Getting Cultured with Marriott

Last night I had the honor of attending Marriott Hotels & Resorts and Wired’s Collective ReMix event at the Wired Concept Store in Soho.

Photo courtesy of Marriott

The evening was curated to celebrate art, music and innovation. Comedian Mark Normand hosted the event and throughout the night, guests had the chance to have their mood read through Marriott Hotels & Resorts’ Aura Cam, an interactive installation, to determine where they should travel to next. I was told that I was epic (obvi) and should visit the Jordan Valley Marriott Dead Sea Resort and Spa, and the camera even transported me there!

In addition, critically acclaimed photographer and artist Todd McLellan showcased pieces from his latest series entitled, “Disassembled.” Also select pieces by renowned brick artist Nathan Sawaya were on display. Well-known DJ and television personality, DJ KISS kept the celebration going with high energy beats and mash-ups while video art served as the backdrop of her DJ booth.

Photo courtesy of Marriott

Samplings from Marriott Hotels & Resorts’ new 5-10-20 menu, which is made up of simple, fresh, chef-crafted food that can be delivered in approximately 5, 10 or 20 minutes, were served. I personally loved the mini lobster rolls and sliders.

If you haven't been to the Wired store, I'd definitely check it out. They have the coolest, but most expensive litter box I've ever seen in addition to some awesome Lego sculpture (see below), and a bunch of other awesome random pieces of technology.

Photo courtesy of www.leeabbamonte.com

Can I Borrow That?

If you're anything like me, your closet is full of items that you buy for special events, love, and end up wearing only once or twice. It seems like such a shame, which is why I love lending out clothes to friends for their various special occasions. Still, something seems wrong with this picture.

New Year's Eve is coming up, an occasion for which I have often taken a trip to the Bloomie's sale rack for, but this year I'm doing something different. I recently discovered the new website Borrowed Closet. Think of it as a Netflix for clothes. The way it works is you pay a flat $29.95 per month and in return you get to borrow up to 100 credits of clothes and accessories at a time. Brands include Alice + Olivia, BCBG, Asos, Michael Kors, Free People, and Helmut Lang. All items are delivered right to your doorstep, and you simply mail back the pieces whenever you're done with them. You can keep the items for as long or as little as you want, and Borrowed Closet takes care of all the dry cleaning bills. Pretty great huh?

Now this is where you, my glorious, fashionable readers, come in. I need your help picking out a NYE outfit from Borrowed Closet as my first rental with the site. I'll report back on how the experience goes so that you can in turn sign up and try it out for yourself. There are so many great options and I honestly can't decide which to go with. Here are the dress options I've narrowed down. I would really appreciate your help and suggestions in the comments of this post and next we'll pick the accessories. Thanks in advance!

Option #1: Black Open Back Crochet Dress (45 Credits - $100 Retail Price)

Black crochet 3/4 sleeve minidress falls above knee-length. Outer layer is crew neck with black sweetheart neck tube lining.

Option #2: Michael Kors Sequin Tank Dress (65 Credits - $250 Retail Price)

Brown tank dress completely covered in sequin embellishment.  Hanging chain detail along front neckline.  Knee-length.

Option #3: Sequin Stripe Dress (45 Credits - $120 Retail Price)

Fitted bandage style shirt dress with black and copper colored sequin stripes all along front and back of dress.

Option #4: Lace Crew Neck Dress (45 Credits - $120 Retail Price)

Off white sleeveless dress with zipper up the back. High neckline and loose-fitted around the waist.

So what say you? What dress should I rent from Borrowed Closet for New Year's Eve?

Holiday Markets and Beyond!

It's the time of the year where everyone is scrambling to check off names on their gift lists (or if they're anything like me, embody the one for you, one for me ethos we all know and love). Thankfully NYC will never leave you hanging as there is a plethora of different holiday markets you can choose from. Here are some suggestions for this weekend. Happy shopping!

Union Square Holiday Market

The tried and true Union Square Holiday Market is one of my NYC traditions--a December is not complete without at least one visit (and a slice of crack pie from the Milk Bar booth). I did a walk through last weekend and bought my first real piece of art from The Raw Art, and would highly recommend you check them out. (Through December 24. Monday – Friday, 11:00am to 8:00pm; Saturday, 10:00am to 8:00pm

Sunday, 11:00am to 7:00pm; Monday, December 24th closes at 4:00pm)

Refinery 29's Magical Pop-Up Holiday Shop

Refinery29 is one of my favorite websites with fabulous style advice, so why wouldn't they have a rad holiday pop-up shop? Featuring designers like Glossybox, Rebecca Minkoff, and White + Warren, this market is definitely where you want to go to find duds for your more fashionable friends. (201 Mulberry Street. December 14-16 noon to 6 pm, 7 on Saturday)

Sweet Afton Holiday Mini-Market

As a new Astorian, I'm super excited to check out my new neighborhood and I'm definitely starting this Sunday at Sweet Afton's Holiday Mini-Market. There's nothing like discovering local designers while drinking alcoholic beverages indoors, with indoors being the key word. I've heard so many great things about this bar, and I'm sure they will put on an excellent event. (30-09 34th Street, Astoria. December 16. 12-5)

AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 2 Tickets to The Heiress

Academy Award nominee Jessica Chastain makes her Broadway debut alongside Academy Award nominee David Strathairn (Good Night, and Good Luck), Dan Stevens (Matthew Crawley on Downton Abbey) and two-time Tony Award winner Judith Ivey in the Tony Award-winning masterpiece, The Heiress. Written by Ruth and Augustus Goetz and directed by two-time Tony Award nominee Moisés Kaufman, this star-studded production invites you to immerse yourself in its timeless New York story of society, status and the true cost of love.

Caught between the demands of a controlling father and the attentions of a passionate young suitor, a shy and sheltered woman must navigate the terrain of love and regret, desire and duty, a chance for happiness and the burden of fortune... as only an heiress can. Check out The Heiress on Broadway to discover the path she ultimately chooses.

All my readers are in luck! I'm giving away a pair of tickets to The Heiress! There are 4 easy ways to win, and each comment counts as an entry. Be sure to leave your email in each comment so that I can contact you if you are the winner.

1) REQUIRED - Follow this blog by clicking on the button on the right panel and leave a comment below letting me know you did so.

2) REQUIRED - Leave a comment letting me know your favorite Jessica Chastain movie (she's been in a lot lately!) and why.

3) Follow me on Twitter @yaelleah and leave a comment below letting me know you did so.

4) Tweet about this contest "I just entered to win 2 tix to @theheiressbway on Awesome In New York! http://bit.ly/RlPhyF" and let me know with a link to your tweet.

Winners will be chosen using Random.org on Wednesday 12/5. You have until Wednesday 12/5 at 12 p.m. EST to enter the contest. Good luck!

Congratulations Kelly! She was the 11th commenter and wins 2 tickets to The Heiress! Thanks to everyone for playing!

AWESOME Giveaway: 2 Tickets to Scandalous

In the new Broadway musical Scandalous, set in 1920s Los Angeles, holiness collides with Hollywood in the extraordinary tale of one woman's charismatic rise to fame. Two-time Tony Award® nominee Carolee Carmello stars as Aimee Semple McPherson, the trailblazing media superstar whose passion for saving souls was matched by her passion for making headlines.

But as her popularity grows, so do her enemies, until her sermons, her celebrity and her past combine to put everything she believes in on trial. Two-time Tony Award® winner George Hearn leads a remarkable cast of 20 in this new musical about one woman's incredible rise to glory…and fall from grace.

All my readers are in luck! I'm giving away a pair of tickets to Scandalous! There are 4 easy ways to win, and each comment counts as an entry. Be sure to leave your email in each comment so that I can contact you if you are the winner.

1) REQUIRED - Follow this blog by clicking on the button on the right panel and leave a comment below letting me know you did so.

2) REQUIRED - Leave a comment letting me know your favorite Hollywood scandal and why.

3) Follow me on Twitter @yaelleah and leave a comment below letting me know you did so.

4) Tweet about this contest "I just entered to win 2 tix to @scandalousbway on Awesome In New York! http://bit.ly/RZxQCj" and let me know with a link to your tweet.

Winners will be chosen using Random.org on Wednesday 11/20. You have until Wednesday 11/20 at 12 p.m. EST to enter the contest. Good luck!

A winner has been chosen! Congratulations @kohenda for being the 21st commenter and winning 2 tickets to Scandalous! Thanks to all who entered!

Dance Your Awesome Off

Want to dance like this?

Well, I can't make you any promises, but there's a free dance event going on tomorrow from 2-6 pm at The Ritz Park Plaza (235 W 48th St.) that may help you discover your left from your right feet. The New Yorker Social Dance Club hosts "Dance Your Way to Health" and will offer group classes, performances, local healthy vendors, live music, dance fashion, and face painting! Admission is free and it looks like a great way to spend an afternoon!

AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 2 Tickets to Chaplin the Musical

If there's one man who invented and then re-invented the movie business, it was the late, great Charlie Chaplin. His most well known character, the Little Tramp, has warmed his way into many a family's memories and hearts, but the little-known story behind the character is perhaps more intriguing, and ultimately more heartwarming than I ever could have thought.

The new show Chaplin: The Musical stars Rob McClure as the legendary silent film star and features a book by three-time Tony Award® winner Thomas Meehan (Hairspray, The Producers, Annie) and Christopher Curtis, and music and lyrics by Christopher Curtis. Everything from the costumes and make-up, to the set and the brilliant choreography contributes to one of the best new musicals I've seen in a while. The show had such an effect on me that when the curtain fell, I immediately went and added at least 10 Chaplin movies to my Netflix queue.

All my readers are in luck! I'm giving away a pair of tickets to Chaplin: The Musical! There are 4 easy ways to win, and each comment counts as an entry. Be sure to leave your email in each comment so that I can contact you if you are the winner.

1) REQUIRED - Follow this blog by clicking on the button on the right panel and leave a comment below letting me know you did so.

2) REQUIRED - Leave a comment letting me know your favorite Charlie Chaplin movie and why.

3) Follow me on Twitter @yaelleah and leave a comment below letting me know you did so.

4) Tweet about this contest "I just entered to win 2 tix to @ChaplinBway on Awesome In New York! http://bit.ly/S3dsO5" and let me know with a link to your tweet.

Winners will be chosen using Random.org on Friday 10/26. You have until Friday 10/26 at 4 p.m. EST to enter the contest. Good luck!

Congratulations Elizabeth! She was the 17th commenter and wins 2 tickets to Chaplin! Thanks to everyone for entering! Better luck next time.

If you don't want to take any chances, you can purchase tickets for as low as $49 by visiting BroadwayOffers.com and entering code CLSCD925. You can also call (212) 239-6200 and use the code CLSCD925.