Week in Review (Part 1)

Week in review...

The last week has been FABULOUS. Why you ask? Well, because the 16th was my birthday. It all started on Thursday night...

First stop - dinner with my parents at Duo Mari in New Brunswick, NJ. I had only been there once before and I will definitely return again and again. The food and service are amazing! Now all the gorging I did there really should have been enough, but really it was just the beginning.

When I got home from dinner I had a package waiting for me from an amazing woman who has been part of my life since I was just 4 years old. Her and my mom were class mothers of our Pre-K class. Jennie Ng Lopresto is an incredibly talented designer who has this beautiful ray of light that shines from her (ALWAYS). She designs amazing jewelery using her inspiration from life, antiques, pop culture and everything else around her. Her following is huge, but she personally works with each and every client - thus the reason why you haven't yet seen her in the Bs (Bergdorf's and Bendel's). The bracelet she sent me is so very me and just 3-of-a-kind. I even created a whole outfit around it for the following day.

I woke up Friday morning and put on my new metallic and natural linen shorts from The Loft, white tank, Jennie Ng Lopresto bracelet and white and rhinestone sandals.

I took the day off of work. I'm lucky enough that I am in a position where I can do this every year. I feel like your birthday is the one day a year that you shouldn't feel guilty being selfish. First I got my presents from Mr E.

Not the cupcake, the pan. I really wanted a jumbo cupcake pan to make my friends and fam yummy treats. While I know I can just walk into Sprinkles and buy one, these will be made with love.

Ipad - He knows me better than I know myself. I didn't even know I wanted one, but he said I NEEDED it. He was right. Love it. Send your app reccs my way!



Then we went to Mesa Grill for lunch. If you've never been - go! What I love about it is the fact that it's different than so many of the restaurants in NYC. Southwest cooking is not very common. What I didn't like was that it was restaurant week and majorly crowded for a summer Friday at 1PM. Can't win them all!

Next it was time for me to do some birthday damage at the accessory capital of NY: Bendel's. As soon as I saw this bag by Magnes Sisters, I knew it was coming home with me. I love the taupe gray color for fall (though I'm carrying it today) and I think the unique shape is great. It fits the Ipad perfectly, along with everything else I need to carry.

All that shopping in 90 degree weather made me in desperate need of a refreshing snack. So we hopped, skipped, jumped and drove on over to one of my favorite place - Popbar. If you aren't familiar with it, the entire place is for popsicles, but not the regular kind. They're kind of like gourmet Froze Fruits, surely you remember those. This time I got a plain grapefruit one, but Mr E scored a coconut gelato bar half dipped in dark chocolate. Both delish.

If you're headed there, make sure to stop at the pickle stand. Well, that is if you're a pickle aficionado like me. It's only a few steps away and they have flavors like Cajun pickle! Unfortunately it was too hot to tote around that day and too strange to eat with my grapefruit, but next time.


From there, we did some more shipping. I'm sure my husband was just thrilled - oh what he does for me! I got a pair of blue Native shoes to wear for my Saturday Birthday excursion (more to come on that). I'm totally obsessed. They're lightweight, water proof and pretty darn cute. So different than the Aqua Socks I once wore (come on, you know you did too).


After wearing myself out, I was actually hungry again. You'd think I'd need a break from food, but that actually didn't come until about Sunday night, so I was still good to go. We had reservations at Morimoto. At first I felt like I was cheating. I had never been there before because we are regulars at Nobu (Tribeca). So much so that our favorite waiter knows our entire order by heart. Stepping into Morimoto was like a totally different world. Completely different than the simple and understated decor of Nobu. At first this scared me because very often the snazzier the restaurant, the more mediocre the food. Initially I wanted to run through the Meatpacking district and all the way to Tribeca...but I stuck it out and I am so happy I did. The food was AMAZING. We got a bunch of dishes as appetizers and then some sushi. The standouts were the Miso Soup for 2, the Fried Calamari salad and the King Crab Leg in creamy spicy sauce. When we go back, I would actually skip the sushi. I thought it was ok, but nothing to rave about. The dishes there are what is top notch.


I slept like a birthday Princess and awoke on Saturday morning for a day of fun with my friends. More to come!

Affordable Fashion at Galtime

Everyone now and then the fabulous people at Galtime.com let me state my personal opinion on a current and fun fashion subject. Today my latest article was posted. It's about finding affordable fashion in these tough times. Check it out!
Luxury For Less By Vanessa

15 Years Later Clueless Dress Makes A Comeback

This morning I woke up to a little bit of excitement, well exciting for me. While reading my morning blogs and news I discovered a short article on InStyle.com. It immediately caught my eye because in the title it mentioned "Clueless". Clueless happens to be my favorite movie of all time and I'm pretty sure any girl who was my age when it was released probably holds it close to their heart as well. Now for those who don't share my enthusiasm, don't get worked up. I don't actually believe the movie deserves critical acclaim or was snubbed at the 1996 Oscar's. I just think it is the best movie of all time - in its genre (teen comedy). If you disagree, at least consider that it gave us Paul Rudd (yummy). So now that, coupled with my love for fashion is what got me really excited this morning. LA's Confederacy Boutique asked Calvin Klein director Francisco Costa to re-cut the iconic white dress (15 years later) from the film for their store. I'm sure you remember it, but if you need a refresher - Cher (Alicia Silverstone) greets her date, the Jason Priestly look-a-like Christian, in the family dining room. Her father asks her, "What are you wearing?" She replies, "A dress." He asks, "Says who?" and she chuckles and responds, "Calvin Klein". The dress makes its debut today on their website for $916.

Sample Sale Alert! Ingwa; Melero

June 10th - June 11th
12PM – 8PM

Select items for $19 and $29. All other items $39, $49 & $79. Buy 3 items and get 50% off a fourth item.

Ingwa; Melero
509 West 155th Street, Apt 3I(btw Amsterdam & Broadway)
New York, NY 10032

Only cash will be accepted. No credit cards. No checks

Not a Giant Leap, But a Nice Step

I'll be the first to admit that transitioning to a more eco-friendly lifestyle is a slow process for me. Of course, I always recycle, don't use unnecessary electricity and reuse or recycle any plastic bags that find their way to me. However, I'm definitely not ready to even consider letting my powerful sports car go, but I suppose one step at a time. That's where this comes in. Yesterday I made a teensy bit more progress. I was buying a bridal shower gift at Bed Bath & Beyond when I walked past these awesome cups by Copco. I own their hot beverage reusable cups, but since I'm not a coffee drinker, it rarely gets used. These are perfect because everyday my husband takes iced tea to work (Paradise Tropical passion fruit iced tea that we brew at home) and only a few weeks ago he asked me to order him a case of plastic cups like they have at Dunkin Donuts. I'm so glad I didn't get around to it because this cup eliminates so much un-needed plastic and is still exactly what he wanted. It's reusable, sturdy, has a simple modern design without a logo and cost only $7.99 We grabbed 2 and used a $5 off coupon making them $10.98. Score!

Best Thing I Ever Ate...My Edition

I'm so lucky that both my husband and I have jobs where we can accompany each other on business trips. We usually manage to devote time to work and then find some extra for ourselves, so earlier this month it was no different. We spent a week in LA having poolside meetings (tough life) with reps for NessaLee Baby and hitting some downtown showrooms for NessaLee Style. Then we popped over to Santa Barbara to get in a few days of much needed R&R. Whether we're working or playing, we're always partially focused on eating. Everyone who knows us knows that we're foodies. We seek out great food and when we find something we love, we remember it. During our drive back to LA (from SB) we started compiling a list of the Best Things We Ever Ate, inspired by the tv show on the Food Network that we watch every now and then. We decided that we will continue to add to it, but I still want to share what we have so far. There's definitely a theme on the locations.

1. Oysters - Wolfgangs Steakhouse, All Locations

2. French Toast - (Tie) Jeannine's, Montecito, CA & The Farm, Beverly Hills, CA

3. Shrimp Dish - Petros, Los Olivos, CA

4. Crab Dish - Nobu (special not on the menu, only available at downtown NYC locations)

5. Sangria - The Spain, NYC

6. Cupcakes - Sprinkles (all locations)

7. Hummus - Aroma Cafe, Hollywood, CA

8. Yaki Udon - Yawa, NYC

9. Tuna Tartar - Le Petit Four, Hollywood, CA

10. Waffle - Le Pain Quotidien, All Locations

11. Miso Soup - Nobu, All Locations

12. Salad Dressing - Konbu, Manalapan, NJ

13. Marrow - Bistro Jeanty, Yountville, CA

14. Gnocchi - Redd, Yountville, CA

15. Chicken Wings - Cercle Rouge, NYC

16. Potato Leek Soup - Madame Jeanette's, Aruba

17. Gourmet Pizza - Wolfgang Pucks's Salmon Pizza, All Locations

18. Cheeseburger - Riva, Las Vegas, NV

19. Oatmeal - Solage, Calistoga, CA

20. Square Pizza - L&B, Brooklyn, NY

21. Baked Clams - Brophy Bros, Santa Barbara, CA

22. Tortilla Soup - El Meson, Freehold, NJ

23. Iced Tea - Las Ventanas, Cabo, Mexico

24. Sweet Potato Fries - Bobby's Burger Palace, All Locations

25. Coffee Drink - Dulce De Leche at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (not on menu), All Locations

26. Late Night Sandwich - Grease Trucks, Rutgers

27. Hot Teas - Mighty Leaf Tea Company (served at finer hotels, restaurants and in our house)

28. Dim Sum - Crown Palace, Marlboro, NJ

29. Ice Cream Sandwich - Diddy Riese, Westwood, CA

SOLE MATES

Crissy gave us a VERY small preview of our 3 Year Anniversary photos, so I'm passing the love on to all of you. Hopefully more prettiness to follow!

1,095 Days...

Today is 1,095 days since we were married in front of 250 of our nearest and dearest in Mexico (3 years if you don't feel like thinking). The fact that we got to spend a week on vacation with everyone we know and love was incredible as is - Add in all the fun-filled celebratory events leading up to our wedding and it was even better - then top it off with our dream wedding day and it truly was a modern jet-set fairytale. It's become a tradition for us to look at our photos and watch our video on our anniversary, so join with us and check out this slideshow by our amazing photographers David Jay and Kevin Swan:

Vanessa & Jordan

Look For Less - Alexander Wang

So much of my days are spent looking at different clothes, accessories and now baby items in order to handpick what customers will want. Today I stumbled upon some handbags that at this time I don't plan on carrying at NessaLee, but I know some readers will like because they are both excellent looks for less of very well-known celebrity-worn bags by Alexander Wang. Alexander Wang Rocco Duffel $875

Lush Studded Tote $159.99

Alexander Wang Brenda $725

Lush Small Chain Bag $129.99

Pictures To Last A Thousand Years

April is already here and that means that our 3rd wedding anniversary is quickly approaching. When we got married 3 years ago, we opted not to do engagement pics. Our reasons were that we were making not 1, but 2 video love stories to be shown at our wedding in Mexico and also that our wedding photographer was in California and we were in New Jersey. I'm an amazing Monday morning quarterback - no seriously, I'm REALLY good at it. So, after the fact I was of course bummed. On our first anniversary we were actually in LA and my husband surprised me with anniversary photos to make up for e-pics (such a cute idea!). David Jay was unavailable though, so after tremendous amounts of super-adorable research behind my back, Jordan chose another stellar photographer - Christine Farrah. Really, DJ had my heart...but then I met Christine...oh boy it's tough. They are 2 of the most talented photographers I have ever had the pleasure of working with. If you can hire either of them, you're wedding will be that much better! We loved the anniversary pics so much, that we absolutely had to do it again for our 2nd. Now it's time for our 3rd and it's become a tradition. Is it safe to call something a tradition after only 2 years? Either way, we're doing it again and we need to come up with a cute theme/concept. In the meantime, check out some from the past years.

No Buy Buy For A Baby Of Mine

Yesterday during an afternoon in NYC, I popped into Buy Buy Baby for some market research. While walking through the strollers, which by the way are a MESS, the salesperson said to me "Congratulations!" It took a moment for it to register. Did she know I was opening a baby store and was giving me a thumbs-up on my latest venture? Perhaps she thought I was someone else? Now what probably clicked in your brain when you started reading this, didn't quite settle in as fast for me, but yes BINGO - She thought I was having a baby. Now I get that I was in a baby store, but is that just safe to assume? Wasn't it possible I already had kids and was upgrading my stroller, or perhaps buying a gift for a friend or family member? A little thrown off my game, I just smiled and said, "Oh, I'm not pregnant." To which she replied, "It's a girl! That's fantastic." Um OK...And with that I exited the store and did what any girl would do - found the closest mirror to obsess.

Hermes too!

Hermes Spring Sample Sale

March 24-March 28th 9AM-6PM & Sunday 1PM-5PM

The Metropolitan Pavilion, 123 West 18th Street (between 6th & 7th AVE, NYC)

Happy House Shopping in NYC!

Happy shopping for all things home at the kravet warehouse sale. Not to be missed if you're in NYC!

House Update

Things are going smoothly, but taking LONG. My lack of patience is starting to get the best of me, which is why you get to see these unfinished photos. Something I don't usually like to share.

Here is our foyer chandelier that I designed. It's crystal with a custom white shade that has chocolate brown piping around it. I love the way it looks in the window as you drive by our house. I'm so excited for the painting to be complete so I can have the protective plastic removed from it. Right now it feels like an old school grandma's couch!

This is something I bought a few weeks ago because I just had to have it. I had that pang of pain that if I left the store without it, I just might die. The only problem is...I have absolutely no use for it (or it's matching, but smaller counterpart that I forgot to mention I also purchased). To be fair to me - my husband discovered them in the store. Something tells me he might have even loved it more than I did because when I oohed and aahed and then whined I had no place to put it, he quickly suggested I buy it for our non-existent child to one day use as a toy or dress up chest. Sure!! However, now we seem a little crazy, don't we? Oh well. The trunk is far more beautiful in person. It's white with silver detailing throughout and silver nailheads framing the entire piece.
Remember my fireplace? The tile peeps are almost done! I snapped this photo while he was eating his lunch. He still has to do the right side and grout. Next we just need to remove the medallions (and tape) and add the top layer of clear & silver crystals to cover what's in there. Then more painting! Right now I think a crisp, bright and glossy white will be best. It's currently a dull eggshell.

The same day as the toy chest for the non existent child was purchased, so was this mirror. It's bark. How cool? As soon as the room is painted (the color on the left - Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter) it will be placed horizontally behind the couch and across from the fireplace. Then that super-comfy chair you see in the mirror can move back to its origin - exactly where the mirror currently is.

Hopefully for my patience and the sake of entertaining blog posts, all these things will be complete by next week.

Happy 25th, Sis!

I can't believe the adorable little girl in that leopard outfit is now 25. I remember playing Nintendo for hours and hours while she would sit next to me patiently and watch until she just couldn't take it anymore. Then her raspy little voice would ask, "Can I play with you?" Now she'd just rip the controller out of my hand.

Happy Birthday, Alexis! I hope this year is filled with love, happiness, success and many fulfilled dreams! If you want to come over on Sunday we can play the NEW Super Mario Brothers. XO

Etsy Love

I love Etsy - Is there anyone who doesn't? If I am having trouble finding a perfect gift for someone, I head over there and always wind up with more than just something for them! Here's some of my latest favorites:

2 Amazing Statement Necklaces

Fabulous Mirrored Lucite Chandelier

Stylish Imperial Trellis Pillow - Kelly Wearstler rocks my decor world, so it's a given .

Cute and modern "calling cards" - Great for playdate making Mommies and single ladies

In Their Closet Welcomes Me!

In Their Closet is a fantastic blog that will lead you right to look-a-likes of great designer items. I'm so excited to join their team as a contributor. Be sure to stop by!

http://intheircloset.com/welcome-our-newest-team-member-vanessa/

Forever 21 Home Decor

Last summer Forever 21 announced their plans to venture into home decor. Since I first read about it, I've been fascinated, insanely curious and wondering if they will be selling items that mimic the display pieces that they decorate their stores with. Some reports claim that it is in fact furniture. This makes sense since some of their higher priced competitors like Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters have successfully tackled that, but others are claiming it may just be accent items (think mirrors and vases). The collection was supposed to hit their largest stores in late 2009, but that time came and went without as much as a peep from their corporate offices.

Here's a glimpse at some of the displays from what I think is their For Love 21 store in the Beverly Center.

Today's Outfit

One of my biggest fashion pet peeves happens on the day that the weather reaches 60 degrees for the first time. Some people think it's time to bust out their flip flops, shorts and sundresses. Bad idea. If you're patient, the proper weather will come. I promise. My outfit today appropriately embraced the slightly warmer weather and that's more than I can say for all the season pushers I saw!

Gap Boyfriend Jeans
(If you bring a pair of old jeans into the store for donation, you'll receive a new pair for 30% off.)



H&M Plaid Shirt
Yes, me and this dude have something in common...we both shop in the men's section of H&M.




Now before you get all, "You could be a farmer in those clothes" on me, read on. I cuffed the jeans, tucked in the shirt, added a brown leather belt and toned the country look down with a pair of brown suede platform pumps and my trusty Treesje Asher bag in electric blue.

Exciting Day For NessaLee Baby

Today was an exciting day for NessaLee Baby. We hand-picked 3 new lines to carry. Just to give a little background on what the store is trying to achieve - Every parent obviously knows that their life is going to change significantly when their bundle of joy arrives, but does that mean their home needs to become splattered in primary colors (this was a real concern of my friend, Amanda)? The answer is no. There are so many amazing brands out there with baby items that are stylish and can better fit into your lifestyle if that's what you choose. Not every mom and dad are the Winnie the Pooh kind and our customers definitely aren't. We want to give them a place where they can register for everything that will make their home and life welcoming and comfortable to the new baby, but look and feel less chaotic to them, as well as a variety of awesome and stylish gift items.

Drum roll please...

7 A.M. Enfant: As seen below on Jessica Alba's stroller for daughter, Honor. This line is everything I could dream of as far as baby gear is concerned. The color options are beautiful, each piece has so much functionality and the designs are chic. I'm head over heels for the diaper bag, which makes a great luggage carry-on, even when baby isn't present.

Itzy Ritzy: As seen below on Rebecca Romijn's stroller for twin daughters, Charlie and Dolly. The prints on Itzy Ritzy products are to die for. Each one is more modern than the next. Different products they make are car seat covers, peek-a-boo seat covers, burp cloths, snack and wet bags and shopping cart covers that can be used for single babies and twin riders!

Diaper Dude: As seen below on Jason Priestley for son, Dashiell. The number one reason why some men cringe at the thought of carrying a diaper bag is the fact that it looks like a man purse covered in little lambs. Diaper Dude gets rid of that problem with masculine messenger styles in great solids or camo print. No more excuse, Daddy.

My Oscar Best Dressed 5

This year was a little disappointing to me because everything was so neutral. But, I still had my favorites. Here's my Oscar Best Dressed 5.

Zoe Saldana in Givenchy

Miley Cyrus in Jenny Packham

Amanda Seyfried in Armani Prive

Rachel McAdams in Elie Saab

Diana Kruger in Chanel