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Dita Von Teese: “My Cointreau Travel Essentials”

Photo credit: Jason Kempin, Getty Images

Dita Von Teese, Cointreau® Brand Ambassador and International Queen of Burlesque, celebrated the launch of her latest limited-edition travel accessory,  “My Cointreau® Travel Essentials” at an intimate cocktail party hosted at the Royalton in NYC. Draped in a stunning long, black Herve L Leroux gown, Louboutin heels, and her signature bold, red lips, the burlesque icon was radiant as she introduced us to her vintage-inspired travel bar.

Photo Credit: Lisa Barr, Yours in Bridal

I imagine my reaction to the “My Cointreau® Travel Essentials” set was similar to a kid seeing their dream Barbie Playhouse in a window of  toy store. Big eyed and nearly speechless, I turned to my date, asking ‘can I please have it?’! It’s so old-Hollywood glam.

Housed in a chic, retro hatbox, the luxury coffret opens up to reveal a beautifully-refined mini bar that contains all the items needed to create original cocktails whether you’re having an intimate evening at home or jet setting around the globe. It’s divine, just like it’s creator — Dita Von Teese was so glamorous and lovely. I asked her what her favorite part about being a brand ambassador for Cointreau® was, to which she replied “working for a brand I really believe in and love”.

Consider it added to the Christmas list!

How do you Cointreau? Try these recipe’s out for taste.

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TriBeCa Whole Foods Launches the Wellness Club to Promote Healthy Living

By Pretty Connected Contributor, Elizabeth Borenstein

Whole Foods is defiantly my go to grocery store when I am looking for food that I think is healthy. That said, I have a sneaking suspicion that the Indian hot bar station I usually beeline to is not the most energy producing, nourishing option. It can be hard to know what to pick up that is healthy and delicious and Whole Foods can feel overwhelming to navigate. For confused consumers like myself and health conscious neighborhood residents, Whole Foods is looking to add a whole new dimension in how to shop their grocery store. Starting this month, with a pilot program at their Tribeca location in NYC, Whole Foods CEO John Mackey introduces the Wellness Club. “Created by doctors, this program offers members a wide-ranging set of tools for a greater chance of sustaining a healthier lifestyle.” Mackey describes.

Whole Foods Bread Breaking Ceremony

I stopped by the TriBeCa store for a traditional bread breaking ceremony and cooking demonstration in the brand new wellness center to learn more about this new initiative and what it means for

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Fashion Week Eats: Collagen soup anyone?

When I hear the word collagen a picture comes to mind of overly puffed lips and The Real Housewives of New Jersey. This is not the case for chef Takashi Inoue of Takashi and beauty expert Hinako Israel. Inspired by the fact that “we are what we eat” these two have teamed up to create a “beauty from within” menu for fashion week that works to nourish the skin and boost the immune system by eating items that include collagen.

Delicacies include flash boiled achilles and ox foot. This menu is not for the faint of heart, but might be for those working toward a healthy heart, beautiful skin, and a strong body.

NYC Welcomes Misha Nicole and APL

Laura & I playing with the jewelry at the Misha Nicole opening

Last night, while The Man Repeller was uptown styling the Bloomingdale’s 59th Street, Lexington Avenue windows and showcasing Tibi’s newest collection (I need to go check that out!), I was downtown for the launch of the Misha Nicole store and APL restaurant pre-opening bash.

Misha Nicole took over a large retail space on Bowery and houses a well curated assortment of unique fashion pieces and accessories. To celebrate the opening the store is hosting a series of events (visit their website to part-take), including art exhibitions, trunk shows and charitable initiatives. Last night, they featured the work of painter MD Tokon. I was somewhat distracted over the amazing assortment on the racks to give the art on the walls their proper attention –although their vibrant hues really lit up the room.

Inside Misha Nicole

I was all about the jewelry and these jackets! I know they don’t scream spring, but I’m in need of good basics.

I then headed over to APL, the new LES restaurant that hasn’t quite opened yet (bar opens tomorrow, full dinner menu begins on Tuesday), despite hosting a few teaser events.

Inside APL

I was curious to check this space out, after reading all that Camille Becerra drama and all this talk of suspended monkey bars. While that was kinda cool (although better left as a surprise, it wasn’t nearly as dramatic as I was imagining), I was all about the walls! They were all different colors and textured and lined with apples.

Monkey Bars!

The bar hosts a long vertical bar and space which then opens into the main dining room –which is where the skylight has the infamous hanging monkey-bars.

Cheers to you APL and the apple decor!

Not to get all Snooki on you, but I was all about the fried pickles.

APL 146 Orchard Street (Rivington Street); (212) 777-8600.

DC Cupcake Season Finale –Katherine and Ben Get Engaged!

Cupcake Engagement Ring!

This month reality TV series DC Cupcakes premiered the season finale of their 2nd season. The show, which is centered around two sisters, Katherine and Sophie, who traded their corporate jobs to open the cupcake bakery, Georgetown Cupcake.

The finale, labeled “Katherine’s Surprise”, follows Sophie as she attempts to plan and surprise her sister with an engagement party for her and fiancé, Ben. Funny enough, I was there for the party and taping of the episode (random, right?). Although until the finale aired I wasn’t able to talk about it –I signed a waiver.

Enjoying my amazing cupcakes gift box! Dress: Nicole Miller

Ben and I share a very close mutual friend who asked me to be his date to the event. I’m not sure what I was expecting out of a surprise engagement party –maybe a huge crowd and an even larger cake? Frankly I didn’t care. It was filmed in mid-January, back when I was recovering from a partially collapsed lung (and you thought you had a bad week), and needed out of NY. Any excuse to get out of bed, void of take-out and sweats and put on a form fitting dress (ahem Nicole Miller) sounded like a dream.

The party was hosted in a private room at contemporary Asia-French fusion restaurant, OYA. I walked in and was surprised to see it was an intimate gathering of close friends and family of maybe 25 people…and uh, me!

Ben and Katherine walked in and we’re both glowing, as the crowd yelled surprise. I would like to take a moment to appreciate the ginormous cupcake engagement ring Sophie made! It was unreal!

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Happy Anniversary Mex and the City

 

Photo booth pictures! Lara Eurdolian (me!), Mex and the City Creator Erika Mercado, and "The Moogie Man"

Mex and the City is a very cool cultural website and blog created to promote the free thinking, enterprising, and artistic efforts of young creatives in New York City. Created by Marina Garcia-Vasquez, Iris Avelar, Ruby Vizcarra and Erika Mercado, it is a blog that speaks about the increasing Mexican culture in the New York landscape in a fun and personal tone.

Basically they are the authorities on all things Mex in this city and throw incredibly fun events.  Last night we celebrated their one year anniversary at the Hous Projects, a very cool space decorated in their blog posts!  So creative… It was a hip crowd, toasting with delicious margaritas by Milagro tequila, bonding over photo booth

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Friday Night At The Darby

The Darby
With my Frenchie!

From the same owners as 1 OAK and Butter, Scott Sartiano and Richie Akiva opened the new supper club, The Darby. I have to say I didn’t have high expectations for the restaurant. I read some review on Eater where a guy went there and was charged $2 extra for getting his drink on the rocks. When the website asked the GM for the explanation he said,

“Drinks with ice get a bigger pour…We charge more because we use more alcohol for a drink served with ice. We’re not charging for the ice…Clearly, this person doesn’t go out much and doesn’t know how things work.”

That basically translated to me as this is a totally douche restaurant that wants to be sceney and needs to get over itself. Needless to say it wasn’t my first choice, but I had a friend in town from France and was not going to miss out on the welcome dinner.

Before even stepping foot in The Darby, I received an email confirmation for my party of 8 saying “On Friday and Saturday evenings, a $25 per person Entertainment Fee is added to all Guest checks.”  Reading this only drilled my original suspicion in further.  Here’s the thing, places like The Darby in

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Pylones Royal Tea Party: Welcome Kate Middleton

No they didn’t!!  Pylones has added to their assortment of tea bag people, Kate Middleton. Now in addition to her joining the royal family, she joins the Royal Tea Collection. I have always wanted to have tea with Prince William –I guess this is my chance (although it’s not exactly how I imagined).

Wow, Camilla really got off easy on this one, poor Kate has money dripping out of her veil.

Tea Time with Jo Malone and Amanzi Tea

Jo Malone Tea Fragrance Blends

At the beginning of the month I posted about Jo Malone’s NEW Limited Edition Tea Fragrance Blends ($55), which came in five flavors, Assam & Grapefruit, Earl Grey & Cucumber, Fresh Mint Leaf, Sweet Lemon and Sweet Milk; which can either be worn alone or layered on top of each other. I also updated the post to include an invitation to High Tea with Jo Malone in honor of the launch. Hopefully some of you were able to make it!  Having previewed the Fresh Mint Leaf and Sweet Milk fragrances I was anxious to experience the rest of the collection –especially since they were expected to sell out by April!

Prior to attending the event, my experience with Jo Malone has been rather limited. A candle here, a sample there, but mostly I’ve admired them from afar. My enjoyment of the brand has mostly come from press they have received or from their counters at Saks Fifth Avenue where I’d marvel at the packaging. To be honest, I find fragrance shopping overwhelming. I like to hear about a scent, go to a store that carries it, try it on, walk around for an hour, then decide if I like it enough to go

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Celebrate Starbucks 40th Anniversary with VIA Tribute Blend

To commemorate it’s 40th anniversary today, Starbucks is launching a new limited edition VIA Ready Brew flavor, Starbucks Tribute Blend. The latest edition to the VIA family is a combination of four different beans – aged Sumatra, sun-dried Ethiopia, Papua New Guinea, and Colombia.

If you haven’t gotten in on the VIA Ready Brew instant coffee craze yet (and you enjoy Starbucks coffee), I suggest you try them. Some of you may remember my post on being converted from a skeptic to an instant coffee fan (thanks to VIA). They are freakishly similar to their brewed coffee –but all you need to do to a VIA is pour the packet into a cup of hot water. It’s incredibly convenient for anyone on the go or who travels a lot. Plus it comes in a variety of existing Starbucks flavors so you’re not pigeonholed in your options.

Additionally to mark the big day, Starbucks is launching Tribute Blend Whole Bean Coffee, Canister, and Coffee Press.

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