Product Review: SodaStream

For some reason or another I really wanted to try this contraption - so after grabbing dinner with Erin earlier this week, I bolted to my local Bath Bed & Beyond to pick one up.  SodaStream is a carbonation system which lets you add CO2 to regular H20 from the comfort of your own home. Headquartered in Israel, this company sells its gas infusing machines in 43 countries and is big on being green by reducing consumers' carbon footprint. 

Enough of the technical garb - and on the the review...

Honestly, this machine just looked fun - which is why I got it (I'd like to say that I wanted to be "greener" but that just isn't true).  The model I ended up getting is called Fizz - and it sort of reminds me of a fire hydrant that sits on my counter (it was the only model left at the store). The unit itself is pretty tall but doesn't take up a lot of counter space which is key for kitchen appliances in NY.  The kit came with the actual unit, one tank of carbon dioxide, a reusable bottle/cap used for the actual carbonation and a whack load of sample soda flavors.  What it didn't come with was instructions - which was a bit odd (there are instruction for how to assemble and replace the gas tank but not on how to use the actual machine)...I ended up looking online and found that a lot of people were missing instructions from their kit.  Anyways, after watching a couple videos online on YouTube, I was ready to test it out and make my own fizzy drink!

Step 1:  Fill the carbonation bottle up to wavy line marker (1 Liter capacity) - it's easiest to use cold water here so your drink doesn't have to chill afterwards.

Step 2:  Place the bottle into the machine and screw it in until it's secure.  You want it to be sealed here so that gas doesn't leak out while you are carbonating your water.

Step 3:  Push the lever 3-5 times and watch the bubbles go!  Every time you push down on the lever, the machine will make this loud noise like it's broken which is fine -  just let up on the handle once you hear that noise. 

Step 4:  Release the bottle from the base unit.

Step 5:  You're done! Seltzer water in about 20 seconds from start to finish!

The starter kit comes with a bunch of soda syrups which you can add to the bottle AFTER you carbonate it (you want to keep the aerating tube free from gunk).  Personally, I'm not a big fan of the flavors I tried but I'm also not a big soda drinker to begin with (I got this more to make seltzer water vs cola).

The bottle that you use to carbonate the water doubles as a storage unit and comes with a cap that you can use to cover your carbonated beverage and stash in the fridge.

Overall this is great contraption that does exactly what it says it will do.  What's even better is that you can customize and control the outcome of your drink.  If you like your soda really bubbly, just add another pump of gas when you're aerating the water.  Also, any flavoring that you do add is up to you in terms of what, how much or how little which is a great feature.

  

You can make your own syrups, buy the pre-made SodaStream stuff or use anything else that suits your fancy....like this local ginger syrup from Morris Kitchen (which makes a KILLER ginger ale).  

Another plus of the SodaStream is if you do drink a lot of carbonated beverages, this gadget will save you money in the long run.  One CO2 tank will set you back $15 and will last you 150 liters (i.e. 10 cents/liter carbonated) which is significantly cheaper than anything you can pick up at your local bodega.

In terms of cons, some of the mechanisms on the unit are a bit awkward to use.  The front part of the machine needs to be angled to secure the bottle to the hose and while there is a lever to help position the nozzle, it's still a bit awkward.  There are however, a couple other models on the market that don't have this issue since there is enough room to just adhere the bottle without angling the machine.  The only other downside for me was the lack of instructions - seriously who does that... 

All in all I'm happy with the product and if you're a fan of soda/seltzer this is a nifty thing to have!  PS. If you sign up for email notifications at Bath Bed & Beyond, you can get a 20% coupon that you can use towards your purchase (which is what I did!).   

DIY Polka Dot Nails

Polka Dot Nails are an easy fun way to bring some whimsy and attitude to your nails. You don't need an expensive dotting tool, all you need is a pin and a piece of paper.

First choose 2 contrasting shades of nail polish, one for the base and one for the dot.  After applying base coat, apply 2 coats of the color for the base.

Place a little dot of the contrast color nail polish on a piece of paper (I tend to use an old piece of mail or a business card I don't need anymore). Carefully dipping the end of your pin into the contrast shade place dots on your nail as desired.  If the contrast nail polish starts getting too thick, you can just place a new dot and continue for both hands.

Once nail polish has set, finish off with a clear top coat.  Voila - polka dot nails to take you on your way.

Now Wearing...

Knee-d Your Lovin' Tights, $29.99 & My Heart Skipped Tights, $17.99

I love fall - watching the leaves change colors, breathing the cool crisp air, and layering up with fun socks and tights.  ModCloth has a fun selection of patterned tights.  Hearts sometimes feel a bit too cutesy, but I can't help myself.

Merona Ribbed Tights, $8.00

Target is another great resource for tights.  They've got a solid selection of colors, all affordable.  If you live in New York, Century 21 is a gold mine.  I used to stop in every fall.

DKNY tights & Bass Loves Rachel Antonoff oxfords

This month marks my one year anniversary in Chicago.  One year ago I left New York City, and so much has happened since then.  I could ramble for days, but the short version is that Chicago has been kind to me and it feels right.

Photos by James Rand

Vintage tank, Ann Taylor LOFT skirt, Marni heels, Katherine Kwei hangbag, SEE Eyewear frames

I can't help, but feel kind of nostalgic especially as I pack my things.  Remember when I had no internet?  I'm moving to a new apartment at the end of the month.  I'm going to miss my current place (deck, view of downtown, in-unit washer/dryer!), but I'm really excited about moving into a cozy walk up on a tree-lined street. Home decorating posts to come!

NYC Sample Sales: September 24-30, 2012

Who: Suzanna Dai, Alexandra Satine and Dareen Hakim
What: Enjoy a night of shopping new and past season samples from 3 emerging designers at up to 80% off retail.  Snag Suzanna Dai's gorgeous hand beaded costume jewelry - including necklaces, earrings, bracelets. Scope out Alexandra Satine's lovely convertible leather handbags that go from day to night in the blink of an eye and Dareen Hakim's bold, unexpected leather handbags.
When: September 26, 2012. Wed 5pm-9pm
Where: The Soho House, 29 - 35 9th Avenue (b/n 13th & 14th St)

Who: Showroom Seven Sample Sale
What: Up to 80% off designer clothing and accessories at the Showroom Seven Fall/Winter Sample Sale. Featuring Erickson Beamon, Orla Kiely, Issa London, Leibeskind, Denimocracy, Twenty Cluny, JohnnyWas, and many more. Nightly Happy Hour from 5 to 7. Liebeskind Berlin vintage leather bags: $200 (orig. $349). Issa London metallic dresses: $729 (orig. $1,275). Erickson Beamon Swarovski-crystal necklaces: $611 (orig. $1,528).
Where: 263 11th Avenue, 3rd Floor (b/n 27th & 28th St). 212-643-4810.
When: Now through September 28, 2012. Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 11am-6pm

Now Wearing...

I wore this outfit and modified versions of this outfit to work while it was warm, switching out the skirt, top and shoes.  With fall weather settling in, I'll be packing away most of these pieces with the exception of the sunglasses and wedges which I'll be wearing with tights.

Linen vest - Generra (previously worn here)

Tank - Target

Sunglasses - Super

Floral skirt - secondhand (previously worn here)
Wedge sandals - Surface to Air
Bicycle necklace - Forever21 a couple summers ago (I found a similar one on markdown $15)
Nude zipper bag - Botkier from back in the day

Photos by James Rand

Sample Sales NYC: September 17-23, 2012

Who: Brooklyn Industries Sale
What: Up to 90% off men's and women's apparel
When: September 19-20, 2012. Wed-Thurs 11am—7pm.
Where: 20 Jay St (b/n John and Plymouth St), Brooklyn, NY. Suite 1120

Who: Malia Mills
Wjat: Up to 75% off swimwear separates, one-pieces, tankinis, and cover
ups. Sizes 30AA to 40E, and bottoms and one-pieces in
sizes 2 to 16. Malia Mills ready-to-wear will also be included, along with
merchandise from Inhabit, Raquel Allegra, Kain, Gary Graham, and more
When: September 19-21, 2012. Wed-Fri 10am—6pm.
Where: 263 West 38th St (b/n 7th & 8th Ave). 16th Floor.

Who: I Don't Like Monday's Warehouse Sale
What: Up to 80% off merch from designers like from Alexander Wang, Jeffrey Campbell, Cheap Monday, United Nude, Melissa Shoes, Unif, Warriors of Radness, Robert Geller, Nicholas K, and more.
When: September 20-22, 2012. Thurs—Fri 12pm—7pm, Sat 12pm—5pm.
Where: 157 Bowery (b/n Broome and Delancey St). 646-559-2046.

Who: The Row Sample Sale
What: Snag clothing and accessories from this year's CFDA Womenswear Designers of the Year
When: September 20-23, 2012. Thurs—Sat 9am—6:30pm, Sun 9am—5pm.
Where: Soiffer Haskin, 317 West 33rd St. (b/n 8th Ave & 9th Ave)


Who: Dolce & Gabbana Sample Sale
What: Markdown's on women's clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories
When: September 18-23, 2012.Wed 1pm—6pm, Thurs—Sat 10am—6pm, Sun 11am—5pm.
Where: 123 West 18th St (b/n 6th & 7th Ave), 5th floor

Who: Olive and Bettes + The Columbus Avenue Festival Sale
What: Up to 75% off ready-to-wear from Joie, Autumn Cashmere, Rebecca Taylor, and more. All jeans are $50 – from brands including James Jeans, AG and Citizens of Humanity. Autumn Cashmere sweaters were $310, now $77.50. Joie tops were $224, now $56. Rebecca Taylor dresses were $398, now $99.50
When: September 23, 2012. Sun 9am-8pm
Where: 252 Columbus Ave (at 72nd St). 212-579-2178

Who: Goorin Brothers Sample Sale
What: Snag great prices on hats, including: Baseball Caps & Cadets starting at $10;
Ivy Flatcaps, Floppies, & Cloches starting at $15; Fedoras starting at $20
When: September 21-23, 2012. Fri 3pm-7pm, Sat-Sun 11am-8pm
Where: Nova Bar & Garden Lounge, 884 Pacific St., Brooklyn

Who: Giorgio Armani Women's Sample Sale
What: Shop the Giorgio Armani and Armani Collezione at incredible markdowns. Find outerwear, sweaters, dresses, blazers, tops, and bottoms plus more at 80% off. Full fitting rooms available. Price points include:
Giorgio Armani:
Tops now $99, orig. $325-$1,295
Sweaters now $199, orig. $1,275-$3,350
Blazers now $499, orig. $2,275-$3,825
Jackets now $599, orig. $2,525-$7,995
Dresses now $599, orig. $2,795-$6,575
Armani Collezione:
Jackets now $149-$299, orig. $475-$2,800
Dresses now $299, orig. $1,495-$1,995
Emporio Armani:
Intimates now $10-$20
When: September 20-23, 2012. Thurs-Sun 11am-7pm
Where: 407 West 13th Street(b/n 9th Ave & Washington)

NYFW Presentation: Christine Alcalay Spring 2013

The protagonist in Christine Alcalay's Spring/Summer 2013 collection is clearly the innocent ingenue who has a penchant for pretty clothes that can be worn with ease.

The daylit, stark white space, complete with fluttering sheer drapes and melodies played by violins, added to the overall feeling of romance displayed in her collection. One of my favorite outfits was a sheer white blouse with a peter pan collar, tucked into high-waisted shorts with lace detailing. Simple and sweet.

The models, with their side-swept bangs, loosely tied-back hair and dewy complexions are picturesque English roses, and in Alcalay's clothes could go straight from the office to frolicking in the meadows.  

NYFW Presentation: Erin Barr Spring 2013

If you’ve ever wondered what a Frank Stella x Marilyn Monroe collab might look like, wonder no more. Erin Barr’s Spring 2013 collection is inspired by the concept of “what-if” Frank and Marilyn had crossed paths in their respective careers in the late 1950s. The result? Killer clothes with silhouettes that are both hard and soft, edgy and feminine, sleek and sexy.

What I loved about this collection was how Barr incorporated just enough of a 50s throwback into looks that are clean, modern, and very cool. Also to love is the mixture of fabrics—satin jersey, twill, poplin, leather, French terry, and chiffon—all of which play off each other to create that Stella/Monroe hard-softness.

The lines are clean and geometric, witnessed especially in the cut-outs that make the dresses fun and uber sexy, and the panels of sheer go all too well with the crisp poplin and twill, and not to mention that black leather top. Barr kept the palette simple, sticking to light gray, white, black and red, and though the collection was mostly made up of solids, she threw in some bold patterns reminiscent of some of Stella’s earlier works.

The presentation featured models lounging on or around Eames chairs, Saarinen tables, and other mid-century modern pieces provided by Bright Lyons, all of which added to the cool factor of Barr’s show. To add to this laid-back atmosphere were stacks of books for some casual flipping, a vintage radio, and a record player with some vinyls strewn on the floor around it. Staged as a living tableau, it was fun to watch the models get up, one-at-a-time, walk around the set, chat with a fellow model, pick up an album and peruse the back cover, and then settle back into a another lounger on the other side of the room.

Oh and to top it off, the shades and glasses (mostly of the cat-eye variety, of course!) were supplied by Moscot.

End of Summer Mixtape: A Sunset Story

Artwork by Austin Eustice

For the end of summer, I recorded a collection of my favorite disco songs - some old, some new.  As I put them together I thought about my favorite summer nights and how some were long enough to become summer mornings.

This mix is a perfect reflection of how I've been feeling lately.  I've been doing a lot of day dreaming and reflecting, especially as I approach my one year anniversary in Chicago.

My year hasn't been without adversities and challenges, but in the grand scheme I couldn't be happier.  My closet is full of beautiful florals, cosmic prints, and statement heels, and I'm now DJing every weekend!  My residencies include Paris Club and The Bedford, and I had a few in-stores at Topshop on Michigan Ave.

Tracklist 
1. Gorillaz, Empire Ants (Miami Horror Remix) 
2. Kutcorners, Summer Song 
3. Patrice Rushen, Never Gonna GIve You Up (Shield Your Eyes Rework) 
4. Giorgio Moroder, I Wanna Rock You 
5. Escort, Caméleon Chameleon (Club Remix) 
6. Only Children, Down Fever 
7. Mtume, So You Wanna Be A Star (Kid Color Edit) 
8. Moon Boots, Sugar 
9. ColeCo, Ricky Smiley 
10. Perseus, Seychelles 
11. Mitzi, Morning Light (Softwar Remix) 
12. Idris Muhammad, Could Heaven Ever Be Like This (Noel Marc Deep Disco Remix) 
13. Tensnake, Coma Cat 
14. Flight Facilities, Foreign Language feat Jess (Beni Remix) 
15. Eli Escobar feat. Nomi Ruiz, Desire 
16. Laid Back, White Horse 
17. Neighborhood Romeo, Laura Winslow 
18. Metro Area, Miura 
19. Anna Lunoe & Touch Sensitive, Real Talk 
20. Pharao Black Magic feat. Ghostape, Hermes 
21. Chilly Gonzales, Knight Moves 
22. Misun, My Time (Cousin Cole Remix)

From my Instagram @djlanilove

Now that it's started to cool down, I've been biking and mopeding around town.  Yes, moped.  I recently bought a moped with the help of my good friend Mikey.  I'm living out my urbanite dreams!

Photos by Flow Johnson

Runway Review: Costello Tagliapietra Spring 2013

Costello Tagliapietra's signature draped dresses were aplenty in their SS2013 show. Whether short, long, belted, ruched or asymmetrical, their ability to make their dresses, and therefore their woman, look sophisticated and effortless is what makes their collections covetable. And this season was no different.



Beautifully draped dresses, with flattering ruched details or some artful belt-tying (lovely for those of us with bodies less like a model’s), walked the runway along with a couple of jumpsuits and some separates, that equally lived up to the chic and feminine style we look forward to from this design duo. And though their colors were more neutral and earthy this time around, they still offered some pops of brightness with their abstract prints, some jewel-toned solids and, of course, the peeking undersides of their double-sided AirDye fabrics.

Skin made a bit more of an appearance this season—which only complimented their oh-so-subtly sexy drapes--with several plunging necklines, a halter or two, and a couple of full-length dresses that featured cut-out slivers down the center-front bodice. As always, their styling and beauty was simple, feminine and fresh but with a touch of some carefree sexiness seen with the gently tousled hair and the rosy cheeks and lips. I mean, who wouldn't want to look like this all the time?

Images: Style.com