SAMANTHA YANKS
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE AK ITEM AND WHY?
Without a doubt my favorite item is my shiny black alligator monogrammed iPhone case. I've sent more than a few people your way who have had to have one after seeing mine.
On the lust list? I must, must, must have the matte black alligator Mercury. I'm always on the hunt for the anti-logo bag, the long-term luxury purchase, and this is it. There's nothing chicer than the Mercury.
WHAT CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT AND WHAT ARE YOUR LATEST OBSESSIONS?
Casbia for Edmundo Castillo black leather woven sneakers - I live in them on the weekend.
Frame denim jeans - the brand won me over.
They sent me a pair with my initials monogrammed on the pocket.
Jimmy Choo Drift Cutout Peep-Toe Suede Black booties - perfect with a cropped black pant and a chic top.
My kitchen which has always been there yet I have just discovered how much time I like spending in there cooking and baking with my daughter.
Cire Trudon candles from France which have the most beautiful packaging in addition to the most divine scents.
Rodin Olio Lusso face oil - it's the perfect potion, and keeps my skin so soft.
My new Juste Un Clou rose gold Cartier ring - I can't take it off.
My husband bought it for me for our 10 year anniversary.
My iPhone 5 which I cannot put down.
Aside from checking emails, texts and calls I will admit to being slightly obsessed with Instagram and Twitter. At the moment I am redoing my apartment which Pinterest is perfect for.
A bottle of Clos de la Poussie 2010, it is a bone dry Sancerre, which I love.
Black pants from A.L.C., because for me, they are the perfect fit.
My vintage stainless steel Rolex from my husband. My daughter weighed in on the purchase so it has a baby pink hued face which I love.
I opened up this fortune the other day and I think it's so wise "Do you believe? Endurance and persistence will be rewarded." I think it's true.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE PRIZED POSSESSIONS?
Sadie Yanks, our daughter. She is 6 1/2 and just the funniest, smartest, silliest, cutest little girl in the whole world.
My husband, David, is the most solid, level, elegant partner. He is an extraordinary father and husband. I couldn't ask for more, honestly.
Alright let's get to the material stuff! I treasure my engagement ring from Fred Leighton. It's a beautiful cushion cut stone and when I tried it on I almost fainted, I am not kidding. I wear it every day, without fail.
TELL US ABOUT A DAY IN THE LIFE OF SAMANTHA...ANY SECRETS?
I'm a big believer that children need consistency and parents should avoid fighting at all costs so we set a schedule in our house. I wake up on the weekdays with my daughter and my husband wakes up on the weekends with her. So I start my day with my baby girl Sadie and we make breakfast. She's really into using cookie cutters to make cool shapes with her pancakes and sprinkling them with powdered sugar. I get her dressed, my sitter arrives and off she goes to school. I work for a bit at home on my iPhone and then I head to the office or a breakfast.
I try to make sure the things that I need to get done, those with no flexibility, get accomplished in the morning because my days tend to never end up quite as I've planned. I always have pages and layouts to approve, calls on the schedule and breakfast, lunch and dinner meetings. Between all of the shoots we have going on across ten magazines there's always something creative to attend to and my most hectic time of the year is the summer as I am the Editor in Chief of Hamptons Magazine which is a weekly.
I divide my time between NYC and the Hamptons which makes for some interesting scheduling issues but we seem to have it worked out (for now!). I try to make time for my website and my collaborations at night because they are relaxing outlets for me where I can create and curate.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR BLOG AND WHY YOU CREATED IT?
SamanthaYanks.com is a world where all of the #spyluxe things that I spot, live. My initials are SPY which is what I jumped off from for the magnifying glass logo on my site. It's a place where I SPY luxury.
For me luxury wears many hats and it is not a price point. It can be something new that I have discovered (great smoothies from Mulberry & Vine, champagne gummy bears from Sugarfina, new fabrics from Zak+Fox), an opening (Sushi Nakazawa is the new sushi spot on Commerce Street and I went for a preview), or things I love (Japanese turnips, Bellocq tea, Arethusa ice cream). It is also a place where my collaborations can live like my jewelry line with Jennifer Miller.
WITH ALL OF YOUR YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN FASHION - WHAT IS YOUR TOP STYLE ADVICE FOR WOMEN?
It takes a while, but spend some time getting to know your body. When I worked at Vogue, years ago, I was definitely one of the most petite girls there and I simply wanted my legs to be longer. I wore the pants everyone else was wearing thinking that it would make them look longer. My friends, that does not work. Embrace your shape, whatever it is and learn what works. Now I know, a cropped pant which shows a bit more of my ankle actually makes my legs look longer and it works well with heels and booties.
WHO SHOULD WE HAVE OUR EYE ON NOW IN FASHION?
Del Pozo, Mary Katrantzou and MSGM are on the rise, without a doubt. I also think Katie Ermilio and Nellie Partow make charming pieces. For shoes look at Paul Andrew and LVMH just acquired Nicholas Kirkwood who makes really killer, not your every day stilettos.
WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE YOU HAVE TRAVELED TO AND WHY?
My husband and I travel quite a bit and throughout our adventures we still tend to return to two places consistently. Paris is one, we go for my birthday almost every year, in February. Chilly days with red wine in a bistro? Yes, it's that romantic. The Sanctuary on Camelback in Scottsdale, Arizona is the other respite. We actually just returned from a stay there for our 10 year wedding anniversary in September. The spa is heavenly, their Palomas by the pool are stellar and Chef Beau MacMillan is just so talented. He makes this simple dish of heirloom tomatoes, fresh house grown herbs and cottage cheese that I eat every morning.
WHAT ARE YOUR MAKEUP ESSENTIALS?
Lip glosses from Aerin and Rulef are in every jacket pocket, every bag, I even think I keep some in my daughters backpack in case we are en route home from school and I have forgotten to apply!
Other than that the majority of my makeup is either Chanel or Chantecaille from foundation to blush to bronzer.
WHAT IS YOUR SECRET INDULGENCE?
I am not quite sure it is a secret but I love a glass of Sancerre at the end of the day.
BEST KEPT SECRETS IN NYC?
The two best fragrance/beauty shops are Aedes de Venustas and Santa Maria Novella.
I feel like Hudson Clearwater is still a bit under the radar for one of the best brunch spots in the city.
Nili Lotan on Duane Street has the crispiest, cleanest palette where her perfectly crafted basics hang quietly.
The ultimate store for interior finds and super chic gifts is Creel + Gow on the Upper East Side. It's also in a former stable so the structure of the townhouse make for interesting nooks that they decorate.
FAVORITE STORES FOR YOUR DAUGHTER?
Les Petites Chapelais is fantastic. The owner Dominique Simonneaux is French and has the best eye, she finds pieces that you don't see everywhere else and their new space on Sullivan Street is superb. Yoya on Hudson is divine for their clothing and also children's room decor, it's very fanciful and CHaLK NYC is an NYC based line that has more of a downtown vibe and is less girly which I like for Sadie.
WHAT ARE THREE THINGS MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I am not sure that I want to share this but I will, I do not know how to ride a bicycle. I'm sorting out the problem with Ryan Zagata of Brooklyn Cruiser who is giving me private lessons (at the age of 37!).
I am also obsessed with crafting and DYI projects, I think my friend Aerica Domesek of P.S. - I Made This has rubbed off on me. I can get super crafty now. After our yearly family trip to the pumpkin patch with our daughter, I spray painted all of our mini pumpkins and gourds gold. They are so fabulous now sitting in this big Calvin Klein gilded bowl in our apartment. Who needs orange pumpkins?
I'm utterly obsessed with food and all things artisanal and handmade/homemade from teas, to honeys and cheese. I take endless photos of food, endless!
WHO IS SAMANTHA YANKS AND WHY DO WE LOVE HER SO MUCH?
Samantha Yanks is the Editor in Chief of Hamptons Magazine, the Editor at Large of Gotham Magazine and the Executive Fashion Director of Niche Media's 10 title portfolio including Aspen Peak, Los Angeles Confidential, Philadelphia Style, and Vegas just to name a few!
I first met Samantha when we both worked at Vogue - she was working in the coveted accessories department where all went drool over the latest shoes and handbags. Hard working is her middle name and I am not surprised that she is running a media giant while being a fantastic mother and wife. As her finger is on the pulse of all things chic and fashionable, I selfishly could not wait to pick her brain to see what style, work and life secrets she had (...and luckily she also has a little girl with whom she can share her savvy style!).
In addition to her current position and having worked at O, The Oprah Magazine and Vogue, Samantha is also a prominent on-air expert on numerous television segments (such as "The Today Show," "Good Day New York," "E!" and more!) discussing fashion, beauty and lifestyle.
In 2012 she was honored by the UJA Federation as a "Woman of Influence" and this year as a "40 under 40" to watch. As if this all was not enough, Samantha also sits on the Board of Directors for Literacy Partners, on the committee for Stephen D. Hassenfeld Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders and is active with Fashion Targets Breast Cancer and Love Heals.
Samantha holds a Bachelors degree from Tulane University and currently resides in Greenwich Village with her husband and daughter.
