Tony Melillo On: Art Basel Miami
You can always spot Tony Melillo by his impeccable tan and his usual v-neck uniform. The tan comes courtesy of Miami, the v-necks from his t-shirt line ATM, a favorite amongst ladies who layer. Ever since he opened a store in Miami in the Nineties, it’s been his second home — so who better to teach us how to navigate the city during Art Basel, when the international art world descends for a week of parties and openings? He knows all the best places for people watching, crowd-avoiding and finding the best Café Cubano.
Spotlight On: Michelle Bernstein
Maybe you’ve seen Michelle Bernstein as a judge on Top Chef. Or on the Food Network’s Melting Pot series. Or the time she bested Bobby Flay on Iron Chef America? She’s a culinary whiz, with the skills and the James Beard award to back them up. Michelle’s also a born and bred Miami native — her Michy’s restaurant on Biscayne Boulevard is a destination spot — so we quizzed her on local eats, holiday meals and the Miami of her youth. She gave us the recipe to her famous bread pudding, too.
Word of Mouth: Bill’s
Carrying on the tradition of New York City speakeasies, John DeLucie — he of The Lion and Crown fame — has restored and re-opened Bill’s Gay Nineties, which closed earlier this year after an 88 year run. Now, it just goes by Bill’s, the walls are a deep blue and crammed with fun pictures and mirrors. Bill’s Gay Nineties first opened in the 1920s, thumbing its nose at Prohibition. Then, it was an homage to the drink-swilling, good-times Nineties…as in the 1890s. In turn, Bill’s has such classics on its menu as the Hanky Panky cocktail, made with Dorothy Parker gin.
Insider’s Guide: Laure Heriard Dubreuil’s Miami
As everyone heads to Miami for Art Basel, we talked to Laure Heriard Dubreuil, co-founder of South Beach shopping mecca The Webster, for an insider view on the city. There’s more to this hot spot than just great beaches. Here, she reveals the best escapes, must-see Art Deco destinations and enlightens us on the local lingo. For instance: freezy, which has nothing to do with the mercury dropping.
Tory On: Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is a divine study in contrasts, growth and optimism — as Tory discovered on a recent trip. From the excited planning for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics (sports, especially soccer, are a religion there) to the white sand of Copacabana and all those girls from Ipanema to the deep green rainforest-covered mountains that hug the city, Rio is a city full of energy, ideas and, yes, some uber-stylish people.
Tory’s Gift Guide: Part 3
Gift season? Game on. We culled our entire collection for items that are perennial favorites, looks that have a classic appeal. Like a roll-and-go backgammon game and travel accessories that will keep the most frequent flyers entertained and organized for the duration. Or silk pajamas meant to be styled for daytime and bedtime. The colors are cool blue, red and black. There are stocking stuffers here, and bigger ticket gifts that will make anyone merry.
See the Gift Guide now.
Book of the Week: La Dolce Vita
Want a glimpse of what “living the good life” really looks like? Then check out Slim Aarons’ new book La Dolce Vita, which captures the glamorous lives of the Beautiful People in Italy — six decades-worth. Shot everywhere from Porto Ercole’s famed Il Pellicano Hotel to the snowy mountains of Cortina d’Ampezzo, his images inspire us to add a bit of bohemian glamour and Old-School chic into our lives. Needless to say, some of our favorite motifs — bold jewelry, nautical stripes, Sixties and Seventies silhouettes — feature heavily here. It’s the good life, Italian style.
Insider’s Guide: Christina Pitanguy’s Rio
If there’s a girl you need to know in Rio, it’s Christina Pitanguy. Founder of her own fashion and luxury consulting firm and a Vogue Brasil contributor, Christina knows the city’s best shopping spots, the must-know Brazilian designers and, as we discovered, the top local getaways. Read all she has to say about her hometown.
Spotlight On: The Tappan Collective
L.A. natives Jordan Klein and Chelsea Neman are always on the hunt for inspiring original art. Their new online gallery, The Tappan Collective, focuses on emerging artists. If you’re near Santa Monica Boulevard this month, swing by their holiday pop-up for one-of-a-kind work. Or if you’re in Miami this week, check them out at the Aqua art fair, opening this Thursday.
Apples and Oranges, 2012, by David Kitz
To Hear: Anya Marina in NY
Portland-based singer-songwriter Anya Marina is in town for a one-off gig at Rockwood Music Hall tomorrow night. We got five minutes with her to discuss Elliot Smith, George Michael and keeping your nail polish on while playing guitar.
Street Style: Seeing Green
Wearing color doesn’t have to be a tricky thing. As blogger Dana Suchow demonstrates, you can let loose with the neutrals — as long as you pick a great handbag that packs a colorful punch, like our suede and leather 797 satchel here in deep pine. And once you have that power statement piece, feel free to get creative with smaller, more subtle touches. How about a matching silk scarf to go with it?
Tory Daily Exclusive: Mustique Bikini & Caftan
Give yourself a break from the chaos of holiday planning and think about someplace balmy and beachy…like Mustique in the West Indies. Our limited-edition Mustique Bikini and Caftan, available only through the Tory Daily app, recall the colorful mosaics and bright colors of the island. The bikini flatters and fits perfectly (thanks to its four-way stretch Italian fabric), while the caftan lends the right amount of bohemian cover.
Take the plunge — download Tory Daily.
Jordan Salcito On: Gifts for the Wine Lover
What do you get the wine lover? Hint: not wine. Jordan Salcito, New York City sommelier and founder of Bellus Wines, offers her own advice on things to thrill someone with a discerning nose and palette.
Tory Entertains: Mixed Spiced Nuts
These spiced nuts are a classic around Tory’s house during the holidays. Make a big batch before a party or dinner and then just fill your favorite dishes in the living room, dining room and kitchen (where everyone will congregate anyway).
To Do: Wade Guyton OS at the Whitney
An inkjet printer is probably the unsexiest artist tool out there. Until you see how Wade Guyton used an Epson Stylis Pro 11880 model to create his OS show at the Whitney Museum (through January 13). Wade printed massive abstract works on Epson’s biggest printer, leaving glitches, ink bleeds and all. The result is powerful statement on both a tech-obsessed society and the pillars of art history (Andy Warhol screen-printing and Modernist dots and stripes, among them). As for the OS in the exhibit title, that’s, yes, a nod to (the also unsexy-sounding) operating system software.
Untitled, 2010, by Wade Guyton. Collection of the artist. © Wade Guyton. Photograph by Lamay Photo.
Editors’ Wish List: Top 25 Gifts
We’ve given you the gift guide. Next stop? The editors’ wish list — our personal picks on fail-safe, foolproof gifts that have made us smile all season long. These are the coolest, the chicest, the quirkiest, the most creative gifts out there — guaranteed people pleasers. We promise.
Odette Annable On: Holiday Traditions
How does actress Odette Annable tackle the holidays? With a little roasting and a whole lot of lipstick. We caught up with the House and Brothers & Sisters alum on her favorite traditions.
Expert Guide: Raúl Àvila
Raúl Àvila has created entire walls out of flowers for clients, including Marc Jacobs and the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. And yet, his tip for anyone throwing a holiday dinner party is to “keep it small and simple.” Good lighting and a beautiful arrangement will cocoon your guests for the duration. He offered plenty more advice as we head into prime holiday entertaining time.
What’s Your Sign? Sagittarius
Curious about what the fire sign of Sagittarius (November 21st – December 21st) has in store for you? Then keeping reading, because astrology expert Susie Cox reveals all.
Tory’s Playlist: Holiday Music
Have a very merry music-filled holiday — on us. From Dean Martin to Van Morrison, here’s our special playlist of seasonal classics and soon-to-be classics.
Look We Love: Louche Pajama Dressing
The pajama look isn’t just for the runways or bedtime. When cut from silk, especially in a graphic print like this, it makes for an impossibly cool and elegant take on evening dressing. The trick is to find a chic balance between the feminine and masculine. A sharp blazer, like our Andrea style, ups the louche vibe while a sexy stiletto heel adds a femme-fatale line.
Shop the Look
Tory Entertains: Thanksgiving Dinner
Thanksgiving dinner at Tory’s house is a mix of tradition and the new. Check out the full menu here. It includes Tory’s favorite sweets from her mother’s dessert table (croquembouche and pumpkin mousse) as well as gourmet twists on the classics — roasted heritage turkey with cranberry mostarda, anyone?
Ask Tory: The Thanksgiving Table
Q: What are your Thanksgiving plans?
A: The day revolves around our whole family gathering for a big family meal. It’s the kind of chaos I love — a lot of talking, laughing and eating. We’re at the table for hours, so it has to be something we feel comfortable around. And since I’m not a big cook, I’m happy to take over décor duty. I like a lot of tea lights and use my favorite pieces, like monogrammed linens I’ve had for a while and Imari vases filled with fresh flowers and berries (keeping the arrangement low so we can see each other across the table). I mix up fall oranges and purples with a little hot pink.
Dr. Sam On: Giving to Get (Time)
Dr. Samantha Boardman makes a scientific argument for why giving back is good for the soul.