Its a Wrap! (watch that is)

Who loves to multitask?  Every NYC gal on the go!  Well now you can get a stylish, slender wrap watch with chains and charms pre-attached!  No more strategic bracelet/ watch stacking.  Just fasten your watch strap!  La Mer Collection offers so many choices, you can match one to any outfit!

Rue La La! (.com)

Bonjour! Online shopping: guilty pleasure? Oui!  Efficient? No doubt.

I work long hours.  Most stores are closed by the time I can get to them.  That is why I LOVE online shopping.  One of my fave sites is: Ruelala.com.  New brands every day!  Men's, women's, bags, shoes, furniture, trips, and coming soon: KIDS (Little Rue)

My fave 3 things about this site are:

1.  "Sunday Night Style-a-thon" that happens Sundays at 9pm.  Boutiques open up and its first come first serve to purchase hot brands at discounted prices.    Once you sign up for Rue, you will get e-mails to remind you of when to shop!

2.  "Max and Cleo"- a wonderful brand of stylish, comfortable dresses that can be worn to work or a wedding.  They are made for curvy girls and they look so so good.   At over 50% off the price, they look even better!

3. The always creatively illustrated and often updated "Ruelala" home page graphic.  You can read about the ever-changing art on "The Artists of Rue".

Ruelala is free to sign up for, so get on the hottest virtual street there is, baby! Au Revoir!

More Power!

Why drive a Ford when you can drive a Ferarri?  Any car can get you from point A to point B, but the luxury is in the details.  The slick design, the purring engine, the feeling of having utter control and power... its kinda desirable, ya know?

And so, I asked myself, why would I continue to use a mediocre hair dryer when superior options exist?

  I had been using a Con-air hair dryer for years.  Its the one with the "brush" attached... super cool in 1996 at summer camp!  An endless source of frustration, the brush piece constantly slides off and only duct tape will hold it together.  The mixed smell of burnt hair and melting adhesive is enough to make me sick.  As a result, I do not dry my hair.

While traveling, I have noticed that gals have upscale hairdryers.  I've already tried tons of products and chemicals to tame my tresses, but after doing a little research, I decided what I need is a new dryer.  I went to Folica.com and bought the Sedu Revolution Pro Tourmaline Ionic 4000i Hair Dryer.   Just like a car, from its sleek exterior to its quiet yet powerful engine, it is as fun to use as a hair dryer can be.  And wow, the end result made quite the difference.  Whether it was the ions, the ceramic coils, or just blind loyalty, my hair now has some major flair.

Now if only I could use this dryer to blow Hurricane Irene off course.

FREE-FOR-ALL

Some of the best things in life actually are FREE:


1. HUGS!  All over the world, people give out free hugs.  I saw some folks in Union Square last month.

2. Prize Claw App: Imagine taking the fun of the prize claw arcade machine wherever you go!  Complete challenges to earn points.  Pass the time on the subway: no internet connection required.

3. Dave Matthews Caravan music samplers (download from I-tunes).  Discover new music as you plug into these energetic live tracks. 

ABC: as simple as NYC

ABC: three little letters, three great concepts:  Carpet, Home and Kitchen.

ABC Carpet and Home is a one-of-a-kind Gramercy department store of sorts that boasts unique gifts and home decor with a personal touch and a vintage flair.  This store is fun to window shop in and pick up trinkets imported from other countries without leaving our fair city.

Though always intrigued by ABC's classy kitch, I recently became aware that ABC Kitchen, a restaurant around the corner, is also affiliated with the brand.  Amazing "fresh from the farm" food is served on rustic bowls and purposely mismatched dishes.  Waiters and waitresses wear plaid shirts and the ceiling of the eatery is made of heavy earth worn beams of wood that appear to have been air-lifted from a midwestern barn.   The divine food combinations are so succulent that I had to restrain myself from consuming everything on the menu!  Although I had to make a reservation far in advance, it was well worth the wait, and made for a very special birthday present to a wonderful friend!

Obsessed with this T-shirt on Fab.com

"I Can't Afford to <3 NY".  So hilarious!  I found this tee on Fab.com, a site that my stylish and in-the-know Brooklyn FIT fashionista friend sent me today.   Fab.com is a site featuring all things fabulous.  Creative designs for clothes, flatwear, dishes, markers, chairs, and much more.  With new inspiring designs daily, this site is sure to keep things interesting.   Oh and the best part, even though you can't afford to love NY, at a whopping $16.00, at least you can afford to let everyone know :)

Loeh-Man's Best Friend

Loehman's Upper West Side store boasts a fabulous assortment of fall product that will make any fashionista grin with glee.  Brands you know and covet but can't bring yourself to buy suddenly become attainable.  Love the soft plush feel of a Butter hoodie but can't bear to drop $120?  Now you can get it for $50.  Need a leather jacket that's stylish and cute but don't want to spend $450?  Well now you can get it for $200.  Designer jeans for $20, Italian designer brands for a fraction of the price...Loehman's has fetched the latest and greatest, so go get yourself a treat!

Cawfee Talk

In my very best Jersey (Long Island?) accent, Starbucks VIA cawfee is the perfect morning pick-me-up for the guy or gal on the go.   Say your alarm clock malfunctions (you hit snooze in a sleepy stupor), and you can't seem to figure out how to use your newfangled coffee machine.  You miss the good train and are forced to walk 2 avenues in order to make it to work to hand scan in just in time for that 8:30 am meeting.

 No time for a coffee run and no assistant/ intern to get one for you?  If you've got a mug and hot water, you're golden.   This isn't Sanka instant coffee from 1977.  This is hot chocolate, caramel, deep brewed goodness with a caffeine KICK.  And it comes in several flavors.  My gawd, its better than a trip to the mawl.

Go Bananas for Havaianas

Flip flops in the rain: friend or foe?  When the treads have worn down and you spend the day skating through the city on unsteady footing, they are the enemy.  Its time to combat flip flop fury!

 I am bananas for Havaianas, a Brazilian flip flop brand that marries comfort and durability with style.  Create your own design or choose from a multitude of vibrant prints and color combinations.  Or take the safe route and opt for understated.  I purchased the black "Slim flip flop."  It has thin straps for a more delicate, feminine look.  Black is a safe color because it does not show dirt as easily.  Trust me, no pedicurist wants to touch your gnarly 2 year old white flip flops.

I tried on my first pair of Havaianas 6 years ago at a high-end Parisian department store, and I would never have survived the cobblestone streets of the Latin Quarter without 'em.  All around the world, folks are going ape over these flip flops. Find out what all the fuss is about.

Get Naked

Getting Naked has never been so much fun: Urban Decay Naked Eye Shadow palette is finally back in stock at Sephora. This hot set of 12 colors works on EVERY SKIN TONE and comes with the famous Urban Decay eye shadow primer.  For only $48, you get a complete array of natural color iridescent shades.  Why do I love this? Natural is sexy.  Enhance your already fabulous face with skin-toned highlights.  Create subtle shading with shine.  Look alluring without trying too hard.  Leave people guessing how you did it. Get Naked today!

Rent the Runway

I spotted my co-worker carrying a garment bag emblazoned with the phrase "Rent the Runway".  Could it be?  The clothing version of Bag, Borrow or Steal that JHud educated me on in SATC The Movie 1? 

Well friends, YES, you can RENT dresses that normally cost thousands of dollars for around $125. Think about it.  You comb the stores looking for a dress to wear to a wedding/event that is unique and flattering and that you will "re-wear".  You end up settling on something blah and wear it to every wedding, or buying something too memorable and never wearing it again.  Lame.  

Save closet space and spend the same amount of money to rent a show stopper!  You will look different at every event.  Rent the Runway lets you get 2 sizes in case one does not fit.  Also, for a $5 fee, they will DRY CLEAN THE GARMENT FOR YOU.  You can send it back dirty.  Truly a novel idea.  No muss, no fuss, just fab-u-luss.   Now, all I need is someone to invite me somewhere. Hint hint...

Denim Crush: Skinny Bootcut

I love the slimming effect of skinny jeans, but I am sick of the "penguin" look.  You know what I'm talking about. When your jeans taper down tightly around the ankles, emphasizing your hips and making you look like you are about to waddle off onto an iceberg.

Today, I tried on, fell in love with and purchased Skinny Bootcut jeans.  Of course, mine are the Levi's Demi Skinny Bootcut fit because they are the only brand of jeans I can wear to work.  But hey, I can wear jeans to work!

Skinny bootcut combines the best of both worlds: the skinny fit you love at your upper thighs and a gentle leg opening at the hem that balances out your figure.  This is NOT a 70's super flare bell-bottom by any means- just a little breathing room for your ankles.  Plus, the jeans have stretch for added comfort and contour.  Try on a pair. You will thank me when you see your reflection!

Music to Shop By

These lucky shoppers got to experience musical magic.   If only this happened where I shop!

Oh Nicki, you're so fine

Nicki Minaj Super Bass.  A treat for the eyes and the ears!  I seriously can't get this song out of my head, and her wigs are fabulous!  She is so confident and lively, and she sure does love pink!