Five New York City TV Shows To Binge-Watch

Caroline Fiske

Binge-watching has become a lifestyle for pretty much everybody due to the coronavirus. Binge-watching helps us escape from reality and kill time during this difficult year. New York City is my favorite place in the whole wide world. Since I cannot go there during this time, I am doing what I can do to immerse myself in that place. Many TV shows take place in the Big Apple and the more I watch them the more I love the City that Never Sleeps. If you love New York City as much as I do, you will love these TV shows too! Below are just a few of my recommendations for NYC TV shows to binge-watch during the coronavirus pandemic.

TV SHOW #1: Friends

Photo Creds: https://www.businessinsider.com/how-friends-cast-got-1-million-per-episode-salary-2016-10

The iconic TV show of six friends navigating through life after college with many love, family, work, financial, and of course friend obstacles is my all-time favorite TV show. It proves that no matter how tough life gets, your true friends will always be there for you. They will be there for you when the rain starts to pour. They will be there for you like they have been there before. Friends has a total of ten seasons and it was on NBC from 1994 to 2004. The six friends are Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston), Monica Geller (Courtney Cox), Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow), Ross Geller (David Schwimmer), Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry), and Joey Tribianni (Matt LeBlanc). You can currently binge-watch the series on HBO Max. If you have not watched the series yet I will tell you just how amazing it is in the wise words of Janice Hosenstein (Maggie Wheeler), OH! MY! GOD!

TV SHOW #2: Gossip Girl

Photo Creds: https://www.eonline.com/news/1057518/gossip-girl-is-getting-a-reboot-where-are-the-original-stars-now

Gossip Girl here! Your one and only source into the scandalous lives of Manhattan’s elite! This CW series from 2007 to 2012 is about an anonymous online blog called “Gossip Girl” that reveals all of the secrets of the lives of Manhattan’s most privileged people on the Upper East Side. The four people that Gossip Girl bashes the most are Serena VanderWoodsen (Blake Lively), Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester), Nate Archibald (Chase Crawford), and Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick). The outsiders from Brooklyn who immerse themselves into the lives of Serena, Blair, Nate, and Chuck are Dan Humphrey (Penn Badgely), Jenny Humphrey (Taylor Momsen), and Vanessa Abrams (Jessica Szohr). This show has so much thrill, drama, romance, action, and of course scandal. It will always keep you on your toes and you just don’t know what is coming next. Just like New York City, Gossip Girl is unpredictable. You can currently binge-watch the series on Netflix.

TV SHOW #3: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Photo Creds: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5788792/

Miriam “Midge” Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan) is your typical New York City housewife in the late 1950s, she has the perfect husband, the perfect children, and the perfect apartment on the Upper West Side. Until one day, her life turned completely upside down! When Midge’s husband Joe Maisel (Michael Zegen) cheats on her and they get a divorce, Midge discovers her hidden talent for stand up comedy. Midge tries to make this hidden talent into a career by performing at various cafes and nightclubs in Greenwich Village. Midge’s agent is Alex Borstein (Susie Myerson) and throughout the series, she encourages Midge to go above and beyond everyone’s expectations. This show first premiered in 2017 and it has been renewed for a fourth season but the premiere date of that season is delayed due to the coronavirus. You can currently binge-watch the series on Amazon Prime.

TV SHOW #4: You

Photo Creds: https://www.empireonline.com/tv/reviews/you2018-review/

Gossip Girl’s Penn Badgley stars as Mooney’s bookstore manager Joe Goldberg who falls in love with aspiring writer Guinevere Beck (Elizabeth Lail) when she walks into Mooney’s one day. You can say it was love at first sight… This plotline may sound like one of those cliche love stories at first, but you are so wrong for thinking that! Joe starts to form this toxic obsession over Beck (her nickname in the show). Joe starts to stalk Beck on social media and in real life to make sure that they end up together. Joe stops at nothing in order to keep Beck all to himself. They say that love makes you crazy! The first season premiered in 2018 and in the second season, Joe moves to Los Angeles in order to escape his New York City past. The third season is coming out in 2021. You can currently binge-watch this series on Netflix.

TV SHOW #5: Seinfeld

Photo Creds: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098904/

New York City stand up comedian Jerry Seinfeld (played by himself), his best friend George Costanza (Jason Alexander) and his friend/ex-girlfriend Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) live their crazy daily lives in an apartment on the Upper West Side. Seinfeld is often described as “a show about nothing.” Jerry, George, and Elaine face many challenges throughout the show including their crazy neighbor across the hall Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards). This was the original series before Friends that revolved around a friend group going through whatever their New York City lives threw at them together. Seinfeld went on for nine seasons and it premiered on NBC from 1989 to 1998. You can currently binge-watch this series on Hulu.

These five shows are just some of the many remarkable TV shows that take place in New York City. There is really no other place in the world like New York City and that is exactly why so many TV shows revolve their character’s lives around this city. So what are you waiting for? Start binge-watching!

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5 Things You Can Still Do In The Hampton's

Catherine Doolan

The Hamptons are still kicking off the start of summer amidst the Coronavirus pandemic and quarantine. As places slowly open on the tip of Long Island, New York, here are a few ideas that your family and friends can look forward to!

Take-out

from your favorite spots. Many restaurants are offering curbside pickup so that you don’t have to miss out on your favorite dishes. John Scott’s Surf Shack in Westhampton Beach is still open giving its customers their favorite fresh seafood!

Image source: www.facebook.com/JohnScottsSurfShack

Walking and Hiking

Many parks and outdoor areas are still open for people to enjoy exercising and breathtaking views. The Elizabeth A. Morton Wild National Wildlife Refuge is open for hikes. Hike through forests and fields and along ponds and beaches.  Bird lovers will see many different species.  Other wildlife to view are turtles, deer, frogs, and osprey.

Virtual wine tasting at Wölffer Estate

Wölffer is offering an online 45-minute tasting with a wine expert. Customers get to choose from a Rose Package or White Horse Package. The wine will be delivered to your door. Virtual tastings are done on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and requests can be taken upon availability. For more information go to www.wolffer.com.

Image Source: www.27east.com

Go to the beach

The beaches in the Hamptons are now open for the summer. Hither Hills and Cupsogue Beach County Park, among many others, are now operating with 50 percent capacity monitored by parking lots to ensure social distancing is being followed. Parking for beaches in the Hamptons can be tricky. For more information, you can see Beach Parking in the Hamptons: What You Need to Know.

Image Source: www.longislandleisure.com

Biking

Biking is one of the best ways to see the beautiful scenery of the Hamptons. Biking Dune Road and Montauk Highway are some of the best routes to see beaches, magnificent houses, and quaint towns.

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How to Design a Chef's Kitchen for the Home Cook

Many of us fondly refer to our kitchens as the heart of our homes. After all, it's where we gather to share meals and entertain guests. If you want to transform your space into a beautiful gourmet area that everyone can enjoy, look no further. There are so many ways to achieve the kitchen of your dreams.

Which features can set your space apart from the rest? Here are a few design tips for an ideal chef's kitchen.

1. Try Warming Drawers

You never want to use a microwave to reheat a dish — but what's your other option? When you need to make a course ahead of time, a warming drawer works perfectly. You don't need to turn on your oven or serve some cold appetizers. Instead, this appliance keeps your meal ready to go.

You could also add a refrigerator drawer. This appliance works similarly, but it cools your food instead. It's an easy way to keep your refrigerators clear of unnecessary items.

In New York, finding a residence with a warming drawer may seem like a challenge. Yet many luxury properties are catering to the home cook. 49 Chambers at Reade St., located in Tribeca, offers stunning kitchens with amenities and appliances perfect for entertaining. Ovens with warming drawers allow chefs to delight guests with ready-to-go dishes.

2. Add an Island or Two

Every cook needs ample work surfaces. It's not always feasible, but if you can add at least one island, you'll have a lot of elbow room. No one wants to feel overwhelmed by dirty dishes and pans as they struggle to find an area to chop vegetables. Plus, when there's more than one chef at the helm, an island provides a lot of advantages. When you mix materials and colors, your island can serve as a distinct centerpiece.

If there's enough square footage, think about a second island. One could act as a tasting counter, where guests can sample dishes and enjoy their drinks. You can reserve the other island for your needs as a cook. Your kitchen needs to allow for both flow and function.

3. Look to Outdoor Space

Right now, there's a massive demand for indoor-outdoor rooms. After all, who doesn't want to enjoy a beautiful view as they cook? If your kitchen connects to a balcony or yard, consider an extension. You can use a sliding or folding door as a replacement for the existing wall. As a result, you'll achieve tons of natural sunlight — plus a truly flexible space.

Those in high-rise apartments may not have outdoor kitchens, but sunlight should still be a prime consideration for the chef’s kitchen. Take the stunning views offered by the luxury residences at Fifteen Hudson Yards in Manhattan. These elegant kitchens are designed to take advantage of natural light and illuminate any home-cooked meal.

4. Find the Right Appliances

When most homeowners envision a gourmet kitchen, they see a six-burner stovetop and stacked double ovens. Those appliances make a huge difference, but you need to choose what's right for your space individually. If you live alone, you may not want to prioritize a massive refrigerator, especially when such a purchase can eat up a major portion of your budget.

You should also consider your home's current capacity and capabilities. Would it be a pain to install a gas stovetop? Consider a variety of appliances before you make a decision — and think about important built-in features, too. These fixtures should add to your space through their appearance and practicality.

5. Consider a Wine Display

In many modern, updated properties, people install small wine refrigerators to keep a collection ready for any event. New York sommeliers have no shortage of such options in luxury properties. For example, Waterline Square — intersecting Midtown and the Upper West Side — offers both under-counter and full-height wine fridges for residents who value vino.

If there's enough extra space, consider a wine room. You can use a spare pantry or downstairs room to create a beautiful display. Use technology to control the area's temperature and add plenty of room for dozens of bottles. Your guests won't be able to look away. Plus, you'll be ready to see every wine together. That aspect makes it a lot easier to choose specific types for recipes or meals.

Finding a Residence With a Chef’s Kitchen

The ultimate gourmet chef’s kitchen includes top-end appliances, entertaining features and elegant design. Fortunately, you can achieve a stunning and versatile space with just a few changes and additions. Both move-in ready and flexible properties can help you start cooking right away in your new kitchen.

Holly Welles is a real estate blogger covering design, finance and market trends for apartment dwellers. You can find more of her work on her blog, The Estate Update.

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4 Quick and Easy Ways to Boost Your Self-Esteem

You are your own harshest critic. While everyone has down days and occasional doubts about their good qualities, many people experience persistent low self-esteem daily. It can cause them to feel insecure and unmotivated and, if unchecked, can lead to depression and anxiety.

Low self-esteem is usually self-inflicted. People’s opinions of themselves are often skewed towards the features they perceive as unfavorable while ignoring the many positives. Your view of yourself is the only one that truly matters, so what can you do to boost your self-esteem and feel more confident about who you are?

Be kinder to yourself

Your inner critic can be cruel. When you hear that little voice criticizing your abilities or the way you look, don’t listen to it. Learn to shut it out. If an acquaintance expressed nasty opinions about you, you wouldn’t hesitate to shut them out of your life. So why accept it from yourself? Learn to be mindful of your inner voice and notice it whenever it pops up in your mind. Rather than listening to the criticism, simply take those negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones. For every criticism, your inner voice comes up with, think of three positive things. To feel better about yourself, you must start by treating yourself better.

Change something

One brilliant way to rid yourself of that persistent feeling of self-doubt is to shake things up. Do something different. That’s not to say you should change who you are or how you look, but making one little change can make a big difference in how you perceive yourself. If you’ve always had the same hairstyle or have worn the same clothes, why not mix it up? Cutting your hair short or growing it long could change everything. For men, if you’re clean-shaven, try growing a beard. Or if you have a beard, try shaving it off. What about a tattoo or an eye-catching new piercing? For an out-there look, check out a bone septum ring, found here. Only you can decide what’s right. But you must make a change you’re comfortable with, don’t go changing who you are.

In case the changes you made don`t make you feel comfortable you can always decide to remove your tattoo.

Get moving

Exercise is a great way to feel good about yourself. It gives you a framework for setting positive targets, giving you confidence when you hit them. Couch to 5K is a great program to help beginners to get started. Just the act of getting outside and going for a casual run can do wonders. Breaking a sweat causes the body to release endorphins, which are known for making you feel happy.

Treat yourself

There’s no better way to show a loved one you care than by giving them a treat. Show yourself some love by taking the time to enjoy the things that make you happy. It could be running a relaxing bath with some music and a big glass of wine, or it could be ordering a takeaway and watching your favorite film at home. Whatever makes you feel good, make time for it.

Think about these tips next time low self-esteem starts getting you down, and you will be better equipped to feel great about yourself.

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Bring the Performing Arts Home with these Virtual Live-streams

Briana Gonzalez

As drawn out as the days are indoors, it is a privilege to be able to have extensive resources at hand to help keep us occupied, safe, and able to support our communities in any ways we can. Local theater and various performing arts being no exception. These centers bring people together, naturally, inspiring us through a combination of music, fantasy, and creativity through performers dedication to their art. If you find yourself bored or have some spare time; below are a few performances you can live-stream from home.  

The Metropolitan Opera’s Nightly Met Opera Streams

image source: metopera.org

Every day the Met will showcase a different encore presentation from their Live in HD series, available for free, from 7:30 p.m. EST until 6:30 p.m. the following evening (in case you couldn’t catch it at the show time).  The streams are also available through the Met Opera on Demand apps for Apple, Amazon, and Roku devices and Samsung Smart TV.  

Feinstein’s #54BelowAtHome

image source: 54below.com

In addition to showcasing many upcoming performers for the next few weeks, the line-up consists of a few past performances in their archive as one-time only events on YouTube. Visit their website for upcoming schedule of live-streamed events.

BRIC Brooklyn’s Stay Home with BRIC 

image source: bricsartsmedia.org

Support the leading presenter of free cultural programming in Brooklyn by tuning in to BRIC’s live-streams available on their instagram as well as their website. This virtual series includes artist interviews, musical performances, dance parties, while giving light and reflecting the diversity encompassing NY. Tune into their virtual poetry slams on April 20th and 27th or create a dance party at home with Brooklyn’s virtual DJ party on April 19th.  

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Artist Theresa Rivera Brings Color To The Meatpacking District

Upon the mandate for non-essenital businesses to close, the city had a sudden wave of retailers boarding up their storefronts. Specifically, the Meatpacking District first saw this with Sephora. The visual of boarded up store fronts only furthered the sadness that the city and world was currently facing, so to make a little lemonade out of it and put a smile on faces of those passing by, the BID’s Executive Director, Jeffrey LeFrancois recruited local artist Theresa Rivera to bring something beautiful to the neighborhood.

Since the completion of the mural outside of Sephora, Christian Louboutin and Arhaus have also boarded up their windows. To continue bringing some positivity and art into the neighborhood, Jeffrey went back to Theresa and commissioned her to make art out of the boarded up windows at both Louboutin and Arhaus. Louboutin and Arhaus are now completed. 

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Perfect Gifts For The Mother In Your Life

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about the perfect gift for your mom. You may have waited this long but given a few days for shipping you can still get the perfect gift for mom Below are our top Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for 2020. See below the top health, fashion, and fitness-related gifts for the Mother in your life.

Mionetto Luxury Cartizze DOCG

For the ultimate luxurious mom in your life, this elegant Cartizze boasts luminous golden tones and delicate beads of tiny bubbles. A majestic, multi-faceted bouquet releases seductive impressions of apple and pear alongside notes of citrus and glazed almond. On the palate it is crisp, well-balanced, and elegant. This wine is perfectly suited for all of life's most important occasions, and an excellent accompaniment to the perfect dessert to end your fabulous homemade Mother’s Day brunch. Try mini zeppoles or chocolate gelato for a real showstopper.

Colgate Optic White's LED Teeth at-home Whitening Kit

Colgate Optic White Advanced LED Whitening is like getting a professional whitening treatment in the comfort of your own home! Designed for no sensitivity, our breakthrough LED teeth whitening technology can remove up to 10 years of stains from your smile. LED blue-light activated hydrogen peroxide can provide 6 shades whiter teeth in just 10 minutes of daily use for 10 days

Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting Cream Enriched

Experience visibly lifted skin in just 1 week*. This scientifically advanced, silky moisturizer helps visibly offset the effects of aging in record time.

The exclusive KURENAI-TruLift Complex and ReNeura Technology++™ strengthens skin’s natural support and improves the appearances of facial contours and definition. VP8, a blend of 5 antioxidant ingredients, provides added protection for skin.

Hemp Theory Gummies

These gummies are wonderful for relieving anxiety, sleep issues and knee, joint, and arthritis pain. They also may improve brain function, memory, and mood and reduce fatigue. Each of these delectable little gummies contains a nice dose of hemp oil for a multitude of medicinal effects. These hemp oil gummies are also so much better than eating ordinary CBD edibles, as their cannabinoid parties are nano-sized (via Nanobidiol™ Technology) and, thus, find their way to the rain receptors as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Haeckels Dreamland Candle

Inspired by an abandoned 19th century amusement park and ornamental garden. As you take a walk around a monumental disused ride – a victim of arson – its fragrance surrounds you with the scent of burnt wood and charred leather, giving way to the aroma of Victorian roses that are still growing where they were originally planted back in the 19th century.

Laudemio Frescobaldi Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Laudemio (SRP: $39.99) is a unique emerald-green and robust extra virgin olive oil with authentic Tuscan aromas of freshly-mown grass and artichoke. This Mother's Day, have mom drizzle this exquisite olive oil on her favorite meals (or do it for her), while enjoying her day with the family. 

Dom Perignon’s Vintage 2008

Bubbles are always a good way to start a celebration and making your momma feel extra special this Mother’s Day. Pop open Dom Perignon’s Vintage 2008 which releases a mingling of white flowers, citrus and stone fruit aromas, as the final notes offer spicy, woody and roasted scents during you homemade brunch celebration. As Dom Pérignon Vintage 2008 touches the palate, the fruit is pronounced and clear, mainly aromatic, grey, smoky and highly promising. Retails for $175

The Spice House, Chicago Heritage Deluxe Collection

This collection represents the foundational flavorings of Chicago's every culinary specialty. These curated rubs and seasonings are the result of 60 years of The Spice House's existence in and around Chicago, learning from our city's home cooks, chefs, and restaurateurs. Bring a world of flavors to your table and celebrate what makes our city "My Kind of Town."

Tequila Partida Blanco

The perfect, premium tequila for Mama's Margarita! An authentic, all-natural, estate-grown field-to-bottle blanco. The only tequila that is hand harvested and slow roasted within 24 hours to extract the richest and freshest agave nectar. It is aged up to 3x longer than required to create the most flavorful agave forward liquid. 

Mon Paris Intensément Eau du Parfum, $29 - $128

YVES SAINT LAURENT BEAUTÉ reinvents the couturier’s gift of love, with a new olfactory signature: the hypnotic datura flower as a symbol of mad love, embracing a sleek, soaring patchouli. Your mom will be sure to love this new scent, a new ambassador of the Mon Paris line, that embodies the effortless chic that makes Parisian women, and all women, so unique. 

Muse CBD Spliff

2 pre-rolls of organic CBD rich hemp flower mixed with our Muse Herbal Blend for easy, incremental lift off. Peppermint and jasmine blossoms heighten the CBD buzz with a minty wink, sending you off into the night (or morning) feeling restored and a little rebellious.

AirFryer Toaster Oven ($199.95)

A kitchen work horse that works just as hard as mom, the Cuisinart AirFryer Toaster Oven is a premium full-size toaster oven with a built-in airfryer. It will not only bake a 4 lb. chicken or 12 in. pizza, broil salmon steaks, and toast 6 bagel halves at once, but can also airfry up to 3 lbs. of food using little or no oil. Now mom can enjoy her favorite fried foods, guilt free and since it’s also a toaster oven, she doesn’t have to sacrifice counterspace for two appliances.

Canapa Acqua Water Soluble Drops

Canapa Acqua is a water soluble CBD formulation, and is intended to be added to beverages. Acqua is flavorless, but cloudiness is normal when added to beverages! Add it to your coffee, tea, smoothie, wine, water, or really any beverage that your heart desires!

Wine Country Table Cookbook

Looking for a fabulous Mother's Day gift for your wine loving mom? Why not get them the ultimate wine country cookbook from America’s leading wine region—California? More than just a cookbook, it takes readers on a wine country road trip of California, the leading wine and food destination in the U.S. It also provides suggested sustainable wine pairings to bring out the best in each harvest dish—so it’s sure to please everyone from new beginners to advanced wine lovers.
 
Written by award-winning Napa Valley author Janet Fletcher.

Eat Your Coffee

Eat Your Coffee is on a mission to help people get energized and get more done with naturally-caffeinated snacks made with real, ethically-sourced ingredients. Every Eat Your Coffee Snack is caffeinated with real, organic coffee and made with real foods so you can feel good with every energizing bite.

Chandon Étoile Rosé- SRP/750ml bottle: $55.00

For an elevated celebration, Étoile rosé offers a hint of the fruit-forward quality of a red wine married with the delicate structure of a white wine. Fresh aromas of black currant, raspberry, strawberry, dried flowers and gingerbread are layered with subtle flavors of peach, nectarine and grapefruit bringing out the balance and freshness. The round and creamy texture, combined with the brightness and vibrancy, provides a long finish. Étoile Rosé balances wonderfully with warm scones, clotted cream and fresh strawberries, as well as smoked salmon eggs Benedict for a decadently delicious brunch.

VIBRANCE

Stop using those curling wands, blow dryers and flat irons, and give your hair a little TLC with Eu Natural’s VIBRANCE, a multivitamin to help your hair shine like it’s never shined before. The supplement is filled with pure, natural ingredients such as biotin, bamboo extract and kelp that can boost your hair’s radiance and make it feel stronger, fuller and healthier. 

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or email at Jeremy@offthemrkt.com to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Captivating Virtual Experience You Can Have From Home

Briana Gonzalez

During this current stressful time, staying home is not only integral for our own health but for the safety and health of others. Despite this, the desire to simply move makes the necessity of social isolation a daunting task and, at days at a time, overwhelming.  

As a modern culture we have had breakthroughs in our virtual experiences. Whether the focus be on augmented reality games or completely immersive virtual reality- we can experience things in a way that we wouldn’t have been able to in the past. Granted- the virtual can never truly compare to reality- however, its ability to mirror the same breathtaking views can do more than just ease our tensions. It can give you something to look forward to, future plans to make.  

Whether you’re an avid traveler, love new experiences, or are simply trying to find things to do, below are a few virtual reality experiences to keep you occupied or to spark something within:  

Travel Throughout Japan

preview courtesy of visitjapan

The Japan National Tourism Organization created a 360-degree virtual reality movie incorporating experiences and scenes throughout the country, navigating visitors through their rich landscapes. You can feed of bamboo forests, Geisha performances, and Tokyo’s famous Shibuya Crossing (to name a few without spoiling the beauty of the surprises). To celebrate the beginning of Spring you can also view the traditional Japanese hanami, the ancient and celebrated tradition of admiring newly bloomed flower blossoms. You do need to make sure to have a smartphone in order to view, and you have a choice of the 360-degree VR movie or you can opt for the interactive vision.  

For the website to the Japan National Tourism Organization experience click here.

Try Bombay Sapphire’s “Create from Home” Initiative

image credit: https://www.bombaysapphire.com/us/en/createfromhome/

Bombay Sapphire’s brand new North American initiative was created with a major goal in mind: “to inspire and empower communities to discover their creative possibilities during this unprecedented time.” Sapphire’s “Create from Home” was sparked after Bacardi Limited’s global campaign #RaiseYourSpirits, pledging $3 million dollars for financial aid support of the hospitality industry which has been currently impacted by the effects of COVID-19 and the necessity of social distancing/quarantine practices. Therefore, in support of healthcare professionals and the local communities, Bombay Sapphire announced that they will be producing hand-sanitizer from its home distillery in Laverstroke Mill, UK.

So what is “Create From Home”?

The initiative offers multiple resources to help you tap into your own creativity and curiosity – online classes, workshops, and cocktail-making sessions. The live-streamed content consists of partnerships with three digital platforms:

• Skillshare: providing unlimited 3-month memberships & live Q&A’s to everyone with some of their most popular teachers through their subscription-based online learning community.

• Society6: a leading online marketplace for artists from around the globe, weekly video-based “Drink and Draw” events where participants will receive an interactive tutorial from a S6 artist and a bartender to design a gin cocktail inspired by their artwork.

• Hunker: the creative D.I.Y home projects platform, will work to launch a Create-From-Home hub with a library of content & IG tutorials and interviews with creative influencers who work and create from home.

For the website to Bombay Sapphire’s Initiative click here. 

Meditation Apps for Stress and Mindfulness

Briana Gonzalez 

Whether you are looking to practice for years to come or to grapple with the often anxiety-inducing stresses of nationwide social isolation to reduce the cases of COVID-19, our phones offer some of the best support. Believed to have begun in India, meditation practices have multiple forms all with their own rich history and spiritual connections. Simply, benefits of habitual meditation include reduced stress, assistance in controlling anxiety, improved sleep patterns, and increased emotional health. Found on iPhone or Android devices, here is a list of meditation apps to try -  

Headspace

Ranked #4 in Health & Fitness Applications and rated Editor’s Choice, Headspace gives you hundreds of guided meditations to help with exercise, sleep, stress, and focus. You can choose between Sleep by Headspace, perfect before going to bed, and The Wake Up by Headspace to start your day. Some meditations for starters are 2-3 minutes each and they offer “SOS” sessions for moments where you find yourself under extreme anxiety, panic, and stress. Trainings are led by former monk and mindfulness expert Andy Puddicombe. Available on iPhone, Headspace is free to download but offers subscription options for full access at $12.99 per month or $69.99 per year.  

Breethe, Meditation & Sleep 

Rated 4.7 stars and featured in Time Magazine,People, Forbes, and Cosmopolitan, Breethe offers mindfulness coaching guides to help you practice and learn to meditate. They offer sleep music playlists, nature sounds, guided meditations, bedtime readings, hypnotherapy sessions and more. They also provide a full 12-week daily program that can help bring more clarity and calmness into your everyday routines. Available on iPhone, you have the option to use the free version or Premium membership for $12.95 per month, $89.95 per year, or $149.95 for an entire lifetime membership.  

Stop, Breathe & Think

Rated 4.8 stars, this app offers not only guided meditations but yoga classes. They analyze the perfect meditations for your day by asking you to ‘check-in’ and choose from a list of emotions or physical feelings you may be experiencing in the moment. They record your top emotions over for all time, per month, and per week to allow you to see full time how your mood fluctuates and where your most stressful times may happen. Available on iPhone and Android, they offer a ton of services for free for both children and adults, but you can enjoy more access to premium memberships for $5.91 a month.  

Calm

Rated #2 in Health & Fitness and ranked editor’s choice with 4.8 stars, the calm app offers guided meditations and sleep stories. Sleep stories include histories on topics like New York Jazz, mythologies of Atlantis and discoveries on the universe narrated by Matthew McConaughey. Calm provides an original meditation daily, new sleep stories every week, and new meditation masterclasses every month. Available on both iPhone and Android, you can enjoy services for free or subscribe to any number of plans ranging from $14.99 to $299.99 lifetime plans.  

DRAFT

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Inside Look Studio DB's Newest Boutique Condo Project At The Symon

One of the industry's best-kept secret designers, Studio DB — the New York-based design firm led by husband and wife duo Damian and Britt Zunino has released a first look inside their latest project in Brooklyn Heights. Located at 76 Schermerhorn Street, The Symon is the brand-new and luxurious, 13-story full-service condominium.

Studio DB thoughtfully crafted the 59 stunning residences, including three penthouses that crown the top of the building, as well as all of the amenity spaces and captivating, pre-war facade. Damian and Britt hand-selected signature finishes inspired by the past that also make a strong modern statement, creating comfort in every space as well as giving the building its own bespoke identity. The sophisticated design starts at the one-of-a-kind entry foyer of the residences, featuring large solid panel doors, crown molding accents, eight-inch baseboards as well as inlaid wood flooring medallion with a basket-weave motif (also present within the lobby). Oversized divided-light windows and custom washed-oak floors fill each residence with natural light and warmth. Graciously proportioned kitchens feature custom raised-panel cabinetry, marble countertops and high-end appliances like Bluestar and Thermador, while bathrooms offer refined material selections, diamond tile patterns and master bath fixtures in antique brass from Waterworks.  

Evoking the past through a contemporary lens and drawing inspiration from the historic buildings and elements of the surrounding neighborhood while seamlessly incorporating modern details, The Symon's façade is made up of hand-laid brick, distinctive arched windows and a prominent canopied entry, thus giving the building a pre-war feel that evokes the character and distinction of the neighborhood’s treasured brownstones and grand apartments.

Within The Symon’s sales gallery, Studio DB has recreated a model apartment to mimic what's to come for the under construction project set to commence closings in late Spring 2020. 

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The Best Personalized Skin Care Brands

Briana Gonzalez

More so than ever, personalized skin care is being regarded as vital to proper skin health. While you should consult a dermatologist for cystic and hormonal acne or other more severe- and incredibly normal- skin conditions before trying out new brands, there are many brands offering personalized skin care products suitable for your needs. Personalized skin care just makes sense – we all have different skin types therefore we should all be using different combinations of products best suited to clear and clean our skin. Everyone deserves to feel confident in themselves, so look at these brands to see what could work for you.

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Y-our skin  care is rated the number one personalized skin care brand. Their formulas are paraben free, cruelty free, and 100% vegan. Start by taking the skin quiz, which asks a number of questions from your personal skin goals, your age, your skin concerns, sensitivity to the sun and new products and even current skin care regimen. Considering acne and skin health is also attributed to health and environment they take those factors into consideration as well. After filling out the skin quiz, they send an analysis to your email and devise a skin care regimen dependent on your needs.

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Skinsei is a brand that begins by offering a 28-question holistic skin care diagnostic in order to give you your own bioprint- a skin map. Based on factors such as exercise, diet, sleep, UV exposure, air quality, skin type, and climate, in order to provide you with your own personalized kit. What is great about Skinsei is that you have a choice of a one-time buy in order to test the products and see if it works for your skin. The products are paraben and sulfate free, contain no phalates or mineral oils which can actually do more harm than good for oily skin. Including plant and vitamin extract, their products are microbiome friendly and pH balanced.

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Curology  offers one free trial of three of their products for you to test out. Instead of just a skin quiz, they also rely on skin care selfies (images of your skin as it is in its most natural state for them to see where problem areas are). After receiving your results, they then send you your own customized bottle and recommend you apply nightly or as directed on the container. Customizing the ingredients for your skin, you have access to personal chats with a provider in order to answer any questions through your skin care process.

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Atolla is a personalized skin care company that revolves around custom serums. While many other brands may focus on a combination of product types from creams to toners, Atolla’s focus on serums relies on their scientific approach to skin care over more holistic methods. The first step relies on the completion of an at home skin kit; the oil and moisture tests, a pH test, a preference test, and various questions about skin care and lifestyle all are analyzed in order to provide you with their Atolla Skin Report and your own formula. The skin report comes with a breakdown of your skin type and also the ingredients found within your own custom formula.  You are able to purchase a trial offer, but each month as you continue to use the products they evolve the formula for your changing skin and its new needs, making sure you continue to have your best skin. 

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5 Reasons Why New Yorkers Should Try Golf This Summer

By Peter Minkoff

The glorious, sleepless city of New York sure has so much to offer to its residents and lucky visitors, but few consider the slower side of the city for their hectic pace of life. There’s always another brilliant museum to check out, a foodie spot to ravage, and yet another pub to visit. New York is many things, but static isn’t one of them. With that in mind, slowing down is rarely an option, and many locals rarely give into that opportunity, which is precisely why golfing is the perfect way to see that other, soothing side of New York, and give in to its many acres of fresh green.

So far, if you’ve ever organized a perfect golfing holiday, you know just how restorative this kind of a slow-paced adventure can be. You should take the same detailed approach to planning your golfing sessions in the city, and you might become an avid golfing aficionado soon enough. Here are a few key reasons to get you to try this wonderful activity in this very city.

Get away from the noise

Green stretching for miles around you is as serene as any place can get. The nature of the game keeps the players mostly quiet and focused, letting you enjoy the meditative moments while you wait your turn or simply soak in the sun. The Bronx, for example, hides the extraordinary Van Cortlandt course, the oldest one in the country, and it’s easy enough to reach even without a car.

Venturing into these areas outside of the city’s bustling center is a perfect way to get to know New York from an entirely new perspective, sans the traffic chaos and the busy cafes.

Spend more time outdoors

New York is home to many beautiful gardens and parks, and it is certainly not a concrete jungle that prevents its residents from enjoying the lavish greenery each summer brings. However, let’s face it, not too many New Yorkers find the time for outdoor activities in the first place, which is another great reason to add golfing to your list – you’ll get to add some light exercise to your schedule and enjoy the sun.

If you’re new to the sport, make sure that you find out more about the necessary gear for golfing, such as quality gloves which can help you perform better and improve your grip. Much like the clubs that you use for each different situation, your accessories will be pivotal for your game and they’ll enable you to make the most of golfing to begin with. 

Make valuable connections

We’ve all seen those classic movie scenes where the most influential politicians and business folk gather on a course for a game of golf, only to decide on the fate of an entire corporation or the government, for that matter. Sure, you don’t have to have such a high position to make a difference in your own career, and golfing is a perfect way to have a secluded area to talk business with your potential partners and investors. 

Plus, this is where you can make connections beyond the course and move up in your profession. Memberships are also extremely valuable, since you can gain access and socialize with other members who can make all the difference in your professional life. 

A wholesome way to bond

Family time for a fast-paced New Yorker means everything, and when you have a chance to add some variety into your schedule, your loved ones, your kids and your spouse will genuinely appreciate the effort and the new experience. Golfing can be a truly wholesome family activity to bring all of your loved ones together, away from the street crowds and the city noise. 

Yes, Central Park is always a great option, but taking summer golf lessons can become a learning and a bonding activity in, let’s say, Times Square, on a beautiful rooftop of a hotel! You can always try to find a new golfing spot in New York, to keep things diverse and fun for you and your youngsters. 

Challenge yourself 

You can waste your time cursing and blaming the wind or your least favorite putter for shifting the route of your golf ball, or you can take a moment, breathe, and restore your composure to give it another go. The art of golf requires so much patience and poise, that people often find it as frustrating as it is delightful. Even the most patient of people will find themselves grinding their teeth when they’re about to tee off against their opponent.

That’s why this sport is a constant source of challenges, but not merely in the form of testing out new golfing clubs or changing your technique. It’s mostly about your mindset, staying humble when facing your failures, and recognizing opportunities to calm yourself when you feel the need to raise hell. 

Many people take golf for granted. That is, until they actually try their hand at the sport and discover the many alluring aspects of it, together with its potential to reduce your stress levels and provide you with a simultaneously meditative and stimulating activity. New York’s hidden golfing gems can attest to the beauty of this sport, so make sure to add it to your must-try list of activities and see how quickly you fall in love.

How to make your living room more luxurious than ever

When you think about it, the living room is one of the most important parts of your entire house. It’s that one room where you enjoy your free afternoons, spend time with your family, and entertain guests. This means that is should be not only comfortable but also attractive. After all, the whole house will be judged by the appearance of your living room. But combining all of it in one interior design project can be quite a complicated task. Especially when you want it to look luxurious. Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take to completely transform the space around you.

Lighting can transform the whole room

When you decide to redecorate your living room, the best place to start is with lighting. The point is that good lighting can make the whole space look completely different even when you don’t change anything in the entire room. Go with more transparent curtains to let as much daylight in as possible. Otherwise, the entire room can look dark and unappealing. And if there’s a staircase in the living room, choosing curved glass railing over metal or wooden one can be a better option as well. This way, nothing will stop the light from dispersing throughout the room, and you’ll avoid dark corners. But don’t forget to choose efficient lamps as well, just remember that you shouldn’t pick them solely based on their design and decorative value, lighting should be first and foremost practical.

Add fabrics and colours

When it comes to adding character to your living room, it’s all about the details. Without decorations, the whole room will appear empty and uninteresting. But it’s important to remember that even everyday objects can have decorative value if you use them well in your interior design plan. Adding interesting and eye-catching patterns is definitely a great way to create a unique look. You can be creative when choosing curtains and fabrics for upholstery, but be careful with the colours. Bright and bold shades may work great in modern interiors, but when it’s luxury you’re after - colourful decor is not the way to go. That’s why it’s important to make sure that all the elements in the room look good together and their culours complement each other.

Be creative with your decorations

Choosing decorations for your living room can be quite a complicated task. There’s a chance that you already have many ideas or even chosen items that you’d like to place in the room, but you should always consider whether something will fit in well with the rest of the interior. Hanging paintings and photos on the walls is a good idea, but if you want to create something unique, don’t just base your project on popular trends and ready-made solutions. One of the most effective ways of transforming a room is by placing an aquarium in it. But before you place the fish and plants in the water, make sure you have all the necessary equipment from an experienced manufacturer, like https://www.aquael-aquarium.co.uk/, to ensure that you invest your money in high-quality products.

But you cannot start redecorating with the sole aim of giving your living room a makeover and making it look stylish and luxurious. It’s equally important to make it comfortable. Otherwise, neither you nor your guests will be happy to spend your time there.

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The Luxurious Living Experience of the Future in Cyprus

Cyprus had a tumultuous past, and it's hard to tell what was a myth and what was real. But the island`s future can be already seen today, it is elegant and luxurious, and it is definitely real. The ultramodern skyscraper 360 Nicosia by Cyfield Group is the highest building and the best investment in Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus. It rises above the busy street in the heart of the city and can be seen from almost any part of Nicosia. This year`s winner of Luxury Lifestyle Awards as the best luxury real estate in Cyprus, 360 has all chances to become a symbol of the new technological and opulent lifestyle.

360 Nicosia boasts 34 floors of chic properties and amazing 135-meter height making it one of the tallest structures in the country. The skyscraper soars into the sky above the capital`s most fashionable and creative district. Here, in one of the central streets, where the new pedestrian plaza will be created, 360 Nicosia already offers a new level of living experience in the colossal resident tower. The plaza will surround the building and provide the residents with a comfortable area in the shade of the trees for walking, cycling, shopping and children's play.

Get ready to see Nicosia as you have never seen it before! Terrific 360 degrees of bird's-eye views, which gave the name to the structure, let you explore the city and its surroundings in all their glory and diversity.  

3 underground levels of 360 Nicosia serve as the residents` parking and reliable security system. The ground level with its 3 shops provides great opportunities for showcasing their products through the double-height glass windows There is a café/restaurant that will also deliver room and catering services to the residents.

The residents and their guests are welcomed at the modernly designed lobby on the 24-hour concierge. The Management Team is always there to take care of the residents and keep 360 Nicosia functioning perfectly all the time.

The high-tech and superfast lifts transport the residents to any level of the edifice. 27 residential floors are dedicated to the elegant apartments providing the highest quality of living in the city. The experts of Luxury Lifestyle Awards commended the innovative and creative approach to the exclusive design of each apartment with its unique view, window frame and personal space for maximum comfort living. The residential floors are divided into 4, 5 or 6 apartments, but their configuration can be changed according to the residents` desires.

The 10th floor of 360 Nicosia offers exclusive amenities for residents` relaxation and enjoyment. Here you`ll find the swimming pool, sun-deck, spa, sauna, steam bath, and a fully equipped gym. There is also a private Residents Club, where the residents can enjoy the spectacular views, spend a great time with friends or arrange a birthday party for their children.

The top 33 and 34 levels are dedicated over to the sky restaurant and club. The highest restaurant in Cyprus can offer exquisite menus or drinks and gorgeous panoramic views of the island.

360 Nicosia provides its residents with state-of-the-art technologies, which let them enjoy all the benefits of the "smart" building. The apartments are equipped with controlled electrical units, warm floors, premium quality sanitary, triple-glazed windows, waste-recycling systems, energy-saving options making 360 achieve Class A Energy Certificate. Technologies also enable the top-level safety and security provided by access cards, video surveillance, fire and burglar alarms, and other protective systems for the building and its residents.

About Luxury Lifestyle Awards

Luxury Lifestyle Awards is a global award to select, recognize, celebrate and promote the best luxury goods and services all over the world. The goal of the company is to provide people with the best of luxury. LLA have evaluated more than 10 000 various goods and services in 400 categories from 60 countries. The company analyzed the results to give you a TOP list of the best of the best in the world. Such world-renowned brands as Chanel, Dom Perignon, Tiffany&Co., Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, and Hilton were proudly named winners. The victory brings companies status and recognition, global promotion and development of an entirely new market of customers.

www.luxurylifestyleawards.com

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Why You Still Need Sunscreen In The Winter

The days are getting colder and the leaves are changing colors. Fall is upon us which means we will all soon be layering up and be spending our days cozying up by the fire watching scary movies or going outside to go pumpkin picking. The days are going to be shorter which means less sunlight. This does not mean however, that we can skip our use of sunscreen. In fact, this should be part of our routine all year round.

The cooler weather does not affect the UVB/UVA rays that are emitted by the sun all year. Yes, the days may be shorter but UVA rays still pose a threat to skin all the time, even when it is cloudy!

Related: Korean Skincare BE: Your Guide to Flawless Skin on a Budget

Not only does sunscreen decrease the risk of skin cancer, it also helps with anti-aging and premature wrinkles. Regardless of gender, race, and skin type, everyone should be including SPF in their own skin care regimen every single day.

The CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM is recommended by dermatologists:

The Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion is often recommended for people with more sensitive and dry skin:

This neutrogena Clear Face break-out free sunscreen is popular for oily/acne prone skin:

A personal favorite of mine and one that I have been using for years is available at a drugstore near you the La Roche Posay Daily Antioxidant Serum with Sunscreen:

It can be hard to choose what type of sunscreen to use when there are so many on the market. One says it is mineral sunscreen with an SPF of 15 while the other says it is a chemical sunscreen with an SPF of 30. Which one is best for you? It is simply personal preference.

It is important to understand the differences between the two. A chemical sunscreen is known to absorb into the skin which then absorbs the UV rays converting them into heat energy. While a mineral or physical sunscreen lays on top of the skin and reflects the UV rays — this is often seen as the sunscreen that shows up white on the skin (sometimes applied to the nose in movies or shows). While it is recommended that people with acne prone skin use a mineral or physical sunscreen because it less known to clog up the pores, there are still many that trust a chemical sunscreen.

Nowadays it’s easier to incorporate sunscreen to your daily routine. Products ranging from makeup to moisturizers to serums all have SPF in them. These are some recommendations based on skin type and price.

For those with oily/acne prone skin:

This supergoop! Sunscreen and primer is an innovative clear sunscreen that won’t be ashy on people of color and is perfect for those with oily and acne prone skin

DRAFT

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