How are you celebrating this year?
“I usually go home to be with my family, but for the past few years Chinese New Year has fallen during the fashion shows. When I’m in NYC I celebrate over dinner with a few Chinese models at Si Chuan restaurant. I love the food! This is a good year because it is the year of the dragon.”
Favorite childhood memory of Chinese New Year?
“Traveling with my parents to Qing Dao — the Miami of China — and going swimming. I grew up in the middle of China where there is no water so I always loved going to the beach. Also my parents, aunties and uncles always would give the kids in the family money. When you get older you don’t get money anymore!”
“I like quite a bit of color and pattern, which can be harder to wear on the streets of London or New York, but perfect for swanning about Ibiza or St. Tropez.”
We love color and pattern, too! Our Resort collection is all about ultra-bright hues and bold prints, which we think look great mixed together.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
As they say in the French Quarter, “Laissez les bon temps rouler!” The good times will roll indeed if you follow Julia Reed’s guide to New Year’s in New Orleans.
Late Lunch
I meet friends at Galatoire’s; it always turns into dinner. I love to drive around the city and look at all the lit-up houses. People really outdo themselves — every neighborhood sparkles like crazy.
Cocktails
The Carousel Bar at The Monteleone Hotel is fashioned like a carousel, and it actually turns while you’re sitting there. It’s romantic and fun.
Fireworks
I usually head to a friend’s apartment building rooftop for some civilized viewing. The Ogden Museum of Southern Art has a fabulous roof terrace and sculpture garden with the best views in the city.
Dream New Year’s Eve Date
It would be fun ringing in the New Year with Oscar Wilde, but I’m usually with exactly who I want to be — my husband and my dog.
New Year’s Day Brunch
Sylvain, a divine restaurant in an 18th Century carriage house in the French Quarte.. The Bloody Marys come with a spear of okra that is pickled in-house and a shot of Schlitz (a weirdly perfect combo). The brunch menu has buttermilk pancakes and biscuits and gravy, omelettes and a fried egg and country ham sandwich swanked up with arugula and a parmesan Mornay.
Illustration courtesy of Galatoire’s
Natalie Joos, casting director and Tales of Endearment blogger, has packed her bikinis and is flying someplace warm. See the feature…
“So many flavors around the holidays revolve around spice so I keep a few rieslings on-hand — Trimbach’s bone-dry Cuvée Fréderic Emileis and Albert Boxler’s gorgeous rieslings from the Sommerberg vineyard. Heitz Grignolino, Napa Valley, CA 2008, is such a fun wine, if you can get your hands on a bottle! Grignolino means ‘the little strawberry.’ One of my favorite champagnes for New Year’s is Saint-Chamant NV Blanc de Blancs. It’s a nuanced mix of brioche, toasted hazelnuts, lemon zest and minerals.”
“Our family loves Harbour Island in the Bahamas for a Christmas holiday. Walking on pink sand (not snow), wearing next to nothing outside, eating turkey in a friend’s garden dressed in a tunic and mini skirt – heaven.”
“I love to be in Sun Valley for New Year’s. It’s the original mountain town and America’s first ski resort. The mountain has the perfect fall line, and I love spending my days chasing my boys down black diamond runs.”
“The Big Island is my family’s favorite vacation destination; it is like a second home for us! The weather is always beautiful, the beaches are pristine, and the water is warm and clear… The ocean is teeming with incredible sea life — you can swim among dolphins every day and are guaranteed to see the most beautiful sunset every night.”
“I’ve been going to Punta del Este for the holidays since I was born, so there is a bit of bittersweetness. The landscape is absolutely gorgeous: you have the sea next to small mountains next to forest of pinos. It’s a beautiful town — really chic, with lots of high buildings along the seawalk. But at the same time, it maintains the charm of the local people — Uruguayans are the nicest! You can hide in a house inside a quiet street, you can ride your bike or you can find the most popular restaurants and beaches. In my case, I prefer to go in the off-season, because it’s when you can get the real tradition of the people and the city.”
Pictured: La Mano by Mario Mario Irarrazabal
“I am going to Cartagena de Indias in Colombia. It’s known as the ‘Latin Venice’ because of its colonial palaces and the incredible town filled with the most beautiful hidden houses and gardens. Going to the island of Baru to rest on the beach during the day is the perfect way to recharge your batteries after a night of salsa dancing!”
