BeChicMag.com

TOURIST GETS SPECIAL SUBWAY SERVICE

Having lived in New York all my life I often feel as if I’ve seen it all and almost nothing surprises me. But that wasn’t the case on the day of the Christmas Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center.

As I waited for the downtown F train in the middle of day at the 47th Street Station, I heard the voice of what I thought was the station’s operator or booth clerk. Only this time it wasn’t a staticky announcement on a train delay. Instead, it was an extremely clear voice that said, “To the woman who asked about getting to 51st Street and Third Avenue, you have to take the V train and get off on the Lexington Avenue/53 Street stop. Again, to the woman…” Now that’s a one-of-a- kind customer service you don’t see in Manhattan everyday.

With only 33 days left until the new year, chic girls everywhere are getting ready to update their look for 2008. And there’s a must-go-to beauty workshop by celebrity make-up artist Jackie Gomez on December 6th where she’ll give expert tips on applying make-up for the holidays and the new year.

“This fall was all about the bold reds, passionate plums, golds and blacks and any color that has hues of nature,” says Gomez. “But for the Chrismas Holiday I recommend women to go for the sophisticated smokey eyes, creamy lips with a hint of a berry color and glowing skin.”

And you can take her word for it. The 25-year old New York City-bred Latina of Colombian and Mexican descent is an artist to the stars like Dominican diva Zoe Saldana and the bootylicious Beyonce Knowles. “The most exciting time for me is that second when I look at the outfit, shoes and accessories. I picture my client with a smokey or cat eye look and then I decide what would be best for her,” says Gomez.

On December 6th Jackie will host a beauty workshop at Manhattan’s Flight Club where she’ll teach us city girls how to get the look of the season all while making make-up fun.

QUICK Q&A WITH JACKIE GOMEZ:

Be Chic Mag: What will be the look for Spring 2008?
Jackie Gomez: Spring will be all about the eyeliner and full eyebrows. Think of Marilyn Monroe for inspiration, but for a little twist put on a pink lipstick instead of red.

BCM: What’s one mistake women do when applying make-up?
Jackie Gomez: They use the wrong colors for their skin, or they don’t use the products correctly.

BCM: What are the top two items you can’t leave your house without?
JG: My blush/bronzer duo from Nars and my grapefruit gloss by the Balm.

Don’t miss Jackie’s Beauty Workshop on December 6th. Flight Club. 120 Nassau Street, between Beekman and Ann. $50. RSVP by E-mailing Jackie here. *ms

Just a few years ago the Meatpacking District was the place to be for “it” New Yorkers. And though the cobblestone neighborhood continues to be the heart of Manhattan Clubs I recently realized that the New York City of today is more different than ever. Of course every city, every neighborhood changes with each decade or generation. But there’s something odd about the new New Yorkers of the present and I am convinced that the city that never sleeps is gradually losing its flavor. And I am not just talking about the New Jersey and Long Island groupies that have taken over the city streets during the after hours. It’s something else…

Last month a friend and I were making our way into Tenjune for a red carpet, industry party. Like always there was a long line and you would think that aside the press and celebs, the publicist would let in stylish looking folks. Instead, the newbies going inside where anything but. Apparently money is making New York lose its flavor. Yea, it’s the “capital of the world”, but all the money-hungry changes have completely taken over the city. Do you think New York is losing its flavor? If so, what’s the cause of it?

Did you ever have the urge to give back during the holidays but don’t want to do the typical soup kitchen routine? Well, we found five different ways you could volunteer this season that don’t require wearing a hairnet.

1. BELLS ARE RINGING.
If you truly love Christmas in the city and don’t mind the tourists bombarding the New York sidewalks, you probably won’t mind ringing a bell for charity while standing on a chilly corner. The Salvation Army has started to recruit Santas for the upcoming season. They’re looking for individuals, groups or families to help raise funds for programs near Times Square so gather those holiday enthusiast buddies of yours and starting ringing. Visit SalvationArmyTimesSquare.org for more info.

2.THRIFT STORE SHOPPING
At the Housing Works Thrift Shop, volunteers will help raise money to support homeless people living with HIV and AIDS. Volunteers will perform basic retail duties, plus handle customer service, merchandising and donations. And if you’re interested in pursuing a future in merchandising, what better way to get firsthand experience while also helping provide housing and social services to the homeless. Log on to HousingWorks.org to get more details.

3. CANstruction
If you don’t have time to volunteer but want to donate a few cans of food while seeing a one of a kind art show, catch this year’s CANstruction exhibition. Watch New York architects and designers sculpt masterpieces such as cars, 10-feet-tall hourglasses, sharks and unthinkable creations with nothing more than cans of food, tape and cardboard. It runs through November 21st at the New York Design Center. For more information, click here.

4. CELEBRITY TOY DRIVE
Want to be down with the cool kids? Then join PM Lounge’s Holiday Toy Drive. Unik, the owner of the celebrity-friendly club, is leading the second annual drive for children of his native Haiti through the Edeyo Foundation. Last year they distributed 5,000 toys. If you want to join the fun, you can either drop unwrapped toys by PM at 50 Gansevoort Street, or log on to their KB Toys Wish List by clicking here.

5. BABY BUGGY
It’s great to give toys to underprivileged children all year round- especially during the holidays- but covering their basic needs is just as important. If you’re one of those people that love browsing through the baby sections at department stores, volunteering at Baby Buggy might just be the gig for you. If you want to help sort through donated baby clothing, furniture and accessories that will be shipped to various organizations and shelters through out New York, E-mail Baby Buggy Manager Tami S.