ForYourCloset MEN’S FASHION: Take Note Of His Patterns
SHOE ALERT: Juicy To Go
OVERSEAS INFILTRATION : BAPE
Most pairs start at $200 a pair and are more coveted than you could imagine because of their international appeal, so travel to the store to get an authentic pair, or pay 30 for look-alikes that aren’t quite as shiny…
RALPH LAUREN: The All-American brand goes discount for just two weeks. You can choose from among their cashmere sweaters, home accessories and everything else in the winter collection for savings up to 75% off. 381 W Broadway through 2/6/07 BETSEY JOHNSON: The Queen of eclectic is offering 50% off all fall and winter collections . 248 Columbus Ave 1/28-2/06 SEIZE SUR VINGT:Known for their classically
tailored shirts admired by all ages, this French company is offering
up discounts of up to 40%. 243 Elizabeth St 1/28/2-06 KEY: The hip Brooklyn boutique is taking 50 to 75% off Lauren Moffatt, Lewis Cho, and MarieMarie. 41 Grand St., at Thompson St. (212-334-5707); Mon.–Sat. (10–7); Sun. (noon–7). JAMES LEONARD OPTICIANS: (Ongoing) Up to 85 percent off shades and frames from Gucci, Dior, Valentino, and other designer brands. 1010 Second Ave., nr. 53rd St. (212-753-7733) and 309 Smith St., near President St., Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn (718-222-8300); call for store hours.
GRACYGIRL.COM: This online boutique will bring designer pieces from Charlotte Ronson, Twinkle, and many others with up to 75% off retail prices for this one day sale. The New Yorker Hotel 34 th St. and 8 th Ave. 02/09 9:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m. MANHATTAN VINTAGE Clothing And Antique Textile Show:This is one of my favorite shopping events of the year and an absolute must for vintage lovers. Admission is $20, or join the VIP invite list and get $5 off at www.manhattanvintage.com Friday, February 2nd - 1:00 PM TO 8:00 PM Saturday, February 3rd - 11:00 AM TO 6:00 PM Metropolitan Pavilion 125 West 18th Street (Between 6th & 7th Aves)
ForYourBelly BAR MAGIC: Bar Carrera: A Taste of Spain Near
Avenue A
No one in the world can resist a good sandwich, especially the one we make late at night standing on our toes while squeezing out the last dollop of mustard. But ‘ino does to sandwiches what many of the ingredients in our kitchen cannot: including producing warm pressed sandwiches with ingredients like soppressata, fontina, and sun dried tomatoes… for just eight bucks. The environment is so small and cozy that the comfort of warm Paninis, antipasto, and a glass of Prosecco set the perfect mood for a fabulous Sunday afternoon with a date or a great novel.
GUILTY PLEASURE: Rockin’ Tha Baklava
The baklava sits on the counter in a large unassuming plastic case, above a plethora of carrot and strawberry cake, tiramisu, and fruit cups. The half gone pan told me it was worth a try. I was right. Philo dough sits on the tongue and is expediently melted by the delightful tickle of honey and butter. By the time I reached the 110 th train stop, half was gone and pecan remnants sat happily on the corner of my mouth like a child. I found my match; and for just three bucks, I regretted not ordering one for breakfast the next morning to accompany my daily cup of tea.
For just $50, students can enjoy a month of unlimited access to more than 90 weekly sessions at either gorgeous and airy Manhattan location. See www.exhalespa.com for more info and class schedules.
SPA: Rub Down For A Cause
COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT: Harlem Karate Institute 2234 Third Ave (212) 410-1658 Children & Teen
Classes
Hold off on one latte a week at Starbucks and help change lives in Uganda. Invisible Children, the organization that brought us the groundbreaking documentary on children soldiers in Northern Uganda, have just launched a campaign to make a difference in the lives of children around the world through education, policy change and media exposure. Go to https://secure.invisiblechildren.com/donate/tri/ to sign up.
Living far uptown should make a trek down to the Lower East Side of
Manhattan not too appealing, but for some reason, I find myself there
most weekends, at some random local bar or secret lounge with a strawberry
flavored hookah and strong vodka tonic in hand. My favorite of the bunch
is White Rabbit Lounge, partially because of its sleek, minimalist look,
and mainly because of their reasonably priced mojitos and Paradise Cocktail
(a yummy mix of coconut rum, mango and lime juice). Happy hour is daily
until 8 p.m. and the dj’s and movies on a large projection screen
keeps the lounging crowd happily entertained on leather couches. On Tuesdays,
members of YeraSon, who have played with Latin and Jazz legends such
as Louis Armstrong, Africando, and El Gran Cambo perform three amazing
sets of Old-school Cuban son, guaracha, merengue and cumbia from 9pm
to midnight…and with no cover charge. Que bueno, no?
This current exhibit is pulling all sorts of people in to view it, from hip-hoppers to general lovers of fashion alike. Curated by Michael Henry Adams and Michael McCollom, the exhibit features examples of pioneering black designs of the past such as the classic MCM jacket and outfits by many of today's hottest African-American designers, including Stephen Burrows, Tracey Reese, Jeffrey Ban Greene, and Byron Lars.
THEATER: IN THE HEIGHTS In The Heights is a new musical about three days in the life of Washington Heights, a vibrant and tight-knit community near the top of the island of Manhattan… a place where I reside and is home to both professionals and students alike. With a highly talented cast, including producers of “Rent” and “The Drowsy Chaperone,” this musical is sure to be a hit.
ForYourCollection WINTER TUNES: Regina Spektor: Begin To Hope
THE NARCISSIST IN YOU: Lifestyle Cordless Phone
Like what you read? Want to know more? Inquire about packaging and advertising opportunities at www.ny4you.com, the key to New York City’s best kept secrets… customized just for you. |
The
hip-hop influenced Japanese clothing and shoe line BAPE, or Bathing Ape,
has finally touched down in the city, specifically Soho, where fashion
and funkiness collide. The cult classic brand, which thrives on exclusivity,
has spun-off a toy line, café, hair salon, and even record label
in just a decade. The hardest item to get is their sneaker line, specifically
the Sta, with its signature patent leather and range of colors. BAPE
only sells limited numbers through their own stores or to very select
boutiques, so fakes are rampant in the city. 
STRAND BOOKSTORE: (Ongoing) Books priced
from $1.95 to $5.95 at its sale. 828 Broadway, at 12th St. (212-473-1452),
and Strand Annex, 95 Fulton St., nr. Gold St. (212-732-6070); call for
store hours . 
My
recent visit to Bar Carrera did not disappoint, thus making
my year long desire to go well worth the wait. Owned by Frederick E.
Twomey, who opened Bar Veloce right next door in 2000, Bar Carrera is
a mix between the swanky intimate wine bar that you’ve always dreamed
of for your home and a vacation to a small Spanish bar in the heart of
Valencia. East Villagers flock to this narrow Spanish tapas joint, and
the rows of wine and champagne behind the bar can be overwhelming. Fortunately,
the dimly lit space and strong smell of garlic and bread tend to subdue
the nerves and wet the palate; and with most tapas at only $3.75, it
is well worth it to order a variety of what Bar Carrera has to offer.
Start with a small plate (pintxos) of olives or cheese. The codfish fritters
are accompanied with a subtly sweet pesto sauce and the chorizo sausage
bites served with a tart honey mustard puree are not to be missed. Wash
it down with delightfully spicy strawberry sangria, or txacoli, a traditional
drink in the Basque region of Spain. It would be unfair of me if I did
not mention possibly one of the most delicious dessert tapas I’ve
encountered, even after living in Spain for a time… Strawberries
and cream on a soft, sweet brioche: in a word- -perfect.
I
was fortunate enough to attend a friend's wedding in Los Angeles with
perhaps the best dessert options I’ve ever encountered. One such
temptation was baklava, so it was no surprise upon my arrival back to
Manhattan that I was in high pursuit of the ultimate comparison to my
sweet West coast find. I found my match at the oddest of places, a Manhattan
staple bake shop known for morning rush hour crowds demanding hot chocolate
to pair with a fluffy chocolate croissant- Hot N’Crusty Bakeshop.
WAITING
TO EXHALE: Unlimited Yoga @ Exhale Studio
New
Yorkers anticipate Spa Week more than the average city, probably because
the 2 train at rush hour is enough to warrant a hot stone massage with
a double shot of espresso in hand, but alas, it is still three months
away (April). Fortunately the folks at Prettycity.com and Heart Truth
have created something to hold us over until then. A cross-country campaign
called Love You, aims to bring awareness to women about heart disease
by offering amazing prices on spa treatments, for just $59 from Jan 15
to Feb 15. For this price, you can enjoy treats like a Mango Ginger Body
Scrub from Finesse Salon or a coveted 45 minute massage from Sothys.
Treat your body and mind now for a good cause. 
LES
SPOT: Mas Mojitos Por Favor
EXHIBIT:
Black Style Now 
I
have always been a fan of Fiona Apple and all that is Ani DiFranco. So
I was more than pleasantly surprised when I stumbled upon Regina Spektor’s
fourth album: Begin To Hope, while browsing Amazon’s bestseller
list. Spektor has been on the New York circuit since the early ‘00s,
joining the city’s “anti-folk” scene and drawing a
huge Williamsburg fan base. She continues to pick up buzz and has made
a name for herself beyond New York’s music underground with her
latest release, entitled Just Like The Movies, which combines
a bit of folk, pop, and blues. My favorite song on her latest album,
is a perfect mix of Bjork and Fiona, yet undeniably Spektor with its
piano riffs that lead to deep moaning and slight beat boxing here and
there. The most haunting line of the song “Don't say goodbye like
you're burying him/Cause the world is round and he might return...” left
me with the desire to know the end of her plight, and the all too familiar
realization that winter has indeed arrived. 