By now you have probably seen at least one of the yellow floral bags that Macy’s has been handing out to its customers. They are all over Midtown and amidst a sea of black winter jackets, it’s like a beacon - you just can’t miss them. The truth is that Betty thought it was going to be like the Christmas windows during the holiday season: You stand in line and see some figure move up and down and around. Oos and Ahhs. Fun for about 5 seconds and then you just want your personal space back.

However, Betty was pleasantly surprised to discover that 34th Annual Macy’s Flower Show was truly a spectacle to be praised! It literally takes over the entire ground floor of the mega-store! Thousands of fresh cut flowers in gigantic arrangements flank the aisles and hover above you. If for nothing else, go for the abundant floral scents. It’s absolutely amazing! Betty has no clue as to how they pulled such a feat off, but it’s worth a visit; guaranteed!

The show is running now and lasts until March 30th so get over there ASAP!

http://www1.macys.com/campaign/flowershow/index.jsp

One sunny day last August, Betty found herself in Montreal, Canada. Minding her own business, she casually climbed the central mountain in the city, Mount Royal, to catch some good views of the metropolis when she began to see dozens of people wearing the same t-shirts, hurrying ahead of her. On her descent, she was able to read the words on the back of the shirts. In bold letters they read: The City Chase. Being her curious self, she investigated.This is what she found on their website and it looks like the experience of a lifetime:

“The City Chase is a unique urban adventure that requires participants to exhibit teamwork, resourcefulness, determination and the ability to make decisions on the fly as they search for ChasePoints scattered in unknown locations throughout the city. To conquer this urban event, two-person teams will run, walk and use public transit to navigate their way throughout the city, while calling family and friends for help, accessing the Internet and even employing assistance of total strangers. Each City Chase includes a variety of physical, intellectual and humorous challenges, designed to push comfort zones. The challenges are designed to test Mind, Body and Spirit.”

If you win, you could end up going to the National Championships in October and the World Championship in November!

The best part: The City Chase is coming to NYC June 28th! Check it out and sign up today.

http://www.citychaseusa.com/

Time Warner Cable is a dirty stain on New York living – hours wasted on hold, long “windows” for cable installations, and incompetent “customer service” soil our desire for quick and mindless service. When Betty’s DVR didn’t record the Project Runway finale, TV’s most momentous moment – she learned a few tips about TWC:

The Window: TWC gives you a 4-5 hour time frame for installations, pickups, and customer service appointments. BUT they often come before or after this window as well. So if you’re rushing home to meet the cable guy after work, leave a little early.

The Store: When you Google, “Time Warner Cable New York,” the highlighted address is their corporate office. The actual store address is: 46A E. 23rd St. between Park and Madison. Try to arrive before they open! There is a line formed before 8 AM. But if you’re one of the first people, you won’t have to wait and the staff is more attentive and patient.

Sunday: A customer service representative told Betty to bring her box to the store on Sunday. Hungover and aching, she got to the store and it was CLOSED- very frustrating (fyi: the box is heavier then you think). They DO NOT work on Sunday- they want to make this challenging for you.

Agent: When you call Time Warner, they make you speak to a recording that cannot decipher a single word. So just say “AGENT” and keep repeating until you are actually talking to a real person. You can also continue to press the number 0.

Deep breathing: When you think you’re going to explode, try some deep breaths and remember that these people are bringing you Real Housewives of New York…

(Know your Options: Many NYC Betties also use Comcast, RCN, and Direct TV. And in dire times of TWC failure, you can watch some of your favorites online.)

Summon your inner Giada DiLaurentis and whip up your own homemade spaghetti sauce. It’s a must have basic for your arsenal, so much better than jarred sauce and it can easily be transformed for multiple dishes.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 clove of Garlic
1 Can San Marzano Tomatoes
Salt & Pepper
Basil

Heat Extra Virgin Olive Oil in a large pan. Saute chopped garlic until fragrant but not browned. Add can of tomatoes, fresh basil and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer on low for 25-30 minutes, stirring as needed.

Variation One: Add blanched broccoli rabe and browned spicy italian sausage for a hearty dinner

Variation Two: Increase the garlic to 2-3 cloves and add a 1/2 cup of heavy cream for makeshift penne a la vodka

If you’ve successfully found an apartment in Manhattan without using a broker, congratulations! It’s truly a feat. But for most Betties, we need someone to help navigate the rat race, hunt down the keys, and get us in the door. Unfortunately, these “brokers” are often slimy, greedy, and just plain annoying. So, in the spirit of survival AND attempting to love all mankind, here is some Broker Etiquette:

Do Cheat: Yes, they have worked hard and you feel guilty. But despite what they tell you, they DON’T all have the same listings and you MUST search the market for the best place. Which brings us to…

Don’t Become Friends: Betty started gossiping over coffee with her broker Julie. But when Julie couldn’t deliver an apartment, Betty faced a moral dilemma and betrayed a friend. Finding an apartment is NOT sorority time.

Do Voice Your Opinion: Let your broker know exactly what you want and stay FIRM. If they are showing you six floor walk-ups and you want an elevator, you’re wasting your time. You can get what you want.

Don’t Have Sex: You are spending hours together, commenting on lighting and bed placement… it’s all very romantic. Yet sleeping with your broker might put you in a compromising position. HOWEVER…

Do Flirt: Betty once got $1000 off her broker’s fee by accepting a date. Completely harmless and totally brilliant.

It’s fun to get to know the city that you live in from a totally different perspective. The locations in the following books may be familiar, but these New York characters live far more complicated, interesting and glamorous lives than Betty…

Bergdorf Blondes - In this New York Times Bestseller, Vogue contributor Plum Sykes takes you into the world of a fictitious socialite Julie Bergdorf and her brunette best friend who goes only by “moi.” This romp is filled with lattes at Pastis, invitations to Chanel sample sales and emergency overnight stays at The Mercer.

Nanny Diaries - A peek into the crazy world of Upper East Side trophy wives, from the eyes of Nanny, a young “fish out of water” type who starts nannying for extra cash. This book is a reminder to choose waiting tables instead.

The Devil Wears Prada - This could not be left off the list for obvious reasons. The book depicts the wonders and horrors of Andrea’s existance at Vogue in far greater detail than Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep could ever create on screen.

Valley of the Dolls - A drug and sex filled classic far ahead of its time. Unlike today’s “chic-lit” this is tough and un-sugar coated. The pretty pink and black cover design will also look great on your bookshelf.

Lipstick Jungle - So the show might kind of suck, but the book is at the very least a Candace Bushnell original (unlike the basis of Cashmere Mafia - a complete fabrication of a script). Follow the three lead characters on their quest for cliche career domination, as magazine editor, movie exec and fashion designer.

Betty is a huge fan of appetizers: mini portions mean you can try everything, eating with your hands is always fun and they are generally accompanied by tasty cocktails.

Check out Betty’s favorite super easy appetizers (these come in very handy for spur of the moment soirées and can be created the night before for ultimate ease). Serve with a chilled bottle (or two!) of Chenin Blanc or Sauvignon Blanc.

Goat Cheese Grapes

Ingredients:
25-30 Red Grapes
8 oz Fresh Goat Cheese
1 cup Chopped Pistachios

Directions:
Coat each grape with fresh goat cheese (works best to roll between your palms to get an even coating). Roll grape in chopped pistachios. Slice each grape in half.

Salmon Roll Ups

Ingredients:
Spinach Tortilla Wraps
Cream Cheese
Smoked Salmon

Directions:
Spread a layer of cream cheese over the entire wrap. Place a layer of smoked salmon on top of cream cheese. Tightly roll wrap and cut into one inch sections. Optional: add tomatoes or red onions for a greater punch.

Check back for more of Betty’s favorite appetizers. Cheers!!

Does your boyfriend or girlfriend suck? Are you trapped in a relationship you can’t get out of? Are the walls around your tiny, shared, apartment closing in on you?  We’ve all been there. Its best not to make any rash decisions just yet. First, take a load off and listen up! Although some of these songs do encourage rash decisions, we leave it up to you to decide which advise you would prefer to take.My Boyfriend/Girlfriend Sucks

1. Before He Cheats - Carrie Underwood
2. Song for the Dumped - Ben Folds Five
3. My Baby’s Got a Secret - Madonna
4. 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover - Paul Simon
5. These Boots Were Made For Walkin’ - Nancy Sinatra
6. I Heard it Though The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
7. You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away - The Pearl Jam Version
8. Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under? - Shania Twain
9. Cry Me a River - Justin Timberlake

ONE DAY LEFT! Through March 18th, every Betty can get 10% off of many items at Design Within Reach. Betty can’t wait to get her hands on a discounted Sapien Bookcase. This is one of Betty’s favorite bookcases for a small apartment and she’s been waiting forever for a good deal!

The short Sapien is now only $9 more than the tall Array Bookcase at CB2 and both are 60″ tall. For $9 extra dollars, you are guaranteed a higher quality product and Betty thinks it’s worth the splurge.

Sadly, the sale does not include Knoll or Herman Miller products (sorry Eames & Bertoia), but you can still get your hands on a discounted Spun Floor Lamp and Swan Chair, contemporary furniture staples.

www.dwr.com

As you familiarize yourself with the city, you need not only one bar or one restaurant to be directed to try, but a plan for what you’re doing and where you’re going. In this edition of Day Out, Betty recommends the perfect itinerary for your Saturday afternoon of shopping.

12 PM: Balthazar - Meet a friend for brunch, and split a pot of tea and “le panier,” a selection of fresh breads and pastries. Try the hostess on the right because the wait for tables on the bar side is 1/4 the wait for the regular area of the restaurant. 80 Spring St.

1PM : Madewell - Check out the new permanent location, an upgrade from the pop-up store we covered last December. 486 Broadway at Broome St.

2PM: Forever 21 - The SoHo outpost of this popular chain is the best in the city, with a monster selection of practically disposable jewelry, tops and dresses. While you shouldn’t expect the clothes to last, you also won’t care when some random girl dumps her cranberry vodka down your shirt twelve hours later. 568 Broadway

3PM: Bloomingdales Beauty Department ( + Convenient Bathroom Stop) 504 Broadway

4PM: For the retail faint of heart, return home to rest up for a night out. For the seriously devoted, there’s still two H&M’s, Anthropologie, Banana Republic, Uniqlo, J.Crew, Levis, Sephora and Scoop to cover before heading home.