At the last moment, I decided that I should have a birthday party, since you only turn 27 once. Throughout the week, my two girlfriends kept suggesting things to do and places to go. I wanted a place that we could socialize and dance, and a place that people would actually be able to get into. Saturday nights in New York can sometimes prove to be challenging with strict doors and frankly, a lot of it comes down to a matter of luck or who you know. On Friday night, I wasn't getting very many suggestions that sounded like me, so I messaged my friend Eduardo, as I knew he would give me a few options that we're positively me, since we like very similar things. Eduardo suggested Kind Regards, a new spot on Ludlow in the LES with a bar upstairs and a lounge downstairs where you can go boogie and get down. Eduardo is one of those interesting guys that knows a lot about a lot. He dines at the best restaurants, travels to the most exotic spots, and has the latest pulse on anything and everything new and cool happening in our city- from new bar openings to DJ performances. He's smart, well dressed, and well-liked and suggested that I call Kind Regards, as they just opened and would probably welcome us. So that's exactly what I did.
Kind Regards ended up being lovely and they welcomed us to come and celebrate my birthday at their new establishment. But before Kind Regards, I went to the Baccarat Hotel for dinner. I was feeling ill, and I really didn't think I would celebrate my birthday at all, so didn't have any dinner plans in store, but my friend Sarah was insistent on me doing something fun. Sarah, also known as my Korean big-sister even though we are not actually related, wanted to take me to dinner at Baccarat, our favorite hotel. I adore Sarah; we've traveled the globe together and I actually think I've seen her more abroad that I have here local in NYC. I didn't even know that Baccarat served dinner, but amongst the beautiful tables with oversized red roses that were made into these oversized red balls, she secured us the best seat in the house. I told the girls tails of my past few weeks, which of course, at any given moment, I have at least 10 stories will that make everyone wet their pants. This particular story was one that started in Vegas and ended in New York and was the reason I was ill; naturally, a very entertaining string of events.
During my birthday weekend, I was prancing around in clothes that belonged to another life. This outfit in particular belonged to my mother in the 1980s. It's Vintage Givenchy. There is a polaroid of her at the top of the Empire State Building, while she is wearing these polka dots. Her hair was bolt straight, parted down the middle, and she was kissing the camera with a polaroid camera in her right hand. I think it was taken in 1983. She looks happy and sophisticated, having just had a proper lunch at some overpriced bougie restaurant on 5th Avenue. I loved my birthday dress, and I love even more that my mom wore it, while she was having the time of her life. I like my outfits to be different and have substance and a story to them. I am particularly drawn to vintage, because it's different than anything you see today, and generally speaking, it's one of a kind. I think that as I grow up, I'll wear more tailored vintage suits and eclectic kaftans. I like the kind of ensembles that movie stars would wear in the 1930s when they would vacation with their lovers, never actually doing anything but sitting under a large umbrella in their perfectly tailored pieces, having outfitted pool boys that we're wearing matching navy and white tee-shirts bring them their White Negroni's, slightly chilled with one oversized ice cube. Doesn't that just sound divine?
Anyways, as you can see, my birthday was a ton of fun and it's all documented here by Sarah's polaroid photos from Baccarat and Aileen's fancy camera photos from Kind Regards. Thank you to all my dear friends for caring so much for me; Sarah for taking me to dinner, Eduardo for helping me choose my venue, and all my incredibly special friends for showing up so last minute for me to celebrate my 27th year. I love you all dearly... and more.
Coco wears: Vintage Givenchy Dress, Nina Ricci Studded Belt, Celine Bag, Christian Louboutin Simple 100's. Photography: AVEC NOIR, Sarah Son. Location: Kind Regards and The Baccarat Hotel, New York City. City Guide: New York City