Guidespot: Guides by aliciak

Subscribe to this author

aliciak

Down to earth Martha Stewart-type with serious hustling skills

Neighborhood
Tribeca
Where I'm From
Pittsburgh
Occupation
Hustler
Website

About Me

I like to: crochet, eat, read, write, go to museums, watch old movies, cook, bake, observe children, visit the library, travel, cut my own hair, explore New York, mix gin drinks, bike ride, take photographs, keep in touch with people, be crafty, swim in the ocean, make bets, and read blogs and call it "work." The word that best describes me is quixotic. This means that I am very impractical, illogical, impulsive, romantic, idealistic and don't really understand the concept of money. I make rash decisions all the time.

Activity Activity
Guides Guides
Contributions Contributions
Favorites Favorites

Sort By: Date | Most Popular | Title

Being a New Yorker: Tips for Newbies

Started by aliciak
|
Updated 03/27/2012
|
(3)

Categories:

Travel & Events; Entertainment

I've been in New York over 5 years now, so I'm far from being a newbie, but I would have liked to know a few things in those early days of subway confusion, B&T venue-avoidance, what "cozy" means when apartment-hunting and escalator etiquette. If you had to offer up some tips for an NYC transplant, what would they be? What does every New Yorker need to know about living here?

Convince Me To LOVE Bacon

Started by aliciak
|
Updated 02/17/2010
|
(5)

Categories:

Eat & Drink; Humor

I am a lifelong meat-eater with one or two vegetarian stints that didn't pan out, but I don't like bacon. Yeah, I said it. I DON'T LIKE BACON. Even the vegetarians I know "love bacon," and that usually seems to be the one meat product they can admit to missing. What's wrong with me? Show me your bacon love, woo me with bacon tales, convince me with bacon videos, write me an ode to bacon poem, share your favorite bacon recipes. Whatever it takes! I am willing to be converted. :)

Halloween Events Around New York

Started by aliciak
|
Updated 10/27/2009
|
(2)

Categories:

Entertainment; Travel & Events

New York can be a scary place year-round--have you seen the line at Magnolia, the rats on the subway tracks and that homeless guy on the train that picks off all the cheese on his pizza and throws it on the floor? But things get a lot scarier around this time of year because it's almost Halloween! Haunted houses that aren't the fake-blood and gore of your childhood among other events. Let's take a ghoulish look, shall we?

The Funniest Street Signs

Started by aliciak
|
Updated 09/27/2009
|
(5)

Categories:

Humor; Cars & Driving

One of the most enjoyable parts of road-tripping, other than the free-standing Chick-fil-A and ridiculous rest stop gift shops, is surely the road signs seen along the way. Whether they are doctored up (um, grafittied) or stand on their own naturally, they're always good for a laugh. What are the funniest YOU have seen?

Fall Foliage in New York

By aliciak
|
Updated 09/25/2009
|
(4)

Category:

Travel & Events

I won't make the claim that New York is THE place with the best fall foliage, because we all know that New England and Pennsylvania usually win out in that regard, but if you're saving your vacation days for the upcoming holidays, you will have to enjoy the falling leaves right here in the city. It's not that bad! It's actually quite spectacular.

The BEST Jack-O'-Lanterns in the World!

Started by aliciak
|
Updated 09/22/2009
|
(5)

Categories:

DIY & Crafts; Geek

I am speechless at the sight of such squashy talent. How do these people do it? I wanna be a good pumpkin carver! One can always dream...or just be satisfied with being a looker, never a carver. Ah well. Give me your best jack-o'-lanterns!

Your FAIL! Moments

Started by aliciak
|
Updated 09/22/2009
|
(6)

Categories:

Humor; Cars & Driving

Did you trip and fall walking down the aisle to get married, sending you to the hospital with a broken nose? Did you pull a Carrie Bradshaw and expel some air while doing the deed? Did the moldy-food-in-the-offi... out you to hundreds of co-workers? I'm talking Janet Jackson fashion mishap at the Superbowl magnitude! We all know and love the FAIL blog. What are your very own FAIL moments? Tell me! And sorry, the "laughing with you, not at you" claim? Yeeeeah...I'll be laughing AT you. Picture...

The Frozen Yogurt Wars of New York

By aliciak
|
Updated 09/21/2009
|
(1)

Category:

Eat & Drink

New York is a competitive place, so when it comes to seemingly innocuous yogurt, well, put your fighting gloves on. Pinkberry! Red Mango! And my personal favorite, Oko. What is the deal with frozen yogurt in this city?!? Is it because it's a tasty, low-fat alternative to ice cream? Did we all OD on Tasti D-Lite, or just finally realize how gross and chemically it is? Is it because it's fun to say that you are eating live, active cultures? (It's the latter for me, definitely)

Being a Cool Nerd in New York

By aliciak
|
Updated 09/21/2009
|
(4)

Categories:

Geek; Humor

No, that isn't a typo. You can be cool AND a nerd! And live in New York City. Were you one of the smart kids in school? Could you rattle off mathematics theorems like there was no tomorrow? Love thinking about neutrons or mitosis? Well, many nerd nights, science clubs, and other geeky celebrations have sprung up so that you can fulfill your nerdy desires most any day of the week.

Defying Extinction: New "Old" NYC Venues

By aliciak
|
Updated 09/19/2009
|
(3)

Categories:

Eat & Drink; Adventure & Sports

There are many old-school venues in New York that have survived rent hikes and neighborhood changes over many decades. But then there are what I call the new "old" venues: places that look to the past for inspiration, a returning to a different time. Speakeasies, roller skating rinks, bowling alleys! Oldies but goodies and yet kind of newbies!

Job Interview Faux Pas

Started by aliciak
|
Updated 09/19/2009
|
(7)

Category:

Jobs & Education

You get all dressed up, brush your teeth extra well and make the effort to show up early, even if public transportation has different ideas. But sometimes, you screw up. There's toilet paper on your shoe, your mascara is smudged (true story from my best friend), you blank when they ask you why you'd be a good fit at the company, you're 30 minutes late or...? What's funny, is that I am usually very blunt and honest, and I almost always get the job!

Your Parents Are Coming To New York!!!

By aliciak
|
Updated 09/19/2009
|
(2)

Categories:

Family & Pets; Travel & Events

That title either excites you to no end or flat-out scares the bejesus out of you. No matter which one it is, THEY ARE COMING! And it's your job, as the child they so dutifully raised, to take them around town. The run-of-the-mill tourist attractions, dinner at Lombardi's and ambling about Soho or 5th Avenue are a given, right? No! Show your parents a different New York (I'm not suggesting OTB, Burlesque shows or Penn Station at 3am), a unique slice of the city that will have your parents bes...

Sports Fans Do Crazy Sh*t

Started by aliciak
|
Updated 09/19/2009
|
(3)

Categories:

Adventure & Sports; Humor

Permanently tattooing your face, risking jail time, selling off a kidney on the black market for game tickets are just a few crazy examples of what people will do for their favorite sports team(s). Team loyalty is something to be felt but rarely explained--coming from a sports-heavy area like Pittsburgh, I find myself tongue-tied when trying to describe how much "being a Pittsburgher" is akin to "being a Steelers fan." It's your religion, your culture, your passion, so just like religious ext...

Election Night Out on the Town

Started by aliciak
|
Updated 09/19/2009
|
(2)

Categories:

News & Politics; Eat & Drink

After you stand in line forever just to push down some levers, a long night still lies before you: the waiting for the results! New Yorkers don't go home and get in pajamas--they party! Because no matter who takes the Mr. President title tomorrow, you're going to want to be in good spirits and surrounded by friends. What are YOU doing?

Election Night Party at YOUR House

By aliciak
|
Updated 09/19/2009
|
(1)

Categories:

News & Politics; Eat & Drink

I still remember my birthday that happened to fall on Election Day the year Bush beat Gore. Wow, what an awesome birthday. Riiiiight. It's my birthday and I'll cry if I want to? Pretty much. Thankfully, they don't fall on the same day this year, BUT, it's still party week. Have a party on a school night, eat some Obama cookies, break out the red, white and blue jelly beans. Do it! All after you vote, of course.