the spot:    PJ Clarks

the trend:  Preppy Chic

Meet Patrick Boyle- he is the best dressed restaurant manager in town.

This picture hardly does him justice, but he was working all the prep trends: popped collar, lime green sweater with khakis & the hottest piece of them all- thick round eyeglasses.  If you want to know what kind of glasses work for you check THIS out.

So go to PJ Clarkes which has the best burgers in mid-town & give a holler to my boy Patrick.

_{the spot: R. Scott French showroom}

_{the trend: fresh intelligence}

_{What is the best- most amazing – smartest – hilarious & intellectually superior magazine out on news stands?  The one- the only Radar Magazine .}

_{Today we had our good friends, Jo Jo Holliday, Anne, & Greg Garry, from Radar in the showroom.}

_{They are up for the ASME award of General Excellence & I must say that it is beyond deserved.  I never in my life read a magazine cover to cover until this publication & if you are looking for the most intellectual mag of our time YOU MUST SUBCRIBE  & it's only $10 a year.}

_{So a big Mozel Tov & Felicidades to our friends @ Radar for their achievements & good humor.}  

the spot: the roof top garden @ Rockefeller Plaza

the trend: nominations & names

As the elevator door opened I was greeted by fashion’s elite...

Last night’s CFDA Fashion Awards nomination ceremony presented by Swarovski was truly a who’s who in American fashion. This attendee was left with a deepened understanding of what makes the fashion A-listers tick.

I will begin with the Queen Bee & President of the CFDA herself, Mrs. “Dee-han” von Furstenberg - although I love her duds and find her to be a legend in the industry that few if any will ever replicate had her way with the room. Schmoozing with the “names” in the crowd & giving her “hi – hellos” to everyone else… Always the politician. It was noticed that DVF was a recycler, wearing an outfit that she wore during a much photographed event during fashion week, a mere month ago. Nonetheless she wooed the crowed during her introduction speech in which it was hard to focus on much else than her constant habit of fluffing her hair on top of her head.

Then there was Isaac. Isaac Mizrahi was everything I had thought & more. After seeing his documentary “Un-zipped” not too long ago I felt a real understanding of his personality & he did not disappoint. He is a true character, wearing his chic sunglasses inside on account of the pink eye that seemed to passed around during London Fashion Week ( ewww ), & for that I thank him.

Resident weird-o Zang Toi was awkwardly perusing the crowd & the utterly adorable Peter Som discussed the Ronnie & Ben rumors from Make Me A Supermodel with Scott (R. Scott French) & myself.

Others that I wanted to become best friends with included: The black blazer - jean wearing, Project Runway judge Michael Kors, the dapper Tommy Hilfiger, the impeccable Carolina Herrera, & my secret crush & fellow chicken quesadilla lover – Francisco Costa of Calvin Klein.

Below is the full list of Nominees & my favorites!!!!

Womenswear Designer of the Year:
Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein !!!
Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough for Proenza Schouler
Marc Jacobs

Menswear Designer of the Year:
Michael Bastian!!!
Thom Browne
Tom Ford

Accessory Designer of the Year:
Michael Kors
Tory Burch
Marc Jacobs!!!

Swarovski Award for Womenswear:
Kate and Laura Mulleavy for Rodarte
Thakoon Panichgul
Alexander Wang !!!

Swarovski Award for Menswear:
Patrik Ervell
Tim Hamilton!!!
Scott Sternberg for Band of Outsiders

Swarovski Award for Accessory Design:
Philip Crangi
Justin Giunta for Subversive Jewelry
Joy Gryson !!!

The Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Acheivement Award:
Carolina Herrera

The Board of Director’s Special Tribute:
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg

International Award:
Dries Van Noten

Eugenia Sheppard Award:
Style.com’s Candy Pratts Price

The Spot: The East Village

The Trend: Vintage

This past crisp yet pleasant winter Sunday, I found myself meeting some friends for brunch on the Lower East Side. As it is a rarity for me to travel down there during such cold weather- I had to take advantage of the day & it wasn’t hard to convince my fellow brunchers to indulge on the best part of the LES- Vintage Shopping!

I always start with the never disappointing Tokyo 7. This place has stocked my closet with a number of amazing and decently priced pieces including some fashion week favorites like a $99 almost brand spanking new Prada belted dress, $300 YSL leather skirt, & $100 Miu Miu frock dress.

This trip the luck went to my friend Emily, that by the grace of her shoe size picked up an amazing pair of Tara Subkoff heals that were a mere $70 which is a steal!

Me on the other had no such luck…but I only had one thing in mind- the perfect leather jacket.

We hit up our second spot which had the real vintage vibe. T’s for $10, Zip ups for $15 & in the back is where the magic happened. Leathers for $40 (none that got my dollar though) & minks… beautiful Mary Kate Olsen, too big for my head minks for the bargain price of $70.

As the day neared end my goal of that perfect vintage leather jacket didn’t seem like a reality & then my fabulous friend David remember this amazing store called Circa Now- which I can honestly say might be my new addiction.

The store is immaculate with vintage & new finds that are timeless & original. We all instantly fell in love with the place & the amazing owners, Lisa & Nicole who were so pleasant and such a joy. The back wall was an artistic & impressive display of vintage shoes, purses, & jewelry all carefully picked and restored for the store.

I made a few purchases my self, including the day’s goal: A vintage leather jacket with detachable shearling vest insert. SUCCESS!!!

Pictures courtesy of the fabulous Leslie Kennedy (check out her daily blog 366angles )

Location: The Promenade @ Bryant Park

Trend: Bold Fabrics

OK ladies- It may still be freezing outside, but spring is just around the corner & color is in. Start buying pieces that can be worn with layers & transition into the warmer months.

These are some of my favorite pieces from the Carlos Miele show during fashion week which show the beauty of color, rich fabrics, & and the trend that keeps on giving- layering.

For these transitional months try shorter hemmed dresses & skirts with a good pair of black tights. It's all about shaping & control top.

The most important thing to remember when you are hitting the town is look comfortable & confident!!!!