Oh my GOODNESS…
Posted 02/19/2012 by Lara
Oh my GOODNESS, is right! As some of you know, as of last NYFW season I began working with the supermodel/philanthropist, Elettra Wiedemann on her 4-day fashion week pop-up restaurant concept, GOODNESS, which was founded on the principles of providing a wide audience, affordable, locally sourced food, by a rotating line-up of celebrity chefs.
After such an amazing response in September, Elettra brought GOODNESS back for the Fall 2012 NYFW season. Hosted by CIRCA and The Daily Front Row, GOODNESS was housed at the Robert on the 9th floor of the Museum of Arts and Design from February 11 – 14th, and featured an amazing line-up of rotating chefs which included: Mario Batali of Babbo, Leo Forneas of ROBERT, Alain Allegretti of La Promenade des Anglais and Julian Medina of Toloache. And to add to the excitement, GOODNESS earned the CFDA’s Health Initiative Stamp of Approval.
Mario Batali and Elettra Wiedemann.
Leo Forneas' drool-worthy scallops
We also took over the 7th floor of the museum to create the GOODNESS Lounge by Renaissance Hotels. Designed as a comfortable “living room” space for guests to relax and recharge. The GOODNESS Lounge by Renaissance Hotels also featured a touch-up station by Lancôme and massages by Equinox. CIRCA, the world’s leading global buyer of fine jewelry, showcased their collection of recycled, sustainable luxury jewelry in the lounge. As you may remember (I posted about the competition!), GOODNESS partnered with Talenthouse to choose a winning resident DJ for the lounge. Our winner, DJ Travisty was a gem and kept the beats going and the lounge popping.
Day 1 was a blur! Mario Batali was in the kitchen and naturally we we’re booked the entire day. We also had a little kick-off party to toast Elettra and the chefs. We were joined by Elettra’s mother, Isabella Rossellini, as well as fashion friends, Monique Pean, Michelle Harper, Laura Brown, Mickey Boardman, Lorenzo Martone, and Jon Emperson aka Lypsinka.
Isabella Rossellini and Elettra Wiedemann.
Lauren Remington Platt, Elettra Wiedemann, Michelle Harper.
Robert Verdi and Simon Doonan filming at GOODNESS
After that we cruised through the next 3 days, welcoming guests, coordinating interviews and trying everything we could possibly could on the menu. I’m so lucky to work with the most amazing team that made going to work everyday so fun and be apart of such an innovative concept.
GO team GOODNESS!
You haven’t heard the last of GOODNESS… aside from a return in future New York Fashion Weeks, expect appearances in Paris, London, Doha and Miami.
Photo Credit: Abe Shaw (minus the tragic looking ones I took)
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Mark your calendar: Elettra Wiedemann’s GOODNESS pop-up restaurant returns for NYFW
Posted 02/07/2012 by Lara
Mark your calendars and start making your reservations! From February 11th – 14th, Elettra Wiedemann’s GOODNESS pop-up restaurant returns to New York Fashion Week.
As some of you may remember from last fashion week, I worked with the glamorous and wonderful supermodel Elettra Wiedemann on her full service Fashion Week pop-up restaurant, GOODNESS. Well I’m excited to report that for this New York Fashion Week season, GOODNESS returns with an all new line up of prominent chefs including Mario Batali, Leo Forneas, Alain Allegretti and Julian Medina.
Open for lunch only from 11am-3pm on February 11th through the 14th, this years GOODNESS will be held at the Robert, located on the top of the Museum of Art and Design. And if you’ve never been to the Robert for dinner or drinks, you need to! Besides having a very stylish interior, the view is to die for! Set on the 9th floor of the Museum, it has ceiling tall windows that overlooks Columbus Circle and Central Park.
Do I have you convinced yet? Sponsored by The Daily Front Row and CIRCA, we’re pleased to announce that this years GOODNESS has earned the CFDA’s Health Initiative Stamp of Approval. Here’s the line-up:
- Saturday, Feb 11th – Mario Batali of Babbo
- Sunday, Feb 12th – Leo Forneas of ROBERT
- Monday, Feb 13th – Alain Allegretti of La Promenade des Anglais
- Tuesday, Feb 14th – Julian Medina of Toloache
Menu: A la carte or Prix fixe menu ($35)
Reservations are now being accepted at goodnesspopup.com
Also for the first time, Goodness is proud to present the GOODNESS Lounge by Renaissance Hotels on the 7th floor of the Museum of Arts and Design (two floors below the pop-up restaurant). Designed as a comfortable “living room” and wi-fi lounge for editors and fashion week goers to relax and recharge, the GOODNESS Lounge by Renaissance Hotels will feature a touch-up station from beauty sponsor Lancôme. CIRCA, the world’s leading global buyer of fine jewelry, will also showcase their collection of recycled, sustainable luxury jewelry in the lounge, offering attendees access to their collection of antique and contemporary collectible gems. GOODNESS also partnered with Talenthouse and DJ Zen Freeman to choose a resident DJ, and are pleased to announce the winner of our DJ competition, DJ Travisty, who will provide a soothing soundtrack of lounge music and modern remixes for the lounge.
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Fresh and Veuve Clicquot team up to create “Clicquot in the Snow Beauty Survival Kit”
Posted 02/04/2012 by Lara
Break out the bubbly, Veuve Clicquot has partnered with skincare brand, Fresh to create a limited-edition “Clicquot in the Snow Beauty Survival Kit.” Geared to keep snow bunnies hydrated, the beauty survival kit features Fresh’s most nourishing products (including the Citron de Vigne scent which was originally inspired by Veuve Clicuor champagne), the kit includes:
Citron de Vigne Eau de Parfum Rollerball is a purse-friendly fragrance perfect for travel and slope-side pick-me-ups with a Veuve Cliquot inspired sparkling citrus aroma.- Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 blends real sugar, a natural humectant, with meadowfoam and black currant seed oils to hydrate, soften, and protect your lips while you ski.
- Soy Face Cleanser To-Go is an extra-gentle formula for all skin types that whisks away impurities after an active day outdoors without stripping the skin of essential moisture.
- Crème Ancienne, the ultimate anti-aging face cream, is proven to provide long-lasting hydration that will stand up to high winds and low temperatures on the mountain.
- Seaberry Restorative Body Cream To-Go is an ultra-nourishing, omega-rich treatment designed to calm and relieve irritation—making it ideal for post-ski pampering.
- Brown Sugar Hand Cream provides up to six hours of supreme moisture for seriously dehydrated hands, so they stay silky soft and smooth underneath your gloves.
Housed in a chic, black cosmetic case that reads “Clicquot in the Snow” and adorned with snowflakes, the collection is affordably priced at $60 ($106 value). So lets face it, you don’t need to hit the slopes to appreciate the great assortment and value of the set. Continue Reading…
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Holiday Gift Guide: What to Get Him
Posted 12/13/2011 by Lara
Lets face it, men can be impossible to shop for. Which is why I’m kicking off my holiday gift guides with what to get him this holiday season!
1. Jo Malone Holiday Sets – Jo Malone has a medley of holiday gifts mixing their amazing colognes, candles and bath oils at all different price points and sizes. Featured above is the Jo Malone Pure Pleasure Collection ($240) which includes 100ml Cologne, 200ml Bath Oil, and Home candle in your choice of fragrance, perfect for any sophisticated male on your list and available on jomalone.com. If you need a fragrance recommendation, I’m partial to the Lime Basil and Mandarin Cologne for men.
2. Club W Membership! Club W is a member’s only (registration is free!) website that allows members to purchase wine from boutique wineries. You can also sign up for monthly wine deliveries curated by their experts and have them shipped to you ranging from 3 bottles ($40/month), 6 bottles ($70/month) or 12 bottles ($120/month). Sign up at clubw.com
3. Croton SSMN Industrial Watch ($450). Croton is notorious for high quality lifestyle watches that can be worn for every occasion. I’m partial to this stainless Steel beauty available on crotonportfolio.com
4. Injinji Performance Toesocks ($12) available on injinji.com. If he’s an athlete of any type, he needs to try Injini. It take a bit of getting used to wearing a 5 toe sock, but it prevents your toes from rubbing together and the the blister protection and moisture management, keeps your feet dry, cool and comfortable. And I swear my foot feel more supported and they create less friction when I run.
5. iPhone 4/42 Leather Touch Pong Case ($59.99) available on pongresearch.com. Besides being a firm, cool case with a crackle blue/black leather-like finish, Pong™ cases additionally protects you, your phone and your signal. Pong is the ONLY solution proven by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) certified laboratories to protect users from cell phone radiation while not compromising phone performance and is proven to reduce SAR up to 95% below FCC limits (SAR stands for Specific Absorption Rate and measures the amount of radiation absorbed by a cell phone user’s body).
6. Ursa Major Big Kahuna Skincare Set ($72) includes a full-size Fantastic Face Wash (8 oz), Stellar Shave Cream (5.1 oz) and Essential Face Toner (8 oz). Known as “super natural skincare”, Ursa Major uses premium ingredients to create effective skin care products that you can feel good about putting on your skin. And the face wash is a new addition to the line and I’m in love with it. I recommend buying it for your boyfriend, so you can use it too. Plus, it comes awesomely gift-wrapped –see for yourself! Click the link, the set is available on UrsaMajorMen.com
7. MINIMERGENCY KIT FOR HIM Grooming & Personal Care Kit with 13 Essentials by Ms. and Mrs. ($12). Shoot me if this isn’t the cutest stocking stuffer ever. In this packaged tin (which gets extra points for having a mustache in it) contains: Lip Balm, Dental Floss, Breath Freshener, Stain Remover, Mending Kit, Safety Pin, Extra Buttons, Shoe Shine Towelette, Nail Clipper, Hand-Sanitizing Towelette, Deodorant Towelette, Adhesive Bandage, and Pain Reliever. It’s super handy and available on store.msandmrs.com
8. Old Spice holiday gift sets ($8.99). If your guy is manly like the Old Spice Man or just loves the commercials, here’s an affordable set that comes in three scents, Figi Scent, Red Zone’s Seagger and High Endurance Pure Sport and includes their Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant (3.25 oz), Body Wash (16 fl oz.), and Body Spray (4 oz.), a pouf. These sets are available at Walmart, Target, Drugstore.com. Visit their website to see the latest Old Spice Guy ad!
9. Men: 10 Essential Skills: the Professional’s Guide by Robert Valdes-Rodriguez (19.95) available on rvrmenskills.com. If you’re man has ever wondered how to tie a tie (or bow tie), play poker, order wine or how to keep a girl happy (it gives great advice, we’re always right!), this handy dandy book is quite the gentleman’s guide. And it’s lightweight for being hardcover and gets straight to the point to make it an easy ready. It’s also great for women since a lot of these how-to’s I’ve always wanted to know how to do! Chapters include: 1. Tie a Tie (Bow Tie Included), 2.Swing a Golf Club 3. Play Poker 4. Light and Smoke a Cigar, 5. Drive a Stick Shift, 6. Propose a Toast, 7. Catch a Wave, 8. Order and Taste Wine, 9. Mix a James Bond Martini, 10. Keep the Girl.
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Dita Von Teese: “My Cointreau Travel Essentials”
Posted 11/22/2011 by Lara
Photo credit: Jason Kempin, Getty Images
Dita Von Teese, Cointreau® Brand Ambassador and International Queen of Burlesque, celebrated the launch of her latest limited-edition travel accessory, “My Cointreau® Travel Essentials” at an intimate cocktail party hosted at the Royalton in NYC. Draped in a stunning long, black Herve L Leroux gown, Louboutin heels, and her signature bold, red lips, the burlesque icon was radiant as she introduced us to her vintage-inspired travel bar.
Photo Credit: Lisa Barr, Yours in Bridal
I imagine my reaction to the “My Cointreau® Travel Essentials” set was similar to a kid seeing their dream Barbie Playhouse in a window of toy store. Big eyed and nearly speechless, I turned to my date, asking ‘can I please have it?’! It’s so old-Hollywood glam.
Housed in a chic, retro hatbox, the luxury coffret opens up to reveal a beautifully-refined mini bar that contains all the items needed to create original cocktails whether you’re having an intimate evening at home or jet setting around the globe. It’s divine, just like it’s creator — Dita Von Teese was so glamorous and lovely. I asked her what her favorite part about being a brand ambassador for Cointreau® was, to which she replied “working for a brand I really believe in and love”.
Consider it added to the Christmas list!
How do you Cointreau? Try these recipe’s out for taste. Continue Reading…
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TriBeCa Whole Foods Launches the Wellness Club to Promote Healthy Living
Posted 10/19/2011 by Lara
By Pretty Connected Contributor, Elizabeth Borenstein
Whole Foods is defiantly my go to grocery store when I am looking for food that I think is healthy. That said, I have a sneaking suspicion that the Indian hot bar station I usually beeline to is not the most energy producing, nourishing option. It can be hard to know what to pick up that is healthy and delicious and Whole Foods can feel overwhelming to navigate. For confused consumers like myself and health conscious neighborhood residents, Whole Foods is looking to add a whole new dimension in how to shop their grocery store. Starting this month, with a pilot program at their Tribeca location in NYC, Whole Foods CEO John Mackey introduces the Wellness Club. “Created by doctors, this program offers members a wide-ranging set of tools for a greater chance of sustaining a healthier lifestyle.” Mackey describes.
Whole Foods Bread Breaking Ceremony
I stopped by the TriBeCa store for a traditional bread breaking ceremony and cooking demonstration in the brand new wellness center to learn more about this new initiative and what it means for Continue Reading…
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Fashion Week Eats: Collagen soup anyone?
Posted 09/11/2011 by Lara
When I hear the word collagen a picture comes to mind of overly puffed lips and The Real Housewives of New Jersey. This is not the case for chef Takashi Inoue of Takashi and beauty expert Hinako Israel. Inspired by the fact that “we are what we eat” these two have teamed up to create a “beauty from within” menu for fashion week that works to nourish the skin and boost the immune system by eating items that include collagen.
Delicacies include flash boiled achilles and ox foot. This menu is not for the faint of heart, but might be for those working toward a healthy heart, beautiful skin, and a strong body.
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NYC Welcomes Misha Nicole and APL
Posted 05/12/2011 by Lara
Laura & I playing with the jewelry at the Misha Nicole opening
Last night, while The Man Repeller was uptown styling the Bloomingdale’s 59th Street, Lexington Avenue windows and showcasing Tibi’s newest collection (I need to go check that out!), I was downtown for the launch of the Misha Nicole store and APL restaurant pre-opening bash.
Misha Nicole took over a large retail space on Bowery and houses a well curated assortment of unique fashion pieces and accessories. To celebrate the opening the store is hosting a series of events (visit their website to part-take), including art exhibitions, trunk shows and charitable initiatives. Last night, they featured the work of painter MD Tokon. I was somewhat distracted over the amazing assortment on the racks to give the art on the walls their proper attention –although their vibrant hues really lit up the room.
Inside Misha Nicole
I was all about the jewelry and these jackets! I know they don’t scream spring, but I’m in need of good basics.
I then headed over to APL, the new LES restaurant that hasn’t quite opened yet (bar opens tomorrow, full dinner menu begins on Tuesday), despite hosting a few teaser events.
Inside APL
I was curious to check this space out, after reading all that Camille Becerra drama and all this talk of suspended monkey bars. While that was kinda cool (although better left as a surprise, it wasn’t nearly as dramatic as I was imagining), I was all about the walls! They were all different colors and textured and lined with apples.
Monkey Bars!
The bar hosts a long vertical bar and space which then opens into the main dining room –which is where the skylight has the infamous hanging monkey-bars.
Cheers to you APL and the apple decor!
Not to get all Snooki on you, but I was all about the fried pickles.
APL 146 Orchard Street (Rivington Street); (212) 777-8600.
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DC Cupcake Season Finale –Katherine and Ben Get Engaged!
Posted 04/20/2011 by Lara
Cupcake Engagement Ring!
This month reality TV series DC Cupcakes premiered the season finale of their 2nd season. The show, which is centered around two sisters, Katherine and Sophie, who traded their corporate jobs to open the cupcake bakery, Georgetown Cupcake.
The finale, labeled “Katherine’s Surprise”, follows Sophie as she attempts to plan and surprise her sister with an engagement party for her and fiancé, Ben. Funny enough, I was there for the party and taping of the episode (random, right?). Although until the finale aired I wasn’t able to talk about it –I signed a waiver.
Enjoying my amazing cupcakes gift box! Dress: Nicole Miller
Ben and I share a very close mutual friend who asked me to be his date to the event. I’m not sure what I was expecting out of a surprise engagement party –maybe a huge crowd and an even larger cake? Frankly I didn’t care. It was filmed in mid-January, back when I was recovering from a partially collapsed lung (and you thought you had a bad week), and needed out of NY. Any excuse to get out of bed, void of take-out and sweats and put on a form fitting dress (ahem Nicole Miller) sounded like a dream.
The party was hosted in a private room at contemporary Asia-French fusion restaurant, OYA. I walked in and was surprised to see it was an intimate gathering of close friends and family of maybe 25 people…and uh, me!
Ben and Katherine walked in and we’re both glowing, as the crowd yelled surprise. I would like to take a moment to appreciate the ginormous cupcake engagement ring Sophie made! It was unreal! Continue Reading…
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Happy Anniversary Mex and the City
Posted 04/10/2011 by Lara
Photo booth pictures! Lara Eurdolian (me!), Mex and the City Creator Erika Mercado, and "The Moogie Man"
Mex and the City is a very cool cultural website and blog created to promote the free thinking, enterprising, and artistic efforts of young creatives in New York City. Created by Marina Garcia-Vasquez, Iris Avelar, Ruby Vizcarra and Erika Mercado, it is a blog that speaks about the increasing Mexican culture in the New York landscape in a fun and personal tone.
Basically they are the authorities on all things Mex in this city and throw incredibly fun events. Last night we celebrated their one year anniversary at the Hous Projects, a very cool space decorated in their blog posts! So creative… It was a hip crowd, toasting with delicious margaritas by Milagro tequila, bonding over photo booth Continue Reading…
