Halloween Chic in Upstate NY: Headless Horseman Hayrides, Roxbury Motel

Happy Halloween! The taste level of this holiday varies from spooky, chic to hideous. Halloween in the Catskills can be all three. I enjoyed Headless Horsemen Hayrides and Haunted Houses.

 in Kingston, NY, then an elegantly Gothic stay at the Roxbury Motel. An incredible dinner was had at Savona's Trattoria in Kingston NY.

First off, the Headless Horseman hayride was much more impressive than I had imagined. The imaginative effects, narrator, animatronics and wide range of scary performers were very creative. The ride is followed by a series of nine haunted attractions in different themes. They ranged from motel, corn maze, cemetery diner, greenhouse and more grotesque vignettes. Let me tell you, I usually HATE haunted houses and gory crap. My idea of a good time is NOT having hillbillies jump out from corners with a chainsaw. However, the production quality and talent of performers were so well done; this was nothing but fun. Some of the performers had a great sense of humor with their characters while others knew how to work their look into the atmosphere. 

The attractions were well organized where each attraction led into another (with plenty of freedom to go at your pace to break for cider and doughnuts). The entire experience lasted for about 2 1/2 hours.

For dinner, my crew headed to nearby Kingston NY. Savona's Trattoria had a cozy atmosphere, other  friendly staff. My group had four pretentious Manhattan foodies, and we left wanting to return immediately for brunch. Standout fall dishes were the seared scallops over pancetta and butternut squash ravioli and a rich fig, gorgonzola and prosciutto salad.

If you want high glamor with your Halloween camp, the Roxbury Motel in the Catskills is the lodging of your dreams.  We procured the "Noir Boudoir" suite which was loosely based on the Addams Family. 

Posh elements included the plush velvet couches and flocked wallpaper with sparkling art glass tiles. Tongue-in-cheek elements included long-haired lamps like "Cousin It," taxidermy, skull mirrors and tooth model soap dishes. Double-headed showers were a sexy feature as were the full-size chocolate bars on your pillow. If Gothic style isn't your thing, the Roxbury has themed rooms for many other tastes like Indiana Jones, Wizard of  Oz and Charlie's Angels to name a few. A deluxe continental breakfast awaits in the morning. There is an onsite small spa where you can soak in a hot tub or get spa treatments.

So are you ready for your hayride? A posh stay at the Roxbury Motel? Get spooky!

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Paris Guide: Eat, Sleep, Saint James Paris

If you want a sexy as hell hotel to stay in during Paris Fashion Week, look no further than the Saint James Paris. Really. It is in a beautiful 19th-century chateau with a contemporary, cheeky decor on the inside. You have animal prints mixed with vintage illustrations and marbled wallpaper. Interior design fans would have a decor-gasm just looking at the stairs. The library bar has sultry lighting and fantastic cocktails. The formal dining room is the perfect fantasy of classic luxury. The terrace outside is like an Alice in Wonderland dream garden.

The hot air balloon theme I saw running through the hotel (the wallpaper on the stairwell, the giant booths at the restaurant, the sculptures of the ceiling) from designer Bambi Sloane are a tribute to the location. The posh neighborhood was home to the first airfield in Paris where Montgolfier hot air balloons departed. Coincidentally, my husband had proposed to me the day he took me for a hot-air balloon ride. Our stay at the Saint James was a celebration of our 10th wedding anniversary.

Our anniversary dinner and last night in Paris were at the hotel restaurant. The night was so beautiful that we chose to sit outside in the garden with the giant balloon booths. The outdoor setting did not take anything away from the fine dining experience. Every dish was beautifully presented. It was a mix of classic French with a bit of modernist molecular gastronomy thrown in. Amuse-bouche included puff pastry with anchovy mousse and sweet tomato gelatin. I had a veal dish with a Rochefort crust. The cheese cart is just an aphrodisiac on wheels. Cocktails are epic creations onto themselves.

There is a luxe Guerlain spa onsite with lots of luscious-looking treatments. Guests are free to use the steam rooms and nicely appointed gym. If you are staying here for Paris Fashion Week, they'll make sure you look glowing. Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to get to those this time. The staff was sweet. The restaurant manager gave me a jar of jam made by their kitchens as a souvenir. The concierge was very helpful in directing me to locations and instructing me on how to pronounce items I was looking for.

I was so sad to leave Saint James Paris for the airport. Any day you leave Paris is a sad day.

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Paris Perfume Workshop - How To Blend Your Own Perfume

Is there a more indulgent beauty purchase in Paris than a custom-blended perfume? The afternoon was the most luxurious of DIY classes, a Paris perfume workshop in the posh neighborhood of the 16th arrondissement. I learned the basics of creating a scent from one of the famous "noses" of the industry, Marina Jung-Allegret.

Marina has created signature fragrances for many brands and served as a consultant for Givenchy and Christian Dior. She taught the workshop in her stylish flat as part of her L'ABC du Parfum school. She also leads seminars for companies and teaches marketing as well.

The key points in blending a fragrance? You should have 2-3 top "notes" that define your scent. General categories include types like floral, Oriental, spicy and green. You could have many "notes" though. Florals include flowers like cassis, Lily, and bergamot that also are the quickest to fade. More woodsy and heavier notes include ingredients like oak moss and cashmere wood that stay in the scent the longest. Then you have warm notes like vanilla or medium weights like exotic fruits, green tea, powdery iris, etc. Ideally, you have a blend of different elements that make your perfume have a complex character from the first impression to last.

While natural essential oils are used, many ingredients have been synthesized as standard industry practice since the late 1800s. This is particularly necessary for popular ingredients like musk which originally required the killing of animals to obtain. Synthetic ingredients are also necessary for stability.

My first blend, I tried a mix of things I thought would smell good, like bergamot, blackberry, mandarines and violets. It turned out to be far too sweet and fruity. With Marina's help, I learned how to round out a fragrance and add elements I didn't expect to achieve my final blend. The "Mlle. Fabuleux" fragrance ultimately contains a combination of bergamot, cashmere wood, musk, clove, melon, green tea, mandarin and pink pepper for what Jung-Allegret categorized as "Fresh/Spicy".

The class was a small group, there were two ladies from New Zealand, one from Mexico, a local Parisian and myself. Marina taught in both English and French. Make a day of it as this area of Paris was perfect for shopping and finding treats before and after the workshop. You can book your Paris perfume workshop through the L'ABC du Parfum site by contacting them directly. However, I had originally booked through Tripadvisor's Viator site because I had found a $10 discount code online. You can use the Viator $10 code to book this and other excursions too.

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Paris Street Style 2016 -Haute Couture Week

Shooting Haute Couture was a dream come true for me. The rest of the week was spent enjoying the real life personal style of the Parisian fashion crowd. Catching street style in the shows, outside of the fashion shows, backstage and at parties was a glimpse of how the fashion crowd dresses on this side of the ocean. I found that there was a relaxed vibe to most Paris citizens with a bit of rock n' roll. Skinny jeans and pants were often paired with long draped jackets and shawls for the ladies.

Two musts for Paris street style. The first, you MUST have a long scarf. The skills to artfully drape it around your neck is essential. This wasn't just around Paris fashion week, this was for all of Paris, as my husband observed. Second was the jacket worn as a cape. I saw this with any jacket. It could be the oversized topper, the moto jacket, the blazer or any Haute Couture creation encrusted with 20 000 manual labor hours of beading. To be fair, the jacket and scarf could be due to the uncharacteristically cold summer that Paris has been having. The chic identifiers were supremely practical.

Again, it could just be that it was cold this week, but fur accessories were a key element in Paris Fashion Week looks. Fur wraps, collars, keychains, handbags were all there. How warm they actually kept you could be debated. I suspect it was more for psychological warmth.

Prints, more prints, head-to-toe, a graphic dance all over the streets of Paris. While this look dominates photographer's street style shots of women, it has made its way into menswear street style as well. The big patterned statement jacket, pants or even jumpsuit have been spotted on the gents near Paris Fashion Week

The moto jacket is still huge in Paris. The difference is there were very tailored or sculpted silhouette styles or crazy color combinations because they were likely to be high-end designer renditions of them. Often, they were paired with a super feminine dress or designer skirt as a way to add some edge to a classically beautiful outfit.

So there you have it, my top Haute Couture Paris street style trends. They are all easy to incorporate into your own wardrobe. Get shopping!

Check out PFW Haute Trend Roundup

by Ms. Fabulous at Mode

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Fes, City of Leather

Want to witness the lovely art of leather tanning and leather fashion history? If you ever travel to Morocco, make sure a trip to Chouara Tannery in Fes is on your agenda. Leather tanning in Fes is an amazing site to behold. 

There, you will see raw animal skins drying and being dyed in a giant city square in clay vessels. You will see the richest of pigments and workers sweating it out with a process that has not changed since the 12th century. It doesn't smell pretty. A key ingredient in the dying process is pigeon poop that softens the leather, while limestone helps singe the fur off.

What do you visit the tannery will determine what colors you see in the vats. As intense as the colors, the dyes are made from natural sources. Red pigments come from poppy flowers, blues from indigo, yellows are made from expensive saffron petals.

The end products are found in the labyrinth of medina stalls around you. If you ever dreamed of losing yourself shopping Fes is the place to do it. You will find endless choices of handbags and slippers made locally. The silhouettes and intensely vivid colors are gorgeous. The slippers are perfect for Boho street style selfies. Hell, every angle of this city Instagram-worthy. 

Negotiating a fair price for your fashion haul might seem intimidating. I have shopped markets around the world and find the (mostly) men here more easy going than other countries for a touristy area. In my experience, the men here will start a little high, but they are quick to let you know what price is acceptable quickly rather than do the dance for hours. When the deal and purchase is made, they always ask if you are happy. They don't like for you to leave with bad vibes (but to be clear, they will let you leave with your money in their pockets if need be). 

All photos by Mariana Leung

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Fabric Printing in Rajasthan

After covering lots of high-tech fashion design, I wanted to bring you to an area of the world that proudly maintains the traditions of the past. In India, I was fortunate to visit fabric printing factories in Rajasthan.

Here, they use a mud resist technique called Dabu, dating back hundreds of years. The wood blocks are hand-carved. Each color needs an individual woodblock. The pigments are made from natural materials like dried flowers, seed oils and clay. There are different techniques, some have an indigo base, some on a white fabric base. The motifs are passed down from generation to generation. There are regional patterns.

These processes may seem simple because they have evolved little in the past few centuries, they are still highly technical. The woodblocks are made for different purposes. There are holes carved behind the delicate patterns or in between the motifs to ventilate certain printing techniques or allow pigments to spread properly. Particularly intricate patterns may be intended for embroidery layouts. The shape of the blocks themselves may be designed to fit like puzzle pieces to be combined with other motifs.

In a region where traditional households are the norm, I was surprised to find so many smiling women working here and enjoying each other's company. While they were still quite shy and hid their faces when my Dad arrived to photograph them, they were very welcoming when I was in their studio  to shoot their work.

We are so used to seeing machine printing and digital printing of very complex designs that when we see these fabrics used in our favorite Boho chic boutiques or festival fashion street style shots, we don't think about all of the hands that have painstakingly worked on them with artisanal techniques. Each color, border, and motif are hand-printed individually. Then they are washed, treated and dried in open air.

In the United States, clothing deliveries are coordinated with fleets of late-model trucks. As you can see in the top photo, petite women are bundling their handicrafts to be carried by delivered on camel.

 Fashion trends are being knocked off from brand to brand. The media is filled with issues of cultural appropriation. It was surprising to find out that India was leading globally with legal protections on their traditional arts. It says a lot about their cultural pride and how much people and their skills are valued.

You may be familiar with the exorbitant cost of  Haute Couture clothing. Few of us can afford a gown from a Parisian atelier. Clothing made by the masterful techniques of fabric printing in Rajasthan are works of art that are much more accessible. You would be wearing natural fabrics with natural pigments and supporting artisans trying to keep their traditions alive.

All photos by Mariana Leung

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Accessories, Necessities, and Garments: What to Pack for Loreto

One day you’re going to wake up and discover you’re on your way to Loreto and wonder what to pack for the trip. The first thing that will come to mind is how to evoke the spirit a dream Mexican vacation through wardrobe. Brainstorming looks and browsing online stores cover-ups, and sun dresses fills up your spare time leading up to the trip.  Today I am going to provide suggestions on what to pack for Loreto Mexico which will include accessories, necessities, and garments. 

During a recent vacation I made the trip to Mexico and stayed at the Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto resort. This trip marked my second experience with the property so I had an idea of what I needed which saved on overweight baggage fees.  During 4 day trips I typically pack 2-3 swim suites.  Since Loreto has the perfect balance of land and sea activities I suggest packing multifunctional pieces.  When shopping for bathing suits or 2- piece sets I go for items that I can wear with one of my many maxi skirts, under a maxi dress, or with shorts.  On one excursion hosted by Villa del Palmar, we went from a boat ride to an island, and concluded with shopping trip in town.  It was very convenient to slip on a vibrant maxi skirt over my houndstooth bathing suit and become a part of the colorful canvas which is the town of Loreto Mexico.

Packing solid color dresses that can be dressed up with accessories such as anchor chains, bracelets, chandelier earrings, and bangles.  I particularly like the long flowy cotton/ spandex maxi dresses sold at Old Navy.  The brand sells these dresses year-round and comes out with their new models at the first of the year.  Since I travels o frequently, I tend to stock up once a year in preparation for my unknown adventures at that tend to take place later on in the year.  Lastly, if you are like me and take advantage of hotel gyms then I would suggest packing workout clothing and sneakers for small hikes.

Warm days lead to cool nights so I recommend bring a light sweater and/or windbreaker.  I typically create a travelers first aid kit which includes quick fixes for minor vacation related challenges. 

Things such as sunblock, Aloe Vera gel for burn, Neosporin for bites, Cortizone for rashes, baby wipes, Band-Aids, Advil, tide stick, and alcohol pads.  Additionally, I packed a late tote for shopping and 2 large, 2 small Ziploc bags for wet swim suits, seashells, and other items that need to be separated from your clothing. 

During my time at Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto I spent a lot of time taking pictures of the scenic views around the property and beyond.  The sleepy tourist town just beyond the resort required little fuss as far as styling goes.  Everyone appeared to have transitioned from the beach to the market and back.  Regardless of what you pack I suggest spending more time relaxing than anything else.  There is no dress code for a stress free vacation.

This article was written by Kitty Bradshaw | Website | Instagram | FaceBook | Twitter

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FAB Getaway: Literary Speakeasies, Steel Chic in Bethlehem PA

I love NYC but crave a weekend escape. As a lifelong city dweller, I enjoy a getaway to a smaller town, but spoiled enough to expect culinary and stylish marvels when I get there. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is a destination that did not disappoint. I found shopping, great cocktails, culture and foodies all over the place.

The cocktail culture that swept Manhattan two decades ago is hitting Bethlehem hard right now. Every restaurant on Main street offered up a menu of creative libations with varying degrees of success. The real treat however was outside of the main area of downtown and in the basement of an apartment building.

The Bookstore Speakeasy looks like an old den of musty books. Beyond the first impression, you will walk back in time to an old-school bar/salon. The bartenders were dressed in vests and sleeve garters. The thick tome of cocktails was almost irrelevant as it was better to just tell them what you like to drink and they would craft something worthy of it. The biggest surprise was the excellent food there. Peach short ribs, an interesting take on shrimp nachos and other good sized plates on their appetizer menu that would count as an entree in NYC. A live trio added to the decadent vibe.

For the arts or industrial beauty? I fell in love with the rusted metal structure of the old Hoover Mason Trestle. A former steel factory, the site has now been turned into Steel Stacks, an arts center and event space. You can roam the iron stacks then enjoy free concerts at the base. Catch an independent movie or sip wine and nibble on upscale fast food.

Steel is a big theme for this town. One of the most interesting boutiques along Main Street is the Steel Beam. Opened by Fay Fitch, she is a Parsons Fashion School of Design grad like me who worked with many top designers in New York before returning to her home town. I guess that concept resonates with me. Her shop is a mix of her own collection, curated designer samples and the collections of indie designers in jewelry, accessories, and home decor in addition to fashion.

Where to stay? For old-school beauty, the Historic Hotel Bethlehem is the way to go. Popular for weddings, it has soaring arched windows in the restaurant, original stone structures dating back to the 1700s. The rooms are cozy and the hotel is lavishly decorated for the holidays. If you like a contemporary chain, the Hamptons Inn is nearby. It has a pool, great snack bar and breakfast buffet.

Other shops I loved included the Moravian bookshop. This was a sprawling retailer of books, home decor, gifts, chocolatier, stationery, and cafe that sold artisanal meade along with the usual java and pastries. It supports local creatives with events and showcases of their talent as a gallery.  For olive oil, cheeses, foodie gifts, Seasons is great for a housewarming gift or something to pair with your wine.

Speakeasy Bookshop photo by Express-Times Photo | BRUCE WINTER, all other photos by Mariana Leung

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Street Style Vietnam - Hmong Fashion

My trip-of-a-lifetime to Vietnam yielded wonderful experiences with the hill tribes of Northern Vietnam.  The amazing thing about meeting these women from rural communities was their elaborate clothing.  The Hmong tribes are one of the biggest groups in the area and are further broken down into groups like the Black Hmong, White Hmong, Flower Hmong, Striped Hmong, etc.

The Flower Hmong are famous for the colorful embroidered garb that they wear.  The color combinations that I saw were gorgeously complementary. There were combinations of neon, sorbet colors, violet and blues... Many included beaded fringe along the shoulder and chest.  Some had head wraps of colorful tartan.  The colors were so bright, I can’t imagine some of them existed hundreds of years ago as the history of their clothing suggests. The image of these elaborately dressed women were particularly striking when you saw them coming toward you through the mud, rain and mountain sized animal droppings on the road in their pristine outfits.

Embroidery is a skill passed down through the female elders to daughters and younger females.  It is an essential marketable skill where they create handicrafts to sell or make clothes for their families

The Black Hmong group is identified by the deep black indigo-dyed base fabric of their costumes; usually made of natural hemp.  They are often embroidered with red, purple, blue, white, green trims and hand embroidery with knotted motifs.  Elements of their look include leg wraps, coat, an embroidered apron type

piece at the front and back, embroidered arm embellishments and tied back hair or hat. 

Many families live in homes without electricity in farm communities. However, a lot of the women who worked as guides or vendors had the latest phones (plus accessories).  Inside their traditional jackets, I observed many of the Hmong women sporting the latest pop culture tees or bedazzled with fashionable studs. I also loved the bright wellies on this group above during a rainy day.

I saw women with intricately carved silver earrings and necklaces.  Unlike embroidery or weaving, jewelry is a craft dominated by men.  The men hand-tool or hammer out the patterns onto the metal.

A signature piece of jewelry for the Black Hmong is a large carved silver hoop around their neck that often has multiple silver chains dangling from it.  Jewelry is often a wedding gift or family gift for significant locations.  How is that for a statement necklace?

Photos by Mariana Leung

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Shopping in Hanoi: Metiseko

Like the cuisine, the best shopping Hanoi can be found in the fusion of French flavors and Vietnamese handiwork.  Metiseko is a popular destination for chic women's and children's fashion and home decor.    With the stress on the "eko" (eco) part of the collection, the brand features organic and sustainable silks and cottons in their products.

Creative director Florence Mussou designs the collection with the lifestyle of the world traveller as muse.  She herself is French and studied art before journeying to Vietnam.  The pretty prints are stylized graphic interpretations of traditional Vietnamese motifs like dragonflies, lotus leaves and rice.  The goods are environmentally friendly and have a relaxed, happy vibe.

Visiting the Hanoi shop itself was a little oasis from the chaos of mopeds and over stimulation outside.  Situated on Hang Gai, the street of silk, the store staff were all chatty and friendly with a love of the collection.  The boutique is having a party later this week and promotes a wellness lifestyle I think we could all benefit from.

If you can't travel to Hanoi, shop from Metiseko online.

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Karina Wollinsky - Indie Italian Chic

Far away from Milan, even far away from the city of Florence. I was pleasantly surprised to find a stylish boutique in the tiny town of Panzano in Chianti. This sleepy village was mostly famous for it's butcher and agricultural history...Not fashion.

I walked into the chic space of Verso X Verso, a store that sold custom and handmade shoes on one side. The other side had a small, exquisite collection of sculpted women's clothes. Each jacket, skirt and top were meticulously pieced. The silhouettes were very flattering to the curves.

The woman behind this hidden pocket of glamour was Karina Wollinsky. She started her career in economics, but came back to her dream of indie fashion design after studying at the Florence School for Fashion.

The designer has a clear passion for her work. Touching the shoes and seeing the clothes, you appreciate her eye for detail too. She can be contacted at info@versoxverso.com

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FAB Paris: My Favorite Shops in 3 hours

I had a pitiful 36 hours in Paris. I was only able to shop for 3 of them. I hit the Place Vendome area after a trip to the Musee Les Arts Decoratifs. You can see museum-worthy antique shops and the home boutiques of the top designers of Paris of course. You can also seek out unique designers at stores that strive to bring you something different.
Colette at 213 Rue St. Honore has a modern, rebellious tone. It houses some of your favorite forward designers like Gareth Pugh and McQueen. It also features bold new names like Mary Katrantzou. Gadget geeks will also find the sleekest of tech accessories for their stylish obsessions.

Podium Jewellery drew me in immediately. This Moscow-based chain has boutiques for fashion and interior decor in addition to jewelry. This particular store on 334 Rue St. Honore housed one-of-a-kind pieces from independent designers. Some designers worked with avant-garde motifs, another re-purposed heirloom items and exotic artifacts into elaborate necklaces.
Over in the trendy Le Marais district, my favorite boutique was Arte Else. This petite shop at 12 Rue de Sevigne housed handmade clothing and jewelry by independent designers. The delicate creations included a multi-darted tulle tunic, a feather embroidered corset and sculpted blouses.

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