Kitten Lounge

Trendy Thursdays: Project Detox ~ Cocktail of the Senses

KittenCouture — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 06:00:00 -0700

In an ongoing series, Keren Weinstein, our Guest Life-Balance Editor, took a much needed trip. More than the need to go on vacation to a new locale, she wanted to find her own sense of balance and thus Project Detox began. Last week, we arrived in the gorgeous Desert Oasis of Tucson and today we continue with an interesting cocktail!

For me, the best part of the journey on the Loews Ventana Canyon (LVCR) ‘Window Trail’ (and the rest of the resort grounds) was the cocktail of the senses that seemed to bathe me with every step.

Healing. Organic. Aromatherapy.

…and I was soaking up every drop allowing it to hydrate my soul.

With 66 different types of plants and cacti native to the Sanoran Desert, identified on this trail, I was not only inspired visually, mentally & spiritually, but I also did much of my exploring closing my eyes and following the scents. According to LVCR, when they built the resort they relocated 3,500 cacti to preserve the natural environment. Nothing was destroyed. All was left for Me to enjoy.

Take a NYC girl that is obsessed with picking her own fruits and vegetables. Put her in the Sanoran Desert Oasis at the start of the bloom season for the Prickly Pear Cactus. Watch how quickly she finds ways to experience this fruit bearing cactus.

Thanks to my new “Old Pueblo” friend (Emilio the taxi driver/tour guide) I discovered a lot about this multi-use South Western Gem.

The Prickly Pear Cactus one of the most widespread cacti on Earth, with over 100 species, is edible, medicinal and is the state plant of Texas. The pad called ‘nopales’ is a signature vegetable for Mexicans that (raw) tastes like green beans or asparagus. It is eaten in many ways from raw, pickled or sautéed with garlic to scrambled eggs, salads, salsa & many Mexican dishes. The ripe prickly pear fruit (“tuna”) is sweet & juicy can be diced as toppings for yogurt, blended into a smoothie, made into a gelato, syrup, jelly, candy, alcohol, flour & tea. Low in calories & fat, it contains many essential vitamins and is rich in antioxidants.

Some herbal medicinal uses are believed to be for diabetes, cholesterol, colitis, viral infections, for first aid or as a mosquito repellant. Emilio tells me that people even eat Nopal prior to drinking to prevent hangovers.

If we are talking drinks, you must try the Prickly Pear Margarita at the LVCR Flying V Bar & Grill or their Cascade Lounge – Yum! I love how the LVCR infuses the indigenous nature into the character of their resort leaving you with a very unique experience.

For a more holistic approach to hydrating & mood lifting, the ‘Sanoran Desert Ultimate Rehydration Polish’ body treatment at the Loews Lakeside Spa gets you all ‘wrapped up’ in Prickly Pear. Since Project Detox was kicked off to infuse balance into my everyday life, clearly I had to get the bottle of the Prickly Pear Jojoba Body Butter that they use in this treatment from the Spa’s Boutique so that my body and soul can ‘drink’ from this hydrating cocktail.

Next round of cocktails on me.

Keren Weinstein is a seasoned professional in Fashion & Beauty with over 12 years in Integrated Marketing, Advertising and Celebrity Fashion Styling

Mingling Mondays: Cinco de Mayo is Tomorrow

KittenCouture — Mon, 04 May 2009 05:00:00 -0700

Cinco de Mayo is always a lot of fun to get a few friends together and to enjoy a great party! Fortunately, I received a great tip about a restaurant that will have great food and drinks from 5 - 7pm! Not only is Elizabeth included within our Beaches, Backyards, Roofdecks and Barbecue Guide, but it is one of my favorite picks for a night out for Cinco de Mayo. Elizabeth is known for its Outdoor Garden which will be "the spot" for the big festival tomorrow. Enjoy .50 shots, tequila flavored sorbet/gelato and tacos - and yes $5 Taneto cocktails. I will defintiely be here and I can't wait to see what goodies will be in the Pinata as well! This is a great way to kick off May and even if it's rainy, the specials will more than make up for it!

Snazzy Sundays: What's Your Fusion?

KittenCouture — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 18:20:18 -0700

Madeira Tiered Tray $158 - Jayson

Lotus Floral Sushi Dinnerware $15 - World Market

Rattan and Buri Napkin Ring $2 - Crate & Barrel

Leaf Place Mats $18 - Neiman Marcus

Oh please let today mean that there will be no cold dips in weather! Today was really toasty and it made you want to get out on your balcony to have dinner! I love fusion restaurants so why not have a fusion table setting? Add an element of a tropical vibe (love the leaf place mats) with something of an Asian vibe with amazing plates and we all know that appetizers are an essential to nibble on while we wait for dinner. With a few drinks on the menu (or just some wine), you're all set!

Happy Halloween!

KittenCouture — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Happy Halloween everybody - what are your plans? First, everyone can say a virtual Happy Bithday to my sister who is turning 27 tomorrow (she's growing up so fast sniff sniff)! She will be heading to Japan tomorrow and expect to see some guest posts from her as she captures Japan and brings it back for us to enjoy! Tonight, I am going to head down to Atlantic City where we will eat at PF Changs (I loved this back home), we are staying at the Tropicana, we will hit a few clubs at the hotel (I am going as a Geisha), and then I am so excited about the fact that I will wake up to yummie room service in the morning, a spa at BlueMercury for a Coconut Sugar Body Wrap and lunch at Carmines! This is going to be a great Halloween and I can't wait to send you all the details and to let you know everything that happened. Our fearless Food Editor, Paul will send reports from the Poker Tables!

But we all have plans tonight right now, lets think about what's going on today! I love this super cute site which has amazing goodies for Halloween and just to let you know, this is also great to give as gifts for house warming parties, dinners and so much more. I love that this is great for Halloween and these items will work well right through the end of Nov as it perfect for the fall! Someone Spoil Me. The site is super cute and this is a Must Bookmark! Check out their lineup of gifts after checking out items that I love! They definitely make shopping easier by pulling the best from the Internet and putting it one space.

Kitten Lounge Loves Lucky Shops

KittenCouture — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:31:10 -0700

There are certain times during the year that I absolutely love to be in the midst of shopping mania! One of them is when Lucky Magazine holds its Lucky Shops event! I love going and checking out a variety of items that are greatly reduced while enjoying some cocktails. Each fall that I have attended, the deals have been better and I have walked away with some great finds and awesome goodies to go with it (I am still giddy about my Tory Burch bag and the most amazing CK seamless panties - TMI I know but I love them so it's ok). This year, Lucky Shops will be at the Metropolitan Pavilion on November 7th and 8th. This year the denim bar is back thanks to Lycra and of course Singer will be there for complimentary hemming. Lucky's "The Lucky Guide to Mastering Any Look" will be available for purchase and I love that Benefit will have a Brow Bar. With so many giveaways available and more, you'll want to get your tickets to be apart of this. In addition, the lovelies at Lucky Shops want to give you a little love so we have a giveaway for the coveted goodie bag! One of you will win this bag stuffed to the brim with goodies by visiting the site and providing comments here on the following question: Tell me why you like Lucky Shops and what you hope to get while there from the vendors that will be attending this shopping event. Those with the correct answer will be randomly drawn. Winners will be announced on Oct 24th! If you're going let me know and I'm sure I will see you there!

Sippin Saturdays: Head Down the Rabbit Hole

KittenCouture — Sat, 10 May 2008 21:59:39 -0700

Who doesn't like finding a place that people are not familiar with? It's so much fun to try something new and to make sure that other people know that you are so the go to person to finding the best picks in town! Today, I introduce you to - White Rabbit which is down in the LES and is known for its crisp and minimalist approach which is great to go with friends or to take a large group of people. As you flip through the website, you will see all the angles within this club which has a beautiful bamboo bar! I also love that this place was named after a child's candy which is available on the bar - white rabbit. When it comes to items to nibble on, they have amazing shrimp wontons and summer rolls as well. What a great way to take a rest and to leave all thoughts of the city behind as you go into this amazing venue. Take a trip down to the LES and invite some friends along.

White Rabbit
145 Houston St
NY, NY

Trendy Thursdays: The Best of the Rooftops

KittenCouture — Thu, 01 May 2008 05:00:00 -0700

I love this time of year when we get teased with a few warm days and then we are reminded that we're not completely there yet. When it is this time of year, I like to think about where I will hang out after work, with friends, etc. The Empire Hotel has an amazing roofdeck that may in fact be one of the best places to hang out this season. Opening today, the Pooldeck is the place to be. Of course you will need to be a guest to enjoy the pool, cabanas and the cocktails (not to mention the restaurant and the spa) but it is well worth it once you do get in. At least you have the option to come in as opposed to the lovely ladies of Sex and the City who were eventually turned away after but mere moments hanging out at the famous Soho area pool. Find out more about the Empire Hotel and Pooldeck.

The Pooldeck at the Empire Hotel
4 West 63rd St (@ Broadway)