2o days to go! Every year people panic to find the perfect gift. We at T2C have been collecting idea’s all year long to bring you the perfect gift guide at all price levels. When you’re at the end of your rope trying to find the perfect Christmas present this year, come to this guide for some great suggestions.

Chita & Patrick Pacheco at Drama Book Shop event May 15, 2023 Photo by Merle Frimark

There are a lot of books out there this year but we highly recommend Chita: A Memoir , the critically-acclaimed book is written by the legendary Broadway icon Chita Rivera with arts journalist Patrick Pacheco. Chita takes fans behind-the-scenes of all her shows and cabaret acts, she shares candid stories of her many colleagues, friends, and lovers. She speaks with empathy and hindsight of her deep associations with complicated geniuses like Fosse and Robbins, as well as with the mega-talent Liza Minnelli, with whom she co-starred in The Rink. She openly discusses her affair with Sammy Davis, Jr. as well as her marriage to Tony Mordente and her subsequent off-the-radar relationships. Chita revisits the terrible car accident that threatened to end her career as a dancer forever. Center stage to Chita’s story are John Kander and Fred Ebb, the songwriters and dear friends indelibly tied to her career through some of her most enduring work: Chicago, The Rink, Kiss of the Spider Woman, and The Visit.

Chita’s love of performing began as a child in Washington, D.C., when her mother enrolled her in a local ballet school to channel her boundless energy. Still a teenager, she moved to New York to attend the School of American Ballet after an audition for George Balanchine himself and winning a scholarship. But Broadway beckoned, and by twenty she was appearing in the choruses of Golden Age shows like Guys and Dolls and Can-Can. In the latter, she received special encouragement from its star Gwen Verdon, forging a personal and professional friendship that would help shape her career. The groundbreaking West Side Story brought her into the orbit of Leonard Bernstein, Jerome Robbins, Arthur Laurents, Hal Prince, and Stephen Sondheim.  After Bye Bye Birdie further burnished her rising star, she reunited with Verdon and her then-husband Bob Fosse to work on the film version of Sweet Charity and the celebrated original Broadway production of Chicago.

Chita: A Memoir was published in English and Spanish and the English audio version of the Memoir was recorded by Chita.  A Spanish audio version is also available. 

“Chita Rivera blazed a trail where none existed so the rest of us could see a path forward. She has been part of some of the greatest musicals in the history of the form, from Anita in the trailblazing West Side Story through Claire Zachanassian in the underrated masterpiece The Visit, over 60 years later. She is a Puerto Rican Broadway icon and the original ‘triple threat.’ We’re so lucky to be alive in the same timeline as Chita Rivera.” — Lin-Manuel Miranda.

“A frank and fascinating memoir from one of the truly great artists of the American Theater. Lots of stories … Lots of insight … and quite a few caustic statements from Chita’s alter ego, Dolores. An illuminating history and a guaranteed pleasure!” — John Kander

Broadway legend and national treasure Chita Rivera, multi-Tony Award winner, Kennedy Center honoree, and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom – has taken no prisoners on stage or screen for seven decades. From her trailblazing performance as the original Anita in West Side Story—for which she tapped her own Puerto Rican roots—to her haunting 2015 star turn in The Visit. Chita has proven to be much more than just a captivating dancer, singer, and actress beloved by audiences and casts alike. In her equally captivating and one-of-a-kind memoir, Written with Patrick Pacheco, the woman born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero shares an incomparable life, both on stage and behind the curtain.

By the way this Memoir has won a Gold Medal for “Best Autobiography – English” at the 2023 International Latino Book Awards. https://www.latinobookawards.org/

Click here to buy your copy.

21 days to go! Every year people panic to find the perfect gift. We at T2C have been collecting idea’s all year long to bring you the perfect gift guide at all price levels. When you’re at the end of your rope trying to find the perfect Christmas present this year, come to this guide for some great suggestions.

I am constantly forgetting to charge my phone or I have calls for my business that keep me on longer than I wanted and I am left with a dead phone battery. Without a charger or an outlet I am left extremely frustrated and I know I am not the only one. Now there’s a product that you can always count on. It’s called the PWRCard ($49.99 however buying 3 is $111.99) Sleek and slender the PWRCard is as small as a few stacked credit cards. It stores easily in any wallet or purse, and its LED indicators tell you how much charge it has. Plus, with its built-in cable, you’ll never lose your charging cable. It also works on Apple and Android devices, so whatever phone you have you’re good to go! It’s so light you won’t even know you’re carrying it. But it’ll be there when you need it, ready to charge you back up!

22 days to go! Every year people panic to find the perfect gift. We at T2C have been collecting idea’s all year long to bring you the perfect gift guide at all price levels. When you’re at the end of your rope trying to find the perfect Christmas present this year, come to this guide for some great suggestions.

Vital FlexCore uses advanced EMS technology that sends electric pulses to stimulate your abdominal and arm muscles. When your muscles receive the pulse, they contract and flex — as if they were lifting weights. It basically mimics a high-intensity workout by targeting and stimulating vital core and arm muscles, but without the strain and injury of an intense workout.

Here are some of the benefits:

1. Increase your strength – For those approaching middle age, maintaining strength in your muscles is key to preventing age-related muscle atrophy and avoiding diseases like type 2 diabetes, arthritis, and osteoporosis. The importance of keeping strong is also undeniably linked to emotional and mental health.
2. Lose weight – Vital FlexCore boosts weight loss by promoting muscle stimulation, allowing you to burn fat and extra calories stimulating your muscles to burn calories efficiently, shedding those extra pounds.
3. Tones and defines muscles – Vital FlexCore targets specific muscles, helping you achieve a more defined look by increasing muscle density, toning, and sculpting your muscles so you not only look better but feel better too.
4. Increase range of motion EMS technology can help improve your range of motion and consequently your flexibility by working on muscle elasticity and joint mobility, so movement becomes more comfortable.
5. Help cramp relief – For those approaching middle age, maintaining strength in your muscles is key to preventing age-related muscle atrophy and avoiding diseases like type 2 diabetes, arthritis, and osteoporosis. The importance of keeping strong is also undeniably linked to emotional and mental health.
6. Increase natural blood flow – Muscle contractions stimulated by Vital FlexCore increase blood circulation, reducing muscle soreness and promoting a healthy heart. By using Vital FlexCore, you’re providing muscular support while also being proactive about maintaining a strong heart.

It’s easy to use just place it on your belly and arms, press a button, and you’re ready to go. There are 10 intensity levels and 6 unique modes to choose from, so you’re free to customize your workouts as you see fit. No stress or hassle—just a simple and effective way to get in shape!

The cost is $69.99 for the basic. $79.99 with arm and gel added.

23 days to go! Every year people panic to find the perfect gift. We at T2C have been collecting idea’s all year long to bring you the perfect gift guide at all price levels. When you’re at the end of your rope trying to find the perfect Christmas present this year, come to this guide for some great suggestions.

If someone is in pain what better gift is relief? Get relief from chronic pain with the help of Mode’s natural nano CBD products, you can also get relief from anxiety, stress, and sleep disorders.

I personally tried the CBD Gummies For Sleep ($44.95). I am a person whose brain never shuts off. I also was having pain, that was walking me up. I took one and woke up the next day feeling rested, relaxed and ready to start my day. These include CBD, melatonin, Valerian Root, PassionFlower, L-Theanine, Chamomile and GABA.

There is also CBD Roll On for Back Pain 500mg ($49.99). This is a stick formed cream made of beneficial and organic plant extracts that will help relieve ease muscles, neck, joint, abdomen, and back. It also comes in 1000mg ($69.99)

Finally there is Nano CBD Tincture Isolate Spectrum 1500mg ($154.99). This helps relieve: Anxiety, stress, chronic pains, sleep disorders, and depression. Water soluble add it to your favorite food or drink and feel the effects of calmness.

24 days to go! Every year people panic to find the perfect gift. We at T2C have been collecting idea’s all year long to bring you the perfect gift guide at all price levels. When you’re at the end of your rope trying to find the perfect Christmas present this year, come to this guide for some great suggestions.

I am starting first with Chanukah which starts December 7th. Here are great little surprises and treats. First up are these festive Chocolate Dreidels ($14) are  handmade with the finest chocolate, and filled with milk chocolate gold-foiled Gelt coins for a surprise inside that never disappoints. They make a great addition at any Chanukah celebration everyone will love! Each Dreidel contains 3 coins. Gluten Free. Kosher Certified.

Then there are the adorable Menorah Pops. At $4.95 its a sin not to indulge.

Menorah Pops $4.95

Their unique selection of Chocolate Gift Boxes, Towers and Gift Baskets stand out among New York’s discerning chocolate enthusiasts. We loved the box of 30 Chocolate Mini Presents at $25 these bite-sized solid premium milk chocolates wrapped in Italian foil are perfect for filling stockings or party favors. Gluten Free. Kosher Certified.

 Li-Lac Chocolates are fresh, gourmet chocolate hand-crafted in small batches for exceptional quality and superior taste. They also come in dairy free, sugar free and Kosher certified making them perfect for the family. These chocolates are creamy, tasty and so delightfully sinful.

Handmade in Brooklyn, not only are you supporting a local business but freshness is guaranteed.

Li Lac Chocolates are now my go to chocolate place for gifts.