By Narbeh Minassian

I feel as though the United States could sometimes be renamed the Competing States. Every state is seeking its own identity and uniqueness and always wants to be better than another state in any given competition, which is perhaps best exemplified by the NFL and NBA. We are fortunate enough to be in arguably the only state that does not need to prove anything, and I am confident that I do not need to give any reasons for this. That is not to say, however, that we should be justified in closing ourselves off from other states, and, as of June 2012, Hawaiian Airlines offers a direct journey to one of the most special states in the nation. As one of only two states that is not physically united with the rest of the country, Hawaii’s claim to uniqueness is strong.

By Christopher Pape
Photos by Carol Seitz

Kitty Pilgrim of CNN fame is now a published novelist. And I’m jealous. I’m jealous of her beauty, talent and wherewithal to sit down and actually conceive of and actualize her two novels, The Explorer’s Code and The Stolen Chalice.

By Christopher A. Pape

Karine Bakhoum, an Iron Chef America judge and owner of the successful restaurant public relations firm, KB Network News, knows food. From early childhood she as exposed to and feel in love with all aspects of the craft.

By Christopher A. Pape

Alexia Landeau, of 2 Days in Paris and Marie Antoinette fame, has just co-written and starred in a new movie aptly named, 2 Days in New York, a sequel to the Paris hit. As a New Yorker with French roots, she is able to move between both worlds seamlessly and does so in both movies.

By Mikhail D. Poloskin & Jackie Yin

When one thinks of vacation, it’s always the picture of the seaside that first jumps into mind. Indeed, who can refuse the charm of the beach? But there comes a time when one feels an urge to go somewhere far and exotic, to meet people from a completely different world, to reconnect to nature and purify the spirit. If that’s on your mind now, then let’s raise the altitude to 8,000 feet as we fly across the equator to the southern hemisphere to the miraculous UNESCO World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu in Peru. Let’s discover the legacy of the ancient Inca Empire!

By Christopher Pape and Narbeh Minassian

The Waldorf Astoria has resorts located nationwide, but there are not many that can compete with the scenery of Park City’s resort in Utah. Mountainous and secluded, Park City is equally beautiful in winter and summer, providing the ideal year-round getaway.

By Narbeh Minassian

Buenos Aires has always been something of a mystery. As the much maligned capital city of a historically troubled country, the city has such a recognizable name with such an unrecognizable identity. The name was given by the Spanish in 1324, meaning ‘fair winds’, which is on balance a fair indication of the area’s obvious potential that had remained untapped for so long. Recent statistics, however, suggest that Buenos Aires is addressing this eternal stigma, with the influx of international tourism in Argentina increasing by 27% in 2010, and with visitors to Buenos Aires rising by over a million in three years, its capital deserves the lion’s share of credit. Indeed, Buenos Aires is undergoing a process of reinvention.

By Narbeh Minassian

It’s that time a year again when parents start thinking about school. Whether it’s a youngster entering grade school or a teenager going into high school, we’ve got the best schools in Manhattan. Admissions into the top schools have become a contact sport and we wish to only bring you the top tier. Use this guide and good luck!

By George Brescia
Photos by Billy Bustamante

Its all in the details. Accessories are so important to show your sense of style and really complete your look. Here are some interesting men’s and women’s accessories I have discovered which will add style and panache to your wardrobe.

By Jackie Yin

So what’s the most exciting part about living in New York City? As a seasoned traveler, I would say it’s the diversity of gourmet food it offers. Be it haute European cuisine or sophisticated Asian fusion, you will never be disappointed. And now the culinary scene is getting even more epic. With the arrival of Brasserie Pushkin, New Yorkers can finally have a taste of noble Russian cuisine.