Archive for the ‘Life & Style’ Category
Tuesday, May 31st, 2011
I’d been dying to try this place Cafecito Bogota in Brooklyn, because I’d read somewhere or other about their Colombian Eggs Benedict. The Eggs Bolivarianos features Colombian salami instead of peameal bacon with two poached eggs on arepa halves with passion fruit sauce instead of hollandaise, sounds good right?
Well with one perfectly poached egg and the other wildly overcooked, I have to say I was disappointed with my meal’s main star. It didn’t help matters that the salami’s flavor was so strong, my arepas weren’t toasted and everything else needed salt (something I refuse to add to my food once it’s been cooked). The passion fruit sauce, Maracuya, it just didn’t have the pop of flavor that a passion fruit is supposed to have: wonderfully tangy and sweet, divinely delectable. The flavor composition just didn’t melt in my mouth the way I desperately wanted it to. At $15.50 for the entire brunch (even though their website menu says brunch is $14.50), my three glasses of passion fruit sangria were the best part of my meal. I’d go back for the cocktails perhaps, but I’d only eat there again if their chef learned the art of using a little salt or spice to better develop the flavors that simply fell flat on my cute banana leaf shaped plate.
Cafecito Bogota
1015 Manhattan Ave.
Greenpoint, Brooklyn 11222
718.569.0077
CafecitoBogota.com
Tags:Brooklyn, Brunch, Cafecito Bogota, Colombian Food, Eggs Benedict, Greenpoint, Manhattan Ave., Passion Fruit Sangria
Posted in Food, Life & Style, New York City, topshots | No Comments »
Friday, May 13th, 2011
For those of you who believe Roger Federer to be a great sportman, I can assure you, that he is not. Although he has a way with a tennis racket and has been touted as ‘the greatest tennis player of all time,’ Federer fails to convince that he can handle a loss or a win with grace. A sportsman’s true colors are shown in the light of day when they lose, and the Maestro, is a sore loser. After yesterday’s loss at the Rome Masters to the number 16 ranked, Richard Gasquet, (4-6, 7-6, 7-6), Federer said “I should have never lost this match…He [Gasquet] knows how close he came to losing.” A rather distasteful statement if ever there was one, Federer harpooned Gasquet’s victory as luck or something like it. He’s made it known that he wants to beat Pete Sampras’ record for weeks at number one, and that his goal to get there will be to win another grand slam, but with the rivalry between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic heating up, I could care less about Federer’s quest for number one.
Federer isn’t the gracious type when he wins either, for years I’ve watched him taunt his opponents after their losses. His classic, dismissive ‘you played well’ always carries with it the implied jab ‘not well enough to beat me.’ I’ve seen it with Andy Roddick, Novak Djokovic and even Rafael Nadal, and wished for the day when someone would knock him off his pedestal. I can appreciate his skill and his command of the court, there’s no doubt that there are valid reasons as to why he’s been named ‘Maestro,’ but all of that talent does not relieve him of his asinine behavior. When Roger Federer was one his quest to beat Pete Sampras’ record for most Grand-Slam titles and Nadal was the only thing standing in his way, Federer showed his true colors. For a man that was praised as being such a great sportsman and role model, all that remained after Nadal defeated him were the whimpering tears of a little boy. Federer exclaimed “it’s killing me” and it was at that moment precisely that I’d decided that Maestro, maybe, but good sportsman, definitely not.
Will he ever make it to number one again? That may prove harder and harder with every Grand Slam that passes. Will my respect for Federer ever be redeemed? It’s very unlikely.
Tags:Italian Open, Maestro, Richard Gasquet, Roger Federer, Rome Masters, Sportsmanship
Posted in Active Living, Entertainment, News, topshots | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 10th, 2011
Need I say more? Well I can…
I’m not a huge Lady Gaga fan, but this is a contest I would never pass up entering. Belvedere Vodka is hosting a contest to send one lucky winner and a friend to London for “Belvedere Celebrates Born This Way at Annabel’s,” an event that is sure to be the toast of the town. You could be one of the 150 VIPs, sipping special signature Belvedere cocktails inspired by Gaga tracks “Judas,” “Born This Way” and “Edge of Glory”.
Whether you think you were “Born to See Gaga” or not, you’ll want to get clicking quickly, this contest is only open for another 5 hours! The winner will be dran TONIGHT!
Details:
One winner and a friend will jet off to London to see the star up close and personal.
Two (2) Round-Trip Business Class Tickets to London
(Contest only open to US Residents)
Two (2) Nights Stay at the W Hotel, Leicester Square
Dinner at the Dean Street Townhouse
Two (2) tickets to see a live acoustic set by Lady Gaga at the iconic Annabel’s members only club in London.
Belvedere Lunch at Le Caprice
Of course the usual requirements for entry apply: Must have valid passport, be able to travel to the UK etc. Click here for more details.
MUST BE 21 TO ENTER
Tags:Annabel's, Belvedere Vodka, Born this Way, Contest, Lady Gaga, Trip to London
Posted in Celebrity, Entertainment, Events, Life & Style, London, Music, News, topshots, Travel | No Comments »
Monday, May 9th, 2011
OOAK – Gentle Butterfly Earrings; $26.00, Boticca.com
When I was little my mother would dress me up in all sorts of stuff. Over the weekend we reflected on a few things I did as a child that irked her last nerve, and the funniest part about it is, I could picture the moments reeling back like a film. For years I’ve had this abysmal habit of losing one earring in almost every one of my favorite pairs. When I was in grade six I wore a pair just like these that were officially lost in my school swimming pool when I failed to listen to my mother for the millionth time when she instructed me to remove my earrings when I swim. It’s a small memory, but nevertheless one that brings a smile to my face. Maybe now that I’m older and these gentle butterfly earrings from OOAK are for sale, hopefully I can say that I’ve learned a thing or two, I won’t lose them this time around.
Tags:Butterfly Earrings, Lessons from my Mother, Mom, OOAK
Posted in Accessories, Life & Style, Must Have, Pick of the Week, topshots | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011
Steuben – Crystal Piggy Bank; $1,900, Vivre.com
I’m a fan of saving, so long as it doesn’t keep me from enjoying some good food, booze and miscellaneous shopping and entertainment activities. Perhaps when I’m making the kind of bank that I can drop $1,900 on a piggy bank I won’t be in need of a piggy bank as stately as this one. Perhaps I should stick to bank accounts and pink ones, but I can’t help but adore this one. It’s a beautiful sort of grown up keepsake that I’d probably fill with coins from different countries to add a little intrigue.
Tags:Pick of the Week, Piggy Bank, Shopping, Steuben, Travel
Posted in Design & Décor, Home Decor, Life & Style, Must Have, Pick of the Week, topshots, Travel | No Comments »
Sunday, April 17th, 2011
[1] I am a confirmed member of #TeamBlackBerry so the new BlackBerry PlayBook is right up my alley. It may take a while for this new tablet to catch up to the iPad and it’s host of functionality, but I still want it. It’s smaller, lighter, and addition to the BlackBerry family that I welcome with open arms. It’s available for pre-order now, but if it doesn’t make its way to my purse soon enough I may need to get an iPad.
[2] This Forzieri hand made purple rose sterling silver fashion ring is an instant favorite. It’s delicate and beautiful, but it’s size makes a strong statement. I love the detailed petals, and the bright color made simple by the sterling silver band. This cocktail ring will make itself very useful this summer.
[3] It’s a corset, but instead of it being all stuffy with a lacey bodice this one has a tribal make up that I think it so sexy. This Mara Hoffman tribal chic bustier will look great with a pair of high waisted trousers, a pencil skirt or harem pants. I kind of wish it was a swimsuit top, because I can envision myself in this top in so many different places.
[4] This necklace is made of everything from pieces of a vintage chandelier to seashells. The Paradis necklace from Dannijo couldn’t look dull if it tried, the pops of color will take everything from a plain t-shirt to a shift dress up another level with its tropical indulgence. As a girl from the tropics you’d think I’d eventually get tired of all of the Caribbean oceanic pieces, but that’s one thing this girl will never get enough of.
[5] I’m certainly no Julia Childs but that doesn’t stop me from daydreaming about cooking boeuf bourguigon in a Le Creuset dutch oven. I want the entire line of these, they’re beautiful classics that every foodie or wanna be foodie should own. Forget about Pyrex and Faberware, these dutch ovens are the creme de la creme of cookware that I covet deeply.
Tags:BlackBerry PlayBook, Coveted Deeply, Dannijo, Forzieri, Le Creuset, Mara Hoffman
Posted in Accessories, Food, Must Have, Technology, topshots, Trend | No Comments »
Thursday, April 14th, 2011
Zac Posen has been a man about town, jet setting from London to NY and throwing lavish brunches in both destinations to celebrate the launch of the Belvedere Bloody Mary maceration. Yesterday, Zac hosted his Belvedere Bloody Mary Brunch at the Pierre Hotel’s restaurant – Le Caprice. Lynn Whitfield, Bevy Smith, Derek Blasberg, Leigh Lezark and Genevieve Jones were some of NY’s finest in attendance. Ever thought your vodka could have all the flavors of your favorite hangover cure without all of the added necessary ingredients. Enjoy the Belvedere Bloody Mary straight or mix it in a cocktail or two as per these recipes.
Belvedere Bloody Mary
• 60ml Belvedere Bloody Mary
• 60ml tomato juice
• Dash lemon juice
• Tabasco to taste (optional)
Combine ingredients in a highball glass over cubed ice.
Garnish with a lemon wedge and/or celery stick
Belvedere Pineapple Mary
• 1.5oz Belvedere Bloody Mary
• 3oz Fresh Pineapple juice
• 0.75oz Fresh Lime juice
• 2 bar spoon Simple syrup
• 2 dashes Orange bitters
• 1/8 bar spoon Smoked paprika (hot)
Shake and strain all ingredients into a rocks glass filled with cubed ice.
Tags:Belvedere Bloody Mary, Bevy Smith, Brunch, Derek Blasberg, Genevieve Jones, Leigh Lezark, Lynn Whitfield, Vodka, Zac Posen
Posted in Celebrity, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Life & Style, News, topshots | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 13th, 2011
- Spencer Pratt’s crawling out of the woodwork with a request to be Ryan Seacrest’s intern. No, but seriously. — WetPaint
- Shingai Shoniwa of Noisettes blows Bazaar UK out of the water in a Grace Jones inspired spread. — Shadders
- Galliano’s out of rehab, he ignored a photographer that called him a ‘F*cking Racist,’ but I still maintain: rehab doesn’t cure racism. — TMZ
- And the most beautiful woman of the year is… Jennifer Lopez (according to People anyway), never mind that it’s only 4 months into the year. Good for her. — People
- Sad but true. I only wear my watch as another accessory and eight other gadgets that smartphones have made obsolete. — HuffPo
Tags:Black Women in Magazines, Grace Jones, Harper's Bazaar, Jennifer Lopez, John Galliano, Most Beautiful Woman of 2011, Shingai Shoniwa of Noisettes, Smartphones, Spencer Pratt, Watches
Posted in Behind-the-Scenes, Celebrity, Entertainment, Fashion, Magazines, News, Technology, topshots | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 13th, 2011
The Art: I’m obsessed with mixed media artwork, primarily the ones that mix artistic strokes with real photography. This Nikki Farquharson graphic is my idea of insanely cool. It’s a bonafide color explosion, from the grass beneath her heels straight through her torso to what should be her head. The euphoric bursts of color are wild and untamed, giving me the inspiration to throw an insane amount of color together in one ensemble and feel completely justified about it.
The Piece(s): I’ve been in love with this top for a while, because I can’t walk away from neon green no matter how hard I may try to be a little more ‘civilized.’ The lace makes this leather laser cut lace top from Christopher Kane delicate and it could be called demure if the color wasn’t so outrageously flamboyant. The average skinny jean has gotten terribly boring, but these Rag & Bone low-rise cropped skinny jeans are the exact opposite. This pair of pants picks up perfectly on my favorite shade of blue in the Nikki Farquharson mixed media piece. The finishing touch isn’t any less bright a shade than the rest of these pieces or the colors in the painting. These Cara Accessories, aptly named mixed media bangles have a mix of orange, yellow, gold and brown that pulls on neutrals and matching shades bringing them together in an earthy and kismet way.
Tags:Cara Accessories, Christopher Kane, Nikki Farquharson, Rag & Bone
Posted in Accessories, Art, Creative Corner, topshots, Trend | No Comments »
Friday, April 8th, 2011
For those who don’t know, I’m obsessed with Andy Warhol. I tote around a small duffel bag in army green shades of the Flowers painting everytime I travel against all reason when a roll-a-board bag would be so much simpler (not to mention less strenuous). These Andy Warhol for Incase cases are making me wish I owned an iPhone or that they made them for BlackBerry’s. Anything the Andy Warhol foundation lends their namesakes’ craft to is usually a must-have for me. Never fear, I’m certifiably #TeamBlackBerry, but an iPad may be in my near future and one of these would be the perfect accompaniment.
Tags:Andy Warhol, Andy Warhol Banana, Art, Incase, iPad Skins
Posted in Art, Creative Corner, Must Have, Technology, topshots | No Comments »
