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!

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.

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.

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

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

Source: Uploaded by user via Susanna on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Breakeryard.com on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Kate on Pinterest

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

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?

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?

Photos via: Brooks Brothers Great Gatsby Collection