Janaina in hair & makeup

Our favorite photographer Mac!

Modern day Sophia Loren!

Janaina in the Jane Caftan

Keep checking our Facebook page all day for more pictures!

Lara Bohinc Python Belt

Lanvin Python sandals

Love this look!

Cynthia Desser Mixed Exotic Black and Natural Cuff

And of course our swimsuits!

All available on lisacurran.com.

I was going to write about something else today but I changed my mind last minute. This is why I don’t write my blog posts ahead of time. It is a daily blog- I write about what I am feeling at the moment.

So before I went into fashion I actually thought about being a theater major. I cannot sing for the life of me but I love acting and dancing. I always participated in the musicals during high school. I really enjoyed it and I love that “high” feeling you get directly before and after a production.

So with saying that- I want to thank Steven Spielberg for his new series, “SMASH.” I am so obsessed with it. I really don’t watch a lot of TV. First, I don’t have time and second, I have never been a TV person. The few shows I watch are Modern Family, Mad Men, The Voice, and Smash. And I am one of the few people who doesn’t get into reality TV. Probably because I tend to be more private and really can’t understand why someone would want their entire life displayed on TV.

What I love most about the show is the passion of each character. If you are passionate about something and are persistent and believe in yourself, you can get there. Each person has a different hill to climb to reach their goal. Some people just climb right over while others have bumps along the way. Steven Spielberg shows this so beautifully. Smash also shows that to become an actor, it has to run through your blood and be in your soul.

I won’t go on and on. But watch it. It is soooo good.

Remember- “life without passion would be a simple dull life.”

Fin Raw Bar & Kitchen – Montclair, NJ

This just recently opened in Montclair. I’m going there this weekend to try it out.

Looks yummy.

Beauty & Essex – NYC

Ate here with the girls after Coterie. The tapas and specialty drinks were just perfect after a busy show during fashion week.

Very cool vibe.

Here are a few of my favorite places to eat out or takeout.

Bin 14 -Hoboken, NJ

The owner has inspiration, passion, and is actually a chef (he didn’t hire someone). Perfect wine and tapas bar for casual eating, a date night, or a social gathering with friends or a group of coworkers.

Bin 14

Pizzetes at Bin 14

Raymond’s -Montclair, NJ

Raymond himself started this place in Montclair on Church Street. The breakfast is my favorite and the casual vibe is very refreshing. He had an inspiration and went with it. It’s filled with young families, college students, and couples of all ages. One of my favorite things is that it’s directly across the street from a movie theater that features many independent films.

Inside of Raymond's

Osteria Giotto -Montclair, NJ

For New Jersey, I would say this is one of the best. It’s not Lupe, Il Buco, Supper, or Frank in N.Y.C. but it’s up there. It’s always packed which means the food is moving and it’s fresh. They serve homemade focaccia and olive oil to start off. You need reservations and it’s B.Y.O.B.

Pasta at Osteria Giotto

Latona’s Specialty Foods -Garfield, NJ

If you opt for not eating out but would like to do take-out, I love this diamond in the rough.

My mom always made homemade sauce so it was “taboo” to ever eat sauce from a jar, but Latona’s Tomato and Sweet Basil sauce will make you break that rule. It is truly my favorite. Plus, they have Vodka Sauce and Meat Sauce that are just as yummy. It’s run by an Italian family- The Latona’s, that came to the U.S. in the 1950′s. Their son Joey who is a former fashionista is now working in the family business.

So from having the best homemade sauces, olive oils, specialty cheeses, meats, and olives he also expanded into homeware for the kitchen. Most of the pieces work for the oven (of course). They even started a Bridal registry. Bride’s magazine is always writing about them. Latona’s also has a very big catering business so if you are having a party and want an Italian theme, this is the place. Just beware during the holidays, there are lines outside the door. So go early!!!

http://www.latonasspecialties.com/

Latona's variety of homemade sauces

Latona's specialty olive oils

Joanne Latona

Joe Latona

One of many Vietri designs they carry. All handmade in Italy.

Annie Glass handmade in CA - 24k gold & platinum trimmed, dishwasher safe. Available in a variety of sizes and shapes.

Latona's Bridal Registry

Latona's Bridal Registry

This puts the biggest smile on my face. Jane and her husband bought this carousel over 20 years ago and have spent several years restoring it. And now it has found a home.

Take the ferry to Brooklyn Bridge Park in DUMBO and enjoy a carousel ride and ice cream. Read about Jane Walentas and see how Pritzker Prize winning French architect Jean Nouval built the spectacular pavilion around this now famous carousel.

Visit Jane’s Carousel to read this passionate happy story!

Love…

GET INTO SHAPE
The first thing I want to do is get into bikini shape. I don’t really enjoy running, but it takes the weight off quickly. To get into running shape, I signed up for a 5K and I love doing them at the beach. The salt air always makes it easier.

Here are a few beach 5Ks:

• Ocean Drive Marathon, Cape May, NJ: Sunday, March 25, 2012
• Sprint For Life Marathon, Ship Bottom, NJ: Saturday, April 14, 2012
• 5K, Cape May, NJ: Saturday, June 16, 2012
• 5K, Avalon, NJ: Saturday, July 14, 2012

SPRING WARDROBE ESSENTIALS

Need to clean out my closet. Donating everything I haven’t worn in 2-3 years unless it’s a unique piece that my grandchildren will appreciate in years to come.

Here are a few pieces I want to add to my spring wardrobe.

Want one of these dresses, so pretty...love.

Some pieces to update my jewelry-

Love these espadrilles.

OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES

Antiquing, outdoor shopping in N.Y.C., and outdoor bistros are my favorite things to do come spring.

Antiquing

Shopping in Soho

Cafe Gitane on Mott Street

Happy almost spring!

I always wanted to visit South Carolina. I heard the beaches are beautiful and I have wanted to go to Charleston for some time. So I incorporated a beach vacation with a little bit of history and we had a great time.

We started in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. We stayed at The Sanctuary Hotel. This beautiful hotel is located right on the beach and we did everything from an oyster bake, to holding snakes and iguanas, and just hanging out at the beach and pool.

The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island, South Carolina

The boys at an oyster bake.

Kiawah Island Nature Program

The boys with an iguana and snake.

Me and my boys.

After a week in Kiawah, we went to Charleston for a few days. We went on a tour of a “real” plantation, which was a great learning experience. Then we just hung out in the beautiful, quaint city of Charleston.

Boone Hall Plantation

Plantation

Cobblestone streets of Charleston.

Pink blossoms on the streets of Charleston.

Last summer I was looking for a low key place to bring my family that we could drive to and just relax and enjoy each other and the fresh air.

I chose Block Island and we loved it and can’t wait to return. Block Island is one of the few unspoiled places in America that is not filled with chain restaurants and hotels. We built a bonfire on the beach, went clamming right out our backyard, and rode our bikes everywhere. It was one of our favorite trips.

Family beach

Bonfire on the beach.

Our favorite ice cream place.

Clamming tools

Perfect for day or evening.

Weekend casual.

For a retro dressy vibe.

If you're looking for color.

And of course our Lena print is perfect for over your swimsuit, or pair it with jeans.

Happy Weekend! Follow us next week for Lisa’s holiday destinations.