Battle Holiday Market: Union Square v. Bryant Park

As the shopping frenzy escalates during the last few weeks of the holiday season, we may only have time to hit a few more destinations. When deciding which holiday market reigns supreme, consider the following:

	Union Square	Bryant Park
Décor	Ramshackle candy cane old-world charm	Manicured (sometimes heated) glass-enclosed mini-shops
Ambience	Crowded…but surrounding neighborhoods not as crowded as midtown	Crowded…free ice-skating on hand
Environs	Downtown, more locals congregating nearby	Midtown Christmas-land, more tourists touring
Merchandise Selection	Better and more interesting merchandise, including: glass ornaments and a variety of jewelry	More generic merchandise, with a wider variety of clothing and more big names food-wise

And the champion is

Union Square

What gives

Union Square

the edge? Their locally sourced interesting gift offerings set in an adorably confusing labyrinth of stalls that, just for the moment, transports you to a European market on a balmy winter’s day...Happy Holidays!!

Flowers, Feathers, and Faux Pas - New York Botanical Garden Winter Wonderland Ball

Vintage dresses, with the cream-colored gown dating from the 1950s.

Designer Chris Benz in the center.

Feathers!!

Beautiful beading

Last night we attended a New York high Society fête at the New York Botanical Garden's Winter Wonderland Ball. The pastoral setting sparkled, as did many of the guests. With the dress code being "winter white and black," we were intrigued to see if this look (particularly the white) could be succesfully accomplished. Oh we of little faith! With a few exceptions, most gowns were Cinderella-worthy. As seen above, feathers and fur were the among the themes of the evening, which seemed appropriate, the ladies like elegant doves and minks of the garden.

Unlike those mingling and laughing throughout the gardens, StyleShifter and StyleShifter Junior lack years of training amongst the elite, meaning that the evening was spotted with both triumphs and a few gaffs. Luckily, the only  memorable faux pas were cleverly timed with one at the start and the other towards the end. Early on in the event, as StyleShifter posed for some photogs, the renowned Bill Cunningham of the New York Times approached with his camera! StyleShifter forgot her sultry smolder, and grinned widely, striking pose after pose enthusiastically. Mr. Cunningham took two steps forward with his notepad, and turned to the entirely unaware duo sipping cocktails to StyleShifter's right, asking them for their names! A dream delayed, but no matter, we bravely soldiered on, achieving a small success when Mr. Cunningham snapped a candid of StyleShifter Junior later in the evening (now we await tomorrow's paper to check if it made it into his montage).  As the night drew near to its end, we were presented with an entree surrounded by a red sauce. Seems like someone in the kitchen has a sense of humor given the many signature cocktails served by this point and the abundant white garb! Naturally, there came a point when red sauce united with white outfit, although we shall spare you all the gory details. After shimmying on the dance floor with some socialites, it was time to bid farewell before our carriage turned into a pumpkin.

For more info, see http://www.nybg.org/ - annual holiday train show running until mid-January.

Letters to Haiti - An evening to benefit LakayPAM

           

          Some of the models in attendance, including Coco, Behati,

           Karlie, and Hilary Rhoda.

                                                                                                                                            

Fashionable luminaries convened last night at Milk Gallery for an evening hosted by Coco Rocha to Benefit LakayPAM. At every turn, the whitewashed gallery walls were offset by the glow of groups of models interspersed with designers. Coco herself seemed to emanate light as she floated throughout the room, pleasantly chatting with guests (with her mom looking on with pride). The definitive sign that Coco had achieved her goal occurred moments before the premiere of her husband James Conran’s “Letters to Haiti.” With the lights dimming, Karlie Kloss stepped her elegant foot into the lobby, greeting some expectant attendees at the foot of the lobby stairs. In the well-founded fear that the movie might begin before Karlie entered, posed for the press, and joined Coco in the front row, a fellow guest hissed to those in earshot “Will Karlie get in here, can’t she see Coco’s trying to save the world?!” Well done Coco, Mission Accomplished.

The movie itself was moving, with heart-swelling instrumentals accompanying scenes of devastation and vibrant orphans (all of which are up for adoption) sent to the mountains of Haiti. These feelings were mirrored in the photos up for auction, taken by Behati Prinsloo on her trip to Haiti with Coco, which is the subject of “Letters to Haiti.” LakayPAM (“my home” in Creole) is a non-profit that help poor abandoned and orphaned children, ranging from newborn to 10 years old. For more information, check out http://www.lakaypam.org.

 

Designer Zac Posen

Dolce Vista - Falling into Winter

Farewell fall.

If today's gloomy weather has you bemoaning winter's looming onset, take a moment to reminisce about the sunny day of old (a/k/a Sunday). Behold above the last fall garb shot of the season - an homage to headwear, our favorite fall trend. We admire the stylishly simple combination of maxi skirt and casually knotted denim button down. The best part, though, is the mixture of cowboy hat and fedora, lending a surprisingly feminine flair to two typically masculine accessories. And with that, we are off in search of something glittery to buy for a lucky girl's stocking!

Avoiding a Blue Christmas by Glamming up for the Holidays

Once again, the season is upon us for holiday parties galore. What to wear, you inquire? We’re glad you asked…

Color. We love to shake up the monotony with a wildly bright frock in the dead of winter. See Timo Weiland’s silk blue creations dotted with yellow and red for inspiration.

Sequins and sparkle. This is ideal for the inevitable party where you will run into an ex, at which time, should others selfishly fail to do so, you can and must triumphantly proclaim that you are “en fuego.” => Foley & Corinna version

Taffeta + Red

= the red taffeta party dress. Ideal for a 5 year old, you say? Indeed not, when paired with heels, patterned stockings, or some carefully curated bling. Also, you can shift this style based upon your mood to create a totally new look, while wearing the same dress to multiple events. => Foley & Corinna version

Winter floral + Velvet

= the dark velvet floral dress...just in case the other options are a bit too flashy for your taste. We are not normally a fan of the winter floral, but throw it on some velvet and we suddenly find our rose-covered arm reaching for the eggnog. Just make sure you are wearing a suitably dark color (preferably navy blue or hunter green).

The gist of the story is - have fun! This is the one time of year when you can get away with the most over the top looks, whatever that means for you - whether it is huge costume jewelry and glitter-covered pumps or a simple black dress with bright red lipstick.