Black Swan...Moo Shu Chicken...Snowball fight anyone?

After participating in an annual Spunky Schmoozer Jewish family Christmas tradition last night... Chinese food and a movie... I decided I needed a few hours of less intense time alone today. Ok... Bloody Black Swan (almost covered my eyes a few times) exemplified acting at its finest! I'll be shocked if the Oscar doesn't go to Natalie Portman... as she truly deserves to be recognized for her impressive acting ability. WOW is this an intense movie though. No one warned me HOW INTENSE!!!

My favorite part was as the credits were rolling my Dad joked as he always does and said "I thought we were going to enjoy a nice comedy!" My family was hysterical as well as audience members who heard my Dad's comment. His joke delivery was perfect (that doesn't always happen)! I'm glad I saw the flick... even though romantic comedies are more my speed. I convinced my family that we shouldn't see Little Fockers as I was unimpressed opening day. It wasn't so funny... I must admit! At least it didn't give me a knot in my stomach though.

I still feel like I need Prilosec after last night (probably more from watching Black Swan than from my Moo Shu Chicken, spare ribs and shrimp with lobster sauce dinner). I did share those dishes... can't eat THAT much! My stomach still needs to recover but dinner was much more enjoyable than Black Swan. I will not be buying that movie... that's for sure.. and I own about 300 DVDs!

I woke up this morning very excited... anticipating all of the snow that we've been promised... rushed back to NYC so I wouldn't be stuck in Westchester during today's blizzard. I love snow when I don't have to drive in it! I had very important business to attend to this afternoon on the UWS...

Chick flicks... drinking hot chocolate (minus the whipped cream)... organizing about 10,000 business cards... just simply relaxing while appreciating the beautiful snowfall from inside my cozy NYC apartment!

Maybe I'll venture out in a few minutes to buy some whipped cream for a second cup of hot chocolate! Maybe a snowball fight? I can't sit still for too long... you know!

Are you following me yet on Twitter @SpunkySchmoozer? Tell me where to follow you too. What... you have more important things to do? ;)

Mega Millions Nosh anyone???

You know those times when you totally force yourself to go to the gym... when you're just not in the mood? You might have eaten way too many brownies the night before or simply plan to wear an extra fitted dress in a few days.. so you just make yourself exercise... no matter what!

Tonight...I was just dreaming of a no nonsense dessert (cupcakes, pecan pie, etc...) the GOOD stuff! I decided I would eat an apple instead of rich sweets and then head to the gym... since I've been eating way too much junk during the holiday season. OMG... if you guys knew what my Moms' linzer tarts and rugelach really taste like...you would understand why I can't just eat 2 of her cookies and then be happy eating a salad! I must admit... I really love salads too... but if you had the choice... what would you pick?

Well thanks to Access Hollywood and my Facebook and Twitter family for getting me through my hour of cardio this evening. I sent out this photo with 18 minutes left of my workout requesting some fun company and wow did my social media friends truly come to my rescue. I appreciated the encouragement as well as my peeps who told me I was insane for staying on one piece of equipment for an hour. Yeah... you're right! Sometimes you just need to spice things up at the gym a bit...and I really didn't tonight!

Before I reached 43 minutes I realized how lucky I was to have a gym all to myself that night. I felt extra important to be honest... then I suddenly felt like I was missing out on a party. Was I the ONLY one working out on the Upper West this evening???


Ok so I really felt slightly guilty of the thought of eating a decadent dessert later because I ate Pinkberry for lunch today. How brilliant is their packaging when you take their treats to go? Ice included... to decrease the possibility of major melting? Then if you sprain your ankle on the way home (G-d forbid) you
have an ice pack ready...


Thanks to my sweet friend at Pinkberry (I won't say your name to get you in trouble) my small yogurt was upgraded to a medium on the house and YES I felt like I won the lotto!!! You're fabulous and you know who you are!!! That's a perfect Spunky Schmoozer type of gift! FYI...add a little cinnamon to the Pumpkin Pinkberry flavor and the combo is really worth the calories... then add some fresh fruit... and it's even better! Those salted and sweet pumpkin seeds in this picture are amazing too!

I rarely buy Lotto tickets but I decided while I was all wound up at the gym that I had to be a potential Mega Millions winner tonight for some reason. Sure... my odds would be higher to become the first Jewish Female President of the USA... but the simple thought of winning is just truly exciting!


EXTRA spontaneous nosh is like winning the Lotto until you need to get your tush to the gym... don't you think?

If I win Mega Millions... I can hire an almost 24/7 cute trainer to move in with me! ;)

Follow me on Twitter @SpunkySchmoozer and tell me what your fave nosh is and if you've ever won the Lotto! Scratch off Lotto tickets count too of course!

How do you like them Sprinkles?

I've loved sprinkles on soft serve Carvel since I was a little girl. Who doesn't? At least people who grew up on the East Coast should. It's like a requirement love! I'm not schmoozing about that type of sprinkles now... well not for the next few minutes at least! All day I've been thinking about Sprinkles Cupcakes in honor of a very significant holiday! Do you know what today is? Give up?

It's National Cupcake Day!!!


I know you're so excited that you can't sit still. Seriously... I LOVE cupcakes! I really do and Sprinkles created the world's first cupcake bakery (in Beverly Hills) and they have the best peanut butter chocolate cupcakes that I've ever tasted. They serve other fabulous kinds too of course (Pumpkin is ridiculously good). I've tasted my fair share of sweets across the USA... so I know! It was love at first sight in Beverly Hills a few years ago... when I first experienced Sprinkles. I have so many fun memories from all over the country revolving around catching up with clients, close friends, and family while noshing on cupcakes.

I like these treats so much that my friend Jodi had to send me cupcake dental floss when she noticed that item on the West Coast recently. I'm NOT making that up! Thanks Jodi... just what I always needed! ;)

Our economy is so crazy right now but Sprinkles is expanding. We all need to nosh every once in a while during this Recession of course (even if our clothes no longer fit) and from the lines sometimes at their cupcake shops... you would think their snacks are being given away. These cupcakes are totally worth going to the gym for... TRUST me!

Sprinkles is opening in NYC in April. It's about time... not that my figure needs too many cupcakes of course. I'll need a treadmill in my studio soon but honestly.... why can Texans enjoy your treats Sprinkles before the NYC foodies can? Not fair!

If I'm in town for opening day I hope you hook me up Candace Nelson (fabulous Founder of Sprinkles). You have no idea how many people I have introduced to your amazing cupcakes. Check out Sprinkles at www.sprinkles.com! Let me know what your favorite cupcake is... even if it's not from Sprinkles.

Be honest with me... aren't you totally craving a cupcake after seeing my picture? I AM!!!

Are you following me on Twitter at @spunkyschmoozer yet? If you're not...what are you waiting for?

Future CEO...

I thought I was totally addicted to my BlackBerry until I hung out with my adorable and intelligent nephew (not partial or anything) the other night. He simply brought BlackBerry usage to a whole new level.

Future CEO...don't you think?

Follow us on Twitter @SpunkySchmoozer to be entertained! We promise to make you laugh!

Due Date turned into Due Nap...

I was so comfortable at home catching up with my DVR until my friend convinced me that a very early Saturday movie was just what I needed. I first thought he was crazy and then 2 minutes later I suddenly changed my mind. I still have no idea why...but every once in a while I get extra spontaneous for just no reason at all. It's part of being the Spunky Schmoozer that I am! We decided to go see Due Date at 12:10 and that we would grab a fast sushi roll before. I really needed two dinners that night...I know! That's what happens when you think a small Lean Cuisine will fill you up when you're starving to begin with. At 11:50 I started getting nervous that we weren't going to get there on time...since you know...EVERYONE from the UWS was going to see that very meaningful movie for that specific showing. It was going to be extremely hard to get a seat!!! On the way we picked up cupcakes as I needed sugar to stay awake! Yes...every once in a while I actually do need some sleep despite my crazy amount of energy. Any excuse for a cupcake right? ;)

We bonded with fun Elaine (only me) at AMC Loews Lincoln Square before our movie started and learned all about the thousands of people who saw Harry Potter 7 the morning before at 4 am. Ok...I loved HP7 (had to see this movie during opening weekend as well) ...but 4 am people? That's nuts!!! Our movie ended up starting at 12:45 am (my friend messed up the time by 35 min...ONLY MEN) so we were just as CRAZY I guess!!! At least Harry Potter is worth seeing!

Due Date was so ridiculously stupid with a few random parts that got me so hysterical laughing. I'm sure it was just that I was totally overtired. Here's a special thanks to my friend who filled me in on what I missed when I took mini spontaneous naps.

I thought this Magnolia cupcake (TOTALLY worth the calories) would have kept me awake for my whole movie adventure. Not so much...

I'm still laughing regarding how I was making my friend rush to get there on time! What was I afraid of??? I wouldn't get a seat??? There were only 6 people in the whole theater!!! I learned a few invaluable lessons from this Due Date experience...next 12:45 movie... I'm bringing my mini airplane pillow and MUCH more sugar! Also...when I can't sleep...I should simply go to a very early movie!

Come hungry. Leave happy.

When's the last time you ate at an IHOP???

As much as I enjoy the finer things in life...I can be just as easily impressed with tiny surprises and very simple pleasures.

I met one of my closest college friends for dinner last minute in Westchester with her son tonight. His favorite eating establishment these days is IHOP. He's one of the most adorable kids in existence (I'm not partial or anything) and of course...as his fun aunt...I decided that we couldn't dine at any other joint this evening.

I walked in there thinking I was going to eat a healthy egg white omelette until I was inspired by the kid's menu. The spunky kid at heart in me made my dining decision very easy for a change.

I had to taste a chocolate chip pancake...which was my favorite as a kid...of course!!!

As I was watching my nephew overly excited to dunk his pancakes into strawberry syrup (I must admit I like it too!) minus his fork (I do use utensils btw)...I was thinking a chocolate pancake wouldn't simply be enough...

I made a very SERIOUS request to our teenage waiter. I asked for the kid smiley face to be added to my pancake with a huge grin. The funniest part of our dining experience was that our server wasn't one bit shocked after my very significant demand. He just nodded and smiled!

I was SO thrilled with my pancake that I just smiled at it for several minutes (while doing my very meaningful photo shoot) until my edible smile started to melt right off my dish. My pancake looked like it had been through the mill by the time I actually ate it.

I'm still smiling about my amazing dinner company and my chocolate chip pancake. I love how my 5 1/2 year old nephew ordered eggs with mini plain pancakes and I chose the smiley face chocolate chip pancake without any hesitation!

I encourage you all to go to your nearest IHOP immediately to order this nosh. It's so much fun to be an adult kid every once in a while!!! Sometimes a simple, spontaneous, and harmless decision can make one temporarily forget about stressful situations and just simply make you SMILE!

As IHOP says...Come hungry. Leave happy.

How do I know their slogan? My nephew told me! Yes...he really did!

I totally agree with their slogan. Funny...I actually walked into IHOP tonight NOT so hungry...but I sure left EXTREMELY HAPPY!!!!!

Cosmopolitan magazine's 2010 HOTTEST Bachelors and their AMAZING ABS...

When's the last time you attended an official BACHELOR BASH???

This partying bachelor is ready for the dentist...

Ok I know what you're really thinking now! I'm actually at a frat party where the male dress code consists of black tees with white writing huh? Yes...I have many fun memories (probably too many) from Greek life (from ONLY a few years ago of course) but I haven't been to a frat party in many years. Hmmm...I'm being so nostalgic as I'm typing now...

I'm out and about all the time and am constantly at NYC events. It takes a lot for an event to really catch my attention...and oh did this one STAND out!!! One of my favorite sassy friends who works for Cosmo invited me to attend the big announcement of WHO wins the Hottest Bachelor of the year out of an impressive 51 men. I promised to write nothing BAD about this event of course...not that I ever would. Some of my friends seemed kind of jealous that they couldn't attend and I just laughed...thinking big deal...it's JUST ANOTHER NYC event! Now I truly UNDERSTAND why they wanted to go. It was such an entertaining and fun party filled with a great looking crowd!

My kind of welcoming committee...

What's not to love about one adorable bachelor from each state and D.C. at Marquee (love that place) at the same time???

Then add some fun friends...good drinks...better appetizers and desserts...and random candid conversations...and you create a GREAT night!

Mr. Ohio Ryan "Mickey" McLean won the title of Cosmo's hottest bachelor and was awarded a $10,000 cash prize and a $5,000 Express wardrobe by Cosmopolitan's editor-in-chief Kate White. She was so adorable when she said whatever happens at Cosmo's party tonight stays at Cosmo. I got such a kick out of hearing her announce the bachelors as most of them walked on the stage. The fact that many of them showed off their abs...DEF kept my attention!

The adorable winner and me...

I first noticed the food (I'm a MAJOR FOODIE as many of you know) before the men I must admit as I walked in starving after a day of many long meetings. My small salad all day just didn't cut it! So I started with mini grilled cheese sandwiches, chicken and beef tacos and tuna tartare. Everything was low cal of course!!!

These mini cheeseburgers and fries were so much better than they look. Some of the VERY skinny gals chasing after the bachelors (I never chase men...just food!) would take a break every once in a while to grab a burger minus the bun as you can tell. I went full force after the buns and I'm not talking about the BACHELORS now! My long gym workout early the next morning probably didn't even burn more then 3 of those baby cupcakes. I have to admit though...MAJOR props to the caterers as the appetizers and desserts were all amazing! Given the fact that they were all TINY snacks...you kind of felt less guilty grabbing them too!!!

Those mini pecan pies and red velvet cupcakes were on full platters before I grabbed tastes...

Would I leave without tasting a mint chocolate chip mini cupcake? What do YOU think?

As I was busy noshing, schmoozing with the gals, and people watching during the beginning of the party... I was thinking most of these cute guys are such babies and where are their OLDER BROTHERS to be honest! Later on...I started to get giddy watching them literally being chased by women all night. Once I started speaking to many of them though...I was really impressed with a lot of what they had to say and what I learned about their characters, charity involvement, interests, and work lives. I even put Mr. Minnesota to work taking many of my photos. Who would have thought that he would have been so great at eliminating red eye! They have a lot more to offer women than just their AMAZING abs and NOT all of them were actually in their twenties!

I have to say Mr. NY has a great smile and was fun to schmooze with...so glad I approved of him since I'm a little partial to the Empire State!

Love my K SQUARED shot with Mr. Kansas and Mr. Kentucky...

Fun chat about New Orleans with Mr. Louisiana...

Can you say Mr. Mississippi (great smile btw) quickly more than 10 times in a row and sound literate? I sure can't!

Check out Mr. North Carolina...a baseball buff's gorgeous eyes gals...

Too bad Mr. West Virginia doesn't live closer. I totally want to adopt him as a younger brother. Who wants to be set up with him??? He's so sweet! If he was ONLY 10 years older...

This was seriously my kind of party and please don't take me off your list Cosmo!!! I always LOVED your magazine but now I'm even a bigger fan!

I thoroughly enjoyed my conversations with all of these bachelors. They're a great bunch of guys and I have to say everyone that I really spoke with...is a great catch! It got me thinking...I may need a break from NYC men!

I have a request for you Cosmo...how about choosing the HOTTEST 51 USA 30-45 year old Jewish Bachelors for me by next month in time for a belated birthday celebration? Is that too much to ask for? ;)

Can't you help make that happen Jess for your favorite Spunky Schmoozer??? xo

Follow me on Twitter @spunkyschmoozer to hear about more adventures that will make you smile! Don't forget to say hello!

PIZZA...GIRL TALK and a NO NONSENSE NYC Walk...

A few weekends ago...I decided around 3ish in the afternoon that on a Saturday night for once...I would go to the gym...then simply relax and catch up with my DVR. I RARELY do that and was so excited!!! I was starting to feel lost...not knowing what all the well known housewives were up to and Snooki too of course!

On the way to my shoe maker my night of relaxation suddenly seemed to be the exact opposite of what I was in the mood for by around 4 pm. I was up for another random ADVENTURE!!! I instantly decided that I would walk for exercise instead of going to the gym. Sounds healthy right??? Not so much...this is Spunky Schmoozer we're talking about! I decided I would walk to two pizza places that I had never been to before and taste a slice at each establishment starting a new search for my favorite NYC pizza slice.

I called a friend on the way to the bank to deposit some change and before I knew it...my simple idea became a little more complicated. One of my favorite gals and I decided we would do a pizza crawl that would start on the UWS. We would taste different slices until we ended up downtown! We would walk PLENTY along the way to burn the pizza calories off....well...at least most of them we hoped!

I wondered when I was at TD how much pizza I could buy from this random change and started to get giddy. I guess I should buy a new container that says PIZZA CRAVINGS!

SO...How much do you think was in there???

STILL THINKING???

Ok...Walter handed me $31.89 to be exact. Change really adds up and yes I get excited about little things in life. I didn't need that MUCH pizza money for that night! I told Walter what I was up to for the evening (have no idea why I felt the need to tell him but I did) and he got very excited actually. I almost invited him but I didn't want him to get in the way of our girl talk. Look what a HAM he was for my blackberry camera when I asked him to pose. He's probably moonlighting and doing something VERY different than banking...

I couldn't wait to catch up with my good friend over pizza all night since we had plenty to chat about. We were only going to places where we both hadn't tried the PLAIN cheese slices. Who needs Sex and the City when you can create your own Pizza and the City right?

La Grolla on the UWS (79th and Amsterdam) was our first pizza taste for the night. We met at 6:30. Ok...the service was fabulous...but the pizza...NOT so much!

Our new friend was getting into the posing and so was the pizza...

We SO wanted to LOVE that plain slice and their specialty slice (above the plain one) because they were extra sweet there. In fact, all of the pizza joints got into the act of our pizza crawl and cut a slice in 2 for us and then posed. We have to keep our figures in tact... hence the 1/2 slices. As you all know though...I say it like it is...NOT worth the calories at this joint!

We took the subway by the Museum of Natural History and that subway man was SO MEAN! My friend was very sweet as always as she asked him questions (that he kept REFUSING to answer) but he was so nasty that I was not getting on that train without taking this shot. I feel the need to give you a warning. I wonder if we brought him back a cold slice from our adventure if he would have even smiled. I DOUBT it! In fact...I'm going to go visit him another day and make him my friend! Just what I need...another challenge in my life right?

Rosario Pizza on 173 Orchard Street was our next stop. I always forget how many fun places are on the Lower East Side. Food options alone...SO many! Well...this is NYC! LOVE this hood and will be heading there much more often in the near future...but DEF not to visit Rosario. STAY TUNED! I've heard so much about that place so I was always curious. The service was ok...but the pizza....NAH!

I have to give them props on their Pizza ART though...that's a pretty pie...don't you think?

Plain slice in two...for a change...

At this point I was thinking...thank G-d we were wearing comfortable shoes as we started walking to our next destination Artichoke Pizza (www.artichokepizza.com). They're located on 328 E. 14th Street.

I've been hearing about their amazing pizza since the day they opened and for some reason I never made it there until my mini pizza crawl. I'm shocked about that actually! I always thought though...it can't be that good! I am a picky eater and I'm proud of it! OMG...that pizza is RIDICULOUSLY good. I RARELY wait on lines but I waited over half an hour to get a feel for the Artichoke East Village experience and quite frankly...was SO CURIOUS to see if their pizza was really THAT good. I really was noshy at that point! See what walking does?

The waiting is kind of part of the charm in a strange way I quickly realized....the anticipation of that artichoke slice taste!!!!! Their plain is great but their slice with actual artichokes on it is even better. SO UNIQUE! It's so rich that you can be content after a few bites...but next time (YES...I will be there VERY soon I must admit) I'm not halfing a slice. I WANT MY OWN! Forget about walking...I'll RUN there!!!

There's a reason why there's a wait here...

I'm trying to give you the whole Artichoke experience here as now I'm a true fan! You grab a slice...eat and run (no seats) and you don't even care it's JUST SO GOOD!!!

This may seem a lot for a slice but they're VERY filling...TRUST ME! Worth it!

Mariella Pizza (180 3rd Avenue) was our next taste and I have to say I was rather disappointed (especially after Artichoke). A friend went crazy over their pizza (how it's the best in NYC) so I was expecting to want to eat my OWN slice even when I was full. I have to say...they were very nice...but their pizza was nothing special. Oh and their bathroom stunk...I mean really STUNK! Sorry D...maybe it was just an off night for them but I say it like it is!

Our last stop was Off Broadway Deli & Pizza (726 8th Avenue) where they advertised 99 cents per slice outside. I was acting like a sassy pizza snob (still sweet though) at this point and at 2ish in the morning I kind of had no interest in trying their pizza to be honest. In fact, I would normally never eat pizza from a place like this to be very frank.

Then I suddenly wanted to see what the hype was all about as my friend was telling people she tasted pizza for a living. It was SO hard for me to keep a straight face (she's a hell of an actress) and yes it was quite busy there. This one woman (non New Yorker) was completely fascinated by my friend's job (being a professional pizza taster and all) and kept asking pizza questions. I wish I had that conversation on tape! I'm still laughing about it!

We were both SO overtired at this point...surprised huh? I mean this was our fifth pizza place and we started this adventure at 6ish and it was now the next morning slightly before 3 am. I have to admit...the pizza wasn't so bad...and yes...I was sober. They were selling a lot of pizza early in the morning and their price is perfect for our current economy too. Since everyone is on a budget...ESPECIALLY now a days...not a horrible pizza option around the clock especially if you're starving. Their pizza wasn't any worse than any other slice we tasted that night...except for Artichoke! Artichoke is in another PIZZA LEAGUE from all the other slices we sampled on Saturday and Sunday!

Off Broadway is open 24 hours and of course they deliver too since this is NYC!!! We walked all the way from the Lower East Side to the West Side 50's until we got in a cab to drop us both off at our apartments. WOW...you don't even realize how much you're walking when you're having such a fabulous time! We would have walked ALL the way back to the UWS... if it wasn't so late!

I know this photo is totally NOT PIZZA related...but this place in the East Village had such a long line which impressed me. Who's eaten there??? I'm so curious now! Tell Spunky Schmoozer please...

This blog entry seems like it's ALL about the pizza I know! Well...my friend and I were on a pizza crawl as you know. I have to admit though...this was such a FUN spontaneous night with a lot of real meaning. It was truly about catching up all over NYC with a close friend! We met new friends along the way, exercised, noshed...and most importantly LAUGHED for over eight hours straight.

Thanks to all the current bachelors, former bachelors and VERY soon to be bachelors once again (you'll never know if we schmoozed about you) who provided us with tons of amusing and priceless material to smile about throughout our adventure (you just can't MAKE this stuff up). Not that we JUST discussed men and relationships...but all of OUR experiences in general...really do remind us...of what's TRULY important while we learn invaluable lessons along the way!

Follow my random adventures on Twitter @SpunkySchmoozer and say hello. Don't be shy! I promise to NEVER be boring as I don't know what boring is!!!!! Oh and where's YOUR favorite pizza place in NYC?