Tag: shopping travel

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Angry Birds in an Airplane! Kinda Sorta.

February 9, 2012 at 11:40 AM | by | Comments (0)

We're not going to lie, but Angry Birds might still be our favorite game to play on a plane. It can be played when in airplane mode (ahem, Alec Baldwin) and is the only game that makes us occasionally laugh aloud, all while flinging birds towards mean little pigs. Well, the creators of the game have already announced opening up theme parks designed around the game, but there's more (of course).

If you're huge fan and you've already got Angry Birds flip flops, hoodies, keychains and all those little tchotchkes, our recommendation for your next layover in Helskini is to stop pulling the slingshot and hit the new shop for your favorite characters. The Finnish masterminds behind the game have opened up a little plane-shaped Angry Birds kiosk-shop in the middle of Helsinki International Airport.

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It's That Time of the Year for the Barneys Warehouse Sale

February 9, 2012 at 8:30 AM | by | Comments (0)

So there's less than a week until Valentine's Day, you say? We say who cares, since the Barneys Warehouse Sale arrives first, and if you'd just as soon express your love to a pair of shoes as your loved one, then it's time to mobilize.

The Barneys Warehouse Sale hits LA starting on February 11, finally taking NYC on February 16. It's the real deal, elbowing-among-the-racks event, with designer clothing, shoes and some accessories at least 60% off. Most is, however, gloriously 75% off or more.

Believe it or not, many foreigners actually fly in for the NY sale; it's legendary. This is why Barneys sale workers hand out garbage bags to hold your potential purchases, because this is the sale where everyone stocks up on labels for the year. Some examples for women: tons of Lanvin, Prada, Marc Jacobs, Christopher Kane, Jil Sander and the odd Rodarte here and there. For men, it's a range of your wildest dreams, including Dior Homme, Prada (Prada for everyone), Alexander McQueen, Woolrich, John Varvatos and Paul Smith. The pertinent details:

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How We Packed for Two Weeks in Singapore, in a Single Carry-on

January 24, 2012 at 11:15 AM | by | Comments (2)


Click to view the image larger

Last week when we hopped off to Singapore on the inaugural run of the Singapore Airlines A380 JFK-FRA-Sin, we tweeted a quick photo of our baggage before boarding. This is it. Yes, that's all of it for two full weeks of both business and fun; everything we need is there in an 18" four-wheel Titan hardshell carry-on and a lightweight "personal item" purse from Y-3, which comfortably fits both our laptop and DSLR.

Immediately after sending the pic, we were blasted with replies and emails wondering how we could pack so light and not be a backpacker or weekender. It's quite simple, really; practice makes perfect and we recently returned from three weeks around Thailand with almost the same set, except swapping a larger Filson Field Duffel for the Y-3 purse. See a pic of it for proof here.

In addition to practice, we pack by two rules: never roll or bunch anything (we fold flat and stack in a Flight 001 Spacepak) and if it all can't comfortably fit spaced out on a double bed, then some things still must be cut. Here's a full list of all that made it with us to Singapore in those there bags:

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Up Close with Singapore Airlines' New First Class Kiehl's Kit

January 12, 2012 at 10:05 AM | by | Comments (0)

Next week, the massive Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 will finally begin regularly scheduled flights from New York-JFK. It only makes sense, then, to have Singapore upgrade some smaller things to go along with this literally superjumbo change. Namely, they are also introducing a new amenity kit in First Class and the Suites, on SQ flights from New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Houston.

The products—five travel-sized formulas to work against dry airplane skin—are from NYC's Kiehl's Since 1851. And no, this isn't the entire First Class amenity kit; it's just the skin care portion, as there's plenty other goodies on your seat if you're traveling in the fancy classes.

Curious what other brands airlines will have you slather on your face mid-flight? United has Murad, Delta has Korres, LAN goes with Bulgari, British Airways gives D.R. Harris & Co. in First, Cathay has Dermalogica and American has recently switched theirs from Burt's Bees to Dermalogica as well.

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It's Okay to Shop for Holiday Gifts in Airport Vending Machines

December 22, 2011 at 12:07 PM | by | Comments (0)

This may seems like the jankiest holiday gift shopping suggestion ever, but trust us for a moment; airport vending machines are a viable option for Christmas and Chanukah presents. We know because we've seen quite a variety of vending machines in our travels, and felt the pressure to buy last-minute hostess gifts just before jumping on planes.

No terminal has a better variety of random vending machines than JetBlue's Terminal 5 at JFK, but SFO's T2 and Tokyo-Narita are up there as well. What you want to look for are variety machines like the "U*Tique" machine pictured above. It's got everything from Jonathan Adler ceramic salt & pepper shakers to kits from The Art of Shaving, to those sparkly Lady Gaga bud headphones. Some super easy stocking stuffers in there.

A step up is obviously the Best Buy machine, with its iPods, Bluetooth headsets, GPS and gadget cases.

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Shopping Two of New Zealand's Best Farmers' Markets: What to See, Smell and Taste

Where: 55 Melmore Terrace, Cromwell, Otago, New Zealand, 9342
December 21, 2011 at 4:06 PM | by | Comments (0)

Based on our recent experience eating our way through New Zealand, the country’s food scene is bursting at the seams not only with talented chefs discovering the agricultural bounty of their island nation, but also farmers' markets where the producers and purveyors of all these fabulous foodstuffs are peddling their wares and showing off the best of what they grow.

To find out just where all these tasty products are coming from and to meet some of the growers, we stopped by two of the country’s best known weekend farmers’ markets at opposite ends of New Zealand:

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Three London Christmas Markets That Nod to the German Tradition

December 20, 2011 at 3:32 PM | by | Comments (0)

Christmas markets are an advent of countries like Germany and Austria, but the honored holiday tradition has been adopted by cultures the world over.

In London, there's yuletide market merriment to be found stretching from the Thames to Columbia Road. Sprinkled throughout the city, these shopping fairs feature vendors hawking everything from fresh mulled wine to crafts to handmade jewels, offering ample opportunity to shop for presents and partake of seasonal cheer.

There are only a few days left to peruse the "chalet" stalls for last-minute gifts as you take in the sight of strung lights and sip on hot cocoa. We've highlighted three of the city's best Christmas markets:

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Buy This: Sturdy Bikes with Good Design at Adeline Adeline NYC

December 20, 2011 at 10:03 AM | by | Comments (0)


A bike from Scottish brand Paper Bicycles

It's crunch time for holiday presents. This close to the weekend, you're either shelling out for 2-day/overnight shipping or just heading into a store to pick up gifts in person. Still stuck for ideas? Just think about what you wanted as a kid, but updated. Luckily our answer to that is "a bike a bike!" and buying bicycles for your friends or family is luckily something easily done last-minute.

As huge proponents of both bike sharing and cycling wherever possible, we admit that our biggest, big-ticket gift suggestion this year (for anyone, really) is a proper sturdy bike with some style. Fortunately one New York City store specializes in such two-wheelers: Adeline Adeline.

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Project Re:Start Brings (Colorful) Retail Back to Christchurch

Where: Cashel Street, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
December 13, 2011 at 4:25 PM | by | Comments (0)

While much of the “red zone” in the city center of Christchurch remains empty of people (save for the demolition crews checking the abandoned buildings that still make up a large part of the area), we came across a little rehabilitation project right at the edge that’s bringing life and color back to the devastated city, Project Re:Start.

Project Re:Start is kind of like a pop-up mall made up of purpose-built, brightly colored shipping containers that have been arranged and stacked along Cashel Street and converted into shops and cafes. The project was financed with NZ$3.36 million from a the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal fund.

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Buy This: Retro Road Maps

December 13, 2011 at 3:15 PM | by | Comments (0)

While we're extolling the virtues of Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood, we can't neglect to drop a holiday gift suggestion that's both cheap and easy. Yes, cheap and easy can actually be good.

Browsing at Brimfield, we came across a tin brimming with vintage road maps and hotel ads, the sort once handed out by gas stations to motorists on road trips or who were just frequent patrons. This is the 1960s of modernist design and good highways, so the flimsy pamphlets are both gorgeous and entertaining.

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Neighborhoods to Know and Go: Chicago's Andersonville (in Instagram)

Where: Clark Street [map], Chicago, IL, United States
December 13, 2011 at 12:38 PM | by | Comments (3)

We're going to give it to you straight. There once was a time—not too long ago at all—that the north side Chicago neighborhood of Andersonville was known as an area where girls who like girls settled down and raised their kids and altogether made the area a desirable and safe place to stay forever. We're happy to report that the spirit of inclusiveness prevails, but a bloom of craft beer bars and brunch-happy restaurants have brought in a more mixed crowd and—dare we say it—tourists way tired of the Michigan Avenue crap.

Andersonville is where to come if you want to leisurely stroll while window shopping, sipping some excellent coffee and reminiscing about college with a friend you haven't seen in years. There will be occasional breaks to coo at babies in their strollers, pet Dachshunds in quilted tartan coats and impulse buy entire pieces of vintage furniture. God it's just so great when you really need to be in or are already in a warm and fuzzy mood, no matter the season.

Without further ado, our personally picked top spots to hit in Andersonville:

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Gift These: Annual Memberships to Your Favorite Frequent Flyer's Airline Lounge

December 13, 2011 at 9:51 AM | by | Comment (1)


What's shaking at the Delta SkyClub...

Frequent flyers in your family don’t want one of those inflatable neck pillows, and they especially don’t want anything from the SkyMall catalog—well, probably. However, what they do want is access to an airline lounge, so they can think of you each and every time they escape the madness of the terminal in favor of a comfortable chair and an adult beverage. Sure, there's a significant annual admission to what lies beyond the automatic doors, so maybe you should just get it for yourself instead of asking Santa.

Here's a quck rundown of the pricing and features of the four major US carriers' lounges, just in case you're feeling extra generous:

· American Airlines Admirals Club Lounge
If you’re a big fan of American Airlines and their shiny planes, there’s no better lounge to access. Membership gets you free beverages—both boozy and not—as well as some snacks, WiFi, and access to computers and printers. There’s 40 clubs across the airline’s network with the majority in the nifty fifty. Getting in will set you back a cool $500 for the year, but if you just want to test things out before committing it’s $50 per visit. That way you can check out their additional food offerings, as select clubs have a little bit of a restaurant thing going on.

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