25 minute read
BELLA INSIDER
Trend-spot your start to 2021
By Norah Lawlor New Year’s has come and gone, and the chilly weather has rolled in. But that has never deterred New Yorkers from venturing outside. From finding safe, new office space for the “big return” and experiencing a taste of France, to having Italy delivered to your front door while keeping warm with a vodka cocktail, here is our must-have list of things to keep you busy during these cold months.
THE FRENCH RESTAURANT: DEMARCHELIER BISTRO Family owned and operated bistro, Demarchelier Restaurant, has officially opened in Greenport, NY, bringing a taste of France to North Fork. Situated in the charming village, the new incarnation of the Upper East Side classic is located in the heart of Greenport on Main Street.
Like the Upper East Side restaurant that closed its doors after 40 years of business, the Greenport location is casual and extremely cozy. From marbletop tables and the antique bar top (which was lovingly relocated from the former location), to the outdoor seating and colorful paintings on the wall by the owner’s father, famed artist Eric Demarchelier, the atmosphere makes Demarchelier the perfect sojourn in North Fork for a quick bite to eat, a romantic rendezvous, a nice meal with family and friends, or simply to dream about that next trip to Paris. DemarchelierRestaurant.com
THE WORKPLACE OF THE FUTURE: 632 BROADWAY As business owners begin to bring their workforces back into the office, landlords and tenant reps are reporting a surge of interest in pre-war office space. Citing concerns over open floor plans, ventilation, and lobby flow, office tenants are now hunting for locations designed to respond to the era of the last global pandemic of 1918.
One tower that is benefiting from the renewed interest in historically designed commercial space is 632 Broadway in Noho. The landmarked Classical Revival loft building was recently renovated with large windows that create the all-important cross ventilation, plus a second lobby to prevent crowding. According to Kenneth Fishel, president of Renaissance Properties, a commercial landlord with buildings in Noho, Midtown and South Florida, multiple leases have been signed since COVID-19 struck.
“It’s one the most beautiful spaces in our portfolio,” explains Kenneth, who also owns office buildings at 627 Broadway, 264 West 40th Street, and 62 West 45th Street. “The architecture and design of this era is, I think to everyone’s surprise, extremely relevant to the needs of the tenants of 2021.” RenaissancePropertiesNY.com THE COLOR OF PASSION: ROUGE LOUBOUTIN MATTE FLUIDS This season, red has a modern and unique expression in the all-new Rouge Louboutin Matte Fluids by Christian Louboutin Beauty. Bursting onto the scene are 10 matte and five metal matte red fluid lip colors, as well as five new red matte nail colors. Each one offers its own take on the iconic matte trend with a different shade of red, allowing women to take the stage and express various aspects of themselves, their personalities, and their moods.
The sensual texture of the line applies like a fluid and sets in a powdery matte finish with super-soft touch and ultra-comfortable texture. Infused with luminosity, the deeply pigmented shades deliver different nuances of playful red color. The formula wears impeccably for hours, providing non-drying coverage that never looks dull. ChristianLouboutin.com
THE LUXURY VODKA: GOLDLOK VODKA American craft luxury vodka, Goldlok, offers the tantalizing, unfiltered expression of a smooth vodka. The company’s creative ingenuity has been welcomed by mixologists and cocktail enthusiasts alike. For example, to create Goldlok Vodka, the passionate taste of sugar cane is distilled five times from the natural essence of the Amazon in Brazil. The smooth taste of Goldlok Vodka starts with the sourcing of crisp waters of the Rocky Mountains and organic Brazilian sugar cane, which is distilled five times.
To further enhance its character, Goldlok borrows methods from California's top winemakers to mellow out and soften the spirit. It is a delicious one that is ready to sip, mix into sophisticated cocktails, and everything in between. There are absolutely no additives, just pure sugar cane, clean water, oxygen, and time. Goldlok-Vodka.com
Wellness tips you’ll want— and need— for 2021
By Jennifer Walsh
Looking for ways to tap into your best version of you for the new year? We asked a few of the leading experts in their fields for tips on how to stay motivated and in line with our wellness goals.
Do what you love to reach your goals
It’s important to get really clear on your “why” as well as your goals. When you are clear about what you want to accomplish and why, you’re more likely to stick to your routine. Start now with something really manageable—maybe it’s three days a week.
Take the next month and try different workouts to figure out what works for you. Choose something you love, and as time passes you can bump up your workouts to help meet your personal goals. - Allisa Tucker, master trainer, TheAKT.com
When people go through prolonged periods of high stress, their sleep is compromised from issues regarding the onset of sleep to challenges falling back asleep when awakened in the middle of the night. NuCalm is patented neuroscience technology clinically proven to lower stress and improve sleep quality without drugs. This system combines three components that rapidly “switch off stress” and transition the user to deep relaxation and recovery within minutes, restoring the mind and body without drugs. Placing one’s biosignal processing disk onto the left wrist activates the brain’s natural relaxation system by interrupting the adrenaline response. Then it’s time to open the app, use the headset, put the included eye mask on, and sit back and listen to the sounds and frequencies to quiet and still the mind. - Jim Poole, CEO and President, NuCalm.com
Embrace food as medicine
As a medical doctor, I prescribe “food as medicine,” and my Rx, or recipe (Rx is Latin for recipe) is simple: Eat more plants, less meat, and cook more. We’ve always known that good nutrition is important, but it’s more important now than ever before. As we continue to hunker down into 2021, we will need to practice self-care. That starts with what we put into our mouths. - Dr. Robert Graham, chef, FRESHMedNYC.com
Tap more, stress less
Tapping, which is the practice of using your fingertips to tap specific meridian points on the body, is proven to reduce anxiety and stress, but only if you use it! Best practices include tapping often and trying a variety of meditations to find what works best for you. The Tapping Solution app includes dozens of meditations for all sorts of scenarios, from family stress and weight loss to sleep issues to problems at work. The most popular meditation, the free Release Anxiety Tapping series, has shown a 41% reduction of anxiety in less than 10 minutes. - Jessica Ortner, author and creator, TheTappingSolution.com
Keep moving throughout the day
Since we’re spending more time at home, make your home more dynamic and better on your body. Create space to sit and stretch out on the floor and take your entertainment or your 100th
Zoom call on the move. Keep a mat rolled out and tidy to create your own home gym. Set up a dynamic workspace next to a window for natural light, eye breaks, and fresh air. Do what you can to optimize your environment. In
“Move Your DNA,” my book, I focus on the teachings of simple gradual movement throughout the day, which can keep us healthy and nimble. - Katy Bowman, biomechanist and author, NutritiousMovement.com
Explore IV therapy for an at-home wellness boost
Not only is IV therapy an effective way to reboot nutrient levels in the body, it’s also an easy way to get hydrated. Seventy-five percent of Americans are chronically dehydrated and don’t even realize it or its impact on our daily lives. IV therapy delivers hydration plus vitamins and minerals directly to the blood stream. This means, nutrients bypass the digestive tract and are immediately absorbed by the body at a rate much higher than ingestion of oral supplements. People who experience IV therapy often feel immediately energized by treatment and can feel these benefits for up to 48 hours after their drip.
IS THIS STILL YOU?
By Dr. Julie Davelman
Most of us recognize—at least in theory—that we are everevolving as people. However, if asked to describe ourselves, we may describe not the person we are today, but the person we are used to thinking of ourselves as. Let’s say that as a young adult you were laid back and spontaneous, and you view those traits very positively. When you enter the next stage of your life, it may be important for you to continue to think of yourself this way, your full-time job and three young children not-withstanding. The truth, however, may be that just getting the family to leave the house takes days of planning.
Why continue to think of yourself in old terms that no longer apply? It is easy to see that “laid back and spontaneous” makes for a better-sounding self-identity than “uptight and over-scheduled.” This is why so people stick to an identity that no longer applies because it feels better to think of themselves that way.
So why is that a problem? What’s wrong with thinking of yourself in the “best way possible” even if it is no longer true? The problem is that self-identity drives the expectations we set for ourselves. If you really are spontaneous, you would expect to say “yes” to a last-minute dinner with a friend on a Tuesday night. And when you inevitably have to say “no” to that dinner because you are working late and still have to pick up your son from practice, you are disappointed. Yet you are likely to beg off those dinner plans without giving yourself a path toward what you want.
If, instead of continuing to think of yourself as spontaneous, you embrace your overscheduled identity, your reply to the friend could be, “I have a lot of things going on, and it is hard for me to do things last minute. How about we plan for next Wednesday?”
Embracing an identity that really fits who you are now gives you a chance to see your friend a different night, while no longer pretending to be someone you are not anymore is liable to leave you with a constant sense of disappointment for having failed at being “you.” Another big part of your life that may be affected by an outdated identity is the company you keep. Let’s say you view yourself as a “partier.” You are likely to find yourself surrounded by other people who enjoy going out and having an active social life. Now what happens when you regularly realize that you would rather to have a quiet conversation with a small group of friends over dinner than go to that new club?
Chances are, your old crowd isn’t always a perfect match for the way you now prefer to spend your time. Updating your identity would be a good first step to allow you to start building a network of like-minded people that match the “you” of today.
So, how does one do this? You are unlikely to wake up one day and say to yourself, “I used to be this person, and now I am this other kind of person.” The way you start to reconceptualize your identity is by reflecting on your reactions to common themes in your life. Are you regularly disappointed by the fact that you are no longer able to do something that you had previously done frequently? And, if so, do you actually want to do that thing now for any reason other than avoiding the feeling of disappointment in yourself?
If your answer is “no,” then it’s time to realign your identity with your current interests. Similarly, if you are no longer looking forward to seeing some of your old friends, or if you cannot think of things to talk to them about, it may be time to look for friends who share your present interests and stage of life.
Once you recognize that your identity needs an update, you can try new identities on for size. As in the case of the old identity, watch your reactions. When you see that something feels right, you will have found your new way of thinking of yourself.
At every stage of life, embrace who you are now. Don’t be afraid of losing the “real you,” and don’t get caught up in trying to get back to being the person you had once been. You are always changing; your self-identity just needs a chance to catch up to the person you likely already are.
Stepping into a new year of wellness
The gadgets that’ll get you movin’
By Jennifer Walsh
According to the latest findings by the Global Wellness Institute, one of the largest markets for consumer spend is senses, spaces, and sleep with $4.8 billion spent annually.
Lucky for us, the new year brings with it some of the best innovation to help us move our bodies forward into better health. From aiding in gentle movements to getting our heart rates raised to the max, we found some of the best tools, products, gadgets, and apps to maximize our wellness routines.
The way we each choose to get and stay in shape is uniquely our own, just like any other routine. Some people are looking for ways to breathe a bit deeper, be more mindful, or get in better touch with their bodies. Others are looking to crank things up after 2020 and want to go full blast into the notion of “new year, new you.”
No matter what route you take, these items will help you explore new ways to incorporate a healthy wellness routine into any schedule.
Fit Fighter is a whole new way to lift weights. This strength and conditioning system boasts patent-pending Steelhose free weights and a training app. The
Steelhoses are made in the USA from real firehose and steel shot. $65 and up, FitFighter.com
G-Shock Move is the ultimate workout partner. This is an athletes’ dream watch that does everything from track your GPS, heart rate, oxygen level, and training goals, as well as monitor your daily workouts. Even better—it is solar-powered and pairs easily with the exclusive G-Shock app so you can stay on track thanks to super tracking, $399 and up, GShock.com
Merrell Nova 2 is one of the latest sneaker additions to the iconic shoe brand. This is perfect for those on the trails or running on any uneven surface with its adaptive grip. The waterproof membrane helps you keep warm and dry no matter your workout conditions. $110, Merrell.com
Sunlighten Solo System Sauna
Bed will help you up your home-based wellness nook.
This portable light therapy system delivers numerous health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure, aiding in weight loss, boosting collagen, and detoxification. $1,949 and up, Sunlighten.com
Sanabul With their unique tie-dyed offerings, Funk Strike Boxing Gloves will bring some fun and color to your boxing game. If you’re looking for a new way to get your heart rate up, try either at-home, outdoor, or anywhere and take these great gloves with you. The gel-infused foam provides the best protection and softness to help prevent injury. They are also easy to maintain and clean. $49, Sanabul.com
BIOS SkyView is a revolutionary table lamp that brings the biological benefits of natural light indoors. We are spending more than 90% of our time indoors, and the lack of natural light is affecting our sleep and adds distress to our bodies. This table lamp mimics different light forms that change throughout the day to help us maintain and help our circadian rhythm. $749, Bioslighting.com
Sunglass Hut will keep
your eyes protected wherever your wellness routine takes you. Their vast selection of eyewear will allow you to change up your assortment no matter your mood or workout, whether an intense cardio class outdoors or a gradual walk. Among our favorites: Oakley and Ray Ban, which are great for sports. Prices vary, SunglassHut.com
Vessel is a holistic wellness tracker you can use right from your phone. Measure and track wellness biomarkers, such as vitamin C and cortisol levels via the app, as well as identify deficiencies in your diet. All it takes is a two-minute urine test for a personalized wellness score with a tailored plan to help you see what nutrition and lifestyle changes will make the biggest impact on your health. $35 and up, VesselHealth.com
SEEKING CHANGE
IN THE
As we welcome in a new year, there is a feeling of optimism and hope that By Alexandra Anastasio new year many people from taking care of themselves. Hair was no longer dyed, fillers and Botox treatments fell by the this year will be better than the last. wayside, even a mani and pedi and gym If you ask anyone, they’ll say that 2020 was one for the books, and sessions were next to impossible. For many months, all of the things many found it difficult to focus on the things they normally would. people would do on a routine basis to feel good were put on pause. Whether it was because places were closed, or the desire to continue showing up for ourselves got lost, it was a year we all watched come to “I think that all got to people, and I believe they’re really looking to the a standstill. new year, wanting to hit it hard,” says Dr. Preminger.
But as we dive head first into 2021, it’s important to remember that while we may not be able to change what’s happening outside our doors, we can change what happens inside, and that all starts with selfcare. As Clint Eastwood famously said, “Tomorrow is promised to no one,” which is why it’s so important to make sure we show up for ourselves each and every day.
Because we are looking to this upcoming year as a time for reinvention, we sat down with Dr. Preminger to talk about some of the ways in which she is helping her patients look and feel their very best.
The start of a new year is not only a time to reflect but also to make promises to ourselves. As a doctor, you’re a part of the patient’s journey. What does that mean to you, knowing that ultimately you’re responsible for the change they’re seeking? This is particularly poignant now with everything going on in the world. I have been busier than I’ve ever been, operating multiple days a week, and I think it has to do with the fact that people want a change. Things in the world have changed, perspective has changed a little bit, and I think people want a bit of optimism. They want to take care of themselves. Do you see many male patients? If so, what type of procedures do they look for? I do treat a fair number of male patients although the overwhelming majority are females. I will say I think men appreciate a little bit of a softer side, and I have a different style as a woman. I’m less dogmatic about my approach, and I think men are sometimes embarrassed to go to another man.
The things men come in for are less diverse than what women come in for. [They seek treatments] like liposuction or CoolSculpting, usually [targeting] fat, abdominal fat, or fat under the neck or muffin top area. They’re also great candidates for these because they’ve never been pregnant, they have good skin tone, and they don’t have muscle laxity.
A fair number of men also complain about gynecomastia, which is excess breast tissue of the chest. I think in particular they’re embarrassed to go to another man for this; oddly enough, they feel less embarrassed going to see a woman.
Men also come in for injectables—Botox, fillers. The same way women want to stay young in the professional arena, men want to stay young as well.
People have also saved money because there really hasn’t been anywhere to go, they couldn’t eat out, couldn’t travel, and this is one of the few luxuries we have left right now. I think people are happy to invest in themselves, and I feel good to be a part of that process.
What are some of the most sought after procedures patients have been asking for? I’ve been doing a ton of breasts and Mommy Makeovers, as well as bigger procedures that involve a bit of downtime, such as face lifts, eyes, and a lot of liposuction. Dr. B. Aviva Preminger
Why is this time of year always an ideal time for certain procedures? Winter is always a great time to do things that involve downtime. In terms of scarring and healing, laser procedures are best done now because of the lack of sun exposure. I usually have to deal with patients’ vacation schedules, but right now people are traveling less and working from home, so there is no sun exposure, making it an ideal time to get these things done.
We hear the term “Mommy Makeover” often, but you don’t have to technically be a mom to have one done. What exactly does this popular procedure involve? It’s a procedure that is pretty subjective; when people use the term they are using it loosely as a combination of procedures—most commonly breast, belly, and liposuction procedures. But then things get added on, and it ends up a little different in every situation.
I think terminology is something patients struggle with— they don’t know what to call things. “Mommy Makeover” has a little less medical ring to it and is a bit more of a general term. When people come in and say what they want, I say to them, “Tell me what bothers you.” And so it really is a combination of things that make you feel good about the way you look.
Photography by VITAL AGIBALOW for HENSEL What message do you want to share with patients when it comes to self-care? As plastic surgeons, what we do has such a huge psychological component in a very positive way. It’s pretty amazing for me to get to do what I do. When you can turn it around for someone, that’s powerful.
I think there are two components to what plastic surgeons do. There is the actual physical component we can achieve, and then there is the tremendous psychological impact of what we do. I think that it’s particularly powerful, especially in times like these. One of the things plastic surgeons do is create hope.
How would you say you’re creating hope through the work that you do? Plastic surgeons are innovators, we’re problem-solvers in general. I do a lot of complicated revision surgeries and those patients are tremendously grateful. They’ve been operated on before, they’re not satisfied, and they want to know that somebody can help them. So when I can turn that around and hit a home run on something that has been tried before and was unsuccessful, those patients are even more appreciative.
For me, every case—every patient—no two are the same. It’s one of the reasons I love what I do. We are masters of reinvention and creativity, and I think COVID-19 has really made us have to think about that.
In what way would you say that’s true? There are ways in which our practices reinvented themselves in terms of safety standards. I’m fortunate to have an operating room here in my office, and that affords certain safety precautions for patients.
The whole focus has been on 2020 being a terrible year, but we’ve turned the corner to 2021. I think we need to actively make this year different. People are feeling a certain desperation to create hope and take care of themselves, and I think plastic surgery is part of that change.
PEOPLE, PLACES, PARTIES
Kenneth Fishel, President of Renaissance Properties, and Bradley Fishel, Vice President of Renaissance Properties, hosted an exclusive brokers event on the rooftop of the recently renovated historic commercial space, 632 Broadway, also known as 166 Crosby Street in Noho, showcasing the building’s renovations for business owners looking for the ideal workspace post pandemic ©Matteo Prandoni/BFA
William T. Sullivan and Nicola Heryet Bradley Fishel, Maria Fishel, Kenneth Fishel
Ann Liguori hosted her 22nd Annual Ann Liguori Foundation Charity Golf Classic at the Maidstone Club in East Hampton, benefitting cancer research, prevention and care, including the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, Kids Need More and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Honoree was Jason Dove, President, Platinum Inc., who accepted the ALF Business Honoree Award ©Neil Tandy
Ann Liguori
The American Cancer Society hosted the 15th annual Taste of Hope virtual celebration. This year’s Taste of Hope recognized James Beard Award-winning culinary honorees, Chef Michael White (Marea) and Chef Joseph ‘JJ’ Johnson (Fieldtrip), and featured a special performance by Sting. You can still support and make a donation at www.tasteofhopenyc.org ©LMG
Sting performing
Samuel Waxman MD, Ann Liguori Chef JJ Johnson, Chef Michael White
The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF) held its 38th Annual Golf Tournament at the scenic Fresh Meadow Country Club in Lake Success, NY. The event was the first in-person fundraiser for the SWCRF in 2020, and although it was scaled down to allow for social distancing, the tournament raised $160,000 ©Charles E. Manley
William T. Sullivan, Scott Lazarz, Andrew Berry, and Luke Chearest
CEO, Founder and Master Chocolatier Maribel Lieberman of MarieBelle New York celebrated the20th Anniversary of MarieBelle Chocolates and the new MarieBelle.com at the flagship store in New York’s Soho district ©Neil Tandy
SEE WHAT’S BEEN GOING ON AROUND TOWN (VIRTUALLY) WITH OUR BELLA BRAND PARTNERS…
Dune Jewelry launches its new Moonstone Collection with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue model, Camille Kostek, Dune x Camille.
Prosecco DOC officially launches its first ever Rosé, releasing in the United States in January 2021. The Prosecco DOC team kicked off the launch with a virtual event, introducing the new “drink pink” slogan.
Awaken The Light Aurora
Krystal Pendants’ owner and designer, Karen Riley, hosted a virtual holiday shopping event featuring crystal creations and pendant designs from the Aurora Krystal Collection.
Holly Volpe Interior Design and The Shop by Holly
celebrated the holidays with 12 Days of Giving, a social media contest to gift participants with luxury throw blankets sold on The Shop.
Dr. Davidowitz of Luxury Dentistry NYC shares the benefits of oral health and his revolutionary technology, Evoke, while filming with The Naomi Model Group and various influencers via Instagram Live.
Estala Skincare offered
holiday shopping deals throughout Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas on their entire Estala Skincare line and beauty products.
Artists Shenna Vaughn and William Bentley collaborated to create this larger-than-life mural of George Floyd, which did more than challenge their technical abilities, it also pushed their creativity to amazing heights as they painted it in two separate locations.
“We were inspired to be passionate with every brush stroke and intentional with every vibrant dressing of color,” explains Shenna. “With this we got to do our part in the form of art and hope to inspire. Our mural not only beautifies the Jamaica Queens community, it also inspires the productivity, resilience, and the enduring light needed in the circumstances of today and tomorrow's dark times.”