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4 Places We Would Rather Be Than New York City Right Now


A Beloved New York City Power Lunch Spot Is Switching Up Its Menu

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michael's nyc

Michael's, the Midtown power lunch mecca that's known for attracting the media elite, is overhauling its menu in hopes of attracting a fresher, younger crowd.

The 24-year-old restaurant on 55th Street and 5th Avenue unveiled new breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus today. Beloved classics like the Cobb salad and Michael's burger remain, but with smaller portions at lower price points ($25 instead of $36 for the salad, $18 instead of $35 for the burger).

The biggest difference is a new selection of small plates, like duck confit sliders, Korean steak tacos, and "Double-Cut John Boy's Bacon" with a maple bourbon glaze. The restaurant also installed a brick oven and will begin serving pizzas.

Longtime owner Michael McCarty was inspired to shake things up after observing the way his children, both in their 20s, dine out.

“People would rather go and have six bites of six different things than six bites of one thing,” he told The New York Times' Jeff Gordinier. “And that is something that I started really analyzing two years ago. The paradigm shift has occurred, and this is the way that people want to do it.”

Given the high prices and old-school reputation, we're not sure a few tweaks to the menu will be enough to deliver Michael's to a new generation of food snobs. But the health-conscious portions and (relatively) lower prices should be a welcome change, especially for the regulars.

SEE ALSO: The Best Restaurants In New York City's NoMad Neighborhood

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Aston Martin's Newest Ride Is Its Most Powerful 4-Door Ever

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aston martin rapide s

Yesterday, Aston Martin revealed the Rapide S, the surprisingly powerful car that will replace the outgoing Rapide.

The new model features a 6-liter V12 engine that produces an impressive 550 brake horsepower, making it 17 percent more powerful than its predecessor. Peak torque is up to, from 443 pound-feet in the Rapide to 457 pound-feet in the S.

That output gives the newcomer a better 0 to 60 mph time, and a higher top speed.

Of course, the Rapide S is full of the features that make Aston Martin a luxury brand. CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez calls it the "most beautiful four-door sports car on the market today."

While it is certainly a good-looking car, that is something of an overstatement.

Here's the original, outgoing Rapide.



With a more powerful engine, the Rapide S can go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, and hit a top speed of 190 mph.



In profile, the sedan looks just as good as Aston Martin's CEO boasts.



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Starchitect Zaha Hadid's $160,000 Table Belongs In An Ice Palace

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Zaha Hadid has made quite the name for herself in the architecture world— could interior design be in her future as well?

London's Design Museum has just added her Liquid Glacial Table to a shortlist for their Designs of the Year 2013 awards. Hadid's Galaxy Soho complex in Beijing was also nominated for the same award.

The four-part dining table was commissioned for the David Gill Gallery in March of 2012, and is made of entirely smooth acrylic resin with the ripples and waves below the surface. "The table’s legs seem to pour from the horizontal in an intense vortex of water frozen in time," the description says on the Zaha Hadid Architects website. "The transparent acrylic material amplifies this perception; adding depth and complexity through a flawless display of infinite kaleidoscopic refractions."

This is not the first piece of furniture Hadid's architecture firm has unveiled. Previous tables, vases, and benches from Zaha Hadid Architects also have the same fluid forms and intriguing shapes her buildings are known for. 

Each of the tables is handmade in Italy and start at a base price of $160,000. The Designs of the Year 2013 awards will be announced to the public on April 17, 2013.

Zaha Hadid Liquid Galacial Table

 

Zaha Hadid Liquid Galacial Table

 

Zaha Hadid Liquid Galacial Table

SEE ALSO: The Otherworldly Architecture Of Zaha Hadid

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South America Has Been Hiding Some Seriously Great Places To Retire

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sao luis brazil

It’s hard to compete with a well-kept Spanish-colonial city for charm, romance, and splendor.

The plazas, cobblestone streets, courtyard homes, and flowered balconies take you back to Spain's grand colonial era in a way that is hard to match and that can make for a very appealing retirement lifestyle.

The best part is that some of the grandest Spanish colonial cities are also some of the most affordable places to think about retiring.

 

1. Cartagena, Colombia

Of Spain’s cities on this side of the ocean, Cartagena, Colombia, is often recognized as the most beautiful, with a lot to offer potential expats or retirees.

As colonial cities go in the Americas, some would argue that Cartagena is king. It is one of the world’s few remaining walled cities, has been largely restored, and is very well preserved.

You’ll be impressed by the number of shops, cafes, and restaurants.

Cartagena combines the best of old Spanish America with the richness of the Caribbean. The courtyards and narrow streets are old Spain, while the bright colors of the houses add a Caribbean flair.

The traditional Colombian cuisine on offer in places like Cafetería Bocaditos may be reminiscent of Madrid, but the women walking about with giant trays of fresh fruit balanced on their heads remind you that you're on the shores of the Caribbean.

Plus, Cartagena offers a number of attractive beach areas that attract large numbers of expats. These beach areas are not in the historic center, but a few minutes away by cab.

Thinking more practically, the infrastructure in this area is great, with drinkable water, well-maintained streets, cable TV, high-speed Internet, and a convenient international airport just minutes away.

The weather in Cartagena is either warm and dry or warm and humid, depending on when you go. (May through November tends to be humid.)

One downside to retirement in Cartagena can be the tourist annoyances—the ever-present vendors trying to sell you something, the scamming moneychangers, and, at times, the numbers of tourists themselves.

Early-risers can avoid this by exploring places before 9 a.m. Also, if you don't like typically hot Caribbean weather, then Cartagena wouldn't be a good choice for you.



2. Colonia, Uruguay

While far less recognized than Cartagena, Colonia’s Barrio Histórico (original historic center) can be an unbeatable retirement option.

The Barrio Histórico is an island of history adjacent to an otherwise modern city.

The neighborhood is on a peninsula, mostly surrounded by water, meaning it will never become the center of a large metro area or see any through-traffic. Yet the more-modern sections of town are close at hand.

Further, while the district itself boasts 17th century buildings, streets, and ambiance, Barrio Histórico still enjoys Uruguay’s generally first-rate infrastructure.

Another benefit of living in Colonia’s Barrio Histórico is that it’s relatively crime-free compared with almost anywhere else in Latin America.

You can enjoy its inordinate number of cafes, shops, and fine dining establishments, day or night, without worrying about your personal safety or belongings.



3. Casco Viejo, Panama

Casco Viejo in Panama City is another top colonial city retirement option.

Like Colonia, it’s on a peninsula and not central to the rest of the city. Yet just a few minutes away, Panama City offers almost anything you could want, from modern stores and supermarkets to international-standard medical care.

On the other hand, Casco Viejo’s state of restoration is nothing like that in Colonia. While Colonia’s Barrio Histórico is virtually 100 percent restored, Casco Viejo is still a work-in-progress.

There are many nicely restored buildings and parks, while many others are in stages of decay.

You do have a good selection of shops, cafes, and nice restaurants in Casco, but petty crime can be more of a concern than in Colonia.



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South Beach Wine & Food Festival Founder Tells Us How To Navigate The Scene Like A Pro

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In 12 years, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival has gone from an afternoon tasting event on a college campus to a four-day, celebrity-studded food fest that attracts more than 60,000 people.

We sat down with Lee Schrager, the founder and face of the event, to find out the smartest way to navigate the scene, the best new events, and how he attracts celebrity talent like Anthony Bourdain, Emeril Lagasse, and Danny Meyer.

This year's South Beach Wine & Food Festival takes place from February 21 to 24.

 

Produced by Business Insider Video

SEE ALSO: The Secret To Making One Of The Tastiest Sandwiches In New York City

SEE ALSO:  Top NYC Chef Explains How To Cook A Perfect Steak

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A Brilliant Case For 'McWorld' Restaurant In Times Square

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McDonald's Arch Times Square

McDonald's varied menu items around the world reveal a lot about the cuisine of different countries. 

One man has a brilliant idea to take the public's fascination with those menu items a step further. 

McDonald's should build a "McWorld" restaurant in Times Square that would feature food from all the different countries where it has restaurants, writes Jeb Boniakowski at The Awl.

He lays out his master proposal in several parts, including how the ordering would work and casting actors to play customers.

Boniakowski points out that McDonald's offers menu items outside the U.S. that many tourists would like to try, such as the Hononolulu Chicken Sandwich in Germany or the hash-brown-topped Idaho Burger in Japan. 

Other bizarre McDonald's menu items include the pork-and-cheese Katsu burger in Japan and bagel burgers in France.

Boniakowski also proposes an idea for the McDonald's staff at McWorld: 

" This is a complete McDonald's with a twist: every month or quarter or so, it is redesigned to provide the exact experience of dining in a different country's McDonald's. Did you know in some places, like including Paris and New York, McDonald's has experimented with table service? McDonald's in Germany serves beer but charges for condiment packets? Best of all, McDonald's in Hong Kong has weddings...To ensure that the experience is exact, crews will have to be imported from local staff."

He completes his idea with a hilarious PhotoShop of how it would look. 

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Here Are The Photos Momofuku Ko Doesn't Want You To See

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momofuku ko

The internet has been abuzz today over a New York Times story about restaurants banning customers from taking photographs of their meals.

One restaurant in particular was called out over its tough stance against food photography: Momofuku Ko, the impossible-to-book East Village tasting table from culinary whiz David Chang, where dinner costs $125 a person.

The restaurant's strict policy struck us as funny, since Chang's restaurants are famously laid back, and he's known as much for presentation as he is for taste.

It turns out that the restaurant hasn't always banned foodie photographers. Krista Garcia, who blogs about restaurants at Goodies First, snapped photos of her meal there back in 2008, and was kind enough to share them with us. She used a point-and-shoot camera with no flash, and said that no one gave her a hard time.

Momofuku Ko's menu changes constantly, but these dishes definitely piqued our interest.

The restaurant is discreet, marked only by Chang's signature peach.



The meal started with pork rinds with Togarashi pepper.



English muffins with pork fat, sea salt and chives came next, served on a stone slab.



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Dutch Architect Plans To Build A 12,000-Square-Foot 3D Printed House

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Landscape House Ruijssenaars

Dutch architect Janjaap Ruijssenaars has designed a 12,000-square-foot "house with no beginning or end," and he plans to build the entire thing using only a 3D printer.

The conceptual two-story Landscape House from Universe Architecture in Amsterdam was created to look like the famous Möbius strip, or "one surface folded in an endless band." The shape was originally made popular by the 20th century designer and illustrator M C Escher.

"In this design he's definitely been an inspiration, I would say he's the king of Möbius strips in drawing," Ruijssenaars told AFP in an interview. "We analyzed that the essence of landscape is that it has no beginning or ending, so it's continuous, not only the fact the world is round but also water goes into land, valleys into mountains, it's always continuous."

Landscape House RuijssenaarsRuijssenaars plans to construct the building from a massive D-Shape printer invented by Enrico Dini that's able to 'print' materials up to 20x20 feet in size, and can add layers ranging from 1/4-1/2 inch thick.

The entire project would cost approximately $5.3 million (€4 million), and would either be built in an unspecified Brazilian national park that has reportedly expressed interest in the home, or as a private residence here in the US.

It's estimated that Landscape House would take at least 18 months to complete, and that the printer alone would have to be active for at least six months. Ruijssenaars hopes to have the entire structure completed by 2014.

Landscape House Ruijssenaars

SEE ALSO: Chinese Pirates Are Building A Knock-Off Version Of Zaha Hadid's New Beijing Complex

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HOUSE OF THE DAY: Alicia Keys And Swizz Beatz Are Having A Tough Time Selling Their SoHo Penthouse

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alicia keys apartment

Alicia Keys and husband Swizz Beatz are having a tough time unloading the 16-room SoHo penthouse they bought from Lenny Kravitz in 2010.

The apartment, which hit the market in March for $17.95 million, has now been reduced to $15 million, The Real Deal reports.

The penthouse apartment is in a pre-war building on quiet Crosby Street, ideal for a celebrity looking to go under the radar. And the decor is immaculate.

The couple seems ready for bigger digs they bought a 30-room New Jersey mansion from Eddie Murphy last year for $12 million.

A private elevator will whisk you up to the penthouse.



The 16-room apartment sits on Crosby Street, off the beaten path in bustling SoHo.



Sadly, the Ducati doesn't come with the property.



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The Hottest Luxury Real Estate Markets In The US

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gianni versace miami house $125 million

Luxury real estate is making a comeback throughout the country, and some of the hottest markets have a lot more in common than solely an expensive price tag— from thriving and diverse economies to historical significance, a multitude of colleges and hot spots, and great weather (at least for part of the year).

Here’s a glimpse at some of top places to find the finest amenities homes have to offer.

New York City

Entire books could be (and have been) written about luxury real estate in the greater New York area. As the city grew — and grew, and grew — luxury markets sprung up outside the boroughs, as power brokers used their Manhattan paychecks to finance everything from “cottages” in the quintessential summer celebrity hangout of the Hamptons to bedroom communities filled with mini-mansions on former farmland in New Jersey and Connecticut. When it comes to luxury in New York and the surrounding areas, it’s all about where you want to be and what you need in a home, because the options are endless.

For those looking to live right in the middle of the action, One57, under construction in midtown Manhattan, offers it all. Called “the global billionaire’s club” by the New York Times, the soaring, 1,004-foot tower overlooks Central Park and has nine full-floor apartments. On a clear day, residents can see all the way to the Bronx. Amenities include all services of the attached Park Hyatt Hotel as well as a “discreet side entrance,” pet wash area, performance hall, private dining room, billiard room and a 24-foot aquarium.

Pricey Big Apple purchase of 2012: Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev spent $88 million on a penthouse for his 22-year-old daughter.

Los Angeles

Second only in size to New York, Los Angeles is a city built on the California dreams of its many residents who move there in pursuit of fortune and fame. Like its starry-eyed population, the homes that make up L.A.’s luxury market are as different as can be, from tiny bungalows that sit on some of the country’s most expensive land to massive modern glass-covered marvels overlooking the Hollywood hills. Spectacular suburban luxury living can also be found in Los Angeles County in areas such as Pasadena.

In L.A., a valuable feature for its famous luxury residents is the ability to keep the paparazzi at bay with high hedges, fences, security systems and long driveways. An early 2000s ordinance prohibits hedges over 6 feet high, making homes with existing high hedges quite the commodity among celebrities, who now trade these homes like deeds in a Monopoly game.

San Francisco

San Francisco is known for real estate prices as steep as its legendary hills, so more or less everyone pays luxury prices. Residents will tell you the pricey real estate is well worth it for the quality of life in this quirky, inclusive and truly charming area of the country. Tony Bennett’s not the only person who left his heart in San Francisco: Almost everyone who has visited or lives there feels the same way.

Famous for its turn-of-the century Painted Ladies, or Victorian-style homes — many of which have been lovingly cared for, restored and modernized over time — San Francisco offers luxury in the old as well as in new condos that have recently popped up in the Financial District and South Beach (yes, in San Francisco) neighborhoods.

In San Francisco, two of the priciest neighborhoods offer location-based luxuries — Presidio Heights and Sea Cliff. Presidio Heights is made up of mainly two-level single family homes with coveted yards at the front, back and sometimes sides of the properties. Sea Cliff, as the name implies, is situated directly on the Pacific Ocean and features stunning views of sunsets so breathtaking, you wouldn’t believe they are real. Sometimes luxury comes solely in the form of an impeccable location.

Miami

With waterfront and oceanfront property abounding, every part of Miami has its own distinct flavor of luxury property, from celebrity-owned mega-mansions to soaring condos offering the ultimate in style and amenities. Miami began as an escape from the cold North, and while it remains a haven for snowbirds and a great investment for overseas buyers, it now has its own thriving year-round sense of culture and community. With sunny days and a sizzling nightlife, Miami takes luxurious living to a whole other level.

One example of Miami’s glamour is the home of a name synonymous with luxury: Versace. Gianni Versace’s Casa Casuarina mansion has 10 bedrooms directly on Ocean Drive and a 24-karat gold inlaid pool.

Washington DC

Our nation’s capital is more than just a hub of politics. It’s a cultural powerhouse where independently spirited artists, writers and musicians create alongside government workers and contractors living out the 9-to-5 lifestyle. It’s a true melting pot of cultures, cuisines and viewpoints with history around every corner. Like other luxury hot spots, there is something for everyone, from the old classic residences on Capitol Hill and Georgetown to new luxury construction throughout the district and in the bedroom communities of Northern Virginia and Maryland.

Georgetown is home to many of the most luxurious homes in the District of Columbia, with gorgeous views of the National Cathedral. Many of these beauties, some dating to the 1800s, have other luxe features including staff quarters, private saunas, koi ponds and room to throw little “get-togethers” for up to 150 guests.

Can’t decide which of these luxury markets you love the most? Why not buy in each? If you can afford it, these cities have a lot to do, see, eat and experience, making every day a new adventure.

Related:

SEE ALSO: Take A Tour Of America's Most Expensive Zip Code

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I Was Pleasantly Surprised By My First Trip To Long Island Wine Country

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wine tasting

When you mention New York wines to people who are familiar with wine, they will almost always think of the wines from the Finger Lakes region of the state.

And with good reason. They have been making wine for much longer than Long Island, and some of their wines – particularly Riesling – are internationally famous.

But we are talking Eastern Long Island, where the vineyards are barely 30 years old. How do they stand up?

Being a central Floridian, I was leery about visiting New York in December. In fact, anywhere north of Jacksonville gets too cold as far as I’m concerned. But our younger son, who works in Manhattan, assured me I would not freeze to death. So my wife and I headed north. The good news is that this part of Long Island is not crowded in December, so the tasting rooms were a pleasant experience.

We visited 9 wineries in Long Island, and because of limited time, I missed a couple I wanted to see. But 9 is a good cross section, and we found some very good wine. My son came back with a mixed case. The next article will have my opinions of individual wines. For now, some overall impressions of the area and the wines, and how they compare to other east coast wines I have tried.

First of all, Long Island wineries are unusual because of the maritime climate. Long Island Sound is on one side, and the Atlantic Ocean is on the other. This produces challenges that inland vineyards don’t experience. Vintages matter on Long Island. For instance, 2010 was an excellent year there, and 2011 was so-so. The wines are very old world in style. Wines from Maryland and Virginia are of this style as well, but Long Island may be even more so. If you are one who gets upset about overblown new world wines, head for the wineries in Long Island.

Before leaving, I did some research, and I learned that the first few years of winemaking on Long Island left much to be desired. We are an instant gratification society, and if the first couple of attempts are not good, we move on. My impression is that is what happened here. But the wines have gotten better, and over the past 7-8 years more attention is being paid to Long Island wineries. Location matters as much with wine as it does with real estate, and vintners are learning which grapes do well.

There are 2 big similarities in Long Island wineries and Maryland wineries. One is the sheer number of grape varieties planted in a relatively small area by wineries with small production. The other is distribution, or rather the lack of it. Distribution costs money, and with small production it is prohibitively expensive. A smallish California winery may produce 6 or 7 thousand total cases from 2 or 3 grape varieties. On the east coast, a winery may produce a total of 2,000 – 3000 cases from 8 or 9 varieties. About 70% of their total sales comes right out of the tasting room. The rest is mail order and possibly through local restaurants or retailers.

This is not a recipe for growth, and it seems the people who own most wineries in Long Island are fine with that. There are some who want to grow and distribute nationally, but they are in the minority.  Small production and a large number of varieties is one reason the wines on Long Island – and in Maryland as well – are on the pricey side. Each variety normally requires its own fermentation and storage/aging. If there is blending, it takes place afterward. When a particular wine has only 200-300 cases available, it is not a production model that can take advantage of economies of scale.

This is an observation, not a criticism. I am not a production consultant, and it is not my place to tell these folks how to run their businesses. I’m interested in the wine. Next time, we’ll take a look at some of the wines of Long Island.

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Get To Know The 100,000 Dogs That Live In New York City

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What do the Upper West Side, SoHo, the West Village and Park Slope have in common?

They're the New York City neighborhoods where Labradors are the most popular purebred dogs. Across Central Park in the 10021, meanwhile, Shih Tzus outnumber Labs. Elsewhere, across swaths of Brooklyn, Yorkshire Terriers are dominant.

The WNYC Data News Team, the numeric artists behind maps of Stop and Frisk, Sandy flooding, and the new New Yorkers, has gone to the dogs.

Using data from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, they mapped the names, addresses and breeds of nearly 100,000 city canines.

They've written up their findings here.

New Yorkers have a lot of Yorkies and Shih Tzus, and a smattering of Chihuahuas, Labs and Maltese. In Bed-Stuy and Bushwick, Pit Bulls are favored. But mutts are by far the most popular, outnumbering the leading purebreeds by six or seven to one.

When it comes to naming, New Yorkers aren't very distinctive at all. There are some regional variations—Princess is quite popular in parts of Brooklyn and the Bronx; Bella is huge on Staten Island. But overall, New York's dogs have the same names no matter where they live—and the same names as the rest of America's dogs.

New Yorkers' favorite names—Bella (766 dogs) and Max (991 dogs)—are also America's favorites. Daisy, Lucy, Molly, Lola, Chloe, Coco and Maggie also appeared on both top ten lists, as did male names Buddy, Charlie, Rocky, Jack and Toby.

What sets New Yorkers' naming habits apart? They have an unusual preference, it seems, for the names Princess, Ginger, Lucky, Teddy, Buster and Gizmo. America prefers Sophie, Sadie, Cooper, Bear, Bentley, and Duke. There are 36 licensed New York City dogs named Biggie. There are also 132 NYC dogs named Brooklyn, but then there are a lot of humans named Brooklyn too these days.

There are 40 dogs named Jeter, and seven apiece named Carmelo and Mattingly. But also 58 dogs named Kobe.

And, for what it's worth, 27 dogs named Hennessey, 25 named Bogart, and 124 named Simba.

Here's the caveat, though: only about one out of five New York dogs has been registered (as is legally required) with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The rest are undocumented—who knows what kind of names they might have?

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Here's All The Free Swag Celebs Get In Sundance Gifting Suites

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Sundance Gifting Suite

Celebrities ranging from Paris Hilton and Jessica Biel to James Franco and Nicole Kidman attended this year's annual Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.

But between promoting their films by day and partying at night, celebs found time to sneak in a few gifting suites where they are awarded with loads of free swag.

And even though Robert Redford is embarrassed by the recent influx of gifted goods at the classy film festival he founded, it's a trend that isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

From flat screen TVs to Ugg boots and snowboards, see what celebrities took home from Sundance. 

Paris Hilton and her 21-year-old model boyfriend scored a 70" Element Electronics flat screen TV at Paige Hospitality Group's football viewing party.



So did "Mad Men" actress Alison Brie.



The Paige Hospitality Group event also featured a booth giving away Minnetonka Moccasins.



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The Best New Watches To Buy This Year

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askmen best watches 2013

New year, new watches.

The first big watch show of 2013 is happening in Geneva: the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie.

The SIHH is organized and hosted by Richemont, the company that owns such watch brands as Baume & Mercier, IWC, A. Lange & Sohne and Jaeger-LeCoultre, and serves as the launchpad for its new model releases.

Click here to see the watches >>

As guests of Richemont, we're at SIHH to do some scouting on your behalf. If you're planning on making a watch investment in 2013, you can start your window shopping right here with this SIHH gallery (we’ll also be publishing a second one tomorrow).

We say "window shopping" because we know that part of the pleasure of the watch hunt consists in just that: staring at models that are way out of most of our financial reaches but still pretty to look at. These models also indicate emerging watch trends in terms of design and functionality.

But we won't totally get you lost in fantasy land, as we've included the new entry-level models for all the brands that offer them. In fact, let's start with one of the most accessible watches at the show: Baume & Mercier's Clifton.

Click here to see the watches >

Baume & Mercier Clifton

We featured the Clifton on AskMen a few weeks ago when Baume first released some pics. Trying it on at SIHH reinforced our good first impression.

We've seen a number of "heritage models" over the past few years (the Longines Silver Arrow being the most popular), but we believe that this new throwback from Baume offers the best value for dollar. It's based on a 1950’s model and features a double-bevel design that makes it appear much thinner than it is. You'll be able to buy it in April for around $2,700.



Baume & Mercier Clifton: Black

Here's the same model with a black face. The case size for this starter Clifton is 41 mm; on the rose gold version, it’s 39 mm (though it also costs twice the price).



Montblanc TimeWalker Voyager UTC

Montblanc made a splash at SIHH last year—in fact, both Timothy Barber and Frank Geelen named Montblanc models as their favorites at the show.

This year, the company has come back with a couple of new watches that are less complicated but more affordable. Pictured here is the TimeWalker Voyager UTC, which will be available in September for $3,835.



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Scotland Is Using These Glamour Shots Of Shetland Ponies In Cardigan Sweaters To Convince People To Visit

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shetland pony sweater scotland

In what might be the best tourism campaign of all time, Scotland is publicizing glamour photos of Shetland ponies wearing cardigan sweaters to tempt out-of-towners to come visit.

This is all a part of VisitScotland's "Year of Natural Scotland" campaign. Because nothing is more natural than a small pony in knit wear.

A link on VisitScotland's website asks visitors to "Discover how Shetland ponies are celebrating the Year of Natural Scotland 2013 — with their very own knitted jumpers!" The concept is so popular that the portion of the site actually featuring said ponies, named Fivla and Vitamin, has been down presumably due to excessive traffic all day.

They stand on mountains.



They take walks on the beach.



They watch romantic sunsets.



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The Most Popular Class For Riker's Island's Female Inmates Is All About Fashion

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kanye west runway models

In 2004, the New York-based Prison Education Initiative was created with an aim to provide meaningful education to incarcerated women, allowing them to recognize their academic and personal potential.

What started as a five-person team teaching GED reading and math classes has evolved over the past nine years into a 25-teacher-strong program administering a variety of classes, from law to Hip Hop.

One of those classes is Fashion Theory, and it also happens to be the most popular course for NYC's infamous Riker's Island female inmates, according to a report in the Style section of Time Magazine.

Most of the class sizes range between 6-20 students from the Riker’s Rose M. Singer Center, but Fashion Theory attracts the maximum roster of 30 or so inmates every time.

Project Runway alum and handbag designer Anna Lynett Moss teaches the class. Topics run the gamut from how cultural roots inspire collections, to a socially conscious discussion on the industry's standard of beauty — particularly concerning race both on and off the catwalk.

"In their Fall 2012 collection, The Row presented their work on all white models. What does it mean for my students of color not to see many icons of beauty who mirror their image?” Moss said to Of A Kind. “Many of my students claimed they felt alienated by conventions they see in fashion advertising and on the runway.”

To supplement the images from fashion shows and magazine spreads, Moss shows her students beauty ideals from around the world, such as a Maasai woman on her wedding day that appeared in an old 1999 National Geographic. The class also discusses hot topics like Third World sweat shops, fast-fashion retailers, and second-hand shopping.

SEE ALSO: This Outrageous Men's Knitwear Collection Stole The Show At London Fashion Week

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New York City's Top Real Estate Photographers

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15 Central Park West

In recent years, a new niche industry has exploded within the real estate industry: listing photography. With the advent of digital photography and growing international interest in New York City real estate, more and more brokers have turned to professionals to shoot their listings rather than taking the photos themselves.

Photographer Michael Weinstein, who has shot real estate listings for 16 years, recalled being worried that digital photos would ruin his business. Instead, he said, they’ve benefitted him in ways he never could have foreseen: Now that digital images can easily be viewed on the web, buyers come from Russia and China to purchase homes in New York based solely on his photographs.

“Photography has become more important in terms of the international market,” Weinstein said. “I feel my work now has become more valuable than ever.”

Whether it’s a Park Avenue penthouse or a Downtown studio, brokers said, listing photographs can make — or break — a deal.

Most brokers “are visual people,” said Emily Beare, managing director and associate broker at the brokerage Core. “We’ll look at the pictures, then look at the floor plan and then look at the description. So the photography has to be enticing.”

Beare said she usually tries to get photographers Richard Caplan or Nico Arellano to shoot her higher-end listings, believing that their work helps generate sales.

Agents said they will pay a premium — often out of their own pockets — for the right photographer. Most city real estate brokerages maintain a list of approved photographers, and a marketing budget that agents can tap into when hiring from that list. But many brokers said they will often seek out their favorites, even if they’re not on the list or cost extra money.

Here’s a look at some of the most sought-after real estate photographers in New York.

 

Evan Joseph

Many top brokers said when they have a seven- or eight-figure listing, they seek out Evan Joseph.

Joseph, who is one of around 10 approved photographers at Douglas Elliman,  did the photography for the CitySpire penthouse currently listed by Elliman’s Raphael De Niro for $100 million; in fact, Joseph said he does all of De Niro’s listings priced above $10 million. He also shot the photos for Elliman broker Dolly Lenz’s $95 million listing at the Sherry-Netherland, a $75 million duplex at Trump Place at 240 Riverside Boulevard and a $65 million mansion in Alpine, N.J., listed by Elliman’s Oren Alexander.

Joseph said he also frequently works with Carrie Chiang of the Corcoran Group, and recently shot her listing for Derek Jeter’s penthouse, which sold for $15.5 million in October.

“Evan is the best. He’s amazing,” said Camilla Papale, Elliman’s chief marketing officer. “The quality is so high.”

That’s important, she noted, because “the better the image, the better the space is represented.”

Joseph began shooting real estate listings during the Dot-com era of the 1990s, when he began taking photos for some early real estate websites. He quickly mastered the craft of interior photography for marketing purposes, he said.

When shooting a listing, he said, “I want people to feel like, ‘Wow, I have got to live there,’ not just, ‘Oh, that’s a nice space.’”

In recent years, though, Joseph has expanded into lifestyle photography for artsy magazines. He has also co-authored the photography books “New York City at Night” and “New York Then and Now.”

Listings now comprise about a quarter of Joseph’s overall business, and he has a business partner, Travis Dubreuil, who helps him maintain his crowded schedule.

He declined to discuss his pricing, but said he’s proud that so many leaders in the industry keep coming back to him.

“I work hard to cultivate these relationships,” he said.

 

Nico Arellano 

Photographer Nico Arellano has earned a reputation among brokers for his unique photo-processing style: He shoots an interior space with a variety of exposures and then blends the different shades of light into the final image, giving it a warm and inviting feel. Most photographers merge images with a computer program, but Arellano said he prefers to do it manually, even though it takes much longer.

“The difference is enormous,” said Arellano, who is originally from Miami and has also worked in fashion photography. “The photos are so much more beautiful. You want to walk into the room and sit down.”

Arellano’s photos “can direct your eye to a certain point in the room,” Beare said. “He hits it every time.”

Arellano typically charges about $150 for the first photo, and then reduced amounts for each subsequent image. He charges less for bulk deals with firms like Halstead Property, Elliman and Core, he said, because he benefits from the consistent work a large brokerage can provide.

Once he’s on a firm’s list of approved photographers, it acts “like my agent, in a way,” he said. “If a company has 1,000 brokers and 25 photographers on the list, they’ll call regularly.”

 

John Porcheddu

Unlike the many independent real estate photographers in the city, John Porcheddu doesn’t have to worry about finding work.

As one of the go-to guys on staff at Gotham Photo Company, a leading New York City real estate photography provider, Porcheddu is guaranteed a steady flow of clients.

Gotham — which specializes in doing listing photos, headshots, video and floor plans for real estate brokers — was founded in 2005. Porcheddu is one of its most-requested photographers, according to Gotham president Vince Collura.

“Clients request their favorite photographers, and John gets a lot of calls,” Collura said. “Many of our guys have specialties that could make them a good fit for a particular [listing], but John does it all.”

Porcheddu, who started taking photos as a hobby in high school, said working for Gotham allows him to focus on shooting rather than logistics.

“Instead of spending half of my time on advertising and stuff, I can just go and take pictures,” he said.

Through Gotham, Porcheddu charges $175 for a six-photo standard shoot, while larger, time-consuming packages can run over $300.

 

Michael Weinstein

When Town Residential broker Ginger Brokaw has an important listing, she said, she’s willing to wait for veteran photographer Michael Weinstein, one of several photographers on Town’s list of approved vendors.

“I would wait a week for Michael … especially if it was something unique or challenging,” Brokaw said. “I return to him time and time again.”

Weinstein was working in fashion about 16 years ago when he approached one of the marketing executives at Halstead about taking headshots of the firm’s brokers. The executive responded by asking if he’d ever shot properties.

“I said, ‘I never got paid for it, but I’ll certainly try,’” Weinstein recalled.

He discovered he had a knack for it, and his business took off. “I got busy really quickly,” he said.

Weinstein said he usually charges a flat rate, but sometimes negotiates prices with individual brokers, depending on the number of photos needed for a listing.  He recently did the photos for a co-op at 828 Fifth Avenue listed for $72 million.

Dennis Cusack, director of sales at Town, said Weinstein’s photographs helped draw a huge buyer turnout for a listing at 225 West 95th Street.

“The first open house I think there were 45 people, and the second one was in the high 30s,” Cusack said. “Probably one of the most important things about the listing is the photography, and that’s why we go to Michael.”

 

Richard Caplan

Former Wall Street trader Richard Caplan became a professional photographer only five years ago, but has already shot over $2 billion worth of real estate, including a penthouse asking $48 million at 145 Hudson Street.

Caplan said he decided to move into photography so he could spend more time with his family. The career change made sense, he said, since “I’ve had a camera in my hands since I was seven years old.”

High-profile Elliman agent Fredrik Eklund said he’s worked with Caplan for years, and has even paid to fly Caplan to Sweden (where Eklund runs a brokerage) for real estate shoots.

“I’ve grown to trust him,” Eklund said. “I don’t even go to the shoots anymore.”

Eklund said Caplan instinctively shoots details within an apartment that convey a desirable way of life.

“We not only sell property, we sell a lifestyle,” Eklund said. “The photos need to be perfect.”

“Whether it’s a beautiful flight of stairs or an open floor plan, I’m looking for that sweet spot in the room,” said Caplan, who has an assistant and an editing team.

But he noted that there isn’t a lot of room for ego in real estate photography.

“As much as I like to see myself as an artist, I am here to help a salesperson,” he said. “The job is going to be what they want it to be.”

This story originally appeared at The Real Deal.

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We're About To See A Surge In 'Flexitarianism'

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vegetablesWe’re about to see a surge in “flexitarianism” – vegetarians who sometimes eat meat, according to a recent study commissioned by Linda McCartney Foods

All my life, I have tried – and failed – to be a vegetarian. I have whipped up exotic salads that promise to make lettuce “exciting” (they don’t). I have lunched on falafel, dined on ratatouille, tried tofu and tempeh (tastes like soggy gravel). I’ve sampled bean burgers and seitan burgers (a type of vegetarian schnitzel). But I just love meat. Nothing beats sizzling hot bacon on a slice of buttery bread; salty crackling on a tender joint of roast pork; or a juicy fillet steak.

My passion for meat has always been a barrier to vegetarianism – until now. According to a recent study, commissioned by Linda McCartney Foods (the meat-free company founded by Sir Paul’s late wife), we’re about to see a surge in “flexitarianism” – vegetarians who sometimes eat meat.

“Twenty years ago, vegetarianism was scoffed at,” explains Charles Banks, director of The Food People, which carried out the research. “But there has been a seismic shift in attitudes... We expect meat-free eating and flexitarianism soon to be a mega trend.”

A flexitarian (“flexible vegetarian”, interchangeable with “vegivore”) is defined as: “one whose normally meatless diet occasionally includes meat or fish”. The concept is booming in the US. Pat Crocker and Nettie Cronish, authors of Everyday Flexitarian, estimate that 30 to 40 per cent of Americans are flexitarians, while a survey by the Vegetarian Research Group found that 23 million people follow a “vegetarian-inclined diet”, compared to 7.3 million full-time veggies.

By 2015, The Food People predict, there will be a “notable increase in flexitarian – or demi-vegetarian – eating” in Britain. Cutting down meat is cheaper, healthier and – for carnivores like me – a better prospect than going the whole vegetarian hog.

Flexitarianism started life as a publicity exercise in the Nineties to expand the appeal of vegetarianism. It was revived in 2009, when Sir Paul and his daughters Stella and Mary launched their “Meat Free Monday” campaign. The movement has been adopted by more than a million fans, with endorsement by Gwyneth Paltrow, Sir Richard Branson, Cameron Diaz and Joss Stone.

Strict vegetarians can be critical of part-timers, accusing them of sitting on the fence. But Ben Martin, a campaigner at Animal Aid, says: “Anything people can do to reduce their consumption of animal products is a good thing.”

Eating less meat has nutritional benefits. Red meat is rich in saturated fats, cholesterol and high in calories (linked to obesity, diabetes and certain cancers), while vegetables contain more fibre, vitamins and minerals. This doesn’t, however, mean that we should cut out meat entirely. “Meat is still important for children and for people who exercise,” explains Alice Mackintosh, nutrition consultant at The Food Doctor clinic. “There are pros and cons of total vegetarianism. I tell lots of my clients to try not to have meat every day.”

Indeed, in 2011, following a study that linked red meat and colorectal cancer, the Government reduced its recommended daily red meat consumption to just 70g (the average steak weighs 225g). “Eating red meat once a week is plenty,” says Tom Sanders, professor of nutrition and dietetics at King’s College London. “Vegetarian meals tend to be healthier and lower in calories.”

Cutting down on meat can save money, too. Vegetarian meals are, on average, 60 per cent cheaper than meaty dishes. They’re better for the environment as well. “Animal farming is responsible for more greenhouse gas than all motorised transport in the world,” explains Martin. “There has also been a lot of controversy surrounding animal consumption, such as the recent horsemeat scandal, so people see vegetarianism and veganism as a safer bet.”

So what’s the downside? Unlike vegetarians or vegans, flexitarians can’t use their eating habits to claim the moral high ground. “Vegetarians can get annoyed that a flexitarian is seen as a type of vegetarian, which it isn’t,” says Su Taylor of The Vegetarian Society. “Choosing a veggie diet goes one better by making a clear statement.”

But flexitarians have the best of both worlds – vegetables all week, then a bacon sarnie at the weekend. What’s not to like?

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After Three Years Of Construction, Tom Brady's $20 Million Mansion In California Is Complete

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Tom Brady and Gisele purchased a plot of land in Brentwood, Calif. for $11 million in 2008. Three years after construction began, the mansion is finally complete, according to the Detroit Free Press.

The house is valued at $20 million, is 22,000 square feet, and has eight bedrooms. Some of its features include a pool, a playground for the children, a weight room, a wine cellar, and a moat. Gisele and Tom's neighbors include Heidi Klum and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Brady sold two of his other properties in 2011; a condo on NYC's Upper West Side for $18 million, and a condo in Boston for $10.5 million.

Here's a video with some aerial views of the huge mansion:

The mansion isn't the only fabulous part of Tom Brady's life. Check out what it's like to be Tom >

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