photo by brian rolchetti

Adorable and quite the trendsetter herself, Samii is not only a fashion designer. She grew up as a model who also spent her time acting in small parts on the big screen. Clearly comfortable with the industry, Samii has found her niche and a way to make her mark. She finds inspiration in music, the outdoors, and street fashion. “I am a big fan of Native American culture and I am trying to study it more,” she adds. “It is important to me that all my designs have a meaning behind them.”

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Especially with the recent snow we’ve received. This is absolutely, hands down, my most favorite time of the year. I was already listening to Christmas music before Thanksgiving even arrived. The outdoor lights are up and glowing, the tree is fully decorated, and holiday-scented candles burn as I prepared for all that is the beauty of the season. I am in full-on Christmas mode!

I can’t believe it, but the holidays are rapidly approaching and you know what that means. Holiday shopping madness! Every year, it seems like Christmastime sneaks up on me earlier and earlier. As I prepare for the gift-giving season, I have decided that I will try to complete the majority of my shopping at our wonderful selection of local retailers.

You’ll never guess what I did Monday night. I was a guest bartender (along with a few other local “celebs”) at Starters Riverport for the Alzheimer’s Association Bartender’s Challenge Lehigh Valley/Berks Memory Walk Kick Off event, and of course, I want to tell you how it went!

Rarely do I enter a store in the Lehigh Valley that exudes such a vibe that makes me feel as though I’m in SoHo or Brooklyn. That is, until, I walked into Loose Threads Boutique on 4^th Street in Bethlehem. If you’ve become a regular reader, my love for the Bethlehem area is rather obvious. That said, those who know me would tell you New York City is my favorite place to visit and hang out. It is, after all, only an hour- and-a-half away and our bus service to and from is unbelievably convenient.