From Flip Flops To High Heels: Relax Your Feet With Foot Petals This Summer

I never leave home without wearing a pair of my favorite 5 inch heels for my fashion appointments and events. After being on my feet for the majority of the day it becomes a pain, quite literally sometimes! 

Foot Petals recently sent me over some of their new shoe inserts that work to alleviate discomfit from high heels to flip flops. I had a chance to try their Sock-Free Saviors, Pressure Pointz and Tip Toes for Flip Flops. These secret weapons of comfort are now regular occupants of my most uncomfortable shoes. 

Foot Petals offers an entire collection of solution-oriented products for women who have a love/hate relationship with their sexy shoes. 

Preview of LOGUE London SS13 Luxury Shirtdresses + Exclusive Interview with Designer Emma Logue

Emma Logue (wearing LOGUE London) and me 

I had the absolute pleasure of meeting an extraordinary UK based designer named Emma Logue, founder of her namesake brand LOGUE London. Emma is famous for her luxury shirtdresses which she brilliantly adorns with vibrant pops of colors.

LOGUE London just unveiled its Spring/Summer 2013 collection which features breezy blouses, skirts and dresses as well as bikinis and accessories for the perfect vacation wardrobe. Materials include the finest silk, textured cotton and embroidery, while the color palette comprises cool hues, crisp whites and glimmering metallics.

Fueled by the desire to create proper yet stylish attire for today’s female professional, former banker Emma Logue founded LOGUE London at the age of 30. The cornerstone of LOGUE London is the classic shirtdress recognized by its signature flashes of color, which epitomizes simple glamour and comes in a variety of fabrics, colors and styles.

Emma’s new collection has everything you could possibly need to look effortlessly chic this Summer whether you’re going to a meeting in the city or spending time with friends in the Hamptons. Her pieces are created to seamlessly take your look from work to play.

I joined Emma and her publicist Natasha for some cheese and wine at the Grape & Vine restaurant inside the beautiful Jade Hotel in New York. We chatted about her fascinating journey to becoming a fashion designer, her inspiration behind her luxury shirtdresses and much more! 

CASHHIMI's Colorful Exotic Skin Handbags and Shoes at their New York Showroom

I was invited to see the new CASHHIMI collection at their showroom in New York. 

Upon arrival I was greeted by Jamila, the lovely Director of Sales at CASHHIMI.

She gave me the grand tour of their new collection of colorful exotic skin handbags and newly introduced shoes. 

One of my favorite pieces was the above red snake skin bag which went along with the blue polka dot dress that I was wearing.

CASHHIMI was launched by a Turkish designer named Cenan Abas Sel. The name CASHHIMI is derived from the initials of her name, the surname of her husband, and the first two letters of her sons names.  

Cenan chooses her materials from a vibrantly colored array of exotic skins, crafting a prototype that maintains the highest quality for which the brand is known. Exotic skins include python, snake, crocodile, fish, polyester and leather varieties from Turkey and Italy.

From sketch to finish, design to manufacture, each CASHHIMI bag is handcrafted and produced under the same roof in Istanbul.

Theatre Communications Group 2013 Gala

The Theatre Communications Group Gala was one of the most extraordinary and visually stunning soirees that I’ve ever been invited to. 

The evening was held at the famous Angel Orensanz Foundation located on the Lower East Side in New York. 

Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for Theatre honored Ruth and Stephen Hendel and Ming Cho Lee at their gala this year. The evening celebrated TCG’s more than 30-year history as an independent trade publisher of dramatic literature and the authors and playwrights they publish. 

Cocktails started promptly at 6pm and dinner was served at 7pm.

Jessica Hecht was the host of the evening; the Gala co-chairs were playwright Lydia R. Diamond and interior designer Jasmine M. Keller. 

The Gala honorary chairs were Anne Kaufman, Obie award-winning director; Nelle Nugent, Broadway producer; Judith O. Rubin, chairman of the board of Playwrights Horizons; and Liz Smith, gossip columnist. 

The guest list included: Lydia R. Diamond, Michael David, Douglas Carter Beane, Teresa Eyring (TCG), Heidi Ettinger, Rhoda Herrick, Jasmine Keller, Tom Keller, Anne Kaufman, Richard Kornberg, Christine Lahti, Todd London, Iris Love, Kevin McCollum, Nelle Nugent, Judith O. Rubin, Jolyon F. Stern, Liz Smith and Doug Steiner.

The playwrights in attendance included: Eric Bogosian, Thomas Bradshaw, Ping Chong, Nilo Cruz, Will Eno, Melissa James Gibson, Jessica Hagedorn, Karen Hartman, Amy Herzog, Danny Hoch, Tina Howe, Quiara Alegría Hudes, Samuel D. Hunter, Tony Kushner, Emily Mann, Ellen McLaughlin, Richard Nelson, Lynn Nottage, Adam Rapp, José Rivera, Wallace Shawn, and Michael Weller.

The Gala Evening featured performances from TCG Member Theatres around the nation, which included three musical excerpts that were performed from Rapture from Sky-Pony: Raptured, Willow from Venice, and Hallelujah from The Last Goodbye.

Farm Sanctuary’s 'Fashion Loves Animals' Benefit + Fashion Show

Gene Baur, Farm Sanctuary President and Co-Founder and me 

Farm Sanctuary held a ‘Fashion Loves Animals’ benefit and fashion show at Stage 37 in New York City. It’s the very hot spot where the Kardashians launched their Bebe line and Mac launched Viva La Glam. 

The evening also honored VAUTE Couture President and Creative Director Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart, who made history this year with the first all-vegan label to show at New York Fashion Week.

For the event I wore a Cachet sequin dress and shoes by Jeffrey Campbell. The sequins on the dress and metallic in the shoes really gave my look a festive feel which was perfect to celebrate such a fun evening. 

Farm Sanctuary works to protect farm animals from cruelty, inspire change in the way society views and treats farm animals and promotes compassionate vegan living. It’s the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization which promotes legislative, policy and individual lifestyle changes to help farm animals. They operate three shelters in New York and California that provide lifelong care for nearly 1,000 rescued farm animals.

GLITTERRINGS Jewelry Showroom Editor's Preview Of New Collections

I stopped by a special Editor’s event at the GLITTERRINGS showroom to preview their designer’s latest collections. 

Featured designers included GLITTERRINGS, Jill Zarin Jewelry, Debbie Merle Designs and Carolina Amato Jewelry. 

I also had a chance to try on some of the new jewelry collections. Above I'm wearing Jill Zarin's Brass Oxidated Plating necklace and ring from her new Spring/Summer 2013 Hamptons Collection. 

Preview of Eliann Couture, Luxury Exotic Skin Handbags + Interview with Designer Anzhelika Steen-Olsen

Eliann Couture handbags are defined by their exquisite craftsmanship, luxurious skins and precious metals. I first discovered Eliann Couture when I met the brand’s designer, Anzhelika Steen-Olsen at the Depesha magazine party a few months ago. 

Anzhelika's seamless integration of timeless structure and exotic skins create the perfect recipe for her luxury handbags. 

I recently caught up with Anzhelika for an exclusive interview on the meaning behind Eliann Couture, her inspiration and much more. 

Check out the full interview below!

Jeffrey Fashion Cares 10th Anniversary Gala

The Jeffrey Fashion Cares annual gala was one of the most glamorous and celebrity studded charity affairs that I've ever attended. It took place inside the USS Intrepid ship on Pier 86 in New York City.

The gala was held to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of Jeffrey Fashion Cares, a phenomenal charity created by Jeffrey Kalinsky, owner of Jeffrey boutiques, fashion icon and philanthropist. Jeffrey created JFC with the mission of bringing awareness to the plight of people living with HIV/AIDS and members of the LGBTQ community. In 2003 he brought his fashion show and reception benefit to Manhattan and has since raised over $4 million for LGBT and LGBT youth charities in New York that include ACRIA, the Hetrick Martin Institute, Lambda Legal and the Point Foundation.

The A-List guest-list included celebrities like Cyndi Lauper, Emmy Rossum, Chrissy Teigen and Ireland Baldwin in addition to socialites, models, designers, executives, bankers, artists, editors and charitable New Yorkers.

The evening aboard the spectacular Intrepid featured cocktails & hors d'oeuvres, silent auction and a fashion show.

A grand total of $811,735 was raised through ticket sales, donations and a live silent auction.

JDRF Spring For a Cure Benefit

I had the immense pleasure of attending the JDRF Spring for a Cure benefit at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City. The event is the signature charity fundraiser for the NYC chapter of the Young Leadership Committee, which is the junior board of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. It was held to raise money for Type I diabetes research projects.

Spring for a Cure included some of the city’s top restaurants and the finest beverages. For a foodie like me it felt like a cloud 9 experience to try such a great selection of yummy food and drinks. The night also featured a silent auction, raffle, music and dancing.

JDRF is the leader of the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community—unifying global efforts to cure, treat, and prevent T1D. The goal of JDRF research is to improve the lives of all people affected by T1D by accelerating progress on the most promising opportunities for curing, better treating, and preventing T1D.

New Yorkers For Children 10th Anniversary Spring Dinner Dance

Olivia Palermo and me
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 

The New Yorkers for Children Dinner Dance was a dazzling soiree that congregated the city’s most beautiful and affluent people. Sponsored by Valentino, the ritzy event took place on the 34th floor of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

The sparkling crowd included celebrities, socialites, and models like Olivia Palermo, Nicky Hilton, Phillip Bloch, Tinsley Mortimer, Lindsey Wixson, Hilary Rhoda, and Emmy Rossum.

Event Chairs included Derek Anderson, Allison Aston, Marisa Brown, Alina Cho, Natalia Echavarria, Nicole Esposito, Lydia Fenet, Rory Hermelee, Victor Kubicek, Amy McFarland, Euan Rellie, Susan Shin, and Honorary Chair Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos. Special guests at the event included ten young people in foster care who are leaders in New Yorkers For Children programs.

New Yorkers For Children (NYFC) works in partnership with the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) to improve the prospects of children supported by the child welfare system and to engage New Yorkers in that effort. With a focus on young people in foster care, NYFC supports programs that promote paths to stable adulthood through education and sustainable relationships with caring adults.

The evening featured dinner, music and dancing with DJ D-Nice, a silent auction, and NYFC’s youth speakers Vanessa, Amara and Shavonn.

A record high of over $650,000 was raised during the event to benefit youth in foster care in New York City.

FIT Cocktail Party: Celebrating FIT's 2013 Gala Honorees George Kaufman, Kay Krill and Stefano Tonchi

Hamish Bowles, International Editor at Large of Vogue and me
Photo Credit: © Grayson Dantzic 

The FIT Cocktail Party was an Upper East Side affair to remember. The soiree took place at Liz and Jeff Peek’s breathtaking palatial apartment on Park Avenue in celebration of the 2013 FIT Foundation’s Annual Awards Dinner Honorees George Kaufman, Kay Krill and Stefano Tonchi.

Liz Peek, chairwoman of FIT's board of trustees hosted the event alongside Pamela Baxter, Joy Herfel Cronin, Julie Greiner, Yaz Hernandez and Jane Hudis. It was a very intimate reception with only 100 invited guests that ranged from the crème de la crème of top designers, editors, photographers and socialites. 

Guests included: Teri Agins, Yigal Azrouel, Hamish Bowles, Dennis Basso, Mario Buatta, Judy Byrd, Maria Cornejo, Amy Fine Collins, Carole Divet Harting, Chris Del Gatto, Joel Frank, Linda Fargo, Michele Gerber Klein, Eleanora Kennedy, Chiu-Ti Jansen, Richard Lambertson, Alexandra Lebenthal, Larry Leeds, Julie Macklowe, Tamara & Minty Mellon, Jonathan Pomerantz, Darcy Rigas, Pete Scotese, Angel Sanchez. Jean Shafiroff, Michael Stanley, Jill Stuart, Daniel Silver & Steven Cox, Carlo Tunioli, Elizabeth and Albert Watson and Veronica Webb.

Special guests Stefano Tonchi and Catherine Fisher, VP Corporate Communications at Ann Inc. also attended the reception.

The FIT Foundation was started in 1944, when apparel industry leaders obtained a charter to establish a “fashion institute of design and technology.” The Fashion Institute of Technology Foundation was born, to nurture and educate the future leaders of the fashion industry.

The FIT Foundation still serves as an advisory and fundraising body to FIT. The special relationship between the college and foundation creates valuable opportunities to share knowledge and experience. Board members, who include today's leaders and innovators, serve on panels and appear as special lecturers, enabling students to meet outstanding representatives from the fields of industrial production, labor, design, merchandising, and the arts.

Macy's MADE Fashion Week for Impulse Dress 'Nature Inspired' Photo Shoot

Macy’s corporate recently sent me this beautiful MADE Fashion Week for Impulse dress. Ever since I could remember I’ve always loved going to Macy’s and picking out stylish finds. You can imagine my excitement when I opened a package from Macy’s with this stunning print dress.

I styled my MADE Fashion Week dress with my favorite brown floppy hat and black heels by Jessica Simpson. The colors in both really brought out the details of the dress. 

For the photo shoot I decided to go with a nature inspired theme. The weather outside has been the perfect reflection of Spring with nature in full bloom. I couldn't resist the opportunity to take advantage of the warm weather and literally take my new dress for a spin around the park. 

The MADE Fashion Week for Impulse collection combines fashion, music, art and pop culture, reflecting the unique street-style of today’s tastemakers. It was inspired by New York’s MADE Fashion Week initiative co-founded by Jenné Lombardo, Mazdack Rassi and Keith Baptista. The Impulse department at Macy’s will include 20-30 new pieces rotating onto the floor throughout the season. The MADE Fashion Week for Impulse collection is currently available at 

150 Macy’s stores and on macys.com.

Missionelle 'The Art of Seduction' Benefit

I attended the Missionelle 'The Art of Seduction' benefit in honor of a local New York charity called "Women In Need" which aims to make a difference in the lives of homeless women and children displaced by the Hurricane Sandy. The event was held at Toshi's Living Room in New York City.

The evening consisted of an Informative Beauty Conference which had a panel of professional beauty experts talking about the Art of Seduction.

The panel included:

Denise Bissell - Celebrity aesthetician (formerly makeup artist for Christian Dior). Worked on Charlize Theron and Amanda Seyfried among others

Sasha Nesterchuk - Runway hairstylist. Latest shows: Gucci, Givenchy, Rick Owens, Salvatore Ferragamo

Rebecca Zuber - The creative mind behind best-selling lingerie pieces for VS, Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, CDO of BeMe

Agnieszka Burnett - Former Glamour Beauty Editor, CEO of Nomaterra, a niche fragrance brand

Michael Cifarelli - 20 years in fashion advertising. A genius behind many major Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger campaigns and a CEO of BeMe

The event concluded with a charity auction and raffle as well as a live DJ and an after party.

Missionelle is a newly created fashion hangout that aims to bring the thrill of brick-and-mortar shopping sprees to the online realm. 

To request an invite visit: www.missionelle.com.