Something that a lot of us are dreading now that we are in the mix of the holiday season is the epic weight gain we may face due to all the rich food we are going to partake in. Yikes. One big issue some of us face are the travels we will experience and the fact that the gym we belong to may not be in the area we are, or even worse- trapped with the family and have no time to go to the gym outside Grandma’s house. What to do? Well Crunch Gym has a great site so that those worries can be thrown out the door! Welcome to Crunch Live, which is a website featuring workout videos of some of the most popular classes Crunch has come to be known for like Ass & Abs, Brazilian Body Blast, Cardio Kickboxing, Belly, Butt and Thigh Bootcamp, Yoga Body Sculpt and more! For just $9.99 per month, Crunch Live features real Crunch instructors teaching the class, so users can take an authentic fitness experience with them anywhere! The subscription includes full-length workouts as well as “quickie workouts” which are only 15-minutes and perfect for sneaking in a dose of exercise, especially during the hectic holidays! What’s not to lose with something as in depth as this and such a great price to go along with? I checked out the site with some fitness minded friends to learn more. [Read more…] about Crunch Live- Your All Inclusive Gym On the Go
Andy Cohen’s “The Andy Cohen” Diaries- Review
“Andy Cohen’s Got The 411” couldn’t be truer in this novel
I for one am a self confessed Bravo addict. I don’t know when the addiction began, but it is real and true. Part of that addiction is the man at the helm of this article, Andy Cohen. Andy, who only a mere couple of years ago was only known for being a producer of content for Bravo TV, emerged as a contender in late night programming with the wildly successful “Watch What Happens Live”. He has also been the host for the riveting “Real Housewives” reunions, as well as developing some of our TV mainstays such as “Top Chef” and “The Millionaire Matchmaker” to name a few (not on this list- “NYC Prep”. Yikes Andy Cohen. Bloop). With all the success that Andy Cohen has had over the past couple of years, both on and off camera, he has taken his crazy life stories and written about it in two books. The first one was released earlier this year, titled “Most Talkative: Stories From The Front Lines Of Pop Culture”, which chronicled how he got to where he is now. He recently released his second book titled “The Andy Cohen Diaries” which gives us a day to day visit into his life and the totally exciting chaos that ensues on a daily basis. As much fun as the first book was to read, I was totally excited to read “The Andy Cohen Diaries” as it would give me a better glimpse into someone who I view as a bit of a hero when it comes to making yourself in this world. I got that, and so much more.
There are a lot of facets that I love about Andy Cohen just from reading this book. There are times while reading it where I genuinely get a Kathy Griffin vibe from him, meaning that he is really the celebrity for the people and that he is just one of us. What I mean by that is when he details his nights at “Watch What Happens Live” & when a big celebrity appears, he wants to make sure that everything goes well in order to make sure the night runs smoothly (See: Will Ferrell, Steve Carrell, even Shaq). It comes off as a mixture of wanting to be a good host yet also wanting to make sure that the audience watching at home and in the studio is having a good time, which comes across as genuine and that he really cares. There is even a part in the book where he worries about becoming a self obsessed narcissist as he has heard that it is near impossible for other late night hosts not to get that way. Very interesting.
The book sometimes really does read like Andy Cohen is the gay male version of Carrie Bradshaw, most notably noticed by Sarah Jessica Parker herself as written on the back of the book. From reading this book it seems like Andy leads quite the glamorous life, with hosting fantastic events, attending some of the best bars and clubs that New York City amongst other cities has to offer, and hanging around some huge A-listers as a genuine friend to (Kelly Ripa, Anderson Cooper, etc). Something that I love about these parts of the books are the normal people that he meets along the way, such as “Baby Jane Flight Attendant” on his trips to LA and his “future husband” that he meets on at trip that coincidentally lives in the same building as him. His also honest take on how New York City has become completely commercial is a huge breath of fresh air, especially when it is something many New Yorkers like myself have been noticing for years. So when he brings up the greedy landlords that keep closing some of the best restaurants in New York City down due to price hikes to make way for yet ANOTHER Duane Reade or TD Bank, it is just another reminder of why NYC is not what it used to be. Kudos to Andy Cohen for bringing that up.
It to me is so funny that the theme song to “Watch What Happens Live” starts with “Andy Cohen’s got the 411”, which couldn’t ring truer in this novel. The 411 meaning the biggest name dropper of 2014. There are so many names that Andy discusses in this book, both inside and outside of the housewives realm. Something that I wish he could’ve been a little more open on are the housewives that got fired and he omitted their names while discussing. That would’ve made this book even more salacious as a lot of us would love to know his true opinions on the Housewives, although he seems to play favorites (Nene, Brandi, etc). That being said, some of the highlights for name dropping is his cavorts at “The View”, most particularly his epic visit when Barbara Walters read him the house down for his assumption that her generation didn’t understand “American Hustle”. Yikes. Of all the name droppings in the book (Gaga’s was a hoot) the one that I genuinely liked the most was his honest description about Miss Britney Spears. I grew up loving that girl so much that I was voted Most Obsessed in my 8th Grade Yearbook. So when he talks about meeting her in Vegas, and pretty much detailing his honest thoughts about her (get the book, its good) it brings us a much more candid version of who Britney really is on a day to day basis, and that is was a real person’s experience and not a tabloids. Fascinating stuff.
The best parts of this book are two things- Wacha and his parents. Wacha, the rescue dog that he adopted from a kill shelter in West Virginia, is a pivotal point in this book as he appears throughout. From Andy’s lack of committing to anything including a dog, it really was fun to see the growth that he experiences with Wacha from the first time he meets him to the bond he develops with the dog to this present day. It really is heartwarming and as a dog lover myself can empathize about the daily struggles of having a dog but loving it unconditionally as they love you that way. Then of course there are his parents. I truly believe if Andy gave them their own reality show it would be a hit, as they are both hilarious in their own nutty ways. Evelyn’s (mom) texts to Andy about a myriad of things runs similar to how Kathy Griffin describes the brutal honesty that her mother Maggie bestows about her on a daily basis. It is part caring, part keeping it real, and part hilarity all wrapped up in one, and something you will see quite often as you read the book.
Overall, I think Andy Cohen is like Charlie Brown meets Andy Warhol. Just a normal guy from St. Louis who happened on this incredible life and stories for the masses to read, just like Andy Warhol did with his book back in the 80’s I would highly recommend anyone getting this as you will find some sort of relatability throughout. For more information on all things Andy Cohen, log on to his site.
Viyet- Luxury Furniture’s Best Online Consignment Space
When it comes to design, something that seems to be more and more in tune with the world nowadays is consignment shopping. There have even been reality series about this movement such as VH1’s “House Of Consignment” and Style Network’s “Resale Royalty” just to name a few. When it comes to buying and selling one of a kind furniture and accessories, there is a one stop place to go to via online or in person that has it all- Viyet. On Viyet’s official site, they describe themselves as “The design aficionado’s destination to buy and sell timeless furniture and accessories. We make it easy for owners of high-end furniture to sell their pieces when it comes time to move or redecorate. For shoppers, we offer access to designer brand names at a fraction of retail prices.” What is even better for Manhattanites is that on top of Viyet’s fantastic site they also opened up a pop up shop here in NYC (read below for more details). Oh and luxury shopping on a budget, how can you resist?
I was fortunate enough to sit down with the fabulous CEO Liz Brown to learn more about Viyet, how they came up with the name, what the company is all about and what they see for their future. Take a gander.
Thanks for meeting with me Liz! Tell me more about Viyet?
Viyet is an online marketplace for buying and selling high-end designer furniture. We provide individual sellers, interior designers, and showrooms a full service solution for selling furniture and accessories they no longer need. Our products represent the very top echelon of the home furnishings market, which includes brands like Holly Hunt, Hickory Chair, Baker, Knoll, and many others that are largely only available for purchase by interior designers and at prices that are not accessible to the vast majority of design lovers. By providing a resale channel for the owners of these brands, we are able to offer sellers the opportunity to recoup some of their furniture investment when it comes time to move or redecorate. Just as importantly, we are able to provide online access to brands that would otherwise be out of reach for the average consumer, all for 40-70% below retail prices. We offer the added benefit of instant gratification, as all of these brands typically require a 4-5 month wait for delivery versus 1-2 weeks through Viyet. We also pride ourselves on our full-service, white glove approach. We personally vet every item that is listed on our site, which allows us to guarantee the authenticity of every piece we feature as well as offer best-in-class customer service, since we control every aspect of the process from photography to pricing to pickup and delivery.
Such an interesting name for a company. Where did you come up with it?
Viyet (pronounced VEE-yet) is a play on the design term ‘vignette,’ or the arrangement of various decorative objects to add character to a living space. We believe the term reflects our mission to inspire Interior Redesign by connecting sellers of great design with buyers looking for their perfect piece.Consignment shops seem to be all the rage lately when it comes to shopping, however most of that is done in person!
Will clients feel the same way when they are doing this online?
We understand that many people are not used to purchasing pre-owned furniture online, so we make every effort to provide detailed condition reports, high resolution photography, and access to our curator team so our buyers can get a true sense of the product. For your readers based in New York, we also just launched a popup shop in the FLOR showroom in Soho at 142 Wooster Street. Here, you can see Viyet product that has been styled into shop-able vignettes by top designers J+G Design and Patrick Hamilton on view until January 2015.
What kind of designers are customers expected to see on Viyet?
You will find a broad range of to-the-trade only and showroom brands like Holly Hunt, Knoll, Baker, and Hickory Chair. We also feature a wide selection of mid-century pieces from iconic names like T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbing and Knoll, which are all the rage right now, as well as more contemporary brands like Kartell and B&B Italia. Luxury and budget never seem to go hand in hand, however in Viyet’s case this seems to work.
Can you shop luxury on a budget through the site?
Absolutely! That’s the great thing about Viyet – you can find unique, high quality pieces from respected brands that are made to last for generations, but at prices comparable to what you would pay for brand new items from more mass market sources. We also offer a feature that allows you to make an offer for the highest price you are willing to pay for an item on our site. Our consignors are often open to negotiating, which means we are able to offer the best possible deals to our buyers while also keeping our consignors happy.
What is Viyet doing consignment wise now that the Holiday Season is in full swing?
Now that everyone is focused on holiday entertaining prep, we are seeing a lot of people looking to update their dining areas. We are seeing consignors bringing us more accessories as they look to streamline their tabletops. Meanwhile, buyers are coming to us in droves shopping for dining tables and chairs to make extra space for holiday guests. We have tried to make it a little easier by showcasing some of our favorite holiday-inspired finds here.
I read on Venturebeat that you raised 1.5 million dollars for the site. Congrats, that’s huge! What advice do you give to our business savvy readers on how to raise money for something you are passionate about?
Give yourself at least 6 months to complete the process. It takes a while to find the right investors who understand your vision and who you are excited to work with for the next several years. And don’t get too attached to your pitch. If a certain slide or sound bite isn’t resonating that way you envisioned, adjust it or find a different angle. Have the flexibility to adapt as you go along. I think I have something like 36 different versions of our seed investor deck!
What are your ultimate hopes for the website and where do you see yourself a year from now?
Our mission is to become the #1 online destination for design insiders when it comes time to sell their furniture or shop for amazing finds. This time next year, our goal is to have our consignment services fully operational in both New York and one additional city, which will be announced in early 2015, and on track to open a third city by the end of 2015.
Viyet is also offering a HUGE deal for all of our Manhattan Digest readers!! If you click on this link you will be entered to win a $250 credit to Viyet’s official site. Something that is great just in time for the holidays! For more information about Viyet as a whole, visit their official website.
Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals on Manhattan Digest!
Hope all of our readers had a wonderful Thanksgiving with their family and friends! For all you shopping people out there I am sure you have already hit up some of the biggest retailers to see what steep discounts they have going on. Well now that Black Friday is officially half over, why not take a peek and see what everyone else is missing with these super hot deals from some of your favorite places! Not only are some of these deals good for today, many of them have great specials for the upcoming Cyber Monday! From stylish shopping at Old Navy & Boden, to wedding dress hunting at Nicole Miller to specialty places like Sugarfina and Dannijo, Manhattan Digest has got you covered! Take a look at what these fabulous places have to offer and keep coming back to Manhattan Digest for more!
THE MAIDSTONE
c/o The Maidstone Hotel and The Living Room Restaurant In East Hampton, NY is celebrating CYBER MONDAY with 30% on all future reservations for the hotel or restaurant.
The deal is good during business hours on Monday, December 1st by calling the hotel at + 1 631.324.5006
ROBERT SIEGEL STUDIO
Cyber Monday Deal: Head over to www.robertsiegelstudio.com on Monday, December 1st for 40% off all serveware and tableware from 8AM to 8PM.
At Robert Siegel Studio, a combination of traditional and new throwing techniques are employed. Each piece is made of the highest quality porcelain and created one at a time in limited-editions, hand detailed and hand glazed. As a result, all of Robert Siegel pottery has its own distinct character and beauty. All offerings include handmade wheel thrown porcelain pieces that are glazed with colorful exteriors and finished with either dipped or hand painted banded patterns. Available pieces include platters, vases, planters, dinnerware and more. All items are made in the U.S.A. in limited-editions seasonally.
LYVE HOME
Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deal: From Friday, November 28th – Monday, December 1st, anyone who purchases a Lyve Home (www.mylyve.com) will receive a $100 voucher for scanning services to be redeemed through ScanCafe. This equates to over 220 scans of your favorite photos. Through the power of ScanCafe’s print to electronic scanning, these precious photos can be securely scanned and preserved in digital format for easy import into your Lyve account. All scanning services will be fulfilled via Scan Cafe’s ‘USA Express’ service, ensuring the process is secure, fast, and high quality, and handled by skilled technicians with a trained eye. This added value is ideal for those Lyve customers who are seeking a comprehensive solution to collecting and protecting all of their life memories. Tax and shipping (roughly $15) not included.
A strategic partnership between Lyve and ScanCafe offers Lyve Home customers the ability to not only collect, protect, and rediscover their memories captured on their digital devices, but to also bring their physical photos into their Lyve collection.
SUGARFINA
Black Friday Deals:
- In-store on Black Friday only, customers will receive 1 free cube of Champagne Bears on orders of $50 and up
- During Black Friday weekend (Friday through Sunday) on Sugarfina.com, free shipping on orders of $75 and up
Cyber Monday Deal:
- On Cyber Monday, Sugarfina.com will offer 1 free cube of Champagne Bears on orders of $50 and up and free shipping on orders of $75 and up
Luxury candy boutique, Sugarfina (www.sugarfina.com), will be offering several sweet promotions this year on Black Friday through Cyber Monday. Store Locations: 9495 S. Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA & The Americana at Brand: 779 Americana Way, Glendale, CA
DANNIJO
Black Friday Deal & Cyber Monday Deals: Sign up on www.dannijo.com for “Have A 5 Day Weekend” deals. A new surprise offer will be in your inbox Wednesday, November 26th through Sunday, November 30th.
- Wednesday, November 26th: 30% off all iPhone cases
- Thursday, November 27th: 30% off all bracelets/cuffs/rings
- Friday, November 28th: 30% off all handbags
- Saturday, November 29th: 30% off all necklaces
- Sunday, November 30th: 30% off all earrings
- Monday, December 1st: 30% off site-wide PLUS spend $500 and receive $100 off your purchase
BODEN
Cyber Monday Deal: Head over to www.bodenusa.com from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday for 30% off everything. On Cyber Monday there will be an extra group of gifts with a 50% off discount.
EDITORIALIST
Black Friday Deal & Cyber Monday Deals: Sign-up on www.editorialist.com for the mailing list and receive a one-time 40% discount to VIP Insiders. Additionally, if readers elect to follow Editorialist on Instagram, you will gain access to the one-time 40% discount VIP code, applicable across the site on Cyber Monday. Receive the 40% discount code in your inbox Monday, November 3rd through Sunday, November 30th. Select restrictions on fine jewelry will apply.
NICOLE MILLER
“White Friday” Deal: Visit the Nicole Miller store in Soho on Friday, November 28th from 10am to 7pm for the “White Friday Bridal Sale.” Bridal gowns will be starting at $250 and prices will be approximately 50% off. All available sizes will be in store and all sales are final.
OLD NAVY
Starting at 4pm on Thanksgiving Day, more than 800 Old Navy stores will open their doors for an unprecedented 31 hours of shopping with the whole store at 50% off. Even more exciting, Old Navy is bringing back its second annual “Overnight Millionaire” giveaway! The first 100 customers to line up will receive a game card for a chance to win the $1 million jackpot, and another 1000 lucky customers will be treated to a $200 shopping spree.
Beauty Steals & Deals For Black Friday & Cyber Monday!
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are right around the corner! And seeing as so many of us are trying to keep our skin in tip top shape from the horrible winter weather, Manhattan Digest is providing its readers with some awesome Black Friday & Cyber Monday deals for you to divulge in! See what each amazing brand has to offer and Happy Shopping everyone!
ANTHONY
Black Friday (11/28) – Cyber Monday (12/1)
30% off site-wide at http://anthony.com/
AHAVA
- 35% off any order using code BFRIDAY14
- On Cyber Monday only, receive 35% off and a free Triple Mineral Body Lotion using codeCYBRMON35
WHEN: Friday, 11/27 through Monday, 12/1
WHERE: http://www.ahavaus.com/
BLISS SPA
Black Friday Deal: 11/28 – 11/30
Amazing savings and loads of free gifts at blissworld.com!
- Luxe Holiday beauty bag (a $150 value) yours free with $100+ purchase
- 20% off product purchases on blissworld.com including bliss holiday gift sets
(20% offer excludes: La Mer, SK-II, Sisley, NuFace, Wellbox, Malin + Goetz, Clarisonic, bliss multi-‘face’-eted mask, gift cards, e-cards)
- Free stocking stuffers all weekend: choose 4 free deluxe samples with $100+ purchase
Cyber Monday: 12/1:
Today only: Save an additional 40% on already value-priced pro-sized (32oz) pump bottles of our best-selling formulas:
- fatgirlslim firming cream, lemon + sage body butter, lemon + sage supershine shampoo, lemon + sage conditioning rinse, naked body butter and high intensity hand cream
ELEMIS
Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals: Receive 50% off of select top-sellers listed on TimetoSpa.com
- WHEN: Friday, November 28th and Monday, December 3rd
- WHERE: TimetoSpa.com/BlackFriday
ERNO LASZLO
On Cyber Monday, Erno Laszlo will be offering a Winter Wonders 6-Piece Gift Set as a Gift With Purchase for those who spend a minimum of $200 on ErnoLaszlo.com. The set includes a full size Luminous Intensive Hand Treatment SPF 25 along with sample sizes of the cult favorite Timeless Skin Serum, Hyra-Therapy Treatment & Revitalizer, Phormula 3-9 Balm & Cream (a retail value of $395).
JUNE JACOBS
Black Friday Promo – November 24th – 28th
25% Off Site Wide at http://www.junejacobs.com/ + FREE Shipping on all orders
Cyber Monday Promo – December 1st
25% Off Site Wide at http://www.junejacobs.com/ + FREE Super-Size Intensive Age Defying Hydrating Hand and Foot Cream on orders over $50 and FREE Shipping on orders over $50
Based on highly effective concentrations of carefully selected botanical and plant extracts, recognized for their soothing and restorative powers, the June Jacobs Spa Collection marries age defying science and luxury. All formulas include cutting-edge, pure and effective ingredients along with a powerful patent pending anti-oxidant blend of white, red and green tea extracts combined with goji berry, pomegranate and grapeseed extracts to help neutralize free radicals, protect skin from environmental toxins and combat the visible signs of premature aging.
LAURA GELLAR
Black Friday Sale – November 26th – 30th
- 25% OFF (no order minimum threshold) CHECKOUT CODE: FRIDAY25
- 30% OFF orders over $100 (threshold is pre-discount) CHECKOUT CODE: FRIDAY30
Cyber Monday Sale – December 1st
- FREE 3 Piece Laura Geller Beauty Essentials gift with purchase, valued at $39 and includes a Travel Size Blush-n-Brighten in Boysenberry, Mini Champagne Spackle and Mini Blush Brush for orders over $40 CHECKOUT CODE: CYBERGWP
o Set includes
- “Holiday Hues” EXCLUSIVE Eye Spackle Hues Collection which includes 7 shades of the Waterproof Eye Spackle Hues and a travel size GlamLASH Dramatic Volumizing Mascara. The set will be sold at $40 (valued at $191) , while supplies last NO CODE
25 Days Of Color – December 1st – December 25th
- Each day during this time period, LauraGeller.com will offer one single “hot item” at a generously discounted price for 24 hours only. CHECKOUT CODES REQUIRED. EACH DAY HAS A DIFFERENT CODE. SEE SITE FOR DETAILS.
- During this time period, a special, exclusive GWP will be available. CHECKOUT CODE: COLORGWP
All Holiday Offers for LauraGeller.com will include FREE Standard Shipping on all orders over $50
STRIVECTIN
Black Friday Deal: StriVectin, the leader in clinically proven treatments for healthy, ageless skin, kicks off the holiday shopping season by extending 20% off all products purchased on StriVectin.com. From 12 a.m. on November 26th, through11:59 p.m. on November 30th, customers are invited to enjoy the discount via offer code FFNOV14.
URBAN DECAY COSMETICS
Black Friday Deal: On Black Friday, prepare to have your eye arsenal fully loaded. For one day only, you can pick up the combination of Ammo Palette, Smoked Palette, AND get a deluxe sample of Perversion Mascara, for only $30. This killer combination is so edgy and intense, your eyeshadow brushes might need a safe word. Not enough for you? They’re also offering free shipping on all orders, plus the UD Ultimate Hookup Contest. Each unique order placed on ud.com will receive 1 card that contains a random prize ranging from $10 off their next purchase, to a grand prize trip to Orange County.
Price: $30, Available 11/28 on UrbanDecay.com
Black Friday And Cyber Monday Deals- A Must See!
Three of the biggest shopping days of the year is rapidly approaching this coming weekend. I am of course talking about Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday! Many of us are waiting with anticipation to see what some of our favorite retailers will be marking on deep discounted sales for the masses to enjoy. Lucky for all of you, the staff at Manhattan Digest has found some pretty great deals for both Black Friday & Cyber Monday. Hopefully you will see the below deals and find some that pique your interest! Happy Shopping everyone!
Cyber Monday – Get Polished! Event: 11/28/14 – 12/1/14
With the code GETPOLISHED, JINsoon is offering 15% off JINsoon products on jinsoon.com from Black Friday to Cyber Monday. The code is only valid for nail polish, toppings, nail care and nail tools. Spa services and gift certificates are excluded from the promotion.
Black Friday – Great Hydration Event
Receive a 6 piece Intral and Hydraskin GWP + Free 2nd Day Shipping with your $125 purchase at Darphin.com. A $78 value! Enter code HOLIDAY at checkout. Offer valid 11/28/14 while supplies last.
Cyber Monday – Choose your Full Size Cleanser + Step Up Event
Choose from the Cleansing Foam Gel with Water Lily or Intral Cleansing Milk, plus Free 2nd Day Shipping with your $75 purchase on Darphin.com. Enter code FOAM for the Cleansing Foam Gel or MILK for the Intral Cleansing Milk.
Step up to a 4 piece gift with your $125 purchase. Choose your cleanser, plus receive Travel Sizes of Ideal Resource Smoothing Retexturizing Radiance Cream (15ml) and Tangerine Aromatic Care (1.4ml) along with a gray zippered cosmetics bag with your $125 purchase at Darphin.com Enter code FOAM2 or MILK2 at checkout. Offer valid 12/1/14.
Black Friday Sale: 11/27/14 – 11/30/14
Promotions:
- 20% off TODAY and for the next year (on everything shipped from the US store)! Every person that makes a qualifying purchase from the Memebox US store during the Black Fridaysale will get a permanent Friends & Family discount for a year!
- 20% off site wide and up to 50% off select items. Starts Nov. 27th and ends Nov. 30th.
- FREE gift samples with purchase (select merchandise)
EARLY BIRD PROMO (Regular Stores, outlets, accessories stores + online)
Start time: Thursday, November 27th 8 PM (store hours may vary from one another depending on location)
End time: Friday, November 28th 10 AM
Discount: 20% off regular price merchandise
What: Footwear, handbags and accessories
LEAD PROMOTION (Regular stores, outlets + online)
Start time: Friday, November 28th 10 AM
End time: Monday, December 1st 9 PM (closing time for stores) and 11:59 PM (online)
Discount: 50% off the original price on all reduced styles
What: Footwear, handbags and accessories
ACCESSORIES STORE PROMOTION (accessories stores only)
Start time: Friday, November 28th 10 AM
End time: Friday, November 28th 9 PM (closing time)
Discounts: 50% off the original price on all reduced styles + gift with purchase (while supplies last)
What: Handbags and accessories
The Cambridge Satchel Company Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sale
When – Friday, November 28th – Monday, December 1st
What – 40% of Select Styles
Where – https://www.cambridgesatchel.com/us/
Crunch Gym Unleashes Fun New Classes For Wintertime!
Even with how warm the weather got for a hot second today, us New Yorkers have been in a constant reminder that summer is long and gone and the cold dreary months are here to stay for a while. Thus making the further realization that the holiday pounds are upon us, and the thought of squeezing into a pair of jeans that used to fit us so well during the hot months aren’t exactly what they used to me. Crunch Gym, however, plans to negate that whole thought process with a ton of fun classes that will get everyone’s heart rate up and keep the pounds off in the crucial Winter season. [Read more…] about Crunch Gym Unleashes Fun New Classes For Wintertime!
Haru Sushi Yummifies Taste Buds, Times Square & More
Haru Sushi Breathes New Life Into Times Square
When you are a native New Yorker and have been around so many areas of New York City, you start to become familiar with what each area has to offer, one in particular being food. Seeing as Times Square has turned itself into the number one tourist hot spot with national chains taking over what used to be a really cool and hip area back in the day, it is hard to find anything unique and tasty in a sea of Red Lobster & Olive Garden type establishments. That point was proven to be false when I took myself and my friend to Haru Sushi’s flagship location in the heart of Times Square, located on West 43rd Street between 7th and 8th Avenue. Times Square itself doesn’t have many locations devoted to all things sushi, so when I got word that this brand new location was opening up, my taste buds and general excitement took itself there on Thursday night to see if the food, decor and service was worth the walk through the battlegrounds of TS.
I have to say that overall I was quite impressed by what Haru Sushi had to offer. Even though it was in the midst of Times Square appropriate, it wasn’t overwhelmingly crowded to the point where you felt claustrophobic while you were downing your third piece of California Roll. Matter of fact, it was quite roomy and spacious allowing it to be a great place to go after work or if you are visiting a nice place to bring your friends and family. Located right when you walk into Haru Sushi you will find a large bar, serving top of the line alcohol and mixed drinks which bodes well for the bar type person who just wants the delectable after work cocktail. I absolutely loved the way the unique blend of greys, yellows and blues really adorn itself throughout the establishment and give Haru Sushi a quite warm environment upon entry. This is quite inviting especially with the cold weather that we have been having lately.
Now onto the food of course! Haru Sushi is known for its sushi of course, but there are other options that I would definitely recommend anyone trying. So let’s hypothetically say that you are going with a friend and want to do the following- two appetizers, two sushi rolls and one dessert per. This is what I would recommend. For appetizers, I would go with the Beef Negimaki, which is grilled slice beef with a scallion roll. The other that I would recommend is their Lobster Gyoza with a side of soy sauce. Both have great flavor and texture and are the perfect bite to start your meal off perfectly. Now onto the rolls. If there were two I would severely recommend in the Special Roll option of Haru Sushi’s menu it would be the Perfect Fantasy Roll, which is Avocado-Wrapped Shrimp Tempura and Asparagus with Spicy Mayo. The other would be their Rainbow Roll, consisting of Shrimp, Striped Bass, Yellowtail, Tuna and Salmon wrapped around Kani & Avocado (Both are pictured in this article). Spectacularly delicious in many different ways for both and have a great price point for what they are serving you (Under $20 for each. Pretty good deal). If I were to recommend a third it would be on their specials menu and called the Shogatsu. The Shogatsu features Tuna, salmon and albacore tuna-wrapped spicy snow crab and asparagus roll, topped with cilantro, mango, strawberry, tobiko and wasabi tobiko sauce. Complex flavors but they blend really together into one really delicious bite. To end things, why not try their Mochi Green Tea Ice Cream, adorned in whipped cream and chocolate sauce? A great way to end a perfect meal.
Overall I would give Haru Sushi a high rating for sophistication, taste and overall appeal of the location itself. Even if you are a Times Square hater, I would highly recommend trying this place during the winter season and beyond as you will leave feeling full and happy. For more information about the Times Square location as well as the others they have plastered throughout the New York City area, log on to their official website.
Haru Sushi: Times Square
229 West 43rd Street
212-398-9810
Why Magnolia Bakery Is Worth The Hype & Deliciousness
The cupcake to the New Yorker is quintessential to a whiny woman in a Woody Allen film. It just makes everything that much better. Seeing as there is a bevy of locations in New York City where you can divulge in your favorite type of cupcake, there is one place that many locals and visitors deem as the creme de la creme of the cupcake shops here. This of course, is Magnolia Bakery which has several different locations throughout the New York City area.
I became aware of Magnolia Bakery years ago due to my love of the HBO hit show and two time movie “Sex And The City” in which Sarah Jessica Parker’s character Carrie visits the original Bleecker Street location in one of the episodes. I didn’t visit, however, until a friend of mine surprised me on my birthday five or six years back and took me to their location in the Upper West Side. The bakery itself had a warm and friendly vibe as well on top of the lovely people working there. Then of course, there was the taste of what they were preparing for everyone. All of it was delicious, from the decadent red velvet cupcakes to the world famous and insanely delicious Banana Pudding, Magnolia Bakery stepped up to the plate when it came to delicious treats designed for the masses.
I recently sat down with one of their fantastic and fabulous PR & Marketing Manager Riana Zimmerman to talk about Magnolia Bakery’s rise in the food world in general, from its one location to now internationally known brand. Take a look.
So how did the world famous Magnolia Bakery start?
So we started in 1996 at the Bleecker Street location in the West Village. It was a local bakery known for cupcakes and a bunch of other yummy desserts. And then “Sex And The City” mentioned it on one of their episodes and Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) ate one of our vanilla cupcakes with pink frosting. After that happened, it brought an insane amount of crazy lines to the Bleecker Street location and started the whole “cupcake craze”. Steve Abrams, who is our current CEO, bought the brand in 2007 and expanded it further in New York City while opening up locations in Chicago & Los Angeles and now we are franchising internationally. So the supposed “Cupcake Craze” that Magnolia Bakery started is taking over the world.
I, just like a lot of people, became knowledgeable of Magnolia Bakery through “Sex And The City”. What was the process in getting a huge show and star like Sarah Jessica Parker to visit and film at the original location?
I’m not entirely sure! This was just a local bakery that may have been on the show’s radar, or maybe it was on someone’s recommendation list. I just know that it completely changed the Magnolia Bakery brand once the episode aired.
To the people that live in the New York City area, they view Magnolia Bakery as licorice. Meaning you either love it or hate it, but the haters don’t hate the actual products but see it more as a tourist trap. What would you say to those people in order for them to overlook the droves of people and just enjoy what Magnolia has to offer?
Everybody has their own personal taste of course, but I don’t think it is a tourist trap. We are at the Upper West Side location right now, very local to the neighborhood and as you can tell it has a pretty normal crowd as does the Bleecker street location. I think the one that they are referring to is the one in Rockefeller Center, however I don’t think it’s a tourist trap. The fuss is for a reason, and I think we have great cupcakes and a full menu of 100 other desserts and customizable cakes and whatnot.
Now I have my personal favorite at Magnolia Bakery (Red Velvet Of Course!), but what would some of yours be?
I personally love our Banana cupcake with chocolate frosting. The icing is so rich and delicious that it really works well with the cupcake itself.
There was a lot of hoopla over the summer about the supposed “Cupcake Craze” being over as a big cupcake chain filed for bankruptcy. What are your thoughts on the craze in general?
I think there are places that do specialize in one off products like cupcakes. Luckily for us we are known for our cupcakes but we also have a ton of other desserts. Our Magnolia Bakery customers do buy a lot of cupcakes however they do also purchase a ton of our other products so it really is the best of both world when you come here. A cupcake is a perfect size portion for a snack during lunch or after you finish your dinner with friends, as opposed to a large slice of cake. It really has shown by how well all of our stores are doing with all of our products, so I don’t agree with it being a craze.
What big celebrities have you seen come into any of your locations?
So I actually saw Donatella Versace at our Bleecker Street location which was very exciting. Zoe Saldana was at our Los Angeles store which has been all over the news as she is pregnant and has visited us a couple of times due to her craving of cupcakes. Michelle Obama actually sent some of her secret service agents for our cupcakes while she was visiting in New York even!
The location size of Magnolia Bakery is growing each year, however do you think you’ll open up anymore in its hometown of New York City?
We aren’t focused on expanding domestically right now as we are focused on expanding internationally however down the line we are looking into opening up other locations.
What would you recommend for a first timer at Magnolia Bakery in trying?
Maybe you are going to think I have a love affair with chocolate but it’s OK if you do because it’s true and it’s real. A chocolate piece of cake with chocolate icing is so good. Of course, the world famous banana pudding. To top it off I would recommend our pumpkin cheesecake & pumpkin spice whoopie pies is essential to now as it is available throughout the fall.
Does Magnolia Bakery do deliveries?
We do! We have an online store which delivers all throughout the United States with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii. You can order anything from cupcakes, cookies and bars so I definitely recommend if you aren’t local to a Magnolia Bakery you check out the online store to try something out!
What are you ultimately hopeful for the Magnolia Bakery brand and beyond?
We would love to see our international franchises succeed of course! We are excited about our growth, in fact we had a meeting recently to discuss 2015 and see what new items we can bring to you, your readers and the masses! Stay tuned!
Want to know more about Magnolia Bakery? Log on to their official website for locations, product information and more!
Grammy Predictions 2015- Album Of The Year
When it comes to the music industry, the Grammy Awards still remain the Gold Medal when it comes to award achievement for artists and musicians alike. Last year’s saw newcomers like Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Lorde take the top spots in the New Artist and Song of the Year Category, whereas perennial EDM megastars Daft Punk shocked many a music fans by winning the coveted Album Of The Year Grammy with “Random Access Memories”. Now with another year in music about to close, and the Grammy Nominations out in less than a month, Manhattan Digest digest’s what will be nominated and who might be left in the dust in a year that was less than stellar to say the least. With no major artists with the exception of Coldplay, Beyonce, Jason Aldean and Eminem releasing albums this year, the music industry was run by throwaway pop tracks and one hit wonders in the making (Sorry Meghan Trainor). That being said, there were some stellar exceptions that I hope that Grammy’s notice and crown this year- some who are overdue, some who are new, and some who have been here before and deserve it again. Today, we look at the potential noms for Album Of The Year.
Album Of The Year at the Grammy’s can be tricky. Sometimes they get it right (Mumford & Sons, Daft Punk, Adele) and sometimes we don’t know where they are coming from (Steely Dan, Herbie Hancock). Sometimes, they miss the ball completely, like last year when Justin Timberlake didn’t even get nominated in a category that many people thought he would’ve won. This year, the inevitable nominee and winner is simple- Beyonce. Beyonce has been in this category before, losing a couple of years ago to Taylor Swift’s “Fearless” over her insanely good effort “I Am… Sasha Fierce”. However, with her self titled debut this year, she really doesn’t have any competition as this album was one of the biggest music stories of the year. With no one knowing it was coming out, she quietly released this on a cold December night and drove the album to platinum status in less than two weeks, and outselling her previous effort “4” shortly after. The album spawned several huge singles (some will be discussed later), has insatiable duets with artists like Drake, Frank Ocean and her hubby Jay-Z and received generally positive feedback from fans and critics alike. No doubt the winner in my mind.
Others who could be huge contenders? Obviously, The “Frozen” Soundtrack for many reasons. Oscar winning, highest selling, songs parents and like minded people alike can’t get out of your head equal Grammy goodness. This is the first soundtrack in several years though that really can be a strong contender in the main categories so be on the lookout for this to be nominated several times throughout the night.
Hip-Hop this year wasn’t exactly stellar whatsoever. Last year had so many memorable people come out of the wood works with fantastic first efforts (Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Kendrick Lamar) and icons who kept churning out some amazing tracks (Jay-Z, Kanye West). The sad fact that the biggest star in hip hop this year may have been Iggy Azalea says a lot about that industry and hopefully there will be some recharge in 2015. That being said, Eminem should no doubt be the 3rd nominee in this category with “The Marshall Mathers LP 2”. As someone who grew up when Eminem was really at his peek in so many different ways, I find it fantastic that 15 years after we first heard “The Real Slim Shady” he is still incredibly relevant and hip with a younger crowd that is just discovering what an epic rapper and legend he is. Whereas he had a better shot of winning this award years ago with “The Eminem Show” and the first Marshall Mathers LP” it would be a surprise if he was left out in this category.
The other two could be difficult to choose. One new artist who has gained quite a huge following this year is Sam Smith, who broke through with his gold selling “In The Lonely Hour”. A powerhouse on his own, Sam blasted through the charts with his first single “Stay With Me” as well as working with other fantastic artists such as Disclosure (“Latch”) and one of my favorite artists and tracks of the year, “Lalala” by Naughty Boy. He is this year’s big British import, sort of the male Adele when it comes to the impact that he has had on the industry. His music style is very eclectic, with tinges of pop, R&B and adult contemporary all mixed in one. He’s a surefire lock for Best New Artist without a shadow of a doubt, however don’t be surprised if he is able to seep his way into the pivotal Album Of The Year category at the Grammy’s.
Jack White’s “Lazaretto” seems poised to be the fifth and final nominee in this category. Jack, mainly known for his epic band “The White Stripes” is no stranger to this category having being nominated two years ago for his effort “Blunderbuss”. The 9 time Grammy Award winner’s Rock efforts paid off for him tend fold this past year, with “Lazaretto” receiving stellar reviews from the top publications and debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200 Chart. If Jack doesn’t get the lock for Album Of The Year don’t be surprised if Coldplay takes the fifth spot for “Ghost Stories“, which is one of the highest selling albums of this past year. the 7 time Grammy Award winners lit up the charts this year with “Sky Full Of Stars” amongst other hits, and have been Grammy favorites in the past with “Clocks” winning Record Of The Year over ten years ago. Don’t expect Coldplay to take this award but expect multiple nominations for both “Stars” and “Ghost Stories” for sure.
Who do you think will be nominated Check out the Grammy official website for more info.