New York City Blog
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| 7 June 2011 |
So I’m back in New York after a great holiday in Tennessee - and I miss it! I really can’t complain though, because the weather is great here at the moment and with events like Rooftop Films’ outdoor screenings, which take place all through summer, there’s no shortage of fun stuff to do. For example: went to a screening of The Dish and the Spoon, which stars Greta Gerwig (Greenberg), on Friday night, and was totally blown away by the location. The screening was held on the roof of a big school in the Lower East Side - a building I walk past all the time but have, of course, never had reason to go into. After huffing and puffing our way up a fair few flights of stairs we were greeted by the most amazing sunset, and one of the coolest school ‘yards’ I’ve ever seen! The film itself was pretty good - a left of centre tale about a woman (Greta) who gets cheated on (boo!), and befriends a young British guy.
I definitely recommend checking out Rooftopfilms.com if you’re in New York and want something fun and inexpensive to do - tickets were only $10 and included a pass to an afterparty at a nearby bar.
| 31 May 2011 |
Ok guys, I’m in Franklin, Tennessee at the moment and decided to have a go at vlogging - bear with me as I ease my way into it (and sorry if it’s a little weird I’m not looking directly into the camera, ha ha.. I’ll work on that for next time). Thought I’d tag on some photos from my trip too: a wall of BOOTS!!!, me getting ready to dig into a plate of fried chicken livers for breakfast (!), a couple charming dudes I met in downtown Nash and one of several giant thrift stores I’ve trawled through over the last couple of days. My kind of shopping!
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| 24 May 2011 |
The rapture may not have taken place on Saturday, but enough disasterous events keep happening for 2011 to feel a little apocalyptic. Yet another tornado tore through the Southern United States on Sunday, devastating the town of Joplin, Missouri and killing at least 89 people. Feels a bit wrong watching video of something that killed so many, but the clip below shows the tornado on the move, and it’s pretty chilling to watch. Our thoughts are with the residents of Joplin who survived, and are no doubt now reeling at the prospect of having to rebuild their town and their lives.
Video taken from the Guardian website.
| 17 May 2011 |
One of the great things about being in New York over summer is all the awesome events and activities - a lot of them free! - that happen almost constantly. My friends Angus Vail and Julie Daugherty are adding to the magic with the creation of ArtBloc - a non profit that converts shipping containers into mobile art units for use as performance, exhibition or general event spaces - and will be settling in at Marina 59 in Far Rockaway (Queens) for the summer. They’re going to be hosting everything from concerts to art exhibitions and cooking demonstrations - so if you’re in New York keep your ear to the ground for what they’ve got going on!
As well as ArtBloc, the marina will play host to a houseboat that’s been converted into a floating environmental lab, which is taking applications until May 20 for a residency programme that will allow participants to try out sustainability projects - and possibly live - at sea. The area will also serve as a location for Sea Worthy, a project that encourages artistic boat building and the use of New York’s waterways. They’re even planning to build ‘boatels’ so people can stay overnight on the water!
For more about Marina 59 have a read of this Wall Street Journal article.
| 10 May 2011 |
It’s my birthday! I had such a great day yesterday, building up to my actual birthday, I can’t believe I get to keep celebrating today! Brunch with Elle on Bowery, nails done in Soho, a cheeky little cocktail (back on Bowery), great tacos at Tacombi in Nolita, and drinks with buddies at the Diamond in Greenpoint. And that ain’t even the half of it - I was totally spoilt by said buddies: an amazing chocolate cake decorated to look like a giant yellow rose (quite the feat - kudos Ana), killer cookies baked fresh by Steph, condiments from Matthew and Alison, and let us not forget… this sexy little keyboard from Cam and Maria Ines.
How I got so lucky I do not know, all I know is I feel loved, looked after, and happy to be here. Yeeah!
| 2 May 2011 |
It’s been interesting looking at reader comments on the New York Times site about the death of Osama bin Laden - leader of Al Qaeda and mastermind of the September 11 attacks - who President Obama yesterday announced has been killed in Pakistan by American forces. While most commenters acknowledge that Osama’s death brings a degree of closure to the 9/11 attacks, many are also asking whether a revenge killing on the part of America is actually something to be proud of - and that was also my reaction. To me, celebrating the killing of someone is gross no matter how horrific their crimes - and killing someone because they killed only perpetuates a cycle of violence that doesn’t do anyone any good. True, the US government said they would have taken Osama alive if possible, but I can’t help but think of the countless countries America has invaded, even if it’s been ‘in the name of justice,’ and the fact that to those people America is just as evil, and their attacks just as ‘terror’ driven, as those orchestrated by Osama and Al Qaeda. It’s encouraging to see that a lot of Americans seem to also recognise that - although, on the flipside, seeing pictures online of crowds celebrating in American streets makes me feel a little ill.
In his speech, President Obama said “the world is safer,” and “a better place because of the death of Osama bin Laden.” But is it really? Though Obama also reaffirmed that, “the United States is not, and never will be, at war with Islam,” and went to great pains to avoid sounding like the killing was a challenge to Al Qaeda, or an act of war, I can’t help but assume that there has to be some sort of a reaction from the terror group, and possibly the wider Islamic community, to Osama’s death.
Watch President Obama’s official announcement of Osama bin Laden’s death below.
| 26 April 2011 |
I’m a big fan of good headwear, and my latest favourite hat thingees are Mercato headcovers. I came across them at the Brooklyn Flea a few weeks ago and fell in love with their simple, clever design and the great fabrics designer Chika sources from Japan, Italy, France and New York. Best of all, they’re cut so you just pop ‘em on your head and tie them at the back - so no more frustrated attempts at trying to tie a headscarf from scratch (I can never do it myself!).
Actually, BEST of all is the fact you can buy them online! Click here to shop at Mercato’s Etsy page. Chika’s a little low on stock at the moment, so check back if you don’t see a fabric you like!
| 19 April 2011 |
A couple things came up concerning gender and equality last week that I think are important to talk about. First, France imposed a ban on wearing full veils in public places, intended to stop Muslim women wearing burkas, or niqabs. The ban was obviously controversial, and to me is a totally outrageous move. While I agree women should not be made to wear burkas against their will (this is also now a crime), I also believe making it illegal for them to do so at all is a bizarre form of prejudice - and, you could argue, racism against people from Muslim nations. If one of the main reasons for the ban is to protect women’s rights, like French policy makers are arguing, why make criminals of women who actually choose to wear a veil?
The second thing that got my attention was the ridiculous reaction in the US to an ad in J. Crew’s latest catalogue that shows company president and creative director Jenna Lyons painting her three year old son’s toenails bright pink. ‘Social conservatives’ went nutso over the image, claiming she’s messing with her son’s gender identity by doing so - which will, apparently, lead to him being gay or transgender. I can’t believe something as innocent and cute as this photo led to so much controversy - if only people were this outraged by things that are truly outrageous, the world could be a way happier, healthier and more peaceful place.
Burka image from the New York Times.
| 12 April 2011 |
Spring has finally sprung in New York! This weekend I wandered ‘round the Brooklyn Flea, did a little shopping in Soho, hung out with friends and watched Fredericks Brown and Taj Mahal at Brooklyn Bowl. Tonight, a wine class and stroll along the High Line (a great walk on the West Side that’ll turn your head on a balmy night), followed by dinner at the Maritime Hotel.
Not trying to make you jealous, I just can’t believe winter has finally bowed out! In a month or two I’ll be complaining about the humidity and the fact I don’t have air con, but for now… I love you New York!
Image from Daffodilfestivals.com.
| 5 April 2011 |
I’m reading Half the Sky at the moment, a book about the challenges faced by women in the developing world (‘challenges’ is putting it very euphemistically!), and the belief that by educating and empowering women many of the injustices of the world could be averted. It’s a pretty full on read - but it’s totally making me want to do something to help women who aren’t in a position to help themselves.
Written by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn the book is full of what are to me horror stories but for many women are daily risks and realities - beatings, rape and murder because you’re suspected of losing your virginity before marriage; complications during childbirth that lead to infection, fistulas and death because women aren’t considered ‘valuable’ enough to treat; trafficking of young, poor girls in Thailand and India, who are lured from their villages under the guise of being taken to work at fruit stalls and the like in bigger cities - only to end up in brothels where they’re drugged and/or beaten and raped into submission by the brothel owners. I could go on. It’s horrible to me that ANYONE would be treated with such arrogance, aggression and disregard - let alone such a huge chunk of the world’s population. In many cases women are brutally punished if they stand up for themselves or try to fight the system - they have very few options and little to no voice.
Half the Sky also exists as a movement, encompassing many organisations who are working to educate and empower women in countries and situations where they’re discriminated against and/or in physical danger because of abuse or simply a lack of access to medical care. I’d love it if everyone could read the book - or at least check out the website. By educating ourselves about what women are facing out there, we’ll be in a better position to help them - and trust me, there are many ladies out there who need someone to speak out on their behalf!
Another initiative working to highlight the importance and effectiveness of educating and empowering girls and women is the Girl Effect. I wrote this article about it a few months ago now, check it out if you haven’t already and be sure to watch the video - it’s really simple but incredibly effective.
| 29 March 2011 |
Ok guys, my little hottie of a friend Steph Brown has released the first video for her solo act Lips. I love this song, and I love the clip too. It was shot in Brooklyn (by some other super talented friends - nice work Missy, Sam and Dave!), which is more and more feeling like home to me, and features lots of fantastic Kiwi transplants. Have a watch, and then go like Lips on Facebook or something!
On a totally different note, next week (April 4-10) is Shave For A Cure week. Basically, you can either raise money for the Leukemia and Blood Foundation as part of Shave11, or buy a specially designed (awesome) Huffer t-shirt and donate money that way. Either way, it’s a really good cause - and at the very least you could end up with a great Huffer t-shirt. Please check it out!
| 22 March 2011 |
And now… war. I’m really hoping that, come my next post, there’s a lull on the tragedy front. I’m not a pessimist, but things are pretty bleak out there! An upside has been seeing the way so many people have attempted to do something, even if it’s a little something, to help those affected by the earthquakes in Christchurch and Japan, and the fact that we’re so easily connected to the unrest (a very euphemistic word!) in the Middle East via the internet. For example - these NY Times interviews with young Arab people put a human face on the conflict, and give voice to a bunch of people who aren’t too different to us.
They’re going through some crazy times in order to bring democracy to their countries, check out the clips!
| 17 March 2011 |
So tomorrow (March 18) has been designated an official national day of mourning in New Zealand to honour the lives lost, and lives torn apart, by the Christchurch earthquake on February 22. The Christchurch Heart Trust have also called it National Black T-Shirt Day and are asking everyone to either buy a ‘Christchurch Our Hearts Are With You’ t-shirt (profits go to the CHCH Heart Trust, which plans to distribute the funds through registered charities), or to wear any black t-shirt and make a donation to any charitable trust dedicated to helping in Christchurch.
And while we’re mourning the tragedy that’s hit our own country, let’s not forget our friends in Japan, who are struggling to comprehend a massive tragedy of their own.
| 14 March 2011 |
Can’t believe I’m writing another post about another earthquake, but alas - while we’re still getting our heads around the Christchurch earthquake, Japan is now reeling. I feel like the earth’s been doing some serious restructuring over the last few years, and it’s horrible to know another awesome country has been affected by such an awful tragedy, I can’t even get my head around the number of people who’ve lost their lives (we’re talkin’ tens of thousands), and the many more whose houses and towns have been destroyed. The NY Times are doing a great job of covering the earthquake and tsunami, and everything that’s playing out with the nuclear plants.
Here’s hoping the earth holds her peace for a while. Love to you Japan xx
| 8 March 2011 |
Ha ha.. Miley Cyrus hosted Saturday Night Live this weekend, check out her take on Justin Bieber!
| 1 March 2011 |
So things are going crazy… pretty much everywhere, but as the world mourns the lives lost in the Christchurch earthquake, it’s also looking on in amazement as laypeople throughout the Middle East revolt against their various governments. If you’re having trouble keeping up with what’s been happening over there, this BBC resource breaks it down country by country.
On a side note - like I said in my post about the protests in Egypt - I think it’s so freakin’ interesting to see how instrumental Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and blogs have been, and continue to be, in both creating and documenting the whole situation. The internet is enabling people to unite in a really powerful way. If anyone had doubts about the scope of the internet to connect people and essentially create a global village, I think they can safely be dropped.
Not only is this true for the Middle East, it’s also true for us Kiwis in our response to the earthquake. So many people have poured out their support through Facebook and the like, including some friends of mine who got a bunch of New York based New Zealanders together via Facebook, then filmed and edited the clip below.
Kia Kaha Christchurch, and kia kaha to everyone else going through tough times, wherever you are.
| 24 February 2011 |
I don’t know what to say about Christchurch that doesn’t sound trite, but it feels worse to say nothing at all. Wish I was a little closer and able to physically help! In lieu of that, here’s a short article on how to help if you’re in NZ. And another that ran in today’s New York Times.
Horrible knowing how many people have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods. Thinking of you guys x
| 21 February 2011 |
If you aren’t one of the 5 million plus people who’ve watched the ‘ass cam’ clip (featuring New Zealand actresses Jessie Gurunathan and Reanin Johannink) over the last few days, check it out below! Turns out the vid is actually part of Levis’ latest campaign to promote their line of Curve ID Skinny Jeans. Creepy seeing all those leery dudes, but entertaining all the same…
For more on the campaign click here.
| 15 February 2011 |
I went to Essie’s Manicure Media Lounge this afternoon, held as part of Fashion Week and also to pamper some friends of Essie on Valentine’s Day! Was held at Trump International in a suite directly overlooking a still snow-covered Central Park - the view was awesome. It’s moments like that that remind me yes, I am in New York, and I really cannot complain - especially after being treated to a free manicure (thanks Susan from Polished Beauty Bar on the Upper West Side!), in an incredible new light blue shade (Borrowed and Blue) from Essie’s soon to be released salon only Wedding Collection. I even got to meet Essie herself, a born and bred New Yorker who’s been making polish since 1981. This lady knows what she’s doing. All her shades are incredible, and I’m not just saying that because I got totally looked after today! I stupidly forgot to take my camera, but here’s a photo my gorgeous friend Katie Gray, who organised the event, took of me getting my nails prettied up! Who’s that goober?! Now I’ve teased you, check out the Essie website and start the truly difficult battle in your mind over which shade to try first!
| 9 February 2011 |
It’s been pretty awful to watch things go so nuts in Egypt over the last few weeks, but one thing that, to me, has been pretty incredible is the way the internet’s been so instrumental in rallying the people - particularly the youth - of Egypt. Hearing about protesters using YouTube and Facebook to publicise the protest, and to generate awareness and/or support both in their country and internationally, it really hit home for me just how huge a role the internet - and those sites in particular - plays in connecting us, and how powerful a tool it has the potential to be for mobilising people, and bringing about change in the world.
One of the key players in the whole thing has been Wael Ghonim, an unassuming Egyptian guy who lives in Dubai, where he works for Google. On January 28 Ghonim joined protesters gathering in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, only to be snatched by authorities. For 12 days his whereabouts was unknown, until the government finally released him on Monday night.
In late 2010 Ghonim had started the Facebook page We Are All Khaled Said, which was dedicated to the memory of a 28 year old Egyptian man (Khaled Said) who was allegedly beaten to death by police in Alexandria on June 6, 2010. According to the New York Times, activity on the page helped spark the protests (which organisers intended would be peaceful), that have brought life to a near standstill in Egypt over the last couple of weeks and seen the deaths of at least 300 people.
Pretty much straight after his release Wael gave this interview to Dream TV, a private Egyptian channel, and it looks like his conversation with journalist Mona El Shazly has encouraged even more Egyptians to join the protest at Tahrir Square. Obviously, that peace will be reestablished in Egypt, and that the voices and petitions of the people will be acknowledged and responded to is the most important thing right now, but in his interview Wael said this and it really stuck out to me:
“This is the revolution of the youth of the Internet. This is the revolution of the youth of the internet, which then became the Revolution of the youth of Egypt.”
I think it stuck out because it’s really cool to see people who are passionate enough about their country to take to the streets, even if it means risking their lives or reputations. It also stuck out because the current situation in Egypt is an incredible example of how the internet connects people even though we’re oceans away from each other. From me in New York, to you in New Zealand, here’s saluting those in Cairo who not only hope for, but are also actively pursuing, better things for their country!
Below is part one of Wael’s interview. You can watch the full interview here.
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(16) Comments • Permalink
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Woow seem like you had a owessome time ... I am jealous !!  Posted by Brina Verc "on" 07/08 "at"02:49 PM |
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I’m adding this to my reads  These things are outside of my ‘bubble’! Posted by 5579 "on" 06/02 "at"05:06 PM |
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that osama bin laden guy is scarey i would be so scared if he had dont something like that around me and where i live i would think that i would be like next to die or something lol Posted by sindhya:) "on" 05/24 "at"05:51 PM |
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omg i feel so sorry for those poeple that were like affected by the tornado and those people that also got affected in christchurch i know that i wouldnt have wanted that to ever happen to me i would like be so freaked out and would know where to go in all that confusion:( Posted by sindhya:) "on" 05/24 "at"05:29 PM |
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That video is so chiiling - stuff like that belongs in the movies. So heartbreaking but it gives us another reason to know how special life is and we mustn’t take our life or the giftws in it for granted. My love and prayers o to the many people affe ted by this devastation. ... Thanks for sharing this Sarah - take care and keep having fun 24/7 style! xo Posted by sunflower80 "on" 05/24 "at"04:07 PM |
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Happy belated birthday Sarah! xo Posted by sunflower80 "on" 05/12 "at"11:59 AM |
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That’s right… KIA KAHA CHCH! Rise up Posted by MelissaW "on" 05/06 "at"04:39 PM |
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Love that kiwis are getting out there and showing what we’re made of! New zealand may be small but dont under estimate our abilities! Posted by Superpam "on" 05/04 "at"11:59 AM |
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i love that bandana Posted by iceream "on" 04/26 "at"01:07 PM |
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love it this is amazing for this make me wanna tavel the world too Posted by iceream "on" 04/24 "at"12:36 AM |
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I love that she’s out there doing her thing, and even though she lives in NYC she still cares about lil NZ Posted by Sarie "on" 04/20 "at"07:37 PM |
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its great to see what she doing and showing us the world. some of us cant go and see it so it great to know whats out. i would love to be over in New york Posted by 54276 "on" 04/05 "at"07:16 PM |
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Its so inspiring! Its great for her to show us what she’s up to! I fully agree with her on the tragedy front, Its been such a sad time recently with war, earthquakes, floods, and the rest! But no matter where you are and where your from, everyone is affected and everyone pulls together! Lets hope good things come our way!! I look forward to Sarahs next blog! Id soooo love to visit NY!! Posted by badger "on" 03/25 "at"10:41 PM |
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This looks so amazing! I wish I was there! Posted by elorahh "on" 02/25 "at"03:41 PM |
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just too awesome Posted by 3musketeers "on" 02/11 "at"05:01 PM |
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Woah what a life! Posted by Fashizzlemanizzle "on" 02/10 "at"07:17 PM |
Best of the rest
