Anticipating The Met Gala 2014

Elle Macpherson - spectacularly and fabulously negotiating the Met Gala staircase in flats

The Met Gala is my Super Bowl.

Or maybe, a better analogy - my Grand National and Kentucky Derby all rolled into one. Well, we ARE talking frisky, high strung, long legged fashion fillies.

Fashionistas forced to negotiate a long flight of stairs in gowns and high heels; being blinded by flashbulbs; all the while trying to make it look effortless, might not exactly be a steeplechase - but it's not that much of a stretch. And seriously, it's much more fun to watch.

Like any sports fan, anticipation and excitement builds long before the actual event - at the beginning of the season really. The positives and negatives of each contender are endlessly discussed and meticulously researched; opinions are read; bets are placed. It's the same for me.

In fact, my mind starts to race, months before the actual event, held each year on the first Monday night in May.

But here's where the sports analogy fails and this is the reason the Met Gala is such a spectacular event to watch.

Each year the rules of the game change.

The theme of the Met Gala reflects the chosen subject or theme of that year's Costume Institute exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and one must dress accordingly.

This can go spectacularly awry, and many a thoroughbred has fallen at the first hurdle.

Take for example, Gwyneth Paltrow at last year's "Punk: Chaos to Couture", trying so hard to be clever by incorporating a slash and a "punk-ish" hot pink color, but looking instead like a Pepto Bismol preppy princess - and oh so very boring.

Or poor pregnant Kimye - who just wore her very own couch fabric and look liked one too. Or Madonna, who worse than being either "boring" or "tasteless" made the fatal fashion faux pas of turning up in a punk inspired Halloween costume. 

Ah, but those are but a few of the fashion fails. What about the winners? Those that adhere to the given year's theme, but pull off a look that is both fashion forward and beautiful? I give you as an example Sienna Miller in Burberry spiked jacket and headband the same year. Now, how cool is she? Sienna is first passed the post by a furlong.

And so, this brings us to 2014, and in stark contrast to last year, the Met Gala will be a tribute to the first couture designer of the fashion world: "Charles James: Beyond Fashion"-  a designer famous in the 1940's for his classically feminine and beautifully draped ball gowns...

The dress code for this event has already caused a stir amongst men, as it has been requested they wear "White Tie and Decorations" i.e. the most formal evening wear of white tie and tails and top hats. For women, floor length dresses will be a must.

But how to interpret this look without being too literal? And how to be elegant and modern? How to negotiate that super long staircase and not trip over your enormous dress?

How to give a nod of reverence to Charles James without looking like a giant cupcake? 

I'm on the edge of my seat...

Discovering Cape May, NJ

Cape May Lifeboat

Cape May Lighthouse - built 1859

If I ask you to think of New Jersey, or ask you to find some adjectives to describe it,  probably "pretty"; "ornate" and "quaint" would be the last on the list. Most likely you'd think of "loud"; "brash"; "tough"- I know I did too...

I bet you'd picture the fictional pop cult characters of the hit TV drama "The Sopranos" - Tony perhaps, cruising in his oversized SUV on the NJ Turnpike, hairy, bear like hand gripping the wheel, large gold pinky ring, smoke rising from his enormous cigar gripped between chubby fingers.

Or maybe you'd think of the bombastic and literally, as well as figuratively, larger than life NJ Governor Chris Christie.

Maybe the iconic, New Jersey born, blue collar musicians like Bruce Springsteen or Jon Bon Jovi, come to mind, and their anthems about working class heroes, industrial landscapes and their hard knock lives.

Or perhaps more likely the infamous "reality" shows like "Jersey Shore" or "Jersey-licious" - with their over the top, loutish characters, all tattoos and greased back hair.

Then, like me, you'll be surprised to find, there is also a quiet and genteel side to New Jersey too. In fact, there are attractive and historic little towns dotted about the state.

One of the best of these is Cape May, NJ, situated at the most southern tip. Located at Exit Zero on the Garden State Parkway, it is a Victorian beauty on the NJ coast.

Established in 1857, it is America's oldest sea side resort. The whole town is designated a National Trust protected historic district. There are over 600 Victorian buildings there - stunning, fanciful, gingerbread houses painted in pastel shades with intricately carved porticos and balustrades. Today a large number of the residences have been transformed into Bed & Breakfast places; of course many Victorian buildings were constructed as hotels in the first place. Invariably they have imposing and elegant wraparound porches, and are furnished with wicker sofas and porch swings, perfect to lay upon and take the sea air.

Ornate Victorian balcony

The Congress Hall Hotel

Victorian beauty with mansard roof

Reception at Congress Hall Hotel

In the summer season, you can take street tours of the best historic houses, either in horse drawn carriages or vintage style trolley buses. 

There is a small pedestrian shopping area in the center of town lined with little boutiques selling jewelry and knick knacks and antique white lace; a classic traditional fudge shop; a 1950's style soda shop too.

The expansive, award winning, white sandy beaches are gorgeous, and you can watch dolphins from the shore. If you feel energetic, climb to the top of the Cape May lighthouse at Cape May Point State Park and admire the view for miles of the ocean and the bay.

In other words, if you want a little break from the speed and craziness of every day life, this is the perfect place in which to decompress. It's a journey back in time, and an unexpectedly beautiful side of New Jersey, that plays against the stereotype.

Grand Central Terminal NYC hidden gems

I still get a thrill when I arrive at Grand Central Terminal. The physical, cathedral like grandeur of the space, plus the hustle and bustle of commuters, always combines to send an adrenaline rush up my spine.

I get myself mentally prepared too: "OK - stay alert; be prepared; up the pace". I find it energizing. 

Most tourists, who come to marvel at the architecture, focus on the beauty of the central plaza and the center clock, or perhaps the stunning gold constellations painted on the sky blue ceiling. Most commuters are too busy rushing to the platforms to make their trains back to the suburbs to stop and take note. It's a shame both groups often miss some of the hidden gems within the building, hidden in plain sight.

"The Campbell Apartment", cocktail bar and lounge, located on the upper level and "The Grand Central Oyster Bar and Restaurant" which is situated on the lower level, are two of these such gems.

"The Campbell Apartment" harks back to the era of prohibition speakeasies. Look for a small sign on the lower level in the terminal next to a bank of elevators that will take you there, or an unprepossessing entrance at 15 Vanderbilt Ave which leads up to it, via a flight of carpeted stairs.

It is totally worth the effort to seek it out. Like the "Tardis" from the Dr. Who television series, the small entrance belies a magical space inside. It is gorgeous.

Though its name suggests otherwise, it was in fact never an apartment, but was rented as an office by 1920's business tycoon John W Campbell from Vanderbilt, who built Grand Central. After the space had been abandoned for many years and fallen into disrepair, it was re-imagined and reopened in 1999 as a swanky cocktail lounge.

Its original architecture, ceiling, moldings and faux fireplace were all completely restored and a bar was installed along one side of the room under the magnificent leaded window.

It's the perfect location to meet friends, as I did there the other month, as long as they can find it! And once comfortably nestled on one of the red velvet couches, order their infamous "Prohibition Punch" and kick back a little. Relax.

"The Grand Central Oyster Bar and Restaurant" can be found on the lower level. 

The once grand space had similarly fallen into disrepair and the marble pillars and high vaulted ceiling had inexplicably been covered with wallpaper, until it was renovated and reopened under new ownership in 1974. 

The original restaurant, opened in 1913 - "The Oyster bar" - had been named for its oyster stew.  The new management updated the restaurant name and completely recreated the menu with emphasis on seafood. Since then it has won many awards both for its culinary expertise as well as its wines. It's a stunning space and I particularly enjoy tasting their selection of oysters on the half shell (they offer a selection of 25 to 30 different varieties) or sipping one of their potent Bloody Mary's.

Check out the "whispering gallery" phenomenon while you're down there too - the effect created by the arches. Who knows what other little secrets within the walls of the Grand Central Terminal will come to light...

"The Beauty Bar" - salon/saloon - NYC

Returning to NYC after a decade away, I am thrilled to find my old neighborhood local, The Beauty Bar, located at 231 East 14th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Ave) is still going strong.

Originally an old 1950's style beauty salon, it was re-imagined and converted into a "saloon" in 1995. The owner installed a bar, but kept all the chrome-dome hair dryers. It draws an eclectic crowd who enjoy the retro vibe. 

In keeping with the history, they also offer a $10 manicure service along with your martini, most nights from 6pm to 11pm.

And if you listen very carefully I'm sure you can hear the spirits of the original blue haired ladies gossiping in their curlers...

Ralph Lauren's Magic Trick

Greenwich Avenue, in Greenwich, Connecticut runs up a hill in the center of town and caters to those with serious money to spend. The residents of this zip code are some of the wealthiest in America, in fact, some of the richest in the whole world, and this avenue is a luxury shopper's paradise. I would say every single luxury brand has a presence here.

None is so prominent as the Ralph Lauren store though, pride of place right in the middle of them all at #265, which opened in November 2009 - incredibly - in the middle of the recession.

Ralph Lauren has created a store that resembles a Grand Residence. It is very imposing, with its Beaux Arts limestone facade, enormous arched front entrance, large windows and balconies with ornate metal work. Inside the nearly 19,000 square foot building, there is a large marble tiled hallway with a sweeping staircase leading to smaller "salon" style rooms on the upper level. 

Not only does the building resemble the kind of mansion that would not seem out of place in F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby", of course the clothes and home interior products evoke that era too.

In Ralph Lauren stores, you have come to expect the merchandise will be beautifully styled, but here it is presented on a higher level all together. 

You feel like you are literally walking into someone's unbelievably fabulous life. I've never seen mannequins that look like they are lounging about in relaxation, but in the formal sitting room, this is exactly what they seem to be doing. Here is one casually leaning against an antiqued mahogany table or another seated in a languid pose, both dressed in the most gorgeous evening gowns. You almost feel like you need to apologize for rudely gate crashing and intruding upon the pre dinner cocktails and hors d'oeuvres they are clearly about to enjoy.

Above the fireplace and marble mantlepiece is a large TV screen that runs loops of the most current Ralph Lauren catwalk shows featuring beautiful models in stunning clothes walking in time to music.

Luxury brand and luxury lifestyle - fantasy and reality - all meshed together in one glamorous place. This is experiential marketing at its absolute finest. I am living and breathing the Ralph Lauren brand and I'm totally emotionally immersed. They're flaunting the American Dream on the grandest of scales.

It's a mesmerizing sales pitch and beautifully executed.

Don't Ban Bossy

Last week I questioned what I felt to be the rather off putting strident, scolding tone of Sheryl Sandberg's current YouTube "Ban Bossy" campaign.

In my blog "Very Bossy Pants"  (3/28/14), I pointed out how Tina Fey had in fact "owned" the word "bossy" - even having titled her April 2011 memoir "Bossy Pants" - and used humor to convey a feminist perspective. 

Today, I happened to find this quote by Tina Fey's friend and colleague Amy Poehler, which I just had to share. I think she makes a very succinct point. 

Of course, Amy being Amy - clever, witty and absolutely hilarious - she also invented a humorous feminist code to live by. Maybe Sheryl Sandberg could reboot her campaign with this as the new tag line? I think it would be far more effective. OK. I'm joking. Sort of...

The ABC's of eating in NYC

"ABC Cocina" opened last year. It's the latest and most affordable restaurant in acclaimed Michelin star chef Jean Georges Vongerichten's stable and I had been dying to go. 

It's housed inside the "ABC Carpet & Home" store on 19th street between Broadway and Park Ave South, and one of my dearest girl friends in NYC met me there for lunch last Friday.

First of all, "ABC Carpet & Home", situated just off Union Square, has always been how I'd imagine Aladdin's Cave would look. It's one of my favorite stores in NYC, as it's unrestrainedly fanciful with a hipster vibe. The first floor is the most interesting to me, having all sorts of eclectic collections of table top items; an amazing array of pillows; unusual clothing; beautiful stationary and one-of-a-kind vintage jewelry. All of these items are artfully and creatively displayed. You might glance in one direction and see a table set for a sushi dinner, with delicate cracked glass dishes and tiny dipping bowls in a range of pastel colors; or in another direction spy a mannequin with intricately carved wolf's head wearing a stunning burnt orange, funnel neck, nubby wool coat - (a wolf in sheep's clothing - get it !?!) - or in another, a large stone statue of Buddha.

It's a visual feast for the eyes, almost to the point of being overwhelming, and a great place to go and hang out and browse. It's pretty fabulous for people watching too - a few months ago I stepped back and nearly stood on the model Amber Valletta.

"ABC Cocina" is located behind stunning Art Deco style glass doors at the back of the first floor (or can be accessed directly from another entrance on the street on 19th).

In contrast to the store,  the decor is funky but minimalist cool. It features interesting light fixtures; distressed and textured concrete on the walls and smooth concrete on the table tops; and a dark beamed ceiling. The menu is inspired by Latin America and features small bites, meant for sharing. The portions are, in fact, perfect for two girlfriends to share for a light lunch. We were in a celebratory mood, and it was Friday, so we ordered oysters on the half shell and a glass each of rose champagne - a fantastic combination and such a treat. 

I had read a review that said the speciality of the house is their range of tacos, so we also ordered one each with sauteed mushrooms, chocolate mole sauce, limes and shredded kale; and one each featuring crunchy fish with aioli cabbage-chili pickle. The ingredients combined in such an incredible way that the flavors just burst on my tongue. The mushroom taco was dark and rich and earthy but the lime gave a little zing; the fish taco light and crispy, clean and fresh but with a little kick from the chili - both absolutely delicious.

The range of tacos - a speciality

Through the window facing onto 19th street, I could see it had started to rain again, a light grey, dreary drizzle. Inside, the restaurant was buzzing; our waiter attentive; our food transporting us miles away to a climate that was vibrant with color.

After lunch we wandered the store a little more and lingered in front of the vintage jewelry cabinets, happy to chat and browse before heading our separate ways on the subway - back to the real world.