Tod's Now Open in Buckhead Atlanta

TOD'S

Buckhead Atlanta

Tod’s opens its 9th nationwide boutique in Buckhead Atlanta. The store will reflect the utmost in quintessential Italian elegance. The décor which is sophisticated creates an environment of contemporary character which still maintains the solid elements of classic traditional Italian design. This serves as a great reminder of the constant evolution of the company which is continually linked to research and technological progress without ever losing sight of the values of tradition and craftsmanship. 

The new Tod’s boutique will have a sales floor that measures over 2000 square feet and is dedicated to both the Tod’s women and menswear collections (Bags, Shoes, SLG’s and Accessories).  

The space is enriched with sumptuous leather sofas, consoles and selected furniture accented with steel details. Additional pieces crafted from steel and marble create a play of light and reflection to highlight the Tod’s Men’s and Women’s Collections. The warm and refined décor perfectly reflects the tones of Italian tradition. President and CEO, Diego Della Valle says: “The idea was to make our clients feel at home. A house built in a classic Italian style with thousands of fine details is always rare to find.”

For the occasion of the opening a special limited edition Swarovski crystal Cape bag will be sold in the boutique. The Cape bag is latest bag to be designed by Creative Director, Alessandra Facchinetti for the Spring 2015 collection. The bag worn by celebrities like Leigh Lezark will be available in Houston in multi colored calfskin leather and topped with Swarovski crystal embroidery.

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PINK Limoncello & LIDESTRI SPIRITS' "Best In Show" Cocktails

PINK Limoncello

Photo by Jeremy Scott Photography

PINK Limoncello

Photo by Jeremy Scott Photography

PINK Limoncello

Photo by Jeremy Scott Photography

Continuing a trend established two years ago, LiDestri Spirits’ once again racked up an array of awards, touching every market, at the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America Convention & Exposition (WSWA) this April 2015. The annual event, now in its 72nd year, attracts wine and spirits distributors and importers from around the world who convene to find new products, develop new business, and hear about trends from leading experts. 

Leading this year’s awards was LiDestri’s mü, a coffeehouse-inspired creamy ready-to-drink cocktail. Having already established itself in 2013 with the prestigious “Hot. New. Now. Media Award.” and a Double Gold the following year, its Creamy Coco Cappuccino flavor took home a ‘Best of Show’ award in the premixed wine cocktail category as well as a Double Gold. Additionally, mü flavors Creamy Vanilla Latte and Espresso Macchiato landed Gold and Silver medals respectively. LiDestri’s Recipe 21 Premium Grape Flavored Vodka also made a strong showing at this year’s WSWA, earning a Double Gold on the first night of the convention. 

Continuing its winning streak, LiDestri’s Spicy Bloody Mary earned a Silver medal in the Wine Tasting Competition. The first ready-to-drink Bloody Mary product of its kind in the country, LiDestri’s Bloody Mary is a wine-based libation sold with alcohol in it, making it much more desirable and consumer-friendly than the traditional alcohol-free mixes currently available in the U.S. Finally, in the Spirits Tasting Competition, LiDestri’s Tuttobello, intensely flavorful aperitifs, saw Gold for its Amaretto and Silver for its Limoncello flavors.  

While not new to WSWA, LiDestri’s PINK Limoncello did take a new approach to showcasing the premier liqueur to attendees throughout the convention. Utilizing a type of interruptive marketing, word spread through out the WSWA about the unique PINK branded performances fueled by Atlanta-based personality, Mande Lauderdale. Spreading the message of ‘When Life Gives You Lemons, Drink PINK!’, Lauderdale interacted and engaged with attendees throughout the event, driving visitors to the PINK Limoncello suite to take park in fake weddings, a mock cat funeral and more. While pop-up performances were the talk of the event, PINK also took home a Silver this year and was one of seven competitors in this year’s Call For Cocktails competition.

“With the constant influx of unique brands at WSWA we needed a way for PINK to standout that was reflective of our culture," says LiDestri Spirits Chief Marketing Officer Stefani LiDestri.  “This new form of marketing not only achieved that, but hints towards what you can expect from LiDestri Spirits in the future."

Hand-crafting the finest spirits with a sense of family pride, LiDestri’s Bloody Mary can be found throughout New York and Florida and Recipe 21 is available in New York and New Jersey. LiDestri’s Pink Limoncello is available in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Missouri, Florida and Georgia, and mü is now available in New York, Georgia and Florida.   

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Celeb-Inspired Mother's Day Gifts

Celebs have it all, from the top fashions to the best accessories, their closets and wardrobes are certainly enviable. This Mother’s Day get your mom a gift that’s inspired by celebrity fashion:

Jennifer Lopez’s Favorite Earrings

Jennifer Lopez is known for her bold style. She’s been photographed by the paparazzi in many different pieces by the jewelry designer Lana, but her favorite pieces, by far, are the Eclipse hoops. If the mother in your life is known for making bold fashion statements, get her a pair of earrings that really stand out. The Lana Large Eclipse earrings give the hoop style new life. The ultra-modern, ultra-chic standout style really wows. Each pair is made with 14-karat gold and the Eclipse hoops comes in two sizes, so you can pick a pair that best fits the size of your mother’s personality.

SJP Heels

If your mom can’t get enough of “Sex and the City” and she takes after Sarah Jessica Parker’s chic, quirky, feminine style, surprise her with a pair of sexy and sophisticated Manolo Blahnik-inspired heels. Parker’s collection SJP rolled out exclusively in Nordstrom stores in January 2014 in a partnership with George Malkemus, the president of Manolo Blahnik USA. Her designs are both ladylike and playful, from workday pumps and sexy strappy sandals to summertime wedges and comfy flats, so there’s no doubt you can find a shoe that fits your mom’s unique style.

Bethenny Frankel's Watch

TV host Bethenny Frankel’s watch collection is nothing short of stunning. Fashion mags have reported that her closet is stocked full of designer watches —that includes a few Michele Watches, too. In a world where technology has taken over and we all check out phones for the time, Michele Watches has endured this era by crafting time-tested timepieces that are both traditional and modern. Each Michele Watch is customizable from the watch case to the watch strap. Choose from stainless steel, rose gold or gold styles in sizes from 16mm to 20mm. The Serein, for example, features 134 hand-set diamonds in the case and on the dial. Other, less-extravagant pieces, like the Deco are great for mom’s who prefer a timepiece that is more subtle.

Plus, since the straps are interchangeable, each Mother’s Day you could give your mom a new leather or crocodile strap to match the hottest trend of the spring or summer season alongside a bouquet of beautiful flowers. The online flower delivery service, FTD, offers stunning bouquets of fresh flowers from spring tulips to elegant roses.

Amal Clooney’s Handbag

Since her marriage to George, Amal Clooney has been making headlines for her polished style and amazing accessories. There’s no exception that she’s one of the best dressed women in Hollywood right now. The human rights attorney perfectly mixes professional with modern by wearing accessories like the vintage-inspired Balenciaga De Lix handbag. When translated “De Lix” means “The Ten,” so there’s no doubt that this calfskin leather handbag is a standout. The De Lix features two carrying options, by hand or by shoulder, so it’s perfect for women on the go. Balenciaga is known for its unique hardware, but you won’t find any over-the-top hardware on this bag. The two-tone palladium and brushed gold features compliment the sleek, architectural style of the bag without distraction. If your mother is perfectly polished 24/7 and has a high-profile career, give her the gift of a well-designed, Italian made handbag this Mother’s Day.

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ELLEN DEGENERES IS SEEKING SINGLE MEN AND WOMEN FOR A NEW DATING SERIES!

NBC has ordered 8 episodes of “First Dates,” an observational documentary series from executive producer Ellen DeGeneres and Shed Media that takes a peek at what happens when a couple meets for the first time and love may be in the air.

Based on a hit U.K. format, this unique hour-long series offers an authentic look at a variety of real first dates happening over one night at the same restaurant.

We’re searching for people genuinely looking for love, men and women ages 18 to 65+ who are currently single.

No competition, no eliminations -- just a First Date. Where it goes from there is up to you.

Apply now at: www.firstdatescasting.com Production will begin in July in Chicago. No premiere date is set.

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Honor Earth Day with Eco-Friendly Accessories: Alkemie Jewelry Transforms Reclaimed Metal into Wearable Art

The Sage Cuff

  – Inspired by the sage that grows in abundance in the coastal mountains of southern California where husband-and-wife jeweler team Dara Gerson and Ashley Lowengrub live.  Dara and Ashley burn dried sage daily in their Topanga home and named their first-born daughter in honor of this cleansing plant. Available in reclaimed sterling silver and reclaimed bronze. $209

The Moon Ring

– The moon is a powerful reminder of our connection to the earth, especially for women. The phases of the moon connect to the cycles of the tides, the seasons and our bodies. Available in reclaimed sterling silver and reclaimed bronze. $176

The Starfish Cuff

  – On a visit to the beach, Dara and Ashley’s eldest daughter discovered a starfish and was instantly captivated. They left that starfish in its natural home but immediately set to work crafting a piece that would capture the exquisite beauty of this creature. Available in reclaimed sterling silver and reclaimed bronze. $209

Celebrate Earth Day with a bold statement.  Alkemie Jewelry’s striking designs embody the beauty and power of the natural world and are made without harming the planet. Each piece is forged from 100% reclaimed metals that would otherwise be destined for the landfill. True to their name, Alkemie transforms the common into precious.

These signature Alkemie pieces connect the wearer to the earth while helping protect its resources for future generations. All designs are offered for both men and women.

A portion of every sale at www.AlkemieJewelry.com goes to support the Seva Foundation in their efforts to bring eye care to communities in need. (www.seva.org)

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The CHIC Side of Technology: VANDERWAALS – APP-ENABLED, COLOR CHANGING HANDBAGS

VanDerWaals, the premier handbag company that combines fashion, function and technology all in one bag, announces the launch of e-commerce through www.Van-Der-Waals.com. Made from the finest premium leather and materials, each VanDerWaals handbag is carefully constructed to give women the opportunity to express themselves as never before. Inspired by the human desire for self-expression, the creators of VanDerWaals have built an accessory with capabilities previously unseen in a handbag. Using patented technologies, they developed an app-enabled handbag that can change color with just the swipe of a finger. Like a chameleon changes its colors, a VanDerWaals handbag can change its color to match a look, a mood or the environment.

Each VanDerWaals handbag is programmable through a free app that allows a fashionista to match her dress one minute and her shoes the next by selecting her favorite shade or taking a picture to match the exact color of her outfit. The bag can also be programed to flash a custom lightshow synchronized to a favorite song or make a recommendation for a lucky color based on the user’s birthdate. The bags are also programmable to flash a selected color when the user receives a phone call. No more digging through your bag to hear if your phone is ringing.

In addition to light up and color changing capabilities, VanDerWaals handbags are also able to charge a smart phone, tablet or other portable device. Through an invisible long-lasting internal battery, users can plug the included charging cable or micro USB into their device. The internal battery power can be replenished using the provided wall charger. The internal battery will charge an iPhone 6 up to three times.

The premiere collection of VanDerWaals handbags features two styles with varying patterns: the larger Caroline tote and smaller Elena cross-body satchel. VanDerWaals handbags retail between $499 and $699 and are now available for pre-order though www.van-der-waals.com with free shipping anticipated for late summer 2015, at which time the compatible VanDerWaals app will be available for download.

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Jet Set to the beautiful Toscana Resort Castelfalfi in Tuscany

The beautiful, rolling hills of Tuscany in Italy are as alive with history and culture as they are with flora and fauna. In the heart of the region, in the area between Florence, Pisa and Siena, is an 800-year-old estate dominated by an ancient castle once home to the Medici family. This beautiful but neglected corner of Italy has been thoughtfully redeveloped and reborn as Toscana Resort Castelfalfi. In the 1960s, the 11,000-hectare estate was abandoned by all but five of its residents in a countrywide rural exodus. Then in 2007, TUI AG, one of world’s leading travel groups, came across the property and saw its potential.  ‘From the very outset the idea was to restore the ancient village and bring it back to life,’ says CEO Stefan Neuhaus. ‘We are preserving the site’s original structure and reinstating part of Italy’s heritage, but with all the additional modern services and standards that you would expect from such an upmarket resort. ’

Work on transforming the estate into a luxury resort began in 2011. The renovation of the borgo – the outskirts of the castle walls – commenced with the restoration of the residential complex comprising 41 apartments completed in the summer 2013, and with the development of the first of three planned hotels. Built within the walls of the old tobacco factory, the 31-room La Tabaccaia retains many of its host structure’s original features and there’s also a typical Trattoria-Pizzeria in a renovated building close by and a restaurant that opened its doors in June 2014.  

Scattered throughout the estate are 26 original farmhouses, or casali, four of which have been dismantled and lovingly rebuilt using the same stones. The buildings’ wooden beams have also been preserved and each farmhouse has a traditional terracotta tile roof, while bathrooms have been brought up to date using local marble or ceramic tiles. With the capacity to adapt each interior according to its owner’s specifications, these casali present an exciting prospect for would be buyers, whether seeking a stunning second home or a superior rental investment. Several of the properties also line the resort’s 27-hole golf course, which is already considered one of the best courses in Italy. Some of the farmhouses are also available for weekly rentals.

Strewn with vineyards and olive and cypress trees, the estate is also a hunting reserve, playing home to wild boars, deer and foxes. It is also self-sufficient in terms of water and there are plans to create a biomass plant, which will enable Toscana Resort Castelfalfi to produce its own biofuel.  ‘We searched for this place for a long time,’ says Stefan Neuhaus. ‘What we are developing is not a typical resort, it’s a new approach for the international luxury travel market that offers apartments, a range of farmhouses, a luxury club concept and four and five stars hotels. Our guests are well travelled and looking for an authentic experience. With us, that is exactly what they will find.’

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