Diptyque Fragrances for Personal and Home

While I do wear colognes throughout the entire year, I find myself consistently wearing fragrance throughout the fall and winter months. Perhaps this is because I'm attracted to more musky, woodsy scents that are nice compliments to these seasons. I also find myself burning candles regularly starting around this time of the year as well. 

With recent additions to my home and personal fragrance collections from one of my favorite perfumers, Diptyque, it is needless to say that good scents are on my mind! You probably will not open a magazine and see an ad for Diptyque or even glance up at a billboard with their name, however, this iconic French perfumer has been crafting quality fragrances since its inception in 1961. The brand has evolved to include a large olfactory range and products for both personal and the home. It is quite popular among the fashionable crowd as the highly recognizable "oval", unique to the brand" mixes well with an minimal interior designs.

Philosykos Eau de Toilette // Feuille de Lavande Candle - Barneys

As the fall season is underway and we will begin to slowly enter winter, seasonal scents come to mind such as the small of a warming, wood fire. I love the scent of a woodsy candle burning in the home on a chilly fall day. Needless to say, Diptyque makes one of the best fragrances of this nature. You can find their classic "Feu de Bois" burning in my house throughout the season. One of my reasons for loving Diptyque is the sheer array of fragrances that they offer. From relaxing "Feuille de Lavande" to the Feu de Bois described above, there really is something for any personality to love.

Feu de Bois Candle- Barneys

Fragrances make a great gift as the holiday season approaches as well. Do you find yourself burning more candles during the fall and winter seasons? What are your favorites?

Lacoste Launches Made in France Capsule Collection

Iconic French brand, Lacoste, is revisiting its root with its most recent capsule collection which is dubbed "Made in France." Lacoste's history goes back to 1921 when René won his first tournament followed by a win at the French Open in 1924. The famous croc logo which we all recognize as synonymous with Lacoste came about in 1926, embroidered on the blazer of René Lacoste.

The rest, as they say, is history, filled with classic styles and silhouettes. Lacoste has been one of my go-to brands for years as the brand's simplicity aligns with my style. The Made in France Collection, as the name indicates, features products that are made in France and incorporate stylistic elements that are an homage to Lacoste's heritage. This includes striped sweaters, contract collar polos, and twill chinos.

Below are some of my favorite pieces from the newest capsule collection. Hover over the image to shop the pieces.


Have you been a long time Lacoste fan?





Images: Lacoste

Visiting Villefranche-sur-Mer

Located just around the bend from Nice, situated next to iconic towns such as Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, is the beautiful seaside town of Villefranch-Sur-Mer in the heart of the French Riviera. August is the high season for taking a "holiday" as the Europeans call it, and with my Instagram feed filled with pictures of bloggers and jet-setters alike frolicking around the South of France, I could not help but reminisce about my recent visit in May.

Villfranche is by far one of my favorite towns on the Riviera. If you are staying in a central area such as  Nice, Villefranche is only about a 3 minute train ride! It is one stop from Nice-Riquier train station. Crossing under the hill which takes approximately 2 minutes seems to transform you back in time as you enter a sleepy, seaside village.

The bay of Villefranche is filled with fishing boats and yachts alike, with the crowds enjoying the beach, an aperitif, or people watching. There is one beach in Villefranche and it is public. I recommend getting there early during the high season as the beach can fill up quickly so you will want to get there to stake out some prime real estate. The water is calmer than the neighboring Plage de Nice as it is tucked into a bay, and thus the waves are smaller. There is a snack stand that serves food and beverages (alcohol included) should you feel the need to indulge while catching some Mediterranean rays.

If the beach is not for you, the old town of Villefranche, while small, is simply beautiful. Strolling the streets and small shops is a great way to pass the afternoon. I also recommend making your way to the top of the citadel de Villefranche as the views are simply amazing as you hover over the beach and entire bay. It is a great way to enjoy the azur blue waters for which the South of France is known.

Looking for a great way to end a relaxing day on the beach? I recommend visiting Beluga, situated right along the water, for an enjoyable afternoon cocktail and snack. The venue features plush outdoor seating to continue to enjoy the picturesque views.

For Men: Maison Kitsuné Spring Summer 2015 Collection

If you live anywhere above the Mason Dixon Line you probably understand that the thoughts of warmer weather, sun, and SPRING are a few things getting us by these days as we have had an exceptionally brutal winter in the northeast.

With the arrival of a new season comes the arrival of great new collections from some of my favorite brands. Maison Kitsuné has released their spring/summer '15 collection for men. I love the inspiration behind the collection with the idea of "effortlessly French" and what that means. The collection is characterized by bold prints, stripes, and pattern, but I will let this witty Skype "interview" explain the collection along with a curation of some of my favorite looks for the upcoming season.


It is night time in Paris. A French man talks with a New Yorker…

What is it about effortless French ?

I think the key to 'effortless French style' is that the French possess an innate ability to balance what is understated and easy. They highlight their best assets through well-made clothes that are thoughtfully chosen, and lend a personalized touch to each ensemble – however simple it may be.

Let's talk a little about the French man, specifically. How would you define his approach to fashion?

The idea of a French man is perhaps less elusive than a French woman when it comes to fashion, but that does not mean that their look is any less nuanced. French men appear to seek out a uniform that is comfortable and cool for every day. And then they stick to it, for a long time. It seems that the mark of a proper French man is when you see him two days in a row and can't tell if he changed his clothes or not.

Seems like the proper French man doesn't care at all! 

 I think that's the point, to act like he doesn't care even though everyone knows he cares too much. It's part of his charm – couching one's arrogance with a trace of vulnerability can be kind of cute. But there is a bit of intelligence to it all, as these looks can convey very subtle messages about one's interests or affiliations. Luckily the French man has a lot of options to choose from - more than he would elsewhere - to help him express himself.

What do you mean by this? In what ways can he express himself through fashion?

 The French man has more room to play with bolder fabrics like stripes, checks, and seersucker. When he deviates from his uniform he likes to take the idea of classic English or Italian tailoring and bring it into slightly awkward, yet endearing territory - with stylish results. For summer, this means injections of color or little flourishes like embroidery. He also seems to be unafraid of trying a fun print - even one full of tiny foxes, colorful palm trees or a cut paper print - and approaches these pieces as a fun, artistic challenge to mix-and-match for everyday.

Well then how does he balance these pieces in his wardrobe?

 Well there is something really great to the standby French color palette – navy, khaki, cream and a touch of red. When you get this bunch involved, fashion becomes kind of fool-proof - a concept that men of any nationality are a fan of. For him, there is a certain appeal in acquiring the perfect wool and mohair blazer, oxford shirt, teddy or windbreaker. In addition to curating his special, more outlandish pieces, a French man seems equally concerned with investing in well-tailored, quality basics. This lends an air of sophistication to the building blocks of his wardrobe. But I also think it's funny how French men are unabashed in their eagerness to embrace somewhat clichéd classics like striped shirts and nautical sweaters. For them, these pieces appear to carry a sense of national pride, which makes sense – since they were pioneered in France to begin with.

How do they make these French classics appear modern?

Well French men in general really enjoy asserting the fact that they're French. While their accents typically provide enough evidence of their nationality, some like to take it to the next level by spelling it out in their clothes. While a New Yorker would never be caught dead in one of those I <3 NY shirts, a French man finds no issue with wearing a hat emblazoned with 'Parisien' or even a T-shirt printed with landmarks like the Eiffel Tower. There's a certain level of irony in this, lending an elevated streetwear-type vibe that's super chic. I think that's as effortless as it gets.

Images: Maison Kitsuné

French Eyewear VUARNET Relaunched in US

I am definitely a sucker for a great pair of shades, explained by my drawer filled with at least 20 pairs of designer sunnies. I think they are a great addition to an outfit any time of the year, whether summer or winter. Additionally, all the different shapes and styles available today make for a vast amount of choices and an endless way to change up your look simply by adding a piece of eyewear.

When I was recently introduced to VUARNET, I knew I had to share. I was new to the brand and found the heritage to be quite interesting. VUARNET was founded in 1957 by French opticians, and since inception has been committed to the highest quality eye protection. The company owns its own lens production facility in France. As a result, VUARNET eyewear become the choice of the elite on Europes ritziest slopes in the 1960s.

With the 2014 relaunch in the US, the brand is still committed to this European design and quality which it was known for many years ago. CEO Sefano Fabris says, "We are beyond thrilled to be relaunching in the US where VUARNET is positioned to reemerge as the luxury leader in the eyewear industry."

The winter 2014 collection features a few different styles from clip-on to acetate lifestyle looks. I must say, I am loving the "jet set" look of all the pieces in this collection. Below are a few of my favorite glasses debuting in 2014:

Whether on the slopes of Courchevel or the streets of SoHo, these glasses are sure to make a fashionable statement. I know I am hoping to add a pair to my collection. VUARNET will be widely available in Los Angeles and New York as well as high-end optical boutiques in Boston, Miami, Palm Beach, Portland, Scottsdale, Salt Lake City, San Diego, and Aspen. 

Postcards from Paris

It was great to be back in the City of Lights and spend a few days immersing in everything Paris has to offer. It was a relatively short trip filled with shopping, sightseeing, and even more eating. I believe that Paris is one of those cities that speaks for itself, so here are a few of my favorite shots captured during my recent trip.

We had great weather for Paris standards thanks to the "Indian Summer" that everyone is talking about. It truly is one of the prettiest cities that I have traveled to....5 days just was not enough to see everything on my list. With a busy work schedule, I sure am missing afternoons people watching while sipping champagne!

Lafayette: French Style Patisserie in New York

It is always an appropriate time for French pastries and coffee, and being transported back to a favorite trip to Paris. We all know the famous Ladurée for its macaroons, however, there is a new player located in the heart of downtown, Lafayette. This new bakery and café has quickly become a hot spot for "it" people in the fashion industry and food and coffee lovers alike. 

Located on Lafayette street in NoHo, the location offers the perfect setting to enjoy something from the patisserie after shopping in SoHo or strolling around the village. I received some items from the bakery as a recent birthday gift and was able to finally try it....it has been on my list of places to go! The sweets from Lafayette did not disappoint! 

Fresh macaroons in flavors like chocolate, pistachio, passion fruit, birthday cake, and the "lafayette flavor." It was needless to say I ate all 5 rather quickly!

The lune d'automne pastry was highly delectable. Made with blackberry mousse, apple compote, and hazelnut financier, it was light with a touch of sweetness. Perfect to pair with an afternoon espresso. 

If you are looking to satisfy a sweet tooth, I highly recommend the bakery at Lafayette which can be found at 380 Lafayette Street, New York, NY.

Hopenlife Launches Linen Collection

Linen is the perfect fabric for summer occasion. It is lightweight and breathable, yet looks slightly dressy and chic. Hopenlife is a French men's lifestyle brand that was created in 1987. The brand spans three lines: Premium, Lifestyle, and Hipstyle.

The new Hopenlife linen collection revisits the sophistication of linen with a range of shirts, Bermuda shorts, and trousers in the perfect summer colors. The focal piece of the collection is a trouser with the effect of denim. Thus, it allows for a more urban style that is still crafted in linen.

On a side note, linen is an eco friendly fiber. The farming of linen requires neither water nor pesticides. The plant itself detains parts of carbon that spread throughout the atmosphere. Do you love linen in the summer time? You can see each Hopenlife collection at HopenLife.com.

Photos: David Guili, HopenLife

Balthazar Boulangerie

Located on a perfect perfect street in SoHo, the famed restuarant francais et boulangerie francaise, Balthazar, reigns king. Priding themselves on their authentic French cuisine, the menu at Balthazar is filled with traditional dishes and French flavors. Balthazar competes with the other famed, trendy restaurant Pastis. I dinned at their last year, and while good, Balthazar won me over. While breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available, my favorite part, of course, is the bakery.

With an array of choices includes gallettes, croissantes, et pain au chocolat you cannot go wrong. Pair with a cup of coffee for the perfect breakfast. 

French Obsession

I must be honest, I cant think of something thats French that I do not like. Well maybe my French homework, but thats beside the point. Some of my all time favorites are French houses: Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Martin Margiela. I also do love wine and cheese.

However, Im currently loving another French brand: Diptyque. Have you heard of them? You are a Parisian based fragrance company, and their products smell absolutely amazing. $90 for a candle may be a bit steep, but with a name like "Essence of John Galliano" (my favorite), why not? I was recently surprised with a gift from Diptyque :).

C'est parfait