Sunday, March 21st, 2010: What's better than a boutique opening? A pop-up shop offering vintage, accessories, delicious food, art and other delights!

For one day only, 170 Franklin Avenue in Greenpoint transformed into a pop-up shop providing select choices from Williamsburg vintage store- Sweet Virginia, rare books, handmade accessories, and refashioned dresses made from recycled items.

Guests also enjoyed homemade sweet and savory treats including bite-size sammies: fig-olive tapenade over ricotta cheese on crusty bread, chocolate and ricotta cheese with Thai purple basil on crusty bread, chipotle-marinated white beans with cilantro on home made tortilla chips, and peanut-butter cups... can you say yum?!

In between the event hosts taking shifts to step out of the store and enjoy a nice walk or bike ride in the sun, they gave free "how to brew" Kombucha Tea classes with starter kits available for purchase. Shoppers and browsers came mostly from the neighborhood, many people who had recently moved to the hood and had read about the event online.

In the evening, the space became an after-hours art opening, showcasing local and emerging artists, with sangria for guests and live music. Some of the guests actually helped make the switch and participated in an impromptu jam sesh... how Billyburgian.

For more info, please visit: www.temporaryvintage.blogspot.com

One night during Miami Art Basel, I ended up at a Duncan Quinn pop-up shop uber-hot Cocktails and Croquet party hosted by Social Diva. I was promptly introduced to the fantavulous Peg Samuel, CEO of Social Diva Media. Obvi, we clicked right away and made plans to meet up at Soho House. I knew that Scene B Seen readers would love to know all the deets about Social Diva.

Scene B Seen: What is Social Diva?

Peg Samuel: Social Diva™ is a go-to resource for all of your social needs. We keep you in the know and enhance your social life by providing info on fun events, handy time savers, invitation-only sales, and the best places to go. On top of all that, we host our own fabulous events in select cities.

SBS: When and how did the idea for your website, Social Diva, begin?

PS: I started Social Diva in an attempt to answer to the infamous, age-old question, “Where can a girl go to have some fun?” Voila! Social Diva was born to solve weekday and weekend doldrums. We produced unique, hip, exciting events with creative, carefully selected themes in the hopes of making going out more fun.

SBS: How has SD developed and/or changed since inception?

PS: We add on more cities every year and also host destination events, like our prior events at Turks and Caicos Film Festival, and our UK book launch in London at the Shoreditch House.

SBS: How do Social Divas vary from city to city?

PS: Social Diva’ism is a mindset; it really is about knowing yourself. You know what you like, love, want and how you want to be. And then you go after it. Being a Social Diva is all about the person and what’s on the inside not where they live.

SBS: You’re based out of New York City, is NYC Diva central?

PS: Yes, we love love NYC. And it loves us right back!

SBS: SD is heavily subscriber based, how does this work and what sort of insider info will a member receive by being on the list?

PS: We have events, insider scoop and divas deals. But most importantly we personally check out everything we report on to make sure it is diva-worthy before reporting on it. We also will never tell you what you’ve missed, we are always inviting.

SBS: I love that! There is nothing worse than receiving a newsletter with "What You Missed..." in the subject line.

PS: Exactly! That makes you feel like an outsider, SD wants you to be an insider.

SBS: SD is like the link for SBS readers. Speaking of, you recently published a book, How to Be a Social Diva. What’s the scoop?

PS: How to be a Social Diva has all the tips of the Social Diva trade: wardrobe guidelines for every event, how to fit your life into a clutch bag, plus essential instructions on how to entertain, travel, shop, eat, look, party and relax like a Diva.

SBS: My fave tip is the Blister Buster.

PS:  We Divas love our stilettos, who knew it was so simple to make them comfy?!

SBS: Right? Obviously, parties are essential to social divaness, when did you start hosting parties?

PS: We’ve always been hosting parties! That is what makes us unique, we not only report on where to go, we provide it too!

SBS: What can one expect to find at an SD fete?

PS: Fabulous, like-minded, approachable, fun, interesting people… and YES guys too!

SBS: And what is a party without great tunes? You recently dove into the music business, do tell...

PS: After success in publishing, Social Diva wondered, “Where-to next?” The answer? Well, the recording industry of course. After all, who knows better about music that utterly rocks than a Diva? The Strictly Social Diva™ compilation gives Divas a fabulous mix of heart thumping House music to groove to- whether you’re primping for a party, mingling with the fashionistas, prepping a Divalicious dinner for friends, or just cruising around in your convertible Smart Car.

SBS: Nice! So, I have to ask, what is your fave part about being a Social Diva?

PS: Meeting people, having fun and having others enjoy what we are providing.

SBS: How do people find out about SD parties and other hot parties around town?

PS: Well that's easy! Sign up and we’ll put you on the list! http://socialdiva.com/sign-up/

Thursday evening, I attended the Cipriani Wall Street Fashion Series featuring designer Duncan Quinn. Alex Merkin, who relayed the designer’s regrets for not being able to present the collection personally, introduced the menswear collection. Mr. Quinn is currently in Miami in preparation for the opening of his forthcoming Limited Editions pop-up shop in Miami's design district… featuring its own indoor croquet pitch.

The London-born, New York based designer and “recovering lawyer” found inspiration for his featured designs in film and classic works of art; including all things Alfred Hitchcock, The Thomas Crown Affair, James Bond, Eastern Promises and the Mona Lisa.

I found the color palette for the line to be both regal and playful, with heavy plums, burgundy and charcoal tempered by lavender and rose accents in ties, handkerchiefs and dress shirts. There is an intellectual sharpness and meticulous attention to detail in the cufflinks, leather duffels, and umbrellas.

After the show, I caught up with Mr. Merkin, donning Duncan Quinn garb head to toe. The Director of the upcoming film Across the Hall, indulged my questions about the December 4th New York release. He told me that the film, featuring Danny Pino, Brittany Murphy and Mike Vogel, is a thriller about a standoff between a young man, his fiancée and his best friend, who occupy hotel rooms across the hall from one another. I gathered it’s a little dark and scandalous, a delicious combination.

Later into the night, I had a lively chat over drinks with Simon van Kempen and stylist Derek Warburton, who lamented over Editor Britten Heft’s absence. It seems they just missed each other at an earlier charity event. Designer Peyman Umay joined us for a spell, offering style expertise and exchanging opinions of the evening’s presentation.

I left Cipriani picturing how dapper and tailored my man would look in a “bespoke Duncan Quinn suit” while defending clients in the courtroom and for all our upcoming Holiday festivities… I think Christmas may have to come early this year.