I am a Seamless Web girl! I love the fact that I can open up the page and get a variety of restaurants that are available in real time to me. Generally, I tag some of my favorite orders such as my Calamari Roll, Crunchy Spicy Tuna Roll and Veggie Gyoza (Go Sushi) or my salad with everything but the kitchen sink (Food Exchange). Simply enter in your address and you'll find all restaurants that deliver to your area and only those that are open will be displayed while the other ones that are in the area but are not open will show that they are closed. I love it as you can store multiple addresses (I use mine when I am working more then when I am at home), you can store your favorite places you order from in addition to those items that you love the most so that you can order them again without wasting time. If you wish to order something hours from now for a conference you will have with others, you can let them know the time you're interested in having them come. This is the best thing ever and I have noticed that more and more restaurants are signin up so it's definitely catching on! If you have never ordered, the fab people at Seamless Web will give you 20% off your first order with the special code KITTEN. This is good for first time orders only and this code will be available from now until 12.31.08. Take some time to check it out and see how great it will be to order in a snap!

As you know, Mingling Mondays is about going out to places to eat that you can share for your next office function, friends or significant other. Well Mingling Mondays will now introduce you to not only the most amazing guy ever (my boyfriend) but a foodie who will post on here two Mondays a month! I want to introduce you to Paul and of course you will love him as much as I do. Enjoy learing about some of the favorite places that we have eaten at and his honest opinion of many of the meals. I think that this will be a great addition to the segment and seeing that he is teaching me a thing or two about cooking (he is a great cook) and I think a natural to host his own show one day, he is a great guy to join the Kitten Lounge family starting in August!

When I get my weekly mani's and my bi-weekly pedi's, there is only one place that I run to (I simply refuse to go anywhere else)! Dashing Diva has multiple locations all over New York City and they are definitely my sanctuary when I need a little time out! I love their pink colors, plenty of colors, fun events and so much more. I do enjoy going on Fri's to get my pedicure and manicures with a nice cosmo (I was also a huge fan of their wine pedicure as well) Recently, Kitten Lounge attended Dashing Diva's event which had the cast of Legally Blond the Musical in attendance doing a Bend and Snap competition. The pictures included below are courtesy of Sarah Conley which you can see more of her coverage on Style It! This location which was off of Union Square is my favorite one to go to! It was really cute to see the cast members together and to see the winners of the Bend and Snap competition!

Dashing Diva definitely loves the Kitten Lounge and its readers and is providing 3 Elle of a Pedicures (fit for Ms Elle Woods herself) which we will be giving away on this site on Fri the Fourth of July at noon! Getting a complimentary pedicure at the 3rd Avenue location (149 3rd Ave btwn 15th/16th) is definitely an amazing treat and a great way to enjoy the summer as well. To be one of the three winners, simply tell me your favorite pedicure shade (regardless of brand) as many of us go a little daring on our toes when it's the summer! All entrants must have access to NYC as it is valid here and all entries must be included as comments within this post. With so many shades, you're bound to find a favorite - my favorite "Chelsea in the Buff" or Vanilla -Rama (when it comes to mani's) and anything deep and vixen like when it comes to my pedi's.

This weekend, I was reacquainted with a place that I had visited last summer. It's definitely nice to be able to write about something when you have an awareness of the full experience! Jordan's Lobster Bar is an interesting place in Island Park, NY. You can come here to eat - there is always a long line of people ordering outside the window and waiting for lobsters, mussels and so much more. They can enjoy this outside which is always lively and looks out to the water. You can also shop on the inside where you can pick up items that are frozen and tasty salads. Of course there is another option where my bf and I stood waiting to get live lobsters. I could sort of see them being fished out of the farm area and we were able to see if we wanted to add anything to our order. This is definitely a great place to visit if you're going on a picnic, meeting with friends or are creating an amazing dinner as we did this weekend! Visit yourself and you can also order online as well to get fresh lobster!

So it seems like my sister's dog, Jimmy Choo, gets cuter everyday and apparently runs through toys and bags like none other! This is all good stuff to know so that I can start stocking up now for when I get a Yorkie of my own! One of the things she always talks about is how he REALLY loves his toys (thus always buying new ones) and how a carrier is absolutely essential and he grows out of them too. I like to think that a carrier is to a puppy what shoes are to us. When we were growing up we had to keep buying new ones since we kept growing out of them and now we buy new ones for all our moods and just to fit our lifestyle in general! So if we go shopping for our needs, then our puppies have to be outfitted as well without any second thoughts! I am so glad that there are others that share this belief as well and fortunately there is a sample sale coming up for your pooch!

The New York Dog Sample Sale is full of goodies! You can buy one carrier and get one half off, there are cute sweaters starting at $10, beds starting at $10 (Jimmy Choo may need to get one of those soon too) and raincoats starting at $15 as well! You'll find many other goodies and with a whole week ahead, you're bound to fins great items that you can't imagine why you wouldn't have! In addition, what a great way to bond with others while you get some shopping done and finding a great way to beat the heat as well. Make sure you make some room in your closet because you're going on a puppy spree! I love that New York Dog is a fashionable line that's carried in so many boutiques and now you can get a great sale for your pup or for a pup's upcoming birthday.

New York Dog Sample Sale
Today - 06.13.08 (9am - 8pm)
133 W 25th St (Btwn 6th/7th Ave)
All Cards and Cash Accepted!

From now until April 12th, The Kitten Lounge will be presenting a sampling of exhibitors that will be attending The 3rd Annual Coffee & Tea Festival NYC at the Metropolitan Pavilion from April 12th - 13th. Many of you know that I am a huge fan of Tea and for those that are Coffee lovers or enjoy the treats that come along with this, this is definitely going to be a fun event. What a great way to see the various tea shops that are throughout this area. One of the exhibitors will be Tavalon Tea Bar (which is a personal favorite).

Tavalon Tea Bar has these amazing Bloom Teas that you place the pods into a container and not only can you enjoy the aromatic smell but you can also see them expand and "bloom" in front of your very eyes. This blend is the Vesuvius Sunrise which includes green tea, hibiscus and lavendar. Available at Tavalon within their super cute shop on 14th street or on their website, this is a great way to enjoy tea in a different way. Take some time to visit them virtually, at their shop and of course - make sure that you go to the festival as well. If you would like to go, you can check out the website to reserve your tickets OR you can also win one of 2 tickets right here on Kitten Lounge which will allow you and a friend to attend to see exhibitors, sample beverages, attend classes, shop and to enjoy the Java/Tea Lounge which will have music and entertainment! To win one of these passes this week, add a comment onto this post letting us know your favorite tea spot or blend. One person will be randomly chosen next Saturday.

Tavalon Tea Bar
22 E 14th St
NY, NY 10003

3rd Annual Tea & Coffee Festival NYC
Metropolitan Pavilion
125 West 18th St
NY, NY 10011
April 12 - 13th
11:00AM - 6:00PM (Sat)
11:00AM - 5:00PM (Sun)

Ok I have to admit, I get sucked into reality shows which is why I do try to avoid them but it gets to be too much and I either see it every time it airs OR I catch it on a marathon. Case in point, the title of this post comes from one of those shows. TV aside, Maptote makes the cutest tote and hobo bags that let you rep your city! Today I want to give love to the city of Brotherly Love. I love that not only does it map the city but it has images that we all think of when we think of this super cute city. I love the LOVE image, Rocky's famous stance and more. This hobo is perfect and if you think that you need something smaller get it in black or taupe as a tote. If you're an LA, Montreal or Paris girl there is a bag for you. This is definitely something that will be great to wear during the Spring and the Summer and of course you will be quite the conversation piece no matter where you're going. Check out Maptote to see what they have available and with a price at $20 - this is definitely something to make the Lovefest last longer!

A few years ago when I was in South Beach, I went to Mansion and fell in love with it! Now a couple of years later, it's exciting that it will be here and they are having a private opening tonight in West Chelsea and just in time for Fashion Week's last night, they will be open to the public on Friday! Mansion is definitely going to be interesting as it will take its place on West 27th street (they will be in the same location that formerly housed Crobar)! This is definitely going to be a nice place to be as we get into the spring and the summer. This weekend, make your way down to this new club.

Watching all of those shows on Food Network wants you to bring out your inner cook. But where can you go when a cookbook looks like a foreign language and somehow all your testers have the need to wash their hair this weekend after your last tasting? Try the Instutute of Culinary Education which not only offers courses for those who seek a career in food - but you can sign up for recreational courses and even have private funcations here as well. In no time you'll find that the Food Network will be a source of additional ideas that you will be able to take on AND that your tasters have no excuses to come over and taste your excellent work. Sign up for emails so that you can be in the know on what course will be offered next.

I love having an old favorite and adding a little pop to it! It's a way of spicing up something that we had as kids and it's nice that we can upgrade it into it's much deserved adult status! Today I turn to hot chocolate. I love how warm it makes you feel and although it's not something that I have a lot, it's always appreciated when I go to the City Bakery here in NYC (I do feel that's the best spot to have hot cocoa). But when you don't want to go out, you can just stay in and make some yourself. This is perfect to have for the next few days when you may not have to go to work, if you're having some friends over for brunch or if you decide during your chosen snow day to have an impromptu scrabble match with friends - this is a great way to have a little event that is simple to put together. The best thing about this is that it incorporate hot cocoa, candy canes and Woodford Reserve.

Woodford Candy Cane Hot Chocolate

1 750mL bottle of Woodford Reserve
2 Candy Canes

Empty out bottle of Woodford Reserve into a clean container.

Place Candy Canes at the bottom of the bottle (break Candy Canes into smaller piece if need be).

Pour Woodford back into the bottle and allow the concoction to infuse for 24 hours.

Combine 1 1/2 oz. Candy Cane infusion with 4 oz. hot chocolate. Garnish with whipped cream and a candy cane.

I went to Indiana University and I loved Sports - the bar. I loved that we would watch our games there and all of us had the best time. I definitely had my favorites in terms of drinks, snacks and more. Everytime I came by, the night was destined to be good and you were surrounded by other enthusiastic fans! Coming to NYC, I wondered where the best sports bars were and what ones were favorable to my Alma Mata. Blondies on the UES became one of my favorite places after the first time that I went. The "It Factor" came due to multiple TV screens, a great crowd and the wings. I love a place that has a variety of heat and for those that may be a bit shy - they have other options as well. Blondies is a great place to hang out as college basketball looms and if you're in the neighborhood, it's worth staking out your spot. In addition, they are super fast in terms of delivery - they totally hooked up two hungry wing lovers this past weekend who refused to brave the cold. Visit the site and then make your way there!

Blondies Sports on the UES (although they have another on the UWS as well)
1770b 2nd Ave (Btwn 92nd/93rd)
NY, NY

I love it! One of my favorite blogs about baked goods is Loves Cool. This is such a great blog about a baking diva who has the BEST Green Teas cookies that I ever had. These cookies were at Tavalon Tea Bar and I happened to find out that she made them. Finally her much anticipated Amai Tea & Bake House has been opened for a little over a month. With office parties, holiday hangouts and more on the horizon, make sure that you drop by here to pick up a few things to add a little something extra to this event! This is perfect for the weekend or as a way to meet up with a friend before you go out to dinner.

Amai Tea & Bake House
171 3rd Avenue
(between 16th and 17th streets)
New York, NY 10003