25a magazine December 2013 by Jason Feinberg

Gold Coast Luxury Magazine

December 2013

25A

LAURA BELL

BUNDY

H O L I D AY 2 0 1 3 LOUIS V UI T TON . PR ADA . HERMÈS . GUCCI . CHANEL BOT TEGA VENETA . HIRSHLEIFERS . LONDON JEWELERS VA N CL EEF   &   A RPEL S   .   BRUNEL LO CUCINELLI   .   D I O R TOM FORD  .   CHANEL FINE JEWELRY  .   R A L P H   L AU R EN GIORGIO A RM A NI   .  SA LVATORE  FERR AGA MO   .   FENDI C A R T I E R   .   B U R B E R RY   .   T I FFA N Y   &   C O.   .   J .   M E N D E L E R M E N E G I L D O   Z E G N A   .   D O N N A   K A R A N   N E W   YO R K M A X   M A R A   .   O S C A R   D E   L A   R EN TA   .   DAV I D   Y U R M A N LORO PIANA . ST. JOHN . MICHAEL KORS . JIMMY CHOO THE MENS MARKET AT HIRSHLEIFERS . ANNE FONTAINE T HEO RY   .   I LO R I   .   VINCE C AMU TO  .   WOLFORD  .   E T RO  TORY BURCH . ALICE + OLIVIA . VILEBREQUIN . INTERMIX M O RG EN T H A L   FR ED ER I C S   .   L ACO S T E   .   H U G O   B O S S

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COUTURE

25A

riumph EYE-CATCHING, POLISHED SILHOUETTES DRIVE THE THIRD HELENA CHRISTENSEN FOR TRIUMPH COLLECTION IN SPSU 2014

While all the pieces offer eye-catching, polished silhouettes, the inspirations behind the collection have been evoked in two distinct series as Helena explains: “Femininity means so many things and I wanted to explore how it can be translated with the new collection. With the nostalgic feel of the first series, I sought to embrace the seductive confidence of the femme fatale of the Silver Screen. The second is more contemporary and couture-inspired. Its iridescent sculptural forms envelop the body, softly shaping and empowering the wearer.”

| 25A www.25Amagazine.com

contents December 2013

Cover

Laura Bell Bundy

Laura Bell Bundy enjoys poking fun at herself and her bubbly, hyper personality. Despite the fact that she considers herself to be a zany ‘mess,’ the multi-hyphenate singer/songwriter/ actress/producer has proven that she is quite savvy when it comes to the entertainment business

18 Splurge 16 Gift Guide

Cool gift ideas for the holiday season

Couture 24 Cool Trends

From Triumph, Lysse,Theia, and Inside the Armoire

Beauty 34 Cool Looks

From Bloomingdale’s, Aerin Lauder and Jouer

Design 42 It’s All in the Finish

Finishing touches for the home from Crystorama

Introducing our 564 mph recharging station. We believe that inspiration and relaxation go hand in hand. That’s why we’re the first U.S. airline to introduce the new 777-300 with First and Business Class cabins where every seat lies flat and offers aisle access. We’re putting the wonder back into air travel, one innovation at a time. The new American is arriving. aa.com/flybetter

contents

december 2013

Regimen 48 Make This Year Different! It’s holiday time and clearly that means festive parties mixed with seasonal treats. Top off that combination with fattening foods at social gatherings, end of the year stress, and less time for the gym, and you have a recipe for holiday weight gain

50 Making Changes Everyone has different ideals, dreams and desires about how they want to look and I don’t know many people who don’t want to look their best. The most important component in being able to look your best is to feel your best

52 The Core - How to Create the Ultimate Abdomen The core, abdomen or chi (qi) is a defining part of the human body. It has been prized from antiquity by artists and sculptors for its elegance and strength. Today, the core has undergone a revival in media and plastic surgery as a pre-requisite for an attractive, youthful and fit body

Celebrities 60 Dan Lauria

Reflects on His Wonder Years and Taking on Madison Square Garden in the theatrical hit A Christmas Story the Musical

Features 64 Gold Coast Holidays

Nowhere on earth were European holiday traditions kept more alive than here on the Gold Coast. With or without snow, the 30foot trees, spectacular decorations and festive balls took your breath away

70 Restored Golden Angel

A beautiful golden angel, by an unknown Italian artist, has been a fixture at St John’s of Lattingtown Episcopal Church for many years: nobody knows how the church came to acquire it, but it stood on a table in the Parish Hall and was showing signs of age and neglect

74 Long Island’s Historic Holiday Homes There’s no place like home – and there’s no place quite like Long Island’s historical homes during the holiday season.

78 Defining Succe$$ 74

T h e R eTuRn T o GlamouR F u r n it u re • R u g s • Ac c e s s o r i e s • I n t e r i o r D e s i g n

contents

december 2013

Auto 80 The Indian Chief Vintage Taste 82 Having a Holiday Cocktail Party?

84 The Idyllic Holiday Retreat Whether you are on Newport’s famous wharves, Thames Street or Broadway, unique restaurants fill the streets with the sights and smells of exquisitely prepared dishes with a taste all their own

Jetset 90 Make Some Holiday Memories Enjoy the Magic of FAO Schwarz in Park City

96 Everwunder

From a tour of the festively decorated Sagtikos Manor to a midnight toast at Fox Hollow’s decadent New Year’s Eve celebration, there are plenty of exciting new activities to bring you and your loved ones together

98 Rocking and Unlocking Panama

It’s your turn to become a Rock Star at the famed Hard Rock Hotel while taking a tour of one of the world’s most modern marvels

Art Form 112 The Colorful World of Peter Max To the young adults of the late 60’s, Peter Max’s art was as significant visually as the music of The Beatles was acoustically. His images were omnipresent on posters, album covers, ads, clothing and more

114 The Magical Art of Scherer and Ouporov Looking at a painting by Suzanne Scherer and Pavel Ouporov is like entering a magical world of dichotomy. Together, as one, they paint ethereal tableaux using the combined methods of traditional Eastern and Western egg tempera painting

25A-List 116 More Events From Around the Town 112

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Climbing a ladder is easy if you have done it before. Success can be easy if you have been there before. If not, you can compete with the big shots if you watch every step you make to learn where the next one is. Every day new companies appear out of the blue and thrive. That’s the American way. This is who we are, doers who get up and start creating their dreams. Jennifer Weil, who worked in sales and has a husband in finance, had such a dream - opening their first Yoga Spa in Roslyn NY. Gary Brustein making it easy to lend against collateral to the high end market. What a great idea. We are happy to promote these entrepreneurs in this issue. Luxury brands are all around us and some of us can’t do without them. Today luxury simply expresses a quality item that lasts, kind of like what we all had in the past when things were made that way. Sure you can always buy it cheaper somewhere else but in my opinion, if you can find that extra dollar, it’s much more worth it. Thanks to all our advertisers for all of their support this year. For the holiday season, I love to find a real Christmas tree. I love to go shopping with my kids and pick out the perfect one for our home. After the tree is set and it settles, the next day we open all the boxes we have accumulated over the years with all the ornaments in them. It is probably my favorite time of the year, having Christmas music playing and hanging the mistletoe in the doorway. The mistletoe has a significant symbol of romance to all that pass underneath it. Each one gets a kiss! I think the holidays are great for everyone. It is a time of giving and also giving thanks for all our accomplishments.

Chase Backer Publisher

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

As you may have noticed, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve never placed a letter from the editor in 25A magazine. There really is no reason other than the fact that I like to stay behind the scenes. But recently I have received a number of wonderful letters from our readers complimenting the magazine and our writers. I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you for those letters, cards, emails, phone calls and kind words. They do not go unnoticed. As we wind down 2013, we at 25A are gearing up to work hard in 2014. While everyone is getting ready to give gifts to loved ones, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to ask that you please keep in your thoughts those less fortunate, the local charities that work hard with dedicated volunteers all year round, and those still affected by Hurricane Sandy. I want to extend the warmest of wishes to all our readers and their families (and especially my incredible staff) for a happy and safe holiday season. See you next year!

Jason Feinberg Editor-In-Chief

The holidays just got brighter... Let us be your destination for fragrant, fresh cut Christmas trees & greens, flowering holiday plants, unique gifts, festive home decor, & fine landscape design & installation.

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25A

Long Island’s Gold Coast Luxury Magazine

Publisher Editor-In-Chief Art Director Office Manager Copy Editor Director of Strategic Marketing Director of Financial Marketing Features Editor Society Editor Editor-at-Large Fitness Editor Nutrition Editor Contributing Health Editor Features Writer Arts and Travel Editor Food Writer Gold Coast Writer Contributors

Contributing Photographers

Chase Backer Jason Feinberg Brooke Morgan Lori Biddiscombe Carla Santella Prof. Jack Mandel Georgia Gerosaus Victoria Caruso Christopher Robbins Gwen Wunderlich Pam Polestino Lindsay Brustein Rosen, M.S., R.D. Scott B. Wells, M.D. Victoria Crosby Diana Pinck Venus Quintana Monica Randall Dr. Gerald Acker, M.D., Paul Anthony, Melissa Argueta, Andrea Correale, Shane Fonner, Natalie Gaebelein, Cori Goldfarb, Olivia Katz, Jane Lerman, Liz Mendoza Kelly O’Malley Mattone, M.D., Aline Marie, Alyssa Nightingale, Ilena Ryan, Iris Wiener Patrick McMullan Paul Prince, Johnny Schiano, Paul Gerben, Kat Rabbit, Jennifer Thomas, Van Cushny, Clifton Parker, Neil Tandy

Contributing Photo/Videographer

Benno Klandt

Contributing Illustrator

Robert Bergin

Advertising Account Reps

Trish Cope, Paul Anthony, Bonnie Goldstein, Couture Marketing advertising@couturemarketing.com

Contact: 1057 Jericho Rd East Norwich, NY 11732 516.864.2525 (f) 516.399.2444 www.25Amagazine.com facebook/25amagazine twitter/25amagazine Writers, Models, Musicians and Photographers please inquire © Copyright 2013 by 25A magazine, All rights reserved. 25A magazine is published ten times per year. Reproduction without permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publisher and editors are not responsible for unsolicited material and it will be treated as such and unconditionally assigned for publication subject to 25A magazine’s right to edit.

HOLIDAY AT

WALT WHITMAN SHOPS

It’s a Family Affair! Create memories this holiday season at great new stores and eateries like BOSS, BRIO Tuscan Grille, kate spade new york, Sony and Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar! Extended holiday shopping hours, photos with Santa, and more – there’s something for everyone! ROUTE 110 IN HUNTINGTON • SIMON.COM OR FACEBOOK.COM/WALTWHITMANSHOPS • 631-271-1746

600-1768_WW_GRO_Ad_25AMag.indd 1

11/12/13 5:10 PM

HOLIDAY

25A

Maple Pivot by Koostik The Pivot is designed to work exclusively with the iPhone 4, 4S and 5 only. You can use it with your

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

phone in portrait mode or landscape. Either way, you get enhanced passive acoustic amplification for your favorite music or video! The Pivot works with no case as well as with many of the most popular cases, up to 1/2â&#x20AC;? thick. The Pivot comes in your choice of hard maple, makore, cherry or walnut. The crisp geometric form in any of these woods is a natural complement to your iPhone. To charge your phone, simply place it in landscape mode in the phone dock with the bottom to the right. $75

The Manta Resort Underwater Room Located off the East Coast of Tanzania, here you can experience a unique view of the underwater world. A private floating island with your bedroom four meters below the surface. It is yours to enjoy while sunbathing and stargazing on the top deck, lounging and dining on the water deck and sleeping surrounded by a tropical marine environment. Spotlighting the water around you at night from your underwater room is absolutely breathtaking. www.themantaresort.com

Nike+ Fuelband The new Nike+ Fuelband SE now tracks not only how much, but also how often and how intensely you move. And it gives you real-time feedback, move reminders and insights to help you move more and move better. See your progress on the LED display at the press of a button. And with Bluetooth 4.0, you stay constantly connected, syncing the data from your band with your Nike+ account and giving you feedback and motivation as you need it.

Ralph Lauren Bond Mixologist Box: Limited edition of 50 with numbered logo plate Mixologist station contains a silver-plated brass Boston shaker, cocktail picks and holder, mixing glass, hickory cutting board, glass ice bucket, maple wood muddler, silver-plated brass ice tongs, silver-plated brass bar spoon, silver-plated brass julep strainer, ebony wood corkscrew, silver-plated brass Hawthorne strainer, Damascus paring knife, silver-plated brass jigger, silver-plated brass bottle opener, canvas ice bag, buffalo horn garnish bowls, mixologist book and a linen hand towel with towel hook. $6995

16 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

- 2014 IS -

- 2014 GX -

OPEN ONE UP This December, don’t just celebrate the holidays, elevate them. Open up the Lexus you’ve been dreaming of all year. Visit Rallye Lexus during the December to Remember Sales Event to unwrap some of the best offers of the year on our most exciting models, including the bold and exhilarating 2014 IS. But hurry, because like this season full of thrills, it only lasts for a limited time.

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HOLIDAY

25A DRESS FOR THE HOLIDAYS WITH EVELYN M. DESIGNS

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Tis this season to transform your home for the holidays. Let the designers at Evelyn M. Designs help you set your holiday table, while putting finishing touches on your holiday dĂŠcor. Complete your holiday shopping list with beautiful accessories, hostess gifts and trim-a-tree items. The tables are set with Kim Seybert Tabletop to allow the holidays to sparkle. Full-service holiday decorating and table setting available. For more information contact Evelyn M. Designs at 516.922.2210 or email evelyn@evelynmdesigns.com . 18 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

Make your list, Check it twice, We have gif ts f or the naughty & nice.

LINGERIE

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HOLIDAY

25A HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE HH 350 Floating VHF Marine Radio MSRP | $99.95 AVAILABLE AT | Cobra, Academy Sports, Bass Pro Shops, Boat Owners Warehouse, Cabela’s, Crook & Crook Marine, El Capitan, Englund Marine, Gander Mountain, Hamilton Marine, Hannay’s, Overtons, Tuppens Marine, West Marine and at thousands of local independent marine dealers The Cobra HH 350 features six watts of power for long-range communications plus full access to all NOAA Weather Channels and Emergency Alert. The HH 350 comes in an ergonomic, ultra-compact design for ease-of-use and has the ability to float if dropped overboard. The exterior sports the Cobra signature orange case for easy visibility in water. The radio also has a noise-canceling microphone for crystal clear conversations.

Drive HD Dash Cams MSRP | $119.95-169.95 AVAILABLE AT | TravelCenters of America, Petro and Amazon To deliver peace of mind, security and maybe even some entertainment, Cobra’s Drive HD Dash Cams record everything drivers see in full 1080P HD video. It’s a crazy world out there and Drive HD Dash Cams are the perfect solution to continuously record your surroundings and keep you and your vehicle safe and secure. An embedded G-Sensor automatically saves clips where an impact has been detected and the high-end model includes GPS to simulcast your precise location on a Google™ Map along with your video. Drive HD Cams also take 12 megapixel still shots and all images and videos can be viewed on a TV or Computer. 20 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

Cobra AirWave MSRP | $39.95 AVAILABLE AT | Cobra and Amazon The Cobra AirWave is a portable Bluetooth® – based music bridge that allows users to wirelessly connect their Bluetooth® -enabled media device to their home stereo, car stereo or standalone speakers. This connection allows users to play premium sound for up to an impressive ten to twelve hours of music playback, while having the freedom to be away from the source and control music from up to 33 feet away. Now, users can combine the compatibility and convenience of today’s Bluetooth®-enabled digital music players with their investment in existing stereo systems at a small fraction of the cost of newer systems.

Cobra SPXm Series MSRP | $199.95-229.95 AVAILABLE AT | SPX 6700 – Best Buy and Amazon, SPX 7700 – Amazon, SPX 7800 – Shop NBC exclusive till end of the year Cobra’s SPX Radar Line now includes three smaller, supercharged models – the SPX 6700, SPX 7700 and SPX 7800BT – that offer more than double the detection range of previous models. All offer IntelliShield quad-level false signal rejection, auto mute/IntelliMute/IntelliMute Pro, super-charged LaserEye 360 laser detection, voice alert, low car battery warning and super-bright white OLED graphics display. Additionally, the 7800BT offers users access to the iRadar Community for live speed trap data via smartphones.

Cobra iRadar ATOM MSRP | $199.95 AVAILABLE AT | Cobra and Amazon

Based on the award-winning Cobra iRadar system, the ATOM is the smallest and most powerful radar/laser/camera detection system ever developed, packing double the performance in a 35 percent smaller form. The ATOM connects iPhone and Android devices via Bluetooth to the iRadar Community. When the ATOM pairs to the iRadar app, alerts can be shared in real-time with other iRadar users, including red light camera warnings, speed traps, dangerous intersections and live police locations. This allows drivers to be alerted accurately and reliably of safety and enforcement threats for 360-degree protection of the road around them. December 2013 | 21

HOLIDAY

25A GIFT GUIDE 2013

GOPRO HERO3+ CAMERA

Not only is the Hero3+ Silver Edition 20 percent smaller and 15 percent lighter than previous models, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two times more powerful, making it the most advanced Silver Edition camera yet. Wearable, gear-mountable and waterproof to 131â&#x20AC;&#x2122;/40m, it captures professional-quality video at resolutions up to 1080p60 and 10MP photos at up to 10 frames per second. With 4 times faster Wi-Fi, enhanced low-light performance, 30 percent longer battery life and compatibility with all GoPro mounts and accessories, the Hero3+ Silver Edition makes capturing and sharing your life easier than ever. $399.

22 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

BONITA PLATINUM TEQUILA

BOITE MAISON

Elegance and refinement define this exquisite box presenting a large selection of ganaches and pralinĂŠs in dark and milk chocolate and luscious plain dark chocolate truffles. $170-385

MANHATTAN TRAVELING BAR SET

Distilled five times, bottled in pure crystal and wrapped in satin, this tequila is an experience of luxury for hip, urban-savvy people who appreciate the finer things in life. Bonita is more than tequila; it is the highlight of an evening with friends, the crown jewel of bottle service at the finest clubs, the exclusive drink of the modern sophisticate. $75-110.

RALPH LAUREN WENTWORTH TRAY

This Picnic Time Manhattan portable cocktail case has everything needed for your cocktail party on the go. The martini glasses are hand-blown and all of the included tools are stainless steel. This unique traveling bar cocktail set is a great accessory for parties, gatherings or holidays and it also makes a great gift. $175

Serve drinks and canapĂŠs in style with this stunning Wentworth tray from Ralph Lauren Home. Perfect for dinner parties and gettogethers, the tray is made from silver-plated brass and it looks as fabulous on display as it does being used. $540.

ALEXANDER WANG OBJECTS NO. 4 COLLECTION COASTERS Black and white marble coaster set of four in an upright stingray embossed black box. $170.

December 2013 | 23

NIGHTINGALE BY HELENA CHRISTENSEN Created from delicate lace as rich as the song of the Nightingale, the elegant peplum ripples are the focal point of the collection. Drawing attention to the cinched waist whilst adding a touch of drama, like the rest of the collection, the panties celebrate the nostalgic lines of the hourglass figure. Combine the hipster, mid or highwaisted cuts with the hook and eye frontclosing bra, which showcases Leavers lace in vintage floral in the back, for the ultimate in understated sophistication. DRAGONFLY BY HELENA CHRISTENSEN With its cocoon-like silhouettes, the collection’s crisscrossed iridescent fabrics deliver an enchanting metamorphosis. Sculpting feminine forms and shimmering like a dragonfly in the sun’s rays, the result is breathtaking. Selected styles include a wired bandage teddy, which wraps the figure in layers of diffused light; its opaque fabric and detachable straps adding versatility as an outerwear piece. The collaboration with Helena continues to evolve. For this season’s shooting Helena welcomed us in her beach house in Denmark, helping to create the most enchanting images yet. Helena enjoyed full creative direction on the shoot and lookbook layout. Images of Helena were taken by her good friend, Olivia Fröhlich. The HC product will be available online for purchase at us.triumph.com

December 2013 | 25

COUTURE

25A

ABOUT The Theia collection was created to bring out a womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inner goddess. The goddess Theia, who ruled during the greek golden age, inspires the collection. Her incredible power was the gift of light, all that she gazed upon glittered, becoming luminous and radiant. She imbued gold and silver with their shine. She gave diamonds their fire and rubies and emeralds their sparkle. Her three children; Helios the sun, Celene the moon, and Eos the dawn, all continue to bring light in to the world.

881803 Bronze Printed Organza Mermaid Gown

Theia is fabricated with the finest European brocades, silks and prints, embellished with couture beading and embroideries. Each piece is meticulously stitched together to create exquisite gowns and cocktail dresses that flow beautifully around the body. The woman who wears Theia will be filled with confidence knowing her dress fits wonderfully, looks beautiful, thus naturally allowing her inner Goddess to shine.

COLLECTION The collection opened for Fall 2009 to rave reviews, immediately being bought by Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, and specialty stores around the globe. The designs have also garnered praise by country super star Carrie Underwood as well as media outlets.

| 25A www.25Amagazine.com

JACQUARD MERMAID 881828 Black and Metallic Gold Jacquard Strapless Mermaid gown with caviar beaded inset

COUTURE

25A

PLEATED MERMAID 881756 Sleeveless floral mermaid gown with pleated bust

REVOLUTIONARY TUMMY CONTROL Available at www.Lysse.com

Sequin Legging

Brocade Legging

These leggings by Lyssé are right on trend; the brocade and the sequined tuxedo are currently their hottest items. Lyssé, a twist on the French word for ‘smooth,’ was born from the idea to combine clothing with shapewear. Launched with just one revolutionary pair of leggings, Lyssé has expanded into a range of silhouettes including tops, tanks, wraps and, of course, leggings. Constructed with a double layer of control fabric inside the waist, the 3S technology slims, smooths and shapes with hidden panels that eliminate ‘the roll’ and flatters each woman’s shape. Women of all ages love the confidence they feel knowing how fabulous they look wearing Lyssé! December 2013 | 29

COUTURE

25A An Intimate Shopping Experience

Karen Papadopoulos, Owner

Inside the Armoire By Melissa Argueta

hen you want to feel more beautiful on the inside and out, treat yourself to an intimate shopping experience Inside the Armoire in Manhasset. As one of the newest upscale lingerie boutiques to open on the North Shore, Inside the Armoire offers many of the hottest brands of fine intimate apparel, sleepwear, loungewear, swimwear, holiday gifts and accessories, along with personalized customer service. Established in 2011, local resident and storeowner Karen Papadopoulos recently moved her popular lingerie shop in Locust Valley to one of Long Island’s most well known shopping destinations – Manhasset. Venture inside the 1,100-square-foot storefront and you’ll immediately feel at home in the relaxing and serene atmosphere. The shop’s interior features neutral-colored walls and crystal sconces blending delicate femininity with Soho chic. Since opening its doors earlier this year, Papadopoulos is happy that the store has been well received by the local community. “I would say maybe 70 to 80 percent of our daily customers now are new customers and the rest are our loyal patrons,” she said.

“It’s very rare that someone is in the correct size when they come in.” -Nicole Catanzano

“Our shopping experience is special for people. They leave our store feeling great and giddy.” -Storeowner Karen Papadopoulos Whether you are searching for a unique bridal shower gift or custom fitted undergarment, Inside the Armoire carries high-end brand names that are often not found in major department stores. Some of the best-selling items are from hard-to-find designers for bras and underwear such as Chantelle, Simone Perele, Cosabella, Marie Jo, Stella McCartney and many more. Sleepwear and loungewear names include Eberjey, Fleur’t, P.J. Salvage and Skin, and the store carries collections of swimwear by Karla Colletto, Vix and a host of other designers throughout the year. In addition to cashmere robes, slippers, nightgowns and pajamas, you’ll also find a wide selection of gifts such as soaps, candles, blankets, accessories and more at a variety of prices. Many women come here exclusively for the store’s expert bra fitting services that cater to all sizes (A to HH). Customers can choose from hundreds of styles such as push-ups, strapless, wireless, minimizers, demi-cups, T-shirt bras, fashion bras and more. According to Papadopoulos, a properly fitted undergarment can help improve women’s health and self-confidence. “The main reason people will go to a boutique for a bra is the personalized bra fitting experience. You can just walk in and there is always at least one, if not two, professional bra fitters here waiting to fit people and that’s really our core business.”

Inside the Armoire manager and expert bra fitter Nicole Catanzano explains that they run the gamut on sizes and bands. “It’s a science,” she explained. “It’s very rare that someone is in the correct size when they come in.” About 90 percent of women wear the wrong sized bra, which can result in back pain, bad posture or improperly fitting outer garments, Papadopoulos said. “If there is a common mistake … it’s that people come in with bands that are too big for them and cups that are too small. It’s nice because a lot of people don’t realize they can wear pretty bras that make them feel good.” Whether you want to take your daughter to her first bra fitting or would like a private fitting for yourself in one of the store’s private dressing rooms, the store’s experienced staff is trained to know what type of bra is right for your unique needs. “When somebody walks through that door, we want to make them to feel at home,” Papadopoulos explained. “Keep in mind, we get intimate with them and it’s important for our customers to feel really comfortable with us.” While you may think Inside the Armoire is only a women’s store, many male patrons visit the store and appreciate the personal assistance and services. Papadopoulos emphasizes that building lasting relationships with all her customers is what matters most. “It’s not just sales for us. It’s rewarding. We are like a family here. Our shopping experience is special for people. They leave our store feeling great and giddy. Some new customers come in not knowing what to expect and find it is a fun, easy and pleasant overall experience.” Check out www.insidethearmoire.com to find out about the latest bra fitting store events or to book private events, girls night out events, parties and showers. Inside the Armoire 338 Plandome Road Manhasset, NY 11030 Monday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 516-671-5749 www.insidethearmoire.com

COUTURE

25A THE MANNES Teardrop Crown Design – The Braid Collection

BAILEY SPRING-SUMMER 2014

THE LOCHE Center Dent Crown Design – The Shantung LitestrawMojave Sienna White Natural Cement Cumin Marine Tobacco Black ® Collection

| 25A www.25Amagazine.com

THE RAGNAR Center Crease Crown Design – The Shantung Litestraw® Collection

THE RODIS Panel Cap Design – The Caps Collection

WOMEN’S DESIGNS FROM NEW YORK, LA, PARIS AND BEYOND...

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THE CHAPLIN Bowler Crown Design – The Genuine Panama Collection

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BEAUTY

25A BLOOMINGDALES BEAUTY GIFT GUIDE 2013

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34 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

GUERLAIN ORCHIDÉE IMPÉRIALE TRILOGY LUXURY SET

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December 2013 | 35

AERIN

BY ESTEE LAUDER

“The effect of scent is really interesting; It can create a mood and change a feeling immediately. I wanted to create a modern wardrobe of fragrances – fragrances that can be very personal to the woman who’s wearing them.” – Aerin Lauder, Founder and Creative Director, AERIN

Aerin Lauder brings together elements of ease, heritage and modernity in a beautiful floral dress by Valentino. Photo by Claiborne Swanson Frank

Aerin Lauder has just introduced a collection of fragrances based on emotion, lifestyle and aspiration. Encapsulating different expressions of spirit in five separate scents, the AERIN Fragrance Collection represents personal and intimate expressions of Aerin’s life and memories. Whether it is the feeling of sunshine on the beach or the peacefulness of a mountain retreat, each fragrance tells its own story. Created with the finest ingredients and carefully curated by Aerin, each of the five distinct scents – Gardenia Rattan, Amber Musk, Lilac Path, Ikat Jasmine and Evening Rose – are luxuriously personal. The fragrances are packaged in a manner that exudes the feminine and modern aesthetic of its founder, drawing inspiration from Aerin’s everyday life and inspired by natural elements such as stones and flowers. The chic rectangular bottle is adorned with a beautiful gem-like stone in a pretty and soft pastel shade specific to each fragrance. Each is housed in a carton featuring an exclusive AERIN for Lee Jofa design, reflecting the fragrance’s individual story. According to Aerin, “The effect of scent is really interesting; it can create a mood and change a feeling immediately. I wanted to create a modern wardrobe of fragrances – fragrances that can be very personal to the woman who’s wearing them.”

December 2013 | 37

LILAC PATH

IKAT JASMINE

Emerging from a long winter, spring arrives with flowers blooming. Lilac Path was inspired by a lilac bush that blooms every spring at Aerin’s country home. Lilacs, like spring, arrive as quickly as they depart; Lilac Path captures this intoxicating scent to help spring last a little longer with its delicate story of crisp greens, rich blooms and delicate petals.

Ikat Jasmine reflects a unique sensibility; it is the essence of casual chic. Representing the modern, feminine woman, it’s a fragrance about style and fashion. Like denim, the jasmine note in the fragrance makes it wearable all year round. There’s something very modern about a woman who wears jeans. She’s put together, she’s chic – and she does it without effort.

An inspired re-imagining of the AERIN signature batik print, the carton features the AERIN for Lee Jofa design ‘Marila,’ which combines two unique designs to create a signature batik.

Inspired by the blue and white floral wallpaper in the room Aerin grew up in, the design for the Ikat Jasmine carton embraces the various moods and emotions the shade of blue can evoke.

“There is something very special about spring flowers – as fast as

“Ikat Jasmine personifies a modern woman – effortless style and

they bloom, they disappear. Lilac Path captures the spirit of spring

intriguing femininity.”

and makes it last.”

The smell of fresh flowers, the seaside, crisp ocean breezes … certain scents transport and evoke emotion. Gardenia Rattan combines the feel of warm summer sun and a light breeze of ocean air with fresh cut flowers. The gardenia is one of Aerin’s first memories and the first flower she fell in love with. Gardenia Rattan highlights both the beautiful nature of the gardenia and the feeling of a carefree weekend at the beach. The carton is reminiscent of a summer garden in the Hamptons and features the AERIN for Lee Jofa design ‘Sayre,’ a modern and pretty take on a traditional floral pattern.

GARDENIA RATTAN

“Gardenia Rattan is the perfect summer day – warm sun, beautiful sea and fresh flowers.”

EVENING ROSE The love of rose is a Lauder family tradition. Evening Rose epitomizes a woman who is strong and assertive, yet feminine. Apply it and you feel finished and pulled together. Evening Rose is vibrant with contrast. The combination of rose and cognac is unusual and surprising, very much like the woman who is drawn to this fragrance.

AMBER MUSK

While summer is the outdoors, winter is a cozy retreat – mountains, snow, fresh air and warm indoor evenings. Amber Musk takes you home on a winter day – making a fire or just snuggling under a blanket and reading. Amber Musk has sensuality and welcoming warmth with a chic modern twist – it’s inviting and addictive at the same time. Inspired by Aerin’s heritage, the carton features the AERIN for Lee Jofa

The richly pigmented AERIN for Lee Jofa ‘Hither’ pattern on the Evening Rose carton was adapted from an English Jacobean hand-blocked linen dating back to the early 20th century.

design ‘Kenlyn,’ a personal take on the floral prints that were part of her

“The pairing of rose and cognac is intriguing and unexpected, like

“Amber Musk is a warm, inviting scent you want to wrap yourself

the allure of an evening in the city.”

in – like a soft cozy blanket on a cold snowy night.”

grandmother’s home décor. The print features two birds among exotic flowers and foliage.

The AERIN Fragrance Collection will be available beginning November 2013 at select retailers and online at AERIN.com and EstéeLauder.com. Suggested retail price: $110 for 50ml.

AERIN

BY ESTEE LAUDER

For more information visit Twitter: @AERIN; Tumblr: aerin.tumblr.com; Pinterest: pinterest.com/worldofaerin; Facebook: facebook.com/AERIN

BEAUTY

25A JOUER’S

PERFECT RED COLLECTION This season Jouer has five flattering red lipsticks and two glosses. Update your beauty wardrobe with the key piece for fall...a classic red lip.

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Added benefit: Jouer Hydrating Lipsticks are long-wearing AND loaded with powerful moisturizing properties of Brazilian Cupuacu Butter delivering positively tp-die-for rich, creamy texture. Retail Price: $22. Tip: “Start by defining the border of lips with a flesh-toned nude liner (try Jouer Clarifier in Clair). Apply lipstick directly from the tube.”

Tip:“Can be worn as sophisticated daytime look or paired with sleek cat eye”

FALL LINE-UP Liquid Shimmer Eyeliner

Long-wearing, silky and smooth, these liners allow you to line your eyes to perfection with their ease in application. Formula doesn’t crease, fade or flake off. Retail Price: $22. Tip: “For perfect application, create tiny dots along your lash line, then trace to connect the dots.” LYNX Golden Olive Green

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The Bikram beginners’ yoga classes of 26 postures is scientifically designed to work, cleanse and flush every organ and muscle. Bikram Yoga Roslyn is your local neighborhood yoga studio a place to connect with yourself and your friends.

Bikram Yoga Roslyn 1062 Old Northern Boulevard, Roslyn (516) 200-9200 www.BikramYogaRoslyn.com

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DESIGN

25A

ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ALL IN N THE FIN NISH

Garland By foiling silver over gold, the Garland Collection has an antique, yet contemporary feel and tremendous versatility to work in a variety of decors. The hand cut oval beads create a perfect marriage with the wrought iron frame which in turn dresses the frame from daytime to nighttime.

42 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

Cameron The Cameron Collection is a hybrid series inspired by the bestselling Odette and Solaris Collections. Evolving with home dĂŠcor trends, Crystorama created the Cameron Collection to fill the growing consumer demand for sculptural lighting fixtures that take on the presence of artwork in the home. These wrought iron, geometric fixtures in an English Bronze finish cross boundaries of style and work in multiple room settings.

Flow The Flow Collection is curvy and sleek with polished chrome frames draped with Silver Shadow and Golden Teak crystals and clear glass spheres. The effect is contemporary, but with a clear nod to the traditionaltransitional design at its most versatile.

December 2013 | 43

DESIGN

25A

Galaxy Like designer runway fashions, the Galaxy Collection is trendsetting, light-catching and beautifully inventive, challenging conventional notions of chandeliers. Sleek in design and contemporary in chrome accented with gunmetal is anything but typical. The orbital design is freely formed by rays of metal creating show-stopping chandeliers.

44 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

Amelia Representing a radical mix of styles in Amelia, a six-light colonial-style chandelier with a fresh, artsy take. A large center ball is the focal point of this chandelier and is detailed with thin iron arms and Aged Ivory bobeches. The traditional thick center stem has been replaced with whimsical iron work for a look that is sure to draw attention.

Mercer Crystoramaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mercer Collection offers a beautiful waterfall look with crystal accents and is offered in Olde Silver and English Bronze finishes. Reminiscent of classic Hollywood glamour, designer Brian Patrick Flynn selected the Mercer chandelier for the 2012 California Home & Design Small Space Big Style Showhouse.

December 2013 | 45

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REGIMEN

25A HEALTHY HABITS FOR

THE HOLIDAY SEASON By Lindsay Brustein Rosen, MS, RD

‘Tastes’ Count It’s easy to think that little ‘tastes’ here and there are caloriefree. Just because two spoonfuls of brownie batter fail to register emotionally doesn’t mean that they don’t count in terms of your daily caloric intake. To resist temptation, chew sugarfree gum or clean as you go. Fill your sink with warm, soapy water and throw your batter-covered beaters and spoons into it once you’re done with them. This protects you from nibbling along the way and cleanup is that much faster!

Work the Room

It’s holiday time and clearly that means festive parties mixed with seasonal treats. Top off that combination with fattening foods at social gatherings, end of the year stress, and less time for the gym, and you have a recipe for holiday weight gain. Make this year different! Here are my top holiday tactics to make it through Christmas and the New Year without feeling like you’re the stuffing!

Be Prepared Plan to holiday shop at the mall? Don’t fall victim to gooey cinnamon buns and enormous soft pretzels at the food court. Keeping portion-controlled goodies in your bag will make other snacks easier to resist. Pack an apple and string cheese, some raw trail mix, or a snack bar with at least 5 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein. The combination of lean protein and high-fiber carbohydrates in these foods will keep you feeling satisfied.

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Holiday parties are about fun times with family and friends. While these parties include tasty treats, remember to be social as well! If you mingle and walk around, you won’t be mindlessly eating the way you would if you sat planted next to the food table. Also, be picky! To avoid eating 2,000 calories worth of hors d’oeuvres, limit yourself to three or four special ones that you love.

Downsize your Dishware Extensive diet research shows that people eat what’s put on their plates – even if it’s more than they need to satisfy their hunger. If you have huge dinner plates, buy smaller dishes for your home.

Sip Smartly When it comes to alcohol, aim to keep both your calories and your buzz under control. A single shot of hard alcohol (think vodka, gin or rum) mixed with club or diet soda will only cost you about 100 calories. Other standard low-cal options include light beer or wine, most of which have fewer than 150 calories per serving. Limiting your alcohol consumption to one or two

some conscious indulgences. If you’re a dessert lover and you know you won’t be able to pass up that piece of pumpkin pie, don’t deprive yourself. Instead, pass on the buttered roll or extra serving of stuffing at dinner and have a small piece of pie. With a plan of attack in mind, you won’t feel like you’re missing out.

Enjoy! Holiday season comes once a year. Although it is important to practice healthy dietary habits, it is also necessary to enjoy yourself along the way!

drinks total is key, since alcohol tends to inhibit our judgment, leading us to make food choices that may be atypical (and unwanted) for us.

Have a Game Plan

nutritionbybru.com Lindsay Brustein Rosen, MS, RD is a registered dietitian and the founder of Nutrition by Bru, a nutrition counseling and consulting practice in New York. She received a Master of Science in Nutrition

The bottom line is that the more options there are, the more we want to try. Practicing portion control is key. Your total carbohydrate intake (think potatoes, grains and stuffing) should be the size of your fist. When it comes to lean proteins, aim for the size and thickness of the palm of your hand. Also, make

and Dietetics from New York University, and has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. She is an active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, as well as the Greater New York Dietetic Association.

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REGIMEN

25A Many ask if I eat a paleo diet, a sugar-free diet, a carb-free diet, or am I just starving myself? Others approach me and simply ask me to write down what I eat – and say they will follow my lead. Having struggled with a weight issue for most of my life, I feel confident that I can refer to myself as an expert in weight loss. Here is the secret: There is no secret! Eating well is far more important than your training if you are looking to lose weight. Researchers estimate that a healthy meal plan is at least 80 percent responsible for your weight loss outcome.

Dieting Plan Several medical doctors advise patients to try Weight Watchers. The reason for this recommendation is that Weight Watchers teaches portion control and can be modified if you have a greater weight loss to achieve. I have been asked about the paleo, the Atkins and the sugar-free diets. I think sometimes it is more personal than choosing a basic plan for everyone. Personally, I will not lose weight if I eat too much dairy, so I limit dairy – I don’t avoid it. If you have struggled, reach out to someone who can walk you through a healthy eating plan and hold you accountable to it, while at the same time keeping you committed to gym time. You will be well on your way to your dream changes!

MAKING CHANGES By Pam Polestino

Everyone has different ideals, dreams and desires about how they want to look and I don’t know many people who don’t want to look their best. The most important component in being able to look your best is to feel your best! In my career, I would have to say that weight loss is the most sought-after goal for fitness participants. With trendy boutique fitness studios and upscale fitness clubs everywhere you go, most people who want to lose weight or create definition are, in fact, putting in the ‘gym time’. At least 50 percent of those people are not changing their bodies and that is a problem that can be solved. 50 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

Reaching Your Goals If you are ready to get started, choose your personal goals and document them. If you are 100 percent invested, you can personalize an exercise program with a private fitness consultant, which can help you reach your goals faster than a healthy eating plan alone. Pairing up with a trainer who has an extensive fitness background in the area you are striving for – such as weight loss, muscle building or pure strength training – will definitely help you with your previously set goals. Ask your fitness questions; I am here to help! Pam Polestino is a certified fitness professional and lifestyle coach who is the owner of P.A.M Fitness. ppolestino@yahoo.com 646.261.3350

HOLIDAY RELIEF By Scott Wells, MD Though I am undoubtedly committed to Western medicine practices myself, I have become very open-minded to alternative medicine techniques in some instances. I believe the mind/body connection is much stronger then we traditionally understand in medicine. In this holiday issue of 25A magazine I wanted to share my experience and inquiry into the technique of acupuncture for various disease conditions. Recently I consulted at a med spa opened by a friend and colleague. There I met an acupuncturist named Sarah Yu. Ironically, the only personal experience I had ever had with acupuncture was the long-ago treatment of one of my pet bulldog’s chronic suffering from occasional spinal paralysis. We had been referred to a veterinarian who practiced veterinary acupuncture. The dog was forever cured after a few treatments! So, aptly intrigued, I started a conversation with Sarah about acupuncture. Acupuncture uses tiny needles to alter energy tides in the body to achieve improved balance and health. Our discussion turned to a specific condition I had been experiencing: plantar fasciitis. This is a benign but bothersome condition causing chronic pain and discomfort in the heels and feet due to inflammation of the connective tissues. The condition is very common; I often speak with people who suffer the same. After a brief explanation of how acupuncture could help, Sarah suggested that I allow her to treat my condition with a few needles placed in the contralateral hand and arm. The next morning I stepped out of bed onto the floor, usually a very uncomfortable experience for my left foot, and to my amazement I was virtually pain free! And have been for the few weeks since. I immediately thought to share this experience with my 25A readers. What better gift this holiday season than to give yourself or a loved one relief from pain?

and proper nutritional and herbal supplementation are used along with acupuncture to achieve good Qi, or health.

Commonly Treated Conditions • Painful syndromes such as tendonitis, fasciitis, and neck and shoulder tension from computer keyboard fatigue are very commonly addressed. Usually three to five treatments are necessary, each lasting about 30 minutes. • Mental issues such as stress, trauma, anxiety, depression and insomnia are often manifestations of Qi imbalance. Treatments weekly until improvement can achieve miraculous results via acupuncture, said Sarah. • A feeling of general wellbeing and health can be achieved by anyone by undergoing a 30-minute session employing 10-15 needles, painlessly placed. • To my amazement, there are even acupuncture treatments designed to achieve cosmetic improvements of the face. Sarah explained that stimulating Qi is believed to improve collagen and elastin production in the skin. For more information about acupuncture or to meet with Sarah, contact her at 631.804.7538. Plastic surgeon Scott Wells, M.D. has been located in the heart of Manhattan’s Upper East Side for nearly 20 years. He is seasoned in traditional plastic surgery as well as in the newest high-tech bio-restorative techniques. A leading authority in facial rejuvenation, Dr. Wells’ unique and knowledgeable approach to lasting beauty

According to Sarah, who has a pharmacy background and has studied both Eastern and Western traditions, in Oriental forms of medicine good health and wellbeing are based on the principles of yin and yang. These ideally balanced forms of Qi (energy) become imbalanced in disease states, necessitating re-harmonization to relieve the condition. Breathing exercises

through a combination of surgical and non-surgical disciplines sets him apart in the field of aesthetic rejuvenation. Dr. Wells currently serves as medical director of the Park Avenue Plastic Surgery Center. He is available for consultation by private appointment. Visit www.scottwellsmd.com.

December 2013 | 51

REGIMEN

25A THE CORE HOW TO CREATE THE ULTIMATE ABDOMEN By Gerald A. Acker, MD

The core, abdomen or chi (qi) is a defining part of the human body. It has been prized from antiquity by artists and sculptors for its elegance and strength. Today, the core has undergone a revival in media and plastic surgery as a pre-requisite for an attractive, youthful and fit body. The abdomen (core) is not simply an aesthetic unit. The abdominal muscles convey force from the legs to the arms, such as when hitting golf balls or bending to pick up a package. More importantly, the core is the principal support of the spine, preventing collapse, herniation and back pain. The Better Back Booklet states, “The back is as strong as the core.” The core is also critical to breathing as a weakened abdomen bellows outward with a deep breath, thereby dissipating energy and leading to early fatigue. Lastly, the core muscles exert a milking action on the bowel, helping to diminish constipation while concurrently helping to support the normal position of the bladder.

Core Surgery/Abdominal Repair Core surgery (abdominoplasty) was developed in the bodyobsessed cosmetic climate of Rio de Janeiro. After visits to my friends in Brazil, I found that they now consider abdominal repair to be more functional than aesthetic. This view is fortunately

52 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

becoming more prevalent in the U.S., where insurance carriers are now beginning to provide coverage.

Who is a Candidate? The abdominal muscles tear open like a zipper because of large weight gains (i.e. 30-plus pounds), with or without pregnancy. With pregnancy, this consequence can occur when carrying twins, being short-waisted and almost always after a C-section. During a C-section there is rarely an attempt to expertly repair the abdominal muscles because of time constraints. Once torn apart, I believe no amount of exercise can recreate the slim, taut, strong, youthful abdomen. You can personally test yourself to see if you remain concave while bending forward. Exercise (sit-ups, etc.) merely thickens muscles in the wrong place and produces bulk.

Procedures After performing more than 2,500 procedures, I have developed a personalized and unique operation. All procedures are hospital-based with overnight stays, as I believe patients are always safer and more secure at home the day after surgery. My incisions are dictated by where patients (both women and men following weight loss) wear their undergarments and not by a traditional preformed design. There is so little skin tension that patients can generally stand upright immediately following a procedure, as well as lie flat. Moreover, there is minimal discomfort after day one. The ‘muffin top’ under the ribs can be

removed, the upper abdomen defined and a new waist created. I have observed that many patients require concurrent hernia repairs.

This is NOT a Tummy Tuck I often double-repair the torso both vertically (bringing muscles together horizontally) as well as transversely. I stress my repairs in the operating room with the patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deepest breath, ensuring that the abdomen will remain rock-tight. Therefore, I expect my patients to be concave while bending forward after surgery. Also I have noticed that core surgery (this is not a tummy tuck) has produced unexpected positive changes in sexual satisfaction and performance. Lastly, many of my patients are re-do cases from other surgeons; patients who want residual defects and scars repaired.

Rebuild the Core Abdominal reconstruction is an under-appreciated operation applicable to a large number of people. Fillers, machine technology, injection therapy or exercise cannot replace it. Despite the incessant hype, only surgery can rebuild the core. If patients do not become pregnant or develop massive weight gain, the surgery produces a life-long improvement both physically and aesthetically, one which cannot be replicated.

Bio (Dr. Acker graduated Columbia College summa cum laude and John Hopkins Medical School, Phi Beta Kappa. He continued surgical training at the John Hopkins Hospital, was chief resident at Mt. Sinai Hospital and chief resident in plastic reconstructive surgery at the Hospital University of Pennsylvania. During this time he did fellowship at the Cancer Center of the National Institute of Health and at the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Acker is double-boarded. He has been chief and director of three departments of plastic surgery in New York, extending over 20 years. In 2001 Dr. Ackerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team won the first Paragon Award as the Best Doctor/PA team in the United States. Dr. Acker has been voted one of the leading doctors of the world by the International Association of Plastic Surgeons. He has also won the Good Samaritan Award from the American Police Hall of Fame.) December 2013 | 53

CELEB

25A Laura Bell Bundy By Iris Wiener

Photos by Jeremy Cowart courtesy of Big Machine Records

54 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

aura Bell Bundy enjoys poking fun at herself and her bubbly, hyper personality. Despite the fact that she considers herself to be a zany ‘mess,’ the multi-hyphenate singer/songwriter/ actress/producer has proven that she is quite savvy when it comes to the entertainment business. The Kentucky native made her stage debut at the age of nine in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and in the two decades since has starred on Broadway in three hit musicals, conquered the country music scene, taken on features films, guest-starred in a list of television shows that rivals the size of a TV guide, and created her own Web series and production company. Bundy recently found a moment when she wasn’t shooting FX’s Anger Management or rubbing elbows with the likes of country sensations Miranda Lambert and Kellie Pickler to chat with 25A about her varied career and how her eccentricities only complement her success. Bundy’s earliest memory of herself being a comedic performer was at the age of six, when her mother took her to New York to see Broadway’s Cats and Starlight Express. “New York City at the time was quite a shithole,” she says. “Now you go there and it’s like Times Square is Disney World. It’s all put together. But when I went there, homeless people were everywhere.” Bundy quickly put her new knowledge of New York to good use when she returned home to Kentucky. “My mom had a dinner party with these southern, buttoned down ladies and I dressed like I was homeless. I came down the stairs with a paper cup shaking it with change, ‘Can you spare some change?’ acting drunk, and my mom was like, ‘Oh. My. God.’ I was always singing and dancing but then it became me imitating other people. Did I come down the stairs like a Broadway star? No, I’d rather be drunk and homeless!”

“I’ve tried so hard to escape pink, it’s not even funny. It just follows me. I’ve finally accepted it! When people think of me, the color pink comes to mind, so I just might as well go with it.” Her interest in more, shall we say, colorful New Yorkers didn’t end there. “I also had a huge obsession with prostitutes when I was a kid after going to New York and seeing the streetwalkers,” she laughs. When Bundy was eight years old she lived in New York for the summer to do modeling and commercials. “I literally looked like JonBenét [Ramsey] as a child! I always say I’m the gay man trapped inside the body of JonBenét,” Bundy says. “I’d see these women, short skirts on, leaning into cars walking down the street. And I’m like, ‘Mommy, Mommy, what are they doing?’” Bundy breaks into her mother’s polite southern drawl. “She’s like, ‘Well, these girls do naughty things for money. And they’ve got these people that are called pimps that tell them what to do and then they get in these cars with men for money.’ When I’d walk down the street with my dad I’d see a hooker and I’m like, ‘Hey Daddy, Daddy look, it’s a pimp’s assistant.’ My dad laughed so hard he was crying.” Because of her observational skills, Bundy became a more introspective person and is still very much interested in people and relationships. Listen to any of her music on www.LauraBellBundy. com and you instantly get a sense of how her mind works. One of her favorite songs, “China and Wine,” is not available for her fans yet but she says it is one of her more personal tracks. “It says, ‘Like china and wine, I’ll be fine,’” Bundy says. “It’s about when my parents split up and looking back on it in a reflective way. You imagine that they made this promise and believed that it would last. And then you go to me at 14 and having to pick which parent to live with and my not being able to forgive them at that time. But I’ve gotten over it. Even though things can be tough and we’re delicate people that grow fine like wine, we’re okay.” Bundy considers her

“It’s like here on one side is the hip-hop, and here on the other side is country, so let’s put it together. In a way it’s sonic. For me it’s an eargasm.”

parents’ divorce to be the most important event in her life. “There are these events that impact people really deeply, like a death of a family member or a divorce, but it does something to a child that gives them strength and a sense of confidence from what they struggled with at the time and then how they overcame it.” Bundy is not always penning such philosophically-focused music; never one for pigeonholing herself, she embraces her love for dance, hip-hop and country in a variety of formats. Her hit “Giddy On Up,” which was featured on the album Achin’ and Shakin’ reached number 31 on the U.S. Billboard Country Charts and was also featured on the video game Just Dance 3. On new songs “Two-Step” and “Do Si Do,” she ‘mashed up’ hip-hop beats with old country samples. In “Kentucky Dirty,” Bundy says she mixes elements of bluegrass: banjoes, fiddles, and “very specific harmonious vocals.” Then December 2013 | 55

she mashes them up with beats. “I love doing that because it’s like a canvas,” she says. “It’s like here on one side is the hip-hop and here on the other side is country, so let’s put it together. In a way it’s sonic. For me it’s an ‘eargasm.’ The idea is you’re from the hood, I’m from the trailer park, let’s get together and have a party.” Bundy considers the relatively new genre hick-hop, urban country, and CDM (country dance music). In case you want even more of a mix, Bundy takes well known hip-hop tracks such as Usher’s “Yeah!” and infuses them with her own singles on “Beats and Banjoes,” a new series of mix-tapes she completed with Nashville producer David Huff. Of course, before there was CDM there was Amber Von Tussle and Elle Woods of Broadway’s Hairspray and Legally Blonde: The Musical, respectively. Bundy originated the roles in the hit productions, even garnering a Tony Award nomination for the latter. “Those shows contributed to my career in massive ways,” she says as she reflects on what helped get her to where she is today. “They gave me an understanding of the audience and how to get them with you and how to make jokes work and how far you can push it. They helped with my comedic ability and my timing and my fearlessness in performance. They helped me become a better entertainer. Huge moments in my life happened as a result.” However, those aren’t the only aspects of the shows that remain with her. She laughs when she considers the fact that people associate her with Elle Woods’ favorite color. “I’ve tried so hard to escape pink, it’s not even funny. It just follows me. I’ve finally accepted it! When people think of me, the color pink comes to mind, so I just might as well go with it.” Separating herself from her character in the eyes of her fans has also been a bit difficult due to the fact that she owns a Chihuahua (Norma Jean), while her boyfriend has a bulldog (Polly) … the exact breeds of the dogs featured in LB. “Of course I would meet someone with a bulldog!” she groans good-naturedly. “That’s how you go, ‘Oh, it must be real.’” Thankfully when it comes to her career in film and television she has not had to worry about constantly donning a staple color. Films include Dreamgirls, Jumanji and the upcoming Watercolor Postcards, but she’s most recognizable from network television’s How I Met Your Mother, Guiding Light, and Hart of Dixie. She’s now playing Dr. Jordan Denby opposite Charlie Sheen on Anger Management, a role she describes in much the same fashion as she describes herself. “She’s a hot mess!” Bundy says. “She is more buttoned up than I am but she’s bursting, like a volcano that could erupt at any moment. She could have an alcohol bender or break into tears because she’s a former alcoholic who was married for years and sober and fine and then her husband left her and it kind of has made her take a step back.” On top of everything else, Jordan is working with sex-study researcher Charlie Goodson

Laura Bell Bundy December 2013 | 57

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(Charlie Sheen). “She’s at this job with this person who’s pushing every button that she’s got,” she says. “It’s freakin’ fun for me to play because the comedy is already in the conflict and the conflict is within her. The internal struggle that’s going on is hilarious.” According to Bundy, nothing compares to working with Charlie Sheen. “He likes to feel [the humor] in the moment,” she says of his consistent laughter on set. “We could barely get done,” she remembers of one scene in which Jordan was pretending to be drunk. “Working with him is an adventure, but a really fun one. I think he’s like a big kid and so am I, so in that way, energetically, we get along really well. He’s a hoot. A non-judgmental hoot,” she says fondly. “Sometimes when you meet people they’re talking to you but they’re thinking of so many other things and they’re obviously not present, or they’re thinking about what they can get from you. There’s none of that from Charlie. He’s present, he’s looking at you, he’s talking to you and he’s engaged. I appreciate that about a human being.” Jordan is not the only hot mess Bundy is currently portraying in front of a camera. Anyone who has taken a trip to Cooter County, her popular sketch comedy Web series (www.CooterCounty.com), can attest to the fact that Bundy does crazy really well. “I’ve created this whole community and county of characters that I do with my friends; it’s like our own messed up version of Hee Haw,” she says, smiling at the thought of the multitude of nutty characters she plays in it. “It’s so much fun for me. We sometimes joke that all roads lead back to my cooter. It’s the little girl in me who walked down the stairs dressed as the homeless person with the cup. That is my inner child and she is down in Cooter County. That’s my sandbox.” More of Bundy’s personality, some of which she also attributes to her grandmother, can be found in her latest song, “Kentucky Dirty.” “I’m obsessed with the Kentucky Wildcats and I just wanted to get better tickets than Ashley Judd,” she jokes about her motivation in writing the song. “It’s kind of a religion within my family. Grandma does the rosary during the game. And then she says, ‘Aww, shit.’ She says Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and shit in the same sentence, while drinking a beer and cleaning the house!” The “Kentucky Dirty” music video takes place in Kentucky and features the University of Kentucky dance team. “I’m very prideful. I’m not prideful when it comes to many things but I am proud to be from Kentucky and I am proud of my team.” It’s clear that no matter how much Bundy has on her plate her success never gets to her head. “I’ve got a lot of stuff going on and as much as 58 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

“I’ve got a lot of stuff going on, and as much as I feel like I have it together in that I’m conscientious and driven on the work side, the rest of the elements of my life are just a mess!” I feel like I have it together in that I’m conscientious and driven on the work side, the rest of the elements of my life are just a mess!” she says, chuckling humbly. Bundy categorizes herself as the type of person to “get in the car and half the dress is still hanging out of the car.” And if you see a Red Bull can trail, Bundy is probably not far behind. “I kind of enter like a tornado,” she laughs. “I’m always thinking and I’ve got all these things on my mind. I think that’s what keeps me creative. Things that are structured don’t necessarily support imaginative thinking.” She may not be homeless or a hooker, but upon looking at her career, it’s doubtful that anyone would contest the fact that Bundy’s imagination and creativity have helped her become the well-rounded person she has always aspired to be.

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25A DAN LAURIA

Reflects on His Wonder Years and Taking on Madison Square Garden By Iris Wiener

he film A Christmas Story is a holiday staple with multiple generations of fans, and last season’s theatrical hit A Christmas Story the Musical is quickly following in its footsteps. The three-time Tony Award-nominated musical from the 2012-2013 New York theatrical season is now on tour and returns to New York on Dec. 11 at Madison Square Garden with dancing leg lamps, hound dogs, bunny snowsuits and original cast member Dan Lauria in tow. As the narrator, or A Christmas Story author Jean Shepherd, Lauria imagines Shepherd’s endearing childhood at Christmastime set to jaunty tunes and clever dance numbers. The 60 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

Lindenhurst native is most well known for his role as grumpy dad Jack Arnold on The Wonder Years but as little Ralphie’s alter ego on the live stage, he couldn’t be more different. “Years ago I did an Off-Broadway play with [A Christmas Story star] Darren McGavin and I remember seeing the show mainly because of him,” says Lauria, recalling his first memory of A Christmas Story. “Whenever I think of the movie I always think of him.” But despite his affinity to McGavin, Lauria found his way to the new musical via a different path. “Peter Billingsley, who is the original Ralphie, is the producer of TBS’ Sullivan & Son [and A Christmas Story the Musical],” he said. “When Peter called me on

the set of S&S, I said, ‘Look, Peter, I can’t sing a note. I’m terrible even in the shower. I’m too old to dance.’ Peter said, ‘Oh, you won’t have to. You’ll just sit in a radio booth and read a book. You don’t even have to learn your lines; we just want your voice,’” Lauria recalled, chuckling, as most of these statements turned out to be untrue. “I said, ‘As long as I don’t have to sing, I’ll do it.’” Lauria didn’t know what he was getting himself into but he’s happy he took on the well-received show. Not only does he have to do some light dancing, he spends his scenes moving around the stage reciting his memorized lines. Lauria brings a tremendous amount of heart to the

“I said, ‘As long as I don’t have to sing, I’ll do it.’” production, in part because he can relate to young Ralphie. “Ralphie always wanted his dad’s acknowledgement of him becoming a man,” he said. “I like that he was always trying to get his dad’s best wishes or his dad’s reward. I remember when I’d play ball. If I got a homerun or something I’d always look at my dad and see him glowing. I loved that part of it.” Lauria’s father was equally supportive when it came to his son pursuing a career in acting. He remembers his parents visiting him at Southern Connecticut State University so that they could take in his football games – after all, he was there on a football scholarship. “Dad came up once and I said to him, ‘I want you to stay over tonight. I’m in a play.’ He went, ‘What?’” laughs Lauria, doing an impression of his father’s stern, deep voice. “And then he came to the play! I asked him what he thought and he said, ‘Well, what do I know about this stuff?’ Ten minutes later I saw my father the truck driver talking to the teacher, a very sophisticated, proper woman. I was like, ‘Oh, no.’ And then my father came over and he goes, ‘You know, the old lady thinks you’re pretty good at this.’ I said, ‘You wouldn’t mind if I tried this instead of coaching, Pop?’ He goes, ‘Eh, you work as hard at this as you do in football, you’ll be alright.’” The actor reminisced about his Christmases on Long Island. “Holidays were very traditional. My mother was so Italian that on Thanksgiving you had lasagna with your turkey,” he said. “Although we weren’t religious, Christmas Eve was about the only day my mother could get me and my dad to go to church. When we came back from church we would open the presents. And my father would always go, ‘That means we can sleep in the morning, right?’ Yeah, sure, Pop.”

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But did he ever receive his own Red Ryder BB Gun, à la Ralphie? “My parents were so nice, I had no idea we were poor until I was in college,” he says of his best Christmas gifts. “I always got the same thing – pants, underwear, socks. But then I got this one gift, and it was always something I wanted, like a baseball glove, or a bat and ball, or a football. It wasn’t a gift that you couldn’t use with your dad. Half the time I’d think he got the gift for him! That made it special.” As Lauria looks to 2014 he makes it clear that his heart remains in theater, despite guest appearances on a slew of television shows, including Law and Order: CI and SVU. “All that TV work pays for my theater habit,” he says. The Broadway star admits that he has

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been trying to persuade Lombardi producers Fran Kirmser and Tony Ponturo to write a play about athlete Babe Didrikson and her husband, professional wrestler George Zaharias. Lauria has also picked up the pen himself and is looking forward to seeing his comedic play Dinner with the Boys run at New Jersey Repertory Theater’s 64-seat venue. However, as he closes out 2013, he’ll find himself at a slightly larger performance space. “I think my father would get a big laugh,” Lauria says of his performing in A Christmas Story the Musical at the arena. I think he would say, ‘Well, how many actors can say they played the Garden?’ It’s such a big house. We were always at Yankee Stadium, but the one time we were at the Garden was for a rodeo. We

enjoyed it but I thought the people were crazy. Why would you want to ride a bull?” Should it tour again in 2014, Lauria has already agreed to return to the popular musical, though he does have one reservation about it. “The hardest thing about doing it a second time is that six of the original kids aren’t with us. They had in their contracts, ‘Do not grow up!’ but they wouldn’t listen. We got some great kids, but I miss the other ones. When Peter [Billingsley] asked me if I would do it again I said, ‘Only if you do LA.’ And that’s the plan! I went and opened my mouth again.” Visit www.achristmasstorythemusical.com for more information about tickets to A Christmas Story the Musical.

The

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The Hamptons 631.537.1926 NYC 212.924.6500 Locust Valley 516.671.2127 robbinswolfe.com EXCLUSIVE VENUE PORTFOLIO AND OFF-PREMISES CATERING

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25A Gold Coast Holiday Style Story and Photos by Monica Randall

My holiday table was inspired by the beautiful settings that were used during the 1920s Nowhere on earth were European holiday traditions kept more alive than here on the Gold Coast. With or without snow, the 30-foot trees, spectacular decorations and festive balls took your breath away. Few of these private events were ever visually recorded, but over the years in speaking with hundreds of elderly servants and owners themselves, one can get a sense of what an extraordinary season this was. Many of our American holiday customs began when Queen Victoria married her beloved Prince Albert back in the mid-19th century. Albert, of German extraction, was said to have brought the first Christmas tree to Windsor Castle. Here on the North Shore a half century later, giant trees replicating Queen Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, lit with live candles and laden with 64 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

imported decorations, became the norm. But it was our own F.W. Woolworth who set the stage for lavish trees. At his beloved Winfield in Glen Cove, a 25-foot pine tree stood in the pink marble entrance hall. It was festooned with hundreds of featherlight fantasy images and strings of rainbow colored glass beads. All was awash in a light coating of gossamer angel hair, making it look as though it were woven of moonlight. At the top, a gold metallic angel blowing a silver trumpet rose from the upper branches. Everything on that tree could be purchased by anyone in America at one of Woolworthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s popular five and ten cent stores. Guests pulling into the gates at Winfield were greeted by dozens of life-sized marble Greek gods and goddesses that lined the long

driveway. In season, each was garlanded in evergreens, holly and bright red bows. Another glittering tree stood in the alcove of the oak paneled music room. A ceiling of 14-karat gold studded with cherubs, angels and a gargoyle or two appeared to float about like apparitions in a Renaissance painting. When little Barbara Hutton was growing up there her grandfather, Mr. Woolworth, would dress up like Santa and play classic holiday tunes at his massive pipe organ. When Woolworth opened his first five and ten cent store in the late 1870s, he created a sensation. His marketing strategies and lavish window displays were legendary and it soon made him one of the richest men in the country. When Woolworth read about Queen Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Yuletide tree in the newly published Town & Country magazine, he quickly seized on the idea and sailed for Germany on the first ship he could catch. He bought up all the stock and leased the factories where the whimsical glass ornaments were made. They were then sold at his stores all over the country where he cleverly promoted them as the very same ones that the English queen had on her tree. Everyone, rich or poor, wanted to have them and even those with limited funds could afford to own one! It is believed that Woolworth made his first million from these popular ornaments. In the vast halls and kitchens all over the North Shore, mansion staff of mostly European servants and small armies of cooks were busy producing Dickensian holiday feasts of roast duck, giant spiced hams, turkeys and plum pudding. There were chestnuts roasting in the 16-foot high fireplaces and English wassail served hot in giant silver Rococo punch bowls. Meals depended on the chef of the hourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s origin: an English cook might prepare a roast goose with salmon in dill and mincemeat and a Cointreau flan. A German chef might fancy an almond fudge cake flavored with cloves and cinnamon and studded with whole nuts. For dessert there would be tempting fruit cakes with currants, dates and raisins served on fine English porcelain. Imported wines would

One of Woolworthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s many trees decorated with his famous five and ten cent ornaments; this one stood in the Sheridan room on the second floor

Costumed skating parties were popular in winter when estates ponds froze. Photographed at Beaver Dam Lake in Mill Neck. December 2013 | 65

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Holiday Balls

A red silk opera cape once worn by the ill-fated Winfred Bird was shot in the topiary gardens at Chelsea Manor during a snowstorm

Ballrooms all over the Gold Coast were aglow with hundreds of candles for formal dancing as women jubilant with anticipation glided about in hooped gowns of richly colored velvet and shimmering silks. The excitement of these events is best expressed by the breathless heroine in Flaubert’s classic novel Madame Bovary: “Emma’s heart was beating when she took her place in line … then everything began … long skirts swirled out and rustled against each other … everything was turning around then … near the doors the hem of her gown flared out against her partner’s trousers … he looked down at her, and she raised her eyes …” Equally exciting were the torch-lit moonlight ice skating parties Tiffany hosted at his Oyster Bay home, Laurelton Hall. He had a rink built right outside his front door where costumed guests skated to a live orchestra on Christmas Eve. (See Dec 2012 issue of 25A)

Mill Neck Manor’s unique Grecian gardens are a breathtaking sight to behold in winter.

At Broadhollow in Old Westbury, Ambrose Clark hosted old-fashioned sleigh rallies 66 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

Horse drawn sleigh rallies took place at many of the large estates in Old Westbury where Ambrose Clark’s 500 acres provided the perfect Currier & Ives setting when snow covered the ground. Members of those parties often wore top hats, fur mufflers and vintage outfits on those holiday runs. The sound of brass bells could be heard jingling in the cold winter air. Today as you drive along old quiet roads in Lattingtown, Sands Point and Old Westbury, where little has changed in over 100 years, you can easily envision the elegance of its long ago gatherings, like those of Fitzgerald’s most celebrated Jay Gatsby. So how can you bring a little Gold Coast splendor to your home during the holidays? Starting around the late 1950s when hundreds of estates were being leveled to the ground, it was the norm in these parts to carry on salvage missions. There were so many beautiful old mansions going down at once, you could barely keep up with it. But, one way or another word got out of an impending demolition and rescue teams would often set out to salvage some of the architectural details: a Tiffany window or two, a piece of carved paneling,

even a broken garden urn or statue that could later be repaired. Many of these once doomed objects now grace some of the most fashionable homes in the area. One of the more bizarre examples of how things were follows.

ornaments packed in excelsior hidden inside a huge armoire, but many of them had shattered to dust. It took me a while before I worked my way up to asking for Napoleon’s canopy. I thought surely Ms. Downs would have to realize it was priceless, tarnished and moldy though it was, but she was happy to get rid of it. Moments later, her ancient gardener, Angelo, plopped it into the back seat of my convertible and off I went, Back in the ’60s I had my eye on one piece of history I feeling like a genius. Designed as a giant gold crown just knew I had to own, only the house was Winfield and that was originally anchored 10 feet up on Woolworth’s it wasn’t abandoned. two-foot thick walls, it “Walking into that greenhouse was like was too heavy to hang In 1964 the former Woolworth mansion had entering King Tut’s tomb under glass, filled in a normal house. But just become a private being hollow inside, I with a cornucopia of treasures of the ages, realized it would make charm school, of sorts, for young girls. It was all rotting away, right in Glen Cove, and a unique Christmas tree owned by Grace Downs stand when placed on no one knew it was there.” who re-named the 60the floor. It has enjoyed room palace Glamour many years in my home. Manor. In need of dorm space for 30 or so students, This December it will be moved to the North Shore Downs emptied out the second floor rooms that were Historical Museum for their holiday exhibition. (See filled with Woolworth’s historic treasures. Hundreds of author’s note) priceless items that had once belonged to the likes of Marie Antoinette, Empress Josephine, King Edward Another decorating tip to make your home look more and even Napoleon were all unceremoniously dumped Gold Coasty this season: Why not design your own in the nearby leaking greenhouse. Walking into that coat of arms to hang over your fireplace mantle? greenhouse was like entering King Tut’s tomb under Woolworth did just that and he was just a poor farm glass, filled with a cornucopia of treasures of the ages, boy from upstate New York who made millions selling all rotting away, right in Glen Cove. And no one knew tchotchkes to the masses. An accomplished artist, it was there. Woolworth designed a gallant portrait of himself in an official Napoleon plumed headdress. On the shield At one time Woolworth slept in his famous Empire portion of his family crest was what we can assume was Room in Napoleon’s original gold and mahogany sleigh Mrs. Woolworth, her face completely covered with a bed. Over it hung a large, round, 14-karat gold fleur de dungeon-style steel helmet and what looks like a mouse lis-carved canopy. Somehow in moving it, the canopy tail sticking out of the mouthpiece. Yes, Woolworth was got separated from the bed and was now rotting away quirky, but you can use your imagination to come up in a damp corner of the greenhouse. I met Ms. Downs with your own unique designs. Lions rampant were a short time after my discovery and tried to convince a popular motif here on the Gold Coast, along with her that she could make more money renting her dragons, stags and gargoyles with little tiaras on their mansion to TV and movie companies than she could heads. Friends will think you are landed gentry and training young girls to prance around the ballroom your ancestors of yore were dukes, lords and barons – with books on their heads. She seemed intrigued. So I meaning they all owned a castle or two. Another festive made a special deal with her. Rather then give me the touch – if you have a stuffed moose head hanging over usual commission for each location shoot, she would the fireplace in your library, you can hang five and ten trade me some little waterlogged thing that was lying cent store ornaments from the antlers and maybe a big around in the greenhouse. This arrangement went on red bow, just like J.P. Morgan did at his sprawling Island for years; sometimes it was a broken Louis XVI chair, a showplace in Lattingtown. cracked baroque mirror, or a bedraggled fringe bergère. There was even a box of Woolworth’s old Christmas Theme parties and masquerade events were all the

The Million Dollar Christmas Tree

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Napoleonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gold canopy, too heavy to hang on a normal wall, makes a unique Christmas tree stand. 68 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

during the holidays. One year wanting to do something a little different at my own annual party, I came up with the idea of a Santa Lucia costume based on an old Swedish custom. The whimsical costume is usually worn by the lady of the house and consists of a long red velvet jumper with a white puffy sleeved peasant blouse. The crowning glory is the traditional headpiece – a wreath of fresh holly and pine with a half dozen lit candles wired to it. When I opened the front door to greet my guests, everyone was flabbergasted. I glowed all night, until later in the evening when I stooped to pick up some bauble that had fallen off the tree and my hair caught fire. One of my quick-thinking guests grabbed a pot of water and threw it on my head, which put out the fire. But I spent the rest of the night looking like a bald drowned rat. It was a nice idea but I don’t recommend you try it at home. If you want to look merry and bright for the holidays, you might best buy one of those battery operated sets of string lights and wrap them around your head.

Beautiful Mansions in the Snow If you happen to be driving along the older roads on the North Shore on a cold winter’s day and it begins to snow, here are some places that are especially beautiful when glistening under a blanket of white. Mill Neck Manor’s gates are usually open all year. The great Gothic Elizabethan manor stands high on

a hill overlooking Beaver Dam in Mill Neck. Its formal Grecian-style gardens have a huge marble temple, giant stone urns and unusual pathways and stairs. At one time, complex radiating boxwood hedge groves spread from the temple in all directions. Even with the hedge groves gone, the classical gardens are a sight to behold in winter. During the month of December, Old Westbury Gardens hosts formal teas and tours of authentically decorated trees. Planting Fields in Oyster Bay has an open house holiday event where you can step back in time and experience what life was like during the turn of the last century. Chelsea Manor, a beautiful, tranquil sanctuary in East Norwich, has it all – a towering topiary garden, a lake, fanciful turrets rising out of the garden and a moat that surrounds the French château. The beautifully maintained estate was originally built by Benjamin and Alexandra Moore in 1924. During the winter, the Moore children joined the swans on the frozen lake to skate. Benjamin Moore was the great-great-grandson of poet Clement Moore, who wrote ’Twas the Night Before Christmas.

(Author’s note: Beginning in December and running through March 1, 2014, there will be a unique exhibition called Winter Dreams at the North Shore Historical Museum in Glen Cove. It will include rare fur and velvet gowns that were worn by local society ladies on the Gold Coast during the holidays. For further information, call 516.801.1191)

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25 A RESTORED GOLDEN ANGEL AT

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ST. JOHN’S OF LATTINGTOWN By Victoria Crosby

beautiful golden angel, by an unknown Italian artist, has been a fixture at St John’s of Lattingtown Episcopal Church for many years: nobody knows how the church came to acquire it, but it stood on a table in the Parish Hall and was showing signs of age and neglect. That is when New York City artisan Bill Gauthier, who is related by marriage to a parishioner, took the angel under his wing and restored the statue to its original glory. Traditionally trained in the process of restoration and gilding with 32 years of experience, Gauthier estimates that the statue was made in either Florence or Sienna between 1880 and 1900, in a style that was very popular in that era. Gauthier also believes it was most likely made by one of many craftsmen who were like an assembly line of their time, and made such religious items for the many churches of Italy. Some carved the wood, others did the gilding process; the statue may have been worked on

by an apprentice under a master’s supervision. It probably was made in a workshop and commission by a church by the same craftsmen who made canopies for Baptismal fonts, carved and gilded Bishop’s chairs, crosses for the high altar and other glided accouterments for the church. An arm, which held the candelabra, had broken off and had been improperly restored. The gilded wood had woodworm, which left it soft. The metallic paint had turned black. Gauthier worked for a total of 90 hours to restore the angel. F irst he had to remove the damaged areas and the old wax, then repair the damage, integrating the old and new, by matching the skin color on the angel’s face, replacing the missing parts using gesso clay and gilding with 24 karat gold, in what is known as a water gilding process, and polishing with an agate stone, which gives the high shine. At the time the statue was made, 24 karat gold was always

used, as it was almost a religious obligation to use the purest form of gold. Of Gauthier’s work, Father Simon Foster, the Rector at St John’s of Lattingtown Episcopal Church, said, “Bill is an angel who restored an angel! We are forever grateful. There are many angels in this parish, and while I have found feathers in the sanctuary after Christmas pageants most of the parish angels are humans. However the heavenly angels always seem close too. We keep the Feast of St Michael and All Angels and the restored angel will inspire us at that annual Eucharist and remind us of all the messengers God’s sends us on the way.” According to Gauthier, the angel was in overall fairly good condition; 75 percent of the statue was perfect, but thanks to his expertise it is now 100 percent perfect in the original technique and look, and back home at St John’s of Lattingtown.

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‹Tis the Season at The

MILLERIDGE

ICONIC INN CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF CHRISTMAS CHEER

By Victoria Caruso

t Route 106/107 and Jericho Turnpike sits a legendary property that began as a simple two-room house more than 340 years ago. Today, the property is home to the Milleridge Inn, Cottage and Shops – one of the most beautiful places to visit during the holiday season. For the past five decades, the Milleridge has decked the halls inside and out, turning its buildings and grounds into a winter wonderland. Elaborately decorated Christmas trees are placed in each of the Inn’s dining rooms while those outside are decorated with thousands of lights. Additionally, buildings, walkways and windows are adorned with brightly lit wreaths, garland and bows while festive accents such as Santas, 72 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

wooden soldiers and stockings are tastefully displayed throughout the Inn. There is no other place on Long Island that decorates for the holidays to the degree that the Milleridge does, making it a tradition and an anticipated gathering place for so many over the years. While many book Christmas Eve dinner reservations months in advance, others visit the property simply to soak in the holiday atmosphere and join in the merriment. With special events and entertainment throughout the month of December, there is much to see - and do – at the Milleridge starting with

the annual tree lighting on Dec. 7. Additionally, a caroler will perform on weekday evenings and weekend afternoons, high school glee clubs will entertain diners during weekday lunch hours and Breakfast with Santa will take place on Sunday, Dec. 15 and Sunday, Dec. 22.

“It is a great responsibility to maintain the historic Milleridge.” Owen Smith, owner, The Milleridge Inn “Christmas is a great party at the Milleridge,” said proprietor Owen Murphy Smith. “For the past 50 years we have gone out of our way to create a spectacular Christmas environment … It is important that each guest leaves satisfied.” With a history older than the towns it abuts, the structure that became the Inn began in 1672 as a two-room house with a central fireplace that served as home to recently widowed Mary Willet. During the early 1700s, Willet held Quaker worship meetings in the home and by the end of the century it is believed to have quartered British and Hessian troops. It also served as a safe haven during the days of the Underground Railroad, its owners willingly taking in and protecting slaves seeking freedom. As decades turned into centuries, expansion and renovations ensued. A second story was added in 1880 and by the turn of the 20th century the home had become a place of entertainment and dining. From the late 1930s to 1950 it housed the Maine Maid Inn before becoming the Mille Ridge Restaurant for another few years. Then, in 1963, the Murphy family (of Patricia Murphy’s Candlelight Restaurant fame) purchased the restaurant along with its 10 acres of property and renamed it the Milleridge Inn. The Murphys dedicated themselves to restoring the centuries-old home’s colonial appeal while at the same time making necessary improvements to keep up with changing times. Today, what began as a two-room home is a traditional American restaurant with 11 private dining rooms open

seven days a week. Larger, more private affairs are held at the Cottage, which the Murphys added in 1979, while smaller, more intimate events usually take place in the Carriage House. Additionally, at the Shops at Milleridge – affectionately referred to as ‘Milleridge Village,’ visitors can wander through a quaint on-site shopping village featuring a boutique, general store, bakery, toy and gift shop, and florist, to name a few. And, even after more than three centuries of ownership, additions, revitalizations and everything else in between, one thing the Murphys and all those who came before them have worked hard to preserve is the history that once was Mary Willets’ home. Those who enter the Inn may even be surprised to know that the home’s original fireplace and one of its two rooms has remained virtually untouched and can be seen inside the main entrance. For Smith – the son of Patricia Murphy – owning the Milleridge is as much about preserving a piece of Long Island history as it is about maintaining a family legacy. “It is a great responsibility to maintain the historic Milleridge and I am very proud to carry on a tradition my mother began when she came to the United States,” he said. “My wife Bernadette and I are proud of the role the Milleridge has played in Long Island history and have been careful to maintain its historical significance in any changes we have made.” From the quaint shops and beautifully decorated grounds and restaurant, Milleridge has become a tradition on everyone’s – including Santa’s – Christmas to-do list. “For years, Long Islanders have been coming to The Milleridge and I enjoy hearing from guests who tell me of the special events they have celebrated here,” said Smith. “I hope they are great memories.” Milleridge Inn, Cottage & Shops 585 North Broadway Jericho, NY 11753 516.931.2201 www.Milleridge.com

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25A LONG ISLAND’S HISTORIC HOLIDAY HOMES Celebrate the Spirit of the Season By Melissa Argueta

Tour the Westbury House at Old Westbury Gardens during the month of December. Photo by Vince Kish.

and their four children. Completed in 1906 by the English designer George A. Crawley, the Charles II-style mansion is situated on 200 acres of formal gardens, landscaped grounds, woodlands, ponds and lakes.

OLD WESTBURY GARDENS

Old Westbury Gardens will be hosting several events to celebrate the holiday season. Step inside the Westbury House to view period rooms and wreaths, topiaries and plants that are exquisitely decorated by a member of the house’s horticultural staff. In addition, antique clothing and toys from the Westbury House collection will be on display. House tours are available every half hour on weekends or visitors may self-tour at their leisure. Old Westbury Gardens is located at 71 Old Westbury Road in Old Westbury. For more information on upcoming holiday events, call 516.333.0048 or visit www.oldwestburygardens.org.

here’s no place like home – and there’s no place quite like Long Island’s historical homes during the holiday season. Whether you want to take a candlelight tour of one of the area’s private historical residences, enjoy a holiday concert, or view some of the area’s most historical sites dressed in festive holiday décor, there are many historical house tours and fun-filled activities for the whole family to enjoy this month.

During the first three weekends in December, visitors can tour the Westbury House at Old Westbury Gardens. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this 20th century American country estate is the former home of John S. Phipps, his wife, Margarita Grace Phipps, 74 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

THE THREE VILLAGE HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S 35TH ANNUAL CANDLELIGHT HOUSE TOUR The Three Village Historical Society is hosting its 35th annual Candlelight House Tour on Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7. The theme for this year is ‘Celebrating 35 Years,’ focusing on the Three Villages of Setauket, Old Field and Stony Brook. There are six homes, the Stony Brook Community Church and the Long Island Museum that may be viewed, all arrayed in holiday décor. The tour on Friday includes wine and hors d’oeuvres at each home, from 6 to 9 p.m. followed by a reception at The Three Village Inn in Stony Brook from 9 to11 p.m. Saturday includes two options: an early breakfast and tour or tour only (both last until 5 p.m.); breakfast is from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Ticket prices range from $35-$100 per person. For more information call 631.751.3730 or to purchase tickets online, visit www.tvhs.org.

Visitors tour a historic Huntington home during the holiday season.

HUNTINGTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY HISTORIC HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR The Huntington Historical Society hosts its annual Historic Holiday House Tour on Sunday, Dec. 8, from noon to 4 p.m. at Conklin House Museum, 2 High St., in Huntington Village. The annual house tour will give visitors a glimpse of five private historical houses in the Town of Huntington and the families that owned them throughout Huntington’s history.

Visit the White Drawing Room at Old Westbury Gardens during a house tour. Photo by Vince Kish.

One of the houses on the tour was built by William Scudder in 1881 and recently restored. A second 19th century Victorian house, located at the northern end of the Village Green, was built on the harbor in the 1850s by the Rogers family of Huntington. An added attraction to this year’s tour is a house that was built in 1897 by the Doughty family, which was bought by Nick Arnstein, the rogue husband of Fanny Brice of Ziegfeld and motion picture fame. Tour headquarters will be at the Society’s Conklin House, at the corner of High Street and New York Avenue, Huntington. The Conklin House will be open for tours, including the exhibit ‘All Things Conklin,’ celebrating the 100 years the house has been a museum open to the public. Cost: $35 for members; $40 for non-members. For additional information, call 631.427.7045 ext. 401 or visit www.Huningtonhistoricalsociety.org.

The historic Melvin family home was featured during a previous Three Village Historical Society Candlelight Tour.

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FEATURES

25A When Banks Don’t Lend,

Flexborrow Does

“Unfortunately, the days of going to your bank for help are over …” – Gary Brustein, founder and CEO, Flexborrow

Jericho-Based Company Turns Assets Into Cash By Victoria Caruso

ith today’s turbulent economic climate making it nearly impossible for businesses and individuals to obtain traditional bank loans, many borrowers are putting up cars, watches, fine jewelry and other hard assets to secure loans. Flexborrow in Jericho provides alternative lending exclusively based on hard assets rather than credit and financial disclosure. Therefore, borrowers needn’t prove they’re profitable enough to repay the loan, only that they have collateral valuable enough to secure a loan.

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Established in May 2013 by Gary Brustein and business partner Lenny Shomberg, Flexborrow is changing the way people borrow money. “Unfortunately, the days of going to your bank for help are over; people who were once considered credit-worthy borrowers cannot get loans,” said Brustein, the company’s CEO. Since Flexborrow offers business and personal loans secured strictly against one’s assets, there are no credit checks or stringent financial requirements. Instead, the company values one’s assets and lends upon those assets. “All we need to know is how much you need and what

asset(s) you have to collateralize the loan,” Brustein said, adding that disclosure of how the funds will be used is not required. “All of Flexborrow’s transactions are discreet, and our client’s personal information is always kept confidential.” Unlike traditional banks, which can take months to review an application, Flexborrow offers a swift and quick turnaround with loans typically delivered within 24 hours after an appraisal has been made and the terms of the note have agreed upon. As a fully licensed and regulated alternative lender, Flexborrow offers short-term loans – ranging from $5,000 to $1 million – on a variety of hard assets, including but not limited to automobiles (domestic, foreign, luxury, classic, vintage cars/trucks over $10,000 in value); luxury watches, diamonds, jewelry and gold; boats, motorcycles, planes, helicopters, RVs, high-end handbags; antiques; as well as other business and personal assets. Loans amounts vary depending on the asset and typically range from 50 to 70 percent of its value. For example, on a car with a retail value of $100,000 and a wholesale value of $80,000, Flexborrow will lend $50,000. Interest rates vary from 2.5 to 3.9 percent monthly, depending on the asset one is borrowing against as well as the length and amount of the loan. While providing funds in exchange for hard assets isn’t something new, the need for asset lending first became apparent to Brustein during his nearly four-decade long career in the automotive industry. As the founder

and owner of some of the most desired vintage, collectible and luxury car dealerships on Long Island, Brustein would grant favors to returning clients and friends who, in need of short-term, bridge or personal loans, would offer up their cars to him as collateral. But as the economy began to change – and not for the better – Brustein said he began to understand the high demand and market for alternative lenders. “The economy went through a major overturn in 2008 and after Lehman Brothers went out, I began to see the need people had to use their cars as another type of hard asset they could borrow against,” he said. While Flexborrow’s Jericho location accommodates both local and national clients, the company is already planning to expand with a Florida division set to open in early 2014 and locations in Manhattan, New Jersey, Dallas, Chicago and Boston planned for the near future. “We are going into every major city to fulfill the need for capital for Individuals and small business owners. We know the demand and the need is there,” he said, adding that the goal is to be ‘America’s Personal Asset Lender’ and make Flexborrow your first choice for your financial needs.” Flexborrow’s goal is to emulate private banking models that serve highnet-worth individuals. They look to accommodate America’s credit needs in a personalized, professional manner while applying the same principles as the nation’s premier traditional lenders such as JP Morgan Chase and Wells Fargo.

For more information, visit www.Flexborrow.com or call 888.963.3925.

Alternative Lending on Hard Assets

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FEATURES

25A Personal Growth

DEFINING SUCCESS By Professor Jack K. Mandel

eaders of this column know that I have shared words of wisdom from outstanding Long Island businesspeople such as ‘restaurateur extraordinaire’ Gillis Poll and Stuart Hayim, owner of The Experience Auto Group. Both gentlemen strongly believe that money is not the defining trait of success. Happiness, family and health come first, they say. However, the truism that I wish to share is that whether or not a person likes it, money does rule. And with the holidays upon us, there is no escaping this fact. It makes little difference if you are the gift giver or the gift recipient – the amount of money spent on a purchase often indicates the mindset of one’s success. A COUPLE OF POINTS TO CONSIDER: FACT: Barron’s Business and Financial Weekly (Nov. 4, 2013 edition) stated, “Whether Willie Sutton really said he robbed banks because that’s where the money is, his purported quip is just as apt as ever. Governments looking for money are going where the dough is – rich folks.” FACT: The November 2013 edition of The Robb Report featured a story that Sheaffer (of fountain pen fame), a subsidiary of BIC USA, is offering for the 2013 holiday season a Centennial Limited Edition that celebrates the heritage of the company. Crafted in solid gold, just 45 pens will be produced, each with a production number. Cost? A mere $28,500 each! I may purchase two – one for use in my classes at Nassau Community College and the other to keep at home to write my weekly grocery list. But seriously, it would be a perfect stocking-stuffer for your favorite hedge fund manager!

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“Whether Willie Sutton really said he robbed banks because that’s where the money is, his purported quip is just as apt as ever...” FACT: WABC-TV’s Shark Tank guru Kevin O’Leary offers some solid business and financial advice in his new book, Cold Hard Truth on Men, Women, and Money. He talks about a ‘Secret 10,’ a stash of 10 percent of your income that only you know about … not your mother, spouse or kids. He likens it to “…a gold box with your name on it. Inside that box your money is growing, changing, and waiting for you to put it into good use. Perhaps your Secret 10 will become a significant down payment on a house, or a primary source of income through a critical illness. It’s your money. It’s your Secret 10.” Kevin’s book makes for fascinating reading … I promise! (And perhaps a more practical holiday gift than a Sheaffer pen.) So whichever line you take on the importance of money in one’s life and its place compared with happiness, family and health, may 2014 open our eyes to what the world offers each of us without cost (e.g. watching snowflakes falling on a cold winter morning). Okay, and maybe unexpectedly finding an extra $50 bill in your pants pocket? To all, a joyous and wonderful holiday season…and a happy New Year!

LifeRocks

positive energy. prosperity. good fortune.

Ancient Gongshi or “ Spirit Stones” (Scholar Rocks) are shaped and colored through the elemental forces of earth, wind and water. Each one is uniquely treasured not only for its aesthetic characteristics but also for the meditative and healing energy it generates. Each of these stones from China are hand selected and must meet exacting criterion for shape, texture, patterns, color and beauty before becoming a Liferock. Now these naturally-sculptured stones are available as Liferocks in the United States to bring beauty and tranquility to your landscaped environment. Each Liferock is individually named, numbered and recorded in our Liferock data base. You will receive a certificate of authenticity upon purchase for resale as investment art. Your Liferock is shipped safely to your location and mounted on site by our expert architects.

liferocksonline.com | 516.750.9702

INDIAN CHIEF

Vintage

Stocking Stuffer Wouldn’t you like to find this hiding under the tree or in the garage this year? The new Indian Chief Classic is a pure, powerful cruiser forged from key heritage design elements wrapped in advanced design, engineering and technology. It features iconic styling like valanced fenders, rich genuine leather saddle, classic tank-mounted instrumentation, tear-drop fuel tank design and sculpted and lighted front fender war bonnet. The 2014 Indian Chief Classic comes standard with a host of premium features including endless chrome, keyless ignition, ABS, cruise control, throttleby-wire, true dual exhaust, high quality chrome laced spoke wheels, brake caliper covers, cast aluminum frame with integrated air intake and much more. The Indian Chief Classic, like all 2014 Indian Chief models, is powered by the all-new, clean sheet design Thunder Stroke™ 111 engine offering 111 cubic inches of pavement pounding power and 119 ft-lbs of torque.

Specifications

ENGINE TYPE Thunder Stroke DISPLACEMENT 111 CU in. BORE X STROKE 3.976” X 4.449” (101mm X 113mm) COMPRESSION RATIO 9.5 : 1 ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM Closed Loop Fuel Injection / 54mm Bore

Performance

PEAK TORQUE RPM 3000 rpm PEAK TORQUE (J1349 FT-LBS) 119.2 ft-lbs/ 161.6 n m

Dimensions

LENGTH 125.125.125.125.103.7 in. GROUND CLEARANCE 5.125.125 5.5 in. WIDTH (US) .125.125.125.125.125 40.4 in. WIDTH (INTL) 25.125.125.139.8 in. HEIGHT .125.125.125.125.158.7 in. SEAT HEIGHT 25.125.125.126.0 in. WHEELBASE 25.125.125.168.1 in. RAKE 5.125.125.125.125.125. 29° TRAIL 5.125.125.125.125.126.1 in. FUEL CAPACITY .125.1 5.5 Gallons WEIGHT (EMPTY TANK / FULL OF FUEL) 801 lbs/ 835 lbs. GVWR 5.125.125.125.125 1260 lbs.

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25A HAVING A

Holiday Cocktail Party By Andrea Correale

Andrea Correale, President of Elegant Affairs is considered a celebrity caterer, event planner and entertaining expert. www.elegantaffairscaterers.com

Your event is among many during the holiday season; some of your guests will be arriving from, or departing to, another party. The best option is the cocktail party and it’s logistically simpler, too. The cocktail party is more free-flowing. There’s no need to concern yourself with adequate seating, as your guests will naturally graze the environment. In fact, it’s an opportunity to illuminate the visual details of your home while simultaneously providing tasty culinary details. Think vivid, think sparkling. Orchestrating an effortless flow for a cocktail party hinges on the placement of the bar and menu items. If there’s a room that is best for gathering or that you would like to highlight during your event, place the bar there. If you have the luxury of hiring staff to serve your hors d’oeuvres, offer a nice variety. If you don’t hire staff, then strategically place stationary dishes throughout the house from which your guests can help themselves. For example, an elaborate antipasto display on the dining table, light vegetables and salads on the island in your kitchen, and a rustic fresh roasted vegetable and dip station in your den. 82 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

When planning a passed hors dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;oeuvres menu, offer a nice variety of poultry, fish, lean beef and plenty of vegetable options. Adorn your nicest platters with festive garnish and serve them up. One hot food station goes over well at parties, also. For example, the meatball bar (I always include a vegan option) with an array of sauces has become a favorite over the last few years. Another favorite is the sushi bar; a newer trend is a vegan sushi bar along with an elaborate dumpling or shumai bar with vegetarian, beef or pork filling.

other iMportAnt detAilS for pACking A punCh At your holidAy CoCktAil PARTY INCLUDE:

A VIVID SIGNATURE COCKTAIL Hot mulled wine or something sparkling CANDLES, CANDLES, CANDLES Get lit MUSIC If you have a piano, hire a player! Have caroling books on hand for anyone who wishes to join in. December 2013 | 83

The Chanler Inn

DINING IN NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND: THE IDYLLIC HOLIDAY RETREAT

WHERE OLD WORLD CHARM MEETS CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE By Venus Quintana

ewport, Rhode Island is the quintessential playground of American aristocracy. Rich in history and culture, it is also home to some of the finest restaurants in the nation. Synonymous with the summer wealth of the late 19th century and a perfect destination in the warmer months, Newport is also an unparalleled romantic getaway for the holidays. The gilded homes of Astors and Vanderbilts sparkle about town and along Bellevue Avenue like ornaments on a decadent Christmas tree. Founded in 1971, Christmas in Newport began as a two-week festival that celebrated the non-commercial traditions of the holiday season. Now in its 43rd year, the annual program boasts multiple activities for nearly each day of the December calendar. Clear lights illuminate the scenic harbor and wharves, recapturing the candlelit holidays of bygone days. In the past 10 years, the city has come into its own as a culinary destination. Whether you are on Newport’s famous wharves, Thames Street or Broadway, unique restaurants fill the streets with the sights and smells of exquisitely prepared dishes with a taste all their own. For this special time of year, I have chosen to feature some of the most exquisitely unique restaurants that Newport has to offer. It is hard not to

The Elms Foyer

Marble House Gothic Room

fall in love with the quiet elegance and romance they exemplify during the holiday season. THE SPICED PEAR AT THE CHANLER The Chanler at Cliff Walk’s award-winning restaurant Spiced Pear, one of New England’s most engaging culinary experiences, offers discerning diners an exquisite setting featuring dramatic Atlantic views and a quintessential European atmosphere. Serving some of the best of what New England’s farms have to offer, each dish shares the simple pleasures of the season and the purest flavors that can only be achieved organically. Holiday dinner romance packages available. 117 Memorial Blvd Newport, RI. 401.847.1300. www.thechanler.com ONE BELLEVUE AT HOTEL VIKING Abounding with stories of famous dignitaries and celebrities, the Hotel Viking has offered gracious hospitality for more than 80 years. Experience modern culinary treasures with old world charm on a healthy and inviting menu prepared by Executive Chef Kevin Thiele. Attentive service, sophisticated surroundings, award-winning wine selections, creative cocktails and food infused with influences from around the world

The Elms Dining Room

Photo Credit: Marianne Lee Bowens Wharf

identify the feel of this unique destination. 1 Bellevue Avenue Newport, RI. 401.848.4824. www.hotelviking.com MUSE AT THE VANDERBILT GRACE The historic boutique hotel, just minutes from the delightful waterfront of Newport, is one of the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best kept secrets, featuring two restaurants including Muse, a fine dining restaurant created by renowned New England ChefÂ Jonathan Cartwright, where the best local ingredients are on offer in imaginative menus which change throughout the year. The Vanderbilt Grace boutique hotel offers the perfect holiday retreat amid the classical splendor of Newport. 41 Mary Street Newport, RI. 401.846.6200. www.vanderbiltgrace.com CASTLE HILL INN The Relais & Chateaux property embodies the warmth and quiet luxury of 19th century seacoast life. Nestled on a 40-acre peninsula

Photo Credit: Onne Van Der Wal

The Spiced Pear Restaurant

overlooking the southwestern corner of Narragansett Bay, Castle Hill Inn is a picturesque enclave of dramatic vistas, lush grounds and elegant quietude. Within the mansion, indulgent meals are prepared by renowned Executive Chef Karsten Hart and the recently renovated Lawn at Castle Hill is the epitome of classic New England al fresco dining. 590 Ocean Drive Newport, RI. 401.849.3800. www.castlehillinn.com Hotel packages are available at all four destinations. Reservations are highly recommended. Christmas has officially arrived at the Newport Mansions. The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House will be fully decorated and open daily for tours, except Christmas Day, through Jan. 1, 2014. For a complete lineup of holiday and winter events, travel packages and last-minute deals, and for information on lodging, dining, shopping, transportation, recreation, events and more, visit www.DiscoverNewport.org.

SUPER TUSCANS By Anthony Fiamma

There is a lot of buzz around Super Tuscan in the world of wine. What most people want to know is: What is a Super Tuscan? In essence, a Super Tuscan is a wine of high quality that does not follow any of the rules and regulations of the regions within Tuscany. For example, in Tuscany the region of Chianti produces wine that has to follow the rules of the Chianti region. If they do not, the wine cannot be called Chianti. Most regions have these requirements in order to get the seal of quality DOC or DOCG. Pioneer winemakers decided not to follow the rules; they wanted to be creative with different, non-indigenous varietals, oaking techniques and whatever ideas they wished to try. They wanted to work like artists, but with grapes, soil and oak. The original Super Tuscan is Sassicaia, created by Marchesi Mario Incisa

Della Rochetta. He believed he could create Bordeaux quality in Tuscany by using Bordeaux grapes and methods. This was in 1944. He created amazing wines for years in small quantities for private consumption. In 1968 the first vintage was available commercially â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the first Super Tuscan. To this day, Sassicaia is still one of the great wines of the world. With the inspiration of Sassicaia, many other prestigious and passionate entrepreneurs have invested in Tuscany to create amazing wines. If you research some of the Super Tuscans, you may be surprised to see legendary enologists and winemakers behind the projects. They worked for years for established wineries and decided to go out on their own and consult for some of the newer ones. These can be some of the best values on the market. If you have any questions or would like further information on Super Tuscans, feel free to email me at info@vinofiamma.com.

Here are some great recommendations. SASSICAIA If money is not an issue and you want to experience what started it all, Sassicaia is still one of the great wines of the world, always lush and velvety on the palate. Amazing structure and balance. Be prepared to pay $150 and up, depending on the vintage.

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OLIVI LE BUCHE This is a wonderful medium to full-bodied wine, elegant in structure, made from Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Famed Antinori enologist Andrea Paoletti works with the Olivi family to create this amazing wine. Priced around $26.

CAIAROSSA PERGOLAIA Very alluring for its balsamic, wild herb, sour cherry and raspberry flavors, this is well proportioned, offering a muscular structure to provide support. Shows fine length, with a wild berry aftertaste. Also consulted b y A n d re a P a o l e t t i , Caiarossa Pergolaia is an amazing value for its quality. Priced around $26.

FATTORIA UCCELLIERA CASTELLACCIO This winery gets it names from medieval times. Translated it means bird sanctuary in an old castle. That is because for hundreds of years exotic birds have come to nest on this property. Here is produced rich, lush, full-bodied Super Tuscan Castellaccio. Every year the label changes to a different bird or animal to honor the wildlife environment. Priced around $35.

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25A / Social Life Ad New 2013.indd 1

10/16/13 11:32 AM

TASTE

25A Holiday Recipes

From Lindsay Brustein Rosen, MS, RD

Cranberry Orange Sauce Yield: 2 cups sauce INGREDIENTS: 1 cup granulated Stevia ½ cup water ½ cup fresh-squeezed orange juice 4 cups fresh or frozen cranberries 1 Tbsp orange zest DIRECTIONS: 1) Rinse cranberries with cold water.

2) In a medium saucepan, add Stevia, water and orange juice. Stir until Stevia dissolves. Bring to a boil and add cranberries and orange zest. Return to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low. 3) Cook until cranberries start to burst, about 10 minutes. 4) Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Pour sauce into a serving bowl and chill in the refrigerator. Serve chilled.

*Note: you can make the sauce 1-2 days in advance.

Cinnamon Roasted Almonds INGREDIENTS: 1 egg white 1 tsp cold water 2 cups whole raw almonds 2 Tbsp white sugar 2 Tbsp brown sugar 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon ¼ tsp salt DIRECTIONS: 1) Preheat your oven to 250° F. 2) Beat the egg white and water until frothy

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with a whisk in a medium bowl. Add the almonds and stir until well coated. 3) Mix the sugars, salt and cinnamon and sprinkle over the nuts. Stir the nuts until they are well coated. 4) Spread the almonds evenly on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper or a Silpat. 5) Roast the almonds for one hour, stirring every 20 minutes or so. 6) Allow to cool, then store in airtight containers.

Quinoa Salad with Dried Cranberries and Feta Yield: 6 servings INGREDIENTS: 4 cups of quinoa, cooked and cooled 2 green onions, finely sliced ½ large cucumber, sliced and quartered ¼ cup walnuts, toasted ¼ cup dried cranberries 1/3 cup low-fat Feta cheese, crumbled 1 cup baby spinach, roughly chopped 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar 1 Tbsp lemon juice Salt and pepper, to taste

Fresh basil (optional) DIRECTIONS: 1) Combine the cooked and cooled quinoa in a large bowl with the onions, cucumber, walnuts, dried cranberries, feta cheese and spinach. 2) In a separate small bowl, combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar and lemon juice; mix well. 3) Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well. Season with salt and pepper, as desired. Refrigerate for at least an hour. 4) Garnish with torn basil before serving.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Granola Bars Yield: 10-12 bars INGREDIENTS: 3¼ cups old-fashioned oats ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice ½ tsp cinnamon ¼ tsp nutmeg ½ tsp salt ¾ cup brown sugar ½ cup pumpkin puree ¼ cup applesauce ¼ cup honey 1tsp vanilla extract 1cup dark chocolate chips DIRECTIONS: 1) Preheat oven to 350° F. Spray an 8-by-8-

inch baking pan with cooking spray and set aside. 2) In a large bowl, whisk oats, spices and salt together. Set aside. 3) In a medium bowl, whisk brown sugar, pumpkin, applesauce, honey and vanilla extract until smooth. Pour over oats and stir well, until all of the oats are moist. Stir in chocolate chips. 4) Evenly press oat mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. 5) Using a sharp knife, cut into bars. Remove from pan and let cool completely.

Roast Chicken with Rosemary and Lemon INGREDIENTS: 1 (3 lb) chicken, washed and dried, fat removed ½ onion, chopped in large chunks 2 cloves garlic, smashed ½ lemon 2-3 sprigs rosemary 1 Tbsp dried rosemary Salt and fresh pepper

DIRECTIONS: 1) Heat oven to 425° F. Season chicken inside and out with salt, pepper and dried rosemary. Squeeze lemon juice on the outside of the chicken and stuff the remains of the lemon along with onion, garlic and rosemary sprigs inside the chicken. 2) Roast the chicken until the internal

temperature is 165°F, about 50-60 minutes (Insert thermometer between leg and thigh). Let chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving.

FEATURES

25A

Make Some Holiday Memories By Tracie Heffernan

The Resorts West Ski Dream Home at Deer Valley Resort.

ost people who grew up near New York – and many who didn’t – know the magic of FAO Schwarz. The iconic Manhattan toy store with entire floors dedicated to play and imagination, toy soldiers at the door, life-sized LEGO displays and a legendary giant piano has lured the young at heart for decades. This holiday season, families can find the same magic captured by America’s oldest toy emporium in the snow-globe ski town of Park City, Utah.

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Ski chalet manager Resorts West, a family-run company based in the Wasatch Mountains, has partnered with FAO Schwarz to create a ski vacation package that mimics Santa’s own delivery system. The Holiday Memories Package, available at any Resorts West property throughout December, allows parents to choose a selection of age-appropriate holiday gifts from an extensive list of FAO Schwarz’s most popular items. Like Santa’s elves, Resorts West’s concierge staff purchases, ships, wraps and arranges gifts ahead of a family’s arrival, so

kids walk into their ski home to see a display of imagination-inspiring toys in the setting of a winter wonderland. Parents will feel a different kind of holiday cheer when they are warmly greeted by a private concierge who checks them right in. In an era where parents often have limited time to spend with their children amid the chaos of meetings, soccer practice, schoolwork and business trips, the Holiday Memories Package offers a chance for families to reconnect with

Enjoy the Magic of FAO Schwarz in Park City moments that will make kids smile years into the future. “We know that for many families, the holidays are one of the few times when they can spend quality time together,” said James Ballstaedt, president and co-founder of Resorts West. “It means a lot to us that we can be a part of that. We strive to create unforgettable holiday experiences for our guests and we can’t think of a more unforgettable way to spend Christmas than with FAO Schwarz.” For Ballstaedt, who formed Resorts West in 1999 with his brother Joe, who serves as CEO, the partnership complemented a long-standing family-centric approach within the company.

The iconic FAO Schwarz toy store in Manhattan. Photo courtesy FAO Schwarz.

“We know that for many families, the holidays are one of the few times when they can spend quality time together...” The Resorts West Ski Dream Home Great Room.

The company focuses almost exclusively on family accommodations, featuring slope-side condos, townhomes and large ski-in/ski-out chalets for groups of up to 20 guests. Services include everything from pre-arrival grocery delivery to childcare and baby equipment rentals. Resorts West’s concierge staff can recommend family-friendly restaurants, offmountain activities and unique experiences like watching Olympic Trials events. “We love working with families to create the perfect vacation,” said Resorts West Guest Services Director Becky Plaizier. “Whether we’re arranging a hot air balloon adventure for a family of five or a private chef for a mini reunion of 20, we love using our intimate knowledge of Park City to surprise and delight

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FEATURES

25A FAO Schweetz candy store. Photo courtesy FAO Schwarz.

Madame Alexander doll factory at FAO Schwarz. Photo courtesy FAO Schwarz.

Send kids cruising in style on an electric skateboard or scooter, or remind them of simpler times with Madame Alexander dolls and Lego sets. our guests. Working with FAO Schwarz to help families plan Christmas is a dream come true for us. It’s something we’re excited to do.” The Resorts West Holiday Memories package, available throughout December, allows families to shop from a list of FAO Schwarz’s most popular toys, some of which may 92 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

tempt parents to add a few nostalgic items for themselves. The extensive list features everything from life-sized stuffed animals to an over-sized piano dance mat like the one made famous by Tom Hanks in the movie Big. Send kids cruising in style on an electric skateboard or scooter, or remind them of simpler times with Madame Alexander dolls and LEGO sets.

Resorts West’s concierge staff is only limited by a guest’s imagination, having delivered and decorated Christmas trees, arranged for menorahs, coordinated holiday feasts prepared by a private chef and even scheduled visits from Santa himself.

Skiers enjoying a blue-bird day at Deer Valley Resort’s Empire Pass area.

rooms, theaters, fitness rooms and saunas. All guests receive hotel-like services including daily housekeeping, complimentary car service throughout Park City and private concierge service. Some homes also feature kid-specific amenities, including ski access to beginner slopes, ‘Kids Only’ playrooms and bedrooms specifically designed with kids in mind. Whether you have little ones or budding extreme skiers, Park City’s luxury vacation homes can turn your holiday vacation into an unforgettable adventure – particularly when you add the surprise of an over-the-top toy display by FAO Schwarz.

Some homes also feature kid-specific amenities, including ski access to beginner slopes, ‘Kids Only’ playrooms and bedrooms specifically designed with kids in mind. Starting at $40,000 plus taxes and fees for a five-bedroom private home, the Holiday Memories Package features seven nights’ lodging, gift purchase and delivery, toy staging prior to arrival, and shipment back to the guest’s residence after they return home. (Shipment outside the United States may require an additional fee.) Customized packages at smaller properties are also available. For the best possible execution, Resorts West requests 30 days’ advance notice on all reservations. Resorts West offers slope-side mountain homes at each of Park City’s three worldclass ski destinations: Deer Valley Resort, Park City Mountain Resort and Canyons Resort. Properties include gourmet kitchens, en suite baths, ski-in/ski-out access, game

The Resorts West Ski Dream Home heated swimming pool.

You’ve been good this year. You deserve some fun. For more information on Resorts West and the Holiday Memories Package with FAO Schwarz, please visit www.ResortsWest.com or call 877.773.1117. December 2013 | 93

King’s Estate at Deer Valley Resort

YOUR PRIVATE SKI CHALET AWAITS IN By Tracie Heffernan

here’s a moment in every ski vacation that trumps all others. Better than powder turns, chairlift views or even watching your kids triumph over new terrain is that first step into your home away from home. After the mayhem of planning, packing, kid-gathering and flying, followed by a snowy drive into town, finally checking into your accommodations is a moment of bliss that says, ‘Let the vacation begin.’ Now imagine that as you arrive, a concierge greets you warmly and takes your luggage. You check in with a glass of wine as your kids race to claim the top bunk in their room. When they complain they’re hungry, you simply grab a snack from a fully stocked fridge. After your check-in is complete, the concierge takes you on a tour of the amenities you’ll enjoy throughout your stay, pointing out the jets on your private hot tub, the starter on your fireplace, even the remotes to the many flat-screen TVs. If you decide to plan dinner on Main Street the next night, the concierge can offer a recommendation and follow up with a reservation and complimentary shuttle.

Red Cloud Estate at Deer Valley Resort

PARK CITY

If this scenario sounds similar to, but not quite like, a luxury hotel experience, it’s because it’s something else entirely. Call it a private ski hotel – bed and breakfast-sized accommodations with five-star service where you and your family are the only guests. This trend of ‘private luxury’ has become increasingly popular in ski towns where the typical vacationers are families and groups of friends traveling together. A chalet allows everyone in a group to stay under one roof and the full-service approach means that guests have no need to compromise between privacy, ski access and amenities. A pioneer of the full-service vacation villa, Resorts West in Park City, Utah has been refining the art of ski home vacationing since 1999. Representing carefully selected condos and private chalets in the area, the company includes complimentary housekeeping, private concierge services and shuttle service with every reservation. In 2012 Resorts West announced the Reserve Collection, a selection of ultra-luxury homes paired with enhanced services for the most discerning guests. The properties are all located in a private, gated community with skiin/ski-out access and ultra-luxury amenities, including at least 8,000 square feet of living space, at least six bedroom suites, a private hot

King’s Estate Great Room

Skiers leaving ski-in/ski-out Pioche Ski Home at Deer Valley Resort

tub, ski locker room, gourmet kitchen equipped for professional catering and a stadium-seat theater or game room. Other amenities include heated outdoor swimming pools, full-service après-ski bars and outdoor fireplaces. The Ski Dream home adds to guest entertainment through a custom DJ booth, FullSwing golf simulator, and spa while the neighboring Gandhara home delights guests with a collection of art by China’s most popular contemporary artist, Yue Minjun. Ranging in style from modern to rustic, the Reserve Collection properties cater to discriminating guests who want a unique experience on their ski vacation. New for the 2014 season is the aptly named Another World ski home at Canyons Resort. Nestled slope-side in a gated community, the palatial estate features 30-foot ceilings, wall-to-wall windows, 12 bedroom suites and 19 bathrooms. At more than 30,000 square feet, the home is the largest ski vacation rental in the Park City destination. Another World features an outdoor stone fireplace and heated deck space, two après-ski bars with Miele espresso machines, a 3,500-bottle temperature-controlled wine cellar, game room, stadium-seat theater, oversized indoor hot tub and fully-equipped fitness suite with a sauna and eucalyptus steam shower. Large groups need not fight over space on the heated driveway, as the home offers a six-car underground garage. Grandparents will appreciate the commercial elevators and the environmentalist in everyone will love the motion-sensor, energy-saving

lighting. For the true alpine enthusiast, the home also boasts the world’s largest private collection of vintage snowboards, including early designs by Burton, Kemper, Lib Tech and Gnu. Reserve Collection guests enjoy daily housekeeping, private concierge service and daily private chef service (excluding the cost of food). Reservations also include a luxury SUV rental, delivered upon arrival. Resorts West’s concierge staff can also arrange customized services, including private jet charters, in-home spa treatments, luggage delivery, private in-home shopping experiences with local boutiques, and customized winter adventures, from hot air balloon rides to heli-ski packages.

“We have arranged everything from 24-hour butler service to personal ski guides...” “We have arranged everything from 24-hour butler service to personal ski guides,” said Resorts West Guest Service Director Rebecca Plaizier. “We love getting to know our guests and surprising them with the extras that make their stay memorable.” For more information on Resorts West and the Reserve Collection, visit www.ResortsWest.com or call 877.773.1117.

Peak 72 ski home at Canyons Resort

Great Room at Peak 72 ski home

Indoor spa at Another World

Another World ski home at Canyons Resort

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ever WUNDER

CHRISTMAS AT SAGTIKOS MANOR HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR

Reminisce and create your best memories this Christmas at the Sagtikos Manor Holiday House. The manor, fully decorated to its ultimate grandeur, will take you back in time as you go on a tour throughout the house to see individual rooms transformed into scenes based on a specific Christmas carol. A perfect family adventure, your designated tour guide will brief everyone on the history of the carols. The visit comes complete with a hot beverage and cookies for all. Walk around the grounds and explore the manor as well as shop for some holiday items. Dec.7–8. For more information, call 631.957.1133 or visit www.sagtikosmanor.com.

BY GWEN WUNDERLICH-SMITH

SHREK THE MUSICAL

Kick off the holiday season in full splendor by

The holidays are perfect for spending time with family and loved ones. For a fun family activity that everyone can enjoy, be sure to go see everyone’s favorite green ogre in Shrek the Musical. Based on the Oscar-winning film, this musical has something for everyone, with jokes for children and adults alike. Taking place in a kingdom far far away, let this enchanting fairytale get you into the magical spirit of the holidays. Shows run from Dec. 1–22. www.broadhollow.org

combining old traditions with new. From a tour of the festively decorated Sagtikos Manor to a midnight toast at Fox Hollow’s decadent New Year’s Eve celebration, there are plenty of exciting new activities to bring you and your loved ones together. Savor the crisp wintery air while cutting down your own tree at Shamrock Christmas Tree Farms, then warm up around the fire with hot cocoa and friends. Embrace this majestic season that comes only once a year! 96 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

NEW YEARS EVE CELEBRATION AT THE FOX HOLLOW Don’t know what to do for this New Year’s Eve? Kick off 2014 with pizazz at the Fox Hollow Gala. From endless dancing all night to swanky cocktails served at cocktail hour, to a grandiose dinner reception, make this New Year’s Eve a memorable one. No need to fret on how to get home as you can plan a stay at The Fox Hollow Inn. There are all-inclusive packages that you don’t want to miss out. Tuesday, Dec. 31. Call for tickets: 516.921.1415

CUT YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS TREE FARMS ON LONG ISLAND Nothing is more fun than being able to go out and find your perfect tree. Bring the kids, bring the whole family and start a new tradition of going to the tree farm and cutting your own Christmas tree! Shamrock Christmas Tree Farm is a great place to start as they have a wide assortment of tree options and incredibly helpful staff. From tall ones to small ones, there’s a selection for everyone. So bundle up, pack the car, stock up on gloves and head over to Shamrock for a delightful time of tree hunting. Found your tree? Don’t forget to try the new wine tastings by Pellegrini and on the weekends take a ride on the Shamrock Express for an experience around the farm. Get cozy by the fire pit with complimentary hot chocolate and popcorn. It doesn’t get better than this. Open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. until Dec. 24. www.shamrockchristmastreefarm.com

STORY TELLING FOR THE SOLSTICE Long live the telling of the tale! As the winter solstice creeps in, join the people over at Sweetbriar Nature Center to be a part of an annual storytelling event. Locals in town will exchange stories of nature and the changes of the season while volunteers will be a part of the craft activities and a nature walk set up to enjoy the day even more. Saturday, Dec. 14 from 1-4 p.m. www.sweetbriarnc.org

CHRISTMAS WITH THE ROOSEVELTS AT SAGAMORE HILL Looking for something different to do this holiday season? Head on over to the Sagamore Hill National Historic Site for an event that relives the memorable times the Roosevelts celebrated Christmas at Sagamore Hill. Performances by Larry Moser and Mary Nagin are some of the great acts set to take place as well as a special appearance by Mr. Theodore Roosevelt himself! James Foote will be portraying the famous president and recounting the highlights of Roosevelt family holidays at the Hill. Arts and crafts will be set up in addition to complimentary hot cocoa and cider. Looking for a quick holiday gift to remember this fun time? Go to the visitor center where everything is 15 percent off. Saturday, Dec. 7 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. www.nps.gov/sahi/index.htm December 2013 | 97

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by jason feinberg photography by jason feinberg and the Hard Rock Hotel Panama

PANAMA!

Rocking and Unlocking JETSET

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Lounge at the Hard Rock Hotel

Gene Simmon’s Bass

Elvis Presley’s Jumpsuit

Car from U2’s Zooropa Tour

t couldn’t have been scripted better. Here I am on my way to Panama when Van Halen’s ‘Panama’ starts playing on the radio like background music in a movie. But this trip wouldn’t be about movies; it was about being a rock star. I was going to be rocking it out at the Hard Rock Hotel Panama Megapolis. As we approached Panama City, a sprawling urban landscape appeared in the distance, something I hadn’t expected. The city has seen an economic boom in recent years and is undergoing a major transformation from small city to central economic hub with skyscraping architectural masterpieces.

As we pulled up to the 60-plus-floor hotel, our tour guide, Violet, said, “I have to warn you, yesterday there were 1,000 screaming girls out front.” Well, I must say that I was flattered and hoped they weren’t too disappointed that I was arriving today instead of the day before, but then Violet brought me back to reality: “Justin Bieber is staying here this weekend.” I’m convinced it was just a coincidence. Over the years, I’ve become very familiar with the Hard Rock brand having had the opportunity at one time to interview Max Osceola, Jr. of the Seminole Indian Tribe regarding their acquisition of the Hard Rock business in 2006.

To stay at a Hard Rock Hotel or dine at a Hard Rock Café is a transformation into rock’n’roll history. The Hard Rock has arguably one of the largest collections of music memorabilia in the world and it’s proudly displayed all over the hotel property. In the lobby you’re greeted by Gene Simmons’ Axe bass as well as one of the cars that hung above the stage from U2’s Zooropa tour. As you continue through the lobby and lounge areas, you see clothing worn by famous musicians encased in glass and you realize this is more of a museum than a mere hotel.

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The hotel has a fun, trendy and contemporary vibe with great restaurants, bars and of course, music. I entered my very spacious and comfortable suite with a balcony overlooking the city landscape and the ocean, where large ships were anchored, patiently waiting in line for their turn to journey down the famous Panama Canal a short distance away.

Guest Suite

Usually when you stay at a hotel, there are just enough amenities to keep you satisfied while in the room, with the goal to get you out of the room, but not when you have the opportunity to be a rock star. Coupled with the spectacular views and entertainment system, the Hard Rock has a few amenities that no other hotel offers, amenities that will transform you from sitting in the front row to being on the stage. Admit it: we’ve all done it, maybe privately or just hanging out with friends. That one song comes on and everyone becomes an air guitar sensation. Well, at the Hard Rock you can order up a real guitar to your room. Aptly named Picks, the service is a luxury experience that only this music venue can provide. Guests have a choice of 20 Fender guitars (and basses) to choose from and oh yeah, even the famed Stratocaster. This unique room service includes a floor amp with headphones so you can stay in your own sound studio and play to your heart’s content. And best of all, its free. Yes … free! In addition to Picks, there’s an offering called Tracks. This is a (once again) free program that allows a guest to download song playlists that have been curated by music pros and superstars. When you’re living the rock’n’roll lifestyle you need a soundtrack, so when you check in, you are given a code that allows you a choice of three different themed playlists to download and serve as your personal musical backdrop. Tracks very much enhances your Hard Rock Hotel experience.

Corner Suite

Hard Rock Pool

When you do decide to leave the room and it’s time to feed that rocker in you, the hotel boasts a number of great restaurants that include Soy, serving Pan-Asian delicacies; Taruo, which serves up signature steaks and market fresh fish; Bazaar, a buffet style all-you-can-eat restaurant, and Ciao for light tapas and pizza. You may have noticed there is no mention of a Hard Rock Café. When the hotel was built, there was a Hard Rock Café next door but unfortunately, it has since closed.

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Taruo Restaurant

Your rock’n’roll experiences aren’t limited to staying indoors, however. With a complete concierge service, the Hard Rock can help plan an adventurous itinerary. After all, this is Panama. We headed over to Anton Valley for some ziplining, ATVing and horseback riding; Anton Valley is the site of an extinct volcano with hidden waterfalls, hot springs and picturesque jungles. Just a short distance away is the famous Panama Canal, a true modern marvel. The operation hasn’t changed much since its inception. The canal is still operated by the original manual control system. However, the cost of transit has gone up. The cost range to transit through the locks can be as little as $800 for a small vessel (up to 50 feet) to near $400,000 for container ships.

Anton Valley Waterfall

Anton Valley Jungle

Casco Viejo

Boat traveling through the canal

Up close the canal does not look very wide so it’s fascinating to watch the enormous cruise and cargo ships that just barely fit through. For almost a century, the canal has dictated the beam of ships being built that would need to transit through the isthmus. But that will be changing as a newer, wider, canal is being built next to the original. On the way back to the Hard Rock, we made a stop at Casco Viejo, an old city that looks virtually untouched since it was settled in 1673. This beautiful World Heritage site is surrounded by brick and concrete buildings, some only shells of what once was, while others have seen a complete restoration. Casco Viejo is bustling with markets, restaurants and nightlife. That evening we sat outside in the town square and dined at Ego y Narciso. The atmosphere was just perfect, as was the food.

Shell of a building in Casco Viejo

Locks at the Panama Canal

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After dinner it was back to being a rock star. As you would expect, one thing the Hard Rock does not lack is nightlife. On the roof of the hotel (under the helipad) is BITS (Bar in the Sky). With a feel like South Beach and views only a rock star can afford, BITS is the place to hang out for a cocktail or two before you head down to Bling, the hotel’s nightclub. And this is where we come full circle to the beginning of the story. Bling can hold its own against any nightclub in Manhattan. Being given the VIP treatment, we were also given our own VIP section and concierge service. I took a break and was relaxing when something caught my eye. Staff was setting up tables next to me in an area that was secluded behind the bar. I thought this was an odd location to set up VIP tables but that’s when I noticed the VIP they were setting up for. Standing next to me was the reason for the thousand screaming girls. Yup, it was Justin Bieber. Now if it were Mick Jagger or Eddie Van Halen, I would have acted like a screaming teenager myself, but in this instance my excitement was far more subdued. (I went on the assumption that the Biebs heard I was going to be there that night.) After a couple of minutes, he was surrounded by his security detail and disappeared just as quickly as he had appeared. But that didn’t stop the crowd from having a great time. The dancing went on all night and the drinks continued flowing.

Bling Nightclub

I can honestly say I was exhausted. I felt like I was headlining a concert tour. But like all great adventures, this too would have to come to an end and it was time to head back home. As I headed out, I took one last look at all the memorabilia from people who have shaped our lives through music, and wondering when and if I’d be back, I thought to myself, I guess it’s true: ‘You can check out anytime you’d like but…’ well, you know the rest.

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BITS rooftop lounge

The world wide web. Finally world wide. The world doesn’t stop when you’re on a plane. That’s why we’re introducing Wi-Fi on international flights. After all, we understand the importance of making connections of every kind when you travel internationally. We’re putting the wonder back into air travel, one innovation at a time. The new American is arriving. aa.com/flybetter

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GEORGIA

On My Mind Architecture in Savannah

By Victoria Crosby

avannah, Georgia is the setting of the best-selling book, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, written 20 years ago by John Berendt. Based on a true story, the catalyst of which was a murder, much of the history and mystique of Savannah were perfectly portrayed in the book, which was made into a 1997 film directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Kevin Spacey and John Cusack. Savannah’s most famous resident was songwriter Johnny Mercer and the shooting took place in his grandfather’s home. All the characters mentioned in the book are now dead with the exception of the Lady Chablis, a female impersonator who performs at the Club One on the first Saturday of every month. The Mercer-Williams house is a must on a visit to Savannah; there are priceless antiques that belonged to art dealer Jim Williams, the lead character in Berendt’s book. The tour guide told us that everything was so valuable that the insurance company refused to insure the items for the film, so replicas were made. The Bird Girl Statue in the Bonaventure Cemetery that was featured on the book cover became so popular that it was removed from the cemetery and is now in the Telfair Museum. There are replicas for sale everywhere in three different sizes. The original was one of several by sculptor Sylvia Shaw Judson purchased by a Savannah family.

Statue of Johnny Mercer in Savannah

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During the filming Kevin Spacey donated more than $25,000 to help restore the Lucas Theatre, originally built in 1921 by Arthur Lucas, one of many he owned but the only one to bear his name. The elements of his favorite design periods – Greek, art deco and neo-classical – were incorporated by his partner, architect C. K. Howell. The theater features classic films and musical performances, but not rock concerts. The theater offers paid guided tours and free self-guided tours on certain days.

There are trolley tours and carriage tours but walking the city is a great way to get the feel of it, see the architecture and spend a little time in the many city squares. The riverboats offer a pleasant afternoon cruise with some narrated history. Another must in Savannah is Leopold’s Ice Cream shop. According to the guide on the trolley tour, Tutti Fruiti was Johnny Mercer’s favorite flavor and he wrote a song about it called Tutti Fruiti Ice Cream, not to be confused with the Little Richard song Tutti Frutti! The ice cream parlor was started in 1919 by three Greek immigrant brothers – Peter, Basil and George Leopold. Stratton Leopold, Peter’s son, closed the parlor in 1969 and went to Hollywood to pursue his dreams of working in the movie industry. After a career as a movie producer he and his wife Mary reopened Leopold’s in 2004 using the original recipes and some of the original furnishings, including the black marble countertop. Movie posters now adorn the always-busy ice cream parlor. Probably the best-loved Johnny Mercer song is Moon River (he wrote the lyrics to music by Henry Mancini). There is a restaurant near the Savannah River called the Moon River Brewing Company, Savannah’s only brew pub. The casual and busy restaurant is worth a visit; in fact, we enjoyed it so much we went there twice. I also enjoyed the British food at Churchill’s, which is next door to Moon River, and you can eat on the roof, which was fun.

Ballastone Inn decorated for the holidays

Based on a true story … much of the history and mystique of Savannah were perfectly portrayed in the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt.

There is a statute of Johnny Mercer in Ellis Square not far from Goose Feathers, a good place for breakfast and Paula Deen’s restaurant, Lady & Sons, which was quite commercial, although the fried green tomatoes were delicious. You can also take a Paula Deen trolley tour, which she narrates and which gets you VIP seating at Lady & Sons without waiting in line at the very busy restaurant. The Whistle Stop Café, of book and movie fame, is also a place for great fried green tomatoes and is an actual train. The museum next door to the Whistle Stop has many historic items, among them Johnny Mercer’s Grammy and Oscar for the song Moon River and also the bench made famous by Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump in scenes filmed in Ballastone Inn decorated for the holidays

Our last stop in Savannah was the Bonaventure Cemetery. The moss-draped trees are beautiful and a little eerie, with the rays of the sun slicing through the branches over the graves.

Bonaventure Cemetery

Mercer-Williams House

Johnny Mercerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Grammy and Oscar

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Telfair Museum

The bench Tom Hanks sat on with his box of chocolates in the movie Forrest Gump

Riverboat in Savannah

Chippewa Square. The Julia Roberts’ film Something to Talk About was filmed in Savannah with a scene at the Six Pence Restaurant and Pub. On the trolley tour we were told that the Ballastone Inn on Ogelthorpe Avenue is the most popular Bed and Breakfast with movie stars. The tour guide mentioned Bill Cosby, Paul Newman, Robert Redford and Matt Damon had all stayed there. On the corner of the same street is the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA. The home was under renovation outside and photos were not allowed inside but the house is a definite for the ‘to-do’ list in Savannah. Juliette was born on Halloween night and her house was the first National Landmark in Savannah. Juliette was severely hearing-impaired but became a sculptor and painter in addition to molding the lives of young American women. In her garden are examples of her work done in wrought iron.

Our last stop in Savannah was the Bonaventure Cemetery, a short drive outside the city. The moss-draped trees are beautiful and a little eerie, with the rays of the sun slicing through the branches over the graves. The roads are clearly marked so we drove to the Mercer family plot where Johnny Mercer, his wife Ginger and family are buried. The cemetery is also included on the special Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil tour, where you can visit the graves of the other characters in the story. There is so much to do and see in Savannah that I have only scratched the surface. The weather was gorgeous, sunny and warm for our whole trip, but no humidity and oppressive heat that the area has during the summer months. Weather-wise, the spring and autumn months are the best time to visit.

We were in Savannah for Oktoberfest, which featured lots of arts and crafts along the river, a German oompah band with singers and dancers and of course lots of German food, beer and a short but impressive fireworks display over the river. December 2013 | 107

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LAKE PLACID

AMERICA’S FIRST WINTER RESORT TOWN By Gwen Wunderlich-Smith

The Mirror Lake Inn on a snowy evening during the holiday season

f skiing, riding, snowshoeing, ice skating, sledding, tubing, ice climbing and even bobsledding sound like the perfect way to spend your holiday vacation or winter break, then you’ll love Lake Placid, America’s ‘First Winter Resort Town’ located in the storied Adirondack Mountains. For more than a century, guests have come to Lake Placid to experience its cozy alpine charm, idyllic serenity and unparalleled winter activities. While the region is best known for its mountains and lakes, it’s the villages, farms, museums, restaurants, artisan shops and a wide variety of accommodations that make it an ideal holiday escapade.

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I’ve always heard about the magic of Lake Placid and looked forward to the journey. From NYC, we drove five hours up to the mountains on a crisp fall morning, coffee in hand and eager to head to The Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa where a long weekend lay ahead of us. The town, a picture perfect village that looks like it belongs in the Swiss Alps, is a wonderful retreat for nature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. A scenic drive past the ski and sport shops, maple stores, quaint restaurants and outdoor posts can only mean one thing – get outside and enjoy every minute of it, especially when staying at The Mirror Lake Inn.

With the resort located on seven acres of hilltop overlooking the Adirondack high peaks and Mirror Lake itself, be prepared to be dazzled by the 300,000 twinkling white lights and 70 lit trees that adorn the Inn during the winter season. Inside there are nine beautifully decorated trees. It’s the holiday season after all, and the town, as always, will be bustling with excitement. It’s easy to see why the Inn was voted by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the World’s Best Places to Stay, with its enchanting mountain and lake setting, cozy vibe, 29 fireplaces, awardwinning restaurants and exceptional hospitality. Upon arrival at the Inn, you’ll surrender to your senses, quiet your cell phone (a property must), taste a homemade cookie and settle into your warm, country surroundings. Whether you decide to head into the town to explore, fancy an afternoon lunch at the Cottage (a neighborhoodstyle eatery with a waterfront deck surrounded by fabulous views of the Adirondacks), or spend a few hours in the library with a good book and a roaring fire, you’ll feel the calm and happiness start to take over. The Inn, run by Ed and Lisa Weibrecht, has more than 100 rooms including classic suites, family suites and colonial house signature suites. All are over-sized and well appointed. Throughout the property there are Frette sheets, oriental rugs, Harden furniture, Black Forest-inspired chandeliers, stone fireplaces, luxury bath products, antiques and custom mahogany woodwork.

The view of Mirror Lake

Once you’ve checked in and are ready to explore, you’re two minutes from the town to enjoy shopping, dining or the historic theater. Of course, there are also six million acres of wilderness that surround the Inn, which is perfect for just about any activity you can think of. Located in the Olympic Village, the Inn offers access to alpine skiing, crosscountry skiing, hockey, speed skating, skeleton, luge, curling and ski jumping. Maybe it’s a self-guided tour of the 1980 Winter Olympics site, a Whiteface Mountain gondola ride, ice show or bobsled ride that you prefer? The Inn’s concierge service will help you plan your best trip yet by offering suggestions, classes and outdoor adventure programs for adults and children alike. The town of Lake Placid hidden in the Adirondack mountains

The Pool and Spa at the Mirror Lake Inn

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25A A long day outdoors deserves nothing short of an afternoon spent at the spa. Take full advantage of the Jacuzzi and steam room before heading off to indulge in an Adirondack maple sugar body scrub or Thai massage at this award-winning haven. Complete with a women’s and a gentlemen’s lounge, the spa boasts a work-out center, beauty salon, fireplaces, relaxation rooms and an indoor 60-foot lap pool with a waterfall and panoramic views of the lake and mountains beyond.

The Superior Suite at the Mirror Lake Inn

We suggest dining at The Inn, where two restaurants offer a wide range of options. Dress your best and head to The View, which offers AAA Four-Diamond dining in a warm, relaxed atmosphere. Executive Chef Jarrad Lang and his culinary team work closely with local and regional meat, cheese and vegetable producers to provide guests with a flavorful and healthy dining experience. For a more causal time, Täste Bistro and Bar provides a bistro-style menu and the most extensive spirits list in Lake Placid, as well as nightly live music. During holiday season the town becomes a fairy wonderland with caroling, lights, performances, décor and so much more. The Mirror Lake Inn hosts its annual Christmas Eve sing-along with carolers and locals on piano in the Great Room. An annual tradition, loved by many, the Inn will also be hosting a Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Eve dinner. With the charm, vigor and unparalleled hospitality this town has to offer, there’s no place better to spend the holidays this winter than Lake Placid and the Mirror Lake Inn, where you’ll relax, relate, relive past memories and create new ones. Visit www.mirrorlakeinn.com for more information. Enjoy!

Enjoying a spa treatment at the Mirror Lake Inn

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Love

Peace

Four Beautiful Sisters There are many gifts that God in the universe did release among them four beautiful sisters, Love Hope Joy and Peace Share with others as much Love as you can, because she rids the word of pain as long as she’s powered by your good works, Hope is never in vain and when Hope is realized, you’ll reap the rewards of joy so kind and when conflict and war surround your body, Search for peace within your mind You have so much to offer this world, so many wonderful things you can be, keep the four sisters with you as you shape your destiny. – Zenobia G. Washington Zenobia’s poem translated into English

Hope

Joy

ARTFORM

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PETER MAX By Diana Pinck

Vase of Flowers, Version II, #1, Abstract Series, 2004. Acrylic on canvas. 60 X 48”

o the young adults of the late 60s, Peter Max’s art was as significant visually as the music of The Beatles was acoustically. His images were omnipresent on posters, album covers, ads, clothing and more. His brightly colored style with the rounded letters, comic strip-like figures and cosmic constellations were a major influence on all manner of graphic design, print art and cartoons of the time. His designs were licensed out to more than 70 corporations, from General Electric to Burlington Mills Socks, generating millions of dollars in sales. To this day, Peter Max has a huge following. His art graces a Boeing 777 for Continental Airlines, and a Norwegian cruise liner was launched in the spring of 2013 that bears his art and signature prominently on its hull. On my recent visit to his studio in Manhattan, I discovered a gorgeous Taylor Swift painting and his new Marilyn Monroe series, which I fell in love with at first sight. Currently, a wonderful solo exhibit of Peter Max’s work is being presented at the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn, Long Island. 112 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

Beauty on Pink, Version IX, #14, 2012. Acrylic on canvas. 60 X 48”

musicians and other artists.” I asked Peter what he enjoyed doing the most, and what his favorite place was to visit. The selfproclaimed yogi, who employees a DJ in his art studio, replied, “I like doing what I am doing at the moment. Right now I am enjoying my conversation with you, and my favorite place to be is where I am at, in this very moment, in the here and now.” A solo exhibit of Peter Max’s work is on display at the Nassau County Museum of Art until Feb. 23, 2014. On Sunday, Dec. 8 at 3 p.m., the artist will be at the museum for a conversation with art historian and author Charles A. Riley II, PhD. The artist will be signing merchandise purchased at the museum shop. Register at www.nassaumuseum.org/events. Nassau County Museum of Art One Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor, NY 11576 | 516.484.9338 For more information on the artist or to purchase posters, visit www.petermax.com.

Norwegian Cruise Poster Art

Continental Airlines Boeing 777 designed by Peter Max Cruise Liner “Breakaway” with 40,000 sq. ft. designed by Peter Max

Peter had a fascinating childhood. Born in Germany, he grew up in Shanghai in a beautiful pagoda house, situated between a Buddhist monastery and a Sikh temple. The sights, sounds and scents of the East filled his young mind with an explosion of colors and cacophony of sounds: parades, festivities and fireworks, images of deities, tigers, kites and floating dragons, chanting monks, shouting street vendors, the jazz music his father so loved, as well as the comic books and movies from the U.S. – these were things young Peter never tired of. Peter’s mother always encouraged his creative endeavors. His parents supported his studies of art and astronomy in China, Israel, France and America, until Peter completed his training as a fine artist at the Art Students League of New York. Successful from the start, Peter’s first commission was an album cover for pianist and composer Meade ‘Lux’ Lewis, which won that year’s annual Society of Illustrators Award. Innumerable commissions and awards followed in a long and successful career. “I am a very lucky man. I can do what I love every day. I meet people that are interesting and that I admire – presidents,

A gift to friend Taylor Swift, her Fearless album cover

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ARTFORM

25A

The Magical Art

OF SCHERER & OUPOROV By Diana Pinck

ooking at a painting by Suzanne Scherer and Pavel Ouporov is like entering a magical world of dichotomy. Together, as one, they paint ethereal tableaux using the combined methods of traditional Eastern and Western egg tempera painting. Like a spiraling double helix, the images fuse fairytales and myths, dreams and reality, the conscious and the subconscious, microcosm and macrocosm, even sound and silence. The lives of this husband and wife team started on opposite sides of the Iron Curtain, yet destiny brought them together under the most romantic and extraordinary circumstances. After completing her MFA at Brooklyn College, Suzanne won two extraordinary grants in 1989 that enabled her to be the first American visual artist to study behind the Iron Curtain at the prestigious Surikov Art Institute in Moscow. Here the beautiful American met the young Russian

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student Pavel, who was completing his MFA. A child prodigy, Pavel was chosen to study at the Moscow Academic Art Lyceum when he was only nine years old. Upon graduation and after another national competition, he entered the Surikov Academy. The young artists were immediately drawn to each other: Suzanne was fascinated by Pavel’s complete mastery in all techniques and form, while Pavel was rebelling and trying to break out of the strict boundaries of the academy. He was drawn to the young American not only for her beauty, but also because he recognized a kindred soul who symbolized freedom and another world. Pavel spoke no English and Suzanne’s Russian was rudimentary at best. They sat in cafés, drawing on napkins to communicate with each other. From then on to this day they have been drawing into each other’s paintings and lives.

The most fascinating fact about the

paintings of Scherer & Ouporov

is that they are conceived and executed by both

as one

Though the couple has worked in several media, they are mostly recognized for their iconographic egg tempera paintings on wood panels. First the panels are coated with marble dust and chalk gesso. Then the earth tones are applied mixing egg yolk, water and mineral earth colors. These are followed by brighter and lighter hues. Lastly, gold leaf is made to adhere to the surface with the artistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; breath, symbolizing the breath of life. Sometimes jewels and crystals are also applied, resulting in fascinating paintings with layers upon layers of metaphysical and magical meaning and narrative. Repeated themes are innocence and nature, communion with reality and the subconscious, the space between sound and silence, the feeling of isolation and being one with the cosmos. Many paintings are framed with words, quotes or poems. In some paintings letters of the Celestial Alphabet (the alphabet derived from celestial constellations and believed to be the language of Eden

and the angels) come tumbling down on a figure, or lie scattered on a forest floor. The most wondrous fact about the paintings of Scherer and Ouporov is that they are conceived and executed by both as one. The works of Scherer and Ouporov are in innumerable permanent collections of museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Harvard University Fogg Art Museum, the Library of Congress and the State Russian Museum. Their next upcoming solo exhibitionÂ is at the Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science in Indiana.

For more information on Scherer and Ouporov, visit www. schererandouporov.com. The artists are represented by ACA Galleries, 529 West 20th St. NYC 10011 Tel:212.206.8080. www.acagalleries.com December 2013 | 115

25A-LIST

25A

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atador Cigars is a certified retail tobacconist offering a large selection of premium cigars, cigar accessories, pipes and pipe tobacco. Matador Cigars is also considered one of the premier cigar lounges in the New York TriState and Long Island area. Amenities include a spacious 2,000-square-foot facility where the atmosphere exudes class and sophistication. Humidified lockers that can be rented on an annual basis are large enough to hold the most prized cigars

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and rare malts. Seven flat screen televisions, complimentary billiards table, fine leather seating, solid mahogany furnishings, soft refreshments and snacks served by attractive hostesses combine to provide for an unforgettable smoking experience. Matador Cigars is not a membership club; it is a public retail operation, where the only requirement for entry is a purchase. Matador Cigars is a place where a cigar aficionado can form lifelong friendships and vital business relationships.

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25A-LIST

25A

BIKRAM YOGA

Roslyn Hosts Grand Opening

From left: Vito Ditrapani and Barbara Kaplan of the Roslyn Chamber of Commerce; Mayor of Roslyn Estates Jeff Schwartzberg; Bikram Yoga Roslyn co-owner Jennifer Weil; Bikram Yoga Roslyn co-owner Jamie Weil; Jerry Baldassaro and Donald Weil of the Roslyn Chamber of Commerce.

ikram Yoga Roslyn’s ribbon cutting was held on the beautiful Saturday morning of Oct. 26 and setting the tone of the event were musical performances by the students of Frank Ferrara. Jeff Schwartzberg, mayor of Roslyn Estates, stated that this was his first ribbon cutting and he was thrilled to welcome Bikram Yoga Roslyn and to see the revitalization of a building that has stood unoccupied for more than two years. Not only was he pleased to have the building occupied, he said, but also that Bikram Yoga was bringing health and wellness services to the community. Mayor Schwartzberg and his wife Rita were joined by the Roslyn Chamber of Commerce, including Jerry Baldasarro, Vito Ditrapani and Barbara Kaplan, who officiated the ribbon cutting.

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A poetry reading by Victoria Crosby, Glen Cove’s poet laureate and poet laureate of the Daughters of the British Empire, capped off the outdoor event. Ms. Crosby’s poetry featured pieces dedicated to meditation, peace and health. Her inspirational and humorous poetry can often be found in 25A magazine, for which she is also a features writer. Additionally, Ms. Crosby is a reporter for The Leader. Following the outdoor festivities the crowd was ushered into the studio for a Bikram Yoga posture demonstration, followed by two free classes. In addition, new wellness services were introduced and the audience at the ribbon cutting was treated to complimentary facials, massages, reflexology and bio-mat meditation.

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25A-LIST

25A DR. KELLY O. MATTONE’S Fabulous Fall Event Text & Photos by Diana Pinck

Dayra Yung, Dr. Kelly O. Mattone, Joe Agostino and Jerry Craane

Nardo Shoes

Silviya Sandeva, Gina Tucker, Lana Ivankovskaya and Susan Patalano

Nicolle and Dr. Christopher Sellars

n a crisp fall evening Dr. Kelly O. Mattone gathered well-heeled guests to an informal seminar on the latest beauty enhancing non-invasive cosmetic procedures. The event was held at Patrick Silberstein’s privately owned historic landmark townhouse at 8 Bond Street in Great Neck, which is home to some of the best beauty gurus of Long Island.

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Thomas Cole and Mike Borenstein

Eileen Foreman, Patrick and Lynda Silberstein

The guests gathered in the fabulous Thomas Cole Salon on the first floor. Delicious food and drinks were supplied by Elaine’s Asian Bistro and La Rotonda Restaurant, tenants of 8 Bond Street. Other presenters included cosmetic dentist Dr. Julie Liberman, Audra and Krisdee of Inka Makeup, and Nardo Shoes.

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