Looking for a place to grab a quality lunch in Garden City? Look no further!
Garden City, on Long Island, has tons to offer including some amazing restaurants. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite during your work lunch hour or looking to enjoy a sit down lunch, Garden City has it all.
Check out some of the best lunch restaurants in Garden City!
Babylon Village is a great stop to grab dinner and enjoy a night out. It’s also home one of the few remaining Cold Stone Creameries on Long Island. If you’re looking for a great night out then Babylon is the town on Long Island that you need to visit. There are places to grab a drink all over which makes it a great town to post up and bar crawl in.
If you’re new to grabbing a drink at a Babylon bar or just looking for some ideas for places to meet up with your friends, then you’re in the right spot! Check out these 5 Babylon bars you should grab a drink at :
So you find yourself looking for restaurants in Smithtown, New York. Here are a few that you should absolutely try. Whether it is for a date night dinner, birthday dinner, or celebration of any kind, any of these 5 Smithtown restaurants are bound to be a hit.
Hours :
Monday – Friday | 4pm – 10pm
Saturday | 3pm – 10pm
Sunday | 3pm – 9pm
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Hours :
Monday – Saturday | 5pm – 10pm
Sunday | 4pm – 9pm
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Hours :
Monday – Thursday | 12pm – 10pm
Friday | 12pm – 11pm
Saturday | 4pm – 11pm
Sunday | 4pm – 10pm
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Hours :
Monday | 5pm – 9pm
Tuesday – Thursday | 5pm – 10pm
Friday – Saturday | 5pm – 11pm
Sunday | 4pm – 9pm
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Hours :
Wednesday – Thursday | 11:30am – 9pm
Friday | 11:30am – 10pm
Saturday | 4pm – 10pm
Sunday | 4pm – 9pm
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Long Island is home to some amazing restaurants, most you’ve probably never even heard of before. I don’t know about you but sometimes I get stuck going to the same few restaurants that I love because they’re so amazing that I forget to branch out and try new spots. Hopefully you’ll see something in this post that will inspire you to try a new Long Island restaurant that you haven’t eaten at before!
Whether you’re in Suffolk Country or Nassau County, these restaurants are worth the drive. These are also great Long Island restaurants to plan a date night around! Check out the town and explore a dessert spot near by to make the most of your trip. Check out these 5 Best Long Island Restaurants that you need to try.
Greenport, New York
Hours :
Wednesday – Thursday | 5pm – 10pm
Friday – Saturday | 5pm – 11pm
Sunday | 5pm – 10pm
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Oyster Bay, New York
Hours:
Dinner
Tuesday – Thursday | 5pm – 9:30pm
Friday – Saturday | 5pm – 10pm
Sunday | 5pm – 9pm
Brunch
Saturday – Sunday | 12pm – 3pm
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Northport, New York
Hours:
Tuesday – Friday | 11:30am – close
Saturday – Sunday| 10am – close
All Day Brunch on the Weekends | 10am – 3:30pm
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Smithtown, New York
Hours :
Monday – Saturday | 5pm – 10pm
Sunday | 4pm – 9pm
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Sea Cliff, New York
Hours :
Wednesday – Thursday | 5pm – 11pm
Friday – Saturday | 5pm – 12am
Sunday | 5pm – 11pm
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Long Island is typically known as a Summer destination – The Hamptons, Montauk, and Fire Island are just a few places on Long Island that have grown in notoriety recently. These spots that were once known by the locals only have become luxury summer vacation spots to those living in New York City and beyond. With all the hype about Long Island being a summer destination, what about visiting in the winter?
I may be biased, but Long Island is a great place to be for all four seasons. Winter is very pleasant on Long Island and isn’t is a bad time to come check it out.
No need to dodge all the weekender traffic on the Long Island Expressway in the winter. You won’t have to deal with anyone except the locals, for the most part.
Sure putting your wetsuit on an surfing in the winter may be attractive to some, but for the others who don’t feel like freezing in the ocean there are plenty of seasonal activities to take part in.
If you are lucky and visit Long Island in the winter when it’s snowing, then you are in for a treat. Long Island is a beautiful place on any day but add in the snow combined with the beach and you have the perfect winter day.
The opportunities are really endless whether you want to be indoors or explore outdoors. Here are some great places you should check out on Long Island in the winter.
Long Island is notoriously known as a Summer spot and is highly trafficked in between Memorial Day and Labor Day by those who live in New York City. I don’t blame them for coming out this way, Long Island has everything you could want for an epic Summer weekend – the beaches, the relaxation, the amazing restaurants. But once the Summer House leases end, so does a lot of the city-slickers which makes room for the locals! Granted, we the city people come out east to the island, they’re immediately going to the Hamptons or Montauk. There’s a whole lot more in between NYC and the Hamptons, but I’ll leave that for another post.
With the summer Long Island hype dying down and the New York City locals returning to the concrete jungle, it can only mean one thing – Fall is around the corner. Fall on Long Island is very different than summer on Long Island, but just as enjoyable (but for different reasons).
Visiting Long Island in the Fall is the best time to visit, in my opinion. Here are 6 reasons why :
This one is pretty much a given and isn’t much of a secret… The North Fork of Long Island is already a packed house in the fall, but it doesn’t mean it can’t be mentioned here. Between all the farm stands, apple picking, pumpkin picking, sunflower fields, corn mazes, and more, the North Fork on Long Island is the ultimate Fall destination on Long Island. Visiting Long Island in the fall means going back home with an endless supply of apples, pumpkins, plenty of local beers & wines, and maybe a pie or two from a local farm stand. The North Fork is very different from the South Fork, which gets most of the notoriety in the Summer season. You’re in for a laid back, relaxing, slow-paced (by New York standards) trip that is very different from the fat paced, party scene of the South Fork during the Summer.
Because of it’s popularity, I’d recommend visiting early in the Fall season. My cousins and I went on Labor Day Weekend 2 years ago, and it was the most enjoyable Fall Trip to the North Fork to date. We went apple picking, went through the corn maze, stopped by the sun flower field, and grabbed some wine at a local vineyard, and most importantly successfully avoided the crowds. Going early means missing out on some of the live music, pumpkins, and more seasonal activities like hay rides and haunted houses, but it is a very small price to pay in order to beat the crowds.
We all know it will be 70’s / 80’s all the way through September, especially this year with the crazy heat. Nothing beats a warm fall day on the beach, followed by an epic sunset – now throw in that its sweatshirt weather and it’s a perfect night. No more muggy, hot, humid, nights – at least less often. Whether you are at the beach are walking around Sag Harbor, it’s a more enjoyable without getting drenched in sweat from the crazy heat.
There’s just something special about warm days, being able to enjoy all the outdoor activities during the day, like the beach, outdoor dining, hiking and be able to enjoy a nice night with a bonfire and some warm drinks.
Looking for the best breakfast on Long Island? Look no further. I’ve put together a list of some the best breakfast places that Suffolk County has to offer. If you are looking for some Long Island brunch spots, this list can double as that too! These are not listed in any order, so you should…
It’s Pumpkin Season – which means pumpkin beer! There are so many Long Island Breweries, located all throughout the Island – from Barrier Brewing Company to Port Jeff Brewing Co. and from St. James Brewery to Moustache Brewing Co. The breweries on Long Island should be it’s own reasons to visit Long Island, but the pumpkin beer is definitely a reason to visit Long Island in the Fall.
I’ve already seen Leaf Pile Ale from Greenport Brewing Company out and about! I spoke to some friends at Port Jeff Brewing Co. and Boo Brew will be hitting the shelves soon. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to plan a brewery tour of Long Island to try out all of the Pumpkin Beers.
Although I am a big baby and don’t do haunted houses, there are quite a few incredible haunted houses on Long Island that are worth visiting this Fall. There really is a haunted house for every level of fear you are looking for. Family friend to fearing for you life level scary. ‘ Chambers of Hell ‘ located in Hauppauge, New York continues to be one of the top rated haunted houses in the nation, coming in at #1 in New York State and 39th best haunted house in 2021. Gateway Playhouse always puts on a show with their Drive-Through attraction “Haunted Playhouse,” located in Bellport, New York. Deepwells Farm in Head of the Harbor, New York, adds a historical touch to their haunted house ‘ Haunted Mansion ‘ which adds in a unique element since Deepwells Farm is known for its paranormal activity and real-life ghost encounters that happen year round on the property.
If you’re looking for a great scare this Fall, there’s no need to travel way upstate or into New Jersey or further. There is a plethora of options to visit this Fall on Long Island!
Coffee Shops are my go-to spots – morning, afternoon, or night! Back when Covid-19 wasn’t a thing, you could find me posted up at a local coffee shop working on this blog or some of my work projects. The atmosphere is always so welcoming and they are all decorated so cute. It’s safe to safe…
Being in the Northeast means all 4 seasons! Getting to see the leaves change color is such a highlight on the Fall on Long Island. Visiting Long Island in the Fall is a great time to really take in the changing of the seasons. The leaves changing mixed with the serene landscape is a recipe for the perfect Fall vision. There is way too many hiking trails to list, but all have their own unique view of the Fall Foliage – especially those that run near the water on either the north or south shore. There’s something very special about seeing the reds, yellows, and oranges in the tress right next to the water line. From Nassau County to Suffolk County, the fall foliage is on display.
One of my favorite hiking spots is Avalon Preserve in Stony Brook, New York. The rich history of Stony Brook is attractive in its own right, but the amazing walk through nature, especially in the Fall, is worth visiting.
The best part of Fall on Long Island is that it is mainly just the locals! Visiting Long Island in the Fall is a great time to take in everything Long Island has to offer without all the commercialized, tourist-trappy, Instagram clout chasing, parts of the Summer that make it all seem in-authentic. At the end of the day Long Island is an amazing place to visit Year-round, no matter the season. Long Island can get a bad reputation in the summer, especially with all the negativity press around the $90 chicken fingers this summer. Once all the summer craziness slows down, the beauty of Long Island really shines. Enjoying Long Island as the locals do is the best way to really immerse yourself in the amazing place that I am lucky to call home.
It’s the words that no one on Long Island wants to hear, “summer is almost over.” We wait all year for these three months, just to have them disappear shortly after they’ve finally arrived. With the sun setting before 8pm again, it’s tough to deny it but Fall will be here before we know it.
Don’t forget to check out my last post on Summer Essentials!
Summer on Long Island is the absolutely best and cannot be matched. It really flies by every year. I’m happy I was able to make it out east, to Fire Island, and also to New York City. I swear, having all of those options right at your finger tips is what makes living on Long Island so great. With Fall approaching, there’s plenty more amazing things to do, but before we get there – here’s 10 things to do before the sun sets on sweet Summertime :
Concerts are back and just in time for the end of Summer! Between the recent shows of Incubus and Taking Back Sunday – the fun is never ending over at the Jones Beach Theatre. Pack your coolers and get ready to tailgate until the sun goes down! The best part of tailgating for concerts at Jones Beach is meeting all the other people who made the trip. You really meet some of the nicest humans from all over Long Island and beyond. Not to mention the actual concert is a blast – Listening to your favorite artists with the most picturesque backdrop just can’t be beat.
Check Out the Line-Up for Concerts at the Jones Beach Theatre!
Located right off Ocean Parkway at Tobay Beach, in technically Massapequa, Surf Shack is exactly what it promises – a “Flip Flop Coastal Kitchen.” With great food and drinks this is a great spot to just relax and hang with friends or family. It’s not a bad place to catch a sunset or live out the last few days of summer. There’s also great live music!
Check Out Surf Shack’s Menu!
The North Fork of Long Island is the ultimate summer getaway. Staying away from the craziness of the Hamptons, the North Fork gives heavy stay-cation vibes with a big classy energy. Between exploring the wineries, cider house, and vodka distillery and shopping local at all the adorable farm stands, there are plenty of incredible restaurants waiting for you. Book an airbnb or stay at a quaint Bed and Breakfast to kick start an amazing summer getaway on the Northfork. Southhold, Greenport, and even Jamesport are great towns to spend a relaxing weekend!
This is for all my car lovers out there – There’s no better view of a Long Island sunset than the one from Ocean Parkway. With water on both sides, you get all the feels of summer from the comfort of your own vehicle. Roll down the windows and enjoy the breeze of ocean air. Looking to get out of your house and escape? Try this out. It’s a great little drive that will make you feel beyond content and ready to take on the next day!
There’s something about the South Shore Beaches – the ocean, the atmosphere, and the energy. Head down to the Jones Beach Boardwalk for a nice evening of relaxation and ocean views! When the beach goers start to leave, the craziness dies down and walking along the boardwalk you have the best views of the sunset. They recently added brand new volleyball courts, bocce ball courts, and little mini tennis courts. You can rent equipment and play or bring your own. There’s even a bird walk portion of the boardwalk. You can break off the main path and walk above the dunes to see all the wildlife that life in the area – great for kids and nature lover’s of all ages! Walking on the Jones Beach Boardwalk is not just a walk, there’s so much to do and so much to see. A must for any end of summer activity to do on Long Island.
Don’t feel like driving in Hamptons traffic to head out east to grab a great glass of wine? Not a problem – Make a stop at Del Vino in Northport. Nestled away from major roads and Northport’s Main Street, when you are at Del Vino you are really taking a break from it all (Not like you really need to it’s not like we live in New York City)! With a wide array of wine and local beer to choose from, Del Vino is a great place to decompress after a tough work week. In my opinion, it is the perfect Long Island Summer date spot – so make your reservation and enjoy the end of summer at the vineyard!
End your Long Island summer the right way with a fishing trip in the bay heading out of Captree! You can charter a boat yourself with a group of friends or family, or join in on a boat with other’s. Getting out to fish is easy on these charters, whether you’re a seasoned vet or a rookie. Historically these boats leave pretty early in the morning, so pack your lunch plenty of sunscreen and water and get ready for a day of fishing! If you get lucky you might even have some dinner to take home. For you night owls, there are also plenty of charters that leave in the evening. Regardless of when you choose to go, fishing out of Captree is a fun adventure to end summer for any group of friends of family!
Consider this some extra peer pressure to get get a Pier Pressure from Port Jeff Brewery. With an outdoor deck and plenty of seating, this brewery is the perfect spot to end a nice summer night. Between the amazing beer and amazing people, there’s not much else to want! Keep an eye out for dates where live music is playing – if you thought it couldn’t get any better, it does. Port Jeff Brewery has a great location right in the center of town – grab a beer before or after dinner, or run across the way and grab Ice Cream or Ralph’s! A quick trip to the Port Jeff Brewery can become a whole day outing in no time.
A classic Long Island Beach Day is a staple of summer. Load up the car, grad lunch from the deli, pack the chairs and towels and head down to the south shore and enjoy the Atlantic Ocean at Robert Moses State Park. If you haven’t made it to the beach yet this summer, this is your sign to go make it happen.
* Pro Tip – pack sweat shirts and blankets and enjoy the sunset before packing up to head home!
The original cereal infused ice cream? Sign me up. I may be excited to post this because I just recently found out this location existed. I used to plan city trips around getting this incredible ice cream, but not any more thanks to this great little location that is attached to Hirschleifers at Manhasset Americana. Pick between chocolate or vanilla ice cream in either a cup or shake and add your favorite toppings. They also have a menu to select from if you can’t make up your mind. My go to is “The Wifey” – something about the Nutella drizzle makes it the best thing on the entire menu. Plus they do collaborations with public figures so keep an eye out for new items added to the menu!
A self proclaimed fast-fashion shopaholic to a thrift store queen – how did that happen?
I have always been one to be on trends and follow big brands and fast fashion companies to stay on top of the latest style. There’s something about ordering clothes and getting them in 2-3 days that really feeds this instant gratification world that we live in. The more I bought, the more I noticed how many clothes I just bought for the sake of having and not to wear. We’re talking hundreds of dollars on clothes that I maybe wore only once? The amount of clothes I’ve donated that were brand new with tags is disgusting. Leading us to here –
This girl thrifts and she absolutely love it. Here’s a little more into the nitty gritty on why I started thrifting :
Full Disclaimer – I still shop at some fast fashion brands and designers, thrifting is my way of supplementing my existing wardrobe
You’d be surprised the amount of money that you save when you thrift. Just last weekend, I bought a brand new tan colored trench coat (very on season), vintage Polo Ralph Lauren Pants, and no-name high waisted slacks that appear to be from the 80’s for under $30 dollars. Yes, every trip is different and you will most likely strike out a few times, but that’s what makes it fun! That same haul of 2 pairs of pants and trenchcoat would easily topple over $150 dollars – much higher than that if you are looking to name brands!
You know what’s annoying? Going out and seeing someone else is the same outfit as you, – whether it’s the skirt, top, or jacket you are wearing – it’s always strange seeing someone in your clothes. But let’s think about it here, You’re buying clothes from Zara, Vici, Shein, whatever fast fashion site you choose – those companies are pumping out clothes left and right. You are bound to bump into someone with the same pieces as you!
Thrifting is pretty much the exact opposite. It is easy to find one of a kind pieces or even find a piece and make it your own! You’re only spending a few dollars on it so why not try cropping that blazer? Or buying that long dated dress and making it cute and summery! When you thrift you are able to express yourself more through clothes. I recently found an amazing suede shacket – most likely from the 70’s – that is a staple piece in my wardrobe. People as me all the time where I found it and I proudly say Savers!
You’re bound to find pieces that you have never seen before when you go thrift shopping. You also will always find new items at every store or every day you go. It is fun to really piece together your wardrobe and make unique outfits that are not only on style, but so insanely you and unique that other’s can’t help but wonder where you go it. It’s not like they can search the item on Google and find it anyways!
Hi I’m Tina and I have too much clothes. Hi Tina. Yes. It was a real problem.
These fast fashion brands fed to my addiction to need new pieces because they’re so cute and I had to have them! I would picture one outfit with a top and that was it. When I started thrifting, I had a similar mindset. The prices were so cheap I could get so much more for my money! No, Tina. Wrong. You’re going to have too much stuff you can’t even store all of it. True
Now when I thrift, I follow the 10 outfit rule – it’s changed my life. When I find a piece that I love, I have to think of 10 ways I could wear it with the clothes that I currently (that’s a big keyword) have. If I can’t wear it in 10 different outfits, it is not worth the space in my closet. Thrifting has forced me to re-evaluate how I dress and what I spend my money on. I guess this one is more of a life lesson learned through thrifting then why I started thrifting. Sorry about the tangent, but we’re back.
I never viewed fashion as a form of expression until recently. I started thrifting with hopes of being about to express myself through clothing and not blend in with everyone else. Through colors, patterns, and new cuts, I’ve been able to put together an incredible closet of one of a kind pieces – that when I style together form amazing cohesive outfits.
Searching for new items is such a rush – I genuinely enjoy combing through racks and bins to find my next vintage piece! I’ve learned so much about clothing, the years items were made, locations where the clothes were made, etc. It really is a science and it’s fun to be so creative but also learn a lot about the past. Thrifting is just one massive learning experience and allows you to harness tons of creativity!
You know what really makes me made? Seeing an article of clothing on a website be one color or look a certain way, and when it gets to your door step is completely and utterly different? Yea, I was getting tired of that happening. No more sheer white shirts and pants, dresses that your whole katush hangs out of, sizing that’s different for every item. That’s gone and in the past.
You can really find very good quality items – I know thrifting gets a bad rap sometimes, but it really is a goldmine! That trench coat I mentioned before, you should see the stitching on that! It’s beautiful. I’ve found plenty of designer items with non-designer prices, like Fendi, Gucci, and more!
Jumping in the thrifting world has been really fun for me. I’m excited for all. my hauls to come and all the amazing pieces I stumble upon to add to my closet!
We finally got our first real snowstorm of the season on Long Island! The first snowstorm always gets two different reactions – “Wow, this is amazing!” or “What the hell is this?” …I typically find myself leaning towards the latter, but this winter am going to embrace the snow and the season more.
Living on Long Island, we have the luxury of experiencing ever single season. Nothing beats a Long Island summer, but a Long Island winter isn’t that bad! When there is snow, the amazing views get more beautiful than ever before (which is tough to do)! The next time it snows on Long Island, think about embracing the colder weather instead of wishing it was warmer out.
With a decent amount of snow on the ground that accumulated over night – I put together a list of things to do when Long Island has a Snow Day. I hope this helps all my fellow Long Islanders embrace the snow and snow days!
While the snow is picking up outside, there’s not better time to pick up a new book, cuddle up, and read! Make a cup of tea or hot chocolate, wrap yourself up in a blanket and settle down for the impending snow. (Or no snow, we know that Long Island Weather on the news has a history or being consistently inaccurate)
Need a book suggestions? Check out some of today’s best sellers! :
Midnight Sun
Untamed
The Return
The Searcher
Greenlights
Not feeling the sit down and read vibes? Then try baking something new. Making cookies in the winter is a great way to pass time and try something new. Also baking fills the house with amazing scents of fresh cookies, brownies, or baked goods. Baking something on a snow day keeps your taste buds and your nose happy!
It gets lonely being stuck in your house all day – it may seem nice at first, but after a while not interacting with anyone gets a bit, stale. We learned quite a few things during the global pandemic and one that will stay for a while is that video conferencing has so many uses! Schedule a virtual zoom hang out for you and you friends who also may be snowed in. Try hosting a happy hour, bingo, trivia, or movie watch party! It takes minutes to set up and bring hours worth of laughter and joy.
If you’re really trying to embrace the introvert vibes this snow day, hunker down and get lost in a binge-worthy Netflix series! It’s snowing out and you can’t go anywhere so stay in side! Throw on your favorite sweats or pajamas and get comfy. I don’t know about you, but having a day to just relax and do nothing sounds amazing since I’ve been non-stop working for what seems to be the entire year!
This might not be the best Long Island snow day activity, but it definitely a necessary one. Getting the snow off your car and driveway ASAP is so important. Failing to do so can lead to ice forming on the driveway, walk way, and freezing on your car. If you fail to do this, your snow day might turn into a snow few days or weeks. Even though it is not the most fun shoveling your driveway, it really is one of the best snow day activities that you could do.
Getting outside during a snowstorm is so much fun! Channel your inner-child, grab your sled and head out to your local spot for sledding. I find that golf courses and high schools typically have some great spots to go sledding on Long Island! Not only do you get out of the house and get some fresh air but you also get to get active and have a little fun. Just because its cold and snowy doesn’t mean you always have to stay indoors.
Whats more beautiful than looking outside your window to seeing snow? Being to the beach and seeing the sand covered in fresh white snow. Head over to Long Beach or maybe Sunken Meadow State Park and walk on the boardwalk while taking in the amazing view. Getting active, while not actually playing in the snow, is possible – and we’re on Long Island so why not add in the water? If there’s no boardwalk near you, head to the beach (we know they are only 20 minutes away from you at all times on Long Island) and check out the amazing sights.
Need a little boost today? I’m right there with you! This is technically my last full week working for the year and there’s been tons of stress building up around that. Knowing that a lot of companies close around the 15th of December until the New Year – I figured it would be a good time to share some uplifting quotes.
Need a pick me up? These uplifting quotes are sure to help turn your day around.
A diamond is a chunk of coal that did well under pressure.
Henry Kissinger
If you want to fly, let go of everything that weighs you down.
Tough times never last, tough people do.
Robert H. Schuller
A little progress each day adds up to big results.
Those who move forward with a happy spirit will find that things will always work out.
Gordon B. Hinckley
When you focus on the good, the good increases
Change the world by being yourself.
Be somebody who makes everybody feel like somebody.
Strength grows in the moments when you think you can’t go on but you keep going anyway.
Trust in the timing of your life.
Believe in yourself and you will be unstoppable.
Growth is growth – no matter how small.
The same light you see in others is shining within you, too.
Fall seven times. Stand up eight.
You have always been enough.
Inhale confidence, exhale doubt.
Life is tough but so are you.
Be patient with yourself. Nothing in nature blooms all year.
Celebrate every win, no matter how small.
Wake up every morning with the thought that something wonderful is going to happen.
Teena Fey 