JOHN BARTLETT AT BON-TON STORES

JOHN BARTLETT FOR THE BON TON STORES COLLECTION LAUNCH - ACE HOTEL - PH: JASON JOBSONFans of Menswear designer John Bartlett are going to enjoy shopping for Fall this year!  As of August 1st 2011, The Bon-Ton Department Stores will be carrying the exclusive John Bartlett Consensus & John Bartlett Statements collections in all locations!   If you are a New Yorker, you might not be familiar with the brand - but they are a major retailer with 275 locations in 23 states!

To read and see more - click - John Bartlett's Summer Plans

SERIOUS CHOCOLATE -a La MAISON

SYLVIA MACARON AT MAISON DU CHOCOLATMention chocolate to just about anyone - mouths water.   It seems our hunger for the dark, bitter, or milky sweetness of chocolate has never been greater.   U.S. supermarkets, gourmet food shops, and even department stores are bursting with a dizzying array of options, be it percentages of cocoa content or additives like mint, sea salt, pepper, or even good old fashioned raisins.   Of course Americans have a long way to go to catch up with our cousins across the pond, as the British, Spanish, and especially French have passion supreme for all things chocolate.  (20 years ago you could already buy Cadbury chocolate bars while waiting on the British Underground platforms for the next train or "tube" as they say in the U.K).MADISON AVENUE BOUTIQUE

With all the boutique chocolate brands that have popped up in the last 5 years or so, I thought I would pay homage to one of the founding houses of all things Cocoa.   In this case - the Maison -  La Maison Du Chocolat.   In 1977 the house was founded on Avenue Faubourg St. Honore in Paris, in a former wine cellar.  This big address would foreshadow things to come for the fledgling house of chocolate.  From the beginning, only the finest ingredients were incorporated in the makingTHE ORIGINAL SALVADOR RASBERRRY MOUSE CAKE of what would soon be the premiere chocolate of France.  The company built a prestigious reputation by using the highest quality cocoa and by following impeccable attention to details.   Travelers from all over the world quickly fell under the spell of this Parisian chocolate master.

In 2011, you don't have to travel to Paris (but if you can -DO) to indulge in these amazing chocolate creations.   La Maison Du Chocolat now has a global presence with boutiques in major cities around the world.  New York City is lucky to have three locations, and a fourth is just beyond the city streets in the luxury suburb of Short Hills, NJ.   What's even better is that the rest of you chocolate lovers not living in driving distance can just point and click.   The Maison has an excellent online boutique that can overnight an impressive assortment of chocolate treats right to your door. 

 To celebrate Summer 2011, LMDC has created a special collection - Chiberta.   These exciting little morsels are named for a town in the Basque region that is in fact the home of the founder of Maison Du Chocolat - Robert Linxe.  The Basque region is also the first area in France that began importing Cocoa  over four hundred years ago.  Of course, the Basque region is a major influence for the chefs of some of the hottest restaurants from New York to L.A.  In New York,  Bar Basque opened this Spring from famed restaurateur  Jeffrey Chodorow..  who previously brought us favorites-  China Grill and Asia de Cuba.   CLICK IMAGE TO VISIT LA MAISION

If you live close to a Maison Du Chocolat Boutique - stop by this Summer to experience a little bit of Basque Country.   In addition, add the web-store address to your bookmark pageMACARONS AND CHOCOLATE GANACHE - you can never have enough gift resources at your fingertips!   While they do cost a little more than your average chocolates, these are far from average by any means!   To visit the online boutique of La Maison Du Chocolat  now - click - CHOCOLATE MAISON

FULL ON FATHER'S DAY SHOPPING

Father's day is Sunday June 19th, so if you haven't found the perfect gift to thank the most important man in your life - then read on and get ready to click!  If your dad is anything like mine, he expects nothing and is usually happy getting just that.   Dad's classic answer to what does he want is " I don't need anything".  Silly man, who mentioned NEED?

RALPH LAUREN -TWO BUTTON, COTTON TWILL JACKET Most dad's are not super fashion forward.  If they were, they wouldn't be your dad, they would be your favorite uncle, you know the one who is so much fun, travels the world, and has the male roommate..but, I digress.  Let's look at a few ideas for your dad that won't make him feel like a fashion victim, but that will have you proud to see him at your dorm, apartment, or office.   He will also feel pretty cool in any of these looks.

Ralph Lauren is the quintessential dressed-but-casual lifestyle collection.   The name alone is prestigious enough to dress up any sporty look.  This cotton twill, two button jacket with notched collar can go just about anywhere - dressed up or down.    Click on the jacket to shop Nordstrom.com now or hit RALPH LAUREN to see more from the brand at Nordstrom.

Most dads, regardless if they are a banker or a painter can appreciate a great pair of relaxed cargo pants.   If your dad is the khakis type, maybe this is just the edge of cool his wardrobe needs.   DOCKERS CARGO PANTS AT MACY'SDockers are about as dad friendly as you can get - so once he sees the label - he should feel safe to trust them to take him to the cargo look.  Click the photo to shop these Dockers at Macy's.   Hit the store link to shop the whole range - they carry the entire collection. 

For dad's who appreciate a suit and tie look, Ferragamo hasFERRAGAMO BUNNY CUFFLINKS AT BLOOMINGDALE'S a pair of cufflinks that are wymsical and classic at the same time.   These silver rabbits work with any suit and I guarantee he doesn't have a pair like these.  Click on the cufflinks to shop  Bloomingdale's now and hit Ferragamo to shop the entire collection available there.  Last but not least, Sebago Docksiders are about as safe a bet as you can get.  Men of all ages love these shoes that start as a Summer staple and turn into a year round favorite.   click Sebago now to shop the shoes at Nordstrom.

If none DOCKSIDERS BY SEBAGOof these things seems like your dad, then click around the department store web sites and find something that does.   The sky is the limit.  If you order asap, you can have it sent to dad before Sunday.  

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!  If dad is more of a gourmet. click GRILL MASTER.

EASY BEING GREEN?

KERMIT THE FROG - THE MUPPETSOver thirty years ago Kermit the Frog sang about how it was not easy "Being Green".   His creator Jim Henson was giving a helpful message to the young fans of the wildly successful Muppet Show about finding their own place in the world.   I'm sure Henson also thought of the environmental meaning behind the songs title.  TESLA ROADSTER

These days the phrase has a whole different meaning.   We all struggle with the concept of being Green or Green-er every day, through the products we purchase and energy choices we make.    One car company that has achieved a totally Green vehicle with zero emissions via electric power cells is TESLA.  The California based motor company is definitely one to watch.   This Sillicon Valley start up company was able to get a car from concept to street ready in an amazingly short time frame of five years.   Founded in 2003, Telsa had cars on the street by 2008.   In the three years since the company has sold more than 1,500 cars in over 30 countries. RYAN REYNOLDS AS THE GREEN LANTERN  Incredible when you take into account the cars currently have a six figure price tag.  (experts say prices will decrease once output increases).  To find out more about Tesla, click the links above. 

Green is not just for sports cars and frogs.   This summer, Ryan Reynolds stars in the big screen and big budget movie version of THE GREEN LANTERN.  This Warner Bros. film is slated to be one of the big blockbuster movies of Summer.  Watch the trailer by clicking GREEN LANTERN.  To see The Green Lantern in comic form - click ITUNES.

One NYC based company is taking the Green initiative to another level.   The 4th Bin recycles your e-waste and the products that create it.   The company collects a wide range of products - from computers, to printers, to cell phone batteries and recycles them in a responsible way that is friendly to the environment.  This process will help keep toxic waste out of landfills and at the same time, protects your sensitive data.  To schedule a pick up for your old and out to date products - visit The 4th Bin now.   The company charges a small fee per item - think of it as creating your good "green" kharma!    Find out how to bring the service to your community by visiting THE 4TH BIN.