eye4style

Around Town (Rooftop Edition)

eye4style — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:47:34 EDT

Spring has finally arrived in New York, and so, it's only fitting that this week has been resplite with rooftop events. I'm still on the mend from my broken wrist, so please forgive the abbreviated recap below - words are at a premium these days!

Wednesday evening kicked off as few Wednesdays do - with a shower of sorts for bride-to-be and avid Twitterer Chrissy Teigen. Gillette Venus did up right for their longtime spokeswoman and also successfully kicked off 'shave season' with the introduction of their Gillette Venus & Olay Sugarberry razor. It smells sweet and keeps legs exfoliated and ultra-smooth (it's hard not to be smooth with five blades in the mix), no shave cream required!

Then it was off to the West Village to Too Faced's sweet Summer-themed event, complete with (spiked) Lemonade Stand (seen above) and petite classic summertime treats - think corn dogs and salt water taffy! Of course, Too Faced is best known for easy-to-use and high impact makeup, and the myriad of bronzers in their collection are definite summer essentials - particularly if you're like me and rapid about sun protection.

Last but not least, my friends at MYHABIT kicked off summer and (more importantly), their Swim & Sun-themed events in lifestyle, home, fashion and beauty with a poolside party downtown on the roof of the Hotel Americano. Swanky!

Cheers to gorgeous weather, y'all!

The Cast System: 5 Things I've Learned From a Broken Wrist

eye4style — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:15:07 EDT

Last week, I was feeling particularly self-congratulatory after choosing to take the subway home - so frugal! - one night after a friend's birthday party instead of my usual cab. Congratulatory, that is, until a very hurried and thereby I am assuming very IMPORTANT man slammed into me abruptly on a subway staircase, knocking me down a flight of stairs, bruising my sternum and breaking my wrist in the process.

My ER visit was miserable and the pain excruciating, of course, (I'm a big baby in part because I've never broken a bone at all), but if possible, the subsequent annoyances have been even greater. The large splint on my arm will stay put for at least two more weeks, in lieu of a cast, so I suppose I'm lucky in that capacity. But you try washing your hair, putting on a bra or typing on an actual keyboard with just one functioning arm, it's tragic.

What I've learned along the way:

Patience is a virtue. I'm forced to acknowlege this mainly because doing even normal things, LIKE OH SAY CRAFTING THIS BLOG POST, now take me an eternity. Efficiency is what I miss most.

Some things are just better left to professionals. The nicest moment in my friendship with Amber happened this week- she handed me her emergency Drybar coaster (that's a gift card, for the uninitiated) and said "Here, you need this." And she was right (she also came up with the title of this blog post - thanks, A!) Bangs definitely require two hands. Even better if they are not my own.

Sleeves are the enemy. Seriously, good luck trying to put those on over an above-the-elbow splint. (So, don't neglect those tris, just in case.)

Few things in life are easier than a maxi dress. Particularly when fastenings are unmanageable and you're forced to shave with your non-dominant hand.

Lower lash mascara is just not that important. I'm lucky that I can put on tinted moisturizer, concealer, and highlighter - let me not push my luck.

Shop This: Loeffler Randall Sample Sale

eye4style — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:22:27 EDT

Shop This: Bing Bang Sample Sale

eye4style — Tue, 07 May 2013 19:08:08 EDT

Acca-Scuse Me? AQUA Cycling Reviewed

eye4style — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 21:45:17 EDT

When I told my friend Sarah earlier this week that I was planning to try something crazy called AQUACYCLING today, she quite snappily summed things up by responding: "Accu-scuse me?"

It's understandable that you might be confused, but aquacycling as a phenomenon has existed in Europe long before the April 15 opening of AQUA, a luxury fitness studio in TriBeCa. AQUA's impossibly chic tri-level space boasts an airy entryway/check in, minimalist dark wood locker room and a 4' deep pool replete with 13 stationary bikes, submerged in the water to the handlebars.

AQUA is one of those unusual spaces that feels more like a spa than a gym (I found it almost ironic that it's located directly next to AIRE Ancient Baths, one of my favorite spa experiences in the city, in fact). That odd feeling continues even through the class itself, which despite being 45 minutes of almost exclusively cardio feels extraordinarily low impact, and even...therapeutic. Unlike a traditional cycling class, the water provides all of the resistance at AQUA, and as your pace becomes more intense, you almost feel as if you're being massaged by the water. Sprints and jumps are broken up by a brief abs section (yes, still in the pool - you anchor your feet to the handlebars and crunch) and some light arm work (no weights required). While today was my first time in the water, one of the women I took class with today swore up and down that she's experienced no soreness after taking AQUA classes 4 days in a row, and has felt remarkably energetic, and been sleeping better than ever.

Classes at AQUA are, however, more expensive than classes at other boutique fitness studios (the current per-class norm seems to be $32-$37, while drop in classes at AQUA ring in at $40, with 5-30 class packages available at reduced rates). Insult is added to injury by the $2 fee rental fee for the rubber slip on shoes required for class. That said, I'll certainly be back - I left today's class feeling nothing short of exhilarated!

Learn more about aquacycling, and book online here.

Shop This: Yigal Azrouel + Cut25 Sample Sale

eye4style — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 09:33:14 EDT

To Your Skin's Rescue: Kiehl's

eye4style — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:09:58 EDT

Last week was pretty much a week that I'd rather forget, for a myriad of reasons. And at the bottom of that list (though it would normally lie at the top) is the havoc wreaked on my skin by copious amounts of travel, and even greater amounts of stress.

Thankfully, Kiehl's newest product - Skin Rescuer - landed on my desk at a particularly opportune moment. This unique product is designed specifically to reduce the visible signs of stress on skin - which, by the by, include dryness, blotchiness and redness (eep!)

Skin Rescuer can be used in a few different ways (even as a primary moisturizer), but how I've found it most effective is as either a "spot treatment" for excessively dehydrated areas or as essentially a primer to the Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer I use daily.

The impact is immediate in terms of hydration and a certain sense of...skin CALMNESS. Think of Skin Rescuer as the equivalent of a Hatha yoga class for your dermis.

Shop Skin Rescuer online - a bottle is $40 - at Kiehls.com.

Shop This: Be & D Sample Sale

eye4style — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 22:50:11 EDT

40 Hours in Memphis: A Recap

eye4style — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:52:52 EDT

Perhaps spring's been delayed a bit too long, because lately, I've been feeling an ITCH to travel. So, this past weekend, off to Memphis, TN I flew with a friend. Why Memphis, you might be thinking - the answer is simple, through trifold - blues, BBQ and GRACELAND.

While our flight was delayed on Friday night, we managed to have a day and a half+ of jam-packed fun in the city; below a timelined recap:

Friday:

9:00pm: Arrive at Memphis International Airport, jam out to the classic soul and blues playing on our way to pick up the rental car at Avis.

10:00pm: Check in to The Peabody Memphis, a historic hotel located in Downtown Memphis, conveniently close to Beale Street. While the lobby is grand, I felt that we paid a bit too much ($305/night for a double) for the room. Luckily, my doubts were assuaged by the very famous Peabody Ducks (cap required), who make a grand procession from their home on the roof of the hotel (think of it as a DUCK PENTHOUSE) to the fountain in the lobby at 11am each day. You'll want to get downstairs early for this spectacle.

10:30pm: Head to Charles Vergos' Rendezvous, a pretty legendary though perhaps besieged by tourists (it seemed to be a popular recommendation from concierge types) BBQ joint. Ribs are their specialty and dry rub at that - though my friend Janessa dug the pork shoulder.

12:00am: Head to Bourbon Beale Street in an attempt to find a libation or two - quickly realize our mistake, but it's too late to turn back, so grab a local Mississippi microbrew at the low key Beale Street Tap Room.

Saturday:

11:00am: Our music tour of Memphis commenced exactly where you'd expect - Graceland, home of the King of Rock & Roll, Elvis Presley. By today's standards, I can't say that Graceland was particuarly opulent, but I can say: DAMN, THIS MAN LIKED A ONESIE (there was an extensive exhibit of Elvis' 70's era jumpsuits, in fact). Another highlight - a tour of the Lisa Marie, Elvis's private plane, named for his daughter. Think blue suede furniture and seat belts plated in 24k gold - DONE.

3:30: The music tour rolled on with a trip to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. A killer education on music, including some major, yet relatively unknown soul artists who influenced bands as iconic as The Rolling Stone. Also, and more importantly in my book, ISAAC HAYES' Peacock Blue and 24k gold plate trim Cadillac, in all of it's glory below. Can you tell that I'd 24k gold plate my life if given the option?

5:30pm: Arrive at the birthplace of rock & roll: Sun Studio. Still an active recording studio, Sun is where Elvis recorded his first record and was also home to legends like Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison. Tours at Sun run on the half hour every hour, and are staffed by locals (some musicians) who treat the studio with the love and reverance it deserves. $12 well spent!

7:00pm: Based on recommendations from the friendly folks at Sun, we made our way to Molly Fontaine's Lounge, a quirky and gorgeous space located in Memphis' "Victorian Village." Here we met our new friend "Frenchie," a bartender wise beyond his years and Canadian to boot (hence the nickname!) Eat the macaroni & cheese here - that's really important.

9:00pm: It's universally acknowledged (or so it seems) that a trip to Memphis is not a trip to Memphis at all without time spent at Earnestine & Hazel's. A former brothel, and thereby a dive in the truest sense of the word, Earnestine & Hazel's has even been acknowledged by Esquire as one of the best bars in America. Drink a beer, eat a Soul Burger and don't forget to sneak upstairs to chat with Nate, the septuagenarian who mans the back bar. Just be careful - the space is said to be haunted by the spirits of three prostitutes killed there - spooky!

Sunday:

10:00am: While The National Civil Rights Museum doesn't open until 1pm on Sundays, it was a memorial that we didn't want to miss. Here, seemingly frozen in time, is The Lorraine Hotel, with a wreath marking where Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated. While there's apparently been substantial controversy over the construction of the Museum, I found it to be a moving memorial and wish that we could have spent time exploring the exhibits themselves.

11:00am: After the Civil Rights Museum, we explored the thriving Downtown Arts District. My only regret? We didn't find time for a trolley ride down South Main!

11:30am: Though we had brunch reservations at 12:30, the temptation was too much to bear as we passed by Central BBQ, a favorite of Memphians. So, in we went, and experienced a pulled pork sandwich, with home made potato chips. Super delicious and wise decision on our part, you guys - applause all around.

12:30pm: Before we headed to the airport, Janessa and I went on to brunch (or SECOND BREAKFAST, as one might say) at The Beauty Shop. With a slogan like Look Good, Eat Good, I knew that I was home - and the vintage salon chairs inside were just gravy. Home to the best Bloody Marys in Memphis, The Beauty Shop is definitely worth at stop on any Memphis itinerary - and in fact, it's actually the sister restaurant to Mollie Fontaine's - chef/restauranteur Karen B. Carrier clearly has a golden touch!

If you're looking for a mini-vacation, consider Memphis - and if I missed any of your favorite stops, leave a comment below!

Flip It, Flip It Good! Pantene's #HairFlipOff Challenge

eye4style — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 08:53:56 EDT

I don't know about you guys, but one of my obsessions of the past year has easily been...the GIF. You can even scroll through a few of my favorite GIF blogs here. So, you can imagine how thrilled I am to (FINALLY) have a starring role in my very own GIF (and a GIF focused on one of my very favorite things at that - my HAIR).

Created by my friends at Pantene to kick off their #HairFlipOff Challenge, you can see me get a little bit silly (and a little bit sassy) below, and if you're so inclined, I encourage you to take the challenge too - show me and Pantene what you've got!

Embracing the Flip Off is easy, and you can get as creative as you like on video application Vine (follow me @Dina Fierro while you're at it). Once you've created your six second clip, just share the video to Twitter along with @Pantene's handle and the hashtag #HairFlipOff. Select Vines will be turned into a GIFs like mine, and shared via the @Pantene Twitter feed this Sunday, April 14, during the MTV Movie Awards.

I'll also be live-tweeting along with @Pantene during the show, sharing my favorite hair looks of the night. Be sure to follow and tweet along for a chance to win Pantene products just by retweeting or favoriting @Pantene during the show.

See you then!

While all opinions expressed are my own, this post was sponsored by Pantene.