Tag: shopping

Categories
Featured Hotels Travel

Cancun is Calling with Contactless Check -in

Is it time for a COVID break?

Ready for another snowstorm, below-freezing temperatures, or you just need that long-overdue getaway?

Cancun & Playa Del Carmen reopened in June were Expedia’s number 1 and 2 most searched destinations in 2021. Mexico is in the ORANGE phase and Americans can travel there with no restrictions.  And while there is a lot of buzz about the openings of Margaritaville Resort Riviera-Cancun the majority of visitors are seeking out a more intimate boutique hotel experience with contactless check-in and far less staff and foot traffic.

The Acanto Hotel Trademark Collection by Wyndham Playa Del Carmen comes in with 3 special “No Covid Here” packages.
Just a block from the beach and half a block from the shopping and restaurants on 5th Avenue in Playa Del Carmen offers Hacienda Style 1-3 Bedroom condos and a grotto-style pool. You will feel right at home and ready for an extended stay with the rooms all equipped with full kitchens, dining tables and chairs, utensils, and chic private terraces for fresh air.
The front desk can arrange for day trips jungles and ruins and expeditions like diving snorkeling and para-sailing. There are a set of more swanky rooftop suites that feature outdoor rooftop kitchens with BBQ and dining tables. Be sure to direct bookly and enjoy an additional 10% off, easy cancelation, lowest rate guarantee, early and late check-in and check out, free calls, free wifi, and even discounts at select local favorite restaurants nearby. There is even free breakfast in the mornings.

Work From Paradise

Acanto keeps it simple with this package to offer the best possible monthly rate for your work/School at home in one of our spacious suites. Complimentary breakfast and weekly maid service are provided as well as daily towel service. Enjoy some rooftop yoga, a swim in the pool, and some sand between your toes for a walk along the beach in between zoom meetings.
Monthly rates start at $1,500 for 2 People. with High-Speed Wifi, Maid Service, Breakfast, Front Desk, and Concierge  Services

Bring Your Pod To Acanto

With fewer bookings allowed hotels will be able to offer a complete buy-out option.  The Acanto Hotel with its’ 19 1, 2 and 3 bedroom  Suites is a perfect option for a group up to. 70 people. Prices have never been lower and this is just for 2021.

Give Back, Get Back at Acanto

If you are willing to give back to the local Playa Del Carmen community by either teaching young children to speak English, the local dog rescue, or at the CEA (Ecological Center of Akumal) to help with Turtle hatching season we will give you 2 free nights when you stay for 2 nights. This is perfect for a long weekend getaway that is feel-good and easy on your wallet.
Well, what are you waiting for, book now, and we’ll see you at the Playa!
Categories
Business Featured Finance Living NYC

58 WAYS TO SUPPORT LOWER MANHATTAN BUSINESSES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

58 WAYS TO SUPPORT LOWER MANHATTAN BUSINESSES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
https://www.instagram.com/marzenka_/

Maybe this year is the year to accept that the 2020 Holiday season will be different.

It’s not that long ago that we made it through the toughest two seasons to spend quarantined, spring, and summer. Is this not the time of the year, that most of us long for? Shedding our heavy winter clothes, and shaking off those dreary blues, not to mention those few extra pounds we put on over the long winter months, snuggled up with cookies, hot cocoa, and scrumptious Roast Beef and Yorkshire pudding?

Wait… that was me I was talking about.

Personally, I think we need to be a little less worried about jumping on a plane to see Grandma and Grandpa, or jetting off to that island paradise just so you can jump in the beautiful piercing blue ocean in that new bikini, or parasail your way over the long white sandy beaches. It’s so overrated!

What’s not overrated is staying the course, thinking about others, do your part, from populating your travel miles with or picking up on your travels the worst virus in our lifetime.

Downtown Alliance compiled 58 Ways to Not Leave Lower Manhattan.

Shopping

Holidays are a little different this year, with many people forgoing big family celebrations in favor of smaller, home-based events. All the more reason, then, to make your homebound holiday even more special.

If you’re sticking around Lower Manhattan, we’ve rounded up some great spots in the neighborhood for seasonal cheer. Here, we’ve included some tasty eateries, eclectic shops, and other local highlights. Note that most of these establishments have been hit hard during the pandemic and could use some extra help these days, so you’ll be giving back as much as you’re getting. Happy holidays!

1. Thai Farm Kitchen

This South Street Seaport staple serves contemporary Thai cuisine from thom kha kai to Panang curry. A tall glass of Sapporo makes for a great addition to the meal. (21 Peck Slip)

2. Adrienne’s Pizza Bar

Pizza maker Nick Angelis’s menu features gourmet Italian cuisine — make sure to try their house specialty, the grandma-style pizza. (54 Stone St.)

3. Babesta

Babesta is an excellent resource for new and seasoned parents alike for the best clothing, learning toys and equipment to raise your bundle of joy. (56 Warren St., Brookfield Place)

4. Black Fox

Kick back with a great cuppa caffeine and an afternoon cookie (trust us) from 70 Pine’s resident coffeeshop. (70 Pine St.)

5. Blue Park Kitchen

This delicious walk-up establishment offers the rare combination of fast-casual convenience and locally-sourced produce, grains and proteins. (70 Pine St.)

6. Luke’s Lobster

Classic lobster rolls, crab rolls, shrimp rolls, and cole slaw are all on offer at the Financial District location of Luke’s Lobster (26 South William Street). The seafood shack is also dishing up lobster bisque and New England clam chowder for colder days, as well as DIY lobster roll kits for those who’d prefer to cook (or look like they’ve cooked, via Instagram) at home.

7. Taim

Taim offers satisfying servings of falafel sandwiches, cauliflower shawarma, sabich, tasty fries and more. (75 Maiden Lane)

8. Wattle Cafe

A lovely independent cafe boasting excellent superfood waffles, organic bites and excellent coffee blends for all flavor profiles. (19 Rector St.)

9. Bowne & Co.

Learn about the origins of letterpress printing in Lower manhattan, take a workshop or purchase unique gift items. (211 Water St.)

10. Brookfield

Brookfield Place covers all of your shopping needs with more than 40 shops ranging from Gucci to Rite Aid. (230 Vesey St.)

11. The Rink at Brookfield Place

The Rink at Brookfield Place is available for corporate outings, private lessons, birthday parties and special events. (230 Vesey St.)

12. Pearl Diner

Paging omelet lovers: Pearl Diner, the 48-year-old Downtown institution at 212 Pearl Street, is now available for in-person service as well as delivery via apps like GrubHub and Seamless.

13. City Acres

City Acres Market is an all-in-one grocery store, caterer and restaurant specializing in the highest quality products, and its beer selection is first-rate. (70 Pine St.)

14. City Blossoms

Whether purchase to-go bouquets or designing an exquisite floral centerpiece, this mother/daughter-run operation will ensure a beautiful arrangement. (62 Trinity Pl.)

15. Crown Shy

The former chef of 11 Madison Park and the Nomad features a menu of plates like Red Snapper Crudo, Grilled Quail and Roasted Short Ribs. (70 Pine St.)

16. CUT by Wolfgang Puck

Residents and visitors alike fancy this chic, award-winning steakhouse with a killer martini bar. Specialties include the popular Japanese Wagyu beef. (99 Church St.)

17. Da Claudio

This longtime neighborhood standby is perfect for a relaxing weeknight meal (p.s. the Bucatini Arrabbiata is awesome). (21 Ann Street)

18. Sant Ambroeus

Beloved Italian restaurant and coffee shop Sant Ambroeus has expanded its New York City presence with a new location in Brookfield Place (200 Vesey Street) — offering up the usual cappuccinos, gelato and homemade pastries, but will also feature some of Sant Ambroeus’ more robust restaurant options including salads, pasta and even a few elegantly prepared seafood and steak options.

19. Eataly NYC Downtown

Eataly’s Italian specialty grocery has you covered with handmade cheeses, fresh pasta, espresso beans, and the finest quality seafood. (101 Liberty St.)

20. fellow barber

fellow barber is not only the ideal spot for a stylish, affordable haircut; it’s also where you’ll find expertly crafted, US-made grooming products. (18 Fulton St.)

21. Fields Good Chicken

Winner, winner chicken dinner (or lunch!) at this fast-casual restaurant dedicated to amazing poultry dishes. (101 Maiden Lane)

22. Fresh Salt

This neighborhood watering hole has been serving up seasonal cocktails and top-notch grub since 2004, back when the Fulton Fish Market was still swinging in the Seaport District. (146 Beekman St.)

23. Gnoccheria

Come hungry, leave extremely satisfied by the pillowy Italian potato classic as well as Neapolitan pizza offerings. (100 Broad Street)

24. Greenwich St. Jewelers

Give yourself extra time to peruse the gorgeous, carefully curated collections of precious metals and gemstones at this family-owned jewelry store. (64 Trinity Pl.)

25. Bombay’s

Though Bombay’s Indian Cuisine has a small menu, owner Sonal Vyas and staff work hard to ensure that all its offerings are delicious and made with lots of love — from crispy samosas to tender pieces of chicken marinated in yogurt and spices — and it’s also reasonably priced for the neighborhood.

26. Suited

When business partners Andrew Fazio and Wilson Johnson teamed up to create Suited, Lower Manhattan’s newest cafe, it was with the understanding that you can find good sandwiches or a good cup of coffee all over New York City, but not always at the same place. That dilemma has now been solved. (45 John Street)

27. La Parisienne

A lovely French cafe tucked away on Maiden Lane offers excellent dishes for breakfast, lunch, happy hour and weekend brunch. (9 Maiden Lane)

28. Le District

Le District has all of your grocery needs, from daily essentials to French-inspired fare. (225 Liberty St.)

29. Leo’s Bagels

“Leo’s” stands for the classic bagel breakfast “Lox, eggs & onions” — recommend trying their specialty as well as other bagel, cream cheese spreads and smoked fish offerings. (3 Hanover Square)

30. Mad Dog & Beans

Located in a landmark building, Mad Dog serves up traditional Mexican cooking that includes fresh guacamole and potent margaritas. (83 Pearl St.)

31. Brooklyn Beef ‘N Cheese

Ironically, Brooklyn Beef ‘N Cheese isn’t in Brooklyn, but what it sells is a classic Brooklyn roast beef sandwich, the likes of which you’d generally have to go all the way to Coney Island to get. (upstairs at City Acres Market, 70 Pine Street)

32. magic mix juicery

Nutritious breakfast bowls, filling lunches, snacks and — yes — fresh-to-order juices to keep your body happy and healthy. (102 Fulton St.)

33. Salon DeLouie

Salon DeLouie has been operating in the neighborhood for seven years, offering up cuts and colors to the busy workers of Lower Manhattan through good times and bad. And even through the COVID era, the salon is sticking to its most popular classics like coloring, highlights and cuts for all genders.

34. Martin Busch Jewelers

Longtime independent jewelry shop offers excellent options for all price ranges, original designs and watch repairs. (85 John St.)

35. McNally Jackson

Get lost in the vast selection of McNally’s beloved Seaport location. (4 Fulton St.)

36. Mysterious Bookshop

Explore the thrilling titles at this longtime niche bookstore dedicated to noir and the art of mysterious happenings. (58 Warren St.)

37. Neapolitan Express

Neapolitan Express is the perfect spot for organic, authentic pizza that’s good for you and the environment. (40 Wall St.)

38. The Greens at Pier 17

A reservation for The Greens’ seasonal rooftop dining concept nets you your own 10-person-max rooftop cabin, replete with banquette seating, a virtual fireplace, electric heating and delicious seasonally-themed dishes like mushroom risotto, hot smoked toddies, mulled cider and chipotle beef stew.

39. Casa Taqueria

When you need some flavorful takeout, this spicy standby at 40 Gold Street will never let you down.

40. Only Nails

Only Nails offers a selection of 300+ colors for their special dipping powder gel manicure and more than 400 colors for a gel manicure/pedicure. (86 Nassau St.)

41. One World Observatory

Gain a new perspective of our beautiful city from the top of One World Trade Center. (285 Fulton St.)

42. Petropolis

Spoil your four-legged BFF with organic snacks, adorable toys and grooming services at this doge palace. (91 Washington St.)

43. Poster Museum

Philip Williams’s gargantuan in-store collection boasts colorful prints, vintage posters and unique typographical art. You could spend days in here. (122 Chambers St.)

44. primp

Glow up each day with blowouts, makeup, massages and curated products at this Seaport District salon. (142 Beekman St.)

45. Proof

PROOF Coffee Roasters not only makes their coffee from ethically-sourced, locally-roasted beans. They also deliver! (65 Nassau St.)

46. Pure Liquid Wine & Spirits

A knowledgeable staff will help you pair the perfect spirit to any event at this inviting wine shop located in Westfield World Trade Center. (Westfield, South Concourse, Balcony Level)

47. Sauce & Barrel

Sauce & Barrel takes its name from the bar’s barrel aged cocktail program and has a menu that offers more than 15 pizzas. (97 Washington St.)

48. Schilling

Schilling’s menu is a blend of Mediterranean and Austrian dishes that features wiener schnitzel, spaetzle, braised lamb and more. For dessert, the strudel can’t be beat. (109 Washington St.)

49. Spa services at The Four Seasons New York Downtown

New Yorkers in need of rest and relaxation after months of lockdown can unwind at the Four Seasons New York Downtown, as the hotel’s menu of services from manicures to immune-boosting treatments are all be available.

50. Springbone Kitchen

Stay healthy all year with Springbone’s nutrient-rich bone broth, as well as other organic dishes. (74 Pearl St.)

51. Stone Street Tavern

Stone Street Tavern attracts diners looking for hearty American fare and a relaxed, convivial atmosphere. (52 Stone St.)

52. Temple Court

Tom Colicchio’s excellent farm-to-table, American-style restaurant is set within the beautiful atrium and cozy corners of The Beekman Hotel. (5 Beekman St.)

53. Caravan Uyghur Cuisine

Caravan serves Chinese homestyle dishes in a cozy space, and believe us when we tell you that the Laghman noodles are so satisfying. (200 Pearl St.)

54. Stout NYC

If this 90 John Street staple isn’t tempting enough to frequent for their generous pours, consider their signature Stout Steak Sandwich to soak up all that sud.

55. The Tuck Room

The Tuck Room serves up exceptional contemporary plates for lunch and dinner, as well as early bird and late-night specials. (11 Fulton St.)

56. Cowgirl Seahorse

Don’t forget cocktails to-go when you order delivery from Cowgirl SeaHorse: In addition to its reliably reliable bloody marys during brunch, the Seaport District darling offers frozen margaritas in a sanitized mason jar inside a frozen food bag — so they’ll be delivered just as icy old as they come if you’d get ‘em straight from the bar. (259 Front Street)

57. Westfield World Trade Center

Westfield World Trade Center is home to all the stores and art installations you could ever imagine. (185 Greenwich St.)

58. Yoga carE

YogaCare was created to facilitate this transformation in becoming the best version of yourself – permanently — with several online programs that complement the mind, body, and soul in our journey towards each other.

Downtown Alliance 

Lead photo of Stone Street by Marzena Manganaro 

Categories
Featured News NYC

Saying Goodbye to Century 21

Saying Goodbye to Century 21
https://www.iloveny.com/listing/century-21-department-store%E2%80%94downtown/25303/

THE STORE THAT EMBODIED THE NEW YORK HUSTLE

 

Six months after the September 11 attacks, Downtown’s discount department store Century 21 finally cleared out all the physical and psychological trauma from the collapse of the nearby Twin Towers and reopened.

Customers streamed back into the store in droves while cheering and applauding, and the executives of the family-owned chain clapped right back at them.

New Yorkers won’t get the luxury of crowding so close to each other to say goodbye during the pandemic: In September, the company announced it was shutting all 13 of its stores, including the flagship Lower Manhattan location at 21 Dey Street. Like many retailers, the COVID-19 pandemic sapped the store of its customers, including its key tourist clientele, and said its insurers wouldn’t pay out to keep it afloat. No official final date has been announced, but the New York Post reports the stores will shut by November 22.

 

Saying Goodbye to Century 21

 

New Yorkers are fiercely loyal to their brands while also becoming accustomed to a loss in recent years, as the forces of gentrification and online retail tear up brick-and-mortar shopping habits. But the Century 21 news hits different because the store embodied the very essence of making it in New York: the hustle.

Shopping at the flagship in the Financial District felt like a microcosm of city living: jostling for buried treasures like seats on the subway and hunting for deals like that back-alley dumpling place no one else knows about. The deep discounts on Gucci bags or Moschino pants were plenty, but the environment still sparkled with New York glamour. This was no strip mall bargain bin: The four-story, 150,000-square-foot Downtown location was ostentatious in the Old New York way — filling an art deco former bank building with deals up to its vaulted ceilings, as shoppers traversed marble floors or up a majestic staircase under mahogany wall fixtures and gold-lined light fixtures.

 

Saying Goodbye to Century 21

Maria Sherman of Jezebel said it was the melting pot of all types of New Yorkers on the hunt for shortcuts to the luxury of city living:

“At Century 21 — particularly the Financial District flagship — middle-class shoppers and stylish tourists sorted through the racks for luxury brands at a highly discounted price in a venue with a much more specifically brash New Yawk ambiance than a suburban Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Ross and Burlington Coat Factory. Somebody might yell at you! You might yell at somebody else!

For some New Yorkers, the store (dating back to its original Bay Ridge location, opened in 1961 by Al and Sonny Gindi of Flatbush, Brooklyn, whose family still controls it) Century 21 was their introduction to fashion. The Cut’s Xochitl Gonzalez wrote about growing up in working-class Brooklyn and dreaming of being a city “working girl”:

“I hadn’t bought a Vogue yet, but I had touched Chanel suits, seen Donna Karan dresses and Norma Kamali coats. My fashion sense wasn’t formed from staged photo shoots on glossy pages or, in today’s variant, lewks on the ’gram, but by watching the real women of New York, from all walks of life, tailoring their unique styles in the Century 21 dressing rooms, one garment at a time.”

She later became an expert at shopping “Centuries.”

 

Saying Goodbye to Century 21

“A good purchase there was more than a bargain; it was a signifier. It implied aspiration, it implied a knowledge of fashion, it implied your innate ability to spot the needle in the fashion haystack. How fly, how dope, how hot was your taste? Your Centuries finds said it all.”

This is how many folks will remember the store: a place that punctured the outsider notion that New York was only a playground for the rich; you just had to know where to look. Century 21 still calls itself New York’s best-kept secret on its website, but the secret is long out, especially as hordes of foreign tourists made it a fulcrum of their shopping plans.

In Curbed, Christopher Bonanos and Caroline Spivack noted that label-hunting was key to the struggle of making it in New York:

“These places, and especially Century 21, were hardly secrets — they were big businesses with large retail footprints — yet they were also, curiously, kind of a secret handshake. One quality particular to striving New Yorkers is knowing how to experience the city while presenting as a well-off and stylish person without being rich — to fake it till, or while, you make it. 
If you were a certain kind of devoted shopper, you’d treat the stores as part of your daily commute: On the way to the train two or three evenings a week, you’d do a quick walkthrough, stalking the new stuff, watching the racks, deciding whether to pounce on that Prada blazer at 50 percent off or take a chance on the possibility that the price would drop another hundred bucks by Friday. It also became a huge tourist destination, one where Italians could go to buy Italian fashion for much less than it would cost them at home, then wear it back to Italy.”

The store got famously blessed by one of the city’s most famous fictional shoppers, Carrie Bradshaw of “Sex and the City.” In one episode’s voiceover, she declared: “The next day the verdict was in. Century 21, the Downtown discount store, was the best part of jury duty.” More recently it helped outfit another iconic New York character, Adam Sandler’s Howard Ratner of “Uncut Gems,” whose iconic polo was sourced from Century 21.

 

https://www.facebook.com/century21stores/posts/before-she-was-on-sex-and-the-city-carrie-bradshaw-knew-c21-was-the-place-to-sho/537682062918383/

 

It was an entry point for aspiring Carrie Bradshaws, too, especially millennials who entered the workforce and realized they’d never get to survive in New York City on a weekly columnist’s salary.

In Vogue, Liana Satenstein explains why it was her only store of choice:

I didn’t step foot into Barneys’ colossal Madison Avenue building until it was closing, to check it off my bucket list. They all seemed inaccessible. But Century 21? It was a store for the people, specifically those who want a piece of the fashion pie but don’t want to shell out for the whole thing. When I was working my dead-end sales job and writing about nail polish for the website of a women’s magazine, I wanted to feel connected to an industry I desperately desired to break into.

 

Downtown Alliance 

 

Categories
Beauty Europe Travel

Why Istanbul is so Attractive to UK Medical Tourists

Why Istanbul is so Attractive to UK Medical Tourists
Photo by Taryn Elliott from Pexels

 

Istanbul is an excellent destination for anybody looking to have a fun, exciting holiday in a beautiful city. The rich architecture and history of the area alone are enough to warrant a trip, but what many people do not realize is that it is also popular with medical tourists looking to combine their medical trip with a holiday.

After all, why not take a well-deserved holiday at the same time? In fact, many people come to Istanbul every year for relatively minor procedures such as a hair transplant. Why not combine your hair transplant in Turkey with a relaxing vacation?

Thousands of medical tourists arrive in Turkey every year from the United Kingdom. It is not that surprising that many of these individuals choose to have work done in Istanbul, since this is a modern city, offering state-of-the-art technology and certified doctors, and medical care is affordable and within easy flight distance of the UK.

The city offers much for a UK tourist, or any visitor, to do and see, such that a person is likely to find something they are interested in. There are ample places to stay and many ways to travel around the city and surrounding areas, so there are options to suit all budgets.

Arts and architecture 

The architecture is amazing and represents a rich history of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. The truly impressive Hagia Sophia is a must for any visitor interested in the rich history of the area. This large domed building is an architectural marvel, with beautiful internal structures including impressive ceiling frescoes of the Byzantine period.

To see a building of the Ottoman era you can tour the Dolmabahce palace, where you will be impressed by the decorative inside with its gold leaf ceilings and baroque period influences. 

Furthermore, Istanbul has some of the best contemporary art galleries in the world. The city has become a gathering place for artists and there are often festivals celebrating the artistic community. There is a biennial festival which showcases a range of artists and their works. The awe-inspiring arts, culture, and architecture of Istanbul are sure to make any trip a worthwhile endeavor.

Nature and outdoors

While recovering from your procedure, it is a good idea to be outdoors enjoying the sights and sounds of the city. You can enjoy walking in the lush, green Belgrad forest, or take a boat trip on the Bosphorus strait; interestingly the strait is an important waterway since it is part of the boundary between Europe and Asia. 

You can enjoy the nature of Belgrad forest and city parks such as Gulhane Park, which has several beautiful flowers from the many bulbs and tulips that have been planted, and there is even a science museum to visit.

Besides this museum, you can also explore the Istanbul sea life aquarium, with its clever design where you feel as though you are in the ocean and can see fish, sharks, and stingrays up close.

Food and shopping

Istanbul offers delightful dining experiences, with many places to eat, where you can experience authentic and tasty Turkish cuisine. You can eat at a restaurant or sample some street food. Common and popular food bought at street vendor stalls includes items such as kebap, which is a meat dish, or a börek, which is a scrumptious pastry.

You can grab one of these snacks while walking the streets, exploring, and shopping. You cannot visit Istanbul without at least once experiencing the Grand Bazaar. This covered market has more than 4000 shops to browse and attracts almost half a million visitors daily; wandering through the streets of the Bazaar is an experienced insight, sounds, and smells that you won’t soon forget. 

No matter what your interests are, there will be something fun for you to do in Istanbul, and remember, just because you are coming for a hair transplant, doesn’t mean you can’t also have a fun holiday.

 

Categories
Fashion Featured Lifestyle

The Ethical Engagement Ring Buying Journey – Diamonds are Forever

The Ethical Engagement Ring Buying Journey

 

They say that purchasing a diamond ring is one of the top ten most important purchases in a lifetime. According to Warren Buffet, choosing the person you give that ring to is the biggest decision you’ll ever make.

Will You Marry Me?

“I take thee to be my wedded husband/wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.” Published in 1549, from the Book of Common Prayer.

 

The Ethical Engagement Ring Buying Journey
https://www.cleanorigin.com/

These historical, eloquent words can be some of the most significant words you will ever say to your partner, in front of those you hold dear, as you slide on your (very soon to be) husband or wife’s wedding ring. 

But, there’s another important ring to be purchased that symbolizes love and commitment way before you get to the chapel — the engagement ring.

An engagement ring signifies a special and specific time in one’s life and will forever be a cherished gift. So, you want to make sure it is something you or your partner will love from this day forward! 

But with the environment, sustainability, and ethics at the forefront of so many individuals’ minds, how do you go about creating an ethical engagement ring? 

The Diamond

There is no denying that diamonds are the best of the best. They outshine pearls and rubies, and there is no other piece of jewelry that sparkles like a diamond engagement ring.

And, although there used to be only one option for what kind of diamond you could buy, today’s couples now have the option between mined and lab-grown diamonds.

 

The Ethical Engagement Ring Buying Journey
https://www.cleanorigin.com/

What’s a lab-grown diamond?

First and foremost, lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds, they are not fake, nor are they cubic zirconia. Lab-grown diamonds are grown using cutting edge technology that replicates the process which creates natural diamonds. The result? A diamond that is atomically and optically identical to a mined diamond.

Lab-created diamonds can sometimes be referred to as “synthetic” diamonds. While not technically an inaccurate term (although even the FTC discourages the use of it), the term “synthetic” may be the reason people believe lab-created diamonds are not the same as mined stones.

Are they flawless?

Once lab-created diamonds are grown, they go through the same process as mined diamonds in terms of cutting, polishing, and grading. Contrary to what some may think, they are not flawless and can be purchased using the same 4 C’s grading system as mined stones.

 

The Ethical Engagement Ring Buying Journey
https://www.cleanorigin.com/

The goal of lab-grown diamonds isn’t to produce a flawless stone, it is simply to give consumers the ability to purchase a diamond that was 100% ethically sourced.

 

How much do they cost?

Due to their shortened supply chain, lab-grown diamonds can be up to 40% less expensive than the exact same stone (in terms of the 4 C’s) that was mined. This is a huge benefit to couples that are ring shopping on a budget, as they can get a bigger or better diamond for less than they would be able to afford when buying a mined stone.

The Setting

Once you’ve decided on your diamond, you’ll need to choose what it is going to sit in — AKA your setting. There are endless styles to choose from, but in general, they can be broken down into the following categories: solitaire, classic, halo, vintage, 3 stone, and modern. Each collection has its own feel and should align with the style of the future ring wearer. While your diamond might come down to a careful balance of cut, color, clarity, and carat, the setting will really just boil down to personal preference.

 

The Ethical Engagement Ring Buying Journey
https://www.cleanorigin.com/

Recycled metals

Shopping for an ethical engagement ring is hard to do if the metals are not recycled. Just as there are negative effects of mining for diamonds, extracting metals is no different. When you buy from a company that uses recycled materials, you’re doing your part to cut down on the need for this unsustainable practice.

Bridal Sets

Another small, yet effective practice when done by many, is to purchase your engagement ring and wedding band together. Not only will this save you time down the line, but it will cut back the need for another shipment. Companies such as Amazon have implemented the option to have all your items shipped together and this is a very similar idea. 

The Ethical Engagement Ring Buying Journey
https://www.cleanorigin.com/

 

The Completed Ring

Now that you have your lab-grown diamond engagement ring made with recycled metals, it’s time to pop the question to the love of your life. But don’t stop your ethical journey with this purchase. Incorporate this ideology in your proposal, on your wedding day, and throughout life. Making small changes, like buying an ethical engagement ring, will eventually add up.

 

The Ethical Engagement Ring Buying Journey
https://www.cleanorigin.com/

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Categories
Architecture Design Events Featured Industry News Lifestyle NYC

ADD SHOW 2020 – Heads back to New York

ADD SHOW 2020 - Heads back to New York
MIELE, INC.

In just a few weeks, the world’s leading brands and top talent will come together in a curated presentation of design, offering inspired vignettes by respected brands, design seminars, culinary demonstrations, and special appearances.

Imagine walking around to see the latest designs from furniture, accessories, lighting, and art to kitchen, bath, and building projects, the show offers thousands of products for you to source and shop, from independent makers and well-established manufacturers.

ADD Show is now in its 19th year and draws around 40,000 design aficionados to interact with incredible design displays from more than 400 brands.

“There are a lot of big brands that you’d expect here, but it’s kind of amazing how many smaller brands you can discover. It’s a free look as an architect at what’s going on in the world of design and what’s emerging right now.”
—David Rockwell, Founder & President of Rockwell Group

“There’s nothing that surpasses the Architectural Digest Design Show in our industry. It is a meeting of great minds, and where our industry comes to exchange good ideas and take-home information that will improve their business. There’s really nothing that tops it.  As seasoned as I am a professional, one would think I’ve seen it all, but more than half of what I see [here] I’ve never seen before.”
—Jeffrey Bilhuber, AD100 Designer

 

 

ADD SHOW 2020 - Heads back to New York
PAUL-ÉMILE RIOUX

 

Mark your calendars, get some comfortable shoes, get tickets and come to meet Downtown Magazine’s team as this will be our first year as a media sponsor.

MARCH 19-22, 2020

Thursday, March 19:  10:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M. Open to design trade & VIP consumer ticket holders.

Friday-Saturday, March 20-21:  10:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M. Open to all ticket holders.
Sunday, March 22:  10:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. Open to all ticket holders.

LOCATION
PIER 94
55th Street at 12th Avenue
New York City 10019

 

ADD SHOW 2020 - Heads back to New York
https://www.globallighting.com/projects/

 

General Admission Tickets

This purchase includes a 2-month complimentary trial membership to AD’s new digital design community AD PRO which includes the current issue of AD Magazine, a $50 value.

Your ticket allows you complimentary access to DIFFA by DESIGN! A three-day confluence of design, art, shopping, and festivities located in a new venue Center 414, 415 5th Avenue. From the opening night DBD Gala to the one-of-a-kind industry chats, DBD will showcase the latest in the design world, all while raising money in the fight against HIV/AIDS. DIFFA by Design takes place on March 26-28, 2020. For more information go to diffa.org.

 

 

ADD SHOW 2020 - Heads back to New York
MIELE, INC.

 

Valid FRIDAY-SUNDAY
Includes re-admission all 3 days
$32.00+tax
Onsite ticket price is $45.00+tax.

BUY TICKETS NOW

Consumer VIP Tickets 

Ticket purchase includes a 2-month complimentary trial membership to AD’s new digital design community AD PRO which includes the current issue of AD Magazine, a $50 value.

Your ticket allows you complimentary access to DIFFA by DESIGN! A three-day confluence of design, art, shopping, and festivities located in a new venue Center 414, 415 5th Avenue. From the opening night DBD Gala to the one-of-a-kind industry chats, DBD will showcase the latest in the design world, all while raising money in the fight against HIV/AIDS. DIFFA by Design takes place on March 26-28, 2020. For more information go to diffa.org.

ADD SHOW 2020 - Heads back to New York
Screen Shot 2020-02-05 at 2.24.08 PM

Valid FRIDAY-SUNDAY
Includes re-admission all 3 days
$32.00+tax
Onsite ticket price is $45.00+tax.

Design Trade Ticket 

Ticket purchase includes a 2-month complimentary trial membership to AD’s new digital design community AD PRO which includes the current issue of AD Magazine, a $50 value.

Admission to the show is complimentary for Design Trade with proper credentials who pre-register prior to March 19, 2020. Design Trade are registered Interior Designers, licensed Architects, Landscape Designers, Set Designers, Developers, Contractors, and other design professionals. Students can register for complimentary admission. Valid credentials are required and include business cards, company credit cards, profession -membership cards, Tax ID. Along with a Government-issued Photo ID.

Your ticket allows you complimentary access to DIFFA by DESIGN! A three-day confluence of design, art, shopping, and festivities located in a new venue Center 414, 415 5th Avenue. From the opening night DBD Gala to the one-of-a-kind industry chats, DBD will showcase the latest in the design world, all while raising money in the fight against HIV/AIDS. DIFFA by Design takes place on March 26-28, 2020. For more information go to diffa.org.

Valid THURSDAY-SUNDAY
Includes re-admission all 4 days
Onsite ticket price is $45.00+tax.

ADD SHOW 2020 - Heads back to New York
Downtown Magazine NYC – Media Sponsor ADD 2020