POCKET LINT.

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. 

 

LA (BEVERLY BLVD): THE BEST NEW MAKE-YOUR-OWN DESSERT

Now, I know what you're thinking:

a) Why was there no post yesterday?

b) Why is that mess of a plate today's image?

c) How many caramel apples can you feature?

d) Why are you posing a million questions and not answering any?

Well, my blog composer wasn't working yesterday; the food was so great that we couldn't control ourselves long enough for me to take a pretty picture; these caramel apples are INSANELY good and a whole nother thing; I just answered them, Jerko.

My father LOVES BLD.  You may think you love a restaurant, but you don't know love until you've experienced BLD and my dad.  Anyway, he was in town this weekend and so, on his last night, we headed to the restaurant.  Now, we are all HUGE fans of their chocolate chip cookies.  They come piping hot with melty chocolate that stretches when you pull them apart.  Normally, we would have been plenty happy with the cookies, but we noticed a mini-caramel apple option on the menu.

And when it arrived, we freaked.  The apples were more like small regular apples than anything mini and they were both dipped and sitting in a river of deep thick caramel (not the saucy kind).  Once the apple was in hand, we dipped them alternately into piles of chocolate sprinkles, chocolate chip cookie crumbles and nuts (not really my thing, but definitely Andre's).

All and all, it was UNBELIEVABLE.  Run don't walk.  And then maybe walk home.  Because this isn't how people lose weight.

xo - N.

 

PARIS (NYC, LA AND BEYOND): THE BEST BODICE (TO AVOID)

Growing up, my sister and I obsessively watched Gigi.  We sang along, imitated scenes and gawked at this extravagant "French" world (where everyone oddly spoke English).  Our favorite scenes to mimic, though, were between Leslie Caron as Gigi and her agoraphobic, but elegant, worldly and snooty "Aunt Alicia" (A-le-Cee-A), who would coach her in everything from table manners to recognizing precious gems ("A topaz?  Among my jewels?  Are you mad?") to choosing the best cigar for a date.  She would criticize Caron's PERFECT face and go on and on about how "impossible" the task was of transforming this gawky young girl into a beautiful woman.

Yeah.  She's ugly.

Anyway, I will stop going on and on about the movie, but the point is that there is this scene (always my favorite), where Gigi tries on all of these incredibly elaborate dresses (most of which are amazing, but just too over-the-top).  Most memorably, one has such an absurdly large appendage at the bodice that it actually covers Leslie Caron's face.

In Golden Globe recapping last night with my sis, she couldn't help but allude to that very dress.  And I couldn't help but laugh and concur.  It seems that this was the year of the strange and unflattering bodice, especially the bizarre, stiff and almost avant-garde bodice with single dip in the front.  And the thing is that, while the dresses were almost cool, they were ultimately mostly super unflattering.

Case and point:

Anyway, in Gigi, she discards all the other beautiful dresses with crazy bodices and chooses a simpler one (see below) with sort of wild birds perched on the shoulders and it is just as flattering as can be.  I'm still learning from that movie today.  Maybe, in Hollywood, we should hold a free screening.

xo - N.

 

P.S. I would like to watch Ricky Gervais' introduction of Mel Gibson and Meryl Streep's acceptance speech like thirty more times.  LOVE!  Anyone else?

FRANCE (AND BEYOND): THE BEST CHAPSTICK (WELL, OKAY, LIP CONDITIONER)

When you're down and troubled and you need a helping hand.  And nothing, oh nothing is going right.  Close your eyes and think of me and soon . . . well, soon nothing really.  I'm not going to like appear out of thin air every time you're grouchy.  Gawd.

BUT when I am down and troubled, I like to treat myself.  Maybe retail therapy is sort of twisted, but I'm here to tell you that it works.  Plus, it has no calories.  In fact, I always imagine that you must lose weight shopping.  After all, that's like a couple hours when you're not eating.  Just saying.

Anyway, since the impulse to shop is always inexplicably strongest when one is most broke ("Oh, am I overdrawn on my account?  I guess I'll go shopping!"), one must carefully choose said purchase.  Buyers remorse is no good.

Often, I'll go for a Mistral lotion or soap (which I know you're all sick of hearing about from me).  But it is true that cosmetics are easy purchases that you can use for a long while and don't generally cost as much as say, a new pair of shoes.

Recently, I had the distinct pleasure of heading over to the Beverly Hills Hotel to sample and test out some of La Prairie's newest products, including a new line of makeup.  First of all, though the serums and creams can be pricey, the lip colors are not insanely expensive at all and they also serve as lip conditioners (anti-aging and all that).

But I am MOST obsessed with their Cellular Luxe Lip Treatment with SPF 15.  First of all, it has an SPF which just makes me feel virtuous.  Secondly, it has this insanely smooth texture that I just love.  It glides on, it smells nice and it's "conditioning."  Now, I know normally $50 might seem like a lot for a glorified Chapstick.  But, first of all, this is justifiably glorified.  And, second of all, you'll use it constantly and it will make you feel all fancy and well-groomed over and over again.  No matter how broke you may be.

I even love the weight of packaging: It's heavy and feels substantial in a certain way.   Substantial like this post about lip treatment.  Gawd.

Happy weekend, folks!

xo - N.

LA (BEVERLY BLVD): THE BEST BAG SALE (OH, AND DID I MENTION SHOES?)

This post definitely falls under the category of I actually sort of don't want to tell you, but (sigh) I feel it's my duty to do so.  I guess I better get over to the store today before all you hounds beat me to it.  Yeah, I called you hounds.  If the milk bone fits . . . that's all I'm saying.

Okay, ignore me.  I get competitive when it comes to discounted accessories.  TenOverSix (everyone's favorite accessory Mecca in LA) is having a "Monster Sale."  This time, you (or I) can peruse the bag wall and grab some stuff from the likes of Vivienne Westwood and Mary Ping for half the price (and those are just the non-leather options).

Oh, and did I mention the amazing shoes?  Also, 50%-off, my friends.  Last time I was in there (which was just a few short weeks ago), there were at least six pairs of shoes (lace-ups and loafers and boots, oh my) that I would have done some seriously indecent things to own.

Just kidding about the indecent things.  I'm kidding.  Really.  That's just my own personal Hyde talking.

I guess you could say it's my inner "Monster."

xo - N.

SHADYSIDE (PITTS, PA): THE BEST CHICKEN RAMEN SITCH

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm sick.  Again.  And not just in the head.  (That distinction sounds familiar.  Did I make it before?)

Anyway, I am so over having a cold and all I want is the above Pan Roasted Chicken Ramen with confit, chanterelle mushrooms, fried egg and miso broth from Soba in Pittsburgh.  Yup, I'm yearning for Pittsburgh chow.

See, Soba is this Pan-Asian spot with other delicious dishes too (that taste even better than they sound, for real) like Indonesian corn fritter wrap with bibb lettuce, basil, mint and chili-soy dipping sauce, grilled flat bread with edamame hummus, spicy cucumber salad and house made pickles (you know where PL stands on house made pickles--PRO!) and pork dumplings with sweet vinegar dipping sauce.  But the ramen and the beef short ribs with massaman curry, celeriac puree, heirloom baby
carrots, brussel sprouts, kaffir lime gremolata and peanuts are the specialties and they are not to be missed.

Missed like I miss that ramen right now.

xo - N.