Fashion Week Encore

Last week, I ventured backstage at Fashion Week once again with the crew from fabulous nail spa Dashing Diva.

Backstage at the Bryant Park tents

While the team made sure every Tibi runway model was perfectly manicured, I caught up with one of Dashing Diva’s delightful PR reps. We talked about the unceremonious timing of exes who decide to resurface and the search for a perfect apartment in NYC.

I also had the pleasure of meeting veteran beauty blogger Jamie Allison Sanders, who was off to another show – but not before making me smile when she said she’d heard of Single Gal In The City.

Just before the show began, I surveyed the crowd of perfectly coiffed fashionistas and decided it might be time for me to update my shoe and accessory repertoire. Who knew big, pearl-finished watches were all the rage?

The Tibi models strutting their stuff

Tibi’s Spring 2010 show served up a pretty and feminine mix of, as the tip sheet put it, abstract florals in icy pastels mixed with intensely saturated colors. One thing I would’ve liked to see more of – models with at least some degree of décolletage. One thing I would’ve enjoyed seeing less of – their bony backs. To paraphrase my best friend, these girls need some cheeseburgers stat.

Coming up…a jazzy night out for a good cause with a couple of Aussies and an outrageous request from a long ago ex.

Fashionable Night Out

Last Thursday, I joined the crew from Dashing Diva -- my favorite nail spa -- for the Rosa Cha show at Bryant Park.

Strike A Pose: Backstage at the Bryant Park tents

From a crush of photographers to waif-like girls getting primped for the runway, there’s plenty of action backstage at Fashion Week. Dashing Diva’s team, led by celeb nail artist Pattie Yankee Williams, was busy doing manicures for all of the models.

Pattie used Miranda’s Law, a bold, bright coral polish, for the Rosa Cha models

Pattie mentioned some of her favorite famous clients (Rachael Ray and Brooke Shields are among them) and shared a few tips for making a manicure last longer -- buff your nails first and use a top-notch base coat. With more than 25 years in the fancy finger business, Pattie knows what she’s talking about.

The show started fashionably late and featured a look at Rosa Cha’s 2010 beachwear collection. Only one front row celeb sighting here, "The Bachelorette" star Jillian Harris.

On The Catwalk: Rosa Cha’s leggy models

My next stop was Saks Fifth Avenue, which had festivities on every floor as part of Fashion’s Night Out. A packed crowd of shoppers enjoyed complimentary makeovers, blowouts and the opportunity to mingle with some of the biggest names in the world of style. I met legendary designers Carolina Herrera and Elie Tahari.

How Chic: Designer Elie Tahari and me at Saks

With more than 800 FNO events around the city, I was tempted to see what other bold-faced names I could encounter. I opted instead to head home, to get ready for a last-minute blast from the past.

What a night.

Cosmos And Manicures For A Good Cause

I’ve raved more than once about Dashing Diva, my favorite nail spa here in the Big Apple. The spa’s flagship location is once again worthy of kudos, teaming up with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for a special event.

Dashing Diva's East Village location

On Tuesday April 7th, Dashing Diva in NYC’s East Village is hosting a fundraiser to benefit the society’s Team In Training. In addition to enjoying a mani-pedi combo for $35, guests will receive a free Cosmo and gift bag with polish, file and other goodies.

Twenty percent of proceeds from the evening will go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training.

The event is from 5-8pm on Tuesday at Dashing Diva on East 15th Street and Third Avenue.

In Defense of Pampering

Last weekend, I treated myself to a chair massage at my favorite nail spa, Dashing Diva.

After 20 minutes of enjoying TLC for my back and shoulders, I couldn’t help thinking about pampering – and how it’s more important than ever in times like this to make room for it.

In a recent survey by the American Psychological Association, 80% of respondents said the economy is a significant cause of stress. Not surprisingly, the recession has many people cutting back on pampering rituals, including one of my favorites, travel.

Travel Therapy: The title of a new book and one of my favorite things

A feature in last Friday’s USA Today talked about the increasing trend of consumers feeling so guilty about taking trips that they’re not even talking about it. More consumers still are holding off on getting away and, with a government-endorsed dropoff in business travel as well, the industry is feeling the pinch. Commerce Department data predicts the loss of 247,000 travel-related jobs this year.

Stimulus package or not, our economy won’t get moving until people get moving with the business of spending, even if it's spending in recessionary fashion. And as someone who works in travel PR, I’m seeing firsthand the flurry of great deals available in the U.S., Caribbean and beyond.

Looking for inspiration for your next vacation? Check out Karen Schaler’s new book, Travel Therapy Travel Therapy.). Whether you’re planning a girlfriends getaway or seeking spa-infused solace, this is a great guide to get you there.

With spring right around the corner, I’m already looking into potential trips. Because sometimes, a change of scenery is exactly what you need to feel at home again.

Pampering With A Purpose

I’m a big believer in the restorative powers of pampering rituals. From a heavenly semi-outdoor body massage in Bali to a delightful foot spa bath in Sydney, I’ve experienced this in more than a few far flung places.

Here in the Big Apple, some of my best unwinding moments have happened at Paul Labrecque Salon and Great Jones Spa. My favorite destination for pampering, though, is Dashing Diva. Nobody does the art of pampering better than this first class nail spa.

Dashing Diva: My favorite nail spa is helping women learn about extending fertility

Later this month, Dashing Diva is teaming up with the American Fertility Association for Martinis & Manicures, a new series of events aimed at educating women about conceiving later. Dr. Jamie Grifo, Program Director of the NYU Fertility Center, will be on hand. An added bonus – both the martinis and the manicures are free.

I’m planning to attend with a few of my fellow thirty-something gal pals. Though my biological clock isn’t exactly ticking, I know that with 35 knocking on my door, this is a good time for me to find out more about the road to motherhood.

Manicures & Martinis takes place on Tuesday January 27th at 6pm at Dashing Diva’s 15th Street location in NYC. The event is expected to roll through approximately 20 US cities in 2009.

A Diva-rrific Manicure

Last week, I enjoyed my first visit to the flagship NYC location of my favorite nail spa, Dashing Diva.

With a sleek, white interior, Dashing Diva’s East Village venue delivers pampering in style -- Jennifer Hudson chose it as the setting for a recent online video (http://music.yahoo.com/promo-42778155-263-20081013-autoplay).

Nail Pampering with Panache: Dashing Diva's East Village location in NYC

Feeling adventurous, I opted to experience a few more firsts, including my first Divaroma manicure ($15). If there’s such a thing as heaven for hands, this is it. In addition to first-class attention for nails and cuticles, the Divaroma experience includes aromatherapy products (I chose Soothing Eucalyptus), and a full hand and arm massage with exfoliating scrub.

After removing my hands from the dryer, I smiled at the new hue adorning them. Bypassing pale pink for a change, I opted for something bolder -- the richly purple Royal Romanov. I’m looking forward to broadening my nail palette even more in December, when Dashing Diva rolls out more than 300 new colors.

As if free cosmos on Thursday and Friday nights aren't enough incentive for me to keep coming back, Dashing Diva has just launched the Passionate about Pink Sweepstakes. Celebrating the 2009 release of Pink’s new album "Funhouse," the contest gives customers the chance to win a special ‘Day of Rock star Beauty,’ and 2 tickets to Pink’s Summer 2009 Tour.

The sweepstakes will be highlighted at all Dashing Diva nail spas and you can also enter online at www.pinkspage.com/passionateaboutpink.

Coming up…an intimate book launch party for a New Yorker braving small town life and Chris “Mr. Big” Noth takes to the (off) Broadway stage.

Saturday Afternoon At Dashing Diva

Yesterday, my friend Amanda and I treated ourselves to manicures at Dashing Diva.

A first-class nail spa with five locations in NYC (and a total of 28 stores on 3 continents), Dashing Diva delivers stylish pampering in a pink-tinged setting. Signature amenities include free cosmopolitans on Thursday and Friday nights, and flat screen TV’s playing an endless loop of concert videos from Beyoncé to Barbra Streisand.

Dashing Diva: First-class pampering with a stylish twist

My favorite indulgence here is the Spoiled Diva Pedicure. It’s worth the price ($45) for the additional 10 minute foot and leg massage, and the aromatherapy foot bath is heavenly.

As Amanda and I had our nails primped and polished, we talked about Madonna’s knack for reinvention, how the recession is affecting the travel industry and the benefits of taking off when you’re in the throes of writing.

Amanda will soon be retreating to North Carolina for a few weeks, where she’ll continue penning
The Lost Girls, a joint effort between her and her two best buds chronicling their year-long journey around the world. A prolific magazine writer, Amanda is a talented wordsmith of great wit and style. The Lost Girls is due out in spring of ‘09. I can’t wait to read it.

Coming up…crossing the finish line for the American Cancer Society with a little help from my friends.