Christmas in Dyker Hill, Brooklyn

There is a little area in New York City that is known as "The Undisputed Capital of Christmas Pageantry." Almost every house in Dyker hill participates in professionally decorating their homes. It is reportedly said that residents here spend anywhere from $1,000-$20,000 decorating their homes for Christmas. It's not even one particular block, but a radius of the whole neighborhood. There are motorized 20-foot-tall toy soldiers, Santas, reindeers, Christmas Angels and most homes even blast Christmas music! Some even take it as far as turning their garage into a life-size nativity scene! The decorations are so over the top that it is reportedly said that Con Edison gives the residents free electricity for the month to sustain the lights! How crazy! And these are mansions! Even without the lights, these houses are gorgeous! One house has a huge fountain and several marble statues all over the lawn! But visiting Dyker Heights is definitely a New York City thing to do around the holidays that can't be missed. So layer up, grab a cup of hot chocolate, park your car, and be prepared to walk around the neighborhood in awe! Don't forget your camera!

My first Christmas Tree

I'm excited to show off my first ever home decorated from scratch Christmas Tree this past holiday. Being that I had such a nice tree, I was in a BIG giving spirit and stuffed tons of presents under the tree!  Yep - its all from me little kiddies! Love, Santa Sandy

Thanksgiving 2011

This is a very dated picture - but here was Thanksgiving 2011! My sister cooked everything in the top picture. And my second Thanksgiving below was pot-luck. 

Project Run with NikeID

One of my new years resolution that I havent really been keeping up with is my running goal. But with my new customized Nike ID's, maybe this will give me some inspiration to go running!  I got them customized at the Nike Store in Manhattan. You customize everything from the picking the shoe style, the material, the colors, to the laces! And you write an ID on it. The tongues of my shoes say "Sandy" and the other says "SMC." It was a little pricey at the start point of $145, plus tax and shipping, it was a total of $170, but its worth it to have a shoe that no one else has but you.

When it comes to running, I just feel like I never have time. And the fact that its winter isn't very encouraging. But once the weather warms up, I promise I'll go running.... Mark my words! Don't be surprised if you see neon pumped-up  kicks running  by you! ;) 

Super Bowl Sunday - Feb 5, 2012

Yesterday was Superbowl Sunday - the biggest American past-time. This year's match-up was between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. Giants won!!!! What do we do during Super-bowl? PIG OUT!!! The spread consisted of spicy chicken wings and butter biscuits from KFC, baked Lays, Pretzel Chips, hummus dip, guacamole dip, buffalo chicken dip, kani salad, seawood salad, vegetable sticks, bruschetta, and burgers we didnt get to cook because we were already so full! Not a very healthy day - but hey its Super Bowl Sunday!! We are entitled to eat like champs! 

Eat Fish, Live Longer. Eat oysters, Love Longer.

Friday nights are my favorite nights to relax and unwind from the stress of the week. I dont usually go out partying Friday nights. In fact, I like to have dinner, relax on the couch, read and/or watch movies. This Friday, since I haven't had a date night a while, I went to my all-time favorite Seafood restaurant in Queens. London Lennies is such a neighborhood gem! The food is so fresh, the service is splendid, the raw bar is amazing, and it has received countless awards. And when you walk in, you don't feel like you're in New York anymore. It feels like you're in Boston or Maine somewhere. 


I wasn't very hungry due to a big lunch so I didnt order much. But what I did order was amazing! Started off dinner with a dozen Kumamoto oysters - just what I was in the mood for! Then for the entree, I got this crab-meat stuffed jumbo shrimp  with plaintain chips over this creamy sauce that was so phenomenal. And simply enjoyed it all with a bottle of Pinot Grigio from Oregon. By the way, if you havent tried wine from Oregon yet, you should! Their vineyards are up and coming and produce really fabulous wines. 

Photo from their website

Hudson Station, New York City

Last Friday, I woke up feeling hung-over, even though I really wasn't. So for lunch, I was just craving a big juicy burger. Luckily, a few of my co-workers were going to this bar and grill around my job called Hudson Station in New York City, so I decided to hop on. When I saw how the burger was served on the menu, I was instantly hooked! I love a burger on a english muffin! And dont even get me started on waffle fries! I love anything potato, but my favorite fries are waffle and the skinny variety :) I'll let the photo speak for itself, but needless to say, it was delicious!