LIP SERVICE (nope, not the new DIOR high gloss lacquer)

As much as I'm a huge advocate of super romantic dinners and perfectly planned gifts, I've recently realized that sometimes words are worth a thousand presents.

Over the holidays I gave my mother an adorable winter coat. She loved it and it fit perfectly. My mom put it on and smiled as she zipped it up, she knew it suited her and that she looked great...Until my dad walked in and said : "Really? That looks at least a size too small for you." (Important side note: my father thinks fleece camoflage pants are haute couture)

I was really bummed out by this because:
1) Selfishly, I had picked out and given her this coat and
2) My mom is a really pretty and stylish lady who looks great in all her clothes but this comment completely changed her mood. He took the "I feel pretty" out of her step and it showed instantly.

Another friend of mine recently recounted a nervous third date when she decided to step outside her comfort zone and wear a sexy La Perla garter belt and thigh highs sans underwear. In the heat of the moment her boyfriend looked confused instead of gratefully surprised and asked, "You came over here like that?! I mean you sat in the subway in your dress without underwear?" Needless to say he completely killed the mood along with any future lingerie endeavors his date may have wanted to try.

My girlfriend's and my style could not be more opposite. I own enough feathers and rhinestones to outfit an entire cast of Vegas showgirls while she gravitates toward crisp button downs and Brook Brothers Oxfords. But even though I probs wouldn't love a plaid button down shirt on a hanger, I think it looks stunning on her. Mostly because she is the most gorgeous girl in the world, but more importantly because I can see that she FEELS adorable in it...

Similarly she gets that I shine in a corseted dress and thigh high Christian Louboutin boots ( <--my xmas gift from her!!) And tells me I look beautiful...even though this look anywhere else might remind her of a deranged pirate.

So please, make sure to compliment your lady when she looks good. And even if you may not always get what she's going for, try your best to be supportive when she's rocking a questionable look she FEELS good in. (Added bonus: you're way more likely to score if she feels sexy AND hears that you think she is too)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

YAY- my absolutely favourite time in NYC is here....

My two favourite things about December are gift-giving and Christmas movies. In the past few weeks my girlfriend and I have already seen every holiday film involving Jim Henson or Bing Crosby...If you are also a fan The Tribeca Grand is continuing its Sunday movie screenings with holiday classics.


SCROOGED is this sunday 12/20 at 4pm
RSVP here

or at 630pm:
RSVP here

200 CIGARETTES plays next Sunday 12/27 at 4pm
RSVP here

or 630pm:
RSVP here

a pre-fixe brunch is available before the 4pm showing for 34.95 or you can opt for a 3-course dinner after the 6:30pm show.

for brunch or dinner reservations call 212-965-3565

Tribeca Grand Hotel
310 West Broadway
NY, NY 10013

I'm Baaaaaaaack!

It has been way too long my dears...

Perhaps because I was busy trying to convince myself I could temporarily live in Chicago...and after that, perhaps I was too busy plotting my move back. I followed my career to Chicago and in doing so left behind the two loves of my life: my girlfriend Anne and Manhattan. After a very long six months I decided I needed to return to my leading ladies...and thank Madge, my hard work paid off. I've kept my position and am working out of a delicious pink home office in our new apt in Chelsea that my girlfriend painted especially for my return!!

Now that I'm back where I belong promise to be better at getting you romantic, pink sparkly posts on a regular basis.


I LOVE NEW YORK!

Girl's Night out Chicago

Check out Shecky's last night for Chicago's Girls Night Girls Night Out 5pm-10pm tonight at The Great Hall at Union Station

Awesome one of a kind clothing, accessories and gifts as well as beauty treatments and fun cocktails.
Be sure to check out the Dirty Dolls lingerie booth for gorgeous bras panties and shapers!

Celebrate Chanel Style Tonight!

In honour of "Fashion's Night Out" in NYC Tonight all the Chanel boutiques in the city will be hosting special events including:

15 East 57th Street 6pm-11pm:
Personalize Your Own Chanel bag
Vogue Editor Andre Leon Tally will be advising tonights handbag designers from 7pm-7:45pm

139 Spring Street @ Wooster 6pm-11pm
Champagne and Nail Bar
Enjoy complimentary manicures and Champagne at the Soho location
* I hear the new Chanel Le Vernis shade is HOT

733 Madison Ave@64th Street 6pm-9pm
Complimentary Champagne and french chocolates while you shop

Im soo jealous Im not in NYC tonight :( drink and shop lots and lots for me!!!!

Haberdasher-ific

I am OBSESSED with hats this fall...maybe its because Madonna looks so damn good in them...maybe its because I just watched the Shirley MacLaine/Coco Chanel Lifetime Movie...maybe its because I bought the cutest sparkly beret EVER last week...

In any case... I was in New York City to visit my girlfriend last weekend and we stumbled into the cutest hat shop in Chelsea. Elle Christine Millinery on 18th St between 7th and 8th Ave has an awesome selection of women's sculpted fedoras, bowlers and other unique handcrafted pieces. Also- They are doing a "Mad Hatter Scavenger Hunt" this month with online clues that can lead you to win a free cocktail hat.

If your lady loves fabulous headwear as much as I do I highly recommend a trip to Elle Christine's Millinery followed by a romantic night in with Ms. MacLaine and a good bottle of Cabernet.

Elle Christines Millinery
255 West 18th Street
NY, NY
212-242-2457

HOURS:
Tue-Sat 11:00am - 7:00pm
except Thurs 11:00am - 6:00pm
Sun 1:00pm- 6:00pm

Coco Chanel
Available on itunes for 3.99

Cool one-of-a kind Clothes, Accessories and Zombie Plates

So my hipster-ific friend went to this in Williamsburg, Brooklyn in June and said it was AMAZING. Though I'm not much of a hipster I am excited to check out the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago. Over 300 vendors will be selling everything from silkscreened tees, handbags and jewelry to handdrawn comic books. My friend snagged a killed set of ceramic plates that said "I heart you more than zombies heart brains!"

Check it out this weekend 9/12- 9/13 from 11am to 7pm
Wicker Park on Division Street between Damen and Paulina

CRYSTALLIZED

I literally thought I had died and gone to heaven (or at least it's fancy waiting room) when my girlfriend and I walked intoSwarovski's new concept store in soho this weekend. The store which spans the width of the block between mercer and broadway just north of broome street, is a combination of a swarovski retailer and lounge/cafe.

It's a gorgeous place to stop and have a glass of wine or a coffee while you are shopping in Soho. Their Kir Royal was super yummy and seemingly even more bubbly than usual amongst the all the crystals!

Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED New York
499 Broadway
NY, NY 10012
Mon- Wed 10am-7pm
Thurs 10am-8pm
Fri- Sat 10am-7pm
Sun 12pm -6pm

The Perfect Passport

I accidentally stumbled upon this site while doing research for our upcoming SS2011 lingerie styleguide and fell in love with its kitchy layout and adorably packaged panties. Passport Panties is a lingerie company started by some sassy Texan ladies who have a passion for panties and being prepared (two of my great loves as well!)

Each pair of underwear is packaged in an adorable colour coordinating passport carrycase. The sets range from their signature "Predicament Panty" (10.00: boyshort, panty liner, deodorant, cleansing towelette and piece of chocolate candy) , to their "Playful Panty" (10.00: boyshort, maincure set, deodorant, cleansing towelette) and their "Primping Panty" (10.00: thong, hairspray, breathmints,body lotion, deodorant, cleansing towelette).

So whether you want to send it to your sweetie to celebrate an upcoming trip, or you just want to provide a chocolate filled passport to say "sorry its that time of the month" Passport Panties make a cute and affordable gift!

My New Favourite Toy!!

You thought I was gonna post something from BABELAND didn't you?
Actually this months pick is totes G rated. This awesome little gadget was sent to me and two of my co-workers this week as a gift and we can't stop playing with them!!

They were designed as a tool for peeps with ADD and/or who just need an outlet in never ending meetings. The fidget is a cute little toy that could be discreetly used at work/school etc. (So much chicer and less annoying than pen tapping- besides don't accessories make everything better?) It's an awesome gift for an ADD hottie or for yoursef;)

Check it out at FIDGETMAN.COM

I recommend the Chainy. It's pretty badass and can double as brass knuckles in an emergency! My co-workers are also in love with the Noah

How to throw a geek-alicious bday party

Ok so as many of you may already know my partner in crime and love of my life is a bit of a Potter nerd. I scoffed at her HP fetish when we first started dating, but I have to admit, she's even managed to suck me into this crazy world of wizardry.

When Aug 16th was coming close I knew I had to do something above and beyond our usual fancy dinners and romantic outings...I had to get my geek on!

I rewatched a couple of the movies for the details need to make apartment into a mini Hogwarts. First I made an "invitation" back to school and placed it in my mailbox. I picked my lady up from the airport and when we arrived at my front gate I asked her to check the mail for me. She opened up the invite and was delighted. There were Hogwarts coloured balloons (maroon and gold) the whole way to my front door where we found a picture of the Fat Lady with a note addressed to Anne. The note said that her birthday celebration was in the "grand hall" (formally my dining room- complete with floating candles and broomstick- fishing wire does wonders, friends!!) and her presents were in "Diagon Alley," aka my fireplace

She loved it and said that the thought and crazy details (I even made licorice wands and butter beer. It turns out there are a lot of potter-geeks online with great recipes!) made this her favourite present.

And the added bonus: It was sooo much fun to plan and create! There is nothing better than surprising the one you love and thinking of new and creative ways to make her happy. I highly recommend finding the quirky little things your lady loves and making a super nerdy and sweet theme date out of them :)

SPA WEEK is back! (and so am I)

Hey guys I didn't realize how long I'd been slacking until one of my loving readers emailed me (Thanks Mal!) August was a little hectic as I had been celebrating the birth of all my main ladies: My girlfriend, my mom, my sis and of course her Madge-sty!

But I am back just in time for lots of fall tips!!!!

SPA WEEK'S s bi-annual celebration is back: Sept 14-20 in Chicago and California, October 12-18 in NYC. As a result: a ton of spas have great gift packages and most have signature treatments for $50.00 or less. (Chicago's Spa @ the Wit is offering it's feature Mimosa Body Polish for $50 and Saks Fifth Ave is doing its Peppermint Patty Pedicure for the same discounted price!)

check out the discounts available at your fav spa here

Just Do It

I love romantic surprises...planning them, giving them, recieving them...I live for it.
That's why I find it so sad when friends of mine complain about how rarely their boyfriends, husbands etc take the time to put together thoughtful little gifts.

The thing is...while lavish amounts of money are unnecessary...it is more than just the thought that counts. It's the execution. It's super easy (and annoyingly lazy) to tell your lady about what you had "thought" about doing/planning/buying... it takes a true romantic to follow through and DO it.

My girlfriend and I have both been intensely busy with our respective careers in addition to a summer full of travelling. I'm meeting her family at their summer home in Hilton head this weekend so she made me a power point brochure of all the fun things she has planned for us when I arrive. She sent it to me with a very 'effortless-oh-here-go' nonchalantness, but I was blown away by how thoughtful and creative this was! Naturally I made all my co-workers rush over to look at it/brag :)

Similarly when she was having a bad day on Monday I overnighted her childhood favourite book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day to her office...with some hand written revisions I had added in especially for her. She loved this more than any designer garment I've ever gotten her.

So get creative guys...you might be surprised at how much fun you have doing it!

Taste Sensation!!

Ok so as many of you know, I'm a bit carbophobic and usually avoid pastries and baked goods at all costs....but I picked up the most delicious cupcakes for my friend Cory's b-day today and she made me taste several...HOLY MADONNA!

PHOEBES CUPCAKES has ridiculously delicious flavour combinations such as:
- Salted Caramel:
Vanilla Cake soaked in Homemade Caramel with Caramel Buttercream Frosting topped with Himalayan Rose Sea Salt and
- Breakfast Cupcakes
Maple soaked Buttermilk Cake with a Maple Butter Frosting topped with Crispy Bacon
- Strawberry lemon curd -
lemon cake filled with lemon curd and strawberry buttercream

Cory's personal favourite was the Boston Creme pie cupcake, which she described as"sheer deliciousness- with a magic shell chocolate top!"

They also package them beautifully with cute window display boxes wrapped in blue satin ribbon- great for gifts and special parties (or random friday binges)

Phoebes Cupcakes
3327 N. Broadway Ave. (at Buckingham) Open 8am-9pm
773-868-4000

NECK-ing

Necklaces are always a super sweet gift for someone special because: 1) who doesn't love jewelry? 2) they'll subconsciously think of you each time they wear it. As always, I feel the more creative the piece, the better. My girlfriend wrote a blog back in March and said of our hollywood-style romance: "Wow, tie me up and call me Nelly, I think I’m about to be a one-saddle pony." I got her a sterling silver saddle shortly after;) .

She's also a bit of a closet nerd so I recently found the above scrabble tile necklaces here and sent one for good luck for her latest weekend scrabble tournament with her fam.

If you need want something that already has the sentiment spelled out for you Dogeared Jewelry, made in California, creates adorable gold and silver charm necklaces with creative descriptions such as their silver boot "Kick Ass" necklace for "believing in your strengths, smarts and ability to kick some ass!".

SEX-y champagne

Sex, Champagne and pink all in one bottle....SHUT UP! My girlfriend came for her first Chicago visit (above :) ) and we found THE most delicious sparkling wine right in my neighbourhood. It's a bubbly rose blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Quite a steal at 15.00, SEX is the perfect gift for a rowdy birthday or dinner party. You can order it online from L.Mawbry or if you're in Chicago at Kafka Wine where they have a great assortment and super cute and helpful wine enthusiasts!

London Calling

Due to the success of the mini NYC film fest at the Tribeca Grand Hotel,
They are extending their complimentary screenings in May to include London based classic and cult favorites. Screenings take place in their private 98 seat theatre (pictured) at 6:30pm each Sunday.

May 3 -Alfie

May 10-Blowup

May 17-A Fish Called Wanda

May 24-Four Weddings and a Funeral

May 31- Bridget Jone's Diary

The hotel's restaraunt, Church Lounge, is also offering a Sunday night prixe fixe three course meal.

To make a reservation call: 212-519-3565

Tribeca Grande Hotel
2 Sixth Avenue (at White Street)
NYC

Like a Bunny!

I'd like to say a big thank you to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for hosting their Costume Institute Gala last week which brought my two favourite brands together in this fierce ensemble.

Marc Jacobs update to the Playboy Bunny ears will be available at Louis Vuitton stores this fall.

Take Your Momma Out

If you didn't already do something nice for that special lady in your life for Mother's Day you can still squeeze in a late dinner. I took my mom out to an amazing Italian restaraunt in my new hood in Chicago.

If you're in Chi Town I highly recomment Angelina. The food was super yummy and reasonable priced with a cozy, romantic interior.
Angelina
3154 N. Broadway
Chicago
773-935-5933

FINAL SAMPLE SALE!!

This is it- Last Playboy Sample sale at the 5th Ave office...tear...We are heading out to Chicago next week so come get lots of cool Playboy stuff (all categories including home, barware, apparel accessories and lingerie)

730 Fifth Avenue- 3rd Floor
(at 57th Street)

10am-3pm

"Can I SEND you a drink?"

New virtual gifting website, GIVE REAL, allows customers to purchase a "drink" and email it to a friend. You can select the drink and amount (from $1.00-$99.00). Once received, the amount is added to the recipient's credit card of choice and can be used at any establishment that accepts their card.

Being the instant gratification fiend that I am, I'd rather just take my friends out for drinks of a more instant variety rather than pay-paling them a theoretical one...but I do think its a cute/flirty idea for someone you'd like to get to know better or perhaps who lives in another city (start sending them to Chicago peeps- I'm gonna need a few martinis!) ;)

Chic Seeker

I thought it was the ladies' answer to ManHunt to for a minute but no. Far better! Chic- as in "adj: (shek) adopting or setting current fashions and styles; sophisticated" Seeker...

This awesome trend blog from Canadian Cuties- Erin Summer-Kibblewhite and Suzanne Colmer is spot on! They also have their own image consulting firm based in Toronto.

Stimulation Without Taxation

One of my favourite NYC retailers, Babeland, is celebrating tax day by offering free Gold Digger vibrators (pictured-LOVE the gold swarovski crystals!!) to the first 100 customers who announce they've filed their tax return.

For those of you who can't make it to the store... the same gift is offered to the first 100 web orders today and all purchases in stores and online are tax free all day.
Enjoy ;)

BABELAND
SOHO:
43 Mercer Street

LOWER EAST SIDE:
94 Rivington Street

BROOKLYN
462 Bergen Street

Fab Flowers for Spring

I accidentally stumbled onto Scott's Flower Shop on the way to a trend seminar in Koreatown. I was running late but couldn't help but notice the interesting display of small but gorgeous bouquets that were peeking out of vases attached to their front wall. I made a mental note of the location and returned the following day.

The staff was incredibly helpful and friendly. They offer an impressive selection, from their 10.00 (tax included) daily bouquets to 355.00 custom gift baskets with Dom Perignon.

Delivery is available online (within Manhattan)

15 W. 37th Street (btw 5th and 6th Ave)
www.scottsflowersnyc.com

Playing Doctor...

Not what you're thinking I'm sure*

As the seasons begin to change a lot of my friends and co-workers seem to be suffering from some nasty ailments...If your lady is under the weather creativity is key.

A good friend of mine recently came down with mono, and between her mini-comas her fiance cooked up all her favourite snacks and served them to her in bed while playing her favourite movies.
Another girl I know just experienced a horrible coldsore episode(like zombies attacked her upper lip.) When she came home exhausted and feeling less than sexy from a dr's appointment her girlfriend suprised her with dinner from her favourite restaurant, cabernet (with a straw naturally) and ridiculous matching stick-on mustaches as a temporary fix.

*(on a more predictable note: the costume pictured WILL be available this Halloween here and local costume retailers)

HELLO!

I recently got back from leading a week long creative conference in Germany. I returned home ecstatic to see my girlfriend but a little jet-lagged and overworked (with additional travel planned for the following week).

I walked into my place to find her waiting with champagne, a spotless apartment, a completely stocked fridge with all my favourite goodies, my drycleaning picked up and hung, and my favourite necklace straight from Tiffany's, where it had been cleaned and polished. All the little things that become a strain when you find yourself hopping from one plane to the next had miraculously been taken care of for me before I could even begin planning how to start the first on the list. I was blown away...even I could not have planned such a thoughtful and flawlessly executed surprise...

And then, just as I regained my composure...I found a gorgeous Hello Kitty (one of my fave icons of all time) painting in my bedroom that my girlfriend had a NYC pop artist create specifically for me!

In less than five minutes all the stress of work, travelling and my upcoming schedule melted away because I felt so completely taken care of.

You know that super seductive Victoria's Secret Christmas commercial with the tagline "Give me everything I want and nothing I need..." It's brilliant because: obviously it's sexier to recieve the decadent things you crave than necessecities... But I've recently found that the SEXIEST gift is a creatively planned combination of BOTH...

Playboy Sample Sale Today!!

Playboy sample sale today: ridiculously cheap!!
everything from martini glasses to jeans to lingerie (<--which is pretty cute if I do say so myself)

730 Fifth Avenue -3rd Floor
10am-5pm

TOP SHOP comes to NYC tomorrow!!

Like that theme song for Queer Eye used to say "All things just Keep Getting Better"...
It looks like April is bringing lots of goodness to NYC, including one of the UK's #1 retailers.

Top Shop carries tons of cheap and chic mens and women's apparel and accessories (think London's higher end Forever 21).

TOP SHOP opens tomorrow at:
478 Broadway (btw Houston St and LaGuardia Pl.)
NYC

FEMLIN exhibit

The Franklin Bowles Gallery in Soho is having a LeRoy Neiman exhibit through April 5th (this Sunday) He's the guy who draws the cute little topless sprite named Femlin who hangs out on Playboy's Joke page (and some other famous stuff.)

Check it out at:
Franklin Bowles Gallery
431 W. Broadway
NYC
www.franklinbowlesgallery.com

Dinner and a Movie

Starting April 5, the Tribeca Grand Hotel is hosting complimentary screenings of Manhattan based classic and cult favorites. Screenings take place in their private 98 seat theatre (pictured) at 6:30pm each Sunday.

April 5 -Manhattan

April 12-Breakfast at Tiffany's

April 19-Taxi Driver

April 26-The Squid and the Whale

The hotel's restaraunt, Church Lounge, is also offering a Sunday night prixe fixe three course meal.

To make a reservation call: 212-519-3565

Tribeca Grande Hotel
2 Sixth Avenue (at White Street)
NYC

Bunnies Take...Chicago

So as you may have noticed my posts in March were few and far between...I promise not to make a habit of this but the past months have been a bit intense!!

For starters: I found out I'll be moving to Playboy's original home in Chicago for a little while to lead our design team from there, got a fab. new apartment and went down a jean size.

And last, but certainly not least, I have fallen deeply, madly, hopelessly in love ('Made it through the wilderness...didn't know how lost I was until I found you' styles) with a woman who loves New York, Madonna, time management and romance as much as I do!!

At first I was completely overwhelmed... I had grown very comfortable with my role as the date planner, gift giver, door and bag holder and never realized that BOTH parties in a relationship could successfully fulfill this position. Finding this romantic and exhilarating two-way street may be my greatest recommendation of all...(*Unfortuately I don't have the street address and phone number for this one...check your local listings)

As for the rest...now that I have another ridiculously stealth and generous gal in my life I can offer you kids twice the advice ;)
all my love....FND

Blast from the Past

An old New York W. Village favourite, Minetta Tavern, re-opened this Tuesday.
They have a great mix of french entrees along with upscale americana: ie their signature "Black Label" burger.
Their status as a former NYC staple is causing unneccesary crowds to flock to their re-opening...making it a better post date (or drunken snack stop) than venue for the main event...adorable either way

113. Macdougal Street (Minetta Lane)
Dinner Menu served til 2am

You may be my Lucky Star...

I'm still not sure how I feel about this one...a friend of mine told me about this website where you can name a star after someone and get the coordinates and the chosen name engraved on a necklace (that looks suspiciously like the sterling silver Return to Tiffany necklace...)

I guess if your lady is an astronomer, or if you happened to meet during a meteor shower this might be cool...

Otherwise: there ain't nothin' like the real thing.
And Tiffany's will custom engrave anything. I had them add WWMD (ie)What Would Madonna Do?) to mine. Now THAT'S a guiding star ;)

StarRegistry
www.starregistry.com
star certificate: 54.00
necklace: 69.95

Tiffany & Co.
www.tiffany.com
Return to Tiffany necklace: $300.00
engraving: $30.00 and up

Fancy Fetish Indulgences...

Couple friends of mine recently asked me if I knew where they could find a high-end, non-scary fetish party. Actually I do. Kiki de Montparnasse, the most gorgeous lingerie and lifestyle store in NYC hosts monthly events including themed parties and galas.

Even if that might not be your cup of tea, their Soho boutique is worth visiting. They sell something to make everything feel super sexy...from Etoille camisoles and briefs, to 14k gold handcuffs and DVDs of romantic classics like Casablanca. The set up is incredible. I literally wanted to move in to one of their 1920s style dressing rooms which comes complete with art nouveau mirrors and feather boas.

www.kikidm.com
79 Green Street
New York, NY

Couture Cupcakes

I've known Monique Lopez, a sassy Latina self-proclaimed Glamourologist, for years and have always admired her ability to leave things a little pinker and prettier than she found them. I went to a Valentine's Day party this weekend and was greeted with the most gorgeous cupcakes I've EVER seen...nearly too pretty to eat. I looked at the packaging and attached card so I could recommend these in the future. It turns out my little Mo has started her own cupcake business!!

These are gorgeous and can be custom designed for any occasion. Check it out at:
www.myglamourology.com

Sexy Canadian Songstress brings us some perfect Date Tunes

Ok so I've been accused of having less than impressive musical tastes. I own Paris Hilton's debut (and only) CD, it's true...but I still know AMAZING mood music when I hear it.

If you're planning a cozy evening at home for V-day, or any premeditated in-night, you absolutely must check out Ms. Joanna Levine. This Toronto born Folk-Rock/Indie singer has a killer voice and her lyrics are to die for. She plays all over NYC and can be seen next at:

-Pianos, Feb 22, 8pm
158 Ludlow Street, NYC

You can download tunes at:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=36693922

Gift Idea #4

You would think I work for Agent Provocateur due to the sheer number of times I plug them per month. Actually, I design for a pseudo-competitor but cannot get enough of their store...

AP recently launched their new fragrance, Diamond Dust, with tiny diamond crystals in the perfume. It also leaves a subtle shimmer effect...and just makes you feel spoiled.

www.agentprovocateur.com
$90.00

Valentines Gift Idea # 3:

If you're a possessive guy or girl and want everyone to know your lady is TAKEN: this might be for you. Worn by Christina Aguilera, Paris Hilton and other hollywood brat-packers, you can get one at:

www.patriciafield.com
Gold 185.00 or Silver 160.00

Alexander McQueen- Cheap and in NYC!!

Alexander McQueen is opening a pop-store/exhibit of his new McQ for Target collection next weekend. From what I've seen online the silhouettes look super cute with a very kitch butch meets femme overtone...

Check it out (and pick something up for me!! :) )

FEB 14th and FEB 15th ONLY
St Johns Center
330 West Houston
12pm-10pm

Surprise packages: super sexy for V-day!

Instead of the standard flowers on V-day, why not have your custom gift hand delivered?

My favourite service in Manhattan is Mobile Parcel. They are very fast and friendly and small gifts ( a shopping bag or smaller) can usually be picked up and delivered anywhere in the city for under 40.00.

Mobile Parcel
www.mobilemessengerservice.com
212-MOBILE1

Countdown to V-day: Gift idea #2

As a lingerie designer, clearly I am a huge fan, consumer and connoisseur of women's underwear. I think gorgeous lingerie is THE sexiest gift to give and recieve...Agent Provocateur kills it this season with the back heart lace satin panties ($80.00). Yes, its a lot for undies but this is THE most luxurious lingerie brand. They'll wrap it in pink and black 1930s style gift boxes along with their current catalog which usually includes beautifully illustrated ladies kissing in their skivies. One of the best places for a Valentines gift...

http://www.agentprovocateur.com

In NYC:
133 Mercer Street in Soho

Hello Kitty + Makeup!! Is it my birthday???

MAC Cosmetics is launching their next "designer" co-branded makeup collection February 12th. Who is this month's featured designer? None other than the ambassador of Japan: Ms Hello Kitty!!! I want one of everything!!! The collection starts at 12.00 (for lipgloss) and goes up to 90.00 (for swarovski crystalled compact pictured). Great gift ideas for Valentines day!

check it out at: https://www.maccosmetics.com/account/messages/index.tmpl?messageId=hksoon09

Pre-game your dates from the comfort of your laptop...

OK, so I know what you're thinking..Drink and surf the net before a big date:WTF?
no, no. I was recently explaining to my friend, who we'll call Butch Cassidy, that I used to "pre-game" my dates by going to the neighbourhood the night before to assess the area, how long it took to get there, what bars were near the restaraunt for a cocktail afterward etc...so i'd look super-suave the night of the date

BUT this AWESOME new website: www.walkscore.com
allows you to type in any address and find out what bars, restaraunts, even drugstores are in the vicinity and how close all these things are to walk to...It even gives a "walkability" score if you are deciding between locations

check it out before your next night out!!!

WINTER RESTAURANT WEEK IS HERE :)

Winter restaurant week is running again from January 18th -January 30th (next Friday)
Prix fixe three course lunches start at 24.07 and dinners at 35.00.
For a list of participating restaurants check out: http://www.opentable.com/promo.aspx?m=8&pid=69

Less than a Month til Valentines Day!!

One of my absolute FAVOURITE holidays is almost here!! I'm a big fan of the extravagant...For Christmas I put together a scavenger hunt that started with clues and presents in a lady's apartment and led through the city (via hired towncar) to a martini bar downtown. The bartender served my date a drink and a cartier bracelet while I waited at the rear of the bar....

If you will be in NYC this V-day: some of the best Valentines spots are:
CLASSIC NEW YORK:
Top of the Tower (Beekman Place Hotel-pictured above)
One Mitchell Place @ 49th Street
*they have a special 3 course Valentines menu- make reservations ASAP

DOWNTOWN CHIC
Double Crown
316 Bowery @ Bleeker

UNIQUE MOVIE EXPERIENCE
DRV-IN (book a private indoor drive in for 2!)
215 East 4th Street
646-478-7689

The Madonna Inn: Romantic Winter Get-away

This 50 year old inn in San Luis Obispo, CA  not only has an awesome name, but also a gorgeous exterior and specialized theme rooms.

The cave suite (with authentic rock wall shower) and the "Pink room" are two of the most popular.

Madonna inn

100 Madonna Road

San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

(805) 543-3000

www.madonnainn.com