As a man that used to work in retail, I thought it would be fun to have a list of my favorite boutiques.



5. Atelier New York

I love the aesthetic of Atelier New York. Black on Black, Black on White, Black on Grey. Pretty much sums up the store. Edgy designers with futuristic designs, I must say Atelier is one of the most artistic boutiques in NYC. If I could afford any of the items, I would have a pretty sick wardrobe.


4. Seven New York

Seven New York is very similar to Atelier New York. Hidden from tourists in Soho, this underground boutique screams chic and yet bold. Along with Black on Black, Seven offers distinct patterns with bold colors. Don’t forget the friendly service.


3. Oak New York

Oak started as a small boutique in Williamsburg and has now taken over Soho. Unlike Atelier and Seven, Oak has a variety of items, in every price range. From in expensive jeans to wallet buster outer wear. The owners also opened a bar in Greenpoint called Blackout


2. Odin New York

As a former employee of Odin, I love everything about the store. By opening numerous of locations in Soho, West Village and East Village, Odin reflects more than one type of consumer. The only negative I have and I say this jokingly, they need a Lower East Side Store. HA!


1. Assembly New York

Assembly New York located on Ludlow street in the Lower East side = My birthplace. I love this store. The store consists of a dark and lodge like feel with the wooden floors. I personally stay in the store for almost an hour, hanging out with the birds and talking to the owner. Great upcoming store!




Honorable Mentions: In God We Trust, Inventory, Opening Ceremony

Every year there are free agents and certainly none like the ones that will be available this summer.

Some are considered “Prized Free Agents”, some are not.

Here are our list of the best pick-ups this year!

10. Allen Iverson (PHI) – AI made the list in my mind because the 76ers were in a rut. With a losing record, they were desperate to bring fans to the arena. He is an “All-Star” this year because of those fans. The Sixers are happy, AI is happy. What else do you want for a number ten spot.

9. David Anderson – David’s first year in the NBA and he is 28. Many might question why he is on my list but you have to believe with Yao Ming out at center and with him & Chuck Hayes filling in the center role, the Rockets will be no where near .500. They are. His play has fallen in recent weeks but I expect him to make a bigger contribution when the games begin to “count” down the stretch.

8. Paul Milsap – I couldn’t keep Paul off my list either. The Portland Trail Blazers almost pried him away from the Jazz if he did not happen to be a Restricted free agent. His numbers are slightly down from last year but his energy and ability to lift minutes from oft-injured Carlos Boozer provides much need for the Jazz front-court. The Jazz currently the fourth best team in the West.

7. Drew Gooden – Drew Gooden’s having a fantastic season off the bench for the Mavs. With the lost of Brandon Bass to the Magic, the Mavs desperately needed a low post presence. He brings a veteran intensity on both ends of the floor. The Mavs are currently 3rd place in the Western conference. Kudos to Marc Cuban.

6. Matt Barnes – Barnes is a player you love to have on your bench. He plays with his heart on his sleeve and has great rebounding/defensive skills for an undersized forward. His value to the Magic might be more than the average joe would think he is. The “Vincanity” Project has not worked out as well as the Magic would have hoped, but with Barnes inserted into the starting line-up. He is putting up similar numbers from his Golden State days.

5. Ron Artest – Although Ron’s numbers have taken a huge dip since he is not the focal point of the offense, he can still be a best as a defender. He has been plagued by injuries this year which has slowed him down on both ends of the court. The presence of Artest means a lot to the Lakers. It automatically puts them in the realm of a repeat.

4. Trevor Ariza – The Lakers & Rockets did a virtual swap between Artest and Ariza. Their contracts are the same but Ariza is a few years younger and has proven to be a game changer on the defensive end in last years final. He is now the leader of the Rockets due to the banishment of Tracy McGrady and the injury to Yao Ming. Career numbers this year and with the Rockets above .500. He was a great addition.

3. Jason Williams – Some of the readers will probably disagree or even think I am crazy to have Jason Williams in this list. Well, all of you guys are wrong. Jason filled in for oft-injured Jameer Nelson at the start of the season and the Magic looked more dangerous than last year. At the top of the Eastern conference, the Magic got a steal for picking up Williams, who took all of last year off when he “retired”. Since he has been taken out of the line-up, the Magic are falling fast. It seems the Magic have better chemistry with the 35 year old.

2. Juwan Howard – First person to pop into my head as the best off season signing was Juwan Howard, due to the vast amount of injuries to the Portland front line. With Oden and Pryzbilla out for the season, who knew the Blazers would be knocking on Howard’s door. He has put close to double double numbers the last few weeks as he started in a handful of games. With all these injuries and the Blazers contending, I must say Howard’s value is in expendable.

1. David Lee – The Knicks are playing the best basketball in a couple of years and it is all due to one man, David Lee. All-Star type numbers with almost 20pts, 12 rebs and 4 assists per game. His improved outside game and ability to create off the dribble has added a few million to his value this off season. Although he might not be considered a “Prize Free Agent” this summer, he sure will be a perfect fit for any team.

This is an issue that is very near and dear to all of us in the office. Where in the city to get the best burger. Here for your consideration is a list, not authoritative but a pretty good round up of burger joints in the NYC area. Since there are so many burgers we’ve gone by type of person eating them.

Ever wonder who exactly is carrying that weight– the extra pounds that make the US so fat? Here is a list that separates the cream from the top, the cities that make America as fat as it is.

1. Miami, FL
2. Oklahoma City, OK
3. San Antonio, TX
4. Las Vegas, NV
5. New York, NY
6. Houston, TX
7. El Paso, TX
8. Jacksonville, FL
9. Charlotte, NC
10. Louisville-Jefferson, KY

New Zealander are a pretty funny bunch, just look at Flight of the Concords (still can’t believe that got canceled). Anyway one form of entertainment for New Zealanders is to get creative when naming your baby. Some people came up with names so strange they were abusive, at least that is what one New Zealand judge thought. Here’s a list of names he deemed to bizarre to inflict upon kids.

1. Yeah Detroit
2. Stallion
3. Twisty Poi
4. Keenan Got Lucy
5. Sex Fruit
6. Fat Boy
7. Cinderella Beauty Blossom
8. Fish and Chips (twins)

Sex Fruit is totally clear, I can understand where you are coming from with that and sort of think that would be an awesome name. Like when you meet a hot girl named Brett, if she pulls it off. Stallion is the same deal, that kid would be pretty awesome if he was on the football team. Twins Fish and Chips is quirky and falls into the same vein as naming twins stuff that rhymes like — Mandy and Sandy. Fish and Chips is better though because it guarantees they will never eat them and safeguards them from obesity. With 1 in 5 New Zealand kids overweight this seems more like a protective measure more than anything. That all being said, naming your kid Fat Boy is cruel beyond belief. It should certainly result in loss of custody and incarceration in some facility with padded walls, cups of green jello and medication time.