Nini Ordoubadi

INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE

Frida Kahlo - "Frida Kahlo's personal style and passionate dedication to her art has always spoken to me."

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Max Beckmann - "Max Beckmann's intense, unexpected sense of color and the way he cropped his paintings has influenced my own paintings, photography, and stylings."

Rumi - "Rumi was a 19th century Persian poet with a deep and loving philosophy. I read his poetry often to stay sane and keep connected with my Pagan self.

Dr. Noah McKay - "He was my brother and an extraordinary teacher, healer, doctor and most of all, a true humanitarian. He taught me everything I know that's worth while to know, and his beautiful spirit continues to work through my life."

Mother Teresa - "Mother Teresa said you can change the world one person at a time, and that rings true to my heart."

The Dalai Lama - "The Dalai Lama is a great man who calls himself a 'simple monk'. He taught me two things:  Laugh a lot and let go."

Source: Photo by Phil Borges

"I'm a big fan of walking around to get lost. I find that when you walk with a purpose you don't actually find anything. Chinatown is a great place to get lost in. You can feel like you're somewhere else. Very little English is spoken so it's easier to feel like you're away and discovering new things."

INSPIRATIONAL PLACES IN NEW YORK

Chinatown - "I love Chinatown because I'm always discovering something new there. I like to get lost in the meandering back streets, buy fresh fruits and vegtables from street vendors, and pop into one of the dim sum restaurants that are always packed with locals."

Wave Hill - "Wave Hill is a place in the Bronx I like to go to for the gorgeous year round gardens and nature inspiration. It's absolutely beautiful all year round and their shop carries my Tay Tea blends."

"I think a lot of snobby designers (I was even one of them) think that everything is in Manhattan but that's really not the case anymore. Things have shifted to Brooklyn, where there's so many well curated boutiques and design shops that belong to young, forward thinking designers. Most of these are small stores in Williamsburg that I believe in supporting because they're presenting a city that is more curated and more special."

RESTAURANTS

La Taza De Oro - “La Taza De Oro makes good homemade Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Dominican food.”

Bottino - "Bottino serves great Italian in Chelsea. Excellent food with a great atmosphere."

SOURCE: Bottino NYC

Le Zie- "I love to go to this restaurant with my best friend from time to time. If you go in the middle of the week you can count on good Venetian food, a nice wine menu and the actual ability to hear each other's stories."

Cafe Mogador - "Cafe Mogador is a no fuss, well-priced, Moroccan place that's well-known with all true old-time New Yorkers."

Peking Duck House- "Peking Duck House on Mott Street in Chinatown is clean with modern decor. They serve superb roast duck with plum sauce."

Cha-An - "Cha-An in the East Village is a beautiful tea house - Japanese but not formal. They have a casual and fun vibe."

SOURCE: NY Slop

Bombay Talkie - "This is a great place to share Indian street food to a backdrop of oversized Bollywood movies. It has a young, vibrant atmosphere and cayenne peppers for your chakras."

Freeman's Restaurant - "This place is hidden at the end of an alley that belies what city you're in. It could be that the approach to this restaurant is as beguiling as the interior, which compliments the comfort food. It's drenched with hipsters and if you're a strict vegetarian or vegan that has issues with dead animals on the wall for decoration - I would stay away from this place - but it will be entirely your loss."

STORES

ABC Carpet & Home - "This is an excellent store to go and get lost in. It's kind of a global market that's expensive but worth the visit. If you can't buy, you can certainly window shop. Their windows are legendary and change seasonally. Their wild themes are inspirational. I also happen to love this store because they were my first supporters and still are. The Tay Tea cabinet stands right past the concierge on the first floor."

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Anthropologie - "They have an interesting, off-the-beaten-path, collection of clothes that are well made and unique without being obnoxiously expensive and over-the-top."