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New York City Just Made It A Lot Simpler To Hail A Cab

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taxi-yellow-sign

NYC residents and tourists, rejoice—the city of New York has officially passed new taxi regulations to simplify the cabs' roof light system.

Under the new rules, if the light at the top of a yellow taxi is on, the cab is available. If it's off, the cab is not picking up passengers. It's that simple.

According to The New York Post, over 13,000 cabs will change to the new system on January 1, and every cab will have to follow the rule by April 30 of 2013.

The clearer-cut regulation is an improvement upon the city's old taxi light system. Before last week's 7-1 vote, cab drivers had four light options: available (light on), not available (light off), and two "off duty" lights where a driver was allowed to pick up a final fare on the way home.

The new ruling by the city's Taxi and Limousine Commission essentially eliminated the off-duty lights, which the commissioners said confused riders and led to some abuse of power by the drivers.

Cabbies sometimes used the "off duty" rule to their advantage by switching on the off duty lights and refusing to take passengers into one of the five outer boroughs, even though it is technically illegal for any driver to do so. (If this does happen to you, you can call 3-1-1 and report the driver's medallion number to lodge an official complaint.)

The new system will still allow off-duty cabs to pick up fares, but their lights will need to be turned on. Drivers who illegally pick up passengers with their lights turned off will still be fined $100.

SEE ALSO: Taxis In NYC Just Got 17% More Expensive

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The Women Of Business Insider Reveal The Worst Holiday Gifts They've Ever Received

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bad present woman gifts

It's never easy to pick out the perfect present for a girlfriend or wife, but certain items should be avoided at all costs.

We asked the ladies in Business Insider's newsroom to share the worst gifts they've ever received from a guy, and some were downright appalling ugly art, useless gadgets, and underwear with cheesy slogans.

Men, consider this an education in what not to buy for your significant other. We've also included some alternative items that might have been a better bet.

"A heart-shaped, American flag, sequined necklace."

Jewelry is a great option, but only when the recipient will actually wear it. And we can't imagine anyone older than five sporting the necklace described above.

Instead, check out Jennifer Zeuner's personalized necklaces in gold and silver, which run around $200.

Or check out the trendy pieces at BaubleBar, which are available for as little as $25.



"A giant bar of soap...that vibrated."

Toiletries can make great gifts, but not when there's a battery involved.

This reporter might have been happier with a subscription to Birchbox, which sends a box of beauty and lifestyle samples to your door for $10/month.



"Very tacky red lace panties that had a sign at the front saying 'Chase Me.'"

There's nothing wrong with lingerie, as long as it doesn't have a tacky slogan slapped across it.

If you're in the market for a lacy gift, there's no better bet than Victoria's Secret, which has a huge online store that makes shopping easy. There's even a guide to "the Sexiest Gifts on Earth."

Or opt for something more demure, like a cuddly bathrobe. We love this fleece one from PJ Salvage, for $80.



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Cadbury Invents Chocolate That Does Not Melt

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cadbury purple

The confectionery wizards at Cadbury have invented a form of melt-resistant chocolate that can withstand temperatures of up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. That's about 10 degrees warmer that the temperature at which regular chocolate turns into a soupy mess. 

The Daily Mail's Dana Golger explains the science behind the revolutionary "temperature-tolerant chocolate":

The secret to the new bars is a change in the so-called ‘conching step,’ where a container filled with metal beads grinds the ingredients, which usually include cocoa butter, vegetable oils, milk and sugar.

Cadbury has developed a way of breaking down sugar particles into smaller pieces, reducing how much fat covers them and making the bar more resistant to heat.

The special chocolates will only be sold in countries where temperatures regularly hit the triple digits like in India or Brazil.  

"Production of temperature tolerant chocolate would allow production of chocolate-containing product more suitable for hot climates, particularly in less economically developed countries where the supply chain is ill-equipped to handle significant temperature / humidity fluctuations and where product quality is compromised," the baking giant wrote in an official patent application

This doesn't seem like a huge loss to American consumers. Despite the chocolate's heat-resistant powers, we hear the product doesn't taste as good as the standard stuff. 

SEE ALSO: 10 Common Foods That Are Proven To Reduce Stress

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An Architect's Mirrored Mansion With A Complicated Past Is Back On The Market For $27.5 Million

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The glassy New York City home the late architect Paul Rudolph designed for himself is back on the market for $27.5 million, according to Curbed.

23 Beekman Place, which is comprised of four units — a one-bedroom, two two-bedroom duplexes, and the three-story penthouse — was landmarked by the city in 2010. 

Rudolph bought the home in 1976 and then added the multi-story penthouse, according to the listing. The penthouse won two awards from the American Institute of Architecture.

Rudolph really went all out designing the pad and used it a laboratory of sorts, according to a 2006 article about a renovation of the home in New York Magazine.

During the renovation, architects Jared Della Valle and Andrew Bernheimer found all kinds of weird things in the walls, such as buried mirrors and Mylar. Rudolph had apparently used those materials to reflect light and make his home seem brighter and more spacious.

The duo used Rudolph's hidden objects as inspiration, but incorporated modern day materials into the house.

Architects were torn over the changes to Rudolph's original design. The building has since been landmarked, and now the apartment is back on the market, being sold by an unnamed LLC.

23 beekman place paul rudolph

 

23 beekman place paul rudolph

 

23 beekman place paul rudolph

 

23 beekman place paul rudolph

 

23 beekman place paul rudolph

 

23 beekman place paul rudolph

 

23 beekman place paul rudolph

SEE ALSO: 10 Glass Houses You Can Buy Right Now

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Kate Middleton & Prince William's Road To Royal Baby

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william kate

After more than a year of marriage, the baby rumors can finally be put to rest.

Prince William and Kate Middleton are officially expecting their first child.

As the couple prepares to welcome their first child together, celebrate the rest of their firsts – from royal engagements to million dollar fundraisers.

April 30, 2011: The couple pulls the brakes on the Honeymoon.

The newlyweds decided to stay in Britain immediately following their wedding rather than head to their undisclosed honeymoon location.



May 10, 2011: The newlyweds FINALLY go on their honeymoon

After delaying their post-nuptial celebrations for a week, Kate and William spent their honeymoon vacationing in Seychelles. The couple last spent time there in 2007 after a minor break-up. 



May 24, 2011: Their first royal duty back

The couple met with President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at Buckingham Palace before attending a special lunch hosted by Queen Elizabeth

The Obamas donated six Apple Macbook computers to one of the couple's favorite charities, PeacePlayers International.



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There's A Luxury Denim Brand Poised To Take Over The World

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mick jagger j brand jeans wide

J Brand Jeans has seen explosive growth in recent years thanks to rave reviews from celebrity customers including Kate Middleton, Beyonce and Angelina Jolie.

But Fast Retailing, the Japanese parent of Uniqlo, bought a controlling stake in J Brand last week. The company's deep pockets provide J Brand with the resources it needs to really take over the world.

J Brand CEO Jeff Rudes told Women's Wear Daily some of his plans for world domination:

  • Grow out its ready-to-wear business, especially in men's apparel. Men are increasingly showing an interest in fashion, and brands like J. Crew are also expanding in this category.
  • Open more boutiques. J Brand is said to be opening a Los Angeles flagship this year, and Rudes said to expect openings in other major cities.
  • Bulk up business in the Asia-Pacific region. There's a huge demand for luxury goods in Asia, and a denim brand favored by American movie stars is well-positioned there.
  • Offer more handbags and shoes. Both categories are hugely successful in the luxury market, evidenced by the mega-success of brands like Michael Kors and Tory Burch.

Rudes also mentioned that he would be open to a collaboration with Uniqlo in the future.

“As a good partner, our resources are available,” Rudes said. “And being that we have different price points, it would not conflict or hurt either to be able to share certain resources.”

The takeover by Fast Retailing cemented J Brand's position as the next big thing.

DON'T MISS:The Fabulous Life Of Amancio Ortega, The Mysterious Billionaire Behind Zara >

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Dual-Mount Shot Tender Liquor Dispenser

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This is the Dual-Mount Shot Tender Liquor Dispenser from Wanted.

Why We Love It: This drink dispenser gives you perfect 1.5-ounce shots every time. Simply insert your liquor of choice and pour like an expert bartender for perfectly crafted drinks.

The leak-proof Shot Tender also easily mounts to any wall or shelf, and has dual spring-loaded receptacles to hold your bottle securely. It can fit any liquor bottle up to one liter.

Shot Tender

Where To Buy: Available through Amazon.

Cost: $19.95.

Want to nominate a cool product for Stuff We Love? Send an email to Megan Willett at mwillett@businessinsider.com with "Stuff We Love" in the subject line.

DON'T MISS:  The North Face Patrol Avalanche Airbag Pack

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Tour The Legendary Danish Amusement Park That Inspired Disneyland

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tivoli gardens

Walt Disney had a dream of creating a "great, great playground for the children and families of America."

He traveled to Tivoli Gardens, one of the world's oldest amusement parks located in the middle of Copenhagen, for inspiration.

Unlike other "seedy" amusement parts of the day, Tivoli was a "a clean and orderly park in Copenhagen ... with 'lush flowers, tame rides' and a festive family atmosphere," Andy Boynton and Bill Fischer wrote in their book The Idea Hunter: How To Find The Best Ideas And Make Them Happen.

According to radio and TV personality Art Linkletter, who recalled his 1951 trip to Tivoli with Disney in the book, Disney walked through the amusement park scribbling down notes about the seats, gardens, rides, food, and every other detail he noticed.

Disneyland opened in California four years after the trip.

Welcome to Tivoli Gardens, in the heart of Copenhagen.

Source: Tivoli Gardens



About four million tourists visit Tivoli every year.

Source: Tivoli Gardens



The park is completely gated in, and has three entrances. There's a small admission fee to enter the park, and the rides are pay-as-you-go.

Source: Tivoli Gardens



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10 Gifts For The Design Freak In Your Life

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girl art museum gallery paintings frames

Are you doing holiday shopping for someone who is constantly perusing design blogs, loves art museums, and thinks that furniture designers are rockstars?

We've rounded up the best holiday gifts for the design freak in your life.

Go retro with Moleskine's new iPad cover.

Moleskine is known for its classic notebooks and planners, so the old-meets-new aesthetic is what makes the company's new tablet covers so cool.

The iPad-compatible cover is combined with blank notebook pages, perfect for the gadget nut who likes to use a scratch pad every once in awhile. iPhone versions are also available.

Price:$74.50



Give the gift of history with a collection of Charles and Ray Eames' films.

Skip the expensive Eames chair and buy your furniture-loving friend a box set of the films of Charles and Ray Eames.

The films, which the husband-and-wife duo created over three decades, range from one to 30 minutes in length and explore topics from history to science.

Price:$80



Spruce up the kitchen with space-saving collapsible bowls.

We love the convenience of Progressive's collapsible storage bowls.

This set of three has 1.5-, 3-, and 5-cup bowls that flatten to a third of their height when they aren't being used. They're also a stylish way to bring lunch to the office.

Price:$14.99 for three



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Here's How To Get Those Expired Frequent Flier Miles Back

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airfare, airplane, plane

If you haven't flown much recently but have miles sitting in a frequent flier account, they could vanish before your eyes.

Back when frequent flier programs began in the 1980s, miles either never expired or had a shelf-life of at least three years.

Today, however, airlines put tighter limits on the lifespan of your hard-earned miles, and expiration policies vary by airline.

Should you find your balance suddenly showing zero, don't panic.

Many airlines offer the ability to reinstate expired miles for a fee.  (Read more: How to Quickly Rack Up Frequent Flier Miles)

Here's a breakdown of U.S. airline policies on mileage expiration and how to get them back or extend their life.

AirTran: Points in AirTran's A+ Rewards program expire one year after their posting date. Members can extend the life of the credits by one year for $29 each (plus tax), but cannot buy them back after expiration.

Alaska Airlines: Mileage accrued in Alaska's Mileage Plan program are subject to expiration after two years of account inactivity. Deleted mileage can be reinstated for a $75 fee for up to one year.

American Airlines: Miles earned in the AAdvantage program expire after 18 months of inactivity. Miles that expired on or after December 31, 2002 are eligible for reactivation at a rate of $200-$600 (plus tax), depending on the number of miles reactivated.

Delta:Delta bucks the industry and is the only major U.S. airline without a mileage expiration policy. However, the airline reserves the right to close a member's account if repeated communication attempts to a member go unanswered.

JetBlue: Points don't expire as long as you earn points by flying JetBlue or using the JetBlue Card from American Expresson eligible purchases at least once in a 12-month period. JetBlue does not offer a program to reinstate expired points.

Southwest: Points in Southwest's Rapid Rewards program don’t expire as long as you have flight or partner earning activity every 24 months. Southwest does not offer a program to reinstate expired points.

United: Miles in United's MileagePlus program expire after 18 months of inactivity. Miles may be reinstated within 18 months following expiration for $50-$400, depending on the amount of miles reactivated.

US Airways: Miles are subject to forfeiture if no miles have been earned or redeemed within a consecutive 18-month period. US Airways charges between $10-$400 to reinstate expired Dividend Miles for an additional 18 months. If you do not reinstate forfeited miles within 36 months of the last activity date, they will be permanently deleted.

Coming soon on Road Warrior, I'll provide inexpensive tips to avoid mileage expiration in the first place — some as cheap as $2.

SEE ALSO: The 10 best winter getaways for travelers on a budget >

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A Flight Attendant Explains Why The Mile High Club Is A Bad Idea

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flight attendant

In an "Ask Me Anything" on Reddit, an anonymous flight attendant revealed just how gross airplane bathrooms are, the strangest things passengers ask for, and and the best ways to get bumped up to business class for free.

She identified herself as a current cabin crew member for a four star-rated airline (the likes of Air France, British Airways, and Emirates) and added "my proof will go to the mods as I cannot reveal my secret identity!"

Asked "are there as many people joining the mile high club in the bathroom as television portrays it?," she replied:

Yes people try to join the mile high club. Let me tell you something, those toilets are FILTHY. Absolute FILTH. People shit in the sinks.

Moving on, I caught a lesbian couple in the toilets we had to get three crew to bang open the door and make them come out. She responded with "We were trying to piss"

A crew was fired for getting drunk while she was a passenger flying somewhere and joining a gentleman in the lavatory.

In response to "the most crazy requests" from passengers, she listed a bag to spit in, "hot fried chips," diapers, ice cream, and her phone number.

The anonymous flight attendant also gave a lesson on the upside of being a gracious passenger:

A month ago on one of my flights economy was full and this gentleman had changed seats several times to accommodate couples, families etc who needed to change seats. He didn't care where he sat and was so gracious. So we moved him to business class. Lesson, be nice!

She also noted that severely ill passengers are usually moved to business or first class if there are available seats. She did not recommend faking sick to secure the upgrade.

SEE ALSO: Take A Virtual Tour Of Airbus' Crazily Futuristic Concept Plane

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The Hottest Places To Party (And See Art) At Art Basel Miami Beach

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Art Basel Miami, Miami Convention Center, exhibit

Art Basel begins on Thursday, and that means that Miami will transform into one big art-fest.

Artists, gallerists, celebrities, and fashionistas will descend on the city to see edgy art exhibitions, attend chic parties, and dine in the city's hottest restaurants.

The festival, which runs from December 6 to 9, allows artists from around the world to showcase their works in a highly-visible setting.

Art Basel events take place all over the city, but the main art fair is in the Miami Convention Center in Miami Beach. Elsewhere, galleries and design shops in the up-and-coming Design District will open their doors at all hours, hotels and restaurants in Miami Beach will throw celebrity-hosted events, and clubs in South Beach will host wild parties every night.

Visit Collins Park on opening night, Dec. 5, to kick off the festivities. Musicians and artists will perform at the event, while artists will show off large-scale sculptures and installations.



Grab a drink at Güiro, a pop-up art bar installation at the South Beach Oceanfront, across from the Bass Museum of Art. The bar, which is shaped like a Güiro (a Cuban percussion instrument), was designed by artists Los Carpinteros and sponsored by the Absolut Art Bureau. It'll be open from Dec. 5 to 8.

Source: Art Basel Miami Beach



Spend a night at the Betsy Hotel, a luxury Art Deco-era boutique hotel in South Beach. The historic hotel is near the wild bars and clubs of South Beach, but removed enough to ensure a quiet night's sleep.



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The Sexiest Hotel Bed In The World

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Hotel review website Oyster just released its list of the 30 most interesting hotels in the world, and one winner caught our eye.

One by the Five in Paris officially has the world's "sexiest hotel bed," according to the site. Once we saw photos of the bed, we had to agree.

Oyster explains: "One by the Five only has one bed, but the hotel made it count: It's levitating, covered in rose petals, and placed underneath a faux starlit sky."

The hotel, in Paris' 5th Arrondissement, has just one suite with a single bedroom. The bed is attached to the wall, but not the floor and looks like it's floating in midair. The suite runs between $620 and $750 a night.

one by five paris bed

 

one by five paris bed

 

one by five paris bed

SEE ALSO: The 10 Best All-Inclusive Hotels On The Planet

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Former Mattel CEO Who Grew Barbie Line Finally Sells Lavish California Mansion At A Huge Discount

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Former Mattel CEO Jill Barad has finally sold her fancy Sunset Boulevard house at a price cut, for $10.2 million, according to The Daily Mail.

The California mansion has gone on and off the market since 2010. It was originally listed for $14.995 million.

The home has six bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, a multi-level master bedroom, a spa, pool, and a "playhouse" in the backyard.

In 1982, Barad was in charge of the Barbie line. She helped increase sales by coming up with the idea of selling the doll in different packages with different accessories, creating an incentive to buy more than one, according to The Daily Mail.

She took over all of Mattel in 1997 and left the company in 2000.

mattel ceo sells house

 

mattel ceo sells house

 

mattel ceo sells house

 

mattel ceo sells house

 

mattel ceo sells house

 

mattel ceo sells house

SEE ALSO: Pinterest's First Investor Shows Us His 'Disneyland'-Like Long Island Home

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A Shanghai Hotel Was Just Named The World's Best For Business Travelers

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The Peninsula Shanghai

According to this month's issue of Travel + Leisure, The Peninsula Shanghai is the world's best hotel for business.

The hotel was voted for by Travel + Leisure readers, and scored an impressive 97.78 score out of 100. It was one of the only hotels in China to make it into the magazine's "Top 5 Hotels for Business Worldwide 2012" list.

Seven other Peninsula Hotels — including Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, and Tokyo — were also highly rated in their respective "Best Business Hotels" city listings, all finishing in the top three.

But due to its gorgeous lobby, sophisticated restaurants, and sleek meeting rooms, The Peninsula Shanghai stood a head above the rest.

The Peninsula Shanghai sits on the riverside Bund in Shanghai next to the famous Oriental Pearl Tower.

Source: The Peninsula Shanghai



The hotel was built as an homage to Shanghai's glamorous '20s and '30s era, when it was known as "The Paris of the East."

Source: The Peninsula Shanghai



Take the lobby for instance, with its marble floors, hanging chandelier, and lush red chairs.



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Why The Beer In South Korea Is Even Worse Than North Korean Beer

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hite beer south koreaA dull duopoly crushes microbrewers

THEIR cuisine is one of the world's most exciting. South Korean diners would not tolerate bland kimchi (cabbage pickled in garlic and chili) or sannakji (fresh chopped octopus, still wriggling on the plate). So why do they swill boring beer?

Local brews such as Cass and Hite go down easily enough (which is not always true of those writhing tentacles with their little suction cups). Yet they leave little impression on the palate.

Some South Korean beers skimp on barley malt, using the likes of rice in its place. Others are full of corn. And despite the recent creation of Hite Dry Finish--a step in the right direction--brewing remains just about the only useful activity at which North Korea beats the South. The North's Taedonggang Beer, made with equipment imported from Britain, tastes surprisingly good.

The problem for South Korean boozers is that their national market is a cramped duopoly. Hite-Jinro and Oriental Brewery (OB) have nearly 100% of it. Their beers are hard to tell apart; their prices, even harder. At five out of five shops visited by The Economist, their main brands all cost precisely 1,850 won ($1.70) per 330ml can.

Until 2011, regulations required all brewers to have enough capacity to brew well over 1m liters at a time. This in effect kept all but Hite and OB from bringing foamy goodness to the masses. Smaller producers were allowed to sell their beer only on their own premises.

Today, anyone with the capacity to produce 120,000 litres can apply for a wholesale license. This is still a lot, but there are short cuts. One brewer says the loose wording of the law means some have bought gigantic but shoddy old vats to make up the difference, and simply left them unused.

However, only a handful of small brewers have risen to the challenge. One of them, Craftworks Brewing Company, is owned by a Canadian, Dan Vroon. Mr Vroon's pub in Seoul is packed every night. But several hurdles still make it hard for him to sell his pilsners, stouts and pale ales more widely, he says.

Brewers are taxed heavily if they deliver their own beer. Craftworks' unpasteurized brews must be kept chilled from the vat to the tap, which creates a problem. Cold distribution is a tiny, pricey niche. This is because the big boys don't use it: their beers have their tasty, bureaucrat-bothering bacteria removed at the brewery. They can thus be delivered warm and then chilled in the pub.

Punitive tariffs prevent brewing experimentation. The Korean taxman treats malt, hops and yeast as beer ingredients, which are subject to low import duties. Anything else you might put in the brew is deemed an agricultural import, and thus a threat to the nation's farmers. "Speciality grains like oats aren't on the approved list, so we must pay more than 500% if we want to use them," says Park Chul, another frustrated brewer.

Those who do not qualify for a wholesale licence have it even worse. Though they sell only through their own pubs, government inspectors place meters on their vats. These can become contaminated, causing costly stoppages. "It's enough to drive you to drink," sighs Mr Vroon.

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SEE ALSO:  Bar Industry Insiders Pick The 8 Best Bars In New York City

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Check Out The $15 Billion Hudson Yards Complex That Breaks Ground In NYC Today

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hudson yards

New York City's skyline is about to be altered once again.

City officials and developers will officially break ground today on the Hudson Yards complex on Manhattan's Far West Side, according to The New York Daily News.

The complex will be comprised of 15 buildings and cost $15 billion to construct.

One of the buildings will be a 75-story mixed-use residential and commercial building. Another will be an office building that is taller than the Empire State Building.

In total, the complex will offer more office space than exists in all of Portland, Ore., according to the Daily News.

Related Companies chairman Stephen Ross told the NY Daily News, “If you look at where all the young people are today, where they want to be, where all the money is going, it’s the West Side of Manhattan. ... The yards will be the epicenter of all that.”

The first phase of construction should be completed by 2017.

Hudson Yards is being built on 26 acres of land on Manhattan's West Side.



The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is leasing the land to developers for more than $1 billion for 99 years, according to The New York Daily News.

Source: New York Daily News



Coach has already committed to occupying 750,000 of the 1.2 million square feet of the first office tower. The location will be the company's international headquarters.

Source: New York Daily News



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10 Funky Gadgets To Spice Up Your Kitchen

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funky kitchen wine lasso holder

During the holiday season, many people find themselves spending lots of time in the kitchen.

We found some funky kitchen gear to spice up the room and make cooking easier.

Champagne glasses that are a twist on the original design

Price: $70 for two

Where:MoMA design store

What: These inside-out champagne glasses look like standard tumblers, but when filled the silhouette of a classic champagne flute appears. 



A gadget that measures spaghetti

Price: $6.95

Where:Chef's Resource

What: This adjustable spaghetti measuring tool helps you get the perfect portion of spaghetti or linguine for one, two, three, or four people.



An artistic teapot

Price: $250

Where:JoeyRoth.com

What: Known as the Sorapot, this gadget by designer Joey Roth gives users a unique view of steeping tea.



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Here's How Much 16 New Yorkers Are Tipping Their Doormen This Holiday Season

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Doorman

BrickUnderground hit the streets recently to conduct a friendly interrogation of 30 New Yorkers about their holiday tipping habits. While the overwhelming majority planned to tip their building staff this year, they did not plan to tip them equally.

Many said they planned to tip the friendly/helpful/longtime doormen more than rude and/or unhelpful staff. (Take BrickUnderground's 'Naughty vs. Nice' 2012 Holiday Tipping poll to find out exactly how much.)

Some said they would go as high as high as $700 for their favorites, and most planned to save the biggest tip for their super. Many said it would also depend on their own personal financial situation.

Here's what they told us influenced their sliding scale of tips:

  • “The amount we tip depends on length of time in the building and what they’ve done for us…some make inquiries, take care of problems, go the extra mile.... The most we would give is $150-$200 for excellent service.” Helen and Neil, Yorkville

  • “I tip one person, the super, and it depends on how much they help. This year I’ll give $100, because I received a lot of help, but generally, I’m a low maintenance guy.” -Dior, Upper West Side

  • “It all depends on how friendly they are.” -  Scott, Upper West Side

  • “When I do tip, everyone gets the same amount. It depends on whether or not I have enough money for Christmas for my own family. Once I set my doorman on a blind date with my friend, so that’s sort of a tip I guess… They ended up together for six years!” -Effie, Park Slope

  • "It depends on who I think deserves it. The doorman who helps with groceries and taxis is worthy of tipping and will get something.  It also depends on my income and my own ability to do it. This year I'm not tipping the super because I already paid him for his services--like helping me hang paintings on concrete walls. I pay him for individual things throughout the years, so I won't tip him again during the holidays." -- Peni, Yorkville

  • “The most I ever tipped was $700, and that was because he did a lot for me. He took packages, helped fix my toilets. But if someone isn’t nice, I won’t tip. One staff person in my building ignored the needs of an elderly woman, and wouldn’t clear ice in inclement weather.  I also tried to buy her groceries and have them delivered, and the doorman rejected the package. He didn’t get a tip.” -Walter, Upper West Side

  • “The amount I give depends on tenure. I also will give less if I feel they’ve shirked their work.” - Susan, Carnegie Hill

  • “I have my favorites—the people who have really helped me out in the past and I give them more than others. It does depend on my own personal circumstances, like how much of a holiday bonus I’m getting at my job.” -Jackie, Upper West Side

  • “The most I’ve ever given is $50 to the super. It depends on how well they work, if they pay attention to detail and do what they need to do. If the super does not blame the damn tenants for everything that goes wrong I’ll tip." - Walter, Carnegie Hill 

  • “I’ll give as little as $20 to workers I don’t know. But the super gets more. I also give more to whomever I encountered more, who did more for me directly and who was more pleasant. I would never stiff someone, but I might give them less.” -Brad, Midtown

  • “The amount I give depends on the degree of responsibility and seniority. I once gave $500 to the super because he did a great job throughout the year.” -Anonymous, Carnegie Hill

  • “I pretty much pay everyone the same, but maybe $5-10 more for one than the other. I acknowledge that I have to play the politics and be nice to the super. I’m less likely to tip the building’s handyman because he’s given money for jobs over the course of the year.” -Bob, Upper East Side

  • “Once I had words with one of the doormen in my building and I left him out of my cash gifts for that year.” -Kara, Gramercy

  • The most we ever gave was $200. I liked the person and knew he was having some issues and needed the money. If you feel that you were treated really well, your tip should reflect that. Alsom, building staff often keep records and compare notes.” -Steven & Sarah, Park Slope

  • “It depends on my own personal earnings for that year. I don’t tip slackers.” -Semona, Gramercy/Union Square

  • “I don’t tip everyone, but for those that I do tip, yes, everyone gets the same.” -Sheila, Williamsburg

This post originally appeared at BrickUnderground.

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The 25 Coolest Cars We Saw At The Los Angeles Auto Show

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los angeles auto show coolest cars

After opening for press days last week, the Los Angeles Auto Show is in full swing, and open to the public through December 9.

Of the more than 1,000 cars that were on display, we picked out 25 that are classic, brand new, or not yet in production. But each and every one, from Bentley to Aston Martin to BMW to Porsche, is downright awesome.

Disclosure: Ford paid for our travel and lodging expenses to visit the LA Auto Show this year.

Just before relaunching the Lincoln brand, Ford brought a collection of great old Lincolns to the show. The 1932 KB LeBaron Convertible Roadster originally sold for $4,600.




Dodge's $97,395 SRT Viper has an 8.4-liter V-10 engine that delivers a huge 640 horsepower.



To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Rubicon, Jeep created a special model it calls the most capable production vehicle ever. The limited edition Rubicon will hit showrooms next spring.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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