Cocktail.Champange.Cool Dip?

I'm hitting myself every time I go to a party in the Hamptons because I wish I had my swimsuit. Sometimes I would rather be in the pool than to mingle with posers..and other times the pool is a great way to meet new people. Last Saturday I got picked up by a hot Argentinean who asked for my digits while I was in the pool swimming.  Even last night in the muggy NYC down at 88 leonard I was joansing for the lycra. My host and Frenchie Beau in waiting #2 (truly a bon-bon since he's leaving for Paris permanently in 15 days)  has a massive jacuzzi in the courtyard of his building...boy am I jealous. But really I can't complain with Frenchie#2 making sweet moves, his best friend (also french) also elbowing his way in and the Blackberry is ringing from the film maker I met on thursday at a penthouse party. Girl the roof is onfire. It's raining men and I still have Frenchie #1 waiting to see me upon my return to nyc. I'm coolin off in Maine for a bit but I have a feeling the arrows are still a comin!

Polo in the Hamptons

(Our own Maureen Schreyer in the arms of Hugh Grant-wouldn't you like to be her?)
Really is there anything more glamorous than the Mercedes Benz Polo VIP tent Saturdays in the Hamptons? It certainly is a great opportunity for many corporate sponsors-pop chips, and teak furniture, stoli vodka....but NO CHAMPAGNE....say what! Why go??? For the people watching...for the polo match which no one watches. I spotted a few of the Housewives of New York City looking desperate...all of whom will go to an opening of an envelope. Jill Zarin, Alex McCord, and Ramona. I also saw Jon of Jon and Kate who every paparazzi made a big 2 DO about which I cannot understand. He's famous for having 8 kids...who cares. The most amusing part of the spectacle was watching the shark attack-A certain older 'matchmaker' J hooking her teeth into the hot Irishman who was chatting me up. In rapid fire she asked him serious questions...visa or green card? who do you work under at goldman sachs? where do you live? how long have you been with your girlfriend? So aggressive it was hilarious. The men found it amusing and super indicative of New York. Not that a man like that would ever need to hire a matchmaker...he seemed to have no problem getting the ladies. I think she just wanted to drool up close.
smooze
oggle
preen
air kiss
repeat

Unzipped

Jetted up on the scooter to see a screening of Isaac Mizrahi's Unzipped. Really I bought my ticket because my 'fairy fashion godfather' Harold Koda left his Maine summer house to moderate the conversation with Isaac and his coworker. I had seen the movie before but it was so much richer in the auditorium filled with fashionistas, upper eastside ladies, and a few 'fabulous' men in designer shoes.
See the preshow interview filmed by Abigail Pope

Private Ping Pong

In New York, it's all about the private clubs. Shhhhh.....ladies this is wonderful spot filled with 2/3rd men and 75% single. Hurry since memberships are very reasonable and it's still not officially open. SpiNyc (http://www.spinyc.com/) is a private ping pong club in the lower level of 304 Park Avenue South. Entrance is on 23rd and is totally on the dl. Management is waiting on the liqour liscense but ponging is open. There are three distinct areas-the back private party room sponsored by Fred Perry-very dark, preppy, and handsome/still a bit raw, modern hip and clean locker rooms (you may work up a sweat for those serious ping pong players), and the main attraction ping pong area complete with bleachers and bar for those who want to oggle. I found out about this hip spot from my talented friend Masala of redmasala.com. Our good friend Mikey (founder of http://mikeyshookup.com/) is a charter member and long time ponger. Ceo/owner Andrew informed us that the floor in the ping pong room is the same floor they do the olympics on and took 2 weeks to install. Afficiandos will enjoy that and others will enjoy the laid back and playful attitude of the place. Unique architectural features such as the playing room having a window onto the subway platform, and existing 1930's revolving door from the old woolworth passage impressed us. I'm hoping the let girls pong for free....hint hint. Andrew was very welcoming to us and encouraged us to stop by anytime! Considering the vibe I think I may do that!

Mad Madonna

I was one of those girls who worshiped Madonna in junior high. I played dress up with lace leggings and she was my icon every single day. I'm also one of those who loved her so much could recite her lines from the Will & Grace episode but that's another blogpost...I am so sad to say that I have lost faith in Madonna as a style compass. Clearly she's fallen off her style wagon and needs a new stylist (I'm available but honest Madge). Who let her out of the house in this get up? I'm all for hats but blue horns? Judging from other online reviews that rip her to shreds seems I'm not alone in this. I'm just sad to see her fall off her pedestal and go down this Alice and Wonderland rabbit hole. At least she still has good taste men!
check out what the fug girls said
http://gofugyourself.celebuzz.com/go_fug_yourself/cat_621/
see another madonna blog post at
http://imeanwhat.com/blog/madonna-will-not-go-gently-into-that-good-night

What a cookie! What cookie?

No I'm sorry I don't have a picture of this cookie. Because it seriously disappeared too quickly to take a picture of it. So my little sis made one request as I headed back to New York. To eat a chocolate chip cookie at City Bakery and tell her if it's the best or not. She had heard from many sources that it is the best in the US (what a statement!) Since City Bakery is my special 'spot' with a good friend this was an easy task to accomplish. My go to cookie there used to be the now defunct 'evening hour' cookie, and then became the 'black bottom' (i know it sounds naughty but really is 'scrummy'). So this week I bought the cookie and took a bite searching for a fishy flavor. There was none. I was left with 4 words in my mind-crispy but chewy, buttery and totally CHOCOLATE (the chips are square and oozing) Is it the best cookie? I don't know..I make a killer mookie that my cousins freak out over but yes Lisa the City Bakery chocolate chip cookie is pretty damn good. You're going to have to visit to try it! xox

The Rack Trap?

'Racktrap™
What I find so funny about this product is that someone thought to dream it up (my mother would totally buy this just for shopping at the farmers market) and then I found out about it by Peter Shankman of HARO who was having a hard time pimping it out (because he's a boy). His comments were dead on:
'The Racktrap holds your small everyday
essentials including license, cash, credit cards, Metrocard and key
in one safe place, close to your heart and far from mugger's hands.
(Or anyone's hands, I suppose.) Go tweet about it and have fun.'
http://www.theracktrap.com
I can just imagine..."honey is that a key in your bra or are you just happy to see me?"

The Philip Treacy of New York

If you love hats and know Philip Treacy (who made Isabella Blow looks so stylish) you will appreciate Heather Huey Couture Hats. She is located in China Town and let me tell you she knows how to sculpt a hat. Her hats were in 4 runway shows this past season at Bryant Park. Check out her work at her revamped site
www.heatherhuey.com

a rose by anyone name?

Now I understand buzz in new york. The Rose Bar in the Gramercy Park Hotel has major buzz. But with buzz there is misinformation. One of my hedge fund CEO's explained that to get in you have to email and have a reservation in advance and have a secret email address. And that it was always a SS or CF. What I have found which I should probably not say is that the reservations start at 10pm at night. The doors close to the public at 9pm. But if you are already inside the Rose Bar before 9pm you can stay be there, hang out, even visit the chic bathrooms and get handed a pass that will get you back in. I have also been enjoying frequenting the bar in the early evening when it's still subdued and civilized. The downside is that when sober the $19 cocktails seem ridiculous in this economy. Last night I organized a group of 6 (with the help of a guy friend conspirator) for a little get together and we had a really nice time. In advance I was sweating the door policy so i sent an email to the rosebar from the link on their website. Got a confirmation that stated it in no way was a reservation but then never heard back to say we were in or out. I had asked for a reservation at 8:30. Maybe they deemed it not necessary and that they don't reserve at that hour but still a real human response would be nice. I then got my friend on the phone who has a friend who is 'in' there. She then gave me another email address 'velvetropes' but alas that email address rejected me because I wasn't on his email list. I guess there are cyber velvet ropes now. I was also given the cell phone number of the manager but decided not to call for fear of being blacklisted.
We winged it and you know we didn't get kicked out of our table. We had a lovely time, met some cool people playing pool and went home happy.I know I'm on their marketing radar because I get beautiful invitation mailings to come stay at the hotel but hello...I live here. I'm just wondering since I've been here like 5 times, when do I become a 'regular' where everybody knows my name?

Just Say NO to Harem Pants

Ok Ladies.
I'm all for fashion. I work in fashion but I believe in looking good. What I stress to my clients is to showcase their best features and to WORK IT. So I ask you, what does the Harem pant accentuate?
The fact that you have a low crotch and wear diapers. I saw them on the runway and thought they would never translate, but then I saw them in the store windows in these great mecca of new york. I thought for sure no one would fall for them.....but then 2 days ago I saw 2 women wearing black harem pants in the LES/East Village area. Ok so downtown is one thing. But I'm warning you if I see them uptown or on Bill Cunningham's Shot on the Street in the NYTimes I'm going to start writing fashion citations!

Green with Envy

American Museum of Natural History’s Green Benefit Dance
As an old fashioned girl the idea of attending one of nyc’s benefits tickles me pink.
Get a chance to wrangle a gorgeous dress from my bursting closet?
Have my hair and makeup done by my good friend Agata Helena (917-687-0235)?
Flirt with the young, hip, and fabulous in 212?
People watch/outfit ogle?
Count me in!
Highlights included:
Running into pal vanity fair scribe Rebecca Guinness,
Fugly 80’s sequin mini dress on Meredith Melling Burke of Vogue-when bad fashion happens to talented people
Gold haremesque sequin pants
Gabi AsFour and the AsThree hippie entourage
Yigal Azrouel looking sexy and single!
The star TIGHT WHITE HOT STRAPLESS jumpsuit looking amazing on an unidentified blond.

Backstage @ Heatherette, NYC Fall Fashion Week 2007

Maureen Schreyer brings us backstage at Heatherette.