Author: Caroline Mullins

Categories
Culture Featured

Five Vacation Essentials You Always Forget to Pack

As we hit midsummer, many of us are packing our bags and heading off to various destinations for vacation. While vacations are supposed to give us an opportunity to get some much-needed RNR, planning, packing, and preparing for these trips can be quite exhausting! As we pack our bags in anticipation of escaping the concrete jungle, it can be too easy to forget some essentials. But don’t worry, Downtowners – we’ve got you covered. We’ve created a checklist for you travelers so that you won’t forget these five essentials that you must not forget for your next trip. Bon Voyage!

1. Water Bottles & Snacks

While this may sound obvious, so many of us forget to bring food and water with us whilst traveling. Whether you’re traveling via car, airplane, train, you name it, nourishment is essential for us to keep our energy up for our trip! It’s also great to have these things on hand in your hotel room, so that you aren’t charged insane amounts of money for eating the snacks supplied by your hotel, and so that you don’t have to leave the hotel room to grab a simple snack or drink.

2. Sunscreen

If you’re traveling somewhere warm and sunny, sunscreen is a must. We know, we know, you want to soak up all of the vacation glow that you can! But, sunscreen is an essential no matter what. There are many sunscreens to choose from, including reef-friendly for those interested in possible eco-friendly brands. Sun poisoning + vacation just don’t mix well!

3. Water Mist Spray

https://www.evianspray.com/shop/trio

Okay, this might not be an essential, but it’s surely nice to have. These travel sized water mist sprays are perfect for cooling off at the beach, on a hike, or wherever your vacation may take you.

4. Laundry Bag

Perhaps the item that’s easiest to forget whilst packing is a laundry bag. I mean, who’s thinking about laundry while packing for vacation? Unfortunately, laundry is an inevitable part of life (talk about first world problems!), and in order to keep yourself organized, bring a laundry bag to keep your dirty clothes in. This is an especially handy item to bring if you’re going away for a longer period of time.

5. Disposable Camera

Again, not an essential, but if you can fit one into your suitcase, it’s so worth it! As we move further and further into the Digital Age, taking photos is an act of instant gratification. But how cool would it be to take an awesome photo and not be able to see it until it’s developed? (I know, this is major millennial talk.) What’s even better is that this forces you to develop your photos, instead of just leaving them on your phone, which can be quite risky! (Losing your phone might mean losing all of your beautiful vacation photos!). Plus – the ~vintage~ feel of the disposable camera photos will fit perfectly on your Instagram feed. 😉

Categories
Fashion Featured

The Instagram Blogger Phenomenon – Interview with Helena Glazer of @brooklynblonde1

 As we are now in the midst of the Digital Age, Instagram is perhaps the most influential social media platform that millennials are using these days. As the app has gained popularity amongst its users, it has become somewhat of a social media ‘hub’. With a quick scroll on Instagram, one can check the news, see what their friends are up to, and check out the daily happenings of their favorite bloggers.

Bloggers are a huge part of the Instagram community. A plethora of users and influencers are now using bots and automatic Instagram follower tools or paid followers service on Instagrowing to outsource the hard parts of the work.

Over the past few years, bloggers have taken over social media by storm, and there are many bloggers who make a living through their Instagram blogs. It’s truly no wonder as to how some bloggers are able to make a living off of their Instagram pages; with some bloggers boasting over a million followers, companies often pay bloggers to endorse their products, which thus ‘influences’ the blogger’s following to purchase a certain product.

One might wonder, what is it that these bloggers post to gain such massive followings? One factor that surely draws in followers is the fact that many bloggers take their followers through their daily lives – almost like an Instagram reality show. You’d be surprised how interesting it can be to see what somebody eats for breakfast, what kind of shampoo someone uses, and what someone’s favorite pizzeria is in the city. Not to mention, the aesthetically cohesive look of the typical blogger’s profile and the gorgeous outfits they put together each day surely help draw in a crowd.

Perhaps one of the most well-known Instagram bloggers is Helena Glazer of @brooklynblonde1. As her username suggests, Helena is a blogger based in Brooklyn who has amassed a following of over 460,000 followers. On her blog, you will typically see a day in the life of Helena and her adorable son Nate on her ‘Insta Stories’. Helena also discusses topics like interior design, beauty products, and lots of fashion. Her profile mainly features photos of Helena photographed in gorgeous designer outfits on the charming streets of New York. Although the Instagram community is definitely saturated with bloggers, Helena’s blog stands out for a reason. Her content is authentic, and she forms a real bond with her followers through daily interactions and chats.

 

In order to get a closer look at the life of a blogger, and to get to know Helena even better, we got the chance to speak with her and discuss blogging in New York, being an NYC mom, and remaining unique in the Instagram blogger world (just to name a few topics)!

Q: Your blog has seen so much growth and success lately. In what ways do you think that living in New York has

accelerated your blogging career?

A: From the beginning, New York has been one of the biggest parts of my blog and my overall identity. Being surrounded by so much creativity, open-mindedness and talent is not something that’s easy to find in many other cities. It also doesn’t hurt to have such a beautiful city as my backdrop!

Q: What’s your favorite thing about being a New York mom? 

A: I’m a born and raised New Yorker and I know how much that’s shaped me into the person I am today. I was exposed to art, museums, the ballet and so much culture at such a young age. I love being able to give our son the same type of experiences this beautiful city has to offer.

Q: As an influencer, how do you think your followers influence you?

A: Oh man! I learn SO much from my followers. From design hacks to the latest and greatest restaurants. If I have a question, I reach out to my followers for advice and they always stir me in the right direction.

Q: Unfortunately, for every 99 loving comments, there will always be 1 comment full of judgment and hate. How

do you brave the judgment on Instagram from complete strangers?

A: As cliche as it sounds, I’ve been doing this long enough that I’ve developed a thick enough skin. Luckily enough, I don’t get that much negativity, but of course, there will always be that person. On a good day, I laugh it off and roll my eyes. On a bad day, I mutter something to my husband and just delete (or reply and then delete!)

Q: As Instagram has been a platform for so many successful bloggers to grow in recent years, it seems that the
number of up and coming bloggers on the app grows by the day. What advice would you give to this up-and-
coming bloggers who are looking to stand out, get noticed, but still remain unique on Instagram?

  A: I wish I had a great answer for this, but even as someone who’s been doing it as long as I have, I still ask myself this question. It’s certainly challenging, but the best somebody can do is be true to themselves. I see many fall into the trap of trying to be a watered down version of someone else that’s really the worst thing someone can do.

BROOKLYN BLONDE’S FAVORITES

Tell us your favorite…

NYC neighborhood?:  West Village! Great eats, great people watching and a perfect mix of city life, but with a neighborhood feel. I also love the UWS but coming from Brooklyn, that’s a rare occurrence for me.

High-end brand to splurge on?:  Handbags are my weakness, so I’d have to say, Chanel.

Affordable brand?:  Zara

Children’s brand?: Zara

Food spot in Manhattan?:  L’Artusi and ABCV

Food spot in Brooklyn?:  Sushi Katsuei and Lilia

Kid-friendly food spot?: The Smith

Summer staple piece?: Always a pair of denim cutoffs and my Hermes Oran slides.

The upcoming trend for the fall?: I don’t really have an upcoming favorite trend, but once fall comes, give me all the camel, tweed and cashmere. I’m more of a fall classics girl.

A season for fashion?: Fall, no question!

Holy grail skin care product?: Biologique Recherche P50.

Perfume?: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540

Lipstick shade?: Tie between MAC Red lipstick and Bobbi Brown Pastel #12 lipgloss.

Healthy snack?: GG crackers with turkey, mustard, relish, and avocado.

A song at the moment?: I’m kind of going back to old school 90’s hip-hop! Lately, I’ve been playing a lot of Biggie and Foxy Brown.

A piece of advice you’ve ever been given?: More a quote that really resonated with me: “confidence is silent, insecurities are loud.”

You can keep up with Helena on Instagram @brooklynblonde1, and on her blog http://www.brooklynblonde.com/. 

 

 

Categories
Business Featured NYC

Downtown Manhattan is Home to New Cellphone Service Company Wing

Lower Manhattan Downtown NYC

Downtown Manhattan is home to many new and thriving companies. Take Wing, for example. Wing Tel Inc. is a new phone carrier company which is quickly making strides in its industry. The creation and success of Wing so far are quite impressive, as it faces the competition of the already well-established phone carriers like AT&T and Sprint. The company stands out amongst its peers as it claims to keep its customers’ phone bills at an extremely low price as compared to its competitors, whilst it provides reliable service and hassle-free customer service. We spoke with Wing staff member David, who gave us some more information about Wing, and how the location of its headquarters in Downtown Manhattan has helped it prosper.

1. Let’s start from the beginning – what was the inspiration behind Wing’s creation?

The inspiration came from how frustrating it was to deal with my phone carrier. I was constantly getting charged fees and penalties; I never understood my bill, and walking into a phone store or calling customer service was worse than going to the DMV. Then I came home from a trip overseas and basically owed more money to my phone carrier than the entire trip cost me. That was the moment I thought there had to be an easier, less stressful way to deal with a phone carrier. So, I decided I’d start my own. 

2. What makes Wing stand out from the leading cell carriers of the moment?

The telecom industry has been stale and monopolized for a long time. Picking which phone carrier to use feels like choosing between evils. Wing is here to offer a stress-free alternative where users get to deal with real, helpful humans without getting ripped off.

The customer experience is what truly separates us from other carriers. We handle everything for our users, so people never have to deal with their ex-carriers during the switching process. They get to keep their phones, their numbers and don’t lose anything on their phones. We even get people out of their existing contracts with no fee so they can switch over to us. 

The switch takes a total of about ten minutes and there is no downtime without service. Whenever someone needs help, a human is a call or text message away. We actually bring 90% of our users on board via text message. As far as pricing, we offer flexible plans that give you money back for unused data, so you are only ever paying for what you use.

Of course, we also offer all the same premium features as the other carriers. We have international data in 135+ countries; unlimited plans; family plans; and compatibility with all the newest phones. Plus, we do everything digitally without needing storefronts, so we’re able to pass on our savings to our users. 

3. Your HQ is right here in Downtown Manhattan. Tell us why you decided to base your growing business Downtown? 

Downtown feels like a place where new ideas can truly come to life. There’s such a diversity of businesses, both new and old. You also feel like you’re removed from the constant buzz and crowdedness of midtown. You can breathe a little easier downtown and find a comfortable space that’s more conducive to experimenting with new ideas and building something from nothing. It’s the only place I can imagine living and working in the city. 

4. Wing has received much attention via social media, as one of its creators is famous Youtuber Joe Santagato. Do you feel that social media promotion has helped your business prosper? If so, how significantly?

Social media is a huge driver for us. It’s a place where we can form a genuine connection with our audience. Unlike other phone carriers, it’s a language we are fluent in and were able to have real, honest, and fun conversations with our users, which is definitely something they appreciate. We’re also able to provide real customer support through our social channels. We’ve even signed people up for the service through Twitter. 

Joe Santagato is a key member of our team as well. He’s been able to build a large and loyal following because he is a social influencer that is honest and always himself. His fans know he’d never get involved with something he didn’t truly believe in. 

Through marketing, ads, and the conversations we’re able to spark, we see social media as being a huge advantage we have over competitors. 

5. Wing has the potential to be the next main cell carrier of the nation. The business has grown tremendously in a short amount of time. What do you see in Wing’s future?

We always say there are 325 million people in the US, so imagine how many cell phones there are. We want to become an alternative for everyone out there looking for a better overall experience with their phone carrier — and of course looking to stop overpaying. 

The plan is to grow rapidly and show more and more people that they have finally had another choice. That they finally have an opportunity to stand up to their phone carriers and say, “I’m done getting ripped off. I’m done with the constant stress.” 

6. For our Downtowners who are interested and would like to learn more about Wing, how can they do so?

You learn more about us and everything we offer at wingalpha.com. Simply click Join Wing and a Wing Agent will reach out to answer all your questions. You can also check out on Facebook as Wing Tel and on twitter @wingtel_ and Instagram @wingtel.

Categories
Uncategorized

City of Water Day is Tomorrow, July 14, Around the Region

In Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn Bridge Beach to Open and Host Activities for One Day

On Saturday, July 14, 2018, 10am to 4pm, the Waterfront Alliance presents City of Water Day, the annual free family festival that welcomes people to the waters that surround us.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Kick-off celebration aboard the tall ship Wavertree at Pier 16 in the Seaport District (9:30am-10am; media welcome).
  • Free PortNYC Boat Tours throughout the day on ferries, sailing ships, motor yachts, and a fireboat.
  • One-day opening of Brooklyn Bridge Beach. Directly under the Brooklyn Bridge on the Manhattan side, this small, sandy beach will be the venue for the annual Con Edison Cardboard Kayak Race and will host free public kayak lessons throughout the day.
  • 15 teams competing in the Con Edison Cardboard Kayak Race at 11am at Brooklyn Bridge Beach in Manhattan (teams receive their supplies at 8:30am and build at the beach until 10:30am. Heats commence at 11am).
  • Free children’s activities sponsored by Disney at Pier 17.
  • Food, music, dance, and art throughout the day.
  • Free paddling, rowing and sailing at locations throughout the New York Harbor.

     WHERE

    The City of Water Day festival hub is presented by The Howard Hughes Corporation at Piers 16 and 17 in the Seaport District, and at dozens of In Your Neighborhood sites in all five boroughs, Yonkers, and New Jersey.

 

The Waterfront Alliance works to protect, transform, and revitalize our harbor and waterfront.

Categories
Business Culture Featured Living NYC Travel

Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown Appoints Thomas Carreras as General Manager

Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown announces the appointment of Thomas Carreras as the new General Manager of the iconic Downtown hotel. With the property since pre-opening in early 2016, Carreras opened the hotel as Hotel Manager in September 2016. With passion, he led a team of genuinely talented employees who successfully achieved both the coveted Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond Award in their first year of operation.

In his new role as General Manager, Carreras will be responsible for leading the hotel and residential development into its second full year of operation, including oversight of 189 rooms and suites, 157 Private Residences, The Spa and CUT by Wolfgang Puck. His mission is simple – to continue to evolve the vision of the hotel, and to continue inspiring his team to revolutionize the modern luxury hotel experience by being different and pushing boundaries.

A ‘SEASONED’ MANAGER

With more than 18 years of tenure with Four Seasons, Carreras is a seasoned hotelier. His journey with Four Seasons began in 1999 as a Management Trainee at Four Seasons Hotel Boston. Since then Carreras has served numerous management positions at Four Seasons properties around the globe including Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico, Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai, Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane and now Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown.

Carreras grew as a child in the hotel industry and travelled the world until the family settled in a small village in Switzerland. Carreras’ heart was always in the hotel industry, following in his father’s footsteps. “I remember being fascinated by the friendliness of the employees working with my father and the perfection of all the public areas and operations. It was like something out of The Great Gatsby,” says Carreras.

“Since pre-opening in 2016, we had set some very difficult goals and accepted every impossible challenge to ensure our guests would receive genuine, authentic care and the finest personal service in a vibrant yet relaxed ambiance. We truly wanted to be different and pushed ourselves to be fearless,” says Carreras.

Now a two year resident of New York City, Carreras is equally as excited to be remaining in the city, the place he now likes to call home. He loves the energy of New York City, and all that comes with its diverse and abundant offering.

“I am completely fascinated with the soul of Downtown, which is currently experiencing a brilliant rebirth and is becoming one of the hottest neighbourhoods to live in New York City.”

Carreras is extremely excited to begin his new role as of today and is very grateful to have the opportunity to continue to lead a team that he admires.

 

Categories
Culture Featured Miami

Up-Close and Personal with NYC Pride’s Leading Promoter Jake Resnicow

NYC’s Biggest Gay Party Producer Takes The World Stage

Jake Resnicow is New York City’s biggest gay party producer, producing a series of monthly mega-events in New York City, including M.E.A.T., U-NITE and VERS.  He has made a name for himself as a party-giving philanthropist, raising over $2 million by producing some of the city’s most prestigious fundraiser events for organizations including Trevor Project, Ali Forney Center, and It Gets Better.  Jake is a force outside of the city as well.  He is the producer of Matinée USA, an extension of the party brand that launched in Ibiza twenty years ago.  Like its European predecessor, his events in Miami, Las Vegas and Los Angeles are spectacles, incorporating elaborate theatrical sets and musical productions.  Last month, he took on his biggest project to date, producing the main event at Vienna’s Life Ball, Europe’s grandest philanthropic event for HIV/AIDS.  The event attracted stars Patti LaBelle, Paris Jackson, Kelly Osborne and more.

Q&A With NYC Pride’s Leading Promoter Jake Resnicow

  1. Who is Jake Resnicow? (Tell us about yourself & the creation of Matinée etc.)
I’ve always had a passion for throwing special events. When I was 14, I started an entertainment company, doing everything from MC’ing weddings to DJing school dances. While in school, I took on a part-time job as Nightlife Editor for EDGE magazine. On a trip to Spain, I was blown away by Matinée, and decided to pursue my dream of bringing the magical nightlife experience to the U.S.
It all started in New York City during Pride 2010 where we transformed Manhattan’s Governor’s Island into an over-the-top outdoor dance arena from day into night. At sunset, a surprise fireworks display ignited the skyline. This was the moment I knew I found my calling…
  1. What is your inspiration and vision for this year’s Matinée pride events?
I’m all about creating unique experiences for all guests to be free to express themselves and leave WOWed. I love being a Special Event producer because I can look at each event as a blank canvas. I especially look forward to our annual LUVBOAT Sunset Pride Cruise that sails past the Statue of Liberty, under the Brooklyn Bridge, and into the fireworks. It’s magical.
  1. What DJ’s are you using this Pride?
We always invite a diverse, international lineup to deliver a sexy, vocal sound that progresses throughout the weekend. This past year included Danny Verde (Italy), Dan Slater (Austrailia), Nina Flower (Puerto Rico), Phil Romano (Barcelona), and local favorites Paulo, Cindel and Joe Pacheco.
  1. Who are the Jake Resnicow followers?
I realize you’re only as good as your last event. I truly appreciate each and every guest for their support over the years. You inspire me to do what I do.
  1. What is your involvement with the Life Ball in Vienna?
Life Ball is Europe’s HIV/AIDS biggest charity event. This past year, I produced the Main Floor inside Vienna’s city hall, treating guests to live performances by international talent. It’s a life-changing event and I highly recommend everyone attend at least once!
  1. What is your preferred charity and or cause?
I am passionate about giving back. It’s been an honor to support Life Ball over the past 5 years. They’ve raised over 30 million euros that go directly to fighting HIV/AIDS around the world. Every year around the holidays, we pick a charity to donate event proceeds. This has included Lambda Legal, The Trevor Project, Ali Forney Center, and the It Gets Better Project. These are all essential organizations that do amazing work for our community.
  1. As one of the leading Promoters of “NYC Gay Nightlife”, what separates you from the rest?
I truly love what I do. I look at every event as an opportunity to elevate the experience and go further. I’m fortunate to have an incredible creative team; we challenge each other on a daily basis.
  1. Who would you like to have as your ideal performer at your pride events?
There are so many legends I would love to welcome on-stage. If I had to pick one, I would say Beyoncé.
  1. What are the essentials in your closet and favorite color?
Black jeans, the perfect tee and a classic blazer. I am always one to throw in pops of color, but black is my go-to. I’m also a big fan of Patricia Fields ArtFashion store in New York for one-of-a-kind pieces.
  1. Which gay icon do you prefer (Team ) Lady Gaga or (Team) Katy Perry?
They are both amazing. I have to go with Gaga.
  1. What music are you listening to in your playlist?
I’ve really gotten into Tropical House, especially Thomas Jack’s podcast.
  1. What is your favorite song, favorite genre of music and favorite artist right now?
Diva from Club 69 compilation CD by Peter Rauhofer cause I’m a diva from head to toe! 🙂
  1. What do you want everyone to experience and take with them when they go to a Jake Resnicow event?
My mission is to give each guest an unforgettable experience with every event we throw. I welcome feedback, whether it’s positive or negative. It’s how we continue to get better.
  1. What’s your favorite food and cocktail?
I love a good spicy margarita… I’ve gotten into a morning routine of making homemade acaí protein bowls every morning.
  1. What is your favorite #hashtag and top 3 people you follow on instagram?
#Happy, I follow @life_ballofficial, @madonna & @kylieminogue
  1. What is your favorite gay travel destination?
Spain is amazing. It’s where I first got inspired to get into nightlife. The people, the energy, the music, it’s infectious.
  1. What are you currently reading?
Blink: The Power of Thinking without Thinking
  1. What is your favorite gadget?
The DJI Spark drone is a game-changer. Fits in your hand, easy to use and creates amazing aerial videos!
  1. Who or what did you last google?
Myself 🙂
  1. Who is your favorite designer and what was your last purchase?
I love DSQUARED, especially their jeans and shoes. For party gear, I love Maor Luz and ASOS.
  1. What is your favorite LGBTQ TV show?
I’m all about Ryan Murphy’s new show POSE. Highly recommend!
  1. Who is your favorite actor and actress?
Dominique Jackson & Billy Porter
  1. Give us one phrase to describe Gay Pride in NYC?
Extraordinary
  1. What is the next big thing you are working on?
For the first time in U.S. history, World Pride comes to New York in 2019 and we’re prepping a series of massive Main Events. Stay tuned for major announcements at WorldPrideWeek.com
  1. What does Downtown NYC mean to you?
Downtown truly gets the beat and culture of NYC. Keep up the great work!