Tracy Smith, founder of House of Lavande. Photo Billy Farrell Agency.

In January we flew south to see some sun (after months of snow, snow, snow) and to celebrate the town of Palm Beach’s Centennial with vintage couture jewelry brand House of Lavande. Since it also fell on HOL founder Tracy Smith‘s birthday, and because you can’t give a cake and candles to a beach, we toasted with lavender colored vodka shots, cabana stripes and surf boards.

All our favorite friends from NYC attended and all our favorite editors were there to record the dancing, diamante, and debauchery from Vogue, Elle, Purple Magazine, W, Paper, Teen Vogue, Tales of Endearment, and Fashionista. Even Page Six had a spy lurking in the sand by the dance floor as guests kicked off their heels and the chandeliers swung from side to side in the oceanside winds!

I have been a fan of her blog ever since I first laid eyes on it,  two years ago. I love her work and often felt we shared an aesthetic. So, when she emailed me out of the blue this cold January to ask to get together and, oh, yeah, take your picture, I had to keep from jumping out of my skin with excitement. She is one of my favorite photographers and you know what it’s like to meet your idols in life!! I had to act cool. Instead, we immediately started exchanging stories and jokes, and hours and hours flew by. Just like that.

© Photo Garance Doré www.garancedore.fr/en/

And then she asked me another favor: would I write a NYC guide? (I am a Gemini, and anyone who follows astrology knows that we are walking databases!) So I had two heart attacks, one after the other!! Just like a teenage girl.

© Photo Garance Doré www.garancedore.fr/en/

Thank you, Garance!!

“50 Best Travel Destinations” I asked great friends to share their favorite travel spots around the globe, both close to home and far, far off the beaten path. Herein are their responses.

NAME: Jennifer Zuccarini
OCCUPATION: Design Director, Victoria’s Secret / Co-founder of Kiki de Montparnasse
TRAVEL DESTINATION: Sao Paulo, Brazil. I had so much fun there: great architecture, food, nightlife, fashion… and just a little dangerous.
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: Anytime, especially from December to May. HOTEL: Hotel Emiliano is a very cool boutique hotel in the posh Jardins neighborhood.
RESTAURANT: KAA is one of the hottest, much talked-about new restaurants. It was designed by Sao Paulo’s own Arthur de Mattos Casas of Studio Arthur Casas Architecture and Design.
HIT THE TOWN: After dinner, head to Skye on the top floor of the boutique Hotel Unique for great views of the Sao Paolo skyline, with an amazing pool. Have a night cap at the Lions Club that long ago housed an elegant men’s club.
SHOP: Thais Gusmao for the best lingerie (cheeky-good fun), Galeria Melissa for shoes, Adriana Barra for quirky, graphic home furnishings, accessories, and sexy reversible bikinis (located in an amazing, historic townhouse with each room fully outfitted in her distinct style.) Choque Cultural is the premier grafitti and underground art gallery.

KAA Restaurant

Galeria Melissa. Photo courtesy of Lalo de Almeida for The New York Times.

Hotel Unique has a thriving nightlife on the roof with 360 degree views.

Originally published on The Huffington Post on June 7, 2010.

Watch me tour the city’s premier vintage archives: the hush-hush resources for celebrity stylists, fashion insiders and top designers, and the most eccentric, amusing dress-up chests imaginable. I also share some vintage shopping tips.

Originally published on The Huffington Post on 26 May 2010.

With Memorial Day weekend coming up, here are some summer style jump-starters for the men out there. After my 10 Summer Style Spiff Ups for Women, the response was loud and clear: make one for us men too! With the help of my bespoke-obsessed boyfriend, here are 10 classics – that easily go from town to country, or the beach – for the dapper gent and the sporty jock. I know they have a penchant for the preppy but many have updated, modern twists and what can I say… classic is classic: it works!

1. Lock & Co Straw Hat. Available at Lock & Co

Lock's website declares that the origins of today’s boater hats are the sailor’s hat issued to midshipmen in the Royal Navy near the end of the nineteenth century to provide protection from tropical sun. These hats were then adopted by children in Victorian England and became part of their uniforms wearing their school or house colors as bands. And did you know that Panama hats are made exclusively in Ecuador and are hand-woven from the Tequilla Palm? The origin of the black band on the hat dates back to 1901 when Queen Victoria died.

2. Wilson Six.One Tour BLX. Available at Wilson

As in: 6 - 1, game over! Ace ‘em just like R Fed with this classic Wilson frame with all the modern updates for immaculate accuracy, power and precision. Giant Roger Federer signed tennis ball not included. Photo Getty.

3. Brooks Brothers Social Primer Bow Tie. Available at Brooks Brothers

This bow tie is yet another innovative - and playful - take on a classic designed in collaboration with K. Cooper Ray and just in time for the Summer bow tie season. Using Brooks’ authentic fabrics, the collection features reversible styles that create not one, but many ways to wear the bow tie.

4. Sperry Top Siders. Available at Sperry

Sperry is celebrating 75 years of the ultimate low-fi lace-up for kicking around town or healing out during the regatta.

5. Flower in Lapel with Linen Pocket Square

Details, Details! So dapper and dignified is a summer blossom peeking out from a man's lapel that it sets the lady's heart a flutter. Add to that a crisp, colorful linen pocket square and all eyes will be on you! Bespoke suits (and many off the rack) are made with a small cut-out in the lapel with fasteners on the reverse side to keep the flower stem in place. Pocket square from Bergdorf Goodman. Photo Kate Schelter.

6. Laird Hamilton Stand Up Paddleboard. Available at REI, Surf Tech and Laird Hamilton

The new craze in surfing are these stand up paddleboards (and paddle) which are great for cruising lakes, rivers, creeks, or wave riding. Walk on water!

7. Murray’s Toggery Nantucket Reds. Available at Murray’s Toggery

The. Most. Classic. New England. Pant... Period! Now available in shorts too.

8. Argentinian Belts. Available at Arandu

Made popular by dark and handsome Argentinian polo players, and now in demand for the fly fishing set, these hand-woven leather belts are easy going with a nice pop of color. Thread them through your jeans, khakis and Nantucket Reds and you're golden.

9. Swatch Color Code Watches. Available at Swatch

Accessorize your rope bracelet with these monochromatic timepieces – sporty for summer. They come in matte and shiny in every color of the rainbow.

10. Smathers & Branson Flask. Available at Smathers & Branson

For those long breezy sails or late afternoon tee times.

Originaly published on TheHuffingtonPost.com on 17 May 2010.

Whether you’re a city slicker or beach bound — these styles are equally useful for both — here are 10 easy pieces to stay chic in the heat and jump start your summer.

1) Lanvin Silk and Straw Hat. Available at LouisaviaRoma.com

The technology of this hat falls somewhere between a child’s craft project and effortless style. Silk ribbons are shredded and knotted to look like a flower. This would also make a great DIY project with an old panama hat and some satin ribbon as it has a hand-made quality (which is exactly what’s so appealing about it.)

2) St James for Calypso Stripy Shirt. Available at Calypso-cell.com

They took the traditional St James striped blue tee, and gave it a vintage wash for a new take on an old weathered favorite. This is the ultimate Francophile Picasso beachy look that equals instant style when worn over a bathing suit on the beach, or with shorts or white jeans.

3) Chanel Mini Classic Pocketbook. Available at Chanel

Enter "The Tiny Pocket Book"! Lighten your It Bag load for summer, and pair it down. This bag is more like jewelry than a heavy handbag.

4) Christian Louboutin Animal Print Sandal. Available at Net-a-Porter.com

One part pony hair leopard print, one part Grecian goddess, these flats are a step in the right direction from the all-popular gladiator style. The ankle architecture looks great with long, flowy, toe-dusting dresses or short mini skirts. Try them with shredded jean shorts and a t-shirt.

5) Farmer’s Market Carry-Alls: The French Tote and European Wicker Cart and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. French tote available here and Wicker Cart available here.

Farms are bursting with their most colorful, tasty veggies and fruit of the year. Stock up and buy fresh, buy local. Farmers markets aren’t all hippies (who play pan flutes) and vegans. They are the new see-and-be-scene in your local piazza filled with savvy foodies like your stylish self so make sure you know your chard from your chervil and look chic! Read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver.

6) Alexander Wang Leather Corset Shorts with Front Tie. Available at Shopbop.com

You won’t look like Zena Princess Warrior or a female version of Mad Max in these, I promise. Pair with a ratty white t-shirt or a light blue oxford with rolled-up sleeves and, Voila! you’re “country” with an edge. A fashion forward edge. Also goes great with the striped shirts above and your favorite black sandals.

7) Vince Draped Suede Jacket. Available at Neiman Marcus

Now this may be called a leather jacket but it actually feels more like paper, stretchy paper because it’s so light. But paper is also the wrong word because it’s soft like butter. Whatever you want to call it, this is perfect worn as a cardigan or a jacket over jeans or a pretty floral mini dress. Treat it more like a jean jacket and you’re good.

Paul + Joe Sister Leopard Ikat Bikini. Available at Mywardrobe.com

With bikinis, I’m assuming if you wear one then you feel good in one. Bikini Styling Tip: less is more, that is, the less fabric the better. A suit should be snug on you (but not tooooooo snug); if it’s baggy it only gets worse with water! Bikini tops also double as colorful bras with summer sundresses.

9) Vince Denim shirt. Available at Net-a-Porter

Actually this pairs well with your leather shorts and is also a great beach cover up. My boyfriend likes to take his chambray shirt to the beach so he can dunk it in the salt water and air-dry. It creates a nice fade with a dry crinkle.

10) The Princess Sovereign Bike and Berkley Helmet. Available at Adeline Adeline

Slow Transportation is like the Slow Food movement: returning to the joys of simple everyday pleasures in a healthy, fulfilling way. Talk about smelling the roses, this quintessential English town and country bicycle is still handmade in their Stratford-upon-Avon factory. Throw some blossoming pink peonies in the front basket, ring-ring your bike bell and pedal through the streets in a “time stops” romantic elegance. We just hope The Sartorialist spots and shoots you!

Fashion Confidential featured us today along with the likes of designer Alice Temperly and blogger Kristin Knox. Click here to see it. Thanks Fashion Confidential!

Kate's faves on FashionConfidential.com.uk: Paul + Joe stripy cardigan and leopard/ikat bikini, Henrik Vibskov pareo, Philippe Audibert cuff, Antik Batik bag, Stella McCartney sandals.

“50 Best Travel Destinations” I asked great friends to share their favorite travel spots around the globe, both close to home and far, far off the beaten path. Herein are their responses.

NAME: Chris Schumacher
OCCUPATION: Director of Investment Research, Papamarkou Wellner Asset Management, Inc.
TRAVEL DESTINATION: Middleburg, VA. Where serious, understated luxury is nestled in the seat of beautiful horse country.
HOTEL: Private residence; otherwise The Welbourne Inn, www.welbourneinn.com. This B&B (pronounced with a drawl as Wel-buhn) is the residence of Nat and Sherry Morison, eighth-generation owners. The original house was built in 1770 with over 500 acres of land and it will submerse you into another era of old-world Virginia.
RESTAURANT: Hunter’s Head Tavern, Upperville, VA (few miles west of Middleburg on Rt. 50) www.huntersheadtavern.com
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: Anytime during hunt season. Fall and Spring for steeplechase races.
SADDLE UP: Catch one of the fall fox hunts – you don’t have to be a rider, you can follow the hunt on foot for a nice hike.
SHOPPING: Middleburg Tack Exchange for the best finds on saddles, tack, and to learn more about hunt appointments. English Country Classics for amazing men’s clothing at Virginia prices.

The Welbourne Inn

The Snickersville Hunt. Photo Sean Schumacher.

Middleburg is seated in lush horse country. Photo Robert Merhaut.

Two of my favorite stores in NYC are having sample sales at the same time!

John Robshaw Sample Sale
245 West 29th Street
11th Floor
Wednesday, Nov 18th through Friday, Nov 20th: 10 am – 8:30 pm

Steven Alan Sample Sale
87 Franklin Street (btwn Broadway / Church)
Thursday, Nov 19th: 8:30 am – 8 pm
Friday, Nov 20th: 8:30 am – 8 pm
Saturday, Nov 21st: 12 pm – 7 pm
Sunday, Nov 22st: 12 pm – 5 pm

Décor It Girl and Haus Interior owner Nina Freudenberger offers some great tips.

Best way to figure out a color scheme for a space?

Start with the walls. The easiest way to chose a paint color is to find the one object in the room you obsess over. Within that piece, choose the color which draws your eye. Take the actual object to any paint store and have it color matched (most paint stores will mix the exact color if you bring in an item, fabric, etc.) If you are worried its too dark, have them add white to lighten it up, or go as far as to have just a hint/glow of that color in the majority of white.

What are the best items you find for the cheapest when decorating?
Amazing finds at flea markets such as Brimfield, Mass; Twice a week, the Bekman Gallery debuts a limited edition of an artists work, starting at $20. The artist list is incredible.

Where do you go for inspiration when you’re all “New Yorked City-ed out”?

I go upstate to the Hudson Valley. Not only is it an amazing place to visit but it’s also home to some of my favorite antique stores. Make sure to stroll down Warren Street in Hudson, and to drive all the way north on Route 9, through Springfield and Rhinebeck for great vintage furniture shopping along the way.

What is your favorite New York building/architecture?

The Four Seasons Restaurant by Philip Johnson. Being enveloped inside the genius of Mies van der Rohe’s Seagram building and the moving wire mesh curtains (due to the air-conditioning, which reportedly was a “happy mistake” found out only after the installation) is enough for me to be sure that this is an absolute masterpiece of architecture and interior design.

If you were a restaurant which one would you be?

A cross between Marlow & Sons, and Charles.

If you were a book which one would you be?

I would hope to be A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers… at least, one day, hopefully….

Can you share some “Haus” tips with us?

Trophies – whether using just one or a few, these look great on a bookshelf or end table in your library. Think about having them engraved with your favorite funny quotes.

Rope Knot – perfect as a door stop or place on the lower shelf of an entry console for a nautical accent.

Fouta Towels – these are 100% organic cotton and a great alternative to standard terry cloth. Wash them twice, they become extremely absorbent and are less abrasive on the skin than a typical bath towel.

Haus Interior, 250 Elizabeth Street, NYC, Tel 212 741 0455