Wanted: A great travel-friendly moisturizer, not terribly expensive, that hydrates skin without leaving a greasy sheen.
Found: Embryolisse
Lait-Crème Concentrè (24-Hour Miracle Cream) $16-$28 After years of reading about Embryolisse in magazines, I was determined to get my hands on a tube of this moisturizer during my recent trip to France. A favorite of makeup artists and models, Embryolisse is a multi-use product that works as a make-up remover, primer, and moisturizer.
In France, just head to the pharmacie to buy Embryolisse - it really is the best place to stock up on French skin and beauty products. After requesting a tube in my halting French, the pharmacist assured me that Embryolisse was as wonderful as I had heard. In fact, Embyrolisse was developed by a French physician in the 1950's.
My skin is very sensitive and, lately, a little dry. Embryolisse is rich and creamy but not at all greasy and doesn't clog my pores. Key ingredients include shea butter and soy protein. And, it really does make a great base for makeup. Thanks to its huge following, I was happy to discover that Embryolisse is easy to find online and at select retailers in New York City and other U.S. locations. Of course, it won't be as much fun as shopping at a French pharmacy!
Yes, I'm dress obsessed and there is always room in my closet for one more little black dress. Timeless and elegant, the LBD is an essential that looks great whether you are commuting to work or living the jet set life. Diane von Furstenberg: Hillary Pleated Long Sleeve Silk Dress ($385) Not too tight and not too revealing, this classic silhouette from DVF will still turn heads wherever you go. The subtle sexiness of the keyhole neckline ensures that this flowy frock is far from frumpy - simply fabulous! Yes, it is a little pricey but DVF dresses last a lifetime - I have one that I've been wearing for at least ten years!
Once again, I've been seduced by the flavors of Tuscany. I just can't resist the charms of a beautiful Tuscan wine and the vinos of Tenuta di Capezzana won me over with every sip. One of Europe's most historic wine estates, winemaking has been a way of life at Capezanna for at least 1,200 years and there is documentation of wine production happening as far back as 804 - amazing!
"Cabernet has been part of Capezzana's DNA for close to five centuries - the first ever French-inflected wines made in Italy, dating all the way back to the Renaissance." - Beatrice Contini Bonacossi
Since the 1920's, Capezzana has been the estate of the Contini Bonacossi family and their production of Carmignano has made them a standout in a sea of Chianti. Truly a family affair, four Contini Bonacossi siblings run the estate; including two sisters - Benedetta the winemaker and Beatrice the marketing guru and brand ambassador.
Winemaker, Benedetta Contini Bonacossi
A signature blend of Sangiovese with a dash of Cabernet, Carmignano wines are luscious, well-balanced, and age beautifully. Carmignano may be Tuscany's smallest wine appellation but their reputation for excellence looms large.
For a great introduction to Carmignano, I recommend Capezzana Barco Reale di Carmignano D.O.C. 2010. Only $15 a bottle, Barco Reale is barrel aged for 6 months and has just a hint of oakiness and beautiful dark berry fruit flavors. A great match with aged cheese and salumi. For a more complex Carmignano, give Villa de Capezzana D.O.C.G. 2008 a whirl. A very elegant and voluptuous wine, the big berry flavors are balanced out by a hint of spice and smooth tannins. Perfect with a juicy steak or lamb. $30 a bottle.
For the full Capezzana culinary experience, prepare your meal using their wonderful extra virgin olive oil. It is a very lively oil where the taste of the olives really shine through.They were kind enough to provide me with a bottle and so far I've used Capezzana olive oil to prepare lamb stew, baked chicken, and salad dressing and it adds a beautiful flavor without overwhelming the palate. (Available at Dean & Deluca, $45 a bottle)
If you find yourself in Tuscany, Capezzana is only 15 miles from Florence. No reservations are required to enjoy the family's wine and homemade spreads, breads, and ice cream at their Vinsantaia Wine Bar & Shop. You can also take a cooking class at the Capezzana Culinary School and even book accommodations at their Villa Trefiano or Fattoria (farm). A visit to Capezzana is certainly on my wish list but until I get there, I'm delighted to enjoy their wine and olive oil!
On your next trip to London, why not get off the beaten path and explore the charming villages of this sprawling metropolis? With the lovely little book London Villages: Explore the City's Best Local Neighborhoods($15.95) as your guide, before you know it you'll be wowed by local markets, restaurants, pubs, shops, and gardens that very few tourists venture out to see. Written by Zena Alkayat, former Shopping & Style Deputy Editor for Time Out London, London Villages features descriptions for 30 villages/neighborhoods, full color photographs by Kim Lightbody, and illustrated maps by Jenny Seddon. From Marylebone Village to Primrose Hill, Chelsea Green to Victoria Park Village and Little Venice; London Villages is an elegant and informative guide to these unique enclaves. I'm hoping to take my next trip to London in 2014 and this book will definitely come along. Until then, I'll enjoy flipping through the pages of London Villages while sipping a good cuppa!
I was instantly thrilled when I learned about the collaboration between natural beauty products powerhouse Burt's Beesand Lipstick Angels - a non-profit organization committed to helping hospitalized women feel
beautiful through makeovers. Cosmetics may seem like a trivial thing when someone is fighting for their lives, but I have witnessed the power of beauty therapy: when my beloved Grandma Bertha was hospitalized for cancer treatment, she would ask me to bring her lipstick and nail polish. Those cosmetics lifted her spirits and helped her to feel glam again - even in a hospital gown.
From now until September 30th, you can support Lipstick Angels by bidding on a specially designed "Nature Knows Color" tote personally signed by a range of celebrities; including Heather Graham, Denise Richards, Mena Suvari, Isla Fisher, Selita Ebanks, AnnaSophia Robb, Camilla Belle, Melanie Fiona, and others. Click here to bid.
I also have 4 totes to give away - one each to 4 lucky readers. The bags I'm giving away are not signed by a celeb but each tote will include a lip treat from Burt's Bees. These stylish bags are great for running errands around town. To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment below by 5pm (EST), October 1, 2013. Winners will be selected at random and will be contacted by October 4, 2013. Prizes can only be mailed to addresses in the United States. Winners will be notified via e-mail and will have 3 days to provide a valid mailing address or another winner will be selected. Good luck!
Make room on your list of must-visit hotels for the new Selman Hotel in Marrakech. Located near the legendary Medina (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) on 15 acres in a private park, the Selman offers 56 rooms and suites. The property also has 5 riads - each with a private garden, pool and butler. Designed by Jacques Garcia, the Selman draws inspiration from the Golden Age of Marrakech and typical Andalucian haciendas. And, how many hotels can boast their own stables with a collection of Arabian horses? Other Selman amenities include the Espace Vitalité Chenot - a 1,200 sq. ft. spa that evokes the ancient Hammam of Istanbul. To learn more, visit the Selman Marrakech website.
As an American and native New Yorker, 9/11 is more than an anniversary to me. It was the day that I became painfully aware that no place is immune from the evil that exists in the world. Perhaps I was naive, and even arrogant, to think that something so horrendous could ever happen here in my country, in my city.
I woke up on that sunny September morning optimistic and ready to face the world and in the 27 minutes that it took for me to reach my office, little did I know that everything had changed. The Towers had been hit. I returned home confused, terrified, and angry. And, 12 years later when I think of that day, those feelings bubble to the surface. All that was truly lost that day can never be measured - so many innocent lives forever gone and so many broken hearts left behind. I still cry when the names are read every year during the 9/11 remembrance ceremonies. Epecially when I hear the name of my high school friend, Todd Isaac.
I was terrified to fly after 9/11 and had resigned myself to perhaps never getting on an airplane again. But almost a year after 9/11, on a sunny August day, I met a tourist from Ireland who stole my heart and we embarked on a whirlwind romance. One afternoon we held each other as we looked at the hole in the skyline where the Towers had stood and said a silent prayer. Before Garry returned home, he presented me with a photograph of the Towers of Light. He had purchased it from a street vendor but had signed it on the bottom "4 Wanda with love". He had wrapped the framed picture in a full-page newspaper ad touting discount airfares from NY to Dublin on Aer Lingus. At that moment, I knew that I had to see him again - fear of terrorism would not stop me from following my heart. So in October of 2002, I took my first flight since 9/11. I was scared but I learned that if you let love lead you, fear takes a backseat. Garry has since passed away but that framed photo of the Towers of Light still hangs in my bedroom as a tribute and a reminder that light and love have the power to transform the darkest moments and spaces.
Dedicated to the memories of Todd Isaac and Garry.
Despite the ocean that separates us, New York and France have a very cozy relationship thanks to our shared passions for fashion, food, wine, and everything fabulous. Experience a bit of la vie en rose in Manhattan at two fabulous events: the French Institute/Alliance Française Open House and the Taste of France in Bryant Park. French Insitute/Alliance Française (FIAF) Open House Tuesday, September 10. 6-8 PM. Free! image: Fashionation: Karl Lagerfeld and Team by @Ruben Toledo, courtesy FIAF
From language classes to films, music & wine, FIAF is the epicenter of French cultural life in NYC. Drop by their Open House to get a taste of FIAF's rich programs and an
exclusive discount on fall classes. Meet other Francophiles while enjoying delicious wine and
cheese, indulge in mini French beauty treatments from Phyto and Lierac, and more! The evening will also include screenings at 6:15 and 7:00 PM of Fashionation (2009), a short animated film about the history of fashion from artist-illustrator Ruben Toledo. The 7pm screening will
be introduced by the filmmaker himself.
Taste of France Saturday, September 28 (11AM - 11PM) - Sunday, September 29 (11 AM - 7PM). Bryant Park, Free Admission A celebration of all things French, Taste of France transforms Bryant Park into a fabulous showcase of food, wine, fashion, beauty,
and more. French regions like Burgundy, Rhone-Alpes,
Midi-Pyrenees, French West Indies, and more will be in attendance to share information on what they have to offer in terms of tourism and specialties. And, L'Oreal will pamper attendees with complimentary hair and beauty sessions.
Admission to the market is free but there are also some fee-based special events such as Le Grand Wine Tasting ($150) and Le Cafédu Parc ($35) where the Maitres Cuisiniers de France will present some of the great French specialties paired with French wines and cocktails. Also, you've heard me rave about theMaille Chablis Mustard on tapand the Taste of France marks the first time ever that it will be sold in the United States. Maille is setting up a mini-boutique at the event where you can sample this amazing delicacy and purchase 3.5-ounce traditional earthenware mustard pots filled to order and
closed with a charming cork stopper. Each jar will sell for $18 (2 jars
for $30).
Summer is unofficially over but that doesn't mean you have to say goodbye to rosé. As I write this, I'm kicking off my weekend with a glass of Castello Monaci Kreos Rosato 2012. Hailing from the heart of Italy's rosé production region of Puglia, this deep pink wine is a blend of Negroamaro (90%) and Malvasia Nero (10%) grapes. Fantastically full-bodied, Kreos has beautiful notes of strawberry and cherry balanced with a crisp and refreshing dry finish. Truly, Kreos is a vibrant vino and a great bargain at around $14 per bottle.
Congratulations to the five-star resort Terre Blanche on being recognized as France's Leading Resort at the World Travel Awards. The competition was très intense and Terre Blanche actually beat out six-time winner Evian Resort. I was just in Provenceand wish I had known about Terre Blanche because it sounds exquisite.
Located in the heart of the Côte d'Azur, Terre Blanche is just a 30 minute drive from Cannes. Their exclusive 300-acre estate in the south of
France offers 115 suites and villas with
private terraces, a luxurious spa, four pools, two 18-hole championship golf
courses, a golf academy & school, two tennis courts, four restaurants and more. Terre Blanche is an ideal location for exploring Provence's picturesque villages and the glamorous beaches of the French Riviera.
At Chez Fonfon you get to greet your fresh fish before they are cooked up for your bouillabaisse.
Bouillabaisse has always held a top spot on my culinary bucket list of foods that I must try in their place of origin. So while in Provence, I hit the road for a day trip to Marseille - the birthplace of this savory fish dish with the melodic name. There are many places in Marseille that serve the city's signature dish but we opted for the Michelinrecommended Chez Fonfon. A lovely little port side restaurant, Chez Fonfon opened in 1952 and is one of the original signers of the 1980 "Bouillabaisse Charter" that defines the criteria for the dish. According to the charter, there are only certain varieties of fish that should be used in bouillabaisse and these include scorpion fish, conger eel, and gurnet.
Bouillabaisse at Chez Fonfon is served in two parts. While your fish is prepared, you are served from a tureen of smooth fish stock based soup made with tomato, saffron, garlic, white wine, and herbs. To the bowl, you add croutons that you slather with rouille (a luscious garlicky mayonnaise with a kick of cayenne) and aioli. This earthy and rich brew evokes the complexity of the sea and when you bite into one of the broth soaked croutons your tastebuds will have a true "ooh la la" moment. Pace yourself with the soup and bread - the staff will refill it throughout your meal from the tureen. You don't want to fill up before the fish arrives.
The fresh fish that you were shown earlier arrives ready to eat about 15 minutes later and potatoes have been added. You mix them into your bowl of broth and eat. Ask for more soup and repeat until full.
After indulging in a bounty of bouillabaisse, you can burn off calories with a stroll in Marseille along the Mediterranean. I did not get to spend much time in Marseille but this vibrant and diverse port city is the European Capital of Culture 2013 and is hosting many cultural events.