Diner en Blanc: An unforgettable culinary celebration

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    Photo by: Jared Michael Siskin

 

Photo by: Eric Vitale

 

Image by: Jane Kratochvil

 

Photography by: Alexa Kay

 

Last Thursday, Diner en Blanc hosted a memorable culinary evening in the Meatpacking District to commemorate its 11th year. 4000 people attended this phenomenal celebration of wine, food, music, and friendship. They were all decked out in stylish, all-white outfits. They also brought beautiful and innovative table decor to the event. Some of that decor included flowers, mini chandeliers, signs, umbrellas. and feathered centerpieces. I loved seeing everyone wave their white napkins around 7PM to mark the official beginning of the celebration. Afterwards, attendees enjoyed dinner, dancing, and camaraderie.

Special guests included Mayor Eric Adams, Le Diner en Blanc Worldwide founder Sandy Safi, and Broadway singers Margo Siebert and Allison Blackwell, both of which beautifully performed 3 songs each. In addition, entertainment included a cheerful quartet on stilts and a festive DJ. Between the entertainment, style, and location, it was quite an impressive evening.

In fact, it’s the first time that Diner en Blanc has been hosted on the cobble streets of the Meatpacking District. The event’s organizers collaborated with the Meatpacking District Management Association and the Street Activity Permits Office to make that happen successfully without a hitch. The event, which boasted a vintage glam theme this year, spanned over 5 blocks and neighboring businesses gladly welcomed this momentous occasion. Moreover, the cobblestone backdrop was perfect for the transition from sunset to night time and to showcase everyone’s incredible attire, decorations and accessories. I’m thrilled that I got to witness this one-of-a-kind culinary celebration.  I can’t get over all of the wonderful sights and sounds that took place throughout the evening. Guests were full of energy and smiles, wishing that the night didn’t have to end. Here’s to another year of Diner en Blanc in New York City- a fabulous outdoor dinner party!

Event Alert: Diner en Blanc returns to NYC for an epic night

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Photo by: Navid Baraty

 

Photography by: Jane Kratochvil

 

Photo by: Jane Kratochvil

 

Photography by: Eric Vitale

 

Photo by: Jane Kratochvil

Diner en Blanc is an event like no other that embraces elegance, city experiences, and enchantment. It’s one my favorite annual events, and I’m excited to share that it is soon returning to New York for its 11th year with over 5000 guests expected! Diner en Blanc is an outdoor dinner party concept that started in Paris. It has since then expanded worldwide with NYC as its US launch city in 2011. The soiree is scheduled for Thursday, September 14 at a secret location in the city that gets revealed moments before the event begins.

Guests will wear their best all-white outfits and bring white tables, chairs, and accessories to decorate and celebrate an unforgettable evening with friends, food, and wine. Past Diner en Blanc events featured an impressive variety of entertainment such as circus-style dancers, unique live bands, and innovative DJS.  Previous event locations include Battery Park, Lincoln Center, and Governor’s Island. This affair is unparalleled!

To get a taste of this in incredible experience, check out this video from last year’s event: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2oAV8ROdGp4

Expect plenty of unforgettable moments throughout the evening. One of them is the epic napkin waving where guests wave their napkins to get dinner started. Another one happens as guests share conversations with another and enjoy their delicious meals. Guests will also be curious about who has the best table decorations and will explore and remember the stand out, one-of-a-kind displays.

This event currently has a waitlist, but you should still register at https://register.dinerenblanc.com/newyork/en/register? because you could get lucky and attend a unique, entertaining affair! I’m definitely looking forward to THE culinary, celebratory event of the year!

Mother’s Day Gift Guide: Offerings that will make her day special

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Mother’s Day is such a special time to celebrate the incredible mothers in our lives. It’s a time to be thankful and also to shower mothers with gifts that show you care. If you’re still looking for some last minute ideas on what to gift, check out the list below for some innovative ideas:

Maniscripting Life Design Journal– This offering is for those mothers that love writing. It inspires the creative juices to write down and in turn achieve goals. The front cover design is gorgeous with gold accents…a perfect gift for a mom who likes to capture her thoughts in a memorable way!

Baby Foot Spa Bundle– This gift set includes an Original Baby Foot Exfoliation Foot Peel, 2 Foot Soak Packets and 1 tube of Foot Scrub. It’s a pampering experience that delivers smoother foot within a week after use. What a treat!

Bubble Collection Discovery Set– This offering includes 6 different travel-size fragrances in an iridescent bubble pouch: Santorini, Connect, Celebrate, Reykjavik, Marrakech, and Chill. Wear each scent on its own or layer the scents up. This is a fantastic gift for a fragrance aficionado!

Flying Embers Botanicals & Bitters Variety Pack– This gift highlights a blend of botanical and bittersweet hard seltzer offerings. It  features 3 different flavors: Blood Orange, Black Lime Juniper, and Cranberry Raspberry. Each flavor is refreshing and a perfect way to unwind. It’s a wonderful gift for a mom that appreciates unique flavors!

*All images are courtesy of the brands

A Candle Journey for the Win: Creating memorable experiences with Village Candle

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A candle has an incredible way of telling a story, giving new light to a space, and transforming a room’s aroma. That’s why I was so excited to learn about Village Candle, a Stonewall Kitchen brand that’s based in Maine  that artfully and authentically combines ingredients. Each candle is inspired by a destination, time of year, color, or feeling. Every candle has two wicks, a concept that Village has pioneered to deliver a super clean, efficient burn and a memorable fragrance experience. The candles have unique names such as Citrus Dreams Candle, Mermaid Tales Candle, Anchors Aweigh Luminary Candle, and Secluded Dunes Candle.

I’ve had the opportunity to experience 3 of Village Candle’s remarkable offerings: Flickering Fireflies Luminary Candle, Harmony Candle, and Beachside Candle.

Flickering Fireflies Luminary Candle is composed of pink grapefruit, white lily flower, magnolia and musk notes. For me, it’s the perfect summertime scent that brings back beautiful childhood memories. Harmony Candle consists of cherries, violet, peach, and sandalwood notes. The combination of these elements delivers a peaceful essence for my mind and space. Beachside Candle is made up of sea salt, neroli blossom, white gardenia, vanilla orchid and beachwood notes. I dream of crashing waves, soft sand, and whimsical days when I light this candle…I almost feel like  I’m at the beach!

To say that I’m a fan of Village Candle is an understatement. I’m obsessed! I love how every candle has a long burn time and can really brighten up any room. My mood is instantly uplifted when I light one of Village Candle’s beauties. Whether you’re looking for innovative candles for yourself or as a gifts for special people in your life, Village Candle has the perfect selection for you!

 

*Photos courtesy of Village Candle

Valentine’s Day Gifting: Options that will impress and leave lasting memories

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Although Valentine’s Day is only a few days away, you still have time to find a great gift for your loved one! And remember it’s the thought that counts. Here’s a short list of memorable gifts:

iLola– If you and your loved one enjoy tea, this is the best gift for you! There’s a Tea Disc Essentials Set For Him and a Tea Disc Essentials Set For Her. Both sets feature 2 different tea flavors as well as a style infuser and thermos. The sets are perfect for travel as well as at-home tasting experiences. There are even beginner sets to try for those who have never explored tea before. What a brilliant gift to invigorate the senses!

Merch Traffic– This is the ultimate one-stop shop for apparel gifts from popular, iconic musicians and bands. You can find the perfect hoodie, jogger pants and t-shirt from artists such as Harry Styles, Dua Lipa, and Madonna. It’s such a unique, and expressive way to celebrate your loved one’s passion for music!

Baby Foot– This is a great pampering gift for your loved one. The Original Foot Peel leaves feet feeling moisturized and smooth after only 1 hour of application. It has 16 natural extracts and oils and alicyclic acid, which effectively exfoliates and moisturizes the skin, lessening any peeling over time. It’s a gamechanger and an at-home spa experience that is truly pleasing!

These gifts are definitely original and next level to impress your loved ones. Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!

 

*Photos courtesy of the brands

 

Last Minute Gifts for Welcoming the New Year

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You might think it’s too late to find some holiday gifts, but fear not! Although Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwaanza have already passed, you can still get great New Year’s gifts to celebrate your favorite people. Here’s a unique list of items that would make the perfect gifts:

Baby Foot– If you’re looking for a pampering gift, this is the one to give. The brand’s Original Foot Peel will leave feet feeling super soft after only 1 hour of application. The product has 16 natural extracts and oils and alicyclic acid, which effectively exfoliates and moisturizes the skin, lessening any peeling over time. It’s an at-home spa experience that will surely delight!

Cocktail Bomb Shop– This is a fun gift to give to a cocktail aficionado.  The products are shaped like bath bombs but made for a drink! Drop these beauties into sparkling water and see them fizz as they deliver a yummy cocktail or mocktail. Get the Holiday Variety Pack that has flavors like Santa’s Secret Cocktail, Frosted Cranberry, Holiday Mule. The Lovely Variety pack is also a great choice with flavors like Raspberry Lemonade, Dreamsicle, and Lovely Spritzer. Whoever you give this to is in for a real treat!

NOPE Beverages–  This is an elevated beverage option with 0% alcohol- a perfect gift for someone observing a dry January or extending beyond that to a non-alcoholic lifestyle.  The brand’s variety pack includes four delicious flavors: Raspberry Lime Ginger Beer,  Mango Margarita with Jalapeño, Strawberry Basil Smash, and Rosemary Vanilla Lemonade. Each mocktail has no artificial flavors or sweeteners and has only 45 calories a glass. It’s definitely a winner!

Judy– Looking for a scent-worthy gift? Check out this all-inclusive and gender-neutral fine fragrance that honors the legendary Hollywood entertainer and actress Judy Garland. Cosmetic Chemist Vincenzo Spinnato developed the fragrance in collaboration with Judy’s children: Lorna Luft, Joey Luft, and Liza Minnelli. It features a variety of notes including Grapefruit, Pink Pepper, Patchouli Woods, hints of the official Judy Garland Rose, and a medley of sultry Gourmand and spice notes. What a unique gift!

So there you have it- some memorable, innovative gifts. Happy gifting and Happy New Year!

 

*All images are courtesy of the brands

Last Minute Holiday Gifts for 2020 into New Year’s: Hooray!

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Looking for some last minute gifts for the holiday season and New Year’s? It’s not too late to get them! Here are some fascinating ideas to get you going:

Skincare

DefenAge Luxe Set- This 5-piece set is the ultimate luxury skincare gift. It includes the DefenAge signature Clinical Power Trio, a 3D Eye Radiance Cream and 1-Step Multi Cleanse. The set also comes with a beautiful silk pillowcase to compliment the full DefenAge new skin regimen. Get ready for smooth, vibrant, and firmer skin! The Luxe Kit is priced at $380 gdefenage.com after login. Each Luxe Kit purchased via the brand’s ebsite will have a card with a unique gift code for the next purchase – it’s all a matter of holiday luck on how much of a discount you’ll get!

Theraderm Skin Renewal Set-  Prep yourself for an an easy skincare system with each step complementing the other. It’s a 4-step daily regimen that comes with your choice of three moisturizers to address different concerns. The set contains gentle Cleansing Wash perfect for the entire body, a Fruit Acid Exfoliant for a smooth complexion, and OPC Reparative Serum that eliminates free radicals. It also comes with one of these moisturizers: the Peptide Hydrator Moisturizer, Enriched Facial Moisturizer, or Gentle Facial Moisturizer. The Skin Renewal System is available for $195.00.

Afore Gift Set- This set includes the AO Cleanser, a gentle, soap-free cleanser that gets rid of makeup, excess oil, and environmental pollutants without over-drying. It also has the C-Scrub Lemon Scrub which removes dead skin cells and excess oils, leaving behind healthier, younger looking skin. Lastly, it comes with Moisture Complete, rich facial cream formulated with green tea leaf extract, aloe, squalane, and hyaluronic acid. This luxurious moisturizer is perfect for colder months and will reveal visibly hydrated, firmer-looking skin. All three products together plus a free AFORE bag are available for $225.00. For each purchase made, $25.00 will be donated to the Few Initiative for Children, which provides Chicago’s disadvantaged youth financial support and academic programs to encourage life-long success.

Toys

NASCAR Crash Circuit Road Course with Winner’s Circle Set- This cool, new race set in collaboration with Far Out Toys features one of a kind “Roval” track and cars that break apart upon impact, sharing the excitement of NASCAR with kids at home. Players will race around steep turns at insane speeds and pass their competition or risk getting wrecked. The set includes two motorized race cars, two flash chargers, pit crew figurines, and a Winner’s Circle that really spins! It’s recommended for ages 5+. What an awesome, action-packed gift!

Wine

Sweetzer Cellars Pinot Noir-  Sweetzer Cellars carries wines ranging from fresh and lush notes to floral and earthy notes, perfect for all kinds of occasions. They’re well-known for their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and are all about reaching the perfect balance between fruit and earth. The hand-written label is a great touch for an extraordinary holiday gift!

So there you have it- some amazing last minute gifts for the holidays. One of them is sure to please this season. Happy Holidays!

*All images are courtesy of the brands.

 

DefenAge: Skincare that regenerates beautiful healthy skin

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Regenerated, hydrated skin is a powerful concept. That’s why I was thrilled to discover DefenAge, a technology-driven skin care line that regenerates the top layer of the skin. It has a unique key ingredient, Age-Repair Defensins, that combats signs of skin exhaustion and aging in just 6 weeks. Improvements such as minimized pores, pigmentation, oiliness, and deep wrinkles are just some of the benefits of using this line. The line also just celebrated its 5 year anniversary. All of the products are backed by 15 clinical studies so the evidence is clear that they work.

The product line includes the 2-minute Reveal Mask, 24/7 Barrier Balance Cream, 8-in-1 BioSerum, DefenAge 1-Step Multi-Cleanse with Natural Prebiotics, and DefenAge 3D Radiance Eye Cream. Each product hydrates the skin, reverses skin aging, and regenerates new healthy skin cells. The first three products are known as the Clinical Power Trio because together they create healthy beautiful young skin. After using these products, the skin is more even, firm, elastic, and bright.

The brand sent me DefenAge 1-Step Multi-Cleanse with Natural Prebiotics and DefenAge 3D Radiance Eye Cream. The cleansing product’s texture is impressive and I love how lightweight it is. After a week, I noticed that my skin felt smoother and looked a bit more vibrant. I’ve been using it for a couple of months and definitely see a vast improvement in my skin’s health and firmness. With the eye cream, after just 1 day, I noticed that my undereye circles looked lighter and that my fine lines looked less visible. Within a month after using the product, I saw dramatic changes in the appearance of my undereye circles and fine lines. I definitely look more awake!

I highly recommend the DefenAge New Skin line as I’ve used a few products that truly work. The science behind it and the clinical studies don’t lie. Has anyone else tried DefenAge New Skin? Let me know in the comments what you think!

 

*Images courtesy of DefenAge

Labor Day must-haves: The best items for enjoyment

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Hard to believe that Labor Day is next week! This Labor Day, make sure you’re stocked up on items that are invigorating and practical. Here are a couple of essentials that are on my Labor Day list:

CANTEEN– This brand has refreshing, flavor-forward and ready-to-drink Vodka Soda beverages. They are the perfect drinks to enjoy on the beach or anywhere else you want to venture or relax. Crafted with real vodka, CANTEEN is sugar, carb and sodium free, certified gluten free with 5% ALC/VOL and 99 calories per standard, portable 12 fl oz can. In addition, these beverages come in 5 tasty flavors: Watermelon, Black Cherry, Lime, Grapefruit and Cucumber Mint. You can’t go wrong with any flavor you choose. CANTEEN is a simple, practical refreshment that’s light, healthy and entertaining!

Victorinox Werks Traveler 6.0 Weekender XL ($139.00)- Victorinox designed the original Swiss Army Knife. The brand has multiple other products that have Swiss quality, functionality, innovation and iconic design. Inspired by the iconic, compact and feature-loaded Swiss Army Knife, the Victorinox Werks Traveler 6.0 collection line fuses smart functions with elevated detailing. It’s all about comfort, practicality, and high style.  The Weekender XL carry-all tote has a drop-down expansion panel for more space and a simple surface that is a perfect fit for packing up your Labor Day gear!

Heart Water– This product stays cold for hours with its sustainable, BPA-free aluminum bottle. The 24 oz bottle is also perfect for easy refilling and is recyclable for 60 days. Say goodbye to those single-use plastic water bottles. Each bottle contains alkaline rainwater and has  pink Himalayan minerals for electrolytes and antioxidants. You’ll stay hydrated all day. *For each case of Heart Water purchased, a case is donated to children in need through The Heart Water Foundation

Here’s to having a fantastic Labor Day weekend!

 

* All 3 photos are courtesy of the brands.

7th Annual WindowsWearAwards: Innovation at its finest

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A few weeks ago, WindowsWear hosted its annual WindowsWear Awards party at Marquee. I love this event because it celebrates the innovativeness and intelligence that goes into creating incredible retail design and storefront windows. Legendary window dresser Simon Doonan hosted the event for the second year in a row. Award categories ranged from Best Pop-Up, Best Prop, Best Window Display, and Best Packaging. Some of this year’s winners included Bottega Veneta for Best Interior, H&M and Giambattista Valla for Best Collaboration, Michael Kors for Best Interactive Experience, and Dior for Best Use of Light. Alice and Olivia’s creative team won the Simon Doonan Award. Check out the rest of the winners here.

Guests enjoyed dancing to the beats spun by Marquee’s DJ and they also enjoyed eating quinoa veggie burgers, french fries, pretzels, shrimp, mini grilled cheese sandwiches, and macarons by La Maison du Macaron. So much energy and creativity in one room! A well-deserved congrats to all of this year’s WindowsWear Awards winners!

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