Tag: Champagne

Categories
Fashion Featured Living

Downtown’s Holiday Gift Guide 2019

Downtown's Holiday Gift Guide 2019

For the past 10 years, our editors have scoured the planet to bring to you our holiday favs. Each week, we will be posting a few ideas to help with your holiday shopping throughout the new year. Stay Tuned!

Give your feet the gift of comfort with our Editor in Chief’s favorite pick this year – better materials, better design, carries through to better factories and shipping methods. AllBirds think that our planet deserves better. Less waste and pollution. More thoughtfulness and accountability.

Holiday Gift Guide 2019
Allbirds Runner
AllBirds Savanna Wool Runners

Furniture by MGBW: Often referred to as the masters of modern home furnishings, co-founders Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams bring the perfect blend of business and creative energy to our brand. “Make a statement during the holidays and year-round with sculptural pieces that add pops of color and a hint of sparkle.”
—Bob Williams

Holiday Gift Guide 2019
MGBW Faux Fur Chair




FiFi Chair in Tibetan Orchid Fur

Krankz Audio MAXX headphones are a must-have in headphones. They are a go-to for the audiophile. Krankz headphones have a clear and powerful sound. Each pair has a built-in microphone and automatic call notification for easily switching between music audio and phone calls when paired to your smartphone. 

 

Downtown's Ultimate Beauty Gift Guide
Parker Tote

Our Editor in Chief swears by The Parker Tote. The polished, black and gold tote transforms into a fully padded backpack with two hideaway straps. The roomy interior organizer section easily holds a 15.6″ laptop, a notebook, and a full complement of daily necessities, and has a back panel that slides over luggage handles. So whether you’re going to work, traveling, or just exploring the city for a day, this tote/backpack has you covered.

 

 

Downtown's Holiday Gift Guide 2019
Villa One Tequila

 

Unlike other tequilas, Villa One sources 100% blue weber agave from both the Highland and Lowland regions of Jalisco, Mexico. This unique combination of agave flavors combines herbaceous, earthy Lowland notes with the sweeter, fruity notes of Highland agave, resulting in a distinct, rounded profile.

“Nick Jonas and I share a love for tequila and we wanted to do something really special and also really accessible. Our partner is Stoli, and the product is from an artisanal distillery in Tequila, Mexico that has one of Mexico’s most famous distillers. We are so proud of this collaboration.” –John Varvatos

 

Holiday Gift Guide 2019
Krankz Audio MAXX headphones


Founded in 1940 by Murray Greenberg, Murray’s Cheese is proud to be a Greenwich Village tradition and part of the neighborhood’s rich food history. Murray’s Cheese‘s Cheese of the Month Club is for the classic cheese lovers and cheese newbies. Whether you’re just diving into the delicious world of fromage or you’re looking to get your hands on some timeless favorites, this rotating collection of approachable and iconic cheeses is one snackable selection that’s guaranteed to please any palate.

Holiday Gift Guide 2019
Murray’s Cheese Pick of the Month

 Moët & Chandon is thrilled to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Moët Impérial, an important milestone in the extraordinary journey of a global icon of celebration. Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut 150th Anniversary Limited Edition Bottle & Gift Box Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut was first created in 1869, named Impérial in honor of Napoleon, a close friend of the Champagne House’s Moët family. 

Downtown's Holiday Gift Guide 2019
Moët & Chandon 150 Anniversary Gift Box

Hourglass, the cruelty-free beauty brand, is known for its innovation and commitment to reinventing luxury cosmetics. The complexion, color, and skincare are crafted to be undetectably transformative while effortless to apply. Hourglass gives you the ultimate collection of vegan brushes. This set includes 17 ultra-soft pieces designed to enhance the complexion, cheeks, and eyes, including four exclusive brushes. Made from high-grade, PETA-approved Taklon bristles, the collection is enclosed in a protective vegan-leather case.

Holiday Gift Guide 2019
Hourglass Vega Brush Set and Case

Since 1987, Jonas Studio’s goal has been simple-to-construct visionary pieces that reflect a signature style. The key to their design process is an appreciation for evolving lifestyles, tied to a desire to tap into Manhattan’s vivacious energy–the perfect gift this holiday.

Holiday Gift Guide 2019
Bowery Electric Red Wrap

 

For wine lovers, we choose a few special wines this year. Sbragia Family Vineyards winemaker Adam Sbragia continues his family’s legacy in Dry Creek Valley, launching his own brand, Home Field Red Blend.  Produced from the 2016 vintage, the debut wine is crafted from five grape varieties grown in six different vineyards. Perfectly priced and superb for any dinner party!

 

 

Downtown's Holiday Gift Guide 2019
Home Field Red Blend by Sbragia Family Vineyards

 

Another favorite is Spottswoode Cabernet 2017. Great vineyard sites are rare, and part of defining them is their ability to ripen fruit that allows for a consistently extraordinary wine.  We fell in love with this delicious Spottswoode Cabernet, a must for the holiday season or anytime. 

 

Downtown's Holiday Gift Guide 2019
SPOTTSWOODE ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017

 

Knours is an innovative brand that addresses the link between the changes in hormones and our skin to help achieve healthy skin wellness. Knours Starter Kit is a perfect stocking stuffer. Be sure to pick one up for all year long.

Holiday gift
Knours Starter Kit

Makeup that empowers, a prestige beauty brand rooted in empowerment, REALHER was co-founded by beauty industry veterans Megan Merid and Bill Xiang. We love cruelty free–just one of our Publisher’s favs. Get the limited sturdy, metallic, rose-gold tote that includes day-to-day essentials. Perfect for the makeup lover!

Downtown's Holiday Gift Guide 2019
Realher Holiday gift Set

See More

Downtown’s Ultimate Beauty Gift Guide

Downtown’s Holiday Gift Guide 2019 For Him

The Winter Box: A Collection of Tips, Gadgets, and Accessories for Men This Winter

“Greener Fashion and Greener Future” ZAFUL 2019 Fashion Panel & Charity Sale

 

Categories
Featured Lifestyle Living

Tons of Gifts Perfect for Mom This Mother’s Day

We found all the gifts your mom actually wants this year! Some of them are so great, you might need one for yourself, too.

Every Mother Counts Mother’s Day Collection

Every Mother Counts, the organization founded by Christy Turlington Burns that works to make pregnancy and childbirth safe for every woman, has an amazing limited edition Mother’s Day Orange Rose collection. All of the brands involved are donating some or all of the proceeds from the sales of the item to EMC. Some of our favorite items in the collection are the Citizens of Humanity x Anthropologie Every Mother Counts Tee, Baked by Mellissa Dulce de Leche set, Onia floral one piece swimsuit, and Stephanie Freid-Perenchio rose necklace.

Buddy Facial at Haven Spa

Think of this as an upgrade to your regular mani/pedi date with your mom. In the Buddy Facial, we have a room that is fit for two to get facials together side by side! Skip the boring 20 minute silent peel and have some quality time with mom while your skin marinates to perfection. You’ll be served champagne or a fruity cocktail (non-alcoholic options available, too) for before or after your facial date. During the Buddy Facial, your esthetician will chat with you to create a personalized facial that exfoliates, hydrates, cleans pores, promotes lymphatic drainage, stimulates circulation, brightens, nourishes, and boosts cell turnover. 250 Mercer Street.

Clase Azul Tequila

Yeah, Mom wants to spend time with you, but if you’re over 21 she probably wants to spend time with you and tequila. Clase Azul is made the old fashioned way, without technological advancements, and comes in a beautiful handcrafted bottle she will be proud to display on any shelf. claseazul.com

Dreamwell x Cosabella Gift Set

Treat Mom to Sagely Naturals Dreamwell Body Oil which is packed with the soothing blend of Roman Chamomile, Evening Primrose, and CBD oil. This special gift pack includes one of Cosabella’s luxurious, 100% prima cotton robes. $99.

Ettitude Sheets

Surprising Mom with breakfast in bed is so last year. We’ve moved on to surprising Mom with the softest, most luxurious sheets the night before Mother’s Day so she can wake up feeling refreshed and cozy. Ettitude makes all of their products with Bamboo lyocell fabric, which not only feels silky and amazing but is also sustainable, hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, and temperature regulating. From $138.

Funk Strike Tie Dye Boxing Gloves

These brightly colored, tie dye boxing gloves are sure to make Mom stand out in a crowd. These are perfect for any fitness enthusiast or a mom who is looking to get into boxing classes but needs that extra push. $49.48.

Joanna Vargas Glow Getter Set

Celebrity facials Joanna Vargas has curated a set of her favorite glow-inducing products for a naturally radiant, youthful complexion. The kit includes Glow To Go Mask Set, Super Nova Serum, Daily Hydrating Cream, and Cloud Bar. $443.65.

OUAI Easy Hair Kit

Give Mom the gift of good hair. This limited-edition kit contains brand favorites like Air Dry Foam, Rose Hair & Body Oil and Wave Spray. $25.

Mom on the Go FasciaBlaster Kit

Give Mom this special kit from Ashley Black featuring a face kit, mini FasciaBlaster, backpack, t-shirt, and book so she can start her journey to feeling great from the inside out. $99.

Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Rosé Venus Et Fleur Gift Set

This impressive gift set features the beautiful, long-lasting Venus Et Fleur Eternity Roses and the elegant, floral Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Rosé your mom will love. Dazzle your mom with this luxury acrylic home decor that can be used as storage after you finish your bottle of Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Rosé. The set is now available on Drinks & Co with 2 day shipping for all you last minute gift givers! $600.

Categories
Dining Featured

Go West – Go Due West

“Go West, young man” is a phrase often credited to the American author and newspaper editor Horace Greeley concerning America’s expansion westward.

In New York City where every day there is yet another restaurant and bar opening, we decided to check out Due West. A new bar/restaurant in the heart of the West Village, with a few extraordinary managing partners. We had the enjoyment to meet both Jess Goldfarb and Camilo Viafara two of the four managing partners. Jess Goldfarb, is the former cocktail director of Locanda Verde and the acclaimed Cru in Nantucket, now in charge of the cocktail program. Camilo Viafara, formerly the sommelier at Locanda Verde, oversees the wine program. Together they are the A TEAM at Due West.

 
Due West is located at 189 West 10th Street, between Bleecker and West 4th Street, right in the heart of the West Village. This intimate, beautifully designed 65 seat space, boasts a rotating selection of artwork from renowned ACA Galleries in Chelsea.

The cocktails are splendid with a wide range of seasonal selections like the Old Diablo, or should you dare, build your own Old Fashioned, you can mix and match spirits to your own liking. The beer is curated by Camilo; he focuses on domestic and small producers. As a wine lover, my favorite is the well rounded wine list from Fine Disregard Sémillon from Napa, Retour Pinot Noir,  Hiyu Ramato blend from Oregon, and Schneider & Bieler Cabernet Franc from the Finger Lakes to name a few. If champagne is on your mind, you’ll find tempting selections like Pierre Gimonnet Special Club, Louis De Sacy Grand Cru and more.

 

 
When looking for a chef for this new local to delight Due West’s culinary scene, they looked no further than executive Chef Adabis Castro, formerly of Atrium Dumbo and Le Bilboquet. Castro worked to originate small but delicious bites for even the discerning palate. Chef Castro’s menu is designed to complement the beverage program, offering a raw bar and selection of bar snacks, small and large plates. We tried the small plates which included Fried Cauliflower with strained yogurt and a sweet & sour curry, Chickpea Fritters (my fav) with red pepper and bottarga, and Hot Crab Dip with cheddar cheese and smoked trout roe, moving onto a large plate with chef’s tasty Dry-Aged Burger with caramelized onions and bacon.  Oh no, we did not stop there…

 

Perfection, right down to the decor designed by North Fork Design Co. My favorite was the Navy channel — tufted banquettes made from rich leather and crushed velvet running around the exterior of this lovely quaint space. Bring your friends to fill up their communal table or meet new ones as Due West is the place to be in the West Village for superb cocktails, delicious bites with an extra attractive, stylish downtown clientele. It won’t disappoint.

Stop by Due West which is open Sunday through Wednesday from 5pm to midnight, and Thursday through Saturday from 5pm to 2am. Tell them Downtown highly recommended that you stop by!
 
 

For more information:
Categories
Living

Have A Pink Mother’s Day

Screen Shot 2016-05-06 at 12.11.36

 

Champagne and Macaroons, what better way to treat your mom? Put a Pretty in Pink twist on Mother’s Day with this lovely sweet and tingly rosé Champagne and the famous Ladurée Macaroons.

Champagne Bollinger

Treat your mom to a chilled bottle of Bollinger Rosé. As fresh as rosé with the balance of Bollinger, this rosé Champagne demonstrates Bollinger’s technical, red wine-making skills and sports notes of wild berry, red currant and cherry with velvety fine bubbles.

Ladurée Macaroons

For a sweet treat to accompany the bubbles pick up some of the famous Ladurée Macaroons. With a wide array of flavors in both lovely pastels and vibrant colors they’re sure to be pleasing to the eye as well as a sweet tooth.

Categories
Featured Sports

AMERICAS CUP RETURNS TO NYC

Screen Shot 2016-04-29 at 10.41.36 AMEnjoy a multi-day sailing event featuring the world’s best sailors, racing the fastest boats with the backdrop of New York’s widely recognized harbor and stunning landmark. Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, May 8, enjoy the race festivities on the harbor in Battery Park at Brookfield Place’s North Cove Marina.

Screen Shot 2016-04-29 at 11.03.07 AM Six teams, each sailing on behalf of a home country (defending champion Oracle Team USA, Emirates Team New Zealand, Land Rover BAR for Great Britain, Artemis Racing for Sweden, SoftBank Team Japan, and Groupama Team France) will compete right here in the New York Harbor. The final points of this race will count towards the final competition for the 35th America’s Cup to be held in Bermuda 2017.

Screen Shot 2016-04-29 at 10.41.55 AMThe teams will race against one another at the same time in a fleet racing format. Racing will take place from 2pm to 3:30pm on Saturday and Sunday. The crowning of a New York champion will be held on Sunday May 8. Stop by the Event Village located at Brookfield Place’s Waterfront Plaza, and enjoy delicious food, entertainment and fun activities while watching the race on big outdoor screens.

Screen Shot 2016-04-29 at 10.48.53 AMStop by to see the “Dock Out” Show where you will have the opportunity to hear from each team’s skipper before the start of their race. All  of the fun is complimentary to the public so come out and support your favorite team! For more information please click here.

-by Grace A. Capobianco

Categories
Fashion Industry News

NYC Luxury Brands And Retailers Make a Difference During The Snow

snow

NYC Luxury Brand And Retail Market Make a Difference During The Snow
Photo: Courtesy of nymetroweather.com

 

The snow may stop Manhattan, but not luxury brands and retailers. They have used the blizzard as an opportunity to make a difference and help out the NYC community. With people worried about power outages and reduced transportation, brands and retailers have been predicting less foot traffic and sales in the luxury capital of the world.

Due to this, the luxury industry is surprised to see consumers braving the weather and coming out to stores. To say thank you, brands have decided to increase their assistance to make a memorable and positive impression on these consumers. Brands and retailers hope these consumers will remember their customer service and hospitality when the storm comes to an end. “Luxury is about the relationship between the brand and the customer,” said Gustavo Gomez, director of research and methodology at Envirosell, New York.

The higher levels of service makes for a better relationship, translating to brand loyalty in the future. If customers associate the brand with helping them out despite the blizzard, they’ll think of their positive experience. On the other hand, poor service will risk losing the customer, especially if they do not consider the chaos of the blizzard-like conditions.

This blizzard is likely have some economic impact, similar to the blizzard of 2010 leaving 11.2 million consumers housebound. Retailers have worked to minimize negativity by reminding consumers about the amenity of online shopping. Before the storm picked up yesterday, many brands recognized the weather in the Northeast. This caught their consumer audience’s attention and showed that they care.

Some brands had some fun with the idea of being snowed-in. Moët & Chandon shared a Facebook post saying, “To stocking up before the storm,” with a photo of a bottle of their Champagne in the snow. Marc Jacobs shared the advice, “Don’t panic” on a knit hat and a snow emoji via Twitter. Barneys NY also had some fun and showed reassurance through Twitter with its essential shopping list of wine and shoes, which was linked to an ecommerce page. Luxury brands and retailers to the approach to remind consumers to stay safe, all while simultaneously driving sales.

-by Deirdre McAndrew