Manhattan, NY February 2024

Cupid Aims Her Arrow LI F E + C U LTU R E

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F E B R UA RY 2 02 4

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

Love Means...

February 2024 PUBLISHER

Kevin Hicks | Kevin.hicks@citylifestyle.com P U B L I CAT I O N D I R E C TO R

Svetlana Blasucci | svetlana.blasucci@citylifestyle.com

February always feels like the lighter month leading into a new year. How does one celebrate Valentine's Day? Either a date night out or a cozy evening in with the local Chinese spot. Are you the buy flowers and a card type or the picking a card to write it all out type?

I usually land somewhere a little in between.

We’ll each arrive at different answers based on our preferences and personalities, but what we hold in common is an opportunity to make sure those around us know we love them. And regardless of how you choose to celebrate, we hope the pages of this month’s magazine will help you do just that as we celebrate and highlight what’s to love in your local community.

Fun fact! I’m adopted. Was born in Russia and came to America when I was three by two of the coolest parents. Mom and Dad taught me about unconditional love, something I didn’t think was possible. Also trusting and letting people in, I have a real knack for connecting with strangers at a bar or even on the street. I’ve always looked up to them and now that I’m on the journey to get married in a few months, I’m taking notes from them. My love language isn’t material goods but traveling and creating memories in my heart.

While we teeter between the chill of January Winter and the excitement of Spring, we hope you’ll be inspired to take a moment to come together with the people in your community & life.

“Love local” means your local businesses, those in your community - but it also means loving what is near. Those under your own roof included. So grab a coffee at Joe Coffee Company on Waverly Place or snag a bottle of wine from Sussex Wines & Spirits and some cheese from Murray's Cheese Shop on Mulberry and indulge in some one one-on-one time with a special someone.

Thanks for trusting us and showing the life you created for yourself through your eyes.

Our hope is that we continue to bring inspiration to your lives and love it just a bit more than you did before.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Svetlana Blasucci, Kelly Leary, M.S., Annika Rhea, Lauren Reilly C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R AP H E R

Annika Rhea

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman LAYOUT DESIGNER Rhiannon Coffman

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inside the issue FE B RUA RY 2 0 2 4 | LOV E LO CA L

12 24

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Featured

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18 24

6

Departments

Revolution Dating

Award-Winning Palm Beach Matchmaking Firm Launches New Hub in NYC

Annika Rhea

Body Medium Painting

Suit Up

Opening Doorways and Reimagining Pathways

4

Lifestyle Letter

8

City Scene

10

Business Monthly

12

Must See LIFE + CULTURE

18

Artist’s Palette ARTS + CULTURE

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Local Limelight PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

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Events

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Travel Journal TRAVEL

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FEBRUARY 2024

city scene WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

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1 - 3: Manhattan Chamber of Commerce 2023 Annual Meeting 4: Manhattan Chamber of Commerce 2023 Annual Meeting 5: NYC Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer 6 - 7: Manhattan Chamber of Commerce 2023 Annual Meeting Photography by Ron Louis Photos (Ron Foster)

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FEBRUARY 2024

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SLR Real Estate Featured Agent: Jessica DeLeon-Delfin Jessica’s Favorite NYC neighborhood and why: It's hard to narrow it down to just one favorite neighborhood. But if I had to pick just one NYC neighborhood it would have to be the LES. Since day one the LES has been the place to go for food, drinks, fun, and all the energy and excitement the city has to offer!

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The IDEAL School of Manhattan - There’s No Place Like Home Join us for our 19th Annual Gala Tuesday on February 27th at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers! The Gala is a time to celebrate our growing and thriving community with an evening of fun and entertainment featuring fabulous performances by IDEAL students and special guests. Go to https://one.bidpal.net/idealgala2024/welcome for more information. We hope to see you there!

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ARTICLE BY SVETLANA BLASUCCI | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DON WEST PHOTOGRAPHY

AWARD-WINNING PALM BEACH MATCHMAKING FIRM LAUNCHES NEW HUB IN NYC

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M UST SE E | L I FE + C ULTU RE

When a phone call that was supposed to be only 20 minutes turns to an hour you know it's the real deal! Meet Kelly Leary, M.S., CEO and Founder of Revolution Dating powered by A List Introductions. Kelly has her Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology and 33 years in the dating industry. She started

Florida, I could no longer resist the invitation and the high demand in this area." Being single in the city is not as easy as it may seem, as we know from the adventures of Carrie Bradshaw and her friends.

Kelly is plugged in and connected and she is about to connect you too.

her career as a matchmaker in a smaller firm in Boca Raton in 1991 while studying in Graduate School. Kelly quickly soared to the top of the industry and eventually was promoted as the figurehead of the flagship office of a national dating service located on Madison Avenue in the early 2000s. Now, twenty years later, Kelly returns to Madison Avenue and she is so excited to share her love with New York City and the TriState area again!

Kelly opened up Revolution Dating in 2014. She was already so well known, that her clients followed her. Clients and couples of this firm are notorious for jet-setting between Florida and the Tri-State Area. Launching a Hub in Manhattan was a natural next move for this exclusive matchmaking firm.

Her clients asked and she listened.

"The timing is perfect with the advent of Wall Street South and the flight to

Single, divorced, and widowed clients from their 20s to their 80s can now enjoy the gift of love in their own backyard. More than half of the club's clientele fly home for the summer months--so now they have year-round dating options.

Revolution Dating clients and couples are cheering this northeastern love movement on and Kelly is so grateful for all of the support and love she has received from her clients for more than three successful decades. She is even more grateful to those that have been accepting of going public with their success stories. Revolution Dating does have strict confidentiality in their club which is great for high-profile singles like elected officials or high-net-worth individuals.

Going public on a dating site is about the silliest thing a person in this position can do. Others just like privacy and wisely avoid social media and online dating.

"BEING SINGLE IN THE CITY IS NOT AS EASY..."

CONTINUED >

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Valentine’s Day is On Fire for This Club’s Clients!

The Revolution Team with Prince Borghese at a fund raiser

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M UST SE E | L I FE + C ULTU RE

Hiring a matchmaker is like meeting through a trusted friend--but no one knows your business. Clients are anonymous until they meet, which is a nice insurance policy on sincerity and authenticity.

Right next to Kelly stands Miranda Capparelli. Miranda holds a BFA Degree and serves as the Head Matchmaker and COO of Revolution Dating alongside Kelly. They met several years ago in their home base yoga studio in Palm Beach. Also, a disciplined dancer and yoga teacher, Miranda is truly a natural in the love biz, according to Kelly. Being an encyclopedia on the dating industry, Kelly has a keen ability to read people by observation and has an eye for talent.

Kelly recruited Miranda when she noted her thoughtfulness, staunch work ethic, and cheery disposition.

Together, these two lead the Love Movement in Manhattan as a dynamic duo. They both have contagious and infectious magnetism that draws people to them organically. Just look at them! Kelly also appreciates that together they span the modern dating culture combined with old-school traditional values. Kelly is not one for online dating or the internet. Her famous line is "I miss the eighties" as she says with a passionate laugh.

"THEY BOTH HAVE CONTAGIOUS AND INFECTIOUS MAGNETISM..."

Kelly believes that we live in an over-digitalized world which can be counterproductive to relationships. She encourages people to love and live offline "IRL" (in real life). People are losing touch with each other and it’s taking a toll on many people--not just the youth. People are losing time, money, and emotion, on the internet. It is time to return to love and put those screens down in 2024.

Kelly has seen the best and the worst in the dating business. There are some matchmakers out there that charge more than $300,000 for representation. While Revolution Dating is worth that and more, she maintains her club dues at a reasonable rate, making the "membership investment" comfortable for many

Cupid Aims Her Arrow at NYC in 2024

CONTINUED >

Dr Teri & Tom

You Asked. Cupid Listened.

Palm Beach go-to Matchmakers launch New Hub in Manhattan.

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Frank & Barbara met through Revolution Dating

Must Love Dogs!

Kelly and son host a charity fundraiser for Furry Friends Animal and Adoption Clinic.

Happily Married Proud Parents: Dr. Christine & John!

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people, not just a few. In the same way that you can walk into a Louis Vuitton store, there is a wide range of selection and cost and it is up to the client to pick what works best for them--with the guidance of the team.

Some people want and need much more time, exclusivity, and coaching, while others just want to be in an offline dating higher-quality pool. This Firm is all about selection and collaboration.

This is the who's who of matchmaking and everyone who is accepted into the club is kind, successful and attractive. In 2024, there is no better way to connect than to hire a matchmaker.

Know that this Firm is REAL Matchmaking by real people with real hearts. Even a current client, Mitch, agrees that the volume is one he can’t believe. He is a busy man but Kelly makes it her mission to be responsive to all of her clients. This is the matchmaking ticket, friends. This Madison Avenue-based Love Movement is spreading like wildfire. For more information, call (646) 522-3089, or go to www.revolutiondating.com

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Annika Rhea Kinetic Flow- Wine & Jazz

The Nature of Evolution

BODY MEDIUM ARTICLE BY SVETLANA BLASUCCI | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNIKA RHEA

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A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | ARTS + CU LT U RE

1. BODY MEDIUM* …WHAT IS THAT?

BODY MEDIUM is a dance-painting technique that I coined and developed where I use my body as a painting tool, movement as the strokes and the canvas as a stage. I refer to this technique as “immersive action painting” because I consider myself an extension of the canvas and as I paint, I become immersed in the artwork. The work is interdisciplinary as each piece involves performance art, visual art, music, film, and fashion. I typically add a theatrical or metaphorical premise to each piece using curated colors, movement qualities, lighting, and music to push along the storyline.

The work is part meditation, part performance and part ritual and is based on the ideas of flow, authenticity, bravery and the expression of the creative spirit.

2. WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH PAINTING? DID ANYONE INSPIRE YOU?

I have been painting and dancing separately since I can remember. My father was a craftsman and had a studio in our basement so I watched him work with wood and paints from a very young age.

Professionally, I’m inspired by the lineage of action painters who used movement to paint like Jackson Pollock, Kazu Shiraga, Lee Krasner, and Joan Mitchell.

Every time I’m in a museum, I find myself drawn to abstract expressionist works that mimic movement rather than a person or object.

CONTINUED >

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"The work is part meditation, part performance and part ritual and is based on the ideas of flow..."

3. DID YOU GO TO A PERFORMING ARTS SCHOOL?

From age three through high school, I took art classes in school but my dance education was extracurricular. By high school, I was dancing 16-18 hours a week and was in three dance companies so most of my time outside of school was taken up by dance. I continued my performance art education in college at The George Washington University where I majored in dance.

4. WHERE ARE YOU FROM ORIGINALLY?

Pound Ridge, NY. Westchester County.

5. CAN YOU TALK TO US ABOUT YOUR ART COMMISSION PROCESS?

The BODY MEDIUM commission process is unique because it is a collaboration between artist and commissioner. We first discuss logistics like size, color and style and then speak about intention and what they want the piece to represent. The artwork can then be created in studio or live for an event such as a wedding, conference or celebration and then the painting acts as the imprint of a memory.

6. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PERFORMANCE YOU'VE DONE AND WHY?

Two performances come to mind, one is called Journey and was my first full-length conceptual performance piece made on a 50ft canvas in collaboration with musician and composer Tasso Zapanti. Journey is about the story of an idea moving through the stages of the creative cycle from the perspective of an artist, highlighting the emotional range it takes to bring a vision to life.

The other most memorable performance was the one I took to Art Basel in Miami in 2021. I was Scope Art Fair’s chosen artist in residence to exhibit and perform at Loews Hotel Miami and performed in collaboration with musicians Mehmet Ayden and Joshua Ryan.

7. WHO INSPIRES YOU AS AN ARTIST? IS THERE CERTAIN MUSIC THAT GETS YOU INTO THE HEADSPACE?

My performance art is inspired mostly by Isadora Duncan and Martha Graham techniques. These iconic women were both considered mothers of modern dance and incorporated spirituality, storytelling, and theatrics into their choreography.

CONTINUED >

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Winter

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Annika in Studio

Musically, many genres inspire me, mostly modern classical, jazz and anything that speaks to my creative spirit (my body knows as soon as I hear it).

However, since I’ve trained in over a dozen dance disciplines, I can perform to and embody most any genre and each genre yields a different kind of painting so it’s been fun exploring collaborations of all kinds.

8. TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEWEST SERIES, KINETIC FLOW.

Kinetic Flow is my new movement-based minimalist linework series.

The underlying themes of flow and the movement of energy through time and space are drivers in both series. In Kinetic Flow, it’s expressed by a single line and the peaks, valleys and complexities of each line visually symbolize the tonal qualities of music and the journey of life itself.

9. DO YOU HAVE ANY UPCOMING SHOWS OR PERFORMANCES?

Yes, my next solo show, Fearless, is going up in March in Box Factory Gallery in Ridgewood, NY. The opening event and performance will be on March 14th, 2024.

In addition to that, I’m piecing together a monthly performance series featuring different musicians in various locations in NYC. You can find more information about the series on my website.

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FEB R UARY 2 0 2 4 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/MA N HAT TA N N Y

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SUIT UP Founder Lauren Reilly

1. WHAT IS SUITUP?

SuitUp is a 501c3 education non-profit that

increases career readiness for all students through innovative business simulations. Through SuitUp, students (10-18 years old) experience solving a realistic corporate challenge, such as designing a new product for Nike. They have the opportunity to interact with corporate volunteers who coach them on marketing, design, financing, and strategy, before helping them pitch to judges for a cash prize. By the end of the experience, students can see the corporate world as part of “their world” and know that job titles, such as CEO, are now in their grasp. Since its inception, SuitUp has worked with over 18,000 students and engaged over 12,000 corporate coaches from companies like Airbnb, Amazon, Coach, Estee Lauder, Forbes, Goldman Sachs, Meta, Nasdaq, Salesforce, Santander Bank, TJX, Visa, and more.

2. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO START THIS CHARITY?

I started my career teaching 9th and 12th grade in the South Bronx and then 7th grade in Harlem. It became clear that it wasn't that my students didn't know WHAT they wanted to be when they grew up; it was that they had no idea what they COULD be.

They were a 20-minute subway ride to midtown Manhattan, where almost every Fortune500 company across every industry has an office, yet my students never left their 10-block radius. Working with the co-founders, Zach Graumann and Casey Miller, SuitUp emerged as a conduit to immerse

students

from

underserved

communities

in

CONTINUED >

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LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | P ROF E SSION AL SE RVICE S

ARTICLE BY SVETLANA BLASUCCI PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAUREN REILLY

Opening Door ways and Reimagining Pathways

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experiences that transcended the ordinary career day, and instead offered a firsthand glimpse into the realms of possibility and leadership. The mission was to "open doors and reimagine pathways," enabling children as early as 10 years old to envision themselves not just as students but as future CEOs and industry leaders.

3. WHAT SCHOOLS IN MANHATTAN DO YOU WORK WITH? WHAT TYPE OF SCHOOLS?

SuitUp works with over 60 different schools across all five boroughs of New York. We partner specifically with Title I schools or schools that don't have strong college and career readiness programming or staff due to budget constraints.

4. WHO ARE YOU, LAUREN, AND WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND?

Lauren working with the students

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Lauren Reilly is a founder and the Executive Director of SuitUp, a national non-profit organization. Her previous experience includes being a founding Board Member and Chief Learning Officer for PRACTICE and a Teach for America alum, having taught both middle and high school in the Bronx and Harlem. She has received fellowships from the Goldman Sachs 10KSB Program, SOCAP Entrepreneurs Residency, the Miller Center’s GSBI Program, Gratitude Network, and NYU Senior Leaders Program. Lauren has also been recognized by the Obama administration as a White House Champion for Change and, most recently, was a semi-finalist for the NYC Imagine Awards in the Leadership Excellence and Rising

Star Categories. Lauren is a Governing Board Member at both Stepping Stones Montessori and The Gratitude Network and has been featured in Philanthropy. com, K12Drive.com, Chronicles of Philanthropy, New Jersey Herald, News 12, BronxNet, and New York1. She graduated with a Master's degree in Education from Fordham University and a Bachelor's degree in History from Vassar College.

Lauren is a cancer survivor, a mother of three and an avid soccer player.

Presentation

6. GIVE ME YOUR BEST EXAMPLE OF THE WAY YOU'VE SEEN YOUR ORGANIZATION'S WORK MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

One powerful illustration of the impact of SuitUp's work is the transformation of students' outlook on their future career trajectories. We witness the profound difference our organization makes by instilling excitement in the students.

7. SUCCESS STORY…GO!

James, a 7th grader from KIPP Network, initially unsure about his future, participated in a SuitUp competition at Felix Gray, a Soho eyeglasses startup. Guided

by Felix Gray employees, he and his peers created innovative glasses addressing societal needs. Despite his lack of prior knowledge about SuitUp, James embraced the experience.

CONTINUED >

Students at NASDAQ

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“The mission was to ‘open doors and reimagine pathways,’ enabling children as early as 10 years old to envision themselves not just as students but as future CEOs and industry leaders.”

During the four-hour competition, James had a transformative "lightbulb" moment. He contributed ideas, provided feedback, and worked closely with the co-founder on business aspects. Despite not winning, James gained a profound lesson in "grit."

Post-competition, he expressed interest in business administration, guided by a coach's recommendation to explore Baruch's business school.

This single event at James's school showcased SuitUp's impact—100% of students learned something new, 92% envisioned careers using competition skills, and all acknowledged the impact of Felix Gray's volunteers on their college aspirations.

To get involved, feel free to use the following link https://www.volunteer suitup.com/contact-us-today or reach out to me directly at lauren@volunteer suitup.org.

Achievement Smile

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LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | P ROF E SSION AL SE RVICE S

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FEBRUARY 2024

events A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LO C A L E V E N T S FEBR UARY 1ST - 29 TH

Winter Markets are Still Open!

Winter Village in Bryant Park and other locations across the city Running through March, continue to enjoy the best winter market in Manhattan! The Winter Village in Bryant Park is not only the largest winter market in the city but also by far the nicest! Adjacent to the ice rink and places to shop and eat, its location among all the skyscrapers makes for an amazing winter experience.

FEBR UARY 1ST - 29 TH

Celebrate National Pizza Day Manhattan In the heart of New York City, National Pizza Day unfolds as a gastronomic spectacle. Iconic pizzerias in the Big Apple like Joe’s and Grimaldi’s draw crowds with their signature thin crusts and flavorful toppings. The city’s diverse neighborhoods echo with the sizzling sounds of pizza ovens as locals and tourists alike relish the unmatched delight of a New York Slice FEBR UARY 2ND - 4 TH

Explore New York's iconic vintage show 'Manhattan Vintage' The Manhattan Vintage Show is a mecca for fashion enthusiasts! Over 90 renowned designers and collectors showcase timeless pieces, from retro garments to unique accessories.

Attendees explore decades of fashion history, reveling in the charm of bygone eras. This extravaganza serves as a vibrant nexus where fashion aficionados connect over their shared love for timeless and eclectic styles

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EVE N TS

F E BRUA RY 9 T H - 11TH

New York Fashion Week All over the city Whole streets are closed off and intersections become catwalks - it’s one of the biggest fashion events of the year! For a week, twice a year, influencers, celebrities, editors, photographers and fashionistas from all over the world will make their pilgrimage to New York City to see the new collections from their favorite designers and brands.

F E BRUA RY 1 3T H - 14TH

New York Build Expo Javitz Center New York's leading and largest construction and design show is returning to the Javits Center! An award-winning show, New York Build features: 275+ speakers across 5 conference theatres, 22+ AIA CES approved sessions, 250+ exhibitors and exclusive free-to-attend networking events including Women in Construction and Diversity in Construction, entertainment, the Festival of Construction, celebrity guests and much more.

F E BRUA RY 2 4 T H

Chinese New Year Parade Chinatown | 1:00 PM The main Chinatown Lunar New Year event in NYC is the amazing Parade, with massive floats, lion dances, and firecrackers, which takes place on the main streets of Little Italy and Chinatown.​ The Lunar New Year parade kicks off at 1 pm. The route usually lies through Mott & Canal Streets, Chatham Square, and East Broadway Eldridge, finishing on Eldridge and Forsyth Streets, next to Sara D. Roosevelt Park. The event is free to watch but come in advance to get frontrow spots. Food vendors will be available from noon to 4 pm.

Get to Know the Agents of

SLR Real Estate ANAT KLEIN, SALESPERSON What is your favorite NYC neighborhood?

NoLIta is my favorite neighborhood- a newfound neighborhood for me the mix of SoHo, and Chinatown with a touch of Lower East Side makes it perfect. Rough at the edges but with style and elegance. From chic boutiques and high-end fragrance shops to small mom-and-pop businesses and authentic Asian and Italian cuisines. Each business has either a rich history, a unique concept, or is a NYC Landmark. The people who crowd the street on an average day, are the local business owners, people from the art and fashion industry, and in general colorful and unique characters. And the vibe is fresh and vibrant.

Contact Anat today for all of your real estate needs. anat@slr-realestate.com 646.642.7665 V @anat_realtor_nyc SALES.

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G E T I N T O U C H AT CIT YLIFEST YLE .COM/ M A N H AT TA N N Y

LISTINGS.

R E N TA L S .

slr-realestate.com | 929.298.1983 | Vslr_realestate_

207 St James Pl, Suite 1L, Brooklyn, New York 11238

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ARTICLE BY SUE G. COLLINS

Reservations For Two Dreamy destinations for couples looking to get away.

Finding a life partner just might be easier than finding someone you can travel with.

Pace, patience and priorities all matter when organizing itineraries, straddling time zones and navigating new places. Do you like languid mornings with room service, wide sandy beaches and white-glove service? Or, do you prefer watching the sunrise in hiking boots, launching into eye-opening excursions and digging to find that hidden gem of a restaurant that serves local food to locals?

When the stars align, both partners have an affinity for generally the same kind of vacation, or are willing to compromise. Enjoying travel with your mate is the icing on the (wedding) cake.

Here are a few ideas for fabulously romantic getaways. Bon Voyage!

Traveling can be as stressful as it is sublime. Exhausting as it is inspiring.

Traveling as a couple requires additional planning and communication with a healthy dose of patience. Much like marriage!

But, waking up in a faraway place, exploring unknown terrain together and leaving your routine and all its trappings behind can be therapeutic. You both can take on new roles and release tired habits.

1

Write new vows over lunch or take a random nap because you can.

2

Share planning and talk about your goals for the trip. Do you want to completely unplug or will one of you need excellent wifi to call into a few meetings?

3

If you’re parents, consider setting boundaries for texting and phone calls so you can put the phone away and immerse in one another. Let the kids know you will be checking your phone at a certain time each day (and stick to that). Let the grandparents or caregivers handle the day to day drama.

4

Take turns charting a course for the day. On day one, you check museum opening times, get the timed tickets and find a nearby spot for a healthy lunch. On day two, you sit back and let your partner call the Uber and source out the perfect shopping district, walking distance to a park. Enjoy the ride, either way.

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T R AV E L J OU R N A L | TRAV E L

Four Seasons Bora Bora FourSeasons.com/BoraBora

Privacy and so much blue water.

Bora Bora, French Polynesia At the Four Seasons Bora Bora, bucket list overwater bungalows line a glassy lagoon, inviting early-morning swims off your own private dock with a bright breakfast table set on your patio overlooking Mount Otemanu. The morning air is like silk, with a lithe breeze promising more of the same. Later, meander down the shady paths of the resort to the Te Mahana Spa. With breathtaking lagoon and Pacific Ocean views from twin infinity pools, the treatment begins with local juices and fruit, a foot massage, and then continues with rebalancing rituals starring indigenous ingredients like skin-smoothing, Tahitian-black-pearl powder and detoxifying algae sourced from the ocean.

A full body scrub, massage, and hour-long soak in a coconut bath will leave you thankful and grounded. You can connect with the underwater world by snorkeling with a resident marine biologist and leave a legacy by grafting coral to repopulate the sun bleached lagoon. Dinners at the Four Seasons Bora Bora offer the ultimate date night experience, and a private moonlit swim is the perfect nightcap.

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The Willows The Pendry

The Pendry Pendry.com

Park City, Utah Create a perfect romantic getaway at Pendry Park City, a contemporary mountain enclave bringing the mastery of Utah’s awe-inspiring landscape to new heights. The ski-in/ski-out resort is nestled in the center of Canyons Village, with slopeside modernist design, luxury service and thoughtful amenities, ideal for a couple’s escape. Rejuvenate the body with Spa Pendry for a couples massage and enjoy the herbal steam room, relaxation spaces, complimentary refreshments, state-of-the-art fitness center and access to the hotel rooftop pool and whirlpool, with stunning views of the mountains.

The Willows TheWillowsPalmSprings.com

The Swag

Palm Springs, California

Originally a millionaire’s private luxury hideaway, the Italianate style mansions were built side-by-side. The seclusion, though just blocks from the Palm Springs village, is intoxicating. Rooms include oversized tiled showers, priceless antique pieces and a turndown service to make you feel like the royalty you are. Situated at the base of rugged Mt. San Jacinto with views of the Coachella Valley, The Willows is a perfect base for exploring the Palm Springs mid-century architecture of Hollywood titans or hiking the Andreas or Big Morongo Canyons or nearby Joshua Tree. Open September through May.

The Swag TheSwag.com

Waynesville, North Carolina Perched at the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, The Swag is a property where history, storytelling and a deep respect for nature are a priority.

Breakfast is served in front of a roaring fire or overlooking the 250-acre property and Cataloochee Valley. Lunch (ordered the night before) is served in a backpack for hiking, to-go bag for a private picnic or in the lodge’s dining room. Dinner is a social affair, with hors d’oeuvres and a welcome from the inn owners or managers and a toast to those celebrating milestones followed by a four or five-course meal from a kitchen teeming with local talent and award winning chefs.

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