It's The Weekend Round Up!

It was a busy weekend, folks. Let's re-cap it up!

First off: Friday. It was my last day at E&P, and so my co-workers and I marked my entrance into (temporary) unemployment with booze and cupcakes.

I picked them out myself.


Joe and Jen worked together at a little paper in California back in the 1990s. See, I'm a uniter, not a divider.


Hotties!


I couldn't stay out late beause Saturday was chock full of activity. My first stop, at 8:30 a.m., was at the New York Junior League's Playground Improvement Project in the West Village.

Marney wonders when we break for lunch.


Looking sharp painting.


Jenny touches up the smaller parts.


After a morning and afternoon of painting and scraping, I hustled up to Murray Hill so I could take over TR's kitchen and bake some cookies. My choco chip cookies (from scratch!) are amazing. If you let me come over I'll bake some for you, too.


Peppe wants human food.


On Sunday I hustled out to Connecticut for a family party. My cousin Milton turned 55. When the Millards throw a party two things are guaranteed: There will be a lot of people and there will be a band. Let's meet some of the members:

Birthday Fella, Milton, on the accoustic guitar.


My brother Andrew, on the electric guitar.


Cousin Chris on the drums.


Uncle Frank, on the banjo.


La Madre, Groupie


There was high stakes musical chairs.


Winner!


Serious cake.


One of my fave shots of the day.

Happy Sunday! It's Peppe In A Tub!

Peppe in a Tub!, originally uploaded by La Pauline.

We've had Mozart in a Box before. Here's Peppe in a tub.

Last Day At Work Breakfast

Last day at work breakfast, originally uploaded by La Pauline.

Today is my last day at E&P. I started the day with a breakfast at the diner across the street.

Speaking of layoffs, check out this slide show of photos taken after the recent layoffs at the San Jose Mercury news, as well as the complete Flickr set.

I have few vices, but one thing I love are French wines. Lucky for me the Alliance Francaise has been hosting monthly wine tastings, in which they tackle a different region of France every month. Last month it was Bordeaux, a few days ago it was the Loire Valley. Next month is Provence, which mean I have some Neuf Du Pape in my futre. June is capped off with Champagne, naturally.

I'm very passionate about wine, but it has to be good wine. I've talked about my frustrations with Yellow Tail already, but I don't understand why, when there's so much good wine out there, why people conitnue to drink the crap? It's like living on a diet of Little Debbie Cakes and YooHoo. Yes, it's cheap and will temporarily sate you, but a banana and a ham and cheese would be a much better experience.

Drink some good wine tonight!

A Few Shots From Around Town

I was walking around downtown Manhattan yesterday and I took a few shots. All these were taken with my iPhone, which goes to show what good, morning lighting can produce.

Williams Street, around 8:00 a.m.


I miss you, Chinatown


Fake Keith Haring mural going up on Houston and Bowery

Brighton Beach Memoir

It's Monday, which begs the question, "What did Pauline do this weekend?" The short answers is that I hopped the Q train to Brighton Beach, which is one of my favorite places in all of New York City. I know I'm usually all about Manhattan, but if I had to live in Brooklyn, I would head straight for Brighton Beach. Ideally I would have a beach-facing apartment in The Oceana and I would eat the meat-filled breads that they sell on the street every day.

The key to going to Brighton Beach is not to treat it like it's some sort of novelty. Yes, I realize that everyone's speaking Russian, the signs are in Russians and that the stores are full of Russian products. It is assumed you speak Russian and you will be addressed in Russian. Even though my friend and I were mellow and well behaved, I am pretty sure that there are a lot of non-Russians who come to Brighton Beach and treat it like they're in some kind of Cold War fantasy land, as if they've stepped back behind the Iron Curtain -- and what a hoot it is! And I bet this really annoys the people who live and work in Brighton everyday. Just an observation...

Back to the photos...



Two Russian men playing chess on the boardwalk.


Two kids playing baseball


The boardwalk, headed towards Coney Island. I took a few shots at Coney Island but since it's such an over-photographed (and slightly depressing place) you can just check them out here.


Lookin' sharp on the boardwalk.


Eat, Pray Love, In Russian


Paris Hilton is the same in all languages.

There's a lot of strange stuff on You Tube, but I've become slightly addicted to this Man In A Box show. It's updated every week. Check it:

New Huff Po Blog: Do You Know Where Your Money Is?

My latest column on The Huffington Post is about how important it is to be proactive about all areas of personal finance, especially so during a recession. I handed my taxes off to a CPA who slopped it together and then took off for a vacation on April 16th. It was not a good scene.

On The Eve Of A Recession, Do You Know Where Your Money Is?

Housing And Zoning Issues In Greenwich

I've spent a lot of time in Greenwich, dating back to when I was a little kid. That said, I am fascinated by the housing and zoning issues that are going on there. Over the past few summers I've gone on a lot of runs through the town and saw gorgeous house and house labeled for demolition, only so that a new McMansion could be put in its place.

At the turn of the century, Greenwich was originally a weekend getaway for New Yorkers. Many of the homes were cozy, but obviously devoid of modern "conveniences" like saunas and movie theaters. Vanity Fair put together a great piece in July 2006 about all the hedge fund guys who come in, buy amazing 1920s homes, only to tear them down. Greenwich residents are finally speaking up about the new construction and trying to keep the old-school charm of the town.

One day I was walking around Greenwich with a friend when we came across one of these new monstrosities. My friend said, "That's not a house, because only cows live in a barn." Ouch.

The latest news out of Greenwich is that a Russian billionaire is trying to tear down an $18 million home in order to put up his own version of the Hermitage. This is in back Greenwich, where people tend to keep to themselves, so the outcry is a little out of character. Check out this video:

I'm in the middle of a tax crisis right now (the CPA's fault, not mine), but here is an awesome Meth Minute about taxes.

A Little Peppe For Your Wednesday

E-Mail From 50 Bayard Street!

Most people who know me know that I loved living in Chinatown in 2002, specifically at 50 Bayard Street. The location was awesome, the apartment was sunny and I was across the street from a McDonald's where the menu was in Chinese.

This morning I got a Facebook friend request from a guy I don't know. I don't usually accept requests from people I don't know. Then he sent me a message and asked if I was a former tenant of 50 Bayard Street. That's when I realized that the guy sending me the note was the guy who now lives in apartment 5P. He moved in when I moved out.

Unrelated: I have to move out of my apartment in June, and so if anyone knows of anything up to a two bedroom, please let me know. I have a friend who could move in with me if I find a good two bedroom.

Check it:
First let me tell you how I found you. In computer class, I was fooling around flickr and typed in 50 bayard and out came your pic with the apt. 5P on it. my jaw dropped.

Yes I am Li's son. the apt and the neighborhood has changed quite a bit though. The good is that we have new washing machines, the bad, theres 6 garbage trucks coming in every hour of the night now.

Well its pretty nice to meet you once again, even though our first was brief. Next time I throw a party, I'll invite you.

As for the apts in Manhattan, its up in the air and they come and go quick. I have noticed 50 Bayard have a ot of people moving in and moving out too and becoming less chinesey. Well good luck and take care. Nice seeing you again ~TONY

moar funny pictures

Pauline's Bridal, originally uploaded by UrbanDKaye.

This photo intersects at two of my interests: weddings and the name Pauline.

It's The Junior League Spring Auction!

It's spring, which means there are a million reasons to get dressed up and go to parties. This past weekend was the New York Junior League's Spring Auction. It was a good time at Capitale, although I am still mad that I didn't get those tickets for The Colbert Report. They ended up going for $1,400. Box seats at the Yankees Red Sox game went for $5,000.

The full set can be found here.

First off: my dress. It was a little red number that was the evening wear equivalent of a fruit roll-up. And I wore gold shoes. Always gold shoes.


Carey et moi


Peppe's vet, Kim, et moi.


It's Anastacia!


Julie, who's doorman is really a bouncer.


Capitale Used To Be A Bank


Suzanne in mink is always a good idea.


My fave shot of the night. Everyone's happy! With champagne!


You know a party's over when the shoes are on the table.


At midnight we all turn into pumpkins.


End of the night, covered in rain. Who goes out without a jacket?

New Huffington Post Blog: How Green Is Your Wedding Registry?

Today's column on The Huffington Post is about how lots of people overlook the registry when creating a "green" wedding. All those consumer products are made in sweatshops overseas, people!

How Green Is Your Registry?

Ever since that breakfast at The Plaza earlier this week I've been on a huge 'Breakfast At Tiffany's' kick. Above is the original trailer for the film.

I also highly suggest getting the Henry Mancini-composed soundtrack. It's not on iTunes, so you have to go to the store and get it yourself.

It's Always Nice To Be A Boldfaced Name

At least people know that I'm available.

Check it here.

An Early Morning Executive Decision

This morning I went to a media breakfast that was held in the Grand Ballroom at The Plaza. It started at 8:00 a.m., and by 8:05 a.m. I decided that I want to get married there. Groom to come.

I know I've Reblogged Gary Vaynerchuck's Wine Library episodes before, but today's installment is about 2004 Bordeaux. We all know how much I love Bordeaux -- I was even at a tasting at the Alliance Francaise last week -- and I need to spread the Bordeaux gospel more. If it stops just one person from drinking Yellowtail, my work will be done.

As usual, Gary explains the wine well and why everyone is so ga-ga about it.

I Love It When People Use My Photos

Last week I was contacted by an editor who wanted to use one of my shots of the Greenwich Beach on his travel site. I said go ahead.

You can check it out here.

My whole feed can be found here.