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A 'Disgraceful' Deal With Marriott Could Cost NYC $345 Million

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marriott marriott marquis times square

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York City's chief financial officer said on Tuesday the city stands to lose as much as $345 million because of a past sweetheart deal, uncovered during an audit, with the Marriott Marquis hotelin the heart of Times Square.

Marriott in 1998 renegotiated its lease with the city, shortening it by 40 years, reducing the rent, and giving the hotel the option to buy the property for $20 million when the lease expires in 2017.

That would enable the Marriott to buy the Times Square property for about $173 million less than the prime real estate is worth today, said New York City Comptroller John Liu, calling the deal "disgraceful", "wasteful" and "lopsided."

The city is also losing nearly $172 million in reduced rent because of the "secret" agreement, struck during former Mayor Rudy Giuliani's administration, with the city's economic development agency, Liu said.

"I don't begrudge the Marriott. They got themselves a great deal," Liu said at a press conference in front of the hotel.

Instead, Liu, a Democrat and possible mayoral candidate in November, faults the New York City Economic Development Corp.

Liu has audited the EDC before and has long said the agency wields too much power. The agency awards city funds and tax breaks to promote economic development under a nearly $1 billion contract with the city, for which it hasn't been held accountable, he said.

Liu's audit "fails to measure the significant impact the Marriott Marquis has had on the Times Square area and New York City overall," EDC spokesman Patrick Muncie said in a statement.

The hotel has provided more than 1,500 jobs and "hundreds of millions in tax dollars" and "played a critical role in the area's revitalization," it said.

Host Hotels and Resorts, owner of the New York Marriott Marquis, said Liu's office misunderstood the deal and that his audit "is wrong on all counts."

"The hotel has paid an estimated $1 billion to the City and State in rent, taxes and acquisition costs since the project began, including every penny owed under its ground lease," the statement said.

Liu's audit found that the Marriott had not kept all of its financial records for the past six years - an alleged violation of its lease agreement with the city.

Liu called on Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration to use that supposed contract breach as an opening to renegotiate the lease and make the terms more favorable to the city.

If not, the city could find a different tenant, Liu said.

The Marriott's original lease was signed in 1982, but it asked to renegotiate in 1998, Liu said. He accused the EDC of breaching a fiduciary obligation to ensure that the revised lease was in the best interest of city taxpayers.

Liu also said the Marriott owes the city $3.6 million of interest on unpaid rent.

(Reporting by Hilary Russ, editing by Chris Reese)

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Five Places You Can Retire In Eternal Springtime

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summer flowers beachWhere could you retire and never have to worry about surviving another winter? Imaging a lifestyle that includes no more snow, ice, or cold weather.

Even better, what if this place also has no stifling summers, excessive heat, or high humidity?

Key places around the world enjoy what are generally referred to as climates of “eternal spring.” These are mountain cities with low humidity and cool temperatures by day and cooler, even chilly temperatures at night, 365 days a year.

Living in one of these places, not only would you never again have to shovel snow from your driveway or scrape ice your windshield, but you could also say goodbye to monthly heating and air conditioning bills, helping to stretch your retirement budget.

Five of the world’s best places to retire to eternal spring are also interesting, appealing, and welcoming cities. You could enjoy a rich and full life on a budget, in some cases, of as little as $1,000 per month. Check out these places with year-round pleasant weather:

Eternal Spring Retirement Haven #1: Cuenca, EcuadorCuenca is a colonial city of parks, flowers, churches, and the world’s fastest-growing community of foreign retirees.

In the last eight years, the number of foreign retirees enjoying year-round spring in this charming and walkable city has increased from less than 50 to several thousand. International-standard health care and one of the most affordable costs of living and of real estate in all of Latin America also contributes to making Cuenca a top choice if you’re looking to retire to eternal spring, especially if your retirement budget is small.

Eternal Spring Retirement Haven #2: Medellin, Colombia. While Cuenca is quaint and charming, Medellin, another mountain town, is sophisticated and cosmopolitan. This is the ideal choice if you want to be able to enjoy the distractions and diversions of city life in retirement. The European undertones are strong in Medellin, from the parks and plazas to the museums and outdoor cafes.

The people are well-dressed, well-mannered, and helpful. However, Medellin is more of an emerging than an established retire overseas choice, meaning you’ll need to speak at least a little Spanish to navigate life here. The cost of living is affordable, though not as low as in Cuenca. And, yes, despite what you may have heard or read otherwise, the city is safe. (Remember, Pablo Escobar is long dead.)

Eternal Spring Retirement Haven #3: Boquete, PanamaBoquete is one of the two most established communities of foreign retirees in Latin America (the other is in Ajijic, Mexico). While down at sea level this country is hot and steamy, the climate in this mountain valley town is cool, even chilly.

Some homes in this part of this country come with fireplaces. As Boquete has long been recognized as a top retire overseas choice, many private communities have been developed here specifically for the foreign retiree, meaning you have good turn-key options for enjoying a life that could well resemble the one you left behind “back home.” You could easily retire here speaking not a word of Spanish, and Panama uses the U.S. dollar as its currency, meaning no currency exchange risk.

Eternal Spring Retirement Haven #4: Cafayate, Argentina. Cafayate is more remote and rugged than the other destinations on this list. On the other hand, it could be an ideal choice for anyone who has imagined life among the grape vines and all that can include. Situated in the Andes in northern Argentina, Cafayate is a quaint village, reminiscent of Santa Fe, N.M., with a dry temperate climate that has been attracting tourists and wine-lovers in growing numbers for the past decade.

This is both wine and horse country, and a vast and dramatically beautiful region. In Cafayate town there are great restaurants and lots of colonial atmosphere. In the surrounding countryside there are classic-style haciendas and miles and miles of vineyards. You’d need to speak some Spanish and be the independent sort to be happy here, but there’s no denying the lifestyle appeal.

Eternal Spring Retirement Haven #5: Lake Atitlán, Guatemala. "It's got a terrific climate, natural beauty, ancient culture, affordable living, and a growing expat community." That's how Guatemala expat Mike Anderson describes Lake Atitlán and its surrounding villages. Indeed, Lake Atitlán, generally recognized as “the most beautiful lake on earth,” has both an "eternal spring" climate and a cost of living that, as reported by resident expats, can be about 50 percent less than in North America.

The international community here is a thriving, sociable, welcoming, and slightly unconventional. Perhaps that’s because the expats and retirees in this part of Guatemala are more interested in retiring among the local community than in creating a private, gated one of their own.

If you are fit and healthy (healthcare is the Achilles heel of this region), enjoy an active outdoor life, can embrace a different culture, and are willing to learn some Spanish, this could be a very good choice.

SEE ALSO: How I Lasted Five Months In South America With Just $2,100 In The Bank

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The 10 Most Expensive Cities In The United States

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women walking in Manhattan

When it comes to living expenses, Manhattanites pay more than twice the national average.

That's according to the Council for Community and Economic Research, which has just released its sixth annual cost-of-living index looking at what professionals pay for a basket of goods and services in urban areas around the U.S.

On the opposite end of the spectrum from Manhattan is Harlingen, Tex., where the standard cost of living was nearly 19 percent less than the national average. And this year, Boston knocked Truckee-Nevada County, Calif. out of the top 10.

The composite index is based on six areas: housing, utilities, grocery items, transportation, health care, and miscellaneous goods and services. It's representative of most households in the top income quintile, CCER said.

We've rounded up the top 10, as well as the average costs of some items and services in those areas.

#10 Boston, MA

Cost of Living Index: 139.9

Based on 307 urban areas; national average is 100

***

T-bone steak: $11.16

Half-gallon of milk: $2.72

Home price: $458,744

Haircut: $15.29

Source: ACCRA Cost of Living Index



#9 Orange County, CA

Cost of Living Index: 140.6

Based on 307 urban areas; national average is 100

***

T-bone steak: $9.58

Half-gallon of milk: $2.24

Home price: $682,703

Haircut: $15.57

Source: ACCRA Cost of Living Index



#8 Washington, DC

Cost of Living Index: 144.7

Based on 307 urban areas; national average is 100

*** 

T-bone steak: $10.82

Half-gallon of milk: $2.71

Home price: $746,549

Haircut: $16.29

Source: ACCRA Cost of Living Index



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14 Of The World's Weirdest Aphrodisiacs

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Epimedium horny goat weed aphrodisiacValentine's Day is coming up, and I’ve already purchased the chocolate-dipped strawberries, a plate full of oysters, and a bowl of green M&Ms.

In the event you’re looking for something stronger, try one of these aphrodisiacs borrowed from cultures around the world. 

Piranha soup - Brazil

During the wet season in the Pantanal, piranhas are obnoxiously common in rivers, lakes, and ponds and frequently make it onto the plates of humans in the area.

Their heads are rumored to have aphrodisiac properties, so they're usually reserved to boil into a big, toothy stew.

It may be true that eating piranha helps you channel your inner carnivorous fish, but I suspect it might just be a convenient way to get rid of a lot of piranhas.



Flesh of a skink - Northern Africa

Originally mentioned in Pliny the Elder's ancient greek text, Natural History, skink feet have been said to endow the eater with irresistible sexual allure.

While this practice isn't as widespread today, some regions in North Africa still occasionally eat these lizards as a performance enhancer.



Durian - Java

Despite its notorious odor and sweat-esque taste, the durian is known around Java for major aphrodisiac qualities.

Eaters describe a body-tingling warm sensation and other arousing side effects — not including horrendous durian-breath.



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China's 'Leftover Women' Are Turning To 'Rent-A-Boyfriend' Services

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It's a festive time of year in China, with the Lunar New Year meaning many family celebrations, but what of life for the China's "leftover women", returning home to their family without a man?

When even the daughter of China's richest man apparently can't snag a mate, people are parting to find inventive ways to solve the problem.

Hence the sudden appearance of "rent a boyfriend" services. AFP reported that at least 300 different businesses selling male companionship could be found online earlier this month, each with varying price tags and limits of intimacy.

Jane Lanhee Lee from Reuters filmed a video with one of these "rent a boyfriend" business owners, a young man willing to be your boyfriend over the Lunar New Year for the right price (there's a base rate of $90 a day).

As Lee acknowledges in her video, the "rent a boyfriends" (and the accompanying "leftover women") are actually a strange concept in China, where single men outnumber single women, and many believe that a growing number of angry, lone males may be damaging to the society.

However, the very existence of the "rent a boyfriend" services shows exactly how strong the concept of "leftover women" has become.

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America Will Spend $815 Million On These Ridiculous Valentine's Gifts For Pets

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Dog etsy valentine's day

While American's will spend $18.6 billion on Valentine's Day this year, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation, $815 million of that sum will be spent on pets. This is one of the biggest holidays for advertisers out there.

Click here to see the ridiculous gifts>

Of course, your dog can't reject your Valentine's Day gestures ... although he might resent you for making him wear a ridiculous heart beanie.

While some gifts are practical — Petco even dedicated a portion of its site to Valentine's Day— for the owner that really wants to wow their pooch, there's a plethora of extremely ridiculous and extravagent gift option. 

From heart shaped "candies" to dog perfume to real mink coats, these are the most ridiculous pet gifts you can buy this Valentine's day.

Etsy is a haven of home-made Valentine's day gifts for pets. Warning: your dog might hate you if you make him wear this $18 "snood" hat.

Buy it here >



This one, too. Even if it is only $12.

Buy it here >



Your cat might start plotting your death.

Buy this for $18 >



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Being Single On Valentine's Day Is Harder For Men

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upset guy work sad

Despite what media stereotypes would have us believe, women are not any more likely to fear being single on February 14th than men. In fact, even less so.

According to new Harris Poll findings, which surveyed 2,278 American adults, more men hate being single on Valentine's Day than women.

When asked if they would rather have a root canal than be single on Valentine's Day, one out of four men (24 percent) chose the root canal. That's compared to only 16 percent of women.

The study also found that men were most likely to give flowers as a gift, and that one-third of American adults (single or taken) plan to buy candy to celebrate Valentine's Day.

SEE ALSO: 20 Valentine's Day Gifts Your Sweetheart Will Actually Appreciate

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America Is The 26th Most Loving Country In The World

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hugh hefner playboyGood news, humanity — the world is actually a very loving place! According to the Gallup World Poll, 70% of the world's population say they experience love on any given day.

In the US, that number was even higher with 81% of Americans experiencing love from a family member, good friends, or romantic partner. However, the U.S. was far from the most loving country.

The world leader for love is the Philippines, where 93% of the population reported feeling loved on a typical day. Rwanda came in second at 92%, and Puerto Rico was third with 90%.

At the other end of the spectrum, Armenia, Mongolia, and Uzbekistan had the lowest rankings on the list, with only an average of 29%-32% of the population feeling loved. Justin Wolfers, a Gallup Senior Scientist and University of Michigan Professor, pointed out that the shocking difference between countries could be due to how cultures define "love" — i.e. as simply feelings for a romantic partner, and not family members or friends.

The Gallup World Poll took place in 2006-2007, and surveyed 136 countries with the question: "Did you experience the following feelings during a lot of the day yesterday? How about love?"

See the most loving and least loving countries below, or see the full ranking here.

Gallup Poll most loved countries

Gallup Poll least loved countries

DON'T MISS: Great Romantic Restaurants In 10 Major Cities Around The Country

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Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About The World Of 'Sugar Daddy' Dating

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blurry woman walking past man in suit

Eight years after it launched, sugar daddy dating site Seeking Arrangement is still generating controversy.

There's still a taboo around an older man paying lavishly for the company of a much younger woman — while the women are sometimes portrayed as either victims or prostitutes.

But not every Sugar Baby is a 20-something trying to pay her way through school.

We spoke with "T", a 40-year-old consultant who lives in Virginia. T makes $150,000 a year, and uses the site to find what she calls "mutually beneficial" relationships. She talked about what it's like to be a Sugar Baby, her past Sugar Daddies, and if the site is really as bad as it seems.

Why did you sign up to be a member of Seeking Arrangement?

I have been in two long-term mutually-beneficial situations in the past. My intention was to go on the site and meet like-minded people.

How many people on average reach out to you a day on the site?

It varies. It can be anywhere from 15 to 20, to as many as around 100. A lot depends on the time of the year, actually.

What's your profile like?

My profile tends to intimidate, it's kind of a weeding out process. The Sugar Daddies that may approach other women would not necessarily approach me.

They wait, and if I approach them they say, "I saw your profile, but I was a little intimidated so I'm glad you reached out to me."

What makes it intimidating?

It could be the photos, or my height. I mean I'm 5'10'' — if you put 6'' Louboutins on me, I tend to be a little scary.

Or it could be my education level. I've had a lot of men comment on how highly educated I am.

And then when you get to the meat of my profile, you can see it's not my first time at the rodeo, and that I know what I'm looking for. I'm very blunt, to the point, and no nonsense.

Would you consider yourself a typical Sugar Baby?

brandon wade seeking arrangementsWhat most people would commonly assume to be a Sugar Baby — someone in their early 20s, a college student, easily influenced and manipulated — that is not me.

I'm more of the "Grand Dame," if you will. I'm older, but then I've found there's something for everybody and every taste, just like any typical dating site.

Is there a typical type of Sugar Daddy?

The men that I tend to attract are very dynamic, successful, been-there-done-that kinds of men. They don't want the typical airhead that they have to lead around.

They want somebody who they can speak intellectually with, talk business with, and who they are proud to be seen with by their business compatriots.

But also someone who can twist them into a pretzel in the bedroom.

What is a typical arrangement like on the site?

Everyone on there is going to be looking for something different. You're going to find a lot of people who are just looking for basic relationships.

They want somebody that's going to be loving towards them, and that will take care of them.

What is your typical arrangement like?

For me specifically, I've come to the point in my life where I appreciate a man who knows how to take care of a woman. I like being spoiled and looked after. 

But also, I'm working 70-80 hours a week, so if he's working 70-80 hours a week too and we're both traveling, somebody's going to have to cut back on their work schedule.

I'm at the point in my life where I'm willing to do that. So that's where the allowance comes in, or the stipend. I work crazy hours so if you want me to be on your schedule, you're going to have to accommodate me and make sure that I'm taken care of financially.

What do you look like?

I'm in my 40s. I'm 5'10'', blonde — I've been told I look a bit like Sharon Stone. I don't know if that's a good thing or bad, but I guess it's in the eye of the beholder.

Do your friends or family know that you're on SeekingArrangement?

Yes. My family does, and some of my friends do. I have a very close-knit group of friends.

Do you currently have a Sugar Daddy?

I have a couple of gentlemen who are interested, and I guess who are "applying" for the position.

How many Sugar Daddies have you had?

I've had two long-term arrangements that were about four years each. They were off and on. One was married, one was not.

Both of these individuals were very high-profile people, very famous — one of them was a little bit of politics and a lot of business, and the other one was in entertainment and dabbled a little bit in business as well.

I'm still friends with both of these gentlemen to this day.

The man who was married — did you ever have an encounter with his wife?

four seasons restaurant new york power lunchHis wife knew about me. She wanted the power, the prestige, the money, the social standing — but she didn't want anything to do with him. It was somebody who was equally as well-known as her husband.

We had an interesting luncheon when I first met her. And she said, "Look, this is the deal: Be discrete, take good care of him, and just understand my position, as I understand yours. As long as we're fine with each other it shouldn't be an issue."

Have you ever tried any other online dating sites?

I have tried other sites. Oh god, I tried Match.com and it was atrocious. It's just the dregs of humanity, it's horrible.

On MillionaireMatch.com, the men don't know what they want, plus 90% are lying through their teeth.

I have also tried SugarDaddie.com and I find it's okay, but I would say the majority of the men on there don't know what they want or they just want a relationship.

Why do you like arrangements?

For me and my lifestyle, I find being in an arrangement to be highly erotic. I don't do it because I need to, I do it because I want to.

Have any users made you feel uncomfortable or sent you ridiculous messages?

Yes. Don't drink and text, and don't drink and put up a profile. It's incredible.

But the staff is very vigilant about it. If someone is proposing something really uncomfortable or something illegal, they're done. They're off.

Has there ever been a moment where you have had trouble accepting a gift?

No. Definitely not. I come from the position that I believe that every man should treat every woman like this anyway. I think we have lost that as women. We've allowed men to digress into this mentality that we should take care of them, and there's no chivalry.

If a man feels that he wants to give a gift — if he's thought about it, taken the time to give from his heart, and he wants me to have it — I don't find it to be unusual at all.

What's the most extravagant gift you've ever been given?

A house. I've also gotten cars, very expensive jewelry, and furs.

What do you wish more women knew about the site?

JewelryI'm a Southern lady, so I was raised to believe this is how gentleman should always behave. Once you become intimate with someone they should take care of you, and look after your needs and your wants.

If you want to work that's fine, but being taken care of is not giving away your right as a woman to be independent. Men should want you to have nice things.

What does the media get wrong about SeekingArrangement.com?

The first thing people want to do is hang the term prostitution on this. And it's not. I can tell you very truthfully that most of the men that I have met are not necessarily looking for sex, they're looking for companionship. They're looking for someone they feel is an equal, someone they can rely on, and who they can trust.

I mean, yes there's the old-world-style mistress, but that is really not the end-all-be-all to it. It's just a very small percentage.

DON'T MISS: Everything You Wanted To Know About Online Dating But Were Afraid To Ask

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The Middle Class Is Getting Pushed Out Of NYC

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bus only, street, empty, nyc, bi, dng

Soaring housing costs, declining income levels, and a job market yet to regain ground have hit New York City residents hard — especially its middle class.

To even be considered middle class in the city, residents need to bankroll between $45,000 and $134,000 per year, The New York Times recently reported. In other parts of the country, that drops to $33,000 - $100,000. 

"We need to make sure that the people who want to stay in our great city can afford to stay here," City Council Speaker Christine Quinn said in a recent State of the City address.

One of the largest concerns among city leaders is securing more affordable housing (Manhattan apartments cost $3,973 a month on average ––  $2,800 more than the national average). Quinn is spearheading the construction of 40,000 new middle-income housing units over the next decade, a move she hopes will give the cash-strapped class room to breathe. 

Her office recently released a report on the state of the city's middle class community. We've pulled out the most compelling charts from the presentation. 

New York City is by far the most expensive city in the US.



Most residents spend nearly 30 percent of their income on housing.



In Manhattan, residents shell out more than 4x the national average for homes.



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Chart Your Travels With This Scratch-Off Map

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This is the Scratch Personalized World Map.

Why We Love It: Putting pins into a poster of the world is a classic way to show friends where you've been. But Scratch Map had a more unique idea. The map comes with all the countries covered in gold foil that scratches off to reveal bright colors, facts, and geographical details.

The map measures 23'' x 32'', and is made of paper. All you need is a coin or paperclip for easy scratching.

Scratch off world map

Where To Buy: Available on Amazon or through Uncommon Goods.

Cost: $24.

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: This Kitchen Table Nearly Doubles In Size In Seconds

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See Why People Go Crazy For The Best Restaurant In Chicago

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Alinea A Life Worth Eating

The only Chicago restaurant with three Michelin stars, Alinea is consistently ranked among the upper echelon of eateries by renowned food publications. It took the #7 spot on Restaurant Magazine's Best World Restaurants list last year, and is the #1 restaurant in the Chicago area as chosen by Zagat's editors.

What makes the experience of Alinea so unique is the avant-garde dish presentations and unexpected combination of flavors dreamt up by molecular gastronomy chefs Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas. Each of their 18 tasting menu courses offers a new way to eat that appeals to your taste, sight, touch, and smell.

Unsurprisingly, Alinea is also extremely expensive and hard to get into. The restaurant books reservations two months in advance, and requires diners to purchase a ticket for their seat that can cost up to $285 per person, depending on the day of the week. And that's without including beverages.

Adam Goldberg, a food lover who takes incredible pictures of his meals for his blog A Life Worth Eating, was lucky enough to dine twice at this world-renowned restaurant. He shared pictures of his second round at Alinea with Business Insider.

Achatz has once again changed his menu since Goldberg's 2011 meal, but a few of the courses — including the Hot Potato and Steelhead Roe — are still there.

Welcome to Alinea, a Michelin three-star restaurant in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood.

See more photos at A Life Worth Eating



The first course Goldberg ate in 2011 combined warm Dijon mustard with chilled golden trout roe and grapefruit. It made for an unlikely, delicious combination.

See more photos at A Life Worth Eating



Next was this stick of deep-fried tofu skin wrapped with shrimp and sprinkled with black and white sesame seeds. In the bowl was a miso paste for dipping.

See more photos at A Life Worth Eating



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Here's Why Women Love Things Men Hate To Buy

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flower girlFrom Christmas and birthdays to Valentine's Day and anniversaries, partners are expected to shell out cash for the kinds of gifts that make their mates swoon –– whether they like it or not. 

This year, one in four men will grin and bear the task of picking out the 'perfect' bouquet of flowers for their Valentine, and another 11 percent plan on hitting up jewelry and candy stores, according to new Harris Interactive poll .

But what is it about sweets and rose petals that makes some women love them so? 

Behavioral economist and Duke University Prof. Dan Ariely may have solved the mystery for us.

"One way to view this discrepancy is that women like these things exactly because men hate shopping for them," Ariely wrote in a recent blog post.

"If you purchased something for your loved one that you enjoyed shopping for, this would be nice, but having to overcome your aversion to shopping for these items is a much stronger signal of your love and care. So this year, when you are shopping for jewelry or flowers for your soul mate, remind her what a pain it was for you." 

On the off-chance you'd rather think outside of the chocolate box this year, more nuggets from the Harris Poll might give you a few helpful clues. 

Unfortunately, most women said they want flowers (sorry, guys), but that was closely followed by 14 percent of women who said a day of pampering would suffice.

And one in ten said they wouldn't mind hiring an extra set of hands to help out around the house.

SEE ALSO: How NYC's middle class is getting pushed out >

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18 Gifts Your Valentine Will Actually Use

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burberry tie

Store aisles are busting at the seams with heart-themed everything right now. So many choices! It almost makes itmore difficult to find the perfect gift. Well, fret not. Our curated Valentine’s Day gift guide is filled with suggestions for everyone on your list.

For Your Woman

1. Feeling daring? The Hanky Panky: I Luv You Box Signature Lace Low Rise Thongs ($54 at Bare Necessities) are the perfect combination of naughty and nice. The adorable red “I LUV U” box contains three pairs of the brand’s famous “world’s most comfortable thong” in eye-catching colors, such as pink, hot pink and yellow. (Through February 25, get 20 percent off your order and free shipping with Bare Necessities coupons.)

2. For something a little less racy but equally as bright, the buttery-soft Leather Tassle Clutch ($29.95 at Gap) is a great statement-making option. The clutch, available in neon pink, yellow, orange and blue, is the perfect size for her smartphone, a billfold and a few other small essentials. (Shopping tip: Free shipping is available on all purchases over $50 with Gap sales.)

3. If she loves flowers, but you don’t want to do the same ol’, same ol’, a Valentine’s Day Photo Flower Tin ($49.99 at Goodie Tins) is a great choice. It can be personalized with two to four photos and is overflowing with 24 beautiful pink roses. (Through February 12, use the coupon code love to get 20 percent off your order.)

4. Your makeup girl will love this eye palette inspired by the film Beautiful Creatures. The fabulous Pur MineralsBeautiful Creatures Kit ($39 at Ulta) comes with eight eye shadows, a universal sheer-pink lip gloss, black eyeliner, brush and mirror. Perfect for your very own beauty queen!

5. Every woman would love precious jewels for Valentine’s Day, but if a big splurge is not in the cards this year, give her somewhere special to hang the bling she already owns. The Sculpted Jewelry Catchall ($29.95 at RedEnvelope) is a lovely ornamental piece that will look beautiful on any dresser and will allow her to admire her precious jewelry every day. Rings and bracelets can be hung from the tree leaves and bird tails, while earrings and brooches can rest in the base. (Save 15 percent with RedEnvelope discounts.)

6. If she loves a great manicure, the Nailene SensatioNail Starter Kit ($49.98 at Walmart) in raspberry wine is the ideal gift. This easy-to-use set will give her a long-lasting salon-quality gel manicure right at home, and the deep red is the perfect shade for your romantic night out. This is also a gentle hint that she might be spending too much money on salon manicures!

Valentine's Day gifts for her

 

For Your Man

1. If you’re an Instagrammer like me, you have loads of family pictures that only live on Instagram or other social-media spots. CanvasPop can make a canvas print from any photo, but what I think makes the company truly special is its gorgeous Photo Collage portraits ($90 for a 12-by-12-inch print). CanvasPop made one for me from a dozen Instagram photos, and it’s truly a work of art. This is a special gift that he’ll cherish, whether he hangs it in the office as a reminder of home or in his man cave. (Through February 17, save 25 percent on your print with CanvasPop coupons.)

2. A tie is a tie is a tie, right? Well, not always. I was so excited to discover the Hidden Message Tie ($49.95 at RedEnvelope) because it’s special and intimate to both the giver and receiver. On the face of it, this 100 percent silk tie with tonal diagonal stripes is a stunner. But what’s extra cool is the little pocket in the back where you can place secret little love notes (25 heart-shaped love notes are included) for him to discover. The tie comes in a beautiful box that also includes a polished-nickel heart charm that says, “Here is my heart, guard it well,” and your name or initials (up to six characters) can be engraved on the back.

3. Satisfy his sweet tooth with a scrumptious Valentine’s Day Cookie Pie ($19 from Barbara’s Cookie Pies). If you’ve never had a cookie pie, your first time won’t be your last! The pies are available in 15 different delicious flavors like key lime macadamia, toffee almond and peanut butter cup. Yum! (Through February 28, get free gift wrap with your purchase thanks to Barbara’s Cookie Pies coupons.)

4. For a personalized Valentine, make your own Datevitation (starting at $20). Datevitations are customizable coupon books that you design yourself and fill with dates ideas and intimate moments. Your ideas are paired with cool color illustrations depicting the dates you suggest. If you’re in need of a few hints, the Datevitation library is chock-full of hundreds of ideas from stargazing to skydiving. (Get $10 off your purchase with Datevitation coupons.)

5. If you’re feeling extra-spicy, let him know it with a secret Pantygram ($24.95) sent to the office. He’ll receive a discreet black envelope containing a pair of heart-shaped panties with a personalized gold note attached. This will direct him to go online to view the remainder of his message (you will be notified by email once he opens it). What to say? It’s totally up to you! (Score $5 off with Send a Pantygram coupons.)

Valentine's Day gifts for him

 

For Your Little Sweethearts

1. Your baby isn’t old enough to read, but he or she will love the I Love You: My First Taggies Book ($10.39 at Amazon). It’s soft and covered in tags for your baby to touch and tug, and the story tells of bears showing how much they care for one another. When my daughter was a baby, she couldn’t get enough of her Taggies book. It’s the perfect valentine for your wee one.

2. Another wonderful gift for the young ones is Everyone Says I Love You ($12.99) from Chicago-based luxury children’s boutique Odile. This stunning pop-up book with images from around the world helps you teach them how to say “I love you” in six different languages.

3. If your girls are into jewelry, they’ll love the sweet Valentine’s pendants from TarryTiles on Etsy. They’re handmade from Scrabble tiles, and you can even specify which letter you would like used. The tiles feature your choice of bees, hedgehogs and other cute designs, and they’re $5.99 each. You can use an existing chain or purchase one for $1.99.

4. The cuddly monkeys, hedgehogs, cats, hippos and others from Monkeez & Friends ($7.99 each) are not only adorable, but they also present an opportunity for you to discuss charity with your kids, as 10 percent of each purchase is donated to Alex’s Lemonade Stand FoundationSamaritan’s Purse and Best Friends Animal Society. Each toy has a tag with a link directing kids to videos
about each charity. Then, children can personally select which charity they’d like to contribute to.

5. Let the boys get grimy (though my daughter loves these toys, too!) with Moose Toys Trash Pack ($11.99 at Toys R Us). These gross-looking toys are named after all the nasty bits you might find in the trash and are sure to be a perfectly repulsive Valentine’s Day surprise!

6. Who needs the tooth fairy when you have the Valentine’s fairy? While the kids are asleep, place Heart Mirrors($10.99 at Wall Pops) all around their room. Each kit includes 27 heart stickers that are easy to apply and remove.

7. Another fun surprise is to set the breakfast table with Personalized Placemats ($9.95 each at Frecklebox). Your kid will be delighted to have his or her very own mat! If you’re not familiar, Frecklebox is a site that offers countless personalized items that are high-quality but also reasonably priced (this is what I’m getting every kid I know for Christmas!). (Get 15 percent off with Frecklebox coupons.)

Valentine's Day gifts for kids
 

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New York Magazine Threw A Big Fashion Week Party In Chinatown Last Night

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Fashionistas packed into Chinatown club Le Baron last night for a New York Fashion Week Party thrown by The Cut, New York Magazine's newly revamped fashion blog.

All three levels were thronged. We spotted Leandra Medine, the fashion blogger behind "The Man Repeller" by the coat check, and author Elizabeth Wurtzel and fashion designer Thakoon were also in attendance.

A few snapshots from the party, below.

leandra medine and thakoon

Fashion blogger Leandra Medine and designer Thakoon

leandra medine and friendsLeandra Medina and friends

elizbeth wurtzel

Author Elizabeth Wurtzel

stella bugbee and kurt woller of new york magazine

 The Cut's Kurt Soller and Stella Bugbee

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Attention Girls: We've Been Wearing Bobby Pins Wrong

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So, the ladies of DailyEdge.ie got a very disconcerting group text today from an equally-disconcerted mate.

We’ve been doing it wrong for years.

Bobby pins should go into our hair wavy-side down. What madness is this?

Although another smug friend replied smugly, “I always wore clips that way. I didn’t like the bit sticking up out of my head.”

There’s always one.

bobby pin

As the rest of us recovered, this handy video helped ease our confuddled brains:

DON'T MISS: Inside The Weirdly Fascinating French Museum Exhibit Devoted To Hair

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HOUSE OF THE DAY: This $8 Million Pied-Á-Terre Might Be The Most Romantic Apartment In Paris

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Paris House of the Day Eiffel Tower

In honor of Valentine's Day, we sought out the most romantic real estate currently on the market.

And where else in the world is best suited for l'amour than Paris?

This gorgeous apartment is selling for €6 million — or just under $8 million — through Christie's International Real Estate, and has a 60-square-meter terrace with views of the Eiffel Tower and the city. 

It also features three bedrooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, four bathrooms, an American kitchen, and staff room.

This is the apartment building on 30 Avenue Pierre in the Triangle d'Or neighborhood.

Source: Christie's International Real Estate



The streets are very wide, so the apartment gets plenty of light.



The interior of the apartment is airy with floor-to-ceiling windows and a balcony.

Source: Christie's International Real Estate



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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The 11 Worst Looks From New York Fashion Week

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Model dressed like Batman from Asher Levine fashion show

Mercedes-Benz fashion week is taking over New York City right now.

And while some fashion designers have made headlines for their incredible show-stopping designs, others have caught our attention in a bad way.

From a Batman-inspired leather jacket to a cartoonish monster-emblazoned top, these are the worst looks from fashion week.

Jeremy Scott's fashion show was filled with bizarre cartoon-like looks.



Designer Asher Levine must really love Batman.



Rapper Eve's futuristic outfit looks like it's straight from The Jetsons.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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The Hamptons Summer Rental Crowd Is Looking Farther East

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gurney montauk beach

Brokers and landlords hoping to kickstart this season’s leasing activity in the Hamptons are seeing renters showing a preference for spots further east, the New York Post reported.

Ernie Cervi, executive managing director of the Corcoran Group’s Bridgehampton office, told the Post that renters were interested in places such as Amagansett and Montauk. “There is new life to those areas,” Cervi said, “so it’s attracting another group of people.”

Indeed, a slew of happening late-night venues have opened in Montauk over the last few years, including the Surf Lodge, Ruschmeyer’s and the Sloppy Tuna, which have attracted the young, rich and restless set. Amaganset’s proximity to Montauk’s nightlife, Jeff Steinhorst, vice president of Nest Seekers International, told the Post, was boosting its appeal. “We have three calls for Amagansett for every one for another area,” he said.

Houses on the beach and those located in the villages continue to carry serious cachet, Cornelia Dodge, a broker with Halstead Property, told the Post. All the stuff that’s in the village, people love. They can walk to town, walk to dinner. Anything within walking distance goes first,”

The rental season has already begun, brokers say, and has been helped by the fallout from Hurricane Sandy, which damaged many other beaches close to New York City but left the Hamptons in relatively good shape. Last week, a $30 million 4.3 acre estate, Southhampton’s first listing post-Sandy, went into contract. “We’re getting a lot more people because of Sandy,” Cervi said. “People from other beach communities, from Long Beach, from New Jersey, they’re out to test-drive the Hamptons.” [NYP]Hiten Samtani

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Roman Abramovich's Massive Yacht Is Docked In Manhattan

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eclipse yacht

On Wednesday, a private yacht sailed slowly and quietly up the Hudson River and docked near midtown Manhattan.

This wasn't just any yacht, however. It was Eclipse -- the largest private yacht in the world. And its presence is sure to touch off a frenzy of speculation about its owners and future.

(Read more: 'My Other Yacht Is a Support Yacht')

Seeing Eclipse docked off the midtown piers is the boating world equivalent of seeing a blue whale swim up the Hudson in the dead of winter. It just doesn't happen -- or hasn't happened. Eclipse's owner, the Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, is famously private and averse to publicity. Eclipse is almost always kept in the rarified preserves of Monaco, Cannes, Portfino or St. Bart's, visible to other billionaires but rarely the hoi polloi.

By docking the boat in Manhattan, under the gaze of millions and a horde of media companies, Abramovich is, to say the least, inviting attention.

A spokesman for Mr. Abramovich declined to comment on the boat or its owner's reasons for being in Manhattan. But several dock workers and officials who have been briefed on the boat say it is scheduled to be in town until mid-April.

Some speculate that Abramovich may be using the boat as a temporary residence, since it is more secure and can better accommodate his large security force than a New York coop or hotel. Abramovich's partner, Dasha Zhukova, has announced that she is pregnant, and due in the Spring.

(Read more: The World's Largest Yachts 2012)

Eclipse has a crew of more than 60 people and a battalion of security cameras and sensors. It has two helicopter pads, two pools and a submarine.

At 533-feet, it remains the largest yacht in the world. But it may hold the title only for a few more months. A new yacht, called Azzam, is being built for a MIddle East billionaire that could be 590 feet.

NOW WATCH: It's Official: The Aston Martin Virage Is The Sexiest Car On The Planet

 

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