2013 Divalysscious Moms Halloween Spooktacular!!!

Where can you go to see Batman and Robin, ballerinas and even little Red Robin Hood; where they smiles would melt your heart away? At a  Halloween Spooktacular!

Lyss Stern, Founder and President of Divalysscious Moms and her staff every year hold a terrific Divalysscious Moms Halloween Spooktacular party!

Lyss Stern, Divalysscious Moms

A party where Moms can come for a couple of hours and have their adorable children just be children and have FUN!

This year marks her 10th year and the spooky event  was held at Dylan’s Candy Bar in NYC on 60th street!

If you haven’t been at Dylan’s Candy Store, as soon as you enter you are completely mesmerized by all the candy everywhere!

I was so amazed, so I know the children attending the party were definitely extra excited. The party was being held upstairs and by the time I hit the last stair – you could hear the live entertainment and children just laughing with joy!

The live entertainment, The Little Maestros played happy tunes and even a parent’s favorite “Ghostbusters!” You know the song! “Who you gonna call?, Ghostbusters!” by Ray Parker Jr.!

There was coloring, raffle prizes, candy, trick-or-treat bags and a light food menu available for all. The children were dancing, jumping and singing; some were even crying…just for a moment!  Famed photographer, Heidi Green was also there; capturing beautiful photos of the entire event to be made readily available for those interested.

You just couldn’t help smiling, for it was a happy time!  The time went by so quickly!  Although my family couldn’t attend the party, the pictures taken will make them definitely smile with envy!

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I so love what Lyss Stern is doing! Not only is she giving Moms the opportunity to have a network to not only talk about their children, but also a way to also pay attention to themselves.  Moms are in charge of so many things, so it’s so wonderful to have a network to go to for ideas, support and fun; all while still aiming to be FABULYSS!  THANK YOU LYSS!!!

Leaving the event, I parted with a wonderful goody bag which included Robeez shoes, HelloFresh and fun Mom stuff! As if that were not enough, I also did buy some more candy (I couldn’t resist) for I knew the trick-or-treaters that would be ringing my bell!

Oh boy, as I am writing this…Manolo is barking, the door bell is ringing…it starting!  Happy Halloween everyone!  Enjoy!

 Letia 🙂

Lyss Stern is the founder and president of Divalysscious Moms, divamoms.com/, the luxury lifestyle company which caters to New York’s well-heeled and trendsetting moms.  Although the photos here are by Letia Mitchell LifeStyle & Design, Heidi Green ‘s site is http://www.heidigreen.com/.  

 

NYFW Ann Nahari 2014 Spring /Summer Collection

It was such a buzz in the air when arriving to the city, New York Fashion Week does that, so much so that I could not contain myself.

A very exciting two weeks.  One of the highlights was when Tamara Walker of Siena Media Group invited me as a guest to attend the showing of luxury plus brand;  Ann Nahari by designer Sumiyyah Rasheed!

The 2014 Spring /Summer collection was shown at Select Space right in the heart of the Garment district  (39th Street).

Ann Nahari is definitely an upscale ready-to-wear fashion and lingerie brand catering to the fuller figured woman.   Sumiyyah Rasheed has successfully presented plus size collections overseas in markets including Dubai and Istanbul, solidifying its presence in the global fashion market. Based in Los Angeles,  takes pride in the fact Ann Nahari is “made in the USA.”  I love that!

Known for creating high-end plus size ready-to-wear and lingerie, Ann Nahari is a well established global fashion brand which has successfully shown collections in Dubai and Istanbul. The brand targets curvaceous women sizes 14-22 who seek quality fabrications and impeccable fit. The Spring/Summer 2014 collection was inspired by the designer’s southern California beach lifestyle complete with a sensual yet serene color palate featuring vibrant blues and pinks in contrast to classic black and white.

Well the collection was absolutely beautiful!   Keeping my readers informed, I was sending tweets and instagrams back and forth ; receiving exciting feedback!  “Finally women who look like me!”, one of my readers said!

The colors were mystical and drew you right in, I’d instantly thought of myself being in the Caribbean – me walking on the beach and the scent of fresh air with my favorites of the collection!

What are they? My favorites in the Ann Nahari’s collection is first the Pastel Printed Silk Chiffon Maxi Dress!!!!!!  To give a look from dressy to looking casual, a Pastel Printed Wrap Tunic top with sage leggings was also superbly done; giving a woman options in a look that she has fallen in love with!  Then the  Black button tunic dress, a great option for a night out on the town!  It’s a perfect piece that every woman should own!

   

“This is my second season working with the talented Nailah Lymus of the Underwraps Agency.  I’m happy she’s onboard to bring the vision to life,”said Ms. Rasheed. “I’m also excited and honored to collaborate with Augment — I am sure they will bring an international flair which will enhance the ambience of the collection.”

For more information, visit www.ann-nahari.com.

Well I’m  now in NY Fashion Week recovery!  I loved every moment of it!

Letia Mitchell, LMSD & Designer umiyyah Rasheed

Belted Black Button Front Tunic Dress

Tory Burch Flip Flop Sandals

Pastel Print Belted Tunic Dress

Black button Front Tunic Dress over White Long Skirt

“Kiss of Spring”

Black V-Neck Maxi Dress

Printed Belted Tunic Dress

Pastel Printed Silk Chiffon Maxi Dress, Pastel Printed Tunic s/Sage leggings

Black & White Wrap Dress

Pastel Printed Silk Chiffon Maxi Dress

Silk Chiffon Patter

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Tamara Walker is the personality behind the famed lifestyle blog, The Curvy Socialite. A regular contributor to various fashion, beauty, and lifestyle publications, Tamara also is the Director of NY PR Diva, a public relations and event planning firm catering to the fashion, beauty, entertainment and non-profit industries. She was recently named as the New York Fashion News Examiner on Examiner.com.

Letia  🙂

MakeUp by Augment, Japanese Creative Services Team.  Photos by Letia Mitchell LifeStyle & Design.

A Perfect Wait at the Carlyle Hotel – New York City

Early last week, I met one of my friends at the Carlyle Hotel in NYC for lunch!   I was quite early and I knew there was about 20 minutes to go before their arrival.   I hadn’t been at this hotel for years, this would be my second time!  I love this hotel because of its history and the interior design.

Immediately you seem to be put right back in time, although some of the furniture is current – the style still resembles the 1930’s time period.  However, I must say there are still true overall hints of authenticity; which is so delightfully present in the Carlyle Hotel today.

Taking a seat, I wondered if anyone notices? Like the Chinese Chippendale mirror, the Art Deco style of crown moldings, the marble floors with its inlay of granite!  How the chandeliers are pristine and inversely high in the ceiling, beautiful.  The curves of each stair on the staircase – each stair was one entire piece of marble.  I could have sat there forever, it was so hard not to concentrate on every nook and cranny….I was trying not be so obvious (so I took a few snapshots)!  

The elevators, originals!  Each only 4 ft wide and little over 6 ft tall; many have to walk in sideways!  A total of 5 elevator doors; all giving a very lovely scene.

What a wonderful experience to also be still and watch the guests come and go out of the Carlyle Hotel lobby!  Each elevator door has a maître ‘d.  “Hello, sir!  Floor 30?”  “Floor 18.”  Beep goes the elevator,  as the door closes; another one opens!

Beep…just saw the actor, Brad Garrett from the television show Everyone Loves Raymond!! I love his new show, How to Live With Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life)!  I’d smiled when Mr. Garrett had to bend his head to get in the elevator, he’s only 6 ft 8 1/2 inches tall!   

Beep, the maître d is giving directions, “Mam, the tea room is to the right.”, looking immaculate with his dark grey suite, silk black tie and spit polished shoes; so shiny – you could see your face!  Beep! “11th floor please!” Beep! “Bonjour.”  “Which floor are we going?” “18”.

My friend arrives!  So I sigh!  Off to Cafe Carlyle for lunch, where we talk while enjoying a delicious crab cake and their special martinis.

Other patrons were having fancy imported teas and lovely cakes; some where reading their newspapers and others were asking questions about getting to Times Square in time for a Broadway play.

I really enjoyed myself, the atmosphere was so very nice, I just kept imagining how wonderful it must have been to be here to hear Bobby Short play!   It was a great day indeed!  So, if you ever get the chance to visit New York City, the Carlyle Hotel is a must to see!

The Carlyle Hotel, A Rosewood Hotel, known formally as The Carlyle, is a combination luxury and residential hotel located at 35 East 76th Street on the northeast corner of Madison Avenue, in the Upper East Side area of New York City. The hotel is designed in Art Deco style and was named after Scottish essayist Thomas Carlyle.

The new thirty-five floor hotel “was to be a masterpiece in the modern idiom, in which shops and restaurants on the lower floors would give residents the convenience and comforts of a “community skyscraper”. However, by the time the Carlyle was ready to open its doors, the 1929 stock market crash had decisively ended the boom times. The new hotel struggled, went into receivership in 1931 and was sold to the Lyleson Corporation in 1932.  The new owners kept the original management, which was able to dramatically improve the property’s financial situation through maintaining high occupancy and rates favorable to the hotel’s costs. However, the hotel’s reputation at this time was “staid rather than ritzy”.  The next postwar boom allowed the hotel to take on new high-society prominence.

The Carlyle became known as “the New York White House” during the administration of President John F. Kennedy, who owned an apartment on the 34th floor for the last ten years of his life. He stayed at the apartment in a well-publicized visit for a few days just prior to his inauguration in January 1961. Marilyn Monroe was sneaked in through the service entrance on East 77th Street.

The hotel’s Café Carlyle has featured a number of well-known jazz performers – notably George Feyer from 1955–1968, and Bobby Short from 1968-2004. Woody Allen and his jazz band have been playing weekly at the café since 1996.  The Carlyle is the regular residence of Mick Jagger, when he is in New York.

The Café Carlyle is noted for the murals by Marcel Vertes, which were cleaned in the summer of 2007 as part of a renovation and redecoration of the café.  Reopening in September 2007, making it appeal to a younger generation.

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 Letia 🙂

Pictures by Letia Mitchell LifeStyle & Design.  Brad Garrett photo by http://www.fanpop.com