Feeling & Looking Good on the Open Road or Zoom

9th Ave. Elevated

By Claudie Benjamin Go with what you like, respect and spend time with people and things that matter to you. Think about responsible actions and endurable values. That’s the takeaway message when you care about being responsible and feeling good about yourself...

Assolutamente delizoso!

9th Ave. Elevated

By Claudie Benjamin Venchi Cioccogelateria’s pale green gelato is made from Pistacchio Verde di Bronte (nuts grown in a village on Mount Etna in Sicily).  This is Venchi US CEO Davide Cravero’s favorite flavor of gelato.  It is also, he says, “our...

Henna Designs: Some Subtle, Others Flamboyant

9th Ave. Elevated

By Claudie Benjamin A dragon, peacock or band of intricate lace drawn on your hands, arms, small of your back, base of your collarbone.  What’s your pleasure?  Shaira Halani who goes by Saira professionally, has been working as a henna artist and specialist in...

Gorgeous Hats & Fine Friendships

9th Ave. Elevated

By Claudie Benjamin Les beaux chapeaux, les bandeaux en soie, chapéus de feltro, British royal-style fascinators, chapel caps and mantillas — every culture has its hats and head ornaments.  Some are particularly special.  At Jeannie’s Dream, at 60 West...

Diamonds, Serpents, Cameos and More

9th Ave. Elevated, adaptive reuse

By Claudie Benjamin Lara Kornbluh, owner of Icon Style at 104 West 70th Street, has years of experience and deep knowledge of the wide range of vintage jewelry she sells. That’s true also of the carefully curated garments that range from eyeglass frames to...

Buffalo Horn, Gold & Titanium: Classy Frames for Finely Made Lenses

9th Ave. Elevated

By Claudie Benjamin   For some, elegantly simple eyeglass frames made of titanium or real gold might seem a bit “de trop”. But, not so much at all if you compare the look and quality of eyeglasses to a luxury car purchase of say, a BMW or a Mercedes suggests...