Category: Fashion

2018 Bridal Trends: Ask The Experts

Posted on by NikkiOnTheDaily in Fashion, Hospitality, Travel

This article first appeared in the February 7, 2018 issue of The Independent Newspaper

 

Are you heading down the aisle with your true love this year? I asked bridal experts what the trends are for 2018, from dresses to décor.

In dresses, bridal designers are trading old traditions for something new, according to bridal industry experts Brides and The Knot, which reported from the Fall 2018 Bridal Fashion Week. Some highlights: capes or “capelets” are in, as are pale blue, big bows, higher necklines, and shorter hemlines.

In a bridal wardrobe twist, black is the new white, with designers such as Reem Acra, Kelly Faetanini and Vera Wang showcasing black detail to all black in their dresses. For bridesmaids, the one-color-fits all is passé say experts, and parties are steering more towards mix and match.

For the groom, midnight blue is the new black for tuxedos.

Blue is also showing up in bridal floral arrangements as well, said Laura Petrocelli, CEO of Couture Concepts Inc., a luxury event planning and design company. “I love the Dusty Blue trend; [it gives] the perfect touch of color to a classic all white or blush palette. Couples are not afraid to use and mix multiple bold colors anymore,” she said. Greenery has become the base for many floral arrangements, and organic-style low and lush centerpieces are popular for the reception table, Petrocelli added.

As far as venues are concerned, her clients are moving away from the traditional banquet hall style and craving the flexibility of an indoor/outdoor space. “A tented wedding on an estate on the water gives you the best of both worlds,” she said. “Lucky for us, these types of venues exist right here on the North Fork and in the Hamptons.” Many couples are also saying their vows outside of a church, and writing their own vows, she said.

Jason Bencivenga, owner of Decco and Party Up Productions Inc. a full-service production and DJ company said for wedding receptions, “Rustic is going strong but our brides seem to be adding glam into that.” While he said barns remain on trend, industrial spaces are growing in popularity: “It’s shabby chic.”

Wedding couples today are largely of the Millennial generation, and the bride of 2018 is Instagram and Pinterest oriented when it comes to describing her vision for her wedding, say experts. This love for social media can also be incorporated in other ways. For example, Party Up’s Vogue Booth allows clients to set up an Instagram booth.

For some couples, the best part comes when the heels are off and the tuxedos are on the hanger: the honeymoon. The average budget for the great escape is $8000 to $10,000 said Laura Hanaford, president and CEO of The Trip Trotter, a travel agency part of Tzell Travel Group. However, many couples aren’t setting out on the honeymoon directly after the wedding.

“I’m working with more and more couples who are prolonging their honeymoon for work or financial reasons, or to take advantage of better weather in the destination that they’d like to travel to. Couples feel like they are able to take more time off for their honeymoon than a usual trip and want to take advantage of that,” she said.

The top destination for 2018 for couples booking with The Trip Trotter? Asia. She is already booking clients primarily to Thailand and Bali, Hanaford revealed.

Info and links:

Couture Concepts: 631-239-5142

Party Up Productions: 631-988-9579

The Trip Trotter: thetriptrotter@tzell.com

 

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Dinner at Tiffany’s

Posted on by NikkiOnTheDaily in Fashion, Food, Hospitality, New York, Travel

“The quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there. If I could find a real-life place that’d make me feel like Tiffany’s, then – then I’d buy some furniture and give the cat a name!” Holly Golightly, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. 

 

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Today, Audrey Hepburn would walk into an unexpected actuality at Tiffany & Co.. The freshly renovated Home & Accessories department wow’s with a new signature touch- The Blue Box Cafe. A fourth floor dining experience where literary fanatics and movie buffs of the Truman Capote classic can now have breakfast, lunch, dessert or tea at Tiffany’s.

 

Black Bass Crudo with radish, fennel, espelette and olive oil

Buzzing about the iconic 5th Avenue store, the 57th street cafe is akin to any other sought after movie-esque moment; idyllic in concept but just shy of expectation when dipped into reality. Approaching its two month mark, the liquor license is arriving any day now. Though superfluous, a glass of champagne or wine would round out the already picturesque moment

The prix fixe priced menu reads $29 for breakfast, $39 for lunch and $49 for Tiffany tea, all ranging in an assortment of tastes. Upon arrival guests are swiftly informed that each person must place an individual order. For an early meal the portions are suitable, yet for dinner they disappoint in size. The iconic Blue Box Celebration Cake goes for $36, comfortably serving four persons two fold, and promises to be the envy of Instagram.  Covered in Tiffany Blue icing and a white chocolate bow, it is as much an indulgence as it is a bragging right.

 

Fifth Avenue Salad of Maine lobster, avocado, grapefruit and poppy seed dressing

Walking distance from the likes of several Michelin-Starred restaurants, The Modern, Caviar Russe and Aquavit to name a few, this boxed jewel isn’t making any culinary headlines, nor does it need to. Rather, it is the feeling of being immersed in an emblematic elegance that only Tiffany can produce- Amazonite stone walls, plush armchairs, and purchasable china.

 

Already synonymous with quintessential New York, especially during the sparkling holiday season, Tiffany’s has reinvented itself as the place to dine among diamonds. Generations of past and present are sure to recognize the flagship stores latest endeavor as a Must Do Experience in the city of dreams.

 

Reservations are currently being taken on Resy 30 days in advance, at 9AM sharp. Seating times range from 10AM through the last seating at 7:30PM, dependent on the day.

Vintage, Darling

Posted on by NikkiOnTheDaily in Fashion, Inspiring

(This article first appeared in the November 8, 2017 issue of The Independent Newspaper)

vintage
trying on dresses at The Times Vintage

 

More than just something to wear, vintage clothing has the power to take us back in time. Every decade is defined by a fashion trend and nowadays vintage is the new vogue.

No one knows that more than Houston native Elizabeth Sweigart. In 2013, and at only 23 years old, Sweigart opened up The Times Vintage in Greenport, a store specializing in everything vintage.

After spending five years in New York City, Sweigart migrated to the North Fork needing a change. “Somehow Greenport seemed doable for me — it wasn’t the Hamptons, it wasn’t Shelter Island, it was cute and quaint but not too cookie cutter,” Sweigart described.

Her admiration for vintage clothing began when she was young, frequenting garage sales with her mother and observing her grandmother’s impeccable seamstress skills. “I used to get into my grandmother’s closet all the time,” Sweigart reminisced. “She had a really funky pair of yellow wooden shoes with a crazy cut-out heel that I loved prancing around in.” Now, her own closet is uniquely comprised of 90 percent second-hand clothing. Except the shoes, of course, “simply because the old ones wear out too fast.”

The store’s name honors the property’s newsworthy roots — the original tenant was The Suffolk Times.

“It seemed so fitting for a vintage shop to house things of the past in a place that previously chronicled events in time,” said Sweigart.

In the past four years, thousands of items have been sorted through. People tend to bring in cherished items so that others can make use of them. Best sellers are the women’s clothing, jewelry, and vinyl records. What you won’t find in the shop are industrial items, linens, china, or anything decrepit.

Price is negotiated based on the sellers’ needs and the resale value in shop. “It gets tricky and honestly that’s my least favorite part of the job. I’m learning as I go — and boy there is a lot to learn! Which is why my job is never boring!”

Sweigart still remembers her favorite piece that was sold. “A ’60s Marimekko black and white three-piece suitcase set as seen in ‘Slums of Beverly Hills.'” The backstories are what draws interest in reselling an item and the interesting people that once owned them. As for the Who’s Who of who’s wearing these pieces, you can spot comedian Louis CK in the store from time to time, and recently rocking store-bought ties on the red carpet were Jake Gyllenhaal and Sam Rockwell.

Sweigart enjoys the likeness of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, her idea of the quintessential role model of both gentle beauty and hard-working independence. The Times Vintage is a time capsule of yesterday with a promising leading role in tomorrow.

The Times Vintage is open year-round, Friday through Monday from 11 AM to 6 PM, but customers can schedule private appointments Tuesdays and Wednesdays. On December 1, they will be collaborating with First & South for the annual Prohibition Party — spend $20 or more at the store and receive a free drink ticket. Also look for The Times Vintage on December 9 at Borghese Vineyards as part of artist Kara Hoblin’s Christmas Market.

Visit the store at 429 Main Street in Greenport. Call 631-477-6455, go to http://www.timesvintage.com, or follow @TheTimesVintage.

Strong Island is Island Strong

Posted on by NikkiOnTheDaily in Charities & Non Profits, Fashion, Long Island

(This article first appeared in the October 18, 2017 issue of The Independent Newspaper)

island strong
My new poncho, with Terrance Saporito, CEO

 

Island Strong All Day Long. More than a phrase or t-shirt, it’s actually the company motto of Island Strong, an online merchandise store that began selling products in 2015. Terrance Saporito, CEO and founder of the company, designed the popular logo during his college humor t-shirt business days; a filled-in outline of Long Island with the word “STRONG” boldly in the middle. However, it was his wife, Erica, who came up with the name Island Strong as a tribute to strengthen the community.

Saporito and partner, Brian Jones, who handles ecommerce and shipping, are Island natives that have been friends for almost two decades after first meeting in school at Connetquot. As business ideas were flowing, Saporito and Jones were introduced to local celebrity and UFC fighter Chris Wade, who is a jack-of-all-trades helping wherever possible.

“Chris’s ideas and goals aligned with ours so well it was a no-brainer. And just last year my long time mentor Al Carrabis joined us,” Saporito said. “Al is a very established business man who currently lives in Blue Point. He corralled us three in and started turning Island Strong into a well-oiled machine. All of our friends and family have been so supportive and we really have built one huge family.”

In particular, Saporito pointed to the wonder women behind the business, Erica and Jones’s girlfriend, Mallory.

Two new lines of hats and beanies with the Island Strong and LOCAL designs are expected to come out later this month, as new creations pop up several times a year. Saporito primarily constructs everything himself, with the exception of a few fan creations that are submitted. In trying to keep with the idea of “shop local,” Royal Apparel in Hauppauge sources some of the clothing, with much of it coming from within the United States. Currently, they are using East End Emblem in Ronkonkoma for their prints.

Fan favorite designs include the signature Island Strong logo, the Long Island mermaid, and the LOCAL logo. “The LOCAL logo is very simple but I feel it can be worn by any Long Islander. We have plans to expand further on this design,” Saporito acknowledged. As for who can be seen wearing it,

“It is astonishing how many orders we get from out of state. When they leave Long Island, everyone wants to take a piece with them.”

Island Strong works with local charities on a consistent basis. With aims to better the community, they’re currently working with Room4Love, Boots on the Ground NY, and Save the Great South Bay, but the charities occasionally rotate. At this time the company directs all donations to Island Harvest with an awareness that this is the “most crucial time for Long Islanders in need.”

Yet, it’s Peconic Land Trust that hits home and is always in their hearts. “My mother Carol Isles who is on the board of directors for LINLA (Long Island Nursery & Landscape Association) and LIFB (Long Island Farm Bureau) mentioned Peconic Land Trust to me and we fell in love with what they represent and their goals for Long Island,” Saporito said. All of this led to the creation of the Loyal to the Soil logo.

Now fans of Loyal to the Soil can sip beer while wearing their favorite shirt. Being released later this fall is a new Loyal to the Soil wheat beer in collaboration with Jamesport Farm Brewery. Saporito expressed his excitement. “Them being a farm brewery and growing 90 percent of their own ingredients, it’s only fitting. Myself and Brian love Long Island craft beer, so this is a dream come true.”

Beyond giving back, “my appreciation for Long Island goes much deeper,” said Saporito. “I’ve met so many incredible people over the last two years. I’ve realized that our communities are what make Long Island so unique. The friends we’ve made along this journey make Long Island so special to us,” Saporito passionately expressed.

“We’re inspired greatly by towns like Greenport and Sayville. We spend a lot of time there because of the hometown feel you get when you’re walking the street or talking to shop owners. Not to say that other towns don’t have that, it’s just where we are right now. I grew up going to beautiful places like the Arboretum and especially love the Vanderbilt Museum in Centerport. We’re lucky to be close to so many incredible places. People around the country don’t have that luxury and I think we take it for granted.”

Island Strong emphasizes that their company buildup has been in large part through Instagram. Dozens of local photographers tag the account in an almost symbiotic relationship to spread brand awareness. Island Strong can also be found at local festivals where people can meet the team behind their favorite social media posts. “No social media platform will get your message across better than a conversation,” Saporito said.

In addition to selling merchandise online and in a select variety of small businesses, including Riverhead’s Taste the East End Boutique, Island Strong will be opening their first brick-and-mortar location in summer of 2018, filled with a plethora of Long Island products.

Want to go Island Strong All Day Long? Follow them on Instagram and Facebook @LIslandStrong or purchase your very own gear at http://www.lislandstrong.com.

 

Light a Candle For Puerto Rico

Posted on by NikkiOnTheDaily in Charities & Non Profits, Fashion, The Hamptons

(This article first appeared in the October 11, 2017 issue of The Independent Newspaper)

 

Social media is a powerful way to spread a message. It’s also a way to connect with like-minded individuals. Follow a page, like a post, message a company. This concept is exactly how I came across the latest altruistic endeavor from local company Hamptons Hand Poured.

Scented candles takes on a whole new fragrance when these 100 percent handcrafted soy jars are familiarly labeled. Hamptons Coffee, Sag Harbor Cinema, The End, Tumbleweed Tuesday, the names dedicated to the East End go on. Then an Instagram post showed the latest scent, Coastal Evacuation Route – a $28 sea salt blend with notes of citrus and violet with all of the proceeds going directly to the relief efforts in Puerto Rico.

“That it was going to take four to six months to fully restore power [in Puerto Rico] was shocking to me,” Hamptons Hand Poured owner Brittany Torres expressed.

“On the first day I posted the candle, we raised just under $300. For a small business with little marketing and a product under $30, I think that’s not bad. My ultimate goal would be to send at least $1000 a month for as long as I can.”

Ties to the island run in Torres’s blood. Her grandparents lived in Dorado and she recalls memories from her visits as a child – even recreating a photo taken in Old San Juan. She also makes annual visits to the popular beach town, Rincon, where family and friends reside. Sadly, amid all the disaster, there has been no word from anyone.

Currently, Hamptons Hand Poured is undergoing this philanthropic effort singlehandedly, but remains open to collaboration. “I have tagged people on Instagram who are heavily involved in the efforts in hopes of getting a bigger audience. I would love to have more of my retail partners carry the candle. They would have to be willing to not make a profit on the product or at the least only take a small percentage of the sale so we can donate the most we can for Puerto Rico,” Torres detailed.

As time goes on smoothly for the fortunate, it’s important to keep in mind the millions of residents who have been affected by this record-breaking hurricane season. It’s through the efforts of the few that the many can benefit – and, in this case, simply survive.

Hamptons Hand Poured and the Coastal Evacuation Route candle can be purchased on the Etsy shop through http://www.hamptonshandpoured.com or through Jason Lucas, owner of Sag Harbor Cycle at 34 Bay Street.

Follow Torres on Instagram @HamptonsHandPoured.