LIFE & STYLE
SPRING FEVER EDITION
Crawling out from this past erratic winter into the sunlight that is April epitomizes the blast of New York bliss we’ve been craving. Central Park blooms and beckons. Songbirds get their chirp on. Pastels push greys and blacks to back of the closet. And spring holidays erupt in a celebration of friends and family, with Passover and Easter overlapping into a happy and blessed mid-month weekend.
Here’s to us!
BUNNYLICIOUS
The kids’ table has never been more fun or fetching than it is once Sur La Table’s Easter Bunny Collection hops onto the scene. Whether it’s a platter, a runner, napkins, plates, cups, bowls, or all the above, rest assured the winsome watercolor renderings of wildflowers, Easter Eggs and, of course, Peter Cottontail himself, will delight tiny diners. And should you wish to nudge the theme up a notch, consider adding some adorable jute-wrapped carrot napkin rings. Info: surlatable.com
BUDDING GENIUS
Techno-centric conundrums plague me. Like earbuds: iffy audio; tangled cords; wireless ones that refuse to stay put, etc. Enter UE FITS, customized buds that to mold to your ear…all day, secure and comfy in (even my despicably puny ear canals) while wowing with awesome sound quality. Bonus: Their trio of colors include spring-savvy lilac and they come with an egg-shaped case, ideal for slipping into an Easter basket or as the Passover prize to the youngster who locates the hidden matzah. Info: custom.ultimateears.com
HOT WHEELS
If 1979’s Roller Boogie is a guilty pleasure and your slick middle school moves at the rink are merely hibernating, have I got a skate for you. Moonlight Roller has reinvented the wheel, blending retro with cutting-edge to create their Moon Boots – a line that shatters expectations with glam styles like “Flashdance” and “Night Fever;” animal prints dubbed “The Prowler” and “The Charmer,” and gemstone colors like Sapphire and Amethyst. Go from sedentary to exhilarated outside or in and let the springtime roll. Info: moonlightroller.com
FACE FACTS
If winter has not been kind to your skin, and you have four minutes to spare, consider Rejuvalift Advanced Tightening and Lifting Formula, a temporary (up to six hours) “facelift” targeting lines around the lips, eyes and forehead, under-eye bags, and creped skin. According to Rejuvalift’s cosmetic chemist, Dr. Marta Pazos, key ingredients were kept to a minimum because “No fluff allows us to maximize the efficacy.” Remarkably affordable, beyond easy to use and, best of all, no surgery required!Info: rejuvaliftbeauty.com
CRÈME DE LA CRÈME
I’ve found people quite opinionated when it comes to Easter candy. Jellybeans (designer vs. traditional) and chocolate bunnies (milk vs. dark chocolate)—the debates rage on. For me, though, it’s always been Cream Eggs: to-die-for flavors encased in pretty chocolate shells. Sadly, pretty doesn’t equal delicious. Proudly persnickety, I was excited to learn a favorite confectioner, Hilliards Chocolates, offers a quartet of classics: butter cream, chocolate nut fudge, peanut butter, and coconut. All are huge, handcrafted, and heavenly. Info: hilliardscandy.com
ALPHABETICAL ORDER
Now that turtlenecks have given way to open necklines, it’s (obviously) prime time to flaunt your favorite necklaces—as well as add to your collection. Fashionistas have made it clear that multiple chains and pendants are the in bling, but whether you choose to wear it in tandem or solo, Quince’s Initial Necklace is an eye-catching must-have. Boldly sized and made-to-order, this unique piece is crafted from gold vermeil and sterling silver, then layered with 18k gold for a beyond striking effect. Info: onequince.com
FASHION PLATES
As the season synonymous with renewal, spring inspires us to revamp and/or upgrade everything. I’ve decided to synchronize my refresh crusade to coincide with family gatherings, so out with the chipped and pathetic and in with Stone + Lain’s Brighton Porcelain Dinnerware. The free-spirited swirl design ensures no two items will be the same, while the style is “high-end timeless.” I opted for the moody grey shade, but their distinctive pink has undeniable seasonal allure. Info: stonelain.co
SEEING REDS
I know, spring dictates we put aside red wines for whites and rosés. But this passé tradition (akin to banning white after Labor Day) fails to indulge my year-round cabernet love affair. Call me a rebel with a protocol but passing up Beaulieu Vineyard’s 2019 Rutherford Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon just because it’s Daylight Savings Time is wrong—wrong. This dark berry fruit and chocolate/espresso undertones and flawless bouquet give this luxe red a panache that defies seasonal censorship. Info: bvwines.com
PUT YOUR NECK ON ALIGNCell phones alone, with their infinite options—from talking and texting to reading and watching—do bad things to our upper body. Toss in gym workouts and hours scrunched over a computer and we’re looking at a nasty muscle-to-misery ratio. Fortunately, a super-smart physical therapist came up with The Nuckle, a seemingly simple gizmo that tackles those irksome mini-muscles at the base of the skull that trigger everything from neck and shoulder aches to migraines. Effective? Absolutely. Info: alethahealth.com