The other day Bogosse had an amazing night, sharing it's fashions on and off the runway! Bogosse has definitely been worn by various people such as Tim Roth and Ryan Seacrest; however, I love that it's a classic look with a twist! I am a fan of the oxford shirts and if you like this style and want to be noticed, this is the line for you! The Hatian born brother duo of Patrick and Fabrice Tardieu created a line that showed off their style. With Patrick being the Captain of the National Soccer Team  of Haiti (and now the CEO of Bogosse) and with Fabrice having experience in Armani France (Bogosse's current Creative Director) - they created this line which is full of style and pop!

The other night, the line was not only shown; however, two friends of mine (we all met when we worked at Abercrombie on 5th Ave when it first opened), hit the red carpet! Amanda Alter (oh yes that would be from Project Runway) and Tyler Barns (Abercrombie Model) were on the Red Carpet to lend their support to this amazing event. Take some time to check out the amazing designs and although it is Miami based, their flagship store is in St Tropez! I love a brand that is centered around just wovens - perfect to go out in after work, to wear at work and without feeling like a traditionalist!

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.

What is the nature of the farmer’s market, the organic and the all-natural? I believe that it’s simplicity. If I may venture down the cliché alley, in my opinion it’s the simple things that make our lives worth living. The undemanding and the effortless welcome us in an array of circumstances and unanticipated probabilities; an unexpected smile, the laughter of a loved one or may be just a lazy Sunday walk at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden.

Personally, the memories of my favorite meals are not set in bold Soho establishments, but are a part of treasured slide show filled with family dinners, friend’s apartments and my great aunt’s loving touch. Back in the day when organic was the norm, the farmers market was just a market and dinner conversation was not just a clever dialogue on ones favorite sitcom, meals were born and past down to our generation. I believe that we need simple recipes for simple markets with simple produce. The simple is the organic and the true. Today, I am going to introduce a simple recipe with ingredients that can be found at any market and prepared by any one.

Sauce

2 medium onions

1 green pepper

1 head of garlic

1/3 bunch of celery

2 yellow squash

2 zucchini squash

7 small tomatoes

Molasses

26.5oz Pomi strained tomatoes

Preheat a large pot with a little olive oil. Chop the onions, celery, eggplant, peeled green pepper, garlic, yellow squash and zucchini squash. Brown the vegetables over high heat. Add fresh tomatoes and continue to sauté. When the vegetables are ready and you’ll know when they are add 26.5oz carton of Pomi strained tomatoes and just as much water. Bring to a boil, add three tablespoons of molasses and reduce to simmer. Season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to taste. Continue to cook the sauce until it thickens to the desired consistency and add more water if necessary. If you are a vegetarian then your pasta sauce is ready and if you are an omnivore like myself add meatballs 10 minutes before the sauce is finished.

Meatballs

3 lbs ground pork

1½ lbs ground beef

1½ lbs ground lamb

1 cup parmesan cheese

1 cup Italian style breadcrumbs

1 extra large egg

1 onion

3 garlic cloves

½ cup of water

½ cup of chopped cilantro and parsley

Mix everything in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste. Shape the meatballs to your desired shape and size and place into an oiled aluminum pan. Preheat the over to 500º F and brown the meatballs. Add the meatballs to your sauce 10 minutes prior to completion.

Cooking does not have to be complicated and ingredients do not have to be expansive in order to prepare a delicious meal. All you need is the knowledge of a couple simple cooking techniques and the courage to use any ingredients that you think will work for you. And trust me, a couple of good friends and plenty of wine alongside your newly found love for the homemade is that one perfect and necessary garnish for any meal.

I have never been one to envy for someone else's items but I will not lie when I say that I love when people look at something that I'm wearing and they wish that they could have worn my find! As you know, I'm accessories obsessed and when I see designers that are on the mark, I have to share! Kristen of Objets d'Envy makes fabulous Swarovski Crystal jewelry that are amazing to wear whether you're heading to work (you could work in an extremely corporate environment or one that is laid back), hanging out with friends or going out. The pieces lend themselves to being the focal point of your outfit and if you see a certain style that you like, you can get it in various colors so that you have quite the decision to make when you're about to step out. These pieces are meant to break the barrier of the common question "When/where would I wear this" - anywhere or everywhere.

I love the red Boucle necklace as it is a delicate design that has great depth due to the use of Swarovski Crystals. It reminds me of something that you could see Audrey Hepburn wearing if she was out and about today - which means it would be perfect as she was queen of taking great basics and making them eternally classic. In addition, I love the Galaxie. I am a huge fan of having one large rock or crystal. This is perfect for a tunic, cute wide belt, skinny jeans and slouchy boots! Simple and at the same time you can wear a sweater dress and look amazing as well. Not only can your neck look amazing but with these rock candy rings, looking good has never been so simple and don't be surprised if even a quick walk to your coffee shop turns into someone's moment of Envy!

The answer is: maybe. It depends on your expectations and your previous experiences with authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Personally, I love Vietnamese food, but I am a sucker for the authentic and the untainted. There is a lot to be said for the art of passing down recipes from one generation to the next and the genuine love of cooking for one’s family and friends. Just as we emerged from the sea and evolved, our recipes have followed suit and developed along with our DNA. Just as Michael Phelps feels at ease and excels in the pool, certain chefs possess the same qualities in the kitchen. They attempt to preserve the genuine nature of their family’s recipes while enhancing their flavor’s DNA through classic training and imagination.

If you are one to look for the authentic and you dare to venture away from this city’s culinary epicenter, then your final destination for Vietnamese cuisine should undoubtedly land you in Eden Center, VA. For two years I lived in Arlington, VA and had the pleasure of experiencing Vietnamese cooking the way it is presumably prepared in its country of origin. Infused with some traditional French culinary techniques, Vietnamese cuisine takes on a life of the fresh, the untamed and the honest. Spring rolls wrapped in rice paper, Pho and grilled whole fish are the foundation of this most delicious world.
So, what does this city have to offer as the option for mid-priced Vietnamese cuisine? After hours of research and countless reconsideration, my girlfriend and I decided to visit Nam in Tribeca. The restaurant is easily identified by bamboo like greenery surrounding the entry way and you are quickly welcomed by a warm feeling and extremely high ceilings, which are common in this part of the city. The restaurant has anywhere from 15 to 20 tables, which are generously spaced and comfortably positioned throughout the space. The walls are accented with circular photographs of past generations, which presumably lead to the culinary evolution of its menu. The rear left corner of the restaurant features the best two person table and is decorated with bamboo and illuminated with soft yellow lighting. The restaurant lacks bar seating, but if you arrive too early for your reservation, you can always catch a pint at the pub right across the street.

Be prepared for a limited wine list and a menu stripped down to the interpretive staples of Vietnamese cooking. We started with grilled prawn wrapped in rice paper with cucumber, basil, peanut sauce, grilled calamari over cucumber, tomato, mixed lettuce, tamarind vinaigrette and shrimp dumplings wrapped in banana leaves. The prawns and calamari were grilled with an amazing smoky flavor and the salad had just enough heat to complete the dish. The shrimp dumplings on the other hand, although a highly successful and satisfying dish lacked the necessary heat and left your brain searching for that missing ingredient. For an entre, I ordered the crispy red snapper in chili lime sauce and my girlfriend had the steamed sea bass. Let’s start with the good first, the steamed bass was absolutely delicious and without a doubt a must to try if dining at the Nam. The fish was not mushy, flaky and the accompanying sauce was a success on every level. The crispy red snapper on the hand brings me back to my original point of “the authentic” in modern cuisine. The Nam’s interpretation of the crispy red snapper, although with admittedly decent taste qualities should make all of chefs in the black and white photographs previously mentioned close their eyes and turn the other way. The chili sauce was too sweet and didn’t offer even a hint to chilies or any heat for that matter. The red snapped was deboned, de-headed and de-finned, in other words it might as well have been a filet. To serve a filet as the centerpiece of this classic dish is criminal. The flavor was discarded as common trash, this dish’s DNA was eradicated and the memories of the genuine and the true forgotten.

In conclusion, I would like to say that Nam is a great place to dine if you’re looking for good food, but not for the authentic and the genuine. In my opinion, chefs who were so cleverly presented on the walls of this cozy restaurant would not recognize the menu or the techniques that that were used to prepare it. This restaurant is without a doubt a pleasure to visit, but it’s not the place that it attempts to be.