One of the best things about living in NYC is that no matter how long you have lived here, and how much you think you know the city, it can still surprise you.
There is always a new restaurant to try, new park to see, or new clothing line being launched to wear. The best is when they all come together.
Being a writer, I frequently get invited to see the latest trends, especially for moms and kids. Ok, so I am no Martha Gellhorn, maybe more like Carrie Bradshaw. The NY Times isn’t sending me to Sierra Leone, but Ford Mustang is inviting me to The Blind Barber in the LES.
Its sort of like an excursion to find these events in NYC because you never know what you’re really walking into. A large skyscraper in Times Square, a cute little cafe on the Hudson River, The Russian Tea room – or, my favorite – the speakeasy. You find yourself wondering random streets in Alphabet City looking for a small barber shop, when you see it and think for a moment – where the F is there going to be an event in there? Then they say, oh you’re here for the event – come this way – and you walk through the secret wall/door in the back into a private bar. Hence, the speakeasy!
Speakeasys are the best because you feel like you’ve stumbled into a secret world – you now know something that not all of NYC does. Since they’ve been around since prohibition, you’re inner Indiana Jones comes out because you feel like you’ve just discovered some historical treasure. Add a drink and a manicure and it doesn’t take long for the nostalgia to take over.
Ford Knows Ladies (and Moms)
It’s no secret I am a tom boy at heart, and have a soft spot for cars. I think all women secretly do. We act like pretty handbags are our love interests, but have you ever NOT looked when a beautiful candy apple red convertible rolls down the road? Yeah, didn’t think so. Maximo shares my love of automobiles, however it’s more in the form of city buses and the subway trains above ground in Queens.
So Ford is on their game. They know that women have this hidden love of cars, and when you can relate cars to girly things like nail polish and tee shirts, we’re going to listen. In celebration of Mustang’s 50th anniversary, Lucky Brand is expanding its collaboration with Ford Motor Company featuring a new laid back apparel line for men and women.
They brought in Christos Garkinos, the globally known celebrity stylist and co-owner of renowned Decades vintage boutique, to help us get #stangstyled, including dressing up, getting manicures, and of course, having a photo shoot on the Mustang. Listen moms, we all need a little pampering – I am ALWAYS saying it. When you spend all day fighting stroller wars on the N/Q line and dodging cabbies, you deserve a little drink and a fresh coat of nail polish.
Christos Knows Style
Being a mom, and it being hot now, it’s hard to always look “pulled together.” So, they gave us some fun tips I wanted to share with you:
p.s. Charlize Theron used to own this purse!
1. Highway to Heel: Driving down the highway (or pushing a stroller down 5th Avenue) in stilettos is a road no-no and driving/walking in your worn-out flats will set off style sirens – instead, get the perfect heel of 2.5 inches, which gives you that chic convertible look you are steering towards.
2. A Whip Without The Whipping. Easy breezy Mustang convertible days can sometimes result in your hair getting blown out – but not in a good way. Or, have you ever gotten stuck sweating in the heat of the underground subways, not to mention carrying that stroller up 500 steps only to get blown away by the cross winds between buildings? It’s a hair war zone out there for us. Upgrade your tangles with a chic colorful headscarf and hit the highway or sidewalk in style.
3. Styled to a T: Another surefire way to look summer cool while staying cool is paring a classic T with vintage finds. (You saw my post on looking hip on the playground with sneakers – looking pulled together doesn’t have to mean heels and maxing out your credit card). Whether tying the T into an on-trend crop top and matching with a swingy, tea-length skirt or sporting it with masculine trousers, it will keep you going that extra mile.
4. Don’t forget the easiest way to look polished every day is with a simple manicure. Even if you have to swipe it on yourself quickly between naps, these new Mustang-inspired colors will make you look like you have a live-in full-time nanny with lots of time for pampering!
Don’t be afraid to get out there and live life ladies – being a mom is the greatest thing in the world, but you still have to find a few minutes here and there for yourself to be fabulous!
