Lifestyle

Take a look inside my Holiday Travel Gift Guide 2016-17 for reviewed products in excellence.

Soft cover Book:Perfect Day An Intimate Portrait of Life with Lou Reed- Written by ex-wife Bettye Kronstad as a 1st hand narrative portraying an intimate and personal look at life with Lou Reed husband & musician during the break up of the Velvet Underground, rising stardom and written songs from his most loved albums. Shop Here

Lipault Paris Foldable Wheeled Luggage Foldable 2-Wheeled 30″ Duffel – For a lightweight, sturdy, fold able/expandable luggage piece in a shimmery Nylon Twill. comes in a variety of colors. Shop Here

Holiday Travel Guide Soft Cover Book: Dog Training the American Male By L.A. KNIGHT |fashionsDigest

Soft Cover Book: Dog Training the American Male By L.A. KNIGHT – A hilarious fast reading and uplifting soft cover novel that you can’t put down. Shop here

Holiday Travel guide Cargo Swimmables Surf’s Up Kit |fashionsDigest

Cargo Swimmables Surf’s Up Kit- Look good while swimming with waterproof makeup. Kit includes make up bag to take to the beach, pool anywhere there’s water & perfect for getaways/traveling. For collection Shop Here.

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Spice Island Beach Resort Grenada luxury travel @SpiceResort 1

Spice Island Beach Resort is a 5 star luxury AAA Diamond Resort Awarded in 2014, 2015, 2016 from The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences and rated on TripAdvisor as the number 1 property in the Caribbean located at Grand Anse beach on the Island of Grenada in the Caribbean. Spice island Beach Resort is owned and operated by Sir Royston Hopkin a gracious host and Lady Hopkin a warm and charming hostess along with their children-heir apparent Miss Janelle Hopkin, Ryan Hopkin and long time manager Brian Hardy.

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Sir Royston Hopkin understands how to maintain a luxury operation since he has previous experience as a Grenada Tourist Board Executive and hotelier for many years and takes his role as Resort owner very seriously noticed in the details of the property along with his children who grew up working in the resort and educated in hotel management. You notice how relaxed you begin to feel when you experience the first class experience of easy/fast check in with specialty drink in hand, attentive staff, arrival champagne bottle in room, top shelf stocked bar, daily cheese platter, Molton Brown skincare/hair-care, nightly turn-down services including chocolate and constant maintenance of property.

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With 64 luxury rooms all classified as Suite’s including beach front where you step right onto the beach from your terrace and feel the sand on your toes, lounge on your hammock or have your meals served to you on your patio while watching the sunset dip into the sea’s horizon. If you want private luxury for couples the pool side suites are perfect with enclosed patios for outdoor dining, sunning and four-post canopy beds. Whenever you want to step off the property there are Island tours and excursions including driving to locations thru lush vegetation on mountainous hills, scenic waterfalls or snorkeling and scuba diving thru the sculpture park. There is also plenty to do on the property; you can enjoy the pool with views of surrounding hills, live bands, shops, restaurant, ocean view bar, water sports, kids club, and more making it a luxury resort destination for the whole family.

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Spice Island in Granada will have you feeling pampered like royalty just like prince Harry did when he recently visited and only 10 minutes away from the airport.

For more information: Visit Here

Fashionsdigest.com

All Pictures except top 2 owned by Diane Kronstad

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Holiday Gift Guide Shopping - Tech/Gadgets 1

Holiday Gift Guide Shopping Tech/Gadgets reviewed for excellence that make great gifts or a present to yourself.

BOSEBuild Speaker Cube – Kids 8+build their own Bose Bluetooth speaker and learn the language of sound, customize with LED lights and stream favorite songs from connected devices. Shop Here

OtterBox iPhone 7 Symmetry Series Leather Edition Case Blossom |Fashions Digest review

OtterBox iPhone 7 Symmetry Series Leather Edition Case Blossom – Same tough protective case that is sleeker & thinner. Shop Here

Hammacher Schlemmer Patrolling Robot – Monitors your home via an iPhone or iPad from anywhere in the world; An app receives info to direct the robot forward, backward, turn corners, tilt camera up 23° and down 25° with a two-way communication speaker for family/pets. Shop Here

JLab Audio Epic2 Bluetooth 4.0 Wireless Sport Earbuds – exercise run & jump with these high impact waterproof IPX5 rated, skip-free pristine 8mm sound drivers with 12hr play time in blue or gray. Shop Here

QARDIOARM SMART BLOOD PRESSURE MONITOR – Medically Accurate Stylish, portable, easy to use & Share Data. Available in 4 colors. Shop Here

holiday-gift-guide-2016-robot-mouse |FashionsDigest

Learning Resources Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set Children 5 + will learn coding, math, engineering, science, critical thinking & puzzle solving with this hands on programmable push button with controls and sounds mouse. choose 2 speeds for different level maze activity. Shop Here

LeEco Le Pro3 ecophone – Great for entertainment: videos, Films, music with vibrant 5.5” FHD display, Long lasting battery, Dolby Atmos stereo speakers, Qualcomm,Snapdragon 821 CPU. Shop Here

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19th Annual Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation COLLABORATING FOR A CURE Benefit Dinner & Auction #WaxmanGala @WaxmanCancer 8

Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation held its 19th Annual Benefit dinner & Auction called “Collaborating For A Cure” on November 10th at Cipriani Wall Street. Chris Wragge co-anchor of CBS 2 This Morning acted as master of ceremonies and auctioneer Hugh Hildesley, Vice President of Sotheby’s Auction House presided over the auction.

The evenings live and silent auctions offered guests the opportunity to bid on an exciting selection of exclusive items from jet trips to adorable top pedigree puppies taking in around 3 million from the night. The event marked the fortieth anniversary of the founding of Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation who continues to be consistent in giving festive sit down dinners in beautiful event space’s with Celebrity performers.

Louise Camuto, Chief Creative Officer of The Camuto Group and SWCRF supporter accepted this year’s SWCRF memorial Cancer Research Program award in memory of her late husband’s behalf – Vince Camuto a fashion icon who passed away after battling Prostate Cancer in 2015.

This year’s Gala concert was the legendary Roger Daltrey from the band “The Who” performing at least 20 of the Who songs with the attendees so close to the stage they could almost touch him. The rock concert was a great time with drinks in hand, dancing and celebrating the night of Collaborating For A Cure. Past celebrity performers have included Ziggy Marley, Train, Peter Frampton, Gregg Allman, Kid Rock, Steely Dan, Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh, Sheryl Crow, John Fogerty, and Counting Crows.

Dr. Samuel Waxman really knows how to throw a Philanthropy event and SWCRF is known as one of the top fundraising events of the year in NYC with 1,200 socialites, corporate executives, board members and their guests making a difference with the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation. Can’t wait to see what SWCRF 2017 brings. Please visit www.waxmancancer.org to find out how to get involved.

Event Pictures owned by Diane Kronstad

FashionsDigest.com

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Fashion Tech Forum for Fashion Innovation @FashionTechForum #FashionTechForum #FTF2016 5

Fashion Tech Forum born 3 years ago was held at The Duggal Greenhouse in Brooklyn, NY on October 2016 where over 800 people attended including well known and start up technological companies, designers and fashion icons - Laurent Potdevin CEO of Lulemon, Ganesh Srivats,VP of North America Sales for Tesla, Iris Apfel, Verizon CMO Diego Scotti, Elle, Editor in Chief Robbie Meyers, Diane Von Furstenberg, DVF CEO Paolo Riva, Coach Chairman Emeritus, Lew Frankfort, Theory Founder & CEO Andrew Rosen, Everlane CEO Michael Preysman & Rebekka Bay.

FTF founded by Karen Harvey a visionary with an awareness that there is a huge hunger for Tech Savy Fashion being that we are deeply into our personal gadgets and a fashionably aware culture with the help of social media, you tube, online publications and all things internet. We are in the beginning movement of merging fashion/tech cultivated by designers and engineers working together to understand and explore ways of integrating apparel, accessories virtually everything we put on from wearable tech to designs that have utilitarian purposes. The world is becoming sophisticated with a demand for fashion that not only look’s good but also solves problems and entertains us; for this reason the Fashion Tech Forum is needed offering an environment where tech/fashion and business minds meet to connect, hold conferences, share ideas, discover new information and view showcased products – M2M, Prynt, Reify, Orchard Mile, Thursday Finest, Evrnu, Sundar, RED Marketplace, Obviously social and Leblum.

Can’t wait to see what FTF has in store for us in 2017.

All pictures by FashionsDigest

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Travel Windstar Best Of Europe's Portugal,Spain & France James Beard Culinary Cruise #Windstar #beardfoundation @WindstarCruises 18

Travel – Windstar Hans Birkholz, president and CEO who believes “Culinary traditions are the best way to experience a new destination” visited The James Beard House to partner with The James Beard Foundation in putting together three Windstar 2016 culinary themed cruises using local ingredients shopped in port destinations, prepared and cooked by the James Beard Award Winning Chef’s on board for a destination dining experience with local wines paired from the regions of ports visited along and two local market tours and two complimentary culinary shore excursions included. Wind Surf 310-guest flagship yacht sailing from Southern Spain & Morocco and Lisbon to Barcelona with Chef Michel Nischan (founder and CEO of Wholesome Wave and Star Legend a 212-guest yacht sailing from Lisbon to Dublin with Chef Maria Hines (owner and executive chef of Seattle Tilth. I picked the Star Legend Yacht’s Windstar Best Of Europe’s Portugal, Spain & France James Beard Culinary Cruise itinerary since Spain was on my bucket list and the yacht just went through an $8.5 million stem-to-stern transformation a year ago.

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Landing in Lisbon Portugal a very old city that is understated and priced to explore; a city that charmingly reminds me of how NYC use to be; raw and affordable with an artistic character was a wonderful first impression of my trip. Arriving at the Dock I was both surprised and glad that the Star Legend was conveniently in port of call in the center of the city. The advantage of Windstar cruising is that since their fleet of yachts are small enough to dock in the cities visited you can simply walk from the ship right into the city for a tour and/or if you want to take advantage of the night life it’s right in your neighborhood across the street, sometimes same block and that is freedom.

the excursions I went on were of fairy tales touring a neighborhood feel in Porto Portugal and Ferrol Galicia Spain a city built on hills, taking walks on picturesque village roads to the Trabanco Cider Apple factory in Gijon Spain, touring the walled city of St Malo Northern France, vising an oyster farm along with tasting and market in the Port of Cancale – oyster capital in Brittany France. Château Kirwan Vineyard for a hosted wine tasting party and regal city of Bordeaux France, breathtaking French Riviera and the charming Green Venice Canal excursion in la Rochelle France. There is plenty to do on board when transatlantic crossing or to unwind with ships pool, jacuzzi, spa, gym, table/board games, movies, regional shows/entertainment, lounges and more.

The culinary part of this experience was a foodies indulgence ordering breakfast, lunch or dinner in your room or bauquet /sit down service, excursion traveling with chefs to local markets while they pick food for the evening cuisine. cooking demonstrations with guest Chef Maria Hines. Wine tasting/seminar of the regional wines with Sommelier William Davis in every port, Chef pairing dinner extravaganza, Formal dining every evening with wine, ship deck barbecue with tons of raw seafood, cooked meats and all the fixings.

I also had a chance to sit down and talk about the history of the James Beard Foundation that has raised over & 6.5 million in scholarships over dinner with Marilyn Platzer – CFO/COO and her husband Kenneth Platzer also on this cruise.

: Shrmp tomato Risotto

: Seafood broth

: French Coast Mussels La Rochelle Fish Market

: Tuna Crusted Asian Pacific Blue Fin Seared Tuna

: Seafood Pasta

: Pan Roasted East Coast Scallops

: Vegetable Lasagna

: Passion Berry Duo

: Red Velvet Cake

Take a look at these publications awards, best and top mentions for Windstar James Beard Foundation Culinary Cruises: Condé Nast Traveler – 2016 21^st Annual Gold List of “Our Favorite Cruise Lines /BRIDES Magazine 2016Celebrated Living Top 10 Cruise Lines for Couples 2016 Platinum List Best Boutique Cruises /Cruise Critic Online – Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards 2016, Best Service on Star Breeze /Cruiseable Online – Best Cruise Lines for Honeymoons Award /2016Smarter Travel Online – 10 Best Cruise Lines for Foodies.

Windstar Cruises operates a six-ship fleet of boutique sail and all suite yachts on seasonal cruises throughout Europe including the Mediterranean, Greek Isles, Adriatic, Scandinavia, Baltic and British Isles; to the small harbors of the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Panama Canal; and sailing year-round in Tahiti and the South Pacific. With private yacht feel cruising all over the world it’s easy to explore lands, cultures and cuisine in a luxurious way and in a quarter of the time just by walking off the ship.

For more information please visit: www.windstarcruises.com www.jamesbeard.org

All pictures except ship owned by FashionsDigest.com

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New York Fashion Week #Spring17 Shows & Events @NYFW #NYFW #KiaStyle360NYFW 76

New York Fashion Week S/S 17 Shows main venues – Skylight Clarkson Sq, Skylight at Moynihan Station and Milk Studios are in their third season along with many off main venues to see collections and attend events. NYFW is the start of Fashion Week Spring17 in cities around the world with NYFW supplying the most action in fashion with tons of Designers showing their collections, celebrities, parties, events and performances from Kanye West, Mary J Blige, Jason Derulo, Yeezy 4 Collection and more. Designer’s Lines are becoming buyer friendly where the piece you see and want during a show, presentation can be purchased immediately with no wait – “See now Buy now”. NYFW Spring 17 was alive with wonderful weather, fashion, (beauty events and outrageous parties – see below) to experience see below. Bring your flats along for a wild and exciting ride of fashion in the coming season of NYFW.

Nicholas k SS 2017 – Theme “Wadi Rum” artisan woven, organic fabrics in manipulated construct and layered pieces –

Son Jung wan 2017 S/S inspired by 70’s ritzy colorful flavor disco mood with super model Pat Cleveland walking the show –

Custo Barcelona “More is More” Collection Spring 17 –

Libertine Spring 17 Fashion Show @WeAreLibertine –

Desigual SS 2017 “Global Traveller” – the magic of different countries, multiple cultures –

Michael Costello 17 inspired by “Midnight Botanical Bash” – delicate radiant beautiful –

Taoray Wang S/S 2017 “Romance In Stripes” Collection images of NY Skyline & Kyoto’s Gardens –

Zimmermann Stranded Spring Ready To Wear 2017 inspired by a teenage night club in Sydney –

Zang Toi Spring 2017 “Glorious Giverny Garden”

Georgine S/S 17 Grunge To Glam –

Ashley Graham & Addition Elle Fashion Show with Ashley Graham walking the show –

Haddad Brands Presents Rookie USA -Nike, Levi’s, Jordan, converse, Hurley –

Angela Simmons Spring 17 Vipe Activewear Runway Show During Kia Style 360 –

Artistix 17 – Art & Rock and Roll Come Together Gregg Polisseni’s Women’s Line inspired by Equality Abstracts –

Donna Karan Urban Zen 17 for the “See now Buy now” collection draped Luxe fabrics & rich textures –

Kyboe 17 Watch’s walk the runway with 350 different styles and 180+ colors –

JohNY Dar Jeans For Refugees 17 – Wearable Art pieces on the body. All proceeds donated to the International Rescue Committee and Big Heart Foundation-

eva.mendes New York & Company 2017 Fashion show –

Coterie x Pryma Pryma World of McIntosh Partnering Soiree Cocktail Party downtown at the Mercer Hotel with Pryma heasphones to experience, fashion & accessories to view and tons of food and drinks.

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KIA STYLE360 served as a hospitality destination lounge in-between shows for press, models and celebrities, with scheduled press junkets, photo shoots and product giveaways : Otter Box phone cases, Chap stick Lip total Hydration,Tint, Limelight by Alcone, Duracell Energizer Mustaez and more. By night, the red carpet festivities continued with celebrity-hosted after-parties featuring world renown class DJs and musical acts.

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Dujour Media – Jason Binn Party at Lavo New York with champagne, spirits and artist X – JasonDerulo Performing.

Jimmy Choo threw a 20th Anniversary Party downtown in the meat packing district with 90’s house-party music, food, drinks and a performance by Mary J. Blige.

Cottonelle held a 2 day beauty bar lounge to stop in for Cottonelle Products, refreshments, snacks and hair, makeup, pedicure service’s to relax and beautify during NYFW Spring17.

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Maria’s Bag S/S17 Presentation – Designer Alida Boer presented her new collection titled Technicolor along with champagne and tasty treats on the rooftop of the Dream Downtown Hotel –

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Timo Weiland Zenni Optical Party at the Cadillac House with drinks, hor d’oeuvre’s and shopping.

Ethan Rose New Salon in Tribeca supplied hair styles, manicure’s, champagne and hor d’oeuvre’s during NYFW Spring17

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Natsumi Tapas NYC Restaurant Tasting Menu Review @natsumi_nyc

Natsumi Tapas NYC restaurant opened it’s doors this year to serve an original concept of popular dishes – fusion cuisine from Japan and Italy. The Chefs at Natsumi Tapas know how to prepare these dishes with plenty of experience since Restaurateur and Haru owner Barbara Matsumura had pioneered large, sumptuous pieces of sushi at Haru along with Sushi Chef Hiroyuki Nagaothe and for the Italian preparation Chef Andrea Tiberi from Italy is on board. Deserts are prepared by pastry Chef Delfina Marinez and the Beverage program that includes beer and sake is designed by Shawn Tomassi. The menu is put together to experience traditional and surprisingly eclectic cuisine that will excite the taste buds.

Tuna Avocado Tatki with spicy miso vinaigrette – fresh and pleasantly spicy, Sashimi Tacos – wonderful texture of crunchy and soft, Tempura cheesecake drizzled with berry sauce that melts deliciously. For more information contact Natsumi Tapas at 212 889 2182 www.natsumitapas.com

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Anisette NYC- Country French Bistro & Wine-bar Restaurant Review #anisettenyc #rusticfrenchfood 10

Anisette NYC – Country French Bistro & Wine-bar restaurant located in Gramercy Park at 226 3rd Ave & 19th street recently opened it’s doors to serve Country French cooking from the Bordeaux, P’erigord, Gascony, and Basque regions. Anisette is also a Wine bar & Cafe with an extensive wine list. The food is prepared by Chef/Owner Sommelier Suzanne Letulle & Executive Chef Mercedes Bautista with Delfina Marinez as the pastry Chef. Anisette is in the same spot where La Follia an Italian restaurant with a good following of customers was located; owned by same owners and will be opening their doors a few blocks away soon.

TRUFFLED BURRATA

Anisette has a wide variety of specialty appetizers found in the Southwest of France I enjoyed the Tuna Tartare with added texture of fennel and pine nuts and Truffled Burrata tasty grilled crostini on a wooden server accompanied with a large portion of cheese, bread and extra virgin olive oil. The French Provencal Specialties Entree’s I enjoyed was a Mushroom and Ricotta Agnolotti – wild/strong taste of mushrooms and sauce and the Steak Au poivre – moist even when I ordered it prepared at medium cook accompanied with rich tasting potato purée. There are numerous wines to choose from and a good amount of beer and drink choices. One of the specialty cocktails of the restaurant that I enjoyed is THE 226 Cocktail made with grand marnier along with other spirits; smooth with a citrus taste not too sweet and delicious. For a cozy laid back atmosphere where you don’t have to get dressed up for fresh Country French food that won’t break the bank Anisette NYC serves Brunch Sat. & Sun. and Dinner 7 days a week is the place to be.

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Hampton NY Summer Happenings July 23rd 2016 #JillZarinLuxLunch @SocialLifeMagazine #revolveinthehamptons #StBarths #Hamptons 30

The weekend of the 23rd in the Hampton’s continued to be a happening place in July with brunches, pool parties and celebrities to experience see and enjoy what the Hampton’s has to offer. Please see my roundup on all the Hampton Happenings below.

Jill Zarin and husband Bobby Zarin hosted her 4th Annual Luxury Luncheon at her Southampton Estate to benefit the Eric Trump Foundation/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital with over 40 beauty, apparel, accessories and more- Kiss USA, Ageless La Cure, Cane + Austin, Clio/Mumsie, Grande Lips, Hallow & Plank, Radha Beauty, GIGI New York, Cynthia Bailey eyewear, Poo-Pourri, GIGI New York. The guests enjoyed the pool-side cabana and lounge, Hors d’oeuvres, beauty bar, product gifting, and refreshing drinks while shopping products and trunk shows where attendees received discounts for proceeds going to benefits. There was a ton of Bravo celebrity watching including Jill’s friends from Bravo’s Housewives of New York, Atlanta, The OC and New Jersey – Ramona Singer, Kristan Taekman, Cindy Barshop, Kelly Bensimon, Cynthia Bailey, Vicki Gunvalson, Kathy Wakile and Keeping up with the Kardashians – Johnathan Cheban. To cool off even more the guests received a water ride from the Iguanan Yacht where the craft drives right onto Jill’s beachfront property for guests pick up with or without heels to enjoy the boat ride experience around Shinnecock bay.