Happy Pride!

I will never forget the first time I was aware of Homosexuality. It was back in Israel when I was a kid and I was watching Dynasty. When the handsome Steven Carrington came out of the closet to his dad I realized I too had a secret.

Even after coming out I never thought that I, a gay man, would be able to marry my partner. It still amazes me that the option is getting closer and closer to reality. But to me it seems like a natural progression in our modern times, why in the world has it taken so long???

With fingers crossed it seems like the possibility is right around the corner and hopefully the legislation will sweep the nation!

With that said, HAPPY GAY PRIDE! I long for the day that we don’t have to celebrate and raise awareness of homosexuality and it will simply be a non-issue, although we have come a long way.

Here are seven ways I am celebrating Gay Pride:

1. Commitment Ceremony
I had the honor to plan and cater a commitment ceremony for two lovely ladies.
They both are smart, successful and delightful to work with. They entrusted me to provide them and their guests exceptional design, service and cuisine. The dinner was no small affair with over six courses. It was such a special event manifesting their love, style and commitment to each other.

2. Broadway Bares
Every year I purchase a pile of tickets to the late show of Broadway Bares and invite a bunch of close friends. Broadway Bares is an annual event that combines burlesque and Broadway sparkle featuring sizzling actors from Broadway. All the proceeds go to the MAC AIDS fund.
This year’s theme was Alice in Wonderland so needless to say the costumes and color were eye popping.
Nathan Lane, Julie White, Andrea Martin were OK, but nothing beats Cindy Lauper and her strap on two years ago!

3. Keeping it Sexy
Hey I told you all that I would give a peak at my new Red Carter bathing
suit. TADA! This was taken after my first practice run at water skiing. (THAT is a work in progress)
I love these suits as you know, they don’t sag, have great designs and holds everything in place (most important!)

4. Café Grumpy
Ignore the name, I promise. This gay friendly spot in north Chelsea has the best cappuccino in the city. The texture and flavor is perfect!
And the atmosphere is very low key, so that you can savor your beverage in peace. Now you know my little secret!
224 W 20th St.

5. La Bottega at the Maritime Hotel
Doesn’t everyone always ask you where to go eat outside? Well I always say La Bottega! The main reason is they have such a huge outdoor area you are almost guaranteed a spot! The dishes are always fresh; full of flavor and the staff is cute and attentive. The pasta’s aren’t high on my list of faves but the Fava bean salad; Branzino and grilled jumbo shrimp salad are delightful. Cute eye candy too!
La Bottega 212-243-8400

6. The GLBT center "Garden Party" on Monday, June 24th
This event was great fun. It took place on Pier 54 (14th St.) where different food vendors have tables including Jean George, Klee and Suenosopen. There is also an open bar and handsome New York man and women
enjoying a great sunset. I went with my friends: Lance Lin, Matthias Kirwald
and Orlando Reece

7. Water Skiing
As you know, I ride a horse better than most, and I am a big time yoga lover but water skiing is NOT for sissies!
I gave it a go for the first time last weekend in the choppy North Haven water and had a hard time even getting up!
I gave it the old college try though and had a great time attempting looking like a super water sports star.

BONUS entry- Here is a great pink champagne I tasted last weekend. A Laurent -Perrier, Cuvee Rose Brut. Divine!

Hellooooo summer! This heat has been a real slap in the face right? But unlike many people in the world, us New Yorkers have to keep working and deal with it. Hot humid heat + working on events = Much needed rest!

I'm one that tends to be active at all times, and then, BAM! I crash. As much as I try to take time for myself and make sure I get enough rest, there are days when it simply doesn’t happen. Here are seven ways I find to relax:

1. Skipping School!
I worked non-stop over the last two weeks and to top it all off this weekend I did a wedding (Which was amazing! I will show you snaps next week). After all of that my fuel gage was at empty. So Monday morning I woke up and hit the snooze button one too many times and called into the office for a much-deserved day off.

After thoroughly recharging my sleep batteries I thought some retail therapy would boost my energy as well. I headed to Paul Smith and found some great cufflinks as a present for my friend, celeb hair stylist John Barrett. He is celebrating his recent American citizenship.  I bought him the $$ links that, to me, represent achieving the American Dream. Congrats John!

2. BLT Fish
When I have had a stressful day and no desire to cook at home, I head out for a relaxing dinner. I took my friend and wonderful dermatologist Rob Warner of Park Avenue Dermatology, to dinner at BLT Fish on 17th Street. Rob is a great friend of my forehead and mine. He makes it look soft and smooth 24/7 (yes, I get help!). The third floor dining room is very elegant and the open kitchen adds to an energetic environment. We ordered some great dishes but my favorite was the caramelized scallops, which was a special that night. I paired them with a dry and delectable rose. The service here is always superb and I enjoy coming in, settling down and catching up with great friends.
Park Avenue Dermatology corner of 64th and Park
Bistro Laurent Tourondel (212) 691-8888 21 W 17th St, New York, NY


3. Hawaiian Black Lava Salt
As you can tell, culinary adventures are one of the ways I relax. When I was in Israel I happened upon Hawaiian Black Lava Salt. YUM! It is not as salty as sea salt and its black and crystal-like texture is perfect in little dishes along with a dish of olive oil for dipping breads or dressing salads.

4. Tasting Bars
In my continual effort to live a healthy life, I am always excited about cocktails concocted with freshly squeezed juices and herbs. Many of my clients request tasting bars at their events and I love them for it. Here is how it works:
Instead of offering a full bar you offer a selection of herbs and fresh juices and one or two or three types of liquor (Vodka, Gin, Tequila) as the base. I either give my guests the option of six premixed cocktail options or I let them whip up with their own cocktail recipe. The presentation can be colorful and fun and it is a great way to interact with guests and make the party more memorable.

5. Workout
Many may not believe it, but working out is very relaxing to me! I work out at least five times a week: two with trainers (I use two different trainers as I don't like them getting too comfortable...) where one day we work on upper body and the other, lower body. Two more days are dedicated to cardio and the fifth is my choice. I enjoy pushing myself on the machines and free weights and it is always gratifying to see the results (and when other people notice them too!)

6. Camille Cosmecuticals NY
This is one of my favorite product lines created by Camille Meyers of TriBeCa MedSpa. I use Vita Cleanse Gel to clean my skin and then I apply Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum and finish the process with Squalane Moisture seal. After two weeks of using this line my skin was as smooth as a baby’s behind! To get your own products and great results check out www.tribecamedspa.com


7. www.who.repswhat.com
OK, so I cant relax all the time! But when I have some down time at work I surf this site. I find great event sponsors here to reach out to for my next exciting project!

Getting my energies in focus

Each season I like to do a little closet cleaning. One reason is because I live in New York and who has any closet space here? But it is hard to decide what to let go of. That amazing vintage piece I have had for years? Or those flared pants that may come back in style when this skinny jean craze is over. But another reason I clean out is because, as a spiritual person, I am all about ‘out with the old, in with the new.’ I don’t want my possessions to possess me and energies must be altered. Besides, who doesn’t like a Saturday shopping spree at Barneys?!

I am not only cleaning out my literal closet but I am doing the same thing internally at Shiraz NYC: New people, new clients and a new energy to inspire me and help my company grow. It may not be as easy as pitching my favorite early 90's tee shirt but it certainly is rewarding in the long run!

Hmmm… it’s curious how I use the closet as a metaphor.

Here are seven other ways I have put my energy to good use:

1. Many people don’t know this Shai fun fact, but growing up in Israel I competed in jumping and dressage. When I feel nostalgic for my competition days I head out to Bergen County Equestrian Center. Only a 20-minute drive from the city in Leonia, the riding center is a beautiful oasis! I visit whenever I can get out there for take classes.
Call 201-2421920 to saddle up.

2. With the temperatures soaring it’s time for Rose. I tasted a perfectly dry and delicious one last weekend: Cuvee du cep d'or, By Cotes de Provence, 2007

3. Who wouldn’t want to work with amazing baubles, bangles, beads and blondes? Van Cleef and Arpels asked my company to work on the launch party of their collaboration with ‘it’ fashion girl Erin Fetherston. Here is a picture from the event, which ended up dazzling!


4. I really had to turn water into wine last week when I was asked to transform a construction site into a chic roof top terrace for a new condominium development at 52 East 4th Street. I turned out perfectly (as I always strive to do) and the sunshine was the icing on a beautiful cake. Actually the cherry on top was that an offer was made on the penthouse, which made news in Metro. Go team!

5. For a wedding I have been working on for quite some time, I wanted something special for the couple. I worked with my kitchen staff and prepared a custom flavored sorbet of lemon and thyme. YUM! It is the most refreshing taste on a hot summer day. Now that my kitchen staff made this I have a list of things I want! If you want your own delectable sorbet be sure ot order from Dolce Amore at 718-246-5414

6. With the preppy all American look taking over the runways, I am way ahead of the trend. I have always loved J Crew shorts. But I always have to add my personal flavor to them by taking new pairs to my tailor to shorten the hem and take in the seams for s sexy Shai look.

7. I am sure I am not the only New Yorker who wakes up with their head spinning from all the work, emails and crackberry’s going on in everyday life. When I feel like I have too much on my plate I take some time out in the morning to Meditate. Here is my morning routine:
-I sit comfortably on my sofa making sure every electronic device is off. I either make sure my feet are firmly on the floor or that I am sitting Indian style with my back supported.

-I then close my eyes and start breathing deeply. While getting into my zone I concentrate on parts of my body from head to toe and ask each part of my body to relax. 


- When I feel more at peace I visualize the Fountain of Love. I imagine a natural spring with a fuchsia tint (don’t laugh!) and I take a deep breath from the universe and exhale love into the world. While doing this I think positive thoughts such as loving myself, that I am capable of anything and general upbeat ideas.

- After about 30 minutes my mind is at ease, I am refreshed and ready to turn on my Blackberry and face another amazing day!

Hamptons Retreat!

Hooray for the Hamptons! I officially kicked off the summer season by spending the long weekend in one of my favorites destinations. While heading back to the city on Monday I thought of my seven things from my weekend away:

1. What better way to kick off Memorial Day weekend and perhaps a great date (I'm not saying that I had one, but maybe I did and maybe it was great), than with a wonderful bottle of wine? Stags Leap 2005 Napa Valley Merlot is smoky, rich and begs for another sip.

2. The opening of my good friend Shawn Bell’s, Bellhaus was an incredible event. My company planned and catered the event, and my other company, Michael Rogers PR, did the PR for it. The store is beautifully styled and Shawn did a wonderful job curating it. Celebrities including Kelly Ripa and Michael Clinton turned out to celebrate the opening with Shawn. The highlight was when Kelly Ripa gave me a kiss. Swoon! She is a gorgeous and amusing in person as she is on TV and Mark is so handsome, they were a pleasure to work with.

3. It was great to catch up with my friend Greg Yale. Besides being one of the most stylish people I know he is also a hugely successful landscape lighting designer based in Southampton but with clients around the world. All of his homes I have seen (four in seven years) remind me of a grand old Hollywood movie set. www.gregyale.com

4. After my hectic week of work in the city (numerous events and a lot of transition in my company, all good!), another highlight was to be ensconced in nature for the weekend. I was lucky enough to spend some time at a cottage Greg Yale designed on Shinecok Bay. Waking up amidst thick foliage and birds chirping was exactly what this businessman needed to recharge my batteries and have some time to reflect. Here are some images of geese that were swimming across from Greg's property.

5. A trip to the beach isn’t complete without sexy swim trunks! Red Carter makes my favorite trunks. I’ll post some images this summer of me and my new suits, promise!

6. One of my secret tricks of the trade is topping plants with coffee beans at events. Just spread some on top of your plants at your next soiree or even in your garden (like I did at my office) and the results are innovative and modern.

7. I was interviewed by The Daily News for a story about commitment ceremonies. It hit stands on June 2nd in the business section. Check it out!

http://www.nydailynews.com/money/2008/06/02/2008-06-02_small_businesses_expand_to_serve_samesex.html