Lensed by photographer Steven Klein, model Malgosia Bela stars in Alexander Wang’s Spring/Summer 2013 campaign, which looks very much inspired by The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. What do you think of Alexander Wang’s campaign? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
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Featuring model Simon Van Meervenne, here’s the Tom Ford for Men Spring/Summer 2013 campaign, photographed by Tom Ford.
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Why bother to order when you can have the chef do it for you? There are few culinary experiences that beat a well-curated tasting menu. These chef-chosen selections offer chefs a way to tell a story while letting diners enjoy five, seven or sometimes even more courses. You have to choose carefully though, as the meals can last upwards of four hours and cost over $100.
Of course, the city's fine-dining establishments offer amazing chef-curated selections, but we're going to look beyond the Per Ses and Eleven Madisons for tasting menus that are equally special, if a bit more off the radar.
Click through the slide show after the jump for our favorites — whether you're heading by for a special occasion or just a splurge, you won't be disappointed.
Jesse Schenker's tasting menus are some of the best deals in town. Seventy-five dollars gets you five courses and $150 gets you 10, but the sweet spot is the seven-course selection for $100. The elegantly plated New American dishes are as tasty as they are beautiful, and you're likely to come across a flavor or presentation that you haven't tried before. The quality of the fare at this charming West Village spot is on par with some of the town's more famous fine-dining establishments, at less than half the price. Also, if you see something you like on the à la carte list, the servers will try to have it appear during your tasting, if you ask nicely.
There is magic in the room at this TriBeCa Japanese, and you don't have to drop $150 at stand-along sushi counter Ichimuri to experience it. A standard tasting menu is $85 for about six courses, and will guide you through the restaurant's offerings. If you do go, we suggest spending a little extra for the $135 seasonal kaiseki tasting menus. This selection features roughly eight courses and showcases every type of fare that the restaurant has to offer. Because why choose between a meat course and a fish course if you can have both?
39 Downing St. / 28 Seventh Ave. S.
Chef Galen Zamarra is a secret threat in the world of NYC fine dining. His restaurant Mas (Farmhouse) may not get the ink in the press that Daniel or Le Bernardin inspire, but the eatery regularly ranks on our Top Food list. A six-course tasting of the French-inspired fare is $115, and you can expect a constantly rotating selection of dishes like Long Island duck breast with kale and port-glazed beets. Not only is it cheaper than the upper echelon of fine dining, the restaurant itself is less stuffy. Be it a birthday dinner or a third date, you'll feel at home here.
If you feel wary about cracking the $100 mark, the tasting menu at Zamarra's grill-focused Mas (La Grillade) is also a good deal, ringing in at $95 for six wood-fired courses.
Lensed by Tom Ford, here’s model Karlina Caune for the Tom Ford Spring/Summer 2013 ad campaign.
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Norwegian model Iselin Steiro visits Lake Como, Italy, for the playful new ad campaign for Hermès. The Hermès Spring/Summer 2013 ad campaign was lensed by photographer Nathaniel Goldberg. Beautiful, colorful and ever so Hermès.
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Carrying money on vacation is a balancing act between safety and utility.
Making money difficult to access deters thieves, but when it comes time to pay for something, you still want to be able to get to it without stripping off clothes or playing hide-and-seek with a bag's hidden pockets.
With that in mind, here are 10 tips for carrying money safely and elegantly when you travel.
If you're traveling in a place known for pickpocketings or muggings, consider getting a cheap wallet that looks just real enough to keep in your pocket or bag.
Pad the wallet with some small bills and make it look more real by slipping in one or two of those sample credit cards you get with offers in the mail.
A dummy wallet can stop pickpockets before they get to your real wallet.
And in the scary and unlikely case of an actual mugging, it also gives you something to throw and run, buying you time to escape with your safety and your actual wallet.
Even if you disregard all other advice about carrying money, take this tip to heart: Whenever possible, divvy up your travel cash and even credit cards into multiple safe spots.
If you've got all your money in one place, it only takes one time for a thief to totally wipe you out.
You can even apply this idea when you're out and about by keeping some money attached to your person and some in a bag you carry.
That way, if your bag gets lost or snatched, you'll still have enough to get to a police station or back to your hotel.
Under-clothing storage accessories have come a long way since neck pouches and money belts came onto the scene.
Though those classics are still in favor, newer options include bra stashes, as well as long johns, underwear, and undershirts with built-in pockets for safe storage.
On-body storage accessories are particularly useful if you're sleeping somewhere that doesn't have a secure place for cash and other valuables.
Note that on-body storage isn't a good wallet alternative, since fishing around under your clothes for money advertises where you're hiding the goods.
And lest you think a fanny pack is a substitute for a money belt, realize that it can actually make you more vulnerable to thievery since it marks you as a tourist.
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This post originally appeared at Zagat Buzz.
It's NFL playoff season - but you already know that.
Why watch the game at home when you can cheer your team on with a bunch of like minded fans at an awesome sports bar (let's be honest - you may have a fridge full of beer, but the wings are going to be better there)?
To help plan your drinking strategy for the next few games, we've rounded up a list of our Top-Rated sport bars in New York. Stop by to watch the games, high-five fellow drinkers after a touchdown and shed a tear into your pint if it doesn't go your way.
Onward to the Super Bowl!
Atmosphere: 20
Decor: 16
Service: 20
While easily mistaken for a “frat bar plunked down on the UES”, this “longtime” Irish hang is “frequented by all types” who share a taste for suds, sports and “decent” pub grub; when rotating cover bands take the back stage, it’s “always a good time.”
Atmosphere: 20
Decor: 18
Service: 16
“Nicer than a regular sports bar”, this “spacious” Flatiron billiards hall is a “fairly civilized” retreat with a “chill” bar/lounge on the ground floor and “lots of pool” and Ping-Pong downstairs; alright, it’s “pricey” and rather “corporate”, but overall it chalks up as “cool” for “twentysomethings and those who wish they still were.”
Atmosphere: 20
Decor: 15
Service: 19
“Less showy and pretentious” than the typical “Chelsea boy” scene, this sorta-“butch” gay sports bar is the “opposite of g”, with a crowd of “regular guys” guzzling “cheap strong drinks” and feigning interest in the televised action; no surprise, there are more dudes “looking for jocks than actual jocks” in attendance.
Here’s the first look inside the Johnnie Walker House Beijing, located at Ch’ien Men 23 (No. 23, Ch’ien Men East Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing). The new Johnnie Walker House Beijing is the world’s largest embassy for luxury Scotch whisky, outside of Scotland. The building, including its walls and the floors, contain the basic elements of whisky: copper, yeast, water, barley and peat. The contemporary space presents pure, rich, and authentic Scotch whisky to premium Chinese consumers with the aim of sparking connection and conversation. Guests can also experience the House with the guidance of experts to learn about its design and unique features and to discover the rich culture of Scotch whisky.
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It is a face known throughout the world, but the public will see a different side of the Queen today as a portrait banished for 61 years goes on display.
The controversial painting was once banned from Liverpool town hall because it looked nothing like the Queen and her neck was "too long”. Embarrassed council chiefs ordered it to be hidden from public view in the vaults.
But now the artwork, which councilors have tried to hide for more than half a century, will hang in the city’s St George's Hall.
The painting was rejected when it was commissioned for the Queen's Coronation but has been salvaged to commemorate the event’s 60th anniversary.
Even the artist John Napper, who created it in 1952, famously said it was "a beautiful painting of a queen, but not this Queen".
Originally the Liverpool Corporation refused to hang it in the Town Hall. It hung briefly in the Walker Art Gallery instead, but has spent much of the last 61 years in storage.
But today, trustees at St George's Hall announced that the portrait will be permanently shown there to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee.
Liverpool's deputy Lord Mayor Gary Millar, a trustee of the hall, said: "We are very proud that Liverpool now has the original first painting hanging in St George's Hall, which has been rehung to celebrate the anniversary of the Queen's Coronation.
"It will be the first thing people will see if they come to get married or have a civil partnership or attend a citizenship ceremony."
The painting is Napper's second portrait of the Queen to be put on display in Liverpool.
After his first version was rejected by the council, he painted a second with a smaller neck, which was finally accepted by Liverpool town hall and still hangs there today.
Cllr Millar said: "It strengthens the link between the city's two civic buildings.
"The second version of the John Napper painting is hanging in the town hall and we have the original here.
“It is an honour for us to work with the friends of the hall, the staff there and the city council to rehang this beautiful painting."
The controversial portrait was unveiled just days after the Duchess of Cambridge's first official portrait by Paul Emsley was unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery to mixed reviews from the art world.
A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said: "We do not comment on any of the portraits of Her Majesty The Queen."
Mr Napper’s widow Pauline said today: “I remember the painting well. He was disappointed with the angle at which he painted it, he only had one sitting.
“I was due to be hung up high so that you would look at it from below. If you looked at it from that angle it looked normal.
“Then when they showed it they didn’t put it up high and then it didn’t look like the Queen.
Speaking from the home they once shared in Ludlow, Shropshire, she added: “It is a beautiful painting, obviously he would have been pleased that it is going on display. I am pleased too, it is a beautiful portrait.”
Mr Napper, who died in 2001 aged 84, painted both the Queen and Lady Churchill during the 1950s.
Prince Charles, whose portrait he painted in 1996, was an established fan and collector of his works
SEE ALSO: A Look At The Incredible Crown Jewels Of Major Countries Around The World
For many in the public eye, a drunken outburst like that made by the fashion designer John Galliano in December 2010 would have been a terminal blow to reputation and career.
"I love Hitler," he told two Jewish Italian women sitting at a neighboring table in a Paris bar. "People like you would be dead today. Your mothers, your forefathers would be fucking dead, fucking gassed."
The comments, which were filmed and circulated online, led to abrupt disgrace. He was fired as creative director of Christian Dior and would go on to be prosecuted over the outburst and other racist comments; France stripped him of the Légion D'Honneur it awarded him in 2009.
But there are crimes against fashion and crimes against the fashion world, and when it comes to the latter, it seems, no misdemeanor is absolutely unforgivable. On Friday it emerged that the 52-year-old Briton is to make a tentative return to the fashion establishment, undertaking a temporary residency at the studio of Oscar de la Renta in New York.
"I am grateful to Oscar beyond words for inviting me to spend time with him in the fam iliar surroundings of a design studio," the shamed designer said of the short-term placement. "His support and faith in me is humbling.'
De la Renta added: "John and I have known each other for many years and I am a great admirer of his talent. He has worked long and hard on his recovery and I am happy to give him the opportunity to reimmerse himself in the world of fashion and reacclimate in an environment where he has been so creative."
The arrangement was brokered by Anna Wintour, the powerful editor of US Vogue, it was reported, who is a friend of both designers and is said to have first suggested the residency.
Galliano, who was born in Gibraltar and grew up in south London, has not been without supporters during his exile – Kate Moss, a longtime friend, pointedly chose him to design her wedding dress. The influential US stylist Patricia Field said his remarks were no more than "theatre", and sent out emails headed "In praise of John Galliano". Sir Philip Green was even reported to be trying to coax him into designing a collection for TopShop.
Galliano himself dismissed those rumors, saying his "only focus for the foreseeable future was concentrating on his rehab". The designer had blamed his behavior on a catastrophic alcohol addiction, saying his racist insults were "not views I hold or believe in. In the video I see someone who needs help".
In comments to Women's Wear Daily, Galliano said: "I am an alcoholic. I have been in recovery for the past two years. Several years prior to my sobriety, I descended into the madness of the disease. I said and did things which hurt others, especially members of the Jewish community. I have expressed my sorrow privately and publicly for the pain which I caused, and I continue to do so. I remain committed to making amends to those I have hurt."
While Galliano's contrition will inevitably provoke some cynicism, the US-based Anti-Defamation League, which campaigns against antisemitism, told Vogue, which first reported the story, that it was content the designer had learned from his disgrace. "We believe that individuals can change their hearts and minds as long as they demonstrate true contrition," said Abraham Foxman, ADL's national director.
"Mr Galliano has worked arduously in changing his world view and dedicated a significant amount of time to researching, reading and learning about the evils of antisemitism and bigotry. Along his journey to recovery he met with us on numerous occasions. He has accepted full responsibility for his previous remarks and understands that hurtful comments have no place in our society."
As for the fashion establishment, Alexandra Shulman, the editor of British Vogue said most people would be "entirely enthusiastic" about Galliano's return. "Certainly the people I have spoken to are delighted to hear that he has been given a new opportunity," she said. "John Galliano has a very particular take on fashion that is nostalgic and luxurious and very beautiful. I think it is the beauty of his work that is a huge part of his appeal. It is often not the most commercial sensibility but it is extremely individual and desirable and I imagine will merge well with Oscar's aesthetic."
It would be "helpful" for the designer to make a small-scale return with the support of someone of the stature of Oscar de la Renta, she said, but with the placement initially due to last only three weeks, Galliano's rehabilitation as a force in fashion has some way to go yet.
This article originally appeared on guardian.co.uk
SEE ALSO: The Rise And Fall Of John Galliano
Hotels are rushing to prepare to accommodate guests who arrive or come down with the potentially deadly flu that's sweeping the nation.
"We hear the flu reports every day, and we want to be prepared (for sick guests)," says Andy Labetti, general manager of the Omni Berkshire Place in Midtown Manhattan.
Preparations include having chicken soup to serve to sick guests stuck in their rooms, stocking up on jugs of hand sanitizer gel, medication and boxes of tissues. They're also trying not to spread the flu by reminding employees to wash their hands or giving them flu shots.
Other hotels are taking similar steps as the flu strain is widespread across 47 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- The Beverly Hills Hotel in California, part of the luxury Dorchester Collection, has stocked its shop with extra hand sanitizer, Theraflu and other medications, says publicist Jenna Duran. It's sending complimentary chicken soup, tissues, cold medicine and lip balm to sick guests.
- At the Omni Mandalay in Las Colinas, Texas, the hotel's kitchen makes chicken soup for sick guests, says food and beverage director Charles Riley. "We send it up with a get-well card and ginger ale," he says.
- The Mayflower Renaissance hotel in Washington has added hand gel to its front desk counters.
Labetti of Omni Berkshire Place says staffers are encouraged to approach guests who appear ill to see how they can help.
"As a hotelier, the first thing out of your mouth is, 'What can we do for you? Do you need extra blankets? Do you need a humidifier?'" he says. "Whatever you need, we're going to take care of it. We want you to know you're not here alone."
No traveler wants to catch the flu on the road, so many are taking their own precautions. Susan Jacobsen of Washington says she took a mini-bottle of disinfectant spray with her to Las Vegas earlier this month when she attended the International CES, the giant consumer electronics show.
Despite the precautions hotels are taking, some travelers are avoiding hotel gyms or even elevators for fear of catching the flu bug.
Penny Ridderbusch of Port Townsend, Wash., says she saw so many fellow travelers coughing that she stopped by a drugstore when traveling in December to get a flu shot.
She remains so leery of catching the flu, however, that she's avoiding hotel gyms to work out in her room. And, "I try to avoid riding in the hotel elevator with anyone," she says. "I use the back of my hand for pressing elevator buttons."
Fashion house Fendi is to pay for the €2.5m (£2m) restoration of Rome’s historic Trevi Fountain, the monument that starred in Federico Fellini’s 1960 classic film La Dolce Vita.
Chunks of stone and plaster fell from the fountain’s ornate baroque facade last summer, loosened by snow and ice during the previous winter.
The fountain, which was commissioned by Pope Clement XII in 1732, was immortalized in the scene from the Fellini film in which Anita Ekberg waded into its waters in a black evening dress.
According to tradition, tossing a coin into the fountain ensures that a visitor will return to Rome.
The sponsorship deal, agreed between Fendi and Rome heritage officials, was revealed by La Repubblica newspaper and is expected to be confirmed at the end of this month during Rome fashion week.
The repairs to the facade are due to start in March and are likely to take at least a year.
Fendi is the latest company to come to the rescue of Italy’s underfunded cultural heritage, as the recession-hit country looks to private sponsors to help repair long-neglected monuments and archaeological sites.
Diego Della Valle, the owner of luxury shoe firm Tod’s, is paying for a €25m restoration of the Colosseum, although the deal has been caught up in endless delays and wrangling over the awarding of contracts for the work.
Gianni Alemanno, the mayor of Rome, said this week that the delays were becoming “exasperating” and called for a resolution to the disputes so that the restoration could begin as soon as possible.
A €1m (£838,000) restoration of another of the city’s imposing monuments, a marble pyramid built as a mausoleum for a Roman dignitary, is being funded by Yuzo Yagi, a Japanese tycoon. The pyramid dates from 12BC and adds an incongruous touch of ancient Egypt to a corner of the Italian capital.
In Venice, a €5m restoration of the famous Rialto Bridge is to be paid for by Diesel, the Italian fashion company. It was completed in 1591 and is the oldest of four bridges that cross the Grand Canal.
A new hairstyle has the power to transform your appearance.
To help you find the right one, we've listed six men's hairstyles for 2013 that offer something for everyone.
We’ve broken each down by both classic and trendy takes.
Who wears it: Channing Tatum
In the past year, the '90s was referenced in music (Azealia Banks), in television (a renewed interest in Boy Meets World) and in fashion (grunge came back), and it'll continue in 2013. In terms of men's hairstyles, you'll get your inspiration from late ‘90s icons like Fatboy Slim.
One of the most popular cuts of the time was the peak cut. For a modern version, check out Channing Tatum’s hairstyle and ask your barber for a short cut all around with a slightly longer, piece-y front. At home, work a tiny bit of gel through your hair, concentrating on getting some lift in the front, using either your fingers or a fine-tooth comb. Keep things modern by avoiding the use of too much gel and keep it office-friendly by not letting your peaks get larger than an inch.
Who wears it: Hugh Jackman
If you’ve got a night out on the town planned or you work in a creative field, feel free to take more of a risk by going for a much higher lift in the front. Hugh Jackman, for example, was recently seen sporting the style with high peaks. For a similar look, use a comb to gather the hair on the crown and brush it upward using a touch of mousse, making sure that the very front strands stand straightest. To ensure you look like a grown man rather than a member of ‘N Sync, sport this style with some facial hair like Jackman does.
Who wears it: Michael Fassbender
For men with thinning hair, the crown cut is a good option, because it makes the most of your hair by adding the appearance of more volume on top. Study Michael Fassbender’s hairstyle and then have your barber clip your hair short on the sides while leaving short- to medium-length layers all around the crown.
January 15, 2012
Santiago, Chile
Nearly three years ago, I wrote that Chile was ‘the new America’– free, civilized, open, and full of opportunity.
After traveling and putting boots on the ground in over 100 countries, and having spent several years visiting Chile and watching it grow, I was convinced that the label was appropriate.
It still is.
The business and investment deals here are astounding… one of the many reasons I take a break from my normal schedule as a permanent traveler and spend time here in the summer months. The economy is very strong, and savvy foreigners can do quite well.
And for worker types, there are plenty of jobs available for foreign professionals. Plus, it’s a cinch to get a work visa.
The lifestyle here is also amazing. It’s gorgeous, the people are friendly, and you can’t beat the Mediterranean climate. Again, these are some of the many reasons I selected Chile as the location for our resilient community a few years ago.
Back then, nobody was talking about Chile. In June 2010, I wrote that if you “search the expat intelligentsia sites, you won’t find much about Chile at all– it simply isn’t on anyone’s radar. For the life of me, I can’t figure out why.”
Three years of constantly writing about the virtues this place has certainly had an effect. The word is out, and people are starting to jump on the bandwagon. The downside of this is that it brings out the all sorts of snake oil salesmen preying on inexperienced foreigners.
I saw the same thing happen in Panama years ago as that country became the booming expat destination; scam artists showed up in droves, defrauding foreigners in shady real estate and financial deals.
Sadly, I’m already seeing it happen here, especially in the property market– foreigners selling other foreigners cheap (in both price and quality), hopelessly unproductive, dry land wrapped up in false promises and dangerous inexperience.
This is terribly unfortunate for the people who will end up being defrauded… but it doesn’t change the underlying, exciting fundamentals of what Chile has to offer.
One of the good guys here is Darren K., an expat (and Sovereign Man: Confidential member) who has been living here for several years. Darren is heavily involved in the property market and is a regular contributor to Chile-Farmland.com.
You’ll be hearing more from Darren in this letter, and today I’d like to pass along an excellent piece he wrote about Chile.
From Darren:
==
When I was younger, I used to dream of living in California. The Pacific Ocean, the Sierra Nevada, and the excitement of the cities were always so appealing. Plus, it seemed like California was years ahead of other parts of the country with respect to organic foods, rainwater catchment systems, aquaponics, and fine wine.
Yet by the time I was of an age to make a decision on where I wanted to live, most of the nicest parts of California had already been overpopulated. And I had no interest in dealing with the traffic, pollution, crime, prices, or the welfare state mentality.
It made me wish I could go back in time and arrive to California 60 years ago. So I set off to look around the world for a better place.
As I’ve traveled the globe over the last 10 years, I came across places that were quite attractive but didn’t check the boxes. Most had corrupt police and governments, pitiful economic opportunities, poor property rights, etc.
When I looked into Chile years ago, everything changed. It was hard for me to believe what I read: strong property rights, incorruptibility, fiscal responsibility, etc.
Within just a few days of landing here, it was obvious that Chile was like no other country I’d ever been too.
The first thing that stood out to me was the scenery. Just to the east of Santiago, 21,000 ft peaks loom over the central valley, dwarfing the ranges of California, Colorado, and Switzerland.
I could go on about the ski centers in the central Andes with their lack of lift lines, the hot springs, and the mountain lakes, but that’s a topic for another day.
After the scenery, the next thing I could hardly believe was the growth and development. And unlike many other countries, it’s driven by good old-fashioned production, a growing middle class, and low unemployment… not money printing.
As I spent more time here, the differences between Chile and most other countries around the world became more obvious: low violent crime rates, police that treat you with respect and aren’t looking for bribes, low debt levels, and a pro-business government all make for a refreshing change from today’s norm in the West.
These days, I don’t have to dream of arriving to California 60 years ago. I can be happy about being born when I was and for making the decision to move to Chile when I did. To me, it represents the best of both worlds.
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Some iconic sites just don't live up to the hype.
Skip these 10 tourist traps and visit our alternatives instead.
This group of mystery stones has been described as mystical and magical.
But what you rarely see in the postcards is that Stonehenge is wedged between two very busy roads—and that you’re not even allowed to get close to the stones.
You'll pay an admission fee, of course, but you'll only be able to view the site from afar. (Tourists used to chip off pieces of the ancient rocks as souvenirs. This is why we can't have nice things, people.)
Instead: Check out Avebury, about 25 miles away from Stonehenge, where an entire town is set inside a stone circle.
Legend has it that kissing this rock will give you the gift of gab, but judging by how many people smooch the stone every day, we think you're more likely to come away with a communicable disease.
(Especially if you believe the rumor that locals think it's funny to sneak in after-hours and use the Blarney Stone as a bathroom.)
You'll also have to brave long lines and a vertigo-inducing climb, and you'll be unceremoniously tipped backwards and headfirst over a ledge by a worker in order to get your peck.
Instead: Skip the long lines and spend your saved time exploring the Blarney Castle grounds, which are definitely worth the visit … and (probably) won't infect you with anything.
If you're expecting a journey out to the quiet desert to see this world-famous wonder, think again.
Located in a suburb not far from downtown Cairo, the pyramids are set against the backdrop of a Pizza Hut, a KFC, and a ton of litter.
Be prepared to be surrounded by some of the most aggressive touts in the world, some of whom will literally jump into a moving taxi to try to sell you a camel ride.
You also can't touch the Sphinx or climb up the sides of the pyramids anymore.
Instead: Visit the less crowded (and less stressful) pyramids at Dahshur.
Please follow Your Money on Twitter and Facebook.
This post originally appeared on Oyster.com.
Fantasizing about luxurious hotels and faraway resorts is one thing, but fantasizing about owning them is an entirely different concept altogether.
Real estate is a high-stakes game that costs big, but, when done right, earns even bigger. And because we are constantly investigating the latest hotels around the globe, we couldn’t help but wonder who plays the proverbial Oz behind the curtain at some of our favorite spots.
Check out ten men and women who are serious players on the hotel scene right now — and just how fat their wallets are.
Net Worth: $2.1 billion
Lawyer-turned-real estate magnate Neil Bluhm made his billions opening shopping malls and hotels across the Midwest. After graduating with a law degree and serving as a partner at a Chicago-area firm, Bluhm broke away from law and co-founded JMB Reality. He has since opened hotel and casinos across the US and Canada, and has owned stakes in the Ritz-Carlton Chicago and the Drake Hotel in Chicago, which allow him, as an avid patron of both, to fund his artistic and political interests.
Net Worth: $1.6 billion and $1.9 billion, respectively
Before Marriott became synonymous with the hospitality industry, founder J. Willard Marriott owned and operated several root beer stands throughout the Washington D.C. area back in the 1920s. Decades later in 1957, the first Marriott hotel, the Twin Bridges Motor Hotel, opened in Arlington, Va. J. Willards’s eldest son Bill Jr. joined the company that same year, and became president in 1964, running more than 3,700 properties in 73 countries. His brother Richard took control of Host Marriott International – now Host Hotels and Resorts – in 1993, which owns more than 100 properties worldwide, including the Marriott Marquis New York and the Ritz-Carlton San Francisco. The Marriott brothers may have inherited a massive lodging operation, but together they have transformed their legacy into a multi-billion dollar hotel dynasty.
Net Worth: $2.2 billion
With his family’s net worth hovering around $20 billion, Thomas Pritzker has a pretty nice cut of the inheritance with his $2.2 billion. The Priztker family inherited their fortune from ancestors A.N. Pritkzer and his sons Jay and David, who co-founded the Hyatt hotel chain. Thomas, son of Jay, may not be the wealthiest Pritzker (that would be his cousin Karen, whose worth rings in at $3.2 billion), but he is the current CEO and executive chairman of the Hyatt Corporation, overseeing the company’s 492 properties worldwide, which include the Andaz and Grand Hyatt Resort brands.
This post originally appeared at Oyster.com.
A meal that has been adopted by countries the world over, Sunday brunch was (supposedly) dreamed up in the late 1800s by a British writer who thought that the noonday feast would be a welcome treat — and much-needed hangover cure — for ”Saturday-night carousers.”
But no matter the origin, brunch has come to be a weekly staple — and the silver lining to a day often overshadowed by the start of a new work week looming in the future.
So whether it’s buffet-style, booze-focused (bottomless Bloody Marys, anyone?), or family-oriented, brunch can put a smile on just about anyone’s face. We’ve chowed down at plenty of happiness-inducing brunches across the U.S. and have come up with a list of our favorite spots to grub on Sunday. Check ‘em out!
Sunday brunch at the Palace Hotel is legendary. Not only is the setting beautiful — we’re talking 40- to 50-foot vaulted ceilings, neoclassical marble columns, and six-foot-wide crystal chandeliers, topped by a sunlit translucent windowed ceiling — but a jazz trio plays beautiful music as hotel guests, locals, and visitors pile tasty treats on their plates. Sushi (with sushi chef), omelets (with omelet chef), crepes (with crepe chef), fresh fruit, sandwiches, salads, oysters on the half shell… you name it, it’s part of the buffet. Plus unlimited coffee, orange juice, and champagne.
Oyster’s Pick: Cinnamon-raisin French toast with flame-heated maple syrup.
Also with live jazz, Sou’Wester at the Mandarin Oriental Washington DC offers traditional brunch specials with a focus on Southern comfort food. And their cocktails — including their version of the Bloody Mary, complete with ham-infused vodka — are just as comforting as the entrees! Guests can enjoy views overlooking the marina as they feast on tasty (and expensive) meals loaded with eggs, bacon, and other brunch staples.
Oyster’s Pick: Pumpkin pie pancakes with roasted banana bourbon butter, pumpkin seed brittle, and maple syrup.
The plump pig (available for purchase in the form of stuffed animals) is a fitting mascot for Henrietta’s Table at the Charles Hotel-Harvard Square, as diners are sure to feel stuffed after a scrumptious meal at this local produce-focused hot spot, which has won several awards for its famed Sunday brunch. Though the restaurant is closed through January 17th for a “facelift,” guests can look forward to the all-you-can-eat buffet when it reopens. Along with unlimited coffee, tea, and orange juice, the buffet offers items such as omelets, breakfast pastries, desserts, carved meats, bagels, waffles, bacon, eggs, and even pasta.
Oyster’s Pick: The raw bar’s offerings, including Wellfleet oysters and jumbo shrimp.
One of the most common savings goals we hear from our readers is travel.
We tend to think that we need to save up thousands of dollars in order to justify taking those vacation days and heading out of town. But we might not need quite as much as we think.
Even with a tight budget, you can still score amazing travel memories at a great price–you simply have to choose the right place.
We combed the globe for memorable escapes that won’t require you to take out a second mortgage. They run about 20% to 70% cheaper than marquee destinations, with just as much to see, do and enjoy.
With the façades of many of its buildings decorated with azulejos–tiles painted in flowery, intricate blue designs–Lisbon rivals the beauty of many other European capitals, and you’ll pay about 20% less for lodging.
The local economy is still reeling from the country’s financial crisis, which means that hotels are offering deep discounts on rooms to lure foreign tourist dollars.
Despite the austerity, the city feels sumptuous, with its well-restored colonial-era castle, Castelo de São Jorge; colonnaded plazas and countless art galleries and museums.
Best Bargain: Lisbon has a major sweet tooth and is well known for its pastries. The typical price of its signature custard tarts will only set you back 0.75 euro (about $1.10).
You’ll pay a little extra for the version of the dessert called pasteis de Belém at the city’s famous Antiga Confeitaria de Belém.
This Canadian city offers stellar French cuisine and architecture for much less than Paris.
The U.S. dollar is roughly equal to the Canadian dollar, so prices for our neighbor to the north are alluring when compared to the euro–the exchange rate of which puts a 30% premium on everything in France.
Inside Québec City’s centuries-old walls, you can check out glass-blowing factories, shops like La Petite Cabane à Sucre de Québec that sell maple syrup and the annual winter festival of Carnival, when towering ice sculptures and horse-drawn sleighs take over the city.
Best Bargain: Get a bird’s-eye view of the city by riding the finicular for just $2.
The steep railroad line is open year-round, and shuttles visitors between the cliff-top portion of the city and its port town, known for having some of the oldest streets in North America.
The word is getting out about the first-class diving, ecotourism and zip-lining adventures available for discount prices in Roatán, a Bay Island off the coast of Honduras.
In November 2012, American Airlines began direct flights from Miami, and many other carriers have been increasing flights to its pink-and-white sand beaches via connections in the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa.
Once in Roatán, expect to pay approximately half the price of lodging on a higher-profile Caribbean island.
Best Bargain: A scuba dive in the local bay waters–through a tropical hallucination of colorful fish in the world’s second-largest barrier reef–typically costs a mere $40, roughly half the cost of an underwater plunge in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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In New York City real estate, space is more prized than a perfect parking spot (or at least AS prized as that).
If you're looking for the most amount of space for the least amount of money--and are willing to tolerate some potential downsides in exchange for the ability to turn around without bruising your elbows--here are a few places to look:
1. A first-floor apartment
On average, says appraiser Jonathan Miller of Miller Samuel, "the price difference between a second and first floor apartment is 15 percent. The difference between a second-floor apartment and a third-floor apartment is probably another 10 percent"--meaning that the difference in price between a first and third floor apartment can be as much as 25 percent.
The reason? Market perceptions about security, privacy and street noise. “The exception, of course, would be a brownstone garden apartment,” says Miller, which will sell at a premium. The first floor in a walk-up is also a premium -- think an inverse relationship of price to stairs.
When Jeff Appel, a loan specialist at Citibank, went apartment hunting recently, space was a top priority: He was relocating from the suburbs, has kids and a menagerie of pets, so he zeroed in on first-floor apartments.
“Ground floor apartments are a double whammy -- not only are they a better value, but they also often can be configured to be larger apartments,” says Appel, who bought a ground-floor condo on Walker Street in Tribeca. “I have a floor-through plus basement space. My apartment is 3,600 square feet and the others in the building were 2,300-2,400 square feet.”
Appel pointed out one potential pitfall when it comes to having such a big space. “I have the single largest burden in terms of property taxes and common charges... you need to look at the economics of all of those things” before buying, he said.
Resale value, though something to think about, shouldn’t be too big an issue.
“Buyers sometimes are worried from an investment standpoint that a low floor apartment might not being good value, but as long as you were able to get the apartment for a good price that won’t be a problem for resale,” adds Dominique Punnett, a broker with Stribling
2. A post-war apartment
While it may not have the romantic cache of a pre-war or the coolness of a new development, post-wars (meaning those built during the post-World War II housing shortage) can translate into more space for less money.
“Often people who have come from larger homes and are downsizing find this the best choice to be able to achieve the highest square footage possible for their dollar,” says Neil Binder of The Bellmarc Group.
As long as buyers are not bothered about the sterile, white brick exterior and the long winding hallways, says Stribling’s Punnett, "you will get a lot more bang for your buck in a post war. I always tell my buyers when you're inside the apartment you don't see the exterior anyway! I've seen gorgeous renovations of apartments where you would never know you were in a post war building.”
All things being equal, says Miller, "which is a HUGE disclaimer," there tends to be a 10 to 15 percent price difference between pre-war and post-war, "but the differences tend to be that pre-wars have higher ceiling height, hardwood floors versus parquet, and better soundproofing."
3. An apartment with a slightly higher maintenance
Obviously you don’t want to burden yourself with a large, unrealistic maintenance each month, but sometimes a slightly higher maintenance can mean a lower purchase price (and down payment).
It’s a trick that can helpful for those who want more space for a little less (assuming they have consistent money coming in each month).
But, our experts say, there are several reasons to be slightly wary of high maintenances.
“Any broker or appraiser will tell you that higher monthly chages impact the value of the apartment,” says Adam Stone, a real estate lawyer with Regosin, Edwards, Stone and Feder. “You also need to be sure to look into why the maintenance is so high. It may be something innocuous, like it has twice as many staff members as others buildings. But maybe there was litigation against the building, and there was a judgment they had to pay out, or maybe there are construction issues. That’s why you need to dig deeper into the financials, and speak to a managing agent to get details."
Also, keep in mind that most co-op boards won’t allow buyers to take on a monthly maintenance that is more than 25 percent of their income, and ”you probably don’t want maintenance and mortgage to be more than 35 percent,” says Stone.
From the bank’s point of view, Appel says, they rely on appraisers to decide whether a high maintenance is “an impediment to the apartment-achieving market price.”
As a consumer, Appel says, he’d be wary of taking on a higher maintenance in exchange for a lower price “because the discount is a one time thing and maintenance is ongoing. Also, if a property already has a high maintenance, will it become disproportionately higher?”
4. An apartment with location issues
Heading far away from public transportation (think First Avenue on the Upper East Side or Avenue B in the East Village), and on the fringe of other popular neighborhoods (like Morningside Heights vs. Upper West Side), can bring you a lot more for your money. But note that prices can vary from one street to the next.
“On the Upper East Side, for example,” Miller says, “prices go down as you go further East of Lexington, but they go right back up again when you hit East End,” he says.
5. Non-doorman building/walk-up
Those willing to live in non-doorman buildings are likely to see significant savings -- 10 to 15 percent on average, according to Miller.
For those who are able to live above the second floor of a walk-up, you’ll see even more significant discounts. “The discount is almost geometric as you go up,” Miller says. "Below the fourth floor, you’re looking at a price about 5 percent less on each higher floor. Above that, it’s even more.”
Keep in mind that some lenders are reluctant to offer mortgages above the fourth floor of walk-ups. Yet the very fact that a mortgage might be a little tough to get means that you’re likely to snag a deal... especially if you’re able/ willing to pay in cash (more on that below).
6. Apartments on which banks are reluctant to lend
Sellers often offer small discounts for apartments which they know are not popular with the banks.
Examples, according to one mortgage broker who wished to remain anonymous, include brownstones, walk-ups above the fourth floor, HDFC (income-restricted) co-ops, condos where a single entity owns more than 10 percent, recent conversions where many tenants are still rent-stabilized, and anything with more than 20 percent commercial space.
“Also in buildings with a hotel component, you’re not going to get financed unless you have A LOT of money and a private banker.”
“Of course, a cash buyer is always going to get a slightly better deal,” he added.
But before you jump on one of these deals (and/or try and muster up enough money to buy one in cash), think about why the lenders are wary.
“A purchaser may have the same concerns that the lenders are wary about,” says Stone. But sometimes the issue — like a fifth-floor walk-up for a totally fit person — can be overcome despite bank trepidations,” he says.
“If you can handle that, it’s an issue that’s easily overcome. But if it’s an issue like a sponsor still owns 50 percent of units -- you really need to check with a lawyer about the risks. In that case, if the sponsor/investor falls on tough times, it could negatively affect everyone in the building,” Stone says.
7. A fixer-upper
“For a period of time we were in a market where you could put a wreck on the market, and it was no drag on its value — in some cases it traded on a premium — but that has changed a lot,” says Appel. “If you’re willing to do work, that’s another way to drive value. I think people are loathe to buy what isn’t livable today.”
Also, Appel says, look for potential combination opportunities, especially when thinking about resale, since the sum of two parts is worth more than the two parts independently. “I think buyers willing to do a combination can often seen an upside in that property if they’re the ones willing to do the work (again).”
Beware of high common charges/maintenance charges though, as combinations usually result in higher charges than for a same-sized apartment that did not result from a combination.
8. Challenging layouts
Open plans are most popular with buyers these days. People want more entertaining space (meaning larger kitchens/living rooms and dining rooms) and fewer bedrooms, Appel says.
So, those who don’t mind — or even prefer — more traditional floor plans, with closed off kitchen, dining rooms and living rooms — may get a lot more space for their buck, he says.
Related posts:
SEE ALSO: This Couple Condensed Their Lives Into A 140-Square-Foot 'Tiny House'
When it comes to tactics by which we humans seek to manipulate and dominate one another, “name and shame” is about the oldest one in the book.
They used it at my public elementary school in the 1960s. Boys were expected to wear ties to school back then (our mothers got us the clip-on or snap-on varieties). If anyone showed up improperly accessorized, teachers would cut a necktie-shaped piece of construction paper, write “I Forgot My Tie” on it in magic marker, and tape it to the offender’s shirt. Maybe they thought this would encourage first- and second-graders to read.
Looking back, I realize that these decorations usually adorned children from underprivileged homes. Their mothers – if present – surely had many other concerns beyond little boys’ neckties. Consider what those routine humiliations did for the boys’ self-esteem and their already shaky academic prospects. It’s easy to see, now, the casual cruelty of those teachers. Yet I don’t believe most of those teachers were as consciously mean as their actions implied. I think they just didn’t think things through.
By the time we reached the fifth and sixth grades, the teachers had more elaborate ways to show our place in the pecking order. Excellent performance was rewarded with gold stars; lesser results were acknowledged with round stickers varying from green (pretty good) to black (last in line to get a Dixie Cup on ice cream days). The chart was posted for all to see.
In adult life, I have seen clubs and homeowners’ associations publicly list members who are behind on their dues. In the public sphere, prosecutors issue press releases naming johns who patronize prostitutes, suburbanites who buy drugs on city streets, and professionals who cheat on their taxes. They perp-walk Lindsey Lohan almost every time she steps outside. Journalists lap it up because their audience relishes a chance to “tsk, tsk” at the misbehavior of others.
After enough naming and shaming, most people start to assume that if you get named, you have reason to be ashamed – even if the evidence doesn’t agree. Remember, for example, how in 2009 some executives of AIG were named as having received bonuses that were due them under their contracts even though the company required a huge government bailout. Protesters targeted employees’ homes, and the company advised some executives living in affluent Fairfield County, Conn., to travel in pairs and avoid wearing items with the AIG logo. One executive, fed up with the harassment, quit in an open letter published in The New York Times. (AIG has now repaid the bailout money, and the government made a $22 billion profit on the transaction.)
Recently the Journal News, a Gannett-owned news outlet published in New York City’s northern suburbs, issued an interactive map providing the names and addresses of more than 30,000 individuals who have handgun permits in Westchester and Rockland counties. Unlike most name and shame efforts, this one provoked a huge and fully justified backlash against the news organization.
Rockland County’s public safety committee voted last week to condemn the newspaper’s action. Rockland’s sheriff reported that inmates at the county jail were taunting corrections officers with the warning, “I know where you live.” Other police agencies and union officials agreed that the publication jeopardized peace officers who legally keep weapons at home. Private citizens complained that the list made them vulnerable to abusive ex-spouses and other potential stalkers.
The publication appeared nine days after 20 children and 6 teachers were gunned down in an elementary school in Newtown, Conn., just outside the Journal News circulation area. Newtown resident Nancy Lanza was found dead at her home the same day. Her son, Adam Lanza, allegedly used his mother’s guns to commit the murders.
The story accompanying the Journal News map was headlined, “The gun owner next door: What you don’t know about the weapons in your neighborhood.” It opened with a vignette about a mentally disturbed 77-year-old man who “amassed a cache of weapons – including two unregistered handguns and a large amount of ammunition – without any neighbors knowing.” The story did not explain why this was related to a list of citizens who followed the law, submitted to background checks when required and legally obtained permission to own a handgun.
Nor did reporter Dwight Worley explain what any citizen might do with the information that a neighbor holds a handgun permit, though he did quote a member of a YMCA group that counsels youths against gun violence who said he “might not choose to live there” as a consequence. The bottom half of Worley’s story noted the objections by police and other officials to releasing the names and addresses of permit holders, while recounting the newspaper’s quest to get the information under New York’s Freedom of Information Law.
In the storm of complaints that followed the Journal News reporting, the newspaper’s publisher, Janet Hasson, issued a statement saying that her colleagues knew the database would be controversial, “but we felt sharing the information about gun permits in our area was important in the aftermath of the Newtown shooting.” She never said why it was important to share the information. After issuing the statement, Hasson and her staff retreated into silence on the topic.
Nobody has questioned the newspaper’s right, under current law, to obtain and publish the information. What Journal News readers (and many others) questioned was whether the organization had a reason to publish the data, beyond an emotional reaction to the Connecticut shootings. And the simple answer is that the journalists had no better reason to do what they did than my teachers, many years ago, had for putting those humiliating paper neckties on the chests of little children.
They picked a target that they wanted to shame, and that was reason enough.
And just like those teachers, the Journal News journalists only shamed themselves in the end. They wielded their power heedless of the hurt they might cause, because they were convinced they were right and, moreover, because nobody was in a position to stop them. They were not necessarily ill-intentioned. But they didn’t think things through.
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