GOODLIFE: NYC (August 2007)

READ
Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster
What: Dana Thomas analyzes the effect corporate powerhouses have had on luxury brands.
Why: Good luxe.
Where: Online at amazon.com.

SWIM
The Floating Pool
What: Bringing back a vintage NYC tradition: free public swimming in a pool-on-a-barge moored in the East River.
Why: Sink or swim. It’s only here until Labor Day.
When: It’s a mob scene on the weekends (don’t bother). Sources say the best time is 11 a.m.-1 p.m. weekdays.
Where: Brooklyn Bridge Park, 334 Furman St., at Joralemon St., B’klyn Heights. Free shuttle buses from the subway. Info at 718-222-9742 or online at brooklynbridgepark.org.

BUY
Summer Remnants
What: Up to 75 percent off Comme des Garçons, Marc Jacobs, Junya Watanabe, Alexander McQueen, Billionaire Boys Club, Society for Rational Dress, and much more.
Why: Summer dress beats winter, time and again.
When: Thurs. & Fri., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Reed Space, 151 Orchard St., b/t Stanton & Rivington Sts. (212-253-0588). More info at 917-330-8352.

DO
P.S.1 + Water Taxi Beach Combo
What: Rally the troops for a late afternoon of art, music, and beer. Walk down the block for a full night of cheap eats and dancing on a makeshift beach.
Why: It’s the kind of jam-packed cultural happening that justifies your NYC rent.
When: Sats.-the end of summer. P.S.1, 3-9 p.m.; Water Taxi, 8 p.m.-3 a.m.
Where: Long Island City. Directions online at ps1.org or watertaxibeach.com.

GRAB
Produce @ Market Table
What: New grocer destined to be a classic. Goods from local fishmongers and meatpackers, canned items (reached by rolling ladder), and fresh produce.
Why: The brainchild of Mike Price (The Mermaid Inn), who’s opening an adjoining restaurant.
When: Opens this weekend. Daily, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. (Bring your reusable grocery bags.)
Where: 54 Carmine St., at Bedford St. (212-255-2100).

EAT
Tailor Opens
What: Pastry man Sam Mason’s super-over-mega hyped restaurant finally opens this Saturday. Why: Well, it’s news if you’ve spent all year in Tazmanian exile.
When: Dinner from 5 p.m. every day except Mon.
Where: 525 Broome St., at Thompson St. (212-334-5182).

SEE
Elegy for the Summer of Love
What: In the ’60s, Alain Dister took his camera and long hair hitchhiking across the country to capture communes and clinics in the age of psychadelica.
Why: So long, summer of love.When: Thru Sept. 1. Tues.-Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Envoy, 131 Chrystie St., b/t Delancey & Broome Sts. (212-226-4555).

BUY
Fashion Yard Sale
What: Gently used vintage and new samples from LaRok to Manolo.
Why: Part of proceeds go to Free Arts NYC.
When: Thurs., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: 250 W. 39th St., b/t Seventh & Eighth Aves., ste. 1701

HELP
Peru
What: Jonathan Adler donates 10 percent of all its proceeds from August 22-31 sales to Peruvian earthquake relief.
Why: Peru-se the selection for a good cause.
Where: Online at jonathanadler.com.

Source: Daily Candy