Shoe Preview: 4 Favorites from Furla Spring '15

Bring on the Bling! 

(I said 'bling.' So what? It rhymed. I don't care that the word 'bling' isn't even a thing anymore. Anyway...) I remember the delight I felt when I was a little girl, and I was left alone to play with my Grandmommy's costume jewelry. The sparkle of those baubles used to ignite my imagination. I felt a bit of the same spark when I saw the jeweled shoes in Furla's Spring 2015 shoe collection. I immediately envisioned the maxi and mid skirts I could wear with the shoes. One pair will work with a safari look, while another is the perfect complement to... well... almost anything! 

Got a wedding to attend in spring 2015? If it's a daytime wedding, this shoe will look adorable with gingham or florals. Going to brunch? Yup, this shoe works with jeans. Dinner and a show? This shoe and a tea-length full skirt are the way to go. The intense tangerine color, paired with citrine and clear stones make this pump festive and fresh. The almond toe keeps it from looking solely formal. 

If day-to-night is your need, this brown sandal will do the trick. The chunkier heel gives it an easygoing look, but the tonal jewels dress it up. It's basically a strong contender for the go-to position in your closet.

The golden hue of this skimmer, coupled with the dazzling jeweled accent may give one the feeling of walking on sunshine. The fact that it's also the same color as the ubiquitous smiley face adds its happy factor. With jeans or ankle pants, for work or weekend, this flat is as versatile as it is glamorous. 

This take on the slide trend is the epitome of the understated elegance mentioned in Furla's collection notes. Calf-hair straps and chunky jewel accents make these a great partner for flowing maxi skirts and dresses.

Spirited Sunday: Chinese Laundry Booties & Milagro Anejo

Easy Does It...

Sundays are for taking it fairly easy... as in brunch with friends, maybe watching a football game (or 3) and generally keeping things casual. You don't want to look completely dressed down, though. A cute ankle bootie with a block heel will pull together most looks, whether you're wearing jeans and your favorite team's jersey or leggings and a chunky sweater. This Raylin Bootie by Kristin Cavallari for Chinese Laundry is great option. It has an everyday feel, but the gold block heel add some umph (and makes it more comfy than a stiletto).

Days like this, you want something warm to sip (especially if you've been screaming at the TV). If you want something more exciting than your normal Irish coffee, try the More Precious Than Gold, featuring Milagro Anejo. (No judging Irish coffee. We LOVE Irish Coffee.) It's creamy, sweet, and who doesn't love a pumpkin drink? If you can't get your bartender to whip this up for you, just ask for the anejo in some pumpkin flavored coffee... or even regular coffee with honey. Either one will still do the trick... they just might not match your booties as well.

More Precious than Gold

1.5 oz. Milagro ANEJO

.5 oz. dark crème de cacao

4 saffron threads

1 pinch of chili flakes

.5 oz. brown sugar syrup

3 dashes of chocolate bitters

.5 oz. of sweet potato puree

1.5 oz. of hot water

Add all ingredients in small pot and heat up till almost boiling. Pour into Irish coffee cup or mug. Top with whipped cream and garnish with saffron. 

Booze Clues: Wine Advice from Somm In The City

The world of wine can be a bit intimidating. There are so many types! How's a girl to choose? I recently had an opportunity to pick the brain of sommolier (and fellow booze blogger), Sara Lehman of Somm in the City about some of the basics.

SNB: We're often judged by the content of our cup. With this in mind, what are a couple of varietals to generally avoid when someone’s aiming to impress (especially at a restaurant or bar)?

SITC: Avoid the typical choices like Pinot Grigio or Pinot Noir. Of course some spots have excellent wines by the glass with these grapes, but there are usually more fun and interesting grapes on the list.

SNB: What should she opt for instead?

SITC: Well, depending on the restaurant and their wine selection, its always fun to choose something unique but approachable. If you enjoy crisp whites with some yellow fruit and roundness, go for an Albarino from Spain or White Burgundy from France, which will be a Chardonnay grape varietal. Also if they have a Gavi or a Gruner Veltliner, these are fun grapes with striking acidity if she is a total pinot grigio fan. For an approachable red a Garnacha, Malbec, or Chianti are always good choices. These wines tend to be great on their own, and if you decided to order a light bite or two, are very food friendly!

SNB: Some varietals are great alone. Some are better with food. What's one of the most versatile?

SITC: It really depends what you like to drink and what you are eating at the time. Many whites such as a buttery California Chardonnay can go great with lighter meat dishes

SNB: So... boxed wine. Is there such a thing as a good wine in a box? And do you ever sneak a sip in private?

SITC: Boxed wine tends to have a bad rap, because when its not used for sangria or “slapping the bag” games, its just less expensive wine that can hang outside the fridge for longer than the bottle usually does. Good boxed wine does exist, and a few brands are Public House, Shania, and Beso del Sol or Don Simon Sangria.

I wouldn’t say leave these wines in your room or cellar to age, but they are very drinkable now. They're also good for when you need to make batched cocktails or when having a party where lots of wine is needed.

SNB: If you're just getting into wine, but your drink of choice until now has been cosmos or apple martinis, what's a good place to start?

SITC: Because of the acidity and alcohol in those cocktails, certainly start with a Sauvignon Blanc from California or New Zealand. The Apple Martini has some herbaceous and grassy notes like the SB from NZ would have, and the fruity California SB will be light and fruity like a cosmopolitan. Approach a wine with striking acidity first to see what you like and can handle, and then if you choose to move to a red, go for an Oregon Pinot Noir, a Washington State Cabernet, or a California Cab or Merlot.

SNB: Bonus- which pair of shoes remind you of your favorite wine?

SITC: I certainly get a lot of my shoes from Aldo and am very into Mary Jane-like shoes. They are stylish and classic, and can be worn with almost every outfit day or night. This shoe style reminds me of Champagne, which also is stylish and classic, and can be enjoyed anytime of day!

Aldo doesn't have any mary janes at the moment. However, this Galelawen ankle strap pump seems to have the qualities Sarah described. They're on sale at the moment, too.

NY Champagne Week: What to Drink & Where to Go

Second Annual #NYChampagneWeek Sets The City a'Sparkling

It's a celebration of the most festive libation! Endeavoring to showcase the approachability and highlight the diversity that bubbly has to offer, Blaine Ashley and the CitySip team have assembled a series of champagne-centered events involving cocktails, competitions and cuisine pairings. If you're not in or close to the Big Apple and would like to sip along, here are a couple of champagne cocktails to try at home:

Amaterasu (Japanese Wolf Goddess) by Montelobos Mezcal National Ambassador, Camille Austin 

1.25 oz Montelobos Mezcal

.5 oz Lillet blanc

.5 oz yuzu juice

.5 oz simple syrup (1:1)

2.5 oz Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne Brut Reserve

Shake/ strain over Champagne

Glass: flute

Garnish: grapefruit zest

Westside Royale by Reyka Vodka National Ambassador, Trevor Schneider

50 ml Reyka Vodka

25 ml Fresh Lime Juice

20 ml Simple Syrup

3 slices of cucumber

Small handful Mint

Top with Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Reserve

Combine all ingredients except champagne and shake, add champagne to the tin and double strain.

Glass: coupe

Garnish: cucumber float

If you're in New York and want to join in the fun that is NY Champagne Week, here's a rundown of events to check out. Unfortunately, we missed the introductory seminar and opening reception last night. However, there's still time to attend the following:  

Flight Night at The Bubble Lounge

Date: Thursday, November 6^th 2014

Time: 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Location: The Bubble Lounge

Join the iconic Bubble Lounge in Tribeca for a special New York Champagne Week 'Flight Night' featuring Aperitif Champagne Cocktails with Pavan Liqueur along with Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Reserve and Demi-Sec Rose. For just $50 guests will enjoy Champagne Cocktails paired perfectly with an appetizer, a flute of Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Reserve with a small plate pairing, followed by a glass of Nicolas Feuillatte's Demi-Sec Rose with dessert.  

The Bubble Bash at The Hotel Americano

Date: Friday, November 7^th 2014

Time: 9 p.m. – 12 a.m.

Location: The Hotel Americano's El Privado Lounge

Glitterati will be greeted in the main room with Aperitif style Champagne Cocktails featuring Lillet and Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur before making their way to an unlimited Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Reserve and Brut Rose by the magnum.  Passed hors d'oeuvres a plenty will be had. And, in a second room, guests will find a Hudson Whiskey Champagne Punch and Cocktail den with more food and fun times. Tickets are $65/person

Purchase tickets here: 2nd Annual New York Champagne Week Exclusive Event: Bubble Bash Closing Party at Hotel Americano's El Privado Lounge

If your #FOMO allows, follow the #NYCW festivities via Facebook:  facebook.com/NYChampagneWeek