Theadora Brack’s Postcard From Reno

Headed out west for your holiday? Take heed! The desert air is dry, so to help you cope, here are a few beauty tips from Brian Jensen, a.k.a. “The Best Hair Stylist in Reno” (I’m not making that up; he won the award!).

From Theadora Brack in Reno

Faster than a card shark’s hand in Reno, it took just one hour for the dry desert air to wreck havoc on my tresses and skin, too. A sight making for sore eyes, my red haired locks suddenly went wickedly limp, dry and straighter than a full poker flush. While the parched skin was easy to fix with gobs of moisturizer, I still needed SOS for my newly-acquired “poor little scarecrow” look. Truth be old, I was in dire need of a Southwest hair specialist. And lickety-split.

So what to do? 

A miracle

Donning my Nancy Drew thinking cap, I quickly roamed the Internet and, thanks to a last-minute cancelation, I soon scored a rendezvous with the “Best Hair Stylist in Reno” at the “Best Hair Shop in Reno.” Ring-a-ding-ding! Haircuts are always a gamble, but I hit the jackpot with stylist Brian Jensen at the hip Salon 7, located just ten blocks from the main strip of in Reno. (As you make your way to the shop, get an eyeful of the vintage neon casino and hotel signs!)

The Fabulous Dean Martin of the Legendary Brat Pack

From floor to ceiling, the funky shop is decked out in eclectic art and retro industrial equipment, left over from its former life as a warehouse. It also boasts a gift shop. More to the point, Brian is an artist, and the cuts are affordable, starting at $35. Now, ain’t that a kick in the head?

Inside Salon 7

Giddy-up

Rocking a 1950s vibe, Brian resembles the young Brian Setzer of Stray Cats fame. Charming and charismatic, he’s got swagger and a witty gift of gab. Brian minced no words when I quizzed him about the rumored return of the bobbed hair do. “It’s out. Of course the Sassoon cut won’t go out of style, but now it’s softer. Natural-looking, low maintenance hairstyles are hot. Just accepting and working with whatever God dealt you is where it’s at. That and a little Sea Spray!” he added with a wink. And that’s when he introduced me to my new BFF: Redken’s Radiant Sea Spray. There’s an old running joke that Nevada is like “ten thousand miles of beach with no ocean” but here was the solution!

Brian’s Tips

“Close your eyes,” Brian said, as he pumped up my volume. I was an avid listener. “Each time you move or touch your hair, this will take you to the sea. It’s got soy, sea algae and aloe vera. It’s smells like the beach whenever you touch your hair, and it’s silicone free. Desert air dries out your hair, but if you use too much moisturizer your hair can fall flat. It’s okay to use oil-free shine and anti-frizzy spritzers, but you have to apply them after the styling. Timing is everything!” Brian also recommended getting trims every four to six weeks.

Leaving Reno

As I strolled back to my hotel after getting the cut I caught a glimpse of my reflection in a storefront window and discovered a newly confident, courageous pioneer stride in my step. My whole outlook had changed, along with my hair. The cut was flawless, and the Sea Spray had brought back the shine, moisture and volume. “Baby, you’re going to break some hearts,” a man shouted from a passing eighteen-wheeler truck. Cost of the new hairdo, along with a take-home bottle of Redken’s little miracle? $50. And—unlike the merciless slot machines—worth every lost penny.

Getting there

Welcome to Salon 7!

7 Salon

495 Morrill Avenue

Reno, Nevada

775.786.7770

About Theadora Brack -

Theadora Brack is the Paris Correspondent with the travel website, Eurocheapo.com. Trekking to Paris in the near future? Check out the site for tips. Theadora’s bi-weekly column on Paris covers art, architecture, fashion, cuisine and shopping, always served up with a side of history.

Lisa Perry’s Modern Take on the Iconic Pan Am Stewie

Text, Vivian Kelly

The Right Time and the Right Place: “The Pan Am Era”, circa 1963

My NYFW mates, Mark Behnke, Men’s Editor for Fashion Tribes and “Video Vixen” Lisa Johnson, Editor in Chief of Lisa Johnson Fitness, couldn’t wait to meet the crew of “The Real Stewardesses of Pan Am”. Unfortunately, by the time we raced over from the Donna Karan store and the Marissa Berenson Book signing, our targets had flown the coop. We still got our Pan Am Stewie fix though, as there were models dressed in the blue retro uniform handing out airplane snacks and beverages. Once we fueled-up, we settled in and started exploring the all white store. I was transported back to the early Sixties, a period in time I’m utterly enamored with. I actually DID fly Pan Am in 1963, but as an 11 month old infant, sadly I don’t remember much. Ten years later, I caught the end of the “Pan Am Era” jetstream, when I flew Pan Am , New York to Paris, and had one of the best meals of my young life -on a plane! What I remember even more than the food was how utterly beautiful the stewardesses were, with their little hats, perfect figures and immaculate hair and makeup. Barbie couldn’t hold a candle to them. Years later, when the airlines changed their title to “flight attendant”, the glamour left the building. They may as well have called them “air waitresses”.

The Lisa Perry store is a like a very cool apartment you want to spend the day in so you can look at all the coffee table books, [such as Airline], study the Roy Lichtenstein prints on the wall and try on each and every one of the colorful Sixties’ style dresses hanging on the fixtures. For a fashionista who’s enamored of this era, it’s like being deposited into a wonderful penny candy store where you want to try everything on but don’t know where to start.

A Japanese businessman was holding the last Pan Am logoed bag Lisa had designed. He couldn’t decide if he should buy it. It wasn’t leather, but it was “a great design and a wonderful piece of retro. My wife will kill me if I buy this, but…”

I encouraged him, “If you don’t buy it tonight, you’re going to kick yourself later. There won’t be any more, and you know that once you see the show, you’ll want it even more. You can tell your wife you’ll share it with her.”

He bought it.

On our way out, my initial disappointed on missing the cast evaporated when we got to chat with Lisa Perry herself about the Limited Edition bags she’d designed for FNO and to commune about our shared love for this legendary time in history.

Ms. Perry told us her collaboration with the highly anticipated TV show, The Real Stewardesses of Pan Am was suggested to her by Vogue magazine. When I asked if she would design a Pan Am suit she laughed and said she could design a whole collection based on that but only after researching the original suits. Stay tuned for the upcoming show episodes and for Ms. Perry’s Pan Am inspired suits. If the limited edition bags she put out are any indication [most were snapped up on FNO] of the success of this future collection, then she’ll have a gang-busters hit on her hands, as will ABC.

>Weekend Pictorial: WinterWonderland +THe HUnt in the Berkshires

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var addthis_config = {“data_track_clickback”:true};<!– AddThis Button END –Text, Vivian Kelly
I LOVE THE BERKSHIRES – specifically that little pocket of the world that includes Stockbridge, Lakeville, Interlaaken, and now, Great Barrington.The Red Lion Inn, the piece de resistance at 30 Main Street in Stockbridge has been on my “LOVE!” list since I was seven years old, and my Papa took me swimming in the pool there. Since then, I’ve stayed at most of the buildings, including the O’Brien and Stevens Houses with two different husbands and in all four seasons at some point.My most recent trip was this past Martin Luther King weekend, where we stayed in the Main House, on the Third Floor, right across from the Library. What could be better? With plenty of time to explore, we walked the floors, checking out the display cases, and the Norman Rockwells on the walls, and looked for SIMON, the pampered “house cat”. Simon is a celebrity at the Red Lion, you can even buy pictures of him in the Gift Shop downstairs. Another great thing, pet lovers, pets are actually welcome at this lovely 4-Star Establishment – gasp. Just remember, we’re not in France, so they can’t hang in the dining rooms and sit on your lap when you’re downstairs in the Lion’s Den enjoying the live music. That aside, it was amazing to step back in time and take the historic birdcage elevator up to the room and to wake-up and go down to breakfast without ever having to go outside. Of course, THe HUnt is always on, and this weekend was no exception.The score this time was next door, at Seven Arts, at 44 Main Street. We went in to kill 10 minutes and to warm-up and left 45 minutes later with 4 fabulous LIFE Magazines which I’m getting framed to display in the Home Office.There were tons of pop culture ones to pull from but the winners who went home with me: Jackie O, Jane Fonda, Ingrid Bergman, and an anonymous [but very glam] young couple living the gypsy life in Greece in the Seventies. I went a little overboard, but they had a deal going on, buy 3 get 1 free, so….Anyhow, the total only came to $37.08 for unforgettable images of 3 of my fave fashion icons.The other score was in Great Barrington, which is FAR more chic than the run-down town I remember from years past. If you’re pressed for time, hit SOCo, have some of their famous ice cream and then a cup of Harney’s chamomile tea to warm up and go right across the street to KAREN ALLEN Fiber Arts. I am most definitely NOT the “crunchy granola” type of girl you see in places like Park Slope, Brooklyn, so my galpal D., had to talk me into going in. D. has incredible personal style and I “die” every-time I visit her current living space, so anytime she tells me something is great, I go with it, because she’s always right, whether it’s about someplace in Nantucket, Ridgefield, or now, Great Barrington. We discovered colorful children’s hats in the back, handmade by Karen’s sister, Kathleen Crawford. I restrained myself, and bought only 1 of the 3 I liked, but like Arnold [Schwarzenneger] so famously said, “I’ll be back.”

Lodging and Shopping Info

The Red Lion Inn
30 Main Street
Stockbridge, MA 01262
(413) 298-5545
(413) 298-5130 Fax
www.redlioninn.com

Seven Arts
44 Main Street
PO Box 520
Stockbridge, MA 01262

(413) 298-5101
www.rockwell-stockbridge.com

Karen Allen Fiber Arts
8 Railroad Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230
Tel: 4135288555www.karenallen-fiberarts.com

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>Pictoral of the Week: Orlando, NYC, CT

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TEXT, VIVIAN KELLY

This week included time at the Orlando airport, where we saw a Christmas Tree that rivals the one in Rock Center, followed by time in the CT country home office and a visit to McGeorgie’s Antiques in Newtown, CT, where Carl let me have the two piece turquoise silk an pearl embroidery creation of my dreams for $50! I’ll be talking about that some more later next week in “the Hunt”, and will wear it to a New Year’s Eve Black Tie in the country.
After recovering from airplanes and hotel bar food, I got my crazy-fun day in NYC, which included lunch with the Duckies
down in MeatPacking, trolling through Chelsea,
and being dropped in the fantasyland aka Camilla Dietz Bergeron’s office.
Camilla’s “office” is what I love about the fashion world. On the outside, it’s an imposing white façade on Madison Avenue, but the inside is the real treat. It’s like the NYC clubs I loved in the late eighties – you had to know where they were and once you were in, it was a whole world of its own. Once upstairs at C.D.B., after getting out of an old time, rather scary Parisian style cage lift, you’re transported to a gracious home, with thick carpets, shiny glass cases, fine Estate jewelry everywhere, and best of all, Camilla, Gus and the rest of the staff’s unerring Southern Hospitality.
Today, some pics that best represent the week, and a peek into Camilla’s world.

Tomorrow, my chat with Camilla about a very special collection of unique pieces she has by Aldo Cipullo, complete with a mini history lesson, courtesy of Camilla herself.
I’ll give you a teaser – a little-known fact: Cartier takes the credit for inventing the iconic “Love Bracelet”, but it was actually Aldo Cipullu’s who created it for them in 1969. When you study the pieces [sneak peek here] and in tomorrow’s video, you’ll notice his signature look is evident in the pieces in Camilla’s collection.

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>Festive Holiday Beauty: Skin Prep With Bioelements and Beauty with MAC’s Tartan Tale Collection

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TEXT, VIVIAN KELLY

In addition to my new Miriam Haskell Jewelry obsession, I’ve been jonesing for the look model Raquele Zimmermann sported in the December issue of Vogue. Raquele is one of today’s biggest editorial stars, but until this shoot, styled by one of my favorite stylists, Camilla Nickerson, I didn’t really pay her much attention. In it, she’s so bloody glamorous that I compulsively ripped out two of the pages and put one in my Louis V tote and tack the other one up on my home office mood board. I started studying it in great detail and approached it one step at a time. While I’m not going to be able swing the fabulous Tom Ford blouse or Jean Harlow-inspired Marc Jacobs suit, I don’t really mind. It’s the beauty look that’s got me over the rails.
Step one – I decide to dye my hair red, really red. As I venture into the beauty supply store I frequent every few months, I try to put a handle on the color I’m going for.
Me: Mmm, it’s flame, well, a deep flame.
Anne: Show me the picture, honey.
[I do and she nods approvingly]. “Yeah, you can do this, but it will fry your hair a good bit.”
I don’t care. She smiles knowingly and hands me the color remover packet, 20 Volume peroxide and the “brunette red” toner that I need.
A few days later, I’m back, because my efforts had resulted in a rose wine hue that wasn’t cutting it. Anne and Maria went to work and dumped some more color in to blast it to that deep “Raquele red” I was fixated on achieving.
That accomplished, I’m almost ready to do the makeup but postponed a visit to the MAC counter until my appointment with Isabelle V., at Beauty 360. Over the past 6 months, on Isabelle’s advice, I’ve been slowly adding a few BioElements products to my daily skincare regimen. Everything I’ve used to this point with the exception of the lash growth formula has been more than satisfactory. I was scheduled for a mini BioElements facial with Krystale, the visiting cosmetician from Boston. in hopes of finding something that would add the moisture that always leaves me come early November.
There’s no point in putting on killer makeup on a skin that is so dry that it won’t hold the product.
Krystale gave me some company background as she peformed enzyme exfoliation on my face. Bioelements was founded in 1991 by Barbara Salomone, one of the first ever licensed aestheticians in the USA. “It’s a serious skincare line favored by beauty professionals” she says as she paints the enzyme on my face. The enzyme extracts in the enzyme exfoliator eat up the protein in the dead skin. Once that top layer is gone, your skin feels smoother and can more readily absorb rich creams you apply after the toner. After Krystale explained that the toner boosts the efficiency of the moisturizer, I decided to stop skipping that step.
The following products “The triple moisture treat” gave my skin a much needed moisture drink:

1. B.E. Crucial Moisture
2 B. E. SPF 50
3. B.E. Recovery Serum

I opted for their most hydrating product, “Really Rich Moisture”, which leaves my skin feeling dewy. It’s just what I needed and is the RX for skin that’s tired after too much travel.
Two days later, I‘m 6oo miles away, visiting my former college campus and a good writer gal pal, T, who’s in town for a few weeks to work on a PR project. The night we arrive, we decide that the Vogue look requires bleaching-out my eyebrows. That accomplished, I’m finally ready for a trip to the MAC Cosmetics counter to check-out the limited edition “Tartan Tale” collection
and to pick-up the right colors to achieve my Vogue look.

The MAC stylist at the Nordstrom’s tells me that my target look “is very easy”. For once, this is actually true. I say “for once” because years ago, as US Beauty Director of Lucire Magazine, beauty stars such as Tom Pecheux, would tell me “how simple” an obviously intricate makeup look was to recreate [for him].
In this case, it actually WAS easy. All that was required were a few items from the “Tartan Tale” collection.
I left with “Golden Crown” eye shadow.
As she worked on my face, I had time to closely inspect the Tartan Tale ad in which the model’s hair was a lighter shade of red. I decided I wasn’t done – not yet. My next move – an appointment with Anthony Palmermo of the Anthony Leonard Salon in NYC next Wednesday, to lighten my hair up some more. Once that’s done, I hope to wear it with a hunter green taran top, just like the model in the ad. Today, I’ll be hitting the best fashion designer consignment shops in the Orlando area for just such a piece. With luck, I’ll be showing you my find next Wednesday in my weekly “The Hunt” post.

The search begins today, at 2p.m. until the shops close down.

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>Welcome To Miami – Kicking Things Off With TRINA TURK’s Swimwear Line

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TEXT, VIVIAN KELLY

It’s here, my favorite time of the year, sweet, sweet summertime! My absolute part of the summer is the month of July. Firstly, it’s my Birthday month [Yes, I continue to celebrate, age, my damned]. Secondly, it’s Mercedes Benz Miami Swim Wear at the Raleigh. Even on years that the shows aren’t so great, the Raleigh is a joy to behold and to hang out at.
This year, things are looking decidedly up. One of my favorite designers, TRINA TURK, will be kicking things when she debuts her Spring 2011 swimwear collection on Thursday, July 15, 2010 – the day we fly in, and my birthday. Seeing a great collection is one birthday gift I’m ALWAYS happy to receive.
According to her PR’s press release, we can look forward to lots of yummy gold hardware on the suits. Face it, swimsuits are kind of boring without some quality hardware to add a touch of glam. There will be black and white, which is always chic, as well as some vintage inspired prints. Trina was inspired by the city of Acapulco in the 1960’s & 1970’s. It’s hard to get more glamorous than that. Back the, Acapulco was one of the international jetset’s go-to getaways. Makes me think of The Taylor-Burton VILLA SCALA – I couldn’t resist putting up an image of their famous lovenest.
Trina Turk is one of those designers you should know about, so here’s a thumbnail sketch. She started designing in 1995, when she introduced a collection of contemporary clothing for women which she’s carefully grown into a successful lifestyle brand which includes: women’s apparel, swimwear, accessories and home furnishings.
We were toying with the idea of making a trip over to the Bal Harbor Shops to check out the retail scene. Now that we’ve found out that Trina will make a personal appearance in her store there, on Saturday July 17th, 2010 from 4-6p.m., we’re there, no ifs ands or buts. There’s also an extra reason to attend – spend $300, and you’ll go home with a raffia clutch purse as your special gift. See you there!
To view Trina Turk’s brand, visit www.trinaturk.com

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>Create Your Own Heaven On Earth AT HOME WITH MICHEL DESIGN WORKS CANDLES AND HOME GOODS

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– Myspace Layouts,Graphics, and Comments!

TEXT, VIVIAN KELLY

I’m a Cancer, and as such, by nature, love to “chill-ax” at home. I’m always looking for items that make my little pink and green office/fortress even cushier.
While on a mindless jaunt through Wilton, CT’s TJ Maxx, I discovered
MICHEL Design Works Candles and Home Goods.
Admittedly, when I strolled in, I didn’t have anything as noble as reducing my carbon footprint on my mind – sorry! True – the candles [no ‘Palm Beach’ here] are all natural, of 100% soy wax, which is non-toxic and biodegradable, and clean-burning – all a plus.

What REALLY grabbed me was the presentation: an aqua, pink and green cardboard container, the incredible scent, and the name: ‘Palm Beach’.I
I snapped-up the liquid hand soap and passed on the 6-pack of hand-milled guest soaps. What I was really after was the mega-sized candle. Although I liked ‘Hamptons’, I was bent on getting ‘Palm Beach’. Maybe in 2011, we’ll be able to spring for long weekend at THE BREAKERS, OR I’ll be the winner of the Breakers’ GiveAwaycontest Lilly Pulitzer periodically runs on their website, www.lillypulitzer.com.
24 hours later, score – I hit the jackpot at TJ’s Brookfield location and walked-off with the mega-size ‘Palm Beach’ candle.
The bad news is that ‘Palm Beach’ is no longer available on the official website, www.micheldesignworks.com, but the good news is better. Creator, Deborah Michel, now has many new scents to entice us, drawn from the good things in life: …” Collected shells picked up during a shore vacation, a scrap of fabric from a Sunday flea market—objects filled with a sense of history, belonging, and possibility.”
These delicious memories translate into candles with names such as: ‘Beach’, ‘Botanica’, and ‘Comfort and Joy’, to name just a few.
*Botanica will be available July 15th.

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>Summer Beauty- CVS + Lilly Pulitzer Body Lotions for Beach Days Ahead

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TEXT, VIVIAN G. KELLY
After a run of 75 degree plus days, I’ve got summer vacation on my mind and am completely preoccupied with all things having to do with the beach.
MONTHS AGO, in September, essence BEAUTY was testing-out a batch of body lotions and mists at Robert Verdi’s THE FUTURE OF FASHION Lounge. Our instructions: to choose the scent we thought was the best of the bunch. I vaguely remember choosing Sandalwood, but I’ve always been partial to that scent family.

A week ago, the UPS guy dropped a box from Kaplow PR in our driveway. Inside – was a letter announcing THE WINNER: Juniper & Citrus essence of Beauty Body Lotion and a matching Body Mist. The lotion is surprisingly thick and long-lasting, given the price [$5.99 for 8.0 oz.]. The mist came in handy after I came in sweaty from a 6 mile jog and is a nice treat for tired legs. Although it’s something I wouldn’t usually have on my shopping list, it’s a nice extra, and for another $5.99, why not have the whole set?

To buy, pop into CVS or shop www.cvs.com

If you want to splurge a little bit and pretend you’re sunning yourself in Palm Beach on holiday at the Breakers, pick up some LILLY PULITZER Body Lotion in “Beachy”, the eau de parfum, and the candle.
How to best describe the scent of Palm Beach: “notes of sliced watermelon, sunny citrus, and marine air accord. The heart enchants with jasmine blossom, tiare flower, and lush franipani.” The whole kit and caboodle comes to $101.50.
Lilly beauty is available at www.lillypulitzer.com and www.sephora.com
To reserve a room at the Breakers, visit www.thebreakers.com

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>SHOPPING TRIP: PUERTO VALLARTA

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TEXT, VIVIAN G. KELLY
Contributions by Annabel Kelly

SHOPPING BAG INDEX SCORE: 4 bags = the ultimate
THIS TRIP’S SCORE: 3 out of 4

Unlike NUEVO VALLARTA, where we stayed at the Disney-eque “Paradise Village & Spa, P.V. is still raw; it hasn’t been manicured to death – yet. There are Mexican people here on vacation, music coming out from the stores, and Chihuahuas and Mini Yorkies running into the surf chasing pelicans, & fishermen slapping huge fish out of the waves and down onto the dock. Bugs also thrive in this heat so bring the bug spray.

HOW TO GET THERE: by Water Taxi.
Cost: $20 Round Trip, everyone over age 5.
Discovery Water Taxi & Canal Tour, available at the Yacht Club, Marina A, Paradise Village, Nuevo Vallarta

VALUE & EXPERIENCE: Fabulous!
Instead of the slow chugging ferry we thought we’d be riding, we got a ride in a speedboat. The DISCOVERY II’s Captain loves speeding & revved the powerful outboard motor to the max, getting us to the shopping zone in @ 20 minutes.
ADDED BONUS: A whale and dolphin sighting.

IN TOWN – THE VIBE: friendly & laid back.

THE EATS: We stumbled onto LA PIZZA NOSTRA, just 1 block up from the dock. Their claim to fame is “Best Pizza in Puerto Vallarta since 1989” but it’s not the pizza, that enchanted us, it was the theme and the kitschy décor that made our day. Where ELSE would you see collector-worthy memorabilia like “Pebbles” and “Bam-Bam” statues and signed photos by Marilyn [Monroe] as well as Beatles and “Twilight Zone” vintage ads?

Thanks to the friendly folks next door repping the CASA VELAS Suite Resorts, we got comped some free margaritas, a phone call to the USA and a paperback novel of our choice.
CASA VELAS is also owned by H.S.I, and an affiliate of RCI Gold Crown Resorts. After the way we were treated [w/ absolutely no pressure] we’re thinking of staying at their boutique hotel property next year.
La Pizza Nostra Ristorante
Francisca rodriguez no. 150
Tel: 223-0703

GROCERIES: We were sent on a mission to find “fresh fish” – harder than you’d think, considering we’re on the ocean. After inquiring at several bodegas, we were directed to Puerto Vallarta’s #1 fish store – no name – like the best nightclubs – on the door.
We left with 2.2 lbs [1 kilo] of swordfish one hour out of the ocean for an unbelievable 60 pesos = $5 US.

SHOPPING: Even the usual gauntlet of street vendors wasn’t unpleasant. We passed on a TEAM ITALIA soccer jersey but bought the latest “it toy” – a Barbie in an evening dress with a parachute attached to her. If Barbie’s not your thing, you can get the Sumo Wrestler doll.
COST: $5 US.
VALUE: Totally fun – we flew her on the speedboat on the way home.

THE BUY: After inspecting rings at over ½ a dozen jewelry stores, we hit pay dirt at MARINO & MARINO JEWELRY.
We left with a 4-½ carat loose sapphire. Cost – $97US.

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>HOLIDAY SHOPPPING REPORT: MIAMI, FL

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SATURDAY, NOV. 28TH
WE DIDN’T HAVE THE DESIRE TO BRAVE THE MALLS ON BLACK FRIDAY. WE FOUND IT MORE CONSTRUCTIVE TO VENTURE OUT ON SATURDAY AND MONDAY, TO GET A SCORE CARD OF HOW THE BIG DAY WENT.

SHOPPING AT THE AVENTURA MALL -
At BLOOMINGDALES’, THE WOMEN’S SHOE SALESMAN SAID, “BLACK FRIDAY? RIDICULOUS! NO ONE COULD FIND PARKING.”
WHAT SOLD: UGGS. “WE CAN’T KEEP THEM IN STOCK. MOST OF THE SALES ARE TO THE EUROPEANS, DUE TO THE EXCHANGE RATE.”
THE STORY WAS DIFFERENT, A FEW YARDS AWAY OVER AT THE MAC COUNTER WHERE WE HAD OUR EYES DONE FOR DRINKS OUT AT THE HOTEL GANSEVOORT. MAC ARTISTS NEVER FAIL YOU WHEN IT COMES TO INTRODUCING COLORS YOU NEVER WOULD HAVE IMAGINED YOU’D USE. WE LEFT WITH “HEPCAT”, OUR NOD TO THE CURRENT CRAZE FOR ALL THINGS PURPLE.

THE LILLY PULITZER STORE – LILLY & CO. GET AN “A+” FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. WE ARRIVED WITH A $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR THE ONLINE STORE, BUT THE MANAGER, JEN, HONORED IT AS SHE ACKNOWLEDGED “THE SCHLEP” WE’D MADE FROM SOUTH BEACH TO THE MALL TO SHOP. SHE PROMISED TO CALL AFTER SHE’D VERIFIED THAT SHE COULD OKAY THE PURCHASE WITH HER SUPERVISOR.ASTONISHIGNLY, SHE ACTUALLY DID CALL, AND THREW FREEE SHIPPING INTO THE DEAL. THE PACKAGE HIT OUR DOORSTEP IN CT 2 DAYS AFTER WE ARRIVED HOME.

Lilly Pulitzer
Aventura Mall Space #57
19501 Biscayne Blvd
Aventura, FL 33180
(305) 705-1472

LINCOLN ROAD – THE MONDAY AFTER BLACK FRIDAY

WE DROPPED INTO THE LOBBY OF THE STANDARD HOTEL, A LATE AFTERNOON MEETING WITH KARELLE LEVY, THE FOUNDER OF KRELWEAR AND LUCY MCINTYRE, THE STANDARD’S VP OF MARKETING, AND THEIR ALL-FEMALE TEAM OF MIAMI MOVERS AND SHAKERS,WHO WERE STRAGEGIZING EVENTS FOR NEXT WEEK’S ART BASEL. AFTER ADMIRING THEIR ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS, WE BOUGHT OUR KRELWEAR KNIT STARTER KIT, AND CABBED IT TO LINCOLN ROAD TO CHECK OUT THE ACTION.
WE STARTED ON ALTON, AT THE BOTTOM OF LINCOLN ROAD AND HOOFED IT TO THE END – TO WASHINGTON.
ON THE JOURNEY WE STOPPED IN TO CHECK IN ON ONE OF OUR FAVORITES,
JONATHAN ADLER TO CHAT WITH THE FORMER MANAGER WHO’S “SEMI-RETIRED” AND LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF IT. HIS ENTHUSIASM WAS CONTAGIOUS – WE INSPECTED EVERYTHING IN THE SHOP.
WHAT WE WANTED: THE PROZAC, UPPER & DOWNERS COOKIE JARS, WHICH WERE SOLD OUT AND ON BACKORDER.
WHAT WE BOUGHT: THE LIMITED EDITION BARBIE BY JONATHAN ADLER AND HER REAL LIFE MALIBU DREAM HOUSE TO CELEBRATE BARBIE’S 50TH. AS HIS SITE DROLLY STATES, “[JONATHAN] CAN FINALLY MAKE AMENDS FOR DECAPITATING SISTER’S BARBIE IN 1974.” WHATEVER MR. ADLER’S MOTIVATION, FOR $49.95 HOW COULD WE NOT PICK UP BARBIE AND A PIECE OF HER CALI DREAM LIFESTYLE??
AND THAT’S THE POINT HERE – FOR DESIGNERS AND RETAILERS TO COME-UP WITH PRODUCTS THAT ARE SO OUTSTANDING THAT WE JUST CAN’T SAY “NO” TO.

SHOPPING RESOURCES:
Lilly Pulitzer

KRELWEAR

Jonathan Adler

Weight-in on this post! It is:

amusing

informative

snarky

Makes me want to buy it