FABULUSH

The Vegas Strip

A few weekends ago, it was a complete blur because one moment I was having a latte with Geri and the next moment I was being convinced to pack faster and head to Vegas. No, it wasn’t a shotgun wedding at the Little White Chapel, but more so a reunion between my boyfriend and his old friend from high school. I threw together what I could while my bf made last minute hotel reservations as everything was booked solid for the Pacquaio/Cotto fight. We ended up with a room at the Luxor Hotel, and zipped through the supposed 5 hour roadtrip in less than 4 hours.  My tiny bladder cried for mercy the whole trip.

MGM Grand - Where the Pacquaio/Cotto Fight occurred

Immediately after checking in, we dragged our asses over to a lounge bar in the Luxor and power-houred drinks to catch up with Peil (bf’s friend from Connecticut).  Somewhere along the way of dating an Irishman, I have developed an iron liver or perhaps my “Tank” days from college are making a comeback. So I went shot-for-shot with the boys (Jameson only… yuckkkkk), and drink-for-drink (Vodka rocks or Vodka sodas) and had gigglefests while listening to all their old school stories.

Bellagio's Dale Chihuly Handblown Glass Flowers

Several hours later into the morning, Peil was beyond wastedface and decided the Women’s Restroom was a great place to venture into.  Completely oblivous to his actions, I tried to hook him up with 2 lady friends I met during the Search-and-Rescue mission.  Thinking he was in safe hands with the ladies or at least vulturing the bar and circling four times, we left in search of hot tables.  End of Night 1:  Jack was up a good amount from Black Jack, Peil was down and out hopefully back at Mandalay Bay, and my toesies hurt from my Chanel boots.

Hubert Keller's Burger Bar

Just mere hours later, Jack was back at the tables as I refreshed for the day then walked around the Strip a bit until I was content with the idea of Hubert Keller’s Burger Bar for lunch. During the endless wait to be seated, we shopped for new sunglasses and bubblebath goodness from Lush. Turkey burger BLT & avocado for the misses and an Angus burger with the fixings for the mister. Noshed on sweet potato fries and washed it down with a few Framboise Lambics and IPAs. I definitely wanted to try the Truffled Foie Gras Kobe burger (thisiswhyyourefat.com much?), but our lunch alone was already $80 so one $70 burger didn’t seem thatttttt enticing.

Penguin Lovers at Minus 5

After lunch, we met back up with Peil and the other Connecticutian boys while soaking up some sun. Turns out Peil had a tussle with an undercover cop after we left him to his own devices. How far gone must you be to almost go to hotel jail? Anyhooo… more drinking and gambling occurred, I disco napped, then we got gussied up for dinner and our night out.

Seared Sea Scallops at Company Kitchen

Noshed a decent dinner of Seared Scallops and Celery puree with an Apple slaw from Company Kitchen (along with other dishes like the Seared Tuna with a citrus vinaigrette and wasabi greens, Homemade Crispy Ranch Chips, Japanese 7 Spiced Fries, and BBQ Pulled Pork and Andouille Sausage Sandwich). Headed to Caesars Palace to meet up the boys, only to find Peil puking like a sick puppy. We waited… and waited… and waited. The kid was M.I.A. So we continued on imbibing and gambling in a central area as we continued to wait for his reappearance. After over an hour and no word after several Search-and-Rescue missions, we party hopped from Cotto’s afterparty at Pure (loser’s can have fun too!) then onto Pacquaio’s party at Jet (if you have yellow fever, then you were in heaven) and then over to the Bank at the Bellagio, where Derek Jeter had his pick of the pussy litter.

Best part of the ENTIRE trip for me was not the club scene, but actually being hot on the Bellagio craps table.  It was like in the movies where women are blowing on the dice, except I had men blowing on mine.  Won several thousand for everyone at the table, and somehow I walked away even?  Oh well, it’s just fun and games.  Lesson learned:  never come to Vegas on a boys trip and less drinking and more picture taking next time.

(Tamara Sky, Charis Kirchheimer, Zac Posen and I hugging it out)

It may seem like dejá
vu, but pinch yourself because it’s true – Target just announced the next Go International designer will be none other than Zac Posen, who has dressed stars such as Kate Winslet, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Lopez.

The collection will be available at most Target stores nationwide and online at Target.com from April 25 through May 30. Posen will be following in the Go International alum footsteps of Erin Fetherston, Jovovich-Hawk, Rogan, Richard Chai, Jonathan Saunders, Thakoon, Tracy Feith, and the upcoming Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte.

Yet there is still no word on the price points of the upcoming Zac Posen collection; however previous Go collections have been in the $14.99 to $149.99 range. Posen’s own collection is priced from $900 to $12,000, with custom pieces fetching upward of $20,000. This isn’t Posen’s first foray into lower price points as he prepares for the launch of Z Spoke, a less expensive line exclusive to Saks Fifth Avenue, this upcoming spring. Z Spoke will retail from $78 for a cotton T-shirt to $675 for a knit dress.

But lest we forget about Zac Posen’s first go-around with Target Australia in Fall 2008? Monsieur Posen dreamt up a collection of red-carpet gowns, short dresses and tailored pants for Target Down Under. Target America; however, after all the legal mumbo-jumbo says there is no likeness with both companies nor the collections.

Above is a flashback from the swanky soiree with Zac Posen, after his fabulous show at the Vanderbilt Mansion on Fisher Island. Below is a reminder of what Zac Posen designed for Target Australia Go International:

For New York Fashion Week, Essie Weingarten (the mastermind behind nail color line, Essie) collaborated with Mercedes-Benz to create a polish to match their Capri Blue metallic paint for the 2010 E-Class luxury vehicles.  We were lucky enough to get our hands on Essie Capri Blue and give you the low down on the illusive color that appeared on many runways this past September.



As a child, I remember my fondness for my parent’s first Mercedes: a blue sedan with silver trimming with creamy tan leather seats.  On road trips, my mother would polish her long nails with hot pink lacquer while I wanted crazy Crayola colors of Magenta, Midnight Blue, White, Sunshine Yellow… you get the jist.  Essie’s Capri Blue rolls my childhood memories of our first luxury sedan and my love for wacky lacquers into one.

As for being a huge fan of Essie polishes, Capri Blue did not disappoint.  The color payoff is phenomenal, where only one coat is required for the look of lithe model’s nails down NYFW’s runways while I dosed a second helping for a deeper midnight color.  Even with it’s slightly shimmer factor, it comes off as a chic metallic and not as cheap, cheesy glitter with no-streak shine.  Capri Blue is a great alternative to my regular bordeaux bores and noir nails, giving a dark and stormy look with a flash of blue genius.

While it was was available exclusively in the Mercedes-Benz backstage lounge and New York Fashion Week tents, you can get a similar look wearing Midnight Cami from the Fall Cuddle With Color collection.  Thanks to Modelinia for the perfect polish!

I know, I know… I’ve fallen off the face of the Earth for a bit. It’s been a whirlwind of events and meetings, cooking like crazy, and oh yah a last minute trip to Vegas that has gotten me so ever ill. So for the past few days I’ve been bedridden trying to fend off those icky germs. So stay tuned in the next few days for a plethora of your scheduled blog programming.

All my friends know me for a few things, specifically my sweet cheeks, sweet tooth, and sweet ass baking skills. Usually, I like to take creative license and try to venture out on recipes. However, this time was a bit different and my beau vehemently wanted Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies straight up Mom style. After enough pestering, I followed Mama Gallagher’s recipe to a T and let me tell you they are amazingly perfect the way they are.

So bake your little heart out, then curl up on the couch with your lovey, and wash these down with a tall glass of milk.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

1 1/2 cups Flour
2 cups Oatmeal
12 oz Chocolate Chips
1 cup Shortening
2 Eggs
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Baking Soda
3/4 cup Brown Sugar
3/4 cup Granulated Sugar
1/2 tsp Hot Water
1 cup Walnuts, chopped
1 tsp Vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a medium mixing bowl or a KitchenAid, cream sugars (brown & white) and shortening together until nice and fluffy. Add eggs in one at a time and beat until light. Then add the vanilla and hot water in, mixing well. Sift flour, salt, and baking soda, then add into the mixture until combined. Next, add in the oatmeal, again mixing well until combined. Rip open the chocolate chips (try not to snack on too many) and the chopped walnuts (optional if you don’t like nuts, but fantastic with them – trust!) and mix those babies in.

Spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray or butter it down. Spoon out hefty tablespoons of dough (about 1″ round) and round into a ball. Press down and flatten just a tad. Pop them in and bake for 12 minutes. Once they’re fresh from the oven, place on cooling racks. Enjoy!

While just set back our clocks recently, H&M is springing ahead with their 2010 Spring/Summer Collection Lookbook. The 12 piece preview features model Katrin Thormann in ethnic inspired looks balanced with beige/grey neutrals, floral patterns, pops of bright colors and buttery leather creations.

Overall the collection has a luxe hippie feel with pieces made from sumptuous silks, leather, and intricate detailing. The sunglasses are hugely reminiscent of the ones that floated down Giles Deacon’s S/S 2010 runways and that Dree Hemingway hugely popularized afterwards. The other accessories (shoes and jewelry) are wildly oversized to make them stand out statement pieces. This upcoming season, it seems as a departure from the omnipresent jumpsuits that ruled the runways, and now into a foray of overalls – floral, leather, et al. I was never a fan of overalls back in my kiddie days, and don’t forsee me rocking them ever. I will love a lengthening maxi-skirt for life, but not sure if this one’s a good look.

What are your picks?

As we near December 20, there is deeper look into the much hyped upcoming collaboration between the masterminds Kate and Lauren Mulleavy of Rodarte and Target.  The collection pulls inspiration from the latest trends (leopard, lace, sequins, innerwear as outerwear) and melding them with past time classics (bows, tulle, Jane Seber dresses, tights) all with a punk rock twist.  I’m not a big fan of the styling, but I can appreciate the throwback to a dainty 20s feel.  After seeing Dakota Fanning in Teen Vogue with her petite perfection in the long sleeved leopard dress, I knew there was much more to the collection at first glimpse.

Frugal fashion lovers can purchase the 55-piece Rodarte line for Go International  for 45 days only, starting on Dec. 20, and will be available through Feb. 6.  So be prepare to stalk your local Target, as the line will launch at most Target stores nationwide and on Target.com.  Many question the quality and the hand-worked designs Rodarte is known for and how it may translate to a mass market view, but Target claims to have stayed true to the spirit of the luxury-priced label.

“What you’ll notice is an amazing eye for detail,” said Joshua Thomas, a Target spokesman. “It’s very feminine, yet very modern. The collection incorporates a rich mix of patterns and fabrications and everything from sequins and bows to faux fur. The key with Rodarte is layering.”

Prices for Target’s Go International Rodarte collection will range from $9.99 for knee-highs to $79.99 for a leopard print jacket. Only a mere $40 for the nude tulle ballerina bow dress, $45 for the dress Dakota donned in Teen Vogue (thanks RudeGirl!), but no word on the Jane Seber-like frock.

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