love – Page 3 – Downtown Magazine

With Valentine’s Day less than two weeks away, most of us have not yet purchased a gift for our loved one(s).

For the sake of originality, here are 20 gift suggestions for those seeking to offer something more original than a bouquet of flowers and/or a box of chocolates:

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1) Jacques Torres Chocolates

New York City chocolatier Jacques Torres has a number of playful Valentine’s Day exclusives available. The “Spanker Lollipops” are for the less conservative chocolate fans, while the Champagne Truffles and I Love You Squares ought to appear to the classier of folks. Available at all Jacques Torres New York locations — Hudson Street, DUMBO, Amsterdam Avenue, Rockefeller Center, Midtown East, NOHO, and Grand Central Terminal — and select sweets are available for national shipping online at www.mrchocolate.com.

2) D’USSÉ VSOP Cognac

A bottle of D’USSÉ — a brand with a 200+ year legacy — may be easy to find locally, but the drink itself was naturally-aged at least four and a half years in France’s Château de Cognac. Combining cinnamon, almond, honey and dried fruits in its flavoring, D’USSÉ VSOP Cognac is the rare spirit that is both strong and delicious. And just in time for Valentine’s Day, D’USSÉ has released some great free recipes online; I recommend The Storm, which mixes the Cognac with triple sec, grenadine, cranberry juice and ginger beer.

3) TOMS X James Goldcrown

Few brands are as universally-loved as TOMS, arguably the pioneers of the one-for-one business model. TOMS has come a long way from basic colored slip-on shoes, and its new TOMS X James Goldcrown collaboration is especially eye-grabbing. James Goldcrown is the artist behind the viral Love Wall murals found in New York and Los Angeles, and as released in early January, the new TOMS x James Goldcrown shoes are beautiful, love-centric, and available for both men and women.

4) MOUTH

A member of The Specialty Foods Association, an affiliate of Fare Trade NYC and a member of the Good Food Merchants Guild, MOUTH is a popular online retailer known for its indie food, drink and gift picks. In other words, curators are choosing the best of what’s new so you don’t have to spend your time researching such. The new raspberry-flavored, hand-crafted X&O Candies? The Bourbon & Tequila Spiked Chocolate Sauce? The Love You Like XO set including Raspberry Rhubarb Goat Milk Caramels? Too many great options — and these are just some of the picks that MOUTH has curated for Valentine’s Day!

5) The “Game Day” Sugar Cookie Set from Ava’s Cupcakes

If your better half is a football fan, then Ava’s Cupcakes has a new product that will suit both your Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day needs. Helmed by chef Michelle Spell, Ava’s Cupcakes is offered the “Game Day” Sugar Cookie Set, featuring colorful and shaping football-themed cookies. Goal posts, team helmets, stadium, edible platinum trophy…It’s all there! And beyond those special days in February, Ava’s also offers gluten-free and vegan options.

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6) Yes To’s 2-Step Single Use Lip Kit

A smart gift may lead to some lip action, so it’s best to be prepared for that. Yes To just released its 2-Step Lip Kit, consisting of Exfoliating Lip Scrub and a Lip Mask. Both parts of the kit smell like coconut and are nearly 100% natural like all Yes To products are known to be.

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7) H2O+ Beauty’s L-Balms & Lip Gels

Other lip-related products to look into this year are H2O+ Beauty’s new Oasis L-Balms and Lip Gels. Each balm is packed with natural beeswax to help nourish and smooth dehydrated lips. Each gel includes a splash of Water Lily extract, leaving lips with a plush texture and a glossy finish. Beauty meets hydration with H2O+.

8) Hugh Acheson’s Curated Steak Box from Snake River Farms

Snake River Farms’ meat is utilized by many top chefs, including Thomas Keller, Wolfgang Puck, Gabriel Rucker, Alvin Cailan and Michael Mina. But unlikely many vendors to top restaurants, Snake River Farms also sells its meat direct to consumers. Hugh Acheson’s Curated Steak Box — priced just under $200 — includes American Wagyu filet mignon and ribeye, one Lodge skillet, one Mercer saucing spoon, 1 Bragard kitchen towel, Jacobsen’s Flake Finishing Salt, and Hugh Acheson’s Steak Cooking Guide. In other words, meat you won’t forget, along with some tools on how to prepare a great steak in the future.

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9) Artis Elite Smoke Collection

I have observed that make-up is a long-term game, as it is not just about buying brands that are good for your skin, but also about the tools you use to apply it. The Artis Elite Smoke Collection — available at www.artisbrush.com — is comprised of 10 brushes. As an example, the larger oval brushes (Oval 10, Oval 8, Oval 7) are designed for the application of base products. Each of the brushes are made exclusively with CosmeFibre. In turn, expect brushes that are both long-lasting and easy to clean.

Asheville commercial photographer Julie McMillan of Silver Birch Studio Photography - product shot — BRÖÖ / Photo: Julie McMillan

10) The Craft Beer Barber Collection by BRÖÖ

For those interested in both grooming and beer, BRÖÖ is an exciting brand and its new Craft Beer Barber Collection is sure to keep its users both clean, refreshed and cool. Beer has long been used as a home-brewed remedy for strong hair and healthy skin, and the products of BRÖÖ are rich in B vitamins and proteins. The Craft Beer Collection includes the 3-in-1 soap-free Hydrating Condi-Shave Cream, the 4-in-1 Shower Session Wash, and the 3-in-1 Hydrating Mug & Mane Lotion. Perfect for the shower and beyond.

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11) PHYTO PHYTOLOGIST

PHYTO’s PHYTOLOGIST is the first of its kind, targeting the four attributes of hair-thinning: density, thickness, strength, and shine. Its 99% natural formula is full of powerful plant extracts (e.g. Cacao, Indian Gentian, Scutellaria Baicalensis Georgi). On top of being an effective hair treatment, PHYTOLOGIST is lightweight and can be left in.

12) Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin

Based in the Yarra Valley of Australia, Four Pillars Gin has made major waves in the U.S. since launching here less than a year ago. Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin includes indigenous lemon myrtle, Tasmanian pepper, juniper, cardamom, coriander, star anise, lavender, cassia, and angelica, while each batch also includes eight pounds of fresh orange gins. Beyond being served in a beautiful bottle, Four Pillars numbers its bottles, further exemplifying how this is the rare craft gin that could also appeal to the masses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct8nRenzfjM

13) Beachwaver S1 Curling Iron

The Beachwaver Co. got a lot of press when it was uncovered that the Beachwaver S1 was used by celebrity hairstylist Sarah Potempa at the 2016 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. The Beachwaver S1 makes three different styles of curling easy to do within minutes: defined curls, loose beachy waves, and glam waves. The S1 is now being sold for a limited time in white via www.beachwaver.com.

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14) Lord Jameson Patisserie’s Valentine’s Day Limited Edition Petite Pouch

In the case that you are spending your Valentine’s Day with a canine, there are still gifting options to consder. Just in time for Feb. 14, the Lord Jameson Dog Patisserie — which launched in New York last year — is offering its Valentine’s Day Limited Edition Petite Pouch. Its ingredients are 100% organic, vegan and free of GMOs. Also available for sale at Beasty Feast.

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15) Clinique’s Pep-Start HydroRush SPF 20 Moisturizer

Clinique has a new product on the market for waking up your skin: the Pep-Start HydroRush SPF 20 Moisturizer. A long-lasting, lightweight daily moisturizer, the Pep-Start HydroRush boosts collagen. Available at local New York Clinique counters and at www.clinique.com for just under $30.

16) Truffle Mustard and Oil Collection

In this gift set from Maille, Black Truffle and Chablis Mustard is packaged in an exclusive stoneware jar from La Maison Maille, as packed in an elegant black and gold gift box. The rare upscale mustard meant for a foodie. Now sold at both www.maille.com and the Maille Flatiron Retail Store located at 927 Broadway.

17) Tapas For Two Gift Box by La Tienda

A picnic in not ideal this time of year in New York, but this gift box from La Tienda may have you reconsidering that. This Spanish-themed tapas box for two includes La Riojja dry-cured chorizo sausage, Peregrino anchovy stuffed olives, Torres truffled potato chips, and Marcona almonds. It is available for order via www.latienda.com.

18) Angels & Cowboys 2016 Rosé

This Sonoma County wine has the color of a champagne diamond and is lively and racy with hints of pomegranate, golden delicious apples and wildflowers. It’s perfect for sipping alone, or works well with a large range of foods, including roast chicken, salmon, seared tuna, crab cakes, and ceviche. Or, of course, a Valentine’s favorite: strawberries and chocolate. This treat can be ordered from www.gothamwines.com.

19) Salty Candy Duo by Jacobsen Salt Co.

Chocolate is synonymous with Valentine’s Day, but perhaps you will be craving some saltiness with the sweet. In that case, the Jacobsen Salt Co. has the Salty Candy Duo box, in which Black Licorice and Caramels are both wrapped up. Williams Sonoma sells these sweets, as does the company via www.jacobsensaltco.com. The brand also offers unique gift sets including Salt Of The Month Club and The Ultimate Pantry.

20) Turbo by Judas Priest

For those seeking a heavy metal-themed Valentine’s Day, well, Judas Priest has just re-issued its classic 1986 album Turbo as a three-disc set. In addition to the remastered original studio album, the set includes a full show from 1986’s Fuel For Life Tour, as recorded at Kansas City’s Kemper Arena. All the Priest hits are played and all the expected stage banter of Rob Halford is included. A wonderful rock time capsule featuring one of rock’s greatest bands.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7fZPMUHotE

On Wednesday, Jun. 1, Pnina Tornai debuted her new collection, “Love” at the famous bridal store, Kleinfelds on 20^th Street. Pnina spoke with Sophie Slotnick and Hayley Morris from Downtown about her design process, the inspiration for her new line, and her future pursuits.

I know your first store was in Israel in the early 1990’s, but when did you first realize you had a passion for designing?

Pnina Tornai: When I was a child, my mother would be angry at me constantly because I would take her tablecloth and other beautiful fabrics that she had and I would cut them and create my own dresses. She would always be so angry, she would say “where is my tablecloth, where is this special French lace tablecloth!” She would of course obviously find it in my closet. So I have always loved designing. Always.

Over the course of your career have you had to alter your designs to cater to the millennial generation?

PT: Of course. You know being a designer to me is to be connected to time and what’s going on in the world. When I first came to the United States ten years ago I came with dresses that I brought with me from Israel. Because the Israeli bride, I would say, she dares more, these dresses were ahead of their time. They were very sexy, see through corsets, they looked more like lingerie, and Kleinfelds said, “no, we don’t want these dresses, thank you very much but we’re never going to sell these dresses.”

I insisted, and I changed the landscape of wedding dresses in the United States and the world, because the United States sets the tone for the rest of the world. So I have to say, of course I do. I work with my brides every day, I’m here every month on a trunk show, two weeks a month I work with brides on the floor just in order to understand what their looking for. And the bride is a millennial. You can see we’re going towards lighter fabrics, destination weddings, open backs.

Every dress has so much detail, what is the process you go through to create one dress and how much time does it take?

PT: Well it depends, if it’s a couture dress, it can take anywhere from nine months to a year. If it’s a Love dress, because we pre-manufacture them by sizes and they’re not couture made, they would take around five months to manufacture.

When you’re designing, do you have a specific bride in mind that you could see wearing each dress?

PT: Every dress has a bride. And I have to say I am very lucky because I never studied fashion in my life, I never wanted to become a fashion designer. It was something I never thought I wanted to be. I wanted to be an actress, I was accepted into the best schools in Paris and Israel, but I believe that designing is my calling. I do act in my country, I appear in a sitcom and I am a reality star. But when I design a dress, the dress has the image in it; it has a specific bride that would wear it. And they’re all very different. I receive images, my inspiration really comes to me it’s true. I dream of my dresses. I suddenly have a dress in mind and I come to work in the morning and I say to my girls, “Oh my god, I dreamt this dress,” and they say “Oh no, not again, we already have 25 dresses and we need 20 for the show. What are you doing? Stop dreaming!”

I know you love all of your dresses so much, but do you have a favorite that you’ve made recently?

PT: It’s such a tough question. I am already working on my 2017 couture collection. So I will tell you what it is with me. Whatever is done, it’s like a past piece of me. I’m always in the next thing, the next dress. I think a creator never stops. A creative person’s energy never stops flowing. So if you ask what is my favorite dress, I will tell you it is the dress I haven’t made yet.

How do you customize your designs to what the client wants, while keeping your signature style?

PT: When I work with a customer and a customer asks for changes on a dress, I’m always very receptive of what her dream is, and how she sees herself. But I am also very responsible because I’m being paid to give my sincere opinion. It happens sometimes that I see things differently than the bride herself. I am a professional designer. I know what’s right for her to wear, so I will say it, gently. In my career, I’ve had cases where we don’t agree. But at least I was honest and sincere. I can’t do something just because I’m going to be paid a lot of money.

What is the inspiration for your Love line?

PT: I have to tell you the truth, it’s all the brides I have seen my whole life and all the love I have been receiving. It’s all my travels…It’s all the couture collections I’ve put together in one very well-programed line. I would say I really programmed the line, I made sure that everything I can do is in the Love line.

Speaking of the couture versus the new line, what is the general price range for this line?

PT: This line starts at $2,500 and goes up to $5,000 and the couture line starts at $7,000, so that’s the difference between both.

That’s really great that your dresses are affordable to more woman…

PT: I mean brides just can’t believe it. I’ve been receiving so many reactions and messages from brides saying, “Pnina, we love you, that’s what we needed!” I’m so proud that I could come up with the line because it’s not obvious. Being a couture designer is a very specific niche, it’s very different to work like that. I mean, couture is all handmade and we work on mannequins, and the Love line is a more pattern-oriented line. It was very difficult for me to learn, it was like a whole new profession.

Did you like that challenge?

PT: I did. I love challenges. I participated back home in Israel in the celebrity version of Big Brother, which is like the highest-rated show in Israel. Everyone wants to be on it, it’s different than in the United States. And I was a finalist. I participated in Master Chef, the celebrity version, and I came out second. So I love challenges. If you challenge me, you can be sure I’ll kill myself, but I’ll get there.

Have your dresses been worn by any notable women recently?

PT: Oh my god, I’m not so good at celebrities…But we just dressed an actress on the TV show Empire, and so many other people that are very well known. But I’m not the kind of designer to take a PR firm just so they can put my dresses on celebrities. I am sincerely, very satisfied with dressing my brides. They’re my celebrities. I mean those celebrities are gorgeous, beautiful, whatever they wear they will look amazing. I really fell in love with Kim Zolciak from the Housewives Of Atlanta; she’s such an amazing person and I did two dresses for her. A dress and jumpsuit. So yes, I dress notable woman, but I will not go after that because it’s celebrity dressing. I don’t believe in that.

You talked a little bit about acting and your competitive edge on Master Chef. Is there anything besides designing that you really love to do?

PT: I would love to act and do more of that. When I get a role and when I know my text, I become my character. That’s what’s amazing; I said it once to my director back home, because the character I played was a French woman, with a very heavy French accent, and she was completely crazy. But when I became her, I had no trouble, no problems, no anxiety from anything. I took a break from being Pnina, and there is nothing better than that. It’s like a whole new life and I love it.