Lifestyle

Delmonico’s 150th Anniversary Ladies Luncheon: Celebrating Women’s History And Great American Cuisine!

April 20th, 2018 marked the 150th anniversary of the first time women were allowed to dine independently--and yes, the original ladies' luncheon really happened at Delmonico's, America's oldest restaurant! Back in 1868, journalist Jane Cunningham Croly got a bunch of colleagues from her new all-female social group Sorosis and headed down to Delmonico's to protest being banned from a luncheon…read more
Lifestyle

Bowl & Blade: Bringing Healthy—And Hearty—Vibes To Brooklyn!

Bowl & Blade is the brainchild of Adin Langille, a multitalented chef who has worked for the likes of the Michelin starred Indian resto Junoon in the Flat Iron District--as well as created and executed numerous projects for luxury restauranteurs Alain Ducasse, Charlie Palmer and David Burke. For his first restaurant (as a co-owner with Junoon's Rajesh Bhardwaj and Stephen…read more
Beauty

The Fragrance Foundation Finalists Luncheon: Sniffing Out The Best In The Business!

I was so happy to be able to attend my first-ever Fragrance Foundation Finalists Luncheon (at the lovely 583 Park Avenue event space) as I am a complete fragrance maniac. On my way there, I wondered how Gucci Bloom, my official fragrance fave of 2018, would fare--and sure enough, it was nominated in several categories. Beyond the obvious purpose of…read more
Beauty

Philosophy’s “Spring Clean” Launch Event: Who Knew That “Cleaning” Could Be So Fun?

I was lucky enough to attend the launch of several great new products by Philosophy on the 67th floor of the Empire State Building last week. Leave it to Philosophy to come up with the clever idea of a "spring cleaning" concept behind the party. There were vignettes to display each product along with their predecessors in the line--and there…read more
Lifestyle

Open Market: The World’s Coolest Block Party Is An Endless Array Of Artisanal Treats, Hot Sounds & Chic Bargains!

This year's Open Market "block party" at the Meatpacking District's legendary Highline Stages featured gourmand treats and grog from 27 locals bars and restos, DJ sets by Coco & Breezy, a silent auction, raffles and the most beautiful crowd this side of New York Fashion Week. I was as impressed with the bargains from the fashionable local stores as I was…read more
Lifestyle

The Newport Academy’s Influencer Luncheon: The Meal As Medicine

I was fortunate enough to attend The Newport Academy's recent The Meal As Medicine influencer luncheon at Habitas, a charming 1897 firehouse that has been converted into a loft-like, multi-level event space; the garden space had once been used to let the horses used to pull the old fire trucks roam around in. The Newport Academy is a rehab facility…read more
Lifestyle

Casswell-Massey: A Fragrance Legend Launches Fresh New Spring Scents!

I was very excited to join members of the Caswell-Massey team at PERFUMARIĒ (155 Lafayette Street) for previews of their new scents Marem, Beatrix Rose Perfume, ROS for Men, their revolutionary New York Botanical Garden Floral EDT Collaboration, plus Supernatural Number Six, which are all coming this fall! This exclusive press event also had many of Caswell-Massey's "greatest hits" on…read more
Lifestyle

Neuhaus Chocolates For Valentine’s Day: Where Old-Fashioned Hearts Meet New-Fangled Flavors!

I was lucky enough to get to go to an in-store preview of Neuhaus Chocolates' endless line of Valentine's Day packages at their 500 Madison Avenue stop. This extra-large chocolate heaven is a place a chocoholic could easily spend a few hours in. Short lead press guests were treated to champagne and the three new flavorful chocolates that were introduced…read more
Entertainment

The Best Grammy Event? It Was The Bulova Brunch At Cipriani!

Bulova pulled out all the stops at their Grammy 60 brunch at Cipriani's 25 Broadway Street location, which is an elegant old bank building with hand painted ceilings reminiscent of the Sistine Chapel. There was a beautiful mix of music and watch biz execs along with about a hundred lifestyle bloggers in attendance. The food was divine as it always…read more
Travel

The George Inn: Modern Luxury That Even Ol’ George Would Appreciate!

I admit that I was totally blown away by both the comfort and style of makeup business legend Bobbi Brown's George Inn at 37 North Mountain Avenue in stately Montclair, NJ--a town well-known for luxury vintage homes that have been well-preserved. Bobbi and her real estate developer husband Steve Plofker have lived there for 29 years so when the old…read more
Lifestyle

Hard Rock Cafe: I Just Had To Visit For The Rockin’ New Drinks And Classic Comfort Food!

I recently headed to the Hard Rock in Times Square to test one of the new drinks I have been obsessed with since learning about it entering the drink menu back in January 10th. It is called the Berry Sangrita-Ria and is a must for anyone who loves refreshing berry drinks that focus on natural berry flavor and that are…read more
Lifestyle

Cafe Bilboquet: Authentic & Casual French Bistro Fare You’ll Fall In Love With!

I recently had the opportunity to check out the brand new Cafe Bilboquet which just opened last August to plenty of fanfare including coverage in The New York Times. Centrally located at 26 East 60th Street just a few doors east of its highly-acclaimed parent eatery Le Bilboquet, this newcomer has everything you would want for breakfast, lunch or even…read more
Lifestyle

Bedford & Co: Midtown Gets Arty (And World-Class Modern American Grub)!

I first discovered Bedford & Co. quite accidentally when I got invited to the Historic Hotels Of America press luncheon there. Inside the historic Hotel Renwick at 118 East 40th Street--which is a member of the Hilton Curios Group and once home to F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Steinbeck and other famous writers--this dimly lit restaurant has a loft look with…read more
Lifestyle

Tartina: Stellar Southern Italian On The Upper West Side!

Tartina recently moved from Ninth Avenue between 45th and 46th Streets to the NW corner of 111th Street and Amsterdam Avenue and has garnered many new fans along the way. Prices are excellent for modern Southern Italian fare that is all made from scratch--that includes homemade pasta and desserts. All produce is organic and all meat, fish and cheeses used…read more
Lifestyle

A Visit To Life Cafe At Life Time Athletic Club: Health And Deliciousness Come Together Very “Smoothie-ly”!

My recent visit to Life Cafe inside Life Time Athletic in the Sky building at 605 West 42nd Street was quite eye-opening--and not just because their Almond Butter Smoothie gave me a jolt of energy, LOL! The only other time I have seen a healthy food cafe of any sort in a Manhattan health club before was at Premier 57…read more
Entertainment

Author Farah Oomerbhoy: Giving Back In A Big Way!

I was lucky enough to be invited to have lunch with Mumbai-based teenaged author Farah Oomberhoy who has achieved great fame and acclaim with her award winning The Avalonia Chronicles series which is published by Wise Ink Creative Publishing. So far there are two books in the series—The Last Of The Firedrakes and The Rise Of The Dawnstar—and the underlying…read more