Posted in Style

Colette

Paris has always held a special place in my heart. The first time I ever visited this gorgeous city was with my friend Bridget when we studied abroad in Spain.

I remember it being exactly what I thought it would be: the most romantic place on earth. Was it the buildings? The people? The food? The fashion? Everything?

When I landed my first job in textiles I never imagined part of my job (“job”) would be to visit Paris twice a year to attend a textile show and then do some competitive shopping. What does competitive shopping mean? It means my favorite thing in the world – going into different shops and see what the competition is up to. What fabrics are they using? What techniques are out there?

The first place I always stop at is Colette. A true Parisian institution. Colette opened in 1997 but in July of this year we all woke up to the news: Colette would close its doors in December of 2017. Of course with that in mind I made a stop at my beloved little shop.

The whole upstairs usually would house looks from Gucci, Balenciaga, Simone Rocha, Proenza Schouler, Rodarte, Coach and Sacai to name a few.  As of late the boutique has been been taken over by different designers – most recently Sacai. Of course the conceptual layout was impeccable.

I was so lucky to see Colette one last time. If you’re there before end of December make sure to stop by.

Dress: WhoWhatWear for Target
Coat: Pilcro & The Letterpress
Shoes: Loeffler Randall
Bag: The Stowe

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Colette
213 Rue Saint Honoré, 75001 Paris, France
+33 01 55 35 33 90

Open:
Monday – Saturday: 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
*closes permanently on December 20th

League of the Flying Pig – Day 1

If you know and love whiskey then you’ve heard of WhistlePig – the small Shoreham, VT based distillery was established in 2008 and in a few short years have position themselves as THE name in American Rye Whiskey. After racking up numerous awards including Best in Show at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and WhistlePig continues to push the boundaries in the spirits industry.

A couple of weekends ago I was lucky enough to be invited by my husband, Spencer, to be a part of the League of the Flying Pig celebration at the WhistlePig farm. This yearly event invites 200 food and beverage professionals from around the country to experience life at the farm through a mega celebration. This farm is what dreams are made of, guys. I loved driving there through small windy dirt roads, as it was like I was exploring another world just a short five hour drive from NYC.

Things you should know: there is zero phone service once you get to the farm, there is a one way road leading up to it, and no signs as to where you actually are. I’m shocked I didn’t get lost! 

Upon my arrival at the farm I was amazed at how gorgeous the grounds were and of course I gravitated towards the animals first:

 

The two day event started with a casual evening at the farm. There were guided tours of the distillery, farm excursions on Gators, live music, food and of course, award winning Whiskey.

 

My favorite drink was the Jaws Found Love: WhistlePig Farmstock Rye Whiskey, Lemon, Strawberry, Tiki Bitters and Mint!

 

I was insanely happy to find a true Vermont staple: Ben & Jerry’s! The WhistlePig crew had an on site scooper delivering amazing scoops of Vermont’s very best ice cream…

 

As my husband working a lot of the time I had to make friends during my time at the party. I met Andrew, Zigis and Jeremy! We were partners in crime for the Gator tour and we had a blast!

Our mode of transportation

We ended the night with some dancing and corn hole! Next on blog I’ll tell you all about day two.

Dress: Lulu*s
Jacket: Levi’s
Shoes: Derek Lam (Similar here, here & here)
Bag: Proenza Schouler

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#MontenegroNights

Last night I attended the UrbanDaddy x Montenegro Amaro event at the Terrace of the Gramercy Park Hotel and honestly it was one of the most fun events I’ve been to in a while!

The set up was as gorgeous as can be! As I walked through the doors for the Gramercy Park Hotel I was immediately greeted and escorted to the elevators. “Once you get in press T” I was told. When the doors opened at “T” I was transported to another world!

 

The event showcased and highlighted the delicious liqueur! There was an intimate tasting bar where you could try Montenegro Amaro while enjoying the delicate smells of cinnamon, orange peels and spices.

I wore this WhoWhatWear Collection beauty! I figured I needed something floral to help transport me to Italy!

 

There was also a tattoo bar by Daredevil Tatoo. I wasn’t brave enough to get one but that didn’t stop Spencer from adding to his collection. He got a cinnamon plant…you know, an homage to the color of my skin (or so I told myself!).

 

As if tattoos and hidden tasting bars weren’t enough there was a confessional where you could confess your sins and receive a drink as penance. Slightly more fun than a Catholic confessional. 

 

My all time favorite part of this event was the cocktail styling bar paired with the video booth! Spencer and I got to dress up a little and make a fun video. I mean, does it get any better than your husband feeding you grapes? <3

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Joshua Tree

Top: Zara
Pants: BDG
Shoes: Lulu*s

If you haven’t been able to tell, Spencer and I are HUGE fans of National Parks. So, it’s no surprise that we carved out an afternoon during our most recent trip to California to spend a few hours in Joshua Tree. Of course, I would suggest spending more than the 4 hours we did (we’re camping next time!) but if you have an afternoon while in Palm Springs it’s only a short hour ride away. The scenery is gorgeous and very much other worldly. You feel like you’re on a different planet! Totally worth doing if you’re tired of laying by the pool – yes, that sometimes is exhausting (ha!).

 

Italy in Brooklyn

Top: WhoWhatWear Collection
Pants: BDG
Sunglasses: Karen Walker (now on sale!)
Bag: Proenza Schouler
Shoes: Nine West

Do you ever wake up wishing you were in Italy? I do, all the time. Specially on a hot summer day when all I want is an Aperol Spritz and to enjoy Aperitivo under a large umbrella. That said, I was craving pasta all last week…solution? Find the best Italian food close to my hood.

I used to run by Locanda Vini e Olii all the time when we lived in Fort Greene and it made me question what this adorable restaurant with a sign that reads “Levi’s Drug Store” was. After some research and some Yelp-ing I figured it out. It was a little slice of Italian heaven in Brooklyn.

Spencer and I took a walk over there on Sunday afternoon to briefly pretend we were in another country and enjoy their delicious pasta. Listed below is what we ate and what you should eat too…

To Start:
Seafood Guazzetto – Point Judith (RI) calamari stewed with palombo & mussels, tomato, chili pepper & white wine

To Share:
Guitar Strings “Alla Buttera” – Pancetta, tomato pomarola, chili pepper, egg yolk

Tagilerini Al Tartufo – Shaved Italian summer black truffles & white asparagus tossed with butter, grana padano cheese & tartufata puree (porcini mushrooms, black olives, anchovies, truffles)

To Drink:
Aperol Spritz– Traditional Venetian aperitivo made with prosecco & sparkling water, Aperol, Orange Slice

Negroni – A Traditional Aperitivo Invented in Florence in 1919 at Caffè Casoni by Count Camillo Negroni – Gin, Campari, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino

If you’re in the neighborhood definitely check this place out. The service was amazing and the food to die for!

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Locanda Vini e Olii
129 Gates Ave, Brooklyn, NY
718.622.9202

Open:
Monday – Thursday 5:30pm to 10:15pm
Friday – Saturday 5:30pm to 11:00pm
Sunday 5:30pm to 9:45pm
Make a Reservation: here