Hi, everyone!! Living in the NYC metropolitan area I can attest to the fact that I most definitely have experienced some of  the best in fine dining. Let’s face it, Manhattan is well-known for their top chefs, up-scale dining atmosphere and wine lists that will make your head spin ( literally and figuratively speaking). In the city that never sleeps because of social schedules, making a statement especially in the dining arena is an accomplishment.

I recently heard the buzz surrounding a hot, new restaurant SamSara in the downtown/Wall Street area of Manhattan located at 277 Water Street and I just had to check it out! I began this special evening with a ‘Harvest Moon ‘cocktail which was extremely refreshing and just as pleasing to look at! Executive Chef: Joshua Elliott (formerly of Stanton Social) is the chef at SamSara and I knew I was in for a special treat. I really enjoyed the Ham & Cheese dumplings, the Pulled Pork Profiteroles (a fashionista favorite) melted in my mouth, and the Steak Tartare was something that I’ve never experienced before (which was also amazing). The Molten Chocolate Cake with peppercorn crisp was the perfect finale to this savory dining experience. I’m looking forward to my next dinner there soon and tasting other tempting menu items! Chic comfort food at its’ finest whether it be for brunch or dinner!!

Follow SamSara on twitter to learn more: @SAMSARANEWYORK.

About SamSara: Offering A Seasonal Contemporary International Cuisine & Wines from around the globe both new and old world. SamSara New York, located at the historic landmark downtown Seaport Area right next door to the famous Brooklyn Bridge & Wall Street District aka Fidi. Their sophisticated yet comfortable atmosphere brings all natures elements together with engineered cement flooring and bar, bathroom walls made of natural rocks, wood planked ceiling ,44′ plant wall along with a video wall featuring all New York City’s attractions.

The beautifully-lit bar welcomes you to scrumptious signature cocktails and the best in wines & spirits!

The ‘Harvest Moon’ cocktail (center) was out-of-this-world — and such a fabulous treat!

There are so many tasty items on the menu – including these mouth-watering dumplings!!

Come out of the cold and enjoy SamSara Fish Fry for $18.00 including a glass of wine or a beer on tap. Great brunch now full force for dinner. Join in on the energy of being at SamSara! Delicious!

Georges Duboeuf taps Brooklyn artist ‘Kaves’ to encourage aspiring artists to “Be Heard.”

Have you ever felt like you were ignored, not understood and not heard. Well, that’s not going to happen anymore! It’s time for people to stop, listen and recognize what you want to say! Nouveau Expression-Be Heard invites artistically inspired consumers (age 21 or older) to make a statement through art. French wine producer Georges Duboeuf has launched a collaboration with renowned Brooklyn artist Michael McLeer, a.k.a. ‘Kaves,’ to encourage consumers to make a statement through any medium art form. This is a multi-media art contest that asks consumers to share a personal artistic expression for a chance to win a place in the Nouveau Expression Art Exhibit in New York City, on November 16-17, 2011. A grand prize winner will win a trip for two to attend the Exhibit in person! They want to see those talents, want you to express yourself and “Be Heard.”

Consumers can submit original works of art, poetry, sculpture, fashion, dance, music or film on the Georges Duboeuf Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/georgesduboeuf. Fans are encouraged to vote for their favorite submissions.  It’s all about expressing your individualistic artistic side — celebrate creativity and self expression. It’s a fun, vibrant new way for Duboeuf to connect with its Beaujolais Nouveau consumers through art. As a wine maker Duboeuf connects with their land and grapes- it’s an art to make wine. By French law, this fresh fruity young red wine, may be uncorked one minute after midnight on the third Thursday in November (which, I just learned the previous year).

Last year’s uncorking was a remarkable celebration, which I attended. The event was hosted by the gorgeous Molly Sims and offered a delectable selection of food and wine which accompanied a surreal circus-themed performance.  Enjoy the clip below where, I had the opportunity to interview Molly Sims to discuss wine, fashion and the Georges Duboeuf 2010 Beaujolais Nouveau Cirque Celebration.

About Kaves

Kaves is an accomplished artist whose talents encompass street art, graphic design, acting and filmmaking, tattoo, fashion and music. His work has been published in numerous books and showcased at many museums and art exhibits, including the Gunther Sachs Museum of Fine Arts in Germany, The Blackstone Hotel in Chicago and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. He is the founder of the early 1990s hip hop band, The Lordz of Brooklyn, whose album, The Brooklyn Way, was released by Warner Music Group. Kaves is the co-creator and producer of the JAM Awards, a tribute concert and award show benefiting the Jam Master Jay Foundation for Music, which raises money for public school music programs. He owns and operates a successful art, apparel and tattoo shop, Brooklyn Made Tattoo, which also serves as the hub for all his creative endeavors. Kaves co-created and produced The Brooklyn Way, a multi-episode docu-series about life as The Lordz of Brooklyn, which aired nationally on Fuse TV. His movie, The Shoemaker, premiered in New York City on January 2011. He is currently working on a feature film entitled Donnybrook and will open his art gallery in Miami at the end of this year.

Become a fan of Georges Duboeuf:

About Les Vins Georges Duboeuf

Georges Duboeuf currently represents more than 400 winegrowers in the Beaujolais region. A self-made entrepreneur, he formed “Les Vins Georges Duboeuf” in 1964, which he now oversees with his son, Franck. Today, Les Vins Georges Duboeuf includes wines from Beaujolais, Mâconnais and Southern France. The wines are renowned for their quality, value and consistency. They are sold in 120 countries throughout the world http://www.facebook.com/georgesduboeuf.

Georges Duboeuf wines are exclusively imported in the U.S. by W.J. Deutsch & Sons.

‘Hair Guru’ Sally Hershberger and her dog on the beach!!

‘Sexy Beach Hair’– who doesn’t love it?! Not only is it effortless, but it looks naturally beautiful! Every girl loves those days at the beach where your hair seems to just magically look great with sexy waves, great texture — all thanks to the sun, and salt water of the ocean! How to get the same look at home, you ask? I’ve got this one covered for the DailyFashionista.com readers!

Sally Hershberger, (hairstylist to the stars) created her first self-titled, luxury hair care line in 2008. She travels coast to coast to work with her personal clients in her Los Angeles and New York salons. Sally Hershberger currently has 3 salons – Uptown located on New York’s Upper East Side, Sally Hershberger Downtown in New York’s Meatpacking District, and Sally Hershberger Los Angeles on Melrose Place.

This haircare line is nothing short of amazing and is the perfect solution for you to achieve “beach-y” hair!! Glam Waves is a line created for wavy hair to control frizz, define and shape gorgeous waves (aka the natural look every girl wants to be spotted with this summer). There are 5 products in this collection: Shampoo, Conditioner, Style Primer, Wave Spray, and Finishing Cream. After shampooing/conditioning, with your hair still damp — the first product you want to use is the Style Primer. It prepares your hair for styling and gives great heat protection! Next, you want to use the Wave Spray – it creates soft definition, adds moisture and shine!  Now, you can let your hair dry naturally, or add a little more wave by using a diffuser. Once your hair is dry, you can use the Finishing Cream as it gives your waves a glossy, piecey finish ( it smells amazing and has a coconut, tropical scent, perfect for summer)!

This entire collection is available by clicking here! Check it out, ladies!! Hair is the only accessory you wear everyday, so use the right products. Be spotted with natural, beach inspired locks this season!! I also LOVED watching Sally on Oprah — click here if you missed it!

xoxo, Amanda, Beauty Fashionista

Little Black Dresses (LBD) have always been a top item that every woman should have in her closet. Although this season, the term “LBD” takes on a slightly different meaning. Still, a fashionable “must-have,” long black dresses are the hot commodity this year, and all of you ladies should own one!

The best thing about these dresses is that they can be worn either casual or dressy!  How you chose to style a dress such as this all depends on the accessories! Pair this piece with gladiator sandals, a bathing suit underneath and you’re ready for the beach! Put on a chunky necklace, some bangles on your wrist, a cute clutch, your favorite Manolo’s and your ready for a night out with the girls! (or a special guy,*wink)

Angelina Jolie has recently been spotted wearing the Lotta Stensson ‘Best Dress.’ This Summer-worthy collection has also been picked up by other celebs such as Rachel Bilson, Jessica Simpson, Madonna, Beyonce, and Charlize Theron! This 2-layer “Best Dress” is draped in the front and is extremely flattering (it’s made right here in the US, in Los Angeles).

Lotta Stensson began her business in NYC, but in 2000 moved her company to LA. After 9 amazing years on Melrose Avenue, she’s now located on West Third St. in Hollywood (one of LA’s hottest new shopping districts). This collection is a lifestyle brand, and is devoted to travel and lounge wear along with statement pieces for a night out on the town or while vacationing on a tropical island!

You can view this gorgeous collection at lottanyc.com! Make sure you check out the 2-layer Best Dress, it’s available in a few different colors and is the perfect item for any fashionista!

** A SPECIAL offer for all of our fashionistas: Lotta Stensson is offering a 15% discount!! Take advantage of this offer! Just enter the code “daily15″ from now up until August 15th (you can use it to purchase any items & it can be used multiple times). Happy shopping!!

Xoxo Amanda, Beauty Fashionista

How are all of the DailyFashionista.com readers enjoying the summer? Recently, I was fortunate enough to enjoy the dazzling experience of the Atlantis resort in Paradise Island Bahamas! This resort is appropriately named because it’s truly paradise! From the thousands of perfect palm trees to the waterfalls, coral color exterior, and luxurious interior, style was prominent everywhere.

A little about Atlantis: The Atlantis Resort and Casino is a resort and waterpark located on Paradise Island, The Bahamas. Officially opened in 1998, the resort was created by South African hotel magnate Sol Kerzner and Kerzner International Limited. Paradise Island first opened its Coral and Beach Towers as the Trump Plaza, and then changed its name to Atlantis when the Royal Towers were built. The Coral and Beach Towers were later refurbished to match the theme of the Royal Towers. Now, with the addition of the new Cove at Atlantis there are so many nice options in accommodations for your next trip to the Bahamas! Before getting their first look at Paradise Island, vacationers, may not realize the unique opportunity they’ll have to explore a truly extraordinary collection of marine habitats and aquarium exhibits—lagoons, caves, coral formations and breathtaking underwater ruins designed to showcase exotic marine life ranging from dolphins and sea lions to sharks, rays, barracuda, to piranha, eels and even endangered alligator gar. Atlantis Resort host the largest such exhibit in the Caribbean and one of the largest in the world … encompassing 14 lagoons, eight million gallons of salt water and more than 50,000 aquatic animals representing over 250 marine species.

Atlantis offers a ton of fun water activities (such as the Mayan Temple slide) which travels through an underwater tunnel surrounded by some scary sharks, but my favorite form of leisure was the Haute Couture boutiques around the resort. Everything from Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo to Versace and all duty-free! Check out some of the pictures I took of my favorite items!

Another thing I couldn’t help but take note of was the colors that appeared on both cover-ups/bathing suits up and down the beach sands. Bright pinks, mustard yellows, sizzling hot reds, sea foam blues, almost every color of the rainbow in many shades and tones. It seems like this season designers were bold and daring when choosing their color pallets! Styles from SwimSpot, Victoria Secret, Vix, H&M, and others appeared on the shoreline.

Krystyna stopped by some her favorite shopping experiences at Atlantis resorts

Imagine how nice it would be to have a career that inspires women to feel gorgeous? Let me introduce you to Diane Young.

Diane Young opened her first skin care salon in New York City in 1982. Since then, she has built a very successful career in the Beauty Industry. She was named by Harper’s Bazaar Magazine as one of the top four beauty experts in the world, and also named by a leading trade publication as a Living Legend in Skin Care! She’s a woman who followed her dreams of creating beauty treatments and products to help women all over the world feel more confident.

The Diane Young Salon is located at 74 East 79th Street New York, NY. This beautifully decorated spa offers services such as facials, body treatments and waxing. You can purchase products such as beauty tools, and of course —  anti-aging skincare. The skincare products are designed for faces that are starting to see signs of aging, also formulated to be both corrective & preventative. If you visit dianeyoung.com, there’s a chart designed to offer specific products and solutions for whichever skin condition you may have.

For those of you who have never experienced the amazing benefits of Diane Young skincare — I have a special offer for you! During the month of July, you can stock up on your favorite products for an exceptional value!! (Check out Promises Delivered Neck Duo – it’s a steal!) Dianeyoung.com has all of the information you need to take advantage of this sale or you can always stop in and pamper yourself (what woman wouldn’t want to visit to an exquisite salon located on New York’s upper east side). Pamper yourself, because every woman deserves a little time to un-wind and relax. I know you deserve it!!

“ When you’re happy, you don’t count the years. ” – wise words by Ginger Rogers

xoxo, Amanda, your Beauty Fashionista

As the Style Editor for one of the leading swimwear sites in the business, SwimSpot.com – I wanted to share the latest looks that will be certain to have you celebrating your July 4th holiday weekend in high-style!! Swimspot has been featured in Glamour, Sports Illustrated, Redbook (to name a few) and styles sold on the site are gracing the runways of ‘Mercedes-Benz Miami 2012 SwimWeek!’ Everything in the above video can conveniently be found at www.swimspot.com! Have a Happy Fourth, everyone!!

Growing up along the ‘Gold Coast’, I have always loved the allure of sky-line fire-works!! My heart goes bang-bang — every single time I see the sky light up with vibrant, exciting and powerful burts of color!  This marks the second foray that the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks will be lighting up the sky over the Hudson River (right where I live)!!

Here are some prime places to catch the action with your friends and family!! HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY TO ALL OF THE DAILYFASHIONISTA READERS!! XO

Hoboken:

With sweeping views of the Manhattan sky-line, Hoboken looks to be a promising spot for clear views of the fireworks. Check out their street festival in honor of the occasion beforehand on Frank Sinatra Drive, between 1st and 7th Streets, which starts at noon.

Rooftop Locations:

*Press Lounge at Ink48

653 Eleventh Ave., at 48th St.; 212-757-2224

A perfect opportunity to check out our rooftop bar of choice’s wraparound terrace . The $225 cover includes four hours of open bar and passed hors d’oeuvre. For reservations, e-mail reservations@printrestaurant.com.

*Hudson Terrace

621 W. 46th St., nr. Eleventh Ave.; 212-315-9400

General admission to Hudson Terrace’s fireworks-viewing party is sold out, but should you decide to go fancy this year there are still a number of VIP packages available. You can choose among a handful of luxuries (and price points), which range from bottles of Champagne to tickets to an after-party at a yet-to-be-announced locale. Tickets can be purchased here at Hudson Terrace.

*The Sky Room at the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Times Square

330 W. 40th St., nr. Ninth Ave.; 212-380-1195

At 400 feet above ground, there shouldn’t be much to obstruct your view at this brand-new rooftop bar. There’s no cover, and reservations for table service are available. Of the different areas here, the Northside Terrace will be the best place to take in the show, we’re told.

Water-side:

*Chelsea Brewing Company

Enjoy an open bar with premium liquor, wine, soda, along with our award winning brews. Hor d’oeuvres, dinner and dessert will be served. Brewery tours will be given at 6, 7 and 8 PM. 
After dinner, stroll to the restricted viewing area at the end of Pier 59 to watch the fantastic firework show which is certain to be a crowd pleaser! 
 
Call 212-336-6440, check out our website www.ChelseaBrewingCo.wordpress.com or e-mail us at CBCSpecialEvents@aol.com for more information

*West Side Highway
Choose from one of the many entrances below 59th Street along Eleventh Avenue and post up before the show’s approximate 9:20 p.m. start time.

 *Piers 54 and Pier 84
West St. and 13th St. / West St. and 44th St.
These two piers are the only ones that Macy’s recommends going to for a clear view of the show.

Take a Boat Ride:

*Water Taxi Cruise

South Street Seaport, Pier 17; 212-742-1969
There are still tickets left for Water Taxi’s annual Fourth of July cruise. The $100 ticket includes munchies, and there will be a cash-only bar selling beer and wine. Leaving from the South Street Seaport, the ship will head west to see the spectacle. For tickets, go here.

*The Jewel

23rd St. and FDR Dr.; 212-288-1975
Expect to get plenty tipsy on this open-bar Fourth of July cruise. Tickets are $150 (or $99 per person for groups of ten or more) and also include a buffet dinner and D.J. You can reserve a spot by clicking here.

*Clipper City

South Street Seaport, Pier 17; 212-518-4604
Touting itself as the largest passenger sailboat in the U.S., the Clipper City, which is modeled after an 1854 tall ship, is going big for the Fourth. For $350, you’ll get grilled meats off a BBQ pit and a Champagne open bar on this five-and-a-half-hour sail. Tickets can be purchased here.

Holiday weekends are the perfect time to catch up with family & friends  — the stunning Brooke Burke did just that!! Brooke was dressed in Old Navy (yes, Old Navy)! Her gorgeous children were also wearing some Old Navy summer stunners to celebrate the season!!

Brooke Burke spent the day out with her four adorable kids and husband David Charvet (of ‘Baywatch’ fame – he’s so hot) at the ‘Old Navy Wish You Were Here Event’ in Los Angeles this past Saturday. They made a life-size postcard, played fun boardwalk-style games, and enjoyed summer snacks all dressed in their favorite Old Navy looks

Here’s the breakdown which can be found at Old Navy stores and online:

Brooke Burke Strapless Gauze Dress: $34.94

Heaven Rain Girls Bead-Trim Ruffled Tie-Shoulder Dress: $19.94

Shaya Braven Toddler Boy Batman Tee: $10.94

Emrbroidered Motorcycle Twill Shorts: $16.94

Sierra SkyGirls Hello Kitty Tee: $12.94

Girls White Skinny Jeans: $19.50

Neriah ShaeWomen’s Printed Polyester Dress: $29.94

“Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.”

–Conrad Hilton, American Hotelier

Pictured above: Zsa Zsa Gabor, Conrad Hilton, Natalie Wood 

Getty Images