A Party for Your Nose

Sometimes it pays to be a V.I.B.—as in a Very Important Beauty Insider, a member of Sephora's customer appreciation program. From time to time, special offers and discounts come my way, but this time an invite to meet a design legend popped in my mailbox, and I knew I had hit the jackpot.

DVF's Boutique and Headquarters

The Scent On Display

The event was for the iconic designer Diane von Furstenberg to celebrate the launch of her new signature scent Diane and what better place to host the fete than her Meatpacking boutique underneath the High Line.

The wrap dress that inspired the bottle's design

Me & DVF

DB & DVF

My friend DB and I arrived at the shindig and quickly made our rounds. After a stop at the bar to order a refreshing cucumber and vodka cocktail and a few mini bites of bruschetta and ricotta croquettes, we were ready to mingle with Diane. I purchased a bottle of the perfume and made my way to the style maven to have her sign the bottle. I introduced myself and gushed about how much I love her and her brand as she personalized my new purchase. 

Towards the end of the festivities, Diane addressed the crowd and gave us the schpeel about her perfume. She wooed the crowd with her story on its inception and its ingredients. To cap off the night, Diane auctioned off the mustard yellow dotted wrap dress for one lucky attendee. As seen in the video, it wasn't me.

So I might not have won a new outfit, but I had met one of my fashion idols, purchased a new scent and even got a $25 gift card to Sephora as a goodie bag. Smells like a successful night to me.

Places of Interest:

Diane von Furstenberg Boutique, 874 Washington St. (at 14th St.), 646-486-4800

http://www.dvf.com/

What We All Wore



The Blog That Started It All

"What should I wear today?" It's the hardest part of my morning-well besides actually getting out of bed as snooze has become my best friend.  The problem is that I am a mood based dresser so one day I can be dressed to the nines in heels and a blazer and the next I can be in boyfriend jeans and a cotton tee.  One person who seems to get it right day in and day out is Jessica Quirk of the addictive, style blog What I Wore (http://whatiwore.tumblr.com/). 

I recently discovered the blog during my Indiana University alumni meeting and have been a fan ever since.  When I learned Jessica would be in town to promote her recent jump from blog to book (her site lead to her first style tome), I wanted to go show support and of course see what she wore!

Before heading over to the book launch party, my friend Lauren and I decided to have our own What I Wore moment.  With the perfect backdrop of every fashion magazine and issue known to man, we used the blog as inspiration for our impromptu photo shoot.

WhatWeWore:

Lauren:

Top: Pitaya

Skirt: Forever 21

Belt: Urban Outfitters

Bag: Brandy Melville

Watch: Michael Kors

Shoes: Steve Madden

Natalia:

Top: Urban Outfitters

Dress: Necessary Clothing (worn as skirt)

Necklace: Urban Outfitters

Bracelets: Michael Kors gold bangle, Italian navy bangle

Necklace: Urban Outfitters

Ring: Custom creation by D'Art Jewelry Store in Chicago

Shoes: Fossil

Perfectly styled, we headed to the book shindig.  The location was the Soho boutique of one of the Big Apple's most influential, celebrated designers Donna Karan at her DKNY store.  Upon entering, we made a beeline to the table of books to check out Jessica's handiwork.  Okay-that was our intention until we got sidelined by some adult refreshments.  With some bubbly in hand, we made a beeline for the book stand.  Being the visual person I am, the illustrations every few pages grabbed my attention. The Quirk-y drawings of stylish outfits (ones I actually covet) with vivid colors sealed the deal.  I quickly purchased the book and got in line to congratulate the author. 



Party Central



On Display



Said Bubbly from Above

Our discussion quickly turned from Indiana University (all three of our Alma Maters) to John Mellencamp (Indiana resident) to Helen Mirren.  Yes, the Queen herself, happened to be shopping in the store during Jessica's book party.  I think she secretly came to purchase the book but was too camera shy to get an autograph. 

What We Wore

After our girl talk, I did a little buzzed shopping and ended up buying the cutest floral shorts this side of 14th Street.  As I left the store with book and shopping bag in hand, I realized the most important question had slipped my mind.  I never asked Jessica, "What are you wearing?"  Seems like that question stumps me no matter what time of day it is.

Places of Interest:

DKNY, 420 West Broadway, 646-613-1100

http://www.dkny.com/

Go Prep or Go Home

A House in the Middle of the Road

The Duck's Nook

Fashionetc.com Covers the Launch

I need to preface this post with a side story first.  After hitting up my usual Sunday Funday spot The Standard Biergarten, my friends and I began to walk to Bill's Bar & Burger (this restaurant deserves its own entry solely on the fact that they have French's Yellow Mustard on the table alongside the other condiments).  As we walked down Little West 12th, I noticed a large, white structure in the shape of a house being built in the middle of the cobblestone plaza next to the Gansevoort Hotel.  I asked my friends if I was imagining it as my beer goggles were definitely secure on my face.  They noticed it too yet brushed it off as a potential movie set.

Now to present day.  My friend invited me to the Prep World Launch Party: a collaboration behind successful American designer Tommy Hilfiger and praised author of True Prep: It's a Whole New Old World Lisa Birnbach.  The location? You guessed it (at least I hope you did).  The large structure became a quaint, white house straight from Nantucket sticking out like a sore thumb amongst the posh hotels and the swank nightclubs of the Meatpacking District.

While 'sticking out' might be considered a bad thing to some, this was to Prep World's advantage as this house was their take on a pop-up shop.  Instead of converting an abandoned storefront into their temporary home to stock their polo shirts and board shorts, Prep World went big and built a structure true to the brand's concept.  The shop, which will remain up in NY for a handful of days before traveling the world, houses (no pun intended) clothing with stripes & anchors, accessories like scarves & wrist wraps, games, knickknacks like polo shirt shaped cookies & dog collars, and more.

As for the party aspect, immediately upon entering the press event I spotted Lisa Birnbach, Elle's EIC Robbie Myers and Creative Director Joe Zee.  Shortly after Tommy Hilfiger walked in with model Jessica Stam and Gossip Girl's Jessica Szohr.  Paper Magazine's Kim Hastreiter and Mickey Boardman also made appearances making it a full house.  Young, handsome models in navy blazers and pinstripe shorts served Arnold Palmers while guests pursued the merchandise and congratulated the collabing duo.  

Later guests made their way to the afterparty down the street (if you are really smart you maybe guessed it) at The Standard Biergarten. The space was completely transformed. I thought my beer goggles made a comeback without even having a drink!  All the wooden tables were gone and the ping pong tables placed in the middle of the room.  Along the side was a wall of faux green grass serving as the backdrop for the DJ booth anchored with large tennis balls and rackets.  The DJ spinning the tracks? None other than Alexa Richards, daughter of one Keith Richards from the Rolling Stones.  Tommy, Lisa, and crew made the rounds at the party that received a special visit from John Legend and his model gf Chrissy Teigen.  Party goers nibbled on sliders, truffle grilled cheese, and crab cakes.  Ice cream sandwiches, cookies, and other assorted goodies came next.  I looked around and thought this was the way to kick off a collaboration-True Prep through and through.  And this is just the beginning of another chapter in Tommy Hilfiger's and Lisa Birnbach's Prep World book.

Places of Interest: 

The Standard Biergarten 848 Washington St. at Little West 12th, (212) 645-4646

http://www.standardhotels.com/new-york-city/bars/ 

Bill's Bar & Burger 22 9th Avenue, (212) 414-3003

http://www.billsbarandburger.com/