STYLE

Ankle Booties- A Fall Footwear Essential

While we all trade our tank tops for sweaters and our shorts for jeans, we cannot forget to change our footwear, too. While it’s easy to overlook and emotionally painful to say goodbye to those super cute flats for a few months, wearing season appropriate shoes can up your style game- effortlessly!

When we dress for fall with in our favorite jeans, comfy sweater, and maybe a scarf or beanie or other seasonal accessory of choice, we are actively participating in the season. But, when the shoes are not right, it can make the outfit look mismatched. Obviously this extreme, but would you wear flip flops in the winter?? It’s all the same- out of season is just that.

Trading in flats for ankle booties puts the final touch to a fall outfit. There’s something about showing your feet that points towards spring and summer, and putting on a season appropriate equivalent of a flat takes that warm weather edge off of the outfit.

Ankle booties are just as comfortable as flats. Here, I’m wearing my most recent buy- a pair of suede American Eagle zipper ankle boots. While I usually prefer a pair with a small chunky heel, I thought these were super fun since they are suede, cheap, and feel like you’re wearing flats. The suede adds such a warm, autumn/winter feel to an outfit for me since it is a material rarely worn in the warmer seasons. So, this was a major draw when bootie shopping. Secondly, the price is awesome- $30! I found these in particular at a Payless shoe store, but AE.com or American Eagle stores have a really great variety of booties (ankle, mid calf, and knee high) for incredibly reasonable prices. And the best part- it feels like wearing regular flats. So, these are like a transition bootie, when you’re not quite ready to bid your flats farewell for awhile or not quite ready to embrace a typical leather boot.

My favorite thing about these is the zipper detail. The zipper on the outside is nonfunctional, purely for looks. But the zipper on the inside is fully functional, which makes it very easy to tuck your pants in over your socks. And even if you’re not into tucking in your pants, you can roll them up just a little above the top of the bootie, so you can still show off the zipper detail without tucking in. Or, wear them under pants so you don’t see the zipper, or even with a casual dress or skirt- with or without tights. These booties are so simple, which makes them incredibly versatile.

And even though they are simple, the metal of the zippers is enough to add to an outfit that is otherwise plain. I love wearing these with black skinny jeans and a black sweater. The metal breaks up the black on black on black, but is simple enough to keep the outfit minimalist chic.

In these photos, I’m wearing them with a comfy pair of skinny jeans from Forever 21 and a soft, slinky sweater from Aerie. It was a chilly day where I was, and the booties fit the sweater better than flats, tying in the two textured pieces but keeping them separate with the jeans. Fuzzy sweater, suede bootie, smooth denim- perfect!

Personally, I don’t think there is such a thing as too many ankle booties. You can have the basic versatile pair like these, a dressy pair with a heel, and a street friendly pair that’s more durable, usually leather, with a small chunky heel for support. They’ll all find their places in your closet, and they’ll take your fall fashion game to the next level without even trying.

Go ahead, find yourself a pair (or three) here.

The High-Low Skirt: Everyone’s Next Wardrobe Staple

by Danielle Flocco

The High-Low Skirt is going to be all the rage this fall, and I’ll tell you why- it is the best skirt for absolutely any woman. It is perfect for any body shape, it can be worn formal or casual, and best of all… prices start at just $15! It’s not very often that a versatile piece like this can fit anyone’s budget. It’s a win-win for you and your wallet, and you’re confidence will soar.

Amidst the movement for people to be more positive about their body, regardless of size, age, complexion, and so on, there’s no better time than now to introduce your wardrobe to something made for everyone. Most high low skirts are high waisted, which is great for adding length to your legs and showing off your shape. Plus, it only shows off from the knee down on one leg, so if you’re anything like me (read: shy), you’ll feel appropriately covered. It’s the perfect mix of sexy yet conservative.

It’s a great piece if you’re working on being more body positive since it will empower you and boost your confidence without taking you out of your comfort zone. You’ll be mostly covered, but still showing off. It’s the perfect introduction to loving yourself- it’ll show you all of your best assets and keep you comfortable. And for all of you who are already bold, it’ll bring that level of sophistication and sexiness that cannot be found in any other skirt. It’s great for showing an appropriate amount of leg for almost any setting, while still showing off everything you’re proud to be. This might be the only skirt that is for anybody and any body.

And, there’s really no wrong way to wear a high low skirt! Depending on your personal comfort level, you can tuck a shirt smoothly or blouse it over the waist a bit. Either way is cute and professional, perfect for the office or an evening out. For fall, complementary colored tights can be added for extra warmth that won’t take away from the awesome leg line the angle of the skirt will give you.

Because of the length and angle of the skirt, regular flats are not a good shoe to pair with it. But, ankle booties and pumps are both great options, and the choice between the two can be made depending on where you’re going.

I have two favorite styles to wear with the high low skirt. First, is the very professional and office friendly outfit. Pairing the skirt with a nice blouse, tucked in just a bit at the waist, will give you the long leg line while keeping your torso separate from your lower body. Throw on a pair of pumps and you’re ready to lead your next meeting! Second is more of a fall evening at an art gallery look. I like to tuck a long sleeve turtle neck sweater smoothly into the skirt, creating a continuous line in my body from shoulder to ankle. This look works great if you’re trying to create the illusion of a long body line from top to bottom. Pair some plain tights with your favorite pair of ankle booties, and you’ve got a sophisticated yet comfortable vibe.

High low skirts start for around $15 on Amazon and come in a variety of colors. I suggest black and charcoal for starters, and then diving into the more bold colors. Or, splurge on yourself and get a bunch! Either way, get this versatile piece in your wardrobe and start feeling your absolute best.

I purchased the one shown for myself and it is very good quality for a great price, so here’s the link to my new staple: http://amzn.com/B00ZYUGLPO

Wrap Bracelets That Make A Statement: Hole In Her Stocking

by Danielle Flocco

With spring in full bloom and summer ahead, it felt like the perfect time to add some more color to my accessory drawer. As usual, I turned to Etsy, my go-to for something nice with a handmade touch, where I found a wonderful shop called Hole in Her Stocking.

It was hard to choose a single bracelet from all the great pieces in the shop, but remembering that they look like more than just one, I settled on a blue, turquoise, purple, and silver wrap. Intrigued with the shop and how their beautiful color schemes and styles came to be, I reached out to the owner, Jennifer, for some more information.

The Hole in Her Stocking shop was started several years ago as a hobby, with Jennifer taking time off here and there. Over the last year, though, she invested herself more seriously in the shop and created for herself a successful brand. Jennifer is a one woman team from Long Island, crafting each of her colorful pieces on her own, recruiting family only for modeling.

It turns out talent does run in the family, being that Jennifer first gained an interest in jewelry making growing up. She shared with me that her mother and grandmother were very crafty women and often made their own jewelry. Early in her life, Jennifer followed their lead and started creating her own pieces. Her natural taste in style has always been that bohemian, hippie style, so it is only natural that Hole in Her Stocking oozes fun and happy vibes.

We all love getting a great product in great packaging, and that element was certainly not overlooked by Jennifer. Several months ago she started experimenting with custom stamped sacks, and naturally the response was overwhelming. While looking to give her customers something unique, she ended up creating a keepsake bag, perfect for storage and travel, that comes with every bracelet.

The start of Jennifer’s interest in jewelry making, and the influences behind Hole in Her Stocking make for a great story behind the shop, but obviously the products speak louder than any words can. Let me start by saying, I was extremely excited to get the mail to catch my first glimpse of the custom stamped sack and multi-color wrap bracelet.

The sack, complete with my name and an arrow design to complement, has a light burlap texture and a drawstring on top. The bracelet fits securely in the bag, with the drawstring pulling to a tight close. Durability is key with any packaging, and the sack is cute and personalized means of protection from everyday messes. I definitely recommend keeping the bag, whether you choose to store your bracelet in it or just use it for travel.

I opened the little sack to unveil what would become my go-to color pop, and pulled out the slinky like bracelet. With nine layers of beads, my bracelet wraps from larger beads on the bottom to slightly smaller beads on the top. It starts with a line of light turquoise beads that sit securely against the loop ending on the bracelet. From there, it wraps to light blue, to silver rectangular blocks, to an almost wine colored purple. While I wouldn’t usually like blue and purple together, the accent of the silver blocks between the two layers adds a together but separate element to the bracelet, which is what ultimately gives the image of being multiple pieces. From the wine-like purple beads, it moves up to slightly translucent purple beads, and then to another layer of silver. The silver line here are faceted circular beads, yet again creating the image of a separate bracelet. My wrap finishes off with a layer of turquoise, followed by what I see as almost magenta, and ended with a line of dark royal blue that ultimately completes the bracelet.

The beads used on the bracelet are good quality, leaving no worry for sudden breakage. However, they do scratch easily, so it is vital to watch where you reach with the bracelet on. My initial concern with such a layered bracelet being a wrap would be that it wouldn’t fit my wrist properly; that either it would be too structured or bend very easily. The first time wearing the bracelet it did feel a bit stiff, resting on my wrist with room to spare between the bracelet and my arm in some places. But after the first couple wears, it almost came to fit my arm better, and now sits very comfortably every time I put it on- which is almost everyday.

The colors in the bracelets are incredibly bright and will stand out no matter what you wear, which is my favorite part. My personal favorite way to style the bracelet is with an all black outfit, letting the bracelet do the talking. On all black, the colors pop so much on their own that it makes me feel as though I need no other accessories. Another great style idea is to wear something that picks up one of the colors in the bracelet. For mine, I wore it with black flats, black leggings, and a flowy turquoise shirt. With the turquoise shirt and accents in the bracelet, the look was very fun, bright, and put together. I’ve also gone on to wear the bracelet with white, blue, and pink shirts along with a black cardigan, and the bracelet was, again, the perfect accent.

To say the least, I adore my bracelet from Hole in Her Stocking. The stacked look without the effort, the comfortable fit, and the bright colors to pop are just a few of the best qualities. There is near to nothing one of these bracelets wouldn’t look good with, and with most of them being under $30, there is no reason not to get one, or a million, of them for yourself. Mine in particular is only $17.50! So, do your wardrobe a favor and style it with the accessories it deserves.

Love what you see in the shop? The first ever lookbook is in progress, giving us all something to look forward to. And don’t forget follow @holeinherstocking on Instagram, where you can see all the new styles as they are listed and all the existing ones in all their boho glory.

Review: GiGi New York Embossed Python Leather Crossbody & Wallet

by Danielle Flocco

The brand best known for its luxurious python leather products, GiGi New York, offers the finest combination of classic and edgy style that one will find in bags and their accompanying accessories. The visible pattern and texture if the python skin with the durability of the highest quality leather are only the most obvious attributes of their products that one sees at a first glance. Actually use their products, and a whole different world of distinction and beauty is opened up to you.

The day my GiGi New York items came in the mail, it was easily the most exciting snail mail I’ve gotten in 2015. Packaged in a durable black box with their logo stamped in gold foil, were my new go-to items. First, I opened the embossed python leather crossbody bag, and then the embossed python leather phone wallet to match. Each item was individually packaged in protective plastic bagging, with leather cleaning towels, complete with the GiGi logo, enclosed.

From the first finger I laid on the python leather, I knew I was touching one the best quality items one could own. GiGi New York sources their leathers from all parts of the world, utilizing every region’s specialties, including the worldwide leaders in fashion tanning, Italy and France. Most of the products are made in the United States, guaranteeing the greatest attention to detail in the creation of every item.

Excited to use my new bag and wallet, I quickly began a top to
bottom inspection of the products. The bag is 10 inches wide and 8 inches tall with a detachable adjustable strap, offering up to a 27 inch drop from shoulder to bag. It has a zip top closure, and a front pocket that zips closed, as well. On the front of the bag there is a simple logo plate attached at the top, in the center of where the widest section of the python leather runs. Inside the bag is a soft material, stamped with the GiGi logo, giving a delicate look to the durable interior of the bag.

The bag is both chic and practical, with a slick appearance yet reasonable size for day to day use. It has proven to perfect for day trips when you don’t want to bring much with you, as well as for regular use like work and family visits. With spring in the works and summer around the corner, the crossbody is ideal for festivals and outings in the nice weather. Because of its size, it will hold what you need for the day without weighing down your arm during the time you’re trying to enjoy yourself.

The phone wallet is 7 inches wide and 4 inches tall, fitting perfectly inside the crossbody bag. The wallet also features the logo plate in the widest section of the leather, creating a flawlessly balanced look between the embossed leather and the metal add-ons. There are two spaces for cash, a zip closure back pocket for change, six credit card slots, and a slot to hold a variety of phone types- Apple and Android alike.

The wallet is easily the most versatile item I’ve owned. It fits great in any regular size bag, it tucks away just right in the crossbody, and it’s even excellent just on its own. The slot for the phone is what has me cheering the most. I didn’t want to get tangled in bag straps while maneuvering groceries, so I opted for a wallet only excursion with my phone securely tucked away inside of it. Not to mention, the wallet zip on the top and only one side, so when I opened it to pay, my belongings were not out in the open.

After being introduced to GiGi New York and experiencing their products first hand, there isn’t another brand I’d go to for this type of unmatched quality. Well, except for their parent company, Graphic Image.

All GiGi products come with the option for personalization of up to three letters, which can add the finishing touch to a gift for yourself or a loved one. So, head over to their site now to check out their variety of top quality items, and be sure to sign up for their e-mail list to receive 10% off your next purchase!

Fashion Review: Yosi Samra Foldable Flats

by Danielle Flocco

My YS Samantha Cap Toe foldable flats in "smoke black" — My YS Samantha Cap Toe foldable flats in “smoke black”.

After a long search for a new pair of flats for the spring, I came across the brand Yosi Samra. The name caught my attention, as did their claim of “fashionable yet comfortable”, as well as incredibly convenient, flats. Yosi Samra is a second generation footwear designer, bringing fashion, comfort, and convenience into his product lines like no other brand has before. His site has a wide range of styles and colors for foldable flats, along with a variety of other shoes for both women and kids. Roughly two hours after finding the website, and after looking at every shoe at least three times over, I purchased a pair of Samantha Cap Toe foldable flats in “smoke black”.

Flats, and the small shoe box. — Flats, the small shoe box.

First of all, shipping was incredibly fast. I selected basic ground shipping, and they were at my front door the very next day. Granted, I do relatively close to Manhattan, where they ship from, though next day delivery was far from expected. The packaging is likely the smallest shoe box one will ever receive since the flats come folded up.

Though the price of the shoes, $77 for the ones I chose, reflected a better quality than the average flats, I was not expecting the high level of quality they really are. Not only do they fold without ruining the material or foot bed of the shoe, but the sole is similar to that of a sneaker. It’s the comfort of a pair of Keds with the style of designer flats- what more could a girl ask for?!

YS logo on the heels.

The snake skin-like pattern is beautifully detailed, with different shades of grays and blacks throughout, quilted with stitching. The leather upper cap toe is very durable, despite the sides of the shoe being rather flexible and soft. Inside is a soft foot bed, complemented by sneaker like soles. Also, one of my favorite details, the top edge of the flat is lined with an elastic material, guaranteeing a comfortable fit that will not slide off your foot. And, on the back of the heels are metal YS logos, adding a small and chic designer detail to the shoes.

The shoes come packaged in their tiny box inside a dust bag. The dust bag is great for storage, as well as for when toting the shoes with you. Yes, they absolutely make great everyday flats. My feet happily survived a week straight in my Yosi Samra flats, including a day of heavy walking in the city. But, they are also perfect for “back up shoes” on nights you’ll be wearing heels. Undesirable situations, like going barefoot at a wedding or limping during an event, can be avoided with a practical pair of flats to come to the rescue when your feet need it most.

With a ready to shop website, and over 100 boutiques across the United States, there is absolutely no excuse to not do your feet the favor of picking up a pair.

The shoes only come in whole sizes, and Samra is right when he advises half sizes to order the next size up. For reference, I am usually a loose 7.5 and I ordered a size 8. They fit perfectly with a little room, but nothing to worry thanks to the elastic edging.

And please, as per the care instructions, take care of your YS shoes by keeping them out of the rain and away from oils, greases, and lotions.

Hotel Providence- Your Best Bet In Travel To Rhode Island

by Ryan Shea

Now that the warm weather is finally upon us here in the New York City area, many of us NYC’ers are looking to travel outside of the gritty streets of Manhattan and see where life takes us for the Spring and Summer seasons. With New England being a particularly beautiful area during the warmer seasons, I find that a great stop along your route up the east coast is in Providence, Rhode Island. I am very familiar with Providence due to my five year stay there when I attended and eventually graduated from Johnson & Wales University.

I was there last weekend to teach at my alma matter regarding Manhattan Digest and other publications that I worked for, and chose to stay at Hotel Providence, which is right in the heart of downtown on Mathewson Street. I am very aware of this hotel due to it being so close to a lot of the academic halls that studied in, as well as several friends and parents I knew staying there when they were visiting the great city of Providence. I always heard great feedback about this particular hotel, so I was excited upon my arrival to see what all the fuss was about.

The Hotel Providence, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: The Hotel Providence

I will say this simply- if there is one hotel you are going to stay in when you visit Providence, or even other fabulous parts of the state, you should stay here. Hotel Providence really sticks with the rustic theme of the area in terms of its outdoor presence and switches that inside with a much more modern take on what a hotel really should be. Even before my entrance to the actual hotel, I was made aware of the beautiful park like setting that was to the left of it, where guests can go and mingle, share a coffee and enjoy their time outside of the room they are staying in. The entryway was beautifully adorned and spacious, with clocks representing several different major cities from left to right. The service itself was quite incredible, with amicable staff who was helpful for me during my time there. Parking in Providence can be a bit of a hassle, yet they have great rates for overnight’s in case you need to leave your car there or if you have friend’s coming down. Just from my first couple of minutes there is that they are there to make you feel welcome. That is something I don’t get from major hotel chains or even some that I have stayed at in Manhattan.

Hotel Providence, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Hotel Providence

The room that I stayed in was quite beautiful and tailored to my liking. The windows open to a breathtaking view of Providence and the room itself was comfortable and spacious enough for one if not more people. I really enjoyed the classic touches that it had in it with the warm colors adorned throughout. What is even better about this particular hotel is that it is literally steps away from some of the best bars, clubs and hot spots in Providence such as PPAC (Providence Performing Arts Center) as well as minutes away from great eateries on popular streets and locations like Thayer Street and Federal Hill. If you don’t feel like traveling for your food, they have a wonderful restaurant attached to the hotel called Aspire, which is opened for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as a tasty and delicious brunch that I was treated to over the weekend. For menu, hours and more details about Aspire check out their official site.

During my stay at Hotel Providence, I sat down with the fantastic and kind General Manager David Benton, who told me a bit about the history of this location. He also chatted with me about going above and beyond the call for each individual guest and his hopeful future for the hotel.

So tell me about the history of Hotel Providence.

The hotel, interestingly enough, was built in the 1890’s and went through five different transitions of names and hotels. It eventually became a department store, and when that closed it became silent for many years until it turned into dorms for Johnson & Wales University students. A local developer renovated it, bought the building next door and combined the two buildings together to make a 80 room boutique hotel back in 2005. The present owners bought it from that developer from 2009, and now it is Hotel Providence. Matter of fact, the other building that was bought to combine with the original has also been around since the late 1890’s, so this has a history to it for over a hundred years now.

What amenities does Hotel Providence provide that you think would ultimately want the consumer to choose you over the chain type of hotels?

I think we have a different approach because we try to tailor-make the experience. I’ll give you an example that happened yesterday. There was a couple in who we knew were vegetarians and it was interesting that the chef went to meet the and say “I heard you are vegetarians and I know you are dining with us tonight. We would like to make you something you would like versus something you wouldn’t like”. They were kind of surprised that someone would go out of their way and reach out to them, and they had dinner with the chef preparing a very special salad course, entree and a passion fruit dessert. That doesn’t typically happen when you go to a branded hotel that you would get that kind of treatment and individual kind of service.

We have a family program here as well. So as soon as the family arrives you will see a flyer wagon with toys in it. We encourage the kids to go over and choose the toy. Often the child is tired from the journey here and less well behaved, and when they see the variety of toys it becomes an instant mood changer for the better which then makes the parent happy as well. We also have three kinds of children’s robes, from very small for babies and ones that would fit a child of 10-12 years of age. Parents really get a kick out of that. If the mother has forgotten some common products for her children we have an emergency kit for them to use just in case.

For animals accompanying you on your trip, we have a pet stand in the lobby and give them a little room with a great doggie pack full of treats and a dog bed for them to rest on. Matter of fact, when you get your pre-stay letter online, it gives you the option to list if you are bringing children and/or pets with you with their age and what kind of pet that they are so we can be more prepared upon your arrival. Also on the pre-stay it asks if you have any special preferences, which we seem to get twice a day upon completion of the form. I find this sort of thing nice because you get to know a little bit more about the guest before they check in and its essentially all there for them.

For our international guests, we have special key cards made for them- 54 in total. So they are made that if you are coming from a particular country it will include their flag on the card itself. On top of the key card, we also write welcome letters from every language in the world. It really is about the individualization of the service so with that we empower the staff. Instead of them going to the manager and asking if they can do a sort of thing, they simply just go ahead and do it for the customer to enjoy their stay even further.

The great thing about Rhode Island is that you have so many incredible colleges here from Brown, RISD, Johnson & Wales and so on. Do you cater anything in particular to the college students?

What often happens is firstly we have this college package when they are coming to look, which is available on the website. On top of that, we host an enormous amount of organizations like Brown Alumni a couple of weeks ago for a variety of events that each particular association is having at that particular moment. Often, when the parents are coming here they are referencing things like “Where is Ikea, where is the local Supermarkets, etc”… and we are very helpful in helping them navigate the city of Providence in order to make them feel more comfortable not only for themselves but for their children as well. When we go above and beyond to sit down with each individual parent or set of parents it then reflects on them coming back and staying with us multiple times throughout the duration of their children being at the particular university as they really get familiarized with this city.

Now that your ranking seems to be going on the up and up on TripAdvisor, what are you hopeful for in regards to Hotel Providence in 2015 and beyond?

Well the hope always is to increase business and get a ton of repeat business. It is really a great aspect to our hotel when we get repeat clients coming in because it means we have done something right in order to retain their business.

Outside of your run of the mill hotel stay, Hotel Providence can host any sort of big arrangement that you have coming up in the future from weddings, conventions and so on and so forth. They have a beautiful terrace located in the hotel that serves multiple types of purposes, and as mentioned before the park like atmosphere right outside the hotel can also be a big part of your big day whether it is walking down the aisle or catching up with friends at an alumni party that you haven’t seen in a while. Overall, this place is your one stop shop in Providence for travel, engagements and just to have a nice, relaxing time. Don’t take my word for it! Check out their official site for more details.

Safe Travels everyone!

The Best New Barber Shop has Arrived in Hell’s Kitchen

by Ryan Leeds

Some people take the Myers- Briggs test and read What Color Is Your Parachute to determine their life’s occupation. Others seek the advice of a guidance counselor or spend hundreds of dollars on career counseling in search of the perfect job. For an unfortunate few, they toil unhappily in a mundane desk job for years on end, until their dream diminishes like Jon Secada from the Top 40 list.

Boswell Scot took an easier and much more practical approach. At the age of 23, after being laid off from his office job, he sat down with a piece of paper and made a list of all the people he knew and their vocation. “I decided that my barber had the most fun job,” he said. “Think about it. You get to stand around, talking to people all day, and get paid for it!” Shortly thereafter, he enrolled in barber school in his home state of Florida.

In 2007, with 5 years of hair-cutting under his belt, the savvy St. Petersburg native packed his shears and barbicide and moved to New York City, where he worked at upscale salons downtown. “It was always a dream to open my own shop,” the ebullient thirty-something remarked. Eight years later, his dream is fully realized. At the beginning of February 2015, Scot opened Best Barber, an upscale, yet approachable and unpretentious full service grooming shop in Manhattan’s trendy Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. The space, located between 48th and 49th street on 10th avenue, offers a clean straightforward approach and look. Beautiful wood floors and bare white walls envelop the space with a simple neon light near the front announcing its’ name.

While the neighborhood’s demographic is predominantly gay, Scott eschews the title of “gay barber shop” and instead promotes himself as the “every-man” of barbering. “My clientele ranges. I have both gay and straight men who stop by. My female clients also make appointments. Basically, anyone who wants to be treated well and receive a great cut is welcome here.” His hospitable attitude speaks for itself. Nearly all of his former downtown clients have followed Scot to the new midtown spot . The difference is in the customer service. “Most shops in this area aren’t as personable,” he observed. “They just point to a waiting chair when you go in, and have very little interaction once you’re seated in the barber chair. You’re really more like a number than a person.” At Best Barber, his welcoming staff offers you coffee or water while you wait, and make an effort to get to know you. Plus, they use square software to create appointments, which is seamless for both his staff and his clients.

In his thirteen years of hair trimming, Scot has become a default therapist. “I’ve heard an earful from some clients,” he smiles. “People tend to reveal very personal information with me. I once had a lady, on her first visit, admit to having an affair.” Clearly, Scot’s natural charisma and cheery charm lend themselves to confessionals.

In preparing for his own business-and even now, the entrepreneur actually visits other shops to get his own haircut and encourages his staff to do the same. “I think it’s important to gain an understanding of how it feels to be a client.” Since opening his doors in February, Scot’s staff continues to grow and he has recently added a fourth barber to his roster.

The Williamsburg resident travels each day to his midtown shop, where, in addition to barber services, he carries a complete line of Malin and Goetz products. “I have always been a huge fan of their line,” he said. “Not only do they make fine quality products, but the look of their packaging fits in nicely with the aesthetic of my shop.”

On a personal note, this journalist was treated to the full “Best Barber” experience. My hair is thinning and there seems to be little hope. Scot put my fears at rest, assuring me that it is “confidence that makes the man and not a receding hairline.” Consequently, I have rarely received so many compliments on a haircut in the days following. In bold, white letters on the shop’s front window is a quote (printed in all capital letters): “HANDSOME MADE SIMPLE.” With a master like Boswell Scot at the helm, who am I to argue?

Best Barber is located at 694 Tenth Avenue between 48th and 49th streets.

Phone: 646.791.0560 http://www.bestbarber.nyc twitter: @bestbarbernyc

Hours of Operation: Tuesday through Saturday, 11-8pm and Sunday 11-6

Viyet- Luxury Furniture’s Best Online Consignment Space

by Ryan Shea

When it comes to design, something that seems to be more and more in tune with the world nowadays is consignment shopping. There have even been reality series about this movement such as VH1’s “House Of Consignment” and Style Network’s “Resale Royalty” just to name a few. When it comes to buying and selling one of a kind furniture and accessories, there is a one stop place to go to via online or in person that has it all- Viyet. On Viyet’s official site, they describe themselves as “The design aficionado’s destination to buy and sell timeless furniture and accessories. We make it easy for owners of high-end furniture to sell their pieces when it comes time to move or redecorate. For shoppers, we offer access to designer brand names at a fraction of retail prices.” What is even better for Manhattanites is that on top of Viyet’s fantastic site they also opened up a pop up shop here in NYC (read below for more details). Oh and luxury shopping on a budget, how can you resist?

I was fortunate enough to sit down with the fabulous CEO Liz Brown to learn more about Viyet, how they came up with the name, what the company is all about and what they see for their future. Take a gander.

Viyet, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Topher Scott Studio

Thanks for meeting with me Liz! Tell me more about Viyet?

Viyet is an online marketplace for buying and selling high-end designer furniture. We provide individual sellers, interior designers, and showrooms a full service solution for selling furniture and accessories they no longer need. Our products represent the very top echelon of the home furnishings market, which includes brands like Holly Hunt, Hickory Chair, Baker, Knoll, and many others that are largely only available for purchase by interior designers and at prices that are not accessible to the vast majority of design lovers. By providing a resale channel for the owners of these brands, we are able to offer sellers the opportunity to recoup some of their furniture investment when it comes time to move or redecorate. Just as importantly, we are able to provide online access to brands that would otherwise be out of reach for the average consumer, all for 40-70% below retail prices. We offer the added benefit of instant gratification, as all of these brands typically require a 4-5 month wait for delivery versus 1-2 weeks through Viyet. We also pride ourselves on our full-service, white glove approach. We personally vet every item that is listed on our site, which allows us to guarantee the authenticity of every piece we feature as well as offer best-in-class customer service, since we control every aspect of the process from photography to pricing to pickup and delivery.

Such an interesting name for a company. Where did you come up with it?

Viyet (pronounced VEE-yet) is a play on the design term ‘vignette,’ or the arrangement of various decorative objects to add character to a living space. We believe the term reflects our mission to inspire Interior Redesign by connecting sellers of great design with buyers looking for their perfect piece.Consignment shops seem to be all the rage lately when it comes to shopping, however most of that is done in person!

Will clients feel the same way when they are doing this online?

We understand that many people are not used to purchasing pre-owned furniture online, so we make every effort to provide detailed condition reports, high resolution photography, and access to our curator team so our buyers can get a true sense of the product. For your readers based in New York, we also just launched a popup shop in the FLOR showroom in Soho at 142 Wooster Street. Here, you can see Viyet product that has been styled into shop-able vignettes by top designers J+G Design and Patrick Hamilton on view until January 2015.

What kind of designers are customers expected to see on Viyet?

You will find a broad range of to-the-trade only and showroom brands like Holly Hunt, Knoll, Baker, and Hickory Chair. We also feature a wide selection of mid-century pieces from iconic names like T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbing and Knoll, which are all the rage right now, as well as more contemporary brands like Kartell and B&B Italia. Luxury and budget never seem to go hand in hand, however in Viyet’s case this seems to work.

Can you shop luxury on a budget through the site?

Absolutely! That’s the great thing about Viyet – you can find unique, high quality pieces from respected brands that are made to last for generations, but at prices comparable to what you would pay for brand new items from more mass market sources. We also offer a feature that allows you to make an offer for the highest price you are willing to pay for an item on our site. Our consignors are often open to negotiating, which means we are able to offer the best possible deals to our buyers while also keeping our consignors happy.

What is Viyet doing consignment wise now that the Holiday Season is in full swing?

Now that everyone is focused on holiday entertaining prep, we are seeing a lot of people looking to update their dining areas. We are seeing consignors bringing us more accessories as they look to streamline their tabletops. Meanwhile, buyers are coming to us in droves shopping for dining tables and chairs to make extra space for holiday guests. We have tried to make it a little easier by showcasing some of our favorite holiday-inspired finds here.

I read on Venturebeat that you raised 1.5 million dollars for the site. Congrats, that’s huge! What advice do you give to our business savvy readers on how to raise money for something you are passionate about?

Give yourself at least 6 months to complete the process. It takes a while to find the right investors who understand your vision and who you are excited to work with for the next several years. And don’t get too attached to your pitch. If a certain slide or sound bite isn’t resonating that way you envisioned, adjust it or find a different angle. Have the flexibility to adapt as you go along. I think I have something like 36 different versions of our seed investor deck!

What are your ultimate hopes for the website and where do you see yourself a year from now?

Our mission is to become the #1 online destination for design insiders when it comes time to sell their furniture or shop for amazing finds. This time next year, our goal is to have our consignment services fully operational in both New York and one additional city, which will be announced in early 2015, and on track to open a third city by the end of 2015.

Viyet is also offering a HUGE deal for all of our Manhattan Digest readers!! If you click on this link you will be entered to win a $250 credit to Viyet’s official site. Something that is great just in time for the holidays! For more information about Viyet as a whole, visit their official website.

Spring/Summer 2014: Fashion Week Faves in Men’s Shorts

by Greg Serebuoh

It’s officially spring, and though the weather on the east coast isn’t quite reflecting that, I figure I might as well give Mother Nature a gentle nudge in the right direction with some wishful thinking. In preparation for the inevitable coming of warm weather, I wanted to take a look at shorts in this year’s Spring collections. I’ve pulled together a list of some of the designers that caught my eye.

Nautica

I’m starting with Nautica for those of you who are looking for something stylish but not too crazy (because if you’ve read any of my past articles, you know I love a little crazy). Its nautical aesthetic is totally compatible with Spring/Summer fashion and makes for some great shorts.

The Spring collection has a classic, relaxed feel but still manages to add a bit of edge with longer capri-style pants, colorful prints, and some subtle touches, like asymmetrical lines and pockets.

Nicholas K

I really enjoyed Nicholas K’s Spring collection. It has the sort of otherworldliness that I love, as I mentioned in my Future Fashion article, and the shorts feature a long, slender cut, unconventional lines, and a muted color palette.

Versace

Versace’s Spring collection brings sophistication, elegance, and flair to its shorts with bright hues and fine fabrics. I’ve also been noticing a tendency towards shorts well above the knee this season, which I’m liking.

Kenzo

I’m not 100% sure that I would personally wear the shorts from Kenzo’s Spring collection, but I like what they are doing visually, and I sure would love to see someone else rock these in a creative way. This season’s shorts capture the eye with lively prints and flowing fabrics.

Dolce & Gabbana

I am loving Dolce & Gabbana’s collection this season, particularly in the shorts department. Maybe it’s their Sicilian mythology theme (I am a huge mythology nerd), or perhaps it’s the fact that the collection makes me think of flashy, European beach style of the 1970s (one of my favorite decades in music and style).

I’m also really loving the prevalence of warm hues and the sheen in the fabrics, which have me feeling like it’s already summer.

And if you have the balls (literally and figuratively) to wear these “zungas,” as we’d call them in Argentina, I fully encourage it.

Sibling

Ok, now most of Sibling’s line is a little wilder than what I’d normally wear, but I love the playfulness and the energy of their work: exaggerated proportions, distorted lines, intricate knits, and pastel colors. At the end of the day, I appreciate an interesting aesthetic concept, even if I wouldn’t necessarily wear it, and I often find inspiration in work like this. I’d also live to model some of this stuff.

I was (pleasantly) surprised to find what appear to be “sweater shorts,” which are probably completely impractical but also kind of amazing, in their Fall/Winter collection. It all seems very fun and free.

I also think it’s great that they obviously encourage their models to smile. I’ve been asked to smile on the runway before, and it ain’t always easy, but it’s definitely a welcome departure from the usual pomp. In any case, the spring collection has a few pairs of shorts that I’d actually consider wearing myself.

Phillipp Plein

Phillipp Plein’s Spring collection has some of my favorite shorts this season. The collection draws its inspiration from the casino world.

The German designer’s line merges elegant high fashion, sexy urban swag, and a fun, sporty functionality.

Viktor & Rolf

The Spring Lookbook for Viktor & Rolf got my attention because the collection and the model are giving me Sexy-Harry-Potter-Hogwarts-Upscale-Prep-School Realness in the best possible way. The shorts are cut longer and are designed like dress slacks with fine fabrics.

Dsquared²

Dsquared²is probably my favorite collection this season in terms of shorts. Their aesthetic always feels very New York chic to me, and nothing gets me hot like New York chic!

This season’s theme was “Island Paradise,” but the collection still manages to feel very urban upscale. It also features several well-fitted, high-cut shorts, which I have been fancying lately.

So think warm thoughts, make a spring wardrobe shopping list, and imagine yourself lounging on some warm beach in a pair of sexy shorts. Soon enough the seasons will actually change, and your bare legs will once again see the light of day!

Feminism in Fashion- Could It Be?

by Danielle Flocco

Feminism has been buried in fashion for as long as we can remember seeing 6′, size 0 women. But is it finding it’s way into the industry (finally)? The general consensus seems to believe it is- and who isn’t happy about this! Fashion used to be only for the tall, thin, and beautiful women with unhealthy and harmful lifestyles. However, all races, sizes, and ages are being brought into the standard for beauty now.

A less than subtle hint to the change in beauty standards was Aerie’s un-retouched ad campaign. Their campaign put normal women’s bodies in the spotlight, showing that not even models are as “perfect” as they Photoshop them to be. Aerie’s store windows display their stunning, yet human, women looking great in lingerie just the way they are. Before this, when was the last time you were in the mall and saw an advertisement with a model who has a scar? You haven’t, or at least you thought you haven’t. Photoshop is so easy to use and has endless possibilities, and at times it almost seems like they photograph one woman and create another. Plenty of the models have scars, birthmarks, or stretchmarks- but they are nearly always erased in Photoshop. So, when was the last time you actually met a person with an absolutely impeccable body? Every person is different in a million unique ways, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Thankfully you can see the real people in some ads, and women are finally being shown it’s great to love your body, just the way it is.

Aerie wasn’t the only brand to protest against beauty standards. American Apparel showed the world that aging is okay, and “older” is not synonymous with “ugly”. The brand posted their lingerie ad titled “Sexy has no expiration date.”, featuring a beautiful 62 year old woman. Vogue had reported that the model, Jacky O’Shaughnessy, was a perfect fit because of her natural elegance. While audience opinions ranged from disgusted to thrilled, the overall conclusion was that beauty has no age limit.

Advertisements are not where feminism ends in fashion, either. Last fall on the runway, Rick Owens shocked nearly everyone at Paris Fashion Week. He had 40 black, muscular women come stomping and dancing onto the runway in basketball style outfits. This was a huge change from the stereotypical white woman, floating down the catwalk in a delicate chiffon gown. Owens’ statement showed the world that there are many more desirable forms of femininity than that 6′, size 0. And along with diversity in femininity comes choices.

Women’s fashion is also evolving to focus on dressing the way you want to be viewed, rather than trying to get every man’s attention. Whether you want to look classy, intelligent, or casual there are tons of brands and styles out there waiting for you. And when you dress for yourself, you will attract the people you want to be around- rather than walking around everywhere like a sex bomb because you’re “supposed to” and getting all the wrong attention. Women are becoming less and less of “sex objects” as feminism is emerging in fashion, supported by the #1 selling item in women’s dresses being the maxi dress. The maxi dress cover the entire body, except the arms in short sleeve varieties. Beauty is not about how much skin you show or how sexy you can look anymore, but about looking more elegant and simple than before.

Not to mention that the world is not all about women. Dressing to attract every man you see doesn’t make much sense in this day and age, considering homosexuals are more comfortable than ever to reveal their sexuality. Not every man is interested in women, regardless of how they dress, and not every woman is interested in men either. Like I said before, focusing on dressing the way you want to be viewed as a person is respectable now, and attracts more of the people you wish to have around you.

Luckily healthy, human standards making their way into the industry will teach kids in a positive way, and help create a better future for them. Surrounded by real people, kids will aspire to be greater things than “tall, thin, and beautiful”. And hopefully this means the next generations will grow up with better self esteem than and wish to be nothing but the best they can be as their own unique self.

STYLE

Footer