Saturday, December 24, 2011

A Christmas Treasure Hunt In The City

It was a genius idea. 

Back in early-November I pitched the idea of featuring children's books on-line to my editor - and she loved it!  I couldn't have been more excited when I got the green light.

The approaching holiday season put a little twist into my idea and the result was a flipbook that spotlights classical children's Christmas books.

My job? To relive highlight the timeless classics and feature them for our readers.

What could be more fun than to relive Eloise's adventures in the Plaza or Madeline's scurry around Paris? My memory seemed to be Major Problem Number One on this assignment however because I couldn't remember the stories. Was it Clara that journeyed into the Land of Sweets? And who was it that received Santa's special jingle bell?  An emergency trip to the bookstore seemed to be in order. I rushed into the nearest Barnes and Noble and bolted straight to the kids section.  


This was were I encountered Major Problem Number Two: my classic books are... unavailable. Seems that major bookstores only like to stock what's new and current as oppose to what old and timeless.

I spent the next few hours scouring Manhattan's countless used-bookstores and vintage shops till I had efficiently reread all of the books on my list. I had felt like a treasure hunter on the ultimate search.

While the journey was slightly bumpier than anticipated, I must say the end-result was definitely worth it...

Check out the finished article on CountryLiving.com:  9 Classic Children's Christmas Stories


Sunday, December 11, 2011

A Girl's Worst Friend?

Marilyn Monroe taught us ladies that diamonds are a girl's best friend right?  Apparently her song also subliminally told us that these precious jewels had to be gifted to us by the gentlemen of our lives. 

Breakfast at Tiffany's Holly Golightly knew a thing or two
about the importance of diamonds.
While it's true that in addition to a continental kiss on our hands we'd like to see a sparkling baguette set sliding up another I have to ask: what comes to those of us who don't have a man in our lives at the moment who's willing to gift us with diamentes that sparkle and shine?  Are we doomed to go through life (literally) empty-handed until our Mr. Right decides to walk through the door?

This line of thought came to me when I showed one of my girlfriends my Christmas gift to well, myself: David Yurman's black onyx ring.  A little piece I've admired from afar since I saw it featured in Vogue's glossy pages seasons back; and Christmas seemed like the perfect time to make such a splurge.  My euphoria was cut short however when my friend commented "It's gorgeous, but I can't believe you buy your own rings Laurie, that's what you get guys to get you."

While this was an ideal situation to hope upon, unfortunately this single-girl doesn't have a guy to grant such a wish - or a fairy godmother for that matter.  I'm not sure what kind of back road shortcut my Prince Charming took, but I didn't bet on him showing up with this diamond in hand so soon.  

So I thought it nothing to take matters into my own hands and buy my own jewels.  I mean, isn't that what Samantha Jones advocated in the first Sex and the City movie?  

Now don't worry Prince Charming, I have nine other fingers that are still waiting to be decorated. (wink wink)
Marilyn Monroe sings "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friends" from the 1953 motion picture "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes".

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Chic Boutique Feature: Piccolini

The red ruffles tiers of the girl's dress billowed in the sharp breeze.  Its festive color and matching row of boys is a perfect reminder that the holiday season is drawing near.  Standing beside her was her brother, a young gentleman looking cutting edge in his Seven Jeans and Bestie Boys baseball tee.

A shopping heaven for kids at any age!
While these smartly dressed toddlers look sharp enough to be on magazine pages they are actually four-year-old twins playing in one of Central Park's many open grass patches.  The difference between them and the other children rolling around in the park's collection of fallen  golden leaves is that their stylish ensembles were the latest of their mother's purchase at Piccolini, Nolita's new stylish baby boutique.  

Piccolini, which is Italian for "love for the little ones," opened its shop doors in Nolita this past summer but already boasts a client list of stylists and celebrities.  The magical boutique features fashionably adorable baby-to-toddler clothes as well as toys, jewelry, and gifts.  Owner Alexandra Zagami provides busy New York moms such a chic assortment that it has me - a certified single-city-girl - wishing I had my own mini-me to style.  

So if you ever find yourself in New York City and happen to have a little on to shop for, be sure to put Piccolini on your shopping destination list!

No NYC trip on the horizon?  Check out Piccolini's website and shop chic for your little one! 

Learn more about Piccolini from founder Alexandra Zagami. 

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Versace Madness at H&M

Today was the day.

After months of whispers, weeks of anticipation and yes even days of carefully mapping out strategies: the time has finally come. 

No I'm not a new Apple product or even The Breaking Dawn premiere.

It's the day that Versace arrives at H&M stores.

And let me just say that there's no better city to witness the madness than New York City.


With lines forming around the block and shoppers arriving as early as midnight last night, it hard to believe that the limited collection could draw such attention from consumers.

H&M is certainly no stranger to launching celebrity designer collections in their stores.  Graduates of the strategic collaboration include: Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Roberto Cavalli, Jimmy Choo, Lanvin, and even the original Material Girl herself, Madonna.

Versace focused on its iconic dresses with vibrant colors and prints.
Versace's iconic dresses are the focus for the women's collection while sharp tailored suits can be found for the men.  The pieces are set in loud vibrant colours and prints that mirror its couture counterpart.  Donatella, Versace's creative director, stated in a recent interview with The New York Times that inspiration to collaborate with H&M was motivated by celebrities such as Lady Gaga, who have motivated her young audience to hunt edgy fashion looks and even vintage Versace pieces.  Capitalizing on this emerging re-interest, young fasionistas everywhere can now have a piece of Versace in her closet - that is if she manages to get past the lines and through the war zone in-stores.

Allow me to play fashion-psychic for a moment:  I predict that half of these pieces find its way on Ebay, at double or even triple the cost.  If Missoni for Target taught us something, it's that making high-fashion designs affordable doesn't necessarily mean we can get our hands on it.
Window display from an NYC H&M.
 
In an effort to control the chaos, H&M distributed color-coded bracelets that limited the time shoppers had in the Versace shop.

Shoppers fought for the best pieces.
A happy shopper leaves the Upper East Side H&M with a bag full of Versace.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

It's Christmas Time in the City... Really?!


Once again the alarm went off too early for me to say I was ready for another day.
Lately it seems that my days are filled with endless deadlines, meetings, projects, and rendezvous.  If my schedule was a soda can, it would have exploded beyond clean up weeks ago.  

It was so easy for me not to notice that the morning air was getting colder and colder.  Sure there were signs - I have traded my wedge sandals for thigh-high boots and denim jacket for my favorite trench - but it's not enough for me to notice the change in the air.

Until one day... it was.  My friend Britney and I were taking a stroll through Midtown when we were suddenly bombarded with Christmas lights and decorations.

A tree in the park.
Christmas songs playing in the background.
Big presents with even bigger bows on shop window displays.

When did it happen? The last I checked it was still September and now red and white Starbucks cups are dancing all around me.  While it's not officially Christmas in the city, it was exciting to see how such a festive city made itself ready.


 Radio City (and its Rockettes) seem to be set for Christmas!

Despite still being under construction, the Rockefeller tree creates an air of excitement for on-lookers.
And below the infamous tree is the infamous ice rink.
 Shops are more than ready for the holiday season
(let's not forget tourists) that are about to come!
Britney Fitzgerald looks in awe at the Christmas display window
outside of Henri Bendel.



Monday, November 7, 2011

An Ode to Conan O'Brien

 

"Feel free to enjoy this beautiful day"

These were the words my editor said to me last Thursday-and let me just say that this was the last thing I expected to hear.  After weeks of extended projects, 12-hour days followed by all-nighters finishing case study after case study, the last thing on my mind was an unexpected afternoon off.

So what's a girl to do?  It was too late for a lunch, but too early to call up friends - not everyone is so lucky to have an impromptu day-off.  As I weighed the possibilities of an afternoon of window shopping versus scouring vintage jewelry shops I came across a unique sight at Columbus Circle.  It appeared that an art exhibition was taking place in the middle of the Shoppes. Not just any art exhibition I may add, but one dedicated to talk show host Conan O'Brien

Conan Pencilism.  A Conan statuette constructed completely out of colored pencils, by Federico Uribe.


Conan the Conqueror, by Giulliano Palladino.

Conan Pointallism, by Freiya Kiessling.

Conan O'Brien and Andy Richter. American Gothic Style

The Converse, by Keith Hale

King Conan, by Deborah Abbott

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Tales of a Dress

"But I swear I never wore it"
"I swear I never did"
The woman stared back at me,
though I knew it was all a fib.

I remember when she called,
I remember when she came
"I need your advice;
I have a special event and just anything will not suffice"

Through the racks we had journeyed
Countless dresses we had tried:
every color every shape, could I help it if her hips were a bit too wide?

At last one was perfect
It had fit like a glove
Its long train trailed behind as she walked.
As graceful as a dove

She left my sight happy,
she left my sight pleased.
For there's no better feeling than knowing:
everyone's attention your dress will seize.

And now here she is two weeks later,
telling me she changed her mind;
making excuses of how it didn't fit
Something about its zipper not able to bind

I wish she would stop,
put her story at a halt.
Now she's looking back at me
as though it were all my fault.

She went to her party,
she had looked like a queen.
Everyone loved what she was wearing,
and she just loved being seen.

But now the music has stopped
and everybody went home.
That's when she finally realized:
the dress she could not afford.

"I want my money back" she continued,
"The dress was just wrong"
like white after Labor Day,
or a bad break-up song.

I gave her the refund,
that's all I can do.
The customer is always right they tell me,
even if they call a yellow cab blue.

Just another day in the office.
A client I add to my black list.
Now please, how can I help you?
I would just love to assist!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

The Quest for the Perfect Fur

Sketchy on the outside, but vintage
treasures on the inside!
 
My top fashion goal this season has been to score a fabulous fur piece to add to my closet.

Sound easy right?

Not quite.
First of all, despite that fur is a big trend this cold-weather season, finding that one piece that flatters your unique personal shape can be harder than finding the perfect pair of skinny jeans.  Some are too fluffy, some shed a whole animal on you, and others just leave you looking like poor roadkill.  

An unexpected solution presented itself one day when my friend and I wanted to hit up New York Vintage (as featured by Rachel Zoe) for some unique finds.  Well, apparently New York Vintage is closed on Sundays, but across the way was a vintage garage - open to all!  Prada Mary Janes, vintage layered pearls, 70's DVF wrap dresses, were all around us but I was consumed with one thought: I can get my fur here - let the hunting begin!

Let's fast-forward two hours later and I'm holding a rabbit-fur jacket (circa 1970s) and a 1940s caplet - I mean everyone needs at least one cape in their closet right? 

Vintage heaven.
Mission Accomplished! Hanging in my closet today are my two perfect fur pieces, silently filling my old void.  



As fabulous as this teeny baby fur jacket was, it just wasn't for me.

Oh fur, why art thou so difficult to find?

Friday, October 28, 2011

Bread Advice From the Expert

It was a typical Saturday for me this past week, working in Soho with too much to do and not enough time to do it.  Anyone who knows me is well aware that I rely too heavily of coffee to get me through the day.  It was just when I was hitting up Balthazar for my standard 3 p.m. coffee refill that an ordinary day turned surprisingly extraordinary...

Inside the teeny bakery/cafe I - hoping to snag a little sweet treat along with my cafe - waited patiently in line when a tall blond woman steps in.

"There's a line for the bakery?"  she says with a sigh to no one in particular. 

I felt compelled to answer her question: "Yes."

As we both wait patiently the room starts to fill once again.  She reaches across to grab a loaf of their freshly baked breads.  "Is their bread as good as everyone says?" I ask her.

"Yes, it's delicious." She says, and continues to describe her favorites from the Brioche to the Valrhona Chocolate.

I nod nicely and reached for my prepared coffee.  Just when I was sugaring up my coffee did the girl beside me say "That's Martha Stewart, right?" 

"Who?" I ask.
"THERE!" and she points to the nice lady giving me bread advice.

I study her more closely and sure enough, there was Ms. Martha Stewart, buying her bread and thanking the cashier.  I appeared that my bread whisperer also happened to be the Queen of Domestics herself - safe to say I will follow her bread advice.

Few examples of the delicacies at Balthazar.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Scenes of the City: Apple 4S Released in New York City

We line up for everything in New York City: Starbucks coffee, the entrance to the subway, restrooms, restaurants, even lines at the bar - where we wait in line for a table.  Long lines have become as common to me in New York as yellow taxi cabs.  

I was still surprised however that despite the its mixed reviews and the recent shock of the death of its co-founder, chairman, and CEO Steve Jobs, Apple's iPhone 4S had many eager customers lined up outside its many AT&T and Apple Stores in New York City.


The infamous Apple Store on Fifth Avenue never closes, despite constant renovations and improvements.

Nine days after his death, a memorial remains for Steve Jobs.

Bushels of the symbolic "Apple" fruit line the stairs leading to the store's entrance, many with written messages and good-byes.

Despite the highly unpleasant rainy weather many still lined the sidewalk and streets, waiting to glimpse the latest addition to the iPhone family.  


Friday, September 23, 2011

Welcome to Chinatown

After a long afternoon shopping and trend hunting my friend and I were looking for the perfect place to have lunch. As we walked down the overstuffed sidewalk I felt an odd texture rub against my hand.  It was not a familiar feel; something cold and oddly slippery.  I glanced down and noticed my hand glistening with a strange clear substance.  

And that's when I saw it.

Hanging upside down and dangling on a stick was a pig, dead and ready for roasting it appears.  Now, I may not be foreign to the sight of a pig on a stick, it was the first time however that I saw one in a major metropolis.  Needless to say, I slightly traumatized by the situation.  

Welcome my friends to Chinatown.

When I heard "Chinatown" I automatically thought of Canal Street and its array of fake Fendi and Tory Burch bags as well as its countless below-market priced vendors.  It wasn't until I delved deeper into its streets that I realized that a different world can be found.  I was mainly fascinated by the fresh market's food assortment.  The selection ranged from exotic fruits to hard-to-find vegetables that my mother would kill for.  A fascinating sight however was the fresh meats and seafood available for purchase.  Not to spoil the surprise (see pictures below) I was nothing but shocked at what I saw.


Partridges


Fresh pig's feet.

Crocodile Feet


Squid
 *Based on true events with photos by Elana Baziz.

Friday, September 9, 2011

2011 Fashion's Night Out

Yesterday was the official start of Fashion Week in New York City and like recent traditions passed, the entire island was buzzing. For one night, fashion seemed to be on the top everyone's priority list.

"Where are we going tonight?"
"Which store do we meet you at?'
"Who did you say is going to be there?"
These were the top questions being asked around the city just hours before the big events.

For those who don't know, Fashion's Night Out began in 2009 and features many retail stores banding together and staying open late in hopes of increasing their sales, thus stimulating the fashion economy. Now on its third year running, the event has transformed itself into a global phenomenon.  FNO is celebrated from Los Angeles to Milan to Paris... but it still all began in New York City!


This year, celebrities and fashion's biggest names were literally littered all around the city.  Dakota Fanning in Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger and Kelly Rowland at Macy's in Herald Square, Oscar de la Renta and Narciso Rodriguez at Bergdorf, and the list goes on.


As a fashion-lover and self-diagnosed incurable shopaholic, I felt that it was my duty to contribute my own part in the night's festivities.  And so here are pictures of the city's epic night:



Lines, lines, and lines.  The scene in every store throughout the city! 

The fabulous Rachel Zoe at Bloomingdale's!
A giant high heel shoe loose in the street. No, wait, an edible high heel shoe made out of candy and gum balls!
A carnival at Alice and Olivia, complete with cotton candy and face painting!
Karaoke at Kate Spade in SoHo.
Free champagne and hors d'oeuvre in every store ensure a large crowd.

Guests at the Upper East Side Dolce and Gabanna (above) were far more interested in the open bar and party scene than the fashions for sale.
After receiving confirmed rumors of Justin Bieber in Dolce and Gabanna, we decided to make it our next destination.  While Bieber may have left the building by the time we arrived, Tyson Beckford wasn't a bad alternative!

Friday, September 2, 2011

Fabulous Fall Trends; Spotted Right in NYC


"September is the January in fashion"

This was the famous line uttered by fashion editor Candy Pratts Price in R.J. Cutler's 2009 documentary film The September Issue.  And oh how those words are true.  Gone are the days of bohemian rhapsody and the 1970's revival as New York City- and the world actually- prepares for a its new look.

And so, as a resident of the fashion capital of this side of the world, I felt it important to report back the top trends for this coming cold weather season.  This collected list however is not limited to the the trends spotted on the runway or the glossy pages of Vogue and Elle; it will also include the unique alterations that only New Yorkers can master to turn seasonal trends into accessible fashion statements. Read... and learn.

Colored Denim, Part 2
The colored denim phase already happened this year, accepted by many in fact. However, if you're one of those that just couldn't get used to the idea of having hot pink or cobalt blue legs, this fall twist may have you reconsidering the option. Re-done in dark hues such as garnet, rustic orange, and hunter green, this trend has been toned down so that the not-so-fashion-forward can have a try at it. The best part is that since its a continuation of an existing trend, it is available from premium denim labels such as JBrand and Current Elliot to the more reasonable Zara and Levi's.

BTW: Celebs from Kim Kardashian to Jada Pinkett Smith and Nicky Hilton have adopted the trend!

Oversized Cocktail Rings
So this fabulous retro style is not just limited to its namesake party, or even a post-work round at the bar. Yes, this classic trend as transitioned itself into a daywear regular - igniting instant style on what was probably a simple look.
Celeb-stylist Rachel Zoe loves her jewelry - especially this dramatic trend.  My favorite line?  Definitely Nicole Richie's House of Harlow, which features Aztec symbols and geometric designs.

Jewel-Tones
Everyone knows diamonds are a girl's best friend.  This fall however, rubies, sapphire, emerald all join its rank; at least when it comes to color.
Pink diamond, Emerald, Amethyst, and Topaz:  all stars this fall season.
(The celebs look good too)


Costume Eye Make-up
Credit Lady Gaga for the rise of this trend, but it seems that the extremist performer's dramatic look has trickled down to the masses of fashion enthusiasts in New York City.  Walk down Fashion Avenue, and you will see everyone from fashion students to high-power execs adapting the trend - toned down their way of course!

Fur, Fur, and More Fur!
Okay, so maybe you don't have to go all the way and wrap yourself in a dead animal-if you're not into that- but the trend is everywhere this season.  From small accents of a raccoon collar on a leather jacket to a full length rabbit fur coat, the trend is available from every designer, and every fast-fashion retailer.  Best part? Since the trend is so large, it's available in many retailers at every price-point.
Out in NYC, nothing protects you from the strong fall wind than a good fur shrug or collar wrapped warmly around your shoulders! (True story)


Red
There's a lot that can be said about the color Red.  It's the color of luck, confidence, seduction, and power; and this fall's hottest color. 
PS: Red turns out great in the cameras! Wear it at a party and everyone's eyes will instantly gravitate towards you in the post-picture, PROMISE!