LYRA MAG.

TO  NOW Part One: Venice Open for tourists...Christmas time in romantic-family friendly Venice Italy is ON! The event packed  LE CITTÀ IN FIESTA NATALE -includes multiple holiday events and experiences including real deal outdoor ice skating in those glorious scenic piazzas, festive musical concerts and twinkling bright special Christmas lights...in addition to all the usual amazing Venetian attractions. Give: A special thanks (or donation) to the incredible American based Save Venice non-profit ( savevenice.org/donate  ) -that tirelessly funds/oversees the restoration and conservation of Venitian historical and artistic treasures. AND:  A matching fund drive by Save Venice (up to $100,000)  titled the IMMEDIATE RESPOND FUND is going on now to support urgent relief efforts,  preventative conservation and to forever protect that Italian destination's cultural heritage for future generations. Specifically:   the Immediate Response Fund, a...

Positive IRL news on the control and curing of diseases that used to be fatal, fast- is always welcome in our inbox and social media feeds!!!!!  One of the most promising updates we got recently-was from a summary of a keynote-delivered by Samuel Waxman -a renown physician-with a mission- at the 2019 Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF) Breakthroughs Scientific Symposium.  Specifically-the Waxman Foundation-with a mandate to fund + collaborate global research  to develop novel therapeutics to treat cancers -informed attendees about recent efforts  "...  based on new understandings of epigenetic and genetic mechanisms associated with cancer development and progression, how cancer cells become dormant or reawaken to spread through metastasis, successes in treating childhood leukemia and the role bacteria may play in pancreatic cancer "   Another SWCRF foundation partnership -with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Insti...

'Public' art digitally exhibited. The  MvVO Art Fair 2019-a select juried show of works by individuals employed in the advertising industry-harkens back to the genius inspiration of Andy Warhol's embrace of art/commerce...but in a very 21st century way. Literally the brain child of founder & CEO Maria Van Vlodrop -this annual exhibition/sale- electronically lights up this year ...and will be seen by  hundreds of thousands of humans-courtesy of a link up with 140 UES-Lincoln Center-midtown Manhattan's LinkNYC kiosks (May 1-4, 5-7PM) + gallery group shows. PLUS: adding more wow to the wow architectural transit (tourist) hub Oculus-on its hall length massive digital screens, in downtown Manhattan throughout the month of May. Coinciding with Art NewYork  (Pier 94), Frieze New York  on Randall's Island, NYCxDesign  (May 10-22), and collaborating with sponsors like the non-profit Downtown Alliance -and lead sponsors  Westfield WTC+NBC Universal-t...

Bali-is a magical island -inspiring tourists for fly and flop beaches, Aussie partyers,  peace seeking yoga devotees, and spa haven mavens..to name just a few... who can travel many hours to get to this tropical paradise. A half a planet away... ( sigh, yes )-but Bali can still be experienced aural-visual wise- anywhere-via its music gamelan,,,and a cool film doc (Bali Beats of Paradise)- by native  Livi Zheng on the island's music+dance -recounting the winning funk mash-up with singer-songerwriter-producer-musician-Grammy Award winner -Judith Glory Hill. These ladies gave a live demo of Bali's traditional dance moves At AMC 25 theaters/Times Sq-an appreciative crowd gets in the selfies with Judith Hill Bali Beats of Paradise spotlights Bali-Indonesian gamelan composer Nyoman Wenten and Grammy Award winner-Judith Hill-creative collar-and quest for one million hits... Bali beauty- experience a bit of it-via aromatic  JUARA skincare 's collection of ...

Less Maybe is not More...but is def Preferred Part 2 Set the trends fashion... high/low comfort casual  with glamour accents...seems to filter into how people live-domicile wise...and how luxury living can get defined. Given the luxury of time to live. Services by designer pros ( online ...or investing in the talents offline-of interior decorators/landscapers)... usually incorporate this 21st century wardrobe approach. via GIPHY The upshot-spaces embracing off the shelf  comfort  - bedrooms/baths as sanctuaries- inexpensive  furniture bought 'off the shelf' from RH - Design Within Reach -mixed with expensive custom items ($200,000 sofa seen/sold at Design Miami ) , George Smith 's Brewster chair + Turkish Fireplace Chair from the Commune hand crafted collection-English classics reimagined in California inspired casual ....an area for  working at home and  informally entertaining - ( less the staff  -open floor plans, ch...

SPICE ISLANDS COOK-OUT -A  CULINARY  CLASS Tastebuds Kitchen , a spacious ( very -by NYC standards) -restaurant worthy event space/school- was SRO packed---by the cooking inclined last week. Homemade-blend your own India spice Garam Masala w/ 11 SPICE ISLANDS-or buy ready version Savory samples of appetizers- entrees-desserts- enhanced with a few- deeply flavorful and fresh SPICE ISLANDS spices-are mouthfuls of world global cuisines made with simple, quality ingredients livened up authentic flavors from far flung locales. POPULAR!

MvVO ART Announces AD ART SHOW at Sotheby’s in New York February 22-25, 2018 The First Art Show to Celebrate A New Generation of Artists from the Advertising World With the judicial  recognition of non-mainstream artists (and their art)... a timely exhibition just one week after that $ finale in NYC...displays new emerging-and somewhat under -cover-not heralded artists from the advertising world.  Put on by MvVO ART , an innovative New York-based art venture, the show welcomes a  new generation, indoors .  Says Founder & CEO Maria van Vlodrop, “AD ART SHOW is a platform for discovering exciting new emerging artists that come from a historically rich landscape– following in the footsteps of Warhol, Magritte, Rockwell, O’Keefe, Hopper, Haring, Rosenquist & so many others with dual careers in art and commercial art.”  This groundbreaking art show and MvVO ARTs newest art initiative, will be held at Sotheby’s New York (72nd s...

Limited Edition-Hand Crafted Boots by a legendary men's shoe maestro celebrates 80th anniversary of iconic Vibram's Carramato lug design. Timeless too -Vibram's Italian born Megagrip rubber lug outsole...is a game changer...for those wishing to remained upright when on the move in incremental weather. YUP-those hand wrought details abound in this men's only (wha????) lace-up brush leather suede lace-up hiker hybrid-by cult fav Japanese streetwear label...VISVIM-the  Jibari -takes a day to make. $1200 DESIGNER HIROKI NAKAMURA credit J.Dicuollo. Where: Pop-Up shop at 180 Duane Street-Tribeca-a spacious white gallery with those soaring ceilings-brick walls of areas cast iron architecture...temporarily aligned with retro-style hand crafted apparel/footwear-a stunning fusion of folklore, an urban -cool Asian aesthetic-plus world friendly silhouettes (like the handsome kimonos having a fashion moment-again). VISVIM -has a huge fan club that travels-give...

SAMUEL WAXMAN CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION   COLLABORATING FOR A CURE Annual  Dinner HONORING IN MEMORIAM WILLIAM  S.  GORIN FORMER CEO, MFA FINANCIAL, INC The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation   (SWCRF)  celebrated the  20th Anniversary of its annual Collaborating for a Cure Benefit Dinner & Auction  at  Cipriani Wall Street , posthumously honoring  William S. Gorin , former CEO of MFA Financial, Inc., and featuring a musical performance by  The Avett Brothers .  Avett Brothers-a little bit rock, country, roots and a lot of bit- harmonies. Awesome live band Gorgeous table settings-BYROBIN The gala also introduced SWCRF’s new Partnerships for Aging and Cancer Research Program, in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute on Aging.  Chris Wragge , co-anchor of  CBS 2 News   This Morning , served as master ...

Prostate Cancer Foundation:  2017 New York Dinner . ..featuring guest host  Whoopi Goldberg with special musical performance by  Grammy and Academy Award-winning singer Jennifer Hudson Honoring Peter and Laurie Grauer Legendary actress, comedian, and television host  Whoopi Goldberg   -with PCF founder Michael Milken and one of the distinguished veterans honored. The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) , a nonprofit organization founded by  Michael Milken  dedicated to identifying and funding groundbreaking cancer research programs, hosted the  2017 New York Dinner  at  Cipriani 42 nd  Street  New York.  The night concluded with Grammy and Academy Award-winning singer   Jennifer Hudson belts out her signature  hit songs including “Love You I Do,” “Spotlight,” “And I am Telling You,” and a Whitney Houston medley. WOW!!!!!!. (Patrick McMullan)

second from left, Michelle Meyer-with some of the gals inspired by-and featured in her best-selling book, The Curl Revolution. FYI-the book has how to's for guys, kids and nice-a special shout-out for photographer Karston "Skinny" Tannis . Part One We have a feeling humankind has been trying to tame its mane since appearances were painted on ancient cave walls, back in the day. Leaping forward to the late 20th century...naturally curly tresses in all of their glory...began for us...embracing hairdos of all kinds-as celebrated in the late 60s (the revived on Broadway version) of the musical HAIR...heralding the '...wonders of..." Now even more so-different textures and styles inherent in a multi-cultural society-are welcomed-and we got spectacularly visual proof of this-at the recent book party for The Curl Revolution -by Michelle Breyer-the creative light co-founder of the NaturallyCurly community-born in 1998 (website, social media...). via GIPHY

La Sirena /Maritime Hotel ( yes on the list)  Perfect weather, combined with a spacious outdoor setting (the Cabanas) -Rhone Valley wines (new releases, white, reds, rosés), Italian fare -and hosts Wine Enthusiast's celebratory best 100 restaurants issues= a pretty perfect Monday evening. Terroirs Press/professionals in the biz gathered for an interesting pre-tasting panel on trends in restaurants -and their wine lists-food, customer wants, and we would say updated attitudes about all of the aforementioned. WE Food Editor Nils Bernstein on far right hosted the round table...(l-r)  Four Horsemen (Brooklyn) and Executive Chef. Nick Curtola (from that borough's popular Franny's),  Victoria James, Chef Sommelier at Piora -a certified sommelier at 20 years old and winner of Ruinart Sommelier Competition  and  Best Sommelier of Languedoc-Roussillon - and an author-of a book celebrating Rosé (now 26!!!), and far left- Michaël Engelmann, MS, Wine Dir...