Rock The HouseGrow up here and you can attend the Third Street Music Settlement for a first-rate music education.  Start training as young as two years old and you're sure to realize your (parent's) Julliard dreams.  Rather be a spectator?  Time-honored venues include: Radio City Music Hall, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Hammerstein Ballroom, S.O.B.'s, the Knitting Factory, Village Vanguard, Apollo Theatre, Central Park Summer Stage ... I could go on ... but why not revisit vanguard institutions like the Bowery Poetry Club for open forum, a cappella hip-hop, The Duplex for jolly good cabaret or the East Village Opera Company for emotional rock opera.  Music disciples do make out in New York City.  The music goes on and on here and it ain't over till the fat lady sings.

Recycled FashionI like the history that comes with vintage clothing.  I figure there must be a story behind a cocktail dress from the '50s that was never worn, but that was carefully stored in someone's closet for years.  When I shop for vintage clothing and come across a pristine gown, my active imagination automatically thinks, stood up at prom?  The Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show is a decent event to check out examples of uncommon vintage apparel.  (But I'd recommend hopping on eBay afterward to get similar stuff for a lot less $.)  In general, NYC is a mecca for fashion - vintage and contemporary - although recently the contemporary stuff (uh, skinny jeans?) is feeling dated.  Lucky for us, 'anything goes' is still widely accepted here when it comes to fashion.   

Anatomy of a HookahI could get used to butler service.  And I did while staying for two weeks at the 5-star Jumeirah desert resort outside of Dubai called Bab Al Shams.  The difference between a (so called) 4-star New York hotel like Hilton's Waldorf=Astoria (with its peeling paint, musty bed linens and oh yeah, its lack of butlers) and a luxury UAE hotel is vast.  Staying at the Bab was indulging in over the top extravagance from falconry, camel rides, whirling dervishes, desert tours, to incredible culinary experiences.  After tiring of the desert's isolation, the city offered endless shopping, spice markets and access to a jillion hookah lounges.  At these lounges, young, attractive men and women sat in distinctly separate camps but yes, there was plenty of eye contact.  Back here in New York my fond UAE memories can be relived as the hookah lounge enjoys ever popular status. 

Sail AwayI realize I am writing again about leaving New York.  I guess I need a vacation.  But envision this ... an endless sea before you, a (very) full stomach, entertaining entertainment ... I am talking about Cruising!  Throw a suit and a swimsuit into a duffle bag and head over to the West Side Highway to pick up a Cunard, Carnival, Holland America, Norwegian or Princess cruise.  Want to go last minute?  Like tomorrow?  No problem ... you can book online and it will probably be dirt cheap.  Perhaps you'll really take to cruising.  If so, withdraw some benjamins from your trust fund and purchase a permanently floating condo.  Choose from the World, the Orphalese, the Four Seasons or the Magellan.

Gwen + Fam visit the DocDid I tell you about all of the pediatricians we interviewed?  I figured we were embarking on a (decade, two?) long relationship and it was important that we gel with our baby's doctor.  New York Magazine puts out a Best Doctor list every year so I chose five pediatricians from the list and set up interviews.  Its interesting (frustrating) how difficult it is to get an appointment with some NYC pediatricians (a 2 month wait is not unheard of).  During the rounds, before we found our dream doctor, we met with a variety of personalities, even a pediatrician that seemed very impressed by his patients Gwen Stefani ("She always makes it a point to stop by when she's on tour in the city with Kingston") and one of the Desperate Housewives' kids.  I guess even celebrity's children get sick.