Getting My Shop On at the Carlton Hotel

Remember that Made in the USA trunk show I told you about a while back. Well, it was the other night, and I went! It was honestly one of the better shopping events I've been to in a long time. To start, there's nothing better than a holiday event when it's [pretty] snowing outside and you get to gawk at a beautifully decorated tree in the lobby of a classy NYC hotel.

The entrance of The Carlton from the front door

Their tree

The event featured shops and designers hawking beautifully made goods, all crafted in the good ole' US of A. I fell in love with all of the bags at catrinka (ALL OF THE BAGS), which works with women all over the world to design totes, clutches, and satchels with textiles native to their region. What a great mission. I also checked out papabubble who were sampling their holiday assortments of custom candy. Check out the watermelon, salt, chili if you get the chance!

catrinka's table (sorry for the blurry photo!)

But by far my favorite table was the Pennsylvania-based shop basin and main, who had a long table of knit and crochet wear (socks, hats, sweaters, hand warmers, etc), handmade ornaments, vintage candle holders, and jewelry. To say that I was obsessed with everything at this table is an understatement. If I hadn't already done most of my holiday shopping, I could have bought items for almost everyone on my list there. But that didn't stop me from buying a super cute crocheted hat by mimi's hooks ($25) for myself :)

basin and main had the table with the lights

My new hat!

While we were shopping, singer Lisa Puccio Kobin and keyboardist Clare Cooper serenaded us with holiday music.

This even was a brand marketers dream. There were endless sponsors, which I of course loved because...freebies! The holiday flavored tic tacs were a big hit, as was the Elderflower Lemonade by Belvoir. I was also a big fan of the peppermint SO Delicious bar.

Before I left, I had to go upstairs and check out the Caravan Stylist Studio as I have an appointment to go back next week for "glam services" including hair, make-up and nail art. Will keep you posted!

While there I also got an amazing gift bag filled with samples from Simple Skincare, Tic Tacs, Cottonelle, Bullet, Zoya, bigsexyhair, and nextissue.

All of the shops I mentioned have online stores so be sure to check them out if you are still on the look out for gifts. Happy shopping!

Stuff Their Stockings at a Made in the USA Designer Trunk Show

So say you didn't get all your holiday shopping done on Black Friday. That's cool. In fact, we prefer online shopping and specially-curated holiday markets instead of braving the Bloomingdale's masses at 7am.

Speaking of holiday markets, the Carlton Hotel (88 Madison Avenue, between 28th and 29th Streets) is hosting one full of Made in the USA designers next Wednesday 12/10 from 5:30-7:30 pm.

The hotel is partnering with Caravan Stylist Studio to celebrate the holidays with a festive event and trunk show. Guests will enjoy LaMarca Prosecco, holiday bites by SO DELICIOUS, and a vocal performance by Lisa Puccio Kobin with keyboard accompanist Clare Cooper. Featured designers include: Beau & Ro, Samuelle Green's Basin & Main, and Catrinka. RSVP here.

Prepping for Spring Fitness with Westin

Last week I was invited to The Westin Grand Central for their Spring Fitness Break event. As a resident of NYC, it's not often I step into hotels here, although I had actually visited this hotel when my Dad came and stayed here last year.

This event was FULL of freebies. Upon entering I got a water bottle from FiTMAPPED and a Westin t-shirt. I also got a raffle ticket to win prizes like a one-night stay at the Westin, new running shoes, or a pack of classes to Mang'Oh Yoga.

Sadly my luck was not turned on that night as I didn't win the raffle, however I went home with a bunch of great (mostly liquid!) samples. Citibike was also on hand giving out a couple yearlong memberships and free bike maps.

Plinko with the Moonwalk

Pacific Flavored Almond Milk

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Kind Bars

Oat Works Drinks

Bai Antioxidant Infusions

For the actual event, a panel of fitness experts including nutritionists, a fitness entrepreneur, a yoga teacher, and a wellness coach. They took questions from the audience about the best foods to eat when trying to lose belly fat (it's all about balance), exercises to try if you haven't worked out in a while (low-impact activities and yoga), and how much water/liquids we should be drinking every day (72 oz. for women and 100 oz. for men). The yoga teacher also led us in a revitalizing and relaxing stretch and meditation.

A representative from Westin gave a short presentation on their many options for health-conscious guests. First, they offer a gear rental program for hotel guests. For $5 you can have a bag of New Balance gear (shorts, shirt, shoes and socks) to use throughout your stay, and you get to keep the socks when you go home. The Westin Grand Central also offers twice-weekly group runs for guests, discounts at Mang'Oh yoga, and flavored water to keep you hydrated.

Westin running map and flavored water stations

Westin's group run leader and panel

As a side note, that Oat Works is really good stuff! They said that one bottle has as much protein as two bowls of oatmeal, and the flavors are really great. I would definitely try the peach mango again!