NewYork

No visitor or local in New York City can avoid the city's ubiquitous "sidewalk sheds," those unsightly wood-and-scaffolding structures put up to protect pedestrians during building renovations around Gotham. Whether at the entrance of your apartment building or wrapped around your favorite retail outlet these eyesores are ever-present.

But now sidewalk sheds are getting a much-needed makeover.

The Census Bureau's tally of state population changes, released just before Christmas, has become more fodder for some long-suffering states. Five of the nation's largest states were dubbed "the biggest losers," meaning they saw the highest imbalance between people moving out and people moving in.

Not surprisingly, none of the losing states is exactly a picture of economic health. California topped the list, losing more than 98,000 residents. Michigan, Illinois and Ohio lost more than 170,000 between the three of them. New York and New Jersey combined to lose almost 130,000, and Florida lost 31,179.

Sure, it's fun it is to pick on insolvent California, seedy Illinois, and New York, with its Wall Street villains and laid off media mavens. But a closer look at the data reveals a more complex picture.

"I'm not selling big screen TVs and DVD players, I'm selling some of the most expensive real estate in the world. We owe it to our clientele to look a certain way."

Seth S. Levin, 33, Associate Broker for Douglas Elliman
Look 1, left: Zegna suit, Thomas Pink shirt, Louis Vuitton tie, Johnston and Murphy shoes, Ferragamo belt, Panerai watch.
Look 2, right: Jai Kudo glasses, Armani blazer, Burberry shirt, Thomas Pink tie, Earnest Sewn jeans.
Location: A Seth S. Levin exclusive. 4 West 21st Street. 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom, doorman building. $1.55 million.

You're dressed sharp and looking stylish, what do we have going on here?
I have two very distinct looks: My first look, left, is typically a very sharp, traditional, tailored suit and tie. The second, right, is a more downtown hip, more edgy chic with jeans, a blazer, a tie -- always with a tie. Then I add a funkier pair of glasses.

A pair of New Yorkers living in a 175-square-foot studio might just be the wave of the future.

Zaarath and Christopher Prokop don't cook in their own kitchen. They "store" most of their clothes at dry cleaners. A cappuccino machine is their only kitchen appliance, and a cat-gym and a queen-sized bed are almost the only furniture. But the Prokops (shown left) say that they're happy with their home, which cost them $150,000 a few months ago. With two full-time jobs, they'll have paid off the mortgage in just two years, according to the New York Post.

The Prokop's lifestyle is not for everyone - it wouldn't work without nearby dry cleaners and restaurants. But with a little design help, tiny homes like the Prokop's -- or the wee Japanese single-family home pictured below --- could fill a big gap in the housing market, particularly for students and singles in expensive cities.

Think your rental kitchen is small? Try churning out 5-star food from the back of a truck. It's a challenge three celebrity chefs are taking on over the coming weeks, and you just might be the beneficiary of some of the goods!

As the food cart movement continues to pick up speed, we've become a nation of grab-n-go gourmet goodies. What could possibly improve upon this fortune of foodstuffs? If the hash were being slung by world-renowned chefs, and if they were giving it away for FREE.