"Feathered" hair is back?

In the 70's it was "feathered" haircuts, in 2008/2009 it was headbands with feathers (which I bought and have not once found an occasion to wear), and apparently in 2011 the trend is adding feathers to your actual hair. Designer Wendy Nichol just launched a line of feather hair extensions, which are available for purchase and application at her SoHo boutique. The cost is only $45, which is surprisingly inexpensive considering the feathers are said to come from real birds. The feather extensions, which can be washed and blowdried, last for up to a month.

This is a bold yet classy look for a special occasion...if the extensions are blended well and the rest of your hair is neatly groomed. I can already see Ke$ha wearing these sticking straight out with her hair in a massive tangle, and that would be bad. I also really like the earthy boho look of wearing them with a hat as pictured. However, I don't know if I'd want to commit to the feather look for an entire month, nor if it is an approp look for the office anywhere outside of the fashion industry. A subtle clip in version of these with the same high quality as Wendy Nichol's semi-permanent line would be a beauty home run.

Fashion Week Day 2: Fashion's Night Out

Complete insanity. I'm just barely recovering now, a day and a half later. From the moment I tried to exit the subway at Prince Street on Friday night I knew Fashion's Night Out was going to be craziness. I have never seen so many people trying to walk up the subway stairs short of Halloween in the West Village, and the streets were also swelling with a massive slow moving crowd walking from store to store (in heels on cobblestone...fun!). We popped in and out of numerous stores along Prince Street in search of free champagne, and even though I questioned the validity of events and freebies on Fashion's Night Out encouraging people to shop, I did break down and buy a bra in Calvin Klein. But...at 75% off!

Our primary destination for the night was a party at the Elie Tahari store. The party had an Old Manhattan theme with old fashioned cocktails and champagne, an antique polaroid photographer, and a musical performance by the Nunziata twins Anthony and Will of classic standards. The store was beautiful, and the subtle details such as the cocktail waitresses' 1920's style hats were perfection. Elie Tahari himself even made an appearance which was absolutely a treat.

After one too many glasses of champagne and one chaotic crowd moment on the way home as Karl Lagerfeld exited his car (not that I even got to see him through the excitement), Fashion's Night Out officially wore me out. Good that so many people were so excited about fashion, bad that they all chose to exercise this excitement in the same five block radius. Fashion's Night Out on my couch next year is sounding pretty damn good.

Fashion Week Dairies: Day 1

Headed to SoHo for Fashion's Night Out. I was definitely surprised to see soooo many people out shopping on a semi-rainy Thursday night. What I loved was that everyone was in good spirits and dressed fabulously, it almost made me forget that we're in a recession (except for my empty wallet). Guess that means their intentions with this event totes worked. Some high points of the evening for me were wine and cider cocktails at Nine West, finding a $5 dress at Top Shop, and getting to meet and interview mega-big-deal hairdresser Oscar Blandi at Sephora. Bad news is that we're one day into fashion week and my feet are already DUNZO.

Up bright and early tomorrow for a 9am show...ugh! It is not easy to achieve fierceness at that hour. Until then, I'm ready for some football!

They should call it "sexy hour" ow-ow!

Obivia
SoHo
201 Lafayette Street (b/w Kenmare and Broome Streets)
New York, NY 10012
212-226-4904
www.obivia.com

You know that cute co-worker with whom you hang out occasionally and flirt but are never quite in the right environment to make your move? Make your next happy hour at Obivia and consider it a done deal because this place is sex-y! The dim purple lighting and loungey furniture create the mood, and Obivia's amazing happy hour deals will keep the liquid encouragement flowing. Good happy hour at a lounge say whatttt?!? It's true, Obivia boasts daily hours-o-happiness lasting until anywhere from 8pm-midnight with specials on food and drink such as $12 sangria carafes, $6 wings, and $3 real beef sliders which are probably my new favorite food group. Butttttt if you're into paying hundreds for bottle service they have that too, Obivia keeps it classy. The music is good even though the DJ doesn't take requests, the staff is friendly and quite helpful with special events, and if you need a conversation starter to chat up a hottie you can laugh about the hilarious b-movies playing on Obivia's many video screens. But when it all works out and your trip to Obivia does lead to sexy times, just please don't do it on the couch near me.
Rating: 4 stars

Cow hide ottomans? Hells yes

Merc Bar
SoHo
151 Mercer Street (b/w Houston and Prince Streets)
New York, NY 10012
347-694-4416
www.mercbar.com

Merc Bar almost made me forget that I was in New York City as the atmosphere transported me back to my favorite ski lodge in Pennsylvania. But then I looked around and realized that there were no mullets or flannel shirts to be found and breathed a sigh of relief. The bar is dark and mostly wood-clad with deer-antlers and a hanging canoe for decorative accent. The front area consists of low-lying couches and ottomans (with eclectic prints including what I think was real cowhide!) which create sexy nooks for couples or relaxed lounge areas for group socialization. Just position yourself away from these too-cozy couples. On a nice night the front wall is completely open creating an open-air atmosphere perfect for people watching of the beautiful SoHo crowd. Merc Bar creates a truly unique vibe of a classy-yet-rustic mountain lodge...just make sure not to sit for too long on the cowhide in a short skirt. Leave chafing to the real cowboys.
Rating: 4 stars

TOP Shop? Not so much...

I'm probably going to get slammed for this fashionably blasphemous statement, but dare I say that Top Shop is overrated? I felt it my duty as a fashionista to fight the crowds and attend opening weekend of the first ever American location in SoHo, but I was left wondering "for what"?

I waited in line outside the store for exactly twenty two minutes which I didn't think was too unreasonable, especially since they were passing out complimentary water bottles to patient customers-to-be. Nice touch, but when I was admitted to the store (with a semi-sarcastic "Are you ready for this?" from the security guard) I quickly realized that the line was strictly for show as the store itself was not all that crowded, especially compared to several other stores in the area such as You-Know-What 21. The store has a vibrant and upbeat atmosphere with great music (thanks to guest DJs), but I was underwhelmed with the clothing selection, especially because the prices were not as cheap as Top Shop's reputation would lead one to believe. I did manage to score an appointment for a free in-store manicure courtesy of Valley spa as part of Top Shop's opening weekend beauty freebies, but from what I gathered these appointments fill very quickly. After waiting in line for the fitting room for over FORTY minutes and trying on my few selections, nothing struck my fancy enough to make a purchase. I left the store empty handed (though pretty-nailed) over TWO HOURS after initially getting in line.

Except for a few highly overpriced purses, the only lust-worthy item I found was a grey fitted jersey dress with pink and purple ruffled tiers (not listed on the website), but at $80 for a casual dress I couldn't justify the purchase. Though reflecting on its cuteness and perfect fit I may be regretting this decision. Will I break down and subject myself to the line and this foolishness again tomorrow? Stand by...

Tour de Lafayette

Pravda
SoHo
281 Lafayette Street (between Houston and Prince Streets)
New York, NY 10012
212-226-4944
www.pravdany.com

Follow the red light into Pravda, but don't expect any smutty shenanigans in here. Pravda provides a laid-back, slightly sexy European feel, but an all but non-existent pickup scene. Come with friends to enjoy the wide range of international and infused vodkas, amazing Martinis (especially the "French"), and cute bartenders. That is, if you can actually push your way to the bar. Pravda gets pretty crowded on weekends with very little standing room, and tables are a hot commodity and not for those who wish to drink at a leisurely pace. Still, the atmosphere is truly unique, so come prepared to spend the evening on your feet being jostled...just not by any friendly strangers.
Rating: 3 stars


Puck Fair
SoHo
298 Lafayette Street (at Houston Street)
New York, NY 10012
212-431-1200
www.puckfairbarnyc.com

Irish bars are a dime a dozen in New York, but Puck Fair is by far one of the better ones. I'll put it out there, it's even far superior to its sister bars Ulysses and Swift. Named after one of the oldest street festivals in the Emerald Isle, this tri-level bar stays true to its roots in decor, libations, and overall good times and good people. The mural above the bar on the main level is quite impressive with images of Irish life and sheet music for folk songs. Puck's "Fare" (yes, they went there, don't laugh at the messenger) is of the traditional Irish variety, and the patrons and staff are just as friendly and social as those you would expect in the countryside pub of your daydreams. My night at Puck Fair is filled with fond but hazy memories, and I blame it on the extensive and ever changing selection of beers including everything from international seasonal brews to the ole standbys of Guinness and Bud Light. If you're coming with a group try to procure one of the semi-private wooden nooks, some of which are adjacent to the bar and thus eliminate standing up to refill...perfect for us Irish lasses who would prefer to rest our feet while we drink ourselves giddy!
Rating: 4 stars

British fashion invasion...finally

Employers, be suspicious if your young and fabulous female employees take an early lunch on April 2, because 11am this day marks the long awaited opening of Top Shop. The SoHo New York location (478 Broadway at Broome Street) of British fashion mecca Top Shop will mark the chain's first USA opening. Us New York girls have been watching and drooling in anticipation for over a year as this massive storefront underwent construction and numerous delayed opening dates (originally scheduled for November 2008). Luckily, Top Shop has a full week of specials planned to open with a bang and make their American debut worth the wait. They'll be offering free in-store pampering from Make Up For Ever, Woodley & Bunny salon, and Valley NYC spa, along with notable live DJs, vacation giveaways, limited edition t-shirts, and personal Style Advisor shopping sessions. Details are at topshop.com and will be available in store, but I'm predicting a line around the block starting at dawn on opening day and other general craziness and excitement, so get there early and with patience.

Sexual inuendos abound!

On this particular night, I felt quite a bit smutty after texting a fiend that we were going to "Happy Ending" and "The Box". He, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy my smuttyness ;)


Happy Ending
Chinatown
302 Broome Street (b/w Forsyth and Eldridge Streets)
New York, NY 10002
212-334-9676
www.happyendinglounge.com

And this place gets good reviews because...? There is nothing happy about Happy Ending, except for maybe some unique specialty cocktails. Personally I liked the music, but universally I know that deep cuts from ABBA are not exactly crowd pleasers. The decor is decent but the bar was deserted at midnight on a Thursday, the bathrooms were disgusting, and the few people that were there were mostly older wannabe-hip businessmen and couples canoodling on the velvet couches in the upstairs lounge. And the downstairs "sauna" area...save yourself the wobbly trip down the stairs in heels and just don't. Stinky, literally. Cute idea turning an old massage parlor into a bar and giving it a name with a double entendre, but the happiest part of this bar is ending your time here and leaving.
Rating: 1.5 stars

The Box
SoHo
189 Chrystie Street (b/w Stanton and Rivington Streets)
New York, NY 10002
212-982-9301
www.theboxnyc.com

Simply gorgeous dahlings! If you can get past the velvet ropes at The Box you're in for a treat. The old Vaudeville theatre makes for a fabulous modern bar and performance space. On this particular night the timing of my visit didn't allow me to catch one of The Box's famous shows, but I've been told they're quite the experience. Burlesque meets freak show meets other unmentionables (or so the rumor has it), but especially during showtime be prepared to throw down some serious cash. A basic mixed drink ran a steep $17, and you'll have to spend the better part of two grand for a table, but if you can afford it then don your Sunday best, grab your fur and do it! Even if you just stop by for a few drinks, the ambiance and possibility of a major celeb sighting (not to mention the feeling of success of actually getting in) will definitely make you feel A-List.
Rating: 3.5 stars

Bella's? Southside? wtf?!, idk...

Bella's and/or Southside
SoHo
1 Cleveland Place/406 Broome Street
New York, NY 10012
212-680-5601
www.barmartignetti.com

A friend brought me to this Martignetti Brother owned lounge on Saturday night and I have since been fraught with confusion. Located beneath SoHo restaurant Bar Martignetti, this downstairs bar has a separate entrance on Cleveland Place, no visible sign, and only a vague murmuring from the crowd that it was called Bella's. Some googling later, I'm still left confused as numerous reviews have noted that Bella's is closed and may or may not have re-opened as Southside, but the official website still says Bella's. Whatever the name, I was pleased with this bar, but only after several drinks. Not an easy time getting in if you don't have a connection (which my friend luckily did), and the bar patrons were straight off daddy's yacht in Connecticut and not very apt to socializing. However, last-night-the-DJ-saved-my-life by playing everything from your typical fav Britney Spears dance tune y'all to some great 50's/60's sock-hop music to which my parents probably danced drunkenly in their glory days. Who knew "The Twist" and "Run Around Sue" were actually fun in 2008? If Bella-side can loose the attitude and figure out its name, it'll be good times.
Rating: 2.5 stars