Balancing motherhood and marriage, social life and the school play, a female-owned business and finger painting doesn’t have to be a struggle.  It can be achieved with a little patience, organization, and ease, while still looking and feeling fabulous.

Designer Rebecca Minkoff, Gilt Groupe’s Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, celeb stylist June Ambrose, jewelry designer Jennifer Fisher and style and beauty expert, Mary Alice Stephenson, actress and fashion icon Veronica Webb were among the panelists at the May 7 First Annual Mom Mogul Breakfast hosted by Divamoms.com founder Lyss Stern and More Magazine’s Sabine Feldman at Restaurant Bond 45 in Midtown Manhattan.

Panelists helped share their secret to success.  Here are a few that stood out:

Best known for her handbags, Rebecca Minkoff wanted a fancy designer dress when she was a little girl. Her mother gave her a needle and thread and encouraged her to sew one herself.  Rebecca’s mother offered her the gift of independence, which resulted in a successful brand. Minkoff told attendees to “take time to stop and smell the roses and everything will come into place”.

If you are a working mom struggling to get the kids out on time, celebrity stylist June Ambrose suggests meditation. “Wake before the Quake”, wake up an hour before your children (and have some time on your own!).  Not only will you feel wonderful, but also your children will see a more relaxed, ready-to-go mom.

Stern asked panelists what advice they would give to moms who are aspiring to launch their own businesses. Jennifer Fisher, jewelry designer said, “ Just do it, you never know how it’s going to go unless you try. Who cares if you make mistakes? Just try!” Fisher started her business out of her bedroom selling jewelry and turned her side business into an empire. Her jewelry has been worn in many feature films and hit television shows and movies.

Model and actress Veronica Webb told attendees to take time to do nothing. Cuddle time with your children is important. They need to feel loved and you need to bond with your children as well.

The next Long Island Hospitality Ball will be held on Monday, June 3
at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury.
For ticket or donation information, contact Marie Cimaglia, American Cancer Society, at (631) 300-3460.
For information about sponsorships, contact Keith Hart, The Hart Agency, at (631) 752-1053.

Entertainment highlights the evening with featured acts from well-known DJs to live bands including Big Shot with guest appearances by members of the Billy Joel Band. Restaurants and catering entities dish out signature summer specialties such as Besito guacamole and Sage Bistro Moderne salmon tartare. Featured nightclubs and bars as well as wine and spirit sponsors complete the event with cocktails. Tickets are $100 per person (or $150 at the door) and may be purchased at http://bit.ly/2013LIHBtickets

“Rolling” retailers are a mainstay on the West Coast, and while table set-ups with fake designer goods are common in NYC, these newest  revamped trucks offer style in spaces where food-on-the-go is usually stationed. Household names such as Cynthia Rowley and Armani Exchange have even delved in this retail phenomenon.

Hoboken, NJ-based Chic Rattle and Roll was started by two hip-thinking mew moms, 28-year-old Danielle Mazzurco and Lisa Dunn, 35 in in December. Danielle’s passion for rock music blended with Lisa’s girly taste and offers Van Halen T-shirts alongside flowing dresses. Joey Wolffer, 31 years old of Manhattan, runs the the high-end Styleliner. Retail is in her blood: she’s the great-great-granddaughter of a founder of the U.K. retailer Marks & Spencer,. Now she drives a 20-foot-long potato-chip delivery truck that’s filled with hand-painted T-shirts and handbags from off-the-radar designers such as Beirut-based Sarah Beydoun, whose artisans are women in prison in Lebanon. Prices range from $30 to $1,800. Jessie Goldenberg, 24, launched her truck, the bohemian-themed Nomad, in late March.

Because this path to sales signals uniqueness and urgency to buyers, many hopeful fashion-minded entrepreneurs see this as a quick entry to selling their prized designs. Be warned: this new retail avenue is not cheap to enter as outfitting a truck runs between $15,000 and $60,000. While nationwide the number of mobile fashion trucks is growing, here Mr. Bloomberg limits the maximum number on the streets to 853 at a time; the waiting list is closed. The American Mobile Retail Association has grown from five members in California in 2011 to about 70 nationwide. So as long as no one conjectures that these trucks are highly caloric or cholesterol-ridden, perhaps the mayor will ease up on the limit…..

This boutique on wheels showcases the latest styles from exclusive designer brands not found in your everyday boutique or department store; and brings them to a corner near you. Fashion Societe loves this!!!

Prominent New York Philanthropists Raise Over a Quarter of a Million Dollars at
S.L.E. Lupus Foundation’s 5th Annual NY Bag Ladies Luncheon

Honorary co-chairs were Matilda Raffa Cuomo, Former First Lady of New York State, Founder and Chair of Mentoring USA and opera legend Jessye Norman. With her commanding presence and majestic operatic voice, Miss Norman welcomed the crowd. “Like many in this room, I have been involved in this marvelous fundraising luncheon since its inception. I am here each year on behalf of all the magnificent women with lupus who wage an unimaginable battle against this devastating disease affecting not only the bodies of women, but as often, their spirits.”

This year’s noted guest was fashion meteorite Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, who embodies the same pioneering innovative spirit that characterizes the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation. Ms. Wilson went from positions at Bulgari and Louis Vuitton to co-found Gilt Groupe, an innovative e-commerce company offering highly-coveted luxury lifestyle products. She noted, “Three people near and dear to me suffer from lupus so I have seen some of the challenges it poses. Maintaining a positive attitude is not easy when battling such a difficult illness.  But as someone entrenched in the fashion industry, I wanted to speak today to help inspire women to ‘Dress for Happiness,’ boosting their spirits and self-image.”

Jamie Peretz gave a heartwarming talk on her experiences with lupus.

Special recognition was given to Deborah McKeever, President and COO of EHE International for her help in increasing awareness of lupus through its highly visible Rockefeller Center Window Campaign. “EHE International has been very proud to support the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation for the past several years,” said Ms. McKeever. “Our goal is to help groups build awareness of diseases like lupus that are not very well known but warrant public attention.”

New York Turns out for the Lupus Community

Luncheon guests included S.L.E. Lupus Foundation Founder and Vice President Susan Golick and Board members Bonnie Englebardt Lautenberg, wife of Senator Frank Lautenberg; Jennie DeScherer; Betsey Selkowitz; Carol Weisman; and Kate Kelly.  Fashion luminaries included Danielle DiFernando, Founder of Danielle Nicole Handbags and Mary Belle, President, Licensing at The Jones Group which includes iconic lifestyle brands such as Anne Klein, Jones New York and Nine West.  A first-time attendee of special note was long-time champion for women’s causes, Gloria Steinem.

Supporting Lupus is in Style

A silent auction of stunning handbags generated essential funding for the innovative science needed to find a cure for lupus as well as the necessary services to help patients live with the disease day-to-day.

“We thank everyone here today and every designer who generously donated handbags holding so much promise for lupus patients,” said Margaret Dowd, Executive Director, S.L.E. Lupus Foundation. “The funds raised here today turn on the lights of laboratories throughout the country and allow our finest scientists to deliver the breakthrough discoveries that will deliver a Life Without Lupus. So much progress has already been made as we are closing in on the cause and going for the cure.”

About Lupus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), or lupus, is a chronic, complex and serious autoimmune disease affecting more than 1.5 million Americans. Nine out of 10 people with lupus are women. In lupus, the immune system, which is designed to protect against infection, creates antibodies that attack the body’s own tissues and organs — the kidneys, brain, heart, lungs, blood, skin, and joints. Lupus is difficult to diagnose, difficult to treat, and a leading cause of premature cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and stroke among young women.

About the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation

Formed over 40 years ago, the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation leads the nation in providing direct patient services, education, public awareness, as well as funding for innovative lupus research on the national level. The S.L.E. Lupus Foundation is a member of the Lupus Research Institute National Coalition of patient groups throughout the country.

This winter season, the sales outnumber the snowflakes. With bargain signs everywhere, where do you start? 90% off is a pretty tempting draw. Just remember, regardless of what something costs, how good you look depends mainly on how wisely you choose.

Despite these tips you’re the proud owner of a new mistake? Swap your unwanted “treasures” with friends who can use them!

1. Make sure your hands are dry from the cold winter with your favorite pair of gloves. We personally like leather gloves; they are chic and protect hands beautifully- especially when they are lined.  Remember to apply hand moisturizer a few minutes before donning a good pair. Keep it close by and reapply often.

2. Lips are always exposed to the elements so we need to avoid the dry, flaky consequences of leaving them bare. Make sure to re-apply lipstick, and use chap stick, lip gloss, or any lip balm at all other times to create a protective layer.  Soft kissable lips are possible all year round if you take care of them!

3. Cold, grey dreary days are depressing, so try to occasionally head to the spa or salon. Make sure you take time to pamper yourself.  Get a haircut, manicure, pedicure, back massage. Any of these are wonderful pick-me-ups, and come with the bonus of lovely lasting effects. Hang in there ladies!!

The world’s largest gathering of the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation was held at The American Museum of Natural History on Monday evening, November 19th. Hosted by Willie Geist, new co-host of NBC’s Today Show and MSNBC’s Morning Joe, the night raised $2.5 million to turn the tables on lupus with novel innovative research that is producing the pivotal discoveries to improve treatments and uncovering the root causes of lupus that can lead to a cure.

More than 700 members of New York City’s philanthropic, government, business and health care communities joined forces. Five-time Tony award winner Audra McDonald captivated the audience’s hearts with her expression of support. “I can only begin to understand the devastation that lupus can bring having watched a colleague cope with her mom’s death from this disease. I perform for you tonight to help raise the funds needed to drive the most creative research that can turn the situation around for people with lupus as well as millions of others suffering from similar autoimmune diseases.” Audra was just recognized as 2012 Best Actress in a Musical for her starring role in Porgy and Bess.

Gala honorees Fern and Lenard Tessler were celebrated for their steadfast dedication to the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation and its Lupus Research Institute (LRI) in the relentless pursuit of improving lupus care through novel research. Lupus is a devastating autoimmune disease that affects 1.5 million Americans, 90 percent of whom are women — with a two to three times greater risk among women of color.

In accepting the award, Fern commented on the effect her niece’s diagnosis has on her family’s lives. She noted she wants more for her niece– and is determined to give her the future she deserves and the best way we can is to support this organization that finds and funds the most groundbreaking research.

S.L.E. Lupus Foundation President Richard DeScherer announced that in addition to devoting funds raised to lupus research, the Foundation is donating $50,000 to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. “We have been committed to New York for 42 years – while we expand across the country and worldwide, New York will always be our home. And as New Yorkers, we want to help our neighbors get back on their feet.”

Honorary Dinner Chair Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg addressed the crowd, noting, “New York has the most lupus laboratories, private sector lupus research produced, opportunities for lupus diagnosis, treatment and care and the most established and active outreach to combat racial disparities in lupus. The work of these groups over the past several decades has greatly contributed to helping our city assume that leadership role in the U.S. and worldwide.”

Gala 2012 Dinner Chairs were Jennie & Richard DeScherer; Susan Golick & Alan Wasserman; Ronnie & Michael Kassan; Bonnie Englebardt Lautenberg & Senator Frank R. Lautenberg; Andrea & Jeff Lomasky; Lisa & Mark Neporent; Linda & Seth Plattus; Beth & Alan Waldenberg and Carol & Michael Weisman.

New York luminaries supporting the event included Audra’s husband and Broadway star Will Swenson; Governor Mario Cuomo & Mrs. Matilda Cuomo; opera legend Jessye Norman; philanthropists Edward & Arlyn Gardner and socialite Karen Koeningsberg. A live auction conducted by world-renowned Christie’s brought in many more members to the growing family of active combatants against lupus.

About S.L.E. Lupus Foundation: The S.L.E. Lupus Foundation is the country’s preeminent organization delivering direct patient services, public education and novel research at a national level. Founded more than 40 years ago in New York City by lupus patients and their families as the first nonprofit to serve the lupus community, it remains the cornerstone of comprehensive care in all five boroughs in the continuous battle for a Life Without Lupus.

There are different degrees of shoe-awareness. There are people with “shoe fetishes”, there are the Carrie Bradshaws of the world, there are those who seek out form over function and then there are those who never know the right shoe for the occasion.

I was recently at a reception, and the honoree’s shoes had really seen better days – they needed a scrubbing, a polish and a resoling. I can’t tell you how many people I overheard talking about it. Both men and women noticed. It isn’t just a cliché –shoes really can “make or break the man”.  Sadly, sometimes, we do need to send a favorite pair to shoe heaven.

Why is footwear perplexing? Any pair will provide basic protection from the mean streets of the world. But which to wear can convey so much about ourselves. Even when times are tough, spending a little more on a classically designed, well-made pair of shoes not only shows you are practical (real leather, sturdy stitching, and quality soles last longer and can be repaired over time at a fraction of the original price) but they tend to fit better and be more comfy. Remember this: A good pair will outlast almost any other item in your closet, especially true for high quality men’s shoes and classic women’s designs, like basic pumps, flats, and loafers.

But, some of you may be protesting, what about fashion? What about sexy stilettos, platforms with embellishments, and pointy-toe boots with kitten heels? Shoes are an important fashion statement, and we all know, it often takes some discomfort to look good.

Have you ever seen pictures of women who participated in the ancient Chinese custom of foot binding? It’s extreme, but it’s the result of, for lack of a better term, a “fashion craze” that went overboard. Even today, sitting in a pedicure chair, you can see the evidence of women (and men) who are victims of ill-fitting shoes. Pointy-toe styles cram toes into narrow spaces and can cause ugly, painful foot afflictions down the road. Wearing a shoe that fits well is so important, no matter the trend du jour.

If the proper shoe truly makes the person, then it’s important to wear the right shoe for the right occasion which looks good and feels good. It’s an obvious way to ramp up your social and professional image. When you get right down to it, out of anything you wear, shoes are the clearly the most important element of your style.~

Pet Peeves is a 10 year, 501 (C)(3) organization with no-pay staff—all volunteer. Their next Gala is in spring 2013 and sponsorships will fill up very early. Go to www.petpeeves.org to find out about opportunities.

2. Monk Strap One step beyond the one thick strap you usually find on a monk-strap loafer, this modern version has two thin straps with a lighter buckles.
Choose this in the morning when you feel like making an understated, stylish statement. Leather shoes ($1,260) by A. Testoni.

3. Wing tip – Most high-powered execs have got a need for them Not all wing tips look right with suits. But this pair, with its closed-lace construction, slim leather soles, and rich brown patina, could hold its own with most any two OR three-piece suit.
Leather shoes ($595) by Fratelli Rossetti.

4. Oxford Lace-up – Casual dress down days for sport coats with slacks You can’t get much more elegant than a finely made black lace-up, particularly when the toe looks like this: not too pointy, not too round, and not remotely square.

5. Loafer – Say no to laces. Face it; some days just call for no ties. A hand-rubbed, skillfully shaped pair of do-I know-what-to-wear-or-what loafers like these Berlutis are just the kind of shoes that command respect. Even at the office. Leather loafer ($760) by Berluti.

6. the Derby – For Every Day: The Shoe You Can Wear Anywhere. In dreams there’s one pair of shoes you can wear everywhere, all the time, from tuxedos to track pants. We’ve looked, and honestly, dreams are just that. What we have found though, is one pair of shoes that you can wear almost everywhere: these chestnut-brown derbies from the undisputed champion of Swiss footwear, Bally. Leather Scribe derbies ($725) by Bally

Color Rules: You need 3 different color shoes- dark brown, black and cordovan. Want to focus on one? Dark brown owes its versatility to a few key features: their rich color (a dark brown beats black for versatility any day), their knack for blending well and being less obvious than black, and their range in hue which reaches farther and wider than pretty much anything else around. Consider them the skeleton key to your closet and wear them with care. Because most other colors aren’t nearly as versatile. Relax on the weekend and on a casual evening with a light shade of brown and for an elegant night, or an important meeting, a dark chocolate-ly shade.

Golden Rule # 1. Know How You Will Measure the Event’s Success

The reasoning for doing this is two-fold: Have the goal in mind from the start so that you are conscious of how to make that happen. Defining a specific outcome should apply to even the smallest business event.

Golden Rule # 2. Direct the details specifically to your target attendees.

Once you know who you want to attend, many options will be up for grabs. Choose the venue that appeals to the audience…. the agenda (panel discussion, roundtable, speed-anything, structured presentations, should please them as well as anything served.  If you don’t intend to invite the entire free world, focus on  who your target audience member is.

Golden Rule # 3. Research the date and time before announcing.

Make sure you check the date on many holiday schedules- school, general, religious. What will be most convenient for your attendees?  Know what their general schedules might be. For example; is it easiest for the event to occur during work hours, lunch, after work, before the work day, or over the weekend?

Trust these Golden Rules to make your business event successful. These are tried and true and found to work. Follow them and then your ultimate success will be more likely and the results far more satisfying.

Wilhelmina Open Call for W Runway Division Tuesday, June 12 12:00p to 3:00p

at Wilhelmina Models Inc., New York, NY

More than 300 New York’s leading “bag” ladies gathered April 25th at the fourth and largest annual S.L.E. Lupus Foundation’s New York Bag Ladies Luncheon in NYC.  The gala raised $250,000 for those struggling with the devastating disease lupus. Kicking off May Lupus Awareness Month, the event included a silent auction of 140 donated designer and celebrity handbags.

Two outstanding women were honored for their long-time support of the work of the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation: Matilda Raffa Cuomo, Former First Lady of New York State, Founder and Chair of Mentoring USA National/International and author of the new book The Person Who Changed My Life, and Mary E. Belle, President, Licensing at The Jones Group which includes iconic lifestyle brands such as Anne Klein, Jones New York and Nine West.

Serving as Mistress of Ceremonies, opera legend and S.L.E. Lupus Foundation Board member Jessye Norman honored Mary Belle. Introduced by good friend and S.L.E. Lupus Foundation Board President Richard DeScherer, Governor Mario Cuomo had the special privilege of presenting his wife with her award.

Board member Jennie DeScherer presented the most moving honor of the afternoon. In memory of the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation’s co-founder who died this month at nearly 102, the Foundation’s New Investigator Grant Program will be named: The Morrie Golick New Investigator Awards in Lupus.

Who’s Who of Attendees Touched by People with Lupus
In addition to Governor Cuomo, several members of their family including Dr. Margaret Cuomo, Maria Cuomo Cole and Cristina Greeven Cuomo were among the audience recognizing Matilda’s contributions. Additional S.L.E. Lupus Foundation Board members in attendance include Founder and Vice President Susan Golick; Bonnie Englebardt Lautenberg, wife of Senator Frank Lautenberg and Michelle Gadsden-Williams, Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Credit Suisse. Also from the Foundation’s Board were Fern Tessler; Betsey Selkowitz; Carol Weisman and Kate Kelly.

Working Miracles
The event turned generously donated designer and celebrity handbags into pocket-books full of miracles; a silent auction raised funding for the science needed to find a cure for lupus as well as the necessary services to help patients live with the disease day-to-day.

“The funds raised today literally work miracles for those faced with lupus,” said Margaret Dowd, Executive Director, S.L.E. Lupus Foundation. Dowd also announced that the 2012 Life Without Lupus Gala will be held November 19 and will honor the very active Foundation Board member and noted philanthropist Fern Tessler.

About Lupus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), or lupus, is a chronic, complex and serious autoimmune disease affecting more than 1.5 million Americans. In lupus, the immune system, which is designed to protect against infection, creates antibodies that attack the body’s own tissues and organs — the kidneys, brain, heart, lungs, blood, skin, and joints. Lupus is difficult to diagnose, difficult to treat, and a leading cause of premature cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and stroke among young women.

This their 25th year’s honorees include:
Woman of Distinction, Matilda Raffa Cuomo, Former First Lady of New York State
Community Service Award, Hon. Catherine Nolan, NYS Assemblywoman, Chair of Education Committee
Hon. Elizabeth Crowley, New York State Councilwoman
Hon. Catherine Glover, Esq., NYS Democratic State Committeewomen
Sasha Greene, LMSW, Director, UFT Retiree Social Services
Hon. Grace Meng, New York State Assemblywoman
Hon. Evelyn Roth, Nassau County Commissioner for the Aging
Sue Sutera, Physical Ed. Coach, Jamaica High School

CWNY “Good Guy” Awards are for men who support their efforts and share their goal of achieving equal rights for women:
Hon. Edward C. Braunstein, New York State Assemblyman
Alan Kaufman, Treasurer, CEO, Melrose Credit Union
Fred Papert, President, The 42nd Street Development Corp.
Gregory Clague, CLTC, LUTCF, Financial Services Executive, MetLife

The Center under the guidance from Ann Jawin, has shown that women working together can be an effective force. We are a voluntary, non-profit organization existing primarily on dues from our members and on the volunteer efforts of business, professional and community women. The Celebration of “Women in Leadership” Awards honors women of diverse backgrounds who are committed to women’s rights and have made significant contributions to our community.

The Pet Peeves’ 10th Anniversary Celebration took place on Tuesday, March 20, at the Crest Hollow Country Club. Janine Dion’s production was utterly delightful: chicly decorated, scores of stylish Long Islanders, an abundantly friendly and warm vibe, and catered with extensive choices of fine food. Scores of reasons why it is worth the time, effort and funds to make sure you put this on your calendar for next year!!

Enjoy these images of just some of the beautifully dressed (and fun!) attendees, while everyone there enjoyed the colorful lounge theme, decadent food, extensive bar with NO lines and outrageous display of raffle baskets.

JoAnn Winkhart, Corporate Relations Development Director of FOUR Food Studio & Cocktail Salon and K. Pacho Cocina & Tequila, is ALWAYS dressed so pretty!

Yolanda Giunta of East Rockaway is styling a Ralph Lauren top and skirt and Jimmy Choo stilettos - Wow!!

Pet Peeves volunteers Monet Lee rocks a sporty striped dress while Nikki Friedman looks ready for spring in an asymmetrical chic blue acetate dress.

Laura Hartman and Joanne Hutchins from the 501(c)(3) breast cancer charity "Moms Who Kick" were on hand to show off their fabulous figures and the results that avid physical fitness coupled with a nutritious diet can keep women strong and avoid certain cancers.

This gentleman was happy to pose for Fashion Societé to exemplify what a well-dressed man wears . . . )

These ladies love their shoes! Kayla sports a one-shoulder pretty printed pink top and black pencil skirt paired with purple t-strap peeptoe heels- sweet! Marianne's bright body-skimming shirred dress is a great match for her multi-colored stilettos with lime heels - You go girls!

Great evening out, where animals in need were supported generously on Long Island. Pet Peeves, Inc. is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization, is completely volunteer-driven. They have a hands-on board, wonderful volunteers and no paid staff members. The proceeds of ALL efforts go to the animals! Check out their website to learn more about Pet Peeves at: http://www.petpeeves.org.

Fashion Societe loves this look for the office.

These shoes also look great with slim-fitting ankle-length pants.

Ballet flats are still getting tons of traction in the fashion world, but it’s important to remember that flats can make thick calves look thicker, so we recommend wearing them with pants, just like timeless Audrey Hepburn did in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”

And now that warmer weather is upon us, don’t forget about cork wedges, which go great with everything, from skirts to shorts and every length pants in between!

Fabian Perez, 3 Girls in Bar Painting

One of life’s simple pleasures is to belly up to the bar, tell the bartender what you’re thirsty for and drink in a little ambiance, collect your thoughts, escape from the rain,escape from home, a glass of courage, for all the reasons we go to bars and all the kinds of bars we go to, bars are a wonderful institution.

One of the best parts about being at a bar is that it’s one of the last places left where we get to have face to face conversations with people. A still thriving arena for human social interaction. The three martini lunch, a collective viewing of a big game, meeting point for a blind date, chance encounter, therapy session with the bartender, there are millions of excuses to go for a drink. Bars are an oasis of socialization.

It is because bars are vital to our social survival, let’s consider some of the do’s and don’ts that keep the good cheer going-

Do:

-Be polite

-Tip your bartender well

-When out with friends take turns buying rounds of drinks

-Give a busy bartender a down payment on the nights tip so they will take good care of     you with the unspoken promise of a good tip later.

-put your cell phone on vibrate.

-Give a lady a seat

-Know your limit

-Have your money ready when ordering

-Set up a tab if you are going to be ordering more than one drink.

-Stay home if you’re a belligerent drunk

-The person intent on paying should do the ordering

-When in a group order all your drinks together

Don’t:

-Don’t be rude to the Bartender

-Don’t put your sunglasses on the bar (#1 cause of lost pairs)

-Don’t order if you are not the one paying

-Don’t be cheap- eeew!

-Don’t leave your drink unattended, unfortunately these days leaving your drink unattended can be dangerous

-Don’t slurp, or play with your ice. Manners count here too!

-Don’t bang on the bar, would you do that at your mother’s table?

-Don’t talk on your cell phone at the bar. Take it outside.

-Don’t get offended if you get carded. Take it as a compliment darlings.

(it could mean that all the alcohol you have been drinking is keeping you remarkably well preserved)

-Don’t beg for a drink after last call, it’s undignified and unfair to the bartender who deserves to go home after a long night of serving you. The bar can lose their license if they serve you after hours.

Don’t be loud, it’s rude.

We have had a long standing penchant for upscale hotel bars.  The decor, the level of service, the elaborate nut mix and soft background noise with the patrons that are themselves mixed nuts both locally grown and imported make for interesting people watching and occasionally a verbal exchange between people from different universes as opposed to on line “chat”.

Access to this kind of interaction does not require a computer, reservations or being on the velvet rope’s “list”. Just make yourself presentable, take your wallet and go explore any one of the cities wealth of watering holes. Take in another scene, have an expertly mixed cocktail, and open yourself up to the experience at one of last places in our society where we can just meet and have a chat with some cheer.

Have a happy and safe St. Patrick’s Day. We’re all Irish on the 17th apparently.

As the world becomes smaller and our  communication technology like SKYPE has made things we once only watched on cartoons like the Jetsons a reality.   More than ever before in the history of the world, just to be able to have a chance to compete and function on an international level we must speak at least three languages.  This is a new concept for most Americans who’s Americentric education has given us a worldwide reputation for being bad tourists.  We have always imposed that everyone else learns to speak English for our benefit.  That no longer flies.  Today, most decent schools around the world do their best to produce generations of people that can compete in the global market place by speaking three or more languages.  The Swiss for example are known for this benefit to their educational system.

Protocol dictates that at gatherings, the  chosen language be the one understood by the majority.  On the other hand, if one person is left out, the polite thing to do is to translate from time to time, so everyone is included in the conversation.

Recently I found myself in South America where I could practice my French. Like, Americans, Francophiles tend to flock together no matter where they are in the world, and so, I found myself at the most sophisticated lunch with my family, where, although everyone at the table spoke three languages in common, French was the language at the table. French is technically my second language but in practice my third.  My command of Spanish is far greater than my French, which although fully comprehensible, is not eloquent.  So ashamed by my poor handle of my mother’s tongue, I reserve it for when I must.  Whereas with Spanish I feel totally comfortable from habitual use and forgiveness by others for my small grammatical errors.

Immediately, I was transported back to the family reunions of my childhood where meals consisted of smiling politely, dying to be included, yet being seen but not heard.  Following the topics of  Swiss private banking and the price of vacation properties in the south of France, or Florida versus Colombia were not hard to follow, just simply out of my realm.

It makes one appreciate the language of pets, where depending on the intonation, a woof, growl, meow or purr is universal…

Communication is the key to everything.  If you find yourself in a situation where someone is not communicating with you I suggest making the effort to find out why. If you are in a group, try to make sure everyone is included so nobody feels ignored, especially if you are the host.  When you ignore someone’s presence you minimize their existence. Ultimately we are our words, it’s what makes us human: humorous, interesting, boring, a prick, or just kind.

We are now 9 billion people that share this finite space called earth.  We had better start communicating…

Oy but why should we stop there? It’s time to roll out our Monthly Fashion Themes, and with this being usually the chilliest month- here we go with our debut of January: Cold Weather Clothes!

Stay tuned for facts, figures and anything else warm and interesting about how we dress and prepare for cold weather.

Fashion Societé appreciates when hot New York restaurants, including Crown, Cain, The Dutch and Locanda Verde offer superb values on their wine lists~

Scribbling in her Moleskine notebook on a plane ride back from a wine festival, Jordan Salcito, the wine director of New York’s Crown restaurant, had an epiphany.

“I wanted to make wine approachable,” she says. “Wine is still an intimidating subject and sommeliers are often stereotyped as being stuffy.”

With a mission to democratize the art of appreciating wine, Salcito launched her own label called Bellus, a Tuscan red made from Sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon and merlot grapes that pairs well with tomato-based foods, red meats, charcuterie and poultry.

Hoping to “empower people to learn their own likes and dislikes,” while extracting wine’s “intimidation factor,” Salcito teamed up with designer Tory Burch to conceptualize the bottle’s label, which succinctly quantifies the wine’s level of acidity, body, tannins, minerality, oak and complexity.

“Tory has been super supportive. She lent me one of her designers for the label to make it more polished,” Salcito says. “In return, I gave back to her foundation.”

For every bottle of Bellus sold, Salcito will donate 75 cents to the Tory Burch foundation. If all 20,000 bottles sell, Burch can expect a hefty $15,000 donation — which is a distinct likelihood — considering the wine’s $19.99 price tag.

Starting today, Bellus will be available exclusively through Gilt Taste for three days. After that, it can be bought through Crush Wine Company and Belluswines.com. Bellus, which means “beautiful’”in Latin, will also be sold at Crush Wine’s retail store in Midtown Manhattan for $22.99, and at select New York restaurants, including Crown, Cain, The Dutch and Locanda Verde.

“I really wanted to create something with superb quality and a really accessible price point,” says the passionate Salcito. “What I love about wine is that there’s no such thing as knowing everything about it. There are so many different regions. Things are always changing. Wine has such history.”

Fashion, taste and style are commonly interchangeable words. Yet they’re quite different elements. After all, Fashion is material expression of the current time– garments are chosen to be worn to clothe, through offerings by designers/retailers who feel it will sell. Taste is the preference for a particular design. Tastes range widely to the extent that the “best taste” is usually considered one’s own.  Style is the most complex derivative of clothing and expression. Dressing codes are combined into types, take on a name, become recognizable, and are often associated with groups of people.  But the true essence of style- whether it’s worn, a common thread in music, or found in an author’s work- is a free use of the proper which German poet Friedrich Holderlin explains is the freedom to break rules. Whether a person is “well-dressed” is often a unique interpretation of this 3 element-combo.

With reality TV hosts mocking then transforming the lucky subject to the glee of the family, how many of us can relate to that poor soul when he/she first appears? Their taste is bashed, their possessions discarded and a new style is handed to them. Do we take notes throughout so that we improve upon the end credits, or do we watch for giggles? Personally, I love “How Do I Look?” and  I’ll never give up my subscription to Marie Claire or Lucky. Time spent with these are rewards for tasks such as writing this.  With popularity such as Elle‘s- the largest with 42 international editions in over 60 countries, we can expect to see the new trends, the newest it bags, and fresh ways to put it all together better. With all the coverage and “suggestions” we are led to internalize this ourselves- whether its back to a familiar rut or an actual seasonal metamorphosis.

How’s that going? Magazines work. Shows entertain. It’s basically passive stuff. I believe we need to get proactive. After all, these economic times require all we’ve got.

First published November 7, 2011 in womenpartner.org.

Having an image that is of a consistently high standard projects a message of quality and self confidence; it increases your responsiveness to your clients and colleagues, and removes the attention of yourself and onto the needs of the ones you are serving.

As people begin to see your name and become aware of the benefits and knowledge that you offer, before you know it thousands of people will not only know who you are but they will begin to seek out your services and expertise. They will identify with your brand which is you.

1.  Don’t overlook the power of a good first impression. People make amazing assumptions about your professional  credibility and potential performance based upon your appearance during a first meeting. It’s very difficult to overcome a poor first impression, regardless of your knowledge or expertise.

2.  Be notable! Identify the components that differentiate you. How do you stand out among the other options? Perfect an eloquent descriptive and memorable introduction of yourself and your position. To promote yourself effectively, you must know (and be able to articulate) who you are and why you do what you do.

3. Ultimately, it is always the person who dignifies the position, and not the position that dignifies the person. If we want others to take us seriously and view us as a professional, we must first view ourselves as one.

4. Body language is defined as a type of communication between one or more persons which does not utilize verbal words. Instead, body language is read by each person by carefully watching the facial  expressions, hand gestures, posture, and movements made by another person.  Body language can dominate the spoken words.

5. Raise your professional and personal standards until even you are impressed. The pursuit of excellence is not only politically correct it is also highly profitable. Do not settle for mediocrity.

6. You are always making visual statements. No matter where you are going or what you are doing, you are telling people something about yourself.  Thinking “big picture” means that to get where you want to be in three years, for example, you may have to pay extra close attention to those visual statements you are making today.

7. Invest in quality instead of quantity. Have clarity about the purpose you are buying for. Don’t spend money on something that doesn’t look great on you even if it’s almost free! Dress better than you have to and don’t be afraid to stand out from the crowd.

8. One of the main elements of an introduction is your smile, or at the very least, a pleasant facial expression. A smile sends a positive message and adds warmth and an aura of confidence. Others will be more receptive if you remember to check your expression.

9. Managing your attitude is an important business tool for every successful leader.  Your attitude is infectious and drives behavior, make it work for you.

10. There is power in perception. To those you meet, how you are perceived is who you are. What kind of image are you projecting? Remember, your career could depend on it.

Charmaine conducts transformational Image & Etiquette consultations worldwide through teleseminars, phone coaching and face-to-face consultations.  Her head office is based in Toronto, Canada.   http://www.advanceimageconsulting.ca

Through her column in Features, Patty is in charge of spreading the urban style of trendy women in order to inspire and… of course, entertain. She chooses 4 from many, and arranges them on the page so that their head-to-toe sartorial choices are in full view. Each woman gives a translation of her look, and Patty shares their mood alongside the photo. Her favorite “interview” so far has been a mother-daughter combo, where the senior of the pair (Mom) was dressed colorfully, looking vibrant and energetic. The younger half was all in black– completely comfortable in classic New York chic!

With some columnists’ sour outlooks on fashion caused by the volatile economy, sitting with Patty was really refreshing– she reaches outside the box, and gathers her arsenal of special, unique subjects from places we don’t normally expect to see a array of high style. A teen trip to the Bronx Museum resulted in a wealth of great subjects! Furthermore, this pretty young lady does all her own photography- carrying around her Nikon D90 DSLR- and never photoshopping anyone– it’s all naturalll! Enjoy our choice of selections from Patty’s many columns below~

See Foodspotting   South Bronx Style    Staten Island’s Vibrancy

I'm one of forty plus women selected by the Women's News Bureau!

I’m proud to be one of forty plus women selected by the Women’s News Bureau to follow on LinkedIn today.

The Women’s News Bureau (http://womenpartner.org) has gathered over 40 women for you to network with today on LinkedIn to help you maximize your membership.  Read their news snippets and invite them to connect.  Then strike up a conversation about collaborating to introduce each other to your respective clients.

1. Women ages 20 to 36.

2. Women whose look could use some freshening up.  Maybe she thinks mom jeans are ironically cool (they’re not), or darkens her eyebrows with a Sharpie (true story), or is holding on to a hairstyle that made her hot ten years ago (but isn’t doing much for her these days).  The more outrageous her fashion or beauty transgressions the better. Don’t worry about offending her–she’ll be too excited about getting a makeover to be upset.

3. Women who could use some pampering. Perhaps she’s a single mom, or she’s fighting cancer, or she’s putting herself through college singlehandedly, or she lost her job earlier this year.  We want to make her feel amazing for a day.

4. Live in the New York City area (surrounding states are fine).

Do you know someone who meets ALL these requirements?  Please email us if you do (YES, you can nominate yourself), or pass this post on so they can respond to the questions.

Send an email that answers the following questions to fashionsocietenyc@gmail.com by Thursday, September 22 at 12 noon EST.

Name:
Age:
City, State:
Email address:
Why she NEEDS a makeover:
Why she DESERVES a makeover: