A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

I got the chance to hang out with my Amazing Grace Nichole and her New Rochelle posse Michelle and Monica. Additionally, a couple of Monica's friends joined us. We all met in New York City's meat-packing district at The Buddha Bar (http://www.buddhabarnyc.com/). Over great sushi and seafood, I was the "fish" out of water called "ladies night". But I managed to float and eventually begin to swim amongst this group, who seemed to appreciate some of my relationship advice as I navigate through a new relationship with Anthony. Clearly, I don't have all the answers, but I've got some tools that are working to keep us afloat... and we are armored to navigate through those pieces that put us in conflict sometimes. Regardless, Monica and the girls were a captive audience and I too enjoyed their sharings about love, sex, and everything in between. Considering the backdrop of this beautiful restaurant which boasts a BIG BUDDHA as its centerpiece, we experienced so much joy that we didn't want the night to end. From there, we walked over to PLUMM, which conjured many memories of when I used to hang out what PLUMM used to be, NELL'S, a popular nightspot that housed much of the hip-hop/R&B sect of the '90s, including Tupac (and the infamous act he allegedly had done to him that got him in trouble with the law for statutory rape). When I moved to New York in the mid-'90s, I used to hang out at NELL's with my Chandra, Tata, and many of our other friends. VIBE Magazine would throw great sets and showcases and we really had a lovely time. And fast-forward about twelve years, the ladies and I re-created those wonderful times... if only for one night.

Meanwhile, my good friends at N - owners Nikoa (pictured below); Larry; and Lenn along with my good friend/N stylist Jamar - have been throwing some great sets at their store and nearby Ginger just in time for this reluctant spring. Last Wednesday, I went to N for its introduction of a new jewelry line by Louvee (www.louvee.com). The line of unique, hand-crafted jewelry ranges from 18 to 22 karat gold fused with a color palette of precious and semi-precious stones. Designer Julia Byrnes was there (