May 23, 2013
By Taylor Daly

Divine Deco and so much more in Miami

Sohobeachhouse.com

Sohobeachhouse.com

Runchickenrun.com

Runchickenrun.com

galehotel.com/nightlife/rec-room/

    I am officially on what I’ve begun calling “the wedding circuit” – a term that accurately represents my new social life – an unending stream of occasions, cocktail parties, brunches and weekend trips all in celebration of my friends’ weddings. In all seriousness though, what better excuse does one have for non-stop, mini vacations than the celebration of other peoples’ impending matrimony? I can’t think of one.

    Last weekend it was off to Miami to celebrate a dear friend and have some serious fun in the sun. I hadn’t been to “the city where the heat is on” in quite a few years and my return was better than I could have imagined.

    Personal highlights included a sun soaked Saturday brunch of Avocado Eggs at Cecconi’s at the Soho Beach House followed by an afternoon of lounging on the beach. I also tasted the most unbelievable macaroni and cheese (and fried chicken) to ever hit my lips at Yardbird Southern Table & Bar. In fact, we ate so much it was only fitting that we danced off the calories at Rec Room, a great spot for old-school music and new-school people watching.

    I’m not sure if it’s the fact that everyone is in a sort of 1920′s frenzy due to the recent release of The Great Gatsby or what, but I was pretty much dying over South Beach’s signature art deco aesthetic everywhere I turned, which served as a consummate reminder that all things deco-inspired, whether it’s jewelry, fashion or architecture, are simply divine.

    May 20, 2013
    By Justin Breton

    A Piece of Dark Chocolate a Day… Keeps the Doctor Away?

      From discovering a low calorie recipe blog in “Skinny Tasting… Literally!” to re-living my first workout with my trainer in “An Hour with Joel,” those of you who have been keeping up with my blog posts know that I’m all about eating right, exercising regularly and, well, just staying thin. It may come as a surprise to hear that I recently committed to eating one piece of dark chocolate every day for two weeks to see what all this ‘healthy dark chocolate’ talk is all about.

      Before beginning this fun, tasty experiment, I did some quick research online to see what the potential health benefits are from dark chocolate. In short, all my research pointed to one thing… dark chocolate in small doses is good for you! Here are my top 5 researched and non-researched benefits from eating dark chocolate:

      1. Helps reduce cholesterol levels
      2. It’s social – everyone wants a piece of chocolate!
      3. Lowers blood pressure
      4. Increases “pleasure” and improves overall mood
      5. It tastes good! Duh.

      I cannot medically speak to my cholesterol levels or blood pressure, but I can confidently say that I experienced a nice boost of energy and improved mood after indulging in a piece (one square) of Lindt Roasted Almond Dark Chocolate or Lindt Intense Mint Dark Chocolate each afternoon. (By “indulge,” I mean I ate the entire piece of dark chocolate in one bite as if I had never had chocolate before.) I also shared the chocolate with my colleagues each day, which became a great social moment of the day bringing everyone smiles and laughs. That in itself is a healthy addition to any day!

      While I thoroughly enjoyed this little experiment, I’m not sure a piece of chocolate (or any form of sugar!) is an ideal addition, no matter how small, to any pre-summer diet with nearly 50 calories in each square. In the end… I think I’ll stick to Trident White Sugarfree gum with only 4 calories in each piece until at least September.

      Fun Fact about Chocolate: the Latin name for the cacao tree (where chocolate is derived from), Theobroma cacao, actually means “food of the gods.” Who would have thought?

      May 20, 2013
      By W Obsessions

      NEW COVERGIRL OUTLAST STAY FABULOUS 3-IN-1 FOUNDATION!

        It’s five o’clock, is your makeup still fabulous? Introducing a long-wear makeup that will keep you fabulous from 9 to 5: NEW COVERGIRL Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation. What makes this long-wear stay so flawless for so long? The advanced 3-in-1 formula has a primer and concealer built in. The primer sets, concealer corrects, and foundation perfects.

        To learn more about NEW COVERGIRL Outlast 3-in-1 Foundation visit youtube.com/covergirl.

        W’S ‘LIVE, LAUGH AND LISTEN’ PLAYLIST BROUGHT TO YOU BY COVERGIRL

        From seasoned pros like P!nk to up-and-coming breakouts like Icona Pop, W has curated an exclusive playlist featuring a selection of our favorite, most played music of the moment.  Scan the above QR code with your Smartphone to stream via Spotify.

        WIN AN IPOD AND A SELECTION OF PRODUCTS FROM COVERGIRL

        Visit the “Just In” tab between May 20 and June 20, 2013 on W’s official Facebook page for the chance to win an iPod nano®, iTunes® gift card to purchase music from COVERGIRL’s latest brand ambassadors and a curated selection of COVERGIRL beauty products.

        NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Click here for full rules.  This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook or Apple. Apple®, iTunes® and iPod nano® are registered trademarks of Apple, Inc.
        May 20, 2013
        By W Obsessions

        W + Bumble and bumble present THE ARTIST

          Cast your vote for The Next Big Thing.

          Bb.Editorial Stylist Jimmy Paul is famous for putting big, ultra-feminine styles on the front pages of high profile glossies. He is the master of American glamour, a true hairdressing legend and the inspiration behind The Artist – a program that needs your stylish input.

          Bb.Network Stylists nationwide are creating their own editorial-inspired looks (with new Bb. Thickening Full Form Mousse and Creme Contour) for the chance to make it big.

          Starting on May 28, visit The Artist tab on W’s Facebook page to meet and vote on the six semi-finalists and for the chance to win a prize package of Bb. products from the winning look. The winner will be named The Artist and get the chance to style W’s “Look of the Month” feature in our October Generation W issue.

          May 20, 2013
          By W Obsessions

          MASTERS OF TREND

          Jane Larkworthy and Napolean Perdis with demonstration models

            On Wednesday, February 20, Napoleon Perdis hosted the “Masters of Trend” event at the Napoleon Perdis Makeup Academy in Hollywood with special guest speaker W Beauty Director Jane Larkworthy. Napoleon and Jane presented their beauty roundup from 2013 Fashion Week as well as their top picks for Spring/Summer.

            The presentation was followed by a model demonstration to show guests firsthand how to apply the trends from the runway to real life. Preceding and following the event, guests were invited to enjoy complimentary makeup applications and left with a copy of W’s latest issue.

            May 20, 2013
            By W Obsessions

            GEMFIELDS TOASTS MILA KUNIS

            Mila Kunis, Gemfield's brand ambassador, Photographed by: Stefanie Keenan

            Photographed by: Stefanie Keenan

            Irene Medavoy, Lynn Hirschberg, Katherine Ross, Colleen Bell, Photographed by: Stefanie Keenan

              On Tuesday, February 19, W and Gemfields held an intimate luncheon in West Hollywood to announce and celebrate Mila Kunis as Gemfields’ new brand ambassador.  Guests were greeted with champagne and invited to check out the latest pieces from Gemfields partner designers utilizing the brand’s beautiful and ethically-sourced color gemstones.

              W’s Editor-at-Large, Lynn Hirschberg, hosted the afternoon, welcoming the crowd along with Gemfields Director of Global Marketing Anna Haber and CEO Ian Harebottle, who joined via satellite.  Mila and Lynn entertained the guests with stories of their first collaboration for W and Mila spoke eloquently about her passion for the Gemfields brand.  Following the introductions, guests, including Louise Roe, Cameron Silver, George Kotsiopoulos and Petra Flannery watched a short film about Mila’s trip to the Gemfields mine in Zambia.

              May 20, 2013
              By W Obsessions

              LA PRAIRIE ESSENCE OF SKIN CAVIAR EYE COMPLEX

              La Prairie Essence of Skin Caviar Eye Complex

                Notice instant lifting and firming, fewer fine lines and immediate de-puffing. Designed for the specific vulnerabilities of the delicate eye area, this quick penetrating gel glides on smoothly, soothing fragile tissue with one precious drop. When applied to the lid, the multi-tasking treatment helps extend the wear of eye makeup.  Available for $135 at select retail locations.

                Enjoy a 5ml deluxe sample with any purchase at laprairie.com.*

                Discover more information at laprairie.com.

                *One per customer, offer valid while supplies last.

                May 20, 2013
                By W Obsessions

                CLIMBING UP

                  Architectural Digest partnered with the innovative architecture team of Matthias Hollwich and Marc Kushner (HWKN) to develop a custom  installation, which draws inspiration from the lightweight aluminum used in the design of The Next Generation Range Rover.

                  Set to debut this spring in New York City’s Meatpacking District, Climbing Up will be a striking architectural sculpture. “We want to make people stop in their tracks—to test their belief in how the car can be posed so delicately atop a pile of aluminum,” said HWKN.

                  Explore the Climbing Up board on pinterest.com/landroverusa.

                  May 20, 2013
                  By W Obsessions

                  LAXART celebrates with the inaugural UNGALA

                  UNGALA chairs Ariana Lambert Smeraldo, Jennifer Hawks, Karyn Lovegrove, Photographed by: Stefanie Keenan

                  Jeffrey and Catharine Soros, Viveca Farrell, Brooke Kanter, Photographed by: Stefanie Keenan

                    LAXART launched its first annual UNGALA at Empress Pavillion in Chinatown Los Angeles. More than 400 guests including artists, art patrons and art enthusiasts like China Chow, Cameron Silver, Candace Nelson, Karyn Lovegrove, Jeffrey and Catharine Soros, and Brooke Kanter, gathered for dim sum and dancing to celebrate and raise awareness for contemporary art in Los Angeles.

                    LAXART is the leading independent nonprofit contemporary art space in Los Angeles supporting artistic and curatorial freedom.

                    May 20, 2013
                    By W Obsessions

                    RED CARPET BEAUTY

                    Tim Quinn

                    Expert styling by Armani’s makeup team

                      On March 23, Giorgio Armani and Nordstrom hosted an afternoon of beauty at South Coast Plaza with Giorgio Armani’s celebrity makeup artist Tim Quinn, one of the most respected style names in Hollywood.

                      Guests received the red carpet treatment and complimentary makeup transformations from Armani’s expert makeup team featuring this year’s hottest trends from the runway and each took home a copy of W: The First 40 Years signed by  Editor-In-Chief Stefano Tonchi.