Karen Robinovitz inside of one of NYC's most enviable locations, her West Village closet.
Last time we got the hottest picks from Alice + Olivia's Stacey Bendet. I figured it was time to ask another girl about town for her favorite hotspots in NYC. I give you where to go, what to see and what to do from Purple Lab NYC's Creatrix, the lovely and amazing Karen Robinovitz. Hey, Karen, where do you:
Have a cocktail - I don't really drink so I never go out for cocktails (shhhhh, I'm secretly no fun.) If I had to pick, it would definitely be The Standard Hotel.
Hang out with your girlfriends - Home! I love having friends over and entertaining.
Relax and unwind - Vital Ki Energy of Jungshim to get the chakras lined up and maintain balance. There's a great healing treatment for just $60 and afterward you'll feel like a million. 39 W. 14th St. The best place for a quick energy tune up.
Devachan Salon and Spa
Have a day of beauty - A facial with Nina at Paul Labrecque (the Upper East Side location). No one cleans skin like her. She has changed my life. And then hop down to Soho for curl love at Devachan, the only place I will let touch my hair! They have a beautiful spa as well. I have an amazing massage therapist named Eli. Having him over for late night deep tissue action would just make the day complete.
The sculpture garden at the Museum of Modern Art
Have a little peace and quiet - The garden of the MOMA. Nothing like sitting outside, next to a Richard Serra and journaling. There are also hidden nooks in my neighborhood (the West Village) with little gardens and benches where it's so nice to have a quiet lunch and read.
Party until dawn - I wouldn't know personally, but right now it's all about Boom Boom Room, top floor of the Standard Hotel.
A scenic view of New Paltz
Spend time with your husband - Gallery hopping in Chelsea (we are super passionate about contemporary art and used to collect pre-Purple Lab - we can't wait to be able to collect again!) and getting on his motorcycle to jet to the DIA Center upstate. Speaking of upstate, we love weekends hiking in New Paltz.
Head out this weekend and check out some of Karen's picks for chic living and keep it here to FSB for more fabulous fashion, style and beauty news!
When Bluefly sent this over, I seriously almost had heart failure. I'm not really a bit celebutante follower but I have always had a soft spot for Nicky Hilton and her fabulous style. I think she's got quite the eye for vintage and I've personally wanted to jack her for every pair of shoes I ever see her wear (not to mention her handbags, sunglasses...yeah, pretty much all of it.) The video below, part of their new Closet Confessions series, gives you an inside look into Nicky's closet. You might want to drink something soothing to counteract the envy you're about to feel:
Yep, I know. Amazing, right?
Want to bulk up your own closet? The series is holding a monthly contest where you're invited to upload the "Fly-est thing" in your closet for a chance to win a $500 gift certificate to Bluefly. I mean, who's going to turn down a gift certificate to Bluefly? Not me.
So check out the other Closet Confessions videos (Kelly and Ava Cutrone are perfection) and enter for a chance to win your own Bluefly goodies. Why envy Nicky's closet when you might get a chance to bulk up your own?
We all know how much j'adore Rachel Zoe and my obsession with The Rachel Zoe Project knows no bounds (it's the only show besides my beloved Kell on Earth that I saved on my DVR for months before I moved).
Well, after a trip to Target this past week, I'm happy to announce that Rachel, Rodger, Taylor's bad attitude and Brad's sensitive self can be seen in all their glory on DVD! The Rachel Zoe Project is available exclusively at Target and for a very, VERY cheap price (I picked mine up on Monday for $14 as part of a week-long promotion.
Fashion fans, stylish mavens and reality junkies, it's HERE. No more wondering about craptastic television this summer! We've been saved!
I am a rock and roll fan through and through, so it's no surprise that I adore this week's Style Icon, the fabulous and amazing Joan Jett. Beginning as a teen with The Runaways (I haven't seen the movie yet - yeah, I know) and then breaking out on her own before becoming the lead of the famous Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, Joan is a rock pioneer, a chick that performs as hard as she plays. Influenced by the glam rock scene and her own muse, Suzy Quatro, Jett's music has stood the test of time, with her famous remake of "I Love Rock and Roll" landing on Billboard's Top 100 Songs of All Time. Jett continues to produce records and sign artists to her label, Blackheart Records, now over 25 years old. She still rocks out and is one of my favorite glam rock/punk ladies out there.
Joan's style is borrowed from the boys who rock but it doesn't mean that it doesn't have her own feminine twist. Thinking of making an impact this weekend? Try her sporty rocker chic look from a concert where she wore then New York Jets Joe Namath's number during a concert in Norway during her band's heyday in the 80's. Let's go with an Alloy Baseball Tee ($24.90) and a pair of fabulous True Religion "Disco Billy" Black Straight Leg jeans in Homestead Wash ($295).
Instead of playing the anthem we all know her for, I'm playing my personal favorite from the rocker, my personal anthem, "Bad Reputation." Joan, wherever you are, thanks for blazing the trail for all of us to be as bad ass as we wanna be.
It's that time again! I'm heading back to Robert Verdi's Luxe Lab for the celebrity stylist/lifestyle guru's picks for spring cleaning! Home, health and wardrobe are just a couple of items on the agenda tonight so feel free to follow along via Twitter (I'm @fashionstbeauty, Robert is @robertverdi) AND/OR you can watch the whole thing streaming LIVE on UStream.
Feel free to tweet your own questions to me or Robert tonight using the hashtag #rvtips and we'll get them answered! We'll be sharing your comments and questions at designated times during the event (and I have to go on camera, so look for me to be wearing makeup and something cute this time - tired of these photos where I'm looking less than cute). Feel free to also follow along on Robert's site, robertverditweetthis.blogspot.com where you can particpate via the #rvtips stream and join in the conversation!
So sit back, relax and get ready for some fun tips! I'll see you tonight for some spring cleaning tips! Tweet tweet!
When you live in New York, you tend to get recommendations of what's new, hot and fabulous from your friend, coworkers, colleagues or from the magazines and blogs we rely upon regularly. I thought it might be fun to ask designers, stylists and other tastemakers where they hang out in NYC. You saw the interview a couple of weeks ago with Alice + Olivia designer, Stacey Bendet. Here, the designer gives us her picks on what to do, see, eat and experience in her New York City. Hey Stacey, what are your favorite places to:
Spend time with your daughter? She is my buddy! I take her everywhere! We love to go to Sundaes and Cones for ice cream for a treat!
Get out there and check out some of Stacey's picks from the city! And, of course, keep it tuned here for more fabulous NYC picks from amazing talent from around the worlds of fashion, style and beauty!
I had three major style influences as a child: female rockers, female soul singers and my mother. Exposed to rock and roll early on (thanks, Mom!), I developed what can only be described as a style crush on Pat Benatar. Tough as nails with her mezzo-soprano vocal range, she was kind of my rocker girl hero. I bought every album, CD, poster and magazine interview this rock dynamo put out there. Pat, a Julliard-trained singer, is one of the top-selling female artists of all-time and one of 80's top recipients of platinum records with two certified multiplatinum albums, five platinum albums, three gold albums and nineteen Top 40 singles to her credit. Let's face it: the chick can rock.
Pat's style evolved through the 70's and 80's, but her Parisian rocker look is still my favorite. Variations of this look are still seen in downtown clubs to this day. Reinterpret the look for now with a Forever 21 Striped Short-Sleeve Top ($12.80), True Religion "Billy" Leather Pants ($594) and instead of ankle boots, let's throw in these Rock and Republic "Lotus" Platform Pumps ($295). I'm sure Pat would approve. Thin gold hoops, a badass sooty eye and you're running with the shadows of the night.
In honor of this week's style icon, turn up your speakers (or put on the headphones) to rock out to 'You Better Run', one of my personal favorites and the inspiration for this tres cool look. Pat Benatar, thanks for showing all of us that we're truly as bad as we wanna be, that we're invincible.
Who doesn't love a fabulous party, especially when you get to party and shop at the same time? Everyone knows I love a good soiree, so when I got an invitation to celebrate the launch of the new Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet store at Saks Fifth Avenue, you know I was there to check out the scene. I mean, when the designer who does the cutest party clothes on Earth invites you to a party, you go.
This was an amazing evening. The Fifth Floor at Saks' New York flagship was transformed with a DJ station, a bar and a step-and-repeat where celebrities galore posed for photos in support of Stacey and her amazing store launch. The drinks were flowing and we were treated to one of the coolest things I've ever seen or heard in my life: DJ duo Mia Moretti and Caitlin Moe turned the party into the hottest nightspot in town with their live DJ / electric violin hybrid performance. Seriously, everyone at the party gathered around to check out this amazing scene. It sounded absolutely fabulous and you could hear all of us saying, "This is a department store? This is AMAZING!” They added such a vibrant accent to the party and the clothes.
Celebrities galore arrived in style as well. Melissa Joan Hart, Shiri Appleby,Tinsley Mortimer, Shontelle, Richie Rich, Fabiola Beracasa, Byrdie Bell, Becca Diamond, Cory Kennedy, and so many others arrived in - what else? gorgeous Alice + Olivia clothes.
Designer Stacey Bendet with Gossip Girl's Kelly Rutherford and Matthew Settle
Hold onto your hats, Gossip Girl fans: Kelly Rutherford and Matthew Settle arrived for a cocktail and with all the mixing and mingling, I wound up chatting with Matthew. See photo evidence of how gorgeous and nice he is in person here.
Gossip Girl's Kelly Rutherford and Matthew Settle
But what would an Alice + Olivia party be without the stunning clothes! The shop at Saks is truly gorgeous, with rows of the Spring collection just ripe for the picking. I personally have my eye on just about everything, but some personal picks for everyone's wardrobe would be the Sequined Crochet Shrug ($484) for instant glamour and this Cowlneck Silk Dress ($242) for day-to-night glamour. I personally have my eye on about twelve things from the collection, but that shrug and I have to become friends very soon. So amazing.
The hilarious and very sweet Richie Rich, formerly of Heatherette
Even though you couldn't make it to this fabulous evening with Alice + Olivia and my beloved Saks Fifth Avenue, I definitely encourage you to slip into some of designer Stacey Bendet's gorgeous clothes. After all, life's really a party if you think about it. Dress accordingly.
I just finished reading a book I believe every woman on Earth should have in her personal library. Rarely do I make such claims but for anyone with a dream (which is almost all of us), goals (ditto) and striving to make things happen in your life (no question about it), there's a book you must order, buy or indefinitely borrow from your savvy best friend: get Kelly Cutrone's book.
Entitled If You Have to Cry, Go Outside and Other Things Your Mother Never Told You (HarperOne, 2010), it's a full-access look into the history of the legendary PR mogul and a book chock full of career and personal lessons. This isn't a hoaky advice book, people. This is a tough-talking, glorious insight into how to be a full-on power chick in fashion or any other industry. It's like taking the best of what you see on her show on Bravo, Kell on Earth, and condensing it into take-home form with stories of her own personal failures, spirituality, personal life and career highs and lows. I don't care if you're married or single, coming out of college or entering your later years, this is an amazing bedside tome full of inspiration and strength. Even though it's slightly geared toward young women, I think every woman at every point in her career will enjoy it and take something away.
Love her or hate her on television, I'm making a personal recommendation for ALL of you to pick up this book. I assure you, this is a do-not-miss read. Kelly's a woman's woman who wants all of us to win so take her up on her advice. Buy the book.
I've had tons of you ask me where and how to get the soft and impossibly chic clothes I was given as part of my makeover by legendary stylist Lori Goldstein. As a matter of fact, my inbox almost crashed with questions about all of those fabulous and affordable SHOES, ladies.
Well, worry no more. Get yourself a glass of champagne and sit down with your phone at the ready because the line, LOGO Instant Chic by Lori Goldstein is back on QVC today! YES! This means you can finally see all of the super soft, extremely well-made clothes and those shoes that had editors and bloggers alike stopping me at the tents and after parties. Handbags,tops, pants, cozy cardigans, sleek leggings, shoes, booties, handbags - the WHOLE THING will be available at debit card prices, people! You can't miss this. I LIVE in these clothes now.
The spring collection premieres when Lori goes live on QVC TODAY, February 24th, so check your listings and commence to shopping, people!
I think it's pretty safe to assume that FSB and Robert Verdihave kind of a love-love relationship. I wouldn't say that we love him, adore him and want to carry his designer bags everywhere he goes....but that wouldn't be too far off.
People always ask me, what's it like to meet Robert Verdi? Well, wonder no more because the celebrity stylist and lifestyle guru has his own reality show premiering TONIGHT on LOGO.
The Robert Verdi Show Starring Robert Verdi(yes, that's really the name) is all about Robert and his attempts to build his empire. You'll get to go behind-the-scenes at Luxe Lab, meet the staff (all of whom I adore - Hi Ashley, Patrick, Deirdre and crew!) and watch as Robert works through his crazy ideas on how to rule the world. You're thinking, reality is really far-fetched. Knowing Robert, I'll vouch: this is pretty dead-on accurate minus the graphic images and cartoon imagery that comes up every once in a while (and after a couple of cocktails at Luxe Lab even those would appear completely reasonable.)
It's heartfelt, it's HILARIOUS and it's incredibly sweet (in certain instances). So set your DVRs to "stunning" and record, savor and WATCH Robert's new reality show, premiering tonight at 10 pm ET on LOGO. Check your local listings and watch, discuss and laugh until your butt falls off.
Yesterday was kind of a big deal for me. I got a chance to be styled by legendary stylist-turned-designer Lori Goldstein. Not sure what to expect, I shut off all my expectations and step into the Regatta, ready for whatever would happen.
The first thing I have to say is that meeting Lori Goldstein is like meeting your Fashion Fairy Godmother. I was greeted with a warm hug, smiles and some reassurance that I would look fabulous after the day was over (I was nervous, not going to lie). I was introduced to my glam squad for the day: Jimmy Paul of Bumble and Bumble and the man who's done countless magazine covers (Bazaar, Vogue, W, recently did Alexis Bittar's ad campaign, countless fashion shows) would be doing my hair and Ozzy Salvatierra, the makeup man behind Alexander Wang's look book, countless fashion shows and magazine covers as well) would be doing my beauty look. I had a light lunch with my glam squad during which time, they asked the question I've been waiting for all my life: "If we could create a dream look for you, what would it be?" It didn't take me long for my lifelong dream look to come flying out of my mouth: rocker chic.
Game on. First up was hair. Jimmy blew my hair straight and gave me copious amounts of advice on how to care for my medium-length dry hair. After filling in my bangs and giving me a fabulous trim, we came upon a bag of hair extensions. It took about 3.2 seconds for us to make the decision: yes, it was finally time for me to have the long hair I dreamed of my entire life.
This is where the magic happens, people.
Afterwards, Jimmy taught me how to get the world's most magical smoky eye. Lining the inner rim of the eye and then under the lash line with a great sooty liner, I blinked and this was the result. The rocker girl eye is even easier than I thought!
Copious amounts of mascara and some chocolate brown shadow, a dash of concealer, some contour shading at the neckline, and a pop of easy lip gloss for a bitten lip and I was ready for my time with Lori. When someone like Lori Goldstein calls for accessories for a photo shoot/makeover, this is what the table looks like:
I know, right. Here's a little more. These are the shoes from her own line. SICK, I know, right? And so comfy!
Okay, time for the makeover. All of these looks are from Lori's line of clothing for QVC called , LOGO Instant Chic by Lori Goldstein. The system of clothes are made to seamlessly fuse the worlds of high fashion style and pajama-like comfort. Every single item is incredibly soft and makes you look like you're ready to walk the catwalk. This is Look #1: a stylish black dress with a Long Sleeve Brocade Jacket ($78), lace socks and snakeskin-embossed ruffled ankle boots.
Look #2 was something I would never have tried: COLOR! I mean, I just don't do this kind of thing, people. Again, every item is incredibly wearable and they all work together. Did I say soft? It's still blowing my mind how incredibly cozy all the items were.
Look #3 is something I'm saving for the tents but this is Look #4 - a Long Tee With Neckline Detail ($39), sleek Ponte Knit Pull-On Ankle Pants ($46) and that pretty white ruffle layer you see is a genius item that's forthcoming in her spring collection. As yet unnamed, it's a tank top that holds you in around the middle and is meant to be layered under just about anything or worn alone. I wore mine home I was so excited. When this comes out, you'll be the first to know because EVERY woman needs this item in their wardrobe.
I had a chance to interview Lori after the makeover about her amazing QVC line, her career and my experience during the makeover. Here's a conversation with my Fashion Fairy Godmother:
All in all, I'm THRILLED with my new look and I've got tons of options to work into my wardrobe for New York Fashion Week. So, when they stop me and ask, "Who are you wearing?", I can proudly smile and say, "LOGO Instant Chic by Lori Goldstein. QVC, darling. You MUST get some!"
