Our lives our busy, but with the click of a button, you can make someone else’s life a little easier. Food Bank for New York City is one of the country’s largest food banks and it offers hunger-relief right here in NYC. They have teamed up with FedEx to raise money to tackle hunger issues. Just by “liking” them on Facebook, FedEx will donate 5 meals to this great organization. A very simple act, can make a huge difference.

Welcome to February. We all know it can’t get much drearier than it has been and even thought Puxatony Phil claims Spring will come early, I am doubtful. But there are two things that can make even a day like today brighter – pancakes and hot chocolate. Luckily two of my favorites local eating establishments have devoted the entire month to them.

Clinton Street Baking Company, home of seriously the best pancakes ever, will have special flavors every day, so make sure to check out the calendar.

City Bakery, home of the best hot chocolate ever, will also have daily specials, to make sure to check out their calendar. And don’t skip their homemade marshmallows.

What are you doing to stay happy in this weather?

Looking for something to spice up your dreary winter wardrobe? Would a beautiful leather bag work, especially one that not everyone else has? Luxury Accessories International has a store on the Upper East Side filled with tons of drool worthy purses and accessories. My favorite are their leather bangles. All the pieces are made in the US and all bags have the option of being made to order. A huge advantage if you want the handle a little shorter or longer.

A meal at Tipsy Parson is just as cozy as your home, but the food is better!

I know it is hard to get out of bed when it is freezing outside, but if you are going to do something fun, it should be a little easier, right? Why not check out Chelsea and the High Line (and have some great food also). Here is a great itinerary for today. Come on, get out a little bit, and then go back home and be a lazy bum.

Everyone loves a spectacular fireworks display, even if you have to stand outside in 20 degree weather to view them. Tonight, at 6:45 witness a fabulous display to celebrate the meeting of all three Cunard Queen Ships in New York Harbor. The Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth ships will all have a Royal Rendezvous at the Statue of Liberty. For your chance to view this and the Grucci fireworks, find at spot at one of the below sites. Or perhaps you are lucky enough to have a friend with view from their window, allowing you to stay warm and see it at the same time!

Battery Park
On the southern shoreline of Manhattan, www.thebattery.org
Map link: http://www.bpcparks.org/bpcp/map/map.php

Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park
Overlooking the Hudson River with great views of the Statue of Liberty
Just south of the Museum of Jewish Heritage
By subway: 4 or 5 to Bowling Green, or N or R to Whitehall

The Esplanade
Running the entire length of Battery Park City, along the Hudson River from Stuyvesant High School, on the north end all the way south to Battery Park

Hudson River Park
550-acre Park extending for five miles along the Manhattan shoreline from Battery Place to West 59th Street

Whether you are looking to support a great cause or give yourself a fitness goal to help you keep your new years resolution, Cycle for Survival will help you do both. This indoor team cycle event to raises money for cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering. The event will take place at Equinox locations in New York City and Long Island on February 12 and 13 and in Chicago on February 5. Spots are going fast so sign up early.

Enjoy some great food, a free show and some amazing artwork all in the Columbus Circle area this weekend. For my detailed itinerary head to cbslocal.com

If you have spent a lot of time in your home during this cold dreary winter, you might be thinking of changing things up a bit.  This can easily be done with a few small purchases. You will be amazed how different everything feels with the addition of something as small as a new throw pillow on the couch. Home Remedy NYC has an amazing selection of house and gift-ware, that best of all you won’t find in all of your friends apartments also. Everything they sell is modern and fun, and not too expensive.

Here are a few of my favorites:

The sombrero wearing men on this pillow just make me smile.

I love this platter more for display than to serve on.

Start the year organized. This jar would be a great place to store all sorts of little trinkets.

How are you going to spice up your place?

What better way to end the year, than with a spa day?  NYC has lots of amazing spas that run the full gamut of price and atmosphere.  But if you are looking to really feel relaxed and get away for the day, check out The Spa at Chelsea Piers. The cost of a massage won’t run you any more than at any of the other NYC spa’s, but you get the added bonus of full use of the health club. With stunning views of the Hudson in every corner of the pier, feel free to tire yourself out first by making use of their 1/4 mile indoor track, basketball courts, full beach volleyball court, boxing ring, and 20,000 square feet of cardio and strength training equipment. And don’t forget the pool and the hot tub. My advise is to save the hot tub for after the massage! I did this last week on a “staycation” day and had a fabulous time. After taking an amazing spin class that turned my legs to jelly I didn’t feel so guilty about getting the massage. And watching the sunset from the hot tub was a great way to end the day.

If you get there by tomorrow, you can take advantage of their 20% off sale.

I can’t think of a better way to end the year.

Well, not for me, but I was able to get the beautiful show of a near empty Park Avenue. Quite rare for 9:30 on a Monday. How did you spend this snowy day?