Author: Eva Troester

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Featured

Compact Care For Men

Each season comes with its own set of skincare woes. Winter is famously known for windy weather and frigid temperatures. Plus a confusing mix of one day’s unseasonable warmth and the next day’s snow.

The answer to this conundrum is simple. Keep your grooming kit stocked with a few key products to fix you up in no time. Whether you’re throwing them in a tote for a quick getaway, or stocking your bathroom cabinet, try choosing natural, multi-purpose products to keep it light and cover the basics. A fresh, clean smell, neat hair, a bright smile and an easy cleansing routine to keep your skin clear and moisturized.

 

Rinse, moisturize, repeat

Photo: Courtesy of Clarisonic

 

Cleanse and moisturize. There’s no way around it. No matter if it’s stress, sweat or the weather causing your skin troubles, establishing a routine of cleansing and moisturizing will go a long way. Opt for a moisturizer with SPF during the day, and you can skip the sunscreen.

 

Feeling fresh

Photo: Courtesy of bogobrush

Don’t forget to apply deodorant, and give your teeth a quick sweep—it might sound too simple, but just these two tasks will make you feel fresher in no time. Take advantage of the many natural products on the shelves—choose a deodorant without parabens to avoid irritated skin, and try out a toothpaste that uses the benefits of virgin coconut oil and bamboo powder for a brighter, natural smile.

 

Locks: locked and loaded

Photo: Courtesy of R+Co

Come wind, rain or shine, will your hair stand the test? This dry shampoo paste is one part dry shampoo, one part styling paste, and it adds texture and hold while also absorbing oil. It’s perfect to bring along or use for a lazy morning.

This story originally appeared in the 2017 Art Issue of Downtown Magazine 

Featured photo by Aranka Israni

Categories
Featured Fitness Health

Fitness Friday: Hot HIIT At Bodē NYC

If you’re looking to warm up, and we mean next level sweat city, then Bodē NYC newest Hot HIIT class might be just the thing!

Bodē NYC, formerly Bikram Yoga NYC, was actually the studio that brought Bikram Yoga to Manhattan back in 1999 and revolutionized the yoga scene. And let’s just say they haven’t stopped developing since.

Their latest and greatest offering is Hot HIIT. A class that combines high-intensity interval training, muscle toning and cardio in a heated room. By cardio, we’re not talking sprints or jumping jacks. Rather the class is paced faster than their other yoga classes and includes squats, mountain climbers, and burpees. But it also has the standard yoga movements such as downward-facing dog and cobra pose.

This is a great class for those who like vinyasa yoga, which has a faster flow than hatha yoga classes — but want to try something new. Some people just aren’t the biggest yoga fans, and I’m partly one of them. While I love the thought of yoga, its pace and connection with your body, I’m usually looking for something a little more go-go-go for my workouts. So this class is a perfect mix for me.

As I reach the studio in Flatiron and walk in, I see stairs before me. A lot of stairs. But I’m thinking it’ll be great for a warm up. I leave the frigid cold behind and find my way to the front desk, where I get my yoga mat, two towels, and I grab a water. They suggest you take some electrolytes before your class, so let that be a hint to the sweaty mess you’ll be.

But it’s the good kind of mess. While I don’t love to sweat — I think most of us don’t, right? — I do love a good sweat during a workout. To me, it just shows that I’ve worked my butt off. Though I’ve read enough to know that’s not necessarily the case, I do tend to combine the two. And this class definitely brings it.

The room is nice and toasty when I walk in. At first, it’s a nice change from the cold outdoors. But I also know that this heat is not going to be pretty once the class starts. But the heated room is great for yoga practices, as it amps up your pulse rate and metabolism while allowing you to build long and lean muscles.

The Hot HIIT class is 60 minutes, but it really does feel like less. Our instructor, Monique Crous, does an excellent job of guiding the class through the movements. She demonstrates them when needed and encourages to keep going and giving you that extra push, but also reminds us to listen to our bodies.

Throughout the class, we go through different sequences. Side planks, bridges, pushups, and much more. But it’s all done in a tempo that allows everyone to follow along. It’s a very inclusive studio, people of all ages and sizes are in the class, so I don’t feel the least bit self-conscious — I’m just focusing on doing me and the workout. Every other thought is pretty much shut off. As the class wraps up, that feeling stays. I feel calm and relaxed yet I feel like I’ve gotten in a great workout, and it’s been a nice break from the usual neverending racing thoughts and to-do lists.

Bodē NYC boasts four locations in the city. One each on Upper West and Upper East Side, a location in Midtown, and the one in Flatiron — the closest to us downtowners. They offer seven different, and as it says on their website, there’s “Something for Every Body.” 

If this class sounds like something for you, or you want to read more about their other classes, locations, and schedules, check out their website for more information.

Photos: Courtesy of Bodē NYC

Categories
Featured Living

5 Ways To Make Your Mornings Better

Getting out of bed in the morning isn’t always easy. Especially not in these colder and darker months, where your bed just seems like your best friend. But some good morning routines can help you get out of bed! When you know you have some things to look forward to, somehow your bed doesn’t seem quite as appealing. And remember, you’ll be back in it come night time.

Here are five ideas on how to start your morning off right. You might have to get up a little earlier, but I promise it’ll all be worth it.

 

Move, Stretch, Sweat

Photo: Courtesy of pexels.com

Get up and get moving. If you have to hit up a studio class or trek to the gym, you’re easily adding an hour or two to your morning routine. But it doesn’t have to be that extensive. You can start by going for a short run a couple of mornings a week, or you can do an at-home workout with no to little equipment. There are so many great videos you can use. If you like yoga, starting your morning doing yoga with Adriene could be your new thing. If you’re looking to work those muscles and work up a sweat, the new Studio Tone It Up App has some great classes both on-demand and in real time.

 

Practice Mindfulness First Thing

Photo: Courtesy of intelligentchange.com

Mindfulness is a real buzzword these days. But how do you actually practice it? There are many ways in which you can become more mindful in your life and in your days. Headspace, for example, has become a helpful tool to practice meditation and users have had great success. If you, like me, aren’t great at sitting still and meditating, there are a few other things I’ve found really helpful in becoming more aware and centering myself. I’ve long tried to journal, but for some reason, I didn’t really stick to it. Maybe it’s that whole sitting down thing? With the Five Minute Journal, however, I find myself easily grabbing it in the morning and scribbling down a few things I’m grateful for, my intentions for the day and some affirmations. It really helps put me in a good mood and remember even the small things that make my life good.

 

Never Skip Breakfast

Photo: Courtesy of Brekki

Breakfast is important. Some say it’s the most important meal of the day. While you shouldn’t force yourself to eat breakfast if you’re just not a person who’s hungry in the morning, you definitely shouldn’t skip it on account of time (or in trying to eat less — it will have you starving and grabbing all the wrong foods by noon). While weekdays usually don’t leave time for whipping up pancakes or scrambling some eggs, you shouldn’t skip breakfast altogether. With several locations in NYC, places like Pressed Juicery and Juice Press are great for picking up smoothies and juices to sip on your way to work. You’ve probably also heard about the famous overnight oats. But even these I can sometimes forget to prepare at night. Enter Brekki. These guys offer premade overnight oats in different flavors. So good and so easy to grab on your way out the door.

 

Make A Cup Of Good Coffee (Or Tea)

Photo: Courtesy of Temple Coffee

Personally, I don’t really function without coffee in the morning. I just love the way coffee smells and tastes, it’s not just about the caffeine. But I’ve also had my fair share of… let’s say not great corner store coffees. And focusing on quality coffee has honestly been a game changer. I’m enjoying it more and it just gives my morning a better start. Temple Coffee for one has some real quality roasts and what’s even better is its coffee club. Have you ever woken up only to remember you used the last of your coffee yesterday? Me too. And that can really throw off my morning. Temple Coffee’s Club lets you choose how often you want a bag delivered straight to your door which means you never have to worry about running out of coffee again. If you prefer tea, then educate yourself on what kind of quality teas are out there and how to brew them — yes, different teas have different steep times.

 

… And Bring It With You

Photo: Courtesy of thegadgetflow.com

Now, ideally, I’d spend a good hour every morning with a newspaper and my coffee. But in reality, well. I’d have to get up really early to do so. So my morning coffee time often gets shortened, when I’m also trying to fit in a workout, a shower, and breakfast. And then there are the days I hit the snooze button a little too much — I know I shouldn’t, but there are just some days… I try to not let this affect my mornings too much. I still take the time to make a good cup of coffee, I just bring it with me on my commute to work. This calls for the right travel mug though. I don’t want cold coffee, and I definitely don’t want it leaking in my bag or spilling over me or others on the subway. Ello has some great mugs for on the go that are all leak-proof and keep your hot beverage just that — hot. My personal favorite is the Campy Mug which has a handle and an almost glittery design.

Categories
Featured Living

5 Classic Gift Ideas For Valentine Day’s

Valentine’s Day is a mere week away, and this certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed. While people have mixed emotions about this holiday, we at Downtown believe that this day is for everyone! Self-love is just as important as showering your significant other with love, and Valentine’s day is as good a time as any to appreciate yourself and those around you.

So how do you best show it? We’ve rounded up some Valentine’s Day classics that can be given to yourself, your special someone, or a friend! Galentine’s Day is a thing too, and we certainly think the love of good friends and friendships are worth celebrating, too.

 

Sweets For My Sweets

Photo: Courtesy of neuhauschocolate.com

You didn’t think we’d talk about Valentine’s Day without talking about chocolate, now did you? As much as we love love, we also really love chocolate. So it’s just a logical connection. What better way to show someone you love them than by offering them the holy grail of sweets — chocolates! Some of our favorites include Neuhaus, Jacques Torres and Godiva which all have special Valentine’s Day boxes.

 

Dinner Date

Photo: Courtesy of ledistrict.com

While we’re on the subject of giving something edible… There’s a reason why taking your special someone out for dinner on Valentine’s Day is a classic. First of all, New York City has one of the best culinary scenes in the world, making it easy to fit it into what you and your valentine like. Second, many restaurants really set the right mood for Valentine’s Day by decorating and offering special menus — and really, is there anything more romantic than sharing a heart-shaped dessert? Third, the way to any foodies heart is through the stomach. And let’s be honest, in this day and age we’re all just a little bit foodies. Some of our downtown favorite’s, with special menus, include Tribeca Grill, Le District’s Beaubourg and Ristorante Rafele.

 

Spa Pampering

Photo: Courtesy of Haven Spa

Another way of showing love and care is by treating yourself — and/or your special someone — to some serious pampering. Many spas in NYC offer special packages both for couples and for singles because as great as Valentine’s Day is for couples to focus on each other and spend some quality time together, self-love is just as important. Some of our favorite spas in downtown include the sister spas, Haven Spa and Eve Spa, which offer couples massages and Valentine’s Day Mani-Pedis. For a Galentine’s celebration, check out Haven’s bitch massage — soothing and relaxing for both body and mind, or The Valley Girl — a décolletage facial that leaves you with a light glow and the softest skin imaginable. Another downtown favorite for a luxurious love treatment is AIRE Ancient Baths; they have two special packages — the Love Tandem and the Valentine’s Duet for this lovely occasion. 

 

Bright Like A Diamond

Photo: Courtesy of tiffany.com

In the famous words of Marilyn Monroe, diamonds are a girl’s best friend. And this certainly still rings true on Valentine’s Day. Just as no two diamonds are the same, neither are people. So choosing the right jewelry piece can be tricky. It’s all about personal style and preferences, so a good tip can be to look at your valentine’s style. Do they wear classic outfits, more minimalistic or are their outfits bold and playful? Then a good choice can be to mimic this in jewelry choices. Some brands we suggest taking a closer look at is Dana Bronfman‘s stunning pieces, Scandinavian Maria Black‘s minimalist love pieces, and, of course, you can never go wrong with one of Tiffany’s Valentine’s Day picks wrapped up in their iconic blue box.

 

Romantic Getaway

Photo: Courtesy of Deer Mountain Inn

Is there anything more romantic than whisking your better half out of your day-to-day lives for a change of pace and scenery? The answer is no. Getaways are a perfect Valentine’s surprise — just the two of you in a peaceful place. Which getaway fits best is really up to what kind of people and what kind of couple you are. Are you city dwellers or does nature and fresh air soothe you? If you’re the latter, you should check out Deer Mountain Inn, a classic turn-of-the-century hidden gem seated in the hills above Tannersville, NY in the Great Northern Catskills. For Valentine’s Day, they offer a curated tasting menu from Michelin-starred Chef Ryan Tate. If you can’t get enough of the city, may we suggest a little staycation? At the Beekman, they’re offering an intimate five-course dinner for two at Tom Colicchio’s Temple Court or a “Celebrate With Us” package that includes red wine and chocolate upon arrival, late checkout and continental breakfast for two at Temple Court

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Featured

Spoil Yourself Or Your Loved One For Valentine’s Day At TriBeCa Beauty Spa

Hidden out of plain sight on Harrison Street near Pier 25 lies the perfect kept TriBeCa secret; TriBeCa Beauty Spa.

It’s just private enough that it’s not overrun with tourists, rather it has a long list of regulars. And in NYC, you know that any spot with a long list of regulars is a sign of a quality place.

The spa’s main focus is to be a neighborhood spa. Clients can both come for treatments such as mani-pedis and massages, but they also offer up services that go beyond this. With a special event space, clients can use the spa to pamper oneself and those around while celebrating big life moments such as engagements, promotions, pregnancies, and more.

And what better way to celebrate love itself than with some pampering? Valentine’s Day is vast approaching, and we’ll take any excuse to celebrate love and give our bodies some extra attention. Because love needs to be valued and celebrated, and you do too. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in our everyday lives, especially in this city. Any excuse to slow down and take some time to focus on yourself and those around you that are truly important is so important.

Why not celebrate this day of love by treating yourself or your loved ones to some love and care?

“Valentine’s Day is all about LOVE, and what better way to share love than to do something caring and pampering for yourself or someone special?” says TriBeCa Beauty Spa’s founder, Nadia Dekhkanova.

“The reason why spa services feel pampering is because there is this time that’s carved out just for you. During this time, the attention is focused on you and the intent is to make you feel good,” she adds.

And I think we can all agree that giving yourself some attention is important. As is giving your significant other, if you have one, some attention too.

A spa treatment is the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for both couples and singles. Everyone deserves to treat themselves and to be treated with affection.

“There is no greater love you can show yourself than self-care,” states Dekhkanova.

She suggests massage as a great Valentine’s gift to yourself, or a spa pedicure with foot reflexology to release tension and assist your body to heal itself.

As for booking a treatment for your significant other, this can be a little tricky. It often depends on who they are and what they like.

“If it’s someone who takes pride in their appearance and stresses the importance in taking care of themselves, a facial is fantastic,” suggests Dekhova and adds, “massage is always our biggest seller during this holiday, you just can’t go wrong with a massage.”

And TriBeCa Beauty Spa has some truly amazing massages — and masseuses. Everyone knows exactly what they’re doing, so there’s nothing to be worried about even if you are a first-time spa-goer. For someone who’s only recently started going, I can’t stress the importance of making yourself and your body a priority enough, and choosing the right place to do so.

TriBeCa Beauty Spa carries three specials for Valentine’s Day — all of which can be enjoyed alone or together.

Be Golden consists of a 1-hour Swedish massage with relaxing Ylan-Ylang and Tangerine essential oils. The message includes rejuvenating with their Gold-infused collagen eye treatment and ends with a 45 minutes hot oil pedicure.

Warm Touch is a 75-minute Swedish massage with a hot stone or how towel combination. Perfect to warm your body inside out.

All the Love will treat your skin from head-to-toe. The treatment starts with their classic corrective-refining facials and ends with their signature New York Therapeutic massage — just the thing for worn-down busy bee New Yorkers!

The spa has a long list of treatments, everything from skincare to waxing and tinting. You can find more about the spa, how to book your treatment and prices on their website.

Happy (soon) Valentine’s Day!

Photos: Courtesy of TriBeCa Beauty Spa

Categories
Business NYC Real Estate

Waiting For The New York Wheel To Start Spinning

We all know that New York City is the best city in the world. But do you ever find yourself looking at London or Paris and find that something is missing?

Amazing architecture? Nope, definitely not it. Great restaurants? No, NYC definitely has that too. We’re talking about a Ferris wheel! London has London Eye, and Paris has Roue de Paris.

Yes, we’re aware of the Wonder Wheel in Coney Island. But, if we’re being honest… It’s just so far away from downtown. But this year, we’re finally getting one just a short ferry ride away on State Island!

The New York Wheel is scheduled to open in April of this year and is located in St. George on the New York Harbor. St. George has also been called “New York City’s next waterfront destination.” And while we know there’s no waterfront destination quite like downtown, this is an exciting development.

“The New York Wheel will undoubtedly become a new landmark in New York City, attracting visitors from all over, providing economic growth and a new visibility,” Senator Chuck Schumer has said.

The observation wheel at 630 feet will have stunning waterfront views and especially a breathtaking view of downtown as seen from afar.

Photography: Courtesy of S9 Architecture / Perkins Eastman