Here is the full article I wrote about The Renwick, live on Behind the Scenes NYC. Definitely check out the site, if you are planning to visit NYC for all the latest and greatest.
ELENA:)
A few weeks ago, I got my first byline on the West Coast for Bella LA Magazine. And now my piece about The Renwick and Bedford & Co. is live for the east coast regional magazine Resident (p.104).
If you are following me – you know that I stayed at The Renwick back in December and a few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of staying at The Gregory (the sister hotel). Be sure to check them out when you are in the city!
ELENA:)
I had the opportunity to roll out of bed at The Gregory Hotel and check out the Caravan Stylist Studio. In conjunction with Blogger Babes, I was treated to hair and makeup before facing the rest of the day which included a great presentation from CDM by Jessica Lynn.
Hidden in the townhouse portion of the hotel, the Caravan Stylist Studio is by appointment throughout the day to actors, actresses, musicians, bloggers, editors and other creative people such as photographers, djs, etc. for hair, makeup and wardrobe services in return for social media love. Across the hall is the lovely Kahrianne Kerr‘s (Iowa Farm Girl turned NYC fashion designer/artist and author) studio which also houses the Save the Garment Center display of garment district maps.
After my bronzy eye was applied (Pixi Beauty and Pop Beauty) and my hair curled (OGX Beauty), I headed out to drop off my jewelry from CINER I had borrowed for Wednesday event along with my fabulous skirt from Viva Aviva (I am contemplating purchasing it!). Back at the hotel for a quick change, I picked up my cute fashion illustration by Kahri, tried on a Six:02 purple pair of Nikes and then left to attend the CDM by Jessica Lynn.
I thought that CDM had a great combo of LA and NYC influences in a wearable colours and designs. At the presentation, we were treated to Selfie cookies. I didn’t eat mine until I got home – but so delicious!
Walking down the very cold 27th street to meet a friend for coffee, I stumbled on Duran Sandwiches. The pleasant Tom greeted me and told me all about his shop and his offering of European open face sandwiches. He seems so genuine and kind, I hope his business does really well.
At night, after stopping in at a Guerlain event at Bergdorf Goodman, I went all the way downtown only to have to turn back around once my phone was somewhat charged. I made a friend on the subway when my phone died who told me he knew I was Canadian. It was a really chilly night and was more than happy cut the night short and retire to pizza and a warm bed.
ELENA:)
I can’t believe that there is 5 days until Christmas!!!
I used the last of my vacation time to venture off to NYC in early December and I thought you might want to know a little about my adventures. This is a short summary with more details to follow!
TUESDAY: Checked into The Renwick, (a cool new boutique hotel on east 40th in between Park and Lex) and went to visit my friend Nizim from Labeling Men and had dinner at Bill’s Food & Drink on 54th. Bill’s Food and Drink is one of Chef John Delucie’s restaurant. Bedford & Co is his latest venture at the Renwick which is slated to open very very soon! (Comment: Actually it’s not going to open until spring 2016) Things to note – my room had a lovely floral arrangement from Uprooted Flower Truck (NYC’s first flower truck) to brighten my stay and I got to snack on some yummy ginger people made by Sweets by Olivia (which only lasted a night!).
WEDNESDAY: Hair and makeup with Anthony and Bianca for a Flytographer shoot in Soho. I got to wear my new Christmas/Birthday present to myself, a Proenza Schouler cashmere coat which I love. (More photos in a future post). Uber was crashed when I needed to rush to an important meeting at the Surrey Hotel but I managed to get there eventually after walking 20 blocks in heels and paying $30 for car service. Sheesh. Dinner at Marta with a friend from BluBird Vancouver.
THURSDAY: A breakfast meeting at Le Pain Quotidien followed by an amazing tour of Ciner manufacturing (future post coming up) was on the schedule. In the evening, I surprised the creative fashion illustrator Elaine Biss at her French Connection event. After, I got to meet Alexis Bittar at his holiday meet and greet. Then finally, to my trainers delight, I got to eat a chicken burger at Fuku.
FRIDAY: A breakfast meeting at The Smith (I totally recommend) and a stop in with Editor-In -Chief, Courtenay C. Hall from Bella New York Magazine. I made a pit stop at Century 21 of course and had a few moments uptown to take some photos of beautiful Bergdorf window displays before heading downtown to dinner at Hundred Acres.
SATURDAY: A stop into Creeds Collective Pop Up Shop which was conveniently located across the street from the brunch spot Santina under the High Line. I managed to pick up some salt water taffy from Salty Road from Brooklyn. With an hour to spare to leave to airport, I went to & Other Stories new 5th avenue spot and bought a pair of booties.
ELENA:)
So my aunt made me go to church with her. Except they said everything in visayas. I just stood there pretending I knew what was going on. I was actually hungry when we got back and so I saw a loaf of bread that my aunt bought earlier in the day. It was totally sealed so i was OK. For those of you who don’t know, Filipinos make really great baked goods (among other things) so I thought why not. I took a slice and sat down to watch Filipino idol. Then I looked down at the slice and realized there were ants all over it!
Normally at home I would have had a small freak out, but I decided that I would try to handle it myself. Until I realized that the ants were inside the holes of the bread. I put the bread in a sealed bag in the garbage. Though my aunt lives in probably the most modern house in all of Sibalom (hot water shower, flushing toilets, air conditioning), there are still bugs around. Not so much,as there are lizards too. By the way just when I thought everything changes, I had a lizard spotting before church. There were two of them – so one of them has to Iggy ( I named him last time).
On the way to Boracay we stopped at the Tibiao Fish Spa where you dip our feet into a a pool of a thousand Therafish who eat the dead skin off your feet. You go from a pool of small fish, to eventually a pool of fish that are like small trouts. Very tickly.
After the 2 hour drive to Boracay, my friend and i arrived at the amazing Shangri-la resort. We spent a good few hours catching up. This is the first vacation where i have no planned a thing. I didn’t even exchange my money! Should be , interesting… As we came up from the private speed boat to the magnificent lobby I couldn’t help but to feel grateful. Is this the beginning of how my life should be?
ELENA:)