Luxe Life NYC - Part 19

Livin’ Life And Havin’ Bites Up On 20

July 27, 2016

I recently ventured to the top of the Hyatt Herald Square at 32 West 31st Street to check out the rooftop lounge that has been creating so much excitement with the millennials after-work crowd, and now I see where that excitement is coming from. This modern, open space has a view of the Empire State Building that is so close…read more

Entertainment

Victorian Gardens Update, Summer 2016: Still NYC’s Best Place For Summer Family Fun

July 18, 2016

I ventured back to Victorian Gardens on August 6th and fell in love with it all over again. My brother John, an executive at the Harry Fox Agency and my seven-and-a-half year old nephew, Frank (a second grade student at The Success School in Brooklyn) joined me once more. Yes, Frank did every ride and I did just about every…read more

Lifestyle

Angie’s List’s Fun NYC Social Media Event

July 17, 2016

I was thrilled to be invited to a stunning remodeled West Village townhouse at 723 Washington Street (see pic of the living room to the left) to meet Angie herself and learn that her legendary site just went free with optional silver ($24.95) and gold ($99.95) paid statuses that include special super service features like customer support for your home…read more

Lifestyle

SUMMER FANCY FOOD SHOW 2016: Yes, I Found New Food Favorites!

July 2, 2016

I loved wandering the aisles of booths at the Fancy Food Show this year and I think this year marked my 20 year of going! According to PR honcho Louise Kramer, a record 49,000 vendors were on hand. I did a lot of walking in my afternoon there at the Javits Center, but I do not think it even burned…read more

Lifestyle

Taittinger’s (Very) Early Winter Holiday Press Party Rocked

June 28, 2016

Taittinger Champagne is a classic that most people cannot picture the winter holidays without. I was lucky enough to attend a recent (early August) press event called The Art Of Celebrating The Holidays in a gorgeous townhouse in Gramercy Park that including being able to taste all their popular products including the runaway hit Prestige Rose with its lively flavor…read more

Lifestyle

Limani: An Array Of Greek Delights!

June 28, 2016

I went to visit Limani at 45 Rockefeller Center yesterday and enjoyed its Greek and classic American mix. This is one of the prettiest and most modern spaces you can encounter in midtown. There are sleek white quilted leather banquets, a huge chrome fish mobile in the center of the room (over a modern and elegant "pond" style fountain), and…read more

Beauty

Macy’s Cosmetics Department Leads The High Tech Beauty Brigade With YouCam (A Virtual Makeup Testing Device)! Go Try It Now!

June 8, 2016

I was lucky enough to attend the press preview of YouCam at Macy's and all I could say was that trying on new cosmetics has never been easier. Just choose a brand's icon on the makeup mirror-like screen, then type of makeup item (eyeshadow, lip color, etc.) and then VOILA--you can virtually test shades from the store's Top 5 impulse brands!…read more

Fashion

Posh Nation Unites In New York City–And Girls Who Love To Shop Go Wild!

June 1, 2016

Being a huge fan of Poshmark because it offers the lowest prices on clothing and accessories by my all-time favorite designer Emilio Pucci (and I don't mind Chanel or Marc Jacobs, either) made me want to run to the #POSHNATION party at Adoro Lei. At first I thought I would be attending a shopping party, but it actually was a…read more

Lifestyle

Swifty’s: A Society Legend Still Rules

May 28, 2016

Swifty's has charm from its ceiling to its floors. It's got a classy clubhouse feel with huge portions of luxury American comfort food. The surroundings are such that you feel like you've been there before even if it's your first time through its doors. The staff seem like old friends and they are friendly without ever being intrusive upon your…read more

Lifestyle

A.G. Kitchen: I’m Giving It An “A” For Great Latin Flavors And Friendly Service

May 28, 2016

I recently went to A.G. Kitchen, a Latin American Fusion eatery I was unfamiliar with at 289 Columbus between 72nd and 73rd, and was more than pleasantly surprised. This one threw the baseball straight out of the park, so to speak! The prices were super-reasonable, quality was up to par with major four star Latin and other fusion eateries in town,…read more

Lifestyle

KFC Goes Back To Its Roots

May 28, 2016

I was lucky enough to score an invite to KFC's "back to their roots event" in midtown where I got to witness firsthand the new "Chicken Mastery Program" that each future restaurant employee must complete before going on the job. They brought along SNL legend Rachel Dratch along with certified KFC personnel and even a volunteer from the press corps in…read more

Beauty

I Have Never Felt So Royally Relaxed In My Life As At Sheva Royal Thai Spa!

May 28, 2016

I fell in love with the Premier 57 spa the minute I walked through its doors at 115 East 57th Street--it's tucked inside an office building and it is hard to believe that any spa this spacious could be in midtown Manhattan. Formerly the Spa Castle, the Premier 57 staff renovated their space to have the latest and the greatest.…read more

Beauty

I Have Never Felt So Royally Relaxed In My Life As At Sheva Royal Thai Spa!

May 28, 2016

I was lucky enough to attend a special press event for Sheva Royal Thai Spa located at the NW corner of 47th and Lexington (500 Lexington, to be exact) and could not believe my eyes or any of my senses for that matter. First of all, the whole spa concept is different than anything I have ever encountered before. You…read more

Lifestyle

I Keep My Word And Head Back To The Hard Rock Times Square For More Burgers…But Also Indulge In Nachos, Cowboy Steak and Apple Cobbler

May 1, 2016

Okay, as mentioned in my recent review of the latest and greatest Hard Rock burgers, there are more to try. But my eyes and stomach also went straight for their legendary giant plate of nachos which is enough for about six! The manager told me it was in their Top Five items and I could see why--they are gorgeous and…read more

Fashion

It’s Time To Skinnydip–Skinnydip London, That Is!

April 29, 2016

It's great to find an accessories and tech peripheral site that has so many fun items that you do not know where to start. If you want a cool phone case, super-fun evening bag shaped like a honeycomb complete with bees or a colorful phone charging cord, high quality sleek-looking headphones or a mod makeup bag, go to http://www.skinnydiplondon.com! A great thing about…read more

Beauty

Shiseido: The Legend Continues!

April 28, 2016

I don't have to tell you that Shiseido has been at the top of the luxury cosmetics world for nearly an eternity (they actually started in Japan over 150 years ago!). Their makeup experts worked on so many recent NYFW shows and they got the acclaim they deserved. This is a company that does an incredible amount of philanthropy.…read more

Lifestyle

I Hopped To IHOP on National Pancake Day–And Was Completely Dazzled As I Drizzled On The Syrup!

April 28, 2016

I recently attended a bloggers' breakfast that included a presentation from affable IHOP President Darren Rebelez. I was impressed how knowledgable he was about the menu and went into the current IHOP choices. They are ever expanding thanks to a team of gourmet executive chefs as advisors. They not only have ridiculously great pancakes--with plenty of promotions that will get…read more

Lifestyle

Tea With NBC’s Bobbie Thomas: Everything I Wanted To Know About Infertility But Was Afraid To Ask!

April 21, 2016

Whomever said that infertility and scones don't mix have not had tea over baby talk with the gorgeous Bobbie Thomas, the NBC Today Show personality/style maven who went on camera to discuss the problems she was having a baby at age 41 due to cysts and other problems. No one has ever discussed this on their regular TV gig before…read more

Lifestyle

Shakin’ It With Shaklee Life Products! (Yes, There Are High Nutrition Products That Taste Good!)

April 16, 2016

Earlier this year, I was lucky enough to have a one-on-one meeting with the friendly and super-informative Dr. Bruce Daggy, an internist who is the Chief Science Offer at Shaklee. Shaklee was interestingly enough the first company to come with with a meal replacement/nutrition shake over 50 years ago--and over the years they have updated the formula for both taste and…read more

Entertainment

The Big Apple Circus’ “Grand Tour” Takes You Around The World In Luxury–Without Leaving Your Seat In Damrosch Park

April 16, 2016

I am a huge fan of The Big Apple Circus and have gone pretty much every year for 20 years! Every year there is a different theme and a different "head clown" or in this year's case, a team of clowns that remind me a lot of Laurel & Hardy. Like everyone in the circus, their garb is in keeping…read more

Fashion

A LOOK BACK AT NYFW FALL 2016

April 1, 2016

The legendary NYFW tents are no longer. Many fashionistas, fashion press, buyers and any other Fashion Week guest most likely longs for the days of the gorgeous white tents in Bryant Park and then, more recently, in Lincoln Center. The dark and dreary Moynihan Station on West 33rd Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues might be spacious, but it…read more

Fashion

Fashion Week Came And Went Again–And It Was Great To Get A Sneak Peek At The Fall 2017 Styles!

April 1, 2016

While NYFW doesn't quite have the glitz and glamour that it once had prior to 10 years ago when it was still in Bryant Park, it's hard to resist going to see your favorite designers' latest collections and attending a press lounge or two. I only attended a few shows and lounges this year just because I am getting old…read more

Beauty

I’m A NARSissist! Here’s Why

March 28, 2016

I have been a longtime NARS fan. Diehard fans of this incredible, cutting edge cosmetic company are called NARSissists and I admit that I think their eyeliners are the best in the business. I have done water aerobics in heavily chlorinated swimming pools and my liner did not budge. The Larger Than Life Eyeliner is my fave and it gives…read more

Lifestyle

Anisette: A Comfy Country French Bistro That Will Tease Your Taste Buds!

March 28, 2016

I love breezy bistro style restaurants where you can sit inside at the wine bar or take an outside table and people watch. Anisette at the NW corner of 19th Street and Third Avenue is totally captivating. They have simple country French decor and a menu to match with very reasonable prices for luscious dishes that range from a world-class…read more

Fashion

Hawaiian Tropic Apparel: Easy, Breezy Style For Warm Weather Fun ‘N Frolic!

March 16, 2016

I love the fact that Hawaiian Tropic has come up with so many easy-wear, easy-care flowing styles in their first ever foray into the fashion world. You can get boho chic pullover dresses and swimsuit covers, sexy lacy tunics that can be used many different ways, loose fitting shorts and pants and everything is of such soft, easy-wear fabrics. My pieces…read more

Lifestyle

Boppin’ ‘N Biting With Babeth’s Feast–The Ultimate Foodie’s Frozen Food Line

February 28, 2016

I recently got to attend a bloggers' dinner at the back of the wonderfully organized Babeth's Feast store on Third Avenue between 80th and 81st Streets. Most foodies turn their noses up at frozen foods but as the manager points out, it does not make a difference if you used all the highest qualities to begin with. Many customers have…read more