Category Archives: Fashion

Fashionistas Flock to Saks!

saks opening april 2016Much anticipation for Saks Fifth Avenue in the Houston Galleria for the launch of their new mega store.  Many private events led up to the big day but Thursday, April 28th the doors officially opened with the ribbon cutting.  There to cut the ribbon on the new department store were Saks president Marc Metrick, chief merchant Tracy Margolies, EVP of stores Larry Bruce and Houston VP and GM Bobby Dees.

I have always been a Saks girl at heart so you can definitely know it was a very important day for me.  What fun as hundreds of fashionistas lined up to be one of the first to explore the new piece of what we call “Heaven on Earth”.  Saks’ 200,000-sq.-ft. location in The Galleria was designed by CBX Agency in New York and represents a significant expansion from its previous Houston store, which closed earlier this month.  The new additions to the brand roster include Proenza Schouler and Dries van Noten. The new store also features a Christian Louboutin boutique and a reimagined 10022-SHOE department.  Oh yeah, I said SHOES!!!

saks opening2I showed up alone but immediately found friends to share the experience.  We shopped, sipped champagne, enjoyed lite bites, and the artistic actors and scenery.  I even made a quick stop to my friends at the Chanel make up counter for a mini makeover.

I highly recommend you pick a day that can allow for the ultimate field trip.  This is not the place to go to when you are in a hurry.  You need to indulge, explore, and absorb all of its facets.  Houston is getting quite chic these days.  Note, the Saks doors do not connect to the mall at the moment.  The entrance is not complete yet.  It is best to valet for convenience.  While you are there, grab a cocktail and a bite at the redesigned 51Fifteen restaurant.  It is oh-so-fabulous!

Sunnies + Stilettos @ Jimmy Choo

jimmy choo event 4.12.16The 2016 Heroes And Handbags event is just around the corner. Last year I served as the Handbag Co-Chair with my dear friend Anna Kaplan.  In order to help raise additional funds for the Heroes For Children organization this year my bestie and 2015 Event Chair Lori Lemon-Geshay hosted a private shopping event at the Jimmy Choo boutique in the Houston Galleria on April 12th.

Well, don’t ask us twice.  Did you say shoes, shades, and champagne all in the same sentence???  I do not think I shop that often and I am pretty selective.  However, if it benefits a charity I care about I will support the cause.  In between my meetings what a nice break to mix, mingle, and play dress up with friends and supporters.

jimmy choo sunglassesFrom the moment I walked in the store I was immediately drawn to these ‘Nita’s 53 mm sunnies. These logo-etched temples enhance the Italian-made sunglasses.  And, look at the genuine-snakeskin-covered frames with metal in an oh-so-modern cat-eye-inspired silhouette!  I am in love and they will be perfect for my trip to Mexico!

A little shout out to all who attended.  In just 2-hours we managed to create over $12,000 in sales which proceeds will directly benefit Heroes For Children.  Great job shoppers! Thanks for putting your best and I must say “fabulous” foot forward!  For more info on the organization visit www.heroesforchildren.org .

 

Bienvenue Hermes!

Selfies, shopping, and balancing acts with my girls Lori Geshay and Jennifer Roosth!
Selfies, shopping, and balancing acts with my girls Lori Geshay and Jennifer Roosth!

If you want to see grown women act like giggling girls then you would have had a good laugh last night.  My bestie Lori Lemon-Geshay invited me to the exclusive “Le Petite Marche” grand soiree hosted by Hermes in the new River Oaks District.

Although the boutique does not officially open until October 30th, WOW do they know how to throw a party! Just like Paris the lit courtyard was lined with market-style  vendors such as fine meats, breads, fresh produce, chocolates, wine, and flowers.  The champagne was flowing and we were loving it!  All of us guests were given Hermes tote bags and were encouraged to indulge, sip, and savor.  Ohh la la! The stylish guests were also entertained with hermes3live music, acrobats, and artists.  For a minute I really had to stop and think where I was because Houston has never felt so good!  The weather is also amazing this time of year too I must add.  We walked away feeling very fulfilled, inspired, and with a trip to France on our minds!

For the ultimate luxurious outdoor experience that Houston has to offer The River Oaks District is THE PLACE to be! Alongside Hermes brings Cartier, Dior, Tom Ford, Harry Winston…just to name a few.  A movie theater, restaurants, and the trendy Equinox gym will also call this place home.  Step aside Beverly Hills and New York, Houston is a mega market and our international flavor is H-O-T!!!

hermes2Lori, thank you for being such a good client at Hermes.  All of the bracelets, scarves, and pocket squares I bought in the last year did not add up to getting on the invite list!  Please keep the party invitations coming my good shopping friend with amazing taste.  I am saying YES now to the next event 🙂  Wink Wink.

“I Like It Like This” Art Exhibit at Sotheby’s Auction House

nyc sothebys auction house5A field trip to the Sotheby’s S I 2 Gallery in NYC is a bucket list treat!  Thank you to Martha Turner my idol and Co-President of MTSIR here in Houston for giving us top producers a trip of a lifetime! May 1st they held a private cocktail and viewing party for us while unveiling the exhibition I Like It Like This with musical curation by the Grammy award winning performer Drake.  Although a disappointment that Drake could not be there in person, it was still a treat to mingle with Sotheby’s corporate execs at the official auction house at 1334 York Avenue at 72nd Street in New York’s Upper East Side.

Clifford Siegel, Kathy Korte, Martha Turner, Bradley Nelson
Clifford Siegel, Kathy Korte, Martha Turner, Bradley Nelson

I Like It Like This, presented by S|2 in collaboration with Drake is a celebration of influential Contemporary black American artists. Grammy winning hip hop icon Drake has provided musical curation by selecting songs to accompany highlighted works in the exhibition. Listen to Drake’s song selections at Beats by Dre™ sound stations throughout the gallery and experience the dialogue surrounding the overlap of these identities and the ways in which they bolster, challenge and inspire one another.

Jan-Oliver Schmidt & Nicole Brende
Jan-Oliver Schmidt & Nicole Brende

It is so NYC to be sipping wine and gallery hopping, right?  It feels so civilized.  I chose to wear the Sabrina black tulle and lace dress by designer nha bhanh. It was my Carrie Bradshaw moment!  Didn’t my fiance look pretty dapper too in his suit?  I love dressing him up pocket square and all!

S|2 is Sotheby’s Contemporary art gallery, offering year-round exhibition programming and bespoke private sales.

SOTHEBY's Cocktail ReceptionWith dedicated gallery space in New York, London and Hong Kong, S|2 presents selling exhibitions exploring the work of celebrated artists, such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Yayoi Kusama, and Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne, as well as shows curated by influential art world figures like Vito Schnabel.

SOTHEBY's Cocktail ReceptionIn addition to gallery programming, the S|2 team facilitates private acquisitions and sales around the world. Side note, the reason why Sotheby’s started a real estate company is because of their art auction customers.  It only makes sense that their millions of dollars in art must have a home or two too!  I still find it pretty amazing that some art can sell for over $100 million!  Until next time, learn more at WWW.SOTHEBYS.COM/S2

103I just love being a part of the Sotheby’s global network! We are a world-wide company with endless resources.  Plus, they are the leaders in the luxury market.

NYC I had a great time and I will miss you but I know we will be together again soon!

 

 

2015 Heroes And Handbags

Selfies w/ my friends Lori Lemon-Geshay, Laura Cernock, and Laura Murray
Selfies w/ my friends Lori Lemon-Geshay, Laura Cernock, and Laura Murray

Sipping champagne, shopping, and mingling….all for a great cause! Count me in!  May 7th at the Omni Hotel over $250,000 was raised to benefit Heroes For Children.  A sold out event the 2015 Heroes And Handbags bruncheon is their signature event and the money helps families with children battling cancer.  In it’s 10th year it was very exciting for me to be the Handbag Co-Chair along with my friend Anna Kaplan.  Event Chair and my BFF Lori Lemon-Geshay lead the team and Host Committee and WOW does she deserve a standing ovation! Founder Larissa Linton showed a tear when the final numbers came in! The largest fundraiser for the organization in Houston to date! Way to go!

Winner!
Winner!

If you have never attended this event before please add it to your list for 2016.  Imagine a room full of 150+ new and “gently loved” designer handbags and all are up for bid! Since 100% of the bags are donated, 100% of the sale of the bags go directly to the charity.  From paying a utility bill, to rent, to transportation, and many other needs, Heroes For Children is able to help thousands of families every year with your help. The digital bidding process in itself was super exciting.  Basically you are able to place your bid via your smart phone.  Each time you get out bid they text you a notice.  You can place a new bid and even offer a cap bid amount. Anna Kaplan and I did a television segment on KPRC Channel 2. Here is video link and it will show you some of this year’s handbag collection including Chanel, Dior, Gucci, and other amazing designers! I’m already thinking about next year’s event and what selection that one will bring? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u18bLhIsny0

Congrats Claire Harmon!
Congrats Claire Harmon!

As you can see I won the Versace bag! The Winner sign sure got me jumping out of my chair! My friend Claire really took home the cake scoring 5 handbags!

A special thank you to the event Sponsors including Elaine Turner, Kendra Scott, Paper City, CultureMap, Momentum Porsche, A Bientot, Tanglewood Flowers & Garden, and What’s The Occassion Creative Cakery. Also a job well done by  the Chairs and Host Committee members, the Donors, and Patrons who bought tables and $250 tickets to the event. The success of this event is an example of the very generous with a big heart of a city of Houston we call home.  If you would like more information on the heroes and handbags signcharity and ways you can help all year long visit www.heroesforchildren.org  or you can find them on Facebook! Event photos coming soon by photographers Herb Hochman, Jaime Lagdameo, and Quy Tran so please check social media, Paper City, and CultureMap.

 

 

 

It’s Crystal Clear. Say YES to Baccarat!

baccarat hotel signMy recent Sotheby’s top producer award trip to NYC was simply off the charts! Perfect weather, living in luxury at the Waldorf Astoria, and enjoying private art exhibit events at the Sotheby’s auction house, a Broadway performance, fancy dinners, shopping on 5th Avenue, and bike strolls in Central Park and around the city. In the middle of our great adventure we were introduced to the ultra new and ultra luxurious Baccarat Hotel.  This place is my dream! Surround me every day with crystal chandeliers and luxurious decor. All I can say is more more more!

124Baccarat Hotels & Resorts translates the perfect craft and noble heritage of the legendary, 250-year-old French crystal maker into an elegant lifestyle. Combining this rare legacy with modern elegance and elements of unexpected magic, each of the brand’s hotels and resorts has been conceived as a gracious hôtel particulier, welcoming guests with impeccable service and distinctive amenities. Baccarat Hotels & Resorts launched in March 2015 with the opening of its flagship New York property.  Baccarat Hotel & Residences New York will be followed by Rabat, Morocco, in 2016, with additional openings in Dubai and Doha over the course of the next several years.  Rumor has it, add Miami to the mix!

119Baccarat Hotel & Residences New York is a contemporary Manhattan take on a classically elegant Parisian hôtel particulier. It blends influences past and present to create sumptuous spaces, both grand and intimate that inspire wonder with their enchanting surprises and carefully considered details.  Although one night’s stay can range around $1000, in my opinion this is an opportunity of a lifetime.  In the bar area, I enjoyed a negroni cocktail served in a Baccarat crystal glass.  Only the finest dahling! Even the bartenders and cocktail waitresses wear Baccarat crystal jewelry.

baccarat hotel fur chairTheir lounge is set up like a custom home with beautiful seating arrangements and private rooms for entertaining and meetings.  I found my favorite “fur” chair too.  It’s the Texas chic in me 🙂  Sought after Paris-based design duo Gilles & Boissier created nearly every piece of furniture  in fact for the hotel’s soaring salon-style public spaces, as well as the 114 light-filled rooms and suites of the hotel. Weaving artisanal Baccarat crystal elements throughout, they lavished attention on each surface, be it a sparkling mica-covered vaulted ceiling, silver-leafed wood paneling, pleated-silk walls or a monumental marble table. New York design masters Tony Ingrao and Stephen Sills, respectively, handled the 60 residences and the ground-level contemporary French restaurant, Chevalier.

123The next time you go to New York City indulge in some Baccarat elegance because you are worth it! After this experience I think I need to add Baccarat to my wedding registry list.  Move over Waterford, Baccarat has a hotel! Located at 20 West 53rd Street , New York , New York , 10019 across from the Museum of Modern Art, enjoy the radiant glow of this 50 story masterpiece.  You are welcome my friends! Trende Brende has you covered.

 

Bulgari Baby!

"Blonde Mafia" besties!
“Blonde Mafia” besties!

A fine Sunday afternoon activity is a trip to the museum.  Recently we took a girls’ day “Sex And The City” style, wore our flirty dresses, jewels, and cabbed it to The Museum of Natural Science in Houston.  A special exhibit currently on display is the fabulous Bvlgari or Bulgari showcase representing “130 Years of Masterpieces”.

Presenting 150 show-stopping pieces inspired by Greco-Roman classicism, the Italian Renaissance, and the 19th-century Roman school of goldsmiths, along with sketches and other materials from the Bulgari archives, Bulgari: 130 Years of Masterpieces showcases Bulgari’s innovations in jewelry design and includes several striking pieces from the Elizabeth Taylor collection.  I think my favorites came from the 80’s and also their iconic snake collection.  Not to mention the gorgeous emerald pieces!  You see the emerald is my birth stone so I am obsessed and even wore my emerald green dress and my antique emerald and diamond gold flower ring!

Gems galore!
Gems galore!

If you are into Hollywood, history, gems, and art, this exhibit is sure to take your breath away.  While you walk the dark halls with halo-like displays you will get lost in time and sucked in to a fantasy world. I admit my take away was “I need to buy Bvlgari, now!”.   What I did buy was a lovely  $35 Bvlgari coffee table book.  I bought several actually as they are great gifts too.

Tickets for adults are only $25.  To purchase online go to http://store.hmns.org/DateSelection.aspx?item=2272 .  Old and new Hollywood glam truly come to life here in Houston.  While you are there, make sure to stop by the Gem Vault.  It is an ongoing exhibit which always makes me smile!

The $35 book!
The $35 book!
"Trende Brende"
“Trende Brende”

Fall Trends + Fun Friends + Flirty Cocktails!

nm fashion groupIt pays to take frequent trips to the Chanel counter.  Our rep Candy at Neiman Marcus informed me and my fun “Blonde Mafia” BFF’s that there was a Fall Trends fashion event coming up.  We were able to get front row seats and enjoy a great show and sipping on some champagne, nonetheless!  Wednesday, August 14, 2014 we met on the second level where it was full of fashionable and fun people.  All smiles and mingling prior to the show.  Lots of selfies on the runway and passed hors d’oeuvres to keep us all from being famished.  Let’s face it, when you are around models the last thing on my mind is eating! LOL.  But turning down a flute of bubbly would just be “out of style” or out of “my style” at least.

nm fashion1New designer to the Neiman’s world and in Houston, TX for that matter is Peter Roth.  He started off the one-hour show and announced some of his new fashions including very powerful, colorful shirts with embellished cuffs and tunics with some subtle sequin undertones.

On Trend—-think “Global Chic”.  I think it would be really hard to break fashion rules right now.  The edgy thing to do is to mix everything!  They pulled it off on the catwalk.  Not so sure how the rest of us will do,  but I will attempt to try.  Boho chic, statement necklaces, cammo, mixing of animal prints (from head to toe), knits, and green being the theme! Bootie shoes are a definite hit too.   Models showed off some beautiful burgundy’s and grays.  I was really obsessing over the shoes I think.

Ok, I am excited for the Fall now.  Time to pull out my jewel tones, boots, furs, jackets, hats….I could go on and on.  Mother Nature please bring me some beautiful Fall weather I am ready.!nm fashion3

nm fashion2

 

 

 

 

 

LLG & Me sitting front and center for the show!
LLG & Me sitting front and center for the show!