I thought you might want to study the windows at Dior on 57th, and take a peak into the store without the concern of who is watching you. The display is quite captivating with the Morrocan-style doorways tiled in gold. And did you look closely at the heels and soles of the shoes? When I was there, there were five other people photographing the shoes. That is how I noticed them. The two windows flank the store which is so luminous and bright white, it seems to float. Now that is good store design.

The Coach Store on 57th and Madison

There is a lot of exciting bright color going on at Coach for the holidays. The store is beautifully decorated in stripes and bright blue, green, yellow, hot pink and orange, unlikely colors for Christmas, but that is why I like it. There is a pleasing richness to the interior design-inspired vignettes* they have created, like the one below at the 57th Street store, which are chock full of enticing new small accessories, by the way. If you have a major Coach store near you, I recommend a visit to beat the winter blues. The store personnel at 57th Street could not have been more pleasant. I think I might go back today and soak up some more holiday cheer.


*which I find to be playful like Jonathan Adler. There is a similarity in the color choice, the 'accent dog' in the window, the x-benches with trays on top, the zebra rug, and the way all the elements are combined. Could it be that Jonathan Adler is Coach's new consultant on the visuals? Or does JA and Coach have the same store designer in common. Whatever it is, both are very pleasing aesthetics.

DJ June D spins among the denim at the YLLI party last night

One of the pieces I tried on, by Castle Starr, $495.
(The sleeves and neckline were fabulous.)
This season's volumetric looks can be a challenge to wear.
The way I would wear this piece would be belted, and layered
over slim fit pants. Heels are a must. Anything to lengthen the line.

Shopping was in full swing last night at the YLLI party to celebrate their being named "Best New Brooklyn Boutique" by New York Magazine (see the March 2007 issue). I was pleased 'to have written about them when..' and so I took a stroll over last night with my camera to wish them well.

I wanted to be the first to show you the inside of the beautiful 8000 square foot loft boutique devoted to exciting, luxurious and directional fashion collections. The vast selling space is choreographed with floating racks and suspended shelves which lead you through the selections from over 70 designers in womenswear, menswear, denim, childrenswear, and accessories including shoes, bags, belts and jewelry. I got a chance to talk with the owner Fetije, born and raised in Williamsburg by the way, to learn more about her background in fashion and how she developed her eye. I will bring you more on that story; but for now, I will give you time to look at the photos and start planning your trip to YLLI.

YLLI
482 Driggs Avenue (at N 10th Street)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
718.302.3555
L train to Bedford

Store Hours
Mon-Sat 11:30-8:30
Sun 12-7

A glimpse of the Williamsburg crowd at the YLLI party

YLLI's floating display

Black leather Carrington bag by Goldenbleu, $759.

All of the merchandise floats at YLLI. I love the effect of the suspended
racks and display shelves in the cavernous space.
The dress on the mannequin caught my attention.
Also by Castle Starr, silk with lining, not yet on yllibklyn.com.
You'll just have to visit in person.

The Aubrey Bracelet Bag by Chloe. Available on Net-A-Porter. I thought, well, you just have to see this bag. Love it or hate it, fashion can certainly be dramatic when it wants to be. I like how this piece takes a decided stand. Your comments?

For those who love luxe, you must browse Net-A-Porter. Their stable of hot designers is quite comprehensive, with a few great exclusives too, like the Chloe Boutique.

In the converted warehouse mini-district on Driggs in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, there shines a bright new beacon of shopping: Ylli (pronounced yee' lee). The extra-large windows in this corner brick building display a dramatic panorama of luxury goods. Racks upon racks of beautiful, directional, on-trend clothing with some shoes and accessories sprinkled in, that will quite frankly knock your fashion socks off. Just a few of their designers include Sass & Bide, Crispin & Basilio, and Castle Starr. When you go, be sure to wear your favorite tights, shoes, etc. and settle in to a dressing room for a serious try-on fest.

Maybe you have missed Ylli, open for six months now, because it has been too darn cold to shop of late. But now that it is warm, you must make a special trip. Perhaps on a Saturday in March between 2 and 4pm when Ylli offers cupcakes, cookies and iced tea to shoppers, to celebrate their new addition: a childrenswear department called Yellow Monkey.

YLLI
482 Driggs Avenue (at N 10th Street)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
718.302.3555

Store Hours
Mon-Sat 11:30-8:30
Sun 12-7

When it comes to fine design, it is a pleasure to get lost in the sumptuous details. Take note of the leather tassels, topped with studded chrome and bamboo toggles, with each strand accented with a tiny chrome stud. Each strand! I love how the tassels appear to bloom like a flower or spill like a waterfall from the Moroccan-inspired hexagonal embroidered design. Take note of this 'INDY' bag by Gucci this season. I am sure you will see many of its fine details 'borrowed' by other companies in the coming months.

The Bar at Gilt [photo: patrickjouin.com]

You must take a trip to Gilt, if not for the $25 drinks, then to study the jarring yet pleasing juxtaposition of Gilded Age and ultra modern. The Buckminster Fuller-like pod, designed by French design talent, Patrick Jouin, inhabits the space in a most major way. But experiencing is believing. Suffice it to say, this daring decor is worth the trip. Although the trip may set you back a few dollars...

I think you will enjoy Mr. Jouin's Website too. Be sure to luxuriate in his stunning textured surfaces. And browse his oeuvre of very clever products. Here is a little more about the designer by way of a New York Times article.


Gilt
455 Madison at 50th St
Villard Mansion,
New York Palace Hotel
212.891.8100

a view of the New York Palace [photo: web]

The Molton Brown store on 53rd and Madison

I think I figured out the secret to silken locks: Molton Brown Indian Cress Instant Conditioner. This product leaves your hair silky, shiny and smelling terrific. Imagine, curly hair with silky movement! It works on straight hair too, I am told.

I would suggest taking yourself to a Molton Brown or department store near you (Bloomingdale's, Saks, Neiman Marcus, Barneys) so you can smell the delightful aroma. And while you're there, take note of the Re-Charge Black Pepper Body Wash and Soother. My sales person likened it to a "shot of espresso in the morning." Sounds great to me!

Molton Brown Indian Cress Instant Conditioner

Molton Brown Re-Charge Black Pepper Body Wash & Soother

Oprah says America loves movie stars because they symbolize all that is possible. I say America loves stars because they are good looking. They have great skin, great hair, great clothes, great bodies. Yeah sure, because they devote a good portion of their day to beauty.

So I thought, why not devote more time and effort for the next seven days to a more rigorous beauty regime. Maybe I too can attain the Beyonce glow. Or the silken locks of Angelina, Nicole, Gwyneth, and well, not Britney, but you get the idea. I am starting immediately.

Step 1. Wash all makeup brushes. Eva Scrivo says to do that once a week.

Step 2. Go to the gym.

Step 3. Post work-out, trim bangs and deep moisturize hair with Kerastase Elasto-Curl. Finish with Kiehl's Creme with Silk Groom, a quick blow-dry and my favorite barrette (currently, a red one).

Step 4. Apply full facial regime with Decleor products, instead of omitting certain products because they are expensive and I don't want to run out. This point will take some self-convincing.

There. I am well on my way. I will let you know the results in 7 days, perhaps with some updates in the meantime. It should be really good! You probably won't even recognize me.

Got the Winter blues? Can't wait for the beautiful Springtime rebirth? Well I hear you. So here is my list of nice things you can do for yourself until Spring springs. Do the first one that catches your eye. Or be indulgent and do them all. Why not? Winter is yucky.

1. Give yourself the gift of mood-enhancing endorphins. How do you get them? Join a new exercise class this week and stick with it, religiously. I have. After the gym, I feel great. (Before the gym, I want to eat a lot of biscotti.)

2. Buy yourself a moisturizer in a scent you love. You deserve to smell great. I love Gardenia-scented Shikai.

3. Resolve to read a new book each week. Think of all the new thoughts you will have. Stimulate your mind.

4. Go to a museum and have an epiphany. I want to pay a visit to the Klimt at the Neue Gallery and see the Spanish Painting exhibition at the Guggenheim.


5. Start a blog or other giant project and stick with it. You will be happy with your creative output.

6. Treat yourself to a facial at a spa you've been eager to try. And moisturize, moisturize, moisturize until Spring springs.

7. Investigate the notion of purchasing a quality hairbrush and ponder how it just might be a good investment afterall. I was watching this segment on Martha Stewart all about how to keep your hair healthy and shiny (you know, she used to be a Breck Girl). Martha's stylist, Eva Scrivo, recommended to brush your hair everyday to stimulate the natural oils in your scalp. You know, it works. I got myself a really nice brush at C.O. Bigelow in the West Village. A great place! Have you been? I got one brush for home, and a travel size for my gym bag. Why not. I decided I'm worth it.

8. Browse Sephora and experiment with a new eye color. While your at it, see what new lip color flatters your face.

9. Aromatherapy. Isn't there a candle out there you've been wanting? Bring it home and change your home environment with a new scent. Curl up with a good book and smell the smells.

10. Cook a new recipe each week. There are great ones on Epicurious. Just type in an ingredient that appeals to you, and go to town! Do it on the cheap. Use your existing cookware. The point is just to get cooking!

11. Try a new food every week. Have you ever made leeks? Now is the time to make a nice potato & leek soup. Cutting leeks is mesmerizing. I am always fascinated by the mathmatical patterns that underly vegetables. The way the leaves come off the stalk. I love leeks. They are mysterious. And super healthy!


12. Focus Focus Focus. Choose a project on your To-Do List that has been nagging you and vow to complete it. Give yourself a time limit and set your Egg Timer to get through it. Just be done with it! You (and I) will feel great.

13. Call a friend instead of e-mailing. Make real contact.

14. Put fresh flowers in the bathroom. It will feel like you are on vacation.

Don't you just love this waterfall-style shower head? If you don't want to install your own, you can take a yoga class at Exhale in Boston, and then have the best shower in town. You will love it! Treat yourself. I haven't tried the Exhale spas in New York yet, but I plan to someday. I wonder which one is more luxurious, Central Park South or Madison Avenue?

I confess, I heart luxe too. And I love this blog-style Website with the same name. And what a great name. The designers of the I Heart Luxe site have done an excellent job with branding. The love all the luxe touches: the fonts, the scrollwork, even the scrolling flora superimposed on each photo. The ribbon at the top is a nice detail too. I heart I Heart Luxe.

AN EXAMPLE OF THE SCROLLING FAUNA SUPERIMPOSED ON EACH PHOTO

Well this is too New York for words. For a mere $40 a day, you too can lose weight, on a Four Star diet program. After seeing a commercial on TV for ZoneChefs, I went to their Website and investigated the Vegetarian Plan for instance, by Zen Palate no less. Here is a bit about the program.

We provide our clients with 3 delicious gourmet vegetarian meals and 2 great tasting snacks by 5am each and every delivery day. In order to insure variety, we make it our top priority to maintain a twenty-one day cycle of various vegetarian entrees.

If you have an exterior door in which we need a key to gain access to your residence, you can FedEx us a duplicate key in which we will gladly pick up at our expense. Veggie ZoneChefs is not just a diet, it is a lifestyle so when you wake up in the morning we are there to start your Zone compliant day.

Oh yes, that sounds totally feasible. Why not give you a copy of my front door key, at your expense of course. Ivanka Trump is one of their celebrity success stories. Well at least we know that it is affordable for the Everyman.

(I am glad I know how to cook.)

Try this romantic spot tonight for a pre-Valentine's Day treat, because again, this place will be crowded on the 14th, starting right after work. The Campbell Apartment at Grand Central Terminal is a place for luxurious "cocktails from another era." It is a hidden gem, but probably not so hidden because it is New York afterall, and there are really not that many undiscovered spots. But I like to think of it as hidden. John W. Campbell, chairman of Credit Clearing House (later acquired by Dun & Bradstreet) took this large ground floor room as his private office and entertaining spot in 1923, and had it transformed into an ornate hall of a thirteenth century Florentine palace. It still retains a lovely flapper/Gatsby air, down to the drink menu which includes "Prohibition Punch." The decor is sumptuous, the atmosphere is exciting. An ideal "hidden" gem. Here are some more photos to peruse.

15 Vanderbilt Avenue entrance, Grand Central Terminal, 212.953.0409


more Valentine's treats:
valentine's day treat #1
valentine's day treat #2
valentine's day treat #3