‘Tis the season for great summer sales, and you know what that means – temptation to buy for fall.  After many a bargain-hunt-turned-serious-splurge, I’ve learned to thwart my spendthrift habits with a classic example of psychological deterrence: I distract myself with season-neutral accessories.
Cheaper than shoes or a dress, accessories are the most cost-effective way to spice up your closet without shelling out serious cash. With countless ways to wear and pair, they offer the quickest route to a fresh new wardrobe where you’d otherwise end up with just one new …

As a young shopper, my mother was constantly dragging me from the front of the store to the sale section in the back.  When her thrifty spending habits didn’t seem to stick, she encouraged me to buy only the pieces I couldn’t live without.  I’ve whittled my own version of her rule over the years, and it comes down to this: do I absolutely love it? And, will I wear it until it’s ripped and worn beyond wearability? (Oh — and can it be washed or does it need to …

My father is an early riser. Check that: He’s a really, really early riser. The man wakes up at 4:30 a.m., which means he’s rubbing his eyes just about the same time people in Hong Kong are waiting for the five o’clock whistle to blow. And, it’s not only three or four days a week, it’s every day — 365 times a year.
As a youngster, I wondered why? But then I got smart and started to ask how? The answer isn’t surprising.
Coffee.
My father drinks coffee like John Belushi drinks whiskey. …

In today’s busy world, it’s difficult to find time for yourself. Time to relax and unwind. When I’m under a lot of stress, I turn to the city’s spas to recharge. With an assortment of stress relieving techniques including massage, facials, manicures and pedicures, herbal remedies, skin treatments, and meditation, it’s easy to find ways to bring your mind, body and soul into balance. Here’s a small crop of spas worth looking into, each with it’s own take on the pleasures of therapy and relaxation.
Recently, as I walked along Ellsworth …

There are few things in this world that never get old. And a hot dog is one of them. What do you eat at the ballpark? What’s on your grill at picnics? What appears on almost every menu?
Hot dogs. Hot dogs. And more hot dogs.
America is ruled by them like an army of steamrollers. They are grilled, placed on a bun, eaten, and rebuilt with condiments again and again.
So there shouldn’t be any reason to explain why hot dog shops are just as common. They are the perfect Saturday get-away: …