Inspiration

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Forgotten Borough has Cheapest Movies!

Great news: I found the cheapest movie theater in NYC! The bad news: It's probably out of your way because it's in "the forgotten borough" 

Staten Island's UA Hylan Plaza has $5 movies EVERY SINGLE DAY before 6pm. Shows starting 6pm and later are $7.50. Compare that to the $15 movie ticket prices at most theaters in Manhattan, and we have found ourselves quite the bargain! 

This is a small theater so don't expect many options or showtimes, only the top  5 or 6 box office hits play on any given day. If you are considering making the trek all the way to Staten Island for this movie theater, be aware that it takes about 2 hrs via public transportation from Manhattan... so unless you are making an entire day out of it, this may not be a worthwhile excursion.

The theater is housed in a shopping plaza that includes a chinese buffet, a few clothing stores, a dollar store and other discount stores, tanning/nail salon, etc... There are some pretty good Italian restaurants in the area and Great Kills Park is also nearby. UA Hylan Plaza 5 is located @ 107 Mill Road, Staten Island, NY - (800) 326-3264 ext. 635. Getting there: s78 bus from the ferry/ s79 from bayridge/ staten island railroad from the ferry

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Free Ice Skating in NYC

I hate being cold, so naturally fall and winter aren't my favorite seasons of the year. 
I'm convinced that cultivating even the slightest appreciation for the colder months has to do with partaking in cold weather activities (and layering up of course). Enjoying yourself outdoors by not simply going into hibernation makes the temperature drop so much more bearable. 

Last winter, I took up ice-skating after not going near a rink for over a decade. Secretly, I'm looking forward to the cold weather, if only for that reason. The Pond @ Bryant Park, my go-to spot for ice-skating, will open this Friday, October 28th... très exciting! The rink is open every single day and admission is FREE until February 26, 2012-  perfect for Bon Vivant + a Budget readers living in NYC (or those simply dropping in for a visit). 

Skate rentals at Bryant Park are pricey at $14, but if you bring your own pair you don't have to spend a dime! That's my kind of bargain! Last year I  purchased my own ice skates for about $60... you can find cheaper options if you DON'T buy them in the Times Square (look in K-mart, Modells, Champs Sporting Goods). If you plan to make ice skating a regular occurrence, it makes monetary sense (no pun intended) to own skates -- rent four times and you've spent $14 x4 = $56... rent 5 times and you've spent $70.  I'd also recommend you bring your own combination lock since they are sold for $9 there. Have fun! If you see me on the rink, don't knock me over, but do say hi!

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Haiku for the Single Girl {Book Launch Party}

A friend of mine, Beth Griffenhagen, has published her 1st book, Haiku for the Single Girl, and she would like to extend the invite to Bon Vivant + a Budget readers (and the general public) to attend the FREE book launch party this Thursday, October 27, 7–9 PM at powerHouse Arena in DUMBO, Brooklyn.


The huge book launch party will feature:

• Murray's Cheese
• Cheetos
• Beer provided by Brooklyn Brewery
• Party photos by howaboutwe.com
• Limited edition HFTSG tees from artist Cacho Falcon
• Guest readings of Beth's haikus, followed by a HaiQ & A

Haiku for the Single Girl is a celebration of the single girl's life, and everything that comes with it. Unsolicited relationship advice from relatives, disastrous dates, men who wear thumb rings, and the moments of deep satisfaction when a single girl realizes that she can do whatever she wants with her time—they're all here in Haiku for the Single Girl. Haiku for the Single Girl is essentially a collection of anecdotes, and most any one of the haikus could be unpacked to reveal a larger (and likely hilarious) story. The idea for the project originated when New Yorker Beth Griffenhagen was out for a "single girl's night" with a good friend (note: they did not/do not call it "single girl's night"). On the way to the train, she stopped at a bodega and picked up a bag of Cheetos. Devouring half the bag before she go to the station, Beth realized that her hands were coated in orange powder, and she had nothing with her to clean them off. She remembers this moment as "so comically pathetic," but at the same time realized she was incredibly happy. She says, "I just had a blast spending time with a good friend, and didn't need to be anywhere, I was living in the greatest city in the world, I was snacking on Cheetos with gusto—life was good! And, in a cocktail haze, I found the phrase 'Cheeto dust' to be unbearably beautiful just then. So I dusted off my hands on my purse and thought: I walk home alone/ Bag covered in Cheeto dust/ Should this depress me? Hot damn—I just wrote a haiku!


The powerHouse Arena · 37 Main Street (corner of Water & Main St.) · DUMBO, Brooklyn. For more information, call 718.666.3049 and  rsvp@powerHouseArena.com

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Richie Rich Fashion Show

Last weekend my handsome boyfriend modeled in a charity fashion show for Human Rights Campaign Long Island. Needless to say, I had a worthy excuse to get dressed up and attend a glamorous event with a great cause! 

On the red carpet I found myself ambushed by designer Richie Rich, who grabbed my arm and begged me to walk in his fashion show. I think I said "no" about 10 times, but his dogged insistence (and the fact that it was for charity) wore me down- eventually I agreed. Believe it or not, things like this happen to me often courtesy of my 6'2" height.

So off to hair, makeup and wardrobe I went... my hair was bobby-pinned and hair-sprayed relentlessly; my face was painted in thick fuschia makeup and glitter. My dress, which Richie said was inspired by Kim Kardashian, left me feeling more like the statue of liberty on psychedelic stardust crack! I don't see Kim being a fan!

A laundry-list of celebrities have walked in Richie Rich shows and even more have worn his designs. Personally, I find his clothes to be a bit much for my sensibilities (as you can see from these pictures). Richie Rich is definitely not my aesthetic of choice, but in a fashion show his collections are fun. Who wants to walk the runway in something plain anyway?! 

What do you think of the look?

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No Excuses! {Free Gym Guest-passes}

I ran track for nearly a decade and a half before I finally hung up my racing spikes. Fitness is deeply ingrained in me until this day, but every once in a while I find myself making excuses to not workout: "I had a long day. I will do it tomorrow. I have no energy. I don't feel like leaving the house" Excuses, excuses! Sound familiar?! Sometimes we just need to silence the part of ourselves that stops us from reaching our goals (whether in fitness or anything)and as Nike says "just do it." Even if you don't have a gym membership, you can take a walk, go running or hiking in the park, play basketball or frisbee. You can go dancing with friends or watch an exercise dvd. There are countless ways to incorporate more physical activity into your lifestyle; it just takes a little effort. 

image via pinterest

To help you begin, I've compiled some useful FREE Guest-pass links for a few gyms: 
Reebok Sports Club 
 Crunch Gym  
Dolphin Fitness 
 Bally's Total Fitness 
 24 Hour Fitness  
Gold's Gym

NYC Parks & Recreation Centers are open to the public for FREE use on the first Monday of every month. The next date is November 7, 2011. Locations are throughout the 5 boroughs. If you are interested in actually joining, a membership is super cheap: $100/year for access to all locations without an indoor pool. $150 for access to all locations including those w/pool access. Free for kids under 18, $25/yr for ppl over 62

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Free October Film Screenings { NYC }

If you are in NYC and looking to do something low-key and FREE on a lazy Sunday, I have found the thing for you! Stop by the Tribeca Grand Hotel for it's free October movie screenings at 6pm - this month's theme is gangster flicks. Like always, try to get there a few minutes early for the best seats and free popcorn. After the movie showings, Tribeca Grand screens the HBO hit "Boardwalk Empire" at 9pm for free. The hotel is located at 2 Avenue of the Americas in downtown Manhattan. Click here for directions. 

October 9th at 6pm - Miller's Crossing

October 16th at 6pm - Reservoir Dogs 

October 23rd at 6pm- Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels 

October 30th at 6pm- Halloween Special! Saw 1 and 2 

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Daphne Guinness Collection { Free Fashion Exhibit }

Last Thursday I visited The Museum at Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) 

to view "A Life in Fashion: Daphne Guinness." Guinness, heir to the eponymous Guinness beer fortune, lent about 100 pieces from her wildly expensive, haute couture wardrobe to FIT's museum for it's current exhibit. Since a woman could wait all eternity and still never get an invite to Guinness' house, we have a rare opportunity to peek inside her surreal closet until January 7, 2012 (while the exhibit is still showing). And  you can check it out for FREE.... perfect for Bon Vivant + a Budget readers!

Guinness was a close personal friend of late designer Alexander McQueen, so as would be expected, this exhibit is McQueeen heavy- excellent if you missed the exhibit at the MET. Other pieces are from Azzedine Alaïa, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, John Galliano for Christian Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Rick Owens, Gareth Pugh, and Valentino. So many amazing pieces from so many amazing designers! 
Walls of the exhibit include some very quotable lines from Guinness. A few words particularly resonated with me... "I don't do event dressing, everyday is an event" said Guinness. What a great mantra! Guinness holds herself to a high standard of dressing, and why not?! Why save the beautiful clothes that make you look amazing, feel confident and beautiful for what you deem a special occasion when life itself is a special occasion.  That said, if you are in NYC you should get dressed and go to this FREE exhibit before it closes! 

dress: adele fado +  boots: blowfish + leather bag: trace

I especially enjoy The Museum at FIT because it is off the radar of many folks (not  over-crowded), centrally located (easy to get to) and admission is always FREE. It is a smaller museum so you can also do other things in your day! The Museum at FIT is open Tuesday - Friday 12-8pm. Saturday 10am-5pm. Closed Sunday, Monday & legal holidays. Click here for directions to the museum. Click here for more on the exhibit. 


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Follow Bon Vivant + a Budget {Don't Miss a Post}

Hey everyone! It's now easier than ever to stay updated with Bon Vivant + A Budget. I just added the "FOLLOWERS" gadget to the page so you can follow Bon Vivant + A Budget  with Google Friend Connect. We also now have a Facebook Fan Page, you can follow us on Bloglovin' and subscribe via email.  Have a great weekend!    -Helene

New Jersey Fashion and Beauty Week 2011 {Fashion Show}

Earlier this week, I was delighted to attend Fashion and Beauty Week 2011 with a select group of bloggers. The folks @ Fashion & Beauty Week made sure the event was stylish from the start- we were picked up from Manhattan in a limousine and whisked away to the foreign land of New Jersey (hahahaa I'm no stranger to the state- I actually went to college in Jersey).

 

 

I was really impressed by what a well orchestrated event NJ Fashion & Beauty Week was. The venue was quite opulent with high ceilings, crown molding, a spacious ballroom, and cavernous nooks- really a beautiful place to host any event. The night was grandiose too! It included a full cocktail dinner, wine tasting, beauty bar, silent auction, lounge areas, and celebrity guests. 

The fashion show lasted nearly an hour and was definitely one of the longest that I had ever been to, a stark contrast to the 13-minute-long fashion shows of NY Fashion week. Collections were shown from both emerging and well-established designers. Common among all of the collections was wearability. Models weren't parading down the runway looking like reindeer or aliens. Everything was high fashion, chic and ready-to-wear. I loved that models represented the spectrum of races, ethnicities and sizes. Sometimes you go to fashion shows and everyone walking is an anorexic ghost from Sweden. Kudos to the NJ Fashion & Beauty Week designers for not using that cookie cutter! 

In all, this was a great event not only because I love fashion, but because it raised money and awareness for the Diabetes Research Institute. I'm already looking forward to attending next year!

Micky London Showroom {blogger meetup}

Yesterday was fun! Along with a select group of fashion bloggers, I was granted access to Micky London's Manhattan showroom. Micky London is an accessory brand that manages to marry impact and elegance into a collection of scarves and jewelry. So many pieces managed to capture my attention- I honestly found myself in jewelry lust! Lucky for me, I got to take home a gift for coming! 


Here are a few pictures of the day:

signage

my outfit: cardigan Lord & Taylor, boots Steve Madden. dress & belt vintage

colorful pieces! I actually have that same silver choker to the left. This reminded me I should wear it more often!

colorful bloggers! Monroe Steele, ?, Yanil Flandez

my new bangles

blogger Monroe Steele and I

with bloggers. Nike Orisamolu, Lindsay

Diwali {Free Cultural Festival}

I've been posting about fashion a lot lately, maybe even too much for some Bon Vivant + a Budget Readers. I know there is more to life! Among other things, art, culture and food are a some of my personal favorites. Any event that manages to capture all of these and I can dress up sounds perfect! This weekend, the South Street Seaport's Devali Festival fits the bill and it's FREE. 

Diwali (also spelled Devali) is the Hindu traditional festival of lights.

 It is a national holiday in India that is celebrated annually each October. 

During Dewali, people light small lamps or candles to signify their own inner light and the triumph of good over evil. Clothing worn during Diwali is new and vibrantly colored to reflect the joy and excitement of this time of year. 

I attended my first Diwali celebration my junior year in college. It was interesting and fun, but small-scale. The upcoming fest at the South Street Seaport has been running for 23 years and is reported to be massive. If you are in NYC this Sunday October 2 from 12-8pm, you really should check out this FREE event. Expect many performances, fireworks, raffles, live music, vendors, a fashion show, traditional dress and make sure to try the exotic sweet candies.

Getting to NYC's South Street Seaport is easy. By Subway, Take 2,3,4,5,J,or Z to Fulton Street. A and C to Broadway- Nassau. Walk East on Fulton Street to Water street. By Bus, take M15 (south Ferry bound) down 2nd Ave. to Fulton Street.