Travel to Austin

Austin, TX

Recently I got to experience Austin for the first time and it coincided with the week they had their coldest weather of the year.  It was below 30 degrees and definitely the dead of winter.  Being the total tourists, my partner Daniel and I still walked all over the city center, biked through a few of the trails and spent our time outdoors as if it were 72 degrees and sunshine.  The clouds never broke through which made it feel like the same time everyday. There were no leaves on trees, it rained a couple of the days and sprinkled for the rest.  By the end of our trip I must be honest and say that yes, we would live there. The people were wonderful, the food extraordinary and navigating our way around was efficient.  The windchill cannot damper the personality and charm this great town has to offer. 

Here are my top 10 highlights. 

The JW Marriott

The JW Marriott was just two weeks new upon our arrival.  Excellent service, essentially 2-4 blocks from most anywhere in downtown and the current hotspot bars and restaurants are housed in their lobby.  They have a fitness center and gorgeous 5th floor pool overlooking half of the downtown and the Colorado River.  

http://www.jwmarriottaustin.com

Lamberts Restaurant

Lamberts is part upscale restaurant, and part live music venue. The food is unbelievable, we had the fried green tomato appetizer with crab louie served on top which was a highlight.  My personal favorite was what is considered a Texas staple, Frito Pie.  It is traditionally chili and cheese served over a bed of Frito's, but here they switch out the chili for pulled pork.  It isn't on the restaurant menu but they will still prepare it for you.  This was my favorite BBQ dish of the entire trip.  Their sauce was tangy and perfectly sweet to complement any meat.  They also give you options of three different house BBQ's varying from mild to spicy.  Reservations recommended.  

http://www.lambertsaustin.com

Sixth Street

Sixth Street is the lifeline of the city and what gives this place  the title "Live Music Capital of the World". There is something for everyone in terms of music selection and whether you're looking for a dive bar to listen to some old fashioned rock n' roll, or more of a jazzy ambience.  This area is easy to explore considering everything is walking distance.  You can check out a few clubs before you decide on one to hunker down into.  This street is the home to SXSW and no trip would be complete without a visit.  

http://6street.com

Congress Bridge

The Congress "Bat" Bridge is gorgeous to walk across any time of day.  When you stand at the south side looking north, you can clearly see the historical Capitol Building.  It makes for a great photo of the skyline.  In warmer months, it is home to 1.5 million bats that come out at dusk everyday and fly out into the city.  The bats were vacationing in Mexico on our trip there so we missed one of the key rituals, which is standing on the bridge while the bats ascend out into the downtown.  

Bat Bridge website

SoCo

SoCo is the most charming neighborhood and is short for South of Congress. It is a melting pot of antique shops, food trucks, clothing boutiques, restaurants and bars.  I highly recommend perusing it for a few hours and then stopping at Guero's for a tex-mex snack of nachos or queso flambeado to gain back some strength.  'Hey Cupcake' is one of the more popular dessert food trucks, and though I am not a fan of cupcakes, I did buy a couple to take back to the hotel, because they are moist and the frosting isn't too sugary.  The only depressing thing about walking around this area is seeing late 80's, early 90's items in some of the antique stores... when did my high school digital alarm clock become a novelty?

http://www.austintexas.org/listings/south-congress-ave-soco-/4359/

San Jose Hotel

San Jose Hotel is right at the start of the SoCo district and is where you can find us on our next venture out to Austin.  They are charming mid-century bungalows that are reminiscent of a movie set.  We got to walk around the property and it is very representative of the atmosphere and flavor of Austin. 

 http://www.sanjosehotel.com/hotel/

The Contemporary Museum

The Contemporary Museum has two locations and this review is for the downtown spot.  It's manageable size only requires that you carve out an hour or so to see any exhibit they are offering.  It won't dominate your day, but it will enhance your Austin experience.  On our visit it was the 'Boombox Perspective' and the selection with its musical aspect made perfect sense.  

http://www.thecontemporaryaustin.org

Austin B-Cycle

Austin B-Cycle is this city's answer to Citibikes and are readily available throughout the downtown and hotspots.  They are equipped with a basket so you can bring back any medium sized shopping items.  It's a bargain at only 8 dollars for the day and there are numerous pick up and drop off locations everywhere.  There are also many park trails and river trails so you can take in the outdoors, which even in the cold of winter was beautiful. 

https://austin.bcycle.com 

Jo's Coffee

Jo's Coffeeshop has the best coffee we had in the city.  It had enough kick to get your day going and they serve another Texas staple- the breakfast taco.  California has the breakfast burrito, now I have had the breakfast taco and Im obsessed with both.  Jo's had a few selections to pick from and they wrap it in foil for those on the go.  They are the perfect light breakfast starter.  

http://joscoffee.com

OCH

Oil Can Harry's is a must if you are into dancing and a drag show.  The music selection is a nice mix of pop hits and not overdone with all the electronic music that isn't really danceable.  They have their schedule of performances on their website and most of the nights have themes.  It is great people watching and any fan of "RuPaul's Drag Race" can regularly see one of the current or previous castmates here.  

http://www.oilcanharrys.com

The Met Ball Red Carpet

The Met Gala 2014

I miss the days when it was called the Costume Institute Gala, since it serves as a fundraiser for the Met and specifically the Costume Institute.  For whatever reasons, the name of the event was changed and it could just be my imagination but the outfits have gotten more true red carpet and less costume-y.  I personally favor the avant-garde looks fro its history and the fact that there is a correlating theme just adds to the creativity options.  I've always looked forward to seeing the looks in Vogue magazine following the event, and since launching my weekly blog post, I have been looking forward to reviewing the looks!  And here they are, in a best and worst how to showdown. 

How to, and how not to wear a ball gown. My best dressed of the night goes to Karolina Kurkova.  She looks like a walking art piece, her dress is so decadent and perfect I can't take my eyes off of it.  This is exactly what I would expect to see worn to an event that celebrates fashion and the Arts.  Sandra Lee's souffle of an outfit deflates and becomes too costume-y. The color is off, the fabric is wrinkled and it sadly looks like a second hand prom dress from 1989.  

How to rock a train. Sarah Jessica Parker channels 'Carrie Bradshaw' in this fun number.  I'm a sucker for a cinched waist and a tousled updo.  This is how you wear a lavish fabric.  Katie Holmes drowns in her yellow frock making her look frumpy.  The combination of poufy neckline with a gathered bodice to fullness again makes it look amateur.  

How to and how not to do a silhouette. Beyoncé kills it in this slinky dramatic dress.  I love the peekaboo openings, the see through pops to keep you looking and the hair and makeup make it one of the best looks of the night.  Kate Upton... why?  Celebrated for her curves, she does nothing here to showcase them with the way this dress explodes at the bottom.  It ages her and that head piece is just awful.  

How to choose a neckline.  I love both of these dresses and the opulence is so fitting for this type of event.  The color of Liu Wen's dress is just a bit more standout and the neckline is so much more interesting and just catapults the gown into stellar territory.  I have to give credit to Sarah Silverman for giving us a completely different look and this is so close to being great, but the neckline doesn't fit the splendor of the design.  

How to fashionista.  Part of being one to watch on the red carpet is a blend of attitude, taking risks and pushing the envelope. Anna Wintour's reputation precedes her and she surprises us with something much more colorful and cheery.  It almost has a graffiti feel to it and is considerably edgy compared to what you'd expect from a classic lady.  Lupita N'yongo misses the mark in this flapper disaster.  There's a lot going on here with the feather, beads, headband but I admire the attempt made.  

How to be bright.  I am such a sucker for bold colors and both of these ladies give some excitment on the red carpet.  Emma Stone wins me over in this pink on pink with a peep toe.  And Olivia Munn's yellow Hayworth-esque gown is sultry.  My only distraction in both cases is the hair.  Both styles feel like a mismatch to the dresses and leave me wanting more.  Go big or go home when it comes to being bold!

 

How to go metallic.  Rosie Huntington-Whitely looks ready for battle in her armored dress, very gladiator and with the shoes even more so.  She annihilates Kristen Stewart's mess of a dress.  It looks as though the designer had a few too many ideas and ran out of time in the sewing room.  

How to Lavender.  Nicole Richie keeps it simple and cool with her sleek gown.  So much movement and interest, and it keeps the focus on her pale violet hair.  Rashida Jones does herself no favors and needs to fire her stylist.  This dress is so wrong in proportion and confusing... why the cornflower blue extra ruffle, why the hemline?  No, no, no!

How to be Architectural.  When geometry, design and construction are executed perfectly it is breathtaking, as seen here on Greta Gerwig.  It is strong while maintaining softness and its timelessness has a place in every decade past and yet to come.  I cannot say the same for Kristen Wiig.  The halter is great but the black hole inspired Saturn ring thing is misshapen and doesn't make sense. 

How to Scale.  Both of these ladies hit the mark working interesting designs on the red carpet.  Marion Cotillard finishes off her classic look with a beautifully styled hair hat and those bright lips are superb!  Naomi Watts dons the mermaid ombre look, but if I could just see something a little softer with the hair instead of the combover and a brighter eye color or lipstick.  

How to Barbie.  Reese Witherspoon goes full Marilyn meets Grace Kelly and it is gorgeous!  Perfect hair that is coifed to look almost plastic and the makeup with a slight dewy quality finished the 'doll' look.  Emmy Rossum goes Tropical Barbie and while it isn't totes terrible, it isn't memorable either. 

How to be famous for marketing sex.  Dita Von Teese gives burlesque realness and stays true to her persona with the flawless hair and makeup.  The cream gown with red accents keep your eye dazzled and appear as if she's shimmying even in a still portrait.  Kim Kardashian goes for a silk sheet with a belt instead of the bedspread she wore to last year's event. (see here)  What can we expect from her next year? A dust ruffle perhaps?

How to Black & White.  Charlize Theron rarely disappoints on the red carpet and seen here in exquisite lines, she retains her Hollywood royalty title.  The jacket at first seemed to belong to Sean Penn and I would have left it behind personally but all in all she looks great.  Cara Delevingne goes B&W as well but wearing a seatbelt strap as a top and high-waters, its a total miss.  If you're going to go pants, go jumpsuit chic and keep it classy, but I just think this is way casual for this event.  

Thanks for reading this week's post!  Stay tuned in the next couple weeks when we review the Cannes Film Festival red carpet!  If you are interested in staying updated when I launch a blog post, please join my mailing list by scrolling to the top right area and enter your email address  in the box below the archives to be prompted and not miss any articles!  

Take Care,

Travel to... NYC

NYC Highlights

I am fortunate to get to travel to Manhattan once a year partly for work and also to curb my thirst for the cultural experience.  NYC is ever changing and the juxtaposition of the more historic architecture amidst the fluidity of the inspiring shop windows, keep me coming back for more.  I was ecstatic to hear that our L'oreal Professionnel Artist Foundation for fall will be held right in the heart of the city and a looking forward to see what Broadway has to offer in terms of shows during that time.  My last visit to NYC was centered around an editorial styling class I partook in, and I had the opportunity to learn firsthand the trends and techniques straight from Fashion Week, hot off the runway.  I packed my trip full of as many experiences as I could and am listing them in my first ever 'NYC Must List'.

The Meatball Shop

It always starts with food doesn't it?  Especially in a city bursting with most of the top culinary artists in the world.  I am definitely a meat eater and with the simple design-it-yourself options, this is a definite crowd pleaser.  You get to play chef with choices from the meat selection, sauces and a la carte sides.  I  opted for the smaller sliders so tha I could really get a true taste of what they had to offer.  

http://themeatballshop.com

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge

Completed over 130 years ago, this is an iconic NYC structure and I have walked across it in both day and night time.  Both offer spectacular views of the skyline, plan a sunset time walk across and enjoy the twinkling lights at night on your way back into the city.

Gild Hall Hotel

Located in the bustling Financial District, this woodsy hotel becomes so serene and offers a view of quite the different side of what you expect from the city that never sleeps.  I really enjoyed the modern cabin-esque decor and it offered nearby access to all the major trains and more importantly, great coffee shops.  Click here for the site.

Central Park

This is the crowning jewel of the city, the perfect blend of nature amidst man's handiwork.  The paths weave through trees, tunnels, grassy knolls and open up to show you the skyline from the true heart of the city.  You can get your cardio on and jog through the maze, bike and even take a horse drawn carriage ride.  The park is truly representative of the season, with its turning leaves in autumn, bare branches in winter, blooming flowers in spring and Shakespeare in the park in summer.  I don't feel complete without at least a visit to the park during one of my stays here.  

http://www.centralparknyc.org

Ippudo NY

Comfort food, ramen in the city.  With two locations, this is a perennial go to for me.  Start with the pork buns appetizer and then select your choice of base for your ramen, which sounds easy but with seasonal offerings and the option to add more noodles to your broth, my eyes are always way bigger than my stomach when I come here.  

http://www.ippudony.com

Shake Shack

Having heard that this was the In-N-Out of the east coast, I was curious to try out what they had to offer.  I waited in line and then for my meal a total of 45 minutes and must say, I was not disappointed at all.  This place lives up to the hype for sure, and maybe it's because I am spoiled with the opportunity to have In-NOut whenever I feel like it, but this is a very close comparison if not a bit better?  Go big when you try it and order the double stack, a portobella mushroom over a beef patty and get the cheese fries and shake.  It's the only way to do an accurate comparison.  

http://www.shakeshack.com

Broadway Show du jour

Countless offerings, there is literally something for everyone.  What I love about the theaters here is that they are intimate and it is hard to have a bad seat in the house.  I myself favor more of a dramatic play, there's nothing like being that close to that kind of art and watch a performance unfold and stay with you throughout the day.  'The Glass Menagerie' was the last performance I saw here and one of the best I have ever seen. Musicals here are pretty incredible, the amount of talent and dedication is on display and transports you to a Disneyland for all ages.

Laduree

A little taste of Paris on our side of the Atlantic, these little macaroons are so stylish and so addictive. I was ecstatic when I learned they opened a stateside location here in the upper east side, and this is the best treat to have while window shopping all of the Boutiques and Ateliers.  It's also the best packaging to souvenir gift someone you already bought two Statues of Liberty.

http://www.laduree.com/en_int/

The High Line

What used to be a railway for freight trains, is now one of the most enchanting walks and exhibit for modern art.  It was built to help carry heavy cargo between the west village and became dilapidated in 1980.  After many years of efforts, phase 1 of it opened to the public in 2009, and today there are three phases of it open taking you through the Meatpacking District and Chelsea. It offers gorgeous views of the west side and has multiple entrances throughout the way.  The north end of it is still in development and will become a small shopping area with what appear to be restaurants and boutiques.  

http://www.thehighline.org

Museum of Sex

Located in the Flatiron District, this museum offers information on everything from reproduction in the animal kingdom, to human sexuality over the years in all its varieties.  There is a rotating exhibit as well as interesting art pieces made from objects that might surprise you.  You get a voyeuristic peek into many fetishes and the gift shop has some of the funniest souvenirs to bring back home.  There are only a few cities that would welcome and be home to a museum like this and for the adventurous tourist, I think it is worth a visit.  

http://www.museumofsex.com

Bleeker Street Pizza

No NYC list is complete without at least one mention of a pizza joint.  Sold by the slice so you can try a few different styles, this is my go to place for pizza.  Voted the best pizza by the Food Network, and endorsed by all the celebs you see posed with the owners on the walls, it does not disappoint.  

the ambience is more hole in the wall and it probably hasn't been updated since the mid 80's but that is what gives it its charm and authenticity.  

http://bleekerstreetpizza.net

This is the first of what will most likely become my yearly must list on NYC, as it has so manyexperiences to offer.  If you have a favorite, feel free to include it in the comment section below, and with that I will leave you with the inspired final look from the editorial styling class.  Until next week... take care!

A Day in L.A.- DVF Exhibit

Wrap it up if you're in LA

LACMA has extended their "Journey of A Dress" exhibit dedicated to Diane Von Furstenberg and the wrap dress.  I was surprised to learn that Diane didn't actually invent the dress, or the form since she is always linked it with it.  There are a few predecessors that had already been designing similar styles in the 1930's and 1940's though perhaps because the silhouette at that time was more suit based and structured, the wrap dress didn't have its moment until the 1970's.  It is synonymous with the sexual revolution of that time and found its heyday.  Today it is still a very feminine and sexy piece.  It hugs in all the right spots and is probably the most comfort you'll find for style.  I loved seeing all the varying unique designs from tops, to gowns, vintage mixed with contemporary.  The prints and patterns themselves are dazzling eye candy.  If the wrap dress were a hairstyle, it would be the "Farrah".  Flirty, with movement, very reminiscent of an era pushing boundaries and constantly being revamped and referenced.  

The exhibit has been extended to May 1, 2014.  
For more information on the exhibit - http://www.dvf.com/wrap40/