Cashmere, Leather, and Khakis, Oh My
A Men’s Shopping Night, with Beer
Here’s a Dream Boat for Music Lovers
How Do You Wrap a Great Night Out?
Discover the Real Health Benefits of a Spa
Corrections or additions?
This article was prepared for the December 15, 2004
issue of U.S. 1 Newspaper. All rights reserved.
U.S.1 BestBets
Top Of PageKnock Their Socks Off
Why would anyone buy Birkenstock socks? There are dozens of well
known hosiery manufacturers in the world, so why Birkenstock? Well,
because no one knows feet like Birkenstock. Their socks fit the
natural contours of your foot, providing cushioning and fit just where
you need it. They accomplish this by using a variety of materials in
specific amounts and locations on the foot to craft the perfect sock.
Since everyone’s needs are different, from cushioning to wicking, from
allergies to circulation, so too are the socks. Birkenstock uses
natural fibers and blends, as well as synthetics to give you happy
feet. By combining either cotton, merino wool (doesn’t itch!),
cashmere, Lycra, nylon, and even recycled plastic bottles (extremely
well cushioned!) together in designs and weaves unique to each model
of sock, your debate will not be how many pairs, but which ones!
So whether you wear Birkenstock footwear or not, these socks create a
supportive, comfortable environment to slide your footwear over. They
are also great to just scoot along your cold, kitchen floor. Available
in a variety of weaves, patterns, and colors to satisfy even the
toughest sock connoisseur, there’s nothing like stockings for a
stocking stuffer!
Steppin’ Birkenstock, 12 Chambers Street, Princeton,609-921-8411; 530 Union Square Drive, New Hope, Pennsylvania,215-862-9800.Top Of PageThe Italian Job: A Hair DryerThanks to Carson (if you don’t watch “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”you won’t get this) the word “product” has gone mainstream Still don’tget it? Product means great stuff for styling your hair. Product willmake anyone over the age of 14 on your list happy. It’s even good forpeople who think they don’t want it. They want it.Elaine Staats, owner of E.Y. Staats, recommends Phyto products, alsoknown as Phytologie, which are produced in France. Phyto products,made with all natural botanical ingredients, have received theHollywood Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval – InStyle magazine namedPhyto the number one haircare product line. Phytodefrisant ($22), abotanical hair relaxing balm, is made with ferula and sage andreceived Allure magazine’s Reader’s Choice Award in 2004. Phytobrush($20) uses acacia honey and thermal protective agents for heat stylingand enhances the action of the Phytodefrisant. Phytolisse is an ultrashine smoothing serum ($24). Phytovolume Actif ($22) is a volumizerspray root lift.Staats also recommends a five-inch round boar bristle styling brush($30) and the Elchim blow dryer ($95). Made in Italy, the Elchim hasthe best air velocity of any dryer, says Staats, allowing for a quickdry, even with thick hair – it’s the only dryer the stylists at thesalon use.E.Y. Staats in Princeton is a charming salon that offers modernstyling in an 18th century home – there’s even a fireplace in thereception area. “Everyone who works here has been with me since thebeginning,” says Staats, adding that the stylists have extensiveexperience in cutting, coloring (including dimensional coloring),styling, and bridal services.E.Y. Staats, 10 Moore Street, Princeton. 609-924-6696.Top Of PageThe One Size Fits All Gift‘Here’s a gift that you can close your eyes, give to virtuallyanybody, and have them jump up and down when they get it,” says RobertLandau of Landau’s. “You can give it to a man or woman, fat or skinny,young or old. They’re perfect for everyone.”Now that you’ve ripped your jeans and spilled the contents of yourpurse from pulling out your credit card with the velocity of aspeeding bullet, eager to buy 20 of whatever it is, we’ll tell you:decorative throws from Ireland. “When you’re watching TV or taking anap, and you get a little bit cold, you pull it over you,” saysLandau.The smallest throw is 54″ by 45″, about lap-robe size, and comes inShetland wool, available in 15 different tweedy Irish plaids. Normally$98, Landau’s sells it for $49, through a special arrangement “with amill out in the middle of nowhere in Ireland,” says Landau.The most popular seller is the luxurious 54″ by 72″ mohair throw,available in 30 different solids, plaids, and stripes. This throwtypically sells for $198; the Landau’s price is $99.The 54″ by 68″ lambswool throw “has a more cashmere-y, finer,tweedier, horsier feel than the mohair, and is a bit more ruggedlooking,” says Landau. Just $99, it comes in traditional tartans likeBlack Watch, very colorful Scandinavian-type plaids, and ablack/orange/gray (very Princeton).The 54″ by 72″ “ultimate throw,” a very soft merino wool/cashmereblend, is marked down for the holidays to $129 from the normal $250price tag, available in solid red or blue.Landau tells this story to illustrate how universal a gift thesethrows are for anyone and everyone. One Christmas, over 20 years ago,legendary on-air personality Arthur Godfrey saw a Landau’s ad in theNew Yorker and decided to buy throws for everybody he knew, about3,000 in all. He categorized his star-studded list of recipients bydeciding on a specific color for those who owned their own plane,their own yacht, horses, or those who had their own chauffeur, and soon. “This was a gold mine for us,” remembers Landau. “The LennonSisters each got six different color throws – that’s how manycategories they fell into.” Significantly, not one throw was returned.The next year, Godfrey decided on a new item at Landau’s, the cashmerebathrobe, which he sent to 500 of his best woman friends, includingMary Tyler Moore. “We shipped them, and about two weeks later theystarted coming back,” says Landau. “In fact 47 of the 50 came backwith notes like ‘I’ll never use this.’ The point of the story? You cannever have enough throws.”Landau’s of Princeton, 114 Nassau Street, 609-924-3494.Top Of PageCashmere, Leather, and Khakis, Oh MyIf you’re dressing the man in your life (and let’s face it, they allneed dressing), Nick Hilton Studio offers a wide range of gift ideasfor every budget. “We have everything from leather to khaki,” saysowner Nick Hilton. And speaking of leather, let’s go straight to thebuttery-soft stuff. Hilton’s leather jackets come from Lone Pine, acompany in California that tans its own hides, makes the skins, andsews the jackets. “The skins are incredible, luxurious, andbeautiful,” says Hilton, adding that the trim on the pockets, stitchwork, design, and fit are all exquisite. From pine-colored suede toburled walnut brown, the colors are just as divine as the leather.Prices range from $995 to $1,835.Hilton also recommends the extremely luxurious lightweight knitwear.Made in Italy, these sweaters come in polos, mock turtlenecks,v-necks, and crewnecks. “It’s a unique blend of merino, cashmere, andsilk – very lightweight and soft,” says Hilton. “Merino can get hotand is harsh to the touch; the cashmere and silk add a loftiness andsoftness, so it’s more comfortable. These sweaters are a greatalternative to a collared shirt. You can wear the polo over a shirt ort-shirt, or you can wear it as a shirt.” Prices range from $165 to$195.You can also find many items under $100. Shirts, $85 to $97, aresurprisingly inexpensive for the high quality they offer. “Made withhigh count cotton,” says Hilton, “these shirts are spun better andwoven better than cotton shirts you’ll find in a department store.”Another great deal is the khakis by Bill’s Khakis ($45 to $97.50).”You can wear these for 10 years or you can wear Dockers for twoyears,” says Hilton. “These khakis are a high count cotton, thick butnot stiff. They are made very well, with a good drape, a solidwaistband, and deep pockets. They last longer and look better whenyou’re wearing them.”But the real package deal at Nick Hilton is this: three custom-madeshirts and three suits for $1,400. “You do the math,” says Hilton.”That’s an incredible deal.”Nick Hilton Studio, 221 Witherspoon Street. 609-921-8160.Top Of PagePliages: Handbags from ParisThank goodness for men’s pipes. For without them, we would never havehad the ultra-elegant Pliages handbags from Longchamp. What’s theconnection? In 1948 Jean Cassegrain, the founder of Longchamp, set uphis first store in Paris selling tobacco pipes. In a prescient moveCassegrain had the brilliant idea of making pipes more fashionable bywrapping leather around them. By 1950 Longchamp began producing smallleather goods.In 1988 Longchamp opened its first boutique in Paris on the rueSaint-Honore in the heart of the luxury goods district. The big momentin handbag history came in 1993 with the launch of the Pliages line, amasterful marriage of nylon canvas and Russian leather. PhilippeCassegrain, the president of Longchamp and the founder’s son, touredthe world to promote the bags. Today Longchamp sells more than 400,000Pliages bags annually around the world in boutiques on Madison Avenue,in Tokyo, Shanghai, and in Las Vegas at the newly expanded Caesar’sPalace, among others.Lightweight, foldable, durable, and fun, Pliage bags come in lots ofgreat colors – like grape, fuschia, truffle, bamboo, anthracite, iceblue, and ochre – and all different sizes from clutch bags to totes.These bags endure season after season by sidestepping fashion trendsand remaining practical and functional but always stylish. The canvasis water-resistant thanks to its interior PVC coating. Prices rangefrom $80 to $268.”Les Pliages” bags are available at Luttmann’s Luggage, a venerablePrinceton shop that opened 101 years ago as a saddlery shop. Over theyears it began to carry leather goods and continued to be run by theLuttmann family until its current owner, Frank Riccato, took overownership of the store. Luttmann’s offers women’s handbags,traditional and contemporary briefcases, wallets, portfolios, giftitems including leather picture frames, accessories, and day plannersincluding Filofax and Scully.Luttmann’s Luggage, 20 Witherspoon Street. 609-924-0004.Top Of PageA Men’s Shopping Night, with BeerAttention, men. Yes, you, men. I know you’re out there. And I know youhave, well, shall we say mixed feelings about shopping? OK, you hateshopping. Someone just came to your rescue.On Thursday, December 16, Spa Therapia and Triumph Brewing Companypresent their second annual “Men’s Night Out,” from 6 to 9 p.m. Atthis “stress free shopping” night, men are invited to stop in andenjoy some of the spa treatments Spa Therapia offers and sampledifferent brews from Triumph while knocking off a good portion of yourholiday list.Spa Therapia, a medically-supervised day spa, offers several lines ofskin care products and cosmetics as well as spa treatments likefacials, waxing, massage, salt scrubs, body wraps, microdermabrasion,pedicures, manicures, and more – you know, stuff girls crave. She’lllove you for it.A few years ago I got a $200 gift certificate to Spa Therapia (for,let’s just say, a round-number big girl birthday), and I was sothrilled that I made it last the whole year, with three differenttreatments over three visits.This gift-giving season Spa Therapia is recommending gift certificatesfor its Signature Massage: 50 minutes, $70; 70 minutes, $90; 90minutes, $120. This is a personalized massage experience incorporatingSwedish techniques and other modalities to focus on specific troubleareas. A Signature Massage is created by you and your therapist forthe ultimate experience and includes a warming back mask for extrastress relief.Another option is the Ultimate Customized Facial, 65 minutes for $95.It begins with an expert skin analysis, followed by intense cleansing,toning, exfoliating with papaya and pineapple enzymes, extractions,massage, masking, and treatment creme chosen specifically for yourskin type. The Ultimate also includes a scalp, hands, and footmassage.As a special holiday promotion, every gift certificate comes with aneight-ounce Avocado Lotion from the spa’s new line of private labelskin care products called Results by Spa Therapia.Combining the finest formulas, highest standards, and the latesttechniques for anti-aging, these products are designed to facilitatetotal wellness and beauty. The line includes O2 Rejuvenating Creme,Willow Herb Soothing Serum, Derma Pore Cleanser, Spot Fix, and VitaminC Serum.Both the spa and the Results product line are under the supervision ofThomas A. Leach, M.D, medical director of Princeton Center for PlasticSurgery.Spa Therapia, 932 State Road (Route 206 South),609-921-8854, www.spatherapia.com.Top Of PageHere’s a Dream Boat for Music Lovers‘The motivation behind Global Village Travels is the desire to providea unique travel experience, not just a vacation,” says CherylinChristian. “When a guest has returned, we like to know that they havecome away with a deeper knowledge and sense of fulfillment.”When Global Village Travels owner Gloria Hobbins, a world traveler andformer event and meeting planner, decided she wanted to developmusical tours, she turned to Christian, also an event and meetingplanner. But Christian brings a little something extra to the table. Asoprano, Christian has performed with the Westminster Choir CollegeJubilee Singers at Carnegie Hall and she has been a member ofPrinceton Pro Musica. “I research various artists and build tours andcruises around them. Today’s guests are discriminating traveler sandvery knowledgeable – they are not only looking for entertainment butalso the opportunity to enjoy active participation.”That vision translates into a truly extraordinary luxury gift for themusic lover – Classical Crossings, a unique travel opportunitydeveloped and offered exclusively by Global Village Travels. Theinaugural cruise of Classical Crossings will take place aboardCunard’s Queen Mary II. The centerpiece of the six-night transatlanticcrossing is a chance to enjoy a private recital and master classeswith internationally-acclaimed soprano Rochelle Ellis.Ellis, an adjunct assistant professor of voice at Westminster ChoirCollege of Rider University, has performed as a soloist withorchestras from Prague to Beijing. She made her New York City Operadebut in 2002 and made her Carnegie Hall debut performing Bach’sCantata 140 and Schubert’s Mass in G with the Orchestra of St. Luke’sand the Westminster Choir. This past summer, she graced the stage inJapan with recitals in Osaka and Tokyo.”Classical Crossings opens a door for the discriminating traveler andmusic enthusiast with an experience that is so much more than iscustomarily enjoyed at the theater,” says Christian. “It offers a rareopportunity to interact with a world-renowned artist, to get a glimpseof how an artist prepares and trains for a performance, and toexperience a hands-on element with master classes. No singingexperience is required – just a love of the arts and a sense ofwonderment.”In addition to enjoying the up close and personal interaction with Ms.Ellis, guests will be able to take advantage of all the creme de lacreme features of the extraordinary Queen Mary II. Prices start at$1,913.50, and include one-way airfare to England, transfers fromairport to Southampton Pier, and the six-night transatlantic crossing.The Queen Mary II offers these exclusives – the Canyon Ranch Spa Club;Cunard Connections, an academic and enrichment program that presents afusion of cultural perspectives from New York and London;Illuminations, the first planetarium at sea; an art collection valuedat over $5 million; the Todd English restuarant; Oxford Discovery, anenrichment and lecture program presented under the auspices of theUniversity of Oxford; theatrical performances by the Royal Academy ofDramatic Arts; and the Queen’s Room, the largest ballroom at sea.Guests will leave Sunday, June 26, and return Saturday, July 2,sailing into New York harbor past the Statue of Liberty – right at thebeginning of the Fourth of July weekend.Classical Crossings is just one example of the personal attention todetail and distinctive service offered by Global Village Travels.”With technology today, someone can plan a trip on their own, but weoffer that special hands-on attention that that person may not haveaccess to,” says Christian. For example, Hobbins recently planned aworldwide tour for a mother and daughter. It turned out that thedaughter had health concerns – so Hobbins found physicians who spokeEnglish in each country, just in case. Christian herself rememberstraveling to Paris with Hobbins: “I came away from that trip withParis a part of my soul.”Global Village Travels, 1-888-445-6742,www.globalvillagetravels.com.Top Of PageHow Do You Wrap a Great Night Out?A couple of weeks ago, I took my nine-year-old son to have dinner atTeresa Caffe on Palmer Square before going to see Savion Glover andBobby McFerrin at McCarter Theater. There was a wait for a table so wegrabbed two stools at the polished wood bar in front of the pizzaoven. Before we knew it, my son was drinking Sprite out of a champagneglass and chatting with the lady next to us about his tap class, andwe decided to stay put and eat at the bar. My son could watch hispizza margherita being made, and the attentive bartender refilled hisglass before he even had to ask. It was cozy and bustling and and wecould watch everyone coming and going. I had a salad and a glass ofmerlot – we were happy campers.Maybe there’s someone on your list who really needs a “date night”with his or her spouse. Maybe there’s someone who loves topeople-watch at a cafe or sip an exotic drink at the bar and listen tolive music. Or someone who could use the treat of dining out at anItalian bistro on a weeknight. A Terra Momo gift certificate takescare of all of them.Terra Momo restaurant group is named after owners Carlo and RaoulMomo’s parents, Teresa Azario Momo and Raul Momo Marmonti. Terra Momoincludes Mediterra, offering a Mediterranean menu and intimate musicalgroups on Wednesday and Thursday nights, 29 Hulfish Street, Princeton,609-252-9680; Nova Terra, with a Nuevo Latino menu, featuring rodizioevery Wednesday night (a kind of Brazilian barbeque) and live Latinmusic Thursday through Saturday nights, 78 Albany Street, NewBrunswick, 732-296-1600; Teresa Caffe, serving authentic Italiancuisine, 23 Palmer Square East, Princeton, 609-921-1974; Eccoqui, alsoserving authentic Italian cuisine, 107 Route 202, Bernardsville,908-221-0040; and Witherspoon Bread Company, featuring artisan andorganic breads, 74 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, 609-688-0188.While the flavors and themes of each location differ they all sharethe Terra Momo vision with special “ingredients” – from locally-grownproduce and wines from small producers around the world todistinctive interior design like the circular bar at Nova Terra.Terra Momo gift certificates. Available from any Terra Momo restaurantor online at www.terramomo.com. Gift certificates are the size of acredit card and come in a wonderful gift package and envelope.Top Of PageDiscover the Real Health Benefits of a Spa“Our philosophy is to combine the holistic approach to the skin andbody and our clients’ well-being with cutting edge medicalaesthetics,” says Beata Giernasinska, a co-owner of Amber Spa inPennington. “It’s a very interesting combination.”Amber Spa is a traditional European spa, with several European staff,all of whom are licensed in Europe and the U.S. Giernasinska herselfcame to the United States from Poland two and a half years ago. Shesays that it is important for people to become more aware of thebeneficial health effects of spa treatments.”Spa treatments can help with anti-aging, lowering blood pressure,decreasing insulin levels, and skin cancer prevention. A weeklymassage has been proven to lower insulin levels on a permanent basis.Every facial is anti-aging, and the vitamin C facial is good for skincancer prevention. Oxygen facials are very beneficial for anti-aging –this facial helps bind free radicals, which prevents them fromfloating around and causing damage. Our treatments are good for peopleon diets, people who have just stopped smoking, or people who have hadmedical procedures that created a lot of toxins in the skin.”A gift certificate, available in any denomination, can be used for anytreatment. There are facials including facial peels, oxygen facial,and oceanic facial. A specialty at Amber Spa is microdermabrasion, asafe and painless treatment that uses organic micro crystals to breakapart dead cell layers to eliminate signs of sun damage and smooth outfine lines and wrinkles.Other treatments include skin waxing; eyelash tinting; massage andbody treatments like the hot stone massage, seventh heavenaromatherapy massage, and the executive neck and back treatment;sunless tanning (done with spray as well as manual self-tanning); andnail care including pedicures, manicures, and gel nails.The Spa Store carries several different cosmetics lines – includingYonka and Nuxe (both from France), Skinceuticals, Z’ Digatte, Sigal,DDF, and MD Skincare.Giernasinska says that gift certificates are a hit this time of year.”We always get swamped at the holidays.” Gift certificates areavailable in any dollar amount or you can purchase a certificate for aspa package such as a spa facial, half-hour Swedish massage, and spapedicure for $120.For the men on your list there are packages specifically designed formen such as the Swedish massage and reflexology treatment for $105.Giernasinska says that Amber Spa has lots of male clients – from smallbusiness owners to men who work from home to Merrill Lynch executives.”The awareness of spa treatments is growing. It’s not a ladies’ thinganymore – it’s more of a necessity of investing in yourself,” saysGiernasinska. We say, go for it, boss – very metrosexual.Amber Spa, 16 South Main Street, Pennington,609-737-8400, www.amberspa.com. Gift certificates may be purchased atthe spa or over the phone.Previous StoryNext StoryCorrections or additions?This page is published by PrincetonInfo.com— the web site for U.S. 1 Newspaper in Princeton, New Jersey.
