My Experience Being a Hair Model in NYC

It costs a lot to get your hair taken care of in NYC. Especially if you’re a woman. Even more so if you’re a woman who’s dishwater blonde and got her first grays at 27… Yes, I mean me. 

I spent my whole adolescence coloring my hair out of boxes from the drug store. It was an addiction and I refuse to ever go back! I also refuse to spend $200 to avoid feeling dishwatery and dirty. (Seriously, dark blond/light brown hair has the worst names.)Try Groupon, one might think. I’ve never had a good Groupon hair experience. Last time I bought a Groupon I ended up in tears because I hated my hair. It’s soured me to the site.

What’s my secret for getting my hair colored on a budget in NYC? Being a hair model!

I’ve been a hair model dozens of times in NYC, for cut and color, and I haven’t cried once!  Every style I’ve gotten as a model has been a success, though they have ranged on a scale from “this is fine” to “OMG I LOVE IT”.

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Sunday Street Art: The One and Only Bright Side to New York City Traffic

In most of America, a van is a sketchy vehicle; the preferred transportation of kidnappers. “Nothing good ever happens in a van,” crooned the SNL anthem Welcome to Hell. In New York City, something good occasionally happens on a van. Artists use them as canvases and create beautiful moving art galleries that make getting stuck in traffic a little less horrid.

NYC Van Art

It’s traveling street art! You never know when or where a painted van or truck will pop up and chances are you’ll never see it again. Most of them aren’t hashtag identified like the #fridavan!

But that’s part of the fun. This vehicle art really makes you live in the moment.  Read More

Weekly New York Minutes #6

Every Friday I feature some fleeting moments from my week that made me stop and think, “I’m so lucky to live in NYC!” Today I’m a day late (sorry)…but not a minute short! Enjoy!

Reflecting while on wonderful wanders in the unseasonably warm weather. What a week, we literally had it all in the last 7 days: rain, snow, sleet, sun.

This warm weather scene framed by severely outdated Christmas decorations. It was so warm on Wednesday that restaurants opened their outdoor seating. I walked by a micro-park the the West Village that was still adorned with holiday decor and giggled/snickered at the bizarre contrast! Read More

New York Cliché of the Day: Giant (Inflatable) Rats

New York City is known for rats. They scurry around the subway tracks, they eat pizza, they’re basically NYC’s unofficial mascot. I once dressed up as a giant rat and most New Yorker didn’t even bat an eye. Rats are as iconic a New York cliché as yellow taxi cabs!

But have you heard of or seen the lesser known giant, inflatable, union rat?

The Union Rat, as this species is colloquially called, is a giant inflatable rat that a pissed off workers will place outside a business that is not complying with their union. There’s always someone hanging out with the icky-looking rat, handing out flyers explaining their grievances.

Why?

Nothing draws attention quite like giant, demonic, inflatable rat!

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New York Cliché of the Day: Talk About the Weather, This Is NYC in February?

Today was a thrilling teaser for spring. It was 77 degrees in New York City this February 21st. This is NYC in February? We emerged, bewildered, from our puffy jackets and walked the warm city streets. Only in a rush because well, that’s how New Yorkers walk. A welcome change from the GET-ME-INSIDE-ASAP hustle that’s gripped pedestrians since November.

NYC in February? This warm? Should we be scared or gleeful?

It was easy to enjoy. Skipping in celebration of sun on our bare skin and limitless footwear options. Restaurants opened sidewalk seating, ice cream shops had long lines but no one minded waiting. All cliché rudeness and impatience melts away for the first teaser day of spring!  Read More

New York Cliché of the Day: Magnolia Bakery Cupcakes

Started as a corner shop in the West Village, Magnolia Bakery has blossomed into a full blown New York City and international chain. It has half a dozen locations all over Manhattan including shops in Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station. While looking up those NYC location, magnoliabakery.com blew my mind: there are apparently more locations in the Middle East than NYC, and in Korea and Mexico as well.

Magnolia cupcakes have gone global.

Magnolia Bakery is famous for its cupcakes. They were featured on an episode of Sex and the City about 20 years ago and exploded into a trendy dessert. Of course you can get other desserts as well. Ask New Yorkers and you’ll hear Magnolia Bakery’s banana pudding is more special than any cupcake flavor. Read More