The NoMad

Love New York, but yearn for a taste of Paris? The NoMad Hotel, located in a gorgeous turn-of-the-century Beaux-Arts building at 28th Street and Broadway, has been fully restored to its original grandeur with interiors by French designer Jacques Garcia. The library, cocktail bar, dining room, and soon-to-open rooftop serve food and cocktails artfully curated by Daniel Humm (of Eleven Madison Park). I have enjoyed beautiful cocktails in their library, and soon plan to share the roast chicken for two ($78) with my husband (it is apparently out of this world.) The hotel's retail space is by Paris boutique Maison Kitsune, which is its first ever shop in the US. Take a chic peek! www.thenomadhotel.com

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Joe Fresh Fifth Avenue Flagship

When Mayor Bloomberg shows up at an opening party in New York, you know someone has done something right ... and in the case of Joe Fresh's Fifth Avenue Flagship (at 43rd Street) opening ... they seem to have done it all impeccably. From the glass walled building, to the stunning exposed vault, to the stand out pieces that made me crave a good Spring shopping trip - it is an absolute gem.  If you have yet to check out Joe Fresh, hurry up, surely sizes will get snatched up quickly. I managed to find my new favorite white jeans for just $19. Like I said, hurry up! (Can you tell I'm proudly Canadian?) Take a chic peek www.joefresh.com

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Warby Parker

Warby Parker was founded with a rebellious spirit and a lofty objective: to create high-quality, beautifully crafted eyewear at a revolutionary price point. One of the hottest startups around offering vintage style eye wear, Warby Parker is a fashionable brand that gives back. Millions of people around the world do not have access to proper vision care; Warby Parker donates one pair of glasses for every pair sold, teaming up with charities like Vision Spring to do so. Their gorgeous NYC offices are headquartered in The Puck Building in SoHo. Next time you need a fresh pair of specs, be sure to take a chic peek! Their frames including RX are only $95. Why shop elsewhere? www.warbyparker.com

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Red Rooster Harlem

Chef Marcus Samuelsson's Red Rooster Harlem celebrates the spirit of the neighborhood. Framed pictures of his family heritage and notes from a local public school hang on the walls in the washrooms. The food is a great mixture of down home American southern soul food with updated twists. But what I liked about it best was the scene: black, white, Asian, Latino, straight, gay, young, old ... all the faces of the colorful city we live in enjoying a meal. Cheers to Chef Samuelsson for making this happen. www.redroosterharlem.com

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Haven

My husband and I recently stumbled upon a new neighborhood gem in Chelsea, called Haven's Kitchen. It is an adorably rustic chic recreational cooking school, specialty food shop, and event space. Located in a charming carriage house a few blocks from Union Square, Haven’s Kitchen is dedicated to the preparation and enjoyment of delicious, sustainable, seasonal food. Be sure to take a chic peek www.havenskitchen.com

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Gorgeous Grey

Today was so dark and grey, the rain simply did not stop ... so I thought I would dedicate a post to gorgeous grey interiors and such. (Images via The Find blog, Mackenziepages, Restoration Hardware, Flickr.)

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Powerful Purple

It's no wonder purple is a royal color. It looks gorgeous when mixed with kelly green and hermes orange. (Image sources: Second image Decor Amour, last image Southern Accents, remaining images Elle Decor.)

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Hollywood Regency

I love the look of mixing Hollywood Regency pieces in with other vintage and modern pieces. These rooms inspire me to inject bits and baubles of this style into my own decorating. The style creates an air of formality, but feels cozy at the same time, whereas contemporary decor feels cold to me. Perhaps it's because it reminds me of my stylish, always well put together GrandMother. Typical design characteristics of Hollywood Regency style involve Chinoiserie prints, bamboo, lacquer, lucite, upholstered headboards, mirrored furniture, button backed sofas, flocked printed wallpaper and Moroccan influences. The images are my photographs and via Lonny Mag, Kelly Wearstler's hotel designs and Flickr.

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Thakoon Panichgul

This past summer, designer Thakoon Panichgul of Thakoon spent weeks seeking inspiration in Thailand. He found much of it in the hand-dyed art of jewel colored ikats, often created by tribes. The vivid, brilliant colors can be seen woven through Thakoon's Spring 2012 collection (above, from T Magazine). The designer is also an advisor to the ministry of commerce in Thailand.

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Jamie Wolf Jewels

Images via Jamie Wolf Jewelry

This ballerina turned jewelry designer injects a chic timeless elegance into every piece. The newest line of gold wedding bands are made with conflict-free stones. Her jewelry is hand made here in New York City, and can be seen on many celebrities, including Natalie Portman. Take a chic peek at Jamie Wolf Jewelry.

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Drybar

Images of Drybar Flatiron via Drybar's blog

Someone once told me that when getting dressed, if the top and the bottom look good, everything else will fade away. For me, having polished hair and some great shoes on makes all the difference in the world. Finally, the L.A. favorite blow dry bar, aptly named Drybar, has opened on 16th Street at 5th Avenue. Drybar, which is a salon dedicated to blow outs exclusively, is known for their sleek ladylike decor and fabulous stylists (Cindy Crawford is a client). They have a great menu of lock-taming styles to pick from (all just $40 each) such as the Cosmopolitan, Southern Comfort and Manhattan. Be sure to take a chic peek at Drybar, I know I will!

A special thank you to my lovely, talented friends over at Whitman Emorson for chic-ifying my blog! xo

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TATA HARPER - NON-TOXIC BEAUTY

Images of Tata Harper's Skincare via Tata Harper Skincare

I have recently discovered a delicious new line of skin care, which is made of 100% natural, non-toxic ingredients and grown in Vermont. Tata Harper's quest is to provide women with gorgeous natural skin care that enhance their beauty and wellness without putting their health at risk. Her unique skin care products are crafted in their own facilities in Vermont on her bountiful organically certified farmland. When I use it, it makes my skin feel like it's eating vitamins and nutrients. The soft natural essential oil scents are beautiful too. I have only been using it for a couple of weeks, and am already seeing a difference in my skin tone and texture. Be sure to take a chic peek at Tata Harper.

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Kelly Wearstler

Kelly Wearstler has made a fabulous foray into fashion from interior design. The beautiful Bergdorf Goodman had their cafe transformed by her, and is now carrying the line, as is Holt Renfrew back in my native land. As all of her designs are, the clothing is a perfect mixture of edgy and subtle patterns, colors and fabrics made to be mixed and matched. Some of my friends, the uber talented creative Beckermans, got to meet her at the Holt Renfrew launch (see above). Be sure to take a chic peek at Bergdorf's Blog.

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The Perfect Dessert

Last night I enjoyed the perfect dessert, a salted caramel popcorn sundae from ABC Kitchen. This may sound bizarre, but please just try it. It's heavenly - a well balanced sweet meets salty decadence! ABC Kitchen 

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