Project Rush Adobe's Set to launch an influencer's dream App

Sr. Product Manager Danielle Darby spoke to us on Project Rush ! Then new all in one APP that allows you to Edit, Sound engineer, Use templates, Resize text and then Post like a PRO!

Last Thursday at the #Blogher18 Summit I had the pleasure of getting a demo of Project Rush from Adobe's Sr. Product Manager Danielle Darby. She explained in depth about the amazing functionality of this editing app, allowing you to streamline the post production postings and upping your skills to make your content look super pro. 

Imagine having one App to replace all the Meh apps out there.

Finally there is a trusted Adobe created App that combines all the things we love from all their products, and allows US content creators to produce professional quality Visuals and Sound.

Yes, this is revolutionary !

Right now I use at least 3 different apps to get a decent post-able finished piece.  With Adobe's PROJECT RUSH you can edit right on your phone and because it's cloud supported you can also save to the cloud and continue to work on the edit on your laptop.

Genius right!

How many times in editing do you get to a point while using your phone when you wish you could move the project to a larger screen.  Now you can.

Another feature Adobe is thinking about for the future is cloud-based collaboration for multiple team members to be able to work on the same project. This would be great if you manage a small team, so I hope this makes it to the features list....  we will have to see! 

During my demo Danielle showed me how the app is a hybrid of the tools we love. So you have access to technology from After Effects, Premiere Pro, and Audition, so you can edit and have amazing pro results using audio features and Motion Graphics templates.

For Rush’s initial release, "Rush users will have access to Motion Graphics templates right in the app, and users can browse for many more Motion Graphics templates on Adobe Stock right from within the app as well." said Danielle. 

Rush users will also have editing capabilities from Premiere Pro and audio features from Audition.

Once finished it is ready to be shared on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube where ever you want.  Even resize the content for  16 x 9 or square formats. Then  Boom ! Schedule it to post!

How amazing is this all at your finger tips, ready to go.  

Examples of the capabilities are:

An easy flexible timeline that allows you to move the clips, with a point and pull, allows you to snap, pinch and move text and images for perfect results. The app has refinement tools for sound also, allowing for partial muting of back ground audio or voice over capabilities. 

Time line features pinch, and drag on your phone.

Out of all the Apps I have downloaded Project Rush is going to be my new one stop for editing. 

I am done with the days of struggling to edit on my phone.

I appreciative getting to meet Danielle and learn about Project Rush. 

Check back here for when it is live or sign up at Adobe Project Rush to know more.

Also if you have tips to share please remark in the comments. 

Enjoy! 

Professional Quality Photos Just Got Easier!

I take many photos, but one thing I needed was software that was simpler than Photoshop to prefect them. After all, part of my livelihood is documenting products and making them look great. By accident one night I found this site called Exposure Empire. They have bundle packages and its only a one time fee ( not the monthly payment of other services). Exposure Empire has saved me time and helped so much in editing photos to look amazing. 

I was a little hesitant but the good thing is they provide a 60 day money back return, so that made me feel good that if this was not right then back it went! 

Get the Bundle for Just $29 (94% Off)!

 Exposure Empire amazing packages in professional quality photos

Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors, and we might earn a commission if you click on one. We are letting you know because, honesty is the best policy and we get a lot of policies these days....

ROCCO & BERTOLLI

A day with Rocco Despirito styling several great recipes with Bertolli pasta sauce. I love cooking jobs when I get to style and work with a great team. This past shoot was such a delight with Rocco. He made easy great recipes that any one can cook!

Featuring the 3 new fresh sauces from Bertolli, Rocco with his warm boisterous energy made the day a fun one. He got all "real" flipping the pasta in an over sized skillet to show his great skills and entertained us all. Then made pasta cups which would be a great make ahead meal for any family. 

I was tasked with the job of propping out the set and then stepping out and propping the beauty shots for the segments. 

On set there are 3 cameras shooting the spot. One overhead, and 2 cameras on Rocco

My assistant and I shopped like crazy hitting up fishes eddy, crate and barrel, Whisk, Sur la table to get beautiful wooden cutting boards and lovely dishes. 

WHAT A PROP STYLIST DOES TO PREP A COOKING SPOT: 

First off I get the approved recipes from my producer. Then I "break down" the recipes and the script. From experience on set and the help of the producer and food stylist we decide what will be demo'ed and what will be a "swap out". A swap out it is through the magic of TV you "put the cake in the oven raw and poof  you swap it out in 30 seconds to show the magically baked one " ..... I am sure you get it now right!  Well this happens with everything from Cakes to Pasta Sauce !  

What I get from the recipes is a road map of information: Amounts of ingredients, how much the recipe makes so I find the right size bowls or utensils to show the ingredients, what pans or equipment I will need for on set, what I should suggest for beauty shots. These are just a few thought I start to have. 

Then I make a shopping list. It is part of my job to understand the look of the brand, and then shop for the right bowls, pans, napkins etc that reflect the look of the brand. An example is I would NOT shop for modern super slick contemporary "props" for a client like a Bertolli - this Brand is traditional Italian and should look best with natural worn woods, marble shapes, and fresh herbs and natural solid colors or glass. 

I will speak to the food stylist and we will decide if I need doubles or triples back up's prepared in case the demo goes bad or we have to show a step again. Even shooting video "time is money" - and the last thing anyone wants is for the crew to be "waiting on " you for the swap out or the next step to be prepared. 

Lucky for me this was not that tricky a shoot. I had my list ready, and my assistant and I divide and conquer shopping all the places on my list to get all the things we needed. 

After shopping I will sit, take post it notes, and the recipes then writing out and labeling all the bowls and equipment we will need. This way my assistant, the food stylist's assistant,and the producer knows we have everything prepared and accounted for. HAVE A GOOD PRE GAME- organization makes life so much smoother on shoot day when you have to have your A game on! 

Now we are at the day before the shoot.

Shopping is 99% done, everything is packed up and we transport it all to set and well.... unpack and organize it all.... on long tables dividing out each recipe so we are super organized. At that point I will review everything we bought, and the options for beauty shots and the actual cooking demo with the Producer, Executive producer, and the food stylist. 

I like this part, I am able to show them the great "props" we got and how we are going to make this recipe come to life and look spectacular.  

Also, depending on the client I also have the responsibility to Prop out the set. YUP! 

That also is part of the job for this. So my assistant will take pictures of what the set looks like so we can remove what is there and set up what I bought to make it look like this client - Bertolli . 

Finally - SHOW DAY - 

The talent come in to hair, makeup & wardrobe while we are in prep mode getting everything filled up with the food stylist help so we are ready to go! 

PM me for my shopping list! I am happy to share any knowledge with you! 

I will be posting the final recipes and for you to try them too!   

Influencer Brunch

It was a beautiful day for the Influencer Brunch on Saturday, July 21, at the Topping Rose House in Bridgehampton. Vanessa Gordon, creator of the popular website eastendtaste.com, hosted some fantastic healthy cute instagram worthy stations that allowed us to mingle and really learn more and from the founders of the brands. 

My Favorite booth was Jeanpierre cosmetics. I chatted with the super friendly Samantha Weiss who showed me how with 5 min I could apply hydrating under eye stickers to make me look refreshed from a long night out -  their Gold lip stickers  have gold infused in them to prep any pucker for a night of kissable glowing hydrating wow! LOVE this idea and the packaging is super fun they make you want to try them all  so you too will glow. I am definitely telling my make- up artist friends about these! 

My other top booth was the Bewell brand created by Dr.Frank Lipman. Tasty, healthy cleanses designed to get you back to on track after a weekend of decadence. With Cleanses, Protein Powers, and Supplements, there was  something available for what ever you may need. The website has a lot of information and I am excited to make my own shake with these samples. YUM! 

The third booth  was really interesting to me. As we  age Collagen depletes, and the new trend is how we gain that back into our diets so we can radiate from inside to out. The la Sirene collagen comes in 3 flavors. Orange, Blueberry, and flavorless - which I think may be the best to get actually since you can add it into any beverage or even cold water and mix. In one packet you are getting collagen from the sea Not the Bovine one that makes me think of yeah - the yuck stuff. I am going to start using this even though I am a vegetarian, it was tasteless and that was good!  As well as harvesting from fish seems to me a lot more diet friendly. 

I hope the next time I am out looking refreshed, tone, and glowing from all the wonderful brands I experienced this weekend. It was a great day! 

Hottest National Trends in Food and Wine 2018

On July 9th, 2018 an intimate group of us were invited to hear top food and beverage Directors, Managers, and Chefs speak about the Restaurant Industry trends for 2018. This exciting yummy night was put on by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. 

The Panel was hosted at the Landmark theater, and featured some of my favorite speakers. 

Lauren Friel, the Wine Director Dirty Candy ( still one of the hardest reservations to get ) Matthew Kudry, Wine director of Flora Bar, Alexandra Cherniavsky, Beverage Manger of The Love, Christopher Gross, Chef of Wrigey Mansion and Moderated by the Susan Kostrzewa the Executive Editor of Wine Enthusiast Magazine. 

The panel was outstanding and so knowledgeable. Their stories and experiences emphasized  what is going on with the food and beverage industry, with of course the focus on wine.

One question resonated with me, someone from the audience asked the panel about Rose. The Rose trend has been going strong  for the past few seasons. Even NYC now has a Rose Mansion ( yeh / no ). So the question  asked was about the panel's feelings on the pink beverage. Were they "over it " did they see something new ?  The responses were interesting. Rose of course is a big seller at all the establishments, and has been, with everyone wanting something Pink to drink. Matthew Kudry made the comment, to challenge the makers of Rose to create more complex and less sweet pink drinks. That in a market of pink, pink, pink there is room for a complex balanced less sugary drink, and a more mature lovely Rose to hopefully continue this trend but in a more "adult " beverage way. I liked that. So his feeling is the market is not saturated but maybe needs to be more curated with more quality Rose available.

So- less frozen Rose pops and more complex flavors of Rose to drink! Cheers! 

The panel ended and a fun night of networking restaurateurs, food and wine enthusiasts, and experts gathered at OUSIA for a reception. There we could sample and taste some wonderful wines paired with cheeses and other foods. I love events like this because it gives you the chance to experience new wines and foods that you would not always think of putting together or trying. 

To learn more about Wine from the Top 100 wines for under $15 to what's going on with the industry check out the  WINE ENTHUSIAST MAGAZINE FOR MORE GREAT ARTICLES ! And Keep that glass FULL! 

FANCY FOOD FESTIVAL SUMMER 2018

The Summer Fancy Food Show, put on by the Specialty Food Association, is a fantastic way to experience many new products in one location. It is both educational and exciting to attend. Over 200,000 products awaited the Specialty Food Association at the 64th Annual Summer Fancy Food Show. The show encompassed 6 FOOTBALL Fields worth of foods and beverages. 

Aside from the fact that it attracts vendors from all over the world, it also features an Incubation Village, where food incubators from around the country showcase some of their most interesting brands. This gives invaluable exposure to young brands, many of whom would be unable to afford a booth on their own.

 I am a vegetarian, these are my My Top 5 Organic Products of Fancy Food Show 2018 !  I would love to know your thoughts and if you have tried any of these products! 

The ginger drink from Ginjan was one of the organic products that I discovered in the Incubation Village at the Fancy Food Show, and it caught my attention right away. The flavor profile was incredibly unique, refreshing and intoxicating.

A traditional beverage that founders Rahim and Mohammed Diallo grew up drinking in Africa, it has been around for thousands of years and features ginger, pineapple, lemon, vanilla and anise.

The organic juice category is competitive but Ginjan is spreading the word about the benefits Ginger has for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Ginjan is currently for sale at independent retailers in the tri-state region and expansion to Whole Foods stores in NYC and Long Island is expected to begin next week.

The drink can also be ordered on the company’s website, Fresh Direct or   Happy to Note that Ginjan was the Grand Prize Winner of the 2016 FedEx Small Business Grant Contest.

I love coconut milk, many of us do. If you want to drink organic coconut milk but not from a can, this is the next best thing — organic coconut milk powder from Wildly Organic.

The organic coconut milk powder from Wildly Organic contains only three ingredients — this is KEY : organic dehydrated coconut milk, organic maltodextrin (tapioca-derived), and organic acacia fiber (does not contain sodium caseinate). Furthermore, while many coconut milk powders contain as much as 60% maltodextrin to lower costs, Wildly Organic’s contains less than 3%.

The other day, I used this powder to make my morning smoothie and loved it. Plus, it is perfect to take with you on the road. Major bonus points for the packaging as well.

Wildly Organic’s organic coconut milk powder can be purchased on the company’s website and 

For those of you who love spicy food, this is a product must, Seven Super Seeds’ seed bombs. One sample was all you need to be hooked. Out of the thousands of products at Fancy Food Show, Janice Wheeler’s booth had this wonderful, compelling, and distinctly spicy sample.

Made with all organic, vegan and gluten-free ingredients — oatmeal, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, pepitas, water, sesame seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, poppy seeds, paprika, guajillo pepper, chile garlic, ancho chile, cumin, black pepper, sea salt, New Mexican chile — the seed bombs are a phenomenal product. YUM!!

Sadly .....They are not currently for sale on the company’s website, and I could not get an answer as to when they will be available. Will have to let you know when they are easily available. 

There are many great chocolate booths at the show - However, the chocolate covered goldenberries from Pacari really stood out. 

Not only does Pacari have some of the best Ecuadorian cacao in the world, but the citrus from the goldenberry provides tremendous balance and makes it surprisingly refreshing, something you do not normally expect from chocolate.

It garnered the silver medal at the 2017 International Chocolate Awards. 

Containing 60% cacao, Pacari’s chocolate covered goldenberry can be purchased on the company’s website or on Amazon, and at natural retailers nationwide.

Sinto Gourmet takes a very different twist with its ‘plenty roots’ kimchi. Not only does it lack the spicy flavor you expect from kimchi, it contains no cabbage either.

Company founder and chef Hyunjoo Albrecht made this recipe for a friend of hers who was suffering from cancer and decided to utilize super-healthy, antioxidant-rich root vegetables, such as beets and vegetables. Aside from the health benefits of this fermented product, ‘plenty roots’ kimchi has great texture and is earthy and grounding.

In case you were wondering, ‘sinto buri’  in Korean translates to ‘body and soil cannot be separated’ and means our bodies and spirits are at their best when eating foods that grow on the soil we step on. In Korea, it is used to emphasize the importance of local food and where food comes from — a philosophy that the company embraces.

Sinto Gourmet’s ‘plenty roots’ kimchi is available at select retailers in the San Francisco area and in the Northeast, and it can be purchased

Is Creativity back in NYC? Vanessa Sterbenz 20th Anniversary of Easter Hats

For 20 consecutive years, the creative, outstanding, and risk taking stylist Vanessa Sterbenz has made her mark on the Easter Parade, out side of St. Patrick's Cathedral.  For many of those years, notorious photographer Bill Cunningham documented her hats for the New York Times style section. 

Day to day for almost another 20 years, Vanessa is a Sr. Stylist and shopper at Bergdorf Goodman. With a wondrous eye and probably a photographic memory, she selects some of the most amazing clothing and puts together outfits for her incredible clients at BG. 

Recently BG has done  a "take over" of their cafe by the artist Ashley Longshore. The glitter bombing, F word talking, outrageous painter and artist - that definitely has everyone gawking about BG, and in a B i G way!

Bringing back the fun into fashion and retail is really what I think this is about. And coincidentally BG is located across the street from Trump Towers and another Big talking tweeting individual. Not getting political here - but one does have to wonder if this was intentional. Ashley is another big personality, and someone that is not afraid to be who she is.  Obviously this is working !  If you follow her Instagram there is a very empowering and positive message she is creating with a few F words and glitter bombs thrown in.  

But .... Back to Vanessa  and how I think all this links in my opinion.

What BG, Gucci, and so many forward brands are doing is giving you the approval to  " BE YOU, EVERYONE ELSE IS TAKEN ". If you look at what has been trending we had Norm-core (ewe) and a pared down minimalism, that was just basic and commodity driven key item tables. GROSS!  But now we have sparkle, 70's, F words, new materials, techno fabrics and well something exciting and YOUnique to talk about and wear or make or buy on etsy!  

With this embrace of Creative WOW, luxury store BG, started it. First testing out the idea with its stylists. back 2 years ago during fashion week. Having a competition for its stylists. 

Now you see how this all links back..... 

Vanessa's styled looks and personal image were part of the coveted window display on 5TH AVENUE  during fashion week. This is truly a dream coming true for any fashion person ( its up there next to winning an Oscar or CFDA). In addition to being in the window, her selections of sexy, glam, sophisticated accessories from the store were displayed on the different floors of the BG. What an honor. But every day Vanessa gets up does her wing'ed eye look and signature red lip and heads to work being who she is. AND who she is-  is part NYC black wardrobe with some over the top designer wonder item mixed in, and a be who you are attitude. Side note : check out @sterbenzstyle on Instagram the clothes and accessories are one of a kind! 

So here it is, it started as Easter Parade and turned into what I am seeing as an attitude that has been building in fashion and retail to relax, have fun, be colorful, but most of all be who you ARE!  

ASK AN EXPERT MAKERKP - PURCH STUDIO

Many companies and magazines that produce a lot of online content are now deciding to create in house studios. This is the recent project for PURCH. PURCH is  responsible for a lot of the tech reviews and new product launches of tech devices.

They wanted a set that could be multi- functional. As in one room needs to be divided into 2 looks that could also transform into 1 large set or be 2 separate ones

We wanted it to have this rustic warm feeling with touches of "slick"elements to tie it all together. We decided to make a herringbone pattern of reclaimed wood and white wash it and then link a set of brick wall with some pipes and industrial elements to make it seem like rustic side. 

The reclaimed wood came from my new favorite place and the most helpful people Plank and Mill.  Before I started I called them to ask exactly how much time and effort needed to be planned on. This wall was a LOT of work - but it looks fantastic. The wood all comes pre stuck with this industrial tape. Peeling off tape is a lot of the time - but it was perfect for installing in this former office space. Mitering the edges can be done with a compound saw if  you have a lot to do. If not the wood is  thin and you can use a hand saw and go for it! 

One thing to think about is actually giving a bit of breathing room in between each piece of wood. I wanted each piece to be like perfectly next to each other ...  and that may be my fake OCD kicking in. In reality a little space is GOOD, makes the install so much easier, and the pattern making faster. 

A good point to  know - is when it's all finished and you look back at the wall you will never notice that baby gap. And it probably gives a bit if expansion and "wiggle room" with humidity and heat expanding and contracting the wall. 

People always say painting is the more affordable way to change a room but this wood wall is way less messy than painting and in the end you have a WALL of real wood to make the look amazing. 

Here are 2 links below - one is for the kit I used it gets you 20 Sq feet herringbone pattern the other is for 10 Sq feet which is great for one wall and is a straight linear application.

BOTH ARE EASY GREAT KITS - I love that they made this so simple to use. 

Over all the wall looks fantastic! Yah! 

if you want to see the wood finishes this is the link to get a sample kit. Which is good to see exactly what you are getting and the color of the finishes.

THIS IS THE LINK FOR THE SAMPLE KIT to see  if you like the finishes. 

Now for the other side .... 

I found online brick panels and then all we had to do was screw them in and then caulk over the holes and make them look convincingly that they were real. The company actually created the corners for me which helped so much. 

The right OH no came when budget was strapped and we needed a 24 inch column to link the two sets. As an over shooting element on the side.  I had to make it! 

Canal plastic provided the best place to start with. I got think plastic I could bend to shape , silver thing strips. Home depot had the  MDF and then I took pink rigid insulation to help with rigidness. Then Hot glue in hand I went at it making this column that then had to be transported to set. I made the base section first about 4feet high as one part and then the two other sections to stack up and connect once it was up at location. This piece was about 9 almost 10 feet high.  But it proved engineering and creativity is what I needed to make this piece. 

We boxed in 2 flat screen TV's to look like a window and POOF ! IT was done. 

I am happy to further explain what I did or who I spoke to for materials. Just leave a comment or message me. I am happy to show you more details of how it installs, issues I had to trouble shoot, and a real person install. It is easy but there are some tips. 

MAKE IT LIVE WALL ( or not so live ) WITH MICHAEL'S CRAFT

MAKE A LIVE WALL

Over the past few years "Live Walls " with real plants have taken over commercial spaces. I have seen them everywhere from a 2 level high one in London at Anthropology to even in smaller but well articulated ones in lobbies here in NYC. 

I really like the "Living wall" how ever I kill every plant. Not even a cactus is my friend or able to live more than a few months with me. The issue is less about me not being able to provide the right care, as my apt gets lower than low levels of light. Yes, its the trade off for being close to the subway and a fun neighborhood. 

So in my attempt to:

1. Create the illusion that I do get more light in my apt than I do and

2. Give my apt a focal point that is inviting and at least looks alive 

I went to Michael's craft store and basically went Green! Really green. To give you an idea my live wall is about 4 feet by 4 feet it is densely covered all over with excellent artificial faux plants. While this does seem to defeat the purpose of real plants  it gives me the look with out the watering and fear of killing all the plants a slow death. 

HOW TO MAKE ONE!  The fun part. Seriously this is super simple and provides instant gratification.

Armed with about yes about $100 dollars worth of artificial plants ( get them on sale or even try a jack's 99 cent store ) 

I had already an old 4 by 4 canvas I had painted it black but you can paint it any color green would have also worked I wanted it to disappear but maybe you want some neon color to pop out a little have fun and know that if you hate it black is what I did and its an easy fix. 

Then what I did was measure out about 4 holes across the bottom of the canvas. The canvas is also 2 and a half inches thick which is important to note when looking for a canvas to use.  I then took a pair of scissors and cut/ popped a hole into the centers spaced out. 

POINTS TO THINK ABOUT: Make sure you have allowed enough distance from the edge of the canvas to not have the greenery rip the hole further although you can probably fit it - but its good to think about spacing from your edges.  Also make the hole a little smaller so the stem can fit snug.

Then all I did was continue to space out the holes going up he canvas staggered. I built mine as I went so I was able to actually be creative and see what plants I liked where thinking about leaf size and how the natural light color of the leave variation would emulate real light coming into my apt. 

I also took an industrial stapler and hide and attached some of the leaves to the canvas. I wanted to really set them into place and give a dense look to the overall canvas. Which why not do that its your wall. You can also use a hot glue gun but I hate the "strings" from hot glue so that's why I went for my stapler. 

The best thing about this project is it goes fast does not require a lot of materials and youcan hang it up as soon as you are done to appreciate it.  No watering required. 

Message me if you have questions or want to share if you made one too! 

This post was not sponsored by Michael's Craft ( but it was where I got my plants ) 

MY fake LIVE WALL 

BEHIND THE SCENES - Stella Artois Holiday VIDEO

I feel like I am fortunate to get some really cool jobs that allow me to use my brain to figure out how to get the shot. This is one of those instances. 

So for educational purposes I want to tell you about the really cool "gag" we pulled off with Mirrors for Stella. 

For me the reference is truly coming from Yayoi Kusama ( totally a long time fan of her ) and was excited to figure out how we were going to achieve a similar type of infinity shot.

Searching for both two way mirror and oddly remembering mirrored plexi glass I secured both and several other options of mirror and reflective plastics. Something HAD to work. 

Add in stress from the director and you would understand why I had a lot of options ready to go. 

THE RESULT : Black out around the camera lense then shoot through the mirror plexi at the glass ( key prop )  and pick up the infinity reflection by using regular mirror from Home Depot. Cheat it to one side and Boom its the shot. Also note you really have to block out the sides and don't get me wrong we played with this for hours to get enough light in and yet none of the reflections. 

NEXT UP... Try pouring water all day to make it slosh up ( see OJ commercials ) 

Kidding .... 

Check out the finished images on the Stella FB page. 

TESTING THE MIRROR TRICK! 

GO GO GIO! Super stylist super book!

October 24, 2017

On October 24, 2017 my favorite book store and the go to place for the Best Art books printed  RIZZOLI'S did a special launch for a very Special Stylist! Giovanna Battaglia launched in NYC her super fun, super colorful, super creative book GIO-GRAPHY: FUN IN THE WORLD OF FASHION ! 

This book should come with some rainbow sequins, a hefty Italian sensibility, and some balloons. 

PURE FUN and escapism - This book reminds us of what is lacking in retail and getting dressed each morning. You can feel the vibrations of what it must be like to have her life, and closet! 

The books sold out AGAIN! After a prior sell out and launch party Linda Fargo of Bergdorf Goodman had for her friend and fellow fashionable icon GIO.

You need to see the book yourself , it is an escape from the doldrums of Polar fleece, legging and sneaker. Gio dresses like a lady! She shows you with advice from her noteworthy fashion friends how you too can look this good. I loved it ! I am inspired ! I left needing to rip my closet apart, organize the worthy fun clothes into one pile and the Meh ones into they maybe its time to donate you to recycling bin. 

Sparkle, dazzle, be YOU but shinier and more accessorized  is how I feel after a bit of GIO_Geography. 

BEST PART IS THE BOOK IS AVAILABLE ON AMAZON for the Amazing DEAL OF $25.71 APROX with PRIME  !!!  GET IT NOW THROUGH MY AFFILIATE  LINK :

Gio_Graphy: Fun in the Wild World of Fashion

By Giovanna Battaglia

Moda Operandi on the upper east side try on what you gawk at online

Did you know this? How did I just find this out!  

Last Thursday night I got invited to see some of the most amazing dresses at Moda Operandi's 24 E 64th St location. 

This is a little jewel of a spot.

The decor is delicious!  Luscious Italian plastered walls in verdigris green combined with perfect pink velour couches welcome you to  a collection of rotating best of the best clothes that only you have dreamed about. 

This store is special - it is there for exclusive trunk shows, and special clients who may request to try on special items from the website. 

The collection I got to gawk over was one by the husband wife duo of Cucculelli Shaheen. Their dresses are beyond breathless, truly one of kind and completely sophisticated sexy. 

Beaded placements and cut outs that highlight the silhouettes and are to die for with the intricacies and special details. My absolute favorite has to be the beaded cape. One version attaches to a dress the other is just a sheer celestial cape that allows you to wear it over any dress to give it instantly that WOW factor. 

Custom made to measure these are couture quality. I felt like I was looking at museum dresses. And with that I am sure someone going to the Met Ball will have one of these on. 

Try and get an appointment to view this collection if you have a big event. I am waiting - there must be a ball I need to go to. 

MODA OPERANDI   24 E 64th St, New York, NY 10065 

Cucculelli Shaheen.

Cucculelli Shaheen.

IRIS ! Gets a Barbie and a party at Bergdorf's

the moment before linda int he black striped jacket and turbin spins around and selfies! 

Casually, I get off the elevator on the 3rd floor of Bergdorf Goodman and suddenly I am witnessing Chirstie Brinkley flanked by Tommy Hilfiger and Dee his wife all taking a selfie with Linda Fargo . Ha ha Iris can draw a crowd .....And then I knew this was going to be quite a store event. 

I quickly text my friend the Sr.Stylist and Shopper at Bergdorf's for over 15 years, Vanessa Sterbenz and ask where she is stationed in this jungle of printed fabrics, metallics, sequins, and other outfits of importance. 

We find each other and get inline for drinks. Cut crystal in pink and clear flutes of champagne are passed around and the line to see the honorable Iris and her exclusive Barbie doll is getting long fast. Fans, Celebrities, Fashion people, People trying too hard, everyone was there - It was great! Who would have thought!  

The barbie is a tiny duplicate of the 90 plus year old Iris. Black glasses and all. It was part of a collection of special honorary Barbie dolls. And it wad a perfect excuse to shop the floor of Bergdof's look at Linda's selections and have a really fabulous time creating an only in New York, experience. 

Chris Collins a Real Man & Fragrance to Match

Harlem Nights, Renaissance Man, and Danse Sauvage from Chris Collins

About 2 years ago I had the pleasure of meeting Chris Collins.

Life in New York being what it is people get busy and then they loose touch and then one day you start to think and wonder hey how is that ( fill in the blank ) person I used to email and have a coffee with. 

Then you get an invite from another friend that ... guess what so and so is launching their name sake fragrance at Bergdorf Goodman's Men's store  . Wow that's fantastic- and that would be Chis.

He is such a good guy is my next comment.

Chris Collins for those of you who don't know is probably one of the most recognized faces for Polo. Way before there were influencers Chris was the leading brand ambassador and face of Polo Ralph Lauren. Not to mention probably one of the most humble grounded, and nicest men anyone could meet. I was only overjoyed to learn about his latest fragrance launch.

Chris created Harlem Nights, Renaissance Man, and Danse Sauvage from a meeting with famed French perfumer Kilian Hennessy ( my favorite other brand ). Like an artist he learned in France about the notes and combinations to curate these alluring fragrances that reference his life, travels, and history.

And this man has some stories and history that only an elite professional male model could share. Nice and extraordinary ! I found myself wanting to smell like Chris! 

It makes me overjoyed to see what this man's ambition has produced. The Launch was International Women's Day at Bergdorf Goodmans Men's store and like a true gentleman Chris had his Mom there who he acknowledged.

I am excited to see what's next for Chris Collins!