The New York Fashion Week kicked off on Friday with the usual fare of celebrities, difficult designers and an over-the-top style quotient. Even though in these times of economic downturn, there were some whisperings of budgets being slashed but for fashionistas, it was business as usual.

A succession of shows at the New York Fashion Week highlighted certain elements like leather tights and leggings with little witch booties. The silhouette in Nicole Miller ensemble was tight and sexy with a lot of black, in glossy and matte blocking, as well as graphic details. Carolina Herrera however presented a collection dominated by rich textures and hues at the Bryant Park while Diane Von Furstenberg showcased a look inspired by “mythical nomads”.

Among other trends noted at the New York Fashion Week were pencil skirts coming down to the knee, blouses giving up the transparent look as well as coats and jackets with understated details that exude an aura of authority. Some fashion reviewers believe that these have been inspired by the First Lady, Michelle Obama’s classy look.

Hollywood’s presence at the New York Fashion Wee did not go unnoticed by onlookers at Jill Stuart’s fall collection. Among those present at the show were Amanda Bynes, Kristen Bell, Michelle Trachtenberg and the Hilton sisters.

A sprawling castle built in the Victorian style is hardly what one would expect to come upon on a winding road towards north of New York City. However the Mohonk Mountain House has been welcoming visitors for almost one and half century.

Nestling in the green environs of the Hudson River Valley, the Mohonk Mountain House is an exquisite family resort which puts foremost importance on nurturing family togetherness. The resort has been owned by the same family since it threw open its doors to visitors 140 years ago as a ten-room inn. In fact, points out Nina Smiley, whose belongs to the fourth generation of owners almost 20 members of the family are still involved in the running of the resort. And as historic hotels all around the country find it difficult to maintain their traditional identity, Mohonk continues to attract visitors by its old-world and yet comfortable living.

Visitors can find a lot to do in this 265-room resort. Surrounded by thousands of acres of wilderness the Mohonk Mountain House has 85 miles of hiking trails and is in fact part of the Mohonk Preserve, the largest in the New York state. Besides hikes and nature-walks, there is a variety of exercise and yoga classes, ice skating, organized kids’ activities and the evening dance. The stay comes at a price $700 per night for a family of four.

The heavens literally smiled down on Earth Monday in a rare celestial trifecta of Venus, Jupiter, and the moon. The planets aligned; an event known as a conjunction on last Sunday night. They were joined by a thin sliver of moon on Monday.

The rare planetary meeting was visible from all parts of the world, even from light-polluted cities such as Hong Kong and New York. People in Asia witnessed a smiley face, while skywatchers in the United States saw a frown. The three brightest objects in the sky were so tightly gathered that one could eclipse them with a thumb, according to sources. The next possible visible Venus-Jupiter conjunction will be on the evening of March 14, 2012, but the two planets will appear farther apart in the sky.