Empire Hotel

Once again, the Empire Hotel, located right in the heart of all the action on the Upper West Side, has transformed itself into the Fashion Hotel. Indulge in couture cocktails all week like their signature Fashion Week cocktail, “Don’t Feed the Models.” Also on offer is a new spicy tequila drink called “Fashion Ink by Ami James.” Yes, that Ami James. As in Miami Ink and NY Ink. He’s in town celebrating his new clothing line (being showcased at the Empire Hotel) and creating  “permanent accessories” for celebrities and guests at an exclusive pop-up tattoo parlor located at the Empire. The exclusive event, presented in partnership with Macao and POM, kicks off Thursday, February 9.

Celebrating Beauty Art Fashion @ Lazzoni

It’s not Fashion Week without a make over. Visit Lazzoni for a Pop-Up Art Event from celebrity makeup arrists D’angelo Thompson and Juliet Silva Yee. The night celebrates seven fashion photographers and illustrators and is totally free. Thursday, Feb. 9 from 7 to 10 p.m. Get your tickets here.
Fashion Plate Prix Fixe at Bar Boulud and Boulud Sud

Chef Daniel Boulud brings the best of food and fashion together at his Lincoln Center restaurants. The best part? It’s all under $25. The specially created “Fashion Plate” prix fixe menus are available from February 9 to 16. Just steps from the Fashion Week tents, dine on Boulud Sud’s Mediterranean cuisine with dishes such as Turkish Walnut Salad with Pomegranate and Green Olives followed by Pan Seared Skate Meunière with Sundried Tomato and Niçoise Olives. For French bistro fare, escape to Bar Boulud between shows to savor our Homemade Fettucini with Berkshire Pork Ragu, Roasted Tomato and Calabrian Chili. Before returning to the runways, indulge in our pastry chef’s Chocolate Hazelnut Cake with Praline, Bittersweet Chocolate Mousse and Coffee Ice Cream. Three courses, $24.07.

Check out the Fashion Week Schedule to find out who’s showing when and where.

Empire Hotel Fashion Week Cocktail Recipes

Avant-garde-tini

2 oz. Don Q Coconut Rum

1 oz. Pineapple Juice

.75 oz. Lemon Juice

.75 oz. Turbinado Syrup

Marachino Cherry and Lemon Peel Garnish

Fashion Ink by Ami James
2 oz Herradura Tequila infused with Jalepeno
.75 oz Cointreau
.5 oz fresh Lime Juice
.5 oz Simple Syrup

Make it Work
1.5 oz. Bombay Sapphire Gin
.75 oz. Lime Juice
.5 oz. Simple Syrup
.75 oz. Crème de Mure
Topped with Prosecco
Garnish with 6-8 Blueberries

Thanks, It’s Vintage

2 oz. Templeton Rye Whiskey

1 oz. Sweet Vermouth

.25 oz. Pomegranate Molasses

2 Dashes Cherry Bitters

Bourbon Soaked Apple Slices

Don’t Feed The Models

2 oz. Crop Organic Cucumber Vodka

.75 oz. Fresh Lime

.75 oz. Simple Syrup

.5 oz. Cucumber Juice

Fresh Mint

Rachel Comey Platform Pull On Boot: A platform heel gives this tall number an artistic boost.

Loeffler Randall Ivy Snap Boot: This sleek Italian-made boot sports four gold snaps down the side for a little extra oomph. So sophisticated over skinny jeans.

Dolce Vita Simone Moto Ankle Boot: Mix it up with a brown bootie, which can work with jeans or a dress and tights.

Ugg Swell Tall Boot: The squatty, marshmallow-y pink Uggs may have met their style expiration date, but we can’t help resisting this sleeker model. Note the cute boho trim!

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Animal Prints With A Twist

For all of you ladies who love prints, this swimsuit trend is for you!  For 2012, the animal print trend has a colorful new twist, featuring eye-popping prints in bright bold hues.  For example, the Sumatra swimsuit by Despi features a classic leopard print with refreshing pops of mint green.  A hot new twist on a classic swim trend!

Sporty-Chic Colorblocking

This season, the colorblock trend is back in both the fashion and swimwear worlds.  For those who love to stand out, try swimsuit styles with bold contrasting blocks of color.  But for those who are looking for something a bit more subtle, try black and white colorblocking, as seen in the new Betsey swimsuit by ViX Swimwear.  Whichever look you prefer, you’re sure to look a little sporty-chic and a lot on-trend.

Fringe Benefits

Finally, 2012 is all about fun and fabulous fringe.  The fringe trend is perfect for those who are looking for that beachy boho-chic look.  L Space Swimwear has a number of flirty fringe swimsuit styles, such as the Fringe Benefits White Monokini.  Featuring a plunging neckline and gorgeous fringe trim, this monokini is a must-have this season.

Get ready to turn heads in 2012 with the season’s hottest swimsuit styles!

Susan Bodack is a blogger and Director of Social Media Marketing at InStyleSwimwear.com, a luxury online designer swimwear store.  For more swimsuit related news and tips, check out their blog, Beauty and the Beach.

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Calm down. This handy guide will give you the details on the most popular high-tech beauty gadgets on the market right now: what it does, how to use it, you name it—no chemistry degree required.

Marvel-Mini Red Facial Light Therapy for Fine Lines and Wrinkles

What It Does: Smoothes wrinkles, firms the skin, and boosts radiance

The Science Behind It: LED technology

How It Works: This wand is meant to be held over targeted areas for nine minutes at a time, four to five days a week. Skin should look younger and smoother after about eight weeks. Marvel-Mini also makes wands to target acne and hyperpigmentation. Ain’t science grand?

Cost: $207 on sale

Bottom Line: Big results, provided you can keep up with the regimen

Zeno Pro Acne Clearing Device

What It Does: Zaps zits in as little as 24 hours.

The Science Behind It: Heat energy

How It Works: Hold the battery-operated device up to the pimple for two and a half minutes to release a concentrated dose of heat. Pimples are said to vanish after two treatments spread over a 24-hour period. Hey, it beats popping.

Cost: $139.95 on sale

Bottom Line: A good quick fix for treating one-off outbreaks.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Rejuvenator: The Anti-Aging Power Treatment

What It Does: Firms skin while working its magic on pores, age spots, and fine lines

The Science Behind It: A massaging attachment and “rejuvenating puffs” that exfoliate the skin

How It Works: Similar to an at-home microdermabrasion, this vibrating wand lightly buffs the skin to stimulate circulation and cell growth. A dermatologist clinical study revealed that 91% of testers saw instant benefits.

Cost: $64.50

Bottom Line: An affordable alternative to facials.

Clarisonic Skin Care Brush System

What It Does: Buffs and cleans the face, clears and shrinks pores, and leaves you with skin that’s softer than a baby’s behind

The Science Behind It: Oscillating bristles

How It Works: After wetting the face and applying cleanser, turn on the waterproof brush and massage it into the skin using a circular motion; it’s similar to brushing your teeth. The vibrating wand helps the cleanser penetrate deep into the pores while smoothing the skin’s surface.

Cost: $195

Bottom Line: Great for achieving soft skin, though sensitive types will want to be careful to avoid irritation.

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The Ultimate Winter Beauty Guide

The monster in that new horror film? Um, no.

It’s you come mid-winter, when the harsh elements have joined forces to wreak havoc on your appearance. Your skin is dry, your hair won’t behave, and your pale complexion can only be described as “Six Feet Under.”

But that doesn’t mean you have to hibernate until spring. SMW has the 411 on how the right beauty products will help you fight back against winter’s wicked ways. From ultra-hydrating body butters to hair-taming serums, we’ve got the secret weapons that will help you deal with the big chill.

Winter Hair Care

The chilly temperatures can dry out your locks, making them brittle. To combat this, avoid hair products containing drying alcohol, and limit your intense blow-drying sessions. To hydrate locks, look for hair products that provide extra moisture, and condition, condition, condition! A hair mask or deep conditioner will also help you restore moisture. We like PHYTO Phytonectar Ultra Nourishing Shampoo for Ultra Dry Hair.

Unfortunately, dryness isn’t the only thing your hair has to deal with this season. Wearing hats may keep you nice and toasty, but they also have a tendency to tangle locks and give you that dreaded “hat hair” look. John Masters Organics Rosemary & Peppermint Detangler keeps tangles under control while providing an uplifting herbal scent. Hair gurus also recommend parting your hair in different sections before putting on a hat to “lift” the hair and avoid limp locks.

Winter Skin Care

Your poor skin gets a lot of abuse this season. The elements sap out the skin’s moisture, leaving it dehydrated and scaly. But that’s nothing a little body lotion and exfoliator can’t handle, right?

If you want to keep flakes away, you’ll need a little tough love. Before you hit the shower, rub a powerful exfoliating body polish (we like Ren Guerande Salt Exfoliating Body Balm) into the skin-especially the elbows, neck, knees, and ankles-to slough away dead skin. Rinse the scrub away in the shower using hydrating body wash like Olay Ultra Moisture Body Wash, which contains conditioning shea butter. As soon as you’re out of the shower, it’s important to lock in moisture right away.

If you really feel like pampering yourself-and don’t mind getting a little messy-douse your skin in olive oil following a pre-bedtime bath. Wrap yourself in a sheet to trap the moisture, head to bed, and wake up with silky-smooth skin…and a sudden craving for pasta.

Winter Lip Care

Funny how Valentine’s Day happens when your lips are looking their least kissable. A cracked, parched pucker isn’t just unsexy; it’s downright painful. Treat your lips to a healing balm like the lifesaving and all-purpose Aquaphor Healing Ointment, which can also be used to treat chapped and cracked skin anywhere on the body. You can also keep lips smooth and flake-free by gently running a toothbrush over them as a quick exfoliant.

Winter Face Care

As with the rest of your body, retaining moisture is crucial during winter. Drinking lots of water will help your skin achieve a healthy glow, and a daily hydrating moisturizer is a must. You should also look for non-drying cleansers with skin-restoring ingredients, Murad Environmental Shield Essential – C Cleanser is a good one, so skin doesn’t dry out.

Suffering from irritated skin a Santa-esque red nose? Cetaphil and Aveeno are especially adept at gently treating sensitive skin. And if a cold has left your nose area raw, Clinique CX Soothing Concealer Duo is a godsend. The specially formulated cover-up masks redness while soothing the skin; it even comes with SPF 15 protection.

Another tip: Avoid alcohol-infused cleansing wipes or toners that have a drying effect.

Winter Hands & Feet Care

If ever there were a time to book a mani/pedi, it’d be now. The hands and feet get especially dry and prone to torn cuticles this time of year, so exfoliating them and applying a thick lotion is vital. For best results, slather on a thick layer of lotion, add socks or moisturizing gloves, and leave on overnight.

Blizzard headed your way? Big deal. With these winter beauty tips, you’ll be looking as beautiful as ever.

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Happy bundling!

Scrap Soup Fingerless Mittens: Choose your hue and enjoy the finger freedom! (shown)

Sugarpop Clothing Bright Stripey Neon Scarf: Nothing beats the winter blahs like a cheery neon accessory. This fun scarf may say summer, but its fleece material will keep you toasty all winter long.

Pixiebell Cable Beret: Eat your heart out, Faye Dunaway! This chocolate brown cable-knit has just the right classic-meets-boho slouchiness.

Tiffy Tuffington Tam: Nicely priced at $20, this acrylic tam is great for everyday wear.

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I’m no fan of winter and my body agrees. My skin rebels when exposed to the cold air, but normally that can be fixed by slathering on copious amounts of lotion. But my hair? Ohhhhh, my hair is a complete other battle.

Dry doesn’t even begin to describe it. The ends split, it goes crazy-static and in general is just hard to maintain. For years I have been trying to battle the havoc winter wreaks on my hair, and I think I have finally perfected the formula.

First, I prep my hair with Redken Clear Moisture Shampoo. I have super fine hair, but this moisturizes it without weighing it down. After the first time I used it, I noticed an increase in the shine of my hair.

I hesitate to use conditioner because it tends to gunk up my hair, but I really like CHI Silk Infusion. It’s lightweight, but makes my hair tangle-free, while also protecting it from the inevitable harm caused by my hairdryer and straightener.

A finishing touch is Pantene Lasting Volume Hairspray. It holds my volume while also fighting the dry winter air. Static, no more!

The last thing I do is throw a dryer sheet in my bag. If my hair does get a little rebellious, a quick swipe will put it back in line.

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Fashion Night IN!!

Fashions Under $50: Blaze Your Way Into Fall

Anthropologie Winter Tree Monogram: These spindly brass branches are perfect to use as single initials or spell out a name or word. $24 each

Fred Flare Ear Buds: Gift your favorite music fan with these fun animal-shaped ear buds, available in pig, duck, ladybug, or fly. $10-16

Shemergency Survival Kit: Got an office mate who’s a little on the clumsy and flustered side? This essential kit contains safety pins, stain remover, pain reliever, and more emergency items. $20

Recycled Windshield Wine Glasses: Stemless and sustainable, these cool glasses are ideal for eco-friendly oenophiles. $22 for a set of 2

We LUVLUVLUV IT, and so will you!

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Be a beacon to bad boys and the life of the party in Fairy Lights – a liquid metal looking rose pink lacquer. Perfect for that girly girl look with a little bit of an edge.

Glitter girls will love Tart with a Heart: a pale pink parade of glitter that carries a dash of grey to tone down the sugar and ramp up the spice.

And finally, New Yorkers at heart will love the dark dazzling look of The Black Knight. This glitter fusion boasts black, pink, blue and silver specs suspended in a black base.

Log on to butterlondon.com on Cyber Monday and use  the code CELEBRATE11 at checkout to get 30% off your purchase!

One of the great things about fashion and this time of year is that layering is a great way to customize a look. Wear this shirt over a long sleeved tissue tee or toss on a pink scarf to really diversify your look. Don’t forget — it’s totally possible to look cute while promoting awareness of breast cancer.

Check out the Katydid Collection for other great clothing items to help the cause.