{flash mob, flashing energy galore and barely-there-shorts}

{a new yorker’s bff doubling as an adorable accessory}

{a simple shift}

{little black dress + barefoot on the pier}

{nautical stripes}

{purple with a splash of punk}

What’s your favorite park-side piece to wear right now?

xx.

Jess

Photo Credit: http://avoice4animals.blogspot.com

1. Dogs are a great option to consider when looking for a new best friend. Pocket Pooches NYC is located at 748 9^th Avenue in New York and offers a variety of puppies and dogs looking for a home. It is the first pet store to convert to an all adoption pet resources center. Pocket Pooches can provide multiple services including grooming, gentle and positive training, and a handle on all pet care.

To Adopt Dream, Visit: http://www.aspca.org/Aspca-nyc/adoptable-dogs/dream-a19770121

2. Cat lovers can contact the Feline Rescue of Staten Island. They’re special T.N.R. (Trap, Neuter, Return) process is a way to help keep cats from over-populating in this area. They rescue feral, stray and surrendered cats. All cats are seen by a vet, tested for common diseases and given full vaccinations as needed. The Feline Rescue offers their cats all the love and special attention they require until they are placed in a new home.

3. The Brooklyn Animal Rescue Coalition (BARC) at 253 Wythe Avenue takes a more personal approach to animal care. Their staff and volunteers take the time to get to know all the animals before giving them to a new family. The animals adopted here come with a full history report including personality traits and information about their previous owners. These animals are catered to according to their own habits and social skills. BARC relies on their volunteers who help with dog walking, cat brushing, and overall animal socialization.

To Adopt Vampiro, Visit: http://www.aspca.org/Aspca-nyc/adoptable-dogs/vampiro-a18923632

4. The Sean Casey Animal Rescue is found on East 3^rd street in Brooklyn where they not only rescue cats and dogs but also reptiles, fish, and different exotic animals. These animals are found in specific and special situations. Sometimes their owners leave them behind after an eviction, or they’ve been surrendered when their owners can’t take care of them anymore. Since they don’t discriminate against any species, the Sean Casey Animal Rescue is one of the busiest shelters in the NYC area, placing almost 2,000 animals in new homes each year. 

5. Bobbi and the Strays are dedicated to saving the lives of all cats and dogs in the NYC area. Roberta “Bobbi” Giordano established Bobbi and the Strays in 1998 and has dedicated her time to saving stray dogs and cats from the streets and even animals on “death row” at kill shelters. All animals are seen by a vet and given the proper medical attention they need to survive until the right family comes to save them. With adoption centers in both Queens and Long Island, Bobbi and the Strays are a no-kill animal shelter with a return policy on all adoptions; their goal is to find permanent homes for all animals. 

To Adopt Bam Bam, Visit: http://www.aspca.org/Aspca-nyc/adoptable-dogs/bam-bam-a03811578

Before heading to one of these spots and falling head over heels in love, it’s important to remember the long term commitment you’re entering into.  Make sure to take a long look at your twenty year plan and make sure that a furry friend fits into your lifestyle…a forever, loving home is the goal of all adoptions.

Have you adopted from a NYC shelter?  Share your story below!

By: Denise Pina

On a whim, I decided to try these little guys at home for Comedy-and-Chianti movie night.  I followed this recipe, picking up as many of the ingredients as I could during my visit to the farmer’s market, and was impressed by the simplicity and quickness of the app (even easier if you grill them on your George Foreman).  Make sure to sprinkle with pepper and salt for that extra kick!

They honestly don’t take much more time to throw together than cutting a block of cheese (my former go-to pairing when it came to wine night).  And yes, they taste just as perfect as the ones from the wine bar…but sure do give you a whole lot more bang for your buck.

What are your favorite appetizers to pair with wine?  Have you mastered making them on your own?

By: Jessica Tiare Bowen

If you’re anything like me, extra sheets are a rarity in the apartment because 1. it discourages guests from overstaying their welcome, and 2. unlike people living in normal sized houses, we lack this thing called a “linen closet”, hence the space to even house extra sheets.  So, when deciding to go on a picnic, I always had to face the conundrum: is it really worth having my one extra sheet all grassy and dirty and taking up space in my laundry basket until I get around to doing laundry next…which, let’s be real, could be pushing (several) weeks?  Most often, the answer was a decisive no.

Thankfully, the folks at Grand Trunk have created the Parasheet, solving all my picnic woes.  The light-weight sheet packs compactly into its built-in stuff sack, making it small enough to fit into the crevice of almost any closet.  And its super durable nylon material guarantees you won’t have tons of mud, grass, or sand stuck to the bottom upon departure, because it shakes/wipes off quickly and easily…no laundry room trip required.

I tested the Parasheet out at Central Park, and can honestly say, I foresee a lot more picnics in my future.  A huge perk was, even though the ground was still a bit wet from a rainstorm the night before, the sheet stayed completely dry on the side we were laying on, and we didn’t feel any of those lingering raindrops at all.  When we were ready to leave, we simply shook, rolled, stuffed, and voila!  The Parasheet is ready for the next picnic.  Convenient?  I think yes.

Whether you’re going to a music festival at Governor’s Island, catching a day of waves at Brighton Beach, or picnicking in the park, the Parasheet will ensure you’re enjoying fun in the sun…without worrying about the messy cleanup afterwards.

Where are your favorite places to picnic during the summer?

By: Jessica Tiare Bowen

Disclosure: I received the Parasheet courtesy of Grand Trunk as coordinated by Deep Creek Public Relations in consideration for product review.  All opinions are, of course, my own.

This week’s street style was snapped on Crosby Street.

{high waisted shorts}

{matching mints}

{distressed denim}

{tie dye to the max}

{black booties + summer sundress}

{guitar in hand always makes the outfit}

What warm weather piece are you loving right now?

xx,

Jess

]]> http://www.usedyorkcity.com/2013/06/11/oh-snap-crosby-street/feed/ 8 http://www.usedyorkcity.com/2013/06/10/a-day-on-a-dude-ranch/ http://www.usedyorkcity.com/2013/06/10/a-day-on-a-dude-ranch/#comments Mon, 10 Jun 2013 10:00:54 +0000 Used York City http://www.usedyorkcity.com/?p=4083 When I was in elementary school, my first grade teacher taught us to tell the difference in spelling “desert” and “dessert”.  ”Dessert” has two s’s, because you always want another helping, whereas “desert” only has one, because who in their right mind would want a second helping of something so dusty, dry, and hot?  Mrs. Brown certainly knew a thing or two about spelling tricks, but she had clearly never spent much time in a desert, or at least the one I was in.

The White Stallion Ranch in Tucson, Arizona, is nestled between mountains and desert, with the sky reaching as far as the eye can see.  Early to bed and early to rise certainly has its place on a dude ranch, as there’s enough activity to keep you going from sunrise to sunset, then immediately crashing.  Hard.

Each morning we’d awake to a gorgeous blue painted sky, and head over to the dining hall for a homemade breakfast.  (For a full glimpse of all the tasty food on the ranch, read on here.)

“I think the American West really attracts me because it’s romantic.  The desert, the empty space, the drama.” -Ang Lee

Then it was off to the stables to fetch the horses.  What I loved about the ranch was that they assigned you your own horse for the entire duration of your stay, based on your skill and comfort level with riding.

Well.

That being said, I have about as much comfort on a horse as I do driving in Manhattan, so the amazing ranch hands assigned me the slowest, laziest, oldest horse of the bunch, Cholla.  Cholla loved nothing more than to eat along the trail and to nip at whatever horse was in front of her, so needless to say, we got along just fine.  Depending again on your riding experience, there were a myriad of rides to choose from: slow rides, fast rides, mountain rides, flat rides, short rides, all day rides, wine and cheese rides, beer and cheetos rides…you name it, they had it.  I’ll let you take a guess which ride was my favorite.

The rides departed three times a day, so if you really loved riding, it was entirely possible to be on a horse the majority of your stay.

I chose to engage in a few of the other activities, as well: hiking, reading by the fire, and lounging in the hot tub all ranked at the top of my list.

Each night was a different form of post-dinner entertainment, ranging from country line dancing to songs and stories by the campfire.  Not gonna lie, I was utterly wiped out by about 8pm, heading back to the room to kick my boots up, and falling fast asleep to the sound of crickets.  Sorry, Mrs. Brown, but I’ll take two helpings of the desert anytime.

If You Go

One of the best aspects of The White Stallion Ranch is that, much like a cruise ship or a Carribian vacation, it’s all inclusive…no matter how much you eat or how much you ride, it’s all one set pre-paid price.  The only thing NOT included in your stay is alcohol, but drinks are very affordable and done on an honor system of paying when you check out.  OR you can be super budget savvy and BYOB and keep it in the fridge of your room.  Our room had its own electric fireplace and front porch with chairs…perfect for watching the sunset, then snuggling into bed.

A few things to note…

Ranch rates can be found on their website, but the most affordable time of year to go is June 16th-September 28th, when you can take advantage of the hot summer rates!

Tucson has over 3,800 hours of sunshine yearly–the highest known!  So no matter what time of year you go, pack sunscreen.  Even the winter sun is very fierce.

Wireless is available, free of charge, as is the on-site gym and sauna.

If you will be staying 4 nights or more, there is free transportation to and from the Tucson airport.

This would be a fantastic vacation if you have young kiddos who you’d like entertained all day, non-stop, by others.  The resort has a pool, game room, movie theater, basketball and tennis courts, petting zoo, library, and plenty of room to run around (safely) and act like kids.  There is no charge for children under 5 years of age, but the minimum riding age is 5.

If you want to explore more of Tucson while you’re out west, I’d highly recommend Stephen Fredricks from Tribute Transportation, whose local perspective and excellent (and affordable) driving will give you everything you need to know about the town.

By: Jessica Tiare Bowen

A very special thank you to the wonderful folks at the The Dude Ranchers Association and the White Stallion Ranch!

We’re super happy to be giving away tickets to the show Unbroken Circle!  Here’s the 411:

“UNBROKEN CIRCLE, written by James Wesley, is at turns hilarious and disturbing as it explores how family secrets affect every person in each generation differently. Set in 1970′s Galveston, Texas, a family is brought together for the first time in years on the day of its patriarch’s funeral. As the day turns into night, the impact of the man on his family unfolds in surprising ways leaving each member grappling with the truth.

The cast includes Stacey Bone-Gleason and Broadway vets Anika Larsen (Xanadu, Avenue Q),  Suzanna Hay (Dance of Death with Ian McKellan and David Strathaim), Lori Hammel (Mamma Mia!), and also stars Eve Plumb (“The Brady Bunch”, Love Loss…) in a highly comedic yet ultimately moving performance as the born-again Christian, Aunt June. Inspired by events from his extended Texas family, playwright James Wesley stars as the troubled Bobby alongside his real-life daughter Juli Wesley.” 

Photo Credit: Bill Selby

Here’s how to enter:

1. Subscribe to Used York City, getting the best picks of NYC delivered straight to your inbox.  (Don’t forget to respond to the verification message you are sent via email.)

For a bonus entry:

1.  Like us on Facebook!

Details:

The contest will run until Tuesday, June 11th, 2013, at which time a winner will be randomly chosen and announced on this post and via Twitter, and the winner will be notified directly by the email address that they subscribed with!  Best of luck to all our readers!

And if you don’t win the tickets, we’re still thrilled to offer our readers a special offer!  You can get $39.50 tickets by entering code UCRED when purchasing tickets online, or over the phone: 212.947.8844.

By: Jessica Tiare Bowen

Luckily, the entire process just got a lot easier with this delightful little Digital Luggage Scale created by Mira.  The concept is simple: pack your bags, strap on the hand-held luggage weight, and lift.  Within seconds the digital scale will give you an exact weight up to 110 pounds (or 50 kgs).  See…it even doubles as a workout!  The scale itself is lightweight and compact, making it easy to throw in your suitcase to use again before your flight home.

Sitting next to a magazine…small and compact!

I wanted to give the scale a proper test for you, but since I didn’t have any trips planned that would cause me to pack more than my Weekender, I enlisted our favorite chihuahua to help me out.  Those of you that have been following the blog for a while know that Mr. Gillman’s princely paws positively hate touching the ground if he can possibly avoid it, therefore I end up toting him most everywhere in his doggy bag.  Charming, I know.

“Mommy, what are you even doing?!”

After Gills jumped in the bag, I strapped the luggage scale to the top and lifted.  And what do you know…Mr. G and the bag came in at a whopping 9.2 pounds!  My vet will certainly be happy to hear that, as Mr. G never holds still long enough to be properly weighed during his checkups.

“Does this mean I never have to go to the vet again?!”

“Luggage scale…it’s my favorite thing!”

Whether you’re a frequent business traveler or one of those awesome Round The World types, this handy little device ensures that both cash and headache can be saved.  And if you’re a small dog owner, I promise it gives countless minutes of entertainment.

By: Jessica Tiare Bowen

Disclosure: I received the luggage scale courtesy of Mira in consideration for product review.  All opinions are, of course, my own.

1. Orchard Beach

For my Bronx natives, Orchard Beach is a bus ride away. This is the only public beach in the Bronx open since the 1930s. Orchard held a bad reputation for its polluted water and dirty sand but once the word got around, NYC Parks has really cleaned up their act. The beach is also known for its 26 sporting courts; you can enjoy some handball or watch a little street ball after your swim. 

2. Coney Island

For a more adventurous day, get on the D train and head straight to Coney Island. It’s an aged attraction that never seems to get old to us New Yorkers. An amusement park, boardwalk and sandy feet all wrapped in one.  Home of the infamous Cyclone and Nathan’s annual 4^th of July hot dog eating contest, Coney Island holds enough history to become a national monument. It may sound over-the-top but just wait until you’ve seen the annual Mermaid Parade, only then will you be a believer.

Photo Credit: urbanomnibus.net

3. Brighton Beach

Alongside Coney Island is Brighton Beach. The Brighton area is filled with Russian speaking natives giving it the nickname, Little Odessa. Brighton is filled with live Russian culture and many Jewish immigrants as well. It is the home of the annual Brighton Jubilee Festival. The festival is a grand event with kiddie rides, diverse merchandise, international food and more. Brighton is the place to be to dip your feet into some diversity. 

4. Jacob Riis Park Beach

Hop on the A train and head over to the Rockaways. Jacob Riis Park Beach is a serene and quiet beach. It’s the perfect place to get away from the city life. There are few concession stands so a picnic is the best suggestion. Riis is known for its dangerous rip currents. It’s highly important that you read up on how to survive these currents before entering the water…or you can just spend your days building sand castles and soaking in the sun.

Photo Credit: www.flickr.com

5. Beekman Beer Garden Beach Club

If you’re in love with the city life, you’ll enjoy the urban oasis, also known as The Beekman Beer Garden located near Pier 17.  This is a different kind of beach; no bathing suits allowed…(but don’t forget your clothes!) Enjoy the beautiful view of the city with a nice drink from the long bar and a delicious burger from the restaurant tent sitting on the couches with sand at your feet. With continuous music playing all day from 12 noon till 3am, Beekman is the best “beach” in the city. Perfect for a day out with the girls or even a game day with the guys. Equipped with ping-pong and pool tables, corn hold and chess. There’s much to choose from in this crazy city. Either way, your paradise is just a Metrocard swipe away. 

Photo Credit: http://www.beekmanbeergarden.com/

What’s your favorite NYC beach?

By: Denise Pina

The first series is snapped on none other than the Highline itself.

{dance shoes are always in style}

{a touch of gold}

{total sucker for a good hat}

{bonjour, paris}

{neon skinnies}

{palm springs meets the standard rooftop}

What piece of clothing are you loving right now?

xx,

Jess