LEWD FOODIE | SAVOR THIS

IN OUR BAG: GIFTING TOTE

The holidays are around the corner and it's always fun to plan where you will meet with friends to grab a coffee, cocktails, and of course brunch. You need the perfect bag to distribute gifts to friends and family during this season of presents! We've rounded up great gift and must have options to tote to make your day glam.

| THE INVISIBLE HEELS 1.5" Invisible Heels | SWEAT COSMETICS Twist Brush Mineral Cosmetics | BALENCIAGA Bazar Shopper S | NINA JEWELRY Swarovski Bracelet | TRILOGY Make-Up Be Gone Cleansing Balm | METAL MINGLE Cut It Out Earrings | KEY SOCKS Knee High No Show Socks |

OUR TOWN

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This month's fashion editorial was shot at The Clare, on Manhattan's Upper East Side. We asked a few questions about this soon to open property.

ATHLEISURE MAG: What amenities are offered at The Clare?

THE CLARE: Unique to The Clare is the sprawling 13th floor amenity space, which will have 12-foot double height ceilings and offer views of Central Park and the Queensboro Bridge. Residents will enjoy a fitness center and flexroom that will be available for classes and personal training, a spacious lounge with bar and entertainment area, and an 800 plus-square-foot terrace outfitted with aluminum accents and Porcelanosa pavers. The full-service
residential experience at The Clare will also include a 24-hour doorman, a bike room for added convenience and 421A tax abatement.

AM: What is the concept behind the design of the building?

TC: Designed by Manuel Glas to capture the relationship between light, shadow and air, The Clare showcases dawn-to-dusk light and sweeping city views. In an unmatched design, the south-facing building is wrapped in vertical fins that provide discreet shade to the residences
as the sun travels east to west. Apartments at the first-of-its-kind Porcelanosa-sheathed condominium will reflect a modern, streamlined design with 7-inch white oak hardwood
floors throughout, double-insulated glass operable windows, LED lighting, and painted white solid wood swing and pocket doors. Open kitchens will be equipped with appliances by Miele,
along with custom Poggenpohl cabinetry. The serene master bedrooms will feature 9-foot plus ceilings and en-suite baths with fixtures by Watermark, extra-large quartz countertops
with double sinks, frosted glass, soaking tubs and enclosed showers.

AM: What are other selling points in this building?

TC: The unit mix at the 19-floor building will include studio to four-bedroom apartments. Duplex residences at the condominium will boast larger proportions with double exposures and soaring ceiling heights of up to 18-feet 2 inches, many with terraces and balconies.
At the crown of The Clare, a fourbed, four-bath triplex penthouse will offer incredible views of the cityscape, walls of windows, a 14-by-22 skylight, a terrace lining the great room and master bedroom, and immense private outdoor space with hot tub on the rooftop. The building will offer smart, unique layouts with 15 different floorplans. In addition, the entire building will be equipped with radiant floor heating – a rarity in New York City.

AM: When will this building be completed and open to the public?

TC: Completion is anticipated to be end of this year, and anticipated occupancy is at the end of Q1 2017.

AM: Is there anything that we should know about the neighborhood that would be a draw to residents of this building?

TC: The Clare is located at the nexus of the Upper East Side and Midtown at 61st Street and Second Avenue, an area that is a true shopping and dining mecca with opulent offerings such as Barney’s, Chanel, Mr Chow and Atlantic Grill. Residents will also be within walking distance to Central Park, popular fitness options such as Equinox and Soul Cycle, and famous cultural
institutions like MoMA and The Met. The building also offers fantastic proximity to the FDR Drive and 59th Street Bridge, as well as convenient public transportation options, which will
soon be expanded by the new Second Avenue subway project.

Transformation, Punch, Individuality: Iris Apfel

In an industry that is ever changing, fashion (in general) has its standards steeped in norms when it comes to age, race, height, and trends. These ideas create a sense of notions that
surround likely candidates to whom will be successful; however, like anything some rules simply don't apply.

When the fashion community is abuzz around personalities, it's worth noting that Iris Apfel, interior designer, business woman and yes fashion designer - has been doing things the way she has wanted to for well over 90 years! In a discussion with us on what rules she had to get to where she is, she exclaimed, "I don't have any rules, because I would only be breaking them, so it's a waste of time." Whether you see her on HSN with her coveted line - Rara Avis, gracing museums at her own retrospectives, taking over Paris during Fashion Week via Iris Takes Paris, designing a wearable tech line with Wisewear, giving talks to those who are inspired by her words or posing for a number of brands as a collaborator and/or face of the brand - she is doing things her way.

Although she creates a frenzy when she is out and about, she is very candid about herself. "I don't like pretty. I never felt pretty. I don't feel it now - I'm not a pretty person, but I don't feel badly. It worked out well, because I found that all the girls I know who got by on their looks, as time went on and they faded, they were nothing. And they were very disappointed. When you're somebody like myself, in order to get around and be attractive, you have to develop something, you have to learn something, you have to do something. So you become a bit more interesting."

This ethos personifies the way that Iris found herself in the most interesting circles. Her eclectic interests led her to work at Women's Wear Daily, as an assistant to interior designer Elinor Johnson, and even as an assistant to illustrator, Robert Graham.

She married Carl Apfel in 1948, two years later, they launched textile house Old World Weavers, which allowed them to travel the world and she continued to infuse her sense of style by buying non-Western pieces and artisanal clothing. "My husband used to say that I looked at a piece of fabric and would listen to the threads. It tells me a story. I have to get a physical reaction when I buy something - a bolt of lightning. It’s fun to get
knocked out that way!"

With such inspiration at her disposal, one can only wonder how many times she was struck when she also had the opportunity to work at the White House on an array of restoration products for nine presidents (Harry S. Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton).

With such a strong background and sense of self, it's the amount of projects that she has embraced that continues to open her up to audiences that may not have been privvy to the
indelible mark that she has left in fashion and pop culture.

"I see myself as the world's oldest living teenager... I try to get as much kick out of things as possible," which can be seen with a number of her collaborations that she has done in partnerships with brands such as Macy's INC line which brings her style to this on trend
brand. Pieces included her play of fabrication, mixing textures and of course - you can't talk about Iris and style without including her accessories, "I get more compliments on accessories
than anything else. I think they're kind of like herbs and spices. They give zest and zing to an outfit."

Her love of style (as this is something that one should aim for as it embodies your personality) can be seen in the way she shared an anecdote with us about her mother. "My mother worshipped at the alter of accessories and I got the bug. She always said, if you have a good, little, simple black dress and you have different accessories, you can have 27 different outfits."

At 95, there are clearly no signs of stopping for this lady of style. In addition to seeing her pop up in campaigns for Alexis Bittar and Kate Spade, - she is honored in a multitude of ways. Last year, her documentary, Iris included her late husband Carl and brought her to the big screen. This year she was honored with the Women Together Special Award of the Year at the 12th Annual Women Together Gala at the United Nations, alongside Rosario Dawson, The Punta Cana Foundation and the Loewe Foundation.

Iris' style will also have a permanent home in The Museum of Lifestyle and Fashion History in Boynton Beach, Florida as designs are currently underway for a dedicated gallery that will house her clothing, accessories, and furnishings.

Who knows what's next for this 95 year old cover girl?

For the Walk & Chat #Athspo

There's nothing more NY, than brownstone filled streets (regardless of the borough that you call home). These neighborhoods with these homes add an element of old world style. Whether you opt to hang out on your stoop or to do a walk and chat with your bestie, it's the best excuse to catch up on the latest gossip, while doing some light to moderate workout. Even if you do this on the way to your workout studio of choice - who doesn't love a proper catch up with friends as we begin to rock fun layers.

EMI JAY

BZEES

NICE PIPES

ON RUNNING

NUTS ABOUT YOU

MADEBY FRESSKO

BIENA SNACKS

| BZEES Vivacious | BIENA SNACKS Chickpea Snacks - Various Flavors | MADE BY FRESSKO
Onyx Fressko Flask | ON RUNNING On Cloudracer | NICE PIPES Leg Warmers | EMI JAY
Hair Bands | NUTS ABOUT YOU Green Tea Almonds | BROWNSTONE PHOTO CREDIT UnSplash

Something You Should Know: Jet Set Hair Tutorial

Check out how you can make headphone hair cute and glam (for later when you unwrap your hair for soft flowy locks) simply by using your Beats Solo 3 courtesy of Celebrity Hair Stylist Riawna Capri.

ATHLEISURE BEAUTY

BASQ Cooling Body Bliss

SUSAN CIMINELLI Hydrating Gel Mask

CLARISONIC Pedi

QUIP Subscription Based Toothbrush Kit

| SUSAN CIMINELLI Hydrating Gel Mask | BASQ Cooling Body Bliss | QUIP Subscription Based Toothbrush Kit | CLARISONIC   Pedi |

BINGELY STREAMING

THE CROWN
Netflix

Key Art Courtesy | Netflix

Earlier this month, another much anticipated, Netflix Original Series, is now streaming.

The Crown (based on the award winning play "The Audience") tells the inside story of two of the most famous addresses in the world -- Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street - and the intrigues, love lives and machinations behind the great events that shaped the second half of the 20th century. Two houses, two courts, one Crown.

This drama chroniclesthe life,  political rivalries and romance of Queen Elizabeth II's (Claire Foy) reign and the events that shaped the second half of the 20th century. The series begins with an initiate look at the queen's ascension to the throne at age 25 after the death of her father, King George VI.

Key Art Courtesy James Bond

You no longer have to wait for an array of marathons of James Bond films to hit your favorite TV network during Thanksgiving weekend, Hulu has continued to acquire a number of your favorites for you to binge whenever the mood hits!

With over 18 films that cover all your favorite Bonds: Daniel Craig, Timothy Dalton, Sean Connery, and more. Get ready for: Goldfinger (1964), From Russia With Love (1964), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice (1967), On Her Majesty’s Service (1969), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), Live and Let Die (1973), Man With The Golden Gun (1974), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979), For Your Eyes Only (1981), Octopussy (1983), Never Say Never Again (1983), A View to Kill (1985), The Living Daylights (1987), License to Kill (1989), Casino Royale (2006), and Spectre (2015). Get ready for a classic binge at your fingertips.

THE NIGHT MANAGER
Amazon

Key Art Courtesy | Prime Video

This limited series which originally aired on AMC (earlier this year), is now available on Amazon Prime. The Night Manager is based on John le Carré’s best selling spy novel. This contemporary interpretation of his work which follows hotel manager Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston), an ex-British soldier, in his quest to bring down international arms dealer Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie).

He is recruited by MI-6's Angela Burr (Olivia Colman) to infiltrate the inner circle of this international businessman. It is believed that he forged a criminal alliance between the secret arms trade and the intelligence community, prompting the need for surveillance. Pine attempts to infiltrate Roper's inner circle by becoming a felon himself, while keeping his mission a secret from his hotel colleagues and girlfriend.

BINGELY BOOKS

A RAINBOW OF SMOOTHIE BOWLS
Leigh Weingus
Ulysses Press

Turn your smoothie into a satisfying meal.

Introducing “A Rainbow of Smoothie Bowls,” a new cookbook featuring more than 100 amazing creations and 40+ gorgeous full-color photos.

Page by page, this book serves up flavorful treats that are as nutritious as they are beautiful. In just a few simple steps, you’ll combine colorful fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds to make delicious and healthy smoothie bowls, like Strawberry Lemonade, Nutty Avocado Raspberry, Very Berry Mango, Peach Cobbler, Apple Pie, Mint Chocolate Chip, Matcha Vanilla, Blueberry Watermelon Kiwi and many more.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Amazon

MORAL DEFENSE
Marcia Clark
Amazon

For defense attorney Samantha Brinkman, she's focused on making sure her clients walk.

In the follow-up to bestselling Blood Defense, Samantha is the legal advocate for Cassie Sonnenberg after a brutal stabbing left the teenager’s father and brother dead, and her mother barely clinging to life. It's atabloid-ready case that has the nation in an uproar—and Sam wonders why Cassie survived and if she is hiding something.

As she finds the answers, she’s surprised to find herself identifying with Cassie, becoming more and more personally entangled in the case. But when Sam finally discovers the reason for that kinship, she faces a choice she never imagined she’d have to make.

BOOK COVER COURTESY | Harper Collins

THE PERFECT GIRL
Gilly MacMillan
Harper Collins

Zoe Maisey is a seventeen-year-old musical prodigy with a genius IQ. Three years ago, she was involved in a tragic incident that left three classmates dead. She served her time, and now her mother, Maria, is resolved to keep that devastating fact tucked far away from their new beginning.

Tonight, Zoe is giving a recital that Maria has been planning for months. It needs to be the performance of her life. But instead, by the end of the evening, Maria is dead.

In the aftermath, everyone - police, family, Zoe’s former solicitor, and Zoe herself—tries to piece together what happened. But as Zoe knows all too well, the truth is rarely straightforward, and the closer we are to someone, the less we may see.

THE ART OF THE SNACK | BEER

ROGUE FARMS

We've had the pleasure of enjoying Rogue Ales & Spirits as they have a number of interesting ingredients that they bring together for the perfect pint. This fall, they released the anticipated Rogue Pumpkin Patch Ale, brewed with fresh pumpkins grown and harvested at Rogue Farms in Independence, Oregon.

Pumpkin Patch Ale can only be brewed when Mother Nature deems Rogue Farms Dream Pumpkins ripe. One acre of Dream Pumpkins was planted in late spring alongside the Rogue Farms hops, jalapeños, marionberries and buzzing honey bees. This means the small orange gourds are deep orange in color and their sweetness has peaked from the warm Oregon summer.

As soon as they were picked, the pumpkins were driven to the Rogue Brewery in Newport, Oregon just 77 miles away. The pumpkins were hand-chopped and seeded, roasted in pizza ovens, and pitched fresh into the brew kettle along with vanilla bean, ginger, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange peel and Rogue Farms Independent hops to create Pumpkin Patch Ale.

“It takes time to plant, grow, harvest, roast and brew with our own pumpkins, but real pumpkin beer is worth the wait,” said Rogue Brewmaster John Maier.  

Pumpkin Patch Ale is now available nationwide in 750 Ml bottles and on draft.

About Rogue Farms:

Rogue Ales & Spirits is an agri-fermenter founded in Oregon in 1988, as one of America's first microbreweries. Rogue has won more than 1,700 awards for taste, quality and packaging and is available in all 50 states as well as 54 countries. Since 2008, Rogue has remained committed to saving the terroir of Oregon hops, barley, rye, wheat, honey, jalapenos, pumpkins and marionberries one acre at a time by growing their own.

HITACHINO NEST

A few years ago, our Style Director stumbled upon, Hitachino Nest, because of the owl logo while shopping at Whole Foods. With a number of blends such as Red Rice Ale, White Ale, Espresso Stout and more - it's a beer worth knowing and including within your mix.

This Japanese brewery is so focused on their craft and inspired commitment to flavorful ingredients, you will not find a lot of marketing around this brand but those who know know that "Nest is Best".

About Hitachino Nest:

Hitachino Nest Beer is brewed by KIUCHI BREWERY which has been brewing Japanese Sake since 1823, and now the family is in its 8th generation.

Sakaide ("Spring-out sake") is the place close to the facility which is believed to be the place where sake sprand out of the well.

Hitachino is the name of the province in ancient Japan which covers the area of their brewery and was famous for its fertile soil, making the land perfect for brewing.

Although the malts and hops (in 2014, they began growing their own hops at the brewery site which is a new challenge for better sustainability) are imported from the West, Hitachino Nest is not simply imitating the Western way of brewing, it is still a Japanese beer. The combinations of mixing the malts and hops are infinite. As these are natural plants, flavors and aromas of these ingredients change slightly depending on the crop season. The subtle differences are detected by those who are involved in the process and not the machines. The brewery focuses on matching and balancing the character of each ingredient to create a refined synergy to create the perfect brew.

The "Nest is Best" is distributed to over 30 countries, including the US, Great Britain, Thailand and Australia.

CONEY ISLAND BREWING CO

Each of Coney Island Brewery’s beers are inspired by the seaside boardwalk neighborhood of Coney Island and the surrounding Brooklyn borough. As an active brewery, they encourage guests to visit them on Surf Avenue in Coney Island, Brooklyn! With a number of beers with a following, you can enjoy a pint, take a scheduled tour, shop and purchase growlers to go!

Guests can enjoy 8 house-brewed beers on tap that rotate regularly to offer you something different each time. Depending on the time of year, guests can experience some of our extremely limited, specialty Freak Beer styles, like Kettle Corn Cream Ale and Cotton Candy Kolsch. In addition, you can have your own party there as well as attend an event.

We recommend making your way to this institution (which sits next door to Brooklyn's own minor league baseball team, Brooklyn Cyclones).

About Coney Island Brewery Co.:

The mission of Coney Island Brewing is to brew craft beer that captures the spirit, flavor and romance that is Coney Island. Coney Island Brewing Company is an A&S Brewing Collaborative brand, a subsidiary of the Boston Beer Company.

ALOE BEAUTY

Aloe is an amazing ingredient that soothes and enriches all parts of your body from the inside out. With dipping temperatures on the horizon, we need to pamper ourselves even more than we usually would. This month, we found perfect ways to ensure that you're body ready as the end of the year begins to close out!

| SHEA MOISTURE Organic Yucca + Aloe Thickening Growth Milk | NATURE REPUBLIC Smart Soak | SEPHORA COLLECTION Aloe Vera Hand Mask | THE BODY SHOP Aloe Eye Defense |

CHILL IN CHILE

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Chile Tourism Board

When you think of Chile, you may think of warm climates, sensual dancing, and phenomenal music; however, there is another side which reminds you of the South Pole that's filled with hiking snow terrains, glaciers and seeing indigenous wildlife.

GREY LAKE

The Patagonia region is a diverse landscape that presents moments worth capturing. Situated in a known International Biosphere Reserve in Torres del Paine National Park, Grey Lake is picturesque with ice sediment and massive floating icebergs.

Pictures courtesy of The Chilean Tourism Board.

500 years ago, explorers came to Patagonia to take in the vast, exotic, wild and infinite beauty. The wilderness has not really changed since then and has an unspoiled bounty of mountains, fjords, glaciers,
forests and steppes.

Patagonia still boasts the rich and lively history of ranching from its gauchos
which tourists and enthusiasts can participate. It is also known for trekking to take in the rich landscape year around.

By heading into the Southern Ice Fields,
you come face to face with lakes, waterfalls,
glaciers, etc. Head over to the ancient
frozen ice formations hidden in the Torres
del Paine and San Rafael Lagoonn National
Parks. It's worth toasting your trip with
whiskey on the rocks with ice from Yelcho
Ice Field in the Carretera Austral.

Fitness and history collide for those that navigate the sea fjords and channels to
cross the famous Straits of Magellan before setting sail for Antartica. This historic
journey is one that won't easily be forgotten. Whatever peaks your interest, you'll meet a number of new friends from furry ones to connecting with nature in the midst of your travels from hiking, camping, and navigating waterways.

Find out more about Chile and what amazing and unforgettable experiences there are to have on your next travels by visiting
Travel Chile.

ATHLEISURE LIST: HARD ROCK HOTEL, ROCK SPA

In this month's Athleisure List, we include much needed me time as the hustle and bustle that the upcoming season brings means that we need to restore our senses. When your local spa doesn't do the trick, you find a vacation spot with one that does.

Hard Rock Hotel's properties are known for bringing rock and roll to you. With the belief in working hard and playing hard, it's worth noting that they are serious about the business of taking time for yourself as well. At their Riviera Maya, Mexico destination, Rock Spa® is located at Heaven for adult guests only. With a full menu of offerings, it's worth noting that their innovative massages and renowned Hydrotherapy is a must for guests to enjoy.

Massages are taken to the next level with the properties' Rhythm and Motion offerings which incorporate traditional Swedish Massage practices, blending music, light, beats and more
together in an effort to involve all your senses - mind, body, and soul to give it's guests the ultimate path to peace and tranquility. Music therapy works in tandem with the treatments provided. This methodology can be found in four treatments.

Synchronicity (50 or 80 minutes) plays the greatest hits and taps into memories to create an experiential journey, in sync with a performance of techniques, pressure and rhythm.

Face the Music (50 or 80 minutes) brings therapeutic benefits of sound vibration and clinically proven organic products to rejuvenate and hydrate facial skin.

Smooth Operator (50 minutes) utilizes a two-part treatment removing impurities and invites new nourishing elements.

Wrap Remix (110 minutes) is the ultimate healing experience warming guests up and wrapping them in bliss with a sweet finish. Guests enjoy a full body benefit, with a cleansing shot of
ginger tea to jumpstart the detox process, followed by a brisk, rhythmical Sweetgrass inspired dry brushing. Following the detoxifying wrap to nourish the skin, the 50-minute rhythm and motion massage and cleansing facial mask complete the treatment. A refreshing shot of Rock Spa® Detox Tea is then served, to keep guests in a state of ahhh even longer.

When enjoying treatments here, guests are encouraged to prep the body with the Hydrotherapy Pools which are 3 small pools that allow your body to go from various temperatures of hot, cold, and temperate in order to awaken the body and to get ready for
whichever services you have opted to enjoy.

ATHLEISURE LIST: FLORBLANCA SPA + RESORT

Known as a destination for photoshoots (Victoria's Secret shot Candice Swanepoel here) and films, Florblanca is an award-winning luxury Costa Rica resort on the shores of the Pacific coast - on the idyllic beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula.

Guests come to this resort for many reasons including being in the presence of an unspoiled tropical jungle overlooking the world famous surf of Playa Santa Teresa,  to enjoy fresh, healthy, and locally grown food prepared by their chefs at Nectar. Senses are stimulated with spa treatments, surfing, hiking, horseback riding, or zipline excursions, just to name a few. 

But it is the retreat methodology that is a true star allowing guests to connect more deeply with the world around them with professionally guided sessions of Yoga or Pilates.

When taking yoga, Stefano Allegri is an instructor that is worth taking courses from, as he began the deep exploration of "mind body" years ago through the world of marital arts. He studied for more than ten years with Enzo Montanari, a legendary Sensei of Karate-Do. He received the second degree black belt of Karate-Do Shotokan style and became an international instructor of this ancient practice.

Stefano has lived and traveled around the world as he embraced yoga as a discipline. His love of nature, and respect for a country that had no army, moved him to Costa Rica where he took the first steps in Asana Yoga. He continues to train with a number of masters to perfect his craft with the world's  most recognized yoga masters in the world.

When taking his sessions, you realize that Stefano loves working with the anatomy and alignment of the body. His yoga practice is both on and off the mat - Stefano lives yoga. His classes are a journey of the mind and the body and he always teaches with passion, joy and a fabulous sense of humor. In his own words, "The expression of your face, is the expression of your practice…keep always the sense of humor." When scheduling your session, you can opt to be a part of an open class, create your own group experience or have a one-on-one session for indvidual guidance and immersion.

FIT CLUB

Our ATHLEISURE LIST features premier fitness gyms and spas with you. We share the methods, offerings, amenities and more. On Oct 17th, we launched ATHLEISURE LIVE which features a fitness method of note that we host a session and select curated goodie bags for our fitness and fashion influencers and media. We kicked off our first one at IMAXShift and took a moment to find out more about this DUMBO gym.

ATHLEISURE MAG: What is IMAXShift and what is the meaning behind the name?

BRYAN MARCOVICI: IMAXShift is all about getting away from the repetitive and monotonous workout routine. The name is about getting people to ‘shift’ their expectations about what fitness can be and expect more from their ride. We want people to expect the magic of IMAX, to understand how being fully immersed in a visual experience can change the way they perform, the effort they give, and the enjoyment and results they get back.  It’s about transporting your mind while you transform your body.  
 
BREE BRANKER: IMAXShift is indoor cycling powered by IMAX. We have the great fortune of IMAX branding, giving us their theatre geometry, sound technology, and that big famous screen. Our goal is to use the screen to enhance your workout, immersing you in inspiring footage to help you achieve next-level results.
 
JESSE ALEXANDER: IMAXShift is a visual, physical, emotional, visceral journey that takes you sprinting, jogging and climbing all over the world BEYOND it. Our name comes from the basis of "Shifting" your reality.  Prepare to lose yourself and gain everything.

AM: Who are the creators of IMAXShift and what are their backgrounds?   

BM: Mark Weinberg (COO) and I (CEO) are seasoned managers who look for opportunities to disrupt existing businesses or industries that all seem to follow the same approach.  We partnered with two of the leading indoor cycling instructors in NYC, Jesse and Bree, to ensure that IMAXShift is a performance-driven workout that is as fun as it is effective.
 
AM: In addition to the current location, are their plans to open additional ones?

BM: The first IMAXShift location in DUMBO is a pilot designed to prove out an entirely new approach to fitness.  Early customer response has been extremely positive. If this concept proves successful, our goal would be to expand to several new locations along the east coast such as Boston or DC in the backend of 2017.
 
AM: What amenities are offered?

BM:  In staying true to the IMAX brand, we sought to make the entire experience in our studio a premium one.  We offer Redken products in the locker rooms as well as Detox Dry Shampoo.  More importantly, we’ve partnered with Glam&Go to open a salon within our space that offers express styling services to our riders.
 
AM: Do you sell apparel in your studio?

BM: We have a small, but growing, line of private label apparel designed to showcase our brand and give a shout-out to the amazing DUMBO community around us.
 
AM:  What types of workouts are offered?

BB: We have our signature ride, which is an eclectic blend of scenic footage, digital performance based worlds, and music videos; giving you a variety of high intensity bursts of energy balanced with internal and emotional moments. We have a music video ride which is a mix of fun and current music videos, inspiring more of a let go and have fun vibe in the studio, never leaving out our beloved intervals. 

And lastly we have theme rides, some based in music such as a Beyonce ride, and some based in visuals such as the Around the World in 45 Minutes Ride. We have also done current event themes such as the Olympics Ride showcasing all of the summer events as well as a Suicide Squad ride, featuring footage from the movie and the soundtrack. Last but not least we have strength and recovery workshops in the lobby after certain classes in a series called FLOORPLAY, educating our riders on their bodies and ways they can use the studio space before and after class to enhance their performance and increase their social activity.
 
JA: At IMAXShift we offer our "signature ride" where you will hear all the beats from Hip hop, Pop, remixes, EDM and a throwback or 2 that will make you either shout, smile or flex (I like to flex!). You'll see visuals ranging from racing over the oceans in Hawaii, riding the beat through the Galaxy (note-avoid the asteroids!), or sprinting through our music reactive digital worlds.  Theme rides for the holidays include Disclosure V Diplo, East Coast v West Coast Hip hop (we will be TAKING YOU to those coasts), and of course Beyonce V Jay Z. Not like any theme ride you've taken before.  Come Ride Beyond.  

Read more from the Oct Issue of Athleisure Mag

Music Sounds Better With You

by Ed Maguire

Want to improve your memory? Sleep better? Improve your visual and verbal skills? Improve your mood and reduce depression? Exercise better and have more energy? What if you could gain these benefits at no cost to you? Music is the answer – the benefits come from listening, and particularly from learning to sing or play and instrument.  There’s a reason why we use music in rituals – in religious ceremonies, chanting and mediation. Athletes use music to get themselves pumped up (look at Michael Phelps’ pre-race rituals for example).  

The benefits of music are multi-faceted, and there’s a growing body of scientific evidence exploring the how listening and playing music benefit mind and body.  I’ve been a musician most of my life, growing up in a household full of music. I picked up violin and piano from the time I was 7 years old, and the skills and experiences from listening and playing – both for fun and professionally.  There’s nothing quite like the high one experiences when playing music – it’s a sensation of getting “in the zone” – a state of heightened awareness, where you feel like you’re floating. 

It's great for your mood. Neuroscientists have found that listening to music improves positive emotions through stimulating hits of dopamine to the reward centers of our brain, making listeners feel good or elated. Listening to music impacts almost every brain center, suggesting there are widespread unexplored effects and potential uses for music.

Music helps with language learning. A 2013 study of adults learning a foreign language (Hungarian) found evidence that singing can facilitate short-term phrase learning in an unfamiliar language. Sixty adult participants were assigned to one of three “listen-and-repeat” conditions: speaking, rhythmic speaking, or singing. Participants in the singing group showed the best recall on a collection of Hungarian language tests after a 15-min learning 

Music can preserve your brain power. A recent study found that in people over the age of 65, 4 or 5 months of playing a musical instrument for an hour a week resulted in changes in parts of the brain that control hearing, memory and the part that controls the hands. The effects are long-lasting too: adults aged 65-80  performed better on tests of word recall, nonverbal memory, and cognitive flexibility the more years they had spent playing an instrument.

There’s growing evidence that music helps with memory.  In a 2008 experiment, stroke patients in rehab were assigned to listen to music, audiobooks or nothing in addition to regular care.  Based on follow-up testing on mood, quality of life and several cognitive measures a week, 3 months and 6 months post stroke, those in the music group improved significantly more on verbal memory and focused attention than those in the other groups, and they were less depressed and confused.

Musical training improves verbal skills in kids. A 2008 study found that children who received at least three years of instrumental music training outperformed counterparts on two outcomes closely related to music (auditory discrimination abilities and fine motor skills) and on two outcomes distantly related to music (vocabulary and nonverbal reasoning skills).

Music is good for the heart.  Studies of adult choir singers singing the same piece of music found they synced breathing and heart rates which produced a group-wide calming effect. A 2015 study of heart patients in India found that listening to calm music benefited the patients in multiple ways. The study found that music-listening produces significant decreases in the blood pressure and heart rate of coronary patients, music-listening reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, enhances life satisfaction, optimism, and hope, and makes life more meaningful in both coronary patients and healthy controls. Notably, the benefits -  decrease in blood pressure and heart rate were more intense in coronary patients than healthy controls.

Music helps to control pain. There are a number of studies that show the beneficial impact of listening to music for patients dealing with chronic pain. A 2013 study of 60 patient diagnosed with fibromyalgia — a disease characterized by severe musculoskeletal pain found that patients were randomly assigned to listen to music once a day over a four-week period experienced significant pain reduction and fewer depressive symptoms. A recent study of patients undergoing spine surgery found that patients that listened to music before and after surgery experienced less pain than those that didn’t. 

Music can improve the immune system.  An intriguing development from a Wilkes University research study found that music affects levels of IgA, which is a ley antibody for the immune system to defend against disease. The study measured undergraduate students’ salivary IgA levels measured before and after 30 minutes of exposure to either listening to a tone click, radio broadcast, soothing music or silence. The students exposed to music had significantly greater increases in IgA than any of the others.

Music is great for exercise. Why do you think aerobics and Zumba classes blast up-tempo music. Listening to fast paced music can help improve your performance when you are running or biking, especially if you listen to “pump-up” music to improve your motivation beforehand.  Listening to music also can increase endurance in a demanding workout.  This works through distraction – when concentrating on favorite music, it's easy to run an extra mile without realizing it.  

Lastly, listening to calm music can help the body recover faster by enhancing a relaxation effect post workout.

A key point is that it really doesn’t matter what style you want to listen to – whatever genre works for you is good. Certain styles like classical music, have been proven effective to enhance learning or for relaxation, but any style that connects with you can create benefits. If you really want to get maximum benefits, pick up that instrument you played in school and give it a whirl. If you’re a beginner don’t be intimidated.  You can get a starter guitar for around $100 and start taking lessons off YouTube. It’s the process of learning music as a new language that spurs new connections in your brain and fires up your pleasure centers.

Ed Maguire has worked as an equity analyst covering the technology sector since 1999 for a variety of firms including CLSA Americas, Merrill Lynch and CIBC. Previously he led sales for independent music distributor Twinbrook Music while working as professional musician performing on bass, violin and keyboards, composing, arranging and producing a variety of styles of music. Ed holds a B.A. in Music from Columbia and an M.B.A. from Rutgers in Finance and Management Information Systems. He lives in Millburn, NJ with his wife Lily, their two kids and the dog Spock.

Trai Turner: Living in the Moment

The regular football season comes down to a little over 3 months - 13 weeks. The preparation, strategy, and focus is intense. For every NFL player, their story, journey and reason for being on the field is as varied as those who play the game. We took a moment to chat with New Orlean's native, 2015's NFC Champion Carolina Panther  (#70) and Pro Bowler, Trai Turner. In his 3rd season in the league, he has been noted by Sports Illustrated (he also nabbed a cover) as one of the NFL's best guards. He's also a man who knows how to live in the moment, stay humble and loves wowing off the field with his sense of style. 

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you know that you wanted to be a football player? Share your journey of what the past few years have been like? 

TRAI TURNER: I started playing football around 6 and I was like, I just want to do this. In short, I didn't really know how I would get there, but I knew that that was where I was going to go and I was going to do it. Some of my steps included playing football at St Augustine Highschool, which helped me out. I started in 7th grade and continued until 12th grade, excluding the crazy period of time with Hurricane Katrina that came. After the hurricane, I came back and finished up and got a scholarship to Louisiana State University for 3 years and boom here I am! That's what happened.
 
AM: You run a mean 40 yard dash - how did you get so fast?
 
TT: I think I credit that to my mom and dad and just having good genes. Being the big guy that I am (6'3" 310lbs), you don't really expect that I think - especially from an Offensive Guard at least. My parents gave me the gift and I just work hard.

AM: What was it like going to Super Bowl 50 and how did you prepare for that?   

TT: You couldn't prepare yourself, it was one of those things where each time, I was stuck in the moment. So when I was at practice, I was focused on preparing for the Super Bowl. When I was doing media, my mind was focused on talking with the press about the game. When it was time to chill, I was in the mode of chilling before the game. 

When you play, you always think about the moment of being able to play one of the biggest games, but I always stayed focused in my moments and mode. It's ultimately the greatest day of my sport.
 
AM: Your nickname is "The Professor" - how did you get the name and who makes your eyewear?

TT: My GM, Dave Gettleman gave me that nickname. I don't really like to go through a lot of he say, he works for me. It just came about one day (his glasses). I try to  go a little square, because I'm a big guy and I have a pretty big face. I like to go with the square as it offsets everything else. 

As far as brands, I have been wearing Tom Ford frames. What I usually do is I get sunglasses and then get my lenses perscribed to them. Before that, I had some Gucci's - I love adding various frames to my rotation. My favorite frames would have to be from Cartier - I love the elongated square frames that they make.
 
AM: Clearly you're a man who makes statements (which our Style Director, a Statement Stylist can appreciate) - s0 we have to ask about your red carpet appearance at this year's ESPY Awards, who were you wearing and what was the thought process behind the look - you're definitely comfortable in your own skin!

TT:  I appreciate that. I know a lot of people look at big guys in a certain mode. I know I don't fit that mode but I'm just trying to build my own - that's all.

Elba designed the suit. I just told him that I wanted something in green (green is my favorite color). I looked at Kenneth Love's suit which was real casual and that's me, I'm not too over the top with too much going on. I just wanted something simple, nice and clean. The shoes were a special snakeskin print from Gucci. 

AM: Will we see you design your own suits or do a collaboration?

TT: As far as my own line, right now I don't really think about that kind of stuff. My ultimate goal is to be some kind of brand ambassador - I would love to as I don't see many people who look like me doing those kinds of things. I would love to take on that task. 

If I could take on a collab and just share my input as well as have my name on it - that works too. But as far as me having my own name on it, I'd rather to stick to wearing other people's nice clothes.
 
AM: Besides eyewear, do you have other accessories that you like to include in your style? 
 
TT: I like watches - I think everyone has a go to watch. Mine is a simple gold one. I have 2 chains that I like to wear that signifies me - my SuckaFree chains which I wore at the ESPYS. But my glasses - that's my thing. I'm really getting into my frame game now and I'm starting to expand them.

AM: What is your personal style when you're off the field?

TT: I like to put on clothes. I feel when you put on clothes, you look good and you feel good. I started thinking that I have all this stuff, but then it just sits there - so I just put it on. So I try to look snazzy wherever I go - even when I go to work. I shop by pieces and not by the outfit. When I select my outfit, I say "I want to wear this piece today" and I throw on this look and it just looks nice. A lot of people don't see someone of my stature doing those kind of things. It's eye opening because of my size but it also looks good. 
 
AM: What's your day like when you're practicing for the big game and what's the week look like?

TT: Mon we come in to see what happened - what went right and what went wrong. Just to see what happened in the game. Tuesday will be updates. We have practice on Wed through Fri. Sat you come in and put it all together and fine tune it. Sunday is go time and how you put it all together.
 
AM: I'm sure it's less intense, but what are your off-season days like?

TT:  Off is not the same type of intensity, but it is still a pretty good work. I get up early in the morning to workout, take a nap in the afternoon and then kind of go shopping or something!
 
AM: You really liked how accessible Curren$y was to you and how you felt that was important - to be accessible to your fans. How do you do that with your fans?

TT: I'm trying to do a better job through social media. It's kind of tough in my position as I play Right Guard as people are not always looking at me necessarily. People who do look at me and do recognize me, I try to be open and approachable. I feel like I just play football honestly. My job is just broadcasted. Everybody has a job and so do I - I just don't watch you file papers or write articles - you watch me play football.
 
AM: When Cam Newton is celebrating with his Dab, how do you jump in?

TT: I kind of take the background on all of that. That's not really one of my fortes to get involved in the celebration. The reason why I say that is so much stuff be going on because of the rules and I don't want to make any mistakes. 

I'd rather just do my job and once we get to the sidelines - we can cut up. Then when we get to the locker room, we can go all the way to get celebrations going.
 
AM: How do you stay balanced with so many things going on? 
 
TT: I think it goes hand in hand with me putting on clothes. Think about it, you have to work extremely hard to afford nice clothes. I don't care what pricepoint you're at. To afford nice clothes on a daily basis you have to work extremely hard. Then the feeling that you get when you put them on, it just feels good - you look good. All of my energy is there. My vibe and my smile is there. It just brings them together and it makes my day that much sweeter.

More from the Oct Issue here 

BINGELY BOOKS

From Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner, Taraji P. Henson, comes an inspiring and funny book about family, friends, the hustle required to make it from DC to Hollywood, and the joy of living in your own truth.

With a sensibility that recalls her beloved screen characters, including Yvette, Queenie, Shug, and the iconic Cookie from Empire, yet is all Taraji, the screen actress writes of her family, the one she was born into and the one she created. She shares stories of her father, a Vietnam vet who was bowed but never broken by life's challenges, and of her mother who survived violence both in the home and on DC's volatile streets. Here too she opens up about her experiences as a single mother, a journey some saw as a burden but which she saw as a gift.

| HUNGRY HEART | Jennifer Weiner | Simon & Schuster |

BOOK COVER COURTESY | Simon & Schuster

Jennifer Weiner is many things: a bestselling author, a Twitter phenomenon, and an “unlikely feminist enforcer” (The New Yorker). She’s also a mom, a daughter and a sister, a former rower and current clumsy yogini, a wife, a friend, and a reality-TV devotee. In her first essay collection, she takes the raw stuff of her life and spins it into a collection of tales of modern-day womanhood as uproariously funny and moving as the best of Nora Ephron and Tina Fey. Born in Louisiana, raised in Connecticut, educated at Princeton, Jennifer spent years feeling like an outsider (“a Lane Bryant outtake in an Abercrombie & Fitch world”) before finding her people in newsrooms, and her voice as a novelist, activist, and New York Times columnist.

| THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH | Kermit Alexander |
Simon & Schuster |

BOOK COVER COURTESY | Simon & Schuster

In this gripping memoir, former San Francisco 49er Kermit Alexander shares his thirty-year-journey to redemption after the brutal murder of his family in South Central Los Angeles.

With vivid detail, former NFL All Pro and president of the NFL Players Association Kermit tells the full story of the murders that took his mother, sister, and nephews.

The Valley of the Shadow of Death begins when his father moves the family from Louisiana to LA. After his career with the San Francisco 49ers, the Los Angeles Rams, and the Philadelphia Eagles, Kermit returned to LA and lived a short drive from his beloved mother.

INDIAN SUMMER

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ATHLEISURE KITCHEN | LEWD FOODIE

The temperatures are beginning to shift to cooler weather. That means, it's all about your favorite soups as you stay in for a cozy evening.

In the spirit of the fall, Athleisure Kitchen presents Pumpkin Soup with Spice Pumpkin Seeds. This dish uses almost all of the pumpkin - including the seeds which can be roasted and enjoyed in the soup or eaten separately for a perfect snack. In addition, to showcasing a number of vegetables and fall finds, this shoot is accented by great cooking and plating options as well. This recipe was adapted from Williams-Sonoma Soup of the Day, by Kate McMillan (Weldon Owen, 2011) and made by Chef Rosalie.
 
PUMPKIN SOUP WITH SPICY PUMPKIN SEEDS

Prep Time: 35 minutes  

Cook Time: 75 minutes  

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

1 small pumpkin, about 3 lb., such as Sugar Pie, peeled, seeded and chopped (seeds reserved)
2 tbs. olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
3 tbs. unsalted butter
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. ground coriander
4 cups chicken broth
For the spicy pumpkin seeds:
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds, cleaned
1 tsp. canola oil
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. ground cumin
Pinch of ground cinnamon

Directions:

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