Samantha's product pick- Useful and fashionable

NECTAR HANDBAG

How many times are you scrambling to find your blackberry or IPhone at the bottom of your purse and it just seems like a bottomless pit? Well, search no more, now there is a stylish solution- a handbag that has a clear packet compartment on the front of it where you can place your phone and actually use it without taking it out all evening. That's right- you can type texts and messages right while it's in your purse! And the clutch bag is the coolest because as you are holding your handbag in your hand, your phone is right there front and center! Check it out.

Samantha's Book pick- Can someone help you with everything?

CONSIDER IT DONE

Organizer extraordinaire, Julie Subotky has written a book that give us little people a lot of really big advice about getting things done. She owns a company called Consider It Done which also happens to be the title of her new book. She gives advice on everything from Getting Rid of the Hiccups to Getting your kids to eat vegetables to How to get rid of mildew smell. It's one of those books that when all else fails, you look in it and find the answer to the mystery you have been trying to solve. Check it out!

Samantha's Dating Thought- Is Picking a girl up for a date a thing of the past?

In our parents and grandparents generation, there was no question that a man would pick up a woman when they went on a date. In our generation, it is becoming more and more rare. Is it a function of how far people live from each other, of the fact that a lot of people live in cities like NY without cars or of the fact that both men and women work so they are coming from different places and might just be easier to meet at the restaurant? Or are men just lazier or not so into courting women these days?

 I wonder about all these questions...

Samantha's Restaurant Pick- Greek week?

Pylos Restaurant

I don't know about you, but I love Greek food. I love the freshness of the fish, the simple sauces, the crisp lightness of a greek salad and the warm fluffiness of the pita bread with their delectable spreads. I recently went back to a great little Greek spot in the East Village. It is tres romantique and yummy to boot. The decor is minimalist and sleek, the food was prepared well, the service very friendly and the prices really reasonable. If you are looking for a new Greek to try in Manhattan, this would be a good one...

Samantha's Liquor Pick--- Do you like figs?

Figenza Vodka

Most people either drink their vodka straight up or they mix it with cranberry juice or lemon to make it sweeter. So, wouldn't it be great to drink a vodka that already had the sweet mixed in? A perfect blend of just a hint of sweetness, a hint of fig flavor.  That's right, figs- that fruit that is all healthy for you. Figenza vodka is "the" fig vodka and it tastes really yummy. Drink it alone of drink it with a splash of club soda or lime juice. It's the perfect winter holiday drink; go check it out!

Samantha's Do Good Pick- If it makes you happy

Robin Hood rocks Sheryl Crow

This past weekend, the Robin Hood foundation hosted a fabulous soiree to raise money to help poverty stricken people in New York. Not only were there over 400 people who were socializing and networking but the main act was none other than Sheryl Crow who sang for over 2 hours. She sang all of our old faves like "If it makes you happy" "All I wanna Do" and "The first cut is the deepest" and then she sang some new songs as well as a few romantic ballads with Citizen Pope. The song was outstanding and Sheryl looked like the Rock Star she is- cool and sexy. If you didn't make it to this event, definitely keep an eye out for it next year!

Samantha's Event Pick- Decorating for a Cause

Susan Komen Breast Cancer Holiday House

Even though Breast Cancer awareness month is October, that doesn't mean that we can't support the cause other months as well. As we embark upon the holiday season, a not to be missed Decorator's showhouse is the Holiday House on E 63rd Street in Manhattan. Some of the city's best interior designers have come in and transformed this elegant townhouse into holiday rooms. Don't miss the Mother's Day Room, The Easter Room or Chinese New Year. They even asked me to do a room,  the Valentine's Day Love Lounge where you can sip a love potion, ask love questions and relax to love melodies from Air Supply and Barbra Streisand. Some of the designer's participating this year are Barbara Ostrom, Marcia Tucker Interiors, and Debra Landis Designs . The house is open to the public for the first 2 weeks of December and all proceeds go to Breast Cancer research. This is not to be missed!