I’m very proud to have Alex and Simon from the “The Real Housewives of New York” as friends, and I don’t think people have an opportunity to see just how wonderful, warm and real they are. I created this art-piece using lo-fi photography to give people a Real Day with a Real Family of New York.

Click here for some closeups of some of the photos used in this piece.

Last week, Joseph and I had the opportunity to attend the opening for the second Second Time Around in New York at its new Upper East Side location. The event was hosted by Alex McCord of the Real Housewives of New York, and was attended by Derek Warburton of DerekLovesShopping.com, as well as the other Housewives of New York.

The event itself was marvelous, and we were pleased to see the very chic VOGA Wines sponsoring the event. (I myself am a fan of their sparkling pinot grigio.) We were impressed by the designer fashions as well as the great bargains to be had, and highly recommend that you pay a visit to Second Time Around!

Click here for more pictures!

We recently had the opportunity to view Kara Ross‘ latest collection of accessories, jewelry, purses and clutches. It was, as always, a delightful experience! What I particularly love about her designs are the rich textures that she uses. Every piece seems to have an organic lovliness about it!

You can see more pictures by clicking here, but below are some of our favorites from the collection!

What better way to start off New York’s Fashion Week than in the hallowed halls of the Liz Claiborne fashion empire in the heart of Time Square. Having been invited by John Bartlett to view his Claiborne by John Bartlett Spring 2010 collection, I was able to experience an explosion of color that is the new signature of the Claiborne menswear line. Not afraid to take chances, Mr. Bartlett infused his classic sensabilities with colors such as petunia purple, mandarine orange, bright foliage green and stunning Bahama blue. Classic tailoring is par for the course, as in all of Mr. Bartlett’s designs, and comfort rings true throughout the entire collection. Soft fabrics and a stunning navy inspired look brings to mind the casual look of a bygone era of deconstructed style and elegance. Truly not the Claiborne of yester year, but an exceptional composition of style, class and elegance. Bravo John Bartlett!

This past  June, Ed and I attended The Robert Verdi Event, which was a Housing Works Charity cocktail party to promote the upcoming Robert Verdi reality show. Being a board member for the charity and the organizer for this event, I was in my usual state of tension-drenched euphoria, hoping that all would run smoothly. While standing there sipping my cocktail, I noticed this impeccability dressed breathtakingly beautiful blond woman walking in my direction.  Although her beauty was stunning,  it was the deliciously organic necklace she was wearing that caught my attention. It was comprised of wood beads inset with DIAMONDS!!!! I had never seen anything of the sort before. I was captivated by the entire package of the beautiful model and the sinfully decadent jewel around her neck. Being pulled in every direction, I was not able to formally meet the mysterious lady, but I was able to briefly compliment her taste in jewelry.

Fast forward to last night. Our dear friend Derek Warburton from the fabulous website ‘Derek Loves Shopping‘ invites us to a cocktail party being held in the studio of New York based jewelry designer Kara Ross. The soiree was held in honor of her new web site, and the guest list was made up primarily of bloggers from various fashion websites. Upon entering the studio, fashionably early as we always are, I was greeted by one of the many beautiful ladies who make up Ms. Ross’ staff. Attempting to cool off (the temperature outside was in the 90’s), I notice another lady entering from the back office who introduced herself as Kara Ross. As we were exchanging pleasantries, I notice behind her on a wall of her Resort jewelry collection the same necklace which I had seen months before at the Housing Works event! My heart started pounding because I realized that Kara Ross was the same breathtaking lady I had briefly met that evening wearing her own creation. The necklace on display was constructed in the same shape as the previous one, except that the materials were resin and rock crystal instead of the wood pebbles and diamond creation Ms. Ross had been wearing. Upon realizing our previous connection, she graciously showed Ed and I her Resort costume jewelry collection, Kara by Kara Ross, which was on display in her studio. It is a combination of modernistic pieces of brass with gold plating, semi-precious gems and python and stingray skins in vivid colors such as turquoise and coral,  bringing to mind a retro jewelry style that was popular in the 70’s and 80’s in Italy. Also part of the collection are vintage inspired snake cuff bracelets and necklaces that coil around a wrist or neck beautifully, a modern version of Whiting & Davis pieces from the 40’s and the 50’s.  Her collection ranges in price from the low $100’s to the $500 mark and is available at department stores such as Bloomingdales and online at KaraRossNY.com.

Along with the collection of jewels, Ms. Ross also has a line of luxury handbags in skins such as stingray, python and leather in subdued pastels and muted creams. Some were adorned with jeweled clasps, which add just the right touch for the endless cocktail parties in the waning summer months.

Of course I could not leave without purchasing a piece of jewelry. I was trying on various cuff bracelets in bright colors when Kara informed me that she had the same bracelets in a gun metal finish with black python and hematite. I was ecstatic when she presented it to me from the back stock and I knew that it had to be mine!

Although her Kara by Kara Ross jewelry collection is stunning, my head kept swimming from the memory of the fabulous wood necklace that I had seen, and so I asked her if  she had it in the studio. Alas it was not, BUT she did have other wooden couture pieces that she could show me. Upon inspecting a tray of wooden cuff bracelets, pendants and an amazing massive wooden chain link necklace, I was intoxicated by the feel of the perfectly polished wood and precious metal/jewel combination. It is something that has to be touched in order to be appreciated fully. Pure organic luxury is the only way to describe the pieces. If Eve ever wore any jewelry in the Garden of Eden, these baubles are what she would be rocking. No doubt!

On Sunday June 21st,  Mr. Garou and I were invited to attend S.O.S. (Shopping on Sunday), celebrity stylist and fashion correspondent Hal Rubenstein’s first annual charity sample sale, on Fire Island. Benefiting the Fire Island Pines Arts Project & Fund, this celebrity packed sale was a spectacular success. Among the stars at Mr. Rubenstein’s event was not one, not two but THREE Project Runway veterans, who were showing snippets of their collections to the shoppers at hand. Many people will remember Stella, whose hard edge leather creations caused quite a stir on the show. She brought to the Island something rare for the summer season (although not really), leather and metal studding. Her sexually charged runway showing brought roaring applause! The detail in the stitching and the metal studding made her pieces wearable works of art. The other Project Runway-er, Malan Brenton, wowed the audience with his chic, feminine creations suitable for the closets of the many socialites attending. Again, the attention to detail was not lost on anyone in attendance. Soft fabrics, combined with elegant tailoring, equaled fabulous results. The third designer was Emmett McCarthy, whose hot men’s bathing suits and elegant ladies’ cocktail creations also brought a round of applause. These three emerging designers are going to hit the world of fashion hard!

Other attendees worthy of mention were designers John Bartlett, accompanied by his partner John Esty, and Ron Chereskin. Both artists generously donated to the cause and graced the event with their presence. The list of donors ran from A to Z in the fashion and design world, and included such worthies as Jonathan Adler, Calvin Klein, Fendi and Carolina Herrera, to mention a few. It was huge success and I look forward to next year’s sale.

Having arrived to the Island on Saturday afternoon, Edward and I did a little exploring, being that this was the first time we had ever been to Fire Island. In the town of Cherry Grove where we were staying, we found a truly unique “green” shop. “It’s simply Green”  is the first and only true “green” shop on the island, and is located at 160 Main Walk. The purveyors of this brilliant idea are Patrick Fratellone, MD, developer of G Force (a green tea dietary supplement), and Rick Byrd, PhD. They offer everything from soaps and lotions to “green” sex products and pet supplies. This couple also owns a vitamin and nutrition shop in Manhattan on 57th street called Longevity Nutritionals, Inc.

Having a “green” shop on the Island is exceptional, but the fact that this couple also runs the Elmer A. Lindsay Memorial Medical Center is truly amazing. This center offers donation-based medical assistance on the island to anyone regardless of their ability to pay or lack of medical insurance. Although there is a medical facility in the Pines, this charity is run solely by a group of physicians who volunteer a week of their time working at the center, and rotate throughout the summer. Dr. Fratellone found it alarming that many of the people visiting the island didn’t have medical insurance, so he and his partner strive to make this center function with the nominal donations they receive. Just recently, in fact, Dr. Fratellone saved a man’s life who was experiencing heart issues. Without this center, the man would have quickly perished. Of course, most serious medical cases have to be helicoptered to the mainland, but these two heroes have been able to obtain major medical equipment at the center, which can give a patient a fighting chance, and can mean the difference between life and death. These are two truly amazing people! They’ve also come up with some truly ingenious ways to offset the costs of the center. Last year, they were able to get over 50 drag queens to donate recipes. Combined, these recipes were sold as “Drag Queens Can Cook, Recipes To Sync Your Lips Around”, a whimsical cookbook. All the proceeds from the sales of this book go to the running of the medical center. This year’s project is said to be a “Fire Island Pets” book featuring the many pets that are brought to the Island every season. I would like to thank Patrick and Rick for generously giving us a copy of the cookbook, and for the amazing work that they do on the Island. They truly are unique individuals!

Some of the shopping at S.O.S.:

The fashions of the runway show:

What do you get when you mix one part classic menswear designer, one part generic menswear line, recession proof pricing and beautiful tailoring? A superbly elegant concoction that is “Claiborne by John Bartlett”!

On Wednesday June 17th, legendary New York based menswear designer John Bartlett celebrated the launch of his new Claiborne line by hosting an intimate cocktail party at his Seventh Avenue boutique. His personal retail space, where one can normally purchase his eponymous collection, was revamped into a “Claiborne by John Bartlett” Pop-up shop just in time for Father’s Day. Here, savvy shoppers can purchase stylish, well-tailored clothing in bright summer colors for recession proof prices. This ain’t your dad’s Claiborne in standard beige poly-blend! John has infused his brand of clean, deconstructed tailoring into a line of clothing that once induced a collective yawn in the fashion community. For years, Claiborne menswear built its reputation (and has since lost it) on clothing that was generic, standard issue department store menswear in generic, standard issue colors. Now, bright colors and rich textures are par for the course. I believe, though, that the best way to describe this collection is a quote by John Bartlett himself taken directly from the tags of his merchandise: “A breakfast meeting, contract signing, movie date, dinner date, ‘take the Mustang out for a spin’ date, get a haircut, get a girlfriend, get a compliment, woo your wife, give the kids a piggyback ride, dress with a bit of genuine refinement.” ‘Nuf said!

Being compulsive shopaholics, Ed and I could not leave the party unless we purchased something, therefore, we each purchased a beautifully tailored white summer chintz blazer priced at $188.00. A STEAL!!!! Bright colored polos in stunning orange, pink, blue and green will set you back $39.50. Bright pink, blue and green dress shirts with stylish white colors will cost you $69.50. The clothing is true to size, and some pieces in the collection are very democratic in cut and go up to an XXL. This is just a small selection of the incredible merchandise available at his shop until June 22nd, and coming soon to a department store near you.

On hand to show their support (and shop) was John Bartlett’s partner John Esty of ‘Esty Framing’, one of NYC’s premiere framing studios. New York based clothing designer Peter Som. Hand bag designers Rafe Totengo of Rafe and John Truex of Lambertson Truex fame (one of my favs!!), both New York based designers. Menswear designer Jeffrey Banks. Former president of the Counsel of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and design legend Stan Herman. Senior Vice President of Production and Programming at the Bravo cable television network, Andy Cohen. “Project Runway” season 4 veterans Kevin Christiana and Jack Mackenroth. “The Housewives of New York” power couple Alex McCord and Simon VanKempen and fiery “Housewife” Ramona Singer. Celebrity stylist Derek Warburton, and a host of other fashionistas and celebrities. And last, but certainly not least, John Bartlett himself, whose genuinely sweet disposition makes purchasing any of his merchandise that much more satisfying.

For further information on the Claiborne by John Bartlett line please visit claibornebyjohnbartlett.com.

On June 3rd, 2009, celebrity stylist and television personality Robert Verdi joined forces with Housing Works for the filming of an upcoming episode of Robert’s reality show, which is scheduled to air in the Fall of 2009 on LOGO. “The Robert Verdi and Friends Event”, in which Robert generously donated over 30 cases of his personal clothing (about 500 pieces) to the charity, was kicked off with a celebrity packed cocktail party

at the Chelsea location of the Housing Works Thrift Shops. In addition to Robert’s personal donations, his celebrity friends, menswear designers John Bartlett and Steven Alan, hat designer Rod Keenan, home design guru Jonathan Adler, Barney’s New York emperor in residence Simon Doonan and celebrity stylists and designers Bobby Derek, Brian Boye, Collin Cowie, Patrick Doddy, Jamie Drake, Carson Kreesley and Nathan Thomas, also donated from their extensive closets and personal collections. The end result: A store filled with designer clothing and accessories to drool over.

Rod Keenan, Eddie Garou, Marisol Deluna, John Bartlett

The event raised over $12,000.00 in sales that evening, which is phenomenal for a Wednesday at a thrift shop in this bleak economy. But Housing Works isn’t just any thrift shop, it’s a savvy shopper’s paradise! At any given time, a person could walk out with an armful of designer clothing and vintage

delights. The joy is in the hunt! On this night though, the select few invitees didn’t have to hunt very hard. Racks upon racks were filled with unique designer garments and accessories. I personally walked out with a pair of Valentino black patten leather and brown suede wingtip boots!! (swoon!) The invitation to the event was a mask of Robert Verdi’s face, and is truly one of the most unique invitations I have ever seen (see picture). It was quite an enjoyable evening and Housing Works and all parties were delighted!

Invitation from the Robert Verdi Event

Although this could be viewed as just another celebrity shindig in the metropolis of New York (surely these events happen every night, right?) I was especially proud of this particular evening’s soiree. It was a combined effort on my part and Robert’s marketing director, Patrick Clayton, to bring this to Housing Works in the first place. Robert admired Housing Works’ achievements in supplying housing, medication and job training for men, women and children who are homeless and living with AIDS and HIV in New York. I, having admired Robert’s ability to be everywhere at all times and look flawless while doing so, desired to have Robert somehow lend his fame and prestige to my charity, being that I’m on the Board of Directors of the Housing Works Thrift Shops.

The beginnings of this event came out of the realm of the truly jaded. I was originally introduced to Robert Verdi and Patrick Clayton by our mutual friends John Bartlett and John Esty (of Esty Framing) earlier in the year at an event for Bailey House, another one of Gotham’s prestigious charities. I was the third wheel of the Bartlett/Esty party that evening, as they had graciously allowed me to accompany them being that my cohort Mr. Garou was under the weather. As most people will do upon introduction to each other at such events (although no one will EVER admit to this… tee hee) Patrick and I

Housing Works display window for the Robert Verdi event

nodded, assessed each other and turned our heads to feign indifference (both Patrick and I would laugh about this eventually). A week later, I ran into Patrick at a mutual friend’s bacon themed birthday party (don’t ask!), and being in a less stressful environment, we were able to chat amicably and an impromptu brunch was planned for the next day. This brunch at Elmo (and the copious number of Kir Royals on my part) was the incubator in which the idea for the event was hatched. I could not have asked for a better end result! I will forever be indebted to Robert Verdi for helping Housing Works, and to Patrick for being a true friend!

For more information on Housing Works Thrift Shops please visit Shophousingworks.com for their store locations and online shopping. To learn more about the charity and its mission please visit Housingworks.org.