Glamour Nerd

Juliette bag – Lauren Merkin Fall 2010 Collection

Christa — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 04:35:36 +0000

It’s not every day you find a combo of black and white in a handbag for a fall collection but Lauren Merkin pulls this one off fairly well. The Juliette Chevron day bag transitions from a day at the office to a night one the town without the need to waste precious time in transit or any moments in a phone booth to change.

Not courageuos enough for a print? The Tejus Embossed Suede bag also comes in both grey and brown, both being just as functional. Lined in cotton twill, the Juilette presents itself as a classic and the perfect compliment to the working girl or a nervous first interviewee. Would it be to offput to say, “What would you do for a Merkin”?

A Legacy Continued: Laura Buccellati Handbags

GlamourNerdMag — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 22:45:56 +0000

Buccellati, the famous name is synonymous with luxury, style and excellent craftsmenship. Now the Italian family name has lent itself to a new venture, luxury handbags. Granddaughter of Mario and Maria Buccellati, Laura Buccellati found something was missing in the world of find handbags, quality had been compromised for short-lived trends. “I find that the market is saturated with designers that relate quality to expensive trends – two unrelated factors. I found that luxury was lost and my goal is to produce goods that will stand the test of time,” Buccellati says, “Our materials are of the highest caliber and utilized at the greatest level. It is our objective to provide quality handbags and accessories in traditional silhouettes and styles to complement a woman’s wardrobe as well as accommodate her lifestyle.”

The handbags are timeless classics crafted with the Buccellati signature craftsenship and fine materials including fine leather and exotic skins – crocodile, ostrich, stingray, lizard and suede – with accents of palladium and gold detail. Launched in early 2009 with executive Lily Azel, Laura Buccellati’s debut collection has already garnered significant attention and rightfully so. The handbags are classic, timeless and beautiful with a complimenting legacy to match.

www.LauraBuccellati.com

Well Polished: Three Neutral Picks for Your Next Manicure

GlamourNerdMag — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 19:00:00 +0000

YSL La Laque Long Lasting Nail Lacquer $20

Summer days are filled with travel, sun, sandy beaches and great times with amazing friends but while we can always pretend, we musn’t forget the everpresent workdays, meetings and networking functions that fill up the summer calendar. Having trouble deciding on a color for a manicure that’s perfect for it all? No worries, nude still has an interesting way of covering all bases.

These brands create distinct interpretations of the nude look that are both interesting yet understated, feminine and conservative. Reminiscent of sandy beaches and the best memories of summer, each color transcends day and night, weekday and weekend to make you perfectly comfortable with going nude.

Madison Avenue Historical Landmark…Almost: The Morgans Hotel

GlamourNerdMag — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 18:00:51 +0000

The boutique hotel is no new concept to today’s avid jet-setter, city-dweller and Manhattanite and while it seems somewhat surprising, we find it in perfect New York City style that Manhattan’s Madison Avenue would play home to the world’s first.

Welcome to a world of sophisticated yet understated luxury. Rich in history, style and design, Morgans is not only the “first boutique hotel” but also the beginning of a long legacy of luxury boutique hotels created by the Morgans Hotel Group. The pioneer of a genre and no doubt a Madison Avenue staple, the idea for the hotel was concocted by owners of the famous Studio 54, Steve Rubbell and Ian Schrager. While known for impeccable services and its calming spirit, the Morgans is most noted for its interior decor. The design of the hotel remains one of the most famous works of French interior designer Andrée Putman, who originally completed the project in 1984 and set to work on a successful redesign again in 2008. Andrée, who is a frequent guest of the hotel along with her daughter Olivia, wanted a look that was “discreet, light, simple and of quality” all of which are captured in the hotels design aesthetic.

The hotel whispers simplicity and distinct design sensibility with a monochromatic palette designed in white, gray and black. The first of its kind, previously hotels were known for using a recognizable mixture of color, but the Morgans has its own unique character. Originally outfitted in signature black and white tiles, the new redesign includes new touches that are both refined and distinctive.

Visitors have over seven guestroom options, including a loft and two-story penthouse option, all designed with a balance of history and modernity and each with its own individual appeal. Most noticeable are the smallest details including fine egyptian cotton linens and fresh flowers in the black and white tiled bathrooms that the Morgans Hotel remains famous for. The stunning lobby is furnished with armchairs and foldable lacquered tables by the 1930s designer Jean-Michel Frank while soft lighting illuminate the elevator and corridors.

Guests are wooed by an art installation created by the French design collective Trafik, where autonomous programming projects randomly selected patterns and colors onto the ceiling during the day. Throughout the evening guests are invited to create their own light-art experience in real time.

While the hotel itself is impressive, it is also home to the famous restaurant Asia de Cuba. Under the direction of acclaimed restaurateur Jeffrey Chadorow, Asia de Cuba remains one of New York City’s most popular restaurants, fusing the best of Latin and Asian cuisine. The theatrical space was designed by designer Pillipe Starck and includes an impressive 30-foot long illuminated marble table for communal dining, high-backed white banquettes offering superb comfort and a 15-foot tall photo lightbox featuring a “running waterfall”.

While New York City serves as host to a multitude of hotels, its unique history makes this one special. A trend-setter in its own right, the Morgans serves as the perfect host to the traveling tastemaker.

www.MorgansHotel.com

Luxury Water: Vue No. 7

GlamourNerdMag — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:34:52 +0000

Imagine a moment when indulging in one’s favorite glass of champagne was as innocent and harmless as having a glass of chilled sparkling water, where having a glass of two parts hydrogen and 1 part oxygen was an experience in itself. L’eau du Ciel introduces us to a new and innovative category of beverage offering just that, combining the luxury of fine champagne and the purity of Swiss cultivated water.

Developed by L’eau du Ciel, Vue No. 7 is marketed toward the well-traveled luxury connoiseur who is “looking for depth and sustainability and wants to have more time to enjoy the true beauty of life.” Described as “pure, exclusive and unique” the flavor of the refined beverage is created with select hand-cultivated herbs harvested under stringent controls from the company’s own production areas.

From which spring does this water flow? None other than the cold mountain springs from the shadows of the Swiss Alps. Later an herb combination of edelweiss, peppermint, verbana, orange mint and others are blended to create a light flavor. Calories? Absolutely none.

While still relatively new to the U.S. market, Vue No. 7 will be made available in first-class hotels, restaurants, bars and food stores with target markets being New York, Miami and Los Angeles. For more information on updates and availability visit www.VueWater.com.

Summer in Buenos Aires: Valeria Smith Handbags + Accessories

GlamourNerdMag — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 22:41:25 +0000

Inspired by balance, 2D designing and 3D objects, Valeria Smith invites luxury handbag aficionadas to indulge in a short trip to Buesno Aires.

With colors reminiscent of an Argentinen villa and design aesthetics pleasing to even the most discriminating eye, each item takes you to a different place.

Formally schooled as a graphic designer, Valeria Smith followed her passion for designing handbags only 3 short years ago. After enjoying success as the Creative Director of the exclusive, and now most coveted, handbag brand in Buenos Aires: Jackie Smith, she took a step further to launching a namesake luxury accessories brand in New York City two years later in 2009.

With her flagship store opening in the heart of soho, Smith brings a bit of home to Manhattan’s downtown.

Paying close attention to texture, color and dimension, each bag, shoe and wallet seem to hold a character and story of its own. With a variety of textures including snakeskin leather and Italian Woven straw the collection holds a defining characteristic of luxury – quality.

Modern Aroma: The Espresso Bar of the Future

GlamourNerdMag — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 21:48:39 +0000

For those of us who’ve grown tired of over-commercialized coffee coffee shops whose beans have decreased in quality while their locations have increased in quantity all while having sub-par food offerings with obvious sell-by dates and a lack of not only freshness but taste, there is a coffee shop – or shall we say Espresso Bar – for us.

A mainstay in Israel (the countries largest and most successful espresso bar chain), Aroma Espresso Bar has made its way across the great waters and landed in Manhattan’s Soho, Midtown West and Upper West Side. Similar to its clientele, the shop is modern, innovative and pleasant with freshness and quality being one its most attractive characteristic. With modern yet trendy European decor, white and red being standout colors, the bar makes it even the most hasty patron want to quickly take a seat.

In addition to fresh coffee made from Arabic beans imported from Africa, ground and brewed on site, each branch offers a fresh and wholesome selection of pastries, soups, salads and a new take on the breakfast menu illustrated in its modern take on the omelette – the perfect combination of omelette, parsley, tomatoes, cream cheese, pickles, lettuce all layered between your choice of fresh multi-grain or whole wheat bread. It also helps that the portions are plenty, giving patrons the opportunity to choose between whole and half sizes.

Competition? There simply is none at this point. While there are a variety of soup and salad restaurants and new age coffee shops scattered on almost every corner of New York City, none compare.

Touching Time…

GlamourNerdMag — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 19:52:20 +0000

Today’s touch-screen isn’t just reserved for the handheld smartphone. Kenneth Cole introduces its customers to a new sleek touch screen watch series.

The first of its kind, the collection offers a sleek design and classic look with unisex wearability. Designed with a stainless steel case and silicon strap, the wearer doesn’t have to sacrifice style for functionality. The watch functionality includes 32-City world time and an alarm, stopwatch and light up screen.

Designed for a generation of consumers who are already passionate about touch screen technology reflected in their smart phones and music player devices, the Kenneth Cole Touch Screen Collection embraces another cutting-edge step with its new campaign “A Defining Moment in Time”.

The campaign features a high energy video that creates a connection for the consumer by illustrating defining moments in life in conjunction with this defining moment in technology and fashion. The video will be available for consumers to view through the new media technology, QR Codes. The QR Code uses a bar code system in which the consumer can snap a picture of the bar code with their smartphone and the video will upload and play on their own device. This technology will be featured in a special 4 page insert in the June/July issue of Details Magazine.

Watches can be found at www.KennethCole.com

Melania Trump Shares Her Lifestyle With Namesake Jewelry Collection

GlamourNerdMag — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 23:38:43 +0000

Socialite, Model and Entrepreneur Melania Trump shares her lifestyle and the culture of three cities she calls home: New York City, Paris and Palm Beach. Inspired by her own life, arts, architecture, fashion scenes and design, the collection features an array of timepieces, necklaces, bracelets and rings.

Featured on QVC, the collection sold out during Trump’s first broadcast with over 13,000 pieces ordered in. Was that it? Of course not. The collection was so well received QVC wanted to team up with Melania again to create another collection for release in September 2010.

Partly inspired by the glamour in her own life, her line has also been adored and mentioned by the likes of designer Rachel Roy who tweeted about one the bracelets in the collection. Trump received support from many of her friends and fans during her first broadcast including that of her husband, the noteable Donald Trump who went on to say, “I’m very proud of you. You have always had a fantastic sense of fashion and design and now people are seeing what I mean,” he continued. “Congratulations, I’m very proud of you.”

The Melania™ Timepieces & Fashion Jewelry line is still available on QVC.com

The Travel Destination for the New “In” Crowd – The Omphoy at Palm Beach

GlamourNerdMag — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 21:18:21 +0000

Overlooking the Ocean with luxury style and a modern edge, the Omphoy Hotel and Resort gives new life to the Palm Beach oceanfront. Being the first ocean-front hotel Palm Beach has seen in just under 20 years and the first boutique hotel of its kind to sit along the ocean, the Omphoy welcomes a cool yet sophisticated clientele with an affinity for unpretentious luxury and a breathtaking getaway without leaving the mainland.

A private beachfront location, 134 guest rooms and suites – each with a panoramic view, and a palm tree lined infinity pool and waterfall with private cabanas are only the beginning of the Omphoy experience. Palm Beach regulars are introduced to a new hotel experience with hip, Asian-influenced design concepts and five-star amenities.

Guests can venture over to O bar for an afternoon martini or prepare for a surf side dining experience with award winning Miami Chef Michelle Bernstein. Drawing upon Miami influence, Bernstein considers health, flavor and overall aesthetic when preparing her highly regarded menu offerings.

Looking for a peaceful indulgence? Visitors are encouraged to experience luxury and renewal from the inside out. The Exhale spa offers refreshing therapeutic spa services in addition to a range of classes catering to each individuals well-being including a selection of core fusion classes to improve posture, focus and abdominal structure. These are complimented by a nearby yoga and cardio studio for the health conscious traveler.

Awe-inspiring sunsets on the inter-coastal waterway and sunrises on the Atlantic ocean peacefully observed from this luxurious haven are enough to make any visitor want to get lost here. Relax and let the ocean breeze find you.

This article will also be featured on www.Luxury-Design.com