Scene/Milieu
Awakening to a beautiful morning, I took the opportunity to walk to my facial appointment on the Upper East Side of Manhattan at the Ajune Spa 
(www.ajune.com). Located on Third Avenue between 74th and 75th streets this urban oasis was just the thing I needed to get my mojo back from the beating it’s taken this week. The extremely professional and soft-spoken Joanna worked my pores over with her gentle yet firm touch. Upon her recommendations, she provided me with extractions, glycolic, massage and a collagen mask. Heaven on earth, for those of you who don’t know the bliss of spa treatments, this is the place to go. Be sure to take time for yourself the next time you’re in New York City, and you won’t be disappointed. Back to reality, I hightailed it to my hotel and made a few shopping stops along the way. More on that later.
Celebrity sightings/Who’s who?
This was a big 
evening for star watching. Designer Pamella Roland’s installation at the Whitney Museum of Art was chock full of big names, such as Denise Richards, looking lovely in a French sequin cardigan in toast; Lori Loughlin, “Full House” hottie an
d Cable TV movie star, wearing a one shoulder blue silk chiffon number; Hilary Swank, pretty in a bugle-beaded chemise in nude; Ramona Singer, from “Real Housewives of New York City, posing with a friend; Hoda Kotb from the “Today Show”(no wine glass in sight!), and more socialites and ladies who lunch than one could count. I also spotted socialite, model and reality TV star (“The City”) Olivia Palermo at the Tibi show. I must admit, I was stunned by her razor sharp cheekbones and incredible beauty.
Itinerary
Pamella Roland presented her Spring Collection of Grecian-inspired frocks at the venerable Whitney Museum of Art. Across Central Park from Lincoln Center, the vibe was respectful, and the gowns were displayed artfully 
on white mannequins. While servers passed hors d’oeuvres and wine, models also mingled, w
earing key pieces from the collection. This was goddess-like glamour at its absolute zenith! Every piece evoked the color and vibrancy of the Greek Isles, and some of the long evening gowns will most likely show up on a red carpet soon. I’ll let you know after the Academy Awards. As I left, I shook Ms. Roland’s hand and thanked her for allowing me to get up close and personal with her beautiful collection. With a smile and firm grip, she assured me that I was quite welcome. What a classy gal!
I hiked through Central Park at 72nd across to Central Park West and Lincoln Center for the Tibi show. Designer Amy Smilovic says, “Spring is about beauty and classics with a thoroughly modern twist, and styles that are simple with ease.” The word ease has come into the language of spring at many shows, and this was no different. Silhouettes that skim without rig
id tailoring were on display here. Rethought trench coats and jackets, and great detailing like bows and tape crochet. The styling here was realistically comfortable for the footwear, with the models wearing brogues, basket-weave sandals, leather loafers, and leather loafer wedges. Laser cut leather embellishment is also a trend seen here. The co
lor palette of mostly neutrals was enlivened with bright coral, leopard, and purple, but a couple of pieces promised the return of a softer paisley for spring. A great collection that received praise from everyone I was around for being very wearable.
Nordic: New York Spring/Summer 2011 presented four designers including Lialia, Royal Extreme, Tiia Vanhatapio and Islaet hailing from Scandinavia. Being of Norwegian descent myself, I had to check it out. The production was very cool with acrobats opening the show and models parading about a grid below. Each designer had estimable talent in design, but Ms. Vanhatapio stood out in my mind with her vintage-inspired designs and models with antlers and fur in a nod to her Finnish roots. The long black lace dresses reminded me in some ways of an Ingmar 
Bergman movie, with the exception that they were completely sheer! All in all, the King Collective production was impressive, and I can only hope they keep bringing the Scandinavians back. I wish them all the best of luck and congratulations on their American debut. Paula Vilen, the U.S. correspondent for the Finnish Broadcasting 
Company, YLE, interviewed me on camera after the show!
Must Haves
Hand crocheted details on everything. (TREND ALERT!)
Coral as the big story for spring. (TREND ALERT!)
Menswear-inspired footwear for women – brogues, deck shoes, rough-hewn sandals, etc.
Easy shapes instead of highly tailored dresses.
Braids or ponytails add polis to hair for spring.
Vintage inspiration for prints.
Neutral palett
es for modern simplicity.
Travelogue
Streetwalking is definitely the thing to do in New York City. Not the Times Square kind, but simply taking the time to wander some of the most famous streets and avenues in the world as well as some not so famous. I headed out east on West 57th toward Lexington and on the way had a ball looking at all the store windows, such as Bergdorf Goodman, Luis Vuitton, Dior, Miu Miu, etc. When I got to the corner of Lexington I took a left and headed north on my way to the spa appointment I mentioned earlier. I stopped at Payless to see the Christian Siriano, Lela rose and Isabel Toledo lines, and then walked up the avenue for a quick pit stop at Bloomingdales. You have to love that as you walk, you discover sights and sounds unique only to the Big Apple. Sidewalk groceries with their brilliant 
displays of flowers outside and the quaint sidewalk garden of a church made my trip all the more pleasant. I found myself smiling at strangers and reflecting on what makes the world work. So tourists, please take the time to walk and ponder the wonders of this great city, not just 42nd Street and the theater district.
