Top Kitchen Accessories!

Since I'm on a cooking kick, I thought I would go ahead and share all of my favorite summer kitchen accessories that have become essential household items in my case.

Strawberry Huller
Removes the leaf and stem out of the strawberry more successfully than doing so with a knife. Plus it looks adorable!
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/sku396523/index.cfm?pkey=cfruit%2Dvegetable%2Dtools&ckey=fruit%2Dvegetable%2Dtools

Olive & Cherry Pitter
I love Bing Cherries in the summer, but can't stand that nasty seed in the middle. This little invention quickly removes the seed but keeps the fruit in tact. Honestly, it's even kind of fun the first few goes, so it doesn't feel so much like a chore.
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/sku8749632/index.cfm?pkey=cfruit%2Dvegetable%2Dtools&ckey=fruit%2Dvegetable%2Dtools

Fruit Muddler
LOVE these for making fresh & delicious cocktails! http://www.surlatable.com/product/
wooden+muddler.do?keyword=muddler&sortby=ourPicks



Citrus Juicer
Great for making fresh Margaritas or Palomas in our house! The citrus juice can actually damage your skin if you're making a lot of cocktails so this is really an investment :) http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/7662000/index.cfm?pkey=xsrd0m1%7C15%7C%7C%7C0%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7Cjuicer&cm%5Fsrc=sch


Chalkboard Wine Glasses
This looks like a great idea to keep track of your glass at a party. I haven't tested these out yet, but loving the idea! http://www.pier.com/Catalog/Dining/ Dining/tabid/493/CategoryID/110/List/0/catpagesize/25/ Level/a/ProductID/767/ProductName/Chalk-Note-Stemless-Wine-Glass/Default.aspx

I'd Like That Salad Chopped, Please.

So a few years ago the big craze in NY and LA was tart/euro-style yogurt (i.e. Pinkberry). Simultaneously chopped salads were and have been a big craze in cities like New York. We, meaning Dallas, got on the Pinkberry bandwagon relatively quick with Orange Cup and I Heart Yogurt type concepts and have tried to get on the salad bandwagon with Snappy Salads and Salada, but we missed one important ingredient: the chop! Almost every quick/lunchtime salad place you go to in New York chops your salad (i.e. Hale & Hearty and Chop't). I'm a HUGE fan because the chop makes every bite perfect. You can eat on the go without wasting time trying to find each bite with all the essential ingredients: salad, chicken, goat cheese, crasins, carrots, croutons...in my case at least!
Well, until our salad restaurants can ante-up and add the chop to the menu, you can easily do it at home. All you need is a large bowl with a flat bottom, tongs and a chopper. Here's the type of chopper I use and it works great! I know places like Bed Bath & Beyond have similar choppers for probably half the price, but looks like you'll have to find them in-store since they're not listed online. Happy chopping!

Sur La Table
http://www.surlatable.com/product/cutlery/specialty+knives+%26+shears/rosle+mezzaluna.do?sortby=ourPicks

Update: Bendels is Coming to Northpark!

I was at Northpark yesterday and saw that they're putting a Bendels in across from the La Madeline (see photo taken at NP). Crazy! It seemed like in NY they were downsizing by removing their clothing merchandise and making the entire store accessories, but I guess not since they're clearly expanding down to Texas. This will be their 7th store in total, but their Fifth Ave store is still always the best. I'm assuming this new store, as it's fairly small, will carry hair accessories, scarves, candles, things along those lines and likely all Bendels brand. Their scarves are amazing so I'm looking forward to that!

FUR Real

I am LOVING all of the furs this season (sorry PETA)! I love this "Woodstock" fur/suede poncho! Adorable. I went to Neiman's yesterday to the 3rd floor and tried on the most adorable $12,000 hot pink mink and $28,500 Chinchilla 3/4 sleeve bomber-style jacket. HEAVEN! Sidenote: I had no clue Michael Kors is designing most of Neimans designer furs these days.
Time to bring out your grandmothers hand-me-downs/make a purchase even if it's faux (photo on the right is a faux Rebecca Taylor vest for $350 @ NM) as furs can be mighty costly! Fur is going to be hot this fall...literally if you're wearing one in Texas! The price for fashion...

Woodstock 40th Anniversary!

To pay homage to Woodstock, this season re-introduce some bohemian pieces back into your wardrobe. Here are some of my non-vintage favs! If you go vintage, you're bound to find some great deals on likely authentic pieces.











Styles (beggining from the left):
Minnetonka Mocs $90 BEST DEAL! Juicy also has a similar style that's reasonable
Gucci Janis Boots $1,385
Belle By Sigerson Morrison Moc Booties $345
Proenza Schouler Suede Satchel $2,350

Extra Extra Read All About It!!! Vince Is Coming To Dallas!

I was recently driving through Highland Park Village and saw that they are opening a Vince store where the old Harold's used to be. VERY exciting. It looks exactly like their store Downtown NY (see photo)...maybe even bigger! Vince's fabrics always feel amazing. Loving almost all styles in leather they're producing this season. HPV has some fun stores for us quarter-life crisis folk with Scoop, Anthro, Jimmy Choo, etc. but this is a great addition to keep one of the oldest shopping centers in the US young!

Everyone Can Be A DJ!

Have you'll heard of Blip.FM? I was just introduced to this and think it's incredible! You no longer have to surrender yourself to Pandora; you can make your own playlists online and share with your friends. I don't want to discredit Pandora because they can mix it up by choosing a station/band you like and occasionally you can find a new band you previously weren't aware of, BUT with Blip FM it's like an iTunes playlist online merged with a twitter/blog feel. Sheer genius. What are they going to come up with next?! Stay tuned!

Henri Bendels....All Accessories Bound!

I love Bendel's mainly because it feels like a small shop on 5th Ave. When I was there last week I found out that they are no longer carrying any clothing merchandise which is a serious shame. They always had limited quantity goods that were adorable. Well if you go in now I'm sure you can find a good deal, that is if you can find your size. Very picked over except for the new merch they have just put out since the buys were already in before they made this all accessories decision.
Although I'm upset that they will no longer have clothing luckily the other B's are around the corner (Bergdorfs and Barneys). And Bendel's does have excellent accessories: candles, make-up, sunglasses, scarves, jewelry, perfumes, books, etc. I always love how they have one of their jewelry designers come in and showcase their collection. It can be more rewarding when buying something unique when you speak with the person who created it. The Fekkai Salon will stay as well although I have qualms with them after my butchered Jennifer Anniston 1990 haircut :) Happy thoughts!
Back to Bendels...
It's really a great place to buy gifts now that it's all accessories. I found this adorable brand, Bella Cucina, that has wonderful cooking gifts. The Aromatic Savory Salts in Rosemary & Lavender looked amazing and with a cute bowl and spoon it's a darling gift for someone who likes to cook. Prices mainly range from $30-$50. Check them out online at www.bellacucina.com

The LES is the "NEW" SoHo

I was recently in New York and spent a solid day shopping the Lower East Side. Whereas a few years ago I would have spent the day in SoHo finding interesting and new emerging designers shops, now I would hands down spend it on the LES. SoHo is now full of the big-name designer brands & stores that are made to look like more boutique/specialty shops (i.e. Tory Burch, Intermix, Scoop, Calypso...all of which are excellent stores, but you can find them in almost any big city). To find the real gems and one of a kind pieces the LES is my recommend. Here you'll find a strong sense of vintage merged with modern. Here's a few of my new favorite stores in this area.

Assembly New York
174 Ludlow Street
http://assemblynewyork.com/

This store is only a year old and small but has interesting local and European designer clothing. I am obsessed with their exclusive collection of Arielle De Pinto jewelry. It's all hand crocheted and ranges anywhere from $290-$2500. Absolutely beautiful and you can wear with anything!

In God We Trust
153 Ludlow (Although they have shops in SoHo and Williamsburg too)
www.InGodWeTrustNYC.com

Their clothing section is limited, but there are always a few really cute dresses around the $200-$300 range and they're designed by them, so definitely unique. The real find here is with their accessories. Love their bronze-colored rings, necklaces, bracelets. Not things you find anywhere else.

Mint Julep
173 Ludlow
http://store.shopmintjulep.com/

This store carries some of the more traditional brands like Tibi, Shoshanna, Corey Lynn Calter, etc. but it breaks up the uber-trendy shopping in this area with some very wearable styles. The owners are front Vermont and opened their first store in Boston. This store only opened within the last year. One of the owners is usually in the store and she's very helpful and friendly!

Honey In The Rough
161 Rivington
www.honeyintherough.com

Adorable shop with great dresses and tops. Love the Antipodium line that I actually found when I was in Australia last year. It's by an Australian designer and I haven't' had much luck finding it in stores in the US, but they carry it here. This line always feels fresh and modern so definitely worth looking into!

Stella Filante
156 Ludlow
www.stella-filante.com

This might be my favorite store I went into on the LES. Looks like it's going to be tiny like the rest of the shops in the area from the outside, but it's HUGE by NY standards inside. There's even a bathroom which is a crucial thing to know when out shopping...don't want to waste time trying to find a coffee shop for a toilet! They carry everything: tops, dresses, skirts, bathing suits, shoes, accessories. Just opened within the last few months. Lots of beautiful silk pieces and I don't think it's probably the best sign since they just opened but they definitely have some solid merch already on sale. I bought a silk jumper reg marked $420 for $170. Oh and just to make you feel all warm and cozy inside before you leave they package your purchases in an adorable canvas bag that is GREAT for shopping. A definite must shop!

Nikki Laura
4 Prince
www.nikkilaura.com

Adorable! Looks like it's going to be super cheesy with all the baby pink, but it's not; they definitely have some edgy stuff! Loving everything by Pency, Sauce, and Quail (i.e. sequin mini, super comfy but trendy tees and this Michael Jackson tribute wool blazer)

Pixie Market
100 Stanton
www.pixiemarket.com











Edgy styles give this place charm. One of my favorite dresses here was by a brand called Nine Zero and it was a lime green t-shirt dress with zippers going up at an angle spelling ZERO. Very clever and honestly cute although it might not sound like it (see photo in black version). Almost all styles out are a size small which is annoying to have to ask for a larger size in anything you try on if you're not a small and I know not all of us are. Very reasonable clothes; mostly around the $100 mark. Favorite brands here include: Phamous, Nine Zero, and Dunderdon. Sales person/people aren't friendly but you can find some fun LES clothes here if you can endure the staff!

If you need to grab a bite, on Clinton you can stop in wd-50 or The Clerkenwell for more of a sit-down but good meal. If you're more towards Nolita/SoHo stop in Hampton Chutney for a quick bite. Super yumms and quick so you can keep shopping!

Rocker Chic Leather Duds

Leather continues this season in jackets, but the leather look is now transitioning into other key categories: skirts, leggings, gloves. I love that you can go simple with a staple neutral or black and spice it up with hardware or you can get leather in a gunmetal or shades of blue and gray. Jackets look amazing again this season with dresses and skinny jeans avec booties, of course. Leather leggings really push your rocker-side to the max but will look hot this fall as well...very downtown chic. They will look great with OTS flowey tops or tanks, if you can work that look. Love the leather minis as well and just keep it simple with a tank and fun bangles.

Steamy McSteamer

If you are still using an iron, STOP. Invest in a steamer and it will make your life so much easier! I've always been a fan of travel steamers, especially when going to a wedding and you can't exactly iron your dress for the evening. But it gets better! You can buy a professional size steamer on the cheap. A friend of mine got one and now I'm hooked. It's certainly comparable to that of buying an iron and ironing board and definitely less prep work; with the steamer you just fill it up with water, turn it on and it's ready to go within seconds. No more messing with that annoying ironing board!

Professional Steamers:
http://www.amazon.com/SteamFast-SF-407-1500-Watt-Fabric-Steamer/dp/B000BQRD0I/ref=tag_gam_ptcn_edpp_url
(Best deal and works really well!)

http://www.amazon.com/SmarTek-ST-X2-Professional-Garment-Steamer/dp/B001A3IB4I/ref=tag_stp_st_edpp_url

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Homedics-PS-200-Commercial-Garment-Steamer/3678713/product.html

Travel Steamers:
http://www.jiffysteamer.com/products/index.asp?steamerCatId=1
(This one is my fav)

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Jiffy-Esteam-Hand-held-Pink-Travel-Steamer/3899951/product.html
(Same steamer as above but in PINK and it's cheaper!)

http://www.amazon.com/Samsonite-Dual-Voltage-Garment-Steamer/dp/B000MN9DA8/ref=tag_stp_st_edpp_url
(Great if you travel overseas since it's dual voltage)

Torn Jeans...Friend or Foe?

A few years ago it was all about distressed denim. Now we're onto the torn jeans: more of a slit/slash than the previous skinned knee look. I honestly think the look is very rocker chic. My only qualm is that unless your legs are super skinny, will it just be gross with full tears in your jeans or leggings...which I foresee as even worse? Is this just a trend for the super skinny legged? I need to investigate further on how these look on, but I wanted to go ahead it put it out there. Thoughts?

Elizabeth & James Fall '09 Looks Amazing!

I've been a fan of Elizabeth and James for a while now, but their Fall collection looks amazing. Their line is super easy to wear at relatively reasonable price points. It seems strange to me that The Olsen Twins (Mary Kate and Ashley...to be with the times of using their actual names instead of grouping them together under the umbrella of their last name) have co-designed this clothing line and props to them. It looks great! I love their long jackets & flowy tops! They have the NY chic downtown look down pat; almost everything in their collection can be worn with leggings and booties. So cute! Neimans, Saks, Nordstroms, Intermix all carry.

Merry Maps...what could be merrier?!

I might be completely biased, since one of my friends started this, but I LOVE Merry Maps!! I want to just plan a party in an obscure/hard to find place or invite lots of out-of-towners so I can order up one of these beautiful maps. They are completely one of a kind; hand drawn and unique to your party. The perfect addition to any invite!

www.merrymaps.com

I heart shoes...especially when I'm getting a good deal!

BARNEYS
Barneys has great shoe sales. Although many of the styles are online, I've found that the true deals are really in their flagship store in NY. I've found shoes 70% off...some that were just put out 4-weeks ago. Definitely worth a trip uptown if you're in "The City".

NEIMANS
Neiman Marcus NP has been having an amazing shoe sale. And if you received the mailer with $50 off today (Weds, 8/12) you should definitely make it a lunch stop today.

BERGDORFS
BG is virtually the same as NM but I've found that they have slightly edgier styles. By the time it's time for a shoe sale they're pretty picked over but nonetheless it's worth a trip in if you're in NY. Online it feels just like NM.

DSW
This store can be a hit-or-miss in terms of finding designer shoes, but in Dallas the only two stores that carry designer shoes are at Preston Center and Prestonwood. They have been having a large selection of Gucci and Guiseppe's lately and with their $20-$50 mailers you can get a great value!

Happy Shopping!!

Absinthe In Gummy Form=Why Isn't There A Vodka Gummy??

Tailor
525 Broome(between Thompson and Sullivan)
New York, NY 10013
www.tailornyc.com

I am obsessed with the idea of alcohol in gummy form. Why are we just now hearing/doing this?? It seems like something that the 80's/college frat party would have created. Regardless there's a restaurants that is serving the newly legal Absinthe in gummy form. They are 85% Absinthe with just a dab of sugar & gelatin. The catch...they only serve you 1, that's right 1, when you order an espresso. Also, it's in New York. So Dallas, we'll probably get something of this sort in a year or so.
In the mean time, I've been looking up candy alcohol and apparently you can soak gummy bears in let's say Vodka to get the same effect as soaking fruit in the alcohol of your choice. You have to let them sit for a few days though for the gummy to absorb all the alcohol. Also, the bears grow significantly! So prep a few days out for your party! I also looked up how to make gummy bears and it looks similar to making JELL-O shots except you need bear/worm molds and you make your own mix instead of buying a box of Bill Cosby. The ingredients: 1 package flavored gelatin powder, 7 packages gelatin powder (unsweetened, unflavored), 1/2 cup cold water, and of course the ever potent ingredient alcohol. Hopefully yours will taste as good as Tailors! Happy cooking!!

The Diamond of My Eyes...The Webster, Miami

The Webster
1220 Collins Avenue
http://www.thewebstermiami.com/

I went to Miami recently and was introduced to my new favorite store. The Webser has a boutique feel like a Stanley Korshak or Henri Bendel's. For the least expensive merchandise in the store venture downstairs..and by least expensive I mean a Barney's Co-Op type of price point. For all the major shopping go upstairs and you will be overwhelmed by the amount of unique styles from all the high-end labels (i.e. Balenciaga, Eres, Lanvin, Marc Jacobs, Miu-Miu, Prada, YSL and the list goes on). The difference between this store and let's say a Neiman's is that The Webster makes a point to buy the more unique risky styles and color options that a particular line may carry. For instance, instead of buying a neutral colored jacket, they would only offer it in let's say Chartreuse. The result...it makes what you buy here feel more one-of-a-kind, and even though the label is sold all over you will not find that particular style or color at most of the other retailers.

As for shopping online. The Webster does have a nice website and lists most of their brands and products online, but they do not list prices. Instead you have to submit an order request to buy anything online. Thus, it's just better in person. A MUST in Miami and the best place to shop in South Beach hands down!

Bike Bike Bike

I LOVE bikes. I love my 1-speed cruiser, my future 3-speed cruiser (with a baskets and bells of course), and I love my bike at spin class. I love my bike shoes too...except when they embarrass me in spin class and the clip gets stuck and I can't get out. Probably my fault, but for now it's the shoes.

Here are all the amazing places I've found, or friends have shared with me, if you're ever in the market for a total beach cruiser.

Chubbys Cruisers (bad name, good bikes)
http://www.chubbyscruisers.com/shop/cruisers-womens-c-8_11.html

BeachBikes.com
http://www.beachbikes.net/index.php?p=catalog&parent=44&pg=1

Schwinn (always classic, but not the hugest fan of their "new" retro color scheme)
http://www.schwinnbike.com/usa/eng/Products/Cruisers/Classic-Cruiser/

Oh and on another note. For those who love biking as much as I do, you MUST go to Copenhagen, if you haven't already, and bike the city. I've never been to a city that's more biker friendly! EVERYONE bikes. I would venture to say that there's more bikes on the roads within the city center than cars and the cars can't even get on the tiny narrow streets where all the action is. All the young people bike to restaurants and out to bars at night. What's better!

How Much Is Too Much For A Bra?

Every so often, us women require a bra update to the foundation to our wardrobes. I usually spend anywhere between $60-90 on a given bra and am usually very pleased with my purchase. The other day I was out doing my bra shopping and stumbled upon a beautiful Chantelle white and cream lacey bra that is absolutely wonderful: classy & sexy. When I looked at the price tag at first I wasn't even fazed because I was enamored with it's beauty and functionality...the perfect combo! But then I got home and had that immediate sense of was that too much to spend on a bra? The cost: $125 (including tax). I still have it sitting on my chair with price tags and all just pondering if I want to keep it or not. If it was my only purchase that day I would most likely rip the tags off and probably be wearing it today, but that inner voice...I don't know if it's the angel or devil of my conscience keeps saying you bought too much that day and we're in a recession; time to be more conservative with spending. My thoughts in general on shopping is save for 1 nice item instead of constantly buying the knock-off or cheaper versions. In this case, I'm miffed because I was buying all nice things and just feel like I went overboard with the $125 undergarment that is a must have staple, but there are amazing options that are slightly less expensive (i.e. like the other two $65-75 bras I purchased the same day). I'll leave it for today, tags on and still in my possession. I mean if I do return it, odds are I will go back and buy it the next pay period because let's face it I've put a LOT of thought into trying to rationalize me keeping it.

Oh and one last thing...I just have to share my MOST favorite lingerie shop EVER. It's in Greenwich Village, New York but their website is great...very user friendly. I just love in their physcial store how they have all their bras tacked up on screens you can flip through. It feels like flipping through the hanging rugs at Pottery Barn but here it's bra shopping. Either in-store or online, I highly recommend this place. They have great options for all sizes which I know is often hard for many of us! You must check it out if you haven't already!

La Petite Coquette
51 University Place
http://www.thelittleflirt.com/

Gilt...How Can I Count The Way I Love Thee

So I've always been an avid online shopper (I know it sounded like I was going to say something of profound importance...nope shopping which in the eye of the beholder can be of extreme importance). Regardless, I have in recent months been led into a whole new world of online shopping: timed sales. Needless to say that all my friends and I are completely obsessed. It's utterly addictive and these times sales create that instantaneous pressure to buy before your size and the good styles get swept away by other crazed shoppers. In the case of Gilt at 11:05 the best styles can be "In Members Carts" which in so many words means "Good Luck!". So here's my "Top 8 Sale Sites"...8 because these are my current favs and hope to have 2 more to make it a solid 10 soon!

1. Gilt
2. Neiman Marcus "Mid-Day Dash (timed 2-hr sale on reg full price merch)
3. Rue LaLa (http://www.ruelala.com/invite/lfournier109)
4. Hautelook
5. Editor's Closet
6. Ideeli
7. Salemail
8. The Outnet (not timed, but fab deals. It's Net-a-porters sale site)

Just a quick shout out because a few of these sites a few wonderful friends recommended to me. I'm happy to invite anyone who's not a member at the member-type of sites. There is a slight incentive for me if you make a purchase, so it's not entirely altruistic. And if you know of any other great sites I would love to look into them too!

LAFCO=Loves!

www.lafcony.com

I am obsessed with the smell, look and the fact that each of the glasses from the House and Home collections are hand blown and in turn each candle is unique. The $55 is well worth the over 100 hours of burning time and sheer aesthetics of these candles. There's the House and Home Collection (the original) and then the House and Home Dream Homes Collection which I equally love! Each collection has wonderfully clever names for the scents like Amber Black Vanilla for the Foyer or English Ivy for the Country House.

Lafco's website is just as wonderful as their candles. You really must play around with the floor plan for their original House and Home collection. I feel like a real estate agent would be all over this for some reason... Lafco has stores in New York, LA and now Dallas!

SoFo Stockholm

I went to Stockholm with some of my girlfriends a few weeks ago and discovered the SoHo of Sweden; so fittingly named SoFo. It's filled with trendy little outdoor cafes and parades of beautiful people who seem like they have not a care in the world and don't even look you in the eye because they're too beautiful and they are! It's a definite "Must See" if you're in Stockholm. Very local. We did happen upon one very cool shop called Grandpa.





Grandpa
Södermannagatan 21
116 40 Stockholm
http://www.grandpa.se/?langid=44

It's a very trendy "hipster" type of store, but so is the area that it's in. They
carry men's and women's clothing from new to vintage pieces. Also they have great jewelry by local artists that is relatively reasonable. I bought a necklace and a bracelet and one of my girlfriends bought some shoes and a jumpsuit and that was it in all of Sweden. So I'm a fan!

Sarasotta Finds

I was in Sarasota, Florida recently and found several very innovative stores. If you're ever in Sarasota or close by, be sure to check them out!

Juno and Jove
100 Central Avenue (@ Second Street)
http://www.junoandjove.com/

This store is absolutely fabulous. It's dark hardwoods, custom fixtures,
counter tops and window treatments give this store a very unique but rich vibe. They pride themselves on carefully selecting vendors with fair treatment of labor workers. Their goal in choosing vendors is to find businesses that value the relationship between people, planet and profit. In turn they carry lines that are very hard to find and few retailers carry them within the US.

They have a website but it leaves something to be desired...like the whole feel of their physical store. Merchandise ranges from some styles in the $100-$200 range (few really but I love the lightweight sweaters in this price range and go up from there). If you like their merch, sign-up for emails and receive 10% off your first purchase. I bought a short sleeve sweater from here and I LOVE it! The photo isn't great, but it is and it's now on sale. It gives you shape in the back whereas most sweaters just hang on the backside and don't give any!





Kelietza
602 S. Pineapple Avenue
http://www.kelietza.com/kelietza_home.php

Primarily European labels. Very relaxed vibe but with a strong sense of fashion. Due to the European sizing, shopping online maybe challenging. Even in store, I was not running true to size and fits were a bit off (i.e. loose arm holes, unintended low necklines). The owner, Kelly, is wonderful. She is the exclusive buyer for her store and knows her merch very well. She is working on making her site e-commerce friendly, but at the moments it's not. Sorry this one will have to be an in-store visit!