In the new issue of Haute Living New York, we talk with supermodel Petra Nemcova, who, after narrowly escaping death during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, founded the Happy Hearts Fund, a non-profit foundation dedicated to rebuilding schools and communities following natural disasters.

“In situations like that you find inner strength that you never thought was there. It’s a matter of survival so you don’t have a choice,” Nemcova says.

Petra lives in New York and spends her days immersed in her fast-paced downtown Battery Park neighborhood. “There’s a strong sense of community there. There are great schools and lots of wonderful restaurants. Plus, people actually talk to each other!”

Read the new HAUTE LIVING NATIONAL Issue

L'Chaim, with Jezebel Restaurant

Forget everything you think you know about Kosher dining because downtown’s latest addition into the Jewish-food trend is anything but typical. Set in a converted 100-year old-carriage house, Jezebel combines extraordinary food with chic atmosphere.

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Fast Company : IWC Goes To The Track With Formula One

It’s a tight fit. I’m squeezed into the cockpit of a Formula One simulator in a basement room at the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One team’s headquarters in Brackley, England— one of three simulators the team uses to both train drivers, and softtest modifications to their cars before trying them out in the real world.

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Color Me Happy - Domingo Zapata

There’s something to be said about a man who can convince Sofia Vergara to strip down to next to nothing and serve as a human canvas. But that’s just the magic of Domingo Zapata. Vergara is just one of the many starlets that has taken part in Zapata’s project, entitled “Ten,” which also reveals the famous figures of Pamela Anderson, Kim ..

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Haute Ambassador : Dori’s World

I couldn’t wait to escape the freezing New York weather and head to sunny Miami for Art Basel. Before all the events got underway and the craziness ensued, I lounged by Setai pool with my friend, Lisa Ruben. After a lovely lunch with Ali Kay (and her baby), I headed over to the Rubell Family Collection to see Michelle and Jason Rubell.

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