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Diane Kronstad Editor of FashionsDigest Covering LIVE - Latest in Fashion, Beauty,Tech, Dining,Travel & Lifestyle in NYC and beyond.

Fashion & Skincare Holiday Gift Guide for Him 2019

Take a look inside Fashions Digest Holiday Gift Guide for Him 2019 for the guy in your life and see newly launched Fashion & Skincare products with excellent reviews to make great gifts at every age.

Gobi Heat Shift Men’s Heated Snowboard Jacket- Make sure he’s stylish while being protected from the elements with 5 zone 9-hour battery heating to 4 zones in front & large zone in back, conductive thread heating element, built-in snow gaiter & ventilation. Avail in 3 colors $220.15 Shop here gobiheat.com

Nautica Westport Silicone Chronograph Watch- slender/sporty look, multifunctional dial, chronograph movement & 330 ft. water-resistant. $180.00 Shop here nautica.com

Nourishing Biologicals L’Unique Men’s Face Serum- With ingredients to vigorously heal & renew men’s thicker skin at the intracellular level & restore natural resilience for a firmer complexion. $90.00 Shop here nourishingbiologicals.com

Mountain Khakis Men’s Whiskey Suede Shirt JAC- Expensive lookings yet down to earth shirt made with the softest leather & inside lining with 2 pockets and buttoned collar in color. $299.00 shop here mountainkhakis.com to get 25% Off Purchase with code MKHOLIDAY25

NewMed Concepts Hush & Hush Deeply Rooted- Hair growth supplement for men & women with biotin & ashwagandha that rescues thinning hair & temporary hair loss by targeting & encouraging thicker, longer & stronger hair growth. $85.00 get 25% off the price with code: GIVETHANKS at hushandhush.com

Armitron Men’s Gold-Tone Stainless Steel Analog Bracelet Watch- Matte Gold Dial, Red Alum Accents for a stylish, classic look with a pop of color at an affordable price $110.00 Shop here armitron.com

Eminence Organics Cucumber Eye Gel 1.05oz- Lightweight and not perfumy made with nature’s fresh ingredients to reduce the look of puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines as it effectively balances moisture for all skin types. $68.00 Shop here emstore.com

Addidas Terrex Skychaser XT Mid Gore Tex Shoes- Waterproof Mid-cut hiker built for comfort and smooth movement over rugged\slippery terrain and the toughest trails. Available in 2 colors $225.00 adidas.com

Dermaquest Men’s Kit- Specifically engineered to address the unique concerns and needs of men’s skin includes: Infusion Cleanser 2fl oz Stem Cell Rebuilding Complex 5fl oz Essential Moisturizer 1oz SheerZinc SPF 30 1oz $80.00 Shop here dermaquestinc.com

Oofos Men’s Oomg Fibre Low Shoe blk/grey- Reduces stress on sore feet, knees & back With combined proprietary OOfoam technology & OOtex Fibreflex fabric for soft, breathable & lightweight wearability & worn above the ankle for a uniquely comfortable shoe you don’t need to take off. $139.99 Shop here oofos.com

Rahua Daily Hair Care Kit- Popular hair brand that has 8 pc unisex set that suits all hair types needs and goals for shampooing, conditioning & styling made with plants and potent Rainforest grown oils. Take it along with you on a Holiday visit $40.00 rahua.com

Tifosi Optics Smoove Satin Java Fade Polarized Sunglasses- Great for winter running and hiking with Glare guard Polarized lenses, light durable Grilamid frame, no-slip Hydrophobic rubber fit & Polycarbonate lenses. $49.95 Shop here tifosioptics.com

WowWee What’s That Smell? Scent Guessing Game- Give a hilarious gift for all ages with this fragrant game and test your sniffer with over 50 smells from nice to stinky. $19.99 Shop here walmart.com

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Restaurant Roundup: Top NY Restaurant Picks For The Holiday Season

Chola Coastal Indian Cuisine is located in Midtown East NYC Sutton Place neighborhood. Chola has recently revamped the dining interior and introduced a new menu inspired from India regions covering 8,000 miles of coastland consisting of seaside delicacies prepared in a modern fusion/fine dining experience.

Chola has been established and in the same location since 1998 by a husband and wife team that have a lot of experience in getting it right with a creative menu, seasonings imported from India and Asia, fresh-baked bread, samosas, dessert & fresh exotic seafood. Come in for exciting Indian food and presentation that is not the ordinary in a relaxed yet traditional environment.

Our faves were the Lata Shetty’s Kori Gassi- Mangalorean coconut chicken curry, red masala for a complexed spicy, creamy taste. Jhinga Koliwada-shrimp fried with a light coating nicely seasoned and juicy. Meen Moilee Branzino- fresh fish with coconut, turmeric, curry leaves for a creamy fresh taste. Lobster Ghee- Roasted & Spicy red & pounded masala for an intense flavor. Freshly made desserts and a full wine & cocktail menu with a good selection of Indian beer are available. Chola Coastal Indian Cuisine is open for lunch– à la carte & unlimited buffet, dinner & takeout. Visit cholany.com (212) 688-4619 232 E 58th St New York, NY 10022

Mizu Restaurant is located on east 20th street in the classy, hip NYC Gramercy/Flatiron neighborhood. Mizu is housed in a large space with Asian inspired decor, lighting ambiance and a sushi bar placed in the back/middle where diners can see the tradition of choosing, slicing and preparing fresh fish dishes by sushi chefs.

The high-quality sushi-grade fish is sourced from trusted local purveyors brought in 1 to 2 times daily. Popular Sushi bar appetizers are the White Tuna Truffle- delicately seared with a smattering of truffle oil & yuzu soy. Black Cod Fish- with chef’s special miso sauce. Crazy Toro Roll- spicy tuna, avocado, Cajun seared toro, eel sauce, jalapeño & sriracha.

A must to order is the Omakase Sushi experience that offers expensive fish and cuts with the Chef’s choice of eight pieces of specialty fish and a negitoro roll- spicy. Selections can include King Salmon, Red Snapper, Scallop, Sea Urchin and the melt in your mouth exotic fatty bluefin tuna (Chūtoro) priced affordably. Our other faves were the Flatiron roll- crunchy salmon, avocado & ikura. Honey wasabi tuna steak & Sashimi entree- 17 pieces of chef’s special assortment.

Mizu offers a large menu including soaps salads, appetizers, hot dishes-Tempura, Wasabi, Katsu, Terriyaki, ramen and more. Deserts are Japanese ice cream creations and Banana Spring roll. Drink menu includes Wine, Sake, cocktails and premium liquor.

Come to Mizu Restaurant for the traditional (Washoku) art of sushi & sashimi that’s beautifully presented with hand-selected fresh fish expertly sliced from the choicest cuts into large flavorful proportions and creative menu options that will have you leaving full and happy. Mizu Restaurant is open weekly for lunch, dinner and takeout. visit here spoondelivery.com1 (212) 505-6687 29 East 20th Street, New York, NY 10003

TGA NYC Restaurant located in midtown West conveniently next to boutique hotels is a next level architectural lounge eatery with deliciously dangerous and warm in my tummy Holiday Cocktails like the Snow Bunny made with Tequila and White Christmas made with dark rum, all with premium brand liquor available & special for the Holidays & winter season.

Chef Caldron who is a certified executive chef has recently joined TGA NYC along with a new menu serving up top-notched food & huge portions at lounge prices. TGA NYC will be celebrating Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with a special $35 prix fixe menu So treat yourself & loved ones to a fun time and great eating experience at TGA NYC for the Holidays.

Our faves were the SALMON CRUDO– nicely sliced and fresh paired with flatbread, ginger sesame, onions & Aioli, TARTER- made with mostly tuna for a properly proportioned fresh taste, BEEF TENDERLOIN– smoked salt rub, tomato chimichurr, grilled asparagus & garlic potatoes, Grilled Salmon- Lemon Caper Butter Sauce, Potato Au Gratin & Vegs along with delightful desserts. TGA NYC is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and seasonal outdoor dining. Visit here tganyc.com 212-651-4842 320 W 36th St, New York, NY 10001

Lela Mediterranean brasserie is a new NYC restaurant located in a charming brownstone nestled on a chic upper west side 74th street block with an interior styled Istanbul decor. Executive Chef Met Kaba serves popular Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine with ingredients imported from the Mediterranean coast or Maramara region in Istanbul. The restaurant’s interior decor is Turkish inspired for a relaxed, authentic experience.

We especially liked the Merguez Pide very tasty with minced meat, onions, parsley and tomato on nicely baked flatbread, Enzine salad- fresh and plentiful Greek salad with ezine cheese and the slowly cooked & tender Lamb Shank with porcini and orzo risotto. Lela Mediterranean brasserie is open for brunch, dinner and takeout visit leylanyc.com (347) 334 7939 108 W 74th Street New York, NY 10023

Senso Unico Restaurant located on a quiet Sunnyside street in Queens where you feel far from the city but only a 15-minute train ride away from midtown. This Trattoria is family-owned and operated by Chef/Owner Vincenzo Garofalo who runs the kitchen and has an extensive Michelin starred restaurant background along with his wife Laura Garofalo who takes care of the hospitality making sure to visit each table to greet patrons and suggest wine & specialties.

Our faves were the tasty Gnocchi Di Castagne- ricotta chestnuts & dumplings, Prociutto- fresh and nicely sliced and the perfectly seasoned & tender Calamara.

if you want to experience an inviting Trattoria eatery come into Senso Unico for the warm atmosphere, fine dining and affordable prices. Senso Unico Restaurant is available for outdoor seasonal seating, Lunch, dinner, takeout & catering. Visit sensounicorestaurant.com (347) 662-6101 4304 47th Ave, Sunnyside, NY 11104

PASTA EATER is a newly opened NYC Italian restaurant owned by restaurateur Giusto Priola and Chef Luigi Cetrulo; located in the fun and hip Union Square area. Historic Pasta traditions from Sicily and regions of Italy are made from scratch for the freshest homemade pasta in many choices. we also loved the grilled fish and shellfish perfect with olive oil dripped on after grilling. Chef Luigi understands that if fish is fresh and pasta is homemade there is no need to add a lot of ingredients and the result is simply delicious.

Our faves were the grilled prawns- crispy and sweet like popcorn and the Branzino was unbelievably fresh. My favorite pasta dishes were the fresh and full-bodied Gigli pasta with basil pesto and the succulent Troccoli pasta with lobster. Prices are affordable especially when you can BYOB. PASTA EATER is open for Lunch, dinner and dessert visit pastaeater.com (212) 637-5910 9 East 17 Street New York, NY 10003

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Restaurant Roundup: Top Ethnic Cuisines Autumn picks in NYC, Queens & Brooklyn

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Roasted Masala- A new Indian establishment located on the upper west side near Columbia University that takes their food seriously… read more

Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay Compact Digital Camera – Fuji’s smallest, lightest camera prints vibrant photos plus if you don’t like your shot you can erase no need to print and waste with easy to use app. avail in 3 colors $159.99 Shop here: bestbuy.com

Body Bio PC phosphatidylcholine
Liquid 4 fl.oz.- Gives your brain an edge with Phosphatidylcholine- essential for memory
Phosphatidylethanolamine vital to mitochondrial function & Phosphatidylinositol supportive to the brain & neurotransmission $49.99 Shop here **bodybio.com**

Mobile Edge Core Gaming Backpack- Designed specifically for gamers fits 18 inch Panel Notebook and large storage sections pre-wired for power bank or external battery. Available in Black & Red $129.99 Shop here: mobileedge.com

**Quicksilver Scientific Liposomal Methyl B-12- Supports nerve tissue, brain cells, promotes better sleep and the first product to pack complex array of B-vitamin chemistry into a single usage** **$50.00 Shop here:** **quicksilverscientific.com**

ASICS Metarun Women’s Sneaker in Ironclad- Stylish & sleek loaded with running shoe technology including heel X Gel & Pronation- impacts distribution upon foot rolling landing $250.00 Shop here asics.com

**Codex Beauty Skin Superfood- non-irritant cream that hydrates, nourishes & treats dry, flaky or irritated skin for silky results on face & body $50.00 Shop here:** **codexbeauty.com**

BZEES Women’s Boomerang Tall Shaft Boot- Feel weightless and comfortable in these boots so you can concentrate on your classes with BZEES Cloud Technology, Stretch microfiber upper, round reinforced toe and stretch bungee cord at the topline. Available in brown & black ^$**99.00 Shop Here** **bzees.com**

**Maui Jim** **421 SUGAR BEACH Sunglasses- Rimless Frame, Polarized Lenses, with Patented PolarizedPlus2 Lens Technology $169.99 Shop here:** **Sunglasshut.com**

Carter + Jane The Everything Oil-For eye, face, lip, neck & décolletage as a serum & moisturizer for day/night & cleanser with 100% USDA certified organic high-purity cold pressed prickly pear seed oil,Vegan, Pro A3 Concentrate & more for all ages, genders, skin types $128.00 Shop here: **carterandjane.com**

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Review- Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Waters Edge Villas Gros Islet, St. Lucia #BayGardensBeachResort @baygardensbeachresort

Right on the northern tip of St Lucia, Gros Islet was once a fishing village but is now a thriving and popular resort. Located about an hour and half away from the international airport, this part of the island is well served by taxis and buses as well as airport shuttles.

With year-round glorious weather, Gros Islet also enjoys a wonderful climate with high temperatures and plenty of sunshine. We stayed in two stunning properties in this part of the island and had an absolutely amazing time. Our first Stay was at Bay Gardens Beach Resort, St Lucia where we had a suite at the Bay Gardens Beach Resort in Rodney Bay Village. This property boasts a fabulous location right next to the island’s best beach, Reduit Beach, perfect for boating, where we enjoyed our cruise tour. the beach is known for it’s mile of white gold sand which is perfect for swimming.

The Splash Island Water Park is just next door and is open to hotel guests while the bars in the heart of the resort are only a ten-minute stroll away. We loved staying within easy reach of the action while also having the option to enjoy the resort’s own wonderful amenities.

The colorful resort itself features six accommodation blocks of three stories each, all with bright lime and orange paintwork. The grounds are full of bushes and flowers, while the huge pool is the perfect spot to cool off. We really enjoyed the pleasant, relaxing atmosphere, although we did drag ourselves away from our sunbeds to try some of the hotel’s activities. There are water sports on offer including kayaking and water-skiing, as well as an on-site spa and fitness center. We also took the water taxi to Pigeon Island across the bay for a spot of sightseeing.

We loved our luxurious suite with its comfortable bed, separate living area, spacious bathroom and full kitchen. We also enjoyed dining in the two al-fresco restaurants with their delicious a la carte meals and buffets. With everything included in the cost, we found our stay to be great value and a whole lot of fun for all the family, with kids’ clubs and family-friendly activities in the price. We also thought that this would be a wonderful place for honeymooning couples thanks to its relaxing yet luxurious atmosphere, its comfortable accommodation and its wealth of facilities.

Waters Edge Villas, Gros Islet The second part of our dream stay in St Lucia was in a four-bed villa at Waters Edge Villas in Rodney Bay. Right on the waterfront, this property afforded incredible views over the marina and since it was right in the heart of the main resort area, we had easy access to shopping malls, restaurants, bars and the casino.

The modern villa offered the height of luxury with all contemporary conveniences. Although we had our own private kitchen for self-catered meals while benefiting from all the amenities at Bay Gardens Beach Resort which was just a shuttle ride or stroll away. With enough space to accommodate ten people, a private swimming pool, deck and beautiful decor, we enjoyed a truly luxurious stay here. We thought these villas would be ideal for larger groups of friends or families wanting to enjoy their own private space.

Both the resorts we stayed in during our special vacation were absolutely beautiful and offered every amenity to make our stay perfect. We had a wonderful time in St Lucia and would return again in a heartbeat. With fabulous facilities in an equally gorgeous setting, it’s a vacation we won’t forget in a hurry!

**My travel including** **JetBlue** still my favorite way to go. I enjoyed my flight St. Lucia hassle free and on time. The courteous staff, extra space / legroom, low lighting and upgraded air purifying system made for an easy sleep environment. Well rested I enjoyed complimentary wifi, snacks, drinks and a reasonably priced meal along with the newest movies; all making my flight feel shorter. Want more space to lay out and sleep the whole flight? upgrades are available for a nominal fee.

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Summer Essentials Guide 2019 #summerbeauty #summertech

Take a look inside Fashions Digest Summer Essentials Guide 2019 to see newly launched products reviewed for excellence and perfect for the summer season.

Revive Soleil Superiéur Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen PA++++ 1.7 oz- Pamper skin with luxuriously lightweight sunscreen, ultra transparent, lasts long in/out water & gives you superb in-sun protection $115.00 Shop here **reviveskincare.com**

**Raincry Travel Detangling Paddle Brush- No snagging, breaking or damaging & safe to use on wet hair and all hair types with specially tipped metal bristles for ultimate comfort $55.00 Shop Here** **raincry.com**

**Mr Charger PowerBank- 4 n 1 Wall Charger, Cords, world Adapters all-in-one portable 10000 mAh power charger to meet your summer travel needs $54.00 Shop Here indiegogo.com**

**SPARITUAL Hydrating Mist 4fl oz- Moisturize, hydrate, soothe & tone with ancient healing ingredients including Aloe, Vanilla Extract & Apple Fruit sparitual.com**

**Asics womens GEL-KAYANO- Save your feet while getting fit with this lightweight stability running shoe that features a combo of softer, springier FlyteFoam & shock absorbing GELhee/heel clutching** **technologies in summer colors $160.00 Shop Here** **asics.com**

Honeywell QuietClean Air Purifier- cleans 99% of microscopic allergens/air pollutants with 3 levels settings, easy to replace washable filter alerts when to change & runs silent in a sleek tower design $159.00 Shop Here **homedepot.com**

**Young Living Essential Oils Desert Mist Diffuser- multiple settings up to 10 hours of blissful aroma therapy designed to run longer and customize with more features $83.88 Shop Here** youngliving.com

**Kamedis Calming Lotion 1.01 fl oz- Targets & treats red, itchy & irritated skin while moisturizes with cooling lotion-gel $10.99 Shop here**
kamedis-usa

**Rahua Voluminous Dry Shampoo 1.8 oz.- Natural plant based dry shampoo that adds volume & cleanses $32.00 Shop here** **rahua.com**

**iGUANEYE Jungle Light Shoe- Ultralight & waterproof sole with minimum shoe design feels like your walking barefoot while being supported in comfort $59.00 Shop Here** **www.indiegogo**

plusOne vibrating bullet- powerful, waterproof, runs on long lasting rechargeable lithium battery with 10 settings; discreet enough to take with you anywhere in it’s own travel storage bag $15.99 Shop here **target.com**

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Papillion Bistro and Bar is located at 22 East 54 Street Nestled between iconic Fifth & Madison Avenue in NYC where it’s sidewalk cafe patrons can enjoy a relaxed lunch, or pre-dinner drinks and soak up the atmosphere Just a stone’s throw from the Museum of Modern art & famous Madison Avenue shopping district a popular venue for shoppers.

The restaurant attracts a mix of locals and tourists and serves a selection of international cuisine making use of traditional ingredients like Bourbon and habanero sauce and is vegetarian friendly.

We entered Papillion Bistro at 6pm and were pleasantly surprised by The décor from the Parisian Beaux-Arts period created with alcoves, light fixtures, wall art, wood work and more for a relaxed charm. Our friendly server greeted us courteously and seated us efficiently at a pleasant part of the restaurant in comfortable seating with a view of the long oak wood bar where I watched the bartender shaking up cocktails.

There is a brunch, lunch and dinner menu open everyday from 10:00 am to 10:30 pm. The menu offers a good selection of traditional pasta dishes, salads and the traditional burger and steak choices. Fresh seafood such as shellfish including shrimp, oyster, tuna, salmon and sea bass is also available.

For our drink choice we chose an Old Smokey cocktail with four roses bourbon, cedar smoke, smoked simple syrup, orange bitters, luxardo cherry. It had the most exquisite complex flavor both sweet and sour with a luxurious cherry undertone and was the perfect start to our hors d’oeuvres.

for our starters we chose the Papillon House Salad with grilled chicken that takes on a twist from the Waldorf salad with crispy onions and a truffle vinaigrette, French Onion Soup Au Gratin loaded with melted Swiss cheese, Fried oysters with horseradish Beurre Blanc, fresh tuna and coconut shrimp served with sweet habanero mango that compliments well with the coconut.

For our main course I had the free range half-roasted chicken moist & flavorful, creamy mashed potatoes lightly seasoned & buttered and the sautéed escarole & haricots verts freshness/crunch with a creamy whole grain mustard sauce that complimented the dish giving it an extra piquant taste.

My companion had the rib-eye steak served with mashed potatoes complimented by the flavorsome gravy and steamed vegetables. The steak was extremely tender and succulent, the fresh broccoli cooked to perfection with a crunch and the honey-glazed carrots had a buttery texture.

After a suitable pause, we ordered desert which arrived quickly. We chose a delicious chocolate mousse cake with raspberry sauce. The chocolate cake was rich moist and sticky and the raspberry sauce had a crisp tart flavor.

Our service at Papillion Bistro was swift and coordinated for each course with our friendly and professional server checking in on us making sure that everything was to our satisfaction.

We found the dining experience extremely pleasant and observed that other diners were served quickly and also seemed delighted with their menu choices. I will definitely be returning to Papillon Bar and Bistro to try out the rest of the succulent menu and sample some more cocktails. It gets my vote for great food, drinks and a lovely relaxed ambiance as well as a great location.

For Menu options and reservations please call or visit: 212 754 9886 papillionbistro.com

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Take a look inside Fashions Digest Fathers Day Gift Guide 2019 to see newly launched Fashion, Fragrance & Skincare products with excellent reviews to make great gifts for Dad at every age.