Friday, April 26, 2013

Watch Week At de Grisogono

A couple of weeks ago I attended a special event at de Grisogono as part of Madison Avenue Watch Week.   Madison Avenue Watch Week is a collaboration between fine watch boutiques on Madison Avenue and The Wall Street Journal and de Grisogono had a special exhibition of their timepiece collection. 

Last time I visited de Grisogono I focused mainly on ladies' watches and bejeweled cuff bracelets (see my April 1st post), so this visit I took a look at some of the pieces in their men's collection and found some very cool things.  The first watch I looked at had a wood face which was unique and gave it an organic feel, but the gold frame kept it classic.

de Grisogono watch with wood face

Then Store Manager Daniel Morales took off his watch to show me how the face flips over so it can keep track of three time zones.  Pretty nifty, especially for businessmen who do a lot of traveling.  Here's a video below.  It's a little noisy in the background because it was a fun event with lots of people, but you can see the demonstration.

Three time zone watch by de Grisogono

After that I got a close up look at the Meccanico, the first watch to ever have a digital time display run by a mechanical power supply.  The face of the watch shows the time in digital and analogue.  The band is black rubber and looks very sporty.  Despite the casual style of this watch, it is so special that it comes with a pricetag of $500,000!  If you live near a de Grisogono boutique you should go in just to see this rare watch.

The Meccanico

Of course I had to try on one ladies watch because I can't resist sparkly diamonds:

A beautiful, girly watch for me...lots of diamonds

And, just like during my last visit, Sales Specialist Jose Dominguez brought out some fabulous little animal themed sparklers, this time men's cufflinks.  They were adorable and would make a nice collection. I think women can wear them as well.  I loved them both, but I think my favorite were the pink pigs.

Cufflink with chick face on one side....


...and chick posterior on the other

Supercute pig cufflinks with face and backside on each cufflink

Finally, just as I was getting ready to write this post I received a copy of the May issue of Avenue Magazine and found photo coverage of the last event I attended at de Grisogono, including a photo of me!  It's the event on the bottom of the page.  Click to enlarge.

Avenue Magazine May 2013

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Accessories In Bloom

Last night I attended an event for the Horticultural Society of NY.  The floral centerpieces for the tables were magnificent and many of the women, including me, accessorized their outfits with florals as well.  Here are a quick few of my favs:

Christie, the owner of the ChristieLauren bridal accessory business in Manhasset, wore flowers and Swarovski crystals in her updo.

Van Cleef & Arpels flower necklace worn by a guest who wished to remain anonymous
 
 
Manolo Blahnik shoes with pink flowers on them adorned my feet


Sunday, April 21, 2013

Hats Off to Spring!

The weather is finally warming up, the days are getting longer and it's time for the annual Hat Luncheon in NYC.  The Hat Luncheon, is the nickname of the Central Park Conservancy Women's Committee's annual Frederick Law Olmstead charity luncheon that attracts about a thousand of NYC's most fashionable ladies.  It is my favorite luncheon of the year because a) I love hats and wish American women wore them more often like our British counterparts and b) it is such a beautiful sight to see the amazing hats and colorful outfits all in one place.  It's truly a sea of color descending on an already colorful Park with flowers blooming and that smell of freshly cut grass that says Spring has sprung.

If you are going to the luncheon and are in need of a beautiful chapeau I have the perfect person to help you with that.  Dora Marra is the owner/designer of Headdress NY and she makes fascinators and hair pieces that are just right for this luncheon.  I found out about Dora from our mutal friend Gail Karr who works for the New York Social Diary.  Gail was my 'date' to the luncheon last year and will be again this year. 

Dora is nice enough to offer my blog readers a 15% discount off any order.  Her prices are already very reasonable by NY hat/fascinator standards and run from $40 to $300.  Special orders are possible for an additional $50 consultation fee.  The fascinators are handmade in the USA.  Check out Dora's creations at www.doramarra.etsy.com and use coupon code: maplemint to get your discount.  The discount is also valid at Dora's craft shows.  She will be exhibiting at one prior to the luncheon on April 27 & 28 called Crafts on Columbus from 10 am - 6 pm which takes place on Columbus Ave from 79th to 91st Streets.  For more info you can contact Dora via her site.  If you buy a fascinator from Dora please send me a photo and I'll post it!
 
Gail Karr modeling a Dora Marra creation

A selection of Dora's fascinators for sale:

































Thursday, April 18, 2013

Classy & Classic Chanel

I'm blogging like crazy this month because I've been out and about at so many wonderful accessories related events and even photographed a beautiful private vintage jewelry collection last week that I'll be posting soon.  Almost every day I'm seeing exciting things and want to share it all on this blog!

Last night I attended an event at the Chanel boutique on 57th.  I love events at Chanel because the clothes and accessories are beautiful and there is always a fabulous party favor.  The new collection is full of vibrant colors and patterns and the accessories are unbelievable.  I can not stop thinking about one necklace in particular that was red, white and blue.  It was a sample, so the saleswoman didn't know the exact price but guessed it will retail for between 4K and 5K!  If I win the lottery Chanel is my first stop on the way home from the bank.  Seriously, if you are a collector I highly recommend buying one of the amazing pieces this season because they will only increase in value.

I left without that necklace, but on the way out was handed a tiny little Chanel shopping bag with awesome Chanel cosmetics inside.  Chanel never disappoints and is always generous with the party favors, usually including at least one of their fabulous nail polish colors.  Below are the photos of just a few of the treasures in the current collection (double click on them to enlarge):

The new love of my accessories life:  The necklace.....a photo doesn't do it justice


Beautiful hair accessory.  The pendant attached to the necklace above is the same.

A pin worn at the neck of a blouse, very regal.


A bracelet....


A selection of Chanel pins


This silver metallic camellia is one of my favorites

Several necklaces and belts in the current collection

This woman, Lira, was at the event wearing a vintage Chanel necklace

The goody bag before I opened everything

Rich purple nail polish called Taboo (I'm feeling naughty already!), lip gloss in Plaisir, and blush in In Love...(I'm sensing a theme here, must be romance in the air at Chanel!)

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Shoe Shopping for the Arts

Last night I attended a special shoe shopping event at Saks Fifth Avenue to benefit the New York Foundation for the Arts.  NYFA is having a benefit next week (www.nyfa.org) and my friend, Elizabeth Kurpis, who is co-chairing the young patrons after party invited me to the shoe, or rather Choo, event.  The event was hosted by Jimmy Choo and featured a fashion show of their Spring 2013 collection and 10% of all Jimmy Choo purchases were donated to NYFA. 

The new Choo collection is diverse and there were so many sparkly styles to choose from, but a particular pair in the show caught my eye, because it is a dressy wedge and perfect for summer parties in the grass.  As every woman knows, wearing heels in the grass is a nightmare because the heels, especially stilettos, sink right into the dirt.  A glamorous wedge is the perfect solution, as the fashion show announcer pointed out.  I don't need an excuse to buy shoes, but that was a good one so...presenting my new Jimmy Choos!

Sparkly Jimmy Choo wedges

I also love that the wedge is metallic and reflective.  My friend, Penny, was there and also bought the same pair for the same reason.  It was cool that a lot of the women in attendance arrived wearing Jimmy Choos they already own, including the NYFA Special Events Officer, Joey Lico, who was wearing one of my all time favorite Jimmy Choo styles from a couple seasons ago.  Sadly they are no longer available, but it was nice to see them in person and not just in a magazine on celebrity feet. 

Joey Lico's amazing Jimmy Choos


Joey looking stylish at the NYFA event at Saks

Elizabeth Kurpis, one of the evening's hosts, was wearing beige suede Jimmy Choos with crystal studded heels and carrying a fabulous lucite clutch bag from Charlotte Olympia that comes with three inserts.  The one she was using last night had a fun tropical theme with parrots and palm trees.  Retro style lucite bags are all the rage now, and I love them.

Elizabeth Kurpis looked lovely in her Choos and a very pretty bejeweled top.


Elizabeth's Charlotte Olympia lucite clutch with tropical themed insert

Saks hosts a lot of events in their shoe department and I always have a great time.  I can't wait to wear my new shoes.  And, since I started this post with a photo of my new Choos, let me finish with a shot of my old ones that I wore last night.  These were a gift (bribe) from an impossibly cranky boss a long time ago who was on thin ice with me....thankfully the Choos have been around a lot longer than he was.

My old Jimmy Choos








Monday, April 15, 2013

Spotted: Vintage Trifari Waterfall Necklace

I was at the Doubles Club last week when my friend Stephanie Loeffler walked in wearing the most fabulous necklace with matching earrings.  The necklace was white and had three chains, one of which was sporting a very cool pendant.  And, against Stephanie's black dress the necklace really popped.  This is another terrific example of what I've said before about how one exceptional accessory can make an entire outfit, especially when worn against a very simple silhouette like a black dress. 

Stephanie Loeffler wearing her vintage Trifari necklace & earrings

Stephanie is always wearing amazing accessories and, in addition to the necklace, she had on a very stylish pair of Louis Vuitton pointy toe shoes, also in white.  This style of shoe is very popular right now, as is the black & white color combination.


Louis Vuitton pointy toe shoes

Of course, I had to get the scoop on who made the necklace and where she got it.  Stephanie told me it was vintage and she bought it in London.  She also said she was told that Meryl Streep wore one like it in the movie "The Devil Wears Prada."  I did a little research when I got home, and sure enough, Meryl Streep did wear one in the movie, but in a different color.  I think hers was green, but don't quote me on that.  I also discovered that the necklace is by well known costume jeweler, Trifari, and is known as the Waterfall necklace.  The necklace was produced in the 1970's in several different colors including white, green and black.  There were also matching earrings.  I found a few photos on line.

Trifari Waterfall necklace in black

In jade green

The Trifari stamp on the back makes this identifiable and collectible

Matching earrings 

Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly, wearing a Trifari Waterfall necklace in "The Devil Wears Prada."

This necklace is a collectible piece because it is vintage Trifari, but the fact that the same style was featured in the movie makes it even more desirable.  I love it in the white, because it's so 'mod' and very retro!