The View Celebrates Halloween!

**I am a member of both #LifeOnFiOS and #VZWBuzz  Ambassador Teams–  selected teams of influencers for Verizon FiOS and Verizon Wireless who love the FiOS and Wireless service. Compensation was provided and opinions are, as always my own.

Living in the NYC area avails me many great opportunities to use my Samsung Galaxy Camera, my smartphones provided to me by Verizon Wireless and to attend live studio events broadcasted in the NYC metropolitan area.

Taking my best friend Shea to The View was a special treat and I was able to record the show at home with my Verizon FiOS Service to enjoy and save on my DVR .

 Image shot outside of ABC NYC with a Verizon iPhone6 smartphone

With my FiOS Service I can now Store up to 200 hours of HD content and save full seasons of the series I love.

I can also record up to 12 shows at the same time and forget about waiting for reruns and fighting over the remote. With FiOS Quantum TV, my family will never have to miss the shows we love.

I also learned that when attending a TV show taping; smartphones need to be shut off since they interfere with the show’s wireless equipment.

Point and shoot cameras are allowed in between taping and so how lucky am I that I have a Verizon Samsung Galaxy Camera.

The  Samsung Galaxy Camera combines high performance photography with the Android platform and Verizon 4G mobile internet connectivity. The result is a powerful point and shoot camera with a familiar, intuitive user interface.

I did not have my wireless turned on so my camera operated just as a point and shoot while in the studio.

The Samsung Galaxy Camera is a serious camera designed to capture amazing images in almost any situation. It starts with a quality 23mm wide-angle lens that gives you a 21x optical zoom and optical image stabilization. You can go fully automated, fully manual or select a setting (like aperture or shutter priority) and let the camera figure out the rest. With Samsung S Voice™, you can also tell your camera what to do. It will respond to commands like “smile,” “record video” and “zoom in.

See More Samsung Galaxy Camera Features Here

The following images were shot with my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Camera in between taping of The View’s Halloween 2014 Show: (No Filters and No Edits to any of these images)

A peek at The View‘s Halloween Set

Tom Kelly warming up the guests on The View’s Halloween Show

Rosie O’Donnell  Engaging with guests

The View’s Halloween Show and Whoopi Goldberg all costumed up

The DIY Segment on the View’s Halloween show with Lifestyle Expert Kelley Moore

Whoopi Goldberg on the View’s Halloween show. Can you guess her costume?

DIY Halloween Costumes found on Pinterest on The View’s Halloween Show

The View’s studio audience’s Halloween Costume WINNERS

I invite you to acquaint yourself a little more with  FiOS Quantum TV:

MORE CONTROL

You can pause, play and rewind live action on any TV in your house with a set-top box.** Not just the ones connected to a DVR. You can even move from one room, grab a snack and pick your show up in another.

The capability to rewind “live action” for me is so helpful especially while watching a cooking show that I might be following along with a recipe.

 PLUS, WATCH LIVE TV ANYTIME

Use the Verizon FiOS Mobile App† to access live TV and On Demand movies almost anywhere on any compatible device.

We are a family that travels and it is very comforting to retire to our hotel room and know we can still watch our favorite shows from wherever we might be resting our head those nights away from our home.

We upgraded this summer and are getting so much use out of all these features.

What TV shows or special series do you want to record to view/ binge using all the features FiOS Quantum TV has to offer?

I would love to hear what your Favorite TV Series are this fall!

I invite you to share your favorites or leave any FiOS Quantum TV or Verizon Wireless questions in the comments.  

***Images shot with a Samsung Galaxy Camera and a  Verizon iPhone6 smartphone.***

Watch The View’s Halloween Episode

Control your FiOS Quantum TV with your Verizon Wireless smartphone, tablet or your computer using these apps:

Download The Verizon FiOS Mobile App on iTunes

Download The Verizon FiOS Mobile App on Google Play

Smartly Using Your SmartPhone

“Leave your guns at the door.” ~  Dr. Travis Bradberry

 Image shot w/ HTC One® (M8) Smartphone

It all started with me getting off the train one stop too early resulting in arriving late for a scheduled appointment.

Yes I was one of those half dazed people hunched over a smartphone typing away listening to the conductor with one ear.

I continued to type as I exited the train finishing my email response.  I started for what I thought was the Hoboken platform and had a rush of remorse wash over me in a cold sweat.

My very punctual eldest son was waiting for me in Hoboken so we could hop on a Path train to the World Trade Center.

 Image shot w/ GalaxyS5 Smartphone

Every year he and I pay our respects to all that were lost.  This year we had an appointment for 12:00 noon to visit the newly opened 9/11 Memorial Museum.

 Image shot w/ GalaxyS5 Smartphone

We ended up changing our appointed time and my son expressed his concern for my lack of awareness because of my smartphone usage.

 Image shot w/ GalaxyS5 Smartphone

 Image shot w/ HTC One® (M8) Smartphone

So fresh in my mind this experience, I had a heightened awareness for the rest of the day of all of my surroundings.

What I noticed was the majority of people I encountered were either bent over on their smartphones, chatting on them or snapping pictures.  There was not much interaction with the people they physically were with.

I continued to observe as we traveled home on the train and grabbed a bite to eat.

The more I concentrated on not using my smartphone and engaging with my sons, the more  I could not help but notice what was not going on around us.

People are living in their individual separate worlds simulating togetherness by physically being present but not actually being present with the people present with them in real life.

I started doing some research on smartphone usage, etiquette, addiction and abuse.

I came across the following post that I feel can be applied to most everyday situations and/or circumstances:

Why Successful People Never Bring Smartphones Into Meetings by Dr. Travis Bradberry

You can fill in the blank with just about any life situation in the following sentence although the author had used “meetings” in his sentence.

“Why do so many people—especially successful people—find smartphone use in _____ to be inappropriate? When you take out your phone it shows a:”

As I ran down the list I realized that I have been lacking in every area cited but not in meetings; even worse my personal life.  I have been allowing my work life to always overlap into my personal life to the point of getting off a train prematurely.

I am a digital correspondent that curates and delivers content for a living.  My cameras and smartphones are always in my hand.  I am a member of the #VZWBuzz influence team as well as the #LifeOnFiOS influencer team.  I evaluate new technology, use it and write about it.  I cannot help always using my smartphone or can I??

I decided to design an infographic sourced from “Why Successful People Never Bring Smartphones Into Meetings”.

This infographic features my smartphone offenses in a way I can communicate to myself and my audience.

These offenses can be applied to most smartphone scenarios that involve real life people vs any technological community.

The only time I will deem it suitable in a meeting to actually have my smartphone out and actively using it will be at my next  #VZWBuzz Team meeting.

 

Image designed with Canva

Infographic Sourced from:

Why Successful People Never Bring Smartphones Into Meetings

by Dr. Travis Bradberry

There is a time, place and proper usage for smartphones.  REAL live people should never be trumped by smartphones unless of course it is an emergency.

Smartphone Etiquette Links:

Improve Your Public Cell Phone Courtesy

Practicing Smartphone Etiquette

Images were shot with a HTC One® (M8) and a GalaxyS5 Smartphone

I am a member of the Verizon Wireless Lifestyle Blogger Program #VZWBuzz which gives me free access to mobile technology and other benefits.  There is no additional compensation and no promise of a positive review.  The opinions are my own.

Happy 350th Birthday, New York

September 8th, 2014 is the 350th anniversary of the surrender of Dutch New Amsterdam to the British and the settlement’s renaming as New York. read more..

Dutch Governor Peter Stuyvesant surrendered New Amsterdam, the capital of New Netherland, to an English naval squadron under Colonel Richard Nicolls. Stuyvesant had hoped to resist the English, but he was an unpopular ruler, and his Dutch subjects refused to rally around him. Following its capture, New Amsterdam’s name was changed to New York, in honor of the Duke of York, who organized the mission. read more….

How Did the Boroughs Get Their Names?

In 1609 Robert Guet called the island “Mannahata,” after Native American names for the area. Henry Hudson referred to Staten Eylandt after the States General—Netherlands’ governing body. The Bronx is named after Jonas Bronck, who settled in the area in 1639. Brooklyn refers to Breukelen, the Dutch village in the Netherlands. Queens was named after Queen Catherine of Braganza, wife of King Charles II of England (1630-1685).

 

How Did New York Get The Nickname “The Big Apple”?

The Big Apple was first popularized as a reference to New York City by John J. Fitz Gerald in a number of New York Morning Telegrapharticles in the 1920s in reference to New York horse-racing. The earliest of these was a casual reference on May 3, 1921:

1. P. Smith, with Tippity Witchet and others of the L. T. Bauer string, is scheduled to start for “the big apple” to-morrow after a most prosperous Spring campaign at Bowie and Havre de Grace.[10]

Fitz Gerald referred to the “big apple” frequently thereafter.[11] He explained his use in a February 18, 1924, column under the headline “Around the Big Apple”:

The Big Apple. The dream of every lad that ever threw a leg over a thoroughbred and the goal of all horsemen. There’s only one Big Apple. That’s New York.

Two dusky stable hands were leading a pair of thoroughbred around the “cooling rings” of adjoining stables at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans and engaging in desultory conversation.

“Where y’all goin’ from here?” queried one.

“From here we’re headin’ for The Big Apple,” proudly replied the other.

“Well, you’d better fatten up them skinners or all you’ll get from the apple will be the core,” was the quick rejoinder.

The Big Apple. The dream of every lad that ever threw a leg over a thoroughbred and the goal of all horsemen. There’s only one Big Apple. That’s New York.

Two dusky stable hands were leading a pair of thoroughbred around the “cooling rings” of adjoining stables at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans and engaging in desultory conversation.

“Where y’all goin’ from here?” queried one.

“From here we’re headin’ for The Big Apple,” proudly replied the other.

“Well, you’d better fatten up them skinners or all you’ll get from the apple will be the core,” was the quick rejoinder.

The term “big apple” was used by Frank Sinatra speaking to opera singer Dorothy Kirsten (who was his co-star in the late 1940s-early 1950s NBC radio program “Light Up Time” on a show that aired on 03/28/1950 at about the 2:30 mark. The show may be heard here.

Frank Sinatra also contributed to New York’s notoriety when he recorded the famous song New York, New York.

“Theme from New York, New York” (or “New York, New York“) is the theme song from the Martin Scorsese film New York, New York(1977), composed by John Kander, with lyrics by Fred Ebb. It was written for and performed in the film by Liza Minnelli. It remains one of the best-remembered songs about New York City.

In 1979, it was recorded by Frank Sinatra, for his album Trilogy: Past Present Future (1980), and has since become closely associated with him. He occasionally performed it live with Minnelli as a duet. Sinatra recorded it a second time in duet with Tony Bennett for his 1993 album Duets.

 New York, New York

Start spreading the news

I am leaving today

I want to be a part of it

New York, New York

These vagabond shoes

Are longing to stray

Right through the very heart of it

New York, New York

I wanna wake up in a city

That doesn’t sleep

And find I’m king of the hill

Top of the heap

These little town blues

Are melting away

I’ll make a brand new start of it

In old New York

If I can make it there

I’ll make it anywhere

It’s up to you

New York, New York

New York, New York

I want to wake up

in a city that never sleeps

And find I’m a number one, top of the list

King of the hill

A number one

These little town blues

Oh they’re melting away

I’m gonna make a brand new start of it

In old New York

And If I can make it there

I’m gonna make it anywhere

It’s up to you

New York, New York, New York

Read more: Frank Sinatra – New York, New York Lyrics | MetroLyrics

The New York Landscape has certainly changed in the last 350 years but the sentiment has always stayed the same:

I’m gonna make a brand new start of it

In old New York

And If I can make it there

I’m gonna make it anywhere

It’s up to you

New York, New York, New York!!!!

Happy 350th Birthday New York!

Happy Birthday Image shot last ysummer with a Verizon Droid RAZR HD #VZWBuzz in Central Park, NYC 08/13 by Katie Shea Design

Edited in Snapseed

Produced in Canva

What Will Be On Your Coffee Table?? Ikea Catalog 2015

 

 

IKEA announced on July 16th, 2014 that the new 2015 IKEA U.S. catalog, filled with design inspiration and new products for every area of the home, will be available to the public starting this August. Themed Where the Everyday Begins and Ends, this years catalog highlights the two important rooms where people sleep and get ready every morning and night the bedroom and the bathroom. Readers will learn how IKEA can help them make the beginning and end of their days more comfortable, more calm and more organized by designing their spaces based on their own routines, utilizing smart space solutions, and expressing their personal styles.

After more than 50 years in the furniture business, Ikea decided to perform its very first global company survey. The goal of the survey was to “[dig] into how the world wakes up by tuning in to eight different metropoles in eight different countries [to investigate] the morning routines, habits and wishes of those who live there.” Ikea then used the study’s findings—sourced from residents of Berlin, London, Moscow, Mumbai, New York, Paris, Shanghai and Stockholm—to inform the creations of several new products in its 2015 collection. contd..

Last week I attended the launch of Ikea’s 2015 Catalog in NYC.  Local influencers were invited to a slumber party themed event at a pop up space in lower Manhattan. The space was styled with bedroom products such as bedding, closet and wardrobe pieces along with vanity displays.

What a great idea.  Dvala quilt cover you can customize #IKEAcatalog https://vine.co/v/MQeFWXnrhW1

What a great storage idea from #IKEAcatalog 2015 https://vine.co/v/MQeYZ7l9Txa

Becky LaFranchi, the Communications and Interior Design manager USA Ikea had a Q & A with Mike Doyle of Ketchum NYC.

Talking points:

“The bedroom is not just for sleep.  There is a family bed where movie nights are viewed and everyone has a spot to sit.  A private room for the family.”

 

Urbanization:

Do not worry about the size of your living space because outside is your living room.

By 2050, 86% of developed countries will be living in urban areas.  A world that exists outside of our four walls.

 Sustainability:

A rise in “Small Space” living in the US  in order to have a world that exists outside of our four walls and has nothing to do with an economic decline.

Becky’s Inspiration: materials, visual texture and tactile.

Do not be afraid of color, be afraid of beige (humor).

Families are learning to live together again in their space.

The color that sells is beige.  It is a delicate balancing act of bringing in color.  Different pieces with color really have different places in Ikea.

 Materiality:

The lowest price point products are the hardest to design, finding materials, suppliers and stackability is what goes into Ikea’s equation to arrive at the best product and price point.

Ikea is celebrated as an accessible brand.

“Respect to the range”.  

 Ikea speaks to their customers through their room settings in their stores.

Millennials are breaking all the rules, teaching us what life will be going forward.  They are not quite as interested as having a home for 30 years, a job for 30 years and they really see the World as their opportunity.

What millennials own is temporary.  “The 2015 collection is inspired by millennials”.

 Baby Boomers/ Flat Age Society are refusing to age the same way their parents did.  They are living, working and staying young longer.  A lot like the millennials.  Choosing to downsize, living in small spaces and are not as afraid as their parents were about what is coming in the next 3-5 years.

What separates millennials from the Flat Age? Flat Age wants luxury and comfort, where as millennials are fine with not worrying about luxury.

 Ikea can provide comfort and luxury with their products for the Baby Boomers/Flat Age Society as well.

Baby Boomers/Flat Age Society is motivating Becky, Ikea’s designer .

 What keeps Becky up at night:  

How can Becky convince the Baby Boomers/Flat Age Society what Ikea has to offer will last the Boomers for  10, 15 and 25 years if they want it to.  Also, how can Becky can convince the millennials that Ikea has something that is not just  beige..

Ikea does not have a specific generational segment they cater to.  

Ikea tries to reach all the generations.

The 2015 catalog will be available in 67 printed editions, 32 languages and 46 countries/territories. The IKEA catalog is now the largest print production ever to be printed on 100% FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) certified paper. The entire IKEA catalog production chain, from forest to printer, is FSC-certified to ensure a more sustainable origin of the wood.

U.S. consumers can access the new catalog in multiple ways:

•    Printed Version Request a printed copy of the catalog at http://www.getmy2015catalog.com.
•    Digital Version Visit http://www.2015digitalcatalog.com to view the digital version of the catalog online beginning on July 24. New for this year, user will also be able to save lists of their favorite products from the digital catalog and create shopping lists.

Laura demos IKEA App scan and discover feature #IKEAcatalog https://vine.co/v/MQeIEaXrAqO

 

•    Catalog App for smartphones and tablets (iOS and Android) Download from your app store beginning on July 24. The app gives users access to extended catalog content by scanning designated pages of the printed catalog. The extended content includes: an augmented reality Place in Your Room feature which allows users to virtually place and view nearly 300 IKEA products in their own homes; shareable videos featuring quick DIY tips and stories behind IKEA products; 360º views that allow users to look all the way around a whole room; and image galleries. Select content will also be available in the digital catalog.

Fans can connect with IKEA on:

Pinterest (https://pinterest.com/IKEAUSA), Twitter (@DesignbyIKEA) and on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/IKEAUSA). Join the conversation via the hashtag #IKEACatalog.

 

 About Interior Designer Rebecca (Becky) LaFranchi:

Her career trajectory: Becky is a self-made interior designer coming from a humble background.  She started as a child, creating room layouts on graph paper and “buying” products from the Sears or Penny’s catalog to place in her imagined rooms. Later in life, while waiting tables, she decided to get a degree in Interior Design.  This eventually brought her to IKEA Seattle where she managed that stores’ team then was recognized for her talent and landed the biggest job of all as responsible for all stores.

* Her role at IKEA: She is responsible for the visual look and feel of all 38 IKEA stores.  She leads a team of over 500 co-workers comprised of Interior Designers, Visual Merchandisers, Graphic Designers and Carpenters. She is passionate about product and interior design at IKEA.

Images shot with a #GALAXYS5 smartphone #VZWBuzz

Carmine’s: Talking 42 Ounce Porterhouse Steak, Ragu, Wings, NYC, Vegas with Executive Chef Glenn Rolnick

Carmine’s is a family style restaurant offering exceptional value to its guests through the many dishes of Southern Italian cuisine. Restaurateur Artie Cutler crafted the Carmine’s concept with a singular vision; bringing his guests “wow-factor” sized portions and making any meal feel like an Italian American wedding feast. Platters of homestyle antipasto, pasta, decadent seafood or meat entrees, and of course homemade desserts are all staples at Carmine’s, meant for sharing amongst friends and family. When great food and wine are supported by friendly and knowledgeable service, the results are magic – “we want every day to feel like a Sunday afternoon at Grandma’s!”

A Special Edition of The Food & Booze Show was broadcast live from Carmine’s NYC with special on site guests Kathleen DeCosmo and Susan Serra on the ground chatting with Executive Chef Glenn Rolnick.

GLENN ROLNICK is the Director of Culinary Operations of Alicart Restaurant Group, a position he’s held for ten years. He has appeared on Good Morning America and QVC and has written for Time, New York Times, Gourmet, The New Yorker and Food Arts.

While we were preparing our tastebuds for the onslaught of Carmine’s heaven, we were schooled in Carmine’s history by Executive Chef and Author Glenn Rolnick.

25 years open soon for NYC’s 91st location!
20 years at Carmine’s Times Square (1.24 million customers yearly).

Carmine’s locations are Tropicana Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, NJ, Times Square NYC, Upper West Side 91st NYC, Atlantis Resort, Bahamas, Washington DC and The Forum Shops at Caesars Las Vegas.

The Washington DC location has 25,000 sq feet, 9 private dining rooms, 700 seats, and a secret service entrance.

Las Vegas location has 28000 sq feet 750 seats, 6 private dining space including a private balcony over looking the strip.

1 year for Las Vegas and listed in Top Ten Restaurant Vegas- USA Today : 10 BEST HOMESTYLE IN LAS VEGAS, NV.

The 28,000-square-foot restaurant, designed by Bill Johnson of Johnson Studios, features the trademark touches that grace all Carmine’s locations – high ceilings, antique chandeliers and warm, homey colors. Walls are lined with black and white photographs depicting the Southern Italian families whose culinary traditions inspired the restaurant’s timeless menu. There are 75 Chandeliers, 6 portraits and 7500 pictures in Carmine’s Las Vegas.

Trivia for Carmine’s Las Vegas First Year:

2400 people ate gluten free pasta
69,994 actual meatballs 125,000 meats
1,200 titanics or 12,000 softball scoops ice cream
14,869 lbs garlic
9,915 chicken parm
121,099 little neck clams
22,654 lbs. romano cheese
25,362 gal of marinara sauce
80,000 whole lemons
28,000 chicken breast
4,200 fresh basil
7,400 fried calamari or 15,000 pounds

We were treated to several dishes on the menu that were familiar to me as a regular guest and a few that I have never tasted before.

Did you know these dishes are menu choices at Carmine’s?

Caesar Salad

Romaine lettuce tossed with garlic and anchovy caesar dressing and toasted croutons. (gluten-free available.)

Chicken Scarpariello (Wings)

Cut chicken on the bone pan fried and tossed in buttery lemon rosemary sauce. (Gluten-free.)

Porterhouse Steak

Porterhouse Contadina A 42-ounce steak beautifully sliced off the bone, a pound of Italian sweet sausage and huge piles of roasted potatoes and sautéed red and green peppers.

Ragu (Assorted Meats)

A mixture of shredded beef, meatballs, pork braciole, and Italian sausage slow-cooked in a rich tomato sauce.

The Titanic 

●Flourless Chocolate Torte
●3 scoops of Vanilla Ice Cream
●2 Scoops of Chocolate Ice Cream
●Fresh Whipped Cream
●Sliced Strawberries and Bananas
●Pineapple Roasted with Cinnamon
●Chocolate Syrup
●Chopped Hazelnuts
●4 Ferraro Hazelnut Chocolate Swirls for the Smoke Stacks

We also learned from Glenn Rolnick that he has a cookbook being released this year:

Publication date: November 4, 2014
$29.99, hardcover
Carmine’s Celebrates
Classic Italian Recipes for Everyday Feasts

Following their successful Carmine’s Family-Style Cookbook, Carmine’s Celebrates is perfect for big, abundant family-and-friend gatherings: weekly feasts, Sunday dinners, and holiday celebrations

Carmine’s is founded on the twin concepts of deliciousness and abbondanza. In their wildly popular Times Square flagship location and their other restaurants in New York City, Atlantic City, Las Vegas, Washington, DC, and Paradise Island, Bahamas, the tables are filled with giant platters of pasta, steaks, chicken, vegetables and more. And every single diner has a smile on his face. Now that concept comes home from the masters. Italian food is the nation’s most popular food both in restaurants and in home kitchens. In Carmine’s Celebrates, home cooks will learn how to make more than one hundred dishes in happy-making quantities. Nothing is difficult to make, serve or store. Each dish uses grocery store ingredients and extracts the best flavor from them so anyone can be an amazing cook. There is a special emphasis on “everyday” holidays, such as weekend family dinners, and also on traditional holiday food for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Dishes include:
—Crostini with Cannellini Bean Dip
—Sea Scallops Wrapped in Pancetta
—Mussels Fra Diavolo
—Spaghetti Carbonara
—Beefsteak Fiorentina
—Chicken Cacciatore

Carmine’s Celebrates: Classic Italian Recipes for Everyday Feasts can be found here for pre-order.

You are Invited to view the Special Edition of The Food & Booze Show Here

Mia Voss & Chef Dennis Littley introduce you to restaurants, bon mots and drinkies from around the globe! Join them!

#foodnbooze
#BatCrapCrazy #GetYourLearnOn #AskChefDennis

#CarminesNYC  #SMDay  #SmDayHOA

Photo Credit: Anthony DeCosmo #52from52 @adecosmo2

Happy Mother’s Day: A Musical Tribute

Raised by a single mother, Kevin Durant is the NBA’s 2013-14 Most Valuable Player.

Kevin Durant’s powerful, emotional MVP acceptance speech went viral impacting the hearts of so many.

Kevin recounted that he fell in love with basketball in the second grade.

Kevin shared his memory of the little family’s first apartment. “No bed, no furniture.  We sat in the living room and hugged.  We felt like we made it!”

This video very personally touched my heart as well as this recently released single “Happy Mother’s Day” by Visual Poetics:

It is truly poetic that this “Happy Mother’s Day” single was released just a few days before Kevin Durant’s beautiful tribute to his single mother.

Kevin’s tribute to his mom depicts exactly what this Mother’s Day single is expressing musically.

Kevin praised his mother, honoring her and all that she did for him and his brother:

“YOU made us believe,

kept us off the street,

put clothes on our back

food on the table

went to sleep hungry.

You sacrificed for us

YOUR the real MVP”

“Happy Mother’s Day” by Visual Poetics speaks of the single mom’s struggles, the feelings of the fatherless child and the encouragement that is felt by the strength spoken and exemplified by a single mom.

So uncannily parallel with Kevin Durant’s emotional acceptance speech to this recently released “Happy Mother’s Day” single.

Join me in congratulating Kevin Durant’s Mom Wanda Pratt in accomplishing so much as a single mother and making her son proud to call her Mom.

I want to invite you to also listen to this “Happy Mother’s Day” single by Visual Poetics:

 Happy Mother’s Day

To every person that has been a MOM to someone!

 

About the Artist Visual Poetics:

VISUAL POETICS – HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY [@VISUALPOETICS]

Visual Poetics is the founding member and long time producer of the underground group known as Little Egypt. Releasing several albums and touring extensively, Little Egypt became known for combining that raw Brooklyn Hip-Hop stage energy with conscious level lyrics.

In particular, Visual Poetics’ style is that of an old school storyteller.  Weaving vivid images with complex metaphors, Vis (pronounced Viz) has been known to resurface from time to time dropping political pieces and other collaborative efforts over the past few years.

This chapter, Happy Mother’s Day, includes heavy production work from Compton’s own multitalented Trae Sevn and Khordz (of Little Egypt) combined with the smooth sounds of soulful singer/lyricist Madd Mary (look out!) for this heartfelt shout out and dedication to single parents worldwide.

McSorley’s: NYC’s Most Iconic Ale House with my Nokia Lumia Icon

My Visit to NYC’s  Most Iconic Ale House with my Nokia Lumia Icon

  I felt like I was transported back to an era of long ago… . A  coal burning iron stove in the front room.  A steampunk-ish brass and dark wood device for pulling draft beer.

 McSorley’s Old Ale House is New York City’s oldest continuously operated saloon.

Established in 1854- McSorley’s has had everyone from Abe Lincoln to John Lennon pass through their swinging doors. Read more.. We chose McSorley’s as one of our St. Patrick’s Day pub stops because of the brew and the history.

There are two choices of brew at McSorley’s.  “Old Brew, a dark porter or a pale ale.

The framed pictures on the walls create a historical, museum vibe. Quaint and cozy, sipping our brews next to the fireplace that has numerous signature carvings of visitors gone by.

An absolute “must have” to engage your taste buds, the cheese/cracker/onion platter along with the corned beef, red cabbage and steamed vegetable platter.

Put McSorley’s Old Ale House on your Bucket List for a nice cold brew and a bite to eat when you are feeling in need of some Irish and a little New York City History!

I decided to start my St Patrick’s Day celebration in an Iconic Ale House with my new Nokia Lumia Icon smartphone.

I was eager to test out  this smartphone from Verizon since opening the box and attending a Nokia Webinar just the other day.

The 20-megapixel camera with single-finger zoom along with the HD video and awesome stereo worked out perfectly for my visit to a busy, noisy pub.

All Images were shot with my Verizon Nokia Lumia #Icon

McSorley’s Old Ale House

15 East Seventh Street, East Village; 212-473-9148; mcsorleysnewyork.com

RECOMMENDED Ale; cheeseburger with fries; chili; cheese plate with crackers and onions; liverwurst sandwich.

PRICES $3 to $10, cash only.

OPEN Daily for lunch, dinner and drinking.

RESERVATIONS Call and ask about this only if you want someone to laugh at you.

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS Accessible from the street, and one of the two restrooms is accessible.

Super Tuscany: Presented by James Suckling and Zachys at City Winery NYC

 Super Tuscany was the who’s who of Tuscan wine producers.

Owners, winemakers and representatives of the various Tuscany wine estates flew in from Italy to meet, greet and taste with all the attendees at City Winery NYC Feb 11th, 2014.

Each winery presented three different wines-two current releases and one older vintage.  This was a unique opportunity to taste some of the greatest Italian wines from one of the most revered wine regions “Tuscany”.

 Super Tuscany  was the first of a 3 part series presented by James Suckling and  Zachys.  This event, featuring 50+ of Tuscany’s top estates was a great success!

Wineries in Attendance:

Wineries Attending: Agricola San Felice, Amantis, Antinori, Argentiera, Argiano, Azienda Agricola Poggio la Noce, Banfi, Barone Ricasoli, Baracchi, Bibi Graetz – Testamatta, Biserno, Caiarossa, Capezzana, Casaloste, Castello di Bolgheri, Castello di Gabbiano, Castello di Monsanto, Castello di Querceto, Castello di Vicchiomaggio, Castello Terriccio, Castiglion del Bosco, Cecchi, Collazzi, Empson, Fabrizio Dionisio, Fattoria di Magliano, Fattoria di Piazzano, Fattoria La Torre, Fattoria Nittardi, Gagliole, Il Borro, Il Molino di Grace, La Massa, Leuta, Livernanno/Casalvento, Marchesi Frescobaldi – Castello di Nipozzano, Marchesi Frescobaldi – Tenuta di Castiglioni, Monteverro, Ornellaia, Orma, Petrolo, Principe Corsini, Renieri, Riecine, Rocca delle Macie, Tenuta Luce delle Vite, Tenuta San Guido, Tenuta Sette Ponti, Terrabianca, Tua Rita, Viticcio, Volpaia

 For a complete list of all the attending Wine Estates /Wines tasted click Here.

Attendees were treated to the sounds of award winning recording artists, appetizing trays of Italian specialties tempting the taste buds all night and a winery atmosphere, reminiscent of Tuscany Italy.

 The event also saw the birth of a new smartphone and iPad app developed by Zachys that allowed attendees to instantly check the scores and comments on the wines as well as purchase the wines on the spot!  Read More

 

Don’t miss the next event:

James Suckling & Zachys Present Great Wines of Bordeaux

March 11, 2014

City Winery NYC.

I invite you to visit on Pinterest:

Super Tuscany: Presented by James Suckling & Zachys at City Winery NYC

Images Shot with a Verizon Samsung Galaxy Camera and

A Verizon Droid Ultra Smartphone #VZWBuzz

Social Media Week 2014 NYC

“Since its inception in 2008, Social Media Week has grown from nine to 26 cities, and global expansion continues to increase. Eight cities around the world will be hosting Social Media Week events this month – everywhere from Bangalore to Lagos to Milan to Tokyo. We spoke to CEO and co-founder Toby Daniels about what’s new this year, and where the event is heading. The theme of this year’s festivities is “the future of now,” a reflection of our always-connected lifestyle. The content and programming of this year’s event will focus on the emerging trends: wearable tech and the quantified life, crowd-funding – especially with regard to architectural design and real estate, and content marketing. “Brands are recognizing that not only do they need to understand how to create and curate content, they also need to know how to do that at scale,” said Daniels. Major brands will be in attendance to showcase their own work, and the organizers are also launching the ‘Now Studio,’ which will showcase the most viral content. “It’s an opportunity for attendees to learn how to become better content creators,” he said.”  Read More..

Social Media Week New York is co-produced by Crowdcentric and MKG.

There is still time to get in on the action at #SMWNYC #SMW14 . 

Check out the invite: 

“We’re bringing a new vision; a new location and a new theme. And we’re so excited to share all of this with you. The Official Campus hosted at Highline Stages provides more opportunities than ever before to explore and examine what our 2014 theme The Future of Now: Always On, Always Connected means for you, your work and your personal life.

Because we love connecting all of our favorite people we’d like to offer you a special discount Click here to grab your pass 🙂“

Meet the team at Crowdcentric!

Meet the team at MKG!

Meet the Speakers at Social Media week 2014:

Follow the #SMWNYC #SMW14 Speakers  on Twitter:  SMW14 NYC Speakers

The Official Guide to Social Media Week New York 2014

Founder of Social Media Week, Toby Daniels Shares his Highlights for #SMWNYC » New York

How Will You Celebrate Super Bowl XLVIII

Image by DeCosmo Digital

What do you get when you combine a New York state of mind with a dose of Jersey? Nothing other than Super Bowl XLVIII featuring the AFC champion Broncos and the NFC champion Seahawks on February 2 at MetLife Stadium. This will be Denver’s seventh Super Bowl appearance (2-4) while Seattle is in its second title game (0-1). Read more..

The Super Bowl is celebrated all across the country in various ways.

What is your favorite part of the Super Bowl?

A. Watching the BIG GAME?  Where To Watch The Super Bowl In New York City 

B. Food & Drink?   Super Bowl XLVIII Pinterest #Food Board 

C. The @SuperBowl Commercials?  Super Bowl commercials 2014: Watch, and vote in  CBS News  poll! –

Feel free to leave a comment and join the Super Bowl Conversation.

A few of Katie Shea Design’s Favorite Recipes for a Super Bowl Party: