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Fashion Designer – BRUNELLO CUCINELLI

fashion, Uncategorized

“You can’t always agree on matters of taste, but the quality level is just non-negotiable.” – Brunello Cucinelli

Brunello Cucinelli’s name has been popping up everywhere. If you love the finer things in life than you’ve probably heard his name before. For most, the name might have been dismissed due to the high costs of his luxury ready-to-wear fashion line. For reference, four Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM bags are much more affordable than the average price of a Cucinelli suit. 

A little background… He was born near Solomeo in 1953, and grew up in a house with no plumbing or electricity. He had no money when he started his business. In an interview recently he said, “We were farmers, so I did not have even a dollar in my pocket.”

He has an interesting background as he was raised in poverty and grew up to design for the rich and become wealthy himself. But what is the most impactful about his story is the mission of his company and the treatment of his employees – “To produce fashion in the most ethical way possible, without being harmful or disrespectful towards people or the environment.”

The Cucinelli fashion house is more than a company appreciating their employees. He has compassion for his workers which comes from when he was a little boy and how he saw his father was treated everyday at work. Cucinelli calls all of this a “humanistic enterprise in the world of industry.” 

His philosophy on overtime – it’s forbidden. Working after 5:30 pm is not allowed as he believes that working too many hours will “steal your soul.” He advocates a balance of “mind, soul and work.” And so, at precisely 1 pm every day, the entire workforce heads to the company dining hall for a mandatory 90 minute lunch.

He donates 20% of his profits through the Brunello Cucinelli Foundation. He has been described as a “philosopher-designer” and “part businessman, part philosopher and part monk.”  His belief and mindset is to act as guardians of creation.

No matter how laid-back and serene the label’s style appears, there’s always a luxurious edge to it. Cucinelli said, “For me, it’s always synonymous with excellence: supreme quality, perfect execution, and exquisite artisanal craftsmanship.

Not only are there more billionaires now than at any time in history, but they are richer than ever before. Almost from the start of his career, Cucinelli decided they would be his clientele. Maybe this is the secret to how he made the Forbes list. The rich understand the rich. Cucinelli’s brand has worked out very well and he has said, “The results have actually been more positive than I thought”.

“I was told that everybody was going to be tough on me. We’ve had a very positive ride so far.”

EATALY – Las Vegas

drinks, food, Uncategorized

Having been to a few different Eataly’s, Las Vegas Eataly at Park MGM is the greatest thing that has happened to my tastebuds. The comparison to an amusement park for foodies is spot on. They have mastered fast food and quick bites for on the go with high quality ingredients or you can sit down for a leisurely meal and immerse yourself in the experience Eataly provides.

Their philosophy of “eat, shop, learn” is something the strip has not scene before and they do it right. Their fresh pizza dough and pasta are some of the best things to exist. They hand pull their own mozzarella right in front of you and its our favorite show in Vegas as well as the best edible souvenirs.

It is every food snobs dream come true. Infact, this place will appeal to any person. Pizza, pasta, drinks, sweets – they have a food station for any craving. Enjoy an Aperol Spritz sitting under the sunshine like an Italian or take it to go in a plastic cup Vegas style.

FOOD RECOMMENDATIONS:

  • Tradizionale Pizza – your traditional Neapolitan pizza
  • Charcuterie Board with pickled veggies
  • Nutella Crêpe
  • Espresso
  • Aperol Spritz and Limoncello Spritz

Items to be informed about…

  • The cannoli is Sicilian style with whipped ricotta so it may not be something you’re used to. It’s not as sweet of a filling you find in Italian bakeries in the US.
  • The Presseco and gelato drink at the Il Gelato station is essentially just a scoop in your drink. (Can be spotted in the picture below)

Spotted: Sgroppino in Vegas

drinks, Uncategorized

Could it be? Sgroppino in Las Vegas? And if so, will it be a true Sgroppino like the one found in Italy?

When scoping out the MGM Park we stumbled across a sign saying “Sgroppino.” Our minds were blown. Sgroppino has reached the strip. We found ourselves infront of Primrose, a charming, French inspired bistro. In our excitement, we read on to see if it could possibly be a true Italian Sgroppino… Lemon sorbet – yes! Prosecco – yes! Vodka – yassss! Sounds legit.

Even with all the purple and lavender added, it still sounded like a true Sgroppino just with a fancy remix. We’re in Vegas after all.

We went inside Primrose and ordered our Sgroppino. We saw the bartender immediately grab the cocktail shaker and we cringed. We then knew this would be another Affogato style version of a Sgroppino. Maybe in the states it’s just a scoop of sorbet in alcohol but you guys are really missing out on a true Sgroppino. 

 

Those of you unfamiliar, a Sgroppino is Prosecco, vodka and lemon sorbet whisked together to created a creamy aperitif.  It may sound like the texture would be that of a slushy but it is just like a milkshake. It is so creamy you won’t believe it’s not ice cream.

I am starting the petition now to make Sgroppino the new basic bitch drink for brunch. Please start signatures below in the comment section.  

Vegas Sgroppino – The purple drank. 

Sgroppino in Italy. Salute!

The Definitive Trend Of Spring/Summer 2019 – Tie Dye

fashion, Uncategorized

It’s here! It’s here! Vogue has published their list of trends for Spring/Summer 2019. As Anna Wintour and Vogue editors have carefully selected their favorite looks from fashion week to dictate the trends for the season, tie dye has made the cut for the top 12.

As Nostalgia was the biggest fashion trend of 2018 and The Met Gala’s theme was Camp, it should be no surprise tie dye has circulated back and onto the runway. It truly exploded when Kaia Gerber wore a denim tie-dye boiler suit for Stella McCartney on the Paris catwalk. This caught the eye of fashion forecasters and we began to see this psychedelic pattern pop up in almost every designers collection. No longer solely the style of art teachers and ageing hippies, as tie-dye has returned and become fashion forward. The appeal of this pattern to designers is the symbol of individualism it conveys which is something that can be lacking in fashion these days.

As bloggers and editor’s say tie dye was a dead trend since it’s hippie days, let’s not forget about it’s moment in 2009 when Blumarine revamped the eye-popping print to create a glitzy hippie look. Blumarine redid tie dye the right way but why didn’t it take off then? 2009 was the was the moment camouflage hit runways. Olive and green prints out shined tie dye.

Here we are 10 years later and tie dye is trendy again but this time around it has not been revamped from it’s 70’s look with CMYK colours. We can rummage through our mother’s closet and hope she saved her shirts because today they are completely overpriced. Stella McCartney’s simple tie dye t-shirt retails for $385.

“Stella McCartney’s catwalk show had some of the best iterations – cotton boiler suits and easy-to-wear T-shirts that look like melted Neapolitan ice cream. Miuccia Prada did prim dresses with big pinches of neon colour and Prabal Gurung developed burst-dyed wrap skirts that brought to my mind, in a good way.” – By Caroline Leaper, acting senior fashion editor

From runway to the street, here’s how to add a little haute hippy chic to your own style. First off, please do not pair a Ben&Jerry’s t-shirt with some cutoffs. We think you can do better. (Yes, this was said with a very snobby tone.) In our eyes, to capture this 2019 trend we must go back another 10 years to the exuberance of Blumarine as it captures the Southern European attitude. They are an Italian fashion house creating garments perfect for holidaying in the sun. Blumarine’s tie dye that debuted on Edita Vilkeviciute in 2009 is so much more wearable than today’s tie dye trend.

HUDSON YARDS – NYC

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The hottest thing going on in NYC has been the grand opening of Hudson Yards. For years, there wasn’t much of a reason to visit the far west section of Midtown. There were only train yards and the location of most murders but now it’s a brand new city.  It’s a mini city within New York City.

The $25 billion Hudson Yards development has finally opened to the public, offering an experience of culture, art, and commerce all in one place. They have created a shopping destination like no other.

Half of the 28-acre mini-city by the Hudson River is completed. The rest will be done by 2025. When fully complete, Hudson Yards will include 16 towers of homes and offices, a hotel, a school, the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere, and a performing arts center. 

At the center of it all is Vessel. It’s a maze-like vertical structure that winds up 150 feet into the air. It’s made up of 154 staircases and 80 platforms, zigzagging together to form a web of nearly 2,500 individual stairs. It is free to the public, but you do need a ticket. 

Uncle Nicky’s – Austin

austin, food, Uncategorized

Austin’s hotest new cafe/hangout- Uncle Nicky’s Italian cafe. It’s the Central Perk of Hyde Park.

The casual restaurant features Northern Italian cuisine on their menu with Aperol Spritz and Campari. Truly an authentic Italian spot.

They’re open from 7am to midnight so you can go for a cup of coffee and breakfast sandwich before work or head there on a late night for a night cap and some gelato.

We recommend bringing your laptop and going for a drink, appetizer and the daily flavor of gelato.

TIP: Get the Garibaldi with the fluffy orange. It’s like no other drink we’ve had before. It’s delish! (Pictured above.)

FUN FACT: Dolce Vita on the drink menu pays homage to the previous restaurant that was in the space serving gelato and espresso to the neighborhood for 23 years and closed their doors last year.

Brunch Babes: First Edition

food, fun, nyc, Uncategorized

We love brunch so much, we’ve started a series of our favorite places. Starting with the most over the top brunch spot….

Sorry, Austin but you’ve got nothing on the NYC Brunch scene. NYC Brunch at Bagatelle is an experience like no other.

What is it? Simply put – Brunch meets club. Emulating the champagne brunch parties famous in the South of France, you’ll be popping bottles served by superman, dancing on tables, go-go dancers on the bar, and barely able to hold a conversation over the DJ blasting music. Oh yea, and delicious food.

Brunch in NYC is a lifestyle. Our brunches made Rosé famous. It’s what created the Frosé. Brunch has come a long way and developed into a party scene meets mini vacation vibes. The NYC mentality is work hard, party hard(er).

After a night out at the club in the meatpacking district, why not just carry on the partying with some food in the same area. And that’s just what Bagatelle did. It’s basically a daytime club. It’s over the top. It’s fancy. It’s fun. It’s where everyone wants to be seen.

It’s not cheap though. Spend $2,500 on a jeroboam of Veuve Clicquot and some magnums of Dom Pérignon, and the lights dim, the D.J. cues up the theme from “Superman,” and a waiter is hoisted onto the shoulders of the servers. His arms outstretched as he carries one of the blazing bottles to your table.

Tips:

  • Must make a reservation a month in advance.
  • Only available on Saturday and Sunday.
  • Formal attire only. You will be turned away if not dressed to their liking. Even if you have a reservation!
  • Expect to drop a lot of money.
  • 2 hour max at each table and then you’re kicked out from your table and move to the bar to finish. (Isn’t NYC so kind?)
  • Going with a large group? Order a cocktail in the giant bowl for the table to share and enjoy the fun presentation. (Although, Austinites will not appreciate the box of straws used in the drink.)
  • Food is made to share. They have large portions so order a bunch of items for the table.

It’s a bucket list must for brunching!

Antonelli’s – Austin

austin, fun, Uncategorized

Mmmmmmm Cheeeeeeeese…. Who doesn’t love cheese?! I can’t even associate with you if you say you don’t like cheese. For those “lactose intolerant” – it’s simply a state of mind. Now that we’re all on the same page, I have a cheesy suggestion for you. (No pun intended) Antonelli’s Cheese Shop in Austin hosts cheese classes. Perfect for a date or girls night out.

It’s about an hour and a half class learning about the origin of the cheese you are sampling while sipping on wine. They have pairing suggestions, provide snacks such as almonds and olives, and unlimited bread.

The class is what you make of it – learn as much as you want or you’re just in it for the food. No matter what you’re looking for it’s a fun evening.

TIP: If you want to continue to party after class, head next door to Uncle Nicky’s for gelato and an aperitif.

Ladurée – NYC

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SOHO’s tea room, modeled after the Champs-Élysées flagship, this downtown outpost from the famed Parisian macaron house functions as both a pastry shop and a full-service restaurant and courtyard. The interior – decorated with ornate chandeliers and gold-trimmed curtains offering French accented dishes like foie gras and caviar, makes for the most luxurious tea time. It’s a NYC must visit!

FACT: Famous French pastry chef, Pierre Desfontaines, of the French pâtisserie Ladurée, is credited with the creation of the macaron in the early part of the 20th century.

FUN FACT: Ladurée made the pastries for the film Marie Antoinetts and its famous macarons can be seen in a scene between Marie Antoinette and Ambassador Mercy. They can also be seen in The CW’s hit teen drama Gossip Girl as Blair Waldorf’s favorite pastries. Duchess Meghan made a surprise visit to NYC for a Girls’ Trip & Baby Shower at Ladurée.

TIP: Request to sit in the courtyard for afternoon tea. If you can’t get a reservation or find a seat at a quick service table, grab a seat at the bar in the courtyard and enjoy the elegant ambiance.

‘Tis the Season for Charcuterie

food, Uncategorized

Meat? Good. Cheese? Good. Bread. Gooooood! Everyone loves a charcuterie platter. There’s something for everyone and it’s the easiest thing to put together. Originated by the French, of course they have their own rules and proper guidelines to creating this delectable treat but they are notoriously known for unnecessary steps in baking. Americans are known for finding the shortcut. There’s so many blogs with recipes to create a charcuterie board but there are no rules and no wrong way to make one (In America that is.)

Just follow our easy steps to putting together an epic treat.

Step 1 – get a cutting board or platter. Step 2 – get delicious food. Step 3 – assemble.

Badda bing badda boom. You’re done and everyone’s happy. It’s simply using your creative side that really makes it a charcuterie platter. Add some greens, nuts, dried fruits, and other accoutrements to bring it to the next level.

It is one of our favorite things to snack on or enjoy as a meal. Make one for your party or bring one as a gift to your next event.