The Dress Details: Opening Night, Godspell

I'm back from an amazing weekend in New York.  I will spill all of the details about my weekend in the city tomorrow.  Today, it is all about fashion!  Here are all of the details on my look from the opening night of the Broadway revival of Godspell.

Stylist:  Roni B
Hair:  Dry Bar
Dress: Silver Kiss
Shoes:  Steve Madden $76.95
I received comments about these shoes all night.  They are 5.5" heels with 2"platforms. Yes, I was tall.  I love them and yes, you've seen them here before.
Elephant Ring:  Betsey Johnson
Oval Ring:  Forever 21 $6
Earrings:  Roni B.
Bag:  Roni B
Textured Tights:  Gap $7

The most expensive thing on me that night was my shoes which were bought in the Fall of 2010 for under $77.  Otherwise, all of the accessories and the dress were under $60.  I just want to show you that a red carpet look can be done rather inexpensively.  The attire for the evening was suggested as "festive".  I think I am one of the few that adhered to that request.  I loved being the bright color in a sea of black cocktail dresses.  I clearly was not in LA, since NY loves their black.  It's a good safe choice, but it's fun to stand out and be warm at the same time.  Yay for long sleeves!

The accessories were designed to add another unexpected color to the look.  So, gold and royal blue were added to my earrings and ring.  The clutch remained black to tie into the tights, shoes, and the hint of black in the dress.  Finally, the faux hawk added a bit of fun to the entire look.  Dry Bar hooked me up with the braids as an added touch.  I must say I have new respect for the ladies who rock braids every day.  I loved them, but wow, they are tight and made my head itch.  I thought I would keep them all week, but I caved after 2 1/2 days.  I'm a total wimp.

Are You Game, NYC? 2011

It's that time again for Women's Health Magazine's Are You Game?  This time, it's your turn, NYC!  I hope you come and join me this Saturday, September 17th at our new location at South Street Seaport from  10AM-4:30PM.  I promise you a day of "fitness, food, makeovers, style, pampering, free stuff, live music, and much more."  If you think that isn't enough, check out the list (See Below) of activities and events for the day or if you want to sweat it out with Louis Van Amstel of Dancing With The Stars, click here for the schedule.  You can register on site for the classes.  I will be emceeing all day by the DJ booth, so come and say "hi" in between your workouts.

WORK IT OUT Shake & Sculpt Workout Center Ride for Your Life Cycling Center Total Body Boot Camp Rock Climbing GET THE LOOK Beauty Lab Manicures, brow sculpting, hairstyling and makeup application. Style Lab Services provided by Style Made Simple One-on-one "shop your shape" stylist consultations Oakley Picture Perfect photo booth Enter-to-win sweepstakes Athleta Enter-to-win sweepstakes PUMA Find your perfect pair

BE YOUR BEST Love Well, Live Well Relationship advice and tarot card readings Great Minds: Ask the Experts Nutrition counseling with Laura Cipullo, RD, CDE, and Martha McKittrick, RD, CDE Fitness assessments Dental hygiene consultations with Crest Pro-Health™ Crest Pro-Health™ Invigorate your way to a better dental checkup American Cancer Society "Run the Blue Carpet" gait analysis DetermiNation sign-up RE-FUEL & RELAX Chair Massages Crystal Light Hydration Station Cooking Demos & Book Signing Featuring MasterChef winner Whitney Miller Happy Hour 12:00PM – 4:30 PM

Road to the Tonys, Day 2

I'm here in NYC!  Here's a quick video of me and my camerawoman extraordinaire, Annie, outside of the Beacon Theatre.  The good news is that Annie is running the camera tomorrow night.  The bad news is that I ran the camera today.  Sorry about that, kids.  Anyway, enjoy the video and are we sure the Tonys are being held here tomorrow?  There's no signage!!  Talk to the Oscars, it's all about self-promotion.



Photo courtesy of The Tony Awards.

Peter Luger Steakhouse

One of my favorite things to do in NY is to see a great show and eat amazing food.  Well, I did eat amazing food, but the show was uh......okay, let's leave it at that.  So, getting 50% correct isn't bad, right? I will leave you with a photo of Times Square busting at the seams just an hour before curtain.  It's a sight that I will never tire of.

Fortunately, my total meat-fest at Peter Luger Steakhouse in Brooklyn more than made up for the show.  This restaurant has been around since 1887, so it is a total food institution in the outer borough.  You have to check your vegan diet at the door and indulge in the tender, juicy medium-rare Porterhouse steak.

Honestly, you don't need to read the menu.  Let your waiter order for you, they know the menu better than anyone.  Some of the items we indulged in that I forgot to take a photo of because I was too busy stuffing my face included:  jumbo shrimp cocktail, creamed spinach, Beefsteak tomato and onion salad, schlag, and an apple turnover.  I could have eaten a bowlful of the schlag AKA the Austrian word for "with whipped cream" all on my own.  Finally, don't forget to top it all off with Peter Luger's famous horseradish sauce. (just not the dessert!)  My mouth is watering just thinking about the meal....

Bacon, bacon, bacon was the complete topper to the Beefsteak and onion salad.  It was heaven.  Be sure to visit Peter Luger Steakhouse the next time you are in NY, don't forget to make a reservation, and bring cash, no credit cards accepted.

Shopping in New York

As you know from my previous trips here and here, NYC is my home.  I can't get enough of the sounds, the smells, the food, the theatre, and the shopping!  It took me only 32 minutes to make a dent in my wallet with a ring, pendant, and earring purchase, followed by my coveted Jessica Simpson shoe splurge.

I wasn't planning on buying any jewelry, but I stumbled into the place on my way out of my favorite NYC sandwich joint, Cosí.  It's called Secret of Treasures (488 7th Ave, New York 10018) and everything is approximately $2.99 and under, so it's a costume jewelry fan's dream.   I scooped up a Murano glass ring.

How can you resist?  This colorful pile of Murano glass pendants was so enticing.  I only picked up one, but I could have sorted through the pile for days.  I also grabbed a pair of earrings bringing my shopping total to $9.77 for three pieces of jewelry.  Now, that's what I call a bargain!

Finally, you know I have been coveting these shoes from Jessica Simpson.   The girl may be a mediocre singer and actress, but she has a billion dollar fashion empire.  Yes, I said BILLION.  These are the Dany shoes that department stores and online sites cannot keep in stock.  It is a huge 5" heel with a 2" platform heel, but they are comfortable and easy to walk in.  I wish it was warm in NYC right now so I could sport them to the theatre tonight.  I think I have finished with my shopping here in the city, but I still have another 12 days to go.........wish me luck!

Nobody Does It Better: Christmas in NY

After Nashville, I hit NYC for a few meetings and to catch up with a couple of old friends.  It's been such a busy month that Christmas has barely registered on my holiday meter--until I hit the Big Apple.  It was exactly what I needed to put me in the holiday spirit:  carolers on the street, an explosion of Christmas decorations, and the chaos of Rockefeller Center.  It was a great reminder, no one does the holiday season better than New York City.  Come join me for a quick tour in pictures:

The show isn't that good anymore, but people still camp out in 20 degree weather to wait for Saturday Night Live tickets. Jeff Bridges was the host this week:

The hustle and bustle around the Rockefeller tree:      

     

I'm home!  Times Square:

Believe it or not, this show is selling out:

Thanks to my friend, Ken, I was able to take in Colin Quinn's one man show directed by Jerry Seinfeld. It was an uneven performance with the best material saved for the last twenty minutes of the show.  The show is running through February 2nd.  My recommendation?  Save your money.

 St. Patrick's Cathedral always has the prettiest manger set up each holiday season.

My real church is Sak's Fifth Avenue's 10022.  Here is their holiday window display:

With a divine pair of Jimmy Choo sparkly silver shoes that are perfect for New Year's Eve:

Ugh, the crowds:

I didn't have a chance to see the Radio City Christmas Show, but just the sight of the theatre makes me excited for the holidays:

A magnificent view from the upper level of the Time Warner Center overlooking Columbus Circle.  For you SATC fans, the center fountain is where Aidan and Carrie realize that their wedding will never happen despite the picture perfect moment and outfit.  

Don't forget to enter the Holiday Makeup Giveaway.  You have until 11:59 PM PST tonight.  Happy Holidays!