Eco-friendly - hypoallergenic, high-grade BEESWAX. They say that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. That having been said, all can agree that Aura Blossom's amazing candles, hand-made with love and passion by Brooklyn-based artist GELLA  DON, are the most beautiful candles you will ever bring into your home. They will, quite literally, elevate the ambiance of any room in your apartment. Each candle is a work of art, meticulously shaped to look like a flower. Every candle is unique in its scent and visual appeal. It takes candlemaker Gella Don at least two hours to craft her candles. A true labor of love, Aura Blossom is a family affair, consisting of the aforementioned brand founder, Gella Don and her two daughters, Aiza and Aya.  The family's incredible journey to launching their brand is as enthralling as their candles.

Experience the difference that compassionate and expert care can make when it comes to the wellness and lifestyle of your pet. Montgomery Vet Hospital is a safe and loving place for all creatures great and small.

Tucked away on a quiet side road in the quaint, family-friendly town of Montgomery, N.Y., Montgomery Veterinary Hospital has developed a well-deserved reputation as one of the best practices in the entire Hudson Valley to care for your big or little fur baby. And the reason for Montgomery Veterinary Hospital's well-earned reputation is no secret. It is all due to the hard work of the practice's owner and head veterinarian, Doctor MELISSA GRECH-ATTARD and her incredible team.

Discover new and delicious taste sensations, imported from Italy's stunning and diverse regions, delivered straight to your table. Whip up a dinner your family will love, just like an Italian nonna, courtesy of La Piccola Rosa!

Who doesn't enjoy treating oneself to a great meal out? One of the benefits of living in a city like New York is the incredible variety of different cuisines and restaurants to choose from. Whether it's date night, brunch, or simply getting together with friends and family after work, just about any reason on earth is the perfect excuse to explore the Big Apple's culinary scene. However, that having been said, one cannot eat out every night, much as we might want to. After all, going out and about for dinner at a trendy restaurant CAN get VERY expensive. We all have a budget and there are little things like rent that need to be paid. And besides, nowadays, with the advent of hit TV shows like The Food Network's OUTCHEF'D with Eddie Jackson and Gordon Ramsay's MASTER CHEF, which celebrates America's home cooks, more and more foodies are intrigued to bring out THEIR inner chef. Instead of just watching chefs like Rocco DiSpirito and Guy Fieri strut their stuff on the TV screen, these ambitious foodies want to see what they can do in the kitchen.

Satisfy your cravings with some of the juiciest, most delicious burgers you'll ever have in the foodie-centric neighborhood of Astoria, Queens.

KX Burger and Beyond - Astoria, Queens

  KX Burger and Beyond is dedicated to giving you Xtra Kreative burgers - and they DO mean business. It's not just a marketing slogan at this small but cute eatery that all-American staple, the Hamburger, reigns supreme. And it does so with a delicious difference! The portions are huge, there is tremendous variety and the meat served is as fresh as can be. You can taste and see the difference between a KX Burger and a typical dried-out patty from a fast food chain. Believe us when we say, you don't want to go there. Whether you are on the run and want to take your burger home to savor or you're in the mood for a sit-down meal, make KX Burger and Beyond your destination of choice.

Make plans now to enjoy your next date night , brunch or get-together with friends in one of NYC's trendiest and most inviting neighborhoods.

Wildflower - Chelsea

  Nestled just under the famed HIGHLINE, Wildflower is a fun and vibrant restaurant and cocktail bar. The decor is certainly a conversation-starter. One could say that the eclectic surroundings are an out-of-the-box blend of English country inn rustic and stylish contemporary notes together with a ton of cozy nooks and crannies. Your date will totally love it ! The wallpaper that decorates the banquette seating area is beyond colorful yet tasteful. Red brick and small, Victorian-style oval mirrors complete the dining room decor.

Treat the love of your life to dinner or brunch and enjoy a romantic rendezvous while making memories that will last a lifetime. Love is in the air.

Aperibar - Times Square

Intimately tucked away inside the ultra-trendy Luma Hotel, Aperibar is the work of master chef and entrepreneur, the renowned Charlie Parker. A chic restaurant and cocktail bar, Aperibar is inspired by the Italian tradition of aperitivo, which is similar to our Happy Hour, but with a bit more style and panache. The word aperitivo refers to a pre-meal drink to "open up" the tummy, as it were. In Italy, the tradition of meeting friends or family for a drink and light snacks between the hours of work and dinnertime has been going on for centuries. An aperitivo can be a glass of wine, Campari or vermouth. This social tradition goes all the way back, in its most basic form, to ancient Greek and Roman times. Back then, the evening meal was usually preceded by a honey-flavored wine.

Sweet treats that will make your day. With Valentine's Day just over the horizon, it's time to start thinking about where to take your sweetheart on this very special occasion. A nice restaurant that offers your significant other's favorite cuisine is always on point. But, why not take the romantic ambiance up a notch or two by enjoying an intimate candlelit dinner and then having dessert and coffee at another location?  Let the good vibes flow!

And, by the way, there's no need to wait for Valentine's Day to visit these enticing dessert spots that we are about to introduce you to. You can enjoy the sweet treats that they have to offer just about any time you care to; on date night, after brunch, or during your lunch hour.

Open Studio Acting  -  A safe haven for actors where you can take your career to the next level.

  It's not easy being an actor in New York City. There are a ton of talented people out there chasing their dreams, pouring every ounce of passion they have into their craft. Like you, they are out and about every day, doing audition upon audition, hoping against hope that their "big break" is just a casting director's email or phone call away, saying " You've got the job ! ". Hey, soon maybe it WILL be time to say goodbye to that soul-draining part-time clerical, reception, or server job that barely pays the rent. That's the perfect scenario for the Big Apple's aspiring actors. Unfortunately, though, the hard reality is that far too many auditions don't end in callbacks or a director asking you to report on set on such and such a day.  For most actors the audition process can become a dead-end; a frustrating hamster wheel of rejection.

Cocktail lounges and restaurants that will make your evening unforgettable.

Tourists and locals have long flocked to Manhattan's hip Upper West Side neighborhood because of its cultural institutions and attractions including Lincoln Center, the Museum of Natural History, Central Park, Riverside Drive and the Beacon Theater, home to legendary rock and pop performers from Bob Dylan and the Allman Brothers to the late and great David Bowie. A bit more under the radar, though, is the amazing foodie scene that is going on here. There are many intriguing restaurant, bar and lounge options for you to explore, any one of which is guaranteed to make your night out on the town very special, indeed.

If you've been following the Aplez.com blog over the past few months you'll notice that we have been introducing you to some of the caring and talented instructors who help to make the NO GOODBYES PROGRAM, one of the most unique musical education programs in the city. The brand's founders have invested a great deal of time and effort in making sure that when you take lessons with the No Goodbyes Program you will do more than simply elevate your musical chops. You will become empowered with a multitude of real world benefits that will enable you to be successful, no matter which career path you may choose in life. As great as their teachers are, though, it is the CURRICULUM itself that is the heartbeat of the program.

Rockefeller Center is one of the most famous locations in the world. When tourists from both near and afar make their travel must-see list, you can be sure that the  “Rock" as it is affectionately nicknamed by native New Yorkers is at or near the top. After all, the Rockefeller Center area is home to Radio City Music Hall as well as  countless, diverse celebrated restaurants and cocktail lounges. Elegant shops such as Saks line the grand streets of Fifth Avenue, which is just across the street. 30 Rockefeller Plaza is also the home of NBC-TV, where legendary shows like Saturday Night Live are broadcast. But perhaps, Rockefeller Center shines its brightest during the Holidays, when colorful lights decorate the streets and the iconic Rockefeller Center Holiday Tree goes on display near the skating rink. The great news, though, is that you don't have to wait for the Holidays to enjoy the dining options that the "Rock" has to offer. Make a reservation anytime that you are in the mood to treat yourself and your loved ones to something special.

Enjoy trend-setting sips and bites in the oh-so-cool and cozy neighborhood of Astoria.

For quite some time now foodies all over this great city of ours have looked to Astoria, Queens to discover exciting chefs and mixologists who blend both tradition and innovation in their fabulous creations. However, while most New Yorkers are more than familiar with the foodie scene along Broadway, Steinway Street and 30th Avenue, the Ditmars area of Astoria has, up until a few years ago, been an unsung gem when it comes to fine dining and great date spots. Located literally at the end of the line, ( it's the last stop on the N & W trains ), Ditmars has so much to offer in terms of diverse ethnic cuisine, hip bars, and old-school Mom and Pop restaurants. Whatever you're into, you'll find what you are looking for in Ditmars happening environs. No matter what locale you're coming from; be it the Upper East Side, Tribeca, Chelsea, Prospect Park, or Bed-Stuy, Ditmars is definitely worth staying on the train for an extra few minutes. And, the wonderful thing is, that almost all of this nabe's dining spots and watering holes are just a short stroll from the train station. How's THAT for convenience?

The welcoming environs of Astoria, Queens have long been known as a haven for foodies as well as a diverse,  relatively quiet and safe, family-friendly place in which to live.

But, what you might not realize is that thousands upon thousands of animal lovers enjoy the Astoria lifestyle, too. Just by casually strolling down any street you will encounter pet moms and dads walking their dog or holding their cat in a carrier on the way to the Vet or to shop for their kitty at Tom's Pet Supplies or The Regal Beagle. And, let's not overlook the fact that people-watching is not confined solely to humankind.  Astoria's cats just LOVE watching us humans do our thing, as we walk by, from the comfort of their parent's apartment windows!

Let's be real. No matter what kind of music you're into, who hasn't felt a tug to one's heartstrings when you hear the haunting, soothing and melodic sound of a violin being played? It's an emotional trigger if there ever was one! And, the violin is infinitely more versatile than you might think. Yes, we commonly associate the violin with the Gods of classical music such as Beethoven, Bach and Paganini. But, did you realize that this delicate yet powerful instrument has also played a part in the music of contemporary artists like The Dave Matthews Band and Jeff Lynne's Electric Light Orchestra? If you've been thinking about learning the violin but weren't sure how to get started, the welcoming NO GOODBYES PROGRAM just might have the answers that you've been seeking. The No Goodbyes Program's team of diverse and talented instructors includes a veritable mistress of the violin, Ms. TI WEN.

The artist's brand MARCELA PAINTING is making waves on the city's dynamic art scene. With an understated yet charismatic personality, Marcela was only too happy to share her thoughts about her passion in life: art.

There's absolutely no place like the Big Apple. No matter which neighborhood you live in, it's easy to feel the adrenalin flow as soon as you step out of your door. We've got it all here, from a diverse array of tantalizing restaurants and world-class dramas and musicals on the renowned Great White Way, and Broadway to spectacular sports events and concerts at venues such as Madison Square Garden, Lincoln Center and Radio City Music Hall. Not to mention iconic landmarks like The Empire State Building, The Statue of Liberty, the Intrepid Museum and the Museum of Natural History. And, of course, we can't leave out the refreshing green spaces that the city is known for, namely Brooklyn's Prospect Park, Queens' Astoria Park and the world-famous Central Park.

If you are someone who yearns to excel at an instrument such as the guitar, piano, drums, or violin but hasn't been really happy with the teaching pros you've met with, so far, help is on the way in the form of the ground-breaking NO GOODBYES PROGRAM. The team at No Goodbyes Program dares to be unconventional in their approach to teaching students and they are justifiably proud of it. In addition to providing first-rate musical instruction for over a dozen instruments, the teachers at No Goodbyes program focus on music education as a catalyst for change, an impetus for personal transformation. After taking classes with the professional, award-winning staff at No Goodbyes Program you will see the positive results, in every facet of your life, not just musically speaking.

On a typically torrid, sizzling and humid Summer day in New York City, a cold, refreshing cup of ice cream is one of the best and most fun ways to beat the heat. Ah! When that first sinfully rich, creamy, seductively delicious spoonful hits your mouth the pleasure factor is off the charts. There's absolutely nothing like it! Whether your scoop of ice cream comes in a cup, a dazzling sundae with endless toppings, inside of a thick milkshake, or atop a cone, THIS is what me-time is all about. Come on and indulge.

You KNOW that you deserve this. And, if you are lucky enough to call the charming neighborhood of Astoria, Queens home sweet home, then you're in luck. No matter where you work or hang your hat, you'll find a delightful and welcoming ice cream shop within walking distance. So, let's look at some newcomers to the ice cream scene and a few tried and true spots that never go out of style.

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream - Astoria, Queens

Located on bustling Ditmars Blvd. Van Leeuwen Ice Cream has, after only a few months, already achieved a reputation as THE place to be when the temperatures soar. The brand started on the streets of the Big Apple in 2008 when the founders, brothers Ben and Pete Van Leeuwen and friend Laura O'Neill began scooping ice cream out of a cute yellow truck in Brooklyn. Over the years, the company has grown exponentially with scoop shops having been opened all over NYC as well as New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Texas, California, Massachusetts and the District of Columbia. Although all three partners have input and love taste-testing the product; Ben is the one who is primarily responsible for coming up with new and enticing flavors at their kitchen / Laboratory in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Here's a Fun fact for you: A few years ago Ben was a contestant on Howie Mandel's hit series Deal or No Deal. And he had a blast doing it.

The ice cream wizards at Van Leeuwen believe that great ice cream starts with great ingredients. The team carefully sources the milk, cream, eggs and cane sugar that goes into their product. Not to mention the coconuts, cashews and oats that make Van Leeuwen's VEGAN ice cream indescribably delectable. The style here is French ice cream. This recipe is uber delicious as it calls for using twice as many egg yolks as you will find in most other brands' standard ice cream products.

Now, we can't list all of their flavors or we'd be here all day. But, we'll name a few and that will give you an idea of how diverse Van Leeuwen's lineup of ice creams is. The peanut butter brownie honeycomb is made with a touch of real honey while their black cherry chocolate chip ice cream is filled to overflowing with slices and bits of real luscious cherries. You may also choose from chocolate caramel cheesecake, hazelnut fudge cookie and Sicilian pistachio flavors. The Ditmars shop, as do most of the other locations, also carries some very tasty ice cream sandwiches; the kind that you remember enjoying as a kid, but just a bit elevated. Getting back to the vegan side of things; some of the brand's flavors include strawberry shortcake, cookies and cream caramel swirl and churros and fudge.

There's still a lot of Summer left to enjoy in addition to the somewhat cooler but quite comfortable early Fall weather. Al fresco dining in NYC has never been more popular. Everyone knows what the "hot" spots are in Manhattan for outdoor dining. But, Long Island City, Queens can definitely hold its own when it comes to enjoying a soothing and relaxing dinner amidst the fresh air, flowers and trees. Not to mention spectacular views of the East River and the majestic Manhattan skyline.

47/47 LIC - Long Island City

A very recent and inviting addition to the Long Island City foodie scene, 47/47 occupies the space that formerly housed the beloved Bellwether. Lament not, though. As popular as Bellwether was, 47/47 is a worthy successor. Honestly, you really wouldn't recognize the place. The new owners have made significant aesthetic changes to the decor and it is definitely for the better. You couldn't ask for a more romantic atmosphere, both inside the place and outdoors. The outdoor cafe-style dining area is cute and spacious. There is ample seating out here so, keep that in mind when reserving a table. Both you and your date will revel in the coziness once darkness falls and tiny light bulbs illuminate the scene.

The owners, who hail from the neighborhood, want to bring the community together over a good meal and a glass of wine or beer. As far as they are concerned, food connects people and breaks down barriers. It also helps when you have a staff that is genuinely caring and super professional. The menu is diverse, and this is not hyperbole, something for everyone, whether they are carnivores, vegetarians, or very fussy eaters. Signature starters include a divine plate of burrata accompanied by poached pears in a red wine reduction and a hearty slice of roasted cauliflower with raisins in a superb romesco sauce. Another can't-miss appetizer is the braised oxtails with crispy onions and fried polenta.

Perhaps 47/47's most popular dish, as far as entrees go, is the succulent beef short ribs in a brown butter sauce, sided up with a silky smooth parsnip puree and sauteed mushrooms. The combination of earthy flavors is off the charts. The chef also turns out an expertly prepared roasted cornish hen with sweet potatoes and a spoon up every last drop of white wine and caper sauce. Another menu highlight is the branzino topped with olive gremolata accompanied by a fresh and crisp market salad. The uniqueness and deliciousness of the menu continue with the tempting desserts on offer. But, be forewarned; it's going to be difficult to decide between the creamy affogato, the addicting limoncello and raspberry cake, or the totally outrageous ricotta and pistachio cake.

Nothing hits the spot on a breezy Summer day ( or night ) like a great cocktail. The barkeeps here at 47/47 have several elixirs that will tempt you. We are talking about the 47 Basil Smash, made with Malfi gin, lemon juice, basil and agave. Looking to spice up your night? Then try their Spicy Old Fashioned, composed of a nice shot of bourbon, Grand Marnier, habanero and Angostura. The kitchen at 47/47 also turns out a really nice brunch on the weekend. And, the restaurant is just a short stroll to Gantry State Park, twelve beautiful acres, set against the East River waterfront. It's a wonderful spot in which to walk off your delectable brunch meal and reconnect with your significant other.

Innovative Italian Cuisine that takes pizza and pasta to the next level.