Comment dit-on discount?

The craze for bargain hunting is not only an American obsession. At Mouton à cing pattes, a chain around Paris, one enters into what feels like someone's overstuffed garage. Sorting through the overflowing racks, the difference between this and a yard sale is that hanging on these racks are the creations of Moschino, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Alberto Ferretti to name a few. On your next trip to Paris venture into one of these shops and channel your patience, train your eye, and enhance your wardrobe. Dress like you own the town, pay like you're saving up because you owe the town money.

Cho-ing It All

This weekend famed comedian, Margaret Cho was performing at the Zipper Factory near Hell’s Kitchen. Margaret’s sketch, which thrived off mimicking her mother’s thick Korean accent has transformed to something along the lines of Burlesque. Mom jokes are out and jumping up and down naked while twirling your nipples is in. Cho’s theme was everyone is beautiful so the audience was presented with a strip tease from a drag queen with balls, an obese lady, a midget, and even Margaret Cho. While some of the performances were funny, like the character of the drunken raunchy drag queen stripper, I found the overall show to fall somewhere between boring and gratuitous. The stand-up comedy portion was lacking for anything more sophisticated than a sex-joke. Furthermore, the intention for sexy Burlesque felt a lot more like Vaudeville, a freak show of nakedness. It’s bold to test taboos and liberate the fear of a naked body, but ultimately I feel it is important to preserve a level of privacy and intrigue, and not to let it all hang out like in the words of my great Uncle, "used spaghetti."

Seurat at MoMA

One of the things I really love about the Museum of Modern Art in midtown Manhattan is the fact that people still get dressed up to go there. Patrons ease through the loft-like space past masterpieces and also past not so masterful pieces, in an old New York manner alike to classic Woody Allen films. Make your way there before January 7th to catch the Georges Seurat: The Drawings Exhibit. The top floor of MoMA has its’ walls covered in the conté sketches of the French Neo-Impressionist. The pieces are beautiful, ghost-like, portraits of a diverse 19th Century French society. I suggest following the exhibit with a late lunch at The Modern, the chic restaurant at MoMA.

Tahoe Heat

Winter is almost here and the question is where to ski this year? In January 2007 I went out west to Lake Tahoe, California. Flying into Sacramento is the easiest way to get there, then rent a car—4-wheel drive a must—and watch as the terrain transforms from temperate weather with views of the Pacific into a complete winter wonderland of snow-covered evergreens. Ask about Homewood, its not as vast as Alpine Meadow or the site of the 1960 Olympics, Squaw Valley, but it’s the local favorite with superior lake views as you’re heading downhill. I’m a big fan of all sorts of yoga but be sure to stop at Bikram Yoga Tahoe—even if you’re not into the heat, you can still get one of the greatest massages of your life—particularly important for me after being pummeled by a snowboarder. If you happen to be around Lake Tahoe in the warm season, note that the bikram students cool off by taking a dip in the lake right outside the studio.

Dining in Paradiso

About an hour drive from Palermo is the stunning mountain top town of Cefalù. Extremely narrow streets are lined with porcelain shops and trattorie. A single car pins all promenaders to the storefronts. This city, thought to have been first settled by the ancient Greeks, projects out into the bright blue Tyrrhenian Sea. There are numerous restaurants along Via Carlo Ortolani di Bordonaro that seat customers along the water. I dined at ristorante Al Porticciolo; it is a safe bet for anyone hungry for outandingly fresh fish, a nice wine, and a heavenly view.

Charming Williamsburg

It's been no secret that Williamsburg, Brooklyn has been a hotbed for young thinkers, designers, and café go-ers. My most recent trip on the L train resulted in a lovely, but chilly day of strolling through great boutiques-- including organic and vintage. If you're looking for clothes that are highly fashionable without falling into a trap of trendy multiplicity and passing the items in your closet on passersby-- shop here. Williamsburg is also a great source for furniture for everything from upscale to those who are finally moving out of the dorm. Adorable pre-Starbucks cafés are everywhere. And in this approaching winter season stop at New York Muffin for great hot chocolate or warm up with afternoon cocktails at Sea. Even as Williamsburg becomes more and more famed, it's still cheaper than NYC. I look forward to going back for the nightlife...