Queens

WHAT: Meet Steve Madden at Macy’s

WHY: Macy’s Queens Center welcomes fashion footwear mogul Steve Madden.

Fans and fashion enthusiasts will have the exclusive opportunity to meet Steve and receive his autograph. The evening will be hosted by television personality, Julissa Bermudez.

Guests in attendance will receive a complimentary t-shirt and tote bag. Plus, customers who make any Steve Madden purchase during the event will receive a special gift.

Click here to RSVP

WHEN: 10/17; Sat (2-3:30)

WHERE: Macy’s Queens Center Mall
90-01 Queens Blvd.
NY 11373

WHAT: Birchbox Pop-up Shop

WHY: Birchbox has set up a pop-up shop at the JetBlue T5 terminal at JFK.

Stop by to take advantage of the samples that have been “selected specifically for you based upon your travel persona.”

WHEN: 6/15 – 6/28

WHERE: John F. Kennedy International Airport
JetBlue T5 terminal
New York, NY

Partially because Danny Meyer is from my Midwest hometown, and partially because Shake Shack‘s frozen custard shakes rock my world, and partially because I’m a New Yorker, I vote east coast all the way. However, I enjoy a good In-And-Out burger every now and again. Do I wish they would franchise in Gotham? I hadn’t really thought about it until a rare trip to Queens had my taste buds caught in a burger battle.

Petey’s Burger, in Astoria, comes from two Cali-natives who aim to copy (for lack of better words) the infamous In-And-Out burger. Petey’s Burger serves just burgers cooked medium well and dressed with lettuce, tomato, onion and a splash of thousand island dressing. The hand-cut fries are for sure way better than In-And-Out, but not, in my humble opinion, better than my beloved Shake Shack. They are more generous with the cheese, and at least admit that their sauce is thousand island unlike SS, which touts special “shack sauce.” It all tastes the same to me.

Actually, Petey’s Burger rocks and if I find myself in Astoria again someday, I might even go for round two. However, I live in Manhattan; and if you have been living under a rock, Shake Shack has an iPhone app for cutting the line. Case in point that New York food battles are never solely about the food, but the convenience, creativity and the unmatched ability to complicate a rather simple concept in the way that only New Yorkers can.

Emma Dinzebach

Your friend has the straightest, shiniest, healthiest hair. She attributes her commercial-worthy locks to $250 Brazilian Keratin mastermind Faisal at Laicale salon in Soho. For the past year you’ve been spending a pretty penny on your locks, but it’s almost Hanukkah. You need to reorganize your budget to accommodate gift purchases, but you still want to look lovely for your holiday parties.
Ever-popular keratin hair treatments use the hair’s natural proteins (er, keratin) at the same pH level as your normal hair to strengthen, nourish and provide UV protection for your hair. Brazilian Keratin Treatment (BKT) leaves hair frizz free, soft and shiny for up to four months. Kertatin treatments can be performed on chemically treated hair, previously relaxed hair, permed and virgin hair.  (Note: It is super important to make sure Keratin treatments are received from reputable salons as treatments that have sulfide, chloride or formaldehyde can permanently damage hair and lead to hair loss.)

This is your lucky season. Empire Beauty School, with locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, is offering the famed treatment from now until New Year’s Eve for $48. No, srsly. No, for real. Advanced students performing treatments are strictly supervised by salon professionals. Empire’s BKT is safe for all hair types (see also: won’t make your hair fall out) and produces shampoo commercial-worthy locks for the holiday season.

Call to schedule an appointment – Manhattan 646.213.0875, Brooklyn 718.373.2400, Queens 718.726.8383

Emma Dinzebach