Memorial Day Getaways Idea #3 -- New York

Courtesy of FreeThingstoDoinNewYork.com

With all the sailors in town for Fleet Week, New York is a natural choice for a girls' getaway over Memorial Day Weekend. Seriously, who can resist a man in uniform? Plus with many locals out of town you can hit popular museum exhibits like the Metropolitan Museum of Art's upcoming tribute to designer Alexander McQueen without having to deal with the same mass of crowds.

If you're looking for a beach experience, you can head to Governor's Island on the free ferry (though it's more of a grass lawn than a true beach). Come night time, it's over taken by Water Taxi Beach for the 21+ crowd.

For an affordable place to stay--check out the Grace Hotel in Times Square. Formerly the Hotel QT, it features what we're pretty sure is the only swim up pool bar in the city!

We're sorry the Yankees will be on the road; but you can catch a Mets game. When you're there, hit the Shake Shack for a juicy burger or Blue Smoke BBQ for some tasty concessions.

Mother's Day Cocktail Recipes

We hope you have a special way to celebrate your mother and your family this weekend. Here's hoping the weather is bright and sunny and serving up one of these cocktails would make things even better. Happy Mother's day!

MOM’S RED STILLETO

Created by Patricia Richards, Property Mixologist, Wynn & Encore Las Vegas

2 1/4 oz. SKYY Infusions Dragon Fruit

1 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice

1 1/4 oz. Simple Syrup*

1 1/2 oz. Diced Long

English Cucumber

1 Large, Ripe, Strawberry (washed & hulled)

Muddle cucumber and strawberry in cocktail shaker until the strawberry is pulverized. Add remaining ingredients and shake vigorously with ice. Strain over fresh ice into an old fashioned

glass. Garnish with strawberry and cucumber.*Combine equal parts water and sugar over medium heat and stir until sugar is completely dissolved. As an alternative, add 1 1/4 oz. water with 1 teaspoon sugar directly to cocktail and stir well.

GINGER MOMMA  

Created by Gregory Seider,

The Summit Bar New York

3/4 oz. SKYY Infusions Dragon Fruit

1 oz. Cinnamon Agave Syrup*

1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice

2 Dashes Orange Bitters

Ginger Beer

You know...

I didn't mention it yesterday, but a good place to keep up with me while I'm dealing with deadlines is over at my new Tumblr page. There's something about Tumblr that's...I don't know, immediate and fleeting, maybe. Insubstantial? It's like people post whatever's running through their mind at that very moment. For me it might be a film still or a person or a song or a comic book character, so that 's the kind of stuff I post, and there's no pressure to make it feel like something worth posting. I don't know. Should I do that here, too? But, you know. The horror stuff. Wouldn't that be lame? Final Girl feels more...mmm, weighty than that. Not that I'm calling her fat, mind you, but...argh. I haven't had enough coffee yet. Tell me what to think!

One thing I have been thinking about is that when I've got some movie time, I'm going to indulge in a bit of Second Chance Theater. You know, giving movies that I didn't much like the first time 'round another go- especially stuff that other people seem to like. Such as The Outing, which my friend Amanda really likes but I was all "Ehhhh..." when I saw it.


Sometimes movies just stink, but sometimes you're just not in the right mood and your movie experience is tainted. Tainted I say! That's right- I'm willing to admit that yes, sometimes the problem is me.

Memorial Day Getaway Ideas #2--Portland, Oregon

In the past three months, we've heard of more friends traveling to Portland than in the past decade. And why not? Though it has been a few years since we've been, we remember Portland as an accessible and friendly city. Add to it the burgeoning wine, dining and art scene and you've got a winner for Memorial Day.

Food carts reign supreme with options ranging from grilled cheese to Korean to empanadas.  That's the double decker bus that's home to the Grilled Cheese Grill below. Check out FoodCartsPortland.com for more options and a map.

We've begged all our friends who have visited us to bring us back a sweet treat from Voodoo Doughnuts. If you go, please try the bacon maple bar and let us know how it is!

Courtesy of Voodoo Doughnuts

To walk off some of those calories peruse the art galleries along Old Town, the Pearl District and Alberta Street. Or head to the International Rose Test Garden, which is home to more than 7,000 rose bushes. Weather-depending, you may hit it while they're all in bloom. This year, the annual Rose Festival takes place from May 27-June 19.

Portland has a large number of boutique hotels. Two to consider are hipster-fave Ace Hotel in downtown Portland (below) and the Hotel Lucia, which is home to Typhoon Restaurant that has won raves for its Thai cuisine. 

i live

Before I get too many ARE YOU ALIVE? comments and emails, I figured I'd stop by and say YES I AM ALIVE. I am still under a big fat deadline for the book I'm inking, but it'll be over in a couple of weeks. I'm afraid that my brain is in art mode right now and not write about horror movies mode, so any spare brain time I have goes to...err, art of some variety. When I'm not inking Mr. Murder is Dead, I'm probably drawing sketch cards or my webcomic RPG. Here are a couple of pages from Mr. Murder to give you an idea what's what. This isn't the finished art, but it's pretty sweet, eh? I inked the top page. Clicken to embiggen.

It's going to be a really handsome hardcover when all is said and done, and I'm really having fun; it's just a lot of work. I've been listening the crap out of old timey radio as I go though- Suspense is the shit!

When I have time to really write some stuff, I'll come back with...oh, I don't know. I don't want to say what because I haven't thought of anything yet, but I'm sure it'll be...you know. Something.

Missoni for Havaianas

Here's a chance to grab a piece of Missoni that won't set you back a paycheck or two. Missoni has teamed with Havaianas and designed flip flops and espadrilles. Not only will these babies be fun to wear on the beach and look hot with our white jeans; but they'll be easy to find in our closet. The shoes run from $60 to $130 (you didn't expect them to be cheap, did you?) and they're available now at Havaianas.com and select Bloomingdales.

Memorial Day Getaways Idea #1: Kennebunkport, Maine

Anyone who loves lobster, bike rides and beaches should consider Preppie enclave Kennebunkport, Maine for a Memorial Day getaway. Though it will be too cold to swim (and pretty much always is unless you're Candian), the new Tides Beach Club and its sister property Hidden Pond are enough to entice. The Tides Beach Club, situated on Goose Rocks Beach, underwent a renovation this winter. The rooms are decorated in soft neutrals and are as relaxing as they are comfortable (below). While you're lounging beachside, beach tenders are there to bring towels, treats and more. At night, enjoy the on site restaurant and beach bonfires.

If you're traveling with a bigger group, you may want to consider the well-reviewed Hidden Pond. It offers cabins that sleep up to four people, plus fun activities like a watercolor painting class, morning yoga and free loans of beach cruiser bicycles. We're dying to go just to try out the new Tree Spa!