A New York Christmas

Colleen Guilfoile Richmond • October 31, 2021
A living room with a couch , chairs , and a table with a view of the city.

The longstanding seasonal traditions and cultural touchstones of New York City have long made it a key destination for Christmastime tourists. Simply put, it is difficult to deny the unique charm and exceptional spirit of the Big Apple during the winter holidays. 


This year, the seasonal pull of New York City promises to be stronger than ever. As people across the United States and around the world begin to emerge from quarantine in the wake of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are particularly eager to come together in celebration, return to our favorite places, make longtime dreams come true, and cross a few items off our bucket lists. 


It has often been said that New York City feels like the center of the world. What better place to visit after being forced to spend so much time inside your home, isolated from loved ones as well as the public at large?

And if you want to stay in the heart of it all while ensuring that you are entirely safe and supremely comfortable, it is tough to beat the luxurious Intercontinental Times Square hotel in Midtown Manhattan. This elegant high-rise hotel contains 607 sleek and well-appointed rooms and suites as well as incredible amenities and public spaces that include a stunning sculpture garden. 


While enjoying the lavish accommodations at the Intercontinental Times Square, you have easy access to so much of what makes New York City so special over the Christmas holidays. And these beloved seasonal spectacles and activities mean even more this year as they represent the very warmest elements of the “return to normal” that we all want so badly.


From visiting the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree to ice skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park, the magical allure of the New York City holiday experience is certainly like no other. Since 1933, trees that average from 69 to 100 feet tall have graced the Rockefeller Center courtyard to the delight of residents and tourists alike. And Wollman Rink has been immortalized in so many different films and television programs that you might just have to pinch yourself as you skate over the same ground as some of your favorite Hollywood stars. 


Every year, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade ends with an early visit from Santa Claus. As he comes to a stop in front of Macy’s department store on Manhattan’s 6th Ave, it marks the unofficial beginning of the Christmas season, which just wouldn’t be the same without the legendary shopping window displays along the adjacent 5th avenue. The biggest department stores in the world use these windows to frame unique and often breathtaking presentations of holiday cheer, typically with some highly creative theme or a throw-back to a bygone era. 


Even the iconic Empire State Building gets into the spirit of the season. Standing at the center of the New York City skyline, it sports Christmas lights of red and green over the holidays. This special seasonal lighting debuts each year along with the opening night of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. For some people, there is no Christmas tradition more vivid than the high leg kicks of the precision chorus Rockettes as they grace the stage at Rockefeller Center’s Radio City Music Hall for this time-honored holiday event.


But, of course, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular is far from the only show in New York City. Perhaps the most exciting news of all, Broadway is reopening in advance of the winter season. Nearly two years after the COVID-19 pandemic forced all 41 Broadway theaters to go dark, some of the biggest and most popular stage productions in the world are now back. 


These shows include the classic Chicago, the family favorite The Lion King, the award-winning Wicked, and the international sensation Hamilton. Producers and theater administrators have protocols in place to optimize safety for both cast and audience members. 


Located in the middle of the New York City Theater District, the Intercontinental Times Square hotel also places a supreme emphasis of the health and wellness of its guests and staff. By partnering with Ecolab, Diversy, and the Cleveland Clinic, the Intercontinental Times Square is using the latest in proven science and advanced technology to ensure that viable wellness protocols are firmly in place and that both public and private spaces are exceptionally clean. 


Guests to the Intercontinental Times Square have everything they need to enjoy the perfect Christmas vacation, whether relaxing in front of their in-room smart TV or grabbing a bite at the fine Stinger Cocktail Bar & Kitchen. The property also offers panoramic views of the New York City skyline, with many rooms designed with striking floor-to-ceiling windows.

A Statement of Power and Prestige

April 28, 2025
If there’s one automotive trend that never goes out of style, it’s the art of personalization—especially when it comes to Range Rovers. Whether it’s vintage resto-mods dripping in nostalgia or rugged, off-road builds designed for adventure, luxury SUV enthusiasts are always seeking something extraordinary. But when it comes to the most lucrative niche of all—modifying brand-new Range Rovers—one name stands above the rest: Overfinch.  For nearly five decades, Overfinch has been elevating the iconic SUV with unmatched craftsmanship, cutting-edge styling, and performance enhancements. Now, with the unveiling of the Velocity Edition, the brand once again redefines what it means to drive in ultimate luxury. The Overfinch Velocity Edition is more than just a Range Rover—it’s a statement. With its sculpted body, bold carbon fiber accents, and widened stance, this SUV exudes confidence from every angle. The exclusive 24” Helix wheels amplify its commanding presence, ensuring it turns heads wherever it roams. Dressed in a sleek Borasco Grey finish, complemented by signature black chrome badging and an illuminated tailgate emblem, this is no ordinary Range Rover—it’s a masterpiece in motion. Step inside, and the experience is just as breathtaking. Hand-stitched Arancia Orange leather envelops the seats, dashboard, and steering wheel, creating a striking contrast that’s both sophisticated and dynamic. Of course, Overfinch offers an endless array of color and material combinations, allowing owners to tailor their interiors to their exact desires. Every inch of the cabin is meticulously crafted, blending contemporary luxury with a performance-driven edge. Luxury is nothing without performance, and the Velocity Edition delivers in spades. Every model comes equipped with an Overfinch sports exhaust system, but for those craving even more power, the brand’s Performance Upgrade for the P530 V8 unleashes an exhilarating 620 horsepower and 656 lb-ft of torque—a substantial boost from the standard 530hp. This is an SUV that doesn’t just glide down the road—it dominates it. The Velocity Edition made its grand entrance at the 8th annual Miami Concours, where it captivated automotive enthusiasts and luxury connoisseurs alike. As one of Overfinch’s most anticipated releases, it’s already generating significant buzz among collectors and discerning drivers. “The Velocity Edition is one of the most highly anticipated Overfinch releases to date,” says Kevin Sloane, Chairman of Overfinch. “It doesn’t just stand out—it commands attention.” And that, after all, is what Overfinch has always been about. Available as a complete vehicle or as a customized overhaul for existing 2023-2025 Range Rover V8 Autobiography or SV models, the Velocity Edition is crafted with meticulous attention to detail by Overfinch’s factory-trained technicians. For those who demand more than the ordinary, the Overfinch Velocity Edition is the ultimate expression of power, prestige, and personalization. More at www.overfinch.com

SPRING CLEANING FOR YOUR BODY

By Vivian Ashcroft • April 25, 2025
A Refresh for Mind, Body, and Spirit

Maison Psyché Unveils Éclat d’Ombre

April 25, 2025
Maison Psyché, the ultra-luxurious perfume house of the Rémy Cointreau Group, continues to push the boundaries of haute parfumerie with its latest olfactory creation, Éclat d’Ombre. This limited-edition masterpiece is a sensorial journey, infused with deep, woody contrasts that evoke the mystery and richness of time itself. Since its groundbreaking debut, Maison Psyché has redefined the fragrance landscape by marrying the worlds of fine perfumery and exceptional spirits. Through its pioneering process of sublimating essences in Cognac cellars, the House has perfected the art of metamorphosis—blending, transforming, and elevating the rarest raw materials into olfactory treasures. “Maison Psyché draws on its ancestral savoir-faire to create a new level of excellence in perfumery,” shares Catherine Sardin, Managing Director of Maison Psyché. “Our natural, artisanal approach achieves a veritable art of metamorphosis, delivering vibrant, richly aromatic fragrances.”  A tribute to the timeless expertise of Maison Rémy Martin, Éclat d’Ombre pays homage to those who have imparted their wisdom to the House, enriching its craft. As with its predecessors—Alexanor, Belle-Dame, Alcyone, Nymphalis, and Hamadryas—this fragrance embarks on a journey to the heart of Cognac, where nature’s bounty transforms in the depths of the Maison’s revered cellars. A chypre composition of luminous and shadowy elements, Éclat d’Ombre conjures the sensory contrasts of Cognac’s terroir. It oscillates between warm sunlight and cool shade, revealing luscious woody accords and intoxicating floral nuances. The scent is an invitation into a hidden world, where eaux-de-vie and perfume essences evolve in quiet harmony. True to the House’s philosophy, Éclat d’Ombre is the creation of an exceptional duo: Master Perfumer Sophie Labbé and Maison Rémy Martin’s Cellar Master Baptiste Loiseau. “It is a delicate balance of bright citrus, the captivating power of rose enhanced by osmanthus, and the shadowy, earthy freshness of patchouli,” Labbé describes. Loiseau adds, “The time spent in barrels and the metamorphosis in contact with wood imparts a rounder, more elegant character—apricot, creamy textures, and a deep, balsamic intensity.” More than a fragrance, Éclat d’Ombre is an objet d’art. Limited to just 30 numbered crystal flacons, each bottle is adorned with an 18-carat gold cameo—an exquisite symbol of rarity and refinement. This collector’s edition is available exclusively by appointment at Maison Psyché’s Salon at Place Vendôme in Paris and in Cognac, as well as through the House’s private advisors worldwide. For connoisseurs who seek the extraordinary, Éclat d’Ombre is an invitation to experience the alchemy of nature and time—an ephemeral jewel that lingers on the skin, radiant and untamed. Founded in 2021, Maison Psyché stands at the crossroads of nature and luxury, reviving the grand traditions of perfumery with a visionary approach. Rooted in the legacy of Rémy Cointreau, the House is the first to craft its fragrances within Cognac cellars, embracing the transformative magic of oak wood and time itself. Each scent is a living masterpiece—an exquisite fusion of craftsmanship, intuition, and the relentless pursuit of perfection. For those who understand that true luxury is an experience, Maison Psyché is the pinnacle of olfactory artistry.
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