free j brand scarf

One of my goals in life is to own a pair of J Brand jeans (I have high aspirations, I know). I'm not quite in a position to get them right now, but if you happen to have it on your Christmas list, here's an opportunity to get a wee bit more bang for your buck. The J Brand Gallery at Henry Lehr opens on Sunday, December 19, and will be giving away a handloomed J Brand scarf with your purchase. See details below:

A little freebie always makes the whole shopping experience SO much better!

a good reason to throw a party

I'm not one of those people who looooves throwing parties (I can barely even keep my living room liveable), but pingg is making me feel like organizing one just so I can send out invites. Have you seen the electronic invites that you can send with pingg? Oooooh ...

Their designer series includes gorgeous invites by Martha Stewart. I love these three, especially the one with the corks. So perfect for a wine soaked evening!

Just in time for Fashion Week, pingg secured Patrick McMullan's fab photos for a chic fete:

Ben Watts' images would be perfect for enticing friends to go on a beach getaway:

Feel like throwing a party yet?

free mocha mondays

I kicked my coffee habit last year, but in the last few months, I have on occasion indulged in a cup of coffee every so often. There are some days where it's just nice to have a cup of coffee. As long as I don't go back to having my sanity depend on my caffeine intake, I think it's alright.

Today might be one of my coffee indulging days because I just found out that McCafé has been having Free Mocha Mondays. You can get a free mocha between 7AM and 7PM at participating stores. It's only until August 3, so I'm in no danger of becoming a coffee junkie. I hope.

Enjoy your free mochas!

free pastry day at starbucks

New Yorkers have just 15 minutes left and a lot of rain to go through to enjoy this freebie from Starbucks. West Coasters still have a few hours to grab their free muffin and coffee. Enjoy!

get it while you still can

Had to enter Outnet.com's raffle for this Christian Lacroix clutch since the luxe brand is in danger of disappearing. The company filed for bankruptcy recently and is desperately seeking a buyer, still. It would be nice to get a little memento just in case, yeah?

freebie alert!

KFC wants you to try their grilled chicken so bad that they're just giving the stuff away. Click on this link to get a coupon. As I type, I'm gobbling up my free food (2 pieces grilled chicken—a drumstick and breast if you care to know—plus biscuit, coleslaw and mashed potatoes). I wasn't sure I'd like it because I'm such a fan of the original recipe, but the grilled chicken is reeeeally good. The meat is super tender and juicy, and really full of flavor. I'm not convinced that it is very healthy because the grease from the chicken was soaking through the box. But I suppose it's slightly healthier than the original variety with the wicked good batter ... You can print out coupons until midnight tonight and avail of the freebies until May 19, 2009. Hmm. I sense the possibility of a Supersize Me experience except this time its eating free grilled chicken for the next 13 days ...

P.S. FYI, I got my free chicken at the KFC by Grand Central Station and it took me about 30 minutes of standing in line (I got there at 11:30AM).

freebie alert!

So here's the deal: spend $350 on regular priced merch by Tory Burch at Neimans and you get that pretty ikat-print pareo for free. I'm of the mind that Tory Burch stuff are a tad overpriced anyway so it's good to get something back if you really MUST have the Reva flats. I'd rather try my luck at the sample sale ... although those snakeskin Revas are calling my name ... hmm ...

freebie alert: origins cleansers

Origins is giving away a full-size cleanser today with any order! You can choose from Checks and Balances, Mint Wash, Never a Dull Moment, Plantidote Mega Mushroom Face Cleanser, or Pure Cream, while supplies last. I've never actually used Origins cleansers, but I'm a die hard fan of their Halo Effect illuminizer and the A Perfect World antioxidant moisturizer is also really good. My sweetie got an entire set of Origins products at Century 21 for a ridiculous price and loves it all. Order $50 worth of goodies today and get free standard shipping too! Sweet!

Got Lucky!

I didn't realize there was a promo going on when I ordered a bunch of stuff at Amazon Apparel. I was really just looking to save a buck on some sports bras and shorts to sweat in for my Bikram class. It turns out that if you spend $25 in apparel or shoes at Amazon, you get a free 1-year subscription to Lucky or Details! Cool stuff. These days, anything free is good ...

Park Avenue Winter turns into Cafeteria

My friend Ludette sent me a link to a post on Eater, which says that Park Avenue Winter is celebrating its appearance on Gossip Girl with a special that has a bit of a kinky twist. From March 16 to 20, girls of any age who come to Park Avenue Winter wearing a school uniform will be treated to dinner, and if over 21 will get 2 rounds on the house!

I am tempted to just do it since I live just 5 blocks from the place. If my boyfriend were around, I'd totally go with him but he's not, so I'd have to do this with a girlfriend. I don't know, I'm a little embarassed to do it! Although Park Avenue Winter does serve amazing, amazing, amazing food. (And the chef's real hot!)

How far would a chiconomist go for a free meal?

Where:100 East 63rd Street at Park Avenue. Tel. (212) 644.1900

Yoga at the MoMa

I was cursing myself last Sunday when my alarm went off at 7:30 in the morning. What the hell was I thinking signing up for a 9am yoga class? I could still feel last night's pomegranate mojitos swilling around my veins. Ugh. But I committed to writing about the event for On the Radar, so I pried my fingers off my duvet and climbed into my leggings and Uggs.

When I walked into the 2nd floor atrium of the MoMa however, all exhaustion evaporated. I couldn't help but get bowled over by the 25-foot-projections of lush colors and hypnotic images on the walls, created by Pipilotti Rist. I unrolled my mat and took a spot by the wall and marvelled at how many people of varying inclinations had turned up. There were serious aficionados warming up with headstands, and there was also a guy near me who was so clueless about yoga that he didn't even have a mat. There was a husband and wife with a child of maybe 3 who they prodded through the downward dogs and warrior poses. New Yorkers of all shapes and sizes, all here for a moment of peace in this crazy city we call home.

It was an amazing experience to have these beautiful images wash over me as I did the asanas and finally stopped to breathe. Virayoga founder Elena Brower gave a wonderful class, made even better by her legion of assistants who wandered the floor and gave corrections to the students. This inner peace, this feeling of being one with the world was priceless. And hey, it actually was. It was free! But wow, I would've paid to be there if I had to.

When I walked out of the MoMa after the class, I was so at peace that even a jackhammer's pounding sounded hypnotic. (I'm not even talking figuratively here. I literally passed a construction crew pounding with a jackhammer and thought, "Oh. How nice.") This was the first time in 2 years that I walked through the streets of New York without rushing, without anxiety. It was amazing. I need more yoga and art in my life, for sure.