New York Fashion Week...Goodbye Bryant Park

Knowing how frenzied fashion week can be, we opted to keep ours decidedly lo-key this season: champagne under the tents for one last Bryant Park Fashion Week happy hour with our favorite DC fashion blogger and accepting an invite to the launch party for myfdb.com hosted by Zoe Saldana with DJ Sky Nellor. Saturday February 13th, Manhattanites gathered at the meatpacking district lounge SL to celebrate the launch of what ChiChi212.com is dubbing "the IMDB of the fashion industry".

Other stylish celebs turned up to support the brand new networking site including Molly Sims and Tinsley Mortimer.

Shout out to our girl, style & entertainment reporter Nakisha Williams, who accompanied us to the event. You can read Nakisha's coverage of fashion week for InStyle.com by clicking here.

Photos courtesy of Zimbio

ValStyle Hearts Tucker

Hello lovers! Remember back in December when we told you Tucker by Gaby Basora was inviting fashionistas to send in pics of themselves in their favorite Tucker prints for a chance to win a gift from the coveted label?
Well, we did and we won!

An email received earlier this month from the good folks at Tucker:

We think you’d look amazing in this one -- It’s an animal print that was a shopbop exclusive which is now sold out.

LOVED it and wore it to Mayor Bloomberg's MLK Breakfast down at City Hall.

What do ya'll think of their selection?

Here are some close-ups.

Ours, of course, is sold out but get a similar print at http://www.tuckerbygabybasora.com/

and be sure to check out ValStyle's stock of hard to find Tucker prints such as these two


by clicking here. We've even got a few gems that aren't online yet....wanna check 'em out? Be in touch!

xoxo

Rather Fresh, Actually

The SoHo Chanel boutique got tagged up the other day...

Source (Nylon)

MLK Day On: Mayor Bloomberg's Breakfast at City Hall & Teen Vogue's Clothing Drive For Haiti

Yesterday marked the 10th anniversary of the only national Holiday that honors one individual - a day of remembrance for the great Civil Rights Leader, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Many welcome it as a much needed free "Day Off". Ever since the national holiday was instituted during my time as a student at Deerfield Academy and the school pegged it a "Day On", I have continued this tradition of a day of service to others.

The day began early, with an invitation by the city's first ever Chief Service Officer, Diahann Billings-Burford, to sing with an assortment of alums from my college a cappella group, Shades, at Mayor Bloomberg's annual MLK Day breakfast down at City Hall.

The event was attended by many distinguished guests - Former NYC Mayor David Dinkins (who was seated 5 chairs to my left in the front row), Senator Chuck Schumer, Council President Christine Quinn, and the Grammy award winning singer John Legend, among others.

Most notably, John Legend (a University of Pennsylvania graduate) did not attend to entertain the crowd with his glorious singing, but rather to speak passionately about the need to close the educational achievement gap in our city and our country. He spoke on the success of Charter schools and the NY state legislature's plans to cap the rate at which new charter schools can open in New York. He reminded us all that "education is the key to opportunity," as Melinda Gates put it, and that we cannot sit idly by while America's graduation and achievement rates continue to fall. I was immensely grateful for his powerful words and presence.

Shades closed the event with our famous rendition of "Amen/We Shall Overcome".

My "Day On" continued with pulling excess from my closet to donate to Teen Vogue's Clothing Drive for earthquake victims in Haiti.

Even in the middle of an incredibly tough recession, last week's tragedy illuminated just how fortunate and wealthy we Americans are compared to much of the rest of the world. My donations to Wyclef's Yele Haiti Foundation and the Red Cross were not enough which is why I was compelled to spend the day sacrificing some of my own material things for others. I cannot imagine being in their shoes right now. While dropping my donation off, I learned that Teen Vogue will be collecting clothing through the end of today as well. You can bring your donations to the Conde Nast building located at 4 Times Square (at the corner of 42nd & Broadway) and have security call extension x7420 upon your arrival.

Read Barack Obama's plea to America on "Why Haiti Matters" in Newsweek. Please do what you can; even the smallest amount will help in this immense time of need.

Make Yours A Tucker Holiday!

Calling all downtown fashionistas: this one will tickle your Holiday fancy! The good folks at Tucker by Gaby Basora have been running a fabulous promo, and there's still time to get yours!

Send pics of yourself in your favorite Tucker top by midnight tonight to shop@tuckerbygabybasora.com; a selection of them will be posted on their website right before the Christmas Holiday.

The most fab gal will win a blouse courtesy of Tucker!

Be sure to email in your size and preference in styles. Good Luck!

To view current Tucker styles, go to tuckerbygabybasora.com, to purchase prints that are sold out everywhere else, visit valstyleonline.com

Current Obsession: Sammy's Fishbox

In NYC, it can be a challenge to find delicious food that doesn't break the bank. When I discover a new gem, I tend to get a bit obsessed. Spice thai had long held my favorite place to eat position until last weekend when i first encountered Sammy's Fishbox. Located at the tail end of City Island, a sleepy beach town off the Bronx, this had to be the most flavorful food/seafood I'd ever tasted in my life!
As if good food isn't enough, the restaurant is sprawling (so nice to not eat on top of your neighbors!), open after midnight, family friendly and also good for dates. Accessible by city bus BX29 or driving, a visit to Sammy's makes for a lovely summer lunch or cozy winter meal.
The portions are so huge, you'll be eating Sammy's for days! I had Shrimp Scampi, but next time I'm getting a Seafood Lovers Fried Platter :)

Other Sammy's fans? Regulars, Mariah Carey and the New York Yankees. I venture to say this is the best seafood in New York City!

ValStyle for Veronica Webb X Harlem United

About a month ago, we received an email requesting our support of model/host/supermom Veronica Webb, who had been invited on behalf of Harlem United to run the New York City Marathon on November 1st.

Harlem United is an AIDS service provider servicing the most at risk segment of the population struggling with HIV/AIDS. Harlem United has helped over 3,600 people of color from all walks of life,especially patients who are mentally ill, homeless, dealing with gender identity issues, or drug addiction.

We were honored to sponsor Veronica in support of the cause.

On Sunday November 1st, she completed the marathon in an impressive 6 hours!

Read Veronica's Global Grind article "Run Like Your Life Depends On It" here. Follow her Tweets here.