2022

The Best Areas to Do Some Shopping in New York City

When it comes to shopping, New York City is one of the best places to be. Not only can you find any store that may only have another location in Paris or Tokyo, but you have a ton of options of areas to go, making it a shopaholic’s paradise.

Here are some of the best areas to check out while shopping in New York.

The Meatpacking District is one of the hottest areas in the City right now. Alexander McQueen and the Theory Headquarters are both located here. The newly constructed highline product spans over the area and makes for a great scenic view as well.

The undisputed king (or queen) of New York City shopping can be found in SoHo. Located South of Houston St (hence the name), SoHo is a shopping mecca. Any high-end brand has a store in SoHo. It’s no coincidence the girls down here are incredibly fashionable.

TriBeCa is another hot spot for high-end shopping. It is a little bit of trek to get down there, but this is part of the neighborhood’s charm and allure. If you are located on the West Side, it is a much easier commute.

Any native New Yorker would argue that the best shopping can be found on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. It is hard to argue with this, since the area boasts the world famous 5th Avenue.

Another area that is notorious for high end shopping, but is located on Long Island is the Americana Shopping Center in Manhasset. Also known as the “miracle mile,” this outdoor strip of luxury retailers is hard to beat.

Woodbury Commons is an outlet mall outside of the city that is impossible to beat when it comes to high-end brands at extremely discounted prices. Make a weekend of it and find the great deals that await.…

All About Yaletown, Vancouver’s Favourite Neighborhood

The district of Yaletown has a very colorful and unique history that has its roots in the Gold Rush and mining as well as the Canadian Pacific Railway. During the 1880s the town of Yale, located in British Columbia’s interior, was the epicenter of all Gold mining activity in the province. It was also the terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway. When the line was extended to the Burrard Inlet, the railworker population of Yale followed and settled in housing close to the new rail yards. This area was given the name Yaletown.

Yaletown remained an industrial and warehouse until after the 1986 World’s Fair, when it went though a substantial process of gentrification. Currently it remains one of the most ambitious and successful urban rejuvenation projects in North America.

Although Yaletown’s skyline has the contemporary “City of Glass” look to it, the area has not forgotten its industrial past. Many of the warehouses and rail yards have been transformed into trendy restaurants and nightclubs. This gentrification, the mixture of contemporary and refurbished, has given the area a very unique look and feel. Demographically, Yaletown is young and educated. During the dot-com bubble many IT and dot-com companies set up shop in the area, creating what some called a “Silicon Alley”. The median age is 37 and the majority of the population have completed some form of post-secondary education. In Yaletown the average price of a home is close to $600,000 and the average income is nearly $71,000.

Yaletown is home to the high end whether it be dining or shopping. The area has become somewhat of a mecca for foodies, and many fine restaurants have opened up shop within the neighborhood. If fine dining is the order of the evening there is Opus Bar or Provence Marinaside. For travelers on a smaller budget, but still want exceptional atmosphere and cuisine there are a variety of gastro pubs such as Dix BBQ and Brewery, Library Square Public House, and The Shark Club Bar and Grill.

In regards to shopping Yaletown is home to many unique boutiques and shops. Any shopping trip through the neighborhood would not be complete without a stop at places like the Atomic Model Botique for the latest in high fashion jewelry and accessories. The Eden Boutique has a similar theme, though it specializes in imports from the UK and Europe. If you are a bookworm and shopping for clothing is not what you had in mind check out the Book Warehouse on Homer St.

If you have a four legged friend with you on the trip or at home, there are a number of stores for Fido in the area. Both Barking Babies and Dog and Hydrant offer a selection of trendy accessories for the canine companion.

And if it isn’t shopping that you are after there is still plenty to do in Yaletown. Many tourists flock to the Seawall, which is a pleasant walking trail that runs parallel to the shore. Yaletown is also within walking distance to GM Place, and BC Place, the home of the Vancouver Canucks and BC Lions respectively, if you want to take in a game during their seasons.

Yaletown is very conveniently located, by virtue that it is located along the southern tip of the Burrard inlet. Taking the skytrain it is possible to get from Yaletown to the Financial District, Gastown, or anywhere else in Downtown Vancouver in a number of minutes.…

Designer Jeans For Men Fashions

Once considered only for leisure wear jeans are worn more than any other clothing item by women and men. In fact, men prefer wearing designer jeans for not only the comfort, but for the fashion statement. Combined with a dress jacket and a pair of men’s dress shoes the look is replacing men’s suites.

Men’s clothing can be a combination of style and comfort that is appropriate for the business world, and a night out on the town. This luxury of comfort and fashion does not come from other non designer brands of jeans. They can be worn with T shirts for a casual look, or pair them with men’s dress shirts for a more dressy style.

Designer jeans provide men with great style and comfort as well as quality. There are several varieties of styles to select from. Aside from style, there are different washes, colors, rises and cuts. One will also be able to choose styles from boot cut, straight leg, relaxed fit, and slim fit, just to name a few. The possibilities for putting together several combinations almost endless.

Choosing from the vast variety of designs and styles of designer jeans will make a positive statement about men’s fashion. The fashion item is worn by many celebrities which contributes to the fact that they are a status symbol. The logos on the clothing alone advertise their quality and design.

When buying these fashions be assured the the fabric is of the highest quality, they are very long wearing, and will last for many years to come. Although they are more expensive than a regular pair, they are carefully designed and well processed so they are an excellent value for the price. They will out last an ordinary pair which makes them well worth the purchase price.

What adds to the attractiveness of these fashions, is the embroidery. Many styles are hand embroidered and the pattern is carefully incorporated in to the design of the item. The fabric they are made from, blue or black denim and stretch poplin fabrics, also enhances the look. The type of material that is used to produce this clothing item also makes them extremely comfortable to wear.

The extreme high quality of the jean makes them more durable than other types. They can be worn often without the concern of damaging them our showing signs of wear as can happen with a regular pair. They will last for many years because of the quality that goes in to making them.

The designer jean does not shrink as non designer can, so they stay looking good for a long time. In fact, most are preshrunk to keep them from irregularities or imperfections after purchase. Preshrinking keeps the item in excellent condition for some time. Even though they tend to be priced higher than regular styles, they are a good investment because they last longer. So the fashionable male can be comfortable in knowing that he has made a positive investment for the wallet and style.…

Shopping For Fur Coats: Advantages of Shopping In-Store Versus Online

Have you ever considered the advantages and disadvantages of buying products in-store vs. online? When you are shopping for coats, knowing where to shop can prove important to both your time and your wallet. Both shopping methods can be useful, but there are some drawbacks with either choice.

The advantages to shopping in-store as opposed to online are quite clear, especially when it comes to fashion.

Here are three reasons for shopping in-store for your next fur coat:

1. You can try on the coats before purchase. This is the most obvious advantage to shopping for your new coat in a physical store. (Note, however, than some online garment companies have a 100% full return and exchange policy in case you are not happy with the coat you ordered).

2. By shopping in-store you can have somebody next to you who will help you make your decision. Some people feel an extra level of comfort with this type of hand-holding during the shopping experience. (However, note that it is entirely possible to get the assistance you need through an online purchase. Just pick up the phone and call them if you have questions).

3. By going into a store, it is a snap to have a tailor measure you in preparation for custom tailoring.

On the other hand, don’t forget the many reasons for shopping online, including:

1. Prices are lower. As a general rule, it is easier to find a coat for a better price online, especially by an online-exclusive company. Online-only stores are able to keep their costs down because they have much less overhead (i.e., brick and mortar store, in-store sales assistants, and other infrastructure) than do their brick-and-mortar store cousins.

2. You will have a wider array of choices available. It is much easier to offer a huge selection of coats online than it is to do so within the confines of a store. The likelihood you will find a coat that meets your price range and sense of taste is much higher.

3. The most important reason for shopping online is that it requires the least amount of energy (and therefore, time and money) from you. With a few clicks of a mouse you will be able to find the cheapest coat that meets your style with ease, without the hassle of going into the store. Compare this to having to drive around town – or to another city or state – to find the right coat for you. The online option is just so much easier!

When it comes down to it, the person who knows what they are looking for will probably prefer to shop online to save time and money. Whatever you decide, remember that it is your desire to look fashionable that drives you, and be sure to buy the coat that suits you and your sense of style the best.…

My Top 5 Hotels in Paris – For Fashionistas and the Budget Minded

So you are finally going to Paris. But where to stay? Picking the wrong Parisian hotel can put a wet rag on your entire experience. I feel terrible when I see tourists coming out of the local flea bag or even just an uninspired place that charges too much. So to give you hope, there are loads of hotels in Paris that will inspire you, comfort you and keep you coming back, without a gigantic price tag, here are just a few.

For the purse conscious

Hotel Manufacture is a hotel I stayed at not too long ago in the 13th arrondissement of Paris. The 13th lies just below the 5th and the Latin quarter. Here you are walking distance from La Butte aux Cailles neighborhood, which is terribly charming and choc full of fun places to wine and dine. In addition you are very close to Paris’ Chinatown, which is the ideal place to get a steamy bowl of Pho for a mere 5 euros. This is one of the Cheapest areas of town to eat a very satisfying meal. As for the hotel, it’s clean, the rooms are small but the breakfast is good and the lobby is quite charming. Alert: this is a steal for Paris with prices starting as low as 75 euros a night, just slightly more than you’d pay at a youth hostel!

Zen in Paris

For a calm, zen-like experience in Paris try the Hotel Gabriel, purported to be the first “detox” hotels in Paris. I think it’s a bit of a marketing ploy the whole detox thing as the “detox” elements that I saw consisted of healthy drinks and other snacks and a small Spa treatment room downstairs. Don’t kid yourself even if you stay here you’ll be gobbling up the pastries in Paris just like the rest of us. But I digress. The lobby and room d?�cor at the Gabriel is ?�ber-modern and trendy with loads of white fabrics, white lacquer and mood lighting. I really liked the little breakfast room/caf?� downstairs as well as the location, just a 5-10 minute walk from my favorite area of Paris, the Marais. Rates from 129 euros a night.

Shopping hub

If you are coming to Paris in July or January for the sales, or if you just like to shop till you drop, a lovely place to rest your weary feet would be the Hotel Banke in the 9th. Here you’ll be near the gorgeous Opera Garnier and around the corner from Printemps and Galeries Lafayette for department store deals. Of course the 9th has been heating up as of late, with a bevy of cool wine bars and gastro pubs. D?�cor at the Banke is decidedly hip, with a long gold sofa by Phillipe Starke spotted in the downstairs bar and the small art collection presented on each floor. I loved the rooms here, chic, stylish yet comfortable. Beginning at 135 euros a night.

Next to the Tuileries

The Hotel Lumen with rooms often as low as 160 euros/night is in the most central location you can find just steps away from the rue de Rivoli, the Louvre and the Tuileries gardens. The hotel gave me a chic Italian in Paris sensibility and has its own little caf?� with seating inside and out. This Paris hotel is perfect for fashionistas and in-the-know businessmen. Their staff is very professional, bending over backwards to make you happy.

Classic Chic

If you are more Hermes than Lacroix, head to the Hotel Keppler the 8th arrondissement. This stylish haven is tucked away on a quiet street yet is just minutes away from the Champs Elysees and the golden triangle and haute couture shopping on Avenue Montaigne. I personally found the black and white lobby exactly to my taste, the bar one that I’d like to spend a lot of time reading and sipping tea in and the rooms comfortable, elegant and stylish. Rooms here start at 200 euros a night.

Bon voyage!

Doni Belau is the owner and editor of the Girl’s Guide to Paris, a travel website and blog written by Parisian residents and insiders covering everything from fashion to culture to foodie faves in the city of light.

Note: Rates quoted are the best deals I could find, you’ll often pay more in high season.…