Louis Vuitton Releases 'The Trunk'
The short story anthology was inspired by clippings from Gaston-Louis Vuitton.
March 25, 2013
Bruno de Stabenrath, one of the writers of The Trunk
Louis Vuitton has long been known for its iconic monogram and travel trunks. This month, the brand releases an anthology of short stories, The Trunk, written by eleven French writers, including Fabienne Berthaud, Bruno de Stabenrath, and Veronique Ovalde. Their inspiration? In the early 1900s, Gaston-Louis Vuitton began a collection of newspapers clippings on trunks and travel. The writers were given access to these clippings, as well as Vuitton’s personal notebooks in Asnieres, France, before writing their own stories.
Writer Nicolas d’Estienne d’Orves seized on Ernest Hemingway for inspiration in his story; the American author’s last known book, A Moveable Feast, was found in a Vuitton trunk in the basement of the Paris Ritz-Carlton in the 1950s. Meanwhile, writer David Foenkinos was struck by the 1905 challenge that Georges Vuitton issued to Harry Houdini: escaping from a nailed shut Louis Vuitton trunk. The limited-edition, leather-bound version of the book ($66) has been produced in English, French, and Japanese and will be available at the Louis Vuitton boutique at Copley Place. Copley Place, 617-437-6519
Rye Whiskeys Return to Fashion
Local watering holes are slinging the retro spirit left and right.
March 21, 2013
The Old Fashioned cocktail has become a new-fashioned favorite in craft bars around the country. Originally made with rye whiskey (and later bourbon), a spoonful of sugar, and a dash of bitters, the cocktail is simple, strong, and made for sipping.
Back in the 19th century, a version of this elixir called Rock and Rye was considered a cocktail cure-all, served at both bars and pharmacies. A mixture of rock candy-sweetened rye whiskey, old advertisements claimed it cured everything from malaria to pneumonia to asthma. It became popular during the Temperance movement as an acceptable form of “medicine.”
Now, thanks to the classic cocktail revival, Rock and Rye has been reborn in the form of Hochstadter’s Slow and Low, made by the folks behind St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur. The recipe, which originated in the 1800s at local bars surrounding the steel mills of Pennsylvania, boasts a blend of six-year-old straight rye whiskey macerated with orange, lemon, and grapefruit peels and a touch of honey and horehound. It’s best served in a snifter over ice. Head to craft bars like Eastern Standard, Island Creek Oyster Bar, Drink, Backbar, and Brick and Mortar for a taste.
Recycle Studio Spins Onto Newbury Street
The South End cycling studio opens on one of Boston’s busiest streets.
March 20, 2013
Recycle Studio
Addicted to New York City cycling studios, Cate Brinch was hard-pressed to find an adequate substitute when she moved back to Boston in 2011. So the spinning enthusiast took matters into her own hands and opened South End favorite Recycle Studio, Boston’s first dedicated indoor cycling studio. On the heels of opening a new location on Newbury Street, Brinch sat down with us to talk spinning, music, and her hiring criteria for instructors.
How is the new Back Bay location different from the South End flagship?
CATE BRINCH: We have a larger space, which means more personal training and the introduction of 30/30 classes like Rebuild [cycling and mat toning] and Remix [cycling and yoga].
Spinning has become increasingly popular. How does Recycle distinguish itself from other indoor cycling studios?
CB: What really separates us from the rest is our sense of community. This is a place you come for a killer workout and much more. We want to be a workout haven and little getaway from the rest of the world—no clocks, cell phones, or stress inside the studio. We have seen so many relationships grow out of interactions at our little studio and are so lucky to be a part of them. The intimacy here is key.
For many, a teacher can make or break a class. What are some characteristics you look for when hiring an instructor?
CB: We started with a really small group of instructors because we have always believed in quality versus quantity. The instructors had to be willing to take a risk because we weren’t looking to have them teach a traditional ride you see at gyms. We wanted instructors to have planned choreography, a strong connection to music, emphasis on mind/body, and above all, passion.
Can we expect any new classes at the Back Bay location?
CB: More space has given us the opportunity to really grow our class offerings. We have added a few 30/30 classes to the schedule that combine 30 minutes of riding with 30 minutes of stretch for strengthening. Our goal is to allow you to be able to come here five days a week and get a different workout each time.
Music is an integral part of spinning. How do you make your playlists?
CB: Of course, again, we need each song to be selected carefully. Different types of songs work for different parts of a ride—a climb song is different than a sprint. So you might start off with ‘Give Me All Your Luvin’ by Madonna and work your way to ‘Wake U’ by Arcade Fire. Beat plays a major role in our rides, and you will often hear instructors remind you to get on beat or catch the beat. We also need the music to be chosen by each instructor, because they have to feel it.
9 Newbury St., 5th Floor, 617-775-0282
Ted Baker Goes Back to School
Shop the British brand’s new finishing school-inspired duds at its Spring Fling event.
March 19, 2013
Boston has been experiencing some spring-like temps over the past week, making for the perfect excuse to start shopping for warm weather clothing. Just in time, Ted Baker is hosting a Spring Fling shopping event on March 21, from 6 to 9 p.m., with 20 percent off all items. The spring/summer 2013 collection is themed “finishing school” and blends old-fashioned manners with a contemporary feel, bold prints, and gorgeous textured materials. Here are some of our favorite looks from the brand’s newest collection for women and men.
March Restaurant News
Smith & Wollensky extends Wine Week, Belly Wine Bar makes fondue for a crowd, and more.
March 15, 2013
Wine Week keeps flowing through March at Smith & Wollensky
Wine Month at Smith & Wollensky
Boston’s two Smith & Wollensky locations are extending National Wine Week into wine month with the Catch Another Flight promotion. Throughout March, patrons can enjoy a flight of four featured wines for just $18. What to pair the wines with? We recommend tuna crudo served on a Himalayan salt block and a juicy steak. 101 Arlington St., 617-423-1112; 294 Congress St., 617-778-2200
Fondue Service at Belly Wine Bar
Boston’s newest (and arguably most authentic) Italian enoteca elevates cheese to an art form with Fondue for Your Crew. Dip homemade focaccia, endive, thinly sliced apples, tender roasted potatoes, and Brussels sprouts into a pool of Spring Brook Farm raclette, Emmentaler, and Gruyère. We also like to order the homemade smoked sausage with lentils, and yes, dip that into the cheese as well. Reservations for fondue are a must and are available on the hour from 5:15 to 10:15 p.m. every day. Fondue service runs until May and is $14 per person. One Kendall Sq., Cambridge, 617-494-0968
New Tasting Menus at The Salty Pig
Known for house-made charcuterie and excellent cheese boards, The Salty Pig has announced new five- and seven-course tasting menus ($45 or $70; $60 or $100 with wine pairing) from executive chef Kevin O’Donnell. The menus are available on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings by reservation, and guests can sit at the four seats in front of the wood-burning oven. Watch as chef O'Donnell prepares dishes like goat milk burrata with radishes, breadcrumbs, and mint and then tuck in. 130 Dartmouth St., 617-536-6200
Tea Sessions at L’Espalier
L’Espalier continues its monthly tea sessions ($50 per person) with a traditional Irish tea tasting in honor of St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 at 3 p.m. L’Espalier’s tea sommelier Cynthia Gold will walk guests through a tasting of some of Ireland’s most famous tea blends, including Assam, Darjeeling, Kenyan, Sri Lanka, and Java. The tea will be accompanied by light sandwiches, pastries, and petit fours. 774 Boylston St., 617-262-3023
Beer and Food Pairings at Trade
Join Trade for its continuing TradeCraft Series on March 26. Executive chef Andrew Hebert and restaurant manager Jon Mendez are teaming up with brewers Dann and Martha Paquette of Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project in Somerville. The Paquettes will discuss their craft brewing process and share tasting notes as guests are served three unique beer pairings: crostini with burrata and blood orange jam paired with Pretty Things’ Jack D'o; braised pork wrap with Asian vegetables, chili, and ginger paired with Pretty Things’ Baby Tree; and fried oyster and buckwheat waffles with spicy maple cream paired with Pretty Things’ Fluffy White Rabbits. The event runs 5:30 to 7:30 pm and tickets are $40 per person. 540 Atlantic Ave., 617-451-1234
Spring Makeup Checklist
Boston makeup artist Dani Wagener shares her favorite spring beauty products.
March 13, 2013
Brides and local leading ladies turn to makeup artist Dani Wagener for both her makeup prowess and method of empowering each client with a look suited for them. And with a client list that includes famous faces like Jenny McCarthy, Steven Tyler, and Kerry Washington, Wagener also has a reputation in Hollywood. Here, she puts down her makeup brushes to give us a guide to spring's essential beauty products and trends.
Seen on: Jason Wu and Louis Vuitton runways; Jessica Chastain at the Oscars
Get the look: Lipstick in Cassia, Chantecaille ($33, RIGHT); Lip Chic Lip Color in Heirloom, Chantecaille ($35, LEFT). neimanarcus.com
Seen on: DVF and Lanvin runways; Emmy Rossum at the Oscars
Get the look: Aqua Cream in #14, Make Up For Ever ($23, ABOVE). sephora.com
Seen on: Ungaro and Chanel runways; Catherine Zeta Jones and Stacey Kiebler at the Oscars
Get the look: Pure Chromatics wet-dry eye shadow in 08, YSL ($55, ABOVE). nordstrom.com
Seen on: Carolina Herrera, DVF, and BCBG runways; Jennifer Aniston and Amy Adams at the Oscars.
Get the look: Allure (ABOVE), Sandy Beach, or Below The Belt, Essie ($8).
Seen on: Numerous runways in Paris and New York; Jennifer Garner at the Oscars
Get the look: Brightening Finishing Powder in Nude or Light, Bobbi Brown ($50, ABOVE); Shimmering Skin Perfector SPF 25 in Moonstone, Becca ($41).
Rolls-Royce Wraith Debuts in Geneva
The British auto brand takes a 1938 model for a modern spin.
March 13, 2013
It’s symptomatic for Rolls-Royce to look backwards before moving forward when the time for contemplation of a new model is imminent. With a storied history—founder Charles Stewart Rolls was in his twenties when he co-founded the company and, as a young pilot, became the first man to double cross the English Channel non-stop—and a reservoir of creativity at its disposal, the British automaker proudly staged the world debut of its dynamic new Wraith recently at the 83rd Geneva International Motor Show.
Wraith, titled after a mystical Scottish spirit, represents new potential direction for Rolls-Royce and extends its level of luxury, refinement, and hand-craftsmanship, but also presents unique positioning defined by power, style, and drama. Originally conceived in 1938, the rebirth of the current fastback and its perfectly engineered features and technical contour introduces a younger demographic to the Rolls-Royce brand. The sleek and vigorous Wraith is purely driver oriented with its Ghost-based 6.6-liter V12 that now outputs 624-horsepower (European spec), allowing it to reach 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. With this in mind, the majestic gran turismo becomes the most powerful Rolls-Royce in the history of the company.
Hallmark coach doors open into the Wraith’s rich cabin, which is composed of Phantom-grade leathers and Canadel Panelling wood veneers. A bespoke touch of imagination is displayed by way of the lustrous night roof lining, conceived by the hand stitching of 1,340 fibre optic lamps. For enthusiastic owners who position themselves directly behind the wheel, innovative technology dubbed Satellite Aided Transmission applies GPS mapping algorithms to forecast the driver’s next move using current location-base and drive characteristics. The system then pre-chooses the most suitable gear from the 8-speed automatic ZF transmission appropriate for the impending topography ahead.
Expect deliveries by the end of the year to early 2014 with a current European price of €245K. Further pricing details for additional markets such as the U.S. will be revealed at a later date. It’s currently a moment of introspection for Rolls-Royce as they position themselves for supplementary growth, heightened levels of performance, and inflated expectations from their loyalists.
Sneak Peek: An Emerald Evening
Saks Fifth Avenue and the Revere Hotel team up to support the Emerald Necklace Conservancy.
March 11, 2013
It’s easy being green—when you’re talking spring fashion. On March 14, The Emerald Lounge at the Revere Hotel and Saks Fifth Avenue, along with Long’s Jewelers and the Boston Design Center, will host “An Emerald Evening” to celebrate the Pantone color of the year and the fifteenth anniversary of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy. Guests can shop verdant spring fashions in support of the Conservancy and its mission to fund, restore, and maintain the 1,100-acre park system spread across the city. Here, we give a sneak peek at some of the bright green must-haves available from Saks Fifth Avenue.
This asymmetrical crepe jersey gown ($1,395) is the embodiment of Yigal Azrouel’s sleek and inventive aesthetic. The floor-length dress, with side slit and concealed side zipper, is accented with delicate ruching.
No one does the flattering illusion effect better than Stella McCartney. Her stretch Cady bi-color dress ($1,855) is outfitted with peek-a-boo emerald insets, which create a slender, hourglass silhouette.
Known for exotic skin bags with interesting shapes and patterns, Nancy Gonzalez’ crocodile and python floral laser-cut clutch ($1,950) fulfills two of spring’s biggest trends: precision florals and small-scale handbags.
Get on point with Manolo Blahnik’s BB suede point-toe pumps ($595). The four-inch Italian suede heels will pave a bold path for your spring wardrobe.
Rag & Bone’s Monaco leather moto jacket ($1,795) has notched lapels, snap closures, and dropped shoulders. The asymmetrical front zipper and cuffed sleeve add edge and intrigue. Throw it on with jeans or over a black dress.
Put some pep in your morning (or evening) routine with Bond No. 9 New York’s Chelsea Flowers ($650). With a Swarkovski crystal encrusted bottle, the scent brings to mind peonies, tulips, magnolia, rose, and hyacinth.
For more information on tickets, visit emeraldnecklace.org/calendar/events
A Sommelier in Your Smartphone
Getting a bottle of your favorite wine just became easier with Drync Direct.
March 06, 2013
Catalogue and purchase your favorite wines with Drync Direct, an app home grown in Cambridge
Sometimes the best ideas come from out of the blue. While holidaying in Italy with his wife and friends, Brad Rosen snapped photos of the labels of his favorite wines so he could remember to look them up when he got home. Of course, the story doesn’t end there—Rosen created an app, Drync Wine, in 2008, that keeps track of a user’s preferred wines, as well as personal tasting notes. It’s basically a wine journal for the smartphone generation. Recently, the Cambridge-based operation launched free wine shopping app, Drync Direct, at the Boston Wine Expo. The app allows you to scan a wine label (while at a restaurant or dinner party, perhaps) and instantly purchase the wine and have it delivered straight to your door. Here, we talk to Rosen about what else the app can do for you, and your palate.
What was the impetus for launching Drync Direct?
BRAD ROSEN: The key in this case is that I drink a wine and I want to remember it so I can later purchase it, but most of the time if you go to the store it is really unlikely they will have what you drank. You buy based on what tastes good, and this app allows you to do just that. We acquire consumers, fill orders, and pass them on to our fulfillment partners.
How extensive is your inventory?
BR: At any given moment we have access to 15,000 wines. We deliver to 18 states right now. We are lucky that our first fulfillment partner is based in Massachusetts, and that allows us to ship within the state.
Are you partnering with any Boston restaurants?
BR: We have been working with several restaurants to promote the app, including Catalyst and Upstairs on the Square in Cambridge and the Bristol Lounge at the Four Seasons hotel. Restaurants are very receptive to this because customers are always asking, ‘Where can I get this wine?’
How do wineries fit into the equation?
BR: I’d love to be able to work more closely with the 4,500 wineries in the US. The winery benefits because they make a much higher margin off the sale and get to work more personally with the consumer.
What types of wines do you gravitate toward?
BR: I’m a relative novice when it comes to big reds and heavy tannins and gravitate toward Merlot-based wines. I tend towards old-world styles without too much oak, which has me working my way around some of the lesser known, more reasonably priced regions of Bordeaux. I have recently ordered Château Haut-Colombier from the Côtes de Blaye and Château Bellevue Peycharneau, which is Bordeaux Superieur.
What's the last wine you bought through Drync Direct?
BR: I recently loved a wine made from a relatively under appreciated grape called aglianico, which is found in Southern Italy. I had a 2005 Terre Degli Svevi Aglianico del Vulture Re Manfrediat La Campania in Waltham recently. It was a bit heavier and more tannic than my normal choices, but well balanced, and I think the age made it more accessible for me. I scanned the wine and purchased it immediately.
What’s next for Drync Direct?
BR: We are expanding our fulfillment partners, which ultimately means more wines will become available to the consumer. We are also looking at how people discover wines, and we will have promoted lists by local sommeliers. There will be a Pinterest-like option that will allow you to see what your friends are drinking. After that we will focus on gifting—sending bottles of wine to friends.
New Serum Packs Two Anti-Aging Punches
After nearly three decades of R&D, Clarins’ new dual formula serum is tried and tested—and then some.
March 06, 2013
Clarins Double Serum
Clarins has consistently proven itself as a leader in skin care, and does so once again with the launch of its Double Serum ($85, one ounce). Researched in the Clarins laboratories for 27 years, the serum addresses the top four concerns of women: pore size, wrinkles, elasticity, and uneven skin tone. Its oil- and water-based age-defying formulas mimic skin’s natural chemistry and are kept in two separate, side-by-side chambers. Give the bottle a pump and the two formulas fuse, combining 20 plant extracts—such as moisturizing katafray bark and soothing burdock—with high-tech molecules like double hyaluronic acid to soften skin. Best of all, it works on all skin types, whether you’re just beginning to think about aging, or are already seeing the signs. Experience the serum during the Youth Activator facial at the Clarins Skin Spa at Bloomingdale’s at Chestnut Hill. 225 Boylston St., Newton, 617-630-6000
