Galleria Victor Emmanuel Milan

Milan fashion week is underway and I have been seeing a lot of photos on street style blogs and Instagram of not only the fashion but also the city. One of my favorite locations for many shots is the Galleria Victor Emmanuel.

The Galleria Victor Emmanuel is one of the world's oldest shopping malls and was named after the first king of the Kingdom of Italy. The structure dates back to 1865. This galleria was at the top of my list during my visit to Milan and it did not disappoint. The structure is simply stunning with its covered, open-air design.

The shopping center serves as a central meeting point for the milanese people and has become home to designer stores and cafés. The facades of Prada and Louis Vuitton sit well next to the beautiful glass dome ceiling. It is a great place to people watch while being surrounded by gorgeous architecture. I recommend sipping on an espresso at the Gucci espresso bar.

The center is only steps away from the famed Duomo. I have written about luxury as a lifestyle in Milan previously, and the Galleria really embraces this idea with the mix of luxury stores and restaurants. Whether you are being shot for a street style photo during fashion week and shopping for your next Prada bag, the Galleria Victor Emmanuel is a must-see when visiting Milan.

*All photos are my own

Go-To Winter Cocktails

I am always on the hunt for new cocktail recipes to add to my already seemingly large collection. As we head in to the weekend, what better way to start than a great cocktail? The craft cocktail trend has become very popular, with craft cocktail bars popping up in major cities all around the world. While I love going out for a good drink (or a few) some times my wallet begs to differ!

I was recently exposed to Rokz, a brand that brings ingredients and recipes to your home to make the perfect craft cocktail. The brand specializes in innovative and beautifully designed products that include infusions, cocktail sugars and margarita salts for the craft cocktail. Below are two new recipes from Rokz to try and  add to your collection.

Spiced Up Cider Cocktail:
- 2 ounces rokz cinnamon spice infused whiskey
-3 ounces apple cider Infuse your favorite whiskey with rokz cinnamon spice infusion.

Fill a glass (highball glass or white wine glass) 1/4 full with ice cubes. Pour in the infused whiskey and top with apple cider. Stir gently until mixed. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

One Incredible Mary Cocktail:

-1.5 ounces rokz fiery pepper infused vodka 

-4 ounces tomato juice 

-A squeeze of lime juice 

-1/2 tsp worcestershire Salt and pepper to taste 

-Garnish: rokz bloody mary salt rim, wedge of lime 

 Infuse your favorite vodka with rokz fiery pepper infusion. Rim a glass with rokz bloody mary salt. Combine ingredients and ice in a glass, stir and enjoy.

I don't know about you, but these concoctions definitely sound like they would warm up the body on a cold winter afternoon or evening! Rokz products are available at department stores like Nordstrom and retailers such as Whole Foods as well as online.

Images: Rokz

Shearling Bomber: A Winter Essential

You may have gotten hit by Blizzard Juno, or it may have been in a bust in your area, however, many of us in the northeast will not disagree that it has been a quite cold winter. As a seasoned resident of this part of the country, it just seems like it never gets easier welcoming old man winter with the passing years.

Outerwear has always been one of my favorite things. A great jacket, whether fall, winter, or spring, is a must have piece for any wardrobe. I have numerous winter jackets and love to switch up my outerwear depending on my look or mood. One piece, however, is a winter essential if you are in a cold weather climate: a great shearling.

When shopping for a shearling, I opted to go with a modern, moto-inspired piece. The green color attracted me to this particular jacket as it was something different compared to the traditional black or tan styles. While a shearling bomber may not be the ideal choice for when the snow is falling, it is a great option for beating the cold after the storms. 

Given the modern edge of the jacket, I paired it with moto inspired denim that compliments the aspects of the jacket. I layered the bomber with a warm, merino wool sweater for added warmth. I finished this winter look by adding a warm pair of boots, perfect for walking over the snow covered sidewalks and streets of many of the cities in the northeast. 

Jacket: Ralph Lauren Black Label // Denim: Ralph Lauren Black Label // Boots: UGG

How are you staying warm this winter??

Paramour Wayne Hotel

Happy New Year to all readers and supporters! For me personally, 2015 could be a year to bring big things...lets hope so! Living in the city, I loved trying new places all the time, whether a recommendation of friends or a place that appeared on a "best" list. Recently, I experienced a new place in the Philadelphia suburbs on the Main Line.

For those of you who may be unfamiliar, the Main Line is a historic area consisting of a bunch of towns that lead into the city of Philadelphia. The area is renowned for is classic style, large estates, and "old money." Wayne is a quaint town right on the Main Line, filled with a myriad of shops and restaurants. For a Sunday brunch, I turned to the Wayne Hotel and Paramour.

Paramour features seasonal American cuisine, great drinks, and a lovely contemporary design aesthetic. If you find yourself on the Main Line from travel or it is your locale, I highly recommend a stop at Paramour. The sunday brunch menu features classics like chicken and waffles as well as more modern dishes such as eggplant parmesan sliders. The best thing (in my opinion) about Paramour? The make your own Bloody Mary bar...yes you read that correctly!

Christmas Day Outfit

It is hard to believe Christmas is just two days away. I do not know about you, but I have been so busy that I have not had a moment to stop and take in all the holiday spirit and cheer. I took a moment this morning to think about what I want to wear on the big day. Nothing says Christmas quite like a little tartan and suede. I will pull the outfit together with classic loafers and a few accessories. This outfit is easy and comfortable making it great whether you are crawling around the floor with your little relatives or helping mother in the kitchen.

Loafers: Ralph Lauren // Bracelet: Hermes // Card Case: Goyard // Fragrance: Tom Ford // Shirt: Ralph Lauren Purple Label

What will you be wearing to celebrate the holidays? Wishing you and yours a very merry!!

For Women: Mini Bag Trend + Gift Idea

I recently posted a photo on the Skimbaco Fashion Instagram page featuring the Ralph Lauren Mini Ricky Bag which made me realize- the "mini bag" has become quite a trend in the world of women's accessories and would be a great Christmas gift. We have seen all the fashion "it" girls carrying mini version of some designers most iconic silhouettes. The Mini Ricky bag is one of my favorites, incorporating all the elements of the brand's iconic Ricky  Bag into a petite version. 

The mini bags usually take a classic silhouette and offer all the details of that bag in a smaller version with fun choices in color and fabric. Whether its a felt Celine Nano Tote or a bright studded Valentino Crossbody, you will be right on trend with any mini bag. In addition to my top gift picks for women, a mini bag is a great gift for the favorite lady on your list. 

Below are a few of my favorite mini version of some of the "it" bags in the fashion world right now:

1. Philip Lim Mini Zip Satchel- $695

2. Valentino Micro Rockstud Tote- $1875

3 Celine Mini Luggage Tote- $2730

4. Prada Flap-Top Mini Bag- $990

5. Proenza Schouler PS11 Mini- $1675

Holiday Party Season

December is the start of party season whether its your office holiday party or your own open house, looking good at all these festive functions is a necessity. A lot of great option exist to make a standout outfit so you do not simply blend into the crowd. I have created a simple outfit that would be perfect for any holiday party on the calendar.

For me tartan is a must when it comes to holiday party attire. I started this look with a blackwatch blazer . The tartan is very festive and preppy, and the black/green plaid colorway is a bit more subtle than some other plaid combinations. Make the blazer your statement piece by pairing only simplistic pieces is with. Layer a simple black turtleneck underneath for an understated look and pair refined wool trousers on the bottom. Finish the look with a great shoe such as a suede tassel loafer and accessorize with a seasonal pocket square- in this instance I chose red to compliment the green in the blazer.

However you may be partying this holiday season, remember, you can never be too overdressed!

Blazer: Club Monaco // Trousers: Dolce & Gabbana // Sweater: John Smedley // Shoes: Alexander McQueen // Pocket Square: Ferragamo