ZHAO is a vintage inspired leather handbag line based out of New York City that is eco-friendly and has all the girls wanting their own custom-made handbag. Liilii Zhao launched her handbag line in 2010 with inspirations of history and heritage saying, “I like things to feel elegant and timeless, also crisp and spiky.” All the Vintage Cut bags are made from the finest Italian lambskin and are specialty made pieces for each customer. Currently you can purchase their products in select stores in New York and New Jersey as well as their online boutique www.zhaodesigns.com. Don’t forget ladies that every time you purchase a ZHAO handbag, 1% of your order is donated to the Greenpeace International to support a toxic free future!

-Irma Elezovic

                                        Vintage Cut II-Clutch

                               Cutest clutch for a girls night out! 

                                       Vintage Cut II-Tote

                         Perfect tote bag for class and traveling

The GIANTS won and are on their way to the Superbowl again! Ladies, don’t be afraid to wear the red, white and blue and represent your great city! Here are some suggestions on how to look your best, while being a loyal fan too. 

Check out FootballFanatics.com to find these cute Giants tees, bags, and bangles. 

Change up your mani/pedi and get sparkly and colorful for the GIANTS.

Dress up those fingers with these crystal stacked rings. (Footballfanatics.com)

Try this hairstyle to keep looking stylish, fun, and flirty.

Here’s a great excuse to rock those red lips! 

This tote is practical and stylish! (Footballfanatics.com)

What better way to style your winter outfit than with a cashmere scarf. Payal Luthra, Local NYC and Indian designer offers a collection of luxury neckwear that will not only keep you warm during the cold winter weather, but will also give you a unique edge to your wardrobe. Payal Luthra’s specialties include bandit cowls, circle scarves, and neck warmers. All scarves are a 100% brushed cashmere garment, made from the finest grade of worsted spun Mongolian cashmere. With over ten styles to choose from in multiple colors, Payal Luthra offers comfort and style to all fashionistas. The fall collection can be purchased at select stores as well as online at www.payalluthra.myshopify.com. 

-Irma Elezovic

              Who can resist these tassels in their wardrobe?

              The simple circle scarf for your every day look. 

                       Cashmere and leather? Every girls dream.

Move aside Ray Bans, there is a new luxury sunglasses brand on the rise called Lumete. Based in New York, founders Clara Herrera and Barbara Warren debuted a collection of sunglasses for women in July of 2010. Each pair of sunglasses is handmade with custom hardware, intricate etching, and scratch resistant CR39 lenses. Their current collection includes five different styles of sunglasses, each in four different colors. My personal favorite includes the Ulula in the blond havana and the Attic Safari in the smoky taupe, both of which I own.  Ladies I guarantee you these are the shades you can’t resist! Lumete sunglasses can be purchased online at www.lumete.com.

-Irma Elezovic

                                     Attic Safari in Smoky Taupe 

                                        Ulula in Blond Havana

   Each pair of sunglasses come with a signature hard case and a soft cover

Any celebrity can choose a great dress, but the trick is finding the perfect dress for YOU. These ladies did it right last night, as they walked down the red carpet, showing off their physique and glowing. These gowns were flattering and show-stopping.

January is not over yet; be sure to not miss any of these events before the month is over.

1) American Songbook

From now until February 11th, Lincoln Center is hosting the 14th season of American Songbook. Each night, a different acclaimed Broadway star or singer (Elaine Paige, Laura Benanti, and Lin-Manuel Miranda to name a few) takes the stage to sing the songs from past and present great American songwriters. To buy your tickets to the American Songbook, click here. 

2) Lunar New Year Celebrations

Every year, to ring in the Chinese New Year, there are several celebrations to attend in Chinatown. Monday January 23rd, from 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. in Roosevelt Park, there will be a Firecracker Ceremony followed by cultural performances by several Asian-American artists. Sunday January 29th, from 11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., at Canal Street South will be the 13th Annual Chinatown New Year Parade. 

3) NYC Ballet Winter Repertory Season

Beginning January 17th and lasting through February 26th, the New York City Ballet will be performing their winter repertory season. The lineup includes performances of Romeo & Juliet, programs by renowned choreographer George Balanchine, and excerpts from Swan Lake. Original and new performances will also be featured. Be sure to visit NYCB’s website to check out the fantastic and varying schedule.

4) Winter Antiques Show

The 58th Annual Winter Antiques Show lasts from January 20th-29th at the Park Avenue Armory. The Winter Antiques Show is one of the most distinguished antique shows and features fantastic pieces showcased by 75 exhibitors. Pieces range from ancient times to modern times, so any of your artistic tastes will be satisfied. Daily admission to the Winter Antiques Show is $20, and tickets can be pre-purchased here. 

5) Outsider Art Fair

The 20th Annual Outsider Art Fair is taking place January 27th-29th at 7 West 34th Street, at 5th Avenue. There is a range of versatile art from paintings to sculptures all done by artists who submit their pieces through an application. Daily admission is $20 and each day different conversations and lectures take place. 

Be sure to check out our Restaurant Week article as well—-another great event to take advantage of this January!

-Caitlin Mintz

Restaurant Week (January 16th-February 10th) provides New Yorkers with fantastic deals for the city’s best restaurants. Entering it’s 20th year, the deals are better than ever. All prices and restrictions are the same for each restaurant. The deal contains a three course prix-fixe meal with lunch costing $24.07 and dinner costing $35.00. Hundreds of restaurants are participating this year so there are many options available. 

Here are some suggested restaurants partaking in Restaurant Week:

1. Smith & Wollensky: This midtown restaurant is known for making some of the best steaks in town. However, it can cost up to $52 to enjoy some of Smith & Wollensky’s classic options like NY Cut Sirloin and the Porterhouse. The Restaurant Week prix fixe menu will allow you to enjoy some of the best meals on the menu for nearly half the price. One particularly good entree option on the prix fixe menu is the filet mignon (normally $42.50).

2. David Burke Kitchen: David Burke’s restaurants are known for their creativity, from the aesthetic to the food. David Burke Kitchen is no exception. Located in SoHo, this restaurant is described as “An Urban Farmhouse,” fusing the industrial city with the warm country. Some favorites that are offered on the prix fixe menu are the Short Ribs and Cavatelli (normally $35) and the Pork Chops with cumin bacon, mango chutney, and parsley onion rings (normally $32).

3. Le Cirque: Le Cirque is a highly reputable NY restaurant, having been around since 1974. The elegant restaurant specializes in French cuisine. Le Cirque has acclaimed worldwide reviews for their quality plates. The Atlantic Salmon (normally $37) is one entree that is featured on the Restaurant Week menu. For dessert, one particular diner favorite is the creme brulee (normally $15). 

To make reservations for Restaurant Week, click here.

-Caitlin Mintz

It is no surprise that the #1 New Year’s Resolution for 2012 is getting in shape. With the new year comes a fresh start, the perfect time for shedding the pounds from all those holiday goodies. However, it is hard to get motivated when wearing shapeless sweats and old t-shirts. So, why not let your new gym wardrobe be your motivation– after all, it goes hand-in-hand with looking good. This list of great work-out clothes and accessories are sure to encourage you to hit the gym stat, and in style.

1. Flattering Training Pants

Lucy Activewear’s X-Training Pant ($89) are training bottoms that are as flattering as they are versatile. Whether you’re in a yoga class, running on the treadmill, or kickboxing, these pants will keep its original comforting shape. The material not only keeps you from freezing on the way to the gym, but also ensures that you don’t overheat when sweating and working out. 

2. Warm Jacket

Lululemon Athletica’s In Stride Jacket ($108) is great for this season’s chilly weather. The little details on the jacket are what make it stand out from others; the thumbholes keep the sleeves from drooping and the zipper garage stops the zipper from scratching your chin. Whether you’re walking to the gym and want to forego a bulky jacket, or are going for an outdoor run, this soft jacket will keep you warm and toasty. 

3. Sleek Water Bottle

If you hate lugging a bag to the gym then this water bottle is just what you need. Featured on the Today Show, the AUTOSEAL® Kangaroo Water Bottle ($12.99) is a sleek water bottle that also has a storage compartment. The compartment easily fits money, ID cards, and keys, so you’ll never need to bring a purse to the gym again! 

-Caitlin

100cameras is a nonprofit organization that empowers children and gives back to impoverished communities by using the art of photography.

100cameras finds underprivileged communities where children are living in unjust conditions. After identifying these communities, 100cameras partners with organizations already helping in the area. Donated cameras are given to the children and an introductory photography class is put in place to teach the children photography skills. The children then use their cameras to capture moments in their everyday lives. People are able to purchase these photos (via the 100cameras website) and all of the money goes back to the organizations already helping in the particular area. Not only does the community benefit financially from this, but the children are able to artistically express themselves in a way that they would not have been able to before.  

The 100cameras Project is happening right now to raise money so that this great organization can bring on a full-time, paid employee (right now it is all volunteer based.) For the next twelve days, you can purchase one of these minimalist tees by Selfless Tee, a “cause-inspired apparel” company that creates tees to raise money and awareness for campaigns like the 100cameras Project. 

To purchase a Selfless Tee to support the 100cameras Project, click here.

Now, that you have your 100cameras Tee, here are some ways to rock your look:

Pair it with these high-waisted, pattern shorts by Cuffe Parade

Give it a sophisticated style, with these adorable bow-tie pants by Twoin

Go out in style in this Thera Pant by Eva Kurshid

Rock a Nackalina by KaVatee

Show off in these comfy Alice Alan shoes, staying stylish and on-the-go

Wear a statement piece by Spencer Morgan

For those of you who haven’t heard, the fearless fashion icon, Daphne Guinness, has teamed up with MAC Cosmetics to create a winter color palette for all beauty lovers. Many expected an over-the-top collection that would not appeal to the general public but to everyone’s surprise, the cosmetic line is filled with sophisticated and authentic colors. “It’s a window into my imagination,” says the heiress when asked about the collection. Colors vary from deep red lipsticks, to edgy purple, pink, and brown blushes and eyeliners. The 24-limited-edition cosmetic line is now available online and in MAC stores through February 9th.  What are your favorite pieces from the notorious haute couture collector’s makeup line? 

-Irma Elezovic

Red soled shoes are synonymous with Christian Louboutin. Louboutin has marketed his shoes successfully to where they have become a household name.

Today, every lady would love a pair of red-soled shoes. The demand has become so big that competitors have started selling “DIY Red Soles” which make it easy for anyone to “Louboutin” their shoes. 

To protect his brand, Louboutin filed an injuction against the popular designer YSL, who had started selling shoes who’s sole bore a similar resemblance to Louboutin’s.

The court sided with YSL in August, but Louboutin appealed the case in October and the lawsuit is continuing now. What do you think? Should other designers be able to use red soles if they choose? Or should Louboutin be able to trademark the feature that has made his brand so popular?

Tell us your thoughts!

-Caitlin Mintz

When you know how to work fashion, you can wear anything anytime, as long as it’s done right. The beauty of fashion is its ability to allow you to be creative. 

Amy Matto sent me her red cherry beach dress. Here are some ways in which I plan to wear it this winter season. 

Here’s the Amy Matto Beach Dress I’m working with:

With Peek Brooklyn’s Flock of Flowers Stockings

Belted at the waist

With my Vest

With my Knee High Boots

With Red Lips

With a white nail polish and snowy flakes on top, this look will put you back into the winter spirit.

Where to get it: Ricky’s NYC

What is it: China Glaze Nail Lacquer in Snow Globe

How much is it: $7

-SRP, Editor-in-Chief

Vanity Fair writer, Kurt Andersen, wrote in the magazine’s latest issue that style has been “stuck on repeat” for the last two decades. While technology and science is evolving, Anderson explains, everything else seems to be staying the same, from movies to literature to fashion. From the 1900s to the 1980s it is clear to see the different fashion trends from decade to decade. The silhouettes of women’s fashion were always dramatically changing. However, for the past twenty years, people have been recycling the same types of clothes: jeans, tops, sweaters, dresses. Other than seasonal changes of colors and fabrics, there are no obvious alterations to these staples. 

It should also be noted that, for the past decade, people have developed a nostalgic fashion sense. Instead of developing new designs to get out of the stylistic rut, people draw on fashion of the past to create “new” styles. With the advent of shows like Mad Men and Pan Am, designers have been making sixties-inspired lines including A-line dresses. High-waisted pants from the 70’s have also made a comeback. Even recent hairstyle trends are reflective of the flappers of the 20’s. 

What do you think about this? Has fashion been on hold or has it continued to evolve?

To read Andersen’s article, click here. 

-Caitlin Mintz