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Showing posts with label new_york. Show all posts
Showing posts with label new_york. Show all posts
You Too Can Be a Citizen of New York (citizenM Opens)
Waking up in Times Square on a sunny Saturday morning would generally be a sign that something had gone terribly awry during my Friday night. Not the case this past Saturday after I had joined citizenM for the first ever "Blogger Slumber Party" the evening prior, to celebrate the opening of their new, centrally located, boutique hotel in the heart of Midtown West.
Affordable luxury is the name of the game here, with rooms that are compact in size but stylishly designed and technologically tricked out (each comes equipped with a Samsung Galaxy tablet that acts essentially as a full room remote). The beds are enormous - built for three, though I'm not suggesting anything, mind you - and comfortable beyond belief.
Self check-in and check-out makes things both expeditious and easy, free WiFi abounds and each hotel has a convenient 24-hour bar - canteenM -with a diverse assortment of bites and beverages - caffeinated, alcoholic and otherwise.
Learn more, or become a citizen yourself (properties also found in Amsterdam, Glasgow and London) here.
Going Full Kardashian or Organic Spray Tanning at The Spa at Trump SoHo, Reviewed
I've long been an advocate of embracing my natural, fair complexion, but when pressed, I'm forced to admit that I look damn good with a tan - healthy, slim and wow, do my blue-green eyes pop. Thusly, the narcissist in me simply cannot LIVE without a tan, though the narcissist in me also plans to age gracefully. SO, when presented with the option of lying poolside or stripping down to a paper g-string and positioning myself in the line of fire (airbrush gun only, of course), the choice is simple.
Enter The Spa at Trump SoHo, a luxe and relaxing sanctuary tucked away on the 7th floor of the chic downtown hotel. Whether you're looking to pre-game for a beach vacation, prepping for a special event or simply require a gorgeous glow to go about your daily life, the spa's Organic Spray Tanning treatment ($90) delivers. After a speedy 30-minute session last week, I was left with a dark and healthy-looking tan that was delivered in the healthiest way possible - via a formula made from all organic ingredients, including aloe vera, jojoba seed oil and vitamins E and D. The signature sunless tanning smell that we've all come to loathe and disdain was minimal, and I was left looking like an honorary Kardashian sister for a full 7+ days. The tan faded gradually over the course of the week, and best of all, the natural formula stayed PUT, and didn't stain clothing, sheets or towels.
For a full menu of spa services and booking information for The Spa at Trump SoHo, click here.
No Pain, No Gain? Chaise23 Reviewed
Over the course of the past year and a half, I've indulged nearly every fitness-related whim or desire that came to mind. Boxing? Check. Burlesque? Indeed. But what's made the most significant impact on my body, mind and my well-being has definitely been a combination of barre and pilates classes. SO, when I read a recent feature on Chaise23, a new studio in Flatiron offering classes based on "The Reinvention Method," my interest was piqued.
Using the constant resistance of a chair as well as arm-resistance bungees in place of free weights, Chaise23 classes challenge your muscles, balance and stamina in entirely new ways. As I'm STRONGLY ALLERGIC TO CARDIO, I booked the strength-focused Reinvention Chair class, which used a series of repetitive and entirely AGONIZING movements inspired by Pilates and ballet techniques. After just one class, it was easy to see how impactful The Reinvention Method could be - in fact, studio founder Lauren Piskin (WARNING: HIGH ENTHUSIAM) taught my class and was the best imaginable advertisement with her lean and toned dancer's bod.
Class rates at Chaise23 are comparable to the majority of fitness studios in New York, with singles ringing in at $30, and packages of 5, 10, 20 or Unlimited classes at a discounted rate. Right now, there's a fantastic intro deal running - your first class is just $16, while a month of Unlimited classes is $223.
Chaise23 is located at 40 East 23rd, between Broadway and Park. Learn more about the studio and book classes online at www.chaise23.com.
Beauty Black Book: Drybar
As a Leo by birthright, I firmly believe that my power center as a woman is my mane. Despite that fact, I've never been much of a blowout girl. But all that changed recently, when West Coast hair haven Drybar moved in a mere two blocks from my office.
Drybar's a simple place, but I mean that in the best way possible. They don't do cuts, they don't do color, they instead do ONE thing and they do it WELL. At Drybar, they're specialists in the truest sense of the word, delivering blowouts and blowouts alone for just $40 and in about 30 minutes - with a relaxing wash included.
Communication at Drybar is also easy-peasy. Simply choose from a menu of blowout styles named for my slash your favorite cocktails - think the fruity Mai Tai or oh-so-SATC Cosmo and the stylist knows in a snap what you're going for, be it a stick-straight Manhattan or something with more body, texture and sex (for the record, I lean Mai Tai for a nice beachy look.)
Learn more about Drybar, or book an appointment online here.
p.s. Oh, and for the perenially uncharged (I resemble this remark), you'll love the friendly iPhone/iPod charging units located at each Drybar station. Power up!
If You Build It...: S Factor
These days, my life feels a lot like Field of Dreams, and the mantra, "If you build it, he will come," feels particularly relevant. And SO, inexplicably (okay, not really, I was an active participant in the whole registration process), I found myself at an Introductory S Factor class earlier this week.
For those who aren't yet familiar, S Factor is...wait for it...a pole-dancing fitness routine that incorporates elements of ballet, pilates and yoga, with a heavy dose of sexual empowerment. Founded by actress Sheila Kelley (who fell in love with exotic dancing after a lead role in Dancing at the Blue Iguana), S Factor studios (there are three in Manhattan, as well as locations in six other cities) are safe zones - hyper positive, and exclusively for women.
Two-hour long S Factor sessions, in six escalating levels of difficulty, are conducted in dimly lit and immaculate classrooms with anywhere from 3-5 poles each. While my Intro class had just two other students (yes, we each had our own pole!), most classes max out at 3 girls per. My instructor, Meg, was positive, inspiring and hands on.
So, what can you expect from an S Factor class? Well, sessions begin with a warm up of hyper-sensualized yoga and Pilates-style postures - think modifed cat, cow and bridge positions. After the extended warm up (don't be fooled - it's deceptively challenging and works muscle groups you likely haven't paid attention to in YEARS), students learn the signature "S Walk," a slow, exaggerated burlesque-style walk that I was admittedly terrible at.
Next up was the moment we were all waiting for...our first pole trick, a momentum-driven spin dubbed the Firefly. And while I harbor no dreams of doing so professionally, it was insanely fun to "work the pole" - twirling, jumping and spinning (bruised shins - ouch! - be damned.)
The class closed with our intimate group learning a super-sexy and insanely fun wall dance routine that we polished to perfection through three rounds of practice.
If you're interested in a challenging but unique workout, S Factor may be for you. Sessions are two hours long, and an Intro class is $40. For more information or to book, visit www.sfactor.com.
Watch This: Bill Cunningham New York
There's been a long line of beautiful, fashion-focused films that have been released in recent years, including Tom Ford's A Single Man, Valentino: The Last Emperor, Lagerfeld Confidential and of course, The September Issue. But it's possible that none have captured a subject as fascinating as New York Times photographer and street style legend (seriously, move the fuck over Scott Schuman) Bill Cunningham.
The eye behind the Times' On the Street (view the most recent edition here and video slideshows narrated by Cunningham himself here) and Evening Hours columns, Cunningham documents what stylish New Yorkers are actually, you know, wearing - yes, on the streets - be it highbrow (think couture) or low (fanny packs, anyone?)
What fascinated me the most is that at heart, Cunningham is both a minimalist (his lifestyle is a stark contrast to the glamorous galas that he covers for Evening Hours, for example) and an absolute purist, particularly when it comes to spotting trends. Even when covering the shows, he photographs only what he loves, and what a real woman (a "marvelous, exotic bird of paradise"- kind of woman, naturally), could wear or is wearing. He doesn't believe in fashion as art, but instead as "armor for everyday life."
"See I don’t decide anything. I let the street speak to me. And in order for the street to speak to you, you’ve got to stay out there and see what it is! You don’t just manufacture in your head that skirts at the knee are the thing, and you go out and photograph people with skirts at the knee. You’ve got to stay on the street and let the street tell YOU what it is. There’s no shortcuts, believe me," he says in the film.
For those who love fashion, this doc is a must-see. It's running at select theaters nationwide, including Film Forum in New York City through Tuesday, March 29. For showtimes and or to snag tickets online, visit the site.
Beauty Black Book: Manicures
There aren't a lot of things that I know a lot about, but when it comes to beauty, it's no stretch to call me an expert. As an avid spa and salon goer, I've experienced it all, from the very worst to the very best, particularly here in New York. And with New York Fashion Week around the corner, there seemed to be no more opportune time to share my favorite manicure joints in the city. So, with no further adieu:
Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa's manicures are expensive but unmatched in attention to detail. Somehow, inexplicably, they also last FOREVER. Just one caveat, if you like trendier nail colors, be sure to bring your own - this conservative 5th Avenue locale stocks just the basics - nudes, pinks and reds with perhaps a coral thrown in for good measure. Info & booking here.
Intimate and oh-so-New York, Jin Soon's Hand and Foot Spas are worth a visit. Sip some Korean tea and let her competent staff pamper your stress away with one of my personal favorites, the Breath of Milk and Honey Manicure. You'll want to choose one of her uber on-trend nail lacquers for M.A.C. for the full Jin Soon experience - Jade Dragon is a green dream, no lie. Info on bookings and services here.
My beloved Heather Park and Keri Blair often rock my small little world with their AMAZING nail art. Their secret? Sakura Nail Spa and the art of Japanese Calgel. If you can THINK it, Sakura's staff can DO it - think gradations, glitter, studs, 3D flowers and more. Best of all, the manicures last a LIFETIME (okay, at least two weeks with nary an imperfection.) Check out my first experience at Sakura here and visit the site for all the scoop on services as well as booking info.
Eve Salon is one of my go-to's for dependable manicures, with some frills thrown in for good measure. Exhibit A? The seasonal Rainforest Manicure ($20), which includes a delish Passion Fruit Margarita (along with a yummy Star Fruit Banana Butter Crème Bath, Passion Fruit Guava Body Rub and Acai Antioxidant Body Crème!) Best of all, Eve's selection of essie and Zoya polishes (just a glimpse of which you can see above) is amazing - there's no color left unrepresented. More info HERE.
Athena's Nail Salon is actually a long-held-close secret of mine. Located centrally off the 30th Avenue N/W station in Astoria, this IMMACULATE and efficient salon delivers the most dependable manicures at an equally as dependable price - just $8. Stop in at an "off time" - i.e. during a weekday afternoon - and they'll even treat you to an extra few moments of shoulder massage or free paraffin treatment. Athena's doesn't have a website, but you can read more reviews and find the salon's information over at Yelp.
Enough about me. I'd love to hear about YOUR fave mani spot in the city - do tell in the comments!
