I don't know about you, but late February is when I hit the wall of winter weather -- every fiber of my being is craving the warmth and sun of summer. We may have a while to go before the spring thaws come, but a number of retailers can give you the sense of a quick break in the tropics -- and spas that are a vacation in themselves.
Among my favorite places to pretend I'm elsewhere:
Surf's Up -- Back to the Beach
Who.A.U. - 22 West 34th Street - 575 Broadway
This store may come from South Korea, but it's California surfer dude style all the way. Shorts, t-shirts and accessories make this a college student must-shop, and a walk on the beach for all.
Hollister - 666 Fifth Avenue
There's also a store at 600 Broadway, but it's the storefront here that really brings you to the beach - literally. Instead of a traditional exhibit of merchandise, Hollister's façade is a video screen with a live feed of the Pacific Ocean!
And, of course, get Bikini Body Ready:
Equinox Sports Club - 521 Fifth Avenue and many more
Part fitness center, with some of the most innovative classes and equipment in town, part spa with exceptional treatments, Equinox is the place to escape and do something good for your body and soul.
Body By Glamour - 680 Fifth Avenue
This Gap pop-up, the latest in its flagship space on Fifth Avenue, is inspired by Glamour magazine's online fitness program. The store offers GapBody apparel and accessories - this month. So get there fast.
Eastern Mountain Sports - 530 Broadway
Yes, they sell outdoor sports equipment -- but ignore the skis and jackets, focus on the camping and workout shoes to get into a warm-weather frame of mind. Look for an uptown unit at 2150 Broadway in the fall.
Modell's - Multiple units around town
Pitchers and catchers are reporting right now -- so drop in to Home Team Central, pick up a shirt (and everything else you need for your own fitness needs) and pretend it's Opening Day!
REI - 295 Lafayette Street
More than just a store with outdoor equipment (including cycles), REI is an experience, even leading cycling tours of sites around the world, including Mount Kilimanjaro, New Zealand and Costa Rica. And cool sunglasses, too.
SoulCycle - 117 West 72nd Street - 1470 Third Avenue - 103 Warren Street - 12 East 18th Street
Nothing beats spinning for burning body fat -- or for sheer fun. And SoulCycle takes it to the next level, combining weight training as you bike to music. Plus, you never know who'll be on the bike next to you during one of these studios' classes -- Tom and Katie reportedly visited recently!
New Balance - Coming soon to 150 Fifth Avenue
Don't even think of working out without the proper footwear -- and New Balance's shoes are built for performance (including wide widths) and professionally fitted.
Completely Bare - Multiple locations
The salon's newest location at The Sports Club at 45 Rockefeller Plaza extends its multiple services (including tanning, facials and teeth whitening as well as waxing and laser hair removal) to Midtown.
Bliss - 568 Broadway - 541 Lexington Avenue - 12 West 57th Street
Get your nails in shape -- and painted with a summery color -- with one of their fabulous manicures and pedicures -- including one with chocolate!
Shades of Summer
Oliver Peoples - 366 West Broadway - 812 Madison Avenue
Vintage-inspired designs, with some of the most glamorous materials.
Sunglass Hut - Multiple locations
They're everywhere -- and that's a good thing, allowing you to drop in and pick from their vast selection whenever the mood strikes. From the most affordable to major designers, you can find it here.
Maximeyes Optical - 200 West 24th Street
If you're looking for prescription sunglasses, you'll find the perfect combination of medical need and cool style here, while you're pretending you're going to the Hamptons that weekend.
Create Your Own Oasis:
Gramercy Park Flower Shop - 200 Park Avenue - 236 Third Avenue - 75 Ninth Avenue - opening soon at 55 Washington Street, Brooklyn
A neighborhood institution after 100 years at Gramercy Park and still owned by the grandson of one of the founders, this shop's services offers flowers for the home and special events, and exciting accessories.
Ovando - 19 East 65th Street - 337 Bleecker Street
A visit to these shops is a visit to Mexico, with architecture distinctly from south of the border, to exotic flowers, plants and cacti.
Prefer to Be Pampered
If your idea of escaping the winter is more spa-oriented, consider the following for a vacation in the heart of the city:
Peninsula Spa by ESPA - 700 Fifth Avenue
So luxurious you'll swear you've left the city and headed straight to Nirvana. Purchase the Spa-cation Package, which combines fitness classes and pampering so you can pretend you're miles away
Susan Ciminelli Day Spa - 120 East 56th Street
Several types of massage, including reiki, nutritional consultation, power plate training for weight loss and flexibility, and facials and massages that will relax and detoxify you.
The Setai Club & Spa Wall Street - 40 Broad Street
An oasis in the heart of Wall Street. The traditional therapies are joined by exclusives including an herbal hibernation with a soaking tub of oils, herbs and milk, followed by a facial and mud wrap.
The Spa at Andaz Wall Street - 75 Wall Street
This spa realizes that sometimes we can't take a whole, or even half day to escape the winter. Instead, find 45- or even 30-minute treatments that will give you a quick jolt of pampering to get you though a rough day or week.
Mandarin Spa - 80 Columbus Circle
Treatments designed to help you achieve physical and emotional harmony (including the Lanna Massage from Thailand utilizing a Tamarind wood mallet tapped along the Sen lines of the body), a 75-foot indoor lap pool, and a full fitness center are a perfect escape from the cold and ice.
Remember, it's just a few more weeks to spring -- but until then, a visit to any of the above will help us get through the last hazy days of winter.
Happy Shopping!