'Let's Get this Party Started'

It is perhaps the one rare occasion throughout the year when our hearts and minds are focus on the past, present and future all at once.

The New Year.

This year, I will be saying goodbye to 2009 and New York City’s iconic Tavern on the Green at the restaurant’s farewell party. The Central Park landmark since 1939, known for its blowout parties and the annual marathoners’ pasta fest, will close its doors January 1 – a victim of the financial crisis and high-priced operating expenses.

It will be my first time at the famed restaurant, with its wonderland décor that includes 45 chandeliers of glass and stained-glass, 600,000 tree lights and topiary animals in its gardens, etched mirrors, and copper and gold-leaf weathervanes.

It once was a place frequented by celebrities like Grace Kelly and John Lennon and where former owner Warner LeRoy would open champagne bottles with the swing of a sword.

Kicking the New Year with the best that my city has to offer is the precedent I’d like to set for the coming year. And if that precedent is to be made in style, my New Year’s outfit better be a show-stopper.

Dramatic textures, shimmering embellishments and sumptuous fabrics guarantee that my New Year’s ensemble will deserve nothing less than the spotlight. Here’s my ultimate party wardrobe:

Fancy Feet

I like to party with the best – that includes my shoes too. Nothing comes close to the quality and craftsmanship of a Prada shoe. This suede bootie in (sold out) has a slightly pointed toe, but with its black suede straps and heel adds a cool contemporary spin to a classic silhouette.

Bare It All

This black BCBG (on sale now) with an overlay of tulle and asymmetric shoulder shows the right amount of skin. No need to wear a statement necklace because this neckline says it all. The zip closure on the side ensures a snug fit and the strap is adjustable. I plan to pair this top with a banded mini skirt, but on another occasion can be worn with leggings or even jeans. And I do admire the ruching of tulle along the bottom, which accentuates the waistline.

Rock N’ Roller

I don’t need arm candy; I need an accessory that will pack a punch. This Rebecca Minkoff 3-zip clutch (sold out in yellow) with its exotic leather print and leather fringe is sure to infuse a bit of rocker glam to a rather simple, yet stylish party outfit. Its bright yellow shade will break up the black and gray, bringing some much-needed color and attention to my New Year’s look.

Best Wishes for a Happy New Year!

-S. Gonzalez

*Photo courtesy of annaginzburg.com; yoox.com; BCBG and handbagsdir.com

'How Does Your Garden Grow?'

Being green doesn’t have to mean purchasing all new energy efficient appliances or light bulbs - or that the truck parked in the driveway now has to be exchanged for a compact hybrid car.
Nope. It could be as simple as keeping a few potted plants and flowers inside your home.
This Christmas, give the gift of Mother Nature to someone special. From Redbook Magazine, find out how you can grow your own indoor garden with this do-it-yourself recipe:

What you will need
· Glass covering to place over the terrarium (i.e. bell jars, glass cake cover, vase with wide enough rim)
· Pot or some kind of base
· Plants
· Potting mix
· Pebbles, gravel
· Stones or moss
· Pruners or scissors
· Charcoal
· Spray bottle with water
· Either a fork and spoon, or a small rake and scoop

1. The first step is to decide where you will keep your plant (s) and to pick a plant species that will grow best under those conditions. Those suggested are ferns, violets or mosses because of its small size, slow growth, love of shade and tolerance to humidity.
   
2. Spread about one-inch of the pebbles or gravel at the base of the pot with the fork/spoon. Layer it with some charcoal – this will help filter water and prevent the growth of fungi once you’ve closed the terrarium.
   
   

3. Now you can place the soil (potting mix) on top of the charcoal. Create a small mound in the center, where the plant will go.

4. Use the scoop to dig a hole in the mound of soil. Place your largest plant inside and make sure to cover all the roots with the soil. If you plan to have other plants, make sure there is enough space between them to grow.

5. The moss and/or pebbles will serve as a decorative layer to top off the terrarium.

6. Use the pruners to trim the plant leaves if they extend past the edge of the pot. Keep the spray bottle to lightly moisten the soil.

7. ***Before you cover the terrarium, let the plant “air out.” (This is important; otherwise mold can grow when you close it.) Once you place the lid on top, the terrarium will become its own ecosystem and watering will not be necessary. But every weeks, test the soil to see if it’s dry. If it is, lightly mist and repeat airing it out before closing.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All!

-S. Gonzalez

*Photo courtesy of Redbook Magazine

'Margiela Leaves House'

An amicable departure or irreparable fashion feud?

There is still no information as to why the mysterious Martin Margiela announced his resignation from his own fashion house less than two weeks ago.

The Belgian designer – who refuses to show his face to the media (by fax only) and always keeps a low profile – has left the fashion house with no confirmed ‘heir’ to take his place as creative director of the avant-garde label.

Possible successors include designers Raf Simons and Haider Ackermann. None have accepted as of yet.

The fashion house’s chief executive officer, Giovanni Pungetti, said that the company is still leaving an open window for Margiela to return should he change his mind in the coming months. This seems unlikely if Margiela has been weaning himself from the company for some time, limiting himself only to special projects like the last couture show in Paris.

My question is whether the Maison Martin Margiela house will be able to recreate innovative and extraordinary pieces like those in the last Artisanal Collection (example below): a woman’s jacket hand-strung together with white leather sandals and fastened with a buckle in the center; an asymmetric silk crepe dress decorated with old, colorful vinyl records; or a leather vest decorated with hundreds of plastic garment tag fasteners.

How could the Maison Martin Margiela ever replace its namesake founder?

It’s like having Coco Chanel leave Chanel, or Valentino Garavani leave Valentino. Where would the Armani empire be without Giorgio Armani? Retiring is one thing, but resigning?

So far, business has been steady at the Paris-based house – although 2010 will be a make or break it year after the label expects to reach ‘near breakeven’ this year, according to Pungetti. The label is currently under the control of the Diesel brand, with Renzo Rosso as majority stakeholder.

Sources say that Margiela might divert his attention to other creative pursuits like painting, leaving the world of design in exchange for the art world.

Only time will tell what future lies in store for both Margiela and the Maison Martin Margiela. But one thing is for sure: Neither the designer or fashion house can stay mum forever.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of media.photobucket.com; papermag.com; todayandtomorrow.net

'10 More Days Left'

Only 10 more shopping days left! Not sure what to get for the holidays?

As promised, here is another list of gifts to satisfy even the pickiest on your list, and still leave some money over so you can splurge on yourself!

After all, you’ve earned it.

Save $30

Stay ahead of the fashion pack with this cheetah bed set ($119.99). Ever since faux fur ripped and clawed its way here several seasons ago, you’ve been struck with jungle fever. You’ve already stocked your wardrobe with zebra print sweaters, faux rabbit fur vests and leopard silk camis. Well, now it’s time to move on to the bedroom!

This is one gift idea I’d like to keep to myself, but a girlfriend or family member might like it just as much.

And it comes with the whole package. No need to buy the pieces separately because the set includes: a duvet cover, two sham covers and two pillow covers. The micro plush bed covers and spread is also machine washable, making cleaning inexpensive and hassle-free.

Save $15

You might have already signed off on your fashion resolutions and are looking forward to tackling them come New Year.

But when it comes to the child in your family, have you ever thought what a new year might mean to him, or her?

It could mean plenty.

A mini room makeover is the first step in a getting your child about what the new year has in store. The room as a canvas, get your boy or girl excited about to shoot for the next level in football, or ballet. A new lamp, perhaps a set of new curtains with sports-themed curtain rods ($19.99) are all you need for your child to get the sense of a fresh start.

Save $15

I don’t remember the last time my parents bought new curtains for the house. My girlfriend has confessed that finding curtains to fit her oversized windows is one of the biggest hassles. And I’m 99 percent sure that my one male coworkers still doesn’t have curtains hanging in his two-month old, new apartment.

It might not be the most immediate purchase that comes to mind when buying for the home. Which is one of the best reasons to offer a blackout tie up shade curtain ($34) as a gift – now available in either purples or green.

The curtain satisfies a modern décor with its clean and contemporary design, maintains privacy, blocks out light and traps the heat inside the house better than any plastic blind would. The ruching effect already on the silk shade gives the impression that this curtain has been custom ordered for the window.

It hasn’t, but we’d like others to think so.

-S. Gonzalez