Nothing says winter like a hot drink, especially when there is cinnamon involved. Just add crackling wood and a cozy blanket, and there is no better way to spend the holiday season. My favorite is a hot toddy -- not too sweet and very easy to make. Just bourbon, hot water, honey, lemon juice, and garnish with a cinnamon stick. You can use other whiskeys as well, but I prefer bourbon for its slightly sweeter flavor. Over Thanksgiving we made a bourbon cider by heating up apple cider with cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg in a slow cooker, and then combining that with bourbon. It was so simple to make -- no precise measuring necessary, just to taste -- and was a definite crowd-pleaser. Mulled wine is another great option. You can find mulled wine spices at most grocery stores, or put cardamom and cloves together in a cheese cloth and simmer with cinnamon, orange and lemon (both zest and juice), water, and sugar. Then just add dry red wine and brandy. Do you have a favorite holiday drink recipe? Let me know! #DIYDecor #BlogPosts

When it comes to the holidays in NYC, nearly everyone knows about Rockefeller Center (profiled last month). Another fantastic place to get into the spirit is Bryant Park, which during the holiday season is restyled as a winter village complete with open-air market, Christmas tree, seasonal food vendors and ice skating rink. Bryant Park is located between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and 40th and 42nd Streets. Bryant Park is an urban renewal success story. The park's history dates all the way back to the late 17th century when the area was first designated a public space by New York's colonial governor. It served many different functions, including as a graveyard, a public square, and a military staging area during the Civil War. In 1884, the area was renamed Bryant Park to honor civic reformer William Cullen Bryant, the longtime editor of the New York Evening Post. The Beaux-Arts New York Public Library building, which flanks the park's eastern border, was completed in 1911, and in 1934 Bryant Park was redesigned under NYC Parks Commissioner Robert Moses. By the 1970s, however, Bryant Park had fallen into disrepair and become associated with drug use. Efforts to revitalize the park led to the creation in 1980 of the Bryant Park Restoration Corporation (BPRC), a public-private partnership financed in part by members of the Rockefeller family. Bryant Park was closed to the public from 1988 until 1992 as BPRC undertook a massive renovation effort, which included lowering the park to nearly street level and constructing restaurant pavilions and concession kiosks. The results of this renovation have been impressive as daily attendance now often exceeds 800 people per acre, making Bryant Park the most densely occupied park in the world. According to one study, the buildings on Bryant Park's perimeter command office rents 12.5% higher than similar buildings within a few blocks, which translates into property values 20% to 25% higher on average and at least an additional $33 million annually in real estate tax revenue for the city. A view of the park in warmer weather facing West. #NotableinNY #BlogPosts

With its skating rink already open and the much-anticipated tree lighting next week, nothing says holidays in NYC better than Rockefeller Center. Rockefeller Center opened in 1933 and was the culmination of John D. Rockefeller's vision for a "city within a city" -- a hub for remarkable art, style, and entertainment. It is comprised of 19 commercial buildings covering 22 acres, with "30 Rock" -- a 70-story art-deco masterpiece -- as its crown jewel. 30 Rock is home to the Rainbow Room, NBC Studios, and the Top of the Rock observation deck. The complex was built during the Great Depression and employed over 40,000 workers. Rockefeller Center is among the last major building projects in the United States to incorporate a program of integrated public art. Of the 12 individual sculptures, Paul Manship's Prometheus is the most prominent. #NotableinNY #BlogPosts

Next week marks the beginning of Holiday Party Season... which means hostess gifts. It can also mean Secret Santa gifts, oops-I-forgot-something-for-a-cousin-who-just-sent-me-a-gift emergencies, or thank you's for beloved clients. Of course, you can grab wine or some bubbly, but how about something a bit more memorable and longer-lasting? -- Fancy Soap: Luxurious hand soap is such a treat, yet many of us don't splurge on it for ourselves. Check out Molton Brown's fabulous holiday gift selection. -- Kitchen Towels or Olive Wood Cooks Spoons: Who doesn't need more kitchen towels? And when was the last time your wooden kitchen utensils looked pristine? -- A nice umbrella... this continues the theme of useful items in a luxurious shade. -- If you must bring drinks, why not tack on some fabulous tumblers or wine glasses? I love the curated selection of drinkware at Burkelman's. -- Sticking with the drinks theme, how about some locally-produced bitters? Or, a gift bag with all the ingredients for a fabulous cocktail (hot toddies, bourbon-and-cider, Pimm's Cup...). -- Something for the kiddos... if your hosts have children, why not take this opportunity to get them something? Shopping for kids' gifts are easy (hello, lego aisle) and very fun (hello again, lego aisle). For more ideas, I love everything on the Real Simple Holiday Hostess Gift Guide. #DIYDecor #BlogPosts

145 Central Park West The City's first twin tower residential building was designed by architect Emery Roth and constructed during the Great Depression. Atop its 18-floor limestone base sits two 10-story twin towers which terminate on colonnaded top lanterns, reminiscent of a temple and topped by copper finials. The building features very generously proportioned apartments and stunning views of Central Park (for mere mortals, the building itself is a stunning view from Central Park). The San Remo converted to coops in 1970, and is now has of the most prestigious addresses in the City. Past and present residents of the building include Stephen Sondheim, Tiger Woods, Steven Spielberg, Donna Karan, Tony Randall, Demi Moore, Glenn Close, Dustin Hoffman, Steve Martin, Bruce Willis,Trey Parker, Aaron Spelling, and Hedy Lamarr. Rita Hayworth spent her last years there, in a unit beside that of her daughter, Princess Yasmin Aga Khan. In 2007 same-floor residents Bono and Billy Squier went to court over a fireplace. Steve Jobs bought and renovated a penthouse apartment but never lived in it, ultimately selling it to Bono. On December 23, 2013, philanthropist Robert Wilson committed suicide by jumping from his 16th floor apartment in the South Tower. #NotableinNY #BlogPosts

It is my pleasure to share our Q3 2015 Manhattan Market Report with you. This report details the most up-to-date trends that we’ve observed in the marketplace this quarter, with a particular focus on Prices, Inventory, Time on Market, and Closings. I hope that you find these key takeaways useful and enjoy reading the full analysis in this quarter’s report. I welcome your comments and look forward to speaking with you soon about the NYC real estate market or process. #CompassMarketReports #BlogPosts

Gramercy Park is one of only two private parks in NYC (the other being Sunnyside Gardens in Queens). There are 383 keys to the Park, which are solely reserved for those who live along the border of the Park and pay an annual fee. Commerical photography is prohibited, so the public never had a peek beyond the gates. That is until 2014, when, using a borrowed key and a smartphone, computer programmer Shawn Christopher posted a panaromic video online. Mr. Christopher thus trumped Robert DeNiro and Woody Allen who had been denied permission to film in the Park. Gramercy Park occupies 2 acres between 20th and 21st, from Gramercy Park West to Gramercy Park East. The area was a swamp until Samuel B. Ruggles, a developer and advocate of open space, bought the space in 1831 and spent $180,000 in landscaping to build a park that would accommodate the northward growth of Manhattan. He then deeded the land to the owners of the 66 parcels of land surrounding the Park. Development of those lots began in the 1840s, and in 1844 the gates of the Park were first locked. An interesting tidbit: in the center of the Park is a statue of Edwin Booth, older brother of John Wilkes Booth. The elder Booth was a popular Shakespearean actor and founded the Players Club on Gramercy Park South. The Players Club presented the statue of Booth as Hamlet to the Park in 1918. #NotableinNY #BlogPosts

Last month, my husband and I spent a week in Cold Spring where his parents rented a beautiful home overlooking the Hudson River. If you have never been to Cold Spring, stop what you're doing and get yourself over to Grand Central. In 77 minutes you can feel lightyears away from the City. What is there to do in Cold Spring? I'm glad you asked: You can't walk down the main drag of Cold Spring, aptly named Main Street, without tripping over an antique store. To take a break from digging through the vintage goodness, check out Burkelman which has a lovely selection of home goods from Canvas, Iittala, and others. Also, stop by Cold Spring General Store with its wide selection of bitters, teas, and much more. If you are looking for relaxation, the Cold Spring Apothecary has massage oils, candles, toiletries, and offers spa services in a serene environment. If you've worked up an appetite, there are more than a dozen restaurants to choose from right in town. Riverview Restaurant has great lunch specials and delicious pizzas. We went there twice in one week! The Depot is a Cold Spring institution featuring American favorites in a casual outdoor setting. It was built by Cornelius Vanderbilt and used as the town's train depot until 1954. Then, after spending 18 years as a car dealership, the Cold Spring Depot Restaurant opened in 1972. If you want to venture outside of town, the Roundhouse in neighboring Beacon is a boutique hotel and restaurant with delicious food served with a side of waterfall views. Views of the Hudson from Storm King Mountain... And if you've stuffed yourself silly and need to burn off some calories, Cold Spring has some amazing hikes. Breakneck Ridge is one of the top hikes in the Northeast (though a bit scary sounding for my taste). Anthony's Nose is much more beginner friendly, and nearby Bear Mountain and Storm King have various hikes for all levels. There are so many more things to do in and around Cold Spring and in the Hudson River Valley. I hope you make a trip out there for the day, weekend, week, or summer, and let me know your faves. #NYCHappenings #BlogPosts

390 Park Avenue When it was completed in 1952, Lever House was one of the first glass-walled international-style office buildings in the world. The construction of Lever House marked a transition point for Park Avenue in Midtown, changing from a boulevard of masonry apartment buildings to one of glass towers as other corporations adopted its style. Designed by the world-renowned architectural firm SOM (Skidmore, Owings and Merrill) according to the design principles of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the structure consists of two intersecting masses, balanced in their proportions but contrasting in shape. It is distinguished by a a glimmering 24-story blue-green heat-resistant glass and stainless steel curtain-wall. In 1982, the building was declared a landmark by the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission. It underwent a significant restoration starting in 1998 to bring back its former glory which had deteriorated with time and harsh weather conditions. Today, the ground floor contains a restaurant and an open plaza with garden and pedestrian walkways. The Plaza and waiting areas are used as a gallery art exhibitions. Upstairs, among its other tenants, is Compass's UES offices. If you'd like a tour of the building and our offices within, I'd love to show you around. #NotableinNY #BlogPosts

Pots and pans present some of the biggest challenges to NYC kitchens given their sheer size and number. This stylish space-saver, not only makes the most of the window without blocking light, no need to worry about hitting your head as with other hanging pot holders. If you don't have a window or it's not suitable, the same concept also works on a small wall. #DIYDecor #BlogPosts

While "beach reads" have their place, I like to intersperse into my summer reading nonfiction which makes me feel less indulgent about relaxing with a book on the beach or patio. Here are some personal recommendations that rival any mystery or chick lit in entertainment value as well as providing some new insights: (1) Devil in the White City & In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larsen are amazing; I just finished his Dead Wake which was a bit underwhelming. (2) The Sky's the Limit: Passion and Property in Manhattan by Steven Gaines is a must for the real estate-porn addict. (3) Wiseguys by Nicholas Pileggi is the book behind Goodfellas. (4) The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace: A Brilliant Young Man Who Left Newark for the Ivy League by Jeff Hobbs is an interesting read about a unique (and tragic) path to and after Yale. (Note: I felt like this book was about 100 pages too long, but still worth the read). (5) Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer is a fascinating (albeit a bit biased) foray into the Mormon Church. (6) In Cold Blood by Truman Capote is the real-life story of the utterly senseless murder of a Kansas family. (7) The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls is not quite educational but entertains as well as any novel. (8) Bossypants by Tina Fey is also not educational but hilarious! Next, on my list: Boys in the Boat, Delivering Happiness, Eat City, and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. PS -- I just joined Goodreads.com so you can check out my reviews, ratings, and recommendations. Friend me please! #NYCHappenings #BlogPosts

It is my pleasure to share our Q2 2015 Manhattan Market Report with you. This report details the most up-to-date trends that we’ve observed in the marketplace this quarter, with a particular focus on Prices, Inventory, Time on Market, and Closings. What struck me was that despite increasing inventory in both condos and coops, prices continue to rise. This is partly due to an uptick on the lower end of the market. In Harlem and other parts of Upper Manhattan, where prices have historically been low, demand has surged and prices skyrocketed in recent months. I've been working with several buyers in this area, and we've seen double-digit percentage inflation for the same types of apartments over the course of a few months. It's left many of us wondering if the clock is finally running out on this last bastion of affordable apartments in Manhattan. Please CLICK HERE to find the full report. If you have any questions about the market or are considering buying and selling in Brooklyn or Manhattan, please don't hesitate to reach out. #CompassMarketReports #BlogPosts