Kitten Lounge

Sippin Saturdays: Not too Far From Spring

KittenCouture — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 05:33:36 -0800

Today looks gorgeous but yet I know that it is super cold! I have a social media seminar that I am giving today, some errands in the city and then hopefully I can figure out a few things that I need for my laptop so that I can bring in some great content for the new Kitten Lounge starting on Monday! I think I will also buy this bathing suit and a few other items as well. I had to get up early and I won't get back in until this evening but I'm excited to get moving and grooving today. I am also planning my vacation today as I need to get a bit of that summer feel! Somehow with all the excitement, I still wish for South Beach breezes!

Mingling Mondays: One Night Only

KittenCouture — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 05:00:00 -0800

Weekends are essential! I get very excited about them and this one was even more exciting since Kitten Lounge Food Editor and boyfriend, Paul and I were hitting the road to go to Atlantic City to not only enjoy Halloween night but to get in some good food, spa time and a little poker - obviously not all of these would be enjoyed by me but we were both excited. As many of you know who Twitter me, I kept counting down to Atlantic City and by 5pm, I was picked up by Paul and off we went after gassing up the Murano to tackle Atlantic City. There's something about going on a road trip and if you travel with me, you can enjoy me singing along and doing dances (the closer we got to AC we lost our stations and went to 60's and 70's music which brought back memories of Sat mornings when I was little with my mom, sister and I!).

Paul and I had been invited to come down to Atlantic City and to stay at the Tropicana and to enjoy some dining. As we continued on the Atlantic Expressway into the strip, I couldn't help but think that since we took a few wrong turns, that we should definitely think about the next car having a little navigation and that we definitely want to have an SUV but that we might consider getting a Ford Flex as we will do quite a bit of traveling and you can't deny that it is a head turner - I always feel when you hit certain streets you definitely want to do the whole "see and be seen thing".

Arriving at Tropicana, I was pleased to find that we were staying in the new Havana Tower. Not only do I love that it's new but it's so close to all the food and club.lounge options. Since we were a little late (wrong turns will do that to you), we checked in at the front desk and checked in with PF Changs, went upstairs and came back down. All week I had been dreaming of Lettuce Chicken Wraps and I was not disappointed in the slightest; moreover, munching on the Crab Wontons was equally as satisfying. After a crazy week full of presentations and finishing up the Holiday Gift Guide, I was so glad to have the Mai Tai and later a Plum Collins (an interesting take on the Tom Collins which substiutes the vodka for Plum Vodka and also Plum Wine). Paul being a creature of habit, enjoyed the red wine. For dinner, I enjoyed the Sea Bass which sat on spinach leaves and Paul had large prawns. We shared garlic snap peas and for dessert we shared a chocolate dome.

I have always been a fan of PF Changs as I enjoy their asian fusion menu; moreover, when I have had it in a resort setting, I tend to enjoy the food that much more. During dinner we were able to touchbase with Courtney who is the Tropicana's PR Manager. In addition to attending events, I love meeting the people that you spend weeks chatting with in order to learn about a product or service. She let us know that there was a huge Halloween Costume Contest that would happen in the Quarter which is an annual event. While at dinner we saw various costumes and my favorite was actually a couple that we saw while we were checking in - they dressed as a bride and groom from the beyond and yet they had a pack of beer.

After dinner, we walked out into the Quarter to see all the restaurants and clubs that were available upstairs and downstairs. With more people gethering for the costume contest, we decided to step into Cuba Libre downstairs and enjoy some mojitos and of course to dance. I love lively music and everything is much more interesting when you have so many costumes around you. We popped out to catch the winners of the costume and then went upstairs to not only look down on the winners but to pop in to a few more places for a drink. We are both a fan of people watching and I have to say that the Cuba Libre upstairs has a bit of a lounge which is perfect for that. Although it was past midnight and we had only been in Atlantic City for about 4 hours, we continues to Red Square to enjoy an amazing selection of vodkas.

With such a long day behind us and quite an agenda to cover the next day, we decided to turn in. Nothing is better than having a large corner room with a spectacular view of the cities. Whether I'm in Vegas or in AC, I love seeing the bright lights. Being on the 64th floor we had an amazing view that we took in for about an hour or so.

The next morning, we knew we had a lot to do as we were heading home later in the day. Paul had to play Poker as he had been itching to do this for weeks and I knew I had a spa and both of us would meet up for lunch. We decided to do the smartest thing by ordering a plate of fruit to kick off the day! Paul played poker and I headed out to the Blue Mercury Spa. I had no idea that we have one in the city but as I walked in, I saw products that you could purchase from Model Co, Kiehl's, Molton Brown and more. When I headed downstairs, I found Erin who would perform my Blissfuls Coconut Sugar Scrub. Leaving the lockerroom, I walked into a lounge with pitchers of water filled with oranges and limes and platters of fruit. After nibbling on these, Erin walked with me to our room. This treatment had various stages. Erin rubbed coconut scrub on me, I soaked in a coconut milk bath for 20 mins, I took a shower to cool my body down and then I got an intensive full body massage. This was 100 minutes that I could have enjoyed for quite some time. Interestingly enough, I was starving by the time I met up with Paul and we headed to Carmine's.

Carmine's is an Italian restaurant that we have here in the city in Times Square and on the UWS. This family style restaurant has HUGE portions that are meant to be shared with 2 - 4 individuals. Most items are made on premise. As we thought about the menu, we munched on various breads and dipped them into an amazing olive oil ordered lasagna with a side of spinach. From presentation alone, this lasagna looked so good that the table next to us told us that they wished that they had ordered. We had so much that we knew we had to take it home with us. The General Manager stopped by and shared with us the benefits of a restaurant of this nature. When you have various people eating together, everyone has the opprotunity to share various portions of an Italian meal and everyone is able to chip in. We finished the lunch with chocolate canoli's and decided that we had to walk off lunch.

As we walked the boardwalk, we went to a taffy shop to pick up James' Salt Water Taffy. This is a must if you love this candy and everytime I go to Atlantic City, this is something that I have to do. Our walk found us at the outlets and from a little after 3 until almost 7 we shopped! I knew that AC had outlets; however, the amount of shops was surprising. After all the shopping, eating, partying and more, it was time to head home and to ensure that Sun was all about rest.

Thinking back, there are times when you want to do something fun and don't feel like boarding a plane. Filling up the car right after work to head out to AC is totally doable and once there, you can gamble but there are so many things to take advantage of! Whether it's you and hyour sig other or a large group, you won't be at a loss of things to do. The Tropicana was a great place to stay with so many options and you can still visit other areas. This is definitely an option for over night, a couple of days or on your way to something else. Atlantic City and the Tropicana was a Kitten Lounge Pick and a great way to kick off the next few weekends where we will be traveling! Next stop: our invitations to Islands of the World Fashion Week in the Bahamas and Skytop Resort in the Poconos.

Kitten Lounge is Following the Starter Wife

KittenCouture — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:00:00 -0700

One of the things that I loved most about Sex and the City is that it had fabulous outfits that dazzled you. From the simplistic looks to those that were for a massive night out, there was always something that you wanted to keep in your closet. Yes, Sex and the City was an end of and era of amazing fashions (I suppose people thought the same thing with Dynasty and other shows such as that). Fortunately, I have picked up such shows as Lipstick Jungle to enjoy the super cute looks but I do believe that I have acquired another find - USA Network's the Starter Wife whose 2 hour premier wil launch tonight!

Debra Messing stars in The Starter Wife; however, much like Patricia Field was a dynamic element to the show, Agata Maskiewics is the same for this show! I can't wait to see all the looks (some which are including within the gallery of this post) and make sure to tune into USA at 9pm EST for the 2 hour premier and to see whether you loved seeing Carrie's east coast looks or those that Molly (Debra's character) will wear as a lady of Hollywood. Below is a snippet of the interview with Agata Maskiewics, costume designer for this series. Eye 4 Style had the amazing opportunity to do an exclusive interview with her and we have a portion of this, if you want to know about the entire interview, visit Eye 4 Style which has amazing finds about various styles and previews that you'll want to know more about.

Being a costume designer must be a fun job! How did you get your start?

I started working in the film & TV industry after graduating from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising where I studied fashion design. I started as an intern on a feature film and worked my way up holding various positions in the costume department.

How is styling a celebrity different from styling a character in film or television?

While I don’t particularly style celebrities, I feel that the main difference is that when designing a character the job is to transform an actor into the character they are portraying. Often times the costumes can really help an actor make the transition into the character they are set to play. Also, sometimes the costumes are not meant to be flattering; depending on the character, the goal isn’t always to make them look beautiful. But when styling a celebrity, it’s all about having them look amazing.

What role does fashion play in The Starter Wife?

Fashion is almost like another character in The Starter Wife. So much of the personality of the actors comes through in the clothing they wear. Our goal is to have the audience as excited about the fashions as they are the characters. We want the people at home to feel as though they can hear the ruffle of Molly’s Zac Posen silk dress and smell the exquisite leather of her Manolos. We want them to daydream about getting into Molly’s closet and have the opportunity to dress from it everyday as she does. And yes, the closet is huge, since as a Hollywood woman, she never repeats an outfit!

Lipstick Jungle Airs Tonight

KittenCouture — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 07:00:00 -0700

Today was amazing as I purchased Sex and the City on DVD (woohoo and yes I saw it in the theater) and today I get to follow it up with something as equally enjoyable! I love when the fall season starts and you get to see a lot of new shows and of course you get to have your old favorites back. NBC's Lipstick Jungle kicks off its second season at 10pm EST! I am very excited as I am a huge fan of Lindsey Price and think that she is the cutest. In addition to watching Lindsey, I love the portions that include Bonfire Magazine whose cover girl is none other than Hazuki who is one of Janice Dickinson's models. In this clip, you learn about Hazuki and what modeling means to her, her personal style and how it is to be at the agency. I can't wait for season 2 to start and if you're fan, let me know!

Mingling Mondays: A Great Way to Spend the 4th

KittenCouture — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 05:00:00 -0700

Fourth of July was an interesting night! It rained a little but yet my boyfriend and I, saw fireworks in Red Hook at a great bar which made an amazing lemonade that had Triple Sec and Vodka - it went down nicely. We decided that it was time to check out some places that will be in our new area shortly and came upon Baja. Now, we had went past this restaurant before but ended up going to Sushi House (although we weren't pleased that they closed early on the Fourth of July even though people were still there and they were making fresh rolls). On this night, two revelers were looking for great food and found it here. This weekend's theme ended up being Mexican food as we had a lot of it but the chips and salsa hit the spot and I was quite a fan of the Enchiladas that had spinach and chicken! Although they were closing up soon, I could see why this is a favorite in Hoboken and that they also have another location in Jersey City.

If you can't pop in for lunch, dinner or brunch, you'll love their daily Happy Hour specials (I had a Pear Margarita that was really tasty). If you visit during a weekend for lunch, this is a nice place to stroll too and to also visit other places to get a drink and then to head to the many shops that Hoboken has to offer. I would also suggest this for a dinner as the food had a lot of of flavor and the staff was so pleasant to everyone that was there. Take some time to visit Baja to see for yourself if you find yourself in the neighborhood.

Baja
104 14th St
Hoboken, NJ 07030

Giveaway Goodies: NYC Get Your Pedicure

KittenCouture — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 05:30:00 -0700

When I get my weekly mani's and my bi-weekly pedi's, there is only one place that I run to (I simply refuse to go anywhere else)! Dashing Diva has multiple locations all over New York City and they are definitely my sanctuary when I need a little time out! I love their pink colors, plenty of colors, fun events and so much more. I do enjoy going on Fri's to get my pedicure and manicures with a nice cosmo (I was also a huge fan of their wine pedicure as well) Recently, Kitten Lounge attended Dashing Diva's event which had the cast of Legally Blond the Musical in attendance doing a Bend and Snap competition. The pictures included below are courtesy of Sarah Conley which you can see more of her coverage on Style It! This location which was off of Union Square is my favorite one to go to! It was really cute to see the cast members together and to see the winners of the Bend and Snap competition!

Dashing Diva definitely loves the Kitten Lounge and its readers and is providing 3 Elle of a Pedicures (fit for Ms Elle Woods herself) which we will be giving away on this site on Fri the Fourth of July at noon! Getting a complimentary pedicure at the 3rd Avenue location (149 3rd Ave btwn 15th/16th) is definitely an amazing treat and a great way to enjoy the summer as well. To be one of the three winners, simply tell me your favorite pedicure shade (regardless of brand) as many of us go a little daring on our toes when it's the summer! All entrants must have access to NYC as it is valid here and all entries must be included as comments within this post. With so many shades, you're bound to find a favorite - my favorite "Chelsea in the Buff" or Vanilla -Rama (when it comes to mani's) and anything deep and vixen like when it comes to my pedi's.

Wearable Wednesday: DVF Hooks You Up Resort Style

KittenCouture — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 05:00:00 -0700

So, last night I went to see Sex and the City with some of the ladies from Coutorture! Yes it's amazing that the movie has only been out for a few days and that not only did I not read/see any of the spoilers BUT I really loved the part when one of the characters is in the DVF store in the Meat Packing District. Seeing that and the fact that I was with Coutorture, made me think of how much I loved my time at the store and wearing the dress that I still dream about on a daily basis! Once again, I can't say how much I love DVF and how kind everyone was at that event!

That being said, I also love that DVF knows how to get your eye without making it too over the top. I love this string bikini that is in a very resort like blue shade with pops of white and cream. This such a classic from the style, the color and much more. I really love this suit and the fact that it works well for today while also bringing in elements of another time period - this is definitely how fashion stays relevant. So check out more pieces from DVF on ShopBop.com and I believe that they are having a sample sale right now so you can find some cute items that will make you perfect for the summer and the fall as well!

Mingling Mondays: Gorgeous Weekends Ahead

KittenCouture — Mon, 26 May 2008 05:23:00 -0700

Yes today is Mon and I am all about Mingling but I wanted to share with you something that will be changing in terms of "Sippin' Saturdays", which has been all about drinks, Snazzy Sundays which tends to focus on home decor and Mingling Mondays. Although from time to time this summer, these days will cover the topics mentioned previously, I will also take these topics to another level by taking in the best of what we can do on our long weekends! In these posts, you'll find great ideas and fun places to go to that are in the area or in our own backyard. I am so exited to share with you and if you have a restaurant, city, boutique, etc - share with me and I will come out to check it out! Consider this segment to be something like the travel channel of sorts and I will be your guide on fun items. In addition, due to the continued condo hunt that my boyfriend and I are on, I will also bring you yummie places to eat in the Hoboken, Jersey City and Williamsburg area as well.

Back to Mingling Mondays, I had the luxury of enjoying my first half day Friday of the season by heading to Bryant Park and watching other people enjoy the day as well. I am really getting into using my Flip and can't wait to start using it for my ultimate projects which will be revealed within the next few days and of course available on my You Tube channel! Until then, enjoy watching footage of people hanging out in the park and can I say that I loved being able to chat with everyone on Twitter as well. If you have an account check me out there and of course you can always catch me on Facebook as well!

Snazzy Sundays: Love a Gorgeous Day

KittenCouture — Sun, 25 May 2008 09:30:00 -0700

I woke up this morning and after all the stress that has been going on last week, I actually woke up and felt relief! So I have a Flip and have had it since the holidays and have never really used it. Now I am all about using it and decided I would wake up and take this amazing view of the city from the Jersey City side in Newport Pavonia. What a great way to start the day! With the amazing weather, we spent it visiting condos (yeah) and then getting acquainted with the neighborhood and finding tasty places to eat! Who doesn't love a long weekend and one that happens to fall on the Memorial Weekend? Enjoy my shaky footage and happy Sunday everyone!

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)

Mingling Mondays: Take a Walk

KittenCouture — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 09:06:48 -0700

So this weekend was one of those gorgeous times where you wanted to do everything outside! Even when the sun went down, you still felt the need to enjoy every last little drop. My boyfriend and I took a lot of walks (except for yesterday because I wasn't dressed for the chilly temperatures). But it got me to thinking that a great way to have a great time with your sig other, friends, etc is to take a walk around the city. I used to say that wherever you go in the city it's like stepping into a completely different area. Wlthough you may not have available funds or the time for a vacation, being in the city is like a mini one. So when I found a site that looks at the 2 year quest of a man who walked every street in NYC - I was impressed. New York City Walk follows the journey of a man via pics - pics that you may recognize and those that you may not. Although most of us will not do this, I think it is a great idea to say - this weekend we are going to head to the Village, browse some shops, have a few snacks/drinks and then grab dinner. It's a great way to learn more about the city and also a great way to spend time with someone else as well.

Mingling Mondays: Sex & The City Countdown

KittenCouture — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 05:00:00 -0700

I am such a huge fan of Sex and the City and am super excited about the movie coming in May! A friend of mine and I spent the afternoon talking back and forth about it and how could I not find a way to include it within this site - rest assured that as we get closer there will be little tidbits found on here and I look forward to hearing everyone's feedback once they see the movie as well. Until then, enjoy seeing this super cute counter which also gives necessary info as well.

Sippin Saturdays: A New Spin on Hot Cocoa

KittenCouture — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 12:36:22 -0800

I love having an old favorite and adding a little pop to it! It's a way of spicing up something that we had as kids and it's nice that we can upgrade it into it's much deserved adult status! Today I turn to hot chocolate. I love how warm it makes you feel and although it's not something that I have a lot, it's always appreciated when I go to the City Bakery here in NYC (I do feel that's the best spot to have hot cocoa). But when you don't want to go out, you can just stay in and make some yourself. This is perfect to have for the next few days when you may not have to go to work, if you're having some friends over for brunch or if you decide during your chosen snow day to have an impromptu scrabble match with friends - this is a great way to have a little event that is simple to put together. The best thing about this is that it incorporate hot cocoa, candy canes and Woodford Reserve.

Woodford Candy Cane Hot Chocolate

1 750mL bottle of Woodford Reserve
2 Candy Canes

Empty out bottle of Woodford Reserve into a clean container.

Place Candy Canes at the bottom of the bottle (break Candy Canes into smaller piece if need be).

Pour Woodford back into the bottle and allow the concoction to infuse for 24 hours.

Combine 1 1/2 oz. Candy Cane infusion with 4 oz. hot chocolate. Garnish with whipped cream and a candy cane.