Monday 29 June 2015
FFG Travels: The Signature Suites at the Loews Regency New York
In 2014 I stayed in 49 hotels. That's nearly a new hotel visit every week. I say this because it's pretty important when it comes to this particular piece. After you've stayed in a certain number of hotels, whether for review or for project work, they all seem to run together. You start to notice patterns and you truly begin to understand why a star rating exists and how it is that some hotels will always just be chains, while others are more like unique palaces. The Loews Regency New York, my latest adventure abroad, is a palace, truly.
There's a reason you see countless celebrities in the lobby of Loews Regency, just as there's a reason you'll never hear about them being there. This is New York's hidden gem hotel and you get the feeling you are in on an incredible national secret from the moment you check in. There's is no pomp and circumstance involved here. It's just an establishment that quietly supersedes everything else around it. It does so with innovative design (following a $100 million recent renovation) and excellent customer service that goes above and beyond what's required.
Here's just one example. In my over three dozen stays in New York in the past five years, I have always started by mornings with a jog in Central Park. When I checked into the Loews Regency New York, I knew not much would change there, seeing as the hotel sits just blocks away from the Park itself. Every morning I'd venture out on the hunt to stay in shape and every morning I'd come back looking like a can of tomato soup - red from top to toe - and so out of breath that I was pretty sure the doorman thought he would be calling an ambulance at any moment to attend to what must be a severe asthma attack. Nope, that's just this out of shape diva trying to keep up with the Central Park runners. But, in my over three dozen stays in New York, no doorman has done what the doorman at Loews Regency New York did for me every morning. As I would leave he'd wish me luck on my journey, calling me out by name. Upon my return, he would be there waiting with a towel and bottles of water to hand me as I made my way to the lobby. Such a small gesture, but one that left a massive impression. This was only the beginning of the niceties that were discovered in my three night stay with the property. And while I could go into all of them here in detail, I'd like to leave them for you to discover and enjoy for yourself.
The one thing I won't hold back on, however, are the Loews Regency Signature Suites. Talk about an impressive setup, people. There are six suites in total, designed by the country's most prestigious interior designers, which make for some pretty incredible interiors inspo. While I had a chance to tour all six, and have included a few highlights in pictures below, I actually stayed in my favourite suite of them all - the Glamour Suite. Seems appropriate, keeping in mind my connection with the world of fashion and all that jazz. The suite was designed by Lauren Rottet and imagined as a space that Marilyn Monroe would have called her own in the late 1940s. Yes, I could definitely see Marilyn living here and calling this home on Park Avenue. The views alone were stunning, but the interiors created with the wide open windows make this space heaven on the 16th floor.
The Glamour Suite at the Loews Regency is a room all about texture, from the shearling pink pillows to the grey and white soft carpeting. Even the marbled bathroom speaks of nothing but an elegant and refined lifestyle. For three days I lived in an apartment-like suite that so far exceeded my own dreams of a New York abode that I actually felt I was living in a parallel universe - one where I am much more elegant and have more money than I can count.
Of course only half the fun is had in the newly designed signature suites at The Loews Regency New York. The new renovation means the return of the famous Power Breakfast in The Regency restaurant on ground level, the opening of a state of the art spa and salon, the introduction of a sweet little coffee and pastry shop that will have you wondering why you ever even considered Starbucks on your first morning there, and also the reintroduction of amazing staff ready to cater to your every request.
Next time you are in New York, put this on the list of places to check out for a possible stay. I'll be really honest here in admitting it's hard to imagine staying anywhere else now for fashion week. Dear Loews Regency New York, I've fallen hard. Staying elsewhere in New York now would be like cheating on the love of my life! Thank you for amazing stay.
Now, onto what you came here for... the pictures!
A look at the other signature suites:
And here's a look at the food while in residence:
Fashion Foie Gras was a guest of the Loew's Regency New York.
Sunday 28 June 2015
What I Wore on Holiday pt 1
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As I've been posting my holiday outfits over on my Instagram daily I thought I'd pop all the links over on here so those who are interested in my holiday wardrobe can get involved. My holiday style is similar to my everyday style really, a little bit rock n roll and a little bit girly. Terribly monochromatic (even in the beating heat!) with the odd addition of a print or two. Some of the items I'm wearing are old or sold out but I have tried to link things that are similar where possible! For example my awesome tropical leaf print cullotte playsuit is sold out but you can get a similar pair of trews and a crop top!
Friday 26 June 2015
Style Update: M&S Spring Summer Fashion
You guys have been reading FFG long enough now to know that when it comes to High Street love, I have my favourites. And when it comes to summer looks, this season we are spoiled - in particular with what's happening at Marks & Spencer.
I've teamed up with M&S this summer to showcase five of my favourite looks in celebration of the season and I'm pretty much head over heels with every piece I selected from the collection. From beachwear (sorry folks, I'm not actually showcasing myself in a bikini on the site... never have, never will) to nights out in the summer sunshine, there's a little something for everyone here.
Remember to have fun with fashion this summer, ladies. Pair stripes with patterns, leather with lace... let your imaginations run wild and have fun. And remember to thank the universe for golden stars like Marks & Spencer that allow us to do this while not exhausting our Amex cards!
Without further ado, I give you Fashion Foie Gras for Marks & Spencer Summer looks 2015 (starting with the image above)...
Summer Stripes
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Nautical is a trend I've always been happy see fade into the background. It comes around every year and really has been well and truely done. I genuinely was surprised that it it's actually one of the few trends that hasnt come back around this year. Although, get me being so alternative and off beat by wearing something sailor inspired. In classic LLYMLRS style I picked up this White Pepper dress a couple of months ago and I've been wearing it on and off since. The thing I like about the White Pepper is that their dresses normally speak for themselves. They don't need accessorising or fancy things added to them, they just look cute, cool and fuss free.
My little bag is from Zara but has since sold out as I bought it last year. I always forget about it due to it's teeny tiny size but everytime I come across it in my bag collection it catapults right up to the top of the list of my favourite small bags. While it's only big enough to keep my phone, debit card and my keys in it's still pretty practical. This one from the Cambridge Satchel Company is very similar and looks a bit bigger which would probably be hella practical compared to mine!
Thursday 25 June 2015
Whats actually in my bag
Zoe did this tag recently and told me that I had to do it. So I turned my camera on there and then and filmed exactly what was in my bag at that second of time. No editing, no bullshit. Just the collection of bits and bobs, receipts and food packets and all. So if you wanted to see what I actually keep in my bag which hasn't been heavily swayed to make me look like some organised Bag God then head over to my channel and give it a watch! Remember to give it a thumbs up if you liked it and subscribe to my channel if you havent already!
Wednesday 24 June 2015
FFG Eats: Crab Tavern, Broadgate Circle, London
If it seems like I'm spending a lot of time in the City of London these days, it's because I am. I have no plans of packing in the blog and making a go at life as a woman in finance, but it does appear that restaurants these days are targeting this audience specifically. Every new opening I've been to in the last six weeks has taken place with the bankers' square mile. Restauranteurs are not unintelligent people. They don't have to say "show me the money" - it's pretty much easily on display. The new hot spot in the city, however, exists in one semicircle - Broadgate Circle. Built at the foot of the Swiss bank, UBS, this circle is home to newly opened bars and restaurants that can't seem to find enough physical seats to entertain everyone interested. And the scene was no different for the opening of The Crab Tavern in Broadgate Circle.
This American style restaurant is definitely gearing itself towards the individual who wants to kick back with a beer and a fresh catch. As the name implies, there's crab every which way you can imagine. From chowder to crab doughnuts, you can expect to find a menu that's almost overwhelming with choice. My favourite? The before and afters. Appetizers and desserts are key here. While we had a special preview of the menu, featuring everything from starters to sweet stuff, the one dish I couldn't stop dreaming after was the crab mash. Yes, they served mashed potatoes with a crab topping. That's just the tip of the iceberg for unexpected twists. This could easily be seen as a place to catch a crab or a banker...or a crabby banker. Who knows...
Fashion Foie Gras was a guest of the Crab Tavern.
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