Kitten Lounge

Mingling Mondays ~ Wired Holiday Pop Up Store Launch Party

KittenCouture — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0800

Can you believe it's Thanksgiving this Thursday? The past few days have been a serious whirlwind of events and I have to say that one of the highlights was the Wired Holiday Pop Up Store Launch Party that took place last Fri. All the must have gadgets were available to play with and of course I enjoyed seeing Moby spin and the various celebs that happened to attend. You can visit the Pop Up Store and get many of the items on your list taken care of. It was also fun to hang out with Sonali (Pitch Control PR), Emily (Mouth of the Border), Walt (For Orchestra and Damien! What a fun night that will definitely be one of the highlights going into the holiday season.

Mingling Mondays ~ Day x Night

KittenCouture — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0800

Hidden Pierced Earrings $80 - Swarovski

Dsquared2 C069 $1379 - Zappos Couture

Kara By Kara Ross Enamel Cuff with Gemstones $350 - Bloomingdale's

Abydos Dress $228 - Anthropologie

I love when I present segments of items that can be worn during the day and then work straight into the night. When it comes to cute dresses that are femme and waiting to get dressed up, Anthropologie is a great go to store! Not only is it fun to shop in the store or online, but they have a lot of to choose from. I love this Abydos dress which reminds me of something that has a bit of an Egyptian look. I love the sash and that it seems like such an easy dress. When paired with this gorgeous bronze cuff you're half way to being completely accessorized! Of course you can always add a little more. The Swarovski Crystals have an elegant style that creates a great silhouette against your neck and the heels - this pair from DSquared2 is absolutely stunning. I love the pops of gold and the natural element to this shoe as well. You can go from day to night whether you're heading off to a cocktail party or simply going out with your significant other!

Mingling Mondays ~ Dressing for Flip Flop Weather

KittenCouture — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:55:20 -0800

Washed Boyfriend Jeans $225 - Burberry

Marc by Marc Jacobs Ruffle-embellished suede ankle boots $495 - Net-A-Porter

Dannijo Fergie Necklace $656 - shopbop.com

Ribbed V-Neck Pullover Sweater - Stripe $49 - Express

Um I didn’t get the memo that we were going to have reasonable weather! The funny part is my winter coat has made an appearance already and we’re supposed to be in the fall. The good thing about this weather is that you can layer up and look appropriate when the weather is changing every second. When it comes to one of my favorite looks, I love the low neckline fitted sweater, paired with skinny jeans or a nice flair (you'll also want to make sure that you have various cuts and washes as this is a fun way to change up your look), ankle boots and of course – lots of accessories. As much as I love the over the knee boot, there is something to be said for wearing the little booties as well! This is such a great look when you’re at the office, going to Starbucks or doing whatever you need to do as you begin to tackle your Mon! Take some time to look at the pieces above and to begin to add them into your closet (note the cute lace tank that’s under this sweater) – such a sweet look and very chic!

Mingling Mondays ~ Kitten Lounge's Holiday Gift Guide

KittenCouture — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:39:58 -0800

Kitten Lounge's Holiday Gift Guide launched yesterday and we will continue to have additional brands included over the next few weeks as this will be up through Jan 15th of 2010! Of course our spread includes just a few of the goodies that are on the site including Ted Rossi, Purple Lab NYC and our sponsor, Tasty Morsels Bakery! Continue to check back as we will not only have additional items but this is a great way to begin thinking about what gifts you can get to cross it off your list! Not only is this a guide that focuses on gifting but it includes events as well that you'll want to know more about as well as restaurants and information for New Years Eve!

We're in our 3rd year of this guide and we also have a fun component known as the 25 Days of Holiday Glam. This segment kicks of Dec 1st through Dec 25th. There will be giveaways each of these days that you can win and is a way to not only introduce you to a fab brand and item but to also say thank you as well! This will be apart of the Holiday Gift Guide and also as a separate post within the main site. Although both of these items have been apart of the Holiday Gift Guide, we're adding in something new. We will include 12 Stars on the Horizon. These are individuals that work in the fashion industry (or are associated) that are either establihed or emerging people that you will want to know about. They work in the industry and defintiely deserve to be recognized as they do amazing work which you may need for future use! This will kick off Dec 20th and run through New Years Eve as a countdown of sorts!

Mingling Mondays ~ The Story of Food

KittenCouture — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:19:00 -0800

Tomorrow one of the movies that Food Editor of this site, Paul Belobritsky, has been anticipating is being released on DVD. Food Inc tackles various issues within the movie including the importance of organic and locally grown food, foodbourne illnesses, diabetes and obesity, working towards putting nutritional labels on foods found in restaurants, factory farming, genetic engineering, pesticides, farm worker protection, environmental impact, cloning and the global food crisis. It's a lot of issues placed in one film and yet in many cases these are issues that your familiar with and in the end is definitely education and makes you question your food, how you get and the long term effects it has on your body!

Paul and I enjoy eating from restaurants whose menus have organic and locally grown foods. We also enjoy farmer's markets and get excited when we see one! Although these issues were important to me as I have been focusing on them, this movie let me think more about the impact of the global food crisis. Although I don't have children, I have always been a proponent of having healthy alternatives in schools when it comes to replacing sodas with water, soy, etc. In addition, I enjoyed attending a highschool that had salad bars and healthy alternatives. This should be something that is available everywhere (don't even get me started on traveling - some airports have great alternatives while others miss the mark).

Much like King Corn, this movie shows how corn has become the sneaky food that many people ingest in high levels and that it permeates our food by being placed in various forms and fed to cows. This not only increases the obesity but places items within our diet that we don't need to have. Coming from Indiana, I know that many farms were decreasing in terms of the "mom and pop" lots and were becoming corporate/government entities which of course encourages me to support locals as much as possible. If you're looking to understand more about where your food comes from and the effects that it has on you, this is the movie for you! We all need to think about the steps we can take upon examining our intake and to ensure that we are beeing nourished in the right way - education is the first step. Also visit Food Inc's site to learn a lot more about issues and actions that are being raised and implemented.

Mingling Mondays ~ Ruffles Are the New Sexy

KittenCouture — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Ruffle Tier Dress $98 - White House Black Market

Christian Louboutin Claudia - Black $835 - Barneys New York

Robyn Rhodes Vicki Cuff $130 - CoutureCandy

Susan Hanover Black and Gold Collar Necklace $245 - Chickdowntown.com

Last weekend I happened to be in White House Black Market (which I have to say I have only been in a handful of times and although I'm a huge fan of black, I never find anything there) and fell in love with this dress - they didn't have any more in my size but I knew I wanted to include the Flutter Tier Ruffle Dress within a spread. On my 30th birthday back in September, one of my very good friends wore a flapper girl style dress and I knew I wanted one. When I saw this dress, I saw the similarities and actually loved this one more as it doesn't have fringes but just ruffles. On the website, they suggest that this could be paired with jeans (I question this) but without a doubt it's super cute with black tights which give it a classic macabre, victorian look which is stunning or you can go without tights - I have to say that I would keep the tights. With the dark elements of this dress, I would definitely pair it with fab gold pieces and of course you can't go wrong with a pair of Louboutin's to pull everything together and to give a pop of color as you walk away!

With the holiday season coming closer, we'll be going to a variety of parties so why not some fun interpretations on the classic black dress? You can also play around with whatever look your interested in as well!

Mingling Mondays ~ Power Suit Reinvented

KittenCouture — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:00:00 -0700

Manu Green Amethyst & Agate Ring $285 - Barneys New York

Gucci tan leather 'Ginerva' pull-on platform boots $1112 - Bluefly

Bell Sleeve Tunic Sweater $48 - Arden B

Veined Turquoise Necklace by Siman Tu $745 - Vivre

I was a huge fan of Dynasty, Falcon Crest and Hotel because it was the 80's and when the women in these shows meant business, they had the power suits with the fab shoulder pads. Thankfully, the idea of the power suit has changed as professions aren't the same - our look doesn't need to be one that is a two piece. One of my favorite looks is this long sleeve tunic dress which is a must for the fall/winter season. Paired with a super cute pair of boots all you need to do is find some fun accessories. Here lately, green has been a color that I have been including within a lot of my outfits. I've been obsessed with Siman Tu ever since I happened to walk by a shop on the Upper East Side that carried some pieces. This bib necklace has always been a classic but has been on trend over the last few season and I expect it to continue. This look can be completed with this gorgeous Amethyst and Agate ring! The large cocktail ring is a must and if you want to really bring this outfit to another level, I would pair this with a belt whether it's a wide one or a thin one that you can wear at an angle.

Mingling Mondays ~ Find Your S Factor

KittenCouture — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 04:00:00 -0700

I guess life does have cycles. We do everything in stages only to race to a finish line. We spend 18 years to get good grades and to figure out where we end up in terms of who finished where within their class and we focus on getting into that school to do our race all over again but for shorter periods of time. This race ends and some continue on their education track while others dive into a career and yet there are many detours, stops and starts along the way but we're all on our grind hustling and trying to figure out where we're going. There's no rule book to success but the more you're out there, you're bound to get it. But where do we need to be and what is the holy grail of "it"? It can be a little daunting and at the age of 30 I find myself saying what is it that I want and how to reorganize some of my priorities as I need to make sure that I am taking care of myself. Taking care of myself does mean staying fit, eating right etc but it's to also remember that I am a multi-faceted person with various needs. Your body knows what it wants if you listen.

I had heard about S Factor from the beginning of me coming to NY but it took until earlier this year for me to go to an open house that Crystal at Tasty Morsels Bakery participated in at S Factor for me to see a demo that kept me in awe. To have the body control to do the amazing tricks that were done on the pole was definitely a mind bender and it was a few days later that I took the intro class. I love challenging exercises that stimulate the body and the mind and I had nothing but positive things to report on this site but life is interesting. A person can do the same activity within months of each other and gain a completely different experience. Fast forward to about 6 months or so later and I find myself with various colleagues within the blogging community at an Editors S Factor session (complete w 6" stilettos). The person sitting in this session is someone that has had a lot of personal growth over the past few months and not only realizes that she is closer to what she wants but wants more personal fulfillment as well. I want to know more about me and to hear me and today's session does just that.

Our S Factor session combined yoga, pole dancing and a dance routine while encouraging that hearing yourself is an essential tool to your growth within the various courses (they run 8 weeks but there are 6 levels and unlike most classes where the conclusion of all steps have a finality, you're able to continue to grow). Jill was one of our teachers (I was fortunate to have her as my teacher in a previous introductory course) and she is a power ball of energy, understanding and sisterhood. To be able to slow down is something that I have been thinking a lot more of and it has been something that fellow Editor, Keren has been telling me and all of us via her Project Detox series. Did I wake up feeling sore (absolutely - you have a lot of ab and lower back work to do all of the sensual things that you do in class) but did I feel empowered with the idea of working within a women's only studio and to hear nothing but positive affirmations? Absolutely. For those of us that work to do the impossible whether it's within our family, career goals, etc - we need to get out our emotions and to realize that beyond being fearless trailblazers, we are still women who have sensuality, femininity and qualities that set us apart not only from men but other women as we are individuals. I can't wait to start taking courses as a student and to create a sense of balance and to get in touch with areas that I may not focus on in my day to day but can within a 2 hour session. Whether you're doing a full on course, an express, focusing on lap dances and more - you're bound to find something that speaks to you. If you're interested in finding out about S Factor and your S, from now through Dec 1st of 2009, you can contact your local S Factor (they're in CA, IL, NY and TX) and use the code kitten09 to get 50% off of your introductory class.

Mingling Mondays ~ Vinegar Hill House

KittenCouture — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 05:00:00 -0700

Picture courtesy of NY Eater

Earlier this summer, Paul and I headed out to Vinegar Hill House in Brooklyn. They had been featured within New York Magazine for their Cast Iron Chicken and we knew it would be tasty as the ex chef from Freeman's, Jean Adamson was one of the co=owner's of the restaurant. It was an amazing night where we were able to sit outside in the garden area (although someone was renovating their home and we could hear their saws at 10pm) and enjoy a great meal. We knew that we would want to come back and taste what they would do for the fall. So last Fri, after dropping in on a Burlesque Festival, we came to a crowded Vinegar Hill House. Fortunately, we were able to get a seat at the bar while we waited. The vibe is very rustic and I love all the wood that's around. As packed as it is, it definitely feels very intimate. I love their basic approach to the overall decor. Although they have a limited amount of alcohol at their bar, they have specialty drinks that are always very satisfying.

As opposed to my last visit where I had a sea bass I believe, I ended up having their famous cast iron chicken! It's important to note that they have 3 appetizers, 5 entrees, 3 sides and a choice of two desserts. The chicken is the only entree that doesn't include a side that comes with your meal. Of course I looked at the available sides and somehow the squash puree, long beans and bitter greens were not something that I wanted. Although the waiter said that I couldn't choose a side that came with the entree (apparently they buy enough sides for each entree), Paul asked someone else and fortunately my fingerling potatoes came with my meal. If you're looking for a nice vibe and a place for a date or group of friends, this is the place. Their coal burning stove kicks out amazing dishes that make you feel at home - the chicken was perfection. For dessert, we had the Guinness Cake which I LOVED when I came the first time and enjoyed having again! If you're in the area, take some time to have a meal here and bring your friends along! If you're brave, try the Apple Cider and let me know what you think of it (4% alcohol but tastes like a mix of apple vinegar with olive juice - it's an interesting taste). I wonder if this could be a future brunch spot or a fun place to have a holiday dinner as long as you're cool with the wait.

Vinegar Hill House

72 Hudson Ave

Brooklyn, NY 11201

718.522.1018

Mingling Mondays ~ Shoes & Booze Party

KittenCouture — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 06:00:00 -0700

Shoes and Booze - it's a great concept and it's being help at one of my favorite places in the city, The Empire Hotel Rooftop! On Oct 9th, from 5 - 9pm you can spend some time mingling and talking shoes while also getting a leg up on your fall wardrobe! If you're interested in grabbing your girlfriends, just RSVP to Nicola and be prepared for a fabulous night of footwear!

Mingling Mondays ~ Accessories are a Must

KittenCouture — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Doris Panos Amore Circle Necklace $12610 - Neiman Marcus

Irene Neuwirth Chrysophase Fringe Necklace with Rose Cut Diamonds $63900 - Ylang 23

Actress Sandra Oh ~ "Grey's Anatomy" @ Emmy's red carpet

Last night I watched the Emmy pre show on E! with some friends (@nikisnotes, @tasty_morsels, @mizcity and @anneobrien at the @rshotel) since we were watching Jeannine Morris (Editor in Chief at the Beauty Sweet Spot @beautysweetspot) make her debut on the red carpet talking about the beauty products that the celebs were wearing. After her segment, we settled in to watch the stars hit the carpet. Now we know that there are a lot of people who have something to do with what the stars wear; however, there must have been a memo on accessories! Not only was it decided to go minimal but poor necklaces got the short end of the stick. Yes, we're all aware that we should be more conscious about how we spend money or how we go about presenting ourselves as it seems uncouth to throw your money around; however, wearing gorgeous gowns that are strapless without a necklace is empty and made everyone look like they had forgotten something. The red carpets are times when people love to see what is being worn and they want to enjoy the fantasy - leaving out necklaces doesn't add to this and only confuses the entire situation. One of my favorite looks was Sandra Oh's (Grey's Anatomy) dress (although I wasn't a fan of the hot pink shoes but maybe she got the other memo that hot pink was the look last night) she looked amazing and I loved her clutch and her ring. But of course, she wasn't wearing a necklace. Here are two fabulous options that she could have gone with to make her dress pop (in many cases the pieces that the stars wear are on loan so this is more of a reason that necklaces shouldn't have been abandoned).

Mingling Mondays ~ Mobile Office Will Travel

KittenCouture — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0700

Scripta iPod Notebook

Blue Microphone Mikey

Beats by Dre Headphones

Helmut Lang Cascade Twill Gunpowder Top and Leather Leggings $290 - Bloomingdale's

I run around a lot so anytime that I have a second to squeeze out some work, I bring my home office with me whenever and wherever I am! Whether I'm in the midst of Fashion Week, visiting showrooms or traveling I have to make the best use of my time. My headphones are a must, these headphones by Dr Dre himself ensure a quality of sound whether I'm listening to music or listening to something that will assist me with my next meeting. Scripta came out with a case that also doubles as a notebook. It reminds me of the popular Moleskin notepads; however, I love that I can condense some of my bulk (even though I'm all about my Blackberry, I can never go too far without paper) and finally this recording device that attaches to my iPod is genius! I can record artist launches, interviews and more and let it go right into my ipod! Perfect for last minute note taking or a quick refresher before I go into my next meeting! These are my essentials and yet, I can run around the city without lugging a huge case of my necessities and keeping everything in my gorgeous purse!

Mingling Mondays ~ Get in Step

KittenCouture — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 09:41:41 -0700

While I was in Vegas, there were so many designers that I got the chance to meet and others that I really wanted to but was unable! One of them was Billy Foster who is the genius behind Urban Fashion Week which is a series of shows and gifting opportunities around the country. If you're not familiar with this circuit, you need to check it out! Billy also launched a very cool sneaker line, Billy Bad Axx Sneakers. Below in the gallery you'll see a few images and please note that these will be available as high tops as well. Now many of you know that I don't usually wear sneakers; however, these are pretty awesome and if I were to wear a pair, I think the black ones are cool. These are not for the shy and are definitely a statement without question. These would be awesome for me to travel in or to run around when I'm getting inspirations for future spreads. Soon, I will put these shoes within future spreads on this site but I wanted to give you guys a peek!

Mingling Mondays ~ Welcome to Vegas Baby!

KittenCouture — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 09:00:08 -0700

Welcome to Vegas, I got here yesterday morning and spent time just hanging out and resting. It's going to be a hectic serious of days that will involve me attending Curve, Magic, Accessories Show, Project and more. What a great time to learn about some fabulous brands and to let you guys have a sneak peek about them as well. In addition, we'll be out and about at night to check out some fun parties and restaurants as well! Before the hectic schedule begins, I wanted to show a form of serenity. This morning I woke up to see mountains and of course the strip in the stark of day. I'm staying at the Venetian (love it) and love that the landscape is a bit relaxing as well. Yesterday, there was a lot of haze out there (LA isn't that far away so their fires are definitely affecting the air) but it's nice to see the red and beige colors of the area. I can't wait to share everything with all of you.

Mingling Mondays ~ Vegas Baby

KittenCouture — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 05:00:00 -0700

This time next week, I will be in Vegas hitting Project, Pool, Magic, Slate, etc. I'm staying at the Venetian and can't wait to catch all the shows from fashion to entertainment! In addition, next week's coverage will include amazing boutiques, restaurants, spas, etc as this is a great way to spend a getaway with friends! I can't wait to meet those that are bloggers that live in the area who are covering various Fashion stories (and to my friends that are in the area, you know that I'm super excited to meet you!). The Venetian serves as my home base and there will be quite a lot of posts to share about what's going on! Don't feel too nervous to let me know you're in the area and a meet up - Yes PLEASE! I can't wait to share the coverage and I'm days away from celebrating my 30th as well!

Mingling Mondays ~ Vegan is the New Designer Luxury

KittenCouture — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 05:00:00 -0700

I love searching for outfits for things that I have going on in the future and being able to introduce it to you guys is even better! Blushless is a fabulous designer who has created a gorgeous dress called the Wild at Heart Mini Dress which is made of 100% vegan leather. I love that this dress is perfect to wear for a red carpet event, a rooftop party or anywhere that you need to be noticed! Available at Not Just a Label, who has an amazing collection of designers, this is definitelly a site to enjoy when you want to learn about new brands that are emerging!

Mingling Mondays ~ What Would Meryl Streep, Amy Adams & Nora Ephron Cook?

KittenCouture — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 05:00:00 -0700

So everyone is talking about the movie Julie & Julia which opened this past Fri! I haven't seen it; however, I finished 'My Life in Paris', Julia Child's memoir on her time in the city that began her culinary interests and am currently reading 'Julie & Julia'. When I finish this book, I will run out to watch the movie. This Tues, Glamour' September issue hits newstands and one of their stories is includes recipes from Meryl Streep (she plays Julia) and Amy Adams (who plays Julie) and Nora Ephron! It's amazing to hear their thoughts on cooking and fortunately, you can read: Hollywood Cooking: Julia Child is Making You Dinner. You'll definitely want to check this out and you may feel that you want to add these recipes to your list as well!

Mingling Mondays ~ Making Strides in Brooklyn

KittenCouture — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 04:00:00 -0700

As many of you know, the fight against cancer is a huge concern for me! With my personal issues of breast cancer being in high school (and thankfully not having it) to my boyfriend's father passing away from Pancreatic Cancer! Cancer is something that everyone has a connection with it somehow and regardless of what I'm working on or where I am, I always have time to support the cause! This past May, I participated in the Pink & Black Tie Gala which took place at Steiner Studios in Brooklyn! As much as it was an honor to cover this inaugural event on Kitten Lounge and to include a piece from my line, Kitten Couture - I'm excited about this year!

Making Strides is a walk that takes place in October and for those that would love to learn more about this event, you can come with me and many others to attend the Making Strides breakfast on August 14th where you can learn more about this event and many others while sharing in the support of others! If you have questions, visit the Making Strides site to create a team or to add on to someone else's team!

Mingling Mondays ~ Pull it Together

KittenCouture — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 05:00:00 -0700

Lena Bernard

My Girl's Night Out This Weekend

My avid readers know that yesterday, we talked about the importance of going out for a Girl's Night Out. When it comes to going out, if I don't know what the plan is - I like to dress comfortably while having a look that could g anywhere. In these situations, I turn to my summer favorites. I love Express' tube dress which is a bandeau on the top and then hits to about my calves. This is perfect to wear to the beach or on a night out. I got one in black and I love that I can dress it up and down depending on what's going on. When it comes to accessories, I attended Charllotte Russe's launch party which showcased collaborations that they have done for this fall with People's Liberation, Kitson, etc. Within their goodie bag, they had a super cute necklace and magnetic cuff (the clearer picture is courtesy of Budget Babe Blog). I love that these are embellished fabric pieces that definitely add a bit of rockstar glitz to your look! For my footwear if I'm not in heels, I usually go with my Havaianas. I love this pair as these are my go to since they're super comfortable and I love giving a shout out to Brazil (I have a little Brazilian so it's nice to sport the flag). I'm known for wearing a large cocktail ring of sorts and in the summer, I love wearing a large shell! Although I got my ring (worn in the bottom picture) in the Dominican Republic earlier this year, you can check out Lena Bernard's site to see which ring works best for you. It's large and a nice piece of jewelry to where that allows people to stop and ask you about it. Finally, I love the fact that bags are definitely something that you notice when you go out with your girls. Once you have the bag taken care of, you have to think about the wallet. I am in love with my Jimmy Choo wallet which is a great statement and a great pop of color as well! These are great pieces that you can use in various situations and events. All the links within the spread can be clicked on - so think about what your staples are for the summer and what looks great when it comes to going from day to night and event to event.

Mingling Mondays~ Aiisha Haute Couture

KittenCouture — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 04:00:00 -0700

I work hard to continue to bring you interesting content to Kitten Lounge and over the next few weeks, you'll see those changes. I'm so proud to bring you Aiisha Haute Couture which will be gracing the runways of Dubai later this fall in November. I love that she brings the sense of old world glamour in an eye catching way! Without a doubt her pieces give you that great goddess look while allowing you to add all your favorite accessories to achieve the overall desired look.

I also love that after being introduced to her designs, I enjoyed hearing various projects that she has been apart of. Paris Hilton had a Dubai based reality show where she focused on local designers of the area - Aiisha was one of the designers who had 7 dresses on this show. More impressive to me are the collaborations that she has done within technology (which you know I'm a fan of). Via her shows, she participated in a fashion show that allowed her to show technology in fashion in everyday life that was presented by Nokia. She also did a fashion show in collaboration with Swarovski Crystals and Nokia. This stylist and designer has also been the spokesperson for HP and their laptops as well. I love when fashion and tech come together and feel that her designs are something that takes glamour to another level! If you will be at the Dubai Mall on Nov 3rd, you'll be able to see her fashion show with Victoria Casal and Manolo Blahnik! If not, Kitten Lounge will bring this to you!

Mingling Mondays ~ Ben & Jack's

KittenCouture — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 05:00:00 -0700

The Friday prior to Fourth of July, I was invited to Ben & Jack's Steak House which just opened on 5th Avenue. I love that Ben and Jack are two brothers that worked various positions within the restaurant industry and were waiters at famed Peter Lugar's. Now I have never been to their uptown location; however, I tend to enjoy going downtown to eat at sister restaurants as they tend to be less corporate which is a positive for me. On this Fri, my Food Editor, Paul Belobritsky, and I settled into the restaurant which was much bigger than I had suspected. I love that the main level looks back at the bar and a cute atrium. If you go upstairs, there is another spacious area where additional people can sit with another bar. But in addition to additional seating, there are rooms that can be rented out. This is perfect during Fashion Week if you want to take out your Creative Designer, PR Teams, etc as they are perfect for groups of 10 - 12. If you're doing a larger event, then maybe you would consider booking the entire upstairs area. Sitting on 5th Ave, this is the perfect area that's close to Madison Park, Flatiron, Chelsea, etc.

The first thing that I have to say was the best part of my experience is the fact that most of the staff was not aware that we were from Kitten Lounge. Typically, when people know I'm coming, we find the staff to be extremely attentive, we're offered items that aren't on the menu etc. We entered the restaurant and we were the recipients of genuine attention. I can't say how nice it is to have various staff attending to your table and never having to look up to get a refill of your water, extra bread and more. I felt that this attention was analogous to being on a cruise ship where people are very attentive without feeling like you're being intruded upon. Whether you're here for a dinner among friends or you're impressing your staff, this is a perfect place to consider.

To start out, we enjoyed the best Great Neck Oysters which were quite large and we had the Crab which was also refreshing. The Great Neck Oysters were my favorite as they didn't have a fishy taste and once again the size was perfect! This is a must to start off the night. For dinner, Paul had the Filet Mignon (which I sampled and loved the taste but I am not a fan of the rare that he requested) which he asked to be rare but felt that it came back Black and Blue. I enjoyed the Sea Bass which I was pleased to find that it didn't have the butter sauce with it as I find that to be a very distracting flavor. The sides are very generous and are family style. We had the creamed spinach - very tasty although not as cheesy as I'm used to and then the Mashed Potatoes which were heaven (as you know I love Mashed Potatoes). For dessert, I enjoyed a very generous portion of Raspberry Sorbet with their very own (made from scratch whipped cream) and Paul had Tiramisu with their whipped cream as well.

With a relaxed atmosphere and with the attentive staff, the dining experience is a must! I couldn't help but think of those in fashion and entertainment who want to have a nice dinner that is equidistant to those that may be coming all over the city in order to have a meal together. Whether it's a post Fashion Week, Coterie, Project or meal prior to a CD launch, Ben & Jack's Steakhouse is the perfect place to hold these functions and more without having that ultra corporate feel while retaining a gorgeous atmosphere. If you're visiting the city, this is a must as well! Check out the site and think about what you would love to have here and as always, drop by for a drink as this is a great way to see a restaurant by sitting at the bar and watching the crowd in general.

Ben & Jack's Steakhouse

255 5th Ave

NY, NY

Mingling Mondays: Tuesday Nights Just Got Better

KittenCouture — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 05:00:00 -0700

When the weather is perfect, you find reasons to be out and about with friends. With many people working various hours, it's fun to reconnect with those you work with or never see at some type of an event or a regular hangout. The 1st Annual Hudson Square Music & Wine Festival takes place every Tuesday through August 11th and is not only a great time to hang out, but from 5 - 7pm, you can enjoy music, bbq and of course wine that is brought to you by City Winery. It's a fun block party that you can always head out to before you head home or continue the night! Take some time to check out who will be performing each week and note that other vendors will be at this event as well so you'll want to check them out as well!

Mingling Mondays: Travel Prepared

KittenCouture — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Lightweight ikat scarf $24 - Gap

Fab Leggings $4 - Forever 21

Bop Basics Open Weave Fedora with Navy Band $65 - shopbop.com

Oversized canvas tote $49 - Gap

I'm flying back today and I believe in the ultimate comfort! I love a large bag that is not only a carry-on but holds a number of items that could get lost in the charity. My rule when I travel, to keep it simple cute leggings, skinny jeans and a top are going to be the best ways to be comfortable and look great. This is even more important when you're meeting new people, rekindling old friendships or simply want to continue your trip as soon as possible. A scarf is a great way to bring in some color! I love that the Fedora is a great option and another way to pull the cool vibe into the outfit with its basic pieces, I suggest the bag as I have received positive comments since I linked to you!

Mingling Mondays: Party Tips!

KittenCouture — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 04:00:00 -0700

We're in that time where you'll think of any excuse to throw a little party (or maybe a big one). We just threw a large Lobster Boil Party which was a great way for people to come out, have some great food and a few drinks. We had a theme, I had sent out invitations and everything went from there. Whether you're a natural at planning or could use a few pointers, I wanted to share a great video of a party planner that I recently met! Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to go on the Dekuyper Party Bus where we not only enjoyed shots of Dekuyper's ready made shots (this means you don't have to stress about being a bartender), but we enjoyed nibbles and learning that you can have people come to a party in various ways with various budgets in mind! Take some time to hear some ideas and never think that you can't have a function whether it's based on space, money, food or even ideas!