Tattooists turn scars into butterflies

Looking to dress up a scar? Turn it into a butterfly. Or a lizard. Many people, especially women who have had mastectomies or other surgeries, are electing to do just that. Some tattoo artists welcome the challenge. When a woman came to Damien Deeds’ Manhattan tattoo parlor last year with a five-inch perforated keloid scar […]

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Designer purse rentals let women bag a deal

Want to carry a classic Chanel bag or the latest Louis Vuitton? Try borrowing one… Whether you call them totes, purses, clutches or satchels, it’s no secret that women love their handbags. They’re more than just functional accessories; the right bag can convey unspoken messages, like how stylish or successful a woman is. And just […]

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Rare dogs gain acceptance, but some breeders growl

The American Kennel Club helps many new breeds gain acceptance. But in the cloistered world of rare-dog breeding, not everyone welcomes the help… Forty-four black-and-tan paws padded gingerly across the royal-blue carpet in a well-formed line. Waves of nervousness and excitement passed over Susan Bass, who stood toward the front of the line. Bass’ dog […]

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Got enough Tupperware? Try jeans parties

Designer-jeans parties offer a fun ladies’ night of bargain shopping… But the increasingly popular parties can be hot spots for counterfeits… On a recent Saturday night, Lauren Keizer-Nathan and a bunch of girlfriends gathered at their friend’s New York City apartment to drink some wine and drop their pants-in the name of fashion and a […]

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Is it art or just a urinal?

San Francisco artist Clark Sorensen creates fully functioning flower-shaped urinals that can be plumbed and used in a bathroom… His “Nature Calls” series is a line of one-of-a-kind, hand-made, porcelain fixtures. Five years ago, standing over a urinal in his office restroom, Clark Sorensen found his porcelain muse. “I kept thinking, here’s something that we […]

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Dining through the seasons

Restaurants are taking seasonal dining to a new level, changing the interior design, flower arrangements and menu to match the season… This fall, Park Avenue Restaurant, on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, closed its doors for a three-day whirlwind of renovations: a new menu, a new facade, new interior design-a new restaurant, in fact, called Park […]

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Spinning an eco-friendly yarn: Knitting goes green

Will knitting mavens be willing to sacrifice beloved shades and textures in order to save the planet? Yarn manufacturing is toxic and can be highly destructive to the environment. A number of companies have responded with all-natural, eco-friendly yarns. After the September 11 terrorist attacks, Jonelle Raffino found herself suddenly out of work. So did […]

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Collective Couture: Young designers join forces

Cutting-edge fashions aren’t the only thing being created by independent designers in New York… These designers are teaming up in cooperatives and working together toward one goal: launching their careers. The Dressing Room, on New York’s Lower East Side, is hardly a typical urban hot spot. Sure, its bar has mood lighting, antique mirrors and […]

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