Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Luceplan Celebrates NYC Design Week

Luceplan is an award winning of lighting fixtures based in Milan, Italy. They have a US storefront located in the heart of SoHo here in New York. Last week, the celebrated New York Design Week with the debut of "Synapse", a new creation by acclaimed designer Francisco Gomez Paz.


The Synapse is a product mixed between an object and architecture as its intelligent module design allows for grouping in infinite configurations to create dividers, partitions, and suspended ceilings. Francisco Gomez Paz drew inspiration from nature in this light, and transformed the process that facilitates communication among neurons into a luminous creation. A single electrical wire powers a large number of the modules, and it is contains LEDs of variable colors. This light is truly a piece of art and has a great modern vibe!

The cocktail party at Luceplan was a great way to celebrate design week. While the Synapse was the focus, the store was filled with amazing Italian designed fixtures. 


This was made possible by a media invitation, photos courtesy of Luceplan


Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Passing a Day in Beverly Hills

Although its quite small, Beverly Hills is renowned around the world for its shopping, people, and luxury. It is always a must on a trip to LA. Considering its small size, there are quite a few options for passing a day in the 90210 zip code. Some of my favorite things to do are shop, dine, and people watch. 

I recently spent a few days in Beverly Hills so I was able to do quite a bit. Here are a few of my recommendations for things to do while soaking up the California sun in Beverly Hills.


Rodeo Drive:
One cannot visit Beverly Hills without strolling on the very famous Rodeo Drive. Whether shopping or window shopping, it is a must. Virtually every designer has a shop along the stretch of Rodeo. The best is to start at the bottom near Wilshire Boulevard and walk up towards little Santa Monica Boulevard and grab cupcakes at Sprinkles once you reach Santa Monica!

The Montage:
The Montage is a beautiful luxury hotel located on Canon Drive. The property also features private residences, so you are sure to see the driveway lined with Bentleys and Rolls Royces. The Montage is a great place to stop and relax in the gardens, grab afternoon tea, or a cocktail on the great rooftop bar.

Villa Blanca:
Yes- the restaurant owned by Real Housewife of Beverly Hills, Lisa Vanderpump. I must admit, it is quite the scene, however, the food is actually pretty good. There are more high-end places in Beverly Hills such as Mr. Chow, but it is fun to make at least one stop at Villa Blanca for the experience. 

Pressed Juice:
Juicing is very popular in New York with a lot of different options, but one of my favorites recently opened in Beverly Hills. Tucked away on Bedford Drive is a Pressed Juice. If you are looking for a light, healthy afternoon option, grab a green juice from Pressed while you stroll the streets.

Via Rodeo:
A little offshoot from Rodeo, this tiny passage is also lined with great shopping, but features some dining options as well. This street is home to the famous Versace and Tiffany & Co. stores. 

Monday, May 20, 2013

Bang & Olufsen Launch at Mondrian SoHo

Bang & Olufsen is renowned for their Danish design aesthetic and quality when it comes to their products. B&O Play, a brand of Bang & Olufsen, hosted an exclusive VIP launch party of their new H6 over the ear headphones as well as their new H3 in-ear headphones at the Mondrian in SoHo.

Let me just say straight away: these headphones are going to be amazing! The sound quality was amazing, and of course they look amazing as well. I got to experience the new headphones that will be released this summer in the US while sipping cocktails and enjoying hors d'oeuvres. 

The over the ear model comes it 2 colors- black and tan. In addition, they are made from very high quality cowhide leather. This means they only get better with wear, similar to the handles of a Louis Vuitton bag. They will become your new travel companion. Priced at around $399, they a reasonably positioned in the market place. 

Keep your eyes (and ears) on the look for these in summer 2013!


Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Prepping for Summer

Summer is just around the corner, although the weather has not seemed like it recently in the Northeast. Nonetheless, it is time to start thinking about summer wardrobing. I always say, summer is the best season for preppy attire. From seersucker to madras, summer dressing is the prep's season to shine. As we transition slowly from spring to the start of summer, think about incorporating some key staples into your wardrobe:


Nothing says classic prep more than a a school boy blazer. Navy is the perfect color choice for blazers, and something everyone should have in their wardrobe. Colored chinos will become your best friend during summer. Their bright colors accompany summer and they match perfectly with solid oxfords and polos. Cuff them for a stroll on the beach casually, or when them out to dinner at night. Finally, oxfords in pastel colors. Oxfords pair with virtually everything, and are a very easy way to create a casual yet put together look. Take advantage of wearing white during the summer!

Putting the look together:

Blazer: Jack Wills
Oxford: Ralph Lauren
Pants: Ralph Lauren





Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Lacoste Celebrates 80 Years

Iconic preppy label Lacoste is celebrating 80 years of the polo. That is right, 80 years ago Rene Lacoste designed the classic Lacoste polo for tennis players which soon began to be worn off the court by the affluent in France. This polo is definitely one of my favorites as well and has become a symbol of casual, chic. 

In honor of 80 years, Lacoste has released a small collection to celebrate this mile stone:


Photos: Lacoste

Monday, May 13, 2013

David Burke Kitchen at the James Hotel

If there is any day that is appropriate for brunch, it is Mother's Day. This year, I had brunch at David Burke Kitchen at the James Hotel. David Burke is a chef from New Jersey who was once featured on top chef America and has a few restaurants in the city. 

David Burke Kitchen is a more contemporary American restaurant tucked away in front of the trendy James Hotel in SoHo. The brunch menu features an array of classics such as eggs benedict as well as Burke's take on brunch. For example, there is a drink called "The Morning After."...it was actually very good!

Since it was a beautiful Sunday in the city, we sat outside on the deck in the "treehouse" near the bar area. We opted for the pre-fixe menu which included an appetizer or dessert, an entree, and a Bloody Mary or mimosa. The Bloody Mary was very good! I then had the "waffle grand slam" with waffles, eggs, bacon, and sausage. I hadn't eaten that much for breakfast in SO long. To finish brunch off we got a round of mimosas and the famous monkey bread. If there is one thing you must get on the menu, it's the monkey bread!


Friday, May 10, 2013

Wallis Debuts Autumn Winter 2013 Collection

London clothier, Wallis Fashion, hosted a preview of its Autumn/Winter 2013 Collection at the Bryant Park Hotel. The backdrop for the showing was a view of the Manhattan Skyline from the terrace of the hotel. 

The focal point of the preview was the new, up and coming line "W" designed by Satil Mehta. This new line is for an older, upscale woman who is looking for trends without becoming a slave to fashion. Mehta brings his skills in tailoring and details from menswear to the collection. The new, exclusive "W" line was show cased next to current pieces from the spring/summer collection.

This was my first exposure to Wallis, and it is amazing quality for the price. These are pieces you can wear season after season without spending a large amount. For example, blazers were about 100-$120! Cannot beat that. In the US, you can shop Wallis online.

Satil's new collection was received very highly by the press, and I also recommend checking it out when it debuts. The quality difference between the current line, and the new, upscale one were definitely notable. 

Here's a few pieces that were on display:

The autumn/winter collection is filled with knits, detailed outerwear, and dresses in wearable jersey fabrics.


Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Downtown Happy Hour

Everybody loves a great happy hour with friends, and I love discovering and trying new restaurants in the city. I found a great place to have happy hour if you find yourself in the Greenwich Village area downtown. 

Hidden down a few steps from street level on 8th street is the 8th Street Wine Cellar. This place hosts an amazing happy hour weekdays from 5-7pm. The special menu includes $6 glasses and an array of bottles for only $18! The assortment includes choices of red, white, rosé, and sparkling. 



My favorite choice during the happy hour is the cava bottle. When you start to get a little hungry, there is a full menu of food that is also equally as good. The food menu includes small plates as well as panini s  and sandwiches.

Next time you are looking to grab a drink with friends, I definitely recommend 8th Street Wine Cellar.


Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Met Gala Fashion 2013

The Met Gala is one of the most revered events in New York Society, attracting celebrities, models, and designers each year. The event formally starts the Metropolitan's annual costume institute exhibit. It is also an event where everyone is looking to the fashion worn by attendees because each year carries a different theme. This year's Met Gala theme was "Punk: Chaos to Couture".

Punk was very influential in New York in the past. I must admit, I never liked the aesthetic of punk-related culture icons, however, some celebrities managed to pull off the look well last night. I think my favorite might have been Cameron Diaz in Stella McCartney.

Here's some looks from last evening's red carpet:



All Photos Via Vogue Gallery

Monday, May 6, 2013

The Skyline Says It All

Every city major city is characterized by at least one special thing, whether its the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Hollywood sign in LA, the Opera house in Sydney, or the Empire State Building in New York, each of these cities has something that makes it come to mind. 

It's not just these structures within the city that tells its story. The skyline of a city also tells its story, and some skylines are famous throughout the world. Here are some of my favorite, iconic skylines. You can probably tell the city without even reading it!




Source: gadling.com via Gadling on Pinterest






Of course my favorite skyline is my own. There is just something about the New York skyline that never gets old:


Thursday, May 2, 2013

Spring and Summer Accessories Featuring KJP and Southern Tide

I always say, accessories really pull an outfit together and give it its finishing touches. I am a huge fan of belts and bracelets because its a very easy way to add some color or pattern to an outfit. For spring and summer, I like to stick to light colors and pastel shades as well as nautical themes- its perfect for vacations by the lake or shore. 

One of the best aspects about preppy style is the ability to support smaller, local companies. Below are some accessories perfect for spring and summer from two of my favorite preppy companies: Kiel James Patrick and Southern Tide.


Bracelets by Kiel James Patrick:

images via

These bracelets come in a wide variety of light, pastel colors and make the perfect addition to the wrist with their woven leather and nautical theme. I love the classic navy and white combo with the anchor!

Belts by Southern Tide:

images via
The belts from Southern Tide have a whimsical nautical theme featuring different fish and water activities. The bright colors pair well with white chinos and an oxford for a simple, classy spring or summer ensemble. 

What accessories do you love for spring and summer?


Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Brooks Brothers Gatsby Glamour

The anticipation for the Great Gatsby movie has become incredibly large. I must admit, I am one of those who is very excited for this movie. The Trailer looks amazing, and this is also one of my favorite books. The soundtrack, costumes, scenery- everything looks perfect!

It's no surprise that Brooks Brother's Gatsby collection is spot on. I love the style that runs throughout Gatsby and this era- classic, preppy glamour. I can see myself in everything from the collection. Here's some of the looks from the recent collection by Brooks Brothers:


The blazers and ties are some of my favorite pieces from the collection. The red, stripped one- a must have! What are you favorites?


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