For the Habitually Chic Heather, inspiration and design are just two of the innumerable themes that can be found in abundance in both New York City as well as her blog.  Habitually Chic is the one-stop spot for the aspiring artist/interior designer or the curious New Yorker who is simply eager to seek out some new design tips for their ever-changing apartment and lifestyle.  Heather blogs about everything from fashion to photography and doesn’t stop there.  Anything that catches this trendsetter’s attention is worth writing about and spreading the word.  Whether you’re interested in broadening your artistic horizons or desperately needing to impress your high society friends with your knowledge of the latest in haute couture, this blog is certain to become your new go-to guide and addiction.

Tell us about your blog Habitually Chic and what you cover?

I am an interior designer and predominately cover inspiring decorating and designers on my blog (www.habituallychic.blogspot.com) but since I feel that all design is related, I also write about art, architecture, photography, fashion and books.  I am lucky to live in New York where I get to attend chic events and meet top designers and other influential stylemakers.  My readers love hearing about my adventures and appreciate my insider access, candor and humor.  Decorating is not always glamorous! 

Why did you start your blog? 

I was working for a top interior designer and would check out design blogs in my spare time.  I happened to read Style Court and The Peak of Chic who were both covering the soon to be opened Charlotte Moss Townhouse.  It got me thinking that if two bloggers in Atlanta were discussing something that I walked by everyday, then maybe I should start my own blog and write about the design world from the New York perspective.

What brought you to New York?

I had wanted to live in New York since I was little and was lucky to work for a company in Boston that had an office here which I transferred to August 2001.  Not exactly the best timing but it made me a real New Yorker right away!

What do you love about living in New York?

I love that you can get anything you want delivered at any time of the day!  I also love that magazines and movies come out earlier in New York than other cities so we get to see things first!  But what I love most are all the wonderful museums and galleries.  I could never live without art!

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

Having a dream!  I don’t think anyone would move into a shoe box sized apartment unless they were working toward a larger goal!  The fun part is meeting people and finding out what that dream is…fashion designer, famous movie star, successful business mogul or top model.  Since there are so many people living here who have already achieved their dream, it definitely keeps you motivated to keep going!

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?

That we really are nice and helpful! It may take a minute to get their attention but New Yorkers will gladly give a tourist directions or help someone in need.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

The energy!  I miss the all the people and hustle and bustle even though that’s what sometimes annoys you when you live here!

What’s your favorite home store?

I have two favorite stores.  The first is Gracious Home.  It is the go to place for every interior designer in the city since they sell everything you could every possibly need including the kitchen sink!  And they deliver! My second favorite store is Pearl River.  They have great selection of Asian home accessories and tableware at a great price.  The rice bowls are perfect for displaying beaded necklaces or matches from all the New York restaurants.  The possibilities are endless! 

Best place to find a design bargain?

Talk to any designer and they will tell you how much they love the Housing Works Thrift Shops!  My best find was a matching set of gold rimmed champagne and wine glasses but you can find amazing furniture and art if you are lucky and get there at the right time.

Best place to find design inspiration?

I think that it’s important to visit the expensive antique shops even if you can’t afford anything so you can educate yourself and train your eye so you know what to look for when you go to the flea markets! 

Best place to get away from the tourists?

I love that just a few blocks over from Broadway in Soho, the streets are quiet and peaceful.  Elizabeth and Crosby Streets have wonderful little boutiques that are never crowded. 

What’s the last movie that you saw?

I just saw the Valentino documentary at the Film Forum and in the audience was one of the fashion reporters in the movie! 

Strangest/ coolest NY experience you have ever had?

I was walking to Bed Bath and Beyond when I looked over and saw a man in full cowboy regalia riding a horse down First Avenue!  And there was no camera crew following him.  It’s those crazy only in New York moments that make living here so much fun!

What are some of your favorite home decorating tips?

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In the warmer weather months when the sun is beating down on the New York City pavement and your body is being cooked from all angles, it is often difficult to remember that Manhattan is an island with easily accessible bodies of water.  Most people escape the city to avoid the heat and try to take advantage of natural surroundings elsewhere.  That is why the community-based organization Floating the Apple is working to alter New Yorkers’ impression of their island by promoting easy access to some of New York City’s greatest prized possessions.  Floating the Apple is a non-profit group located in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood and it has been in existence for over a decade.  Their Pier 84 location houses several 25-foot long row boats, which the students from the local High School of Graphic Arts work to maintain.  All you need to do is make an appointment with Floating the Apple, and you and a couple of friends can take out a row boat on the Hudson River for FREE!  The members of the Hell’s Kitchen community work together to maintain this one of a kind opportunity because it’s not often that New Yorkers get to experience Manhattan from its waterways.  Follow show host Shirley as she speaks with Floating the Apple naval instructor Robert Skibar!   

What are some other fun outdoor activities that you enjoy doing in New York City?

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New to New York City?  Unsure of how to start looking for an apartment? Curious about where you can start making friends?  For many of these answers, you can turn to New York City newbie, Mary Hilton’s blog.  She made the move to the city from Washington D.C. a few years ago.  Living in New York City had been a dream of hers for a while, and once she made the move she found that her friends and family were extremely eager to know how she was doing and how she managed to make all of the logistics of her move work.  In an effort to appease her friends and keep fellow “newbies” informed, Mary started a blog.  Newbienyc is an excellent source for NYC-centric How To’s, local events, and posts that remind you why this city is so great.  So whether you’re a native or a newcomer there’s something to learn from checking out this blog!   

Tell us about your blog and how you got started?

When I moved to NYC about two years ago, my friends back in DC kept asking about life here. So to avoid telling the same stories time and again, I started my blog. It really just grew from there. I started getting questions on specifically how to move here – find housing, make friends, etc. so I added some ‘how to’ info. And as my passion is arts, culture and theater, I also found myself an avid critic. The blog kept me sane while looking for work and having so much free time on my hands. 

What brought you to New York? 

I’d always wanted to live here, yearned for it. I had three major turning points in a short space of time – the death of my mom, the end of a relationship, and hitting 40. I realized that if I didn’t live my dream now, it would never happen. So I quit my job in DC, put my belongings on Craig’s List, and just became a New Yorker.  

What do you love about living in New York?

Certainly the excitement and the culture. This is a city that makes you feel alive every single day. The freedom to be truly, authentically yourself. But really, it is the people that make New York so extraordinary. 

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

The ‘f-you’ attitude of ‘this is who I am, take it or leave it.’ And an unabashed loyalty to and love of the city. 

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?

That at its heart, this city of 8 million really is a small town. There is a thread of connection that runs through all New Yorkers that is really quite extraordinary.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

The noise, excitement, and ability to get ice cream at three in the morning. 

Best tips, tricks or insider info?

Accept every invitation without fail. You never know what you are in for. Someone may casually ask you to a gallery opening, and you find yourself among celebrities and your favorite artists. Go to an off-broadway show and you may wind up sitting next to the playwright. Most importantly, don’t be a wallflower. Talk to people, hear their stories, and connect. The only way to survive in this city is to have a personal and social network. 

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?

I get a thrill every time I see the Empire State Building lit up in the skyline.  

Best place to dine late night?

Any diner. 

Best live music venue?

Cornelia Street Cafe. Or anywhere in Central Park in the summer.  

What’s the last cultural thing that you did?

The Peruvian movie ‘Oblivion’ at Film Forum, my favorite cinema in the city, followed by a walk around the Village for springtime people watching.  

Strangest/coolest NY experience you have ever had?

Being casually asked last-minute to a ‘little gathering’ at a Chelsea art gallery, showing up to discover a red carpet charity event where I got to interview Claire Danes for my blog. Again, accept every invitation, no matter how tired you are! 

Best area or neighborhood for fun on a budget?

The Lower East Side reminds me of the New York I fell in love with years ago. Raw in spots, there is an unbridled energy that has not been suppressed by chain stores or incongruous architecture. 

Best way to spot a trend?

For fashion, you’ll learn everything you need to know about coming trends across the country by people watching. Don’t fall into a dream state when walking to and from the subway, easy as it is to do. Look around, take in the people, and you’ll see patterns that will predict the next must-haves. 

What is the best advice you could give to someone who has just moved to New York City?

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If one were asked to sketch the outline of a book, most would draw a rectangular shape with some kind of hard or paperback cover encapsulating a stack of papers.  Said drawing would not be inaccurate – it would just be lacking imagination.  Unfortunately a lack of imagination had become a far too common occurrence in the literary and publishing worlds, which is why a group of artists tried challenging the status quo by founding the non-profit organization Booklyn back in 1999.

This artist-run organization works to unite the writer, artist and reader through a mutual appreciation of creativity and discovery.  Based out of Greenpoint, Booklyn helps its artists and writers to distribute, sell and make their own books.  The organization is dedicated to its mission of promoting their writers’ books as both literary resources and works of art – especially in a market overrun by mass production and conformity.  Booklyn offers classes, workshops, and lectures to all those interested in the creative and historical aspects of literature and bookmaking.  They also willingly assist artists and authors in publishing and distributing their works by providing them with access to the organization’s technology and skilled professionals, in addition to their ever-increasing audience base.  This organization provides a unique and organic forum for book lovers abound to share in their appreciation for literature and hand crafted works.  In this segment, show hosts Shirley and Christopher explore the craftsmanship behind this innovative organization!

Booklyn Artists Alliance

37 Greenpoint Avenue, 11222

http://www.booklyn.org/index.php

Who are your favorite New York authors?

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With commercial real estate prices forever on the rise, landmark novelty shops like Dan’s Chelsea Guitars are slowly (and sadly) becoming a rarity in this fine city. Luckily for all of the city’s would be guitar heroes…Dan’s Chelsea Guitars is still standing! Located in the historically vibrant Chelsea Hotel, this shop has been in existence for 19 years under the ownership of Dan Courtenay – a native New Yorker himself. Dan and his staff of characters have been sustaining a love for the guitar among musicians and non-musicians alike, by living the store’s motto of “it all starts with a good guitar.” The store’s staff serves a litany of customers ranging from the true beginner to the string aficionado with an extensive stock of new, used, and vintage guitars. During the store’s lifetime, its walls have been blessed enough to have seen and heard the likes of music legends such as David Crosby, Keith Richards, and ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons! Aside from it’s well renowned guitar collection, the store also boasts an elaborate supply of amps ranging from various decades – all of which aim to satisfy any guitarist’s feedback desire. So take in a piece of New York’s musical history and join show host Shirley as she ventures in to this one of a kind shop and busts out a guitar riff of her own!

Dan’s Cheslea Guitars

220 West 23rd Street, 10011

www.chelseaguitars.com

What are some of your favorite New York City novelty shops?

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It’s no mystery that New York City is one of the most religiously diverse locales in the United States. A casual stroll around this metropolis will lead you to some of the most breath-taking churches, mosques, and temples in the world – all of them dotting this city’s street corners. Next time you find yourself next to the Manhattan Bridge, be sure to take a step inside the Mahayana Buddhist Temple. It was once the old Rosemary Theater but is now home to the largest Buddhist Temple in New York City. Upon entering, take note of the two golden lions that stand guard at the Temple’s entrance. These lions serve to protect the Temple against evil spirits. Once inside be certain to rub the belly of the largest Buddha statue in the city – since it is believed to bring luck, wealth, and prosperity. And before you leave, indulge in having your fortune read for only a dollar! Join Show Hosts Shirley and Brandon as they visit this sacred structure in search of inner peace…and hugs.

What are some of the most magnificent buildings in New York?

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Chinatown is full of ancient secrets. The wonders of the East are evident as you walk down the streets and see the exotic foods, smell the mysterious scents, and browse the many unique shops. Herbalists have become prevalent in this neighborhood as many Americans are embracing the notion of alternative medicines and wellness. Frank Lin and his sisters, Susan and Jane, can help you navigate these unknown waters at the Lin Sister Herb Shop.

Lin Sister Herb Shop
4 Bowery, 10013
www.linsister.com

What Herbal Remedies Do You Recommend?

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For more than 20 years, the dancer-illusionists of MOMIX have been creating living art pieces under the guidance of Moses Pendleton. Five dramatically different shows use props, humor, music, and the human body to create surrealistic images of the everyday world around us, as well as the spiritual one which inspires us. Opus Cactus, Sun Flower Moon, and MOMIX in Orbit bring a desert landscape to the stage, create vignettes of light and shadow, and incorporate multimedia for a journey out of this world. Baseball evokes the essence of spirit created only by America’s pastime. Spirituality is explored and brought to life with the collaboration of Peter Gabriel and his powerful score in Passion. While performing at The Joyce Theater in Chelsea, this innovative Artistic Director and Choreographer discusses how these sensual and athletic moving sculptures continue to evolve.

www.mosespendleton.com

The Joyce Theater
175 8th Avenue, 10011

www.joyce.org

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You might be a hipster if, like Lola Wakefield, your research into this fascinating culture of indie rock fans, thrift store shoppers, and vegetarians, painted a picture of, well, you. Lola began writing Stuff Hipsters Don’t Like after moving to Williamsburg and hoping to try and document these strange skinny, night owls who never seem to work, only to discover she may actually be one. “’Oh the ridiculous hipsters,’ I would think to myself, smiling on the inside,” Lola explains. “But then something unexpected happened – I began to encounter people who described me – ME!- as a hipster. ‘Nonsense,’ I thought. But I began to worry that what they said was true.” Join Lola on her journey of self discovery and mocking on this biting and “hip” blog.

Tell us about your blog. It all began the second day I was living in New York. The guy I was subletting from introduced me to one of his friends who took me to the free movie screening of A Wet Hot American Summer at McCarren Pool. I was amazed because I had never in my life seen so many hipsters in one contained location before. I decided then and there that, lacking another writing outlet or any sort of employment for that matter, I would devote my literary energy to documenting hipsters in Williamsburg.

There was also the matter of my pseudo identity crisis, which I like to refer to as “My Hipster Dilemma.” Some people will tell me definitively that I am a hipster, citing various compelling reasons, while others assure me I am not. I got the conflicting responses when I was living in Ann Arbor, but it’s 10 times as bad in Williamsburg, leading me to believe I am, and probably always will, be a hipster fence-sitter. So, in making the decision to study the hipsters of Williamsburg, I embarked on a mission to learn about myself and what it really means to be a “hipster.”

What brought you to New York?

Journalism. The better question is, “What brought you to Williamsburg?”
I was talking to my friend who went to the Parson’s New School about what part of Brooklyn was best to live in. “What about Williamsburg?” I asked. “Ew, no. That place is crawling with hipsters,” she replied. Of course I started searching Craigslist the very next day.

What do you love about living in New York?

Everything. Throughout my youth, I’ve always been discontent with how slow things move, how boring people are, and how few options there always seem to be. I don’t have any of those complaints here, and I’ve never been happier.

What do you think makes a New Yorker?

New Yorkers are completely desensitized to the non-stop weirdness that happens around them. I’m pretty sure if you teleported one to a small town in Kansas or something, the displaced New Yorker would appear catatonic to the townspeople, while a small-towner from Kansas teleported to New York would be startled by everything and immediately have a seizure.

New Yorkers are constantly networking and seem to know everyone. At first I would walk around aimlessly, not recognizing a single face, but now when I walk down Bedford avenue, I get greetings both from people I have legitimately befriended and also the odd “Hey, Blogger Girl!” Also, New Yorkers are used to getting dripped on when it is not raining, whereas non-New Yorkers are alarmed by that.

What surprises you about New York or New Yorkers?

For how many people there are in this big city, I still find myself marveling at those “What a small world it is” moments. Before I moved, I figured that living here I would see people once and never again.

When you leave New York, what do you miss the most?

I haven’t left yet, and don’t expect to any time soon.

Best tips, tricks or insider info?

Hipsters are not as mean as they appear to be. In fact, it’s the ones who look the most intimidating (eg: angular haircuts, meaningless tattoos) that are the biggest softies. Though, this only applies if you don’t act like a total douchebag when you approach them.

Best corny tourist attraction that you secretly love?

Does McCarren Park count? Probably only for hipster tourists, but whatev. I actually enjoy going to most of the hipster stomping grounds that I write about. That’s why my job is awesome. I get to go out and have a great time partying with hipsters (who definitely know how to party) and get great material for my blog.

Best place to dine late night?

The Charleston or the Alligator Lounge. Both of those places give you a free personal pizza when you order a beer – which is not overpriced like I expected. I mean, I like beer, I like pizza, everybody likes FREE stuff. It’s a triple-win situation!

Best live music venue?

Well is WAS the McCarren Park Pool Parties, no doubt, but the hipsters kind of messed that one up by letting the anti-gentrification yuppies dominate the City Council meetings. Now, I would have to say the Mercury Lounge, although that’s not in Williamsburg. Hipsters seem to like the grungy basement of The Charleston as well.

Last cultural thing that you did (movie, museum, theatre, etc…)

I participated in the Mr. and Miss Williamsburg Pageant. What’s more American that good ol’ fashioned pageantry, right? That was pretty much a circus, but fun nonetheless.

Best kept secret (shop / restaurant / attraction) in your neighborhood?

I am fearful of disclosing this information, as it’s usually pretty relaxed when I go there late at night and I don’t want it to become overrun by hipsters in search of “cool.” But Maracuja on Grand Street is the best place ever. Everything aesthetic about the place is perfect and it’s run by this adorable couple who seem to still be completely infatuated with each other. They bartend, cook, play good music and are awesome to talk to. There’s also really good group seating and a magical garden in back.

Best cheap fashion steals?

BEACON’S CLOSET. You can find really hot designer dresses that still have their $300 price tags on being sold for $30. The catch is, that stuff is mixed in with the Forever21 and Urban stuff too, so you have to really dig. Also, I would say the Salvation Armies all over Brooklyn and Manhattan. Screw elitist assholes who say they’re dirty and stuff; those places are treasure troves!

Strangest New York moment?

When my blog stalker showed up to my work with gin and a bag of candy.

Favorite NY irony?

*That nobody from Williamsburg is actually from Williamsburg. It’s like a big University where the curriculum is sleeping until 4, drinking Bloody Marys and being unemployed!

*That you can’t buy liquor and chasers in the same store! I don’t know why but this one really confuses me.

stuffhipstersdontlike.com

What Do You Like About Williamsburg? Post A Comment And Let Us Know!

“No matter how much makeup you put on, if your skin is not doing good, it’s not good,” said Christine Chin, owner of Christine Chin Spa, which offers facials, microdermabrasion, body waxing and manicure/pedicures. Chin’s services are some of the most sought after in the fashion and beauty industry. Celebs like Kate Moss and Kimora Lee Simons have been known to stop by, in addition to New York City women in search of glowing looks and skin. But Chin’s real claim to fame is her flawless eyebrow wax. Priced at $35, it’s a bit steeper than other spas, but can you really put a price on looks? Chin began her career as a makeup artist over 20 years ago, and recently released her own product line. Masques, toners, moisturizers and more can be purchased at the salon or online.

Where do you go for your treatments?

Post a comment below and let us know your beauty secrets!