Trick or Treat

Halloween is my MOST favorite of all holidays.  Last year, I even incorporated it into my wedding. From the days my mother purchased me the plastic Wonder Woman costume complete with the plastic mask and that uncomfortable string which went around your head, I have never missed a Halloween.  As a kid we would trick or treat knowing which houses in the neighborhood gave the full size Snicker bars and which stingy witches gave dried fruit or some other dreadfully healthy prize.  In college, Halloween was an excuse to drink and dress up in something inevitable slutty.  "Slutty witch" or "Sexy Kitten" or "Fairy Temptress" - Halloween was merely an excuse to wear something seductively over the top (Check out Ricky's Halloween aisles if you don't believe me.).  But this year we will be keeping a low profile.

In all of my years in NYC I have no idea if kids trick or treat here.  It seems in a city this size where you don't know your neighbors, mothers may be hesitant to let their precious kids go door to door begging sweets from strangers.  Certainly this goes against the edict "Don't take candy from strangers" which was drilled into my head during a 1st grade assembly.  

I sent M out to buy some bags of Halloween treats. "Get the good stuff," I said as he dashed off to Duane Reade. "No Tootsie Pops or crap like that."  He came back with bags of chocolate - Milky Ways and Three Musketeer Bars and Snickers.  "Hmmmmm. Yummy," I said as I put the bags in the bottom of the cabinet.  Too bad there wasn't a lock.

All week long I would grab a few pieces here and there. "While you are up," I batted my eyelashes at M, "Can you grab me a few little pieces of chocolate." Dutifully, M would leave a few on my nightstand before I went to sleep.  So it shouldn't have come as a surprise to me when I went to put the candy in a bowl this morning.  I pulled the thinned out bag from the cabinet and dumped the remaining contents into a large plastic green bowl.  I shook the bag, looked inside it, checked the bowl and scratched my head. Where did all the candy go?

I guess we will need to make another candy run before tonight, but then again do kids in this city even trick or treat?? I guess we will find out this evening. 

Cheap and Chic

What's a girl to do in these uncertain times?  As I watch the market fall each day, the Dow tumbling hundreds of points at day, it is terrifying.  Gone are the days of the .com era which I recall with such nostalgia.  A few weeks ago, on one of the markets' first horrible days, I meet a friend at Philippe for dinner.  I was kinda shocked to see this expense account haunt overflowing with bankers and media elite. It seemed then no one had any idea how bad it was going to get.  

Now, with the Dow flirting with the possibility of 7500 and reality of the "R" word starting take hold, I think it is important to find more economical choices for entertainment.  

Here are some thoughts on cheap and chic activities on the Upper East Side.

1. A picnic in Centrak Park: A bottle of Yellowtail Shiraz ($9 and quite good) and some sandwiches from a local deli.  Enjoy one of the free/inexpensive seasonal events which are listed here.

2. Free music? You don't need to steal from Napster, check out this free classical music show on the Upper East Side.

3.  All-You-Can-Eat Sushi? For $20 or less?  Ok, so maybe Nobu isn't offering this deal quite yet, but Yuka on 80th and 2nd Avenue is! For $18.95 diners can scarf down as many California rolls, Eel cucumber rolls, Spicy Tuna Rolls and more.  But just like your mom, Yuka makes you finish your meal. Anything left on your plate will incur you a surcharge. So go hungry or with a big plastic bag in your purse.

4. If you look, there are always great deals on the Upper East Side. These local vendors are offering UpperEast.com users specials sales and amazing deals. So whether you need to get that photo of your husband framed for your desk or send flowers to your Aunt Millie in LA, check out these great listings available to you.

5.  Make some money, spend some money.  Dust off that Prada bag circa 1999 and give it a new life. Sure, you are sick of carrying something which is "so last year" but retro is chic.  If you can bring yourself to part with some of those designer duds that inhabit the nether regions of your closet than you may be able to put some cash in your pocket.  Many consignment shops will take your lightly used goods and sell them for you. Think Ebay, but local. If selling isn't for you, than consider taking a lap around one of the more upscale Thrift shops such as Michael's on Madison Avenue.  You may just find that one of a kind piece at half the price you would pay at Saks.  

6.  DIY. Forget dining out in this dismal economy.  By the time you pay $13 for a martini, add in tip for that expensive Italian dinner, your wallet is going to be a lot lighter. Even if you aren't a chef, you can still host your own dinner party.  The same bottle of wine you love at that fancy-shmancy restaurant, you can most likely purchase at your local wine store for 1/3 the price.  Check out Gourmet Garage where you can pick up a fancy dinner, and give yourself the tip.