Marc Marmel: The Epitome of Sublime Understatement

Just when you've decided to cut back on luggage and travel accessory splurges, along comes Marc Marmel's line of classic handmade leather luggage with vintage inspired shapes and accessories to match. Comprised of large traveling pieces, small carry-ons, handbags, brief cases, wallets, passport holders, belts and custom pieces, Marc Marmel has something for everyone - for all situations.

If aesthetically pleasing and forward thinking excites you, you'll love my favorite piece, the T-Bag. This bag is an extra large shoe carrier with 18 pockets large enough for men's shoes as well as 4" heels. Made of cracked leather, you'll look well traveled and seasoned to perfection with its brightly colored lime green silk lining.

So whether in need of a long-weekend bag, or a hobo shoulder bag that isn't bound by trend or any particular season, you'll find it all at Marc Marmel. And, if you're feeling daring enough, stay tuned for Marc Marmel's black peacock silk brocade lining for fall 2009, with teal 'peacock eyes' trimmed in metallic taupe on a black background. Absolute luxury.

For more information click here!

Shopping with Green Envy, Cured

Have a thing for drop-dead delicious eco-friendly clothing, yoga and light snacks? On Thursday, March 19^th, designer Stewart + Brown is teaming up with YogaWorks to host a “Yoga and Shopping” event benefiting New Yorkers for a Green New York.

Sit back and unwind as Howard Brown of Stewart + Brown discusses how to be more eco-conscious from day to day, then learn about the importance of going green from Annie Churchill, founder of New Yorkers for a Green New York. Also included in the mix of festivities is a 15-minute Chair Yoga Class developed to demonstrate how easy it is to incorporate yoga into everyday life…smart, smart, smart.

While you’re at it, be sure to check out Stewart + Brown clothing as well as the YogaWorks Signature Collection. Make a purchase at the event, and 10% of it goes straight to the charity. Another good thing.

What: Yoga + Shopping for Charity Event

Where: YogaWorks SoHo, 78 Grand Street, Ground Floor

When: Thursday, March 19th, 7 to 9pm

RSVP: sarahp@tractenberg.com

Top Five Trends of Fall 09

Feathers
Make lots of room in your closet this season—feathers are taking over and flying with style. Anna Sui was one of the many designers who added touches of feathers to her collection, balancing romantic florals and brightly colored legwear.

Wide Leg
If you’re tired of skinny jeans, fall 09 is the perfect season for a welcomed change. The Oscar de la Renta and Ossie Clark collections added hints of flare with satin wide leg pants and jumpsuits. Pair with fitted belted cropped jackets, and satin ruffled tops for sophisticated bliss.

Shorts - Hot Pants
Hot pants don’t exactly scream the “go anywhere” look, but this fall, Giles Deacon and Phillip Lim have managed to dispel those myths. Hot shorts and pants for fall are paired with colorful tights and leggings, offering a combination of naughty sassiness. If you’re really daring, rock your tiny shorts with thigh high boots.

Neons
Michael Kors set our hearts on fire with bold lime colored dresses, while Marc Jacobs opted for wallpaper inspired tights. And who could forget Malandrino’s hot pink skirts?

Ruffles
Sass & Bide designers Sarah Jane Clarke and Heidi Middleton have always been a tad unconventional, but this season they rocked the house with rock ‘n’ roll inspired pieces with touches of ruffles for added femininity. Included in the mix of ruffled lovers are Tracy Reese as she showcased ruffled short-sleeve sweaters, and Douglas Hannant’s ruffled Poiret collar blouses.

Fashion Week Nail Trends

From sheer, smoky silvers to popping pomegranate plums, nail trends for fall ‘09 leave room for wearers to gracefully express their personalities. According to nail maven Noni Crème from Butter London, her polish choice this fall is nude. At the Lela Rose show she proclaimed “We will be leaving dark nails in the dust!” as she used Swinger, an antique gold shade with a slight green content to give the nails a “wet” look. However, despite her prediction there was an assortment of dark colors present throughout the shows, including at the Vena Cava show, where Crème laquered up the models in British Racing Green - a dark, bold greenish shade set to launch exclusively on Beauty.com this Fall.

Dark colors were used as accessories this go-around and were present in the majority of shows. Chris Benz used Lancome’s “Declaring Indigo” collection (set to launch this Fall), filled with dark blues, golds and red shades. And Monique L’ Huiller combined Essie’s Aruba Blue and Licorice to give a penetrating dark glow.

Dashing Diva followed the dark trend while offering an array of deep shades with hints of lighter tones sprinkled throughout courtesy of manicurist Alisha Rimando. Jillian Lewis showcased Carrie-d Away, a peachy pink shade on fingernails but darkened the toes up a tad with City that never Sleeps an opaque, midnight blackberry. Erin Fetherston and Charlotte Ronson shared Dashing Diva’s Jet Set - a dark, burgundy frost, while Lorick opted for Central Park After Dark, a crème plum noir, and Catherine Holstein’s models sported Mulberry Street a dark, vampy burgundy frost. Bold and nudes were combined yesterday at Trovata, where we saw a new twist on the classic French manicure, a combination of West Village and She E.O. with Limo Service at the tip.

So whether your layering colors or wearing alone, captivate your personality down to your fingertips with bold shades and nude tones.

To re-create the look at Trovata, simply follow these five steps:
1. Polish all nails with True Color Base coat.
2. Polish all nails with West Village.
3. Polish all nails with She.E.O.
4. Use Limo Service just at the edge of the nail and lean the brush slightly onto the surface of the nail to achieve a 1/16″ black edge on the nail.
5. Cover all nails with True Color Topcoat.

ic! berlin: A Union of Traditional Masculinity and Feminine Modernity

The spring season may be a month away, but ic! berlin's newest sunglasses will make you want to look like a solar god(dess) stat.

Since 2005, the brand has fused unconventional styles and spontaneous modernity. ic! berlin produces slick, screw-less eyeglasses comprised of sheet-metal parts crafted into eclectic designs that laugh in the face of boring.

ic! berlin has always been popular with the fellas but the brand is ready to switch teams - at least for a bit. This year's new, 'Tres Chic!' line is a vintage inspired collection of sunglasses developed by an all-female team for the women of the world. Other hits I want in my own collections are the aviator styles and funkier plastic frames. But if singling out modern glamour is your trademark, look to ic!'s special editions in particular, 'i see one' - a minimalist, futuristic series produced in a limited run of 500 pieces.


Visit ic! berlin for more information and to find out where to scoop a pair for yourself.

Twinkle by Wenlan Uses Audrey Hepburn Character—A Damsel in No Need of Rescue

Last night I headed over to a preview of Twinkle by Wenlan’s fall '09 collection and experienced a fusion of exaggerated chains, beads, geometric patterns and relaxed and roomy blouses. The sweaters were very flirty and the waistlines were high and tight.

And to top it off, the collection was a union of classic style and the 21st Century age of hybrid modernity. I’m totally not a car-lover but I must say the Porsche’s and Ferrari’s were to die for!

Get Close with Jimmy Jane

The Valentine’s hoopla may be over, but keep the love flame burning with Jimmy Jane candles. This unique candle isn’t your typical burner, once you snuff out the flame the wax melts into room-temperature massage oil—perfect for drizzling over your loved one. Made of ember, the oil nourishes and hydrates the skin leaving you feeling warm and fuzzy all over.


And although it’s still a tad nippy outside, Jimmy Jane candles are laced with scents offering touches of spring. Combination scents include: Saffron and Neroli; Habanero and Grapefruit; Coriander and Quince; Truffle and Gardenia; Ginger and Date; and Lychee and Lapsang.