New York Quirky Places

Manhattan model Karen Rempel skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park

Whirling at Wollman

I decided to celebrate the new year with a dry January—not the easiest thing to do in cocktail town. So I was thinking about ways to enjoy Manhattan that don’t involve Manhattans. I hit upon the idea of skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park. It’s a beautiful setting any time of year, but especially […]

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Manhattan Model Karen Rempel at Counter Service Sandwich Shop

Sandwich Sleuth

First of all, who even eats sandwiches anymore? Once the staple of every kid’s lunchbox, it seemed like the sandwich had gone the way of the dodo, in favor of gluten-free corn pasta, tofu sticks, and organic yogurt from grass-fed cows (what else should they eat?). Didn’t New Yorkers stop eating bread years ago? But […]

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Manhattan Model Karen Rempel at the Union Square Holiday Market

Jolly Holiday Market

The longest-running and largest holiday market in the city is open again to delight your senses and ease your holiday shopping blues. The Union Square Holiday Market is open again, and better than ever. Named best holiday market in America in 2023, according to event organizer Urbanspace, the market is brimming with holiday cheer and […]

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Manhattan model Karen Rempel outside Lucinda's Bar on Avenue A

Hoedown on Avenue A

The East Village just got a double dose of country twang and redneck fun at Lucinda’s Bar at 169 Avenue A. Lucinda’s is a honky-tonk juke joint and cocktail lounge, featuring live music, line dancing, karaoke, and happy hour specials, all with a true Southern vibe. In case you’ve been a Sleeping Beauty for the past few […]

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New York Model Karen Rempel at Pier 57

Peerless Pier 57

Pier 57, jutting into the Hudson River between Chelsea Piers and Little Island, has an extensive outdoor public space, though it’s largely a City Winery affair. City Winery has their flagship restaurant and performance space on the main floor, with a wine-bottle lined curving staircase leading up to the second level. They have grab-and-go vino […]

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Manhattan Model Karen Rempel at the Museum of Ice Cream in Soho

Scream for Ice Cream

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month. The third Sunday in July is National Ice Cream Day. An invitation to indulge in pleasure if I ever heard one! I just discovered the best destination to indulge our sweetest national obsession: the Museum of Ice Cream, on Broadway a block below […]

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New York model Karen Rempel under the Big Button sculpture in the Garment District

Five Years of Phil

What has changed in the past five years? One afternoon in the early days of the pandemic, I was chatting on Zoom with my Barre3 friend Amy after a killer live-streamed 60-minute workout. During this brief period, when all the fitness studios in New York were closed, our instructors live-streamed solo from the Barre3 studio […]

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