POCKET LINT.

LA (THIRD ST): THE BEST WAY TO CELEBRATE NEW ORLEANS

Like most normal people (especially non-football fanatics), I associate the Super Bowl with two major components: chips and dip.  Oh, I know, I know.  There's also the whole game thing.  But the big draw is the food.

Basically, Super Bowl Sunday is like the one day normal women get to consume crappola (from seven layer dip to Ruffles) guilt-free like so many pregnant ladies or college frat boys.

This year, in honor of The Saints (even though Andre and I also sort of rooted for Peyton Manning too), we decided to mix it up and get cajun food from the Farmer's Market's Louisiana spot The Gumbo Pot.

Though I've probably eaten at the Farmer's Market a thousand times, I've never actually gone cajun/creole (though I fell in LOVE with New Orleans and the food there on a trip a few years ago).

For this occasion, Andre went on the quest solo and came back with a slew of incredibly tasty and spicy eats: Shrimp Po' Boys (made a million times more delicious with very thinly sliced, tangy lemon inside), Jambalaya with fish and hot sausage and the above peel-and-eat crawfish.

And it was all SO DAMN GOOD.  Now that's worth flashing someone for.  Mardi Gras beads be damned.

xo - N.

 

LA (CRUMPLED TWENTY): THE BEST WAY TO REACH MAXIMUM LETHARGY

The Best Link Today:

In case your Snuggie and Uggs haven't sapped you of every ounce of remaining energy, B + S reports on the final leg of your journey to totally mushy couch potato: pajama jeans.  Make no mistake folks: these elastic waisted sweat pants are just a bump on the road to nightly McDonalds and Hungry Man dinners, muffin tops, obesity and, finally, an inspirational stint on The Biggest Loser.

Maybe Jillian & Bob will even let you work out in them.  Dare to dream.

xo - N.

AIR (AND BEYOND): THE BEST PLACE TO SNAG HIGH-END, TRAVEL-FRIENDLY BEAUTY SUPPLIES

Two words: carry on (my wayward son).  Okay, that's five words, but you get the gist.

Today, something genius has been launched like so many rockets into the wild blue yonder (or for use while flying through the yonder): www.3floz.com.

Check out my Travel & Leisure blog post on the subject and get a special discount code for all kinds of high-end products, each of which is three fluid ounces and under (so packable in your carry on bag).  Kinda genius.

I, for one, totally always pack mini-versions of all the precious products in my arduous beauty regimen when I travel.  Then I stuff my bag full of eight pairs of shoes and have to check it anyway.

Options, my friends. Options.

xo - N.

ONLINE (AND BEYOND): THE BEST CRUMPLED TWENTY

The Best Link Today:

If you're anything like me, you spend significant amounts of time marveling at people's inappropriate Facebook status updates from "Sally is deeply depressed and crying out for help" to "Tom is sleeping on the bathroom floor between puking bouts."

Anyway, I heartily approve of this website's "How To Suck at Facebook" instructions (although maybe he should have added something about the new "post your celebrity doppelganger" trend).  Why does everyone think they look like Kursten Dunst?

Now, I'm off to shamelessly "market" my site.  Become my fan!  Become my fan!  BECOME MY FAN!!!

xo - N.

 

NYC (AND BEYOND): THE BEST WAY TO CONFUSE THE JUDGES (APPARENTLY)

I'm on the road again (on the road agaaain) on the east coast and have been sans TV since Thursday.  So, last night, while you guys were watched the Grammy Awards (why do you do that BTW?), I was watching this week's Project Runway.

While I enjoy images of Rihanna in 3-D glasses and Britney in, well, Debbie Allen's dance class outfit from the original Fame as much as the next gal, as long as I didn't miss Kanye doing something unconscionable, I don't feel like I missed anything.  Because I was watching bad fashion revealed too, but just on Lifetime.

Case and point is the above WINNING outfit from this week.  I cannot BELIEVE that none of the four judges (including this week's Matthew Williamson) acknowledged the beyond obvious resemblance to an Adidas or Nike tracksuit (and not a Stella McCartney one).

 

It's a bit hard to make out, but these above Nike running pants have that same white stripe down the side.  Michael Kors did mention a "nod to sports wear," but this is like the Tony Soprano special.

No, seriously, this above tracksuit was worn on The Sopranos and is being auctioned off at Christie's. Um, is it just me or is there a resemblance?  Like, I was wearing a baggier version of these pants on my couch, while I vegged and watched the show and drank Sleepy Time tea.  (I've gotten wild in my old age).

You all were probably wearing them while you watched The Grammys.

xo - N.

 

NYC (MANHATTAN): POP GOES THE SHOE STORE

Oh, you lucky NYC ducks. As of February 10, you can quack, quack your way over to LA accessory Mecca (owned by shoe designer Kristin Lee, Joe Cole and Brady Cunningham), TenOverSix, and you don't even need a plane.  For a long while, quirky NYC gift shop The Future Perfect has inhabited a permanent pop up space at TenOverSix on Beverly Blvd and now the relationship will go both ways.

No, not in the kinky "goes both ways" way.  Get your mind out of the gutter, bird brain (get it, duck, bird?)  You know what I'm saying.

Anyway, TenOverSix has a two month long pop up shop inside The Future Perfect's new Manhattan location at 55 Great Jones Street.

The LA shop is really great and this one looks pretty cool too.  You know what they say: If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck, then it's probably an awesome accessories store.

xo - N.

NYC/LA: THE BEST DISCOUNTED BEAUTY TREATMENTS

So, my sister refers to Life Booker as "the best website ever created."  If you're a beauty-a-phile who lives in either LA or NYC, you'll probably agree.  Basically, the website offers revolving discounts at local salons and clinics (for everything from waxing to massages to Botox).

I know what you're thinking: "Discount waxing sounds sketch."  I hear you.  But these deals are at all manner of local salons.  You might even find discounts at your regular spots.

Now, that's beautiful.

xo  - N.

VEGAS (AND BEYOND): THE BEST BOX O' CHOCOLATES (IS THE ONE ON MY LAP)

Does my blog look fat?  You can be honest.  Seriously, does my font look BIGGER THAN USUAL?

Okay, okay, so lately I may have subscribed to my own feed, if you know what I mean.

What I'm trying to say (in this VERY convoluted way) is that I've eaten my weight in, well, everything lately.  And I'm still going down that route thanks to the above Jean Philippe Patisserie chocolates I brought home from Vegas' City Center this week.

Initially, I thought they were so pretty that I couldn't even bring myself to dig in, but Andre got me over that hump (way to be supportive, sweetie).  I'm not even a huge sweets person, but I love a box of chocolates, when they are all different flavors.  You never know what you're going to get.  Unless you read the accompanying descriptions.  So I guess you kind of know what to expect.  Whatever.

The point is that my favorites (and I can say this because I have effectively already eaten them ALL) are the Caramel (salty buttered caramel ganache covered in dark chocolate), Gringo (Blue Mountain coffee-infused caramel ganache covered in dark chocolate) and the Rustic (crunch praline Gianduja ganache covered in milk chocolate).

And now I have to sign off, as I'm falling into a post-sugar shock coma.  Must.  Eat.  More.

xo - N.

 

LA (AND BEYOND): THE BEST SPLASH OF COLOR FOR THIS COMING SPRING

I'm too tired to be charming.  I just got in from a weekend in Vegas (and boy are my arms tired).  See?  I've resorted to Borscht Belt humor.  And it doesn't even make sense cause I didn't fly home.  I drove.

Take my wife.  No. Seriously.  Take my wife.

Annnnyway, just thought I'd share some info on my newest wardrobe obsession: specifically the above Dylan George lavender and turquoise denim leggings, which je refuse to call jeggings.

I'm sorry.  But I have to draw the line somewhere.  Skort?  Maybe. Tankini?  Sure.  But jeggings?  Never! On second thought, maybe I'll change the name of my blog to PLINT.

Anyway, I always love when I can whole heartedly sing the praises of a local LA brand and j'adore these jeansamagiggies (that's a better name than jeggings, right?) with flats or boots or little sneaks without socks or whatever.  They're incredibly comfortable and soft and the colors are super vibrant.  They're not out quite yet, but I've been fortunate enough to preview a pair.  The company's founder, Danny Guez, is also the dude behind Justin Timberlake collaboration William Rast.

And, no, I am not going to make a "bringing sexy back" joke.  Jimberlake has been the butt of enough of those.

xo - N.

UTAH TO SIEM REAP (AND BEYOND): THE BEST SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION (THIS MONTH)

The way I see it, there's an upside to these occasional "Shameless Self-Promotion" posts and it's not just that I get to talk about myself.  More.  Not just that I get to talk about myself MORE.

No, but seriously, this way you get several stories in one: You can read about spas for any budget in my Daily Candy Travel (like Utah's Amangiri pictured above).  You can hear about brushes with fame on the Upper West Side in the 80's in my Huffington Post story or learn about the custom wedding dress experience in my first person feature in Town & Country Weddings.  You can even consider honeymoon destinations via my stories in Martha Stewart Honeymoons and Martha Stewart Weddings.

Or you can ignore this post altogether and hold out for tomorrow, when things on the LINT go back to normal (a.k.a. I obsess about food and jeans).

Choose your own adventure.

xo - N.