With over 300 in attendance, we danced to DJ Chachi and DJ Cameron Smalls while enjoying a number of sponsored beverages by Tequila Avion, Sierra Nevada, Hennessy, Belvedere, 10 Cane, Ty Ku and Voss water. A fab event wouldn't be complete without a little star dust with the likes of Richie Rich (who raised $1200 with an impromptu live auction donating 2 front row tickets and backstage passes to Heatherette at New York Fashion Week Feb 2011) and Vinny (Jersey Shore). It was a night of mingling, drinking, dancing and enjoying PopChips, Welch's snacks and POP Burger (guests went on to the POP Lounge for midnight snacks after the event). You can see photos of the event at Guest of a Guest as well as a few images of the night right here!

Weekends are essential! I get very excited about them and this one was even more exciting since Kitten Lounge Food Editor and boyfriend, Paul and I were hitting the road to go to Atlantic City to not only enjoy Halloween night but to get in some good food, spa time and a little poker - obviously not all of these would be enjoyed by me but we were both excited. As many of you know who Twitter me, I kept counting down to Atlantic City and by 5pm, I was picked up by Paul and off we went after gassing up the Murano to tackle Atlantic City. There's something about going on a road trip and if you travel with me, you can enjoy me singing along and doing dances (the closer we got to AC we lost our stations and went to 60's and 70's music which brought back memories of Sat mornings when I was little with my mom, sister and I!).

Paul and I had been invited to come down to Atlantic City and to stay at the Tropicana and to enjoy some dining. As we continued on the Atlantic Expressway into the strip, I couldn't help but think that since we took a few wrong turns, that we should definitely think about the next car having a little navigation and that we definitely want to have an SUV but that we might consider getting a Ford Flex as we will do quite a bit of traveling and you can't deny that it is a head turner - I always feel when you hit certain streets you definitely want to do the whole "see and be seen thing".

Arriving at Tropicana, I was pleased to find that we were staying in the new Havana Tower. Not only do I love that it's new but it's so close to all the food and club.lounge options. Since we were a little late (wrong turns will do that to you), we checked in at the front desk and checked in with PF Changs, went upstairs and came back down. All week I had been dreaming of Lettuce Chicken Wraps and I was not disappointed in the slightest; moreover, munching on the Crab Wontons was equally as satisfying. After a crazy week full of presentations and finishing up the Holiday Gift Guide, I was so glad to have the Mai Tai and later a Plum Collins (an interesting take on the Tom Collins which substiutes the vodka for Plum Vodka and also Plum Wine). Paul being a creature of habit, enjoyed the red wine. For dinner, I enjoyed the Sea Bass which sat on spinach leaves and Paul had large prawns. We shared garlic snap peas and for dessert we shared a chocolate dome.

I have always been a fan of PF Changs as I enjoy their asian fusion menu; moreover, when I have had it in a resort setting, I tend to enjoy the food that much more. During dinner we were able to touchbase with Courtney who is the Tropicana's PR Manager. In addition to attending events, I love meeting the people that you spend weeks chatting with in order to learn about a product or service. She let us know that there was a huge Halloween Costume Contest that would happen in the Quarter which is an annual event. While at dinner we saw various costumes and my favorite was actually a couple that we saw while we were checking in - they dressed as a bride and groom from the beyond and yet they had a pack of beer.

After dinner, we walked out into the Quarter to see all the restaurants and clubs that were available upstairs and downstairs. With more people gethering for the costume contest, we decided to step into Cuba Libre downstairs and enjoy some mojitos and of course to dance. I love lively music and everything is much more interesting when you have so many costumes around you. We popped out to catch the winners of the costume and then went upstairs to not only look down on the winners but to pop in to a few more places for a drink. We are both a fan of people watching and I have to say that the Cuba Libre upstairs has a bit of a lounge which is perfect for that. Although it was past midnight and we had only been in Atlantic City for about 4 hours, we continues to Red Square to enjoy an amazing selection of vodkas.

With such a long day behind us and quite an agenda to cover the next day, we decided to turn in. Nothing is better than having a large corner room with a spectacular view of the cities. Whether I'm in Vegas or in AC, I love seeing the bright lights. Being on the 64th floor we had an amazing view that we took in for about an hour or so.

The next morning, we knew we had a lot to do as we were heading home later in the day. Paul had to play Poker as he had been itching to do this for weeks and I knew I had a spa and both of us would meet up for lunch. We decided to do the smartest thing by ordering a plate of fruit to kick off the day! Paul played poker and I headed out to the Blue Mercury Spa. I had no idea that we have one in the city but as I walked in, I saw products that you could purchase from Model Co, Kiehl's, Molton Brown and more. When I headed downstairs, I found Erin who would perform my Blissfuls Coconut Sugar Scrub. Leaving the lockerroom, I walked into a lounge with pitchers of water filled with oranges and limes and platters of fruit. After nibbling on these, Erin walked with me to our room. This treatment had various stages. Erin rubbed coconut scrub on me, I soaked in a coconut milk bath for 20 mins, I took a shower to cool my body down and then I got an intensive full body massage. This was 100 minutes that I could have enjoyed for quite some time. Interestingly enough, I was starving by the time I met up with Paul and we headed to Carmine's.

Carmine's is an Italian restaurant that we have here in the city in Times Square and on the UWS. This family style restaurant has HUGE portions that are meant to be shared with 2 - 4 individuals. Most items are made on premise. As we thought about the menu, we munched on various breads and dipped them into an amazing olive oil ordered lasagna with a side of spinach. From presentation alone, this lasagna looked so good that the table next to us told us that they wished that they had ordered. We had so much that we knew we had to take it home with us. The General Manager stopped by and shared with us the benefits of a restaurant of this nature. When you have various people eating together, everyone has the opprotunity to share various portions of an Italian meal and everyone is able to chip in. We finished the lunch with chocolate canoli's and decided that we had to walk off lunch.

As we walked the boardwalk, we went to a taffy shop to pick up James' Salt Water Taffy. This is a must if you love this candy and everytime I go to Atlantic City, this is something that I have to do. Our walk found us at the outlets and from a little after 3 until almost 7 we shopped! I knew that AC had outlets; however, the amount of shops was surprising. After all the shopping, eating, partying and more, it was time to head home and to ensure that Sun was all about rest.

Thinking back, there are times when you want to do something fun and don't feel like boarding a plane. Filling up the car right after work to head out to AC is totally doable and once there, you can gamble but there are so many things to take advantage of! Whether it's you and hyour sig other or a large group, you won't be at a loss of things to do. The Tropicana was a great place to stay with so many options and you can still visit other areas. This is definitely an option for over night, a couple of days or on your way to something else. Atlantic City and the Tropicana was a Kitten Lounge Pick and a great way to kick off the next few weekends where we will be traveling! Next stop: our invitations to Islands of the World Fashion Week in the Bahamas and Skytop Resort in the Poconos.

It’s Monday morning and the last thing you want to do is to get out of your cozy blanketed sanctuary just to answer questions from people, who are apparently smarter than you as so stated on their business cards. Your phone/alarm clock goes for the fifth time and you realize that hitting the snooze button is no longer an option. You must make a decision and you must make it now. Unlike any other Monday leading up to this magical day, you decide go for it on fourth down and call in sick. This isn’t exactly the: “Good morning, I quit in order to pursue my artistic aspirations” type of call, but at the same time you do feel a sense of encouragement that may be, just may be, today is the day that you can free yourself from the restraints of corporate America. Or may be you just want to go for a walk in downtown Manhattan and buy yourself something nice; most like it’s the later.

Its ten o’clock, you get out of bed, put on Sports Center, take a shower and begin prepare your favorite, yet uncomplicated breakfast; two eggs over-easy, a side of bacon and whole grain toast. Although, you’ve made this dish hundreds of times before, surprisingly bacon will be the reoccurring theme for this prefect day. As its time to leave your spacious Manhattan abode, you throw on your favorite pair of jeans and your favorite pair of sneakers, which by the way you would never attempt to wear to work. You grab your cell, your ipod and you’re out.

As you are strolling down Broadway checking out the latest Adidas Originals releases, with Gnarles Barkley blasting into your headphones, you begin to smell something overwhelmingly delicious and inviting. You can’t put your finger on it, but you decide to follow in the footsteps of the great Inspector Gadget, investigate the situation and follow the aroma to its source. You turn onto Bond Street and as you chuckle on the inside at all the poor souls eating chicken wraps on their uncomfortably short lunch breaks, you realize that the scent is getting stronger at a furious pace, so you must be getting closer to your destination. You’re there and you’re in shock. Luck is on your side, you went for it on fourth down and not only did you make it but you scored a touchdown. Your mind celebrates and your mouth is watering. In front of you is Il Buco’s (www.ilbuco.net) 200lb Ossabaw Pig roasted whole to perfection, being expertly dissected by Executive Chef Ignacio Mattos. This is your sidewalk heaven. This is the reason you called in sick. This is the place where you can be free.  And if just for an afternoon your memories of the plastic world to which you have become so uncomfortably addicted are replaced with the primal and the authentic. Its love and it lives on a narrow cobblestone street in the city.

On Monday, September 22, 2008, Il Buco restaurant celebrated its 14^th anniversary while hosting its fifth annual “Sagra Del Maiale”, an outdoor Pig and Apple Festival commemorating the Autumn Equinox. Executive chef, Ignacio Mattos began roasting the 200lb Ossabaw beast at 4:30am and he wasn’t finished until 11:30 am. The hogs of Ossabaw Island, off the coast of Georgia, are descendants of “Pata Negra” Spanish pigs brought to the New World over 400 years ago. They are generally smaller in size and have a higher fat to meat ratio, which make them perfect for the “infernillo style” roasting. This particular hog was brought to the city from Cane Creek Farm, Mebane, NC, which specializes in peanut fed Ossabaw pigs. Accompanying the start of the afternoon was a number of delicious complimentary items: Flying Pigs Farm Porchetta Panini on Ciabatta with Blueberry Balsamic Mostarda, House-made Flying Pigs Farm Pig, Apple and Peperoncino Sausage, Farmer's Market Panzanella, Julie's Wild Arugula with Lemon, Red Onion and Pecorino and Apple Ricotta Fritters with Saba.

The afternoon was a spectacular event, which showcased the undoubtedly talented Executive Chef, Ignacios Mattos and his deep knowledge of authentic preparation of Ossabaw hogs. The restaurant, owned by Independent film maker Donna Lennard, boasts a rustic décor which reminds its patrons of its inception as an antique shop. It provides a warm and romantic setting that is perfect for any occasion, from anniversaries to birthday celebrations to simply an enjoyment of a wonderful meal with your loved-one. Il Buco specializes in Mediterranean cuisine and differentiates itself from other neighborhood restaurant by utilizing only sustainable and local agriculture. The pastas are freshly made daily on the premises, the olive oil is imported from Umbria and all meat and produce is fully organic and raised without the use of any hormones or antibiotics. And obviously, we cannot forget about the wine. The extensive boutique wine collection is designed by sommelier Roberto Paris and features a far-reaching selection of Umbrian wines; the list strongly represents Spain, France, Germany and the U.S. as well as other countries. Il Buco’s philosophy is “to seek out wines from smaller, lesser known producers, introducing our customers to a variety of wines they might not otherwise have the opportunity to sample.” Il Buco is also a location that is of legends. Legend has it that Edgar Allen Poe, once a regular visitor to 47 Bond St, took the wine cellar as inspiration for his haunting short story "The Cask of Amontillado". The wine cellar is available privately as well as for regular seating. An ipod dock to the cellars surround sound system is a desired feature that is available for private parties.

The wine cellar reminds me of an underground play-land available only to the knowing, the well-versed and the interesting as if transformed from the “From Hell” movie set. The raw iron, the aged wood and the feeling of escape to the culinary underground will give any patron a pleasant shiver, as well as, mental stimulation in addition to orgasmic palate sensations. The place is raw, organic and unpolluted with ones daily problems.  So do your self and your friends a favor – reserve the entire cellar, bring your ipod and take pleasure in the art of the conversation while enjoying the heaviest beats of your favorite artists and the flavorful combinations of Executive Chef Ignacio Mattos.