THE NEW JEWELRY - wonders of workmanship that won’t blast your budget

Text, Vivian G. Kelly
Images, courtesy of representative PR companies and related websites

We’re fans of classic, timeless jewelry – Cartier, Van Cleef & Aarpels, and the more interesting semi precious jewelers – Seaman Schepps, Verdura, and Kenneth Jay Lane. [If you’re in the market for an astounding Verdura cocktail ring, have a look at the amethyst beauty vintage jeweler, Peter Suchy has on www.ebay.com. His site is: petersuchyjewelers1137] While visiting his Stamford, CT shop, we couldn’t resist trying it on. At $7,995, call it an investment piece.


All of the above are great investment pieces – keepers, if you will. Our daughter will be wearing our Kenneth Jay Lane serpent bracelet and Verdura aqua clip-ons soon.

Sometimes though, you just want a quick fix that’s an original but that doesn’t look like the hippie-granola jewelry you’d see at a Grateful Dead Concert.
Sometimes, also we find great new style finds in the most unlikely places. In this case, at a pool party in Upper Westchester County to celebrate the end of a victorious club soccer season.

ALEXIS STUDIO DESIGN -
ALEXIS GOPAL, jewelry designer, initially caught our eye because of her striking exotic good looks – think Salma Hayek crossed with Catherine Zeta Jones.
Alexis is a surgeon turned jewelry designer and proof positive that you CAN completely switch gears in mid-life, and be very successful in round 2.
Her unique handcrafted jewelry is made with gemstones, crystals, and glass, using either sterling silver or 14KT goldfill. Other media such as polymer clay, and precious metal clay are used on occasion. Each piece is one of a kind.

At this point, she’s grown out of her Bridgewater, CT space and will be growing her home business into one where there’s a studio loft/design space and a “proper” showroom.
To view more of her designs, visit www.alexisstudiodesign.com to check out what she means by, “Art for mind, body, soul”.

RUTH BARZEL JEWELRY – light and delicate
We hadn’t heard of this designer until the editor of www.cupcakemag.com and manager of the Sugar boutique in D.C. sent us a pair of delicate cushion cut emerald quartz drop earrings to road test.
We love Ruth's design philosophy: “Ruth Barzel Jewelry allows you to reveal who you are without getting fired, ridiculed or injured.”


CHRISSY COOK DESIGNS
This company gets our vote for jewelry in the ultra modern-chic category goes to with a seriously contemporary twist goes to Chrissy Cook, who won the Millenium Design Award in 2001, and studied contemporary Jewelry Design at Central St. Martins College of Art and Design in London. All of this contributed to making her the experienced bench goldsmith she is today. The jewelry pictured here is made with silver, semi-precious gems and pigmented resin.
Pricepoints: from $75 - $2000.

To inquire further, visit www.chrissycookdesigns.com


ETTIKA.
Design duo, Ettie Rafaeli and Joey Rafaeli were inspired by their The surroundings in Los Angeles. Their proposition? Layering!
At a price point of $22.00-$88.00, you can afford to buy in multiples. In the know fans include: Eva Longoria-Parker, Tyra Banks, Niki Hilton, Halle Berry, Jessica Alba, Gwen Stefani
Better still, all styles are available in all colorways, and they’re easy to find. Available worldwide in over 2000 retail outlets in the USA and internationally including Bloomingdales, Nordstroms, Lord and Taylor, Henri Bendel, and boutiques like Kitson.

To learn more, visit www.ettika.com

*IF YOU CAN SPLURGE:
RAUL FRISNEDA JEWELRY, an interesting Marriage between antiquities inspired designs and modern geometric ones, in the June 2009 issue of W [p.44]. Designers Raul Frisneda and Keith Freman use 18K gold and diamonds in their "Dew Drop" bracelet.
www.wmagazine.com

RENI LANE – Pop-Rock’s New Chanteuse Rides the Wave of Eighties’ Nostalgia

Text, Vivian G. Kelly
Images of Reni Lane, courtesy of David Pattillo, Flow NY

According to CHIC-TV, pop’s got a new princess, one who is thankfully, not all bubblegum and dusted in bronzed body glitter. Their description of her as
“The Pretenders and Madonna inspired Pop-Rock” had us mentally revisiting our time in the eighties – bouncing around the East Village, walking into clubs, never knowing WHO you might see or hear that night.

IMAGE, IMAGE, IMAGE
Ever since Madonna struck out in the eighties with “Lucky Star”, music videos have played a critical part in forming a musician’s image. What would music be these days without the eye-candy fantasies created for those all-important videos? Musicians and their record labels pay top stylists such as Lori Goldstein handsomely to make sure that their artists have the right look.
If they get it right, and the video strikes the right internal chord with its audience, a star can be born, right then and there.
RENI’s got an interesting mix of pop/alternative and garage sounds. What really grabbed us though is her LOOK. She’s a little Deborah Harry, a little Madonna and a little Chrissie Hynde. How can you resist a combo like that?
We were intrigued and decided to have a listen for ourselves. After listening to a few tracks, we kicked ourselves for missing out on Claudine Gumbel/THINK PR’s invite to see Reni Lane live at NYC’s downtown hotspot, Citrine.

Since Marc Jacobs issued his second edition of Sprouse-Vuitton bags and accessories, downtown NYC nostalgia has been riding high. Reni
may be what the New York music scene is looking for.
We’ll find out for sure after her album 'Ready' with Custard Universal Motown drops Sep. 15th 2009.
To read more about RENI and the other artists repped by FLOW, visit
www.flowny.com

FINAL THOUGHTS: We’d love to see Reni in one of HALEH NEMATZADEH’s quirky retro inspired pieces!
To see more, visit www.edite.us

SUMMER GIFT-GIVING GUIDE – WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM JONO’S PRODUCT-n-PRESS EVENT

Text, Vivian G.Kelly
The SECOND biggest gift-giving time of the year is upon us.
There are the following events to contend with, all in close proximity of one-another:
GRADUATION
FATHER’S DAY[maybe you still haven’t gotten Dad something]
WEDDINGS
In search of some fresh ideas, we jumped at PR whiz, JONO’s invitation to attend his June Product-n-Press Launch.
After the last go-round, we’re sold on the idea that JONO’s event is THE GO-TO Source to track down some gifts the intended recipients might actually want.

WHERE: The Metropolitan Pavillion
WHEN: June 16th
Last time we attended, the host was STACEY LONDON, the celebrity stylist of TLC’s hit show, “What NOT to Wear”.
This time, “Ugly Betty’s” ANA ORTIZ hosted the event. You probably know her as “Betty’s” older sister, Hilda Suarez. The role earned her the ALMA Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 2007.

Jono performed his usual magic and the space was filled with tables of beauty products, fashion accessories, gadgets, and food and beverage merch.

On a tight limit [as usual] we hit what we could.
Here are our suggestions.

FOR THE GUYS

THE GOLF from DAVEK Accessories, Inc.– An ultra-large golf-size canopy that spans 60” in diameter. If you were at the U.S. Open, you could have used this. We like the added feature of a reversible aluminum alloy anchor spike, and the unconditional lifetime guarantee.
Our favorite is the black/sport green model, also available in classic black and 3 other color combos.
Price: $99
To buy: tel: 9212)749-8746
www.davekny.com

FOR EVERYONE!
Pier I IMPORT’s Key chain bag in a shocking green and blue print.

Sick of forgetting your bag when you hit the grocery store?
It’s hard to forget this handy water resistant tote, and at this price, you can get it in every color and hand them out to your friends.
We’re impressed by the company’s new sales & marketing strategy of making more fun gifts at lower price points. Last year, the gifting tag line was “Great gifts for under $50”. This year, it’s “Great gifts for under $30. At this kind of nice price, we predict increased traffic flow in the store and sales at the till.
After perusing the press kits, a couple of items enticed us enough to leave our office and take a trip out to Pier I Imports to see for ourselves.
ON OUR SHOPPING LIST:
1. The Green Monstera Leaf Pillow – 18”w x 6”d x 18”h, $16.95
2. The kitschy Tiki Club Wall Sign, 13”w x 17”H, $16.95
3. The Metallic/Zebra Assorted Coin Purse, $4 & matching Glasses Case, $5.

When we arrived at our local branch, we enjoyed the experience – lots of colorful displays and fun grab& go groupings strategically placed close to the register.
WE BOUGHT: A lime green zebra print zip travel kit with the mini shampoo and conditioner bottles, and a soap and pill holder, all for $10. Face it; it’s rare that you actually enjoy using what the hotel puts in the bathroom, unless it’s Aveda.

And finally, everyone needs to drink enough water. After years of sampling hundreds of different brands, we’ll admit that there’s good water, and there’s not-so-good water.
Our new favorite: O.N.E. Natural Spring Water.
With the summer just having started, anyone you know would be happy to have a case of O.N,E. hit their doorstep courtesy of the UPS guy.
Better still, it’s available I paper recyclable 500ml Tetra Packs, instead of icky environmentally unfriendly water bottles.
Price: Approx. $1.49 - $1.79 per 500ml Tetra Packs
Where to Get It: Fairway, Mrs. Greens, Whole Foods and www.amazon.com
Also at www.onedrinks.com
www.onenaturalexperience.com
FOR THE WOMEN [wedding]
SPHATIKA SKIN CARE
This one was new to us but we loved the products we got around to trying in the sample pack, as well as the cheery aqua packaging. We’ve only just started testing the GOMMAGE EXFOLIATING CRÈME AND DAILY MOISTURIZER. Although it’s too soon to report on results, we do like the botanical fragrance. Our guess is that it’s the Elixer of Quartz Crystal that gives the lotion its silky feeling.
Look for a full report on SPHATIKA night cream and Sphatika Spa treatments later this summer after we visit their Spa near Columbus Circle [1841 Broadway, Suite 811, NYC]
Tel: 212-265-5885
www.sphatika.com

SUMMER GIFT-GIVING GUIDE -GIFT IDEAS – FOUND ON THE FLY

Text, Vivian G. Kelly
These entries were NOT at JONO’s Product-n-Press Event, the mecca for new gift ideas. But, as Dwayne/Mike Meyers famously said in “Wayne’s World [1992], these ARE “worthy”!
Here are a few companies that created gifts that will go easy on your wallet but bring a smile to the recipient’s face.

Kiss/Broadway Nails
Under the Canopy organic kimono bathrobe $48
Ed Hardy

THE PRODUCTS & WHY THEY’RE A BUY
NATURAL NUDE FRENCH Deceptions – from Broadway Nails in “short” length
The promise: 7-day wear.
WHY TRY: These are $5.99 as opposed to $50+ for nail salon gels and look just as good. True, glue-ons have a shady rep – something you’d imagine a pole stripper might use. After a fashionable high-schooler and a forty-something interior designer showed us theirs, we were motivated to go track down a set at Walgreens and try for ourselves.
We’ve never had the patience to grow our nails long and wearing these for a week actually did the trick for us. Amazed friends declared them “perfect looking” and demanded to know where we’d gotten these.
Getting them off requires a 10-minute soak in Kiss All Or One Artificial Nail Remover.
* To maintain our newly long nails, we started using Sally Hansen’s “Hard As Nails” base coat in “natural.
Total cost: under $30
To view products/selections: www.broadwaynails.com
www.sallyhansen.com

ED HARDY By Christian Audigier’s Neoprene Can Cooler. We picked this one up at WALGREEN’s for $3.99.
WHO IT'S FOR: High School grads and the College Crowd.
We’re in agreement with our blogging associate, Richard Spiegel of The Fashion Tribune that Ed Hardy is over with fashion insiders. [An exception being ANTHONY of the ANTHONY LEONARD SALON in Midtown Manhattan, who regularly wears Ed Hardy Tee ].
The Hardy brand though, keeps rocking on with the mainstream shopper, most notably the high school and college crowd, who have disposable income at their fingertips, and deemed our can holder, “cool”.
To read Richard’s evaluation of the Hardy Brand, visit www.thefashiontribune.com, and read, “The Coach Line – A Real Dead One”.

UNDER THE CANOPY’S organic Kimono Robe –
This 100% certified organic cotton robe uses low-impact dies, AND is machine washable. It’s become the “it” bathrobe in our house with everyone trying to steal it when they think we’re not looking.
The verdict: It’s eco, but there’s no trace of “crunchy granola” here. We’d love to see this robe in salons and spas around the country.
www.underthecanopy.com

IT’S SUMMER IN THE CITY – Edite kicks-off the summer with a pop-shop event in the East Village

Text and Images, Vivian G. Kelly


TIME/PLACE: 166 Elizabeth Street, downtown, NYC
@7PM

WHAT: The opening reception of the SEWN TOGETHER Pop Shop featuring cutting-edge fashion from Edite, Emily Clare and 25Park.com and Art work by Helena de Kubicka de Braganca.

WHY: to have a sample sale and to have a fashion happening on a muggy New York night – oldskool style

WHERE: The BZOO GALLERY – an underground boutique that sells luxury lifestyle goods including original fragrances, wallets and leather bags by Bzoo. The party and pop-up store took place a few weeks before the Gallery’s official opening next month.
We alternately milled on the packed sidewalk in front of the gallery, sipped on cherry red sugar free energy drinks at the bar inside and perused the racks and tables of designer goodies downstairs.

HIGHLIGHT
Meeting designer Haleh Nematzadeh, HALEH NEMATZADEH, whose seventies era-disco HAND SILK SCREENED HOLOGRAPHIC SEQUIN DRESSES knock us out every time we see them. The designer has the kind of East Village Princess look we remember from the eighties ie: Debbie Harry crossed with a disco streak. Maybe it was the white patent and lurex platforms and blue glitter toe polish. We’re right there with her when she describes her love for the seventies and eighties aesthetic - the part about "people really GETTING DRESSED to go out”.
We continued the journey back in time when we stepped in to grab another energy drink and found that DJ CASSIDY was doing the music. He had one of our faves from back in the day on. “ROCK WIT’CHA” by Bobby Brown – pre-crack cocaine, was one of those tracks that put the former Boy Band star into the running to be in Marvin Gaye’s league as a soul star. Cassidy's presence added to the importance of what [in the wrong hands] could have been just another little store event.
Cassidy’s one of the biggest DJ’s I the biz. He’s the guy who does the music for Kimmora Lee Simmons’ BABY PHAT show, spins for the stars [JLO, Sean Combs, Oprah, Obama].
www.djcassidy.com

THE VERDICT
Co-owners RACHEL PALETSKY and JULIA SIMON know how to throw a party and bring some much-needed excitement back into retail.
An hour later, we left with two matching JOUR et NUIT faux gator change purses for the two tween BFFs who were in tow.

SHOP ON!
The only thing that’s really going to help retail is we get out there and start shopping again, and some money starts changing hands.
Although the party’s over, you can still shop.
OPEN:
Sunday, June 14 through Friday, June 19, 11AM – 7PM


For more info on the Bzoo Gallery, tel: 212 343 2966
To Shop Haleh’s designs, visit www.25park.com

ROSS’ BREAD – An Artisan Bakery & Cafe that is THE GOURMET’S CHOICE For Bread and Coffee

Text & Image of Ross and Valerie Schneiderman,
Vivian G. Kelly

Food and building images, from the respective websites

BREAD IS NOT BAD
Okay, Fashion People don’t eat bread, but IF they did, they would buy it from a baker who bears a resemblance to George Clooney, and also happens to run a fun low-key bakery/café, with his charming wife and two high school sons.

This combination really exists. The lovely New England Town of Ridgefield, CT is where the bakery [called Ross’ bread] is located. The owner/baker’s name is Ross Schneiderman.

WORTH THE SPLURGE
We grew up in the seventies’ – no carb diet movement and it’s stayed with us ever since, because it works.
That’s not to say that we don’t occasionally slip and succumb to great bread, like the ficelles and baguettes available in the hundreds of boulangeries in Paris. If you can’t get to Paris, go to CT., save yourself the planefare, and dig into a hunk of Ross’ organic baguette.


WHAT EXACTLY IS A REAL BAGUETTE?
There are baguettes for sale at Stop & Shop, and they’re okay, if taste isn’t an issue. We’re of the mind that life’s short, so who’s settling for just “okay” – in anything?

Baguette [definition] - A traditional “pre-ferment” of flour, water and yeast (which develops flavor for 12-16 hours).
This is what gives Ross' hand-shaped baguette its distinctive, delicious flavor. He uses “demi-baguettes” for our pre-made sandwiches in the cafe.
Ingredients: Organic wheat flour, filtered water, yeast, salt.

WHY THIS BREAD IS SO GOOD - A Philosphy of patience
Says Ross, “My introduction to the art of bread baking took place at my sister-in-law’s farmhouse on Via dé Cofferi in the hills of Tuscany, outside of Florence, Italy. It was there I learned the importance of patience. The great bread bakers treat their dough as living organisms, nurturing every step of the way, allowing enough time for proper fermentation and proofing. This patience and nurturing allows bread the chance to develop complexity, rich taste and the signature crust and crumb of a great bread."

ON THE MENU
In addition to the baguettes, there are delicious hearth-baked artisan breads, muffins [try the blueberry], scones and pastries.
Don’t forget to try a cup of coffee if you’re looking for an upgrade from your trusty cup of Dunkin brew. The coffee is brewed exclusively from Durham, NC-based craft roaster Counter Culture Coffee. The beans are sourced from small hand-cultivated lots of heirloom variety coffee.
For tea-lovers, there’s a generous selection of loose leaf tea from IN PURSUIT OF TEA.
www.counterculturecoffeelcom
www.inpursuitoftea.com
CAFE ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO
109 Danbury Rd., Ridgefield, CT
Tel: 203-438-4822
www.rossbread.com
There are even some handy tips on the site on how to extend the life of your loaf.

OTHER places to find Ross' bread:
Ridgefield Farmers Market (Fridays) www.ridgefieldfarmersmarket.org
South Salem Farmers Market at Gossett Brothers Nursery (Saturdays) (1202 Rte 35, South Salem, NY)
Bernard's www.bernardsridgefield.com
The Cutting Board www.cuttingboardct.com

ENDNOTES – FINE WINES & ASHTANGA YOGA
Is you DO make it to Ridgefield, come in the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of every month, 6:00 – 7:30PM and drop in at SARAH’S WINE BAR – it’s part of Bernard’s, also at 20 West Lane/Route 35.
The wine tasting is $10 a head and all $10 go to benefit a different local charity.
Tel: (203) 438-8282

If you're feeling less than svelte after indulging in all this bread and wine, get yourself over to Val's YOGA SHALA, a few miles away in Wilton. This is the type of yoga some of the world's buffest bodies practice- Madonna, Brad Pitt, and Valerie, who's an ex-Olympic gymnast.

www.theyogashalact.com
The Yoga Shala is located at 991 Danbury Rd # 3, Wilton, CT
Tel. (203) 544-8811

GRETCHEN – Comfort bags for you and me and Paris Hilton!

Text, Vivian G. Kelly
Images, Courtesy of Edite

We’ve all heard of “comfort food” – creamed spinach, chicken pot pie, mashed potatoes, Haagen Daas Rocky Road, Pepperidge Farm’s Mint Milanos – a carb and sugar fest.

OUR PROPOSAL– a much more satisfying fix that will have you looking good and feeling good months after the indulgence.
We loved the samples we saw in Edite’s NYC showroom, especially the big ones. Okay, big bags have a bit of a rap – a year ago at LA Fashion Week, one unenlightened party-person at the Fred Seigel party jokingly asked us about our “body bag” – an environmentally Kelly green bag by Shiraleah. Had we been carrying this Gretchen, he would have oohed and aahed instead.

THE PARIS HILTON CONNECTION
Like it [or Miss H.] or not – if she’s wearing something – it’s “HOT!”
Earlier this week, Paris accessorized her Alexander Wang outfit with a Gretchen “Actress” Clutch – for the third time in the past three weeks. Fashionable women have LOTS of bags, and if you’re a high profile celeb, the sky’s the limit. Paris knows all about photo ops, so for her to allow herself to be photographed wearing THE SAME bag more than once, is a pretty big deal.

OCCASION #: At the T-Mobile Sidekick Kickoff Event in LA @ 3 weeks ago
OCCASION #2: At the Cannes Film Festival.
OCCASION #3: At her taping with David Letterman

ABOUT GRETCHEN: why we’re taking notice -
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS are a penchant for combining geometric shapes and in monochromatic color palettes. The result is an eye-catching bag that’s got an innovative clean cut-shape and minimalist aesthetic.
In case you’re thinking, “minimalism = boring”, think again. Gretchen underlines the individual character of each item with embellishment ranging from contrasting leather and fur to metal detailing.
The company’s based in Germany and made from the finest European leathers by expert craftsmen. In addition to bags, there are gloves, and belts.

BUILDING MOMENTUM
The glossies have taken notice. Recent editorials include: Lucky, WWD, the cover of Accessories Magazine, Surface Magazine, and German Vogue.
ADDITIONAL INFO
Sold at at Inago Boutique in LA.

You can find more information about Gretchen at www.mygretchen.com

For Press Inquiries, please contact Veronica Vera at veronica@edite.us or 212.967.0202
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