Ellen Pompeo Sells Hampton Home

On December 20th, Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo sold her Sag Harbor Home for $2.995 million.

Hi res images credit: Chris Foster, courtesy Douglas Elliman

Grey's Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo designed this charming modern farmhouse as her Hamptons retreat on over 8 acres in Sag Harbor. The 2400 s.f. house, built in 2013, has 5 bedrooms (one doubles as media room/bar) and 4 baths divided over three floors. The lower level bedroom/media room has a full bath and two legal egresses and tons of closet storage space. The main floor suite has a full bath, private living room and master bedroom with private staircase that leads to an ensuite guest room.

The second floor master has a private living room, a full bath and an adjoining bedroom or a great office. There is a gorgeous kitchen, dining area by the front door, living room with soaring ceilings and glass walls, two fireplaces--one in the living room and one in the screened/glassed-in dining porch. The porch overlooks the lovely heated, Gunite pool and generous lawn surround. Private, quiet and notably stylish. Room for tennis. 

 5 Total Bedrooms 4 Full Baths 2400 Sq. Ft. 8.38 Acres Built in 2013 Barn Style Partial Basement Lower Level: Finished Hardwood Flooring Family Room Study y Great Room First Floor Master First Floor Bathroom 2 Fireplaces Forced Air Gas Fuel Central A/C Private Well Water Private Septic Pool: In Ground, Gunite, Heated Screened Porch Enclosed Porch Covered Porch Room For Tennis

Martha Gundersen of Douglas Elliman brought the buyer.

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The Best Tips To Save Your Skin This Winter

By Diana Benitez

No matter how much we love winter and the cozy nights in, our skin often does not, and we cannot neglect it. It’s only natural that some people’s skin reacts more extremely than others. Often this reaction leads to peeling, eczema, and blotchy skin, especially on our cheeks that goes beyond a slight blush effect. Check out our best skincare tips for you to use this Winter.

If you suffer from, or want to prevent dreaded winter skin, here are a few tips.

Related: The Enlightened Under-Eye: Vitamin C's Role in the Pursuit of Perfection

Humidify, Humidify, humidify

Now, I’d say this is for those who live in very dry, stale and frozen areas. It’s much more difficult to reach any level of humidity and expose your skin to it. To do so, this would add a lot of much needed moisture that sometimes the dry weather can bring into our skin. That being said, over-humidifying is also not good, so only turn to it if it’s really necessary. If you're puzzled which spec to look for, here we have an informative humidifier for skincare brands analysis.

Using a gentler cleanser

Something we have to switch up our summer/warmer weather cleansers to a much gentler, less harsh one. Often, much harsher ones will strip our skin of those oils that are already low in the winter. We recommend, Bliss Rose Gold Rescue Gentle Foaming Cleanser for Sensitive Skin, $13

Exfoliate

It may seem daunting to exfoliate when you already have sensitive and dry skin, right? Well, exfoliating is a must for the dry patches that sometimes arise when the weather gets below freezing. Though you need to focus on exfoliating, don’t over exfoliate. This can have a detrimental effect of an even more excessive amount of dry skin.

If you still aren’t convinced due to the harshness of exfoliating, here’s an alternative that still rids your skin of those dry cells. Clarisonic Skin Renewing Peel Treatment, $39

Don’t Forget the Scalp!

This is actually something that so many people forget about in the winter months (and maybe even the summer, too). Just like the rest of your skin, this also needs to be hydrated and kept an eye on. You could look into having a scalp treatment done in hair salons near you, but of course, you could do one at home, too, and even invest in a nice shampoo brush for your scalp. In general, just don’t forget this, because it’s still apart of your skin!

Be aware of your moisturizer

During the summer months, or any time during the year that isn’t winter, we typically use a light lotion with a built in SPF, if that. We don’t like the heavy feeling of products on our skin when it’s so hot outside.

It’s incredibly important to not use a lotion, but to step it up to a cream, ointment or serum because it will provide a greater level of moisture.

A few options are:

• Naturally Serious Supercharge Anti-Oxidant Moisture Serum, $56

• SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2, $128 (2 for 1, anti-aging and nourishing)

• Aquaphor Healing Ointment, $13.69

Fix your shower routine

We often fail to realize that, even though we love those hot, steaming showers, they aren’t that good for our skin. The longer and warmer the shower, the more time that water has to strip your skin of the natural oils due to its repelling quality. It’s recommended that we limit our showers to be shorter and in warm water, not hot water.

Dry skin is often a big inconvenience, but it’s manageable. You don’t have to just deal with it, you learn to work with it. There are many different skin types, and because of that, there are many different skin routines out there. 

Manhattan Apartment Prices Rebound but Remain in Correction in Fourth Quarter, According to Halstead Market Report

After a rush of closings in June inflated second quarter numbers, leading to depressed third quarter figures, the Manhattan apartment market has returned to levels more reflective of current conditions in the fourth quarter, according to Halstead’s Fourth Quarter 2019 Market Report. 

The average apartment price of $1,857,026 rebounded by 10% after a weak third quarter, but still remained 10% lower than a year ago. Resale apartment closings were down 5% from the fourth quarter of 2018. The Halstead Market Report is based on 2,015 recorded fourth quarter sales, 3% fewer than the same period last year.

The average apartment price of $1,857,026 rebounded by 10% after a weak third quarter, but still remained 10% lower than a year ago. Resale apartment closings were down 5% from the fourth quarter of 2018. The Halstead Market Report is based on 2,015 recorded fourth quarter sales, 3% fewer than the same period last year.

“As we closed out the decade, we saw continued correction mode in the Manhattan market with sellers making necessary reductions to prices, putting them at appropriate levels in the fourth quarter,” said Diane M. Ramirez, Chairman & CEO of Halstead. “We expect to see an active start to 2020, as buyers now have a golden opportunity to make a move with the combination of low mortgage rates, competitive pricing and incredible choice in inventory.”

Other noteworthy findings from Halstead’s Fourth Quarter 2019 Market Report revealed:

• Resale apartment prices averaged $1,467,795, which is 6% lower than 2018’s fourth quarter;

• The average condo price, at $2,756,941, was 12% lower than the same period last year, with only studios seeing an increase in price this year;

• Co-op prices averaged 5% less than last year, as all size categories saw price declines;

• Despite some impressive closings, including a $92.7 million sale at 220 CPS, new development prices were down from a year ago;

• However, the new development median price rose slightly, indicating that while there were fewer high-end closings than a year ago, the middle of the market ticked upward;

• Looking at only co-op resales, the average price across all size categories fell to $1,242,683, a 2% decline from that same period last year;

• Prices for resale condos rebounded sharply after a weak third quarter, but their average price was still 8% lower than last year; studios were the only size category to see an increase in price during this time;  

• Resale apartments sold in the fourth quarter spent an average of 125 days on the market, 11% longer than a year ago;

• Sellers received 96.6% of their last asking price, which was unchanged from 2018’s fourth quarter;

• Both the average and median loft prices per square foot declined compared to the fourth quarter of 2018; and

• The highest percentage of resales in Manhattan was on the East Side at 24.4%, followed by Midtown (34th Street to 59th Street) at 19.0% and Downtown (South of 14th Street) at 18.7%.

Have a listing 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.

Visiting NYC this Winter? Here's How to Avoid Getting Sick

When traveling on vacation, your chances of getting sick increase. Being in a new environment surrounded by lots more people can expose you to more bacteria and germs. People in the United States get approximately one billion colds every year. If you don’t have a plan of attack, you could end up spending your vacation time cooped up in bed rather than exploring all the sights. Here are ten tips on how to avoid getting sick when visiting New York City this winter.

Be Careful What You Eat

New York City is a food mecca of gourmet cuisines and street vendors. If you overeat, you will wind up getting sick and not be able to truly enjoy your vacation. Be wary of street vendors. You don’t know how fresh the food is. If it’s been sitting out all day, you could get food poisoning and end up spending your time in the emergency room.

Do your best to eat like you would if you were at home. Avoid junk food that doesn’t provide you with the nutrients you need to stay healthy. Limit the introduction of new foods that you have never tried before so that your body can have time to get used to it.

Get More Rest

Just because NYC boasts itself as the city that never sleeps, it’s not a good idea for you to adopt the same philosophy. Your body needs at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night to function properly. You’ll help boost your immune system to fight germs and bacteria from getting you sick. The city can be a bit noisy at night which can keep you awake if you’re sensitive to noise. Consider investing in earplugs, sleep medication, or a sound machine to help you drown out all the bustling activity.

Practice Proper Hand Washing

Wash your hands frequently using plenty of soap and water, especially after meals and trips to the restroom. Dry off your hands with paper towels or a high-speed Dyson hand dryer to avoid spreading germs back onto your hands. Use hand sanitizer when you don’t have access to soap and water. If you are visiting family members who have small children, you may want to consider washing and sanitizing your hands more often. Approximately 87% of five-year-olds are enrolled in pre-primary programs in the United States. If your nieces, nephews, and cousins are a part of that population, they could be carrying tons of bacteria from school.

Drink More Water

Keeping hydrated by drinking plenty of water can help prevent you from becoming sick. Since our body is made up of mostly water, it’s important to replenish our organs to keep them functioning properly. Carry bottled water with you at all times to help you avoid the risk of developing diarrhea from drinking tap water that carries bacteria you aren’t used to.

Take Supplements

Taking vitamin and mineral supplements can help prevent you from getting sick. Vitamins A, C, and D can boost your immune system. Probiotics can reduce the number of bacteria that can cause illness from wreaking havoc. Adding supplements to a healthy diet rich in fiber will give your stomach the ability to fight off unhealthy bacteria so you can spend more time enjoying your new experiences.

Get Your Flu Shot

According to the CDC, there have been at least 710,000M flu-related hospitalizations since 2010. One of the best ways to avoid getting sick is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Before going to New York City, make an appointment with your doctor for a checkup and to get your flu shot and any other necessary vaccinations.

Protect Your Eyes

To avoid getting sick, do your best to keep your hands away from your face, especially your eyes. This will help prevent germs on any surfaces you touch from entering your body. If you must touch your face for any reason, use facial tissues to provide a barrier.

Avoid Alcohol and Cigarettes

Drinking and smoking can both cause dehydration, which increases your chances of getting sick. Cigarettes can make your cold and flu symptoms last even longer. Alcohol can also prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep, which can weaken your immune system. Eliminating these two activities can help keep you healthier so you can focus on enjoying your stay.

Don’t Forget Your Exercise Routine

Just because you are on vacation doesn’t mean you can skimp on your workouts. Exercise can help prevent respiratory tract infections from developing as well as shortening their duration. Keep your exercise routine the same as if you were home. If you don’t normally exercise, do as much walking around the city as possible while you are on vacation. Not only will you be able to better take in the sights, but you’ll keep yourself healthier as well!

Keep Insurance Documents Handy

If you do need to go to the hospital or urgent care center because you’re sick, you’ll want to keep your health insurance documents handy in a safe place where you won’t lose them. The Gartner Group estimates that around 15% of all paper documents get misplaced and 7.5% of them get lost completely. When you are on vacation, you can easily forget where you put your health insurance cards. Designate a specific place for these documents where you can easily access them if you need them.

Before you travel, it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company about what providers in New York City are covered under your plan. Make a list of contact information for these providers and keep it in your smartphone for easy access. That way, you can seek treatment and shorten the duration of your illness should you get sick during your visit.

You’ve probably looked forward to this trip for a long time now. Getting sick would ruin all your fun plans and you definitely don’t want that. If you can keep yourself protected, you can truly enjoy everything the Big Apple has to offer. Following these ten tips will help you avoid getting sick when visiting New York City this winter.

New Listing Alert: The perfect pied-a-terre

251 East 51st Street, Unit 2M, listed on the market as a Compass "Coming Soon," is a recently renovated, perfect pied-a-terre (and ideal one bedroom for all the rest of us). What truly sets this pad apart from the rest is the dreamy outdoor terrace with endless possibilities and city views. Accessed by the living room and overlooked by the bedroom, this 24x12 outdoor space is an oasis in the center of the Midtown hustle and bustle. 

Photo Credit: Michael J. Franco//Compass Real Estate

Some of the other terrific features of his home are its living room that measures over 29-feet in length, allowing for plenty of room for both comfortable living and dining, and an impeccable L-shaped kitchen with a stunning, patterned concrete flooring, an abundance of custom solid wood cabinetry, Silestone counters, and high-end stainless steel appliances. The bath is fully renovated with contemporary mosaic tiling and the best finishes and fixtures. And, there is an enormous amount of closet space and gleaming, new solid wood floors throughout the apartment. 

251 East 51st Street is a full-service cooperative with very low maintenance, a 24-hour doorman, a resident manager, fitness room, fully landscaped roof deck, and a reasonably priced on-site garage This pet and pied-a-terre friendly building allows co-purchasing and gifting and is surrounded by the best shopping, restaurants, attractions, public transportation, and parks that Manhattan has to offer.

This home is currently listed at $895,000 by Compass’s broker, Michael J. Franco.

Have a listing 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.

What Is The Official Cocktail Of The Golden Globes By LaQuan Smith?

Alexandra Reconco

Ever wondered what your favorite celebrities were drinking at the Golden Globes? Well, this year,  Moët & Chandon — the official champagne of the Golden Globes for over a quarter-century — has announced the official cocktail of this year’s ceremony: The Moët Golden Hour, created by acclaimed fashion designer LaQuan Smith.

Inspired by one of his favorite moments of any big night, LaQuan captures the colloquial ‘golden hour’ atmosphere of ideal lighting and glamour in The Moët Golden Hour cocktail. Made with fresh pineapple juice, pink grapefruit-infused vodka, and garnished with pineapple smoked salt (see recipe below), the Moët Golden Hour is the perfect sip to toast the 77th Golden Globes before, during, and after the ceremony.

For the first time ever, viewers can pre-purchase a limited-edition Moët & Chandon Champagne box to help craft The Moët Golden Hour cocktail at home. The box (SRP: $100) is on sale on Giftagram.com from December 16, 2019 through the 2020 Golden Globes ceremony and includes a 750mL bottle of Moët Impérial Brut, two (2) Moët Impérial minis, two (2) Moët Mini flutes, two (2) elegant, oversized gold stemmed Moët & Chandon champagne coupes,  6 golden cocktail skewers and The Moët Golden Hour recipe card.

 The Moët Golden Hour by LaQuan Smith

• 1.5oz Moet Imperial Brut

• 0.8oz Belvedere Pink Grapefruit Vodka

• 1.1oz Fresh Pineapple Juice

• 0.35oz simple syrup

• Garnish: Pineapple sprinkled with Smoked Salt

• Served: Coupe glass

Preparation: Combine and shake the vodka, pineapple juice and simple syrup in a shaker. Pour mixture into a coupe and top with Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut. Garnish with a fresh pineapple chunk sprinkled with smoked salt

About LaQuan Smith

A native New Yorker, Smith grew up in Queens with an innate passion for fashion and design. His passion developed in his early adolescence when his grandmother passed on her old Singer sewing machine, which resulted in Smith designing and creating his own garments. In 2007, he graduated from the High School of Art and Design and began his career in fashion. While he was denied from the Fashion Institute of Technology and Parsons School of Design, Smith forged ahead in his pursuits and a year later created his own self-titled designer brand. In 2010, he made his NYFW debut at the Society of Illustrators headquarters in Upper East Side and the rest is fashion history. Since then, Smith’s brand has skyrocketed thanks in part to the A-list stars (Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian-West, Cardi B, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez) donning his designs, and the iconic designers who support and uplift his work – a huge advocate being Tom Ford. Now, Smith has his eyes set on a new partnership that will amplify and honor his work and the work of other pioneers pushing the culture forward.

Have a listing 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.

A Last Minute Planner's Guide to Ending the Year on a High Note In New York City

We’re only days away from 2020 and with so many options on where to celebrate it can be overwhelming and leave many New Yorkers to stay in and miss all the fun. To say goodbye to the decade we’ve scoured for some of the best New Years Eve parties around New York City. Jump into the roaring 20’s with the best events around, maybe you’ll even attend more than one.

Happy New Years!

Related: Spending New Year's in NYC, and surviving to tell the tale.

To stay up to date check on more events check out our calendar.

Mark Sagliocco/STTK/REX/Shutterstock

Tender

Tender (130 W 47th St) inside The Sanctuary Hotel is hosting a NYE celebration with seatings from 7pm and 9:30pm. The first three course prix fixe seating is $85 per person, and the 9:30pm seating is $110 per person and also includes dancing to follow and a champagne toast as the ball drops leading right into an after party to liven up the celebration while you're immersed in the lively energy between the heart of Times Square and the hustle and bustle of Rockefeller Center. Reserve your spot by emailing: events@sanctuaryhotelnyc.com

Nerai

Nerai (55 E. 54th Street) offers a contemporary twist on sophisticated Greek dining in the heart of the city. To celebrate NYE with an elegant seated dinner, Nerai will offer an epicurean meal with the choice between a four-course prix fixe menu at $115 per person, or Executive Chef Moshe Grundman's 7 course tasting menu at $145 per person. The four-course menu includes a Winter Salad, Tuna, or Artichokes as starters. Then choose between a Lobster Pasta with squid ink linguine in a metaxa bisque or a Black Truffle Spaghettoni with creamy truffle sauce, kefalotiri espuma with fresh shaved black truffles. Main dishes include Lavraki, a pan seared mediterranean sea bass with wild mushroom farro, horta and pomegranate reduction, and Lamb Loin with lemon potato gnocchi, honey glazed carrots and roasted Brussel sprouts. And cap off the epic meal with dessert in the form of Saragli or Karidopita. The tasting menu can be found here. Make reservations by visiting: https://nerainyc.com

Brooklyn Chop House

Brooklyn Chop House (150 Nassau St.) offers up  Dim Sum & Chops giving diners everything from homemade dumplings and noodles to their 30-35 day dry-aged Pat LaFrieda Prime Steaks. Specialties include the 7lb LI Peking Duck, the Surf & Turf with 2 - 8oz South African Lobster Tails and a crispy 16oz Filet Mignon for two, and the Alaskan King Crab Legs for two with garlic and ginger. With the crave-worthy food being served, it's the perfect spot to dine in on NYE. A price fix menu will also be available for groups of 8 or more, starting at $125 per person. For reservations, visit https://www.brooklynchophouse.com

Beyond Sushi 

Beyond Sushi will offer a 5 course tasting menu for $95 per person at their flagship location (134 W. 37th St.). Vegan specialties including black sesame bellinis, seaweed caviar, smoked cashew cheese, mousse lemon zest and chervil.  Entrees include white winter truffles with Arborio Italian rice risotto, topped with seared chanterelle mushroom truffle foam and nasturtium leaves, and Hot Impossible Pate on whipped potatoes, with caramelized cipollini port wine reduction sauce. Cap off the year with a chocolate lava cake. Reserve your spot by visiting: https://beyondsushi.com

Bell Book & Candle

Bell Book & Candle (141 W 10th St) is hosting a New Year's Eve dinner for $95 per person featuring dishes such as the Hawaiian Yellowfin tuna nachos with tempura kale, guacamole, sesame and spicy mayo, a Shellfish Bisque with rock shrimp and a Grass-Fed Filet of Beef with root vegetable gratin, mushroom ragu and white truffle oil. An optional open bar is also available from 9pm - 12am for an additional $95 per person with party favors, a balloon drop and confetti cannons and in addition to a champagne toast at midnight.

Clinton Hall

End the year the right way as you say goodbye to 2019 and hello to 2020 at one of Clinton Hall's locations in FiDi, E. 51st Street or Williamsburg. Grab your friends and watch the ball drop while enjoying a 4 hour open bar, and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight in addition to pass hor d'oeuvres. Tickets begin at $50 and can be purchased by visiting: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/the-lure-group-8949803130?aff=odeimcmailchimp&mc_cid=dc728dbf2a&mc_eid=3ad4141e22

Sir Henri Penthouse Rooftop’s NYE Bash Hosted by Joonbug

Sir Henri Penthouse Rooftop (37 W. 24th St.) will host a Joonbug NYE bash from 8pm - 2am complete with a 5 hour premium open bar. One of New York City’s top DJ’s will provide a lively soundtrack as guests dance nonstop to their favorite Top 40, Hip Hop, House, Dance, and Mash Up hits. As midnight approaches, get ready to raise your glass in a complimentary champagne toast and count down live with the whole room as you ring in the New Year. General admission tickets begins at $99 and can be purchased by visiting: https://joonbug.com/newyork/newyearseve/sir-henry-rooftop-new-years-events-new-york

Bob Moses Headlines at Schimanski in Williamsburg 

Bob Moses, the Vancouver-bred, Brooklyn based deep house duo Tom Howie and Jimmy Vallance will cap off the year with an epic New Year's Eve club set at Schimanski (54 N. 11th St.) in Williamsburg on Tuesday, December 31st. The Grammy winning duo came to life in the Brooklyn underground scene in 2012. In May 2018 they announced their headlining US tour in addition to the release of track “Heaven Only Knows”, which was quickly followed by news of the duo’s second full-length album Battle Lines and first single “Back Down”.  Tickets begin at $59 and can be purchased by visiting: https://www.schimanskinyc.com/calendar/2019/12/31/nye-2020-bob-moses-club-set

DEG Presents Above & Beyond at New York Expo Center

There is no place on the planet as exciting to spend NYE as New York City.  On Tuesday, December 31, titans of the electronic music genre ABOVE & BEYOND will ring in 2020 with a special headline show at an incredible cavernous location in the Bronx--the 60,000 sq foot New York Expo Center. Presented by Above & Beyond’s Anjunabeats label and New York nightlife impresario DEG Presents (formerly RPM Presents), Jono, Tony and Paavo return to one of their favorite cities for the biggest party of the year.  Watch for news regarding friends who will support in the festivities. Tickets begin at $79 and can be purchased here.  

Ten Hope in Williamsburg

Ten Hope (10 Hope St) is offering up a 3-course price fix menu with early seatings from 6pm - 7:30pm at $55 and late seatings between 9pm - 10:30pm for $75. Leek soup will be featured for the amuse bouche. Starters offer a choice between Scallops with chickpea mash, dill oil, and romesco, and Crispy Octopus with Israeli salad, and nigella aioli. Entrees options include Filet of Steak with Pomme Puree and Roasted Broccolini, a Wild Mushroom Pasta with truffle butter and breadcrumbs and Poached Halibut with parsnip purée and braised leeks. For dessert enjoy gooseberry marmalade Creme brûlée. Make reservations by visiting: https://www.tenhopebk.com/

Zeppelin Hall's NYE 2020 Party

Come as you are to Zeppelin Hall's (88 Liberty View Dr.)  New Year's Eve party with absolutely no cover in addition to free hats and noisemakers for all. Watch the ball drop on one of their many Hi-Def Screens while you dance the night away to a live DJ and ring in the New Year without spending your life savings.  For more information visit www.zeppelinhall.com

Ring in 2020 on the Water at Molos

Ring in the New Year at Molos (1 Pershing Rd) in Weehawken with a live DJ, party favors, and dancing - all the necessities to kick off the new decade. There will also be a 4-course dinner for $125 per person. Enjoy Greek and Mediterranean inspired seafood dishes with stunning views of the Manhattan skyline.

The Springs in Greenpoint 

Say hello to 2020 from The Springs (224 Franklin St) Ho Ho Holiday Lounge in Greenpoint without breaking the bank. Doors open at 9pm with no cover required and complimentary party favors will be doled out. Drink and dance your way into the new decade with DJ Alanna "That's So" Raben beginning at 10pm. RSVP by visiting: https://www.thesprings-bk.com

Ainslie in Williamsburg

Come in and celebrate the new year at the beautiful 10,000 square foot, 340-person multi-level Italian wine bar, beer garden and restaurant Ainslie (76 Ainslie St).  Their menu includes wood-fired pizzas, housemade pastas, steak, free-range chicken and more. The restaurant boasts four bars and offers an extensive drink menu including 20 wines by the glass, four wines on tap and 16 beers from local craft breweries on tap. There will also be a DJ spinning from 9pm-2am. Reservations of all sizes are welcome and can be made by visiting: https://ainsliebk.com/

Have a listing 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.

Off The MRKT's Top Stories of 2019

What did you enjoy reading this year? Between weekly listings and travel guides, we’ve picked a few of the most popular articles of 2019? While these are the most popular stories of 2019 hopefully they give us all insights of what to look for in 2020. Happy New Years’!

• Live Inside the Building Beloved by Celebrities Like Cameron Diaz and Blake Lively

• Bethenny Frankel Reduces SoHo Price In SoHo Apartment

• Hudson Yards Announces Opening Day

• Our Favorite Real Estate Instagram Accounts

• Ryan Serhant Launches South of Hudson Yards (SoHY)

• Top NYC Buildings To Live In For Pool Lovers

• The Best Rooftops To Take In The Fall Foliage

• The Seven Kingdoms Of New York City

• Is Your Underwear on trend?

• Where The Hell To Get A Margarita On National Margarita Day

• Have a listing 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.

How to Prepare Your Apartment for a Holiday Vacation

The holidays are in full swing, and it's the perfect time to take a well-earned vacation. Whether you're heading somewhere sunny or visiting relatives, it's essential to prepare your apartment for your absence. Exercising some quick precautions will leave your space in prime condition to prevent maintenance issues or sneaky visitors. 

Once you hit the road, you can enjoy your break while knowing your place is safe and clean. Here are seven ways to prepare your apartment ahead of a holiday trip.

1. Unplug Your Appliances

Unplug any unnecessary appliances, such as the TV, toaster and lamps. Your apartment will use less energy while you're gone, and there'll be less potential for fires. Be sure to turn off or unplug any heaters and other fire-prone devices.

You probably have a low chance of experiencing any electrical incidents, but it's always better to be safe and cut everything off. Paying a smaller electric bill doesn't hurt, either.

2. Get an Apartment Sitter

Ask a friend or relative to watch your apartment. You won't have to go through the trouble of making your place look lived-in. Plus, they'll collect all your mail for you and pet-sit any animals you may have. If they can't help you out, ask a kindhearted neighbor to watch over your place.

Hiring a professional apartment sitter is another option, and you're bound to find luck as a New Yorker. Sitters jump at the chance to visit appealing, well-known cities. Only try this if you don't mind a stranger staying in your place, though.

3. Set Your Thermostat

Heating your place while you're gone causes you to lose money. No one's there to enjoy the toasty environment, so why keep it cranked up to the 70s? Set it at a level that's comfortable for you — not super warm, but not cold enough to freeze your pipes.

If you have a smart thermostat linked with a smartphone app, you have the luxury of doing this step from home or while you're already on the plane. Or, you can set it to adjust automatically. Once the room is empty, your HVAC will drop the temperature on its own, leaving you with peace and reassurance.

4. Leave the Tap Open

Leave at least one faucet on while you're gone —a slow dripping of water is enough. Doing this will prevent your pipes from freezing, which would otherwise lead to pipe bursting. It's better to pay a little more for your water bill that month than have a waterlogged, moldy apartment to come back to.

Look for signs of failing pipes and plumbing issues a couple of weeks before you leave — you'll give yourself adequate time to fix these problems. Common indications of damaged plumbing include rattling pipes, drains that don't empty and weak water pressure. If any of these are present in your rental, dial a professional before setting off on your vacation.

5. Buy an Automatic Light Timer

If no one's going to be watching your place for you, set a timer to turn your lights on and off. A light timer will create the appearance of a lived-in apartment, which will deter nosy criminals.

If possible, program the lights to come on at slightly different times every day. Unless you keep a tight lighting schedule, you likely don't turn them on at the same time daily. A cunning thief could notice this and figure out you're using a switch.

6. Do a Deep Clean

The days leading to a vacation are often hectic and exciting, but remember to squeeze in some time to spruce up your space. Take out your trash and wash the dishes before you go. A sink or garbage can full of spoiled food attracts pests — you don't want to find a house party of rats or roaches once you return. 

Now is also a good time to do any extra cleaning you've been meaning to tackle, like scrubbing the bathroom or vacuuming the floor. You'll feel great coming back to a sparkling apartment after a relaxing vacation.

7. Hide Valuables in Unexpected Spots

Hopefully, you will leave your apartment locked and secured, but consider hiding your valuables as an extra step. Leaving them in plain sight makes it easier for potential thieves to run off with your belongings. Avoid putting them in typical hiding spots like closets and drawers, because burglars will look in these areas first.

Stash your things in empty food containers, potted plants, a vacuum cleaner bag or even a printer. Anything with an inconspicuous hollow space will work.

Buy a surveillance camera to survey the apartment interior and exterior if you're particularly cautious. These days, you can even get a smart system that lets you monitor your home remotely. Many devices, like Ring and Remo+, have companion apps that let you view footage on your smartphone.

Protect Your Rental Through the Holiday Season

Ready to embark on a wintry adventure? With these tips, your apartment will be safe and sound when you come back. In the meantime, you can enjoy your vacation without the stress of mishaps and incidents. Here's to another year of safe NYC living.

Holly Welles is a real estate blogger covering design, finance and market trends for apartment dwellers. You can find more of her work on her blog, The Estate Update.

Have a listing 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.

Printer’s Punch - Favorite Beverage of Benjamin Franklin

As we get closer to Christmas, one thing many of us will be doing is drinking a lot of alcohol! If you are looking to serve drinks at a party with a bit of history, why not consider Printer’s Punch? This was Benjamin Franklin’s favorite drink, and in this post, we are going to reveal everything you need to know about it.

Benjamin Franklin was one of the United States' Founding Fathers. He was a well-known polymath, which means he excelled in several different subject areas, and thus he was known as a leading author, diplomat, statesman, scientist, postmaster, politician, civic activist, inventor, political theorist and printer. You don’t need me to tell you about the history of this incredible man, as there are thousands of articles online exploring his colourful life and achievements. 

But, as we love all things cocktail related, one thing I am particularly interested in is Franklin’s favourite beverage, which was the Printer’s Punch. This is a unique cocktail, and there have been a lot of different variations created. There are also some mocktail versions, which are definitely worth looking into. This is especially the case if you have any guests that have been to facilities like Bali Beginnings. It is so important to make sure they feel comfortable and welcome and not like the odd one out, which is why making mocktails of the cocktails you’re serving comes highly recommended. 

According to a recipe from Poor Richard’s Almanack, from June 1737, the recipe for Printer’s Punch is as follows… ‘Boy, bring a bowl of China here. Fill it with water cool and clear. Decanter with Jamaica Ripe, and spoon of silver, clean and bright. Sugar twice-fin’d in pieces cut, knife, sieve and glass in order put. Bring forth the fragrant fruit and then we’re happy till the clock strikes ten.’

Nowadays punch is a term that is used for a wide variety of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. The only consistent is that some form of fruit juice or fruit is present within the drink, aside from that the ingredients differ considerably. The term punch was first recorded in 1632 in British documents. But, as Benjamin Franklin was alive from 1705 to 1790, the recipe stated is most likely to be similar or even identical to the one Franklin followed. 

Aside from Printer’s Punch, some of Franklin’s favourite foods included Parmesan cheese, turkey, ginseng, potatoes, pickles, cranberries and apples. He is also responsible for introducing scotch kale, rhubarb and tofu to the colonies. 

It is always interesting to learn about the history of some of the world’s most famous drinks. So, if you want to create a cocktail to remember, why not make your own version of the famous Printer’s Punch?

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