As if being invited to preview Jimmy Choo’s new “The Season” collection wasn’t enough, they sent over the very best of their heels and clutches for me to select from the wear to the event. Total priceless moment. The luncheon was at Christie’s private space high atop Rockefeller Center and Sante D’Orazio’s supermodel retrospective was hanging on the walls. What a chic day!

If ever there were a designer who did something first it’s Tom Binns. He created costume “bling” before that word was torture to the ears. When it comes to Mr. Binn’s world what once were pieces created for editorial now are worn by gals who understand that there really is no better way to make a fashion statement then with your gems and jewels. I spotted this in the window of his New York City shop. It’s just so good, right?

Springtime in New York has arrived, especially on the High Line! The buds are blooming. I snapped this on a long walk.

Italian jewelry line Iosselliani has opened a flagship in NYC in NoMad called NY-04-IOS (4 West 29th St).
They have a mix of fine jewelry and big, bold and bad (ass) costume pieces.
The design duo behind the label has a distinct pedigree ranging from positions at Alessandro dell’Aqua to Missoni.
With retailers such as the brilliant boutique Ikram carrying the line they’ve been available stateside for some time but now the label has their own boutique here in New York www.ioselliani.com.

A friend introduced me to KeSARI a few years ago raving about the traditional Indian beauty elements that the line incorporates. Rather than indicating “directions” on their products it says “ritual” and I just love that. The Indian oil Hair Serum has saffron “the Spice of the Gods” in it and gives my hair the most gorgeous shine. The Pore Minimizing Clay Masque renews your skin and is “the crown jewel of the Indian bridal tradition.” I use it two times a week and my skin glows right after. Seriously. It also doesn’t hurt in my book that the packaging is exquisite. These are my two favorite products but the whole line can be found here www.kesaribeauty.com.

Known for red soles and killer sexy high heels Christian Louboutin has launched mens shoes and now he’s famous for flats. Say what? Well, take a look at these. Pastel pink and dove grey stud on patent slipper flats. They’re sort of hard to resist (and they have red soles, of course!). To see the endlessly wonderful world of Christian Louboutin and to buy his chicer than thou shoes look here www.us.christianlouboutin.com.

Mega global brand Levi’s is the denim go to. While they have mass appeal there is also a lesser known aspect of the brand. They have a made to order bespoke tailor shop in their New York City Meatpacking shop. You can pick, choose, design and have a one-of-a-kind pair of jeans made just for you. This project is so cool. www.levi.com.

I am always on the hunt for the best sushi spot in New York City and friends, I have finally found it. The underground sushi den Sushi Azabu beneath Greenwich Grill in Tribeca is it. The 8 seat sushi bar is all about Omakase so give yourself over the the Gods manning it. It’s so totally secluded and insider-y that it took me a while to track it down. Some have called it the Holy Grail of sushi. I’ll make it easier on you. Call 212-274-0428.

When my friend Chef Eric Ripert sent me a little note giving me the head’s up that he was sending over a tin of his Eric Ripert Caviar for me to taste I could not have pulled out the bellinis any quicker. First, yes he has his own line of caviar. Second, as the co-owner of exquisite restaurant Le Bernardin he is the symbol of luxury and uses only the highest standard of product. He most certainly does not put his name on everything and anything. He puts it on what he backs and supports and believes in.

I love pop art and constant access to spending time at The Whitney Museum is one of the things I cherish most about living in New York City. Claes Oldenberg’s Giant Fagendes (1967) is one of my favorites large scale pieces housed there. The work consists of massive oversized crumpled up cigarette butts in an ashtray. Visit this piece and the other extraordinary pieces at www.Whitney.org.

One of the most glorious aspects of Spring are the beautiful flowering branches that grow in and around New York. Some of the best are dogwood, cherry, quince, magnolia and forsythia. It’s a very simple and beautiful way to add flowers to a room without having to do a whole lot of arranging. Plus the height always seems to impress people. My mom did this arrangement for a recent lunch we had. She’s totally #spyluxe but you can easily do this too. I love to shop for them at the Union Square Green Market www.grownyc.org.

Using flowers in abundance allows for maximum impact but it’s often the case that what I love is a fortune. Happily, that’s not the case with tulips and right now it’s the season for the beautiful French variation. I threw this together and it puts a smile on everyone’s face when they come over because it means winter is finally leaving us and Spring is ushering it’s way in.

It turns out my absolute favorite breakfast/brunch go-to The Grey Dog has a catering arm and it has been around since 1998! Now I am all for reporting on what is new and delicious but there is nothing quite like finding out your tried and true staple spot will cater for you at home. With three locations in the city (one conveniently near me on University Place) they really focus on super fresh ingredients and fare from local farmers but not in a precious way. The food is hardy and my daughter loves it (probably because they make their pancakes in the shape of dog biscuits). Her birthday is approaching so get ready for my call Grey Dog. www.TheGreyDog.com

Interior Designer Richard Mishaan has set up shop again and this time I get to pop in all the time as it’s right near my apartment on University Place. Named Homer, it houses Mishaan’s finds from current photographers to French estate pieces to Asian urns adorned with jewelry. The first thing you notice is the spread of prices. He has everything from a $5 item to a $5000 piece (and beyond) and that’s refreshing since that’s the way I decorate. Explore Mishaan’s magical eye here www.homerdesign.com.

As a New Yorker and somebody deeply involved in our fashion community I always applaud designers who make their products here at home like Michelle Vale. Admit it, you always need the perfect tote because you are a New Yorker, we tend to schlep a lot around. Michelle Vale has created a simple shape in adorable colors (Sarah Jessica Parker loves the pink, I personally love the metallic linen with a silver handle). Buy them here www.MichelleVale.com.

I was with Jennifer Creel the other evening and was just raving about how much I adore her sunglass collection MODO for Jennifer Creel. With chic names like Talitha and Sabrina those in-the-know wear these sunnies. Personally, I love the Virgina (shown here) www.modoshop.com. Or look on Jennifer’s own site as she has oodles of chic items she designs www.JenniferCreel.com.

I covet these Christian Louboutin tie die platforms. I lust, I must, they are #spyluxe. Think about them for Spring with a white dress, lapis jewelry and clean makeup. Sounds like heaven to me. www.christianlouboutin.com

My husband David and I adore a restaurant in the Hamptons called Estia’s Little Kitchen. It’s the best spot for brunch, without a doubt. They make a breakfast dish called the gringo bowl that has a slew of Mexican flavors and a perfectly cooked egg that sits atop it. While our creation is no where near as good as Chef Colin Ambrose’s it takes inspiration from it. Estia’s attracts celebs like Alec Baldwin (he has a dish called Big Al’s burrito this is named after him) but I usually find myself so focused on the amazing food that my eyes aren’t really darting around hunting for bold face name spottings.

Where do community and creativity meet? Hiho Batik in Brooklyn that’s where. I love a good DIY project but I live in Manhattan and no matter how much space I give our daughter to paint, bejewel and do a slew of sticker projects it’s never enough. Then I felt a little less stress about the city space deprivation when I discovered a store where kids can make their own clothing. The back “make your own space” is brilliant for daily DIY projects and a really cool, unexpected spot to host your kids’ birthday parties. A nice Maggie Gyllenhaal celeb sighting doesn’t hurt either. www.hihobatik.com

I will admit that one of the coolest people I have ever met is Drew Barrymore. Listen, she’s a girl after my own heart, she launched her own Pinot Grigio. The wine is solid and she talks about it with true passion. She wanted to create a wine that us workaholics (herself included) could enjoy a few glasses of at the end of the day. It’s called Barrymore and I bet you’ve seen it but maybe haven’t attached it to Drew. Anyway, it’s great and I drank more than one glass of it with her while she talked to me about her recent endeavor Flower, her makeup line for Walmart. The packaging is beyond good. Solid shiny white lipstick tubes with rose gold detailing is the highlight amongst the lot.

I don’t know about you but no matter how many time I edit the contents of my bag there’s still too much in there. In terms of my makeup case which I insist on lugging around, I wish I could cut the contents of it in half. Truthfully, all of those “weightless” foundations and “lightweight” lipsticks end up adding up to some serious pounds. Two in one items have never been for me. The blush/lipstick/eyeshadow product leaves my stumped. Why would you want all three to look the same? I haven’t found the perfect makeup solution but I have found the perfect hand cream/lip balm duo. It’s SO me, it’s called luxe. The bébé duette by Votre Vu is a must have addition to your makeup bag.

My love affair with DIY ideas continues and my niece Abby’s birthday party in Westport, Connecticut at Splatter Box did not disappoint (it’s where I snapped this). This is just a bunch of great kids party ideas wrapped up in one.
A. Let children have a space to paint and make a mess. You can hang a huge canvas outside between two trees, even.
B. Give them paint and brushes and let them splatter away.
C. Put cute prizes inside balloons and let them each pop one. There wasn’t a kid who didn’t love this.

Oh Capri how I love thee. One of the numerous reasons to love it is that it’s the home of my favorite sandal business Canfora. They produce over a hundred styles ranging from classic to cute and they have a serious cult following. The neon pink bejeweled ones are a new addition which will look so cute on tanned summer feet. Prepare now and order as I am at www.canfora.com

As much as I love chandelier earrings I inevitably find myself going back to my diamond studs when I’m getting dressed in the morning. They’re chic and polished and it allows me to focus on my clothing and bold statement making necklaces (which I have a serious collection of). But, during the summer when nice glowing skin makes people focus on your face a bit more I prefer a pop of color on the ear. So, for a few months I change up my routine a bit. Because it’s short lived I look for inexpensive options. Enter Kendra Scott who has a fabulous collection of great studs.

Every fashion week a color emerges and editors such as myself start trend spotting. This February at the New York shows it was all about orange. From neon acid orange at Lacoste to a subdued palette of burnt orange, pumpkin and squash shown here at one of my favorite shows, Narciso Rodriguez, designers and editors alike were all about the orange crush.

As a New Yorker having your go-to Chinese restaurant is essential. It’s also a hotly contested debate as to which is the best. I’ve lived all over the city from the Upper East Side to the Upper West and for the past 12 + years in Greenwich Village. Barring the true classics in Chinatown (let’s reserve that for a whole other blog post) my vote is for Charlie Mom’s on 6th Avenue. It’s been around for over four decades and their wonton soup is delicious. Read More

In the morning I mix Wakaya Perfection Organic Ginger Powder into water for a fresh start to the day. It is hand-crafted and indigenous to the island of Wakaya in Fiji. When I am cooking I use it as a substitute for salt (#SPYLUXE tip, I promise) It’s divine mixed in cocktails and my absolute favorite way to use it is to sprinkle it into champagne for a ginger jolt. You can order the powder here www.wakayaperfection.com/.

In the lobby of The Crosby Hotel I discovered this amazing greenery and floral blend. Ferns and succulents mix with delicate potted flowers. Individually, none of these are very expensive items but mixed together with moss and curated wood crates it looks absolutely #SPYLUXE. This is a definite DIY arrangement at home.

Pop culture New York needs a playground. My personal haunt is Móle on Hudson and Jane. Fresh guacamole made table side, a fine balance between not so blah burritos and an enormous but somehow not excessive pan of chicken fajitas made to order. www.molenyc.com/

The utterly adorable and totally chic Aussie designer Nicky Zimmermann personally walked me through her collection this morning which was staged perfectly at The Crosby Street Hotel. The brocade walls were an ideal setting for a collection inspired by vintage film of naughty girls at boarding school. Nicky commissioned a hand drawn school crest with a Z that is a centerpiece of the story. The emblem makes appearances on shirts and jackets. So too does it on the accompanying locket that Nicky is wearing in this photo.

Iradj Moini is one of my absolute favorite jewelry designers and has been so for many years. He has been instrumental in the return of the big bold bauble. Iradj has a shop in Soho on Thompson Street that feels like a tiny little jewel box. The store houses a few hundred of his key pieces like this pair of earrings.

I have a natural affection for all things bespoke like Lurk perfume oils. I treasure the hunt and get a true sense of joy when I’ve found a quiet little luxury. When I discovered these oils I knew I’d found fragrances I’d want to wear but more importantly to share. Noteworthy – they’re created in New York City, in SoHo, for one. They’re bespoke, but not bonkers when it comes to their price point and each scent is hand blended, hand poured, all natural, preservative-free and organic. All of this makes for scent after beautiful one-of-a-kind scent. This is a gorgeous little mini sampling of their standouts. Personally, I love PRJV1 & TBPV1 but discover what you gravitate to here at http://lurkmade.com/natural-fragrances/

What I thought would be a fabulous find five years ago is wildly different than what I consider to be one today. It turns out that I have a ton of friends with little girls with pierced ears and there’s a big void in the marketplace for cute (not rediculously expensive) earrings. I spotted these from Semaki.com and I love them! From music bars to bars they appeal to what you’re kids are craving at the moment and the paper they are printed on is so beautiful. My Sadie doesn’t have pierced ears YET but these will be my go to when she does.

One of the really fabulous parts of my job is, well, the really fabulous parties. Brilliant people, dynamic products being launched, premiers, first looks, VIP access … It’s all really insider-y. That said, I have been to so many parties I’m acutely aware of my surroundings. From the double kiss hellos to the cocktails and of course, the food. I love a nice nibble. One of the best hors d’ouvres I have had recently is a mini pastry “ring” with caviar on top from Peter Callahan at Erno Laszlo. Explore his exquisite morsels here www.petercallahan.com

There are moments in fashion that are perfect! Those times when we as an audience, as editors, just applaud. Having the great gift of being front row at the Oscar de la Renta show is always one of those for me. Oscar loves the elegance factor. He truly designs for his customer, a woman who loves to look and feel beautiful. Very few do that. One of my favorite moments that I captured this New York Fashion Week is Oscar peaking around the corner with pride at his immaculate finale dress.

As if it wasn’t enough to be invited by Chef Daniel Boulud to a private dinner at Daniel to taste and celebrate his collaboration with Scotch brand The Dalmore. They then sent the chicest test tube samples of the product over my way. I couldn’t bear to drink them they’re simply so #SPYLUXE on my bar cart.

I am a sucker for juicing. No doubt about it. My new obsession is the Juice Press. I saw a tip from makeup artist Pat McGrath that the Aloe drink is great for your skin. Since she is brilliant I followed her lead. Aside from the Mother Earth green juice that I drink a few times a week the Aloe is my go to. Plus the location I go to is in the super cool One Jackson Square building.

I love collectibles like these Manolo Blahnik matches. Fashion brands understand that they have to think beyond the shoes that they create and the dresses they construct. I have a pretty serious collection of one off collectibles from brands like Chanel, Christian Louboutin, Roger Vivier and Manolo Blahnik of tennis racquets, stickers, whistles, note pads, throw pillows, candles and these matchboxes. It’s nice to see the iconic brands have a little fun with whimsical items.

I spotted this floral bouquet of Brian Atwood shoes in our fashion closet ages ago and had to snap a photo. They simply make you happy! It turns out Brian felt the same way about his creation. Months later (now) they are appearing in his ad campaign with Eva Herzigova.

Our daughter Sadie loves pink and Party City. She’s decided that we need to be planning her birthday party NOW. No need to take into consideration it is months away. If you’re a parent you understand. Normally I would trek around the city and order online to find an array of all pink candy. Party City has a whole aisle dedicated to my brand of crazy! Then to make my adoration of the store even greater I found out from Andrew Zimmern that they are instrumental in fundraising for Feeding America using the hashtag #tacklehunger. It makes it all even sweeter!

Today is the first day of New York Fashion Week 2013. It was very flattering to be asked by Refinery29 for my essentials to make a busy week a bit more blissful. I love Aerin’s recently launched makeup line, her lipstick in Pouf is the perfect color for day. When you’re running around 24/7 you really need to find chic base pieces that have flexibility. I love ALC’s Paneled Trousers. Their pants honestly fit me perfectly. It’s all about the best bag and I have been hunting for one for years. Delvaux is a brand beloved by the fashion set because it’s super luxurious and you don’t see it everywhere. Plus the brand is classic and lacks the obscene amount of logos and hardware I see on everything else. Barneys is my source for Delvaux in New York.

Even Ladurée is in the mood for New York Fashion Week. Their brand new Petits Accessories Spring macarons box pays homage to 19th century accessories like button boots, parasols, and bow ties. The best part is that the feminine print is imagined in foulards (silk scarves) and trousses (vanity makeup cases) so you can buy actual accessories with this adorable pattern. I’m partial to the macarons, I collect the boxes.

One of my absolute favorite restaurants in New York is ABC Kitchen. In addition to the food being sublime they have the resources of one the most spectacular interior design stores in the country, ABC Carpet & Home. Look around the restaurant and, in addition, to wanting to order everything on the hyper fresh and local menu you’ll want to buy all of the decor. Plus they always the prettiest flowers. Keep an eye out for ABC Cocina, their second restaurant, is about to open in the former Pippa space.

Nautical clothing always makes me long for summer but after so many seasons of designers doing the beachy stripe thing I began to grow tired of it. Leave it to Carven to kick it up a notch. This t-shirt makes classic cool once again. I spotted this at Jesse Warren’s shop Tenet in Southampton which is brilliant. He does the best buy I think. Turns out my friend, and high wattage stylist, June Ambrose bought it too. Feeling good about my purchase. Visit Jesse all year round. I love that he keeps his shop open in and out of season.

The unbelievably chic Aerin Lauder has recently launched her own namesake makeup line Aerin. What’s starting out elegantly and small will shortly grow into an empire, believe me. This is an insider preview of her Spring makeup collection. The lippies are “Pink Rose” and “In Cassis,” the palette in the pretty fabric is “A Garden in Bloom,” the gold Kabuki brush is just oh-so-chic and “Natural” is that product that you swipe on your lips and cheeks for a fresh glow. I photographed my favorites on Amanda Nisbet’s “Chip” fabric in “Fiddlehead.”

If you pay a visit to the Hamptons this Fall call ahead and ask about visiting The Watermill Center. Robert Wilson’s world is one we all should spend time in. The space hosts artists in residence and archives of Wilson’s curated pieces from his exotic travels. There’s a recently renovated outdoor rooftop garden and an extraordinary collection of chairs (he has one of the world’s largest) that he’s amassed. Everything is carefully placed throughout the buildings and grounds including these necklaces placed on fabric out in the open on the ground of Wilson’s private quarters. The hours and tours are tricky so call ahead but it’s a visit you should plan a nice amount of time for.

There’s nothing like discovering that something as fabulous as Jane’s Carousel is as close to my apartment as it is. Enclosed in a Jean Nouvel modern glass box is the anti-modern classic carousel that welcomes kids (and parents) in the DUMBO area of Brooklyn. After munching on all things delicious and locally made in the area at Smorgasburg www.Smorgasburg.com we headed over and our daughter had a total joy ride.

Tom Binn is a true mix master. It’s less about hi/lo and more about a bit of this and whole lot of that. He is the originator of making punk street jewelry a bit more mainstream. He’s always held to a certain cool vibe. Whether it’s a pair of gold safety pin earrings or a gilded strand of pearls wrapped in rhinestones I lust after it.

At the Union Square Market we pick up endless vegetables. Right now I’m loving the tomatoes. Petite orange, yellow and red ones are in abundance. Pop them in your mouth totally unseasoned and the simple burst of sugary sweet goodness is divine.

Next week I’m playing in a power women’s poker game that my friend Alexandra Lebenthal is hosting along with Milly designer Michelle Smith. I’ve long loved the game so when I received this invite it was impossible to decline. How luxurious would it be if I brought this Hermès poker chip set as a gift?

With Louis Vuitton’s first US shoe boutique the French design house gives us New Yorkers even more to lust after with three pointy toe pumps exclusive to their Saks shop. They’re sweet and dainty and totally luxurious.

These walls of white dinnerware at ABC Carpet and Home are dreamy to me. It’s so simple in every sense. I love basic but luxurious white sheets and white plates. There’s a clean canvas like quality to them making throw pillows and food pop against their backdrop. This is also something very easy to do at home even if not to this grand scale. When you pick one color like white to focus on it makes collecting easier. If you’re at a flea market in Paris, France or a tag sale in Westport, Connecticut you always know what you’re looking for which makes it easier to see through the clutter. I actually do collect white and cream dinnerware and I have found some of my favorite pieces at flea markets abroad in London (the finer finds) and at none other than TJ Maxx right here back at home.

Ages ago I was an accessories editor so I’m always propping and crafting still life photos as I did with these two Louis Vuitton pieces. This bib necklace and jewel encrusted clutch make for such an irresistible pairing. I adore that the house of Vuitton understands that an evening clutch at the very least must hold an iPhone, lip gloss and some money in order to operate in the evening hours so the clutch is a winner for me already. Their jewelry is one of the very few brands to really put craftsmanship and thoughtful design into their costume jewelry so much so that the pieces become immediate collectibles. What lady doesn’t love pearls and these tie right around your neck with a graceful velvet bow. Voila!

Tom Ford’s designs have become immediately iconic. The lines on his clothing are refined and his accessories have an elegance to them that no other designer quite achieves in the luxury marketplace. It’s as if he’s holding something back but that’s a good thing. Void of studs, tassels, and crystals it’s all about really beautiful leathers and well placed hardware. To say I think this bag is perfection is an understatement. Oh yes I am a New Yorker so it being black helps matters.

It’s not out of the norm for my mom and I to show up in the same outfit. Dinner at her apartment the other night was no exception. We were both in all black (skinny pants and a sweater for me, black leggings and a black caftan for her). When I walked in and we looked down at our feet we had to laugh. The patterns were different but the look was the same. Animal print flats are in (at every age!).

These Valentino heels have sparkle power. I love a little dose of glam and for me a shoe or a great piece of jewelry is the way to do it. The house of Valentino, known for its iconic red hue, is equally famous for masterfully crafted evening accessories. I would wear these with a cropped black pant or a chic mini dress.  Don’t these golden crystal studded shoes make you want to dash out for a cocktail at a chic boîte?

From time to time I sneak into my favorite vintage jewelry store in New York City on Thompson Street. The owner is constantly changing what she displays based on the trends she’s seeing. Designers from Oscar de la Renta to the duo behind Dannijo have been creating pieces using chunky crystals and I love, love, love it. It has a throwback vibe …. enter vintage inspiration. While I adore wearing Dannijo and de la Renta nothing feels like the original. So when I saw this necklace from the 1960′s I had to have it.  The first day I wore it someone asked if it was from J. Crew. See what I mean?

There’s something so glorious about fresh cut flowers at the farmer’s market. I have to say the vendors at the Union Square Green Market know their chic New York City customers. They bundle the buds so beautifully in clean, crisp white paper.

After a beautiful meal at home I love the casual nature of an informal dessert bar. From mini classic black and white cookies to fresh home-grown berries my mother always curates a collection of sweets that hit the right note of flavors. The way they are displayed is as sweet as the flavors she’s serving. I must also add it’s also about having fresh gorgeous flowers to perfect the setting.

If you ask fashion designers and artists where they find inspiration nature is so often the answer. Vegetables that grow from the earth, the natural colors a sunset creates in the sky or a fresh blanket of crisp white winter snow inspire hues to paint with and design clothing out of. The colors of everything from the shades of purple in an eggplant to the layers of pastel pinks in a peony are unmistakable because they’re not man made, they’re from nature. These mini eggplants sitting in crates at a farm stand got me thinking about how much I adore the rich purple color and dashed right over to ABC Carpet & Home to search for throw pillows in the same hue. It looks gorgeous with grey. I enjoyed a plate of simply sliced eggplant with a dash of sea salt right there on my chair.

For anyone who loves fashion seeing a whole lot of Chanel in one place makes us really happy. Picture my face when I stumbled upon this. Brand new Chanel bags, a shimmery and black quilted one and the other a structured frame bag with a black, white and cool matte gold patchwork motif. A CC diamante encrusted necklace was sitting on top. This sight put a smile on my face because there can never be too much Chanel! J’adore ….

When our daughter was born five years ago I still remember her baby toys spilling out of her bedroom into our living room and wishing that more of them had the aesthetic of the rest of our apartment. Babies love shapes and patterns and different textures but I found that everything in the market toy wise was very generic and not that pleasing to the eye. I could find amazingly special clothing but not the all too basic baby block. So I designed them. Pick from endless fabrics and colorways to find something that they will love playing and learning from and you enjoy looking at while on your living room floor. For custom pieces, please contact me here.

I always find the fall to be the time of year for a wardrobe remix. It’s no longer warm enough to wear sundresses yet not cold enough for triple ply cashmere sweaters. It’s the loveliest time of year because a chic scarf is just enough to ward off cool days and cooler evenings.   I have drawers and drawers of them; I’m self proclaimed scarf addict. My favorite ones are from Michelle Farmer Collaborate in Bridgehampton www.michellefarmer.com

One of the reasons I adore the new C. Wonder store @CWonderstore at the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle is the way the dressing rooms are decorated. The walls are lined with blue dog covered wallpaper and identical fabric acts as curtains for the dressing rooms. The design is bold just like the rest of the store. Shiny blue paint punctuates the chair rail and molding and full length gilded mirrors lean on the floor to see yourself while you’re trying on ikat jeans and cheery patterned buttons downs. Chris Burch, C. Wonders’ mastermind adores monogramming as much as I do. The ultimate in luxury is monogramming furniture (the funny part is it’s not expensive to do having done it myself). Look at these chairs! The piping on the pillows and the monogrammed “C” elevate these white pillows from simple to crisp and chic.

Completing the look of a room has as much to do with paint, wallpaper, art selection, area rugs and furniture as it does with bookshelves and the curiosities and books that you choose to fill them with. I have bookshelves in our apartment and at our beach house that are very carefully filled with the books and collectibles we’ve saved so carefully over the years. From framed pictures of our families to shells we dove for in Jumby Bay and shellacked ourselves to beautifully bound coffee table books and a mini Louis Vuitton trunk I use as a jewelry box, they are filled with items we love to look at. There are vases, book ends, pottery and vintage glass bowls filled with matchboxes from our travels.

My love of jewelry runs deep. I have collected so much of it over the years that I finally needed to confront the fact that I had to organize it. Enter the brilliant jewelry divider drawer. I’m used to my friends coming over and stealing my interior design finds for their homes and this one was not any different. I happen to love long necklaces as it’s a simple one-easy-piece mentality for a woman who is always on the go like me. Whatever you fancy this concept works. It’s a nice way to be able to look at what you have and not get overwhelmed. I divide my necklaces by material and color so my eye can easily scan to what I need with my outfit as I am inevitably dashing out the door to work.

There are so many magical moments that you can experience at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. There’s the Temple of Dendur (my personal favorite) the wing that houses historical armor and pieces from Pollock to Picasso. Honestly, it’s one of the most extraordinary museums in the world. We went for a preview of the new Andy Warhol exhibit the other day and this flower arrangement caught my eye (so too did the show, it is really worth going to see). As if the art isn’t impressive enough take a look at these flowers. The classic urn, heaping hydrangeas and perfect positioning outside of the main first floor gallery put them on display. Bigger isn’t always better but in this case it is. It’s also a very easy and gorgeous arrangement to do at home.

Latte, tea, hot water with lemon (my choice) or coffee with frothy skim milk taste that much lovelier when served in a beautiful cup. Case in point, the china at the Bergdorf Goodman café outfitted by interior designer Kelly Wearstler who has outdone herself here. Here’s why I adore it, in no particular order:
A. The layout of the café is perfection because there are endless private nooks to sit in which means you rub elbows with fabulous people, without actually rubbing elbows with them.
B. The food is iconic at this point. I order the heritage dish that I’ve been nibbling on since I was five years old entitled the “Gotham Salad.” It’s just oh-so New York.
C. They monogram their china. For me, nothing says Bergdorf Goodman like a BG stamped tea cup. In one word … fabulous. It’s the opposite of incognito. A monogram means you’re proud of your initials and if you’re Bergdorf Goodman celebrating your 111th anniversary, you have a whole lot to be proud of.
Cheers!

I crush on window boxes in New York City. My eyes are always darting around when I am walking and one thing I always find myself looking for is green space. It’s likely because I have a five year old daughter who do would just about everything and anything to find a park. For me though it’s really more about this weird love affair I have with gardening. I’ve long loved interior design, but the new frontier for me is discovering that I actually have a green thumb and I admire those who do. There are very few ways to show people how fabulous your apartment is on the inside in New York. From the outside, a beautifully designed window box is one of the few ways to do just that. It’s a little moment, very brief, to express your voice. Take a listen, you’ll see what I mean. This is a window box that I love in the West Village. Simplicity, here, is key.

I’m always on the hunt for chic and simple ways to rethink the space I already have. There are some very easy ways to do this and I’ve long found a knob update is pretty fail proof. We needed to take my daughter’s room from my the baby years to her vision and it turns out, the girl’s got a great eye. She loves a boho glam vibe just like her mom. Screw off the lifeless white knobs on her chest of drawers and spin on porcelain ones from India and voila! She felt like she chose her new look and I spent less than $60. Listen, little girls change their mind quite often. Indulging in her boho phase isn’t worth spending more than that.

This summer we received the loveliest invitation to our friend’s home in Sagaponack for a dinner party. I know you want to know whose home it is but I’m not telling. Anyway, the house is extraordinary differing itself from the surrounding properties in it’s exploration of modernity at the beach. The host and hostess are good friends of ours and while we’ve been there for intimate dinners and playtime brunches with our kids I’ve never been there for a dinner party. Let’s say I was smitten. The table was decorated with lanterns, signature purple flowers and was well-appointed in every way but no matter how you slice it it’s all about the arresting view.

I have the honor of decorating the Hamptons Magazine table at the Hampton Classic for our ring side table Grand Prix Sunday. I can’t reveal the final look but I have a few ideas up my sleeve (wait until you see what I put in these picture frames)! My spot for the place settings? C Wonder in Southampton, of course. The shop speaks to what I love; beachy summer chic and at an amazing price. Honestly Chris you have me wondering … does anyone shop anywhere else?

Every year Dolce & Gabbana hosts an incredible Fall trunk show in the Hamptons. It’s an August sunny afternoon and beneath a gorgeous tent with chandeliers covered in roses we watch a parade of models in FUR! But the truth is Fall is right around the corner. The collection was my favorite yet. Their classic black dresses had a little extra oomph, the camel cropped jackets with black buttons were super chic, the astrakhan furs were elegant. I had my eye on this jacket from the moment we walked in. It was on one of the mannequins and it had to be mine!

My friend Katie Lee @KatieLeeKitchen has the best taste. She’s super sweet and knows what she looks good in. She let me have a peak at her amazing closet in Water Mill and while I loved the Celine bags, neon yellow shoes, rows of everything from button downs to sequin jackets, Katie and I have the same love of vintage jewelry. The way hers is organized on black velvet stands allows each piece’s personality to shine. I heart her vintage Kate bracelet (and so does she)

My friend Rebecca Cohen has this amazing line called Love Shack Fancy www.loveshackfancy.com. The dresses are made of beautiful silks and some are soft patterns and others hand dyed. The cut is easy and they’re like any good fashion addiction, you can’t just buy one.

Charms are collectable and they tell a story. I’ve worn a charm necklace for so many years at this point I honestly can’t recall the first one I acquired. I will always remember though one specific one. My daughter had recently been born and my husband had to take a business trip to Paris shortly after. Her bedroom was pristine with Lulu de Kwiatkowski sheets and plush pastel pink carpeting that had just been laid down. As a mom those first few weeks are ones you can’t forget. They are terrifying because no matter who reassures you (yes mom you were and remain amazing on that front) you have to do it on your own. So my husband was in Paris and I was home with this cashmere clad little angel.

Great Italian food in New York is easy to find. Perfetto Italiani is harder to come by. Keith McNally has changed the tempo of the way we eat. His food is simply delicious, yes, that’s a given. It’s the way we dine in his restaurants that’s different. I love a beautifully plated dish and McNally serves that in the truest sense at Morandi. Fresh ingredients, check. Drumroll for a great wine list, done. Adorable waiters and an even cuter crowd, always. McNally you’re a master and thank you for always getting me a reservation at all of your coveted spots (and an even bigger thanks for putting them all close to our apartment)

I am partial to summer dresses because there is an ease to them that is undisputed. Throw on a long patterned dress and it’s insta-chic. There is one line I have consistently loved called Nieves Lavi. I snapped this trio of my favorites dresses from them in the Hamptons. Each one I’ve worn to a big summertime event and have truly received endless compliments. They fit beautifully and the patterns are bold but not blaring. www.nieveslavi.com

I have long been a fan of R. Adam Smith and his curatorial website V&M. As an “Insider” I am tasked with perusing their site and recommending lust-worthy interior finds. With philanthropy at the forefront I have recently been asked to be part of their Connoisseur program. The very best part about selecting this collection of chrome items is that it benefits the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF). From credenzas to orbs to gelatin Jackie O prints the common thread in the items I have selected is a modern yet vintage chrome vibe. Please check out the event here.

Look at this social media monogramming by American Eagle. To say I am totally obsessed with this is an understatement. A. It’s a jean jacket which I actually needed. B. It’s genius branding/marketing (which I respect enormously). C. I own and wear a jacket with my Twitter handle on it! The campaign is called #LiveYourLife.

I love my jewelry a little bit punk. This gold tassel from Kara Ross adds edge with elegance just like Kara herself. The pave encrusted pieces are from one of my absolute favorite designers Janis Provisor. I’m very friendly with her partner Debbie Wisch. They don’t mass produce, they make very important totally recognizable pieces. Whenever I wear one I feel the energy of the stones that they use.

Every time I pop into my friend Bianka Leffert’s shop 27 Hampton Salon she always has great finds in addition to all of the amazing hair care and beauty lines (think Oribe, Tata Harper, Nest, her makeup line Rulef and more) she just started carrying Sara Horne’s jewelry after meeting the Venice Beach designer at a local Hamptons charity event. Horne uses semi-precious and natural stones and antique beads scoured from markets all over the world. She combines them with the finest leathers. Pop into my friend Bianka’s salon – she’d love it.

There are few things I love as much as watching a bustling beach empty out in the Hamptons after a crowded weekend. Quiet is found and peace is restored on a Sunday evening. Our surroundings are simply beautiful as is the food that grows from our farmlands. Sunday night is always about family for us. In August the evenings are warm enough that we can swim in the ocean, let our daughter stay up late and reflect on all of the fun things we’ve done over the weekend. We gather a picnic and head to Mecox Beach. This weekend the corn was sweet as were all of the photos we took (like this one).

While I love accessories and, of course fabulous clothing, my true love lies in jewelry. Years ago I was a fine jewelry and watch editor at Vogue Magazine. I truly wanted to take the position to another level and go to gemology school. Time got the better of me and I didn’t but I learned an awful lot in that role. My friend Nicole Schumann has a line that I adore because she does a lovely mix of costume and fine jewelry and she’s been picked up by some the best shops. We all need protection and while I haven’t been a big proponent of evil eyes this one is irresistible. It’s a diamond eye with a sapphire center hung on pyrite and labradorite beads. I SPY an evil eye I love. Look at her pieces here www.nicoleschumanndesigns.com

In the summer there is nothing my daughter adores more than collecting shells. We can go to the beach for hours and forage and gather. Just like her mom, she likes to edit. So we sit down at the end of the day and pick out the ones that she loves the most. Those are the ones that make their way back to our house. This is a collection of hers that I particularly liked sitting atop, what else, an ikat blanket. When we get home we clean them thoroughly and then she has her friends over and they paint them in the backyard on the grass. Summer is thought of as simple for this reason…

I often find that the artwork selection for children’s rooms is pretty predictable until I met Pam Gaslow via photographer Heidi Green. Her work is one of a kind, super saturated in color and has an adult play on things but in a wonderful way that appeals to kids. Her canvases come in minis (a trio is totally cute) and are custom so you can have any size made. I love the ice cream cone made of candy colored scoops and more important,my daughter totally fell in love with it. www.pamgaslow.com

Obviously when I walked into C Wonder in Southampton I bought an S, P and Y dish. I have them lined up on my nightstand and now keep jewelry in the them. My most “special” pieces are in the S, those gorgeous “pretty” decorative ones are in the P and those that I wear once “yearly” landed in the Y. What I adore about Chris Burch, in case you didn’t know he’s the brilliant man behind the brand, is that he gives us something we want, at the right time and at the right price. I also respect him enormously because he trusts my feedback. I told Chris Hamptonites love their dogs and there are too few items for those canine cuties. Cue more dog beds and leashes in the shop. Next time I walked in the shelves were stocked.

There are many things I love about the burrata at Tutto il Giorno in Sag Harbor. It is served simply with olive oil and the sweetest cherry tomatoes I’ve ever eaten. I’m always nibbling on it at the loveliest of tables outdoors on a Thursday evening. But, the very best part of this particular piece of burrata is that I enjoyed it in their private dining room. Nestled in between Urban Zen and Tutto is the most glorious outdoor space with a wood table and chairs and decorated with Donna Karan’s finds from Haitian artisans sold at Urban Zen. When you’re shopping in Sag Harbor during the day visit the store. I bet most people don’t realize that it transforms into Tutto’s private dining room at night. I SPY VIP chic.

My friend Alison Brod has this extraordinary pizza oven outside at her new Bates Masi-designed home in Bridgehampton. The house is arresting from the outside and due to it’s all glass structure you can basically see straight through to the exterior property where the pizza oven is. But getting an actual invitation to not be a voyeur but a guest is coveted. My favorite part is that she has an army of experts manning this grill. Every few minutes a perfectly cooked pizza emerges. A dash of fresh arugula or sweet sausage is put on top and then we all devour every bite. Just say the word an out comes her infamous Nutella dessert pizza – incredible.

When I hop on the ferry and head to Shelter Island I always make sure to swing by Sunset Beach. Andre Balazs has created a world onto itself. Hotel, restaurant, chic boutique et al and now really delicious food. I replicate this recipe at home but here is the original as created by his team. Round grilled flat bread with hummus, artichoke, poached shrimp and olive oil. C’est vrai. That’s it. It’s the perfect summer dish.

The Serene Green Farm Stand on Noyac Road is without a doubt one of the premier farm stands in the Hamptons. Their vegetables, herbs, and flowers are fantastic but the best part is that they sell fresh caught local fish in cases of crushed ice. Next to that is a refrigerator that houses some of the best ceviche I have ever had, served in little (but very expensive) plastic containers. The gentleman manning the seafood area has fresh clams and oysters and fluke, salmon, tuna and lobsters. When you go to pay inside it is hard to resist that Serene Green also curates some of the best food products in the Hamptons like Iacono (most people know them locally for their fresh eggs) BBQ Sauce.

For me espadrilles are the quintessential summer shoe. They fold up easily for packing, they’re super light weight, and always come in fun cheery fabrics. This summer I swiped up a whole bunch of them from Soludos at the Surf Bazaar boutique at Surf Lodge. If you have SPY’d into my world before you know I am partial to ikat. It’s just that perfect summer print. They have ikat ones and fun colorful pink, orange and yellow ones. The truth is when you are water-side in Montauk there’s no better way to dress than in a gauzy dress or rolled up jeans and a pair of espadrilles. You can snag a pair of Soludos here http://www.thesurflodge.com

If you are walking around Sag Harbor make sure to pop into Christy’s Art Center at 3 Madison Street. Antique deal Michael Eike’s world is a glorious one. If you get to chatting with him you will find out why he and his family moved to Sag Harbor full time, about the amazing house above the shop that is filled to the brim with extraordinary works and how very proud he is of his son Maximilian Eicke. The Hamptons-based furniture designer sells his designs in Christy’s Art Center where the modernity of it is beautifully juxtaposed against the historic works his father collects and sells. The past and the present meet here.

Sweet sweet roses abound in bunches at bodegas around Manhattan but this glorious array of roses caught my eye. The palette of pinks and purples is the perfect combination of color for summertime arrangements.

From L’Amuse Aged Gouda to Cabot Clothbound Cheddar and Vintage Cheese Co.’s Mountina all of the cheeses in Lucy’s Whey are formidable. Her shop is in East Hampton and the very casual space houses everything from tomato marmalade to small batch vermicelli produced in Italy. Lucy herself picks every item in her shop. Right now she’s loving pickled carrots and asparagus from Eat This, roasted leek cookies from Savor, Jan’s Farmhouse Crisps and Fair Hands Honey and this amazing fish dip she’s just brought in from Montauk. She told me that there’s a waiting list for it. They sell out before she’s able to put it in the fridge for sale.

Marder’s Gardening Center in Bridgehampton is one of the most spectacular places. You can wander through acres of flowers and trees and the family owned business sells their own line of outdoor furniture as well. The hidden gem of the property is their boutique which sells a beautiful curation of home and gardening books, Cire Troudon candles, handmade soaps, all of your gardening necessities and fresh picked flowers that they will arrange for you. This is my spot to shop in when I need to bring a bouquet to a dinner party.

Susanne Kaufmann makes a botanical line from Austria that I adore and Aedes De Venustas carries such a nice breadth of her line. Without a doubt one of my favorite shops in New York City is Aedes De Venustas. Tucked away on Christopher Street in the West Village this store is the epitome of elegance. They carry the best of the best when it comes to home fragrance, candles, essential oils, perfumes and skincare. The scents of sage, chamomile, honey blossom, marigold and rose are present in her botanical line. I love her body oils, exfoliators and moisturizers and they are all chemical free. Also how smart is the little rubber hook that she attaches on her oils so you can hang them in the shower? You can buy her items here http://www.aedes.com/Susanne-Kaufmann_c_244.html

In my very fantastic but frenetic schedule my husband and I rarely meet a couple that we both stop and think, we really enjoy spending time with them. Over the years a few have made their mark and I have to say Michelle and Peter Farmer are tops on that list. Our daughter loves their dogs Bear and Wiley, my husband and Peter talk about travel and business and Michelle and I yammer on about just about everything. I have enormous respect for her. She’s built a chic budding business (more exciting news to come from her on that front) and her namesake shop in Bridgehampton is my go to boutique for summertime dresses.

I spotted these gorgeous bottles of Plain-T (@Plain-t) at The Chefs Dinner at Hayground School on Saturday evening. The brand aesthetically is so beautiful and the teas are lovely. I personally love their black tea.  They supply the tea you sip at luxurious spots such as  The Regency, Casa Lever and Sant Ambreous. The husband and wife team have a local boutique tea company on Powell Avenue in Southampton and produce the highest end whole leaf teas. www.plain-t.com

When I went into Natascha Esch and Matt Coffin’s new Sag Harbor shop MONCXIII I fell in love, particularly with this MONCXIII backgammon set. The furniture is the most beautifully curates antiques I’ve ever seen and it sits aside all of the brands Natascha loves and has brought exclusively to the Hamptons like Frederic Malle. As she gave me a personal tour around the shop my eye darted to this tangerine hued MONCXIII backgammon board. The fun began because both Natascha and I play. We’re both very competitive it seems as well. Of all the boards I’ve played on this is by far the chicest one and for sale in her shop.

I insist that the ultimate summer bite is a lobster roll.  Luke’s Lobster mini lobster rolls at Chefs and Champagne (@LukesLobster ), the ultimate food event in the Hamptons, were amazing. The mini lobster rolls were toasted beautifully and buttered to perfection. The lobster was just caught and the seasoning atop finished them off beautifully.

A longtime collector of vintage pieces Jill Heller also designs mega gorgeous jewelry. Her collection from the 1960′s and 1970′s are the ones I adore (and she sells them here http://www.jillhellerdesigns.com/).

There is nothing better than a walk in New York.  Living in the West Village I am surrounded by so many historic and beautiful townhouses. The city is famous for its “stoops” and this is a beautiful example.

Hamptonites love vintage cars. I think my favorite aspect is that they’re not locked up in garages. Winding streets and endless roads to wander on all the way out to Montauk make the East End prime time for classic car sales. Dean Silvera owner of Aventura Motors is the guy to go to. The selection of cars is excellent and his body shop that he does repairs in is top notch. He specializes in Mercedes, Porsches and Jaguars from the 50′s and 60′s. The best part is that he’s always there and in the summer so too is his adorable daughter Sedona. She answers the phones. I used to “work” in my dad’s stores on Madison Avenue when I was a child so it’s especially sweet for me to see this.

All eyes are on Hermès when they have a watch launch. I was invited to a very VIP private dinner for this Hermès Timepiece launch. The dinner plates were drizzled to look like watches and the timepieces were hanging in trees.

Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are berry delicious in their purest form. When lined up on a gorgeous platter with a vintage silver spoon to serve them with the ordinary becomes extraordinarily elegant.

Claus Porto makes my absolute favorite soaps. The bubble inducing bars are the perfect sabon but it is the packaging that I am totally in love with. The Claus Porto papers are so glorious that I usually buy one for myself every time I purchase one as a gift.

Cavaniola’s is the best cheese shop in the Hamptons. It’s in a little nook in Sag Harbor on the way out of the center of town toward an antique shop I love called Sage Street Antiques. The Cavaniola’s cheese shop carries the best sausages, salts, crackers, olives, rubs, breads and of course cheeses. Next door are Cavaniola’s Market and Wine Shop. The market has gorgeous Nicoise salads in ball jars, prepared foods and a tightly edited selection of fruits and veggies displayed so casually!

These Peter Pilotto plexi cuties are bedecked with baubles and flowers. Don’t they just make you smile?

The minute I spotted this dashing Rolls Royce in Southampton I made my husband pull ours over so I could snap a photo of it. The early 1960′s Ghost model has clean lines and many accolades (look at its badges proudly displayed!)

My parents are the ultimate entertainers because they’re naturals at it.  This fresh catch was served at a recent Sunday dinner at their home.  Always delicious, and always presented in an incredible display, their elegant touches make every dinner, no matter how casual feel special.

Here is a peak inside my apartment our NYC style is all about collecting, editing, and displaying.

I love a designer who has a very clear identifiable aesthetic – this, the cutest cabana is an extraordinary vision.  Textures, textiles, and colors frame an incredible view.

Miuccia Prada is known for her love of estate jewelry. To me this Prada coat is reminiscent of a vintage piece of high jewelry. The colors, the details, the workmanship. Whatever its inspiration was this coat is the proper topper to keep in your wardrobe forever.

I want to thank Joss & Main, one of my favorite sites, for my recent curation with them. Although the event has ended, membership to their site is a must! To gain access please click here.

I look forward to future collaborations with Joss & Main in the coming months!

I have long loved my initials because, well, they are SPY. So my friends at the best monogram spot iomoi (iomoi.com/) created this SPY tote for me. I love the utility bag, adore the scroll work and mix of hues of blues and most of all love what they did with my initials. They made me this tote and two cases to go with it. Now I can’t step foot out of the house without my SPYtote. I #SPYLUXE.

Brooklyn Cruiser’s vintage inspired bikes represent everything I love; classic inspiration with a modern update, and you can arrive in true style. It’s like a vintage European bike from the 1950′s but updated me for maximum efficiency. The turquoise color is also too cute. They’re all over the Hamptons this summer!

This is my second season collaborating with my friend Jennifer Miller http://jennifermillerjewelry.com/jewelry/samantha-yanks-for-jennifer-miller. We call it Samantha Yanks for Jennifer Miller.  Her shops in Southampton, Palm Beach, East Hampton and New York City are the go to spot for jewelry. When she asked me to do a collection for her I immediately began sketching. This summer I was inspired by snakes and an entire collection of Samantha Yanks for Jennifer Miller slithered into her shops. This pair of moonstone and diamond drop earrings are my absolute favorite. Someone bought a pair right off of me the other night at an event!

As if Andre Balazs’ Sunset Beach weren’t enough of a fun playground on Shelter Island this mega cool Sunset Beach orb has just arrived. Playtime a la plage just got a little bit chicer thanks to the hotelier genius.