Lavinia at Home

This year the SummerStage is celebrating its 25th anniversary and will have 33 free concerts and 8 benefit shows. Admission to all free performances (not benefit concerts) is on a first come, first-served basis, no tickets required. Every year SummerStage brings together a wide range of performers.

Central Park SummerStage is located at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. Enter the park at 69th Street and 5th Avenue on the east side or at 72nd Street and Central Park West on the west side, tel.: 212-360-2777.

Become a member of SummerStage and have exclusive access to the best music, film, dance events all summer long and guarantee that you won’t have to wait at the gate to see show in Central Park.

One of the great New York summer traditions – the HBO Bryan Park Summer Film Festival classic movies on Mondays evening from June to August – spread out a picnic at park and watch classic films on a huge screen for free (20 feet high by 40 feet wide).

The lawn opens at 5:00pm for picnic. The films begin at dusk, around 8pm and 9pm. It’s usually very crowded so get there early and get a spot if you want a good view of the screen.

It’s back again – Barneys New York Outlet Winter Sale at 255 W 17th St (Between 7th Avenue and 8th Avenue). Tel.: 212-450-8400

Quality, Fashion, Taste! Twice a year you can 40% to 60% off original prices at Barneys Outlet Sale on selected women’s and men’s fashions, shoes and acessories – Armani, Prada, Marc Jacobs, Hugo Boss, Michael Kors … Inside was big chaos, but it seemed that only few were leaving empty-handed and remember there’s no dressing rooms. It’s a madhouse, but still fun to search for real bargain. It starts on Thursday, December 10th (Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m.-7p.m.) Unfortunately for ladies, the menswear has nicer stuff than the women section.

We went to the Mohonk Mountain House for weekend and it was really romantic escape at mountaintop from busy New York City’s life. It’s 90-minute trip from Manhattan in New Paltz, NY, tel.: (845) 255-1000. Mohonk is an old-time castle and this mountain top house is a unique experience; you will forget your computer, cell phone and TV, just relax…

There is a lake for swimming, tons of hiking trails, horseback riding, beautiful gardens, mini golf, spa, massage services and many more things to do.

At day time we went for fishing on the lake and luckily I caught a trout, but turns out it was little to small to be prepared by chef for our dinner.

There is afternoon tea with cookies served in a massive great room with sofas and veranda with rocking chairs overlooking the lake; the perfect place to read, knit or chat.

Mohonk Mountain House is beautiful place to vacation and perfect for a couple’s getaway, but it’s not a cheap.

I love this hotel. It’s luxurious with nice views of Central Park, restaurant and bar downstairs. This hotel’s location is also perfect; its located at 160 Central Park South, New York, NY, Tel: (212) 247-0300, which is between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue right on Central Park South, close to Columbus Circle and Broadway.

Jumeirah Essex House first opened its doors in 1931 and recently this Manhattan landmark had completed refurbishment program that pays homage to its classic Art Deco heritage.

The lobby was all marble and looked very elegant. Staying here makes you feel very important. This hotel is not cheap. The rooms are simple but very comfortable, with huge televisions, they have really great beds. There is a well stocked minibar, only be aware; if you take something out, you will be charged for it. We had after dinner a ‘doggy bag’ and we decided to put it in the minibar to keep it cool, so we had to call the front desk to explain it.