Mel’s Burger Bar: A neighborhood joint that delivers on brews and flavors

by citychickstyle // April 23, 2017 // 559 Comments

Looking for a great neighborhood joint? Then, Mel’s Burger Bar will be your new go-to spot. With a selection of over 50 beers, 18 burgers, and 18 non-alcoholic and alcoholic milkshakes, this neighborhood joint truly has something for everyone. There’s also a great mix of appetizers, sides, and vegetarian options. The decor is hip, casual, and inviting. You can’t miss the Mel’s sign in the back with its bright, Instagram-worthy lights.

I had a chance to check out Mel’s Burger Bar at an intimate press dinner last week. The venue doesn’t disappoint! We started out with Spinach Artichoke Dip, Loaded Nachos with Beef, and Mac ‘N Cheese Ballz. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and with just the right amount of gooeyness. Next, I had the Hot Mess Burger that comes with jalapeños, bacon crumbles, Monterey Jack, charred onion, lettuce, garlic sriracha mayo, all on a potato bun. The mix of ingredients is phenomenal- I loved the blend of spiciness, cheese, and seasoning. I paired this burger with the Parmesan Jalapeño Fries- clearly I like spicy eats! These fries had the perfect amount of cheese and jalapeños, and had a great Parmesan Marinara Sauce to dip them in. To finish off the meal, we got the Dessert Sampler: fried Oreos and and vanilla ice cream. It was such a chewy, delicious, finish!

The food alone is reason enough to visit Mel’s Burger Bar, but if you’re more about the beer, you’re in luck too. The venue has a program called Brew Crew, which has a number of cool perks and deals. After trying all of the beer choices over time, you’ll get beer baptized. You’ll also get invited to exclusive events. You can find Mel’s Burger Bar at 1450 2nd Ave and 2850 Broadway. Be sure to check out this alluring venue!

Hot Mess Burger (Photo by: Mel’s Burger Bar)

Loaded Nachos with Beef

Mac ‘N Cheese Ballz

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Parmesan Jalapeño Fries

Dessert Sampler

The Mel’s sign inside the venue

The bar (Photo by: Mel’s Burger Bar)

Inside the venue (Photo by: Mel’s Burger Bar)

Timeless pieces from 7 Charming Sisters: Conveying style and sass

by citychickstyle // April 4, 2017 // 171 Comments

7 Charming Sisters continues to exceed my expectations! As I mentioned in a previous post, I love how the brand speaks to different style personalities and how it focuses on detailing. Each piece stands out with elements such as rhinestone crystals, 18k gold plated zinc metal alloy, and elegant layering. 7 Charming Sisters recently sent me some beautiful pieces to style ranging from bracelets, necklaces, and earrings.

One of these pieces called the Afternoon Tea Necklace is stunning. It’s a part of the Paula collection that features simulated pearls and crystals matched together for a unique floral design. I love how the necklace shines and hangs perfectly. It goes well with an all-black outfit or a cream ensemble.

The Chatterbox Bracelet Set is another delightful piece that I’m obsessed with. It’s a part of the Kimmie collection and it’s a great mix of rose gold, rhinestone crystals, and floral enamel details. The 3 bracelets complement each other flawlessly. I swear they pair well with any outfit!

The next piece that I love is the 9 to 5 Gold Cuff Bracelet from the Jessica collection. It’s adjustable and has the cutest geometric designs. The bracelet is elegant and definitely goes well with daytime and evening outfits.

This piece also goes perfectly with the Can’t Fake Chic Earrings from the Kimmie collection. These hoop earrings make a statement with beautiful rose gold and rhinestone crystals. I like wearing them with a black turtleneck and red pants, but they would go great with a little black dress too.

Lastly, the Life is Grand Necklace is a beautiful statement piece. It’s from the Paula collection, featuring lavish crystals on unique gold layered strands. This piece is great for dressing up a casual outfit or for complementing evening attire.

I get so many compliments when I wear these 7 Charming Sisters pieces. They really are gorgeous! See how I styled them down below. Use my code CITYC20 for 20% off non-clearance items! Stay tuned for an upcoming post on the 7 Charming Sisters blog about the other pieces that I’m currently loving!

*This post is in collaboration with and sponsored by 7 Charming Sisters.

Bar Schimmi: A one-stop venue for unique art and music

by citychickstyle // March 17, 2017 // 583 Comments

Last weekend, I got an exclusive sneak peek of a hip new spot in Williamsburg called Bar Schimmi at Schimanski. It features an impressive 22-foot bar constructed from salvaged wood and funky industrial lighting. Iconic designer Patricia Field hosted an opening party at the venue for Ben Copperwheat, a pop artist and print designer. Copperwheat showcased pop art pieces of Hilary Clinton, David Bowie, Madonna, Joan Rivers, and Barack Obama. Bar Schimmi’s Owner Eddie Dean and the space’s designer Sana Bindra were there to greet over a 100 guests to the party such as fellow artist Kevin McHugh and actor Dean Winters. I enjoyed the house music that the venue’s DJ was playing in the background. I also liked seeing a mixed crowd of art, fashion, and music aficionados, all in one place!

Copperwheat’s art will continue to adorn Bar Schimmi’s walls for the next two months. It’s great that the venue will have rotating art exhibits and have ongoing live music programming as well. Bar Schimmi will officially open to the public in April and it’s sure to be a happening spot in Brooklyn!

Artist Ben Copperwheat and Patricia Field at Bar Schimmi (Photo Credit: Julian Cassady)

Patricia Field Dean Winters at Bar Schimmi (Photo Credit: Julian Cassady)

(Photo Credit: Julian Cassady)

TWIST by Pinch Food Design: Artistic and innovative cocktail experiences

by citychickstyle // March 17, 2017 // 465 Comments

I recently attended a launch party for TWIST, a new craft cocktail division at Pinch Food Design, an innovative New York catering company. I’ve seen Pinch impress crowds with its food stations before. So I knew that TWIST had to be something special too. Imagine customized bar activations with top mixologists creating imaginative, enticing cocktails. I love watching mixologists take pride in their craft, delivering an enjoyable experience for everyone. Whatever cocktail concept dream you have in mind, TWIST can make it come to life. The brand designed mobile bar furniture to cater to every flavor preference. I find that each station offers something unique and sensational. These activations include a Market Cart for preparing fresh seasonal cocktails, a Marble Slab for chilled cocktails, and a Pour Over for creating multiple cocktails at once. Wine Balons and Craft Beer stations are also available.
At the launch event, these concepts had great appeal. I liked sampling a Hibiscus cocktail infused with rum at the pour over station. The pour-over process is absolutely fascinating! Over at the Market Cart, I savored a tequila cocktail mixed with tarragon, beets, and carrots, and pear-ginger shrub. It was so entertaining to watch the mixologist combine the fresh ingredients together in a French Press with the tequila. Watching Chardonnay decant at the Wine Balon station was even very exciting. I really felt engaged in the whole preparation and presentation experience at every station. Everyone just kept mentioning how amazing the cocktail concepts are. The lasting impression is hypnotic!
TWIST just launched this month and it should be interesting to see how the brand grows in the city in the coming year. If you want to hire the highly innovative brand for your next event, whether it’s a cocktail party, wedding, or other spirited celebration, definitely visit www.twistbypinch.com or call 212-244-7000. You certainly won’t be disappointed!

UNIQLO SUPERGEOMETRIC launch: Inventive apparel

by citychickstyle // March 14, 2017 // 462 Comments

Recently, UNIQLO invited me to its launch party for SUPERGEOMETRIC, a new addition to its SPRZ NY (“Surprise New York”) collection, at its Fifth Avenue flagship. It’s inspired by geometric art work housed at MOMA by artists such as François Morellet, Gego, Sol de Witt, as well as younger, emerging artists. I love how creative and fun the collection is! It ranges from t-shirts, dresses, scarves, and other accessories. Franco V and Taryn Manning played DJ sets at the event, and Taryn wore a graphic tee from the collection. Atalanta de Cadenet Taylor and Waris Ahluwalia also donned SUPERGEOMETRIC threads at the party.

The whole collection is fantastic, but my favorite pieces include a black graphic tee with small white squares, a white layered dress with black crisscrossing lines, a white graphic tee with striped shapes, and a navy tee with a white graphic overlay. Each piece is trendy, innovative, artistic, and visually impressive. The collection is also very affordable with items ranging from $14.90 to $29.90.

You can find these limited edition collections for men and women at UNIQLO.com as well as at all UNIQLO stores. Definitely check out this creative range of artistic styles soon before it sells out!

RIOULT Dance NY Winter Gala: Celebrating the arts with zest

by citychickstyle // March 13, 2017 // 372 Comments

A week and a half ago, RIOULT Dance NY invited me to its Winter Gala at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers. The evening affair started off with a cocktail hour that featured surprise performances by the company’s dancers. It also featured a silent auction with items such as dance portraits, restaurant packages, theater tickets, beauty experience packages, and more. The event paid tribute to Ellen Harris and the Coughlin/Davis Family for their unwavering support of RIOULT Dance NY. I loved the vibrant energy and passion that I saw at the event. I especially appreciated these qualities for the company’s newest project: a new RIOULT Dance Center, studios and a world-class school.

Pascal Rioult and his wife Associate Director Joyce Herring proudly spoke about the project. They also mentioned how excited they are for their upcoming dance season at the Joyce Theater that goes from May 31-June 4. Even Kathleen Turner, a guest at the event, expressed her excitement for RIOULT Dance NY. During the evening’s 3-course dinner, Pascal gave guests a taste of what’s to come with a new work set to Deep Purple’s Smoke On The Water. I really enjoyed the set with its upbeat blend of retro and modern vibes. It was such a beautiful affair. I’m super excited about the upcoming RIOULT Dance NY programming!

Maria Cristina Anzola, Pascal Rioult, and Kathleen Turner (Photo by: Eric Bandiero)

Dancers Sara E Seger and Michael S Phillips (Photo by: Eric Bandiero)

Lanyu FW 17: Sensual flair and sophistication on the runway

by citychickstyle // March 3, 2017 // 501 Comments

Sensual yet sophisticated styles resonate with me. That’s why I love the LANYU FW17 collection. Mohair, velvet, silk, corduroy, and lace flow seamlessly in the different looks. There are elements of mystery, striking energy, and whimsical elegance. I like the collection’s mixture of jade, pink, and white color palettes. The colors are soft yet instantly noticeable. The styles exude confidence, luxury, and timelessness.

So many great looks to choose from, but the following ones are my favorites. I liked the jade wool boucle cloak for its textural beauty and comfortable-looking fit. I also liked the pink texture mermaid dress as its skirt with a plunging neck line and alluring skirt slit. The jade lace jacket paired with white wide-leg pants is a beautiful look. Another look that captured my eyes is a pink off the shoulder silk dress. I also liked a white textured dress with big sleeves and a mermaid-type skirt. Lastly, I was impressed with a sheer lace top paired with draped wide-leg pants. The looks are romantic, carefree, classy, and show-stopping. What a remarkable collection!

Erin Fetherston Fall 2017: Dreamy global style that’s captivating

by citychickstyle // March 3, 2017 // 254 Comments

Erin Fetherston is an expert on romantic glamour. For me, her clothes exude passion, sophistication, and a worldly flair. Her Fall 2017 collection speaks to these qualities in such a beautiful way. I love how she incorporates velvet, fringe, and silk chiffon into the collection. Her use of rich hues such as olive, burgundy, saffron, and indigo is mesmerizing. The looks are softly feminine with poet sleeves and neck scarfs, giving an ethereal vibe. So many wearable looks on this runway!

I definitely have my favorite looks though. The olive charmeuse off the shoulder gown paired with a rose paisley silk jacquard scarf is stunning. In addition, the saffron chiffon blouse paired with a matching scarf and tiered skirt is captivating. I also loved the burgundy paisley silk jacquard mini dress with its shimmering details. Lastly, I was drawn to a burgundy velvet blazer paired with a matching chiffon gown and a chestnut paisley silk jacquard scarf. Each of these looks embraces textural softness, jet setting beauty, and romantic charm. Such stunning, creative design!

Desigual AW17: Funky chic meets evocative glamour

by citychickstyle // March 2, 2017 // 591 Comments

I always get excited to see the Desigual runway show during New York Fashion Week and the new AW17 collection certainly doesn’t disappoint. It takes inspiration from the subcultural beauty and identity of the 60s, 70s, and 80s, and gives these elements a modern take. Mixed prints and vibrant colors are paired to create unique, stunning looks. I would usually think that these components would look off together, but for this collection they perfectly complement each other. I loved the dominant elements in the collection: funky newsboy caps, show-stopping prints, color-blocking, and crisscross tights. The styles are trendy chic, innovative, feminine, and full of eclectic life.

There are so many looks that I can see myself wearing, but here are my favorites. I loved a mixed print coat over a blue plaid dress and purple crisscross tights, paired with a gray feathery newsboy cap. Another look that spoke to me was a color-block sweater paired with red plaid pants. I also liked a denim-accented jacket paired with a matching mini skirt and purple crisscross tights. Lastly, I was drawn to a black leather jacket with flower embellishments paired with a similarly-styled skirt and white tights. Each of the looks had an essence of edginess, free spirit, and sensuality, celebrating vitality and expression. What an impressive collection!

FW17 Presentations: Lux materials and sophisticated chic styles

by citychickstyle // February 27, 2017 // 417 Comments

I’m a big fan of presentations during fashion week. While I enjoy the show format, presentations give a more intimate, close-up look at designers’ collections. I loved the FW17 presentation for Gudrun & Gudrun, a Faroese knitwear brand. It featured an assortment of mohair wool pieces such as a black and cream sweater, a black skirt with cream side panels, and my favorite piece- a lilac camisole. I couldn’t get over how soft all of the pieces felt! I enjoyed the craftsmanship, sophistication, and comfortable nature of the clothes.

The next FW17 presentation I enjoyed was for Kendall Miles, a designer shoe brand for the chic, fearless woman. Designed by Kendall Reynolds, the brand features show-stopping designs made with mink fur, patent leather, stretch suede, and other lux materials. All of the styles are fantastic though my favorites are the Xotic style in Blush, the Symphony style in Wine, and the Infinity style in Matte Red. The shoes exude sensual, elegant, and innovative flair.

Following this, I checked out Katie Gallagher’s FW17 presentation. Gallagher, a New-York based designer, is innovatively detail-focused and draws inspiration from her childhood, her life in New York City, art, and music. Her Hallow collection at the presentation impressed me with its incorporation of rich black and vibrant orange hues into military-inspired pieces. They’re structured yet sensual, and edgy yet sophisticated.

What a great mix of materials, styles, and creative energy!