Bigelow carries their own brand of beauty items, including the ever-popular lip glosses, facial creams, masks, hair products, and hand and foot care. They peddle a host of other lovely toiletry lines, including Bumble & Bumble, Bliss, Frederic Fekkai, and many others. Try some new brand-name makeup at the stands around the counter.

And they do sell those tortoiseshell hair combs, along with barrettes and other hair accessories, Mason Pearson hairbrushes, cosmetic boxes, toothbrushes, and umbrellas. You can find Diptyque candles, homeopathic remedies, and novelty scarves. And if it’s something simple you’re after, there are rows ands shelves of modern drugstore brands and over-the-counter medications. Bigelow also has a full-service pharmacy in the back.

So go ahead. Pamper yourself a little. And enjoy the old-time New York feel.

C.O. Bigelow Chemists
414 Sixth Avenue, at West 9th Street
A/B/C/D/E/F/V to West 4th Street
Monday-Friday 7:30am – 9:00 pm
Saturday 8:30 am – 7:00 pm
Sunday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
212-473-7324

From the owners: “Bar Veloce opened its doors in March, 2000 in Manhattan’s East Village. Fusing an Italian-style paninoteca (panini bar) with a modern wine bar, its goal was to deliver exciting, reasonably priced Italian wine and food to discerning New Yorkers.” Since the March opening, the owners have branched out to key downtown neighborhoods. Combining a sleek modern interiors (Dutch chairs) and soft track lighting with smooth sounds and the buzz of the after-work crowd, this Chelsea gem is not only stylish, but affordable.

The wine list is selected with great care (I found the rich, cherry & bark Nebbiolo superior) and the bartender is an expert at fine pairings. Flavorful bruscetta (the olive tapenade and parmesan cheese topped with a slice of red vine tomato is divine!), light, savory panini and a selection of rich desserts (the nutella panini will make you howl with pleasure) make Bar Veloce a haven for sampling great fare, sipping wine and enjoying conversation with your best friend or after-work mates.

Bar Veloce
176 7th Avenue
between 20th and 21st Sts. (Chelsea)
Subway: 1 to 18th Street

Stand at the Lincoln Center fountain and look across the street. See the sign for Cafe Fiorello? Good, head there.

Cafe Fiorello is a sophisticated Italian restaurant that glows with shiny dark wood paneling, lots of mirrors, and candlelight. The booths have small signs that say things like “Reserved for Renee Fleming” on the wall. The bread (divine) comes with olive oil for dipping, and if you order a Sprite, it comes in a glass carafe.

The antipasto bar greets you at the door with a colorful riot of seafood and vegetables. Also on the menu is thin-crust pizza, salads, pastas, and other Italian specialties. The food here is amazingly good, and the service matches; you’ll never go wanting, and they’ll bring you more bread if you ask.

Don’t fill up too fast, because dessert is not to be missed. The menu includes such delights as oversized cannolis, amaretto cheesecake, and homemade sorbet. My personal favorite is the chocolate mousse with whipped cream, which the server brings to the table in two big buckets and ladles out till you say “stop”. One bite and you’re in heaven.

During the afternoon you can generally walk in and get a table; however, if you plan to catch an evening performance at Lincoln Center and have dinner afterwards, you can make reservations via the phone or internet. It’s well worth the effort.

Cafe Fiorello
Weekdays, 11:30 am – 1:00 am
Saturdays, 10:00 am – 1:00 am
Sundays, 10:00 pm – 11:30 pm

1900 Broadway between 63rd and 64th Street
1 to 66th Street – Lincoln Center
212.595.5330

I try to avoid spas as much as humanely possible. From getting a hard-sale twenty-minute product pitch while flutes whistle in the background of my allegedly relaxing facial, to snickers at my non-perfectly coifed bikini line, to being herded between treatments like cattle, New York City spa visits have become akin to expensive Chinese torture. Until I discovered priti – a snug haven in the midst of the heavily trafficked, hip East Village. Owner and former fashion model/fashion photographer Kim D’Amato’s vision is simple: to support purveyors of organic products and to reduce chemically produced products, which are harmful to the environment, not to mention ourselves.

My kind of woman, and my kind of spa.

Upon entering the spa, be forewarned – it’s not your typical spa experience replete with faux Buddhas, unflattering fluorescent lights and a snooty reception staff, rather priti resembles a darling tea shop with it’s coolly purple and sage-colored walls, a charming owner who is busy planting her spring roses, and a staff ready to offer you organic green tea and a most lux experience.

priti offers the most luxurious services (and comparable pricing to the other fancy establishments) of manicure, pedicure, waxing, facials and massage, using only organic products and non-toxic paints. All their products (which also include fresh flowers, herbs, fruits and organic essential oils) are natural, deliciously fragrant and eco-friendly – right down to their slippers, which are biodegradable. Spending two hours with my uber-knowledgeable and incredibly fabulous technician, Michael, years of soot and oil were lifted from my stressed-out skin, leaving my complexion smooth and glowing. Might I mention the incredible neck and shoulder message, which hit all my pressure point and knots, and left me utterly blissed out? priti uses the rarefied Dr. Alkaitis line, which contains living, edible ingredients with no preservatives. After, I savored a mani/pedi and was delightfully surprised that I didn’t pass out from the heady, toxic fumes that are the norm in other spas/nail shops. My tired dogs soaked in a bath of fresh rosemary and citrus and my nails were buffed and moisturized to perfection. The spa uses “Uhma Nagri” and “Nature Girl” in their hands & feet boutique.

In Sanskrit, priti means “pleasure”, “joy”, “satisfaction” – no doubt as I headed back into the frenetic Manhattan streets, soothed, scrubbed and smelling sweet, I felt incredibly priti.

priti
35 East 1st Street
Between 1st/2nd Avenues
New York, NY 10003
212.254.3628
Email: pritihandsandfeet@earthlink.net
Subway: F/V to Second Avenue

But the teas are nothing short of divine. Holiday serves up the classic mainstays: earl grey, english breakfast, however, she’s creative, much like an obsessed French perfumier, creating new blends such as a Provencal blend of black teas and lavender. Customers have a choice of kettle teas, healing teas (infused with date, ginger citron or quince) or their famous honey/green tea lattes.

While the majority of their teas are from China, Sri Lanka, Japan, India, Indonesia, Taiwan, and emerging Rwanda, Kettle also offer herbs from South Africa, Argentina, Turkey, Iran, Egypt, France and the United States (including ginseng from Wisconsin and organic peppermint from Oregon).

So if you’re interested in proper tea with an edge, visit this favored East Village haunt where the teas and homemade treats (palmiers, scones) never fall short on flavor.

Sympathy for the Kettle
109 St. Marks Place
New York, NY
212-979-1650

Founded in 1997 by husband and wife, Bruce and Marti Schoenberg, Oasis (with its four convenient locations, including one at the Jet Blue Terminal at JFK terminal!) provides a tranquil sanctuary where their highly trained, friendly staff will attend to your every indulgence: “We are not about spa trends, but offer spa treatments providing the utmost in relaxation and rejuvenation, along with the latest developments in massage, skincare, hydrotherapy and other spa services.”

As soon as I walked through the door, I was whisked away to change into a lux terry robe and soft slippers. I sipped herbal organic tea and munched on dried bananas and apricots in the relaxation lounge furnished with soft leather seating, flipping through the latest issues of Elle and Vogue via candlelight. For a few precious hours, my world was freed from cellular phones, car horns, sirens, and a city that operates with the volume turned way up. I was promptly escorted to a peaceful room replete with zen flutes and oboes where I would receive my customized facial.

And I must confess I cringed when Shatelle queried me on my beauty routine, which quite simply included a cleansing and a moisturizing. After a deep analysis that involved a magnifying mirror and some unfriendly light, my therapist spoke to me honestly (and thankfully not pushing products on me, which I loathe) about the state of my skin. For 60 minutes, I was a pampered princess. My skin was cleansed, toned, exfoliated, massaged and then, oh yes!, there was the head, neck, upper back and wrist massage (as if Shatelle secretly knew of my endless hours developing my carpal tunnel like an Olympic sport) and when I left, I was truly blissed out and glowing. I also received a comprehensive skin care analysis that detailed my skin’s hydration levels, nerve activity and oil secretion, as well as helpful suggestions to alter (ie, get my skin into proper form) my daily regime.

Facials and spa treatments can be costly, this is true, but how frequently do we treat and pamper ourselves? Take the time to preen, feel beautiful, feel more like a girl. And in this frenetic city, it’s only fitting that we indulge in some quiet, some tea, and some proper scrubbing.

Tip: At the flagship Park Avenue spa, not only can you book your lavender scrub, lava stone massage, aromatherapy body wrap, and customized facial, have your coifs, emergency manicure and pedicures attended to (great for brides to be). Oasis also offers studio classes, including yoga and pilates at both the Park Ave and Affinia Dumont locations.

Oasis Day Spa
One Park Avenue (flagship location) @ 32nd Street
New York, NY 10016
212-254-7722
Subway: 6 to 33rd Street
Check website for other locations/services

Plan to strap on the stilettos and your chicest attire for the model bomb that is the rooftop bar and lounge. My girlfriend and I took it all in stride and people-watched all the latest trends and gals that practically fell off the runway (apparently sporting cowboy boots in 100 degree heat is the new and cool), while sipping on our delectable lychee martinis. Wall-to-wall windows, spacious tables, an indoor and outdoor lounge, and incredible 360 views of the city (including the infamous Soho House and their exclusive pool made famous in “Sex and the City”), makes for the perfect happy hour spot. Mixed in with the models are some tourists, but mostly local fashionistas and suits. Those who didn’t don Marc Jacobs and Catherine Malandrino, trolled around in towels after taking a dip in the rooftop pool.

Downstairs, at ONO, a multi-level indoor and outdoor Japanese restaurant and bar, is where the fun really begins. Although we didn’t sample the food stylings of Jeffrey Chodorow of China Grill Management (China Grill, Asia de Cuba, Tuscan and most recently Mix in New York), my girlfriend and I knew we were coming back after spying the fresh sushi and sizzling chicken wafting in from the main dining area (where your food is prepared before you). At the bar, the wine selection is impressive (from Chilean Riojas to California Pinot Noirs to some South African gems) and moderately priced. A wine lover, no doubt I’ll return.

And for the single gal, the atmosphere is definitely friendly and welcoming and a bit more low-key than the rooftop.

TIP: Have one cocktail at the rooftop (and save your pennies for the downstairs bar, ladies), because the drinks are indeed expensive, but quite honestly, you’re here for the scene.

Hotel Gansveoort
18 9th avenue (@ 13th street)
New York
Subway: A/C/E to 14th Street