Vintage without my Mama

Every single time my mother and I walk into a vintage store she starts going off about the whole thing that someone else wore it before. She hates anything vintage. It's to the point where if she sees anything that may look slightly distressed, she flips out and interrogates its vintage status. My mother worked as a nurse for years in Europe and she has a long list of diseases that you may catch from wearing other people's clothing. Not sure if she's being dramatic or if it's for real.

On that note, I found a gorgeous vintage store in Soho, 'Marmalade Vintage' located on 174 mott street...didn't get anything because she was breathing down my situation. It was really pretty though:) Love!!!

For more info, visit marmaladevintage.com

Shorty's 32, NYC - That's all I have to say!

J finally took me to Shorty's for dinner, and what a dinner it was. We stayed until they shut the place down...that's how I do, I'm a persistent food eater :) Jamie has been speaking so highly of this place that she had no choice but to take me there...and it definitely lived up to my expectations and more. Everything I ate was delicious. I had the calamari salad and after that the chef, Josh Eden aka Shorty was sending out food and desserts left and right. Aaaahhh! Let's just say that I was in heaven for at least 2 hours:) The place is so cute and unlike any other restaurants in New York! Love!!!

Maybe I'll see one of you guys there;)

Go there, it will make you happy!

For more info, visit www.shortys32.com.

@ SPITZER CORNER IN SOHO:)

I met up with Henok and Dawit, the guys from Eri-APA. They introduced me to Adam Teckie (my victim:) For those of you who don't know, I'm going to serve as a moderator for the first ever Eri-APA meeting, held in NYC. This is something that these guys have put a great deal of hard work in to and I cannot stop bragging about them.

It's very inspiring and extremely contagious to see someone being that passionate about a project...at least it is to me:)


Ps. Whoever's coming, see you guys on Thursday:) By the way, Spitzer Corner is great! Tried some of the food and it was amazing:) For more info visit www.eriapa.org.

When in New York, Go to Central Park

One thing that New York has that reminds me of life in Europe are the little bakeries and coffee shops. It's such a lovely coffee drinking-MacBook carrying-Central Park loving movement going on over here. So much fun. Timba and Robel took us to this cute little bakery in Harlem, it was like walking into a cookie lovers paradise:) Wall to wall of bread, cookies and cakes...I kind of wish "the kid" was there, he would have gone psycho in there.

We walked from 147th street all the way down to Central Park and around the reservoir. Such a peaceful place. I never realized how many New Yorkers work out. Every single person was out running. Pretty cool!

SHOEGASM anyone?

So, believe it or not, right before my daddy went back to Europe he told me that he wanted to take me shopping. He told me I was allowed to buy anything I wanted and he would go into every single store with me, and NOT complain (am I dying and not aware?). Obviously you guys don't know my father, but the only thing that he hates more than going shopping with my mother, my sister and I, is fast food, which probably makes no sense to you, but wharreverrr:) Anyway, the man lasted for 45 minutes, which may not sound like much but it really is to my beloved Papa. I was only able to go into to one store, SHOEGASM in SoHo, before he was talking about how hungry and exhausted he was.

What is it about men and shopping?? Everyone man in my life, my brothers, cousins, father, uncles...even my love has issues when it comes to shopping for clothes. I don't get it! I feel like it's in style for men to whine when it comes to shopping with a girl. I love clothes...but even I hate the idea of shopping for hours. I can't do it, but this is extremely exaggerated! Is there a "Universal Boys Guide" that tells  them what to like and dislike. Weird!

Anyway, I was able to get these lovely brown flats. I'm obsessed:)


Ps. At least I had a Shoegasm;) mohahaha! 

My Shoes:)

Shoegasm

My Mami and Papi, how cute!!!

OPRAH, CIAO BELLA!

Everyone who knows me knows that I am obsessed with Oprah. I am super sad that today is her final show...ready to sit down and cry! Whyyyyyyyyy?!!?? I've watched the Oprah show since I was a child and even learned English by watching her. Although I don't want her to go off air, I guess there comes a point in everyones life where you have to move on to bigger and better things, even O. "You know who" is even excited to watch this one, not sure if it's because he's happy she's going off air or the fact that I'll stop trying to force him to watch it. This means that I will never go to Chicago and sit in her audience :(

Hmm, wonder if I'll ever meet her...we'll see...

Had to move my 3 o'clock to 2.30, I'm not missing a single second of this episode. That's how paranoid I am about this, I won't even leave Manhattan (can't go to far away from home). This is New York, it will literally take you 2 hours to get from point A to B...just saying. Poor Manny, he has to come all the way up here to do something for me.

On another note my daddy has been super helpful in giving me ideas for my meeting with Eri-APA on June 2nd. For more info please visit eriapa.org.

Smooch!

Saks & the Concrete Jungle

I always forget how fast the days in New York go by. I've already been here for 3 days and it feels like 3 hours. The windows at Saks speak my language, they always did! It's colorful, loud (in an artistic way), and just really creative. Saks NY must have the best visual merchandisers ever. I'm serious! A few years ago when I was working in the city I walked by the displays every single day before and after work. They just make me happy. Today I tried explaining that to my father, obviously with no luck. Men just don't get it!

I walked by my old job and I'm really excited that I'm meeting with Michelle Melton and Alison Sky next week (not together) well you know what I mean:) I feel like there isn't enough time in the day to all of my stuff. I went to see Hassan in the garment district in regards to Shukorina dresses and we have another appointment in a few days with swatches and sketches...busy, busy. It should be nice though. I'm excited!

Also spoke to Henok about our first ever Eri-APA (Eritrean American Professionals Association). I'm the moderator. Yes, I am. Kind of scary...it's so funny with me, I interview people, but I still get really uncomfortable when speaking in front of a group. What to do, what to do?! Henok is great though...it's amazing how calm he is.

I'm definitely going to keep you posted on this...even if I do mess up.

The Windows at Saks 5th Ave are still my favorites

She called me a GROUPIE

I found the best bookstore in the world! Although I once swore I would never pick up a book in my life (after grad-school) I have this love for small book shops. I'm looking for Diane von Furstenburg's book, A Signature Life but since it's been discontinued it looks as if I have to go to someones house and steal that sucker. More on that later.

After all that running around all day yesterday J and I went back to her place and obviously I passed out on the sofa. This wouldn't have been a big deal had my parents not been waiting for me at Robels house. At 11.30pm I get a text msg from Robel, asking me where the hell I was. No good. I woke up at 2.30 am in fear of being grounded:) I got home this morning and went into my parents room and after a short conversation with my dad, my mother rolls over and calls me a groupie. I taught her that word and she's totally abusing it. You're not a groupie for not wanting to eat breakfast, or for not wanting to go for a walk, or for wanting to shop...and definitely not for falling asleep on your friends sofa. Funny!



Ps. I know the postings look funny sometimes, but bear with me, I shall fix it! 

Dating my Family in NYC!

Ever since I got here (NYC) I've sucked at updating this situation. My brother's graduation was held at the Lincoln Center. I can't believe my youngest is all grown up. After our little dinner party at the house we went to meet up with my friend Jeremy Asgari (socialight entertainment) at 1OAK. Fun times! Today has been a full throttle pavement pounding, blister-izing, errand running, busy day. We started off by walking over to BET (tv) to meet with Dexter for a little pow-wow, followed by lunch at PAM in Hells Kitchen. After lunch J and I met up with my parents and my little brother. bla bla bla...you get the idea, it was a busy day. I love this city!

One of today's highlights was the drive-by we did at Henri Bendel's to visit my good friend Maddy-Russ aka John Madeiros. He is a make-up artist for mac and is currently working on the set of the apprentice. Super happy for him and proud:)

I would totally post more pics of everyone, but since my family is psychotic about privacy, they threatened to beat me upside the head with my computer. I'm too cute to have that happen to moi, so no pics:)

Shukorina LOVES Annysa LaMantia Designs

Not too long ago I bumped into interior designer Annysa LaMantia at a party at designer Christian Ruffin's house. I'm super excited to do this interview with her as I find her decorating style to be very clean, modern, with a touch of European chic...just like moi:) just kidding, but in a serious way. The first time we ever had a conversation about design it was actually about pillows...YES, pillows. Her whole face lit up while talking about pillows...although I thought she was weird, I liked it! This girl really knows her stuff!!!


VA: What did you study in school and what was it like? 
ALD: Interior Design, Studio Art and Entrepreneurship at Indiana University. The design program was very intense! Many sleepless nights...but, it was great conditioning for the "real world"!
VA: When and where was your big break? 
ALD: That would have to be working for one of the best architecture firms in NYC-- KBA. I got to work on some large projects as a junior designer- along side some of the most successful architects in the business.
VA: Who and what inspires you? 
ALD: I'm inspired by people who go after their passions in life- people who figure out what their purpose is and go for it relentlessly. Everyone deserves to love what they do. I get so energized by those kind of people. I also get creatively charged when I am surrounded by environments filled with self-expression- New York City and Florence, Italy are two of my favorite places on the planet.
VA: How long have u been doing this and what are your clients like? 
ALD: I started training in 2006. My work in NYC started in 2008 and i've been at it ever since : )
Name your favorite project so far. I've had a lot of fun with my Atlanta projects. Working with Bobby V. for his new penthouse was a lot of fun- he's a great guy- very creative. My latest project was great too- I had a wonderful experience renovating a large home off of Mt. Vernon. The family was a dream to work with- and the clients had a great vision which I was able to bring to life. It's a very satisfying job.
(That's singer Bobby V.)
VA: Career wise where do u see yourself 10 years from now? 
ALD: Working on lots of international projects, designing a furniture line, working collaboratively with lots of other design mediums, and still very much loving what I do!
VA: Who is your favorite interior designer and what makes him/her great? 
ALD: I find myself liking certain projects from various designers, as opposed to liking everything from one person. For example, Richard Shapiro's Malibu Beachfront project in the April 2011 Architectural Digest is what I consider an exceptional example of dynamic design. I try to look at all design avenues all the time for inspiration- architecture, fashion, fine art, etc.,
VA: How would you classify your style? 
ALD: Clean, with character! Personality is the perfect accessory for any design- so I like simplistic structural palettes and base pieces-- then I like to infuse the space with the character of the client. It is crucial to the success of a space for it to be reflective of the client that resides in it. This is a design principle that I will always stick to!
VA: If your weren't doing this, what do you think you would have been doing? 
ALD: Great question. I'd probably be singing in a back alley jazz bar somewhere... I love music! My life is driven by creativity, so I would absolutely be doing something in the arts. Luckily, I have found a wonderful career that allows me to be creative every single day : )
VA: I love your latest project...tell me a little bit about it, actually tell me everything!
ALD: It is a 12,000 sq. ft home off of Mt. Vernon in Buckhead. The clients wanted to give a completely new look to their property, a process which lasted in total about a year. I was brought on to the project half way through the renovation process, when demolition was still taking place. At this time we began to redefine their spaces- getting rid of dated interior architecture features, and simplifying the "canvas" (i.e. removing crown molding for the walls, etc.) so we could begin anew. I worked specifically with the clients to determine their personal vision for their ideal living environment and then fabricated a plan to bring it to life. We collaboratively developed a concept of "Euro Eclectic", which fused contemporary design and old world vintage in a harmonious environment- surrounded by fresh white walls and based with dark Jacobian- colored wood floors. I chose multi-tonal and transparent fabrics that would play with the property of light- giving the rooms more dimension. I selected dramatic wall coverings as a substrate for the clients' extensive art collection- adding additional visual interest to featured parts of the home. I incorporated an indoor-outdoor feel in the home as well- utilizing large windows with clear glass to create a continuous view. We brought greenery indoors and had custom drapes created for the outdoor kitchen area to give cohesion to the adjacent spaces. 
VA: It looks amazing! When did you complete it?
ALD: It finished in April of this year (2011), this home was completed in the true vision of the client and it is a project that I am extremely proud to have been a part of.


Doesn't this girl make you want to go out there and design a sofa or a house or something?! I love people who are obsessed with what they do. I guess that's something that comes when you are following your true passion. It's beautiful!


Smooch!
Ps. For more of Annysa please visit her website www.annysalamantia.com. 

Annysa LaMantia

BRUNO MARS: LAZY SONG

How funny is this?! I can't help listening to this song over and over again. So much humor, I can't stand it. How many times have you not felt like this? Not doing anything that is...but to just sit around without dying of guilt is an art I have yet to master. This song is cute though. You know you're talented when your video cost less than a pair of chucks. I say chucks because I realized I need a new pair ASAP!

I'm planning my return to NYC this weekend...and this weekend has been anything but lazy.

Smooch!

BOYS & WATCHES

I'm not a fan of men wearing jewelry or any accessories for that matter, but I love a great men's watch, on both men and women. For some reason I'm always stumbling into some great men's watches...a favorite of mine is Hamilton. Hamilton is an American watchmaker, known for their Swiss movements. I love this brand. It's American luxury at an easier price point. This one retails for about $545. This is such a great alternative for the summer and you can always switch the band to leather if you feel like it. You guys should check it out. A handful of people I know are debating if they should by watches for their boyfriends, brothers and fathers. For some reason watches are the easiest thing to get (boring if you ask moi)...either way, this is a great alternative. Check it out:)

I kind of want one of these. They have a bunch of nice ones on their website. www.hamiltonwatch.com

Sipping Tea @ Café Mims w/ Mitch from Invictus One

So I've finally decided that I'm going to be extremely serious about this whole "being healthy" thing. Not to say that I'm super unhealthy but I can definitely improve. Lately I keep hearing about young people, my age, who are getting sick from lack of proper diet, exercise and too much stress. We can't have that...no buddy, not moi! In order to become more disciplined and to be on point with this new goal of mine I have enlisted the help of an expert.

Meet M. O'Neal Mitchell, aka Mitch:) He is the owner and developer of Invictus One, a privately instructed, all-in-one, personal defense and fitness conditioning program. If I'm going to be serious it only makes sense for me to work with the best:) This should be interesting. I have a feeling I'm about to get myself into something really difficult, but hey...what is life without some challenges. Maybe I should get some new workout outfits. Mitch, a Fortune 100 bodyguard, certified personal trainer and life-long martial artist, is EXTREMELY passionate about working out and staying healthy. I love that, however, I'm scared! Seriously!

You guys will be able to follow everything here and hopefully join me in my quest for a healthier and toned lifestyle.

Ps. During our conversation at Café Mims (across the street from the Fox theatre) one of my first questions was "How long is this going to take?".  Although he politely explained to me that this is a life-long commitment, I couldn't help feeling that I had just asked the dumbest question ever, and that he was most likely judging moi. Hmm?

NEXT, 112, NEW EDITION: This can only be dedicated to Judith Zegai Loménius:)

Last night, Ruth and I decided to go and support our friends Teddy White (Teddy White band) and RL (NEXT) for a live performance at the Park Tavern in Piedmont Park. It was great and it almost seemed as if time had stood still, as these guys haven't really aged. I'm serious. My favorite part was when Q from 112 made a little cameo and sang 'Only You', we used to looooove 112. I literally spent the entire night thinking of one of my bästises Judith from back home. She was obsessed with 90's music!!! We would sit at home and listen to music all day long...no one does that anymore, at least I don't. It was cool to see RL do his thing and if you didn't know, he has a solo project in the works. I've heard one song and I LIKE:)

I miss J, although some of the music she used to make me listen to was very cheezy...just saying. We had great times. It's so funny how something so random made me miss my friends back home.


Ps. Thanks to Teddy White for the invitations...we love your band!!! Also want to let everyone know that I know every single word out of 'Only You', including the rap part. Yes, I'm proud!!! 

RL & Moi

NEXT on stage

Sheree Whitfield (Real Housewives of Atlanta), Ruth Bekuray & I

Ruth, Teddy White (The Teddy White Band) & an over posing Moi 

Kenny Burns (V103) 

Farnsworth Bentley:) (Love him) www.therealmrbentley.com

Tameka & I

Ronnie DeVoe (New Edition, Bell Biv DeVoe) Who didn't love NE?!!!

Lee McQueen: The Saga continues

The whole world was shocked when learning of Alexander McQueens' suicide. The fashion qorld had lost one of its most talented stars. He was a legend in the making and the House of McQueen was a loved and well respected fashion house. After the tragic death of McQueen, his most trusted aide Sarah Burton was appointed Creative Director of the London based company. Although some of you are just now hearing of her, as she designed the wedding dress for Cate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, however, Ms. Burton has been designing the Alexander McQueen women's line since 2000. I'm so excited to see all the great things that she will present. Below are some of my favorites from the McQueen Resort 2011 collection. Lovely! She is making her own mark on the brand while staying true to the drama and art that was Alexander McQueen.

How amazing!

Sarah Burton, Creative Director of Alexander McQueen