1. JAY-Z: About 8 years ago, I was working out in my gym having a private Muay Thai kickboxing lesson in the boxing ring. When we were done, I went to leave the ring, and this guy in a hoodie who already had his wraps and gloves on, put his arm/hand out to me, and I didn't understand what he wanted, so I just slapped him five! And his hand is still out there so I think and just touch my knuckles to his. And then he says, "Lady, I'm just trying to help you out of the ring" I started laughing and as I headed towards the locker room, my trainer said, "you know that was Jay-Z, right?"

2. BEYONCE (DURING "DESTINY'S CHILD" DAYS): Same day I go to the locker room and I see Beyonce in the far end of the locker area just kind of standing there. She was quiet and smiled, and looked a bit uncomfortable and so shy! Very sweet-looking, just as you might imagine. I said nothing to her because she seemed so fragile. Though I couldn't resist but look at her thighs (she was in shorts). They were huge! Looked like she could really hurt somebody with them.

3. JENNIFER CONNELLY: Same gym (Chelsea Piers for you New Yorkers). And in the women's locker room, I saw Jennifer Connelly just dressed putting on some gloss (and that's it!) in the mirror, hair still wet. She looked so gorgeous! And this was around the time that "A Beautiful Mind" was still in theaters (remember? She played John Nash's wife). And I approached her and said hello, and how much I enjoyed her in that film....And I said that there's this book she might want to read (She went to Yale, so I figured she must love reading) called, "An Unquiet Mind" It was a somewhat similar memoir but if this got produced she could play the leading role, instead of just a supporting role like she did in "A Beautiful Mind".....She gave me the oddest look and I realized I must have sounded and looked so stalker-y, was rude at best, so, I just smiled and left as gracefully as I could!!

4. PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN: I've seen him twice in NY. The first time was just outside a movie theater. Again, this is years ago, almost a decade. After "Ripley's" And he was just standing there, and I approached him and we chatted...SO SO COOL A GUY. A couple of years later, I saw him again. Yep, in that same gym, Chelsea Piers -- working out at the weights and I saluted him with my arms, holding them straight out in an up-and-down motion -- like you do to someone very special whom you respect, or even worship...can you see that?? Anyway, he just looked at me humbly and smiled and went off and continued his workout. Again, VERY NICE AND HUMBLE GUY.

5. MARTHA STEWART: In the elevator going to the reception floor of Frederik Fekkai in NY. I smiled at her. She didn't smile back. 'Nuf said.

6. JANE PAULEY: In that same elevator going to the reception floor of Frederik Fekkai in NY. She had sunglasses on and was talking to someone who appeared to be her daughter. I wasn't sure it was her, and I smiled, and asked, "Are you...?" She stopped me mid-question, peered out of those sunglasses so I could see her famous eyes, smiled wide, and answered, "Yes".

7. JULIANNE MOORE: I'd seen her a few times on 6th Avenue in NY around 10th Street (by my home in the West Village, and apparently by hers). Each time I smiled, and she smiled back wide. I also saw her at Marc by Marc Jacobs on Bleeker once, but she was shopping and trying stuff on, and I didn't want to disturb her so I pretended I didn't know who she was.

8.WINONA RYDER: Now she is one of my favorite celebs! I wish I had actually seen her. Never have. BUT, speaking of Marc by Marc Jacobs: once I wanted a top, only my size was on hold. The manager and I got to know each other quite well (think: extremely regular customer, so much so, that one winter I got a $500 MJ scarf from Marc Jacobs as an Xmas gift, which I later exchanged at Bergdorf's for something else. LOL.). ANYWAY, the manager told me he had one on hold for Winona Ryder, but that it was on hold for a while. He let me try it on. And now I own it I KNOW, THAT'S QUITE A STRETCH FOR A CELEB SIGHTING...

9. AMANDA PEET: She is also one of my favorites, though wasn't at the time. I was shopping at an outside flea market in SOHO. Again, all of these (except for the last) are years ago when I lived in NY. I was standing there looking at these tan brown, vintage wedges for quite a while. And then in my peripheral vision, I noticed Amanda Peet standing there too. She had short hair, was scary-skinny, and dressed kind of -- let's call it, very casual. The woman helping me whispered to me that she was standing there waiting to see if I was going to buy the shoes, because she wanted them...I own them.

10. JOHN C REILLY: Saw him checking in a lobby of a swanky Chelsea hotel that I was staying in too (visiting from SF; this was more recent). I love him so much! I had to say something...so I just said, "I'm not from NY or anything, but I have to say that you must be one of the top actors today." He smiled and answered thank you and said, "It's ok. I'm not from NY either."

Enjoy!,

VSug