Category Archive: Travel

Sep 29 2011

NYC Adventure: KAWS Companion At The Standard

I raved about The Standard, New York briefly in my HTC Inspiration Tour blog post, but after I got lots of response to a picture I tweeted of KAWS’ enormous installation I thought I would to a blog about it. I have seen crazy sculptures before but never as big as this in an urban area, and it also happens to be KAWS aka Brian Donnelly’s first outdoor sculpture. I just love that it is covering his eyes – so cute!

What is so amazing is this beauty has traveled from Hong Kong to the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Connecticut, and now it stands guard outside The Standard until October. I don’t why but I think the Companion could sit here permanently it just so fitted into the Meatpacking District, and against the yellow and glass backdrop of the hotel.

There is even a video of the installation being put together:

Generally everything about The Standard, New York is cool, from the bright yellow revolving door, to the mirrored ceiling in the foyer, or how about the exquisite The Standard Grill with its cute doggie salt and pepper pots.

Thanks so much to Jules from HTC who got me this cute set below – so pleased that I managed to get them back to the UK in one piece, they are now smooching in my office.

So much fun to be had with that mirrored ceiling.

Tags: KAWS, New York, The Standard

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Sep 28 2011

NYC Adventure: HTC Inspiration Tour – Part 3 – Charlotte Ronson

The fifth and final host on the HTC Inspiration Tour was the very down-to-earth and quite poorly fashion designer Charlotte Ronson. Such a trooper though as she just wrapped up warm in her own designed parka jacket from her spring/summer 2011 collection, as she sat waiting for each group to come by on the High Line. Not only did I love her parka, yes I am someone who loved the 90s, I also love how she couldn’t go without a little glamour, working her own black laced ankle booties from her Resort 2011 collection.

Grundy vs pretty is a great look – LOVE!!

Charlotte was sweet in talking about how her musical family, if you didn’t know she is the sister of Mark and Samantha Ronson, inspires her work she even went onto tell us that Samantha created a mixtape that inspired one of her collections. It was also interesting getting insight into how she juggles her main line collection that just showcased spring/summer 2012 during New York Fashion Week, as well as her on-going collaborations with JCPenney, a new beauty line that just recently launch into Sephoria and her expansion into Asia.

I have to admit I wish I had more time with her, would have been interesting to know more about the celebrity influences on her collection, not only from her own fame but also how much it helps a brand like hers when famous pals include Kelly Osbourne and Nicole Richie wear her designs.

It was nice to hear her inspirations for her spring/summer 2012 collection, which she described as more “lady like” than previous collections with a lots of Victorian influences in the detailing such as covered fabric buttons and lace, which contrasted nicely with the seventies bohemian vibe of crop tops, patchwork denim and “cute florals”. When talking about her collection she was so passionate it was inspiring to hear, I think some have the feeling that she works off her ‘Ronson’ name but I think that couldn’t be further away from the truth. From just a short meeting it is obvious that Charlotte is driven and works very hard on her line.

I did ask whether we would ever see her show during London Fashion Week, and it doesn’t look like it would happen as New York is very much her base. It would be nice to get the brand more recognition here in the UK, especially as she doesn’t have a press team here, but Charlotte didn’t say no to one day doing something here. Maybe one day I will be able to attend her show at NYFW.

As well as having a great chat Charlotte also gave us all a copy of her Spring ’12 runway mix created for her by Samantha Ronson. I love it so much especially track 7 – Rolling in the Fire by Adele/John Legend a special S.Ronson mix. Very cool keepsake from such a fabulous day.

It was also great to see Charlotte feeling a little better and all glammed up at the HTC Rhyme launch party. She looked stunning in her black three-quarter sleeve lace vintage dress, teamed with coral strappy heels. I just love how she is still rocking the same very cool, uber-unstyled bun in her hair and friendship bracelets.

Tags: Charlotte Ronson, HTC, HTC Adventure, New York, NY, NYC, Samantha Ronson

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Sep 28 2011

NYC Adventure: HTC Inspiration Tour – Part 2

I loved meeting the chef, the artist and the mobile phone designer, but I was so pleased that the HTC Inspiration Tour also featured a fashion element. The fourth stop on the tour was inside the swanky The Standard Hotel’s The Living Room bar to meet with jewellery designer Samantha House.

This was a perfect setting to meet Samantha, as the bar has a lounge-cum-surf shack feel about it, and Samantha in her bra-flashing wrap dress and cute girlie vibe is kind of a free-spirit of contradictions herself. I was really taken with the décor of floating lights and plants down the windows, and a surf board signed by Kelly Slater, as well as the fantastic looking cocktails.

I have to admit out of all the hosts I was completely mesmerised by Samantha, her confidence and attitude was amazing, and it was one of those meetings that I wish I had recorded rather than just took pictures. Not only are her designs stunning, she also has an amazing perspective on people and New York that was fascinating to hear, especially when it comes to how NYC can change peoples style.

Both Samantha and Hip Guide Syl were wearing her designs and they were spectacular. Working a lot with brightly coloured and luxurious polished stones and beads, Samantha also adds textures to her designs with wire and rope, each piece is handmade and very couture-like. I love that Samantha simply described her line as “pretty”. It is certainly more than that, the designs are exquisite and it is rare to find something that is luxurious while still being fun.

The lovely Aparna modelling one of Samantha’s designs, which we were lucky to receive as a special gift from HTC at the end of the scavenger hunt as our prize. The piece is called the Angelina, and Samantha said that the wire design represent the avenues of Manhattan and the clear beads the sparkle of the city, and I quite agree. Such a gorgeous piece that you imagine it weighs a ton, but it is so light that it makes it easy to wear. One of the girls wore it to the party in the evening and it looked fab under the disco lights.

One of the things that always inspires me is finding new brands to adore and obsess over, and I think that after meeting Samantha I will definitely have to keep an eye out for her new collections, I really do appreciate a crazy creative!!!

As well as meeting an amazing designer I was also taken back by the enormous sculpture standing guard in front of the hotel designed by KAWS.

Want to know more about the HTC Inspiration Tour click for Part 1 here, or visit my Facebook for more pictures.

Tags: HTC, KAWS, New York, NYC, Samantha House, The Standard

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Sep 28 2011

NYC Adventure: HTC Inspiration Tour – Part 1

As well as whisking me to New York for the launch of their smartphone, click here if you haven’t read my review of the cute Rhyme, HTC also treated us to a very cool inspirational scavenger hunt around the Meatpacking District and on the High Line organised by Syl Tang *far right above* from Hip Guide. I have to admit I wasn’t sure what this would entail, all I knew was that I would meet five different hosts who would talk about what inspires them ranging from a chef to a fashion designer. Interesting concept all built around HTC’s people-watching skills that helps them develop such crazy hot mobiles.

So we were split into teams and assigned a guide, to help us if we had no idea what the clue was on about, and off we all raced off into the Meatpacking District with our cryptic clue in hand. First stop was to meet Harry Stoehr a chef in the Chelsea Market. I was thinking it was just going to be a little like Borough Market, but it was so much more, I’m actually not a foodie, don’t get me wrong I love to eat but not so much to cook, if I had this place on my doorstep I am sure that would change. Jammed packed full of character, this place has everything from buying fresh produce or offers you something different to eat whether it is seafood, vegan delights, just good quality American food or amazing chocolate delights. I just really loved the vibe of this market.

It was also beautifully styled as well, lots of cool archive pictures of how it used to look, very industrial with the exposed pipe gushing out water to make a waterfall, brass sculptures of feet, exposed brick work and cogs, I could have spent all day in this place in.

As well as all the stop off points it was amazing to take in the architecture and character of the area, so many painted murals, cool people and colourful scenes.

This was underneath Chelsea Market, I just couldn’t help but snap it, also just around the corner was the Loss Sqid, and some cute Vespa’s, every turn uncovered something completely different.

If you thought I was joking on how cryptic the clues were, this is one of the best we were given to track down our second stop.

“Leave behind crepes, cupcakes, chowders and chocolates. On High at Sixteenth is a host who can do portraits. Find a view of a lady, tall and proud. Who witnessed the journey of many a crowd. On benches tiered in rows of three your host sits looking out to sea.”

Instantly we knew that it had to be artist Matthew Thomas but I was a little confused about the sea and lady, that was until I turned around on the High Line and just in the distance you could spy the Statue of Liberty *my picture isn’t great – trust me she is there*.

Matthew was one of the most interesting hosts on the tour, not only was his artwork exquisite, he has such an interesting background, which comes out in his amazing portraits. I really loved all them, especially the ones of his dog and the more abstract pieces.

Next stop was to speak to Nichole Rouillac, one of the HTC designers who headed up the hardware design for the new HTC Rhyme. Not only was she adorable in her polka-dot dress and red hot nails, but her excitement and enthusiasm for the new phone was infectious. It was another great opportunity to play with the phone, as well as find out more about the features and I am excited to use the camera as they’ve made improvements. Better autofocus, face recognition as well as adding more effects so kind of like Instagram, and the thing that excited me the most it comes with a five-shot burst. This is one great camera phone and as I snap a lot this is going to be perfect for me.

What I loved most about this tour, as well as running around everywhere with the lovely Aparna and David, was to chance to explore the High Line, which is a public park built on a 1.45-mile-long elevated rail structure that runs from Gansevoort Street to 34th Street on Manhattan’s West Side. If you are heading to New York soon I promise this is worth a visit, I loved all the expose rail track, all the seating, and most of all the views are incredible, as I said you can see Statue of Liberty on a clear day, also you can people watch into all the buildings that run by the side, I loved watching this girl dancing she was so stunning.

I took so many pictures I have decided to cut this post into a few parts, I think the fourth and fifth hosts who were eccentric jewellery designer Samantha House and fashion designer Charlotte Ronson deserve their own blog posts. So watch this space!!!

I have also put another folder of pictures on my Facebook Page – so pop over if you want to see more from my NYC Adventure with HTC.

Tags: High Line, Hip Guide, HTC, New York, NYC

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Sep 26 2011

NYC Adventure: HTC Launches Rhyme Smartphone

Last week I had the pleasure of flying to New York for the launch of HTC’s latest smartphone, HTC Rhyme, which was held at a rather cool warehouse studio the High Line Stages, just round the corner from the redeveloped High Line railway walk network.

I have to own up I am a Blackberry girl, my last three mobiles have been of the qwerty variety and I have had a strictly no touch screen policy, well that is until now. The iPhone as appealing as it is with all its applications, I completely despise something that doesn’t allow me to change the battery; yes I am an over-user of my mobile and sometimes I need to re-juice it with a spare battery, I am not one for struggling to find a plug socket. Trust me I was the only one during London Fashion Week not suffering from battery fatigue.

I have always heard good things about HTC and Android its operating system, mainly from men to be honest, and the Taiwanese company have a knack for developing great looking phones, but nothing purely driven at the lifestyle market. It seems that HTC Rhyme is set to remedy all this with a cool smartphone aimed at us girlies. I know many brands have done this before, and most of them have been a hue of pink, do you remember the Samsung E530 or how about the Nokia 7373, or they’ve featured a calorie-counting app pre-installed or adorned with diamantes, or maybe you were one of those women who bought the LG mobile complete with a mirror to re-apply your lippie?

Well trust me the HTC Rhyme maybe be plum in colouring but that I think that is where the girlie-specific characteristics stop. Yes it is feminine it in its appeal, as it is slightly smaller than the norm for HTC, the screen is 3.7 inches rather than the 4.3 inches seen on the HTC 3D Evo, but saying that still bigger than the iPhone screen.

It has a sleek interface called HTC Sense, which includes a quick menu on the front that shows your most used applications, for me it would have to be email, Twitter, text messaging, and contacts. Talking about contacts, one of the things I love with my BB is that if I go to contacts it shows my recent activity with that person, well HTC have gone one step further as well as emails, phone and text it also features social media conversations. Just testing out the phone I loved the interface and can’t wait to see how it copes with my over-use when it launches here in the UK next month.

As well as being a great mobile, HTC have considered all those little things that you normally buy separately and combined it in the same set-up box. So as well as the Rhyme, you will get a dock, tangle-free headphones, and trust me they are tangle-free I tested them out much to the amusement of the HTC demonstrator, and a cute bag charm that clicks into the headphone socket and clips to your bag strap; so when you receive a call, text, email for instance it flashes, great idea for people like me who have huge bags and are prone to losing them inside!!

In the development of the Rhyme it seems that HTC did a lot of ‘people watching’ and researched how people use their mobiles, and apparently most people take their phone to bed with them *I must be the only one who doesn’t*. So to make this easier the mobile comes complete with a dock in the box, which means no-wires-required charging and it makes a great alarm clock. I told you this smartphone was nifty. They’ve also developed other accessories like bluetooth headsets, and something that I was very excited about, like with your iPod or iPhone there is going to be an exercise accessory that can be strapped to your arm. Seriously LOVE this phone!!

As well as being available in Plum, the handset will also come in Clearwater, a gold hue, a step away from the classic black or iPhone white. But as you can see above you can make it any colour you want as you can buy covers.

If like me you’ve never gone for touch screen, or maybe you also don’t want an iPhone the HTC Rhyme will surprise you. This little beauty is sleek in its design, features a sexy interface that caters to your needs, and best of all it is super light, I always worry about touch screens being heavy but this one was about the same as my Blackberry Bold. If anything can get me to step away from the qwerty keys it is this mobile, I know I have gushed about it, but at heart I am a geek and I love gadgets and this one has gone to the top of my wish list.

So far only O2 have released the launch date of October 17, sadly with no price points as yet, but trust me if you are due an upgrade soon and you want something a little different then please try this out before going with the norm.

Also did I mention HTC also has a mirror app!!!

**Disclaimer: HTC paid for my trip to New York, but didn’t influence my review of the launch, they were impeccable hosts who opened my eyes to more than just my Blackberry or my friends iPhones.**

Tags: Fever PR, HTC, HTC Rhyme, New York, NYC

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Sep 18 2011

HTC Adventure: Fashionista Barbie Heads To New York

A bit like a Mini adventure, but hey not with cars and not in Blightly, so actually nothing like that at all, tomorrow I am jetting off with HTC to New York for a huge launch they are doing. Can’t say too much as I actually don’t know what it is, all will be revealed on Tuesday.

As my fashion week followers will realise this means I am missing two days of London Fashion Week, fear not though as I have an amazing guest blogger my pal Ella filling in for me and she will be posting her reviews on shows including Mark Fast and David Koma *super jealous I love both of them*.

I am back Thursday and normal service will be resumed, but if I have chance I will blog from the Big Apple.

Have fun dolls!!

Tags: HTC

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Aug 19 2011

Weekend Away: My Red Bull Adventure To Leeds

I don’t know why I haven’t posted this sooner, I blame scheduling on the wrong date, which is why I have had to rewrite slightly. It did read last weekend, but actually it is now a couple of weekends ago I was kindly invited to the crazy Red Bull Flugtag courtesy of my Paulie. This is the third time this event has been in the UK and I have been lucky enough to go to all three in the VIP area, but this was the first time out of London so we decided to make a weekend of it and see what Leeds had to offer.

Getting To Leeds:

As soon as a road trip comes up I quickly consult the OK Diner website and see if there is one on our route, and thank the milkshake gods there are three on the A1. If you haven’t experienced OK Diner you have to make a road trip ASAP, this is just a cool American diner with retro fittings, huge booths and a great menu of thick milkshakes, pancakes and burgers!!

This is my normal tipple, the classic banana shake, which is delicious. On the way home I went for the Black Forest packed with 2 scoops of fruits of the forest ice cream, 2 scoops of chocolate ice cream, and blended with black cherries. It was so tasty I totally forgot to take a snap!!

The Hotel:

First up I was a little disappointed that Best Western don’t have a hotel in Leeds, I know right shocker!!! As you will know if you are regular reader we are crazy BW fans since we hotel hopped up the west coast of America a few years back, so I had to go for something a little different. I have to admit I am a bit of a research geek when it comes to choosing a hotel but it didn’t take me long to settle on the Cosmopolitan Hotel, mainly because of the impressive magazine collection they have in reception, but also due to its great location close to all the shops.

If like me you are a magazine addict, and I am talking about a collection that is so big that you have to cull it from time-to-time, have to store some in the loft, and even by vintage copies off eBay or at car boot sales then this is the hotel for you. The extensive ‘Vogue Library’ has an amazing collection of over 200 magazines, with some dating back to the 1970s, and it isn’t just copies of Vogue UK, there are also Vogue US, Harper’s and Queen, Vanity Fair, ELLE, and Harper’s Bazaar.

I do kind of wish I had more time to check out the issues, I was fascinated with how the all important September issues looked in the 1980s I particular loved the difference between September 1982 vs 1985, love the hat!!

Not a September issue but an amazing cover, I spied the amazing Liza Minnelli looking hot on the cover of December’s Vogue back in 1989. I have to admit I do love the limited text of vintage mags.

I am not sure if this is Cindy Crawford’s first Vogue cover, but seriously she hasn’t change a bit since April 1987 has she?

So the hotel gets an amazing five stars from me, I have to admit it wasn’t the best hotel in Leeds or the cheapest and technically it is three star in hotel circles, but for a weekend away shopping and exploring Leeds it was perfect. The room was a good size, I even got rubber ducks in the bathroom, and I loved the decor as soon as I saw this chandelier I just knew it was going to be a good weekend.

If you are after a hotel that doesn’t break the bank, has quirky features, spacious rooms, friendly staff and a bar with a great cocktail menu then this is the hotel for you. I would definitely recommend to anyone visiting Leeds. *I would just also like to point out – we paid for our room*

Little Tokyo:

On our first night in Leeds I wanted to treat Paulie to a great meal and someone kindly on Twitter recommended this amazing Japanese restaurant, Little Tokyo, which is a gorgeous little place on Central Road just behind the main shopping stretch. Paulie is a huge sushi fan so it was the perfect place to eat and everything from the exquisite decor, these were the twinkle lights above our table, to the wooden off-cuts formed in table tops, to the magical stream running through the restaurant with fish in, to the quirky footwear our waiter was wearing, everything about this place was just so cute.

I had the chicken Teriyaki bento box and it was gorgeous, and Paulie went for a sushi platter, both dishes came out served so beautifully in these dishes and unlike other sushi places we have eaten I couldn’t finish my plate there was so much.

For dessert I enjoyed mango sorbet and it was served on a frozen bowl which had fruit and petals moulded into it, I don’t think I have been to a restaurant before where so much thought had been put into the details. The whole meal was amazing, from the decor to the food, the wonderful service and most importantly they didn’t want to rush us out of the door, which is always refreshing. If you are in Leeds you have to check this place out.

My Style:

As I was being brave with the dinner choice I thought I would give this whole socks and sandal look a whirl. Sorry for the crap picture, lighting and all that jazz in the hotel room and an uncooperative boyfriend meant I did it myself. Wearing my Tabio socks, F&F at Tesco denim skirt, Primark coral jumper *all about the holes*, finished off with my amazing Maggie Angus squirrel necklace and my trusty New Look coral wedges that are so comfortable to wear.

Red Bull Flugtag 2011, Roundhay Park:

Waking up on the Sunday after such a great night of Japanese food and bowling *where I won* was hard especially hearing the rain coming down, I was so lucky that Paulie made me buy a new waterproof jacket as I would have got absolutely soaked watching the Flugtag. If you haven’t heard or seen the Flugtag before let me give you a quick introduction: well it is simply crazy people, who have designed crazy flying machines, which they then flop off the end of the runway!!

As always Red Bull think of everything, in the VIP section I had the luxury of sitting on some very comfortable cinema-style seats, which came with their own binoculars, I even got a cool umbrella to keep me dry, great music, a Mr Whippy ice-cream and an incredible half-time airshow.

The day may have been wet and miserable, and I have to admit Leeds didn’t attract as many celeb-spots as previous Red Bull events, we only had George Lamb, Susanne Shaw, her Dancing on Ice partner, JK and Joel, some annoying actress from Emmerdale, and the best celeb had to be Mr Eddie the Eagle, a complete legend and super friendly!!

There were lots of amazing teams but my favourite and the winner of the event was ‘To Infinity and the Pond’. These guys made perfect replicas of the Toy Story characters and they were amazing, so glad that they took the top spot. There was also an ‘Orville’, who was very true to the lyrics of his song ‘I wish I could fly way up to the sky but I can’t’!!

There was also a photobooth, I know it is becoming like the cupcake of events but I still love it, took a bit of convincing but I got Paulie in it, minus the funny get up he wasn’t having any of it. These pics though sum up what a great weekend we had.

Leeds it was definitely too short and I admit I had lots of shopping plans but we just seem to run out of time. Don’t worry Leeds I will be back!!