2013 New York City Auto Show Kick Off Blog Coverage - Javits Center

Most car chaser have always dreamed of going to what is arguably the most unique and most extensive car show in the world, the 2013 New York City Auto Show. Well this year my dream finally came true.

I got to spend the early part of this week going to the 2013 New York City Autoshow. Attending the show as a press definitely has its benefits, the biggest one being able to get in before the show is open to the public. That's right, complimentary entrance fees, cocktail reception, no high school kids running around and no crying kids.

So if you didn't have a chance to check out the show in NYC this year, hopefully these photos will highlight what you missed (technically, as of this writing, the show will be open on March 29th). I highly recommend it for any car enthusiast, Gearhead, or anyone that enjoys seeing the state of the art automotive design, go and check it out. Enjoy!

Courtesy of BMW. Pretty throughout day all car brands are serving wine, coffee, cake, finger food and more. Especially from Hyundai, their cocktail reception were the best in terms of food and drinks. And oh yes! They served shrimp scapi, beef and seafood! Not to mentioned the beer as well.

I got myself a little treat. Hey! Look at that smile!

The future New York City yellow cap

Official vehicle for New York Yankees. Thumbs up to Toyota

Another media break section from Porsche. Look at the size of that cake!

Get your tickets today!

Categories: Event, Lifestyle, Photography, Random in NYC, Spring

Scotland Travel Series - Mountain Ranges of Scotland

If like me you are interested in amateur photography you will always be on the lookout for some dramatic landscape that you can shoot. Scotland has traditionally been split into two areas, the lowlands which hold the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh and the Highlands, named due to the mountainous nature of the landscape.

This is home to the highest peak in the UK Ben Nevis which is over 4,000 above sea level. Strangely in spite of its height you will find a well-travelled tourist route that will take you on a winding road to the top. When the cloud is low this can provide you with a venture into the heavens.

With nearby Fort William town making a perfect place to stay the night this is a must for anyone travelling to Scotland, to conquer the highest peak in the UK is no walk in the park and will take you around 6 hours to top and back down.

Another main tourist attraction is the Cairngorms which include the famous Aviemore, the most used ski slopes in the UK. With some breathtaking views, lochs and rolling mountains you could spend weeks here without ever seeing the same scene twice. With the Scottish weather each day brings a new view and new path to discover.

During the summer the bloom of the different plants makes the hills change color from a dark gray or white into a green and purple. This can give you some amazing shots from below or some panoramic views if you ascend one of the many mountains in the range.

Glencoe is a glen, the low area between mountains, which is steeped in Scottish history. Seen by many as a thoughtful and reflective place due to its bloody history of the massacre of Glencoe this is a not to be missed sights for any traveler. The beauty of this area sees nature in all its wonderful glory, with trails and caverns torn out of the side of mountains by rivers and ice over millions of years. The size of the mountains when stood in the glen can provide you with a sense of how old and large this planet of ours really is.

One of the most amazing features of Glencoe is that it is so unspoiled compared to many other developed countries. There is not an abundance of tourist shops and as it is denoted as a place of interest for wildlife conservation it is kept with its glorious natural beauty. Providing home to some amazing wildlife you may feel you have ventured into Middle Earth and could expect to stumble into a village of hobbits. Providing you with a fashion show of gargantuan proportion these mountains compete for your attention with shadows and plants of a wide array of colors and shapes.

One other feature of Scotland is that there are a huge number of islands which surround the coastline, many serviced by ferry from the mainland. If you were to choose one, it should be the isle of Skye. The coastal view of Skye on a clear day has to be seen to be believed, like something straight from a fantasy film. The mountains provide a natural castle like feel to the isle and with many of them to explore you will be spoilt for choice. Once you have finished with the sightseeing you can sample the local delights of freshly caught fish and some locally distilled whisky. With many of the mountains providing natural springs that you can safely drink from Scotland is the home of Whisky and the pure water is the secret ingredient.

On your adventures you should always check in at local information offices to make sure the weather is suitable to climb, as there are many who venture out on a calm day only for a storm to strike and problems arise. Also ensure you prepare yourself with some good quality hiking boots and a backpack with food, water and warm clothing. As you ascend it is common for temperatures to fall the higher you go. If you are visiting between April and September this is the safest time to climb the mountains but for some of the best photography from the bottom winter provides a white gloss atop each of these glorious natural wonders.

Steven Hill

Categories: England, Experience, Scotland, Travel Log

Thrift Store Decorations That Will Wow Your Guests

Many people hear the words "thrift store" and think of old, smelly, items that would be an eyesore in any decent home. The thought of using pre-owned goods can be a turn off for some folks, but that close-mindedness can be used to your advantage. There are endless possibilities when it comes to turning someone else's gently used merchandise into a treasure trove of new decor for your home. A few items in particular are sure to impress even the most die-hard skeptics and have you looking like a mini Martha Stewart.

Clothes and Fabrics
Clothes are abundant in most thrift stores. The trick is to see past what's in front of you. That dress is a little ratty, but does it have an interesting print that can be used as patching elsewhere? What about the pretty buttons on that shirt? Maybe they'd be a great embellishment on a picture frame. The same goes for spare fabric. You can make pillow cases, reupholster almost anything, and add color to the barest of items.

Furniture
A lot of thrift store furniture tends to be mismatched, slightly damaged, or missing moving components. All this means is you will have a one of a kind conversation piece to spark the curiosity of your guests. Grab some paint and add your own personal touches to the item, or how about covering the top with some of that fabric you picked up earlier? Don't be afraid of a little scratch or squeaky wheel. It adds character.

Picture Frames and Paintings
Many of these you can use as-is, but it's more fun to use your imagination and really make the frame pop. Break out your craft box and add paint or glitter to an otherwise boring frame. Intriguing paintings and posters can make an empty wall come alive again.

Knicks-Knacks
Thrift stores are knick-knack central. You can find some interesting pieces for your mantle or bookshelf that will stand out and get people talking. Everything from glass to bronze to wood carvings can be found if you know where to look. Why not pick up more than what you might need? You can always use a Burlington NJ storage unit to store unused knickknacks. Clean up those items, set them out, and wait for the 'ooohs' and 'aaahs' to begin.

Thrift stores can be a decorator's dream. Use redecorated thrift store decorations to turn your home into a modern yet frugal place of beauty. This article was written by Dixie Somers. Dixie is a freelance writer and blogger who enjoys writing about home, family, and business related topics.

Categories: Arts, Bloggy Stuff, DIY, Guest Post, Interior Design

Vimbly - A Slice of Brooklyn Pizza Tour

2 weeks ago I was invited to go on a pizza tour run by A Slice of Brooklyn. I hadn't heard about it before, not to mention any food tour until I saw it on Vimbly. But hey, this is NYC and anything is possible! The Brooklyn Pizza tour runs from 11am till 4pm. I signed up the tour on Saturday and I was told to meet up at the designated meeting spot near Union Square at 11am. Although I was late! But the Paula the tour guide was nice enough to meet up with me in Brooklyn.

There are tons of things to do in New York City. If you are a visitor and looking for something unique OR, a guided tour is a great way to spend some time! The tour guides are usually residents of the city or borough itself, so you hear their authentic experiences about the area.

Our tour guide Paula was very friendly, the folks on the tour were from places close and far, it was fabulous. How wonderful that a tour could bring people from all over the world together.

During the bus ride Paula told us about a lot of Brooklyn's history. Although part of my family lives in 86th street, and I spent quite some time there myself but hey, I don't know much about Brooklyn! The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the USA with over 100 years old; lots of great movies were once filmed in Brooklyn.

We watched movie clips from Goodfellas, Saturday Night Fever and more. We looked out the window to see the exact spots where they were filmed! That was very cool and everyone was taking photos of these famous places.

There was no hunger in this trip! Paula feed us well!The first pizza stop was the famous Grimaldi’s, which started making pizza in brick ovens in 1905. Paula told us a history of how Grimaldi's started but I don't remember it! But I do know they are one of the few still allowed today to use coal in their baking process, therefore at 1,000 degrees, the pizza done in 3 mins. They make the famous Marghierta Pizza with simple ingredients such as Mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes, Fresh Basil. It was a thin crust, crisp and yummy! I'm not a huge pizza fan but I loved it.

We went to Bay Ridge too! It was Paula's hometown and the neighborhood is gorgeous! We saw the 9 million dollar houses and of course a Smurf house!

The second pizza stop is L & B Spumoni Gardens. The pizza here was quite different than Grimaldi's. It was a thick crust pizza with cheese and red sauce. The sauce was good, not too sweet but most of us can't finish the pizzas, because it was quite fulfilling. 

We spent some time in DUMBO, Bed-Stuy, 86th Street (beginning of the Saturday Night Fever where John walked down the street) We also visited Coney Island and spent around half an hour in the snowy day and walked around. Paula told us a lot of history about the theme park and the neighborhood itself, it was great to learn about all this. 

After Coney Island stop they dropped us off to Union Square where they picked up everybody. I had so much fun and I would highly refer anyone to A Slice of Brooklyn Pizza Tour as it is truly a fun time. Paula said they offered a lot of different trips throughout the year,  they also have a Christmas Lights Tour in the month of December. It was truly a great experience! I'm so glad I went!

Categories: Experience, Movie Music, Random in NYC, Restaurant Review, Road Trip, Special Find - Cute, Travel Log