Women’s NFL Apparel: Celebrating football and personal style

by citychickstyle // October 21, 2016 // 423 Comments

Football season is in full swing, and I couldn’t be happier. It’s a time when I choose my straight-up NFL picks every week and wear my favorite tees to support my NFL teams! So I’m super excited about this year’s Women’s NFL Apparel collection. It ranges from thermal tees, beanies, jackets, jerseys, leggings, purses, to jewelry, and more. The collection is all about expressing your personal style not just on game day, but also throughout the year. I love wearing my tees to brunch or when I have a low-key day but still want to be stylish. I recently visited the NFL apparel showroom and loved the assorted collection. My favorite items included some collaboration pieces such as sporty Dooney & Burke handbags and Alex & Ani bracelets. I also liked a Juniors New York Giants White/Gray Old School Long Sleeve Hooded T-Shirt, a Women’s Baltimore Ravens Touch by Alyssa Milano Purple Goal Line Long Sleeve V-Neck T-Shirt , a bunch of New Era fitted caps, and lots of knit hats with poms.

Clearly, I’m a Giants fan and a Ravens fan! I completely ignore the saying that you can only root for one team. New York and Baltimore are special to me so I’m proud to show my blue, red, white, and purple colors. When they play against each other, I keep cheering for both of them because I refuse to choose! You can definitely see how happy I am in the photos below where I feature the Women’s Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants Touch by Alyssa Milano Purple Goal Line Long Sleeve V-Neck T-Shirts. These shirts are super comfortable and go perfectly with jeans and some fun jewelry. I’m so glad that showing off your unique #NFLFanStyle any day of the year is now a buzz-worthy trend!

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T.J. Maxx’s Road to Real: An inspirational way to build strength

by citychickstyle // October 12, 2016 // 594 Comments

I recently went to a remarkable event that truly made my heart happy. T.J.Maxx and Katherine Schwarzenegger hosted an intimate media breakfast to highlight the powerful outcome from its Road to Real tour, a campaign that features everyday, inspirational women from across the nation sharing their personal journeys. Schwarzenegger interviewed these women who shop at TJ Maxx and discovered an innovative, heartfelt way to share their stories. She gave them a platform where they could be heard and worked with photographer Andrea Chu to produce beautiful photographs of them. Some of these women were at the event, and I spoke to a few of them. Their positivity, strength, and determination is impressive.

Schwarzenegger also shared that she was deeply moved by listening to these women’s stories. She believes in the power of listening and creating a forum that can inspire others. She stated that these women are living on their own terms and are inherently altruistic. I loved seeing Schwarzenegger’s passion for this endeavor.

Here are just a few quotes that I love from the campaign:

“I never let my past define me. I had a strong mother, who, with a sixth grade education told me I could do anything. She never let us feel sorry for ourselves. I got that from my mom, and I wanted to instill that in my boys.”–Annie, South Carolina

At a temporary exhibit in the Meatpacking District, I viewed these quotes as well as the campaign’s other inspiring quotes and photos. These elements are also part of T.J Maxx’s Fall TV spots. Additionally, T.J. Maxx is featuring women on Twitter that could use encouragement. For every inspiring tweet to each woman’s story with the hashtag #MaxxLifeLessons, the brand will gift $1 to support her. I’m so glad that such a powerful campaign is inspiring others, including myself!

Katherine Schwarzenegger and Tai Beauchamp

NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 27: Lee Rousseau, Annie Walters, Katherine Schwarzenegger, Debby Thompson, Zynani Nakhid and Yastany Astacio attend the T.J.Maxx Road to Real Gallery Exhibit in NYC, spotlighting inspirational women from across the country on September 27, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for TJ Maxx)

DERMA E: New packaging and an ethical mission go a long way

by citychickstyle // October 11, 2016 // 483 Comments

When it comes to skin care, I’m all about beautiful packaging, as it inspires me to keep with my routine. So I was super excited when I received products from DERMA E, an effective eco-ethical skin care line that’s been around since 1984. The brand is rolling out its new packaging design across all of its products through March 2017. The new design is colorful, inviting, and creative, yet still true to DERMA-E’s mission of caring about your health and the natural environment. DERMA E products are composed of 100% vegan, cruelty-free formulas that are GMO-free, gluten-free, parabens-free, and also don’t contain petrolatum or artificial colors.

From the DERMA E line, I reviewed the Hydrating Night Cream. I love its thick, luxurious consistency that delivers a lot of moisture. My skin feels moisturized for hours and doesn’t have a greasy texture. Also, the box and jar are very compact and lightweight, taking up little space in my medicine cabinet yet still adding a beautiful fixture to my shelf. I also love how the product came with a little pamphlet announcing the new packaging and describing the brand’s mission. You can find the Hydrating Night Cream as well as other DERMA E products at Walgreens, GNC, CVS, Whole Foods Market, and other natural food stores across the U.S. For more information, check out www.dermae.com. I’m so glad that I found an ethical, innovative skin care line!

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Baja East SS17 after-party: A perfect blend of fashion and music

by citychickstyle // October 6, 2016 // 433 Comments

I attended the Baja East SS17 After-Party in Lower Manhattan, which was definitely one of my favorite parties during New York Fashion Week. Designers Scott Studenberg and John Targon hosted the party at this industrial yet funky cool garage and other notable guests included Chanel Iman, Naomi Campbell, Adam Selman, Teyana Taylor, Iman Shumpert, and Jamie Chung. Aluna Francis and Mia Moretti spun some DJ Sets and Rae Sremmurd put on an exclusive performance. The party celebrated the new Baja East x Minions capsule collection featured in the SS17 show. The collection features swimwear, t-shirts, bandannas, and underwear. Guests could purchase pieces from the collection at an on-site merchandise truck.

I loved the vibrant energy at the party. I got to enjoy the Samsung Gear 360 camera experience, a taco table, and dancing with people dressed as Minions. A model handed out exclusive Baja East x MAC Cosmetics Lipsticks to anyone who wanted them as well. It was definitely a party to remember!

Georgine SS17: Classic pieces that sizzle with edgy detailing

by citychickstyle // September 27, 2016 // 415 Comments

Georgine’s Spring/Summer 2017 collection is all about glamour and sensuality with a rocker edge. I love how it speaks to the curious girl who goes through her mom’s closet, picking a classic piece but then giving it her own creative take on it. Georgine has incorporated fur, sequins, pins, and plaid designs into her collection. She even paired many of the looks with combat boots for an even edgier feel. I like that each look is slightly mysterious, moderately rebellious, and completely alluring.
The girls walking down the runway wearing her collection, had a fierce attitude that complimented the outfits perfectly. My favorite outfits included a a light pink top with safety pin cutouts paired with a metallic silver skirt, a red plaid jacket with fur trimming over a black dress, a red strap dress with safety-pin cutouts, a red and black fur stole top paired with red pants, and a black gown with mesh sleeves and sequin detailing. The looks are super hip with a great balance between modern and vintage accents. I’m so impressed with the collection’s experimental character!

Georgine Ratelband

Buscemi: Luxury pieces with a creative edge

by citychickstyle // September 27, 2016 // 162 Comments

During NYFW, Buscemi invited me to its flagship store opening party in Soho. Waris Ahluwalia, Phillip Lim, Katherine Webb, Lais Ribiero, Sofia Richie and Brittny Gastineau also attended the festive soiree. Buscemi is a LA-based footwear and accessories brand with a showroom in Paris and a design studio in Italy. Its luxury products are defined by creativity and made from premium quality materials. Speaking of luxury, that evening, the store showcased 3 gold pyramids with one of them holding a white sneaker with 18K gold detailing and covered with diamonds. The NY flagship will continue to display exclusive artist collaborations and projects such as these on an ongoing basis.

I also noticed that the store features a number of other impressive elements. At the back of the store, there’s a whole gallery-type space that houses the brand’s high-end sneakers, backpacks, sandals, boots, and handbags. I love the level of detail and attention to placement in the store. Even the lighting is placed in a strategic, inviting way. Each of Buscemi’s products stands out in its own way with vibrant style and a luxury feel. What a unique, statement-making brand!

AgnesKovacs: Handbags with an innovative character

by citychickstyle // September 22, 2016 // 561 Comments

Recently, I checked out the AgnesKovacs NYFW presentation at Beautique. Agnes Kovacs started her own handbag line in Hungary a few years ago while she was still in college. Her passion for leather, modern design, and urban surroundings fueled her creativity for the line. AgnesKovacs handbags mix Scandinavian minimalism, French chic, Japanese precision, and the richness of the Italian leather, for a stunningly innovative design. Each of the bags consists of one single piece of leather that’s folded, bent, and then stitched, a process that reinforces the product’s value and durability. I styled the LIÉ clutch in pink with my NYFW Day 1 outfit and loved its uniqueness and beauty!
While the LIÉ clutch is certainly my favorite, a number of other handbags also caught my eyes. I loved the PONS clutch, the PONS handbag, the LIÉ mini backpack, the PONS backpack, and the ASYMMETRIC messenger bag. The bags are artistic, refined masterpieces with a bold attitude. I’m so impressed with the quality craftsmanship. Leather has never looked so stylish!

Le Dîner en Blanc: An innovative culinary affair unlike any other

by citychickstyle // September 20, 2016 // 171 Comments

Le Dîner en Blanc, one of the world’s coveted culinary events, hosted its 6^th annual event in New York City’s Robert Wagner Park in Battery Park City last Thursday. 5000 people wearing all white attire attended this spectacular evening. Moët and Chandon and Apothic Wines sponsored the culinary affair. The event location was perfect and it was a surprise to all attendees until moments before the event. Guests brought their own tables, chairs, and picnic baskets. Decorations for table centerpieces included candelabras, flowers, and caged doves. Chef Todd English prepared catered baskets as well. It was incredible to see how the event came alive.

Le Dîner en Blanc originated in Paris almost 30 years ago and now takes place in 70 cities worldwide. I had the pleasure of speaking with two of the co-hosts for New York City’s Dîner en Blanc, Linda Davis and Peter Kohlmann, about their visions for the event and more. Here’s our conversation:

Lesley Reider: Tell me about what makes Dîner en Blanc special. What’s different about this year’s Dîner en Blanc in New York?

Linda Davis: People look for a beautiful evening to share their food, wine and champagne, and to come together as total strangers and meet new friends. It’s such a cross-section of the city. Anyone can buy a ticket. Once they buy their ticket, they only know where they’re meeting. We have leaders all over the city to bring them here. The boat is different. The setting is different. It’s an antique boat that we rented that dates back to the 1900s. We said we were having a corporate picnic. We’d never tell anyone what we’re doing. Even the band didn’t know until it arrived. We want to keep the whole premise a surprise for your location.

Peter Kohlmann: Yes, the boat’s a little over 50 years old. It’s an old New York City fire boat rescued by a group of people. They go on the river to keep it alive. They preserved it…the John Harvey. When it was built, it was the strongest fire boat that existed at the time.

LR: Tell me a bit more about the location.

PK: It was very challenging [on a production level]. There are 3 or 4 different areas here. As far as laying out the tables, providing enough lighting and sound for the whole group was pretty crazy. And then, there’s a group of people laying out these tables carefully amongst a garden that is precious to us.

LD: I love this location. Battery Park was very gracious to us to be here.

PK: The Battery Park authority did a great job of working with us, getting it all setup. Their staff was terrific. It’s a good partnership and a unique location.

LD: Peter is based here, [as is our other co-host Christine Tripoli Krische], and I’m based in Washington. Their knowledge of the city and of this kind of infrastructure [was valuable] in building it out so that guests are feeling equally part of the event.

LR: How did you both get involved with Dîner En Blanc?

PK: It’s a little long story because a few months ago they were putting out word for event producers to help them put this event together. Within a short time, we went through a process and we were selected. We’ve been working with the International Dîner En Blanc to get acclimated with the help of Linda, [who produces 3 other Dîner En Blanc events].

LD: So I came in with the background knowledge of Dîner En Blanc and Peter and Christine came with the total event production knowledge. So we’ve been a fantastic team together.

LR: Is there anything you can elaborate on throughout the night that we can expect?

PD: Obviously, more music. This band [in the background] is Apple & Jazz Band. There’s going to be a little piece from a Broadway singer from An American in Paris. He’s going to sing a couple of songs and then we’re going to go into DJ mode.

What a special evening!

Photo by: Eric Vitale

Michael Costello SS17: Captivating beauty

by citychickstyle // September 19, 2016 // 525 Comments

Recently, I was thrilled to receive an invitation to the Michael Costello SS17 runway show during NYFW. Michael Costello is known for his stunning gowns and this collection emphasizes that trademark even further. The collection is meant to represent a midnight garden party with vibrant, luxurious gowns and a mix of beads, floral patterns, and metallics. I loved the mix of colors that included a deep purple, a vibrant fuchsia, bold red, along with a hint of black and forest green. Tyson Beckford’s classy appearance on the runway also impressed me, giving the audience a sneak peek to Costello’s upcoming menswear line.

I loved the entire collection, but I definitely had my standout favorites. They included a long-sleeve purple gown with shoulder cutouts and high slits; a strapless fuchsia floral mermaid gown; a fuchsia floral halter gown; a red off-the-shoulder gown with high slits; and a red lace halter gown with high slits. The models walking down the runway looked so confident and captivating wearing these gorgeous pieces. I also couldn’t get over how cute the children included in the show looked! I got the sense that when you wear a Michael Costello outfit, you feel invincible. What a thrilling collection!

Maria’s SS17: Beautiful handbags with meaningful intentions

by citychickstyle // September 18, 2016 // 428 Comments

A few weeks ago, I loved attending the Spring/Summer 2017 press preview for Maria’s By Alida Boer. Andreas Wijk, Edgar Navarro, Emma Snowdon Jones also stopped by to check out the collection called Technicolor. The brand is based in Guatemala and is inspired by the mysticism, spirituality, and knowledge found in ancient Mayan culture. It provides a socio-economic platform for Guatemala’s women, giving them employment, financial independence, and an educational program for their children. Alida Boer, former Miss Guatemala and the brand’s designer, and her team take pride in designing handbags with rich Guatemalan textiles combined with genuine leather.

All of the handbags are beautiful, but here are my favorites. I love the Fausto clutch, the Aurea Mini satchel, and the Oriana Tote. Each one of these is unique in that the textile patterns are handmade, taking up to three months to design. No bag is quite like the other. For further customization, you can purchase the brand’s pompom charms, mixing up colors and textures.

I’m impressed with Maria’s celebration of Mayan heritage and its dedication to socio-economic issues. It’s nice to see a brand that designs beautiful products that give back something meaningful. I look forward to seeing these masterpieces in stores in Spring 2017!