New Yorkers know that spring likes to play coy. The weather starts getting warmer, it looks like the worst is over and suddenly a week that started with cargo shorts, ends in snow boots. Well, I'm placing my bets and assuming that the earthquake in California and the torrential rain on the east coast were a result of winter's last hissy fit of the season. As a result, today I planted string beans, mixed mesculin greens, plus purple and regular sweet basil. Empty egg cartons and plastic takeout containers proved particularly useful this week.
If indoor gardening isn't your thing, I've got two other suggestions for you.
This Thursday from 6-8pm, Lancôme-The Boutique in New York City is hosting an "Urban Skinny" event in honor of the book by the same name. Authors Danielle Schupp RD and Stephanie Krikorian will share the dieting strategy that applies the same logic you use when balancing your bank account to balancing your diet. Trust me, those tips will come in handy when you realize Magnolia Bakery is right across the street. The last time I was there was when I did author Jennifer Weiner's makeup for interviews with WWD and Access Hollywood. Let's just say, a visit is due. Most people know them as the cupcake bakers from Sex & the City, but I recommend their banana pudding.
At Thursday's event, not only will you learn to get the most satisfaction for your caloric intake, you'll also get the most bang for your buck. Lancôme's resident makeup artists will be on hand to share their best beauty tips for spring and with your purchase of $75 or more, you'll receive a free autographed copy of Urban Skinny.
If your closet is screaming for some spring cleaning, or if the warm weather is leaving you "twitterpated" for fresh fashions, head downtown and meet The Sweet Ones. Owner and Curator, Alyssa Pallett, is opening up her vintage clothing boutique for the first ever Garage Sale! Guests can bring vintage items like clothes, accessories and even music, on Saturday, which will be sold at the event on Sunday. Several layers of chic above your typical rummage sale, you'll even be able to browse Alyssa's full stock of vintage clothes which represent a full century worth of styles. Items are diverse as $10 T-shirts from more recent years to pricier items like vintage Prada, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Claude Barthelemy Paris.
The Sweet Ones store has a distinctive Lower East Side feel but the décor creates an experience where lines are blurred between the shop itself and the merchandise. The walls, which Alyssa saturated with magazine cutouts, broken bits of mirrors and poetry, highlight fashion moments as seen in recent years. Says Alyssa, "I feel like this wall looks kind of 90's like you're sitting in someone's kind of grungy 90's basement. It's kind of a time capsule for my youth."
However you choose to spend your weekend. Get out of the house and enjoy the first rites of spring. PS, if you didn't remember what twitterpated means, then move Bambi to the top of your Netflix wish list, and then click here to follow me on Twitter (which I assume you thought I was referring to).
For the Garage Sale, items to be sold should be brought to The Sweet Ones this Saturday. Shoppers can participate from 11-5 at the store. The Sweet Ones (132 Allen St between Rivington and Delancey, New York City, 10002). Click here to RSVP via Facebook. To purchase vintage clothing online, visit TheSweetOnesNYC.com, email thesweetonesnyc@gmail.com or call 917 675 3106 for more information.
For Urban Skinny, visit Lancome-The Boutique this Thursday (201 Columbus Ave at 69th street, New York City 10023) RSVP to NewYorkCity@lancome-usa.com or call 212-362-4858 for more information.
Andrew Sotomayor is a celebrity makeup artist in New York who's worked with Juliette Binoche, Kerry Washington, Saffron Burrows, Rose Byrne, Justin Kirk, Jonathan Groff and champion boxer Andre Berto. His clients have appeared on Project Runway, The Today Show, The CBS Early Show, Good Day New York, and CNN. He's created the makeup for Victoria Beckham's denim and eyewear look books, and assisted on fashion shows for Dior, Diesel, Marchesa, and Project Runway. Magazines like Marie Claire, Shape, InStyle, Glamour, People, and numerous blogs have interviewed him, and he's appeared on television for Access Hollywood. Andrew leads makeup artistry workshops for the students at The High School of Fashion Industries. See his work at DramaFreeMakeup.com
