Video: Make your own noise-canceling headphones for $20

For way too many years, it's been nearly impossible to find a hotel room in NY for less than $300 per night. No longer. Back in November, we told you about The Jane, a hotel with incredible rates. And now we've got another one for you: The Gem Hotel, with locations in Midtown West, Soho, and Chelsea. We included a package deal at The Gem's Chelsea location in today's Real Deal from $159 per room per night, noting that rates at this (Chelsea) location will jump by about $100 in February. With rates as low as $139 at most of its locations, the chain could get away with offering minimal amenities, but it actually does just the opposite. Instead of charging guests for things like bottled water, high-speed Internet, and shoe shines (yes, shoe shines!), Gem gives them away for free. And it doesn't skimp on quality, either. The pillows are down, the in-room coffee is Wolfgang Puck, and the bath products are Gilchrist & Soames (a fancy British brand). Another fun detail: One of the goals of The Gem Hotel is to become a part of the community, so it offers deals that feature local establishments. For example, the Soho location has a Katz's Delicatessen Pastrami Package (1 room, 2 pastrami sandwiches from Katz's) and a Sunshine Movie Theater Package (1 room, 2 passes to Sunshine Movie Theater). And rumor has it the staff is looking into volunteering with local organizations—another cool way of supporting the community. MORE HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS New York at a Price That's Right

Snow is falling as I write this, building up on sidewalk tables and the shoulders of hurried smokers. It's a scene best seen from indoors, my fingers alternating between the keypad and a steaming coffee mug. When Paris is cold, my favorite activity—the aimless wander—is on hold. And outdoor pleasures like the impromptu picnic and the riverboat cruise become intolerable when the temperature drops. So what's there to do in the dead of winter? EatSome of the best French cuisine comes from the Southwest region and is perfect for cold weather. Indulge in classics like confit de canard (duck that's been preserved in its own fat and then slowly roasted until crispy) and cassoulet (a crock of creamy white beans with sausage and other meats) will keep you warm for hours, especially if accompanied by a hearty red wine from the same region. Standout spots for this cuisine are Le Pamphlet (38 rue Debelleyme, 3rd arrondissement, 011-33/1-42-72-39-24) and Au Fil des Saisons (6 rue des Fontaines du Temple, 3rd arrondissement, 011-33/1-42-74-16-60). Shop The biannual national sales fall during the hottest and coldest months of the year. I prefer to do my hunting during the winter version, held this year from Jan 7 through Feb. 10, when the heat of bargain battle serves the dual purpose of also keeping me warm. I like to head to one of the grande dame department stores, where I can find everything I want (including lunch and a glass of wine) without braving the wind outside. Galleries Lafayette (40 boulevard Haussmann, 9th arrondissement) and Printemps (64 boulevard Haussmann, 9th arrondissement) on the right bank, and Bon Marché on the rive gauche (22/38, rue de Sèvres, 7th arrondissement) are all good options. Skate! This is the year I'm going to finally try the outdoor rink at Hôtel de Ville. It's such a gorgeous setting, especially at night, when you can twirl surrounded by the shimmering city-hall lights. It's also budget friendly (free to enter, with skate rental for €5), and a great way to work up an appetite before one of those heavy Southwestern meals. Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, 4th arrondissement, open Monday-Thursday noon-10pm and Friday-Sunday noon to midnight.

Rather than blog about the latest airline news or innovation in rental cars (which is what I normally do), I thought I'd put out a little plug instead. We're currently soliciting nominations from readers for our annual "Coolest Small Towns" package in the magazine, and I want you to contribute! Click on this link, and tell us about a cool small town that you think deserves recognition, whether it's for its thriving art scene, eclectic mix of residents, or fantastic local restaurants. We definitely want places with an edge to them—so don’t go for quaint. And the towns MUST have a population under 10,000. Besides that, anything goes. I recently visited a couple of towns we included in this package over the past couple of years, Catskill and Hudson, both of which are in New York's Hudson valley. While Hudson is thriving—it has restaurants that can rival those in New York City—I was saddened to see that Catskill isn't doing that well. Perhaps it's the economy—it's tough for out-of-the-way towns to prosper when nobody's spending money. Catskill is a dreamy little place—the architecture is fantastic, and the few antique and crafts shops on Main Street are well worth a visit if you happen to be in the area. (You can visit Catskill and Hudson the same day; they're across the river from each other.) Maybe getting your small town in our magazine will help boost its economy at a critical time—so fill out this online form! (Please, don't post a comment below on this blog, but instead click on this online form.)