anne241 | Luxe Life NYC

Vera Bradley Preview: What’s New For Spring ‘18?

October 13, 2017

I am a huge Vera Bradley fan because this famous line’s use of bright colors and flowery prints just always puts a smile on my face. They are a ray of sunshine in the fashion industry, which seems to worship black as the “color” that is the main focus. There is the occasional black piece in Vera Bradley collections but…read more

Lifestyle

T-BAR: The Upper East Side’s Best Steakhouse Has More Than Just Steaks!

October 11, 2017

I love T-Bar at 1278 Third Avenue (which is only a few blocks from my apartment)--it is my favorite neighborhood steakhouse and a place you can count on consistently great food. In its former incarnation as The Lenox Room (with the same owners) it tended to be more formal, while now it has the airiness of a downtown dining room.…read more

Lifestyle

Jung Lee NY: Yes, It’s My Favorite Table Top/Home Accessories Store!

October 9, 2017

I have ventured into the Jung Lee store several times in the past year just because it is a wonderland of chic table top items from around the world. Lee herself wonders the globe on fabulous buying excursions for the store and I recently got a tour of items that are being suggested for holiday gifting. If I had a…read more

Lifestyle

Skura Style: Turning Sponges Into An Art Form!

October 9, 2017

As a longtime journalist, I have never written about sponges and there is a first time for everything. The owners of the highly innovative sponge subscription service called Skura Style recently through a press bash in the magnificent Upper East Side townhouse of MSNBC TV personality Donny Deutsch—which resembles a giant four floor art gallery. Deutsch’s walls are covered with…read more

Lifestyle

Gruppo Italiano Goes To Il Gattopardo!

October 9, 2017

Gruppo Italiano is a wonderful organization that introduces foodies and “winies” to new products headed over to the US for consumption and guests always get to “meet the makers.” I recently attended one of their events at Il Gattopardo simply called “Taste Of Europe” and was excited to try all sorts of new wines but being a foodie, I was…read more

Fashion

Fashion Week For Spring ’18: My Favorite Moments!

September 15, 2017

NYFW is not what it used to be. While the shows certainly have all the glitz and the glamour, there is no one central venue and running all over town from one show to another requires the stamina of an Olympic athlete; that is why I only do a few events each fashion week! I admit that I enjoy the…read more

Beauty

An “Ahnesti-Ly” Great Haircare Line!

September 13, 2017

Everyone beauty maniac is after natural products these days, and I was lucky enough to meet Lorri Weison, the owner of the natural hair line called Ahnesti Haircare, at the recent Beauty Squared beauty press show in midtown Manhattan. Just like the brochure says, this line is truly a successful coexistence between natural ingredients and salon performance--and all products are…read more

Lifestyle

Jelly Belly: You Bet Your Beans That They’re As Delish And As Fun As Ever!

September 6, 2017

I have had an obsession with Jelly Belly for over 30 years now and have always been intrigued how (unlike most other brands of jelly beans) they are not overly sweet or possessing of that rough, sugary outer shell that puts the kibosh on me trying other brands! I have these every Easter and I am impressed with the hundreds…read more

Lifestyle

Chowing Down On The Carnival Sunshine (And Lovin’ The Wow Factor)!

August 30, 2017

I was lucky enough to be invited to a press luncheon for 35 journalists on the Carnival Cruise Lines' Sunshine when it was docked at the Carnival Terminal on the West Side recently. I have not been on a Carnival ship in over five years, so I was thrilled to take in all the sites on a private tour before…read more

Beauty

What’s New From Phyto? The Anti-Aging Phytodensia Line, That’s What!

August 28, 2017

I had the pleasure of having breakfast with members of the Phyto team recently--including one of their new team stylists, Janet St. Paul Paul of the Austin salon that bears her name. Janet is so in-demand that she travels to New York once a month to cut and style the hair of prominent New Yorkers who can't live without her…read more

Beauty

It Cosmetics For Fall 2017: They’re Always The “It” Brand With Cutting Edge Ideas!

August 24, 2017

I have always loved It Cosmetics--their aesthetic is one of sophistication but at the same time their items and packaging are simple and always easy to understand while others have gone off the deep end! I loved their extravagant launch of the fall line which included a presentation by CEO Jamie Kern on media night as well as a special…read more

Lifestyle

Cucina & Amore’s Quinoa Meals On The Go: I’ll Be Back For More!

August 15, 2017

Which food vendor at the recent press event called Snack Attack wowed me the most? It was none other than Cucina & Amore's quinoa meals on the go. Quinoa has gotten a rep for being boring but trust me that these mix and eat meals are anything but! The quinoa is cooked to perfection and placed in a sealed plastic…read more

Beauty

Jane Iredale For Fall 2017: Skincare Supplements, Red & Wine Plumping Lip Colors And Blusher With Staying Power!

August 15, 2017

I was thrilled to go to Jane Iredale's recent press event on the rooftop of the legendary Gramercy Park Hotel to launch be at the launch of her Fall 2017 line. This classy beauty business leader has a lot of new things up her sleeve ad she addressed the beauty blogger crowd about how she started her company and her…read more

Lifestyle

Chefs & Champagne 2017: The Hamptons’ Ultimate Foodie Event Only Gets Better

August 13, 2017

I was lucky enough to attend the 27th Annual James Beard Foundation's Annual Chefs & Champagne event at the Wolffer Estate Vineyard in Sagaponack on July 29th. Legendary James Beard Foundation Award–winning chef, author and restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson was toasted by more than 1,000 guests, who grazed from table to table of 35 NYC area chefs' greatest creations--many which were…read more

Lifestyle

Super Saturday 2017: I Shopped (And Ate) ‘Til I Dropped

August 13, 2017

I love Super Saturday. I am not a Hamptonite per se but this highly-publicized event is always a favorite of mine since I love luxury shopping at a discount (and that is something that is hard to come by unless you enjoy perusing the racks at consignment shops). At Super Saturday, which benefits ovarian cancer research, the best of the…read more

Lifestyle

Jill Zarin’s Luxury Ladies Lunch 2017: Still One Of The Hamptons’ Stellar Events

August 13, 2017

Why do I enjoy going to Jill Zarin's Luxury LadiesLunch every year? Besides the proceeds going to thyroid cancer research (a subject that has really hit home for Jill and her longtime husband, fabric king Bobby Zarin, who Skyped in from his hospital bed to great guests), the event gives guests the opportunity to network with experts in beauty, fashion…read more

Lifestyle

BFLORAL: New York’s Most Original Florist Teaches A Few Tricks To Bloggers!

August 8, 2017

I was lucky enough to attend BFloral's Summer Media Event on Saks Fifth Avenue's 2nd Floor--which is now set up with all sorts of mini boutiques arranged in a circle! I have not had much experience attending floral events although it has been a trend at press events to let guests create their own bouquets. The folks at BFloral along…read more

Beauty

Lora Condon: This “Beauty Buster” Is A Legend In The Skincare Game!

August 7, 2017

I was so lucky to be able to get a facial that was much, much more than just getting "steamed" and then a couple of masks. Lora goes above and beyond the call of duty--her facials include extractions, a foot rub, shoulder and neck massages, callous removal with a gentle pumice stone and more. While she owns a popular salon…read more

Lifestyle

Circle Line: The Way To Rock On The River With Specially Themed Cruises!

July 29, 2017

There is magic on Pier 83 (42nd Street and 12th Avenue)--and we are not just talking about the legendary daily harbor cruises with the classic Circle Line. These days, The Circle Line has special Happy Hour cruises with a special theme each week. I was lucky enough to go on the BBQ & Brews Happy Hour cruise recently and fell…read more

Beauty

SPARITUAL: Nail And Hand Care For Those Who Like Quality On The Go!

July 27, 2017

I was so thrilled to be able to get a mani with the one step SpaRitual Nourishing Vegan Color at the recent Organic Spa event held at The Conrad Hotel in Battery Park City. I was shocked when I saw how great the coverage was, how fast the polish dried and how long it lasted! This is like a dream…read more

Beauty

Schwarzkopf Does It Again–This Time With A Fab US Launch Of Their Gliss Line

July 27, 2017

Gliss has long been a famous brand of Schwarzkopf's in Europe--since 1959 as a matter of fact--but now it is being launched in the US and I was lucky enough to be at the celebratory event at Lightbox on West 38th Street in midtown. A lot of "hair education" happened! "Hair scientists" as I like to call them analyzed guests' hair…read more

Lifestyle

The Family That Crafts Together, Stays Together! A Look At The New Crafting Paints By Martha Stewart For Michael’s!

July 5, 2017

I recently went to the press launch party for the expanded new line of craft paints by Martha Stewart for Michael's and was amazed at all the different types. What was I most impressed with (besides the house exterior made of bottles of paint for Martha Stewart herself to pose in front of)? All I could do with the paints,…read more

Lifestyle

SUMMER FANCY FOOD SHOW 2017: I Tried New Things As Well As My Old Favorites

July 2, 2017

It's no secret that the first Fancy Foods Show booth that I go to is Bongiovi Brands! I love to chat with Jon Biongiovi, Sr. and his sons Anthony and Matthew about everything that's new as well as "classic" in their line. They are really going to start a thing with their new Classic Curry tomato sauce which really has…read more

Fashion

FitFlop: You Must Try This Line! They’re So Comfy That You Will Forget That You Are Wearing Them!

June 28, 2017

I never had heard of FlitFlops before I encountered them at a recent press preview in NYC and all I can say is WOW! I feel like their soles are almost contoured to my feet! They make soles that truly have give and support, and celebs such as Uma Thurman have stepped on board to sing their praises. Pictured to…read more

Beauty

Toppik: The Easiest Way To Hide Spots Created By Thinning Hair!

June 27, 2017

It's no secret that as men age, they loose their hair, but it is even more devastating for women in this position. Sure, there are wigs, headwraps and hats but they can get very hot in the summer or simply when you are indoors in a well-heated room. Toppik's powdery hair building fiber formula is something that you tap on…read more

Fashion

French Soles: Flat Is Where It’s At!

June 18, 2017

I always get excited when I walk past French Soles' three NYC stores on Lexington between 71st and 72nd--there are so many exciting and colorful styles to look out, and a day does not go by living on the Upper East Side when I do not see a stylish lady carrying a French Soles shopping bag. My deep love of…read more