LES

WHAT: Thomas Sires + Ludivine Sample Sale

WHY: Up to 80% off past season clothing and accessories at the Thomas Sires + Ludivine Sample Sale.

Includes merchandise from Carven, Golden Goose Deluxe Brand, I. Ronni Kappos Jewelry, K. Jacques, Vanessa Bruno, Thomas Sires, and more.

Cash and credit cards accepted.

• Thomas Sires striped “Barbancourt” dress: $60 (orig. $375)
• Hawaiian print “Ochos Rios” jumper: $100 (orig. $325),
• “Bristol” tie bikini: $60 (orig. $150)
• Carven skirts: $60
• Golden Goose leather jackets: $498
• Vanessa Bruno Sweaters: $80

WHEN: 2/24 – 2/26; Tue (4-8), W (11-8), Th (11-7)

WHERE: 2 Rivington Street
New York, NY 10012

SUBMITTED BY: TheStylishCity.com

For the complete list of today’s sales and sample sales check HERE

WHAT: LESpace Holiday Hoo-Ha + Last Minute Market

WHY: Join us for our holiday party w/ hot buttered rum cider, flaming s’more hot chocolate by Lululosophy, and candy cane popcorn.

Artisans/designers include:

• James Miille/Irisism Photography (limited edition conceptual photo prints)
• LéONE (one of a kind designer T-shirts)
• HEISEL (post modern accessories)
• TILLYandWILLIAM (transformative fashion)
• Lululosophy (cocoa creations)
• Niska Designs (handmade shoes and textiles)
• Ame Ame (all-weather wares)
• Ivan Orama (custom handmade tables + street art Quote Hangers)
• Surname Goods Co. (customized home goods + gifts)

RSVP at http://lespacelastminuteholidaymarket.splashthat.com/

WHEN: 12/19; F (4PM-Midnight)

WHERE: LESpace
201 Allen Street
New York NY, 10002

It’s been a hard year. Your brain is overloaded with numbers sporting nasty minus signs, your hair missed its 6 week appointment about 3 weeks back, and your skin desperately needs it to choose a season already. As if your current state isn’t dull enough, you look around to see that you are actually outshining all of your loved ones. You feel badly for them. But it’s Christmas and Hanukkah and stuff, so you decide it’s time for everyone on your list to get their glow on and start 2010 shining brightly.

For your visiting bff: Gilt.com is offering Equinox spa specials on massages, facials, training sessions and more. Each purchase includes a 3-day trial membership where out of town visitors or you (because oh, you forgot, you canceled your gym membership in April) can take advantage of the gym, classes, steam room and more starting at just 100 bones.

For your niece: Fourteen year-olds aren’t stressed! Save the massage for yourself and visit blissworld.com. There you can customize a gift box of goodies for your loved ones. Choose from staples like body scrubs and lotions or these way cool hair removal strips. Spend $25 and you get…free shipping! Your niece loves her smooth upper lip, you love the black numbers in your checking account.

For him: Your brother – Head downtown to Freeman’s Sporting Club where you can give him a $25 trim, $40 straight razor shave or a $25 hangover treatment. You don’t know what that is, but it sounds cool.  Your brother-in-law (why do you always pick him?) – Choose John Allan’s because he might be eaten by anorexic hipsters if you send him searching for Freeman Alley. A “Full Service” includes a scalp massage, shampoo, condition, hot towel, manicure and shoe shine. Your sister will thank you.

And if you have any scrilla left over, buy something for yourself something to get your shine on. Glow on sista. Glow on.
Emma Dinzebach

Wow have I been deprived of romantic wining and dining, and consequently wining about it to anyone in earshot. This economy has Romeo and I restrained to my cooking, although obviously delectable hence the food review gig, or pizza. Well I couldn’t bear another night of it and racked my brain for an affordable alternative. ‘Inoteca’s chattiness falls short of the quixotic atmosphere I yearned for (yes, yearned), but what it lacks in fantasy it makes up for with amour and of course, vino.

The comprehensive list of over 600 Italian wines bears something for every wallet size. If overwhelming length mutes the romance, skip the list and describe to your server the kind of wine you like. The waitstaff will gracefully steer you in an appropriate direction.  The Italian words tend to run together, so have your waiter write the wine you order. Had someone told us that, I could recommend our choice. Next time.

We started with the grilled calamari salad with fennel, capers, roma tomatoes and gremolata, followed by the creamy ricotta bruschette. I was jonesing for the polenta, and although said beau had reservations, he was pleased with the outcome. Crispy on the outside and a tad bit grainy, the polenta is currently served with a poached egg, pancetta, parmesan and charred ramps, which resemble elongated spinach crossed with chard.  This is my favorite dish. Our fish (halibut? bass?) served grilled with baby artichokes, new potatoes and tomatoes though very good was outshone by the polenta.

I swore off sweet things for the month of May but couldn’t resist a Nutella panini the server recommended to finish our vino. Around that time I think I said “I love you,” for the staff are ‘Inoteca. Sure they’re required to know the extensive wine list and Italian translation, but are they also required to be so freakin’ nice? When the bill came it was a mere 86 bones, 41 of which purchased the vino. Our dinner was just $45? Now that is what I like to call affordable romance.

98 Rivington @ Ludlow  Open Daily  212.614.0473