Whether you are looking to support a great cause or give yourself a fitness goal to help you keep your new years resolution, Cycle for Survival will help you do both. This indoor team cycle event to raises money for cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering. The event will take place at Equinox locations in New York City and Long Island on February 12 and 13 and in Chicago on February 5. Spots are going fast so sign up early.

Enjoy some great food, a free show and some amazing artwork all in the Columbus Circle area this weekend. For my detailed itinerary head to cbslocal.com

What better way to end the year, than with a spa day?  NYC has lots of amazing spas that run the full gamut of price and atmosphere.  But if you are looking to really feel relaxed and get away for the day, check out The Spa at Chelsea Piers. The cost of a massage won’t run you any more than at any of the other NYC spa’s, but you get the added bonus of full use of the health club. With stunning views of the Hudson in every corner of the pier, feel free to tire yourself out first by making use of their 1/4 mile indoor track, basketball courts, full beach volleyball court, boxing ring, and 20,000 square feet of cardio and strength training equipment. And don’t forget the pool and the hot tub. My advise is to save the hot tub for after the massage! I did this last week on a “staycation” day and had a fabulous time. After taking an amazing spin class that turned my legs to jelly I didn’t feel so guilty about getting the massage. And watching the sunset from the hot tub was a great way to end the day.

If you get there by tomorrow, you can take advantage of their 20% off sale.

I can’t think of a better way to end the year.

It has been a busy few days, amazing how not going to work can make your life even busier than when you are there. So I haven’t had much time for blogging, but I have been writing.

Find out where to get the best accessories for your holiday weekend and for New Years Eve outfit.

What to do this weekend in NYC (there is even a lot to do tomorrow on Christmas Day!)

This weekend explore the Lower East Side. In my weekly CBS local column, learn how you can spend the day enjoying this great NYC neighborhood.

This DVF case is very pricey, but oh so cute!

I am sooo excited about my new kindle. It is so tiny I can’t wait to bring it on my commute once my case arrives. My commute is pretty short, which is why I rarely bring books with me. Why carry it with me when I can maybe read ten pages each way? But since the Kindle is so light and small, I will definitely start carrying it with me everyday.

Here’s what I am thinking of adding to my library to make my commute feel even shorter:

• Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
• Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
• Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand: A Novel by Helen Simonson
• Home in the Morning by Mary Glickman

What will you be curling up with over these upcoming holiday weekends? Whether paper or an e-book, I want to hear.

Still looking for some unique gift ideas?

NewlyWish: I LOVE this site and am so excited that Always a Blogsmaid did such a wonderful post about it (and can I be her friend?) While it is really a wedding registry site that offers those about to wed the ability to register at their favorite NYC small business, it is also a great resource for gifts. You can purchase gifts from these small vendors online that you normally wouldn’t have the ability to. How fun, especially for ex-New Yorkers, or visitors who fell in love with a store on a recent trip here. Check out their holiday shop for some great ideas.

Holiday Handmade Cavalcade: With over 50 Etsy vendors you are bound to find something for everyone on your list. Held this Sunday, December 5 at the OpenHOUSE Gallery in Nolita, it will definitely have a great selection of gifts or maybe you will find something for yourself!

Happy Shopping!

Photos by Bernard Ente

Did you spend too much yesterday, but still want to do something fun tonight without spending any money? Check out the New York Harbor Lighted Boat Parade.

View the boats at the following locations:

6:15-6:30
Pier 66 (Boats Muster)

6:30-6:45
Hoboken Waterfront

6:45-7:00
Jersey City Waterfront

7:15-7:30
Brooklyn Bridge Park

7:30-7:45
South Street Seaport

8:00-8:15
Battery Park City

8:15-8:30
Hudson River Park

Just because it is cold out doesn’t mean your dating life has to stop. Check out my article on 1010wins.com for some great winter dating ideas in NYC.

The ING NYC Marathon is this Sunday. If you know someone running supporting them just got easier. Send some love their way with the help of New Balance. Just fill out the form to send your runner some last minute words of encouragement. The New Balance site also has great information for runners and spectators of where to stand, how to be seen and how to track the runner you are following.

If running 26.2 miles isn’t in the cards for you, there are plenty of other ways to help out.

• Cheer – If a runner has a name on their shirt, don’t hesitate to use that to give them even more encouragement. Track your runner to know exactly where you can spot them.
• Explore – Take this opportunity to visit a new neighborhood. Runners need support throughout the whole race, so check out a less popular location, rather than just Central Park or the bottom or the 59th Street Bridge
• Volunteer – There is lots of help needed along the route and at the finish line. I help out every year giving runners back their belongs they dropped off at the start and it is so much fun.
• Donate – Lots of runners are raising money for charity.

And if you see a runner named Stacey, don’t forget to shout! She is my cousin running to raise money for Gilda’s Club.

See you on Sunday!