Here is the post I wrote for BELLA NYC about Ascent Lounge at the Time Warner Center.
ELENA:)
Everyone knows that Instagram is a goldmine for talent. Local artisans flaunt their works and are remarkable at their craft; Janis is no exception. I gifted my coworkers bags of her yummy popcorn last Christmas and for the The Love List Lounge in Feb, Janis made popcorn snack pack bags with Salted Carmel Apple Pie Brittle. So tasty.
This is 5 minute 5 questions with Janis Sadoyama from Spoon Me Sweetly:
1) How long have you lived in LA?
All my life (30 some odd years lol) 😉
2) Why did you start Spoon Me Sweetly?
As a sweet escape from our hectic days. Too rarely do we have an opportunity to treat ourselves to something handmade with love. When knees deep in the hustle and bustle it’s nice to take a break and indulge (but not over indulge!)
3) Tell us about your best seller sweet?
Our best sellers are our dipped spoons. The flavors vary from chocolate sea salt caramel to custom flavors like spicy cocoa (chocolate with a kick of cayenne). They’re meant to be enjoyed submerged and swirled into a hot or warm beverage for a couple of seconds until the ingredients warm up and get gooey…then you just eat them off the wooden spoon. So fun, and just like take a bite of a yummy warm dessert.
4) What is your favourite sweet and why?
I’m a big time texture gal, so my favorite is our ramen rocky road! I love chocolate, and marshmallows, but never loved the almonds or walnuts added to desserts so I figure why not toasted ramen?! The rest is delicious history.
5) What are the top three characteristics on your Love List (characteristics or qualities you are looking for in a potential mate or current mate)?
Oooo now the juicy question lol 😉 I have an incredible man in my life and he has the 3 qualities that I hold near and dear to my heart for all relationships (romantic or platonic): integrity, sincerity, and resilience.
Be sure to follow Spoon Me Sweetly on Instagram and Twitter: @spoonmesweetly and ‘Like’ them on Facebook.
ELENA:)
One fun Saturday night in NYC, I found myself at (le) Poisson Rouge dancing away to an 80’s cover band music. In between songs, my friend introduced me to Ruben Perez. Ruben has been an events coordinator extraordinaire for over ten years. Born and raised in the Bronx, he has a vast appreciation of music and a passionate eye for street art.
Here is 5 minutes/5 questions with the multi-facteted Ruben Perez.
1) How long have you lived in New York?
All my life. I was born and raised in The Bronx.
2) What is your favorite thing about working in nightlife?
That it’s not a desk job. Whenever work starts to feel stressful I just remind myself that I could be working a 9-to-5 in a cubicle somewhere and I immediately feel great about what I do again.
3) If your life had a theme song, what would it be and why?
“The Boss” by James Brown. A little James Brown swagger has served me well in life.
4) Where is the best place to grab food in NYC at 3 am?
Before 2:30am, Lucky Strike has been my go-to for well over 10 years. By 3am I get less picky. There are a bunch of great places to choose from but I’ll take an egg breakfast at a diner and be content.
5) What are the top three characteristics on your Love List (characteristics or qualities you are looking for in a potential mate or your current mate)?
Funny – what is life without laughter?
Adventurous – I’ve had a lot of fun in my life but almost all of it has been in New York. I’m craving adventure and a desire to take risks in my life now more than ever and I need someone who shares that.
A good communicator – I couldn’t imagine feeling emotionally connected to someone who I couldn’t have honest and open communication with.
ELENA:)