December 2023 in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Westchester with Stephanie Olivero

Stephanie Olivero | December 2023
Manhattan, Brooklyn and Westchester NY

Dear Clients, Colleagues, and Friends...

This fall I celebrated a birthday that I share with my diverse birth siblings in no particular order of favorites:  Pablo Picasso, Katy Perry, Chad Smith, Samantha Bee, Helen Reddy, James Carville, and my lovely therapist (that totally makes sense).  Growing up, I had 2 very close friends with birthdays around mine, so in that high school kind of way, I remember their birthdays every year and text them well wishes on their special days. This year, one of them messaged me the following message on my birthday:  "I think you were my first friend who taught me to really enjoy food, I loved that about you!". I tried to digest what that meant to her and for me, and here are my thoughts... Food is so much more than consumption... it's a shared experience with a stranger or a loved one. A 'what is this, let's go for it'..  It's a "you love this too?" connection.  It's a 'wow, I'm in love with this chef' moment.  It is all of this, and when you live in (or spend time in) a place that puts all of their heart and creativity into a meal to create connection and experience for others, for strangers, and for loved ones, it's very special.  It's the reason NYC holds so many of our hearts so tightly.  So what's the food connection to real estate?  
Well, it's never just a meal, and it's never just a house, a co-op or condo.  It's a lifestyle, an identity, an experience, and it's connection to self and community. 

On this theme of elevated experience, check out where New York's top chefs plan to dine this fall, the documentary 'Always at the Carlyle' for a behind the scenes peek into this classic hotel, The Gen X Guide to Brooklyn Nightlife, and my new listing for sale in Park Slope on ultra-charming Garfield Place (fyi I'm previewing some very special farmhouses and estates in the Bedford area up north so contact me if this excites you)...

I love everything I share with you here in this letter - I hope you do too.  Happy, happy holidays to you!

Exclusive Listings in
Manhattan + Brooklyn

Park Slope Historic District | Brooklyn

300 Garfield Place, Unit 1

2 Bedrooms | 1.5 Bath | Private Outdoor Space

(NEW LISTING) Located on picturesque Garfield Place, flanked by Prospect Park West and 8th Avenue, resides 300 Garfield Place, #1—an exquisite 2 Bedroom, 1.5 Bath residence featuring the special luxury of your private garden patio. Read more here.

Midwood | Brooklyn

915 East 17th Street, Unit 108

2 Bedrooms | 1 Bath | Bonus Work Space

(IN CONTRACT) Welcome to Your Spacious 2-Bedroom Oasis! Nestled on a tranquil, tree-lined cul-de-sac, this elevated first-floor home offers elegant space and a serene lifestyle in the city. Read more here. 

Experiences

 Where New York’s Top Chefs Plan to Dine this Fall

Go where the chefs eat, which typically are spots that are open late and perform at a very high level, at all hours.  Resy asked 28 New York-based chefs and restaurateurs where they’re planning to dine out this fall, from their time-honored favorites to the new spots they’re most looking forward to scoping out. You'll want to save this one... here's the list. 

The Gen X Guide to Brooklyn Nightlife 

Only 20% of Americans are Gen X, making us (that's me!) the smallest living age group... as the original latchkey kids, we were proudly weaned on “Breakfast Club” and “Soul Train”.  So, where can a middle-aged person go for some fun among peers? I bring you "the list", thanks to Brooklyn Magazine (and by the way, I really do love to hang with ALL generations).

Always At The Carlyle (The Documentary) 

For fellow NYC lovers, you will appreciate the behind the scenes magic, and over the top service of this institution.  For those of you who are out of state, this is a fantastic documentary about old,  'classic NY', and the perfection that is the 'un-trendy', the classic and perfect Carlyle hotel on the Upper East Side (my tips: 1) get the banana foster... it's perfection! and 2) real estate on the Upper East Side is an AMAZING value right now -contact me to discuss).  Watch the documentary here.

Westchester County and Beyond

Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Westchester County partner nicely to offer the best of city, suburban, and country living throughout New York State.

Metro-North Railroad has commuter train stations from Grand Central Station in the city and throughout Westchester county (get a seat by the window for the views);  The Westchester County Airport in White Plains makes travel in and out of Westchester a breeze. 

Come Visit 
Northern Westchester!

The Bedford Post Inn is the perfect spot to reserve for a weekend in Northern Westchester! Whether you are considering a move to the area, or simply a weekend away, check in with me to create a fun agenda with all my favorite spots and activities during your stay. 

Reserve your hotel room here.

La Crémaillère

La Crémaillère, located in an original 1750 farmhouse in Bedford, NY, is a transporting experience.  It's Paris without the jetlag.  I loved their green apple martini, the tasting menu is fantastic, and the pistachio soufflé for dessert was perfection. It's that special occasion spot that never disappoints.  Reserve your experience here.

The Glass House 

Philip Johnson's The Glass House in New Canaan, CT is magical.  49 acres of preserved and historic nature, architecture, sculptures, paintings, and more. In the painting gallery structure, he designed adjustable racks to display art by Frank Stella, Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, David Salle, Cindy Sherman, and Julian Schnabel. The 1,810 square foot, mid-century Glass House makes me want to abandon my prewar maximalist nature. They are closed for the season but will reopen in April, so if you want to plan a Spring experience now, you can purchase tickets here.

Photography with 
Jenna Stern

Maybe you skipped the professional holiday photoshoot this year, but might want to send cards in the new year?  Jenna Stern covers New York and Connecticut, and can make that happen with a fun experience, and gorgeous, natural photos.

Contact Jenna for details here.

Baxter+Bayard
Fashion for Babies

So... I started a new company 2 years ago. Baxter+Bayard (my literal baby project), conceived in Bedford, New York, offers whimsical animal prints, pinstripes and colorblocks for the most adorable organic cotton blankets, onesies and bib sets. 

Please enjoy these promo codes at checkout:  15FORYOU (for 15% off your order) and FREE75 (for free shipping on orders $75+). Free gift wrap, a handwritten note if you like, and we ship anywhere in the US. Follow my instagram account here.  Shop the website here.

Upstate Curious

I recently attended our Compass National Retreat in San Diego, which was an uplifting week of learning and connecting with fellow real estate professionals throughout the country. It was at the Women of Compass breakfast event that I met Hudson Valley based Megan Brenn-White of Upstate Curious, who I had been following on instagram during the pandemic. So genuine, authentic, funny and smart, Megan lives and sells the upstate lifestyle, and is someone I love to introduce to buyers and sellers who seek guidance in the Upstate towns I don't cover. Let me know if I can connect you to Megan for your upstate needs, and enjoy this recent article about Megan and her team, courtesy of Upstate House.

Compass Throughout the Country...

Are you thinking about a move to a market other than Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Westchester County? I can introduce you to Agents in your preferred market who are ready to assist you... contact me to explore further. 

Join me on Instagram...

Stephanie Olivero at Compass

The Foundations Team at Compass

Office: 212-913-9058

Compass is a licensed real estate broker. All material is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description or measurements (including square footage). This is not intended to solicit property already listed. No financial or legal advice provided. Equal Housing Opportunity. All Coming Soon listings in NYC are simultaneously syndicated to the REBNY RLS. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.