Mar 31, 2015

Stylish Getaway Guide: NYC


New York is a city filled with wonder and possibility which is why it's such an incredible place to visit and find inspiration. After just returning from a power-packed, four-day, girls getaway to the big city I'm still feeling the buzz. Here are my top picks on the best places in NYC to stay, spa, sip and shop.

Stay 

The Belvedere has quickly become one of my favorite places to stay in the city. Located in midtown near the Theater District, The Belvedere is clean, centrally located and perhaps most importantly, bed-bug free. The rooms are a good size by NYC standards and the bathrooms feature luxurious marble flooring. This hotel is within walking distance of Times Square and close to numerous cafes, restaurants, shops and markets. www.belvederehotelnyc.com

Spa

The highlight of the trip was definitely our visit to Bliss 57 Spa. Let's just say there's a reason this spa has a cult following. I splurged on the signature "FatGirlSlim" toning treatment which consists of dry brushing followed by a trouble-spot-targeting seaweed mask, a heated wrap, a waist-targeting rubdown with "The Love Handler" followed by a generous application of the infamous Bliss "Fat Girl Slim" firming cream. The 75-minute treatment was amazing and I definitely noticed a difference in my skin tone and texture after the service. I can't wait for my next spa day! www.blissworld.com


Eat




For those that crave local and organic food, don't miss Blue Dog Kitchen. It's now on our "must-list" next time we visit the city and just talking about it makes us hungry all over again. Located in midtown, this cafe + juice bar has a fun, cozy atmosphere and serves fresh food that is beautifully plated. Start off with a fresh-pressed juice (made on their Norwalk Juice press) before your meal. I had the "Knight in Armor" juice which consists of apple, lemon, double ginger and cayenne. It had a kick and I loved every sip! For brunch, try the breakfast sandwich on a croissant with egg whites, turkey bacon, and avocado. www.bluedognyc.com


Prep




As I write this I'm now on day #5 of my Dry Bar blow-out and I promise it looks just as good as it did on day one. Whenever I'm in NYC I take full advantage of Dry Bar because it's quick, easy and convenient. I have really long, thick hair and not having to worry about washing or styling my while I travel is well worth the $40 price tag. Dry Bar offers several styling options to choose from and has experience with all hair types. Style tip: To make your blow out last as long as possible try the Dry Bar Detox Dry Shampoo. www.thedrybar.com

Shop



We left midtown and spent an entire afternoon shopping in Soho and it was well worth the trek. In Soho you'll find Zara, Uniqlo, Topshop, Mango, Bloomingdale's and many other places to experience a little retail therapy. Soho is crowded and the fitting room lines are long, so plan accordingly. If you need a pick-me-up while shopping, stop by the IT'SUGAR store for a sweet treat.

If you're heading uptown, shopping on Fifth avenue is another safe bet. You'll find Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel, Tiffany & Co., Moncler, and more. Keep going until you hit Central Park so that you can take a breather with a quick cappuccino in the park.


The Pack List





# 1 - Easy walking shoes with a square heel for maximum comfort while strolling the city.





#2 - Multi-tasking Makeup: Benefit's Lollitint works as a lip and cheek stain, saving valuable space in your cosmetics bag





#3 - A convertible clutch that easily transforms from day to night like this one from Seattle brand Bevée.

# 4 - An easy leather jacket that goes with everything and pulls together an entire look. Pictured above: Leather Moto Jacket from Topshop.





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Mar 25, 2015

Spring '15 Inspiration & Style Challenge


My love affair with fashion started a long time ago and this season along with being inspired by the gorgeous colors and playful trends seen on the runway, I'm inspired by the feelings they evoke. This year I'd like to spark a more meaningful style conversation and talk about the designers and brands that are pushing innovative new ideas to the forefront of fashion. This approach to style allows us to integrate the apparel and accessories we love and examine the lifestyles we lead and how our favorite pieces play into them. What's significant about style is not the price of a dress, the size, or even the designer for that matter. What's really noteworthy when we discuss style is how it makes us feel and whether or not it inspires us to live life fully and be present in the moments that bring us joy.


This season Seattle-based Porch.com asked style bloggers to participate in a "Spring Style Challenge" that involved styling an outfit inspired by a room created by one of their design professionals. I loved the versatility and rich colors in the photo (shown above) designed by New York interior designers Marks & Frantz. Their ability to mix pieces from multiple time periods and play with various shapes and textures is exactly my shared sentiment for spring. I love the colorful chandelier in the center photo and adore the way it captivates the room. Gold is one of my favorite accent colors (as seen in the shoes I'm wearing at top) and in the far left and far right photos you can see the careful use of gold-plated accents that bring an element of sophistication to each room. 


Corey Dress from Pipe & Row in Fremont paired with Spring '15 color inspiration from Marks & Frantz Interior Design, New York 


Seattle is fortunate to be home to many creative designers and amazing boutiques, each brimming with fresh picks for spring. I headed to Fremont's Pipe & Row boutique to peruse the selection and pick up the Corey dress (shown above). Featuring a nod to the 70's-inspired wrap dress by Diane von Furstenberg, this dress has everything I love (colors, pockets, prints) all wrapped (literally) into one beautiful piece. The long sleeves make this a great dress for spring's transitional weather and the mix of colors makes it easy to pair with a wide variety of accessories. 

This season my style challenge to you is to have more fun with fashion. Play with color, texture and trends by adding in signature style elements that feel right to you. Stroll through neighborhood boutiques, pick up a fresh bouquet of flowers and savor the arrival of this beautiful season and the possibilities that it brings. 


Here are a few of my favorite style picks for Spring '15

Best shoe to run around the city: Vince Camuto leather caged sandals, $129.95

Accessory you can wear with anything: J.Crew Hexagon Bangle, $29.50



Most versatile bag: BEVEE Convertible clutch with detachable chain, $190

Style with a story: Druzy Quartz ring from Turkey via JJ Caprices.com, $149

Effortless dress for everyday wear: Corey Wrap Dress from Pipe & Row in Fremont, $189

Color Crush: Marc Jacobs lipstick in Bold Rose, $30

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Mar 2, 2015

Canopy Blue hosts personal styling event


Need help shopping for spring? Join personal stylist Megan Kophs of Style Remix and Canopy Blue as they dive into spring fashion trends to benefit the Ben Towne Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation. The event is taking place on Wednesday, March 11th from 12-3pm for mid-day shoppers and again from 5-8pm for those that prefer to shop after work. Canopy Blue is located in Madison Valley at 3121 E. Madison St. Seattle, WA 98112. This is a free event, open to the public.
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Wear Wednesday announces Spring '15 Style Edit



Join Seattle fashion insiders for a spring style conversation on Wednesday, March 18th from 6-8pm. As part of the Wear Wednesday series, the Spring Style Edit will feature seasonal picks from the editors of Seattle Met, Seattle, Gray and Seattle Refined. Seattle style bloggers will also join the fashion conversation by sharing their spring style inspiration via an outfit of the day photo showcasing their favorite trend for the season. 

What:
Wear Wednesday at the W: Spring Style Edit featuring seasonal picks from Ali Brownrigg of Seattle magazine, Amanda Zurita of Seattle Met, Rachel Gallaher of Gray magazine, and Alyson Andrews of Seattle Refined. 

When:
Wednesday, March 18, 2015 from 5-7pm

Where:
W Seattle 1112 Fourth Ave. Seattle, WA 98101

Why:
Because talking about fashion is almost as much fun as shopping for it. Join us for this fun, informal, creative conversation about spring style in Seattle!

Follow the fashion conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #WearWednesday. 


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