Ztrend raves at Chanel. But who in hell is behind this show? The pieces are fresh and unusually young for Chanel. Mystery designer we want to pillage and raid every corner of your design room.

Buyer beware of high priced designer labels that don't want you to know the truth behind the manufacturing of their garments. Americans will continue to crave pretty new things, expensive designer things, as they wait for the economy to strengthen. By avoiding "Made in China" labels, Americans are providing jobs for small business, designers and independent cutting rooms, ensuring America's future. Our first step in the healing direction is to continue with the current trend of reading the label before buying the garment. Avoid labels that manufacture in countries where people are being bought with cheap labor, even if it does cost you a little bit more. After all, aren't you worth it? Alexander McQueen's label doesn't think you are, though they are willing to fool you into thinking that they do.

Today shopping at Saks, we just had to snap a pic of this $500 Alexander McQueen dress (Made in Turkey) hanging among four other designer dresses (Made in PRC), all with similar dangling labels (It's probably some new designer labeling trend). When we asked the sales people where PRC was, they had no idea. Humm... Well, we wanted to know, so we Googled it and discovered it to be "The People's Republic of China." Basically it's a sneaky way to say "Made in China." What woman in her right mind would buy a dress made in China with a torn label for $500?

If your label is dangling, perhaps it's trying to tell you something. Think twice before handing over your hard earned cash for some origin-unknown designer label. It's a deliberate attempt to misguide the consumer into buying their product. Just a shame!

The colorful window display is sure to attract the attention and stir the memory of anyone who has ever owned a pair of Espadrilles. Cole Haan's SoHo windows and interior back drop are decorated with the colorful French Catalan fabric showcasing whimsical stuffed doggies on leashes, totes and shoes. With the imagination of Cole Hann's designers and Les Toiles du Soleil in Chelsea, together they have created a line of limited-edition summer and beach accessories for men and women, sold exclusively at Cole Haan.

Colorful ballet flats, boat shoes and unisex chukkas are extra comfortable this season having been designed using Nike Air technology. The season would be incomplete without a new summer tote and wallet, where once again form and function come together combining beautiful Italian Vachetta leather and striped Les Toiles du Soleil's French Catalan fabric. And what would a walk be without a matching summer leash for the dog? If one can't be found at Cole Haan, look to Les Toiles du Soleil in Chelsea, a complete boutique and showroom brimming with just about anything that could possibly be made from these beautiful cotton fabrics - including Espadrilles.

Due to the recession, Vesuvio's, a family-run Italian bakery located on Prince Street in SoHo had closed their doors back in 2008. After serving the neighborhood for over 80 years with everything you can imagine buying from a full bakery: freshly baked Italian breads, rolls, cakes and macchiatos. Signs were posted in the windows reading "closed for renovation," leaving customers bewildered while renovations were being made. Why would an old-world Italian bakery successfully operating for over 80 years renovate their interior and ovens? They wouldn't, but a new owner would.

Don't let the rustic facade fool you. Vesuvio's is no longer an old school Italian bakery, and is now owned and operated by Birdbath Neighborhood Green Bakery, a subsidiary of City Bakery. Customers can no longer find Vesuvio's freshly baked rustic Italian breads and reasonably priced coffee drinks, delicious Italian cakes and cookies. Instead, Birdbath Neighborhood Green Bakery is now competing by selling giant cookies and luxury lunch sandwiches that can be bought down the street and around the corner at other SoHo specialty bakeries like Olive's and Once Upon A Tart. Not an original concept for the neighborhood. While the building retains it's landmark status we find it strange that Birdbath Neighborhood Green Bakery chooses to not spruce up the exterior with a fresh coat of paint and change the name in the window to it's own. Are they cleverly hiding behind the facade of an old-world institution?

On Sunday, June 5, 2011, the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic will return to Governors Island for one of the most highly-anticipated events of the season. Ellen Christine has been the Model Milliner for the past three years for the event, and has once again will be the model Milliner for the 4th Annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic event.

New Yorkers are welcome to come enjoy this glamour and the excitement of polo for free with lot's of room for picnicking, drinking champagne and socializing. Bleachers will also be provided for watching the match and merchandise tents will dot the event grounds and offer a variety of picnic essentials, including branded Veuve Clicquot blankets, hats, polo shirts, umbrellas, sunglasses and more.

Two large Veuve Clicquot Lounges offering champagne and a variety of gourmet snacks developed by Gabriel Kreuther, Executive Chef of The Modern. The event's “Restaurant Row” will once again be executed by Danny Meyer's renowned Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG). The concessions will include USHG's beloved barbecue restaurant Blue Smoke, Tabla's Chef Floyd Cardoz's El Verano Taquería, Public Fare and more.

The Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic will benefit the Urban Zen Hope Help & Rebuild Haiti (HHRH) whose aim is galvanizing a community in response to Haiti's immediate need to rebuild after the devastating earthquake in January 2010.

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Starting at 10am, ferries to Governors Island will depart from the Battery Maritime Building located 10 South Street, adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry in Lower Manhattan. The ferry terminal is accessible as follows: By Subway

1 - South Ferry Station 4, 5 to Bowling Green R, W to Whitehall St. Station By Bus

M1 (weekdays only), M6, M9 and M15 By Car

There is no public parking at the Governors Island ferry building. There is garage parking across the street from the Battery Maritime Building for a fee.

For the event, there will also be a free ferry service from Brooklyn. For further details you may download a full map and get directions.

When it comes to ethical carnage, Whole Foods is setting the bar a few notches higher. The retail giant is a go-to for lovers of natural and organic food, and with the launch of its Global Animal Partnership, the brand holds true to its mantra “you are what you eat”.

During my latest visit to the local Whole Foods, I came across a mystery red dot on poultry packages with the number 2 on it. Puzzled by what it meant, I reached out to the butcher behind the counter who explained that processed poultry, beef and pigs were being rated depending on how ranchers and farmers treated their livestock. This is their new 5 step animal welfare rating program that tracks meat processing from conception to shelf, and rates farm businesses on a pure and ethical level, trained and certified by the Global Animal Partnership.

Scanning the shelves for the highest number, I didn’t see anything past 2. I wanted a 5. The butcher replied “We’re working on it”. Working on it? What's to work on?  He explained to me that while a 5 is rated at the top, it’s something that Whole Foods has to work its way up to through its newfound partnership with farmers. Moreover, a number 2 isn’t as bad as you would think. In fact, it’s much higher than what is in a conventional grocery store. The butcher assures me he has personally visited the farms where the livestock comes from to see exactly how it’s run and in addition to favorable conditions “a number 2 has toys”.

So how does it work? A different plan is outlined for poultry, beef and pigs during reach step of processing. The better the treatment in each step of the process, the higher the number awarded to it. With the number 2 chickens that are now available in Whole Foods, you can be sure that your hormone-free bird was raised in an enriched environment and not in a cage with animal by-products, antibiotics, and crowding completely out of the question. For more information about the Global Animal Partnership including specifics about what goes into these plans, brochures are available in stores that describe exactly goes into ethical treatment of the meat from farm to fork.

Written by Bonnie Chan

Lisa Battaglia’s Spring 2011 collection of hats is officially here. The neutral colors are a staple from last season, but this new collection features refreshing punches of colors reminiscent of the ocean: grey-blues, violets, lovely eggplants, chartreuse, and sea foam greens.

Chains, a mixture of brushed, gold, and silver metals, adorn and modernize the pieces. Shapes come in cloche, cowboy, fedora, cap, bobby fascinator, and so on; the sheer variety guarantees a spice-up of every occasion, from simple outings to special events.  

Battaglia hats are, to put it simply, gorgeous. You look at the pieces, which are predominantly constructed out of Panama straw and embellished with unique trimmings, and you can’t help but want to snap up each and every one. As usual, each hand-shaped Battaglia hat has the force of a strong personality, from the sauciness of purple, gold-chained Fly Girl to the classic jaunty air of Luke, a straw safari hat with woven leather cord.  

In fact, you could easily imagine the donning of a Battaglia hat to precede some surprising, lovely event later in the day: a serendipitous encounter with a handsome fella, finding an antique pin on the sidewalk, or looking up just in time to catch a bright balloon spiraling up into the clouds.  

“Magic?” you might say incredulously. “Really?” Yes! That’s right — there’s just something playful about the laced-with-vintage modern glamour of Battaglia hats that makes us feel like anything can happen. Paint us unsurprised, then, that they’ve been featured in such publications as Marie Claire, Glamour and W Magazine.  

Lisa Battaglia hats can be found at Malia Mills Swimwear, Westfield New Jersey boutique, Sadie, Hartford York's new women's website, Womens-Hats.com as well as Battaglia's own website.

Written by Sabrina Tate | Edited by Sochima Atikpoh

With a name like "The Best Chocolate Cake in the World" this tiny café has no choice but to live up to this daring declaration. The café name alone begs patrons to ask themselves, "Is this the best chocolate cake in the world?" For those who conclude that it is not, they are unable to deny that at the very least, it is a delicious treat.

This fairly new cafe with its stylish interior and limited seating is sure to keep the attention of SoHo chocolate lovers. With only two choices of milk or dark chocolate cakes, it is impossible to make a wrong selection. In addition to the "best chocolate cakes in the world", there are a variety of other food choices for customers on the menu. From fresh gelatos, daily juices, coffees, and assorted teas to a selection of small sandwiches to take the edge off a late afternoon appetite.

If you like your cake on the sweeter side then the milk chocolate cake is just for you. It is made with 55% cacao and will pair perfectly with a double shot of espresso. The dark chocolate cake is made with 70% cocoa and is reserved for those with a more savory pallet. No matter which cake you prefer, the primary ingredient is none other than the traditional time-trusted French Valrhona coverture. Each cake is made up of multiple layers of moist chocolate cake: delicately filled with wafer thin crisp chocolate meringue set in a dark chocolate meringue crust, then iced with rich chocolate ganache.

In these sluggish economic times, "The Best Chocolate Cake In The World" is a sweet place to meet up with an old friend to share a piece of cake over great conversation. Then afterwards, you can give it your own review. Will the café’s cakes truly hold up to what the name boldly states?

Written by Sochima Atikpoh | Photo: myrtleavenue.org

During the four Sundays of September, Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn and DOT’s Weekend Walks Initiative will be sponsoring events from noon to 6pm for the second annual “Move About Myrtle." All are welcome to join in the line-up of events that will be held in the seven block stretch of the Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, and Bedstuy areas.

Surrounding roads will be closed from traffic and open for pedestrian space during the September events. There will be free yoga and dance classes provided by Move with Grace Studio, cooking activities, raffle prizes, children’s activities, and even a roller rink!

There is something offered for every member of the family, so be sure to drop by and meet other members of the community.

Here’s a sneak peek for what’s to come in the following Sundays:

September 5th: Back-to-School celebration with activities for the whole family

September 12th: Brooklyn Food Coalition’s GRUB FEST featuring the biggest potluck ever, a Mac & Cheese contest, and fun for foodies of all ages

September 19th: “The Case of the Curious Pedestrian” will offer playful public art installations, performances and surprises on all five blocks…and the FDNY Smoke House

September 26th: It’s Bicycle Day and the 2nd Annual Tree Giveaway

For more information check out Green in BKLYN's website for their very own featured events and MyrtleAvenue.org for a full list!

Hardedge/Graham Haynes Bleecker Street NYC Live recording - June 12th 6:20 p.m. performance @ Le Poisson Rouge

From the "Undead" comes this live recording of Hardedge/Graham Haynes. For two summer nights over 150+ musicians had participated in the "Undead Jazz Festival" performing in three clubs all with distinctly different aesthetics, reputations and histories: Le Poisson Rouge, Kenny’s Castaways, and Sullivan Hall. All musicians had united to celebrate the many identities of jazz being created today in New York City. The two-day festival was founded, produced and presented by Brice Rosenbloom and Adam Schatz.

Written by Sochima Atikpoh

The impending arrival of Good Beer in the East Village will be sure to attract crowds. Owner and beer aficionado, David Cichowicz, is passionate about introducing fine micro-brewed beers with a focus on North Eastern microbrew labels in a beer centric shop (not excluding the West Coast, Belgium, Germany or the U.K.) Customers can take home fresh craft brewed ales & lagers in 64 ounce growlers. If you have your own growler, feel free to bring it in. As long as it is clean, Good Beer will refill any 64 ounce growler from stores like Whole Foods or Beerkraft. If you don't have one of your own, refillable glass growlers with the Good Beer hallmark can be purchased at $6.99 each. The cost to fill the 64 ounce jug will be between $10 and $18, depending upon the chosen brew.

Here are a few of the brands Good Beer will be stocking during its opening in late September: Brewery Ommegang - Cooperstown New York; Dogfish Head; Coney Island Craft Lagers - Coney Island New York; Chelsea Brewery - New York City's Pier 59; Captain Lawrence - Pleasantville New York; Smuttynose Brewing Company - off the coast of New Hampshire; Harpoon Brewery - Boston Mass.

With 12 growler feeds flowing and monthly rotating brands of microbrews, Good Beer is soon to become a beer lover's paradise. While growler fills are only available for take out, patrons are welcome to have a seat in the café and order from a menu with affordable plates and $6 pints of specialty beers. To make it on the menu at Good Beer all ingredients must be either local, organic or heritage. Get ready for hormone-free meats, New York pretzels, plated cheeses and organic hot dogs - they may even be serving kielbasa. Fine purveyors such as Roni-Sue's Chocolates (both located in the LES Essex Market on the on the LES) will be supplying Good Beer with good products: Ommegang beer-soaked cheese from Saxelby Cheesemongers; chocolate twist sticks with chile spiced peanuts, and buttery caramel crackle corn from Roni-Sue's Chocolates .

Be sure to check out the cafe's weekly beer tastings and food sampling from local product vendors. Good Beer will be a fine addition to 9th street, an area already known for it's vast diversity.

Written by Meghan O'Reilly

This past Sunday, the leading lingerie and beachwear magazine in North America, Best of Intima, unveiled the winners of its sixth annual Best Shop Awards. Known as the Oscars for undergarments, the Best Shop Awards honor sophisticated, independent boutiques for their lavish lingerie displays and charming storefront presentations. With that said, it should come as no surprise that New York City’s very own Sugar Cookies received a nomination and win for “Best Personal Touch.”

The description under the “Best Personal Touch” category constitutes the boutique owner’s unique tastes—whether orderly or exaggerated, vintage or avant-garde—the store must eminently reflect those who manage it. When it comes to the individual taste displayed at Sugar Cookies, shoppers get two for the price of one (pun intended). Owners Susanne Alvarado and Corrie Broderick share little aside from their reliant friendship and passion for precious intimates—after all, the “odd couple of lingerie” have both contrasting styles and body shapes. Petites and girly-girls are drawn to Corrie’s selection of subdued, silk camisoles, patterned, low-rise boy shorts and lacy, ruffled embroidery--structured to enhance even minimalist curves. Meanwhile, Susanne hand-picks garments for the edgier and bustier—sheer, mesh g-strings and bedazzled, Gaga-inspired cups, paired with satin, halter baby dolls for a sexy-yet-flattering silhouette.

Out of the five different Award Categories established by Best of Intima's editorial team (including Concept Store, European Flair, Reference Pick and BOI’s Choice), the “Personal Touch” award yields the most similarities to one of the Academy’s most anticipated honors—Best Director. Directors depict a story to the audience through creative sequence and plot development; boutique owners reveal a designer’s vision to cliental through the atmosphere of their shop. Scorsese facilitated his viewers to sympathize with the hopelessly detached Travis Bickie. Peter Jackson created a world where hobbits could ride on the branches of walking trees. Corrie and Susanne communicate through a medium of delicate garter slips and chiffon chemises, neatly sprinkled amongst an ultra feminine décor and crisp, white interior.

Each of the nominees will be featured as one of the top lingerie stores nationwide and thus receive a golden label within Best of Intima's upcoming edition. Lucky winners like Sugar Cookies will be awarded a hand-made multicolored glass sculpture, custom-designed from the Italian mosaic capital of Ravenna. What does a bald, gold statue have compared to an atypical work of l’arte Italiana anyway? Yeah, De Niro--I'm talkin' to you.

Written by Zoe Siegel

Cutlery, silverware, tableware. Forks, knives, spoons. Silver, stainless steel, plastic. Eating utensils have many different names, come in many different forms, and are made out of many different materials, but they have always been used for the same purpose: preparing and eating food. However, the art of recycling silverware is becoming more popular, whether it's a simple bracelet made of a bent spoon or an intricate linked fork necklace, silverware is no longer just for food.

Jen McGlashan has been making cutlery jewelry for 8 years now, running a business called McFlashpants. She welds the metal herself and has created an environmentally friendly tumbler that polishes the metal, made out of soda bottles and yogurt containers. Her collection contains a variety of creations, priced from $7 to $325. Not only is there beautiful jewelry, but there are also innovative holders, hooks, hair pieces and pins. Possibly the most interesting, ingenious items are the Living Jewelry Family. Yes, they are truly living- there is a necklace made of sections of a candlestick with vines intertwined in the pieces (called Cassandra Candle Stick) and a potted plant pin (the Patricia Series) are just two in this Family. The Piece and Love Series is uniquely wonderful as well. It is an updated take on the broken heart necklaces; each sterling silver pendant is a puzzle piece and they all fit together. The ideas that McGlashan comes up with are nothing short of amazing.

McFlashpants' pieces can be found on the Etsy website, the Teich website, and, from June 5th to September 5th 2010, in a retail shop on Governor's Island in an event partially hosted by Etsy.

The founders of Wrecords by Monkey, Patrick Chirico and Brian Farell, have developed a fresh, eco-friendly graphic jewelry line by pairing vintage vinyl records with versatile screen-printed designs. Utilizing this non-biodegradable material, Chirico and Farell have created three lines of accessories and home decor that appeal to an array of personal tastes. The environmentally conscious founders are dually responsible for recycling over 100,000 music records to date.

Their "Heritage Collection", inspired by antique treasures within the Brooklyn Flea, features gypsy-esque jewelry with both a modern style and mystic energy. For those who appreciate American ancestry and timeless tradition, the "Native Collection" comes infused with a variety of ancient warrior symbols. Each piece represents a particular Indian tribe and accordingly captures a unique background--finally some motivation to dust off those rugged history books and discover a culture that enhances your look.

Those searching for something more contemporary should browse the latest addition to Wrecords by Monkey, appropriately dubbed the "Off the Train" line. Inspired by a style-savvy Brooklyn lifestyle, the souvenir collection speaks to street-wise consumers itching to bring a slice of the Big Apple home.

For additional East Coast flare, visit the Brooklyn Flea or the official Wrecords by Monkey website.

Written by Meghan O'Reilly

Long before splatters of florescent spray paint and caricature cursive became such customary decorations for New York City boroughs, traces of graffiti were found amongst the fallen architecture of Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire. The controversial subject matter has since evolved from a territorial gang depiction to an urban pop-culture phenomenon. Award-winning photographer and video creator, Michael Cogliantry, has teamed up with innovative collection owner, Paul Cartelli, to turn overlooked graffiti into this season's poolside fashion with their swimwear line “graffinis.”

Graffinis are exactly what they sound to be—a design that syndicates graffiti with bikinis. Photographic imagery, inspired by graffiti from the burghal streets of Chinatown, all the way to the stop signs of SoHo, is specifically engineered onto a variety of swimsuits, such as Brazilian strings, halter strings, halter sports and one-pieces. For $140, you can get the “Mercer Street Halter Sport”--a combination of the street’s monochrome walls and glass-lit sidewalks. In addition to Graffini's already dignified collection, all new styles will come as reversible, so that you can go from uptown to downtown without the sticky subway ride.

This week Graffini Swimwear takes the metropolitan lifestyle to the annual Mercedes Benz Swim Show in Miami. If you haven’t been on top of your frequent flyer miles, or could do without the amplified heat, be sure to check the line out at Sugar Cookies--the dapper intimate apparel shop on West 19th in Chelsea.

Attention all NYC shoppers and savers--the largest Trader Joe's in the country has just opened this week on 6th ave in Chelsea. Unlike it's brother stores, which come with a total of 10,000 square feet of shopping space, this one-of-a-kind Trader Joe's has over 27,000 square feet of retail room. So if you're sick of waiting in line to enter your supermarket--just to play a round of bumper carts--then this is the place for you. Lines are minimal and personal space is guaranteed.

Thanks to the expansive territory, customers can glide from dairy to cereal along spacious aisles with 20+ foot ceilings. The added space also makes it possible for this new-and-improved Trader Joe's to come with extra large shopping carts, making stocking up for summer barbecues simpler than ever.

Trader Joe's in Chelsea is not only a jolt for unemployment, creating more than 200 new jobs in the city, but also an activist for our country's energy crisis. Rather than waste electricity with light-up cash registers, employees make use of cut-out paddles for the same effect with a renewable solution.

Trader Joe's is open from 8AM to 10PM daily, but keep in mind that early birds catch the java bean with complimentary coffee samples every morning.

Call Trader Joe's Chelsea at 212-255-2106 for more information on how to enhance your everyday errands experience.

Edited by Zoe Siegel

Parked in front of the New Trader Joe's in Chelsea between 21st & 22nd Street is The Wafels & Dinges Waffle Truck. "Happy Tuesday" reads the chalkboard paired with a festive hand-wave from the Wafels & Dinges guy. For those of you who don't know this famous waffle truck, pay attention, because there is no other like it. These are the best tasty treats to ever meet your lips. Made with wholesome ingredients and exotic beet sugar, every waffle bite comes with animated bursts of sweetness. Beet sugar is very different from cane sugar, and you will just have to try one for yourself and see. Wafels & Dinges just makes life more fun.

To satisfy your waffle fix, you can call for up-to-the-minute truck location 866 429 7329.

Wafel & Dinges Website | @waffletruck

Written by Meghan O'Reilly

After a weekend full of patriotic red, white and blue designs in honor of the Fourth of July, Google's homepage now features a self portrait of artist Frida Kahlo to celebrate what would have been her 103rd birthday. Her well-known portraits, equipped with a vibrant palette of colors and surrealist reminders of both pain and passion, have sparked universal recognition more than 50 years after her death.

At Manhattan's very own House of Cards and Curiosities, located on 23rd 8th Avenue, Frida Kahlo art can be found amongst a variety of eclectic yet fun items. Our favorite? The Frida Kahlo coasters, each including an authentic Frida Kahlo self portrait, make for the perfect housewarming gift or party favor.

Frida Kahlo, who called herself "the daughter of Mexican revolution," was the first Hispanic woman to grace the US postage stamp. The movie, "Frida," starring Salma Hayek, is a critically renowned tale of her life. And now in 2010, after recently inspiring Givenchy's Fall 2010 runway looks, it's safe to assume we'll be celebrating her next hundred birthdays. Break out the party coasters!

Written by: Lee Muston | Edited by: Zoe Siegel

Along Front Street in DUMBO is the Antique Boutique on Front; a modest shop jam-packed with turn of the century lamps hanging from the ceiling, Victorian mirrors with ornately curled frames, and Baroque chairs decorated with a detail no longer seen in woodworking. The Antique Boutique on Front is located in a mall of sorts with delightful little shops that wouldn’t be able to exist without the munificence of a landlord who is promoting gentrification in the area. This mall allows month-to-month rentals rather than the yearly leases which prevent most boutiques from coming to fruition, making DUMBO one of the most diversified new neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Through the open door at 145 Front Street, you will find the Antique Boutique on Front in the second room on the right.

The proprietor, Daga Kanclerz, has been in business for only two months, yet her shop has a diverse and bountiful collection of antiques, including vintage Hermés and Louis Vuitton handbags from the 1940s and paintings and prints from the early 19th Century. The Antique Boutique on Front specializes in Baroque furniture, however this is hardly the limit to what shoppers can find in this shop. Most of the merchandise is European-made and in excellent condition. Kanclerz acquires her eclectic collection from private auctions at highly esteemed houses along the East Coast, estate sales, and from her connections to antique dealers in Europe. If this boutique does not have what you're looking for, never fear; Kanclerz will use her contacts to acquire whatever piece you're seeking for a fee cheaper than the price of tax in most Manhattan antique shops. The best part? The prices are all generously reasonable. Her Victorian mirrors start around only $250.

One of the most unique and interesting facets about this little Antique Boutique on Front Street is how Kanclerz collaborates with her husband who is a fine furniture maker. He will work with the home owner to design custom cabinets and furniture to compliment the interior. It is possible for existing furnishings to be modified to accommodate something like a pop-up shelf for a flat screen TV without compromising the exterior aesthetic of the piece. Most commonly, Kanclerz sources antique furniture and her husband modifies it or will use it in a room to compliment the custom installations.

These modified antiques and cabinet installations have been showcased in the Hamptons Sample House, which is a house featuring a modicum of unique furniture by different designers that goes up for sale every year. The prestige of their work has reached out all over the East Coast and even as far south as Miami.

Written by Meghan O'Reilly | Edited by Zoe Siegel

What happens when an artist channels her experienced background with photography and light installation fixtures and then combines it with an appreciation for nature and the beauty of "everyday" items? An inspired, original jewelry line, boasting more than 25 authentic, handcrafted rings, which emerges straight out of designer and creator Anne Arden McDonald's eclectic loft in Brooklyn.

This isn't just your average jewelry line. Every ring has both a history and a message, allowing each customer to unleash his or her inner uniqueness; a quirk which McDonald has certainly intended on. Her sterling silver-brazed ring that features a free-flying bird is not only a metaphor for freedom but also holds onto memories of McDonald's years at college, where she used the same stamp mold to enclose her most personal of letters. Another favorite of McDonald's features the houses she used to sketch with her eyes closed when she was evicted from her loft, representative of "tiny prayers for a home."

In addition to transferring her deepest feelings into her silver-and-gold mounted rings, McDonald also digs into nature to deliver her customers the gorgeous pieces, retailed at just $75 a pop. She incorporates bones, teeth, seahorses, ferns, branches, grapefruit and apple seeds into many of her darling pieces.

For more information about Anne Arden McDonald's jewelry line, plus other projects she's working on, visit her website and to purchase her line, visit her Etsy retail here.

Entering Limited Supply one first notices how aptly named this East Village shop is. There is truly a limited supply, yet it is smartly organized and offers great variety. You can see a $60 pair of special edition Van’s sitting under a $400 YSL suit. Former Armani Exchange accessories designer Yevgeniy Tsarkov opened the store in September 2009 for the sole purpose of having a place where customers can get items that are young and hip, no matter the price or whether its “high-end”. Limited Supply has a focus on Japanese jean brands and selvage style denim; a type of denim that has a clean edge on the out-seam and usually has a different color thread to give subtle detail when the jean is cuffed.

No matter what your bank statement says, there will be something for you here, from high-end brands such as Hermés and Prada to Nike and Armani Exchange. Coupled with a friendly, laid-back staff and good selection of bags, shoes, and accessories, Limited Supply is a must browse in the East Village. Consignments are taken by appointment only and store hours are conveniently open until 9pm every day.

Written by Meghan O'Reilly | Edited by Zoe Siegel

As the humid temperatures begin to rise and the layers of clothing start to drop, 'tis the season to exercise credit cards and expand summer wardrobes--just in time for the 4th of July. This year, for the first time ever, the Environmental Working Group has provided every beach girl with a spending priority that comes before mosaic Missoni bikinis and straw Michael Kors beach totes. The product that can outshine even the most tan-worthy swimwear? Sunscreen, of course!

With the EWG's first-ever analysis of more than 700 name-brand sunscreens, consumers have at their hands (and eventually, their pores) an in-depth study that has ranked each sunscreen based on its chemical ingredients, sunburn prevention and long-term damage control. Many chemicals in sunscreens have been found to actually generate radicals that increase cell damage and ultimately lead to cancer. That's right: applying certain sunscreens can be just as risky as vouching sunblock abstinence. Unless you're planning on joining the mainstream vampire trend and skipping the rays completelely, go for an option that doesn't contain toxins and won't break down sunlight.

ZTrend supports the stores that carry products with the lowest-risk rating of 0-2 on the scale:

1) Sustainable NYC: Badger Sunscreen SPF 30 and California Baby Sunblock Stick SPF 30+
2) Blue Ribbon General Store: Badger Sunscreen SPF 30
3) New London Pharmacy: Soleo Organics All Natural Sunscreen SPF 30+
4) Green in BKLYN: All Terrain Aquasport SPF 30

To find out where your sunscreen ranks, visit the Environmental Working Group's extensive listing.

Written by Zoe Siegel

Conveniently located near Pratt in Brooklyn, Urban Vintage welcomes students and home owners alike. Upon entering, you can't help but notice that the place is buzzing with creative energy - artists sit at laptop friendly tables sipping coffee drinks. The cafe has been open for a mere two months, started up by the two young sisters Elizabeth and Emile who grew up across the street from the cafe's location. Urban Vintage has been embraced by the locals with open arms having changed the complexion of the neighborhood by replacing an old neglected bodega. The cafe has warm, homey feel while still maintaining an air elegance with its high ceilings, exposed brick walls, select vintage furnishings and decor. Just about everything inside the cafe is for sale, much of which would make lovely gifts, like a party deck of cocktail cards costing only $10. The cafe supports local artists and entrepreneurs selling items like hand-made baby clothing to gift cards. in fact, included on Urban Vintage's menu is Early Bird Granola that is produced by one of the neighborhood artist.

The food is delicious, featuring vegan and wheat free products from local bakeries. Breads and croissants from Balthazar on Spring Street in Manhattan are delivered fresh to the cafe daily. Scrumptious muffins, pastries, and desserts are displayed on pedestal stands, tempting the customers. Urban Vintage is open for breakfast and lunch and serves healthy cafe food such as fresh goat cheese salads, quiche, salads, and waffles for breakfast. With such a great atmosphere and delicious food, you can't go wrong!

Edited by Zoe Siegel

From June 17th to 27th, Penine Hart Antiques & Art (212.226.2602) will be holding a series of fundraisers in support of Judy Mannarino's Breck Girls Project. For just $50, guests will walk away with a framed drawing of their choice and a chance to win an original painting. The drawing to win this painting will take place on June 27th. To kick off the event, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on June 17th, all visitors will be treated to a free glass of Prosecco.

Located at 13 Cleveland Place, between Broome and Kenmare, the easiest way to Penine Hart Antiques & Art is to take the 6 train to Spring Street. Right now they are accepting payment by cash and check only.

The store is aiming to raise $10,000 for the arts, and as with every fundraiser, every little bit helps!

Written by Meghan O'Reilly | Edited by Zoe Siegel

I draw the line at “passe compose.” It’s been two weeks, three days and sixteen hours since my last final of junior year—the elegant and easy-to-learn language of Francais (Oui, I’m being le sarcastic.) After receiving my worst grade of the semester, a pathetic yet hard-earned C, I vowed to never again put myself in the position where my perfectly constructed English crossed paths with my construed interpretation of French. The only exception to my new rule was if I ran out of Dior Show mascara mid-summer.

And then, thanks to my new internship, I met Pierre Francois Supreme, owner of Le Maison Supreme, and he showed me a side of France that surpassed intransitive listening activities and 250-word compositions. He introduced me to a universal culture that is seen with the eyes and felt with the soul.

The majority of Pierre’s pieces embody such precious French culture—it’s as if every antique piece tells its own authentic story. Aside from the stunning chandeliers and exquisite fragile china, it’s the soaps and perfumes that prove little things come in big packages. The tiny soaps are perfect for “tweens” and “girly-girls”; each flavor is unique and packaged so delicately. The candles also add a feminine touch, displayed in embroidered champagne flutes in the shapes of miniature frogs, as well as seasonal treats such as Easter eggs and Valentine’s hearts.

The soaps aren’t the only pungent treats in La Maison Supreme. It also carries a perfume from 1795 named “Josephine—Rance,” which comes with a light, sweet aroma along with an intriguing history. Napolean had designed the perfume for the only woman who ever truly captured his heart. Us ladies know that any woman who could tie down a ruthless tyrant with a boastable little black book of lovers should rightfully be rewarded with a signature scent. And Pierre knows such valued culture can shine through only the most thoughtful (and romantic) French items. Ou-la-la.

Written by Shairah Habib | Edited by Zoe Siegel

Priti polishes are not only pretty but safe to use for all ages and will never harm you or the environment. Kim D'Amato, Priti CEO is constantly creating new shades with different finishes that can only be found at Priti.

Aside from being available to a wide consumer market, the most vital factor of Priti products is that they are made as to not compromise their high quality of wearability and color choices; Priti has over 100 colors to choose from. Kim D’Amto’s range of Priti nail varnishes are free of toluene, formaldehyde, and DBPs, which are toxic chemicals that are usually found in regular nail varnish products. In addition to ridding the polish formula of these chemicals, Priti NYC can also accommodate consumers with beauty kits which are delivered in biodegradable packages that look as scrumptious as those cases in which you would find bakery goods. Green In BKLYN writes "their extraordinary soy polish remover moisturizes nails instead of drying them, smells great & contains no acetone. All are safe & completely non-toxic!" In addition to being environmentally safe, these polishes come in great colors for summer, and last even longer than regular nail enamels! In these environmentally troubled circumstances, Priti is a great way to help the Earth and have the Earth help you in return.

Priti nail enamels have been highlighted throughout 2010’s New York Fashion Week gracing the catwalk for Fashion designers such as Alberta Ferretti, Isaac Mizrahi, Donna Karan and Thakoon, making it a must have for Fashionistas, or rather Greenistas, everywhere. They can be found at One Lucky Duck, 126 East 19th Street, Sustainable NYC, 139 Avenue A and Green In BKLYN, 432 Myrtle Avenue.

Edited by Zoe Siegel

Venturing to the Meatpacking District can be a surreal experience in itself, and even more so if you stumble upon some of the area's best jewelry niches. Whether you're looking to window-shop or really shop, a few hours with these gorgeous collections is well worth the trip.

The Crangi Family Project is located right next to Pastis, yet another Meatpacking landmark, and screams designer elegance. The place smells and looks as eclectic its collection, as little bowls of incense and dim lighting set the atmosphere. The store located at 9 Ninth Ave is actually Philip Crangi's first store in New York, although his designs are also sold at Bergdorf Goodman as well as locations all around the world. The collection incorporates African beading and metalwork into heavier pieces, as well as delicate gold and silver pendants in other, simpler pieces. Several shelves against the back wall display even more adventurous costume jewelry.

Just a few blocks away from Crangi is Ten Thousand Things, another impressive and unassuming shop. Visitors must actually be buzzed in after ringing a doorbell, which allows the employees to devote their attention to guests with questions or people who would like to look at catalogs of further designs. The store mainly carries the Ten Thousand Things line, as well as several other designers whose work is designated with their names along the many walls of shelves. Large, white and well-lit, the place deviates from the style of Crangi in many ways, particularly with the use of bright colors and round, polished stones in the collection.

Located at 423 W.14th (212-352-1333), the shop is unfortunately easy to miss, as the interior of the store is preceded by a hallway and cannot be seen at all from the outside. Oddly enough, the woman managing Crangi Family Project also mentioned that people often argue with her that there is no 9 Ninth Ave. So now with these two addresses in hand, keep in mind that these two "gems" of the Meatpacking District are waiting to be found and explored!

Giving up on a search for a spectacular novelty apartment key, we decided to venture into J & M Hardware over on West 21st Street (a True Value Hardware store west of Ten's Cabaret). It is the sort of place that 21st Century Manhattanites who are looking for specialty items would avoid visiting.

Expecting to find the ordinary, we were delighted when we stumbled across a set of smooth guitar keys fit for a rock star. There are three guitar styles to choose from. Each key is decorated on both sides with a quality heavy enamel coating, certain to last a long time.

Edited by Bonnie Chan

ZTrend made rounds yesterday catching up with boutiques in the Chelsea and Meatpacking areas of New York City. Chelsea appeared to be holding it's own, finding not all, but most of our favorite stores still intact. To comment on a few, Sugar Cookies is planning a summer release on splash ready beachwear - we will keep you up to date. Arcadia on Eighth Avenue, a sweet gift store, is surviving these tricky times and is a must-see shop for New York locals and tourists alike. El Cocotero restaurant has to be one of the best little restaurants in Chelsea today - this small family-run Venezuelan restaurant serves each dish with care. We ventured over to Chelsea's Ninth Avenue, where the quaint boulevard has been placed, giving the area a more village-style edge. The stretch of fine little boutiques from 22nd to 19th Street paint a surreal scene straight from a story book. Among the shops are 3 Tarts, Barking Zoo, Cocoa V Chocolat & wine bar, Bon Maison and le Bergamont. All are fine businesses worthy of shopping. So if you are guilty of walking by and never walking in, now is the time to check them out, as all small businesses are looking to the community to stay in business.

Meatpacking continues to strike a pose. Newcomer jewelry designer Philip Crangi caught our eye with his feminine, unusual and affordable designs, which are sold at Crangi Family Project no. 9 next door to Pastis. ZTrend mourns the loss of two wonderful intimate department stores, which for the past ten years have graced the Meatpacking district. Destination is no longer a destination. This fine Japanese chain store supporting unique artists from around the world has closed its MePa location. For those of you who look forward to shopping at Auto Clothing and Auto Home, too late, both little stores are off the map with no news of relocation. Thank goodness for Yigal Azrouel, Trina Turk, 10 Thousand Things and of course the beloved Charles Nolan! Without them, Gansevoort Meatpacking District is nothing more than a collection of pricey Madison Avenue designers with lots of cafes to dine in.