POCKET LINT.

NYC (& BEYOND): The Best Things To Pine Over As 2011 Comes To a Close

I know that right now I should be waxing poetic about a holiday season in the city.  And, since I relocated back to NYC about a month ago, I have been romanced by the crisp weather, the smell of pine wafting from Christmas trees for sale in bushels on the sidewalk, meandering walks with hot apple cider through Prospect Park and a close proximity to Bergen Bagels.  But here's what I'm really obsessed with: boots!

What??  You can take the girl out of LA or NY, but you can't take LA, NYC and 30+ years of fashion grooming out of the girl!

Here are the boots I want badly right now and yet may have to forgo in exchange for ... a couch:

These Isabel Marant Dicker Boots (above!) are AMAZING and the taller version is beautiful too.  My pal Z. says they're comfy too.  So comfy I could slip them off her feet and steal them maybe?  I wonder.  But she's kind of quick.

These Rag & Bone Newbury mofos are must-have (only for me they're S.O.L.) and I know they'll still be perfect come springtime.  And there are even versions on sale right now.  Boo hoo.  Where is Santa when you need him and you're a JEW?  I could steal them off the tootsies of my friend C.C.R., but we don't wear the same size.

But, hey.  I'm an artist (ahem), right?  My suffering sans these boots is only fodder for my deeply introspective writing about ... more boots.  And beauty products.

Still, I can at least drown my sorrows in vegan brownies from 'sNice nearby and the adorable monogrammed Lucky Bee cards by sent to me (sweetly) by one of my editors for the holidays, pictured above.  You know how you're supposed to write letters to people you're upset with and then never send them?  Maybe I should use my new cards to write notes to the boots about how I feel abandoned.

Dear boots. How could you?  Sigh.

Anyhoo, happy holidays!  May you get all the boots (and love and other truly good stuff!) that your heart desires.  And may you then send them to me.

xo - N.

BROOKLYN (& BEYOND): Shameless Self-Promotion & a New Type of Sushi Roll

This is very exciting for me.  This isn't just some regular old shamless self-promotion.  This is my book ... on Amazon and Barnes & Nobles!  And the cover above!  SEMI-CHARMED LIFE actually doesn't come out until this summer when I'll be doing all sorts of readings and such (July!), but it's available for pre-order as of last week.

Also, I learned via a Google Alert yesterday that it's up on Good Reads too!  I have no clue at all how that happens, which is the case for me with most of what goes on in publishing, but I'm totally pysched.  This might seem silly, all these small details, but each public announcement or step makes the whole thing seem a little more real.

Anywaaaay, what else is happening?

Well, during my first month back in NYC (Park Slope to be exact), I've discovered a new ingenius sushi roll invention: The Tempura Sweet Potato Roll.  Yup.  It's become a regular thing for me.  Well, as regular as something can be after 28 days.  Or, actually, more like 21.  Time flies when you're  ... unpacking boxes.  Whatever.  The roll is amazing.  What else can I say?

Also, I went without TV for four weeks and then wrote a story about it called "In Defense of The Boob Tube" for Huffington Post's new HuffPost TV section.  If you love TV like I do (and you all know I do), then I think you'll be nodding along with this one.

Some other highlights over the last few weeks?  An interview with my favorite pair of designer sisters from ELKIN on elle.com and a write-up of new antioxidant-rich line of beauty products, Radical Skincare, for Vital Juice.

Otherwise, I've mostly been on the road and all that implies (a.k.a. slightly broken out skin and a few extra fast food pounds).  Oh, and also the freedom of the open road.  That too.

Happy happy holidays to you all!  May the New Year bring you happiness, health, money and YES! a new season of THE BACHELOR.  It's baaaaaaaaack.

xo - N.

THE BEST TIME FOR A BIG UPDATE (& Shameless Self-Promotion)

Well, the rumors are true.  Oh.  Wait.  You haven't heard buzz in the press about my move to NYC?  (And by "press" I mean on my Facebook page.)

The Drewser & I are headed back to the east coast, where an NYC apartment already awaits.

In the meantime, it's been fashion and beauty central online for me, hitting events and launches all over the place.

Also, I'm not sure if I've even mentioned this on PL before, but I have a novel coming out in the spring!  It's a very big deal for me, so I can't even pretend to be cool about it.  The book is called "SEMI-CHARMED LIFE" and I'm sure you'll be hearing more about that from me in the coming months.

That's monopolized a lot of fun time too (in a great way), along with my good old "Fit Like Us" self.com blog (which, considering my lack of exercise lately, should really be called "Fit Like Anyone Else").

Anyway -- a few highlights from the last few eons for your reading pleasure (one hopes):

Geren Ford's new multi-purpose space with boutique The Annex, showroom and event area opened this weekend (pictured above).  elle.com

Warren Tricomi Salon's west coast partner Kaz Amor just launched a new haircare line (mostly au natural) called VoCe.  It's all about the Surf Mist. elle.com

Beckley Boutique (on LA's Melrose) owner Melissa Akkaway launches her inaugural clothing line, Beckley By Melissa.  elle.com

Veuve Clicquot & Rachel Zoe got together for some polo and some charity fundraising at Will Rogers State Park in the Pacific Palisades. Style.com

Dior Launches Scented Nail Polish (like roses!) and a whole new "Garden Party" cosmetic color palette during a luncheon at The Chateau. Style.com

Beauty happenings in LA: Natura Bisse teamed up with The Beverly Wilshire for a spa dinner fit for The Hunger Games' Capital; The Nail Bar opens at The Beverly Wilshire & Rossano Ferretti opens in Beverly Hills. Style.com

Vosges Chocolate lands in Beverly Hills with some exotic takes on chocolate from curried versions to vegan. Daily Candy

Whetherly t-shirt company launches with an ideal cut and color from a sports wear expert.  Daily Candy

That's all for now.

xo - N.

 

EVERYWHERE: THE BEST SALE!!!!

Since I'm a HUGE Vince fan and I recommended the Natalie bathing suit from Anthropologie and it was (gasp!) all sold out (boo hissssss!), I needed to tell you guys about this HUGE Vince summer sale for BOYS and GIRLS that's happening.

It's crazy!  You can get this leather jacket for $300-ish instead of $800-ish:

Shut up.  Shut up.

xo - N.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF TUESDAY [THE BEST BATHING SUIT]

Okay, I'm truly sorry not to be posting a Bachelorette recap today, but I'm off on a trip - first to San Diego and then to Vancouver and Victoria - and will be watching it late.

I'll report back on all that when I return, BUT, in the meantime, I thought I at least owed you some kind of nugget.  Above, behold the Natalie One-Piece from Anthropologie, which I KID YOU NOT is the best fitting, most flattering bathing suit that I have ever encountered in my entire life.

Seriously.

It comes in multiple colors (I have the polkadots!) and it's all old Hollywood and stuff, but best of all, it seems to be on sale right now.  I feel like I should buy 10 to wear over the next decade.  That's how good this thing looks on.

I'm sure you'll get on swimmingly! (Couldn't resist.)

xo - N.

LA (AND BEYOND): SHAMELESS SELF PROMOTION [Supermodels/Angels]

Rumor has it that "talking to an angel is like trying to catch a falling star.”  Still, I didn’t find the task quite so challenging at the exclusive Victoria’s Secret “Bombshell Summer” kick-off event on Wednesday afternoon.

Standing next to a supermodel?  Now, that’s daunting.  In fact, a picture exists of Miranda Kerr above and me, but I'm hoping it will never see the light of day (for the love of all things good!).

Anyway, I took the self-esteem lumps for Style.com, chatting up the fresh-faced, Balenciaga-clad VS “Angel” (a.k.a. Mrs. Orlando Bloom) between manicures, hand massages and makeovers at LA’s notorious SkyBar.

Read all about it and Victoria's Secret events - that you can attend - all over the country in the next few weeks!

xo - N.

 

SANTA MONICA: MY LAPTOP TRAVELS IN STYLE [ro bags]

Yesterday, I became a woman.

But how is that possible, you might wonder, since my Bat Mitzvah was more than a few moons ago?  Didn't I get my child bearing hips that very "beshert" Saturday in November so many years ago?

Well, this is a different kind of development.  On this fine spring day, I bought my first true laptop bag.

Can you hear the bells chime?

Previously, when I had to carry my computer around, I used a sad giveaway backpack from some random StriVectin product launch luncheon.  That earned me audible snickers from my "best" friends.  (I haven't forgotten, girls!  You will feel my wrath!)

Then I moved onto using my beloved Leigh & Luca tote, which I managed to rip after adding too many hardcover books to the mix.  (Yes, I am the one person in America who still buys actual books).  I found myself sans functional carry on in the middle of the Miami airport.

Clearly, it was time for an investment in the real thing, instead of turning perfectly lovely totes into destroyed laptop bags.

I arrived at Fred Segal Santa Monica for a party celebrating the launch of Daily Candy LA Deals and suddenly remembered that - amidst gratis Stila makeover and O.P.I. manicure stations - sat design store Zero Minus Plus.  And I had a credit I'd been meaning to use.  Suddenly remembering that you have a store credit is like finding cash in the pocket of an old jacket or pair of jeans - genius!

Once I walked into the store it only took a moment for the above ro bag to seduce me.  In the past, most other computer bags had looked too masculine, corporate or, well, heinous, but this one - in bright green leather with sweet polka dotted lining and pockets galore - screamed my name.

Actually, so did the company's summer "Wave Bags" (LOVE! See below!), but I figured one bag was enough per day.

See, women, unlike girls, show self-control.  At least for now.

xo - N.

P.S. This Wave Bag below is called the "Meg Tote" and I think my friend M. should buy it immediately!

 

SD (AND BEYOND): SHAMELESS SELF PROMOTION [BEAUTY, FASHION, FITNESS ETC.]

Just wanted to post links to a few of my latest on-line stories, as they may be of interest (or at least, it may be of interest to me for you all to read, re-tweet, FB etc.).

Yeah.  I said it.

Impressed?  I'm working with my therapist to make my needs known.  And, by therapist, I mean facialist.

So, here goes:

Persephenie (formerly of natural perfume shop Blunda) just launched her inaugural beauty product line and, at the end of May, will launch her first signature fragrances.  Style.com

Chloe Sevigny and Michael C. Hall teamed up with Kiehl's to create special labels for a new white clay masque to raise money for charity!  Style.com

Maya Yogev (creator of Grai) just launched her new bag line, MK Totem.  Daily Candy

I'm clumsy.  Are you?  Read my essay on being athletically-challenged. MyDaily.com [AOL]

Take a hike - through Topanga Canyon!  Vital Juice LA

Get an ice cream manicure at The Painted Nail.  Vital Juice LA

Nursing a bruised ego.  Embarrassing moments from the workout room.  Vital Juice LA

Read away!

xo - N.

SD (AND BEYOND): SHAMELESS SELF PROMOTION [GARNER GRACE]

 

I know, I've been heavy on my own stories lately, but such is the life of a freelancer: ebbs and flows, peaks and valleys, assignments and subsisting solely on canned peas.

Here's a story I wrote about a new clothing line by two ladies out of SD.  The company is called Garner Grace and has been picked up by some great boutiques in LA and NYC.

They have some dresses, but I think their separates seems to be a strength.  But what do I know?  I only eat peas.

xo - N.

LA (BEVERLY HILLS): SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION [FOUR SEASONS ULTRA FACIAL]

I have big hopes for fashion and The Oscars.

"Why?" you might ask, since the Golden Globes was a disaster of shoulder pads, champagne evening gowns fit for eighty-year-olds and unsightly flower appendages (ahem, Natalie and Michelle).  Well, I'm an optomist.  And I believe that even Hollywood can be redeemed.

Hallelujah.

Regardless of the dresses though, every awards season brings new red carpet skin treatments to help celebrities get that elusive glow.  So, I covered The Four Seasons Beverly Hills' newest service, The ULTRA Facial for Mondette.

I'd like thank my cats and you all for, well, just being you.

xo - N.