Now is the time to get your ticket to our Renewal Summit, just 6 days away! We hope to see you there. Attention shoppers. Century 21 is reopening its flagship store in its original downtown location.  Our roving photographer takes us on a glorious tour of the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. And Ellen Easton takes us inside The Kips Bay Designer Showcase.  There’s fun off-Broadway show in development and you can see it month. Our Broadway Babe has some fun streaming picks for your enjoyment. And a Happy Mother’s Day to all your beautiful Tomatoes who nurture children, pets, plants, and all living things.

Do anti-aging products work? What’s the best way to keep your skin moisturized? What can you do about thinning hair? How do we keep our happy, healthy smiles as we age? These are just a few of the questions we’ll be asking the panelists on this panel, which is one of 5 awesome panels. Plus special guests, and a wine and chocolate reception at the end of the day. GET THE DETAILS.

Inside The Kips Bay Decorators’ Show House

Ellen Easton toured The Kips Bay NY 2023, Decorator Show House at 337 Riverside Drive in the historic 1902 upper west side Bronfman family mansion features 22 award winning interior designers and is sharing some of her photos.  From the sophisticated modernity of Penny Drue Baird, David Scott and Lillian Wu to the classical whimsy of Timothy Corrigan and Georgis & Mirgordsky to Jay J. Effers timeless cozy, Lindsey Coral Hapers unique incorporation of paper mache and Clinton Smith’s big design in a small space, plus many other talents, there is indeed something for every taste level.

Whether it be bedrooms, bathrooms, staircases, entertaining rooms, fabrications or just the nooks and crannies of a grand house this is not only a feast of inspiration, it is all to support a very worthy cause ~ The Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club. Open via ticket reservation through June  06, 2023.   kipsbaydecoratorsshowhouse.org 

Springtime at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Our roving photographer, Nicole Freezer Rubens, says a visit to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden any time of year is nice, but springtime at the garden is simply inspired and spectacular. Founded in 1910 and spanning 52 acres in the middle of the city, this city splendor is jam-packed with beauty. It features endless specialty areas including 200 cherry trees, a Japanese garden, a rose garden, a lily pool, a desert collection, a bonsai museum, an herb and vegetable garden and so much more. Plant life is always changing. The website is updated with what is in bloom and waiting to greet you.

Prepare for all of your senses to be satisfied as you wander around the colorful plantings in this expansive urban escape. Currently in full bloom are the lily of the valley. Their perfect purple expanse and beautiful distinct smell are well worth the trip. Immerse yourself in nature’s best, without leaving the city!

Nicole Freezer Rubens is the author of poetry/photo book, “The Long Pause and the Short Breathe.” Follow her on https://www.instagram.com/nfrconsult/

May 15-27. Millennials Are Killing Musicals

This show has been in development for four years, and here’s your chance to see the developmental production. Meet Brenda: a single Millennial mom who wants to do better “adulting” like the seemingly perfect Jake’s Mom at her daughter’s school. Brenda is finally ready for love and creativity in her life when her younger #influencer sister Katrina shows up at her house, eight months pregnant, totally unprepared for motherhood. The three women must shed the Greek chorus of social media filters on their lives to achieve their dreams. GET DETAILS AND TICKETS.

The show was an O’Neill NMTC Semifinalist in 2021 and 2022, seen in a recent NYC industry reading, and songs showcased through New York Theatre Barn’s New Works Series and sold-out concert presentations at Feinstein’s/Vitellos (mostlyNEWmusicals) and 54 Below.

May 16. Century 21’s Grand Re-Opening

The original Century 21 is reopening its doors this month at 22 Cortland Street, it’s original location. The grand re-opening is May 16 at noon. While there were 13 other stores, the original was always the best. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2020 due to the pandemic. Following the bankruptcy, the Gindi family bought back the intellectual property of the Century 21 brand, ensuring that it would continue to be a family run business. We can’t wait to roam the 100,000 square feet on four floors and discover all the great discounts.

With 100,000 square feet spread across four floors, this store at 22 Cortland Street is a shopper’s paradise. The newly reopened flagship sits in the exact same location as its predecessor, right across from the World Trade Center. Pre-pandemic, the Lower Manhattan store welcomed 12,000-15,000 shoppers every single day, according to

Starting from the basement level, you’ll find shoes, luggage and kids’ clothing. On the main level, there’s a wide array of handbags (including YSL and Louis Vuitton), sunglasses (including Raybans), fragrances and belts. Keep climbing the escalator and you’ll get to the women’s floor on two, then the men’s floor on three. Teresa Rodriguez, Century 21 NYC’s vice president of marketing calls it “a huge treasure hunt in-store.”

Broadway Babe’s Picks

Our Broadway Babe, Randie Levine-Miller, has come up with some true nostalgic treasures:  Sammy Davis, Jr. and Jerry Lewis in Vegas; a great Bernadette Peters concert in London; an incredible comedy show saluting “The Improv” starring Robin Williams, Billy Crystal and Robert Klein; and a vintage “What’s My Line” TV show with Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward as the mystery guests! GET THE DETAILS.