skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Before I caught my flight on Friday, I managed a very quick visit to Boutique on Fifty Seven, a small but gorgeous designer brand showroom/sample sale boutique that sits right across from Bergdorf Goodman. This boutique is only open to the public by appointment or during the once a month sale. It boasts a long list of celebrity clientele and helps stock wardrobes for movies and TV, which means great quality + good service. The owner (pictured here) is a gorgeous designer/fashionista herself, Kasia Bosne, who has a degree from the Fashion Institute and caters to savvy fashionistas.
The boutique has brand new items and samples; all about 70% off retail. Brand line-up is truly dazzling and selections are great; from Lacroix, Valentino, Blumarine, Missoni, Pucci, Chanel, Gucci, Chloe to Kasia's original design. She sources everything directly from Europe so there are lots of designs you can't get elsewhere. Kasia helped me sift through tons of gorgeous dresses, tops and coats, and I was bummed that the Chloe short boot I loved was a size 39 and too big for me. It was a steal for $390!
Well, what's a girl to choose in just 30 min. before dashing back to my hotel? The boutique is too damn fun to leave!! In the end I chose a very plush and soft black cardigan/jacket that's Kasia's original design, along with a necklace and earring set for the upcoming holidays. My secret is out, will you visit soon? Be sure to check her website (hyperlinked above) and make an appt. before you go!!
I'm back in NYC this week for work, yay! Growing up next door to a vibrant Italian family, I find myself never being able to compromise when it comes to selecting Italian restaurants. Here in NYC, Il Cantinori and the now closed L'Impero were on my go-to list, but last year I discovered A Voce, a contemporary and delish Italian restaurant located near the Flat Iron district on Madison Ave.
Well today I had the honor or dining at their newly opened location in the Time Warner Bldg. with amazing views of Columbus Circle!! My trick in getting last min. reservations at the most popular restaurants: call close to dinner time, make a late reservation (chances are, they've had last min. cancellations) and be prepared to kill some time at the bar. Yes, New Yorkers do go home, so chances are you'll get in like us if you're good to eat at 10 pm (7 pm my time in Calif., perfect!) ** This pic is not from tonight, thus the daytime photo.
Tomorrow evening I'm dining at Alto where the well acclaimed former chef of Fiamma and L'Impero, Michael White will work his magic. Stay tuned!
[My A Voce Dinner]
Wine: Glass of sangiovese, merlot, cabernet sauvignon blend - Le Volte, Omellaia, Tuscany 2006 (Super Tuscany style red wine, very soft and has all the great notes of a cherry, hint of oak, and strawberry. I loved it!)
Pasta: Mezzaluna taleggio filled pasta, butternut squash, brown butter, fried sage (Totally blown away by the delicate size, cheese filling and velvety sauce. I think A Voce has the best pasta dishes in the world.)Dessert: Fig sorbet (you can order from a variety but I thought this was fitting for the season. The fig flavor is not so strong so this one was a bit disappointing but cleaned my palette very well.)
I can't believe almost a year has lapsed since my last blog. I give no excuse for my laziness but have tons to share so stay tuned!
This summer I discovered the GlowFusion® Micro-Tech™ Intuitive Active Bronzer at Sephora. I've received so many compliments I just have to share the secret. According to the manufacturer's (Fusion Beauty) write up, it's the first cosmeceutical brush-on glow treatment, engineered with Topical-Injectable™ technology to smooth, firm and protect skin. Featherweight formula sweeps on fresh sun-kissed radiance as it nourishes, softens imperfections and minimized fine line with potent age-inhibitors.
Believe me, this stuff works and my skin feels like it's really glowing! Comes in threee shades to match your skin so don't give up on the summer shine just yet and keep on glowing this winter with GlowFusion.
Brrrr! It sure has been chilly these days, even in sunny Calif. These are the times I love to soak in nice long baths, and since December is my birthday month, I usually get gifted with things that keep me warm. This year my dear friends teamed up and presented me with a beautiful ivory cashmere robe and I can't tell you how much I've been cherishing this. Surprisingly, it's as warm as fleece without the bulkiness. Yes, it's a splurge but if you're thinking of making someone smile this Christmas, I bet it's an item that's sure to be cherished. Restoration Hardware is having a sale and they carry many colors to meet your taste; be sure to check it out and stay warm (or make someone warm)!!
With the bleak economy these days, aren't you sick of reading depressing stories in the media? But these stories do make you stop and think -- shouldn't I be saving more for my piggy bank? But yikes, 'tis the season to be shopping and the hoidays are right around the corner!! Doesn't look like Santa's been tuning into the news and Rudolph's already on his way out the gate.
Don't fret just yet, I think there are unique ways to cut corners this year and "something different" than the conventional shopping mall gift might make you look creative, and yet not really stingy. I think giving something pricier in a category where one might not spend as much for themselves is the trick. Like a really nice party platter at Crate & Barrel for $50 goes a long way than a $50 gift basket of olive oils, salami and crackers. Here's a really cute food idea from Dean & Deluca if you're looking for a hostess gift or a casual gift. The fine grocery purveyor from NYC really does a nice job in sourcing their stuff and I love their "Let it Snow Cookies" (regular price: $58 --> now for $29.50) or "Santa's Sugar Cookie Work Shop" (regular price: $68 --> now for $34) More ideas to come!
Surprisingly, '08 has been a year of "change" for me from the get-go. Even before our president-elect became president-elect. But my "change" has been more in the cosmetics category. Rare for me as I tend to stick to a particular brand for years. My recent favorite at the Neiman's counter is the Guerlain Parure Aqua liquid foundation. Comprised of elements like "ocean spring water" this foundation is the lightest I've ever encountered, yet still does the job of a nice "cover up" minus any thickness. It's amazing stuff and I'm pretty speechless. It seems to have mineral ingredients as well, which is probably why it's so nice for your skin. I usually use Bare Escentuals Mineral Powder for daily use and love the stuff, but with parties around the corner and the need to be "covered up" a tad more, the Guerlain Parure Aqua is a gem. I was in a PR meeting today and the PR agency founder mentioned our messaging "needs to be in a concise package that tells the compelling truth"; well put! I feel the Guerlain Parure Aqua really delivers on its promise and is exactly the representation of the quote above. Something many marketers like us fail to deliver, so refreshing!
Okay, so the truth about my lapse in blogging is surely not due to "writers block" but merely a recent career switch in joining a busy start up company. Believe me, I'm far from a "writers block" and in fact, have been pounding away on massive volumes of marketing/brand messaging initiatives at work with no brain power left to sustain my blog. Excuses, excuses! Oh, and did I forget to mention I pulled off a huge trade show in NY on my second week at the new job? No, no, no more excuses!!!
Well now at work, we're seriously paving way with plans for a total website overhaul for '09, and yup, everyone is shouting "we need a blog!" Yeah, yeah, I hear ya' However, I'm reluctant to just slap one on our current site as we'll need to scope out an editorial calendar and really commit to this initiative; afterall, this ain't no diary, it's a company blog... And then I realized I hadn't blogged in a looooong time, my bad, so here we go, back to "writing" about things I'm personally passionate about.
While I've a boat load of "to-do's" at the office, lately I find myself in the city (San Francisco) a lot for off-site meetings and industry events/parties. When I was in NY, the mobile CHANEL exhibit was "visiting" Central Park, but unfortunately, the line was too long and I passed on the opportunity. But now at the De Young Museum in SF, they're showing an exhibit for Yves Saint Laurent and I betcha there's lots of elegance going on there - 125 outfits on display with sketches, photos and videos shows. Don't worry, you still have time. The exhibit is from 11.01.08 - 04.05.09. The city has been all about biz and I haven't had the chance to go yet, but am definitely looking forward to a visit soon. Be dazzled! De Young claims "Fashion Changes, Style Remains," big nod.
** The image is the cover of Vogue magazine when YSL was first featured as an aspiring designer. I wonder if Phllip Lim or Thakoon will one day make it to this level....
Before I caught my flight on Friday, I managed a very quick visit to Boutique on Fifty Seven, a small but gorgeous designer brand showroom/sample sale boutique that sits right across from Bergdorf Goodman. This boutique is only open to the public by appointment or during the once a month sale. It boasts a long list of celebrity clientele and helps stock wardrobes for movies and TV, which means great quality + good service. The owner (pictured here) is a gorgeous designer/fashionista herself, Kasia Bosne, who has a degree from the Fashion Institute and caters to savvy fashionistas. 
