7 Ways To Celebrate National Tequila Day

Cindo de Mayo may have passed but with all the extra tequila you have laying aorund, you can put to good use as Tuesday is National Tequila Day. Wether you have it on the rocks, in a margarita or as a shot we've compiled a list of the top tequilas to try out. So drink up.

For those of you who want to celebrate in style, drink like George Clooney and Rande Gerber’s with their ultra-premium tequila, Casamigos. Casamigos is available in with Blanco, Reposado and Añejo. The Casamigos flavor notes should be enhanced not masked and rather than salt or lime (like pictured above) we recommend pairings like cucumbers with Casamigos Blanco Tequila, grapefruit slices with Casamigos Reposado Tequila and Oranges with Casamigos Anejo Tequila. We suggest Casamigos Reposado and Añejo Tequila to whiskey, bourbon and brandy drinkers. Both are great with classic cocktails and can be easily swapped for a Manhattan, Negroni, or Old Fashioned.

For those who want a luxury tequila don't miss out on Grand Mayan’s handcrafted Ultra Aged Tequila, priced at $89.99 is produced with the purest, central-highland Blue Agave with the highest standards of production. Aged in American & French oak casks, this rich, small-batch Extra Anejo takes 10 years to produce from agave plant to hand-painted ceramic decanter.  Grand Mayan Ultra Aged is a blend of three, four and five-year-old tequilas. With incredible smooth aromas, a body of sweet agave, nuts and chocolate, Grand Mayan is succulent on the palate and leads to a layered and delicious long finish.

Volcan De Mi Tierra Blanco delivers an austere and herbaceous flavor spectrum from the lowlands agave, blended with finesse, citrus and floral notes of the highlands. Blanco is best enjoyed mixed into cocktails or served neat. Recently spotted at Khloe Kardashian’s July 4th pool party, can be tasted in the cocktails at Daniel Humm’s Eleven Madison Park, and was the spirit of choice at this year’s Golden Globes. 

Partida Tequila is an authentic estate-bottled premium Tequila, made from 100% blue agave in the heart of Mexico’s historic Tequila region. Aged at a minimum of 40 months, Elegante is an Extra Añejo. Its complex aromas come with deep notes of toasted oak, dark chocolate, coffee and ripe banana. The palate entry is slightly toasty, peppery and spicy. Every sip of Elegante confirms not only the initial aromas but also new and different flavors such as agave, vanilla, caramel, bourbon, butter, maple, almonds, hazelnuts, black pepper, citrus flowers and more. Priced at $374.99 this is truly for special occasions, such as National Tequila Day!

From Greenbar Distillery, IXA Tequila is an organic tequila with notes of rich agave, herbs, and clay, with a buttery finish. The best way to try IXA tequila with margaritas or mixed with aromatic liqueurs, bitters, or vermouth.

For those who want to celebrate National Tequila day in the Summer heat, we recommend trying out FrutaPOP an alcohol-infused ice pop made with healthy, natural ingredients without any added sugars, syrups or dyes. All alcohol-infused ice pops, also known as “poptails” contain less than 5% ABV. FrutaPOP also has a line of non-alcoholic ice pops including coffee ice pops and fruit and juice pops. 

Drinks To Make At Home

From HelloFresh, enjoy the day with a Watermelon Basil Margarita that will surely be a crowd pleaser as watermellon is appearing to be the fruit of the Summer.

INGREDIENTS

For the basil simple syrup:

• 1 Cup Raw Sugar

• 1 Cup Water

• 1/2 Cup Packed Fresh Basil Leaves

For the margarita:

• 1 1/2 Ounces Tequila

• 1 Ounce Lime Juice

• 1/2 Ounce Basil Simple Syrup

• 2 Ounces Watermelon Juice

• Ice

• Lime Wedge, for rim

• Salt, for rim

• Basil, for garnish

METHOD:

• Prepare the basil simple syrup by combining sugar, water, and basil in a pan. Heat until sugar dissolves, then set aside to let cool. Once cooled, strain into a jar and refrigerate up to two weeks.

• Combine tequila, lime juice, basil simple syrup, and watermelon juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well.

• Before pouring, coat rim of glass with a lime wedge, then dip in salt and rotate until fully coated.

• Strain cocktail into glass with ice and garnish with a sprig of basil.

For those of you who want to make a cocktail at home, we recommend the Cazadores Iced Tea-Quila crafted by Manny Hinojosa, Global Brand Ambassador for Tequila CAZADORES

CAZADORES ICED TEA-QUILA

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 oz. Tequila CAZADORES Reposado

• ½ oz. Green Chartreuse

• 2 oz. Ginger Beer

• 2 oz. Fresh Brew Earl Grey Tea

• ½ oz. Lemon

• Pinch of Nutmeg

METHOD:

In a cocktail shaker, combine all the ingredients except the fresh brew tea with ice. Serve on the rocks and top with fresh brew tea. Garnish with slices of lemon and ginger.

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Landlords: Get Out Of The City And Into The Income

When we consider investing in real estate, the majority of us think about doing so in the city. There’s something glam about the idea of being a New York landlord, isn’t there? Even if you can’t afford to live in an area like this, owning rentals here could at least get your foot in. And, there are apparent benefits to buying rentals in areas like these. There will always be demand for inner-city properties. You’ll never struggle for tenants, and you’ll be able to charge pretty high prices.

But, there are downsides, too, like the fact properties cost more. What’s more, operating in a city means going up against competition. And, life as a city landlord is far from easy. If you operate in a busy area, you can expect to be busy yourself.

By comparison, landlords who buy properties in less popular areas stand to reap benefits. While you might not be able to charge such high rates, you stand to make money in other ways. And, we’re going to look at what they are.

Creating a market

When you’re renting property in inner-city areas, you’re just another name on the market. But, when you buy real estate in more remote locations, you ARE the market. That means you don’t have to fight and compete when it comes to pricing. More, you can create your own pricing methods, and there’s no one in place to tell you that you’re wrong. You can create and control demand, and you will always be in the driving seat. As a result, you may actually find that you can charge higher prices in less commercial areas. With less choice, your tenants will pay regardless.

Lower overheads

Even if you can’t quite garner the rent rates of the city, you still stand to make more money further afield. Why? Because overheads are guaranteed to be lower. With demand comes high property prices upfront. Hence, it could be years in the city before you break a profit. Properties in less dense areas, however, cost a whole lot less in the first place. So, even with lower rental rates, you could see a profit much sooner on your landlord journey. If you’re in a rush to break even, then, getting out of the city is the way to go.

More chance of increasing value

If you’re wise with where you buy, there’s also a much higher chance of increases in value out of the city. Inner-city areas can only develop to a point. It’s unlikely there will be any significant increases in the coming years, aside from normal inflation. If you’re lucky enough to buy in an upcoming area, though, you could see substantial increases in rent and value. As such, it’s worth looking into any future building work before buying anywhere. Things like new developments, supermarkets, or even new town centers are fantastic news. In no time, your house could more than pay for itself, as well as doubling in value. Take that city landlords!
 

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Our Favorite Listing: Will Cost You 60K A Month

Our favorite listing this week is a 4 Bedroom, 4.5 bathroom, pre-war building serviced by a highly trained staff and includes some of the most luxurious amenities in New York City. And will cost you $60,000 a month to rent.

Penthouse D expands over three floors and features 5,000-square-feet of interior and over 1,000-square-feet private outdoor space.

2 bedroom owners duplex over 2 bedroom rental duplex over a full finished basement. On A key-locked elevator opens into a marble tiled foyer, which welcomes you into the bright and oversized great room that has space for a living room, den and dinning area

The south facing master bedroom on the second floor of the triplex is bathed in natural light, has multiple closets and an en-suite east-facing bathroom that is adorned with Italian Calacatta marble slab walls. There is also a freestanding egg tub, a glass-enclosed steam shower with overhead rain dome, body sprayer, a relaxing stone bench, radiant heated floors, two sets of bronze faucets and a separate W.C. with bidet. This floor also has another bedroom with en-suite bathroom and what is currently set up as a den with a full bath just steps away. 

The top floor of 443 Greenwich is surely the crown jewel of the home and features a sprawling room, encased in floor to ceiling glass doors that open effortlessly to the expansive private outdoor roof terrace. This 1,000+ square-foot space has a built out kitchen section featuring a natural gas Wolfe BBQ grill, sink, fridge and a separate garden area. 

Amenities include a 70-foot long indoor swimming pool with Turkish baths, a 5,000-square-foot landscaped roof and a central courtyard with lush flowers and trees. Additionally, the building hosts a state-of-the-art fitness center with private yoga/dance studios, a children's playroom, wine room and valet parking for all of the residences at no extra cost.

Tai Alexander, Oren Alexander and Jared Schwadron are the listing agents. Viewings by appointment only. For more information click here

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Canny Experience Cali Without The Glitz And Glamour?

Think of California and the first thing that springs to mind is Hollywood. Let’s go to Los Angeles and spot some celebrities. Then, we can move onto the sign on the top of the hill, and finally, we can eat in a Michelin-starred restaurant before retiring to a four-poster bed. Yep, everything about Cali screams glitz and glamour when LA is involved.

The high life isn’t for everyone. Some people prefer camping or glamping in the wilderness with only a sleeping bag for comfort. Others like to explore charming towns and cities. Well, California has it all. Here’s how to experience it without going all Beverly Hills.

Start In San Francisco

San Fran is a weird place because it has the hustle and bustle of an east coast city in the west. The San Andreas Fault line has turned the roads and pathways into near hills; they are that big. Trams zoom in and out and pizza is served as if Chicago and New York were down the road. What’s fantastic about this is the lack of pretension. People flock to China Town or Alcatraz or Union Square without the slightest thought of looking or acting like a star. Even the Golden Gate Bridge is amazingly humble.

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Drive Down To Yosemite

Choosing a national park in Cali is like picking a favorite child. You have one, but you don’t like to admit it! Only kidding. From Death Valley to the Mojave Reserve, the natural sights are spectacular. And, there’s no better way to shun the movie star life than to spend time in the wilderness. Yosemite has to take the crown, though. With the likes of the Half Dome and the Upper Falls, the hikes are hard yet rewarding. You can heighten the experience by staying in a cabin in the grounds and going off the grid.

Experience Santa Barbara

SB is more glamorous than the other spots on this list. But, let’s not lie and say we hate a bit of pampering. Sometimes, it’s nice to spend the day shopping, eating and drinking, not necessarily in that order. Santa Barbara is an excellent location because it’s got a fantastic mix. The center is a little upmarket, but the surrounding areas are quiet and secluded. First and Oak is a restaurant in Solvang which is well worth the trip. Other than that, check out Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, and Pismo Beach. The latter is a beach town with cool vibes.

Mooch In Monterey

Speaking of neat beach towns, Monterey has all the bases covered. The coastline hugs the shore and makes for spectacular activities. The bay is home to some of the best whale-watching in the world. For $50, you can go out on a boat and spot blue whales, humpback, dolphins, and orcas. Families can head to Santa Cruz and spend a day on the boardwalk eating junk food and enjoying the rides. There’s nothing elegant about a corndog!

What are your favorite spots in Cali that don’t include LA?

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Forget The US... It's All About Canada

Canada really is a glorious place to visit, and we really do think that you’ll find that it has so much more to offer than the US. More and more people are visiting, and Canada just seems to be firing more reasons at us to visit! The prices won’t make your eyes water, but the scenery might. It’s such a beautiful and vast landscape, filled with so many different habitats. From the frozen mountains, to the green forests, we know you’ll find something you like here in terms of nature. However, if you’re looking for something a bit more full of life, Canada has that for you too! Places such as Vancouver are really hustle and bustle. But before we give it all away to you, let's begin the article, and see if you feel the urge to travel there.

Big City Lights

Canada isn’t all about the big mountains, beautiful lakes, and forests that stretch for miles. Canada has become more about the big cities, and what they have to offer. There’s two main ones that people like the visit, Toronto and Vancouver. Toronto is the capital of the province of Ontario, the one that lines the border to the US. Ontario as a whole is just so beautiful, and you’ll find plenty of places to stay, eat and explore. It’s pretty cheap if you’re looking to bed down for the night, just check out places such as this hotel in London, Ontario. But, if you’re going to go to Toronto, we highly recommend that you take a trip to the Toronto Eaton Center. It’s a huge shopping center that attracts thousands of people every month, and there’s every shop you could wish for there. You should also brave the heights, and take a trip up the CN tower. You can have a nice drink or meal at the top! If you’re going to vancouver, we think you’ll like taking a trip to Grouse mountain. You can go up and down on the cable carts, and it’s just a really pretty day out if you want to take in some of the lovely views. Or, you could go a walk around the city, eat some great food, and drink some lovely cocktails!

Calming Nature Sights

It all depends on which part of Canada you go to, but we promise you every part has something great to offer in terms of nature. You’ve got the famous Banff national park, which is home to beautiful crystal clear lakes, and nature trails that will leave you walking for hours. Or you could find the Jasper National Park to go and have a mooch around. Again, it has stunning lakes, outdoor activities to take part in, and guided tours to take you to the best spots.

Food Delights

Again, it all depends on where you go, but you will find a culinary treat in each part of Canada. If you do decide to stay in Toronto, you’ve got restaurants such as the Alo, and the Yasu, which serves lovely Japanese food. Or, you could go to one of the typical American chains, such as Applebee’s, and we promise you, you will leave stuffed to the brim, and filled with tasty food!

Making Canada Your New Home 

If Canada captivates you to the point of making the big move, and you're ready to embrace all that a new city has to offer, consider reaching out to some of the most reliable moving companies in London, Ontario. They can help you navigate every aspect of your relocation, ensuring a smooth transition into your exciting new life in Canada. From understanding logistics to settling into your new neighborhood, they've got you covered!

Have something you think should be featured contact us or email at Jeremy@offthemrkt.com to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

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First World Problems: How The Millennial Generation Can Buy A Home

One of the most prominent issues the millennial generation has is that they are unable to afford a home. The vast majority have resigned themselves to the fact that they will be renting for their entire lives. But, short of them inheriting a property, is it feasible for them to buy a home without it crippling them financially? So, if this is you, what can you do?

Having A Good Relationship With A Lender

Having a good lender or realtor will give you a bit more sway, and you will understand a bit more about what is available out there. In addition to this, you will understand more about the best ways to get assistance with a down payment. If you have no idea how to gain control of your finances, then it's time to get a bit more knowledge under your cap. There is no point in pretending you know everything- go to advisers or professional advice.

Start As Early As Possible

Putting away savings as soon as possible is the one way to get onto the property ladder, regardless of your age. Choosing your investment avenues wisely, again, with the help of professional advice, will help you to take advantage of what is out there. Even with something like net lease properties, there is still a considerable cost upfront, if you go down the buy to let method of acquiring a home, where you pay the mortgage yourself, but rent it out to a tenant, it could be a bit of a struggle at the outset, but with long-term gain.

Get Prequalified For Financing

If you are one of those lucky people that can pay in cash, it's best for you to get pre-qualified for a loan before you start looking for a home. It doesn't take long, and you can do it over the phone, or online with the lender you want to go with. They take into account your credit history, as well as your current financial situation, and can give you the amount that you qualify for.

Strike While The Iron Is Hot

Keeping an eye on mortgage rates is a practice that you should get into, because while houses may seem expensive at the moment, if you wait any longer, the interest rates could go further up. If you are saving up enough money, it's important for you to keep an eye on how the mortgage interest rates are looking, especially in relation to current political climate. For example, Britain leaving the EU could cause a dip in housing costs, and banks are still keen on lending currently.

The millennial generation doesn’t have it easy as far as the financial climate is concerned. With rising prices all around, but the salaries not meeting them, the fundamental cost in life, such as mortgages, appear to be non-existent. But, this decline in young property owners means that the millennials need to be more knowledgeable about what they're entering into. It is certainly possible for the millennial generation to buy a home, but there's a lot more to consider now than 10 or 20 years ago.

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Stop Real Estate Investment From Becoming A Full-Time Job

Investing in real estate is one of the wisest moves you can make. Without too much experience, it’s possible to flip a property and sell it for a nice profit. Or, you can rent it and keep it as a nest egg for retirement. Either way, with enough startup capital, some elbow grease and a buyer/tenant, there is likely to be a healthy ROI. That’s not to say it’s a guaranteed win by any means, but property is more accessible than stock and shares.

One downside is the time element. Anyone with a real estate portfolio knows it sucks up a lot of energy. There are calls to make, repairs to fix, and contracts to negotiate and renegotiate. Considering you have a full-time job, there is no reason to add another one on top. It doesn’t matter how much money it brings in because a balance between work and life is essential too.

Does that mean real estate investment is off the table? Should you walk away and enjoy time with the family instead? Not necessarily as there are hacks which can ensure the project remains a hobby. Yes, this pastime is demanding, but the following tips should stop it from escalating out of control.

Hire A Property Manager

By far the easiest option is to hire a third-party service to take care of the responsibilities. Investors do this all the time as property management experts can answer questions and solve problems. Thanks to their experience, it’s quite straightforward for them to find a compromise. Or, the owner can tell the management company what they want and they will follow the simple instructions. When done right, it’s the most basic way to save time and energy.

The appropriate word to remember is “right.” Because they will be in control, it’s essential to hire a partner that will earn their money. After all, they’re going to get a cut of your profits and you don’t want to hand it out willy-nilly. As always, recommendations are pretty reliable as long as they come from a reputable source. Do you know someone that recently bought and used an agency? Who do they recommend?

Other than that, use the internet to research companies with an excellent reputation in your area. What do previous customers say? Are there any negatives? If so, what are they and do they apply to your investment? Check and double check before signing on the dotted line.

Take A Backseat

There is no reason to be the face of the operation. In fact, real money men and women are wise enough to understand that their money does the talking. So, they don’t have to be front and center as long as they are pumping money into the project. All they have to do is sit back and take a cut, a lot like an executive producer in Hollywood.

Some people don’t like this idea because they want to be in control. Okay, there is an element of delegation when you partner-up, but you’ll still on your hand on the throttle. The key is to become a limited partner in the company to make sure your opinion is heard and you’re influencing the strategy. Otherwise, you’re a silent investor whose ideas are ignored. That means you’re at the mercy of the people running the show.

From a time perspective, you’ll receive an overview of the investment and can analyze the data. Although this is time-consuming if you do it correctly, it uses less energy than creating and managing the plan. Always consider the investment because a bad project will lose money and negate the purpose.

Jot Down Notes

“Notes” is a fancy way of saying mortgages. Almost everyone reading this post will be a note investor in some form. The only difference is that you’re on the opposite end. On the borrower side is where you’ll find the traditional investment of paying for a property over a long-term period. Investing in notes is when an individual secures existing real estate mortgages. Are you following?

Don’t worry if you aren’t because the thing to keep in mind is the profitability. According to the experts, the ROI can range from 12% to 18% depending on the market and the type of note. Rehab it and there is the potential to make more money. Of course, mortgages are directly linked with properties so it’s a roundabout way of investing. Unlike the classic property market, the competition isn’t as fierce and that adds to the profitability stakes.

Like pretty much every stock, share or bond, it’s important to be patient and let them mature. That means going about your life while keeping an eye on the fluctuations.

Schedule Like A Pro

There are only so many hours in a day and the majority is spent on working and sleeping. As a result, there isn’t a lot of room to take meetings or deal with tenants and their issues. Sometimes, landlords find themselves working into the small hours to complete everything on their to-do list.

The answer is basic: allot a certain amount of time to the project. Think of it like surgery hours for a doctor. After work, set yourself a deadline which allows you to go home and do other things, even if it’s relaxing and watching TV.

Too many investors feel guilty and that’s when they work too hard. Use scheduling to release the tension.

Add Years To The Investment

What a terrible idea. This is only going to create more work. Sure, the job will be there for the long haul and it won’t go away until you sell the property. But, the majority of the responsibility is when you try and flip it quickly. There is a lot to do and not enough time to juggle a full-time position.

Landlords that rent find they can spread the work over a longer period and break the stress into manageable chunks.

Don’t you want an easy life as opposed to a hectic one full of pressure and tension?

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East Cast New Yorkers: Take A West Coast Vacation

No matter where you come from, you will, no doubt, come down on one side of the east-west debate. Even the good folks in Middle America seem to have an opinion on this age-old feud, and have been long before Biggie vs. Tupac. But when it comes to New Yorkers taking their vacations, we should put aside some of the arguments. Because there are some incredible places way out west that residents of the Big Apple are missing out on.

You can reach the West Coast in a little as five or so hours by plane, or you could even take several weeks if you pluck up the courage to do a road trip. The rain is another option - you can do the entire breadth of the country for a couple of hundred bucks, and take in some spectacular views.

Whether you plan to go for a week or a month, there is so much to see and do in California. Thus, the next time you plan on taking a breakaway, perhaps call off that trip to Europe or Mexico you were expecting, and look west instead. Here are some excellent reasons why the West Coast should be a vacation inspiration for New Yorkers.

The weather

OK, the first ones easy. Simply put, the weather in California is just fantastic. It’s the perfect temperature for most of the year - although it can get too hot in the peak of summer, so check the forecast beforehand. However, it’s fair to say that it is comfortably warm and nothing like that horrendous sticky heat we get in New York. And the closer you get to the sea, the fresher the air - there really is a good mix of diverse temperatures to experience. Many Californians wear shorts all year around, and as long as you take some sunscreen, the weather is a joy.

The scenery

Of course, good weather is irrelevant if you have nothing beautiful to look at while you are outside. The good news is that Cali has plenty. You can expect some of the most beautiful National Parks in the country, including the enormous 1,200 miles of Yosemite Park. Head to San Francisco and you can check out the Marin Headlands, which is simply spectacular - and you might recognize it from Star Wars. California isn't called the Golden State for nothing, you know. In fact, you would be hard-pressed to find anywhere that isn't deserving of a postcard, from the famed, historic landmarks through to the beautiful, crystal clear ocean waters on the coast.

Diverse locations                                                                        

There are a vast amount of incredible places to visit in California and the West Coast. And whether you love the busy city life of LA or the eerie, vast expanse of Death Valley desert (top tip - go at night and see the stars), there really is something for everyone. Lake Tahoe is perfect for those looking for a hippy-style/chilled out breakaway, and you also have the coastal areas like Carlsbad that are famous for beaches and amazing, exciting activities. Napa Valley is a wine lover’s paradise and well worth a visit.

Diverse activities

OK, so you need more proof that the West Coast has it all - and more? Well, many people take the ultimate California road trip, and tick the three major West Coast activities off their list in one day. There aren’t many places in the world where you can go to the mountains to ski or snowboard after breakfast, head to the beach with a surfboard after lunch, and walk off the post-dinner belly with a long, wonderful evening hike. It’s an amazing experience that everyone should try at least once in their life.

The beaches

While we are on the subject of beaches, forget about the ones you may have been to in the Hamptons. California is a beach lovers paradise, and the difference between the West Coast and the East Coast will become clear as soon as you arrive. Expect vast expanses of golden, soft sands. Take a dip in warm, beautifully blue sea water. And explore 840 miles of coastal sights from towering cliffs to small, cozy coves.

A sense of freedom

Let’s face it, New York is an incredible city and we are all lucky to live here. But do you ever feel the rules are a little too much? Toll bridges, barred items on beaches, parking tickets - you have to be on your toes in the East Coast to avoid paying out a fortune of fines every year. Of course, the West Coast certainly has its own rules, but there is a sense of freedom here. You can even take your dog onto many of the beaches.

The people

That sense of freedom also seems to spread to the people of California. Simply put, they are much friendlier than they are in the Big Apple. Expect a warm welcome, a lot of fun, and a whole bunch of new friends. Sure, there are some places where you should probably avoid, especially if you are clearly an obvious tourist. But on the whole, pole in California - both north and south - tend to be on the chilled side.

Vegas

OK, so Vegas is not everyone’s favorite place in the world. But it is an experience - one that might remind you of New York, albeit it a strange, dreamlike alternative from another dimension. It has the same kind of ‘bubble’ feel that New York has, but the glitz and glamor will get to yo in the end. Las Vegas is truly a world of its own - and some might say universe.                                                                                                    
And there you have it - have we convinced you yet New York? If you can put your coastal rivalry to one side and head out to California there is a world of fun to experience. Yes, the East Coast is an incredible place, and New York is - without a doubt - the best city on the planet. But for something different we think the West Coast is the Best Coast - for a incredible vacation experience, at least. What do you think?

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Travel Essentials to Enhance Your Experience and Boost Your Wanderlust

When you choose to go traveling, you need to understand what it is that makes your trip so exciting and fulfilling. Now, there are so many things you need to take into account when you choose to travel, and the more you can do to enhance the experience the better. There are so many different travel experiences that you have to keep in mind moving forward, and there are a lot of things that can boost your travel experience.

Now, one of the most important things you have to keep in mind is that there are a lot of travel essentials that play a role in your experience. These are things you have to make sure you sort out if you are serious about enhancing your travel plans. These are some of the absolute crucial to keep in mind that are going to combine to make your vacation memorable.

Choose an Awesome Hotel

Never underestimate just how important it is to ensure that you choose the right sort of hotel. There are so many different accommodation options these days, and a lot of people might go for something that isn’t a hotel. However, the right hotel in downtown can be a massively important choice for the trip. A luxury hotel can provide you with so much that other forms of accommodation can’t get close to.

Download Travel Apps

If you want to have a better all-round experience, there are plenty of ace travel apps you can download that are going to help you with this. You have to make sure you are prepared for the trip, and there are travel apps that can help you with different areas of the journey. For instance, you have to make sure you check in for your flight in advance, as well as downloading the public transport app for the city you are visiting.

Get a Guidebook

You also need to make sure you have a guidebook for the city you are going to visit. This is a great way of making the most of your travel experience and making sure you can brush up on what there is to see and do while you are there. There are a lot of things that you might like to do when you visit a new place, and the guidebook is your reference point for knowing and understanding the best things that are available for you on your journey.

Go off the Beaten Track

There are a lot of things that can enhance your journey, but one of the best ways is to go off the beaten track. Try to do what you can to avoid the tourist traps and stop overspending on the things that are aimed at tourists. Instead, you need to make sure you go off the beaten track and rub shoulders with the locals a little more. This will help you get more out of the experience.

These are all things that are perfectly placed to help make your travel experience a better one. There are plenty of things you can do that are going to help you get the most out of the experience. You need to enjoy the culture of a city when you visit, and you have to make sure you spend the vacation relaxing, unwinding, and enjoying yourself.

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NYC Condos - The Best In Luxury Living?

Condos appeal to many people - from first time buyers to retirees, you’ll often find a diverse group of people at an open house for a condo. In NYC, condos are becoming an increasingly popular way of living, offering luxury features in sought-after locations, without the maintenance to worry about.

Is an NYC condo the ultimate in luxury living? Take a look at some of the reasons to go for it.

Why choose a condo?

Condos come in all shapes and sizes. While you might associate condos with beachfront locations, they can actually be part of many buildings and complexes. The key difference between owning a condo and owning a freehold home is that you and your fellow homeowners own a part of the land and communal areas, with costs shared with your fellow neighbors. Some of the benefits of choosing a condo include:

Low maintenance

When you buy a condominium, you get the benefit of owning your own home but having someone else take care of the maintenance. The cost is divided between the different properties, but all communal areas are taken care of - meaning less work for you to maintain your home.

Great features

As real estate becomes more competitive, so do the ‘special features’ that come with a condo. From on-site gyms and swimming pools to chill out and lounge areas, you can find plenty of extra features that offer luxury to your condo. There’s a good site to search for condos here which will help you see more of what’s out there. The fees might be higher on more luxurious buildings, but the perks are certainly worth it.

More freedom than renting

When renting a property, you can be fairly restricted in how much customization you make to your property, even though you might pay a maintenance fee. Owning a condo lets you have the freedom to decorate your property as you see fit, allowing you to truly make your home your own.

Security

Condos are typically located in gated, secure complexes or buildings that make them a safe place to live. Your building could have a doorman or security guard to help provide further security while having several neighbors nearby can reassure you that there’s help around if you have a problem.

More affordable living

Condos are typically more affordable than freehold properties, and the monthly mortgage payments might even be less than your rent. However, if it’s sheer luxury you’re looking for - you could also check out outstanding properties like this $7.2 million West Village condo. Who said condos have to be small? The desirable locations of condos also make it easier to afford properties that are near to work and other local amenities, meaning you can continue to enjoy city living without becoming a millionaire.                                                                            
Think a condo could be the home for you? Explore condo decor ideas to get a flavor of what’s possible. As a good investment and way to get on the property ladder - a condo could be a great start. Luxury living in the city? Where can we sign up?

Related Stories

• The Real Estate Apps You Should Be Using                              
• Hudson Yards’ Hottest New Building The Charlie West                       
•  Inside The Manhattan View at MiMA Tower Residences

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5 Skincare Rules Everyone Should Know For Smoother Skin

By Peter Minkoff

It’s officially the year of the skin. Yes, makeup is great and playful, but the emphasis on healthy skincare has never been bigger. The number of great skincare product launches could make your head spin, and there are even tons of articles on the types of food that your skin can greatly benefit from. Yes, there are tons of advice for getting that perfect smooth complexion, but we’re going to stick to five simple and effective ones that will get your skin where it needs to go.

Beat the dullness

If due to sun exposure, lack of hydration you’ve ended up with dull and lifeless skin that has even begun to show signs of aging, there are several courses of action to take. First of all, if you’ve been forgetting to include sunscreen into your skincare routine, rectify that mistake as soon as possible. Those UVA and UVB rays are unforgiving, so precautions must be taken if your skin has any chance of recovery. In addition to that, try to stay away from the sun as much as possible – that is a rule Japanese women follow to the letter and they look 20 years younger than all of us, so we might as well follow suit. Finally, do un-dull the skin and begin to restore its smoothness and shine, make it your goal to take vitamin A regularly. You can resort to topical solutions, but they can be quite strong and even counter-effective for certain skin types, so it’s best to find a supplement or load up on vitamin A rich foods instead, at least in the beginning. Let’s move on to rule number two.

Find what works for you

Instead of roaming around drugstore counters picking up products you just assume will give you the result you need, you need to sit down, do your research and find out what exactly your skin type and concerns are. There are numerous skincare brands, one of them being the incredible Rodan and Fields, offer personalized skincare regimen and proper products, and with a simple click of a button here, you can finally get the skinny on what your skin craves and finally provide it for it.

Skincare involves using a series of products or treatments to get glowy and healthy skin. So. besides identifying what products work for you, you should also invest in knowing what treatments are excellent for your skin.

Skin treatment involves getting botox injection, chemical peel, laser skin resurfacing, dermabrasion, microdermabrasion, derma fillers, light therapy, and many others! These skin treatments aim at treating specific skin conditions for those people who have used various products with no results. 
 
Finding out what works for you is significant, as some people may choose to get a chemical peel, whereas some prefer a botox injection. Some may consider getting a Botox London Professional Aesthetics procedure for anti-aging purposes and to smooth the appearance of their skin, whereas others may find it beneficial for cosmetic corrections such as lifting the corners of the mouth and tightening this area of the face. Knowing how much and how often to use a treatment or go for a procedure is key when it comes to skincare. 

Finding what works for you in terms of products and skin treatments can help you save money and time in the long run.   

Know your enemies

Alcohol, in all forms, is simply bad for your skin. According to skin expert Michaella Bolder “Alcohol is a toxin (…) impacting the quality, appearance and ageing of your skin. Alcohol is also a diuretic, so you can lose plenty of skin cell-loving water from the body quite rapidly, leaving your skin dehydrated and dull. So, aside from avoiding alcohol as much as you possibly can, you must read the labels on cleansers and toners and even foundations carefully. Many of them contain alcohol, which dries out the skin almost instantly, and the condition worsens the longer you use it. This again brings us to rule number two – leave it to experts to determine and provide the right solutions for you so you don’t ruin your skin with uninformed purchases.

All in moderation

One of the greatest obstacles standing between you and a smooth glowing complexion are clogged pores and flaky skin. This usually comes as a result of either piling too much makeup and not cleansing your face properly at the end of the day or the fact that you’ve let the importance of exfoliation completely slip your mind. Exfoliation is essential to smooth skin as this skincare step removes the dead cells completely and allows your skin to breathe. Aside from that, it fosters faster cellular renewal and production, and preps the skin for the products you apply after you’re done exfoliating. Now, some would say that daily exfoliation is a must, but there is such a thing as too much. You need to give the skin time to actually ‘develop’ dead skins in order to remove them. Overzealous exfoliation can irritate the skin, strip it of its natural oils and actually make matters worse. So, the final verdict on exfoliation – definitely yes, but only three times a week.

The golden rule

You can have the best skincare custom-made for your skin type, but the smoothness and radiance you crave will still be at large if you don’t learn two important lessons. The first one is layering your skincare products in the right order. This is paramount as each product plays a role and it needs to make an appearance at just the right time. The second lesson is diligence. You can’t be responsible when it comes to your routine one day and then skip two or three days – that’s just not how the cookie crumbles. You have to have an established daytime and nighttime routine and never skip it no matter what.

Now that you’re in the know, there is only one thing to do. Remember these rules, follow them to the letter and you’ll see results that have been missing before you know it.