The New York City Traveler

I think it was Sex and the City that made the world think that New Yorkers walk down the street “Carrie Bradshaw-style” in 4″ Manolo Blahnik stilettos, leg warmers, and use giant flowers as fashion accessories.  I say that because one of the questions I field most often is “I want to look hip so what do I wear when I’m in New York.”  My usual answer: Black.  However, every often I see a fashion trend that is on everybody in the city.  The latest trend: Rubber Boots. 
I was walking down Broadway in Soho yesterday and noticed that tons …read more

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Don’t worry if you see mobs of crazed-looking women on the streets of Chelsea.  It’s not the latest gentrification sweeping the city, its the semi-annual Barney’s Warehouse Sale.
This is your chance to get 50-75% off all of the designer duds that you had been eyeing.  Merchandise includes designer clothing, shoes and accessories for men and women, and gifts for the home.  We’re talking Manolo’s for $70 and a Marc Jacobs dress for $75.  New this year is the addition of children’s Halloween costumes which, oddly enough, I don’t recall ever seeing at the Madison Avenue store.     
Know Before You …read more

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The newest retail relocation in Manhattan is fashion powerhouse Gucci. The Italian fashion house recently moved to a new 46,000 sq. foot space in Trump Tower. The space makes the Fifth Avenue store the largest Gucci flagship store in the world.
The new store features three floors with about 20,000 sq. feet dedicated to selling space. The first level of the store is women’s accessories, mainly handbags. The section towards the front door caters tourists with a large selection of Gucci logo items, including the new Gucci Loves New York limited edition bag. The second …read more

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With the Marc Jacobs show yesterday evening, we can safely put another New York Fashion Week in the books.  It was a star-studded, surprise-filled eight days.  Oh yeah, the clothes were okay too.  Here is a wrap-up of some of the most memorable (and a few forgettable moments) of the week:
The veterans put on a show worth seeing.  Ralph Lauren brought out all of his Town and Country glory for the fall show.  It was English-hunting-party-meets-English-wedding as most models donned plaid cashmere coats and feather-adorned hats.  Carolina Herrera had a beautiful collection that was inspired by weekend jaunts to the …read more

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Tomorrow is the first day of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, which highlights the designs we can look forward to in Fall ‘08.  This semi-annual event takes place in New York City’s Bryant Park each February and September.  
This year’s highlights include shows by veteran designers Nicole Miller, Carolina Herrera, Zac Posen, and Michael Kors.  Debuting their collection will be newcomers Iódice, Araks, Mara Hoffman, Rubin Singer and Malan Breton. 
Fashion Week is considered to be a must-attend event by journalists, buyers, and socialites alike.   Tickets to shows are by invitation only but stay tuned to The New York City Traveler …read more

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I could always see the giant blue warehouse with the big yellow letters as I drove north on the Jersey Turnpike. But I never took the time to figure out how to exit the turnpike. Luckily, IKEA has solved the problem for those “transportation-challenged” residents of New York City by offering a free shuttle.
Every Saturday and Sunday the IKEA store in Elizabeth, New Jersey runs a free shuttle from Manhattan to New Jersey.
Depart Manhattan: Buses depart from Gate #5 at Port Authority Terminal (at Eighth and 42nd Street) on the lower concourse near Academy Bus line.
Time and …read more

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I am wrapping up the Twelve Days of Christmas Gift Guide with possibly the most important gift you can give. 
This holiday season, let us not forget how fortunate we are and remember those who are less fortunate.  Donate your time or money to a cause that you are passionate about or to a charitable organization in your area.  A few popular organizations that serve the Manhattan-area are:  
City Harvest is an organization that rescues food from all segments of the New York food industry.  This year alone, City Harvest has rescued 20 million pounds of excess food from restaurants, …read more

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We’re on Day 11 of the Twelve Days of Christmas Gift Guide. I’ve covered gifts for him, her, the entertainer, the traveler, and even for your pet. But if you have somebody on your list that is hard to shop for, and doesn’t fit just one category, check out the ideas below to spark some inspiration.
Though its housewares can be found in department stores across the nation, nothing beats the selection at Bodum’s only stand-alone store in the U.S. located in Manhattan. The Meatpacking District store stocks more than twenty styles of the signature glass-and-stainless-steel coffee, tea …read more

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Never fly commercial again with the Marquis Jet Card. The Marquis Jet Card allows for flights on private jets operated by NetJets. The card starts at $119,900 plus government imposed fees and taxes for 25 hours on the 7-passenger Citation V Ultra, capable of flying up to 2,011 miles.
Do you have more than 7 people in your entourage? Do you need to go further without stopping for gas? Or do you simply not like to share? Maybe purchasing your own Gulfstream V550 is the answer. With a passenger seating capacity of up to 14 …read more

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Who said the holidays have to be expensive? The greatest thing about shopping in Manhattan is that there is something to match everyone’s budget!
Henri Bendel, the Fifth Avenue retailer, has a great selection of small leather items and other accessories like the Metallic Foil Mini Books. This is a tiny notebook (2 5/8" x 3 3/4") with lined pages, illustrated endpapers, and embossed title on the front. Available in five different colors. Choose from Blue/It List, Green/Me, Myself, & I, Red/Remind Me, gold/Gold Digger, and my personal favorite, pink/Lovers & Other Strangers. Each book has the Henri Bendel …read more

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