Tyra Banks Picks San & Soni

Over the course of my five years running Kick PR, I have had the chance to work with so many amazing small designers. Many of them have a hard time breaking into the mainstream consumer market because they are short on funds. Many PR firms charge an arm and a leg, and make promises they can't keep. Being a small designer is a constant uphill battle. Whatever money there is, it needs to be allocated to make the most sense, and often times that's sales and production. In many cases, PR takes a back seat.

Sometimes though, even with the limited PR efforts, something amazing happens... word of mouth. San & Soni is one of those designers that people talk about, in a positive light. It's one of the most beautiful and unique lines I have seen, and every season the designers Jeet and Sonali Singh give us something even more special than the one before. This is a collection that speaks for itself and often times you hear, "Wow, what a fantastic jacket, where did you get that?" followed by "This is San & Soni." And it's in this exchange that word of mouth begins. Its exactly what Malcolm Gladwell talks about in his book, "The Tipping Point."It takes that one person, or group of people, to spread the word on something noteworthy.So, when Tyra Banks wore the San & Soni Princeton blouse from Fall 2009 on her show with Miss J, you can imagine what that does to a brand. Tyra is an all around fabulous woman. She embodies a woman of style and class, and choosing to wear San & Soni on her show is not only amazing exposure, but truly flattering. Even better, it happened on its own, naturally. Tyra's stylist was shopping in TG 170 on Ludlow Street and picked up the blouse.

The Fall collection is available online at TG170.com and www.sanandsoni.com, under Collections/ Fall '09. Check out the beautifully tailored blouses like the one that Tyra is wearing, the elegant and chic cocktail dresses that will wow a crowd this holiday season, and the blazers and coats that will keep you fashionably protected from winter's elements.

If you are in New York City, San & Soni will be selling for the third season at the Gen Art Shops event on December 2nd. The location is 7W, and shop 'til you drop from 7-10pm.

I Love Combos... No, Not The Cheesy Snack.

For the holidays, I try and be smart and thoughtful with my gifting. It's hard earned money I am spending, and the only way I feel good about throwing down the dollars is if I know I am going to make someone happy. People have confidence in me, that if I am getting them a gift of jewelry or apparel, I didn't go grab something off the Summer '06 rack at Wal Mart. I also don't always love giving something for the sake of giving something.

I just found out about the gift sets for under $100 from Chicago designers Kirsten Goede of Objets d'Envy and Kate Boggiano of Kate Boggiano Blouses. These two women are amazing designers, and happen to be very good friends. Girl power! They are both offering a gift set including a pair of earrings, an every day tank, and a pashmina for $82. What I love, is that there are four color ways to chose from, and I feel that having those options helps to personalize the look for each person. My mom for instance should really stay away from the color gray, but she looks ten years younger in teal and fuchsia!
And though what I am about to say may sound cliche, remember, cliche's speak the truth. This gift set is "more bang for your buck." Check out the sets HERE. And there's no timer on the website, so feel free to shop around for hours!

New Hampshire Chic. Yes, It Exists.

My boyfriend lives in New Hampshire, so that means I am there as well. And New York City and New Hampshire are pretty much the same, so I don't even notice the difference! Ha. At first, I had accepted the fact that when I was in New Hampshire, I needed to put away all of my NY clothes and lounge around in sweats and flannels. It was a bit depressing; New York is like a stage and every day is a new presentation! In New Hampshire, no one gives a flying whoop if you are wearing shoes from an obscure shoe designer out of Spain. So I threw my hands up, stomped my feet and screamed "How can they not care about such things?!" Well, the answer always is, its just fashion. Its true, it is just fashion, but for me its a wonderful art of expression.

So after my tantrum, I decided I would recreate my look for New Hampshire and instead of dresses, tights and wedges, I would design "New Hampshire Chic." And I have to tell you, New Hampshire Chic is super cute! So, I went over to my favorite outfit design site, Polyvore, and worked up an outfit that I would wear. Here is my creation:

Flannel: Check. Puffy Vest: Check. Cardigan: Check. AWESOME LEATHER BOOTS by BELSTAFF: NEED TO BUY! So, its not that bad. Its OK that no one here cares, what matters is that I feel good. Somehow I feel like Blaire Waldorf complaining that no one at NYU knows who she is, but she gets out of her hole and builds a new life accordingly. And that's kind of what I am doing in New Hampshire. When in Rome...

Adriana Carador: The Amazon Ring

I haven’t been to Brazil. It’s actually on my list of places to go someday. It seems to me that such wonderful color and energy comes out of that country. There are so many great designers, including Isabela Capeto and Adriana Carador. Adriana Carador is not only the name of a fabulous jewelry collection, but Adriana also a very beautiful, stylish and wonderful designer who is based in Sao Paulo. This is her namesake collection that has women from Brazil to Dallas head over heels. I have written about the collection before, and for that post, click here.

Adriana unveils new pieces every few months and recently she sent me over the image of the Amazon Ring. When I opened the email with this Amazon photo, I gasped. I really did. I don't generally tend to wear emeralds but the way these are designed around the ring with the diamonds in the middle...sigh, it had me at hello .

The full collection is at Fragments in SoHo and www.adrianacarador.com. And this week, Fragments is taking their show on the road to Choices in Pittsburgh from Oct 22- 25th. Fragments is showcasing their designers, including Adriana Carador and if that’s your ‘hood, I suggest you stop by for some shopping and chat it up with the designers. Don’t forget, trying on jewelry is free.

Priya Himatsingka Jewelry

I found this designer at Cape Weekend, and really fell in love with her collection. She has very unique way of working with diamonds and settings. Its not for everyone. People who like a little bit more traditional jewelry may not find the beauty in her collection, but I sure do.

I think these earrings are spectacular. They are diamond solitaire earrings featuring unique diamonds from India in specially shaped silver bezels. Every girl needs a good pair of diamonds!

And this ring is to die for. I am very much into antique and vintage. But do not mistake this for me liking things that smell like mothballs and a basement. There is quality antique and there is crap. This look is quality; just look at the price tag. I think its a timeless ring with style that lasts from the day you graduate from college until the day you send your last child off to college.

For more on Priya, find her at Cape Weekend or RISD Works

Goodbye Pink Lace and Barbie Clothing, Hello Sophisticated Saurette.

If I could just shrink down to a size 4T, I would most definitely fill my closet with Saurette (and I would probably have to enter some sort of clinic, because a 31-yr old old in a size 4T, not that hot). But, you get my point.

Kids look so amazing in pretty much anything they wear. My niece Avery rocks striped leggings with polka dot tees. Now, if I were to try that out.. yeah, not so much. And speaking of Avery, every day she heads to her closet (she's three; we've created a monster) and says " I want my blue dress from Saurette." And as cute as it is, my sister has an issue dressing her daughter in the same thing every day. But Avery is a die-hard Saurette fan, along with many hip moms across the US.

So here are some looks for Fall 2009.

Color, color, color!! I love it. A cape for the young ones makes so much sense to me. I mean, its easy and you don't have to deal with pulling arms through the jackets and all that stuff. ( Oh wow, that sounded like and ad for Snuggie... my nemesis). And this dress in the middle is so perfect for that late Summer - Fall transition. Today its about 75 and I am in shorts and a tee. Put on a cardigan or throw on some leggings under that adorable dress and Happy Thanksgiving!

Saurette is loved by many; perhaps you have seen? Real Simple, Cookie, Daily Candy, and not to name drop, but Gwenyth Paltrow is a fan. Ok, I name dropped. You can follow Saurette on twitter @saurette for updates. If you are a store buyer, stop by Saurette at the ENK Childrens Club October 4- 6th and if you are a shopper with a daughter /niece/friend age 2-12, stop by Tree House Social Club in Los Angeles on October 16th, 4-7pm and meet designer Lisa Kanouse. Discount off Fall 2009 and a sneak peak of Spring 2010.

Am I Really Writing a Post About L.L. Bean Fashion? Yes, Yes I Am.

Summer is gone. It's just the way it is. I remember thinking one day in August when we had our first summer- like weekend, "Winter is gonna be a bitch." Because, when you have one month only of summer, that means the cooler weather is going to wrap itself around us and not let go for about..hmmm... seven months. Ugh. No one looks cute with chapped lips and pale skin. (That's why we use bronzer ladies!)

Before we enter that dark zone though, we do walk through the lovely season of Fall, which from a fashion standpoint, is super cute! I was browsing through the L.L.Bean catalog out of boredom the other day, and came across some legit items that can be complimentary to your very chic wardrobe.

Don't laugh, but I am bringing the Barn Jacket back into my closet. I was looking at it, and its actually a great coat for Fall. I am getting to the point where "practical" makes sense to me. Too many years of not practical has left me with sore feet and a bad back. Thanks stilettos! The Barn Jacket is simple; I guess that why I like it so much. They go so well with scarves and apple picking! And flip up the collar, it will update the look.


Starting mid Fall, my toes start getting cold and as much as I love watching homecoming football games and being outside, my time outdoors is sometimes limited. That's why I picked these Shearling- lined Boots, because they look so warm and I think they would look very chic over jeans/ under a skirt. You choose.


And with the amount of travel I have been doing, I recognize that its time to update my luggage accordingly. This Wildlife Tote is just awesome. I know LL Bean prides themselves on their totes, and up until now my thought has been "meh" on the whole initial tote bag. But now there is an Owl and I must have it! I don't like checking any luggage if I don't have to, and after last weeks scare of lost luggage, I will now be carrying with me all of my jewelry and beloved items, like skin care that I can not do without!

L.L. Bean has fantastic customer service, which is a big seller for me as a customer. They take back products and fix them, no questions asked. And you may ask, "Is L.L. Bean a Kick PR client?" Nope, I just really fancy their Fall fashions at the moment.