anne241 | Luxe Life NYC

Carolee Jewelry: Class, Luxury And Style At The Right Price!

November 28, 2015

It never ceases to amaze me how many great designs the legendary 42-year-old jewelry company Carolee comes up with each year. They always have 30 to 35 jewelry designers on hand and not only have their own line that you can see in the center of the costume jewelry departments of Bloomingdale's, Lord & Taylor, Macy's and other popular department stores, but…read more

Lifestyle

Mulino A Vino: This Avant Garde Italian Eaterie Might Just Be NYC’s Greatest (And It’s Only A Year Old)

November 9, 2015

Being of Italian-American descent and having both Northern and Southern Itaian members in my family, I am very fussy when it comes to "real" Italian dishes. Mulino A Vino on 14th Street between 8th and 9th is steeped in both old school Italian traditions (mainly ones from the Milan area where the owner Paolo Meregalli comes from) mixed with clever twists…read more

Beauty

What’s New At Clarins–And What Makes Them So Classic? (Quality + Innovation!

November 4, 2015

I love Clarins simply because their skincare stands the test of time. Their Huile Tonic Body Treatment is just a wonderful product to rub all over yourself in the morning to get your skin soft and your senses flowing. It smells of lavender, fennel and assorted flowers and is one of the most distinctive scents in all of the luxury…read more

Entertainment

The Gazillion Bubble Show: The Most Bubble-licious Fun On Off-Broadway (Or Anywhere For That Matter)!

September 14, 2015

I recently revisited The Gazillion Bubble Show after seeing it both six and seven years ago, respectively. The Yang family-- Guinness Record holders for more than a dozen bubble titles including creating the world's biggest bubble at 179 feet long--have members switch on and off for different shows. There are often three a day, and each show goes a little over…read more

Lifestyle

Paname: Where Classic New York Neighborhood Warmth Meets Classy Contemporary Parisian Fare!

September 13, 2015

Paname is a Sutton Place neighborhood gem at 1086 Second Avenue (between 56th and 57th Streets) that features classic French fare in large portions for reasonable prices. Items are plated with a modern feel, and every presentation is a work of art. The native Parisian proprietor Bernard Ros has a long history in the restaurant business and had a successful 17-year run…read more

Lifestyle

An Unforgettable Visit To The Alex Soldier Studio: Puttin’ On The Glam!

August 26, 2015

I recently visited legendary Russian jewelry design Alex Soldier's studio in the garment district of Manhattan. My eyes lit up upon entering the clean and chic space filled with display cases of not only his fabulous precious and semi-precious jewelry currently for sale in luxe stores like Neiman's and Bergdorf's, but real gold and gemstone awards he created for the…read more

Beauty

Check Out Sonage Skin Care And Discover The “Beauty Of Balance”!

July 28, 2015

I was lucky enough to check out Sonage Skincare's Beauty Of Balance event at the Lululemon store in the Flatiron District a couple of weeks ago and not only got to meet Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, the president of GlamSquad, but to meditate with a large group of other bloggers and test Sonage Skincare products for the first time. I also tasted…read more

Lifestyle

SUPER SATURDAY–YES, IT WAS SUPER AGAIN THIS YEAR!

July 28, 2015

I have gone to Super Saturday on the grounds of Noak's Art Project in Water Mill three times now and it's an event that never fails to thrill. QVC broadcasts live from the stage in front of a huge white party tent filled with some of their more famous brands selling at a huge discount. There are a few outside brands…read more

Lifestyle

FFS 2015: The Reason I Was The Most Full Press Person At The Show Was Because Of All The Unique Exhibitors With Goodies Galore!

July 28, 2015

It's no secret that I'm a foodie and when the Fancy Food Show comes to New York's Javits Center the last Sunday in June (for a total of a three-day stint), I'm the first in line to "nosh around the clock" and check out both the old classics and newbie food items on exhibit. I always have to go press…read more

Lifestyle

Lovin’ Life On Top Of The Quin Hotel On West 57th Street!

July 28, 2015

I was lucky enough to get a private peek at the renovated penthouse at the Quin Hotel (which was the much more traditional Buckingham for many years) and was blown away. The duplex features three bedrooms (one of which can serve as a nanny's quarters or offices) and double terraces, one which is big enough to offer party space for…read more

Lifestyle

Semsom: Lebanese Fare That’s Tantalizing To The Senses (And Taste Buds)!

July 28, 2015

I recently sauntered on down to Semsom at 2 Astor Place, to the immediate left of the legendary Astor Place Haircutters, an East Village mainstay for 40-something years. It took the place of the Financier Patisserie that use to be on this loft-like ground level spot. Semsom is not your typical "run in and grab a bite" fast food place. The…read more

Lifestyle

BarRachos: Mexican Comfort Food That Rock ‘N Rolls

July 28, 2015

I recently took the good ol' G train out to BarRachos at 69 Greenpoint Avenue in Greenpoint, Brooklyn and it was well worth the hour plus trek for me. The food is fresh and served fast. Secondly, the prices are super low. Tacos are only $2.50 while tamales are $5.00. The biggest ticket item on the menu are saucy and…read more

Lifestyle

Spa Time: For Kids Only! A Visit To Milk & Cookies Salon And Spa On The Upper East Side (at 1196 First Avenue)

July 27, 2015

One of the cleverest outposts for kids was opened about six months ago on the corner of 63rd and First: the Milk & Cookies Salon And Spa. It's colorful, cute and provides great services with a twist--when manicures, pedicures, facials and haircuts are done, customers get to sit at a counter where they are served fresh milk and cookies. They get to…read more

Lifestyle

Maroni’s Hot Pots: The Hottest New Eats On The Upper East Side!

July 27, 2015

I love the highly original concept of Maroni's Hot Pots--you can take out or get delivery of gorgeous red ceramic pots full of classic Italian food to serve one to six people. But as of January 2016, you can eat in as well. They have an intimate dining room at their location at 303 East 77th Street in Manhattan that seats…read more

Lifestyle

Hummus 21: Kosher Middle Eastern Fare With The Friendliest Service Anywhere

July 27, 2015

Right in the heart of midtown--First Avenue between 57th and 58th Streets to be exact--is Hummus 21, a Kosher Middle Eastern restaurant that provides super-fresh homemade classics like Hummus (of course), Babaganush, Mediterranean grape leaves and my personal favorite, Bureka, a baked puffed pastry stuffed with wild mushrooms and potatoes. Should you go here, I strongly suggest starting your dinner off…read more

Lifestyle

Fonda: The City’s Greatest New “Find” In Upscale Mexican Cuisine!

July 27, 2015

Where can you find the best guacamole in New York City? That's a question often posed between NYC Mexican food maniacs. I think I have found it at Fonda at 40 Avenue B between 3rd and 4th Street (there are also Chelsea and Brooklyn locations to try, BTW)! There is a lot of cilantro and the juiciest chunks of fresh…read more

Lifestyle

Saffron: A Modern Take On Indian Food You Won’t Want To Miss

July 27, 2015

Last night I had the pleasure of eating at the one-year-old Upper West Side Indian resto called Saffron. The prices were incredibly reasonable and they offer a $15 lunch buffet special on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 to 3:30 that is a delight to both the nose and the palate ($9 lunch specials are offered the rest of the…read more

Beauty

Beauty Bloggers “Over The Moon” About Mark Hill’s High Fashion Hair Looks!

July 27, 2015

On Thursday 4/30 at the beautiful loft-like Glasshouses in Chelsea's art gallery district, award-winning British celebrity hairstylist Mark Hill hosted a Master Styling Class featuring style icon Whitney Port in celebration of Mark Hill Salon Professional’s recent expansion into ULTA Beauty. Mark Hill demonstrated how to achieve two of this spring’s hottest styles on his celebrity muse, Whitney! To kick…read more

Beauty

The Annick Goutal Madison Avenue Store Is Scentsational

July 8, 2015

Home I was thrilled to be able to check out the new Annick Goutal Store which just opened on June 10th. It's the natural fragrance company's second NYC store and so many people come in to try the scents at the fabulous fragrance counter in the center of the store that it looks like a parade of scent addicts! There…read more

Fashion

FASHION WEEK FROLICS–SEPTEMBER 2015! UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS!

July 2, 2015

I had a great NYFW even though ING, the company that runs it, took it out of Lincoln Center and spread the shows all over town. Most took place on the west side of town from the West Village up through the West 30's. The pseudo headquarters was Moynihan Station, which is the side of New York's main post office…read more

Entertainment

Fun In The Sun, Summer 2015

June 28, 2015

I love Central Park in the summer time! The scenery, the people, and all the wonderful things to do. Wollman Skating Rink becomes Victorian Gardens just before Memorial Say and stays open till well into September. Victorian Gardens might just be the cleanest amusement park you have ever seen and rides are geared to the four to eleven-year-old crowd. Only one…read more

Lifestyle

Uncle Sam’s Heads Here From Beijing–And Boy, Does He Make a Juicy Burger!

June 27, 2015

It's certainly funny to think that a place named Uncle Sam's exists in Beijing--and that they give American burgers a run for their money. Featuring the legendary Pat LaFrieda Meats--which are usually found only in NYC's priciest steakhouses--you'll want to eat two or three of these 4 ounce burgers with unique trimmings and flavors everyday. Uncle Sam's just opened up…read more

Lifestyle

Jackie Collins Is Back–But Is She Ever Really Gone?

June 19, 2015

I was lucky enough to meet with the First Lady Of The JPT (Juicy Page Turner) for a special bloggers tea at the lovely and legendary Hotel Plaza Athenee last week. Ms. Collins was celebrating the release of her latest novel, The Santangelos--featuring Lucky Santangelo, her most popular and enduring character who was introduced to her diehard readers way back…read more

Lifestyle

True Facet: The Best Place To Buy Luxury Jewelry At Greatly Reduced Prices (As Well As Fast Forward Costume Jewelry)!

May 28, 2015

I was lucky enough to be exposed to truefacet.com through a publicist friend who put me on the mailing list for the site. Being a lover of jewelry from fun, cheap baubles to the outrageously decadent items I see in the windows of Cartier on Fifth Avenue, I spent hours each day one week looking at the truefacet.com listings. I…read more

Lifestyle

Natsumi Tapas: Blending Japanese And Italian Cuisines Perfectly

May 28, 2015

I had all sorts of crazy foodie thoughts going through my mind when I first decided to review Natsumi Tapas. I could not picture Japanese and Italian cuisines blending together. I was picturing risotto in place of rice for California Rolls and marinara sauce on tempura, LOL! When I got to this chic Gramercy Park location although, all my skeptical…read more

Entertainment

Dion: Not The Type Of Guy Who Likes To Roam Around! A Great Night At The 92nd Street Y!

May 9, 2015

I was lucky enough to attend one of the best 92nd Street Y "Discussion Nights" ever featuring rock journalism legend Anthony DeCurtis speaking to Dion. Without Dion--the self-proclaimed "King Of The Bronx"--there would be no Lou Reed or Bruce Springsteen. Looming large in his legend is the night he flipped a coin with The Big Bopper and Buddy Holly…read more