What women over 40 want

Living in the fastest city in the nation, we often forget to breathe deeply and appreciate the moment. So we seek symptom mollifying facials, massages and pedicures to make ourselves feel better; and for a moment, we relax. Mastering the art of extending that moment is a task most New Yorks aren’t up for. Enter your serenity savoring savior: Exhale Mindbody Spa.

In the past several years, a new breed of spas have sprouted in the concrete jungle that aim to provide services for complete mind and body well-being. Exhale spa’s website explains the concept as “merging the paths of mind and body well-being and fulfilling the need for an experience that improves and transforms lives in one environment.” To achieve this, Exhale offers Yoga classes, Core strengthening classes, Spa services and a menu of Healing services such as acupuncture, cleanses, nutrition, even fertility and reproduction. Each individual services emphasizes the importance of the others in an effort to integrate the concept of balance and well-being into a lifestyle. Because a massage is great but better when accompanied by regular yoga practice.

Exhale has three locations in the city – Midtown, UES and Soho. Other spots that aim to fuse the mind and body to create well-being include: Soho Sanctuary, Ishta Yoga in the East Village and Reflections Yoga in Hell’s Kitchen.

References: Acupuncture & massage Aberdeen

Warm then cold then warm then cold, so what’s a girl to with her wardrobe? Well layer. (Um, duh.) But being selective with your layering is a skill involving a strong mixture of textures and colors. Tights, leggings and zip cardigans like the one on model Shelia Marquez (left) make great layering pieces. Rather than getting trapped in shirt, cardigan, leggings, boots routine, spice it up with color and most importantly, texturize.

A tunic over leggings pairs nicely with a long sweater. For colder weather add a fur vest. If it’s a bit warmer, add a cropped leather jacket like that on Ashley Olsen (right). We suggest stepping out of basic black and adding some color whether it’s your handbag or a pair of red leggings. With a week left in January, we still have at least a couple months of weather fluctuations, and mixing in some color will fight the winter doldrums.

Mixing styles works as well. Making sure your yin has a yang – a bit of military or menswear on top, silk skirt and tights on bottom – will help you make the best use of your current pieces as long as the statements are not independently drastic. Think combat boots with a feminine legging print. Think soft leather with black rocker lace.
Emma Dinzebach

You know how no one in Soho (minus delivery persons) go out to breakfast. So when my client wanted to meet in Soho for breakfast, I had a minor panic attack. Balthazaar? No siree. My editor and I tried that a few weeks ago, and it was tourist hell.

My friend suggested a neighborhood favorite on West Broadway called The Cupping Room Cafe. I had been there for dinner and was less than impressed but had few choices open before ten, so I decided to give it a go. The atmosphere is a bit blah. It’s too rustic/indoors/restaurant for breakfast but would be too cafe-esque for dinner. But if you can get past that, you get the food.

Basically everything you could possibly want for breakfast they can cook for you. They make waffles (whole wheat A-mazing waffles), oatmeal with berries, brown sugar, raisins…whatever, stuffed french toast. Yes, I said “stuffed french toast” complete with cream cheese, granola nut and raisin. I don’t even like raisins on things, but this was so sweet slash tart with melt-in-your-mouth yumminess I thought I might faint. In terms of baked goods, you name it, they carry it. I’m not sure who/where the baked goods come from and the waiter pretended he didn’t know what I was talking about when I inquired.

The eggs! You can have any omelet any way you want. They serve delicious eggs benedict, florentine, or customized eggs benedict. My favorite side was the chicken sausage (avove). The whole experience was delicious and best of all, transpired before 9 a.m.

The Cupping Room Cafe opens for breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and has a quiet, kind group of locals who defy Soho norms and create a peaceful start to their day.

The Cupping Room Cafe  corner of Broome & W. Broadway 212.925.2898

Emma Dinzebach

Personally, I usually stop home and freshen up pre-apres ski, allowing for a change and light make-up applique. If that’s not an option, coat lashes with waterproof mascara, and make sure underwear can transition to outerwear.

On the bottom: Pretty much every woman in the world has a beautiful derriere when squeezed into lulu lemon’s Wunder Under legging-style yoga pants. The moisture wicking signature luon keeps you dry even apres ski. The “brushed” version provides added warmth and looks just as sexy as the regular. “Groove” Wunder Unders have colorful bands at the top and are reversible. Wear under your ski pants or change into for a casual and sexy apres ski bottom half.
On the top: Depending on how much you sweat, you will want to remove your moisture wicking base and replace with a stylish but sporty sweater or zip up. Stella McCartney for Adidas has a beautiful winter sports line. We love the Winter Sports Performance Slim Jacket. It’s breathable, weather proof, and the CLIMA technology sweeps away sweat. Plus, the large neck and rouched sleeves are hot.
New to the ski lines? Bogner, Moncler, Kjus are the brands to look for. If you find them marked down, then lucky, lucky you. Take advantage and purchase. Check out www.stbernardsports.com, a winter sports site that categorizes each layer for men and women.

And if you are just fabulous. Go back to your room, shower and put on an outfit like that shown above. I mean, go big or go home, right?

Emma Dinzebach