There are a never-ending amount of things to do in Central Park during any season. From tourist magnets to hidden secrets, Central Park attractions range from the Central Park Zoo to the legendary Summerstage. If you’re looking for free things to do in New York City, a Central Park guidebook is vital. It will help you maximize your time and assure that you don’t miss any things to do in Central Park. If you don’t have a Central Park guide, make a list of Central Park ideas. This is will help you prepare before taking on this iconic stretch of urban greenery. Central Park attractions are a staple of New York City life every day of the year. To help make sure you don’t miss out, here are some of our favorite things to do in Central Park.
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How big is Central Park? Big enough to offer you hours of exciting, relaxing fun! Not many parks can boast a Summerstage, a zoo, and a castle. Whether you’re filling a lazy afternoon or scheduling a weekend getaway, work this New York City park into your plans.
There is a unique irony to thrift stores in NYC. They lure you in and convince you the old-fashioned is fashionable. The fashion industry loves this trick too. Year after year, designers make millions reintroducing dated outfits as vintage fashion.
Hold on.
Designers make millions off recycled looks? We know it’s pretty gross, but while the industry may determine what is fashionable, you can easily dictate how much it will cost you. Embrace the thrift store’s fashion tricks as your own, and thrifting will become your gesture of choice to stick it to the fashionista. We all know dishing out hundreds for a high-end vintage sweater is just silly. So now you want to know where to thrift, right? Lucky for you, we know some of the hottest thrift stores in NYC.
One of the beauties of thrifting is that every store has a cause. You can feel good investing in vintage fashion you know is benefiting those in need. Housing Works opened their first thrift shop in 1995 to fund charity efforts serving New York City’s homeless AIDS/HIV community. Since then, they have expanded their retail enterprises to include nine thrift stores and a bookstore café. A trip to a Housing Works thrift store guarantees you quality secondhand products, tri-weekly new arrivals, and chance designer donations. Occasionally critiqued for their prices, the only fault here is to discount where the money is going.
It’s so pristine you forget the hipster, substratum vibe you’ve come to expect from New York City thrift stores. Angel Street Thrift Shop excels at passing off gently used designer samples as fresh upscale items. Browse color-coordinated shelves of Anna Sui tees and savor buying the decade’s top five fashion icons at $6 apiece. Browse the interior design elite, too. Here, an ergonomic office chair only costs $40 and armoires start at $150. It’s insatiable, isn’t it? Angel Street receives new merchandise daily, so while we don’t advocate obsessive behavior, visit often to avoid missing out!
The Buffalo roam across the United States from Boston to Seattle, boasting five stores in New York City alone: two on Manhattan, two in Brooklyn, and one in Astoria. Buffalo Exchange masquerades as a thrift store on many lists, but at its core, the chain is a consignment shop. Before you accuse us of inaccuracy, let us explain. Firstly, Buffalo Exchange is an exceptional consignment shop offering various promotions to support thousands of local nonprofit charities. Selling and buying here is still thrifting you can feel good altruistic about. Secondly, we’re pretty sure you have a shirt or two in your closet you haven’t worn in years. Why refuse a chance to turn unwanted clothes into cash? Yeah. We convinced you, didn’t we?
You wanted the best of both worlds? OK! It’s a Brooklyn thrift store where you get to decide whether you sell or donate. Sell, and your items wait in the store for a new home. Donate, and they’re distributed amongst the homeless and FDNY families facing tragedy. Beacon’s Closet is big. Rifling through secondhand outfits to find vintage fashion treasures is not a task for the faint of heart. Dedication will pay off though. Those $20 Sperry Top-Siders are yours if you find them!
A Yelp reviewer used the word “mishmash” to describe this Astoria thrift store. While a new layout improved the atmosphere tremendously, Goodness Gracious still accommodates hundreds of competitive customers daily. Hold your ground to uncover retro fashion staples in the dim-lit clutter. We apologize if we haven’t yet instilled in you the patience and determination necessary when thrifting. Shopping for clothes on the cheap is an art of its own, perhaps even harder than fashion itself. Embrace the challenge. If cheap things came easy, where would our motivation go?
Now you’re prepped and ready for NYC thrifting, whether you’re a resident or just passing through. No more vintage fashion purchases to the tune of hundreds of dollars.
Rolling sleeves used to be simple. For most of the 19th and 20th centuries, men would roll up their sleeves to cool off or fight. There were no conversations about the right way to roll your sleeves or when it was acceptable to do so. If you felt like it, you shoved your sleeves up. No style, no question.
Today, the eyes of judgement are strong in the world. The rise of casual fashion has ended our naiveté about rolling sleeves. We are expected to know an extensive list of sleeve styles and use them correctly every time. Fortunately, we have a wealth of sleeve rolling wisdom up our sleeves. Sleeves haven’t beaten you yet.
Rolling sleeves never seemed so easy. Fold up once about the width of your cuff, then fold up a second time at a similar width. This sleeve style abides by the rule of thirds, which dictates that an image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts. Honestly, this is just a complex way of saying the AIFA roll should expose one third of your arm. Rock that one-third-naked arm at your neighbor’s barbeque or a family picnic. The fashion gods will be pleased.
The art of sleeve rolling is incredibly precise. The difference between an AIFA roll and Basic roll is literally, a roll. Fold up once the width of your cuff, then continue to fold up at a similar width until you uncover your elbow. The Basic usually requires three rolls. Some people complain the Basic roll is time-consuming, even restricting. It certainly works best with thinner shirts. Thick flannels will bunch up and feel bulky. Remember to undo your cuff buttons, otherwise you’re in for an annoying struggle.
We hope your motivation for learning how to roll your sleeves is not an advancing gambling problem. If it is, at least you’ll have sexy sleeves while you play away your livelihood. The High Roller is just one more roll of the sleeve than the Basic. Farewell rule of threes! Now we’re working in quartets. The High Roller often incites arguments about how far up to roll your sleeves. Why add an extra roll just to reveal your forearms? Unless you sport big biceps and hefty tattoos, the effect is pretty underwhelming. We’re not saying steer clear of the High Roller, but if you haven’t been hitting the gym or have some skin art to display, be weary. You’ve been warned.
The Marine roll is the High Roller’s inside-out twin. For a Marine roll, bend your sleeve upward at the cuff, then curl it until it’s inside out. Repeat this step until you reach your desired length. The Marine roll is a difficult sleeve style to justify unless you are actually in the barracks. Every day materials crumple as you roll. You can’t do it properly without taking off your shirt. Basically, the Marine roll will have you stripping to bunch up your sleeves until they dwarf your arms. Yeah. Justify that.
It was getting pretty hopeless, wasn’t it? Either you arms were too scrawny, or the look was too casual. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised if you were about ready to shove up your sleeves and punch whoever decided rolling sleeves was an art. Before you resort to violence, let us run the Master by you. Roll your sleeve up roughly two widths of the cuff. The edge of your sleeve should line up with your elbow. Then, roll the bottom up one width over the cuff. If there is a contrasting color on the cuff, leave a sliver of the top exposed. It’s firm, it’s refined, and to undo it simply hold the edge of the cuff and pull. Do we hear a sigh of relief? Good. No fashion fisticuffs today.
If you fell in love with the Master roll like we hope you did, the Garter may seem superfluous. The word ‘garter’ is probably giving you second thoughts about this paragraph already. We must be thorough, though. Back in the 50s and 60s, shirts didn’t have buttons at the sleeves. What would you do if your sleeves were too loose to stay properly rolled during your daily routine? Yes, we’re asking you what you would do if this entire list were useless. If you were a waiter in New York sixty years ago, you would invest in a garter. The Garter roll’s strength is functionality. Wrap a band around your upper shirt sleeve and pull the shirt up a few inches. Stop when the band disappears under your shirt folds.
There you have it. The six proper ways to roll your sleeves, as dictated by 21st century casual fashion. Now, you can go about life confident your sleeves won’t embarrass you. We can’t guarantee the Master roll will land you your dream job. Your neighbors may still hate you after you roll an AIFA at their barbeque. That clothed torso might get an extra glance or two though.
I love me some vibrant, rich, bold lipstick colors. Seriously, lip products are basically some of my favorite things in life. Nothing excites me more than picking up a new lipstick at the store or reaching into my makeup bag to touch up my gloss. It’s the best pick me up after a long day. And in many ways, your lipstick can make or break your look.
Here at Richard, we personally love converting shy makeup wearers into confident ones. That means stepping up your lip shades and rocking some bolder colors. So here’s some ideas on how to incorporate bolder lip colors into your look!
Before you can learn how to wear a bright color, you first need to know how to choose the best shade for you. Get to know your skin tone a little better. If you look at the veins on the inside of your wrist, you may notice they look more blue or more green. If they look more blue, your skin is cool-toned and lipstick shades with a blue tone which will make your skin tone pop. If they look green, your skin is warm toned and lipstick colors that are more yellow or orangey will look lovely on you. Can’t really figure out which you are? Hooray! You’re probably neutral which means you can pull off most lip colors.
Before you can swipe on that bold, sexy, color you need to make sure your lips are ready. This means you should exfoliate your lips to get them in tip-top condition. We recommend a lip scrub like Bliss Fabulips Sugar Scrub for a splurge, Elf Lip Exfoliator for a budget – friendly option or you can make your own! Just take some sugar and mix it with some vaseline lip balm. Put the mixture on your lips and rub in circles with your finger or gently, with a toothbrush to scrub off the dead skin. Ta-da! You’re left with a smooth, supple, shiny pucker.
So, now we’re ready to put on some makeup! If you want to get a subtle, shadowy look (colors ranging from champagne to mid–tone brown or taupe) you can amp up your lips with a brighter color. Your lips will take the spotlight and the lighter eye shadow look will complement and highlight your lips. Mastering makeup is all about balance.
Champagne eyes pair beautifully with any color from pink, to reds and corals. General rule of thumb – keep your eyes lighter with a brighter lip color.
We recommend trying these combos for fall!
Champagne on the lid, taupe in the crease, and a deep burgundy wine on the lips
Rose gold on the lid, mid–tone brown in the crease and a deeper berry on the lips
Champagne on the lid, light golden bronze in the crease and magenta on the lips.
This can be tricky. One wrong move and you will be looking seriously 80s. But do it right and you’ll look insanely glamorous. Like a makeup goddess or Kim Kardashian’s hotter cousin. Excited? Read on.
So, you can wear both bold eye shadow colors and bold lips together. It’s not taboo. It’s awesome. Just keep in mind, we again, want to keep our look balanced. With strong eyeshadow and strong lips, you have to add color to the rest of your face, but not too much. Having just foundation on will make the rest of your pigmented features look harsh. Choose a bright color in the same tone as your lips for your blush, but just sweep it on lightly for a subtle, fresh flush. Don’t be too heavy – handed in your contour or again you’ll end up in 80s land. Opt for a touch of bronzer for a little touch of warmth on the cheeks instead. Ah, much more modern. In the end, when going super glam you just have to go for it! And own your look. One combo that has never failed to make men melt? Smokey eye and siren, red lips. A warm,rich orangey red for modern day femme fatale or a cool, blue – toned red for old Hollywood star. Yes, this is the ultimate in glamorous makeup. Wear this and you will look and feel like Angelina Jolie. While you’re at it, don’t forget the fake eye lashes!
Remember girls, at the end of the day makeup is about having fun. So don’t be afraid to try bold lip colors. One thing I almost forgot! Don’t get lipstick all over your man’s face. Not cute. First blot the color down so you’re left with a rich stain – all the pigment, without the smear.
You can give yourself the perfect at home manicure! Of course, it’s nice to have someone doting on you hand and foot, but if you’re short on time or money, spending your time at the nail salon can feel tedious. Why not learn a few manicure tips and tricks so you can give your own nails a quick fix? Relax at home, save on gas, and pamper yourself. Whether you’re saving money or conserving time, here are seven at home manicure tips to make yours a success.
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Are you excited to start your at-home manicure yet? No need to spend all that time and money at nail salons. Save your daytime hours and do your manicure at home around things and people you love. You won’t regret it, and thanks to these helpful at home manicure tips, your fingers won’t either!
Hone in on this week’s beauty tip from Richard with the 5 Minute Makeup Routine! Our makeup expert, Alyssa Redenti, walks you through a quick and easy morning makeup routine.
Alyssa starts with Black Opal foundation. Dab it on gently with your finger. Use sparingly to avoid a caked look.
Next, add in some Neutrogena Skin Cleansing Powder. Keep it simple and light for these last days of summer.
Now the eyebrows. Start with Great Lash clear mascara. Just brush them up slightly to make them a little more pronounced.
Next eyebrow step. Get out your brow kit. (Alyssa uses the Wet & Wild’s Ultimate Brow Kit.) Draw the hairs in with the color for a gentle, natural look.
Use a larger brush for your highlight, like Naked Basics. Start with Venus right under the colored eyebrow. Then apply Foxy and Naked 2 directly to the eyelid.
Apply blush (Mac Raizin) to the apples of your cheeks.
Use your Naked Basics again to start your lips. Then, for a splash of color, Alyssa recommends Smashbox’s Always On. It’s durable and stays on through lunch and even kisses!
Finish off with Tarte Mascara. and there it is! You have completed a 5-minute face!
There it is! You’ve completed a quick and easy 5 minute makeup routine and still have enough time to grab coffee before work.
Are you shoe obsessed? Does your closet look like a storage center for DSW? Shoes are a notorious wardrobe obsession. To these fine fashionistas/fashionistos, shoes are collectibles, thousands of dollars of nostalgia stacked in their home closet. Why invest so much in expensive shoes? Is there a method to the madness or is it just a self-satisfying kink? Many avid collectors are actually not driven by mere obsession. A glimpse into the possibilities of a shoe collection will reveal why collectors stick with their passion and rack up the investment dollars.
Famous shoes are not just fashionable, they’re incredibly lucrative. Like the top designs in any field, limited editions and premier editions are nearly impossible to come by. Not only are they rare; they cost astronomical amounts. Their prices are a testament to the extreme desire some people have for fads and phenomena. King of these expensive masterpieces is Stuart Weitzman. Weitzman designs shoes for movie stars. His open-toe heels are cut from high-end satins and velvets. Each shoe has diamonds, rhinestones, and rubies inlaid all along its edges. Ranging from a hefty $500,000 to $3 million, Weitzman’s footwear is rarely seen outside award ceremonies, or the closets of the rich and famous. These expensive shoes are just as much of an investment as they are an eye-catcher.
To pay $3 million for a pair of shoes you will wear once or twice in your lifetime is the definition of obsessed. We mentioned these iconic, millionaire shoes purely to detail the most sacred specimens of the shoe collection world. Avid and fanatic are vastly different things. However, we would be amiss not to briefly discuss the absolute queen of expensive shoes. Though no higher in price than Weitzman’s most expensive design, Harry Winston’s Ruby Slippers triumph by prestige alone. Covered with 1,350 karats of real rubies, the shoes are fashioned after Dorothy’s legendary Wizard of Oz slippers. When you’re rich, why settle for sequins? The only person in the world ever to wear these shoes was the movie’s star, Judy Garland. Ironically, this replica has surpassed its inspiration. The original shoes worn in the movie cost a relatively tame $612,000.
While fanatic collectors may rush to auctions for Weitzman creations or real ruby slippers, avid collectors mostly gather sneakers. They collect out of passion and reap plentiful financial benefits. Sometimes it pays not to lose your childish wonder. If you have been purchasing shoes since the 90s, and kept them in mint condition, profits can be substantial. The Nike Air Mag sold for $3,200 when it was first released. Now it’s worth about $7,000. Sneakers like Air Jordans have seen a similar increase in value in the 2010s. Many collectors who pursued their passion boldly two decades ago now have closets full of shoes worth a jaw-dropping $750,000! If you thought collecting shoes signified a hoarding problem, well it probably does, but at least you can make some money on it, too.
There are other perks to being a shoe collector, particularly a sneakerhead. (See Urban Dictionary.) Once you establish yourself as a sneaker enthusiast, sneaker shows and companies like Nike can offer you sponsorships. Presenting at shows will become your source of income. You can always sell a few shoes as well. You don’t have to love shoes to be a good shoe collector. You may get strange looks from your friends when you tell them you’re investing in 10 year old shoes but you’ll have the last laugh. Investigate the most significant designs to learn trends in the sneaker industry. Use this knowledge to make savvy purchases. You can apply these strategies to other shoe designs as well. Sneakers make up the most proficient shoe collection niche, but you can also collect dress shoes, vintage boots, movie props, and luxe slippers.
Now you know the secrets of expensive shoes and their collectors. Shoes can be lucrative even if they aren’t covered in diamonds and rubies. Whether you love sneakers or high heels, shoe collecting has the potential to make you thousands.
You can get anything at Amazon.com. Don’t want to grocery shop? Amazon. Don’t want to clothes shop? Amazon. There are some pretty wild Amazon fashion deals there too. Here are some of our favorites.
Jersey Shore ruined the Jersey Shore for a while. Its reputation was tainted before, but during the early 00s it was associated with characters like Snooki. One can’t deny the polluted past of many beaches in New Jersey, but determined mayors and wildlife associations have cleaned up the sewage and debris of the 90s substantially. Now, it’s a pretty great place to spend your day or weekend. With culturally rich areas like Asbury Park leading the way, the Jersey Shore is starting to feel more like an offspring of NYC than the spray tan capital of the world. Here are five good reasons to visit the Jersey Shore this Labor Day weekend.
Ocean City was named Coastal Living’s 2016 Best Beach in America. The beaches of New Jersey have risen in value and allure in the last few years, thanks to conservationists and post-Sandy restoration. Now locals and tourists flock to NJ beaches for weekends away in the sand. Visit Sandy Hook or Belmar for good sandbars and great surfing waves. If you want a calmer atmosphere, head to Bradley Beach or Cape May for gentle beaches and classic seaside town life.
We cannot talk boardwalks without mentioning the wonder of Wildwood. This vibrant boardwalk is home to three different amusement parks along the pier, in addition to two water parks, a spacious beach, shopping, and dining. Many New Jersey boardwalks feature similar attractions, if in lesser numbers. Seaside Heights, Ocean City, and Point Pleasant all have colorful amusements for the entire family. For more refined evening fare, wander Atlantic City or Asbury Park for amazing food and a vibrant nightlife scene.
Eats at the Jersey Shore range from donuts to seafood, and so much of it is quality. As in any corner of the world, there are a few specialties. Taffy is an traditional part of the New Jersey boardwalk experience, and James Candy Co. in Atlantic City is the place to grab some. New Jersey is once again gaining a reputation for fresh, delicious seafood, and delicious clam shacks are scattered along its entire coastline. If you seek less oceanic cuisine, shore towns like Asbury Park and Cape May host dozens of traditional options both American and international. Asbury Park is rich in organic food options as well, like Talula’s Pizza and Fish.
The Jersey Shore is busy 24/7. If you’re full of energy after a day at the beach, the opportunities to party your night away are plentiful along the entire coast. For music lovers, there are iconic music venues like The Stone Pony in Asbury Park or Boogie Nights in Atlantic City. If you’re a bit wilder, Atlantic City is crawling with casinos or The Pool After Dark at Harrah’s Casino for a fun-filled, crowded dip. Whether you seek cocktails in a lounge or the thump of electronic dance beats, Jersey can accommodate.
Last but not least, think of where New Jersey is located. It’s the central beach for Philadelphia and New York City. If you like, take a day off from the beach and explore one of America’s iconic cities. Don’t tie yourself to a flight to Florida. You can save money, stay nearby, and still have a summer blast!
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