LYRA MAG.

To have and to haul-the best durable big lightweight backpacks and duffels for any road (or rail). via GIPHY source reddit.com Made from the rugged material reminds us of sail clothes....Dyneema® Cuben Fiber-non-woven ripstop composite laminate is the primary material...in an eye candy collection by Hyperlite Mountaingear that easily wears well off the trail...  "stripped down high performance." Waterproof, insanely light, high chemical, water and uv resistant minimalist gear made in the USA too. Backpacks of several sizes including WINDRIDER , $340-$375-with three external mesh pockets, YKK zipper and Dyneema®Hardline shoulder straps w/ ⅜"closed cell foam and spacer mesh-¼" foam back panel, Dyneema®Hardline zippered pockets on hip belt, ice axe loop, and compression system with  roll top closure system with 4 top Y-strap compression and side compression straps, adjustable sternum strap, plus a hydro port and internal mesh hydro sleeve.

The decorative masterpieces- Howard Chandler Christy murals-restored. Relaxed elegance - bright with matte white walls and gleaming  blond wooden panels, 'simple' refined  cloth linen, shiny  china,-both white and solid cutlery-plus the professional caring, well-paced service equivalent to the interior plush environment. For many - natives and visitors to New York, the landmark Hotel Des Artistes ground floor restaurant-Café Des Artistes-was THE pre Lincoln Center destination... for a meal with the grown-ups-and later on, a cocktail with friends. And that was pretty much it -as far as late 20th century visits go. What took us so long to re-experience- this iconic space- now the Leopard at des Artistes  with a revived decor- post a painstaking nine month renovation -and its tasteful menu of classic and modern southern Italian culinary staples -overseen by restaurant veterans (Paula Bolla-Sorrentino and Gianfranco Sorrentino and acclaimed Executive ...

Part 2 Graduation sprees, family road trips...it may not be the destination but the journey...still need tough luggage options for all your stuff-coming along for the ride...and long haul home. via GIPHY source: freerepublic.com Thule -makes protection for valuables - personal electronics cases -bike travel bags/racks-BUT ALSO keeps adding to their truly fab series of tricked out backpacks and roller bags that mesh tech functions with sleek urban design silhouettes...and is clearly why we see this brand on hiking trails and on city subways. THULE SUBTERRA collection -city chic-'soft' packs but tough made options for all kinds of journeys.-pictured above the black carry-on is a durable 2 wheeler made of weather resistant 800D nylon-with features like built in id slot, interior with divided main compartments, quick access to keys, wallet-zippered via mesh pocket up top, piggyback strap attachment loop allows for additional bag to be strapped on a pictured above, telesco...

via GIPHY source mylittleparis.com French Cheese Board 41 Spring Street, NYC  T he French Cheese Board-is a destination for cheese lovers...and a delicious boutique with the mission of making everyone who crosses the threshold-lovers of the delectable cheeses of France.  French cheeses are of the  'terroir' as wines are-with distinct tastings Events and classes...feature French wines that pair well with the specialties of the house. cheese boards...include mix of hard, soft-cow-goat milk cheeses fig jam-works well atop camembert cheese  Chateau Des Bormettes-is a family owned vineyard, located 50 meters from the Mediterranean Sea, near Nice, France. Selections from this vineyard-paired with three cheeses...

via GIPHY source: hulu.com L.L BEAN, IGLOO, FJÄLLRÄVEN Part One: Car trips across a country-America or abroad, are a summer tradition... getting humans, packed with the essentials- to peopled spots and the great outdoors. Essentials=luggage/carriers that are lightweight, durable, and multi-compartment/tasking -for shifting locales---hauls well and a lot - from the back seat to scenic motels-to friendly crash pads... And TSA tough enough for the inevitable airplane trip home -loaded down with souvenirs. For small stuff-city slick-day bags that can hit the trails... L.L. Bean Adventure Pro Bag  $89 (and matching duffel) made of super tear resistant 420 denier ripstop nylon coated water resistant polyurethane-zip top closure-padded laptop/fleece lined electronics compartments-ballistic nylon base protects interior stuff, 2 end pockets, three color options... tuck away back straps.... Igloo-has a series of patterned, insulated COOLER bags -that keep things ...

WEAR SAFE ALERT, NITE IZE, SAFE STEPS via GIPHY source: http://gifovea.tumblr.com Adventures abroad, biking afar, hiking nearby, solo workers-interactwith strangers -or- for kids/elderly on their own...people now have choices for electronic safety monitoring systems...that rely on satellites as notification system.  Inspired by a horrific home invasion, the brains behind this affordable safety alert system crafted an easy to use -finger size WEARSAFE TAG-device-pictured above-on the left-that pairs with a smartphone/notepad...and when engaged, can send out an emergency signal to the smartphones-with the WearSafe download-able app- of up to 12 people, The monitoring service-$5/month - $60 a year-is better than other systems out there-that send alerts to Emergency workers only-(often resulting in false-unnecessary actions), WearSafe allows those contacted to hear what's going on too-for a minute prior to an event-and after an alert goes out. Benefits among many-allow...

Part 3: Portable Human Carry Options for the long distance or races ... safe options for BYO LifeStraw by Westergaard, Osprey Dyna Series, Nalgene, Aladdin Earthscape™ Collection via GIPHY source imgur.com A must for adventurers -these LIFESTRAW STEEL lightweight (5.6oz) sipping straws are ideal for ultra marathoners/hikers/bikers and of course, travelers--offering complete confidence in water sipped from nature's sources like mountain streams... t he 2-stage filtration process removes bacteria and protozoa and reduces organic chemical matter and chlorine. Plus comes apart for easy cleaning later on and the filter capsule is replaceable. Added bonus-water tastes delicious...BPA Free and no  chemicals used.  BONUS:  Follow the Liters  program, for every LifeStraw product sold, a child in a developing country receives clean, safe drinking water for an entire school year. LIFESTRAW two stage  BPA free water bottle...available i...

Athlete Essential: Part 2 via GIPHY source www.jakematthew.com Thermoregulation textiles  proven to lower surface temps of active wearer's skin -has been around a few years....and one of the best fabric suppliers, chemical free-patented CoolCore (and its technology)-  smartly shows off  its new M/W tops/bottoms for those on the go. Proprietary construction-manages+distributes body heat - excels moisture wicking and evaporation...CoolCore built into fibers-won't wash out and maintains performance level... sweat activated surface temp can be lowered up to 30%!!! Available June 1 our fav piece-racer back tank top-with side/back sweat zones WHAT ELSE: Dr. Cool Ice and Compression Wraps  (using CoolCore) designed to incorporate the aforementioned healing attributes-wet, or freeze them---then wrap around dry skin-in sizes S,M,L

via GIPHY WITH the mercury rising-outdoor enthusiasts pursuing athletic feats-will probably need to change up a few routines post exercise-not just their workout clothes. Part One: Cryotherapy We've known about this temporary deep freeze 'experience'- (enclosed from the neck down to ankles... immersed in a closed environment in temps anywhere from about -180F to -240ºF (that's right, negative) , 2-3 minutes, typically)-as another version-a  multi-room, gradually colder -treatment-has been available at glammy health spas overseas for years. With athletes-celebs famously advocating the benefits that a cryotherapy treatment can elicit... including healing sore muscles/anti-inflammatory, burn calories (500-800 per session), better sleep, increased endorphins (sense of well being), boosts immune system, oxygenate the blood...we were game to try. At Drive 495 -a VERY well-equiped boutique- two level exercise emporium-featuring one on one instruction- including golf...

Keep luggage to a carry-on with Adidas Outdoors' versatile Terrex Voyager + Solo kicks ...lace-up ease for cities/beaches/boulders/mountain trails. Men's  TERREX SOLO -lightweight low cut climbing shoe we would categorize as an 'approach' shoe-with a breathable mesh upper and abrasion resistant weldings keep feet protected. Stealth® rubber toe cap (that sticky-grippy rubber from brand 5:10) grabs rocks and  rear-foot Traxion™ _ Stealth® outsole Pictured below) provides great grip on stones and trails. Laces are bungee stowed. $120 Terrex Voyager S -all around foot cooling -climacool®-single layer mesh upper provides just enough stability with that overlay. Drainage system through the midsoles sidewalls, stretchy tongue and heel close fitting shoe-keeps debris out but comfy enough for all day wear. Even a thin TPU toe bump....available W in black-white now Traxion™ outsole-provides great grip

via GIPHY source: hellogiggles.com Sparkling and ready to drink whites...top French Loire Valley + Italian wine picks ... Looire Valley Wines: Crisp dry white varietals, rich aromatic white varietals, sweet wines, dry and off dry rosés, fruity reds,  earthy reds, and sparkling. Sparkling Wine, Chenin Blanc $20 Ferrari Brut -Sparkling Trentdoc-100% Chardonnay

via GIPHY Brash and bright-May flower prints -step to in a big way...this season. Some favs... Aerosoles painterly streamlined pump-pretty and comfy! Exquisite with 3 inch heel... onsale now $59 SANUK- Pair O Sails Print -boat shoe inspired slip-ons with vintage vibe washed canvas upper-for women= with the iconic Yoga Mat footbed comfort $50 Coldwater Creek-catalogue-online collection-pretty day to evening Frankly Floral A-Line dress- fit and flare silhouette flatters-onsale now $99.95...back zipper and fully lined-in Misses and Petites

Pet Gear-a royal chariot for dogs PETS GLOBAL family of brands...including  Zignature treats ="limited ingredient formula"-the Kangaroo formula-lean protein- was most popular-note-chicken free products as dogs can be allergic to poultry...also NO eggs, potatoes, gluten, tapioca, corn, soy--- and grain free-traceable ingredients. Good for dogs of all ages. 

HOME STUDIOS/NYC Pampered pooches (mostly small ones) and their owners-flashed some serious style, and sampled traceable treats at yesterday's Retail and Sales Pet Expo...with the latest in canine apparel (frilly-dapper), healthy foods, and 'must have' accessories. Fancy Fare...