New York Survival Guide

A majority of the last decade was doused in popping bottles, months of reservations and overpriced jumpsuits. If the 90’s were the dawn of decadence, the turn of the century ignited man’s ability to visually underachieve. Visually, I said. Defying decadence? You ask, wondering what that might mean. Allow me to clarify: this decade began with American Psycho-style bankers blowing the concept of “valuation” out of the proverbial waters. It was a nasty combination of overpriced track suits and Chinatown  handbags. The last ten years were want, want, want. While we love the SATC wardrobe, the media saturated our minds with what we needed to look like Carrie & Co. Real Housewives, Entourage, even my beloved Gossip Girl make our lives mediocre compared to what we could have. In the end, we stood drenched in materialistic messages.

So we took a step back.

Next year, decade, season, we aim to root ourselves in…well, in ourselves, and live less focused on things and more focused on And in terms of making your face the prettiest in town, think from the inside out. Sure there are great spa deals; and we understand wanting a little lift here or a teeny tuck here. How we treat our bodies, however, is the true reflection of beauty. A more organic approach – water, stretching, balanced eating habits – will make weekly spa treatments unnecessary and allow you to use your spa visits and dinners out as more special, rewarding occasions. Oh, wee will still report the best restaurants, spa deals, sales and trends. (I mean, hello, that’s our job!) However, making our purchases reflect the person we aim to become will allow the next ten years to glow more genuine.

From TVC to you, Happy New Year.

Emma Dinzebach

So maybe it’s the oldest stereotype ever that Jewish people eat Chinese food on Christmas, but when we asked our friends, the stereotype held true about 50% of the time. A quarter didn’t eat Chinese food, and the last quarter celebrated with gentile friends. Where’s the best place? we wondered. Apparently for a cultural experience, you head to Peking Duck House in Chinatown and for a more posh version, eat at Tao on 58th Street.

At Peking Duck House, a cozy elegant haven tucked away on the grungy part of Mott Street south of Canal, you have to order peking duck. Um, duh. The house made pancakes and eggplant in  garlic sauce are amazing. But take it from the website, it’s all about the duck. They slice it at your table, and it just might be the best peking duck in Manhattan. There is actually a midtown Peking Duck House too, but for some reason it doesn’t taste as good sans Chinatown excursion.

Peking Duck House 28 Mott Street  212.227.1810

At TAO, the Peking duck is also delicious. The vast former theater houses a coy fish pond, a third level private room and hands-down my favorite dessert in the city. But for the main course, the sea bass, lobster dumplings and short ribs are crowd pleasers. Keeping with Christmas tradition, the Peking duck rivals Peking Duck House. And afterward, enjoy the dessert tray (you only need the small) of mouse filled fortune cookies, Mochi, chocolates and sorbet. A small dessert tray feeds up to five. If it’s the weekend, go later because TAO has live roaming musicians on the weekend nights starting around ten.

TAO Asian Bistro  58th Street between Park and Madison  212.888.2288

And toast to a Merry, Merry Christmas.

Emma Dinzebach

Spa-Nyc.com is an online resource with a directory of New York City spas. The site features reviews and has a side panel of categories including, but not limited to, medispas, hands & feet, and hair removal. But don’t expect their cyber-holding place to hold an aromatherapy candle to the serene spas they feature. The website is messy. The font is blue and white and highlighted and bold and underline. The featured spas on the front are all smashed in, and it is hard to discern why these are featured. Are they advertisements? Is spa-nyc.com getting commission if they refer customers to these spas? Regardless, the presentation is messy and unpolished. You would think after seven years, they can clean up their website.

But for November, it will be worth it to visit spa-nyc.com because they are offering 50% off all spa services as a “thank you” to their clients. (We think it might be conjunctive ploy with the spas to get people in the door; but either way, we’ll take our discount.) There are different discounts for different days that include half off of the following services: hair cut and color, massages, body scrubs, body wraps, Brazilian wax and laser hair removal. It says “Each day you can find different spas offering 50% off of something great.” (They also need new writers.) So you have to click through the specials to avoid misinterpretation, but when I called to book a few, each place confirmed they were offering the 50% off proving the deal solid.

We’ll get to spa-nyc.com with some feedback on their site. You just use your November discount to relax before the holiday rush.

Emma Dinzebach

Jean Paul Gaultier for Target!!! Eeeeek!!! Okay, we have to wait until March 7th for the debut but couldn’t help but share the shriek that escaped our mouths after Tuesday’s announcement. What else is going on in the world of retail? Well, fancy you might ask. There is never ending news from CIT, acquisitions in beauty, a little light in the holiday tunnel and six-pack abs. All-in-all, was a good week.

Abercrombie & Fitch’s sweaty six-packs stormed Milan last week at the opening of the American brand’s Italian flagship. They were sexy. They were half-naked. And they were the perfect excuse for Milanese mommies to take their daughters out of school to attend the 10 a.m. ceremonial opening on Thursday. People were traveling from all over Italy, taking trains from Florence and flying from Rome, to catch a glimpse. Is that crazy? No, no it is not, and here’s why:

In other news, with CIT filing for the prepackaged Chapter 11, clients voiced concern over CIT’s long-term viability. Especially relevant to retail is the profitability of CIT’s factoring division, which received Icahn’s $1 billion infusion. We need the factoring arm because it helps pay collections and claims and allows vendors to purchase for fall and winter from their respective lines of credit. In short, they need to borrow the money from CIT to pay for their materials, make their product, and dress our bodies.

As of last quarter, Polo improved it’s bottom line by 10%. Revlon and Estee Lauder crept into the top ten while American Apparel dropped to the bottom ten. Come Monday retail stocks were up, and Louis Vuitton opened a flagship store in Dallas because Texas housewives apparently need  to look more ostentatious. But if it helps luxury, then God bless Texas. And if all else fails, online, the retail industry’s prodigal growth sector, is expected to boost holiday sales.

Then yesterday, Steiner Leisure (the skincare/spa gods present at Club Med, Hilton, etc.) broadened their existing skincare platform by purchasing Bliss World Holdings from Starwood Hotels for $100 million dollars.  Translation: If you can afford to travel again, you will find Bliss products in more hotels than just the uber chic W Hotels.

From spurs to spaghetti, you have to save to spend. Until next week, arrivederci y’all.

Emma Dinzebach