It’s officially summer. Stop! Put down that heavy black leather bag. It’s so over. Pick up one of these cool summer bags that suit a wide range of budgets for every occasion.

Summer Weekend Getaways
Overnight bags can still exude style. These two will never detract from your fabulousness. Who knows who you’ll meet on Metro North?

O’Neill makes this floral printed coated canvas weekend bag for only $61.95, available on Zappos.com.

Check out this canvas and purple patent leather tote from Trovata, available at Barneys Co-op and Barneyscoop.com for $299.00. Also comes in green, orange and blue patent trim.

Casual/Weekends

Weekends are no time to let your style guard down. Stay cute and perky with these totes that hold all of your gear without weighing down those delicate bronzed shoulders.
This pink and black tote from Hurley is only $59.95 and is available on Zappos.com.

Head to the beach with this bamboo tote from Twisted Orchid, available for $80.00 on eBags.com.

Since bidding adieu to Paris last fall, I’ve been pining for that perfect French bistro to make my standby. I happen to live in a city that offers more restaurants than I could sample in my lifetime, where I can score sushi at 2 a.m. or sample Indonesian-Japanese fusion down the block, or even in Soho, where “unpretentious bistros” are like moths to a flame. I thought I would never find what I was looking for…until…

Much love to Parigot and its lovely owners, Michel and Catherine, who have created a hidden gem that conjures up my love for the City of Lights and its fabulous fare.
Typical bistro tables close enough to hear our neighbors’ sweet nothings, nestled in a space that spills with charm. You won’t find a $50 foie gras burger (merci) or a waiting list booked months in advance (yet…). What you will discover is deliciously crafted French fare that’s simple and perfect, just like a bistro should be. We sampled the traditional favorites – snails nestled in a crock with butter and garlic, an oxtail terrine loaded with rich and delicious flavors, tuna tartare, simple but bursting with fresh lime and ginger.

Michel’s version of a crab cake that was maybe the most “fancy” of all with generous lumps of crab perfectly packaged in a buttery, flaky crust was a melt-on-your tongue dish. The lamb with spring veggies was nothing short of some of the best lamb I’ve had to date; this entrée should be year-round and easily serve as a wintertime comfort stew. The wine menu is noteworthy, chosen to enhance the menu, but not overdone, much like everything else at Parigot. It’s refreshing to find that boite where the food is the focus and where the owners greet you like their family. Somehow, by not trying so hard, Parigot manages to cook up some of the most impressive bistro fare that I’ve had in the city.

155 Grand Street (corner of Lafayette)
New York, NY 10013
212-274-8859
http://www.parigotnyc.com

Get ready to save some space in your closet for the sensual and unique designs of Roberto Cavalli! And don’t worry; you don’t need to be making millions to dress like a star anymore! The Italian designer will be collaborating with H&M to create a collection for over 200 selected stores worldwide, and there is no doubt the pieces won’t be anything resembling ordinary or boring.

The first Italian designer in the history of H&M, Cavalli is known for his rich sensuality and exciting creativity and has worked with the best of the best. His clothing regularly graces the famous bodies of the Hollywood elite, such as Madonna, Beyonce, Charlize Theron, Victoria Bechham, Lenny Kravtiz and more. His clothing drips with glamour, often showcasing animal prints, rich colors and embellishments making his work distinct and incomparable.

The line for H&M will consist of 20 pieces of iconic menswear and 25 for womenswear, including lingerie and the matching accessories that H&M can always be counted on to supply. Cavalli’s collection will only add to the already lively and fun spirit that the international store encompasses and gives the designer an opportunity to become acquainted with a whole new audience. So, starting November 8, 2007, head over to H&M, and you may come away feeling and looking just a little more glamorous. Make sure to hurry up though; Cavalli’s designs will be at H&M for only a limited time so get them before it’s too late!

Photo from www.nationalentertainment.co.uk/fireworks.html

If the very thought of the Fourth of July fills you with a decidedly unpatriotic dread, and the mere mention of the word ‘celebration’ leaves you determined to spend the holiday holed up in your apartment with the door firmly bolted in case dazed/drunk/over-friendly members of the crowd happen to wander by, then it is time to face your fears. Independence Day is a fantastic excuse for countless things, such as singing ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ at the top of your voice on the subway, wearing ridiculous oversized hats, eating anything and everything that could possibly be deemed unhealthy over the course of 24 hours, and deciding that it would be “amusing” to dye your hair red, white and blue after getting more than a little tipsy at your friend’s roof-top barbecue. There is, however, no excuse for depriving yourself of one of the most spectacular visual events of the year: the famous Macy’s fireworks.

Indisputably a New York ‘tradition,’ the fireworks extravaganza must be seen in person to be truly appreciated. Beginning at approximately 9 pm, fireworks will be released from three separate locations around the city, illuminating the sky in a dazzling dance of sparks and vibrant color. People flock from all over the world to witness this spectacle and experience the quite simply, electric atmosphere; at the same time, too many New Yorkers let the fear of spending hours scrunched between confused tourists and overzealous Manhattanites get in the way of their inevitable desire to be there. So for all you ladies who would much rather give up summer mani-pedis than have to watch the fireworks from amongst the festive hoi polloi on FDR Drive, here are a few alternative suggestions.

Roosevelt Island
Escape the madness without giving up the views! Flip-flop your way over to Roosevelt Island, where not only will you have a bit more breathing space, but the thoughtful (or merely forward-thinking and realistic?) organizers also provide guaranteed seating for all ticket holders. Tickets cost $18 and are available online or by calling 877-77CLICK; it’s a great offer, and it even includes pre-fireworks entertainment featuring music and face-painting, as well as a food court if you’re too lazy to bring a picnic.
Directions: Take Roosevelt Island tramway from 2nd Avenue between 59th and 60th Street or the F train to Roosevelt Island (Queens bound F one stop from 63rd Street/Lexington Avenue.)

Image from www.gothamist.com

Craigslist is a freakin’ goldmine! Not only can you find, buy and trade stuff with people on it, you can find, buy and trade people! Well, not really, but it seems that way with the crazy posts people put up sometimes. Whenever you’re bored and have run out of things to look up on the Internet, take a visit to Craigslist and check out what I like to call ‘The Love Connection Section,’ or ‘Personals.’ This includes the ‘Missed Connections’ section. This is the section where, if you felt like you made a connection with someone – whether it be strong eye contact or you randomly made out in the bathroom of an Irish pub at Happy Hour – and you didn’t get a chance to exchange information, you can write a post about it, in hopes that the other person will read it and reconnect with your bad ass self. Here’s my question to you, people who actually write and respond to these missed connections: Was it really that serious? I mean, really, was it?

You must be the kind of people that believe in love at first sight, right? If they actually responded, would that be destiny? Well, good luck! In a city with so many possibilities, I believe anything can happen these days, so I never say never.

And I actually don’t blame you. But, here is my proposed advice for curtailing missed connections, because I too have made some serious eye contact with a strikingly attractive member of the opposite sex on the subway, and yes I’ve fantasized that right before I stepped off at my stop, he’d grab me by the arm, spin me around and whisper in my ear, “I’ve been watching you the whole time, and I can’t let you walk away from me.”

Well, the chances of that happening…nada. So here’s my advice to you: Grow some cajones! If you think that guy on the train is really hot, tell him. I’m sure he needs that little boost of confidence. Doesn’t everyone? Or if you want to make out with that sexy mysterious guy while you’re riding up the elevator, do it. In this situation, you may want to ask him if it’s okay first, though. The mere act of asking is obviously rhetorical but will make you look even hotter! (You know guys love it when their ladies tell them how much they want some make-out action)! Who knows? Maybe Craigslist will end up putting a new section called “Hot Connections” from all those people dying to write about the connections they actually made with their new cajones. Just maybe…

While we may dream of strutting in sky-high Manolos ala Carrie Bradshaw, the reality of wearing heels in the city isn’t so pretty – blisters, calluses and sore, achy feet. But with the help of these four easy foot fix-its, even those of us without personal chauffeurs and the latest Louboutins can conquer any shoe trauma.

Band-Aid Active Flex Blister Block Stick

Available at Drugstore.com and most pharmacies
$6.99

Simply slide it on and voilà  – blister-proof feet! This invisible formula acts as a lubricant to ease the friction that generally causes blisters. This is a must have for any city girl who loves her heels.

Yes, the cocktail hunt continues…

Bemelmans Bar @ The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel – Madison Ave. at 76th St.

904-288-0036. www.thecarlyle.com

Bemelmans radiates old-world money and is called home by many well-to-do hotel guests, Upper East Side elite and a slew of celebs, but if you happen to be strolling along Central Park and get a itch to sip scotch with society pages, you won’t feel out of place here. Bemelmans and their new master mixologist, Brian, have done very good things in making this a bar quintessential New York go-to, serving some of the best cocktails in the city and creating a place where anyone can feel welcome and relaxed. The lights are low and the vibe is masculine, but alongside the Armani suits you can easily find a group of cute twenty-something girls chatting it up at happy hour.

My drinking partner and I settled into a leather banquette and sampled the first concoction Brian brought out, an Agave Gingerita made with blue agave, cointreau, fresh ginger, lime and egg white. Now, mind you, these cocktails are $19 each, but I have to say after one sip, I would have no bones about paying that and some change for this cocktail. In fact, all of the drinks here are worthy of their price tag. The Gingerita was refreshing and frothy. The coolness of the drink offset the spicy-ness of the fresh ginger; this is the drink for summer. We also sampled the Blue-cumber made with brandy, cucumber juice, a hint of Stoli blueberry and fresh lime. This baby won Brian the Iron Barchef award and speaks for itself. The Dry Rye Cherry Sling pays homage to the rye comeback and can make any non-whisky lover a convert. I’ll certainly be sipping the Sling this summer.

World Bar – The Trump Tower, 845 United Nations Plaza.

212-935-9361. www.hospitalityholdings.com

If the vibe at World Bar is simple and stark, the cocktails are this Jekels’ Hyde. Drinks at the World Bar are inventive, vibrant and globetrotting. If you’ve heard of the place, you know that they offer the $50 World Cocktail with Remy XO, but unless you’re feeling mighty deep in the pockets, the more affordable $11 drink menu will more than suffice.

I sat perched at a high table looking down on what was mostly business men and keeping a keen eye out for The Donald (it’s a Trump building) or Derek Jeter, who lives very close-by, while I sipped on what is now one of my new favorite summer cocktails, The Pims Cup. Kenneth, the talented bar extraordinaire, ever so graciously mixed up his version of the concoction with Pimms, cucumber and mint. (If I were not in the present company of such diplomats, I would have chugged it down to the last drop). You can find cocktails from all around the world that taste so authentic, you feel as if you were sipping a glass of that heavenly liqueur right on foreign soil. Take for instance the Brazilian Caipininha, World Bar’s version is light with a kick and oh-so-refreshing. Feeling philanthropic? The World Peace cocktail lends part of its proceeds to the UN, (as if you needed an excuse.)

“From the park you hear the happy sound of a carousel,
You can almost taste the hot dogs and French fries they sell
Under the boardwalk, down by the sea
On a blanket with my baby, is where I’ll be…”

Children screaming and laughing, parents tirelessly dragged from one stand to another, Nathan’s famous hot dogs fill the stomachs of all, and the timeless jingle of the old carousel can be heard from far and wide….it’s summer at Coney Island. The legendary resort destination off the south of Brooklyn has been around for over a hundred years, but sadly, this will be the last summer one can enjoy the childhood innocence and joy that Coney Island offers.

Coney Island opened as a resort after the Civil War. With transportation options growing at the turn of the century, it became a perfect place for New Yorkers to escape to from their hot tenements and enjoy the fresh air and breezes at the beach. In 1915, when the Sea Beach Line was added to the subway system and four years later the opening of the new West End Terminal, Coney Island reached its peak years, with tourists coming to experience Nathan’s Famous hot dogs, the island’s landmark carousel and more.

But shortly after World War II, with modern conveniences making it less necessary to leave the house for summer fun, Coney Island began to face problems that would continue to present day. Arguments persisted over what to do with failing parks and rides, how to make use of available land space and what to preserve and what to tear apart. But despite the challenges, Coney Island has maintained its identity as an all-American amusement park, beach and summer resort venue.

Today, Coney Island brings in fans galore with its minor league baseball team, the Brooklyn Cyclones, at the colorful KeySpan Park throughout the warm months. The famous rollercoaster, The Cyclone (one of the oldest in the country), the Wonder Wheel ferris wheel and the Parachute Jump are all NYC landmarks and are worth a trip in themselves. The New York Aquarium resides on the celebrated Riegelmann boardwalk, the subject of the well-known tune, and a trip to Coney Island wouldn’t be complete without a stroll down its path, hot dog and souvenir in hand. With rezoning issues and numerous changes being made, Coney Island will unfortunately close at the end of the summer.

So before it’s too late, why not make the short trip down the Sea Beach Line and have a day filled with childhood pleasures that any hard working, fun loving gal could benefit from! Eat that snow cone with joy, buy a tacky t-shirt, and relish in some wholesome unadulterated summer delights!

Carrie Bradshaw’s taste on a, hmmm, let’s say, freelance writer’s budget? Lucky you! The City Opera Thrift Shop is hosting the “DIVAS Shop for Opera 2007″ on June 14th and all proceeds will benefit the costume department of the New York City Opera. The City Opera Thrift Store Shop was featured in Vogue as “the highest quality thrift shop in New York” and among the many gems you can purchase will be Ana Sui and Emilio Pucci dresses, a YSL jacket, Carolina Herrera and Marc Jacob’s jackets and a Gucci suit. There will also be a delightful spread of individual and corporate donations with labels from Tory Burch to Nanette Lepore. You can even buy a matching handbag! Shopping for a cause? I can’t think of a better idea!

The DIVAS Shop for Opera will be held on June 14th from 6-10pm at 222 E. 23rd Street.

It’s kinda a coinkeedink that I’m listening to ‘Like a Virgin’ right now and am about to tell you about the Jack Rabbit…before you think I’m getting all randy on your skinny arse, please do so note that I’m not referring to that Jack Rabbit but rather, one that is way more stimulating.

Introducing the Jack Rabbit Collection (www.thejackrabbitcollection.com). For those of you who live in a burrow, this is the Willy Wonka Factory of accessories. An exclusive line of handcrafted belts, jewelry and fine leather shebang-bangs, this equipment screams glitterati but is affordable enough that even we everyday dames can share in the love.

Speaking of glitterati, Celebrityville is no stranger to Jack Rabbit. With the likes of Mischa Barton, Scarlett Johansson, Drew Barrymore, and Kate Bosworth donning these accoutrements, let’s just say this breed ain’t really hurtin for some PR.

But before you fashion non-conformists and naysayers-of-anyone-on-TMZ are tempted to scoff, here’s something that’s so money: a percentage of your purchases goes to UNICEF, Amnesty International and other non-profit orgs that do a conscience good. So how you like that, Jack?

The Jack Rabbit Collection can be found at Barney’s, Henri Bendel, Ron Herman and Fred Segal. For more stores or to sniff out the entire inventory, check out the website..