New York Lifestyles Magazine October 2025

Turks & Caicos Islands

RESORTS

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS IS 192 SQUARE MILES. WHY GO TO TEN DIFFERENT WEBSITES, WHEN YOU CAN FIND WHAT YOU NEED IN ONE?

LUXURY VILLAS

REAL ESTATE

With over 25 years of experience in the travel, hospitality, and tourism industries we know our local presence and knowledge will be instrumental to you, your family, and clients in creating a seamless experience for booking your accommodations, activities, private jet services, and sourcing your real estate options. We collaborate with professionals in all areas and assure you that in one call, we can coordinate your entire Turks and Caicos experience. Let us make your arrangements from your first steps in the islands, to stepping back on your private jet or flight out of the islands.

website: theturksandcaicoscompany.com email: reservations@theturksandcaicoscompany.com

EDITOR’S NOTE

HARVEST SEASON

September begins the autumnal shift for our region, the weather cools and the beauty New York State is known for begins…the changing of the leaves. But October is when we really start to notice the leaves, and our attitudes begin to change as well.

As a child in the city, October was always one of the most fun months of the year. Endless fall harvest events, more comfortable outdoor temperatures, and, of course, Halloween.

Speaking of which, I wanted to tell you all a story. On Halloween of 1983, I was dressed as Luke Skywalker. My upstairs neighbor, Jonathan, and I spent our third Halloween in a row together trick or treating in our building, the El Dorado on Central Park West. That night, we knocked on a door not knowing whose apartment it was. The door opens, and it’s Michael Vale, the gentleman everyone knew for saying, “Time to make the donuts.” Of course, our eyes lit up. Then, suddenly, a bird flies from Mr. Vale’s living room and lands on his shoulders, saying, “Time to make the donuts!” We literally died on the floor laughing.

My point is, New York is a town where anything can happen at anytime. And October is a big month for that kind of thing. In this issue, you’ll be surprised by some of the incredible stories, products and personalities being featured. And just wait until you see what we have in store for you next month for Holiday!

Stay Real. Keep Rockin’.

Vol. 11 #9 | OCTOBER 2025

President / Publisher BILL MASON

Co-Publisher/Editor-in-Chief SEAN-PATRICK M. HILLMAN

Art Director SCOTT CUOLLO

Director of Special Projects Adam Kluger Entertainment Jenny Peters

Contributors

Jeffrey Pohn,Marie Saint,Jonathan Kent, Ilyssa Panitz, Kerry Cheeseboro, Jenna Guarneri, Elizabeth Darwen, Norah Bradford, Peter Elston, Lillian Langtry, Stacey Zable, John Dake, Irvina Lew, Jeff & Stephanie Sylva, Anne Raso, Kylie Edmond, Karl Kirch, Clara Morgan

Columnists

Melanie Carden - Curated By Mel Jon Salas - The Look Mindie Barnett - The MINDIE Method Dan Grozev - Danny Rizzz

Internet Presence Michael McKenzie Magazine Distribution The Garrido Group

New York Sales Office  (646) 259-2651

Editorial/Sales Fax (212) 202-4888

Sales

Bill Mason Sr. - Director of New Business Development Don Fetherman - Director of Travel

For advertising inquiries, subscriptions, address changes or back issues, call:  (646) 259-2651

newyorklifestylesmagazine.com

Facebook: /NYLifestylesMag X: @NYLifestylesMag

Instagram: @NYLifestylesMag

All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue is expressly forbidden without written permission of this publisher. Printed in the USA. New York Lifestyles is published 10 times a year. ©2025 New York Lifestyles Magazine.

COVER CREDITS

DR. BARRY WEINBTRAUB

Photography

Sean-Patrick M. Hillman, Editor-in-Chief

Ctsy Dr. Barry Weintraub

FL

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

AUTUMN’S ELEGANCE, SPIRIT & STYLE

There’s something magical about fall in New York. From the dazzling skyline of Manhattan to the rolling hills and river valleys upstate, the season transforms our state into a world of color, culture, and celebration. The crisp air, golden leaves, and renewed sense of energy remind us why autumn is the season of both reflection and inspiration.

Just north of the city, Sleepy Hollow captures the mystery and allure of the season. With its storied legends, lantern-lit tours, and the iconic Headless Horseman, the village comes alive each October with a unique blend of folklore and festivity. Beyond the chills and thrills, Sleepy Hollow offers a timeless reminder of how history, storytelling, and community can shape a place’s enduring charm.

Equally inspiring are the stories of philanthropy we spotlight in this issue. Across New York, individuals and organizations are dedicating their time, resources, and creativity to causes that uplift others. Their generosity reflects the true spirit of fall—gratitude, giving, and gathering together to make a difference.

And of course, no New York autumn would be complete without the glamour of Fashion Week. This year’s shows dazzled with innovation, artistry, and bold new perspectives, proving once again that New York City is at the heart of global style. From couture statements to everyday inspirations, fashion continues to redefine how we express ourselves.

As you turn the pages of this issue, I invite you to celebrate the season in every form—whether exploring fall foliage, immersing yourself in history and legend, supporting a cause, or embracing the excitement of the runway. May this autumn be filled with discovery, generosity, and style.

See you next issue…

-Bill Mason Publisher

Escape to Extraordinary Destinations in Unparalled Luxury - Greek Isles / Mediterranean / Caribbean / USA

EMBARK ON A JOURNEY WITH ALPHA YACHTING CO. AND EXPLORE THE WORLD'S MOST BREATHTAKING DESTINATIONS.

Charter one of our yachts and uncover the hidden gems of the Greek Islands, the Mediterranean, the Pacific, the Caribbean, the USA, and Central America.

Whether you're looking for adventure, relaxation, or cultural exploration, our expertly curated itineraries offer something for everyone.

Set sail with us and create unforgettable memories on magic islands, drawing your own itinerary!

Set sail on a beautiful adventure with Alpha Yachting Co., where every voyage is a journey through paradise.

Explore some of the world's most stunning yachting and cruising destinations.

FEATURES

DR. BARRY WEINTRAUB

REDEFINING AESTHETIC SURGERY

By Karl Kirch

When board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Barry Weintraub enters his Upper East Side office, it might be to perform a rhinoplasty on a teen, a revision rhinoplasty on a patient who had surgery elsewhere, a scarless gynecomastia removal on a tech wiz, or a facelift, neck lift, or eye lift on a socialite, business executive, real-estate tycoon, actor, CEO, or art dealer.

Often, Dr. Weintraub is greeted with a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of fine wine, a package from Hermès, or a handwritten note thanking him—because nothing in his practice is rushed or industrial. Patients appreciate him for his steadfast and unwavering care. As one patient put it: “Thank you and your entire team for the personalized attention—the opposite of the transactional experiences I’ve had elsewhere.”

On new-patient consultation days, prospective patients meet with Dr. Weintraub for an hour-long session during which they are encouraged to ask as many questions as they like in an unrushed manner. “Surgery will change the way someone looks for the rest of their life. It is not a race. It should be taken very seriously. I want their final result to be outstanding,” says Dr. Weintraub.

No matter what the day brings, Dr. Weintraub is driven by one thing: providing the highest quality of unhurried, personalized care to deliver sophisticated, natural-looking outcomes. “I was trained at Cornell during a time when surgery was considered sacred. One of the principal tenets I adopted is the belief that every patient is an individual with specific desires and aesthetic needs. Even though I have performed thousands of rhinoplasties and facelifts, no two patients possess the same configuration, and the end result will be with them forever. Mediocrity or indifference have no place in such situations.”

This belief manifests in Dr. Weintraub’s practice, which is the opposite of a factory. His humility, warmth, and kind nature instantly put patients at ease. When a patient effusively thanks him for creating the nose she’s always wanted, he is almost selfdeprecating, humorously replying: “Awww, thanks. You must have caught me on a good day.” His humbleness belies his skill and notoriety.

Dr. Weintraub’s philosophy has always been “less is more.” According to him, “Results should be conservative and understated with a keen eye toward natural attractiveness. If you can tell something was done, it wasn’t done well.”

If you can tell something was done, it wasn’t done well.

For example, in facelift surgery, he avoids the “pulled” or “distorted” look by gently suspending tissues, restoring volume with fat transplantation, and incorporating the Deep Plane, SMAS, and Subcutaneous approaches for maximum benefit in his Hybrid Facelift.

In rhinoplasty surgery, Dr. Weintraub doesn’t chase trends and discourages his patients from doing the same. “Fashion is something that changes, while natural attractiveness is always in style.” He explains that while all patients want to look better, each has dissimilar aesthetics. “One patient’s version of an attractive nose, for example, might not be another’s. This is why I insist patients bring photos of noses they like, as well as noses they absolutely hate. Rather than using words, we discuss images to ensure that I fully understand their vision of attractiveness through their own eyes, never forgetting that every patient is unique.”

He adds: “Their stories are unique as well.”

Take, for example, the teenage twins who underwent rhinoplasty. The boy was upset for a year because his sister qualified for surgery at age 14 (the minimum age for girls), while he had to wait until he was 15 (the minimum age for boys). “The poor kid remained self-conscious and teased for an additional year, while his sister blossomed due to the assuredness she gained from her surgical result.”

Another fascinating case involved a royal from the Middle East who had undergone four prior rhinoplasties. “The operating room was like an archaeological dig that day, because I found suture material and evidence of outdated techniques from five prior surgeries—none of which produced the harmonious, elegant result that my patient desired. I’m pleased to say that the fifth time was the charm!”

Often, patients seek surgery in anticipation of an important event, whether it be a parent whose child is getting married, an entrepreneur whose business is going public, a teen preparing for college, or someone already in the spotlight who wishes to maintain or improve their appearance.

“There isn’t a moment during surgery when I don’t realize that every suture will mean something to my patient. In a sense, this responsibility could be overwhelming, but I balance it with the joy that results when patients thank me for restoring them to themselves. Those are the most beautiful words to hear: ‘Thank you, Dr. Weintraub, for giving me back myself.’”

It is clear that the desire to help people drives Dr. Weintraub and his team. When asked to offer guidance to patients seeking consultations, he provided the following:

• Write down your questions before your consult to maximize your time with the surgeon.

• Don’t be afraid to ask further questions at the end of the consultation.

• If you feel rushed, you’re being rushed! Always state your needs. The surgeon should allow easy access for continued questions long after the consultation.

• No two surgeons perform surgery the same way. Don’t compare; instead, ensure you align with the surgeon’s aesthetic. Review before-and-after photos to confirm that the results match your vision.

• Ask about safety protocols. Will the procedure be performed in a licensed surgical facility?

• Verify that your plastic surgeon is board-certified. You can check here: www.abplasticsurgery.org

• Ask about medical testing. By law, only one blood test may be required, but Dr. Weintraub insists on an EKG, five blood tests, a urinalysis, a letter of medical clearance, and—for women—a pregnancy test. “Even when these results are sent to me, my head anesthesiologist must read every line to ensure nothing was overlooked. Only then do I consider a patient cleared for surgery. Nothing is as important as safety.”

• When will you learn the name of the anesthesiologist? If it’s not until the night before, the surgeon may use a contracted group. “In my office, I have anesthesiologists on staff who are known entities, thereby decreasing risk by ensuring you’re cared for by extremely experienced anesthesiologists I have approved and worked with for years.”

• Ask who to contact in an emergency: the surgeon, a PA, or a resident unfamiliar with your case? “In my practice, patients know they can reach me directly, 24/7.”

• Who will be seeing you postoperatively? Will it be the surgeon, or will you be relegated to the nursing staff? While nursing staff is entirely qualified to provide postoperative care, without personally meeting with you on a regular basis, your surgeon won’t see the manifestation of the techniques used, which prevents him or her from improving upon and evolving surgical techniques.

“It’s called a medical practice for a reason: the more one operates and witnesses the outcome of surgery, the better one becomes,” adds Dr. Weintraub

Finally, Dr. Weintraub stresses what might sound simple but is critical: ask yourself if you feel comfortable, safe, and cared for. Were you greeted warmly? Do you feel the surgeon and team genuinely want the best for you?

“Many of my revision rhinoplasty patients say, ‘I had a gut feeling it wasn’t right, but I went through with the surgery anyway.’ Don’t discount your own emotions.”

Ultimately, successful surgery requires finding a doctor who is experienced, highly skilled, compassionate, trustworthy, and aligned with your aesthetic goals.

Dr. Weintraub concludes: “I wish every patient the best of luck and remain available to answer any questions, whether you are my patient or not!” For more information on Dr. Weintraub visit: drbarryweintraub.com

CURATED BY MEL

ORCHARDS, HARVESTS AND CHEEKY DINNER PARTIES

By Melanie Carden

Ilove hot toddies, but I’m craving a change this season. Autumn, of course, showcases the dazzling outcome of what change can bring about. Its vibrant color isn’t limited to the leaves. We get a bounty of colorful apples, pumpkins, and harvest goodies, and it’s these autumn staples that are the inspiration for this month’s collection. From orchard simmering pots to New York apples and even a few shop-ahead holidays ideas, here’s an October harvest of autumn essentials and splurges.

BETTER THAN PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE

Hotel Chocolat just launched its all new thermodynamic Velvetiser. Engineered for both hot and cold drinking chocolate, the specialty carafe melts chocolate flakes at an optimal 155157 degrees Farenheit for velvety smooth sips. And for chilled drinking chocolate? The cycle begins with a series of pulses, which melds the finely milled chocolate with chilled milk. The starter kit comes with assorted varieties of shaved chocolate, such as classic, orange, and mint. Or—try autumn flavors like Black Forest or pumpkin. Info: us.hotelchocolat.com

AUTMN GOLD FOR UNDER $50

I love a sneaker splurge, but I’m also down for any cute kicks, especially when they’re uniquely versatile. The Leo Retro in SageBerry delivers quiet rose hues with earthy sage and metallic gold— just waiting to be paired with autumn’s mossy greens and beyond. The platform lug sole provides all-day comfort for meandering the city, vacation excursions, or lingering days at the cider distillery. Plus, it boasts a serious tread, so you’ll be sure footed even in the rain. Info: famousfootwear.com

The folks at Sculpd have managed to create a DIY mood lighting kit. Whether that was the intent or not, this Filament Lamp Pottery Kit serves as two dates in one. First, plan a cozy night around making the DIY pottery base lamp, then plan a second night, using the light for a romantic dinner, which may or may not involve some belly laughs, depending on your artistic creation. Either way, it’s perfect for a quiet autumn weekend night. Info: sculpd.com

WISH CARDS

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most impactful. Case in point: Wish Cards. Each little work of art includes a single match and an itty-bitty wick, embedded in a dollop of wax—just enough for one, quick wish. The sentiment and artistry combine for a truly memorable gift, and the studio offers wish cards for birthdays, love notes, and best of all—for no reason whatsoever. Buy a few at a time and stash them away for when a moment arises when you need something special. Info: wishcards.studio

DIY MOOD LIGHTING

ORCHARD STOVETOP SIMMER

I find most reality shows rather tedious, but I’d watch Joanna Gaines decorate a porta-potty if I came across it on TV. Luckily, her creations are everywhere, and the Magnolia Spiced Orchard Stovetop Simmer outshines any candle when it comes to seasonal aromatherapy. The fall-inspired potpourri comes in its own glass simmer pot. It’s a great gift, and also available in a Forest Hearth scent (think apples and pinecones)—perfect for the upcoming holidays. Info: magnolia.com

HOLIDAYS? PLAN AHEAD

Elms Puzzles can take four to six weeks to ship, and they’re absolutely worth the wait. The brand is known for its customized, hand-cut wood puzzles. Clients may choose a traditional framed edge or an irregular edge, and therefore more difficult puzzle. Each puzzle piece is artisan cut, one piece at a time—no computers, and no lasers. Further refine the nuances by selecting some tricks, many tricks, or very few tricks—false edges, trick corners, and other deviations from traditional puzzles. In short, each puzzle is a masterpiece. Info: elmspuzzles.com

WOOD FIRED DREAM

With just an armful of wood, AlumiTubs promise all-day heat, and the brand’s quality promise basically proclaims, “to hell with planned obsolescence!” The craftsmen behind these beauties are thinking about usage and weather factors 50 years from now and promise of durability remains. It reaches prime heat in just 90 minutes, even in sub-zero conditions. Warm up a hot toddy and settle in for some dreamy stargazing sessions. Info: alumitubs.com

COWBOY COFFEE + LEAF PEEPING

Let’s set the scene. It’s a chilly autumn Sunday, and you bundle up a bit to head out for a long leaf-peeping walk. Instead of your typical Yeti full of coffee, level it up to Pendleton Whisky’s Cowboy Coffee. Combine 1.5 oz Pendleton Original, 2 oz hot coffee, .27 oz butterscotch schnapps, and top with fresh whipped cream. The Pendleton Whisky delivers a rounded blend of warm spice, and the hint of butterscotch adds a depth similar to that of a hot buttered rum—only better. Info: pendletonwhisky.com/drinks/cowboy-coffee

TINNED FISH BLISS

Tinned fish is the little black dress of the foodie realm. Hear me out. You won’t find a more versatile protein, and it can be dressed up or down with equal ease. If I’m backpacking, you can bet I’ve got tinned fish. Hosting an elegant soiree? Tinned fish. I’m over the moon for Fishwife because I feel like in addition to the dedication to quality, they understand that the packaging makes for a perfect hostess gift. Try the Rainbow Smoked Trout, Mussels in Basil Pesto, or Albacore Tuna with Spanish Lemon. Info: eatfishwife.com

CHEEKY FALL DINNER PARTIES

Create the invite list for this dinner party with an extra degree of consideration. You’ll want only your cheekiest friends in attendance. The napkins from No Reservations are utterly hilarious and pair well with any wine—but not with whining. Choose from the superlatives napkin set, seen here, or the “please leave by 9” version, which are my personal favorite. You can choose the thread color to ensure the napkins match your décor or the season. Info: shopnores.com

NEW YORK APPLES

Fun fact: Yes! Apples are New York Apples. Behind the flashy grocery store brand you’ll find 50+ New York-based family farms growing over 20 varieties of apples—some 3.6M bushels of apples every year. You can look for them in the store or ship what’s ready now from their website. The packaging is gorgeous. So, if you’re looking for a replacement for the usual fruit basket, Yes! Apples checks all the boxes, plus represents the state with a bite of the big (tasty) apple. I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it.

Info: yesapples.com

THE DREAMIEST CHRISTMAS ADVENT

Each year, Vosges Haut-Chocolat crafts an advent calendar so over-the-top spectacular, it’s become one of the most treasured traditions in our home—a worthy splurge. This year, the luxurious chocolate advent has a whimsical jungle theme. And, as always, it’s structured like a large house that opens to surprise holiday goers with music, twinkling lights, and the most dazzling array of gourmet chocolates each day. The closer we get to December, the higher the risk the advent will sell out, and this is a not-to-miss holiday luxury. Info: vosgeschocolate.com

TWO DAYS OF FASHION HEAVEN: hiTechMODA SEASON 14

WHEN DIVERSITY, COUTURE, AND GLOBAL TALENT CONVERGED IN TIMES SQUARE

By Lillian Langtry | Photos: Thomas Concordia

New York Fashion Week is always electric, but there are moments when the spotlight feels a little brighter, the creativity a little sharper, and the energy undeniable. That’s exactly what I experienced when hiTechMODA returned with its 14th season—two days of pure fashion heaven at the Edison Ballroom, right in the heart of Times Square.

hiTechMODA has built its reputation on something rare in the fashion world: the ability to bridge the gap between established icons and emerging designers. Founded and led by Pamela Privette, the production company has become a proving ground for visionary newcomers while also giving space for household names to dazzle anew. With Season 14, that mission was not only alive—it was flourishing.

A Global Stage in the City That Never Sleeps Walking into the Edison Ballroom, I was struck by the diversity on display, not just in the audience but on the runway itself. The lineup boasted 39 designers from around the globe, representing cultures and aesthetics as varied as New York City itself. Couture gowns, ready-to-wear looks, pageantry designs, and avant-garde statements flowed one after another, making it clear that hiTechMODA’s platform isn’t about one singular vision—it’s about many.

From the bold work of Nita Belle’s Closet and Marc Defang’s pageant-ready brilliance to the intricate craftsmanship of Luxe by Rian Fernandez and the ethereal artistry of Zalina Couture by Ronaldo Arnaldo, every collection told a story. I found myself marveling at how seamlessly the show moved between edgy modernism and timeless elegance. This wasn’t just fashion; it was a living gallery of global creativity.

The Democratization of the Runway Pamela Privette has often said that hiTechMODA was built to democratize the runway. Sitting in that ballroom, I saw that mission in action. It wasn’t just about big names; it was about giving equal footing to designers at every stage of their careers. That inclusivity makes hiTechMODA one of the most exciting shows of Fashion Week— because you never quite know where the next breakout star will emerge.

The international roster included talents like Danny Booc, Marjorie Kobayashi, Melanie Caballero Couture, and Omar Mansoor, each adding their own unique voice to the conversation. It felt less like a fashion show and more like a cultural exchange, where the runway became a shared language.

Power on

Of course, a hiTechMODA show wouldn’t be complete without a little glamour. Season 14 delivered with VIP models that brought both pageantry and prestige to the catwalk. The Rian Fernandez show lit up with appearances from Christiana DiNardo (Miss New York USA), Ivy Harrington (Miss New Jersey USA), and Telelangana Kashvi (Miss Universe), among others. Meanwhile, Alonso Maximo’s showcase featured international stars like Clayton Maxwell (Mister Man of the Year 2025) and Ioanna Saratopolous (Miss Cosmo Greece 2025).

There was a palpable pride in the room as these models graced the runway, not just as faces of fashion but as ambassadors of their countries and titles. It was another reminder of how hiTechMODA thrives on inclusivity and diversity.

A Production That Raises the Bar

What makes hiTechMODA stand out isn’t only the designers or the models—it’s the sheer quality of the production. From the lighting to the pacing, from the music to the choreography, everything felt polished and intentional. Pamela Privette and her elite team have mastered the art of creating a space where both designers and audiences feel part of something truly world-class.

hiTechMODA has also become a leader in pushing conversations around technology, sustainability, and inclusivity in fashion. This isn’t a show stuck in the past; it’s one building the future of what fashion weeks can and should look like.

The Takeaway

As I left the Edison Ballroom after two whirlwind days, I couldn’t help but feel energized. In a city where fashion shows are everywhere, hiTechMODA managed to create something rare: a stage where established legends, emerging talents, and global perspectives share equal billing.

Season 14 wasn’t just another event on the Fashion Week calendar—it was a reminder of why New York remains the ultimate fashion capital. It’s here, in the heart of Times Square, that creativity from every corner of the globe found its way onto a single runway. And in those two days, we all witnessed fashion at its most inclusive, dynamic, and inspiring.

hiTechMODA calls it a production. I’d call it a movement.

Star

the Catwalk

THE LOOK

NYC IS STILL THE EPICENTER OF HAUTE STYLE

By Jon Salas

Twice a year New York becomes the epicenter of style as the fashion elite and world’s tastemakers gather to take inspiration from the Big Apple’s latest trends – this phenomenon is known as New York Fashion Week (NYFW).

While tents taking over Bryant Park and dozens of paparazzi and style photographers lining up the park’s Sixth Avenue entrance may be a memory of decades past, the magic and originality of New York’s style scene is very much still alive, and this past season proved it. This NYFW showed why New Yorkers are still the original trendsetters and this was evident in latest collections seen from accessory presentations to runway collections.

ACCESSORIES ARE HAUTE, HAUTE, HAUTE!

We New Yorkers know how to accessorize, and our designers prove it. Alexis Bittar has solidified its position as the ‘It’ brand that unites generations. Gen Z may know them from their presence on social while more mature audiences know the name thanks to their original jewelry designs that revolutionized the fashion scene when they first launched at the start of the millennium. The craftsmanship and clever whit in design was very much present this season with their latest presentation of scissor-inspired hardware on clutches and bags, oversized dramatic abstract shaped earrings, and their iconic bangles were still very much the hero of their collection. The inspiration for this latest collection was 1991 Miss USA which seemed very on-trend for the season as celebrating the nineties was very much a common theme felt across town at other showings.

BRING BACK THAT 1994 RELAXED FIT

The ‘90s relaxed fit was very much a hot trend seen on the runway from oversized blazers to loose-fitting tops and pants for both men and women. Calvin Klein, being the original master of ‘90s fashion of course owned this category, with a mix of oversized, flowing dresses with sinched waists for her and oversized sports jackets with impeccable shoulder tailoring for him. Everything was curated with a draping effect as to evoke an effortless look that was thoughtfully crafted to suit bodies in all the right places as to provide structure. COS was another brand whose presentation who was on theme –their minimalist aesthetic really allowed for ‘90s shapes like loose shirts and loose chinos to come through. With a palate of dark and neutral tones, the collection felt polished, functional and practical, fit for a modern-day Jerry Maguire boardroom meeting.

NY FASHION IS PRACTICAL, ELEVATED AND ICONIC

One of the most memorable and ‘only in New York’ moments this past season was when one of NYC’s finest, Christian Siriano, celebrated the 40th anniversary of Macy’s signature label INC through a special collaboration with the retailer, which turned the flagship store at Herald’s Square into a star-studded runway that gathered A-List’s biggest names including Oprah, Gayle King, Whoopi Goldberg, Lizzo and many more. This wasn’t just a buzzy collaboration – this was an homage to New York fashion that displayed an array of practical and elevated looks from evening dresses to office chic pieces reminding us that we New Yorkers work hard but they style harder. The looks were true to New York uniform, with black being a common theme throughout the collection. With such a tribute to NYC’s style scene, it only seems fitting that the show take place at an iconic landmark like Macy’s HQ - it doesn’t get more NYFW than that.

BOHEMIAN VIBES ARE STILL GOING STRONG

Boho chic was a theme we reported on earlier this Spring, and six months later, it’s still very much a key trend taking us into 2026. Nowhere was this more seen than at PatBO. The Brazilian designer displayed an array of ethereal, flirty and feminine dresses that were scenes straight-out of a café on Copacabana or the Hippie market on Ipanema beach. Floral shapes and prints along with flowy textiles were very much on the menu, a common theme seen at other shows as well. The days of skinny jeans and suffocating cigarette-style pants are long gone.

The headline this season felt across the shows was that New York is still very much the authority in setting style trends. Paris, London and Milan may also hold weight as fashion meccas, but the original player was and will always be ‘The City That Never Sleeps.’ We have an original sense of style, which is why fashion’s greatest continue to flock here to show and take inspiration.

DIANA MAHRACH COUTURE SHINES AT NYC FASHION WEEK

AN UNFORGETTABLE EVENING WHERE FASHION, PHILANTHROPY, AND LUXURY UNITE

By Clara Morgan | Photos: Shutterstock / Mark Sagliocco

Diana Mahrach Couture dazzled New York Fashion Week with the unveiling of her Spring/ Summer 2026 Womenswear and Menswear collections. The runway radiated sophistication, blending timeless couture craftsmanship with modern artistry, while also supporting The Centre for Family Services Palm Beach County. Guests mingled over BIATCH® Tequila cocktails and discovered Mahrach’s newly launched fragrance, adding an immersive touch of indulgence. The evening attracted an elegant crowd, with Prince Mario Max, Luisa Diaz, Jean Shafiroff, and Leesa Rowland among the notable names in attendance—an unforgettable celebration where couture, culture, and philanthropy came together in perfect harmony.

Charlii Sebunya

Jean Shafiroff

Diana Mahrach

Leesa Rowland

MALAN BRETON REDEFINES THE RUNWAY

WHEN BROADWAY, FASHION, AND HUMANITY COLLIDE

By Jon Kent

At New York Fashion Week, it’s easy to get lost in the whirlwind of runway debuts, celebrity front rows, and endless after-parties. But every so often, a show stops the city in its tracks. That’s exactly what happened when Malan Breton unveiled his Spring Summer 2026 collection, The Age of the Machine, The Heart of Humanity, at the Léman Ballroom.

This wasn’t a typical fashion week moment. It was something far more ambitious: a cultural collaboration where Broadway met couture, where technology conversed with tradition, and where a designer used his platform to elevate not just artistry, but humanity.

A FUSION OF WORLDS

Malan Breton has never been one to color inside the lines. Over his career, he’s blurred boundaries between fashion, film, and performance. Yet with SS26, he took that concept further by making the runway itself a stage. Instead of models simply strutting to a beat, the show became a full production: Tony Award winners Priscilla Lopez and Baayork Lee walking as living characters, a script-driven narrative unfolding in real time, and an original musical score written by Breton himself.

Few designers have the courage to combine so many creative disciplines in a single presentation. But Breton thrives in that chaos. It’s part of what has made him “the Internet’s favorite designer” and, as British Vogue once put it, “the most influential designer you’ve never heard of.”

FASHION WITH PURPOSE

Beyond the spectacle, Breton anchored his show in something deeper. The opening act, The Heart, was dedicated to CaringKind, the Alzheimer’s nonprofit supporting families and caregivers. In a week often dominated by self-promotion, here was a collection that asked us to pause and consider compassion.

That theme carried through each act: Time, in collaboration with King Seiko, a meditation on precision and the ticking clock; Transformation, celebrating resilience and reinvention with Wigs.com and Vivienne Mackinder; and Legacy, drawing on the opulence of the Gilded Age through SohoMuse. Each partnership wasn’t just a sponsor relationship—it was woven into the DNA of the designs themselves.

REINVENTING THE RUNWAY EXPERIENCE

For me, what made this show remarkable was not just the clothes—though Breton’s mastery of silks, brocades, and tailoring never disappoints—but the way he challenged the very concept of a fashion show. Too often, runway presentations can feel transactional: here are the looks, now buy them. Breton instead created a living piece of art, one that asked us to reflect on the tension between the machine-driven future and the enduring heart of humanity.

Elton Ilirjani, Priscilla Lopez, Malan Breton, Consuelo Vanderbilt-Costin, Angel Pei, Baayork Le

His decision to compose the soundtrack himself was emblematic of that philosophy. The music fused orchestral swells with futuristic soundscapes, making the garments feel like extensions of the score. It reminded me that fashion, at its highest level, is not just about clothing the body—it’s about engaging every sense.

A WHO’S WHO OF NEW YORK

Of course, this being New York Fashion Week, the guest list was as glittering as the gowns. Tony winners Danny Burstein and Lucia Hwong Gordon joined the mix, along with Consuelo VanderbiltCostin, Jean Shafiroff, and nightlife impresario Noel Ashman. It was one of those rare events where the worlds of Broadway, high fashion, philanthropy, and society all crossed paths—and Breton stood confidently at the center of it.

THE BRETON LEGACY

What strikes me most about Malan Breton is his ability to reinvent himself without losing authenticity. From designing for icons like Priyanka Chopra and Billy Porter, to starring on Bravo’s The Malan Show, to directing award-winning films, his career is a testament to reinvention. Now, by merging his skills as a composer, designer, and storyteller, he has once again expanded what it means to be a creative force.

In a world obsessed with speed and algorithms, Breton dares to slow us down and remind us of something vital: humanity will always outshine the machine. His SS26 collection wasn’t just a fashion statement—it was a cultural one.

As I left the ballroom that night, I realized this wasn’t just another New York Fashion Week presentation. It was a manifesto. A declaration that fashion can be more than commerce. It can be art, it can be activism, and most importantly, it can be a bridge between the worlds we live in and the worlds we hope to create.

SÃO TOMÉ AND PRÍNCIPE

DISCOVER AFRICA’S UNSPOILED PARADISE ON THE EQUATOR

By Jenny Peters

I’m zooming along in a quick little motorboat on the edge of the island of Príncipe, the UNESCO biosphere reserve that makes up one half of the tiny country of São Tomé and Príncipe. It’s a wild, unspoiled place here on the equator in the Gulf of Guinea, just below the big bulge of Northern Africa, filled with tropical rain forests, sandy beaches and birds galore.

We’re watching for humpback whales, who enjoy these warm waters from May to October every year and hoping to spot one of the five types of endangered sea turtles (Hawksbill, Green, Loggerhead, Leatherback and Olive Ridley) who come to nest and lay their eggs in the sand here, too. But as we get further away from Bom Bom, the cozy Príncipe Collection beachfront resort I’m calling home for a few days, it begins to feel like we’ve stepped into an old movie classic.

For as we approach Morro São Jorge, one of the jungle-covered craggy mountains near the shoreline, a low fog envelops its base and I am transported mentally into the 1933 version “King Kong,” so much so that I actually listen for his roar. Ironically, there are no giant gorillas here, just small monkeys on this bucolic island, for humans are the main mammals here.

There truly are birds everywhere, however, here in this beautiful biosphere dedicated to the conservation of its biological diversity, so good cameras and binoculars are an important part of any birdwatching lover’s visit. 176 species of birds call this secondsmallest African country home, including 25 that are endemic to the islands. My favorites I spotted are the São Tomé Kingfisher and the São Tomé Paradise Flycatcher, both small birds with bright orange plumage, making them pretty easy to see in the jungle. Watch for the São Tomé Ibis, too, for it’s the smallest Ibis in the world, and for the Giant Sunbird, the biggest of that species.

At Bom Bom Resort, you can choose your own guided adventure, many of which are included in your room rate. Take a four-hour guided birdwatching hike or climb to the Maria Correia waterfall and go for a swim; and if the ocean calls, go snorkeling and watch for eagle rays and those famous turtles as well. This Príncipe Collection hotel (there are four of them, three on Príncipe and one on São Tomé) has 18 beautiful beach bungalows that feel incredibly secluded, like you’re in your own private paradise.

It’s tempting to simply stay at that resort and just embrace the slow, easy pace of Bom Bom, but Sundy Praia Resort awaits. That’s the jewel in the crown of the Príncipe Collection, part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World and a spectacular fivestar hotel high above Bom Bom in the jungle. With 18 gorgeously designed tented villas, it’s a truly wonderfully unique, environmentally sustainable place hidden in the rainforest.

Plus, a meander down the hill brings you to Sundy’s private beach (or you can stay in a beachfront villa for the easiest access, complete with a private pool) and the resort’s restaurant serves up wonderful locally sourced seafood, tropical fruits and more. Here, too, island experiences are included every day, ranging from a cacao plantation-chocolate factory tour to discovering the lost city of Ribeira Izé and learning the history of the islands. Don’t miss a visit to the town of Santo Antonio, with its pastel-hued Colonial-design buildings and Catholic churches built long ago.

The history of São Tomé and Príncipe is centered on the Portuguese, who discovered the uninhabited islands in 1470. Settlers came from Portugal and soon enslaved Africans from nearby countries to work on sugar, coffee and cocoa plantations. Generations later, slavery was finally abolished and in 1975 São Tomé and Príncipe became an independent country.

Back over on São Tomé via the puddle jump flight in a small plane, I made my way to the south of that island, through the very urban São Tomé capital city and down to Club Santana Beach and Resort, a lovely cliffside resort dotted with pretty bungalows and surrounded by tropical rain forest. And, most importantly to me, the Atlantic Diving Center at the resort, giving me the chance to scuba dive in this remote part of the Atlantic Ocean. Entering a dark underwater cave filled with brilliantly hued tropical fish was a wonderful way to discover the more of the varied creatures that inhabit this special country.

I finished my stay at Omali, the sophisticated urban hotel in the Príncipe Collection, located just five minutes from TMS, the country’s international airport. There the connection to Portugal remains strong, as TAP Air Portugal connects visitors to Lisbon (and then to the USA), so be sure to plan some time in Lisbon, too, for a blissful connection in that incredible city before you head back home to reality.

For more information about São Tomé and Príncipe and the Príncipe Collection go principecollection.com

FAIRMONT KEA LANI

A GRAND MAUI WELCOME

By Jenna Guarneri

Some luxuries are defined by opulence; gold this, diamond that—lavish indulgences most people rarely experience. But in places like Maui, luxury takes on a different meaning: thoughtful design, heartfelt hospitality, unforgettable dining, and front-row access to nature’s wonders. At Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea, Maui, you’ll experience the kind of luxury that material things can never match.

Located in the storied ahupua‘a of Palauea, the hotel honors its responsibility to the land and its history by bringing out the very best of Maui, reflected in every detail of its design and service. After being welcomed with a fresh lei, I was immediately drawn to the postcard-worthy view of quintessential Hawai’i framed by an archshaped window: a lily pond and a small bridge, surrounded by palms and soft greenery, with the Pacific quietly sleeping in the distance.

I instantly understood that I wasn’t just checking into a hotel. I was entering a luxury experience that nourished my mind, body, and spirit.

A TRUE ISLAND PARADISE

The newly renovated Kea Lani is the Fairmont hotel group’s only all-suite and villa oceanfront resort in Hawai’i. Its renovation deepens its island roots: soaring ceilings that bring in fresh air and natural light, soft curves that echo ocean waves, and breezy indoor-outdoor transitions that create space for the natural flow of island life.

Each suite has generous space and a large lanai where you can appreciate Maui’s skyline. Some rooms, like the two-story oceanfront villas, come with a private courtyard, a full kitchen, and a plunge pool—an excellent option for families, couples, or friend groups that want that “home away from home” feel.

Sustainability is a key element here. A small but thoughtful touch: every registered guest receives a refillable water bottle to use during their stay, which they can also take home with them. It reinforces the resort’s broader mission: to offer luxury while maintaining their responsibility to their land.

FRESH TROPICAL FLAVORS AT PILINA

Of all the culinary experiences at the Kea Lani, Pilina is the one that truly stayed with me. Its sculpted wooden interiors flow seamlessly into oceanfront views, carrying the rhythm of the Pacific. Its drinks and dishes do the same. With locally sourced ingredients, every sip and bite is another way of knowing Maui.

I had the Makai cocktail: a refreshing blend of Ocean Vodka, aloe, yuzu, cucumber, and sea asparagus. Then came the RedStained Fingertips, made with Waikulu agave spirit, ume liqueur, pineapple shrub, and a li hing salt rim.

But the true showstopper was the sushi boat. Expertly prepared and playfully presented, the boat, to me, was symbolic, because I can only describe the platter as a journey through many different flavors, each bold in its own right. It was clear that the chef used both traditional Japanese technique and Hawaiian ingenuity to create this masterpiece.

If you’re looking to explore more sushi, they also have a wide selection with ingredient combinations that create their own rhythm when combined. For example, the Mauka to Makai roll, featuring A-5 wagyu, lobster, garlic chips, and eel sauce offers a distinct harmony that only Hawaiian dining can provide.

Save room for dessert, especially for popular options like the Matcha Basque Brûlée. Yes, it’s as good as it sounds: a creamy cheesecake with yuzu white chocolate streusel and candied citrus.

Breakfast at the Kea Lani Restaurant is just as memorable. Hawai’i is a melting pot of different cultures, and the breakfast buffet reflects that, serving Hawaiian, Chinese, Filipino, Portuguese, Korean, and Japanese dishes. I especially loved their locally roasted coffee, artisan pastries, and fresh juices that energized me each morning.

A PLACE THAT GROUNDS YOU

At The Fairmont Kea Lani, there’s no shortage of spaces for you to slow down and relax. From your suite’s private lanai to the cabanas and chaise lounges that surround the pool, you can pick any spot to enjoy the sun among palm trees and lush tropical foliage, with a cold drink or poolside grub to keep you company.

Whether you’re swimming, sunbathing, or simply taking in the pristine beauty of the Pacific in front of you, the resort invites you into a type of mindfulness that only the island breeze can bring.

But the magic of the island extends far beyond the resort. Rent a Jeep and go on the legendary Road to Hana adventure, a 64.4-mile drive along the northeastern coast of Maui. This winding drive leads you to scenic viewpoints, waterfalls, gardens, historic sites, and more. Don’t miss food trucks like Ae’s Sassy Tacos or The Juice Box for fresh-pressed juices. If you want remembrances of your time in Maui, stop by Ocean Treasures for some handmade jewelry and other souvenirs.

The team at the Kea Lani can definitely help you plan your trip. The Hana Highway, and the island in general, offer plenty of activities for nature lovers: from discovering hidden beaches to canoeing through the shallows of a calm sea.

LUXURY THAT STAYS WITH YOU

In honoring its responsibility to this sacred land, the Fairmont Kea Lani does more than just offer you lush hotel rooms or a fancy pool. At the resort, you’re invited to a full sensory experience that captures the living character of the island. From the gorgeous views highlighted by intentionally designed interiors to the deeply rooted island flavors served at their restaurants, it’s impossible not to feel connected to Maui after just one visit.

That, I’ve found, is true luxury: that feeling of connectedness with your body, your surroundings, and the people around you. I left feeling not just rested but recovered—in every sense of the word.

CABO’S LUXURIOUS WAYS TO FALL IN LOVE WITH WHALES

CABO PULMO IS BAJA SUR’S NEXT GREAT DESTINATION

By Jenny Peters

Love luxury when you travel? How about warm weather when home has snow and ice? And if you are a fan of whales and whale sharks, then read on, for we’ve got a destination that is going to make you grin from ear to ear.

That’s Cabo Pulmo, located near Los Cabos/Cabo San Lucas in Baja Sur, Mexico’s gorgeous, year-round playground at the very bottom of Baja California. Picture it on a map and you’ll remember that Baja begins at the California-Mexico border just south of San Diego in Tijuana and extends down to Cabo, with the Sea of Cortez creating that peninsula’s eastern border. Cabo Pulmo is on the East Cape, where the land curves at the eastern side and heads up into the protection of land on both sides.

That’s why Cabo Pulmo is such a pristine spot, for it is one of Mexico’s national marine parks designed to keep the water’s ecosystem unspoiled. This is the place that Jacques Cousteau called “the world’s aquarium,” and it remains so because of the Mexican peoples’ dedication to keeping it a place where sea life flourishes.

Traditionally, Cabo Pulmo has been a place where hardy scuba divers and surfers have trekked to, staying in rustic hotels and having incredible encounters with everything from manta rays, sea turtles, sharks (hammerheads, bulls, white tips and the incredible whale sharks), dolphins and numerous whale species (humpbacks, orcas, grays, fin and sperm).

In recent years, things have seismically shifted in this incredibly special place, with the opening of the Four Seasons Los Cabos at Costa Palmas, a five-star luxury resort that’s far off the beaten path.

THE INCREDIBLE LUXURY OF THE FOUR SEASONS LOS CABOS

With the numerous top-brand luxury hotels that dot the road south from Los Cabos Airport all the way to the city of Cabo San Lucas at the very end of Baja California, there was one glaring omission – no Four Seasons Hotel. All that changed when the renowned brand of “The White Lotus” fame did the unexpected and, with a new build in a beautiful, much-less-traveled spot, created on the edge of the sea, complete with two miles of beach, a marina, the resort (with 27 suites and 114 rooms and a 15,000 square foot spa) and even residences in case you fall completely in love and decide to stay.

Every room at the Four Seasons Los Cabos at Costa Palmas has an ocean view and a private terrace, some with plunge pools, and the whole place is a sleek contemporary wonder of architectural design. It’s filled with beautiful original art by local Mexican talents, and every step you take, the water is an integral part of the overall landscape. Plus, there are seven swimming pools with cabanas serving cool drinks, fresh ceviche and more; and an 18-hole golf course ready for duffers, too.

All that makes it tempting to stay on the property, but save that for the evenings, when dining delights include the incredible Estiatorio Milos, the famed Mediterranean restaurant with the freshest seafood imaginable and the insanely good, Milos signature zucchini and eggplant tower appetizer, and Mozza Baja, Chef Nancy Silverton’s version of her famed Los Angeles eatery.

Devote an afternoon to enjoying the Delphine Day Club, a French Rivierainspired beach club that’s a quick boat ride from the resort. There Chef Ludo Lefebvre is ready to feed you mouth-watering seafood (try the grilled octopus) paired with Billecart-Salmon Champagne, accompanied by lively music and impromptu dancing, then head to the beach for some sun and swimming. It’s a perfect afternoon-into-evening delight.

But on most days, especially from November to April, go way out into the water to get up close to whales, and if you are lucky, to their babies. It’s easy when staying at the Four Seasons, for the resort has sleek, comfortable private boats to take you right into the Cabo Pulmo waters, where the experiences are truly unforgettable. Choose the number of hours you want to be on the boat and from the moment you exit the marina, begin watching for the whale spout or the fluke. If you’re lucky, you’ll even see the mama and the baby whale breach together.

To get into the water with whale sharks, those gentle, plankton-eating giants of the sea, book a full-day drive up to La Paz, where you’ll get into a small boat and, once there’s a whale shark nearby, jump into the sea and snorkel right next to them. This breathtaking experience should be on every swimmer’s bucket list (you must know how to swim to do this!), for it is a surreal and exquisite encounter.

Finally, there’s the ultimate underwater experience, aboard a boat that leaves from the Four Seasons marina and takes you scuba diving in the protected Cabo Pulmo marine park to the south. Imagine massive schools of parrotfish, snapper, trevally and more, along with manta rays, Moray eels, hammerhead sharks, sea turtles and so much more in this haven of colorful coral reefs. If you’re lucky, a massive marlin will swoosh by, and during whale season, you just might hear whale songs echoing across this underwater paradise.

This luxurious trip to the less-explored part of Baja Sur will delight you in every way, and we promise you’ll begin planning your next visit even before you’ve finished your first.

For more information about visiting Cabo Pulmo/Los Cabos go to fourseasons.com/loscabos and visitloscabos.travel

VICTORIOUS VIKING

ON THE WONDROUS WAVES!

By Ruth J. Katz

We all know that after a transatlantic flight to Europe, your body and brain are a bit bedeviled, as your mind plays Double Dutch with revolving time zones. However, when I entered the World Café on deck seven of Viking’s handsome, ocean-going vessel Sky, I was particularly confused: It appeared that food was framed in pictures on the wall! I should add that I was not punch-drunk tired, as I had been able to sleep a bit that afternoon, since I and many of my soonto-be besties (at capacity, we were a little over 900 guests on this cruise, dubbed Mediterranean Odyssey, from Barcelona to Venice), had been allowed to board in a very timely fashion. This is not always the case with cruises, as the crew needs turn-around time after the last “tenants” have departed. But Viking’s crackerjack staff was swift with these chores.

So, after a refreshing shower, mini-snooze, and a trip into town to poke around, I visited the sumptuous buffet in the Café. (I might add that every meal at the World Café presents bounteous culinary overkill—from pizza to Asian-flavored stir-fry to deli smorgasbords. And that is just one of the more than half-dozen tantalizing restaurants, snack bars, or coffee bars on board.) After loading up my plate, I inched closer to the wall, to thoroughly inspect the “provisions” under glass: it looked as if there were sushi—yes, sushi—framed on the walls. Duh? Edible art?

It turns out that the wall was awash with stunning lifelike, eyecatching assemblages, the work of Kate Jenkins, a British crochet artist who creates fanciful, crocheted “meals.” Shrimp, sardines, squid, slices of lemon, and even a bottle of “Sew Sauce” are all charmingly hand-wrought in fiber. Another “painting” featured snack crackers and hors d’œuvres, alongside a silver-threaded martini! This delightful art set the tone for me for the rest of my 12 days on board the Sky…expect the unexpected and be prepared to be bowled over by the thought paid to the tiniest of details.

If the attention and focus on the art in a restaurant were this well considered, then imagine what the rest of the operational details of this ship—and likely, of the entire Viking fleet—might be!  And a huge fleet it is, indeed. As of this writing, there are 10 ocean-going vessels (another nine to be delivered by 2030), 82 river-cruising vessels (another 26 to be delivered by 2028), and two expedition ships. It is not surprising that with a fleet like this, the company calls on more than 400 ports on seven continents. Our ship was staffed by 465 crew (Viking crews represent 90 nationalities), and with a ratio like that, you can expect service to be cossetting and attentive. Let’s just say that if you are looking for a waiter or cabin steward, one finds you immediately, as if you had rubbed a genie’s lamp!

If you are a PBS-viewer, then you have seen the marketed-to-theupscale-traveler commercials that seduce you into plunking down a deposit for a cruise immediately. Torstein Hagen, founder and CEO of the company (and ofttimes, his daughter, who is a vice president), are featured; you get the feeling that this family keeps hands-on tabs on all facets of their ships—from selecting fabric for club chairs to which brands of toiletries are used in the spa.

I was, therefore, after viewing the textile tunas on the wall, prepared for literal and virtual smooth sailing. And it was just that. Even off the ship on excursions, Viking turns each destination into a learning experience, with something new to be seen or experienced.

Barcelona was no exception. Having been there before, but not having devoted enough time to Spanish native son Antoni Gaudi, I chose an excursion that steeped us into the spellbinding architecture of this magician. You could easily devote a whole day to exploring the legendary Sagrada Família church alone, but you must also take in Park Güell and the Caixa Catalunya Cultural Center, at the very least. You will be overwhelmed by Gaudi’s creativity—not to mention all the curlicues!

Equally awesome was the Musée Renoir, at our next port of call, Marseille. Located in nearby Cagnes-sur-Mer, it is a stone’s throw from the city proper. If you felt a glut of glorious architecture in Barcelona, then you’ll be breathless from the inspired Impressionism at this museum (a mere 12 rooms), Renoir’s home and studio for the last 12 years of his life. I always find that I learn so much from these excursions and was surprised to learn that Renoir suffered miserably from acute rheumatoid arthritis, using different types of wheelchairs to move around; despite his crippled, misshapen hands, he continued to paint until his last day.

Marseille, France’s oldest city and second-most populous, is steeped in diverse culture, the result of being a port city for over 2,500 years, a mecca to sailors and wanderers. It is also the birthplace of my great-grandmother, so I was eager to uncover as much history here as possible.

Our next ports of call were places I knew well—Monte Carlo, Florence (Livorno, technically), Pisa, Rome, Naples. Despite that, none disappointed, as I had the opportunity to visit old haunts, discover new treasures, soak up history, and meander on my own after fascinating group excursions. These are cities that simply leave you slavering for more.

Swoon, indeed, is what you’ll do after a treatment in the Nordic Spa, which I took advantage of on the one at-sea day on this journey. The spa offers saunas, a cold plunge, a thermal pool, and a snow grotto! Try out thermal therapy, with a soak in something hot, followed by a plunge in something cold, and then a little rest.

One other note is worth mentioning, regarding Viking’s care and attention to guests’ needs: I was on board during the Jewish High Holy Days and the ship set a room aside for guest-led services; Viking provided prayer books, delicious challah, pomegranates, kosher wines, and just about anything else the worshippers might want. I was very impressed…and made a few new friends that night.

You will make many new cruise friends, too, as cruising brings people together, and there is no better way to do that than with Viking.

For more information, or to book your own journey, please visit viking.com

TRAVEL

WONDEROUS WILMINGTON

By Ruth J. Katz

Might you need…

A “traveling bag” that can transform into a stool, just in case you’re stuck for hours in an airport holding pen? A musical keyboard instrument that converts to a bed, because doesn’t every apartment in New York City need an extra guest room?

Such is the stuff, to paraphrase Shakespeare, that dreams are made of and these are the fascinating fruits of cornucopic minds that see things not as they are, but as they might be—machinery that can solve problems, improve existing solutions, or, at the very least, simplify life.

The visionaries who fantasized first and then fabricated these inventions into reality are, respectively, one Victor Percheron, who patented his inventive suitcase/stool in 1866 and John McDonald, who knew that a two-fer whimsical piece of furniture would sell, even in 1869.

This duo represents but two among some 5,000 models of machinery, gadgets, and gizmos, all in miniature, that are part of the American Patent Model Collection at Hagley Museum and Library in Wilmington, Delaware. Encouraging ingenuity in a budding America was so important to the nation’s growth that in 1790 President George Washington himself signed the first patent legislation.

The Hagley is located on 235 acres along the banks of the Brandywine River and is the site of the original gunpowder works founded by French émigré Éleuthère Irénée du Pont de Nemours, who arrived here with his father and brother in 1800. This site would ultimately become the bedrock of today’s DuPont Company. (Remember the logo: Better Things for Better Living...Through Chemistry.) It is not surprising that the DuPont organization and personal, family history punctuate many of the historic sites in Wilmington.

Equally as fascinating as Hagley, is the legendary Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library. The home to several generations of du Ponts, it is today considered one of the greatest repositories of American furniture and decorative arts, with a collection of 90,000 objects displayed in the manse’s vast 175 rooms (not all are open to the public). One butler’s pantry is stocked solely with candlesticks and candelabra, floor to ceiling. Situated on close to 1,000 acres, comprising glorious meadowlands, woods, waterways, and woodlands, Winterthur offers a glimpse of a privileged life in early America.

As magnificent as Winterthur is, I loved even more, the Nemours Estate, home to Alfred I. du Pont, great-grandson of E. I. It is a “modest” dwelling with a mere 102 rooms on a scant 100 acres, but with a showy garden modeled after the grounds of the Palace of Versailles, including fountains, mazes, towers, monuments, and nature trails. Twin bowling alleys, a billiards room, a room with floor-to-ceiling refrigeration units (Alfred had been a student at M.I.T. and embraced the cutting-edge technology of the period), and a stately garage, which still houses a 1960 Rolls Royce Phantom V Town Car, one of just ten that were manufactured in a single year.

The Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art houses a distinguished collection of nineteenth- and twentieth-century American art in a renovated nineteenth-century mill. The extraordinary site emphasizes the Brandywine Conservancy’s commitment to the preservation of the natural, cultural, and scenic resources of the region. The crowning jewel: On the museum’s campus is the home and studio of N. C. Wyeth, that appears to be precisely as the artist left it. And, naturally, the museum holds many works by N.C., Andrew, and Jamie.

The Delaware Art Museum, with 12,000 works, including historical and contemporary American art, British Pre-Raphaelite art, and American illustrations, has at its core, the works of the renowned Howard Pyle. I could go on and on about the museums and historic homes in the area: Amstel House Museum, the Sanderson Museum, and the Delaware Children’s Museum, among the many.

A scant forty minutes’ drive away, in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, but still in the Brandywine Valley, is the legendary Longwood Gardens. Originally a Quaker farmstead and arboretum, Longwood was transformed by the forward-thinking Pierre S. du Pont, who purchased the land in 1906, undertaking the stewardship of the gardens, saving the stately trees from an ever-eager saw. He did not intend to create Longwood Gardens, as we know it today, but by 1921, when the Conservatory opened, it was impossible to keep guests away and, today, the grounds host 1.6 million visitors a year.

Longwood comprises 1,100 acres of dazzling gardens, woodlands, meadows, fountains, a 10,010-pipe Aeolian organ, and the grand conservatory. In a word, it is majestic, showcasing the efforts of inventive and dedicated renowned landscape designers, horticulturists, and architects. Recently, Longwood undertook a major revision, called Longwood Reimagined, focused on 17 acres of the property, reconfigured to include, among other structures, another grand conservatory (32,000 square feet) and a very-in-demand restaurant, aptly named 1906, which is run by the eminent Restaurant Associates. Besides top-tier cuisine, the establishment features floor-toceiling, arched windows overlooking the imperial Main Fountain Garden, and elegant furnishings (crafted from reclaimed wood from Longwood trees).

You’ll find toothsome food in other eateries in the area: Buckley’s Tavern, a local legend, was originally a historic home and blacksmith shop, dating back to 1817. Converted to a taproom and ice cream shop in the 1930s, proprietor Dennis Buckley transformed it some 75 years ago. Bardea, a downtown local fave, has an enticing menu, and not surprisingly, was named a James Beard New Restaurant semifinalist in 2019; in that same year, its chef, Antimo DiMeo, garnered the Restaurant Industry Rising Star appellation from the Delaware Restaurant Association.

And, of course, you’ll need a roof over your head, and there is no better choice than the celebrated, restored Hotel du Pont, a member of the Historic Hotels of America, and a grand dame in the city. Formerly, the building was home to the corporate offices for the DuPont Company, constructed at the behest of Pierre S. du Pont. In 1913, this dowager was the destination for anyone who was anyone, including aviators Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh. Do not pass up an opportunity to dine in the restaurant, Le Cavalier, which features food with a modern French flair, influenced by the flavors of North Africa and Provence.

For more information: visitwilmingtonde.com

839 MOUNT KISCO ROAD, ARMONK

A WESTCHESTER RETREAT OF REFINEMENT

By John Dake | Photos Dan Milstein

It’s incredible to find a property that perfectly captures the marriage of elegance and ease. For me, that discovery was 839 Mount Kisco Road in Armonk, New York—a stately brick colonial set on nearly three acres of rolling Westchester countryside. This isn’t simply a house; it’s a lifestyle. And in today’s world, where balance between city access and private retreat has never been more coveted, this residence delivers on every count.

A FIRST IMPRESSION THAT LASTS

Approaching through a gated entry, the estate immediately announces its presence. A sweeping, tree-lined driveway guides you toward the front façade, where timeless brickwork and symmetrical lines reflect classic colonial design. Yet, even before stepping inside, there’s a palpable sense that this home is not about grandeur for grandeur’s sake, but about comfort, privacy, and an understated refinement.

The three-car attached garage and wide parking court anticipate the comings and goings of a modern family, as well as the gatherings this kind of home inevitably inspires. To me, it feels like the perfect blend of suburban serenity and cosmopolitan sophistication—a duality that defines Westchester at its very best.

SPACES THAT INSPIRE AND COMFORT

Inside, the home offers 7,735 square feet of living space, laid out with both intimacy and generosity. The heart of the house is the two-story family room, flooded with natural light, where floor-to-ceiling windows frame the outdoors like ever-changing artwork. Just beyond, the chef’s kitchen is a study in both function and form. With its oversized island, professional-grade appliances, and custom cabinetry, it’s as suited to a casual Sunday breakfast as it is to catering an elegant holiday dinner.

The formal dining room and living room—with their fireplaces, crown molding, and warm wood floors—offer the kind of traditional spaces that anchor family memories. Yet the flow between rooms is open and modern, perfectly designed for entertaining on any scale. A first-floor library/office, tucked away behind French doors, provides the kind of work-from-home sanctuary so many of us value today.

A PRIVATE RETREAT UPSTAIRS

The second floor continues the story of thoughtful design. The primary suite is nothing short of a sanctuary: a spacious bedroom with a fireplace, hisand-hers walk-in closets, and a spa-like bath clad in marble. Here, one can imagine the quiet rituals of morning coffee or the long exhale at day’s end, wrapped in serenity.

The remaining bedrooms—each generous in size— feature ensuite or shared Jack and Jill baths, creating comfort and privacy for family or guests. Bonus rooms upstairs lend themselves to art studios, play spaces, or guest quarters, reflecting the flexibility this estate was designed to offer.

ENTERTAINMENT & WELLNESS AT HOME

Descending to the lower level feels like entering a private club. A home theater, gym, wet bar, and spa room provide spaces for both wellness and leisure. It’s the kind of lower level where weekends are easily spent without ever leaving home—whether you’re screening the latest release, indulging in a workout, or simply unwinding with friends over cocktails.

Most importantly, the lower level opens directly to the grounds, making the indoor-outdoor lifestyle effortless.

A RESORT-STYLE SETTING OUTDOORS

It’s the outdoors, however, where 839 Mount Kisco Road truly shines. Spread across nearly three acres, the grounds are as versatile as they are stunning. A regulation tennis court, already striped for pickleball, provides endless recreation. The in-ground pool and spa sparkle under the sun, while a firepit lounge and fully equipped outdoor kitchen invite long evenings beneath the stars.

What struck me most was the way the property balances activity and relaxation. There are spaces for children to run freely, for hosting elegant garden parties, and for enjoying tranquil moments of solitude. All of it framed by mature landscaping that ensures both beauty and privacy.

LIFE IN ARMONK: QUIET CHARM, CITY ACCESS

Armonk itself adds to the appeal. Nestled in Westchester County, the town is celebrated for its strong sense of community, charming downtown, and easy proximity to Manhattan. In under an hour, you can trade the stillness of your estate for the cultural vibrancy of the city. That dual lifestyle—country calm and city convenience—is precisely what makes this location so desirable.

For families, the home falls within the acclaimed Byram Hills School District, consistently ranked among the best in the state. Education, community, and lifestyle converge seamlessly here.

THE VALUE OF LUXURY

At $4,900,000, this residence represents a significant investment, but also an extraordinary opportunity. Annual taxes of approximately $52,385 reflect not just the square footage, but the privilege of living in one of Westchester’s premier communities.

Yet beyond numbers and square feet, what one truly acquires here is a way of life—one that blends timeless architecture with modern amenities, private grounds with community connection, and tranquility with accessibility.

A REFLECTION ON HOME

Touring 839 Mount Kisco Road reminded me of why so many New Yorkers find themselves drawn to Westchester. It’s not only the homes themselves, but what they represent: balance, permanence, and the art of living well. This property, in particular, captures all of that with grace. It is at once an entertainer’s dream, a family’s safe haven, and a personal retreat.

For the discerning buyer, 839 Mount Kisco Road is more than an address. It’s a statement—of refinement, of comfort, and of a life lived fully.

To schedule a private showing, please contact: Xanthi DeMasi, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson, 917.583.5121 | Xanthi.DeMasi@Raveis.com William Raveis Luxury Properties | raveis.com

NAPLES REFINED INSIDE 4300 BRYNWOOD DRIVE

A $12.9M ESTATE THAT REDEFINES FLORIDA LIVING

By John Dake | Photos: Naples Kenny

Luxury isn’t always about flash. In fact, the truly wealthy, for the most part, don’t flaunt their cash. And the most compelling homes I’ve stepped into weren’t shouting anything. They didn’t need to. Like their owners, they told their story through quiet confidence. Those homes were about enduring craftsmanship, and seamless design. And that’s exactly what I discovered during a recent trip to Naples, Florida, when I toured 4300 Brynwood Drive, a $12.9 million estate tucked within the ultra-private gates of Quail West.

I’ve seen it all—Park Avenue penthouses, Palm Beach compounds, even waterfront homes where the ocean practically whispers through the walls. And yet, there’s something about this particular property that lingered in my mind long after I left. It’s not just big (though at over 11,000 square feet, it is). It’s not just stunning (which it absolutely is). It’s that everything feels considered. Purposeful. Balanced. You walk through the home and realize this was built for someone who doesn’t just want to live well—they expect to.

THE MOMENT YOU ARRIVE

The estate sits on a 2.2-acre double lot, which is a rarity in Naples. The exterior makes a commanding first impression—traditional contemporary architecture with clean lines, manicured palms, and a sweeping circular driveway that sets the stage for what’s to come.

Once inside, you’re immediately met with grandeur. Soaring 24foot ceilings, a double-height great room, brass-inlaid wide-plank oak floors, and walls of glass that draw your gaze directly to the resort-style pool and beyond. The architecture gives space for the home to breathe, while the materials give it warmth.

But here’s the thing—it’s not theatrical. It’s not about impressing your guests for 30 seconds when they walk in the door. It’s about creating an experience that feels luxurious the moment you wake up and still feels that way when you close your eyes at night.

FORM, FUNCTION, AND A LITTLE FLAIR

The home, completely renovated in 2024, spans 11,160 square feet under air, with six bedrooms, seven full bathrooms, and a half bath. But what really makes this layout stand out is how livable it is. You don’t feel lost in it. Instead, you feel grounded, anchored by thoughtful design choices that guide you from one space to the next.

Take the chef’s kitchen—a true centerpiece. With Mont Blanc quartzite counters, a custom coffee bar, Sub-Zero refrigeration, a Viking gas range, and a hidden butler’s pantry, it’s built to entertain. But it also functions beautifully for everyday life. There’s plenty of room to move, gather, and linger. And trust me, this is the kind of kitchen where people will linger.

There’s a formal dining room, of course, but also a breakfast area, and a great room with a gas fireplace that is perfect for entertaining or just cuddling up on the couch with a great book.

FLORIDA LIVING, ELEVATED

If you’ve ever wondered what the phrase “resort-style living” really means, one look at the backyard here will give you your answer.

Through massive zero-corner sliding glass doors, the indoors dissolve into an outdoor living space that spans over 1,000 square feet under cover. There’s a full outdoor kitchen, a pass-through bar with folding windows, and enough room to entertain a crowd without ever stepping inside.

Then there’s the pool. This one isn’t just for show. It’s a sculptural, sparkling centerpiece with a water slide, spa, and a generous amount of space perfect for reclining with a drink in hand. Beyond the pool, you’ll find a wrap-around lawn with a built-in trampoline.

Whether it’s a quiet Tuesday night or a blowout New Year’s Eve party, this backyard has range. It’s perfect for any number of family-focused lawn games, or even a future guesthouse.

RETREAT WITHIN THE RETREAT

Now, let’s talk about the primary suite.

Set in its own private wing of the home, this retreat is more than just a bedroom—it’s a full experience. The suite includes a sitting area, a wet bar, a walk-in closet, and an oversized bathroom that could rival most spa facilities. Think dual showers, a freestanding tub, separate steam room and direct access to a private outdoor space complete with cold plunge spa, outdoor shower, and tranquil water feature. Additionally, there is a gym with a built-in sauna shower.

It’s the kind of suite that encourages you to slow down, take a breath, and enjoy the quiet moments of your day.

Each of the remaining five bedrooms is ensuite, spacious, and privately zoned—making it easy for family and guests to feel at home without ever feeling on top of one another. There’s also a media room, fitness studio, and home office—all seamlessly integrated into the layout.

And, in a nod to the modern pet-centric household, there seems to be a perfect place for your best friend to lay in every single room. There is built in pet comfort station with built-in food and water bowls and even a pot filler for easy water bowl refills. You know I’m a dog person, so yes, I noticed—and appreciated—these little spaces!

SMART, SECURE, AND STYLISH

A home at this level demands smart features, and Brynwood delivers. The property is outfitted with a Control4 smart home system, allowing for centralized control of lighting, media, temperature, and security. Hurricane-rated A-Series Andersen windows and doors, a backup generator, and garage parking for five cars (plus golf cart space) bring peace of mind and practicality to the mix.

From top to bottom, this home isn’t just beautiful—it’s built to last.

THE BEST OF NAPLES AND QUAIL WEST

Beyond the home itself, the location seals the deal. Quail West is one of Naples’ most coveted luxury communities. It offers two championship golf courses, an expansive 100,000+ square foot clubhouse, a world-class wellness spa, tennis, dining, and an active social calendar that caters to residents who appreciate privacy but still value community.

Naples, meanwhile, continues to attract both seasoned investors and younger families seeking elegance, charm, and world-class amenities without the congestion of other Florida markets. It’s no surprise so many New Yorkers are putting down roots here—whether seasonally or year-round.

Homes like 4300 Brynwood Drive don’t come on the market often—at least, not with this level of completeness. It’s not just a trophy property or a design statement. It’s a fully realized, thoughtfully reimagined home that’s move-in ready and remarkably well-balanced.

You could host a charity gala here. You could raise a family here. Or you could do both—and that’s exactly the point.

Listed at $12,900,000

To schedule a private tour or learn more, contact: Matt Brown | 239.580.8864 | Matt.Brown@raveis.com William Raveis Luxury Properties | raveis.com

THE MINDIE METHOD

ENGAGING EMOTIONS

By Mindie Barnett

Psychotherapist, wellness coach, author, and speaker Mindie Barnett answers your questions about life, navigating these stressful and uncertain times, and steering you down a more straight forward path. We welcome your questions and invite you to contact Mindie at:  mindiesmusings1@gmail.com

Mindie is available for in-person and virtual psychotherapy sessions via her Executive Health by Mindie Barnett Psychotherapy practice. Her expertise is in interpersonal relationships, overcoming depression, coping with anxiety and avoiding and overcoming burnout among many other wellness areas. Life coaching and career coaching are also areas she excels in. For more information or to schedule a session visit mbexecutivehealth.com

Dear Mindie,

My boyfriend and I are on the outs over the process of buying an engagement ring. We are at the point in our relationship, where we are both ready to take the next step but are both really clueless about how to properly go through the process of getting engaged. He knows very little about diamonds and how to pick one out and I know even less about what I may want in a ring regarding styles, diamond shapes and generally everything. I wanted to go shopping with him, but he is apparently more traditional than I thought and he wants to do the shopping without me. I just want to make sure I’m getting a ring I will like. After all, it will be mine to wear for a long time!

I guess I’m just frustrated that this is supposed to be an exciting time and instead we are spending it arguing. We just don’t see eye-to-eye. Is our relationship doomed? Any insight you can share would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Endangered Engagement

Dear Endangered Engagement,

I do not think your relationship is doomed. I do believe, however, this is a great exercise to get to know each other; how you both handle conflict, how you express your thoughts and feelings and extremely important, how you make up. I would use this situation (which I presume is one of your first real areas of friction) to learn and grow both individually and as a couple. Also: be mindful about how he speaks to you and you to him, when sharing your feelings of disagreement and dismay. How you address each other and express your thoughts is crucial. While you both should be able to freely share each other’s position, it should be done in a way that’s not pointing blame, spoken with disrespect and not in a hurtful manner. This is very important as it will most likely set the tone for how each of you handle conflict later, as well.

Regarding your ring issue, specifically, there is no right or wrong way to peruse purchasing an engagement ring. Some couples make the experience a shared one, while others handle individually (either the buyer doing all the legwork or the recipient doing the homework and relaying to the suitor what they like). The process is individual and personal.

If your boyfriend is traditional, he may feel that it’s important he take the lead and responsibilities associated with buying such an important piece of jewelry. He may also be sensitive to what his budget is and not wish to have you involved in that part of the process. My advice to you is to go your own way regarding the ring shopping. You should educate yourself regarding style, taste, cut and shape of the diamond that you like best. Then, casually share your dicoveries with him so he has a starting point, but allow him the space and grace to take it from there. You’ll likely then receive the ring of your dreams, but he will also be able to maintain a necessary sense of pride and role play. You’ll have plenty of time to then jointly peruse and purchase wedding rings, which are equally important and ideally will last a lifetime, as well!

Happy soon-to-be engagement!

Mindie xo

The Flanders Hotel Ocean City’s most historic and prestigious boardwalk hotel, known as “The Jewel of the Southern Shore”, was built in 1923. This serviceoriented Ocean City, NJ hotel, which was placed on the Nation Register of Historic Places in 2009. The Flanders combines the elegance and hospitality of yesteryear with modern amenities to offer the finest in luxury accommodations. All suites in our Ocean City hotel have private bedrooms and full kitchens, equipped with refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, coffee makers and stove tops, along with irons and ironing boards.

Located on the Ocean City Boardwalk, our full-service NJ beach hotel is a seaside destination that provides the following amenities:

• Spacious Banquet and Meeting Space

• Emily’s Ocean Room (featuring family friendly dining)

• The Shoppes at The Flanders (featuring clothing, jewelry, accessories)

• Divine Images Salon & Spa

• Outdoor heated pool (largest in Ocean City)

• Fitness Center

• 24-hour business center

Ocean City, known as America’s Greatest Family Resort, is one of the best beach towns in South Jersey. The Flanders, with its premier accommodations and prime location, is a landmark known throughout the region, state and nation. Vacationers have marveled at the towering structure as one of the great hotels along the Jersey Shore while local residents and business owners are reminded of the glory and memories provided by the resort. Because of its status as the grandest of Ocean City, New Jersey hotels, the community is fortunate that this architectural gem has survived to the present and continues to remain an important part of Ocean City’s past and future.

A LANDMARK UNION

THE BIRTH OF THE SAMUEL WAXMAN INSTITUTE FOR AGING & CANCER

By Jon Kent

INew York, we’re used to witnessing big moments—on Broadway stages, inside boardrooms, and across the skyline. But every so often, a story comes along that reminds us that true history-making doesn’t happen in the spotlight—it happens in labs, in foundations, and in the vision of people determined to change lives. That’s exactly what we saw when The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research (MFCR) and the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF) announced their groundbreaking merger to create the Samuel Waxman Institute for Aging & Cancer.

This is no ordinary partnership. It’s a first-of-its-kind transaction in cancer philanthropy and the launch of the world’s first center devoted exclusively to understanding how the biology of aging influences cancer risk at every stage of life. As someone who has spent years covering the intersection of science, philanthropy, and culture, I can tell you: this is a game-changer.

THE WHY BEHIND THE INSTITUTE

The truth is sobering. Aging remains the single greatest risk factor for cancer, and with the global population over 50 expected to double by 2050, that risk is only intensifying. At the same time, early-onset cancers are on the rise—a trend that has rattled both the medical and patient communities. By focusing directly on the relationship between aging and cancer, the Waxman Institute aims to fill a critical gap in research that has long been underfunded.

Ryan Schoenfeld, PhD, CEO of MFCR, put it best: “By combining world-class expertise, fresh talent across disciplines, and a shared ambition to drive breakthroughs, we can reshape the future of cancer research in this critical area at a time when funding needs are greater than ever.”

For me, that statement resonated deeply. It’s not just about science—it’s about urgency. It’s about seeing the wave before it crashes and working to protect future generations.

BUILDING ON LEGACIES

This new chapter is rooted in a long-standing partnership. Since 2022, MFCR and SWCRF have worked side by side, co-hosting workshops and co-funding studies. By 2024, the collaboration had already distributed $1.5 million in grants to multiinstitution teams studying the biology of aging and cancer. The merger formalizes what was already a productive alliance, blending MFCR’s bold, high-risk, high-reward funding model with SWCRF’s Institute Without Walls™—a decades-long commitment to collaboration and knowledge sharing.

SWCRF, founded in 1976, has supported more than $120 million in global cancer research, while MFCR, since 2017, has awarded more than $275 million to investigators in 18 countries. Combined, their reach is staggering. Together, their new Institute will be powered not just by money but by an ethos: collaboration without borders.

A NEW KIND OF RESEARCH HUB

Under the leadership of Samuel Waxman, MD—SWCRF’s founder and now Director of the Waxman Institute—the mission is clear. “Together, the Waxman Institute and The Mark Foundation will address the urgent funding gap in agerelated cancer research, pushing this important area of study forward,” Waxman said.

And they’re backing those words with action. The Institute plans to award $15 million in new grants over the next three years to catalyze discoveries in prevention, detection, and treatment. Importantly, this isn’t just about seniors— it’s about everyone. By addressing why younger people are facing early-onset cancers, the Institute will expand its reach across generations.

WHY THIS MATTERS TO ALL

Cancer is a disease that touches everyone. Whether through family, friends, or personal battles, we all carry its shadow. What makes the Waxman Institute’s creation so powerful is its universality. Aging isn’t something that happens to “other people.” It’s our shared journey. By placing it at the center of cancer research, this Institute speaks directly to every single one of us.

For New Yorkers, there’s also pride in knowing that this global hub will be rooted right here in our city—a place where science, culture, and determination collide every day. It’s fitting that a city known for reinvention is now home to an institute designed to reinvent how we fight cancer.

The transaction is expected to close later this year, subject to approvals. But its impact is already being felt. This is the kind of bold, forward-thinking collaboration that could redefine oncology and save countless lives.

GREAT BITES

A DELICIOUSLY SCARY MONTH

By Sean-Patrick M. Hillman

Just saying the word “October” can evoke so many things in our psyche. Whether it’s the fun and spookiness of Halloween or the return of heavier and more comforting foods, make no mistake about it, October is a brilliant food month!

I wanted to include a fair balance this month of sweet and savory for you. Let’s start with the tastiest pasta bolognese I’ve ever had. As you may recall, in the June issue, we featured Hollywood legend Harry Hamlin and his niece, Chef Renee Guilbault, on our cover. Not only do they have a brilliant show on AMC+ called In the Kitchen with Harry Hamlin, Harry and Renee also have a company called The Open Food Company; it is the first open-source packaged food company focused on transparency and purpose-driven impact. In a nutshell, Renee leads the charge on giving their consumers pure transparency; knowing what they are eating, what it’s made of and where it came from (something I might add ALL companies should do). Their flagship product is Harry’s Famous Sauce. I have waxed poetically about their original flavor, Rosemary Red Wine, before. Now they have two new variants they’ve added, Lemon Pepper Dill and Marinara No 7. That’s in addition to their Spicy Tarragon Vodka sauce. The Lemon Pepper Dill is something you never thought you needed in terms of flavor. Just brilliant. Marinara No 7 is the answer my wife, the vegetarian, has been looking for. It’s not your normal sauce as it is actually made of 7 vegetables. You need to see the lineup for yourself at harrysfamous.com. You can also find a number of great recipes on their website, of course using their sauces. Speaking of which, below is a personal favorite recipe that Harry himself created, alongside my own variation on it:

Harry’s Famous Pasta Bolognese

Ingredients

1 24-Oz Jar of Harry’s Famous Rosemary Red Wine Sauce

1 Lb. Of 80/20 Ground Beef Or 1 Lb. Baby Bella Mushrooms, Sliced

2 Cloves of Garlic, Minced

2-3 TBSP of Soy Sauce

2-4 TBSP Of E.V. Olive Oil

Your Favorite Pasta Parmesan Cheese to Taste

Salt & Pepper to Taste

Instructions

Cook your favorite pasta, in well-salted, boiling water as you begin the steps to make your sauce. Once cooked and strained, glug some.

E.V. Olive Oil on the pasta and mix so nothing sticks together.

In a separate medium saucepan, slowly heat 1 jar of Harry’s Famous Rosemary Red Wine Sauce on low.

Using your hands, flatten the ground beef to create a single thinlayer of beef. In a pre-heated skillet or cast-iron pan, add ground beef or mushrooms, minced garlic, and soy sauce.

Sauté until browned, breaking up the meat as you go. If using mushrooms, in addition to the soy sauce and garlic, add a touch of olive oil. Browning the beef or mushrooms will take approximately 5 minutes.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the ground beef or mushrooms to the heated sauce and cook for an additional 5 minutes on low so that the flavors meld.

Add salt and black pepper to taste as desired.

Portion your oiled pasta onto plates and pour the sauce on top.

Serve with Parmesan Cheese and Enjoy!

And now here is my take on Harry’s incredible recipe with a little more kick and flavor. Pay special attention to ingredient quantities and instructions as they are slightly different from Harry’s:

Sean-Patrick’s Take on Harry’s Famous Pasta Bolognese

Ingredients

1 24-Oz Jar of Harry’s Famous Spicy Tarragon Vodka Sauce

1 Lb. of 80/20 Ground Beef

1 Lb. of Ground Pork

2.5 Cloves of Garlic, Minced

3 TBSP of Soy Sauce

3 TBSP of E.V. Olive Oil

4-6 Large Fresh Basil Leaves Your Favorite Pasta Salt & Pepper to Taste

Instructions

Cook your favorite pasta, in well-salted, boiling water as you begin the steps to make your sauce.

Once cooked and strained, glug some E.V. Olive Oil on the pasta and mix so nothing sticks together. In a separate medium saucepan, slowly heat 1 jar of Harry’s FamousSpicy Tarragon Vodka Sauce on low.

Lightly combine beef and pork in a bowl until blended. In a pre-heated skillet or cast-iron pan, add ground beef, pork, minced garlic, and soy sauce.

Sauté until browned, breaking up the meat as you go. Make sure that you thoroughly cook through the pork for safety reasons. Transfer the ground meat to the heated sauce and cook for an additional 5 minutes on low so that the flavors meld, adding the fresh basil leaves in about 1 minute before removing from the burner.

Add salt and black pepper to taste as desired.

Portion your oiled pasta onto plates and pour the sauce on top. Enjoy!

DREAMIN’ OF BACON

The fall and winter are especially perfect for surprise desserts that are different. One, in particular, that always takes people off guard is both sweet and savory; chocolate covered bacon. Yes, I know. It sounds insane. But it’s one of those things that once you try it, you can’t ever live without it. So, I went to my friends at Bulleit for one recipe and included one I developed on my own years ago that everyone seems to love; well, everyone who likes bacon anyway.

Bulleit Sweet-Glazed Bourbon Bacon

Ingredients

1⁄4 Cup Bulleit Bourbon

1⁄4 Cup Maple Syrup

2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar

12 Slices Thick-Cut Bacon

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (350oF for convection ovens).

Stir together Bulleit Bourbon, maple syrup, and brown sugar. Arrange bacon in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the Bulleit mixture evenly over one side of the bacon, reserving the remaining mixture.

Bake for 6 to 8 minutes, then flip the bacon, and brush with reserved bourbon mixture.

Return to oven and cook for 20 minutes (flipping bacon every 5 minutes) or until bacon is lightly crisp and the glaze is golden brown and bubbling.

Chocolate-Covered Bacon

Ingredients

12 Bacon Strips, Each Sliced in Half

8 Ounces Semi-Sweet Chocolate, Chopped or Chips

1/8 Cup Melted Coconut Oil

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line one rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and place an oven-safe wire rack on top of the foil. Line a plate with paper towels, and line another baking sheet with parchment paper, and set both aside.

Place each bacon strip on the wire rack of your foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes until dark brown, firm and crisp. You may need additional time, as thicker slices will need longer to cook through.

When done baking, immediately transfer each piece to your paper towel-lined plate to cool completely. You’re going to need to thin out the chocolate to dip properly. Add oil to chocolate in a bowl and microwave in 15 second intervals, stirring until fully melted and smooth. Transfer to a tall and deep glass to make it easier to dip the bacon.

Dip each piece of bacon in the melted chocolate, and place bake on parchment lined baking sheet to set. If desired, decorate with nuts, toffee pieces, or sprinkles.

You can either let the chocolate covered bacon sit at room temperature to set and cool or you can expedite the process by putting the sheet the fridge which only takes about 10 – 12 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

SNACK BITES

CRUSHING ON CRUSHKINS

Last month we talked about the sensation that is taking over SoHo, Tender Crush’s I Scream Tender, an ice cream novelty that looks just like one of the chicken joint’s highly popular crispy chicken tenders, but is actually vanilla ice cream wrapped in a special toffee crunch. These folks, who also own Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer, and started the CrazyShake trend, have done it again, this time with their Crushkins. Chef Stephen Parker put together these delectable donut holes that literally scream YUMMO! The brand celebrated the launch of these tasty treats at the Alice + Olivia fashion show on September 13th. To learn more, visit tender-crush.com

TIMELESS PB&J

TRU TO THE LAST BITE

So, what I can only describe as crack in the form of a protein bar showed up at my door, in abundance. And now I am addicted, and for good reason! They say you can’t have your cake and eat it too, well TruBar has proven them wrong. Their bars deliver on both amazing taste and clean nutrition with some of the most incredible flavor options I’ve seen! Made with all-natural ingredients like cassava flour and brown rice protein, they’re 100% plant based. They even have a line of bars specific to kids who, as I tested it with my 8-year-old neighbor, Nola, go nuts over them! A note from their CEO, Erica Groussman, accompanied the sampling box that said, “Excited for you to take your first bite (spoiler: it won’t be your last). Tru-er words were never spoken as these bars deliver on everything they promise to. To learn more, visit trubar.com

A time-honored tradition across generations of kids involves a good old fashioned peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I had them. You had them. We all had them. Well, the folks at Rudi’s Bakery have made something only parents of prior generations have dreamed of, Sandos! These incredible two or three bite PB&J pockets are, as the brand says, “simply delicious.” These Sandos come in traditional PB&J flavor options (like grape and strawberry). Better yet, they sit in the freezer until you are ready to serve them! At first I was a little apprehensive, “A freezer PB&J?” I am always happy to admit when I am wrong because OMG they were YUMMO!

They are now also available in Gluten-Free form with Justin’s Peanut Butter. Both versions use real fruit spreads, so you know they’re unbelievably good. If you have children who love this classic as much as I did when I was a kid, these easy Sandos are perfect for you! Nola also gave her seal of approval! To learn more, please visit rudisbakery.com

SPIRITS OF THE CITY

October brings cooler temperatures, warmer aperitifs and the creativity our mixologists have long been known for. It’s a great time to cocktail and discover new flavors, spirits and create those incredible memories that only happen in New York.

VODKA:

Vodka is the only spirit, in my opinion, that is so versatile it fits every season. However, not every vodka is created equally. There are those that are all pomp and little substance, celebrating the “joys of life,” and then there are those that claim to be distilled and filtered 8 million times for a “better experience.” However, as you know, I found solace in Reyka, a brilliant vodka made OF Iceland (yes, you read that correctly). Given the season, I thought a little Pumpkin Spice action was on order:

Pumpkin Spice Lebowski

Ingredients

2 Parts Reyka Vodka

1 Part Coffee Liqueur

1 Part Heavy Cream

1/2 Tsp. of Pumpkin Pie Spice

Instructions

Shake - Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Serve on the rocks and garnish with pumpkin pie spice dust.

Dano’s Dangerous Espresso

TEQUILA:

Yes, I love tequila. Have for decades, long before it shed its party image to become “sophisticated.” To be fair, I was part of the team that launched the very first Ultra-Premium tequila in the US, Jose Cuervo’s Reserva De La Familia, so sipping tequila was actually a thing before the boutique brands “started” the trend.

I’ve long believed in artisanal tequila cocktails. This particular one from the creative folks at The Muse hotel in New York caught my palate and I thought you might enjoy, especially given the season! To learn more, please visit themusehotel.com

Midnight Eclipse at The Muse New York

Ingredients

2oz Casamigos Blanco Tequila

1oz Fresh Lime Juice

0.75oz Cointreau

0.5oz Aperol

0.5oz Agave Syrup (adjust to taste)

Hawaiian Black Lava Salt (for rim)

Now this one’s very interesting to me for a variety of reasons. First, I am a caffeine junkie so when I saw my favorite vice mixed in with tequila I had to try it. I am particular about trying new tequilas, but this one just called my name out - and I was shocked - YUMMO! You have to give this a shot (pun intended for both espresso AND tequila)! To learn more, visit danostequila.com

Ingredients

2 oz Dano’s Coffee Reposado Tequila

1 shot Fresh Espresso

½ oz Simple Syrup

Garnish: Powdered Cinnamon or 3

Coffee Beans

Instructions

Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake hard until well chilled and frothy. Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass. Top with powdered cinnamon or float three coffee beans.

Instructions

Rim a rocks glass with fresh lime and dip into Hawaiian black salt. In a shaker, combine tequila, lime juice, Cointreau, Aperol, and agave syrup with ice. Shake well until chilled. Strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a thin lime wheel or a small spider.

RUM:

You all know how I feel about rum. It’s primarily a sun and sand spirit. I did the public relations and marketing for the biggest brands on the market for years. Like tequila, many of them decided to forego being the life of the party spirit to being “upscale.” With that movement came some incredibly creative, tasty and fun concoctions. When it comes to rum, most head straight to a Cuban or Puerto Rican or Jamaican brand. I’ve had them all. These days I like to explore more out of the box areas like Mexico and the Florida Keys. The Cheeca Lodge & Spa in the Keys sent me this spooky, yet creative and delicious cocktail recipe to try with a local rum. It was fantastic and perfect for October!

Pioneer’s Phantom Punch

By Kevin Vance, Beverage Manager at Cheeca Lodge & Spa, Islamorada, Florida Keys (cheeca.com)

Ingredients

2 Oz Aged Florida Keys Rum (like Papa’s Pilar Dark Rum)

1 Oz Fresh Blood Orange Juice

0.5 Oz Lime Juice

0.5 Oz Falernum (A Spiced Syrup With Almond And Clove Notes)

0.5 Oz Honey Infused with Black Food Gel

2 Dashes of Smoked Bitters

24-Karat Gold Leaf

Club Soda, To Top

Garnish: A Lychee “Eyeball” Stuffed with a Blackberry and a Sprig of Singed Rosemary and Edible Glitter

Optional: Dry Ice Pellet (Handle With Tongs; Adds Fog Like Rising Spirits. WARNING: Do Not Ingest Dry Ice)

Instructions

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the rum, blood orange juice, lime juice, falernum, honey infused with black food gel, and smoked bitters. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds to chill and infuse the “phantom” essence.

Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice, leaving room at the top.

Top with club soda for a fizzy lift, then gently swirl to create mesmerizing black-and-red marbling. Carefully add 24-karat gold leaf for a luxurious, shimmering effect, allowing it to float atop the drink.

Garnish with the lychee eyeball, torched rosemary, and a dusting of edible glitter. If using dry ice, drop in a small pellet just before serving for billowing mist (ensure it dissolves fully before sipping).

Serve immediately.

SHOCHU:

Last month we talked about sake’s incredible surge in the market. But that should not distract from Japan’s number-one spirits platform, Shochu. I had my first taste of Shochu in Tokyo about 30 years ago. Brilliant spirit made from various ingredients like sweet potatoes, barley, rice, or buckwheat, with a higher ABV than sake. Do not discount the flavor profile either. As with any spirit, it all depends on how the distiller makes their liquid. Check out this incredibly creative and playful twist on a dirty martini at Wonderland Bar:

Swan Dive

By Xuankai Wang, Head Bartender, Wonderland Bar

Ingredients

1.5 Oz Daiyame Sweet Potato Shochu

0.75 Oz Lustau Sherry Amontillado

0.25 Oz Fresh lemon juice

0.5 Oz Umami Syrup*

3 Dashes of orange bitter

Instructions

Shaken and garnished with a little duckling gummy.

*Recipe of Umami Syrup:

2 pieces of Dried Seaweed, infused in 500ml water for at least 90 mins

Cook seaweed with water at 80 Degree Celsius for 30 minutes

After turning off the heat, grab two big handful of dried bonito flakes into the seaweed water. Then strain the seaweed and bonito flakes after 30 secs

Add 400g of cane sugar, 100g of Soy Sauce that has been boiled, and 100g MSG into the seaweed-bonito water to make it a syrup.

Enjoy the flavor, and spooky fun of October, my friends…and, please, remember to drink responsibly! Bon Appetit!

THE FULTON BY JEAN-GEORGES

ELEVATED SEAFOOD AT THE SEAPORT

By Anne Raso

Say the name Jean-Georges Vongerichten and everyone’s ears perk up. As arguably the world’s most celebrated French chef with over 65 restaurants under his belt, you just know the man and his staff can do any type of cuisine right. The Fulton By Jean-Georges is the most elevated seafood eatery at the South Street Seaport but just as importantly, it provides an incredible selection of what can only be considered classic Modern American fare with sophisticated French flourishes. For instance, if you order the Steak Frites, you get a brown peppercorn sauce topped with fresh chives so mouthwatering that you want to dip your fries in it, and even if your steak is ordered well done, it retains an incredible amount of juice and tenderness.

JG is very hands on with all his restaurants but it is Chef Lei Jiang that really helms The Fulton’s kitchen on a day-to-day level. Interestingly enough, Chef Jiang was raised on a small island near Shanghai and his family was deeply rooted in the fishing industry there. He was schooled at the French Culinary Institute and his most notable positions prior to joining The Fulton team were with the Nomad Hotel and The Modern.

He loves working with a view of the Brooklyn Bridge and agrees with boss JG that the legendary South Street Seaport is naturally a prime location for a top tier seafood restaurant like The Fulton. There are numerous outdoor tables with unique woven back chairs and if they were any closer to the East River, guests would need to wear life jackets (The views will leave you breathless)!

Chef Jiang tells NYLM, “The Seaport has such a great history.  It was home to the Old Fulton Fish Market, where chefs from all over came to get the freshest catch. When Chef Jean-Georges first moved to New York in the ’80s, this is where he’d come to buy fish for his restaurants. Since we’re a seafood restaurant, being right on the water just feels like the perfect fit.”

When I dined at The Fulton, I noticed that there was no “typical clientele,” even though one might suspect that an upscale eatery in this particular neighborhood would have a heavy Wall Street crowd. Surprisingly, there wasn’t a suit in sight! Chef Jiang states, “We have a lot of regulars from the neighborhood, and in the summer, we see a big mix of tourists too. It’s a nice balance--familiar faces and people discovering us for the first time.”

My guest and I were tempted to start our meal with a seafood appetizer such as the ultra-popular Petit and Grand Seafood Plateaus featuring Shrimp Cocktail, Peekytoe Crab Cups, Sashimi and Oysters—however, we shared the Kale Salad with Summer and Pole Beans, Avocado, Pecorino Cheese and Herbal Dressing as well as the Heirloom Tomato Salad with Red Onion, Jimmy Nardello Peppers and Red Wine Vinaigrette. (These colorful salads were raved about on Yelp, so we just had to order them!). Both salads lived up to the hype and then some. Portions were large enough to share and flavors and freshness abounded. A simple herbal or vinaigrette dressing is definitely not bland here--the herbal dressing totally popped with intense citrus and the red wine vinaigrette had a fresh pepper kick which was revved up by the thinly sliced Jalapeno-like Jimmy Nardellos!

The most popular mains at The Fulton include Faroe Island Salmon which is sesame and herb crusted and served with Summer and Pole Beans, Fried Swordfish Milanese in Brown Butter and Calabrian Chili served with Sungold Tomatoes and Wild Arugula, and Whole Roasted Branzino served with Chilli-Shallot Condiment and a Petit Salad. Fans of Dover Sole will love the simple preparation done with brown butter, lemon, parsley and capers.

We tried the two crowd-pleasing Black Bass dishes—one is prepared with assorted Steamed Mushrooms, Red Curry Infusion and Finger Limes and one is En Croute with Sauce Choron and Tomato Concasse. The red curry and tomato concasse perfectly accentuated the delicate flavor of the bass.

Just FYI, there is a concerted effort at The Fulton to use fish from local waters. Chef Jiang elaborates, “We focus on both local and sustainable seafood. We don’t serve Bluefin Tuna because of overfishing--we use Hawaiian Yellowfin instead. A lot of our fish, like Black Bass and Long Island fluke, are caught right here in New York waters, and our oysters come from Massachusetts. We like working with purveyors who use ‘day boats,’ meaning they head out in the morning and are back the same day with incredibly fresh fish.”

If you feel you want some guidance for your initial visit to The Fulton, Chef Jiang has strong recommendations: “I’d say start with the Long Island Fluke Crudo, Calamari, or the Octopus & Mozzarella. For a main, try the Fulton Burger or Longevity Noodles, and maybe share the Branzino with Chili-Shallot Condiment. And definitely finish with The Fulton Cookie Plate--it has banana-poppy seed, pistachio-raspberry, and chocolate chip (cookies) with a little sea salt.”

I agree with Chef Jiang that The Fulton Cookie Plate is a knockout and features flavor profiles that you can’t get anywhere else, but I ended my meal with the Green Market Red Plum Tart featuring Almond Frangipane, Raspberry Jam and Crystallized Ginger Ice Cream and Pistachio Profiteroles made with Pistachio Ice Cream, Pistachio and Raspberry then topped with a stream of hot chocolate sauce poured on by the server at your table. The profiterole texture is actually more like that of a classic cream puff or éclair, but there were no complaints from me! The Sacher Torte with Apricot Compote & Milk Chocolate Ganache and Hazelnut & Milk Chocolate Mille Feuille are classic French desserts that are Jean Georges “signature” sweets.

If The Fulton’s current lineup of creative gastronomical treats is not amazing enough, Chef Jiang promises an even more inventive menu coming up in October with seasonal and sometimes rare produce finds. He reveals, “We change the menu with the seasons, but there are a few dishes that have become Fulton’s staples, like our aforementioned Octopus & Mozzarella and Longevity Noodles. In the fall, we get amazing produce like Honey Nut and Delicata Squash, Thomcord Grapes, and Caraflex Cabbage--it’s a fun time to cook.”

Why visit The Fulton By Jean Georges over the other highly popular JG restos in town? Simply put, the refined cooking mixed with the romance of the Seaport’s harbor lights, nearby vintage ships and views of prewar buildings across the East River cannot be experienced anywhere else!

For more information on The Fulton By Jean-Georges, visit thefulton.nyc

THE KITCHEN GAME-CHANGER

VITAMIX ASCENT X5 SMARTPREP KITCHEN SYSTEM

By Sean-Patrick M. Hillman

There are mornings in New York when you need more than coffee—you need fuel. For me, that comes in the form of a protein shake that’s been my go-to for years: frozen strawberries, one tablespoon of peanut butter, two bananas, half a cup of espresso kissed with hazelnut creamer, and a scoop of protein powder. It’s a ritual that sets my pace for the day. And I can say without hesitation that no machine has ever delivered a smoother, richer, more consistent version of that shake than the Vitamix Ascent X5 SmartPrep Kitchen System.

This isn’t just another blender. It’s an entire blender system—a countertop powerhouse that feels designed for the way I actually live. My shakes come out velvety and balanced every single time, with no gritty ice shards or stubborn clumps of banana. In a city where efficiency and quality are non-negotiable, that’s more than impressive—it’s essential.

THE LUXURY OF EFFORTLESS CLEAN-UP

But here’s where the Ascent X5 truly wins me over: the self-cleaning function. For years, I dreaded the postshake cleanup. Sticky residue in the corners, peanut butter clinging to the blades—it always felt like more work than the shake itself. With the X5, I just add warm water, a drop of dish soap, press the Self-Cleaning program, and let it work its magic. In under a minute, it’s spotless. No scrubbing, no soaking, no hassle.

For New Yorkers, kitchen space and time are luxuries. A blender that cleans itself is the kind of indulgence that doesn’t just make life easier—it elevates it.

BEYOND SHAKES: MEAL PREP REIMAGINED

The genius of the Ascent X5 isn’t limited to morning rituals. This system includes a 12-cup food processor attachment that transforms the base into a full meal prep station. We’re talking slicing, dicing, shredding, and chopping with surgical precision—without the tears from onions or the endless minutes spent hunched over a cutting board.

On Sundays, when I batch-prep for the week, I load the processor with carrots for salads, cucumber for a side veggie, or cheese for pasta night for my wife. With the reversible slice/shred discs and multi-use blade, I can go from raw ingredients to perfectly prepped meals in a fraction of the time. It’s not just convenient—it’s transformative.

A SYSTEM THAT THINKS FOR YOU

The Ascent X5 isn’t just powerful—it’s smart. Thanks to SELF-DETECT® technology, the base recognizes which container or attachment you’re using and adjusts its settings automatically. Safety, precision, and peace of mind are built in. The system also offers ten blending programs, covering everything from nut butters and soups to frozen desserts and non-dairy milks.

For me, the smoothie and nut butter settings are game changers. There’s nothing like a silky peanut butter whipped up in minutes, knowing it’s fresh, clean, and made exactly to my taste.

FORM MEETS FUNCTION

Vitamix has always been synonymous with durability and performance, but the Ascent X5 adds style to the equation. Its sleek stainless finish doesn’t just sit on my counter—it belongs there, like a design statement in the heart of my kitchen. In a Manhattan apartment, where every square inch matters, that presence counts.

And then there’s the warranty: 10 years on the blender, 3 years on the food processor attachment. It’s the kind of promise that reassures you this isn’t a gadget you’ll replace in two years—it’s a longterm partner in your culinary life.

WHY IT’S WORTH THE INVESTMENT

Let’s be honest: at a list price of around $950, the Ascent X5 SmartPrep Kitchen System isn’t an impulse buy. It’s an investment. But here’s how I see it: this one machine replaces multiple appliances, saves me hours of prep time each week, and gives me results that rival the best cafés and restaurants in the city. That’s value.

If you’re a fellow New Yorker, you’ll understand this math: time saved is money earned. And when you combine performance with the kind of everyday ease that reduces stress, it becomes more than a kitchen tool—it’s part of a lifestyle.

WHO IT’S FOR

The Morning Warrior: Anyone who starts their day with a smoothie, shake, or blended espresso concoction will find consistency and flavor like never before.

The Meal Prepper: Busy professionals, parents, or anyone who batch-cooks will marvel at how quickly the food processor handles the heavy lifting.

The Cleanup Avoider: If you hate scrubbing appliances, the self-cleaning function is reason enough to fall in love.

A NEW ESSENTIAL

When I think about the role this system now plays in my daily routine, it feels almost indulgent. My mornings are smoother, my meal prep is faster, and my kitchen feels less like a battleground and more like a creative space.

The Vitamix Ascent X5 SmartPrep Kitchen System isn’t just another appliance—it’s a partner in living well, New York style. It’s about efficiency, design, and the freedom to enjoy the moments that matter, whether it’s a perfectly blended protein shake at dawn or a beautifully prepped dinner for friends.

For me, it’s become an essential—one I can’t imagine living without. To learn more, please visit vitamix.com

THE 3RD ANNUAL NYCIFFF LIGHTS UP NEW YORK

CELEBRATING CREATIVITY, STORYTELLING, AND GLOBAL STYLE

By Clara Morgan | Photos: Thomas Concordia

New York has always been a stage, and this September the spotlight belonged to fashion filmmakers. On September 17th, the New York City International Fashion Film Festival (NYCIFFF) celebrated its third annual edition at Soho House New York in the Meatpacking District, pulling together an electric mix of designers, models, directors, and dreamers from around the world.

For me, there’s something uniquely exciting about an event like this—it’s not just about the clothes, nor is it simply about the filmmaking. It’s about how these two creative powerhouses collide to tell stories that resonate far beyond a runway or a cinema screen. Fashion film isn’t just entertainment; it’s identity, culture, and expression wrapped into one art form.

A Global Showcase in the Heart of Manhattan

This year’s festival was bigger than ever, with 40 official selections representing 14 countries. The sheer diversity on display made one thing clear: fashion is a universal language. From sleek European editorials to heartfelt narratives out of Africa, every screening was a reminder that style and storytelling transcend borders.

I loved watching the room react to each short—sometimes in quiet awe, sometimes in spontaneous applause. These weren’t just films; they were moments of revelation. And judging by the packed house at Soho House, New Yorkers are hungry for this kind of cultural dialogue.

Honoring Icons, Elevating Voices

The highlight of the evening was the exclusive screening of A Man With Sole – The Impact of Kenneth Cole. Directed by the incomparable Dori Berinstein, the documentary dives deep into Cole’s career, not just as a designer but as an activist who has consistently used fashion to amplify causes that matter. The screening was followed by a live Q&A with Cole himself, Berinstein, and festival director Pedro Oberto—a conversation that was as inspiring as it was candid.

Cole said it best: “Standing up for a cause, and standing out, will always get you noticed in fashion.” It was a statement that rang through the audience like a mantra, especially for the emerging filmmakers and students eager to find their voice in an increasingly crowded industry.

The Awards: A Celebration of Creativity

Of course, no festival is complete without awards, and this year’s ceremony—hosted by designer Marc Bouwer—was a spirited celebration of creativity across genres. Among the standout winners:

• Fashion Documentary: A Man With Sole – The Impact of Kenneth Cole (USA)

• Fashion Film: Self-Mimetic directed by Christophe Chudy (France)

• Micro Fashion Film: Narente + Ivan Delogu Senes by Franco Erre & Lucio Aru (Italy)

• Model Performance: Candice Swanepoel in Where Time Stands Still by JP Micallef (French Polynesia)

• LGBTQ+ Representation: Clash of the Prints by Jimi Urquiaga (USA)

• Music Video: Intruso by Eugenio Recuenco (Spain)

• Fashion Editorial Film: Florescence for Shon by Alice Gatti & Diego Indraccolo (UK)

• Best Emerging Talent: Edo Odion directed by Samuel Chukwuebuke Iwor (Nigeria)

• Best Student Fashion Film: Pure Negation by June Seo, Parsons School of Design

• Fashion with a Purpose: Catwalk Furbaby 2 directed by Karen Floyd, ELYSIAN Impact (USA)

Each winner represented not only excellence in craft but also a bold vision of what fashion can mean in today’s world.

More Than a Festival—A Movement

What struck me most throughout the night was the sense of community. Over cocktails and laughter during the closing reception, I heard conversations about sustainability, identity, and the responsibility that comes with holding a camera or designing a collection. The NYCIFFF isn’t just an awards show—it’s a movement. It’s about pushing boundaries, raising voices, and reminding us that fashion film has the power to provoke, inspire, and unite.

Festival director Pedro Oberto summed it up beautifully: “The 40 selected films represent the diversity in fashion and storytelling that the world needs today. Every filmmaker should be proud of their achievement.”

Looking Ahead

With more than 800 submissions this year—the festival’s biggest season yet—it’s clear the NYCIFFF is quickly becoming a cornerstone in the global fashion calendar. For New Yorkers, it’s another reason to celebrate our city’s role as both a cultural hub and a launchpad for innovation.

As I left Soho House that night, the buzz of the evening still lingering in the Meatpacking air, I couldn’t help but think: this festival isn’t just growing, it’s soaring. And if fashion is about looking forward, then the future of fashion film in New York looks nothing short of brilliant.

ON THE BIG SCREEN

By Jenny Peters

THE OSCAR RACE GETS HOT

AFTER THE HUNT

R

Almost everyone involved with this dark psychological thriller by firsttime screenwriter Nora Garrett has had a romance with the Academy Awards, from Julia Roberts and her one win and three other nominations to Andrew Garfield’s two nominations, Chole Sevigny’s one and director Luca Guadagino’s one. It’s quite the pedigree for this ultra-contemporary story set at Yale, as the campus is rocked by sexual assault accusations brought against a white professor (Garfield) by a Black student (played by Emmy winner Ayo Edibiri). The implications run deep and will keep you debating social justice and sexual politics long after the credits roll.

FRANKENSTEIN

R

BUGONIA

R

Will “Bugonia” be the film that finally brings director Yorgos Lanthimos his Oscar? He’s personally got five nominations so far, for movies including “Poor Things” (11 total nominations, four wins) and “The Favourite” (10 nominations, one win), and with his favorite actress Emma Stone back for “Bugonia,” there’s definitely a chance. This time they’re telling the story of a kidnapping, but not just any kidnapping. This one’s because the kidnappers believe their victim (Stone) is an alien. Mayhem as only Lanthimos can create ensues, with Jesse Plemons and Aidan Delbis along for the darkly comedic ride.

With the endlessly fascinating story of “Frankenstein” created by Mary Shelley back in 1818, it’s not surprising that auteur Guillermo del Toro has turned his brilliant mind (“Pan’s Labyrinth,” “The Shape of Water,” “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio”) to telling the story once again. The three-time Academy Award winner has enlisted Oscar Isaac as his doctor, Jacob Elordi as the monster and two-time Oscar winner Christoph Walz as Dr. Frankenstein’s conniving financier, with Mia Goth and Charles Dance rounding out the cast. Still set back in the 19th century, del Toro’s version is already being touted as one of the best of 2025.

TRON: ARES

PG-13

A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE R

Two-time Oscar winner Kathryn Bigelow (“The Hurt Locker”) is back with another tense thriller of a film, this time set over the course of 20 minutes, as a nuclear missile wings its way towards the USA. With Idris Elba as the president and Rebecca Ferguson, Jason Clarke, Greta Lee, Jared Harris, Tracy Letts and Caitlyn Dever rounding out a stellar cast, Bigelow’s movie is making waves as it strikes terror into the hearts of audiences with its all-to-real premise of the beginning of the end of earth as we know it.

The “Tron” franchise, which began in 1982 with Jeff Bridges and Bruce Boxleitner jumping onto light cycles, setting off a science-fiction cinematic legend, returns after a 15-year hiatus with this third entry into the story of humans entering the digital world. “Tron: Legacy” came next, and now “Tron: Ares” picks up the tale in a whole new way, with Jared Leto as the AI digital creature who enters the human world. Jeff Bridges is still in the mix, along with franchise newcomers Evan Peters, Greta Lee and Gillian Anderson. Look for even bigger and better eye-popping visuals in this long-awaited sequel, whose earlier versions snagged three Oscar nominations.

ON THE SMALL SCREEN

By Jenny Peters

FALL TRIFECTA: SERIAL KILLERS, CRIMINALS, DETECTIVES

DEVIL IN DISGUISE: JOHN WAYNE GACY

Peacock

You know Michael Chernus from “Severance,” but this shows his talents to a whole different level, as he takes on the role of one of America’s most notorious serial killers in this new deep dive into John Wayne Gacy. Gabriel Luna and Marin Ireland also star in this dark limited series that reminds new generations of the evil that can exist in a man’s mind. In the 1970s, Gacy murdered 33 men before he was apprehended, most of them gay men who ended up buried under his typical Chicago-suburbs house. This is his story.

HARLAN COBEN’S LAZARUS

Prime Video

Mystery-thriller novelist Harlan Coben has created a new story just for television, as he explores the slightly supernatural in this new limited series starring Sam Clafin (“Peaky Blinders”) and Bill Nighy as son and father. As Joel Lazarus, Clafin is bent on finding out who killed his sister, a mystery that has plagued the family for decades. As he delves into the case, lots of strange things begin happening. What’s the reality? You’ll have to tune in to find out!

MONSTER: THE ED GEIN STORY

Netflix

DOWN CEMETERY ROAD

Apple TV+

If you love “Slow Horses,” then jump into this next series based on Mick Herron’s novels. This one is set in an Oxford suburb, with Emma Thompson played a private detective who begins investigating the disappearance of a child. Ruth Wilson is the obsessed neighbor of the child, who joins her to help solve the case. The first in Herron’s fourpart book series about PI Zoë Boehm, this one’s got all the indications of another winning series from Herron’s prolific pen.

THE LAST FRONTIER

Apple TV+

Actor Jason Clarke also executive produces this intense crime thriller set in Alaska, playing a U.S. Marshal tasked with capturing the convicted criminals set loose on his patch because their prison-transport plane crashes in the frozen northern landscape. He’s got to catch them quickly, as they may freeze to death before he gets there. Co-starring Alfre Woddard, Haley Bennett and Dominic Cooper, this one’s always got you feeling very, very cold as you watch.

Producer Ryan Murphy is back with another season of “Monster,” after doing Jeffrey Dahmer and the Menendez brothers to much critical acclaim. This time it’s all about the nightmarish true story of Ed Gein, who was the inspiration for Alfred Hitchcock’s classic murder thriller “Psycho.” Played here by Charlie Hunnam, Gein’s story is so grisly that there just may be a warning toward people (and especially young ones) who aren’t aware of Gein’s horrific actions in murdering citizens of the quiet Wisconsin town he called home. He truly was a “Monster,” so be warned.

A HAMPTONS DEBUT

GERARD BYRNE AT THE SLATTERY GALLERY

By Clara Morgan | Photos: PMC / Patrick McMullan

The Hamptons art scene has always had its own rhythm—equal parts sophistication, intimacy, and that unmistakable East End flair. This past weekend, it pulsed with new energy as The Slattery Gallery opened its doors for Gerard Byrne’s first solo exhibition in the Hamptons. Hosted by none other than society photographer Patrick McMullan, the event blended art, culture, and community into a glittering afternoon that felt like a page straight out of New York society’s playbook.

Walking into the gallery on Jobs Lane, you could sense the anticipation. Collectors, curators, and friends of the art world gathered, glasses in hand, eager to see how Byrne’s luminous canvases would speak to the Southampton light. And they did. The exhibition, running through October 13th, delivers what McMullan himself described as “a luminous exploration of light, form, and memory”—a fitting introduction for an artist whose career has spanned more than three decades.

A NATURAL FIT FOR THE HAMPTONS Byrne is celebrated as Ireland’s foremost Modern Impressionist, and his paintings carry the unmistakable DNA of the Impressionist masters: vibrant palettes, expressive brushwork, and an almost spiritual command of light. Yet, there’s also something distinctly contemporary in his work—an awareness that Impressionism, when filtered through a modern lens, can feel timeless and fresh.

For Hamptons audiences, it’s a natural fit. His landscapes and figurative works, alive with texture and tone, mirrored the very setting in which they were being unveiled: Southampton, a place where nature, art, and social culture blend seamlessly. Watching sunlight pour through the gallery windows and reflect off Byrne’s canvases was an experience in itself—a reminder that art and environment are always in conversation.

Patrick McMullan, Gerard Bryne

Gerard Byrne Artwork

Gerard Byrne Artwork

A GALLERY WITH VISION

The Slattery Gallery may be new, but it’s already asserting itself as a destination for forward-thinking exhibitions. Founded by John Slattery, a native of Ireland and now a Southampton resident, the gallery’s mission is to present both Irish and American contemporary works while complementing them with significant Post-War and Modern masterworks.

That duality—local roots with global vision—makes the space a perfect backdrop for Byrne’s debut. Gallery Director Damien Roman, who brings more than 30 years of expertise to the table, has curated a thoughtful mix of secondary-market treasures alongside contemporary talent, ensuring that each exhibition resonates not just as an event but as part of an ongoing conversation about art today.

At Byrne’s opening, the intimacy of the gallery gave the afternoon a rare quality: a room full of social fixtures and art-world insiders, but one where you could actually hear each other speak, and more importantly, hear the art itself.

A CELEBRATION OF ART AND SOCIETY

Patrick McMullan’s presence as host lent the afternoon a sparkle only he could provide. A legend in New York society circles, McMullan has spent his career documenting the people and moments that define our cultural life. For him, championing Byrne’s work wasn’t just about photography or social cachet—it was about passion. As he put it, hosting Byrne’s debut felt like a natural extension of his love for art and the Hamptons community.

The guest list reflected that blend of society and substance: Jean Shafiroff, Leesa Rowland, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Damien Roman, Ron Burkhardt, and John Slattery himself, among others. Each lent their presence to an afternoon that was as much about celebrating cultural exchange as it was about the paintings on the walls.

AN ARTIST’S JOURNEY

What makes Byrne’s arrival in the Hamptons particularly exciting is the depth of his career. His work is held in collections across Ireland and abroad, including embassies and institutions like the Citadelle Art Museum in Texas. Alongside his wife Agata, Byrne also operates the Gerard Byrne Studio in Dublin’s Ranelagh Village, a creative hub that doubles as a living and exhibition space. That sense of home and community, woven into his Dublin practice, translated beautifully into Southampton. There was a sense that Byrne wasn’t just bringing his art here—he was sharing his world.

A NEW CHAPTER ON THE EAST END

As I left the gallery, sunlight still playing across Byrne’s paintings in my mind, I couldn’t help but feel this was more than just another Hamptons art opening. It was a cultural moment.

The Slattery Gallery may be new, but if this debut is any indication, it will be a cornerstone. And for Gerard Byrne, the Hamptons feels less like a stop on his journey and more like a place where his luminous explorations of light, form, and memory have finally found their natural stage.

Jean Shafiroff

Nancy Stone

Gerard Byrne, Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe

Sophie Rose Slattery, John Slattery

SMOKIN’ HOT IN TRIBECA

ROGER SICHEL’S WOODSTOCK KISS RETURNS TO CAPTIVATE NEW YORK

By Lillian Langtry | Photos: Thomas Concordia

When a photograph stops you in your tracks, not because it’s polished or posed, but because it feels alive, that is one of the most special moments you can experience in this city. For me, that’s Roger Sichel’s Smokin’ Hot Kiss—a snapshot from Woodstock in 1969 that captures the spirit of a generation with one unforgettable embrace. This fall, that kiss lands in Tribeca at One Art Space for Sichel’s new exhibition Iconic Smokin’ Hot Kiss. And as a New Yorker who has spent his life chasing stories of culture, art, and those fleeting sparks of human connection, I can tell you this show feels like coming home

The Photograph That Lingers

There’s something hauntingly beautiful about Smokin’ Hot Kiss. It isn’t just two people lost in a moment; it’s the electricity of a crowd, the hum of rebellion, the romance of a summer that changed everything. Looking at it, I feel the way I imagine the crowd at Woodstock felt—hopeful, untamed, and a little reckless.

In today’s world of carefully curated feeds and filters, Sichel’s photograph hits differently. It reminds us of what it means to be authentic, to grab life by the shoulders and kiss it back. That’s the kind of reminder we could all use right now.

Roger Sichel: Always Evolving

What I admire most about Sichel is his refusal to stand still. Sure, he gave us that kiss—immortal and iconic—but his career has been a constant journey of reinvention. He’s painted, experimented with mixed media, collaborated with giants like Picasso, Warhol, and Dalí, and even dove headfirst into technology. (Fun fact: in the ’90s and 2000s, he helped produce and license Autocorrect—the very function that frustrates and saves us all daily.)

There’s a curiosity in Sichel’s work that feels contagious. His Marilyn Monroe series, reimagined with psychedelic filters, and his bold political digital pieces show a man who isn’t afraid to keep asking questions—or to embrace the answers in vibrant, unapologetic color.

A Night In Tribeca

On September 25th, One Art Space throws open its doors for a VIP reception to launch the exhibition. Picture this: champagne flutes clinking, soft laughter spilling out into the cobblestone streets, and the glow of Sichel’s work radiating through the gallery’s glass façade. That’s New York magic—when history, art, and community collide in a single room.

And One Art Space is the perfect backdrop. For years, the gallery has balanced emerging voices with the giants of the art world. It’s the kind of place where you might stumble upon a Shepard Fairey or a Purvis Young while also discovering tomorrow’s icon. Sichel belongs in that mix—part living legend, part restless innovator.

Why It Feels Personal

Writing about Sichel, I can’t help but reflect on my own love affair with this city and its ever-changing culture. Like Sichel, New York never stops evolving. One decade it’s the smoky underground clubs, the next it’s tech startups and digital art fairs. But the heartbeat remains the same: passion, reinvention, and the courage to try something new.

Smokin’ Hot Kiss isn’t just about Woodstock. It’s about every moment when you’ve let go, trusted your instincts, and chosen connection over caution. It’s about being alive in a way that feels bigger than yourself. And that’s why this exhibition resonates so deeply now, in a world that can feel fractured and distant.

A Kiss For Today

When I walk into Iconic Smokin’ Hot Kiss, I know I’ll feel that pull—the tug of nostalgia balanced by the thrill of something fresh. That’s the beauty of Sichel: he reminds us that the past isn’t a place we visit; it’s something we carry, something we reinterpret with every step forward.

For me, this show is more than an exhibition. It’s a celebration of art’s power to keep us honest, to keep us bold, and to remind us that even in the chaos of history—or the chaos of today—there’s always room for one more kiss.

© Roger Sichel

© Christie’s Real Estate Group

TRICKS AND TREATS FOR

A HALLOWEEN TO REMEMBER

By Melanie Carden

Other than making sure your buddy doesn’t eat chocolate, Halloween is a blast for pet owners. Even those with a no-frilly-outfit rule might fall victim to a Halloween outbreak of cutesy-it is. Whether you’re walking down to the coffee shop or off to the community pet parade, these Hallow’s Eve outfits will be the talk of the town.

RUBIES NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET

Give your pet a nightmareworthy look with this officially licensed Nightmare on Elm Street Freddy Krueger Pet Costume by Rubies. Perfect for Halloween or scary-themed events, your furry friend will bring frightful fun with iconic style. From Rubies, the costume leader delivering legendary looks for every family member-even the furriest!

Info: petco.com

BLUE BUFFALO BOO BARS

Treat your dog this Halloween with BLUE Boo Bars Crunchy Dog Biscuits. Whether your buddy wears a costume doorto-door, helps greet trick-ortreaters, or needs a distraction from the human candy, BLUE Boo Bars make it easy to include your pup in the festivities. A delicious pumpkin & cinnamon recipe pairs with spooky shapes to make these natural dog biscuits the perfect addition to any pooch’s Halloween treat rotation.

Info: petco.com

LOUNGE

LIZARD COWBOY

Don’t leave the family lizard out of the holiday fun. Bootique’s Cowboy Lizard Costume will probably break the Internet, but it’s worth it to see our scaly friends finally getting their time to reign supreme on Halloween. Info: petco.com

TRADE RUFFS FOR RIBBITS

First off, a snood is always adorable, and the Bootique Frog Headpiece is no exception. Trade your pup’s usual ruff-ruff for a trickor-treat ribbit-ribbit, and he’s a shoo-in to win the annual contest.

Info: petco.com

OLD NAVY + DISNEY MICKEY MOUSE COZY SWEATER

JUST when you thought they couldnt get any more adorable. With the holiday season right areound the corner, Old Navy brings you in colabaration with Disney a Cozy Mickey Mouse Sweater. Sizes from XS to XXL sure to fit pets of most sizes.

Info: oldnavy.com

THE GAME IS AFOOT Who ate all the miniSnickers bars? Don’t worry; Detective Bunny from Bootique is on the case. You should plan ahead, however, because he demands immediate payment, and won’t accept Venmo. He has a strict carrots-only payment policy. Info: petco.com

THRILLS & CHILLS® PUMPKIN SMALL PET COSTUME

Let your pet join in on the frighteningly fun festivities with their very own Halloween costumes, apparel, and accessories! Whether you’re looking for something cute, something scary, or something to match your own costume plans, dress your pet in our Thrills & Chills® apparel and accessory options and you’re guaranteed to bring a smile to trick-or-treaters of all ages that come knocking on your door. Exclusively at PetSmart.

Info: petsmart.com

BETTER THAN HERSHEY KISSES

We all love Hershey kisses, but this sweet lovin’ is even better. This Kissing Booth Headpiece from Bootique is especially cute at a dog parade or community event. Be warned, though. You’ll need to share your irresistible bestie with the neighborhood—or maybe even the whole town.

Info: petco.com

THRILLS & CHILLS® ORANGE PLAID SPOOKY CUDDLER DOG BED

Make this Halloween extra cozy for your pup with the Thrills & Chills® Spooky Cuddler Dog Bed. Perfect for spooky season and beyond, this plush bed offers ultimate comfort while adding a touch of Halloween fun. The soft, cushioned design keeps your dog snug and relaxed, while the subtle Halloween-themed accents create a festive vibe. Your furry friend will love curling up in this bed for a peaceful nap after a day of tricks and treats. Only at PetSmart.

Info: petsmart.com

CLASSIC CUTENESS

Even those who have a nocostume rule might make an exception for this one. It’s not officially a costume, but the Wicked Sweet Dress from Bootique is an effortless way to “skirt” the rule if a certain someone in the house is itchin’ to dress up Fido.

Info: petco.com

FRISCO MOMMY’S LIL PUMPKIN DOG & CAT BANDANA

This not-at-all-spooky bandana features a whimsical print that makes it the perfect costume accessory, or costume on its own. It’s also the simplest—yet the cutest—Halloween getup on the block. Just roll it for an adjustable, custom look for your cat or dog, tie around the neck loosely, and you’re all set.

Info: chewey.com

PUP-KIN SPICE, OF COURSE!

Do you really think I’d leave all our furry babies out in the cold—without some Pumpkin Spice Latte? Of course, not. This utterly swoon-worthy plush toy from Bootique is just what your dog needs after a long night of trick-or-treating.

Info: Petco.com

THROUGH THE LENS

Photography By Annie Watt.com

NEW ENGLAND SOCIETY BOOK AWARDS

Natalie Dykstra, R. Tripp Evans, Monica Wood, Cynthia Stanton, Andrew Lipman

Lori Shepherd, Peter Hubbard, Gail Hochman, Monica Wood, Catherine Jackson, Lucy Kirk, Jessica Vestuto

Jonathan Doucette, Anne Teasdale, Richard Smiraldi, Leslie Middlebrook

Sigourney Romaine, Ron Romaine

Anne Teasdale

Mark Peterson

Natalie Dykstra, R. Tripp Evans, Monica Wood, Cynthia Stanton, Andrew Lipman, Suzy Chase Osborne

Andrew Lipman, Suzy Chase Osborne

Ellen Scordato, Dr. Edward Seidel

Sara Kim, Geoffrey von Barton, Matthew von Barton, Catherine Jackson

Lucy Kirk, Sigourney Romaine, Ron Romaine

Jonathan Doucette, Anne Teasdale, Richard Smiraldi, Leslie Middlebrook

Kelly Britt, Cathy Stanton, R. Tripp Evans, Suzy Chase Osborne

Katherine Johnson, Lori Shepherd

R. Tripp Evans, Natalie Dykstra, Paul Stuart Rankin

Jonathan Doucette, Lauren Silberman

Judge Glenda Hatchett, César Galindo

Judge Hatchett, Consuelo Vanderbilt

Carol Alt, Judge Hatchett

Reggie Van Lee, Judge Hatchett

Wilfree Vasquez Torres, Tinu Naija, Ty-Ron Mayes

Alváro, Judge Hatchett, Montgomery Frazier

Helen Shelton, Kenesha Traynhm-Cooper

Edwing D’Angelo, Amira-Dior Traynham-Arti

César Galindo design

Alváro, Judge Hatchett

César Galindo design

Judge Hatchett, Reggie Van Lee

David Belafonte, Malena Belafonte, Judge Glenda Hatchet

Ezequiel De La Roas, Carol Alt

Marcus Braham, Alex Lipowec Gen Art

Jim Dubin, Susan Dubin, Melissa Panek, Thomas Panek

Gigi Benson, Harry Benson

Marc Rosen, Pamela Fiori

Shining Sung, Susan Gutfreund, Jennifer Fearon

Sharon Bush, Pam Taylor Yates

Lighthouse Guild Associates

Gary Tallerico, Saundra Whitney

Michael Landis, Wendy Benson Landis

Pamela Taylor Yates, Grace Hightower, Gigi Benson

Marc Rosen, Kathy Bleznak

Helen Little, William Little

Tom Gimbel, Heidi Holterbosch

Randy Jones, Connie Jones

Sharon Hoge, Paige Peterson

Mai Hallingby, Will Roseman

Jerome Kramer, Sarah Kramer

A NEW YORK MINUTE

EVENTS & HAPPENINGS IN AND AROUND NYC

By Michael McKensie

Welcome to our new monthly column, A New York Minute. For over a decade New York Lifestyles Magazine has had a slogan of “Our City Your Life” and we’ve always done our absolute best to live up to that. Now, in our 10th year, were taking it even further. A New York Minute will be bringing you the best of what’s going on in and around NYC and in some ways we’ew turning that over to you, our readers.

Please submit your happenings and events to: submissions@newyorklifestylesmagazine.com to be included in future issues. Please note, that space is limited, we will do our best to include as many events as we can. Please try to submit your event at least 60 days in advance, include a full description of the event including the date, time, and location. Aslo include a photo and any contact information.

THE 2025 VILLAGE HALLOWEEN PARADE

Since 1973 the Village Halloween Parade has brought the most creative and dazzling celebration of halloween. Every year tries to out do the last and this year is no exception.

This years theme is: imagine all the people its a Potluck!

Imagine 1000’s of people dressed as your favorite dish. Head on down to watch or participate. October 31 @ 7:00pm. visit: halloween-nyc.com for deatils.

EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF FALL AT F&W SCHMITT'S FAMILY FARM!

Now in its 21st year, The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze returns to Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson for another season of gordgeous displays. Held Sept. 12–Nov. 16, visitors can wander among more than 7,000 hand-carved, illuminated jack o’lanterns arranged in jaw-dropping displays. 2025 promised to be a magical year with several new installations, including a Pumpkin Promenade, Headless Horseman Hideaway for spooky sips and haunting visits from the Horseman himself, plus a new emerald-hued storybook pumpkin dreamscape – wickedly whimsical and perfect for photo ops

September 12, 2025 - November 16, 2025

Van Cortlandt Manor visit: hudsonvalley.org/events/blaze for details.

Enjoy family-friendly activities like wagon tractor rides, a 7-acre corn maze, petting zoo, pumpkin picking, and exciting new attractions this year.

We’re open weekends from Sept 20 to Nov 2, plus special holiday hours on Rosh Hashanah (Sept 23–24), Yom Kippur (Oct 2),Columbus Day (Oct 13), and Diwali (Oct 20).

Tickets will be available at the door only. No Reservations. Tickets required for ages 2 and up.

visit: schmittsfarm.com for details.

THE GREAT JACK O’LANTERN BLAZE

THE FINAL WORD

THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE

By Sean-Patrick M. Hillman

Growing up in New York during its worst time in history is a badge I wear proudly. As a boy of 5, I was propositioned by a hooker, watching as my Nanny hit her with her purse to get her away from me. I watched as this city tore itself apart during the crack epidemic. By the time I was a very young teen, I was running the door at a nightclub. I’ve seen fight rings, drag races, street carnage, endless debauchery and borne witness to events that would make your skin crawl. Yes, my upbringing was vivid. It was also dangerous. But despite all of those experiences, there is one lesson I have taken away from all of it; the human condition may be flawed, but it is relentless in its survival and power to do good.

Yes, I know how that sounds. How could anyone who has experienced the worst humankind has to offer possibly believe this? How could someone who has seen so much senseless death and destruction possibly think there is hope we won’t annihilate ourselves. It’s actually very simple. Faith.

THE ABILITY TO BELIEVE IN HUMANITY

No, I am not talking about my Roman Catholic faith. I am not talking about a kindly white man in the clouds who grants miracles. I am not referring to any religious or existential belief of any kind. I am talking about faith in what humanity is, and has proven itself to be, time and time again.

Last month, we honored the 24th anniversary of September 11; a day when exactly what I am talking about was witnessed by all humankind. While a tragic, disgusting and glaring example of what humans are capable of took place, so did what New Yorkers have long been known to do; step up in the face of evil. We as a city, as our towers burned down to the ground, rose from the ashes, for a brief moment in time, to unite. Not as Democrats. Not as Republicans. But as Americans. As New Yorkers. As people concerned about our fellow men, women, and children. In other words, we stood united, side by side, to fight the very evil that tried to divide us.

HATE AS A WAY OF LIFE

Yes, eventually the human condition we are all too familiar with reared its ugly head again; division, hate and vitriol. And in the 21st century, we have proven more often than naught, that humankind has its issues. From wars around the world to assassinations to greed under the guise of concern from our political elite, we have seen the ugly side of humanity far too often in the last 25 years. Just look at the rise of antisemitism coming back full steam.

Yet, I firmly believe that those moments in history, when hope has shown like a beacon of light at the end of a dark tunnel, is where we will finally end up. You see, everything in life is cyclical. It is built into our DNA, our human nature. We have seen darker times (ever heard of the Dark Ages?). We have seen the near destruction of our planet (remember WWII and the Cold War?). Yet somehow, we survived. Somehow, our world continues to spin on its axis.

THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE

The fact of the matter is that there are powers on this Earth that fight to keep us divided.

There are people, who for their own personal gain, will continue to play to humanity’s weaknesses in order to achieve personal wealth for themselves. Just look at our latest Mayoral race in New York City. Zohran Mamdani is anything but a prophet. He preaches that he believes in the Qu ‘ran, yet his actions prove different. He comes from a wealthy family but proselytizes that the wealthy are the root of all evil, that only government can save the People, and that its okay to sell your body for money. Last time I checked the Qu ‘ran says exactly the opposite of what this charlatan speaks. Therefore, he is the perfect example of what I am talking about.

THE FINAL WORD

We need to stop listening to those who seek to do us harm, feigning to only have our best interests at heart. We need to stand, as one People, to fight the relentless onslaught of dishonest politicians, and finally focus on electing people who genuinely care about the very constituency that elects them.

In other words, we need to stop the nonsense, bring about peace through strength and fortitude of character, and remind people why New York is truly known as The Melting Pot and that We Will Never Forget.

America's First Wine Trail

Plan an autumn getaway to the Finger Lakes and explore the renowned Cayuga Lake Wine Trail. Delve into awardwinning wines, savor exceptional hospitality, and indulge in world-class dining with seasonal flavors. Enjoy breathtaking vineyard vistas as the autumn foliage paints the landscape in stunning hues. Whether you're a wine connoisseur or seeking a relaxing escape, the Finger Lakes offers the perfect autumn retreat.

4hourdrivetime