
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Etched glass mirrors



I'd like a different bathroom mirror because the new tiny sink forces me to smash my forehead against the medicine cabinet in order to brush my teeth. I'm thinking of replacing the cabinet with something wall mounted and vintage looking.I found an ideal one at ikea(top left) which was tiny and had etched flowers at the top but it was meant to sit on a dresser and had dumb metal glued to the back for the prop mechanism. What a bummer because mirrors are expensive...I never knew.
Alternative Christmas decor

I wish I'd been able to do more with Christmas decorating this season but it was pretty impossible. I saw lots of new agey ornaments that I liked involving feathers. I wonder what else would look good on a new age christmas tree? maybe eggs? or prisms and crystals? it would have to be a live tree with very fine needles or a blue spruce.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Trimming the tv
Monday, December 21, 2009
Best Brooklyn Granny Cart

I should take a walk with my granny cart every morning because it's crazy funny! After procrastinating on the laundry pick up I was determined to take my cart on it's maiden voyage this AM on possibly the worst carting weather day of the year due to deep, brown, corner slush. I couldn't stop laughing. Pushing that cart makes me feel like a kid pushing a child's size grocery cart at the supermarket not to mention navigating it over the bumpy packed snow and ice. It was just ridiculous....especially driving it through the Christmas tree stand on Driggs.
Bargain hunting
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Counters and such
Friday, December 18, 2009
Cheerful Thoughts
Ugh the holidays.Somehow they aren't so fun and exciting as they used to be. Here are some cheerful thoughts for anyone who needs them besides me.
Family jokes though rightly cursed by strangers, are the bond that keep most families alive.-Stella Benson
Life, believe, it is not a dream so dark as sages say; Oft a little morning rain(or snow) foretells a pleasant day.-Charlotte Bronte
We can't all be heroes because someone has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by.-Will Rogers
If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them. -Henry David Thoreau
I especially like this one because it sounds like something my Dad would say to me and his Dad would've said to him.
Razors pain you; Rivers are damp; Acids stain you; And drugs cause cramp. Guns aren't lawful; Nooses give; Gas smells awful; You might as well live -Dorothy Parker
Family jokes though rightly cursed by strangers, are the bond that keep most families alive.-Stella Benson
Life, believe, it is not a dream so dark as sages say; Oft a little morning rain(or snow) foretells a pleasant day.-Charlotte Bronte
We can't all be heroes because someone has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by.-Will Rogers
If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them. -Henry David Thoreau
I especially like this one because it sounds like something my Dad would say to me and his Dad would've said to him.
Razors pain you; Rivers are damp; Acids stain you; And drugs cause cramp. Guns aren't lawful; Nooses give; Gas smells awful; You might as well live -Dorothy Parker
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Egg Nog Coffee not from Starbucks

I need a day off but I can't take one off but at least I have a morning off from yoga.I love it when I go. I love it when I don't. As an added celebratory effect I put eggnog in my coffee this AM instead of milk. A lot of people don't like it but I LOVE EGG NOG! After pine tree smell in nyc full fat egg nog is my second fave thing about the holidays.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Moving stoves and lines

These pipes + labor cost $100 which I guess is a bargain but still seems like a lot. I got my stove moved today so I can add some lower cabinets and a countertop. It's going to be wicked and even more wicked cool if I can get my landlord to split the cost with me. It is also no longer a mystery why this apartment had a mouse problem...they were coming directly through the floor under those pipes to the crumbs in the broiler. It was the most direct mouse meal in history.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Bookshelves



Saturday, December 12, 2009
Mociun & Corwin wall calendar
Alexander Girard Curtains


My big accomplishment so far today was remembering I had a power strip, finding it, and plugging my microwave into it so I could reheat a cup of coffee.It took about 30 minutes to find the strip but it was worth it. I also insulated my air conditioning and ordered some new curtains which I love in the picture and hope I will continue to love once installed. It's freezing and these are the steps I'm taking to avoid plastic over the windows. Sumimasen(pardon me in Japanese) but I like to see clearly out the windows even during the winter months.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Recap on the Yankee Swap
The yankee swap was really fun. Here's a list of what exchanged hands...first off, I must say that I happily ended up with 2 types of bacon chocolate from vosges and bacon salt which I'm looking forward to trying on my eggs tomorrow morning.
The gifts-mexican art cross, art journal, lotto tickets,movie tickets, bacon chocolate,Jonathan Lethem novel, sctoch and lotto tickets,espresso pot, chipotle gift card, startbucks gift card, $20 bill, amazon $25 gift, barnes and noble gift card, candles, headphones, coffee table books and the 1st season of "sons of anarchy" which is a TV show and was surprisingly a popular item.
Coffee Time
I gotta get some coffee up in here. Today I waded through a gaggle of school kids at the deli to get mine.It was chaotic but then one girl told me that she liked my hair because it was so soft and silky and I said thanks and we all laughed.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Yankee Swap

Tomorrow is our yankee swap at work. Yankee swap is also referred to as dirty santa, the white elephant exchange,Cajun Christmas, backward auction and Indian bingo. We are supposed to contribute a nice gift(not a gag gift) for about $20 but it seems that everybody spends more like $25 or $30.This year I'm giving the bialetti mini express with 2 espresso cups.I'll let you know how it goes over.Last year I gave a sigg water bottle with a silicone ice cube tray that made ice sticks to go in the bottle. The year before that paperwhite flowers.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Arrow Tote
Big River Man

I learned about Martin Strel because I was licensing photos of him for a book at work.He is in the Guinness Book of World Records for, among other things, swimming the amazon river. I'm itching to see the documentary Big River Man. Read the nytimes review here.
1970's style wall hangings



Urban outfitters is selling all this cool Alexander Girard stuff which in pictures looks great in the home.The far left is a Neutra house I learned about via the LA Times. I just love screenprints on stretched canvas.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Everybody keeps asking


how Frosti is doing since we moved and I think he's doing just fine.Here are some pictures of my improvements to the bathroom.Rope wrapped heat pipe and teak shower mat hiding rust spots.I like how perfectly it fits and the rope is especially nice because of its reflection in the mirror. I also have a new solution for when Frosti keeps me up at night.Step 1. I shut him in the bathroom for a few minutes.
Step 2. I let him out.
Step 3. he's so cold that he runs into my bed and never leaves till morning.
Chocolate Bacon Pancake Mix
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Faux Fur Slipper Boot
Prescription Cat food is the bane of my existence

Most people won't care about this but I really do and so might Jesse and Jaime K. Order prescription cat food here and avoid carrying a heavy case in the rain on a Saturday morning when you have no free hands to even buy a coffee. Also, I did the math and if you order 6 cases it ends up being cheaper than the vet price.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Kate Moss May 2003
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Haikus on moving
Jaime K requested a Haiku about moving.Here are 5.
I got some new socks
there was a hole in my heel
from climbing stairways
One hundred percent
chaos of a twister
regress to girlhood
Where is anything?
shoe boxes on the sidewalk
never belong there
I shattered the bulbs
when the lamp dropped on the floor
swept up way later
The last thing to go
was two pieces of paper
turquoise and yellow
I got some new socks
there was a hole in my heel
from climbing stairways
One hundred percent
chaos of a twister
regress to girlhood
Where is anything?
shoe boxes on the sidewalk
never belong there
I shattered the bulbs
when the lamp dropped on the floor
swept up way later
The last thing to go
was two pieces of paper
turquoise and yellow
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Patrick Brennan FAZES

Daily Operation presents Patrick Brennan’s first solo show in New York, "FAZES". This show will include a selection of works that highlight his distinct approach to abstract painting. Hints of moons, crosses, stars, and galaxies appear but the viewer is compelled to collect their own narrative.
His work has recently been seen at Artists Space, Heskin Contemporary, Kent State University, Mississippi State University, Apartment Show, and the Deli Storeroom.
"FAZES" opens Dec. 5, from 6-9PM and runs through Dec 12.
103 Reade St. #2
New York, NY
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Daily Operation is a curatorial project by Jon Lutz. It has and will include shows in studios, apartments, parks, empty real estate, and other venues.
Some gift ideas from Shopsin's General Store
Burning it up

Tonight after work, appropriately scheduled on a full moon day,I will hold a smudge fest at my apartment in hopes of eliminating bad vibes.First things first, I bought the cedar and sage stick on the way to work this morning and immediately noticed that it looks just like the Christmas trees bound up on the sidewalk which in my opinion is just about the best thing about the holiday season, pine smell in nyc. The point of burning the sage stick to create smoke that clings to and ultimately consumes bad energies. It's the same principal as yoga, creating heat to burn up impurities.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Slip-N-Snip Scissors and can-tainer


Gravel & Gold online store is now open and there's some nice things like these compact collapsible scissors and this can-tainer which can hold just about anything on your bike. Also good for cigarette butts if you're an eco friendly bike smoker.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Merry Christmas to Me three weeks early
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
1982 Paris Dakar Rally
oh what will I find?

Oh what will I find in NH? besides lots of free food, cheap wine and mixed nuts.I hope to find some warm clothes and something I forgot I had.I also hope to find that nice bright yellow dresser with the marble top. My Dad made me laugh the other day because he said the tenant in our house was "a real Mainer" and what proved him as such was a) that his friends look like giants and b) he drives a monster truck or maybe an ATV which brings me to my latest obsession...the Paris Dakar rally.
The Brooklyn Kitchen Labs

I am not a cook but when I saw this place last night it made me want to be a cook or at least be a wannabe cook. The facade is entirely glassy and bright and no longer resembles the picture above. The brooklyn kitchen labs opened on November 16th and offers:
• Lab #1: a 1500sf teaching space with room for 20 hands on and 60 demonstration
• Lab #2: a 1000sf teaching space with room for 15 hands on and 35 demonstration
• The Meat Hook: a full service custom butcher shop presided over by Tom Mylan and Brent Young
• The Bulk Room: bulk oils, vinegars, beans, rice, flour, chocolate, spices and other ingredients, sourced as locally as possible
• Our Research library: Our collection of rare and out-of-print cookbooks can be viewed for inspiration
• Brewing Supplies: Everything you need to make beer at home, including whole grains, and tools for rent
• Baking supplies: tips, pastry bags, fondant, food coloring, gelatin and more.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Frosti forks

For a second I thought I was going to have to use my lone fork for Frosti's food.I like to separate people forks from cat forks but then I realized there was a single plastic fork hanging out at the bottom of the recycling bin.Sorry pacific garbage patch, but it really came in handy last night. It's majorly strange to sleep in an apartment with nothing in it except a cat and a bag of clean laundry. In an effort to get away from creepy empty apartment I made it to yoga 45 mins early this morning. I felt bad leaving Frosti but I doubt he gives a care.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Moving




Moving is so weird.It's really hard and scary and today I felt like I'd thrown out the stuff I needed and kept the stuff I didn't.Sometimes it's really difficult to know which is which.I did find my new striped glove that'd been lost for the past week.It was in my dirty clothes.I've also been observing the "last to go" Frosti, his things(litter, bed, food,toys) my bed, a stack of records where I've been resting my computer.White noise machine, knife, fork and spoon.Plate, bottle of wine and recycling bin.I'm sure there are a few more bags of trash and my bathroom accoutrements but that's about it.Oh, also, how could I forget! the blue, plastic smiley face bowl full of pennies and maybe some currency from Mexico or an old subway token.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Ellen Kennedy
These are like the opposite of the garbage patch sample.Look at more of her work at South Willard.
Pacific Garbage Patch

Sorry to be a buzz kill but everybody should know about the garbage patch.It's 2x the size of Texas and floats around in the waters between Hawaii and CA.I'm researching photos of it at work for a book.Please watch this video on TED. It's highly dangerous to animals and people because birds mistake bottle caps for food and fish eat the little pieces of plastic.Above is a sample trolled from one miles worth of water in that area.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
SASS-short for Steven Alan Sample Sale

Last week I thought thursday was wednesday and this week I thought wednesday was thursday.The steven alan sample sale is tomorrow not today. Somebody needs to either slap me or throw a glass of water in my face. I dragged my coworker there on lunch today but all was not lost! We got tacos from the truck and went to opening ceremony.
Interview with Wes Anderson
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Manimal


In frantic search of a new bag.It can't be too pursey and has to be large enough to hold leggings and a t-shirt.Yesterday and today I felt like I was committing a fashion crime by carrying my same old summer tote on the train.I'm so sick of it that I can barely stand the sight of it. I like this fringe bag above by manimal and also the suede colorful one. It's nice that the fringe one has such a short handle strap.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Here There and Them
Here There and Them is a blog I'm new to following. Bella Foster paints other peoples stuff!
Fantastic Mr.Fox

Squeal! I can't wait to see this.Getting heart palpitations just thinking about it...oh wait, no that's just an anxiety attack from thinking about all the boxes I have to move this weekend.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Nature Picture Library
José Luis Rodriguez's "fairytale" wolf image from NPL. Even if you're not doing photo research NPL is a great source for inspiration. I found the best aurora borealis pictures there.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Printing in CT


On Saturday I did some printing at the Center for Contemporary Printmaking in Norwalk, CT. It was really exhausting but it was also really fun because I met all sorts of artists. Above is some work that I made with Ann Brown and Mindy Green.
Fanelli café
Had a delicious, crispy, cheddar cheesy slice of broccoli quiche for lunch today at the quintessential SOHO Fanelli café. There is only one thing that brings me as much joy as knowing how to make the accent that goes ovér the é in café and that is the Fanelli bartender's dog-scroll down to see him. No dog today. Wah.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Home of Richard Nonas





Photos above from the home of Richard Nonas in tribecca. Here's a quote from this article about him.
"His artworks, mostly steel and wood sculptures, his own made canoes and machinery were taken up the entire floor and walls. Everything appeared in gradation of brown color like his outfit. Each work has a strong presence, yet over all, the room looked united. There was no distinction between his furniture, ornaments, artworks, or, actually all including himself. Perfection in chaos…."
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Magnets found!



I've been looking for my magnets for 2 years now.I may have even found them once and then forgot and lost them again.They were inside the disney schoolbus lunchbox which is extra special because of the flowers stickers inside. Amazing the things you find when deep apartment cleaning. I'm going to add more magnets to my collection.Originally I took them down because they really crap up the front of the fridge but I'm over that and think they are fun again. I wonder what I'll find next...
Friday, November 6, 2009
Blue Beds
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Bhagavan Das

* Saturday 8:30 pm, AYNY, kirtan with Bhagavan Das $30 cash only
From his site "Bhagavan Das is the last living cultural icon of the 60's. He ushered in the New Age Spiritual Movement being the first Kirtan Artist in America. His groundbreaking album "Ah" (1971) produced by Jimmi Hendrix's manager Michael Jeffrey's was the first World Music album from Electric Ladyland. Bhagavan Das has also toured with Allen Ginsberg, opened for the Grateful Dead and sang with Bob Dylan."
Nike Air Magma
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
La Colombe Torrefaction
Today Jonathan turned me on to a great tribecca coffee shop, La Colombe Torrefaction, near-ish to our office. Great coffee, cups and sugars and space.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Recent Movies
Siva and getting there
Friday, October 30, 2009
Eric Ellis


Doing more illustration research.Am finding loads of stuff I like but it's more appropriate for a trippy posters than an learning English as a second language.Above we have "jewels and binoculars" and "visions of Johanna" by Eric Ellis.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Artisan Day at Barneys

Saturday, November 7th
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Madison Avenue
Men's Store / Chelsea Passage
Nice idea for an event especially for people who want get into the business of producing wares or for those who like buying wares made on a smaller scale.
Meet the bakers, belt makers, book binders, boot makers, denim makers, hand weavers, hat makers, knitters, potters, shirt makers, silk screen tee shirt makers, tie makers, underwear makers + watchmakers.
Hiroko Takeda

The other day when I was at my favorite store combo gallery, MC&Co, I noticed the woven work of Hiroko Takeda. She had made a delicate rag rug of sorts out of plastic bags. I couldn't find a picture of it but here is one showing her woven scarves. Projects like hers make me want to make art only out of recycled and found materials.
A.P.C. basement sale
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Blue Checkered

I want to make some very simple blue gingham curtains.There was a salon called Public right around the corner from Relish (not to be confused oak, sprout or bird) and the salon is now out of business BUT they had the most lovely blue gingham curtains in the front window.It also helped that there was nothing in the space except the chairs and those curtains.I was a little sad when I walked by the other day and those blue curtains were no longer...they just looked so good.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Happy Birthday ctstyle!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Mustard
Drew Beckmeyer


These images are by artist & illustrator Drew Beckmeyer. Interestingly enough the top painting "Meeting Place" is a variable edition of 10 made by repeating different splatters, stencils and drawings techniques. I couldn't resist the bottom image because there's something so romantic and graphic about two hands holding the same bouquet. At first the hands also look like a vase. I like the implication that hand and vase can be interchangeable.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
APC Parka with fur trim
Jurlique Sale
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Valparaiso Interiors



Yesterday while doing some photo research I found these colorful interiors from Valparaiso Chile by Fernando Bengoechea. The middle photo includes shelves lined with bottle caps. Sadly this photographer was swept out to sea in the 2004 tsunami that hit Shri Lanka.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Mischa Lampert Hats
Monday, October 19, 2009
Handmade Shades
Handmade Scissors
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Ikat Cloth
Winter Wonderland
Friday, October 16, 2009
Old stoves
Straw chandelier/mobile decoration


Above is a festive ceiling decoration by Lena Corwin made of straw and paper. Reminds me of Indian garlands but with crafty materials. On her blog she said she made it as a "tent decoration" and that she was inspired by the top image that is a Polish paper chandelier.Wonder if these are available in Geenpoint?
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Stained Glass necklaces

Take a peek at these earthy stained glass necklaces by Eri via gravel and gold. A lighthearted necklace to dilute todays heavy weather...as if it needed any more diluting.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Church Basements


I went to a church basement a couple weeks ago to visit the Greenpoint Food market.I tried the caramel by Token Confections and a miniature black and white cookie which was gluten free. It was delicious. and did not taste free of anything.The above church basement photo is by Devon Jarvis Photography.
Monday, October 12, 2009
21 piece recycled wood block set

I love this design so much. These are hand cut branch blocks made from recycled cherry and applewood branches. Freeform pieces come in precision-cut 2cm increments (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10cm) with large 2cm disks and bridges to support successful building and early math and metric system learning. Typical set includes "Y" or forked pieces. Each unique set is carefully finished with flax oil. Tree Blocks come in a colorful, cotton twill, drawstring sack with attractive logo block. Ages 3 to adult. Safe & lab tested.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
712 Lorimer
Highlights of the new apartment...wrought(just learned how to spell this word today) iron window boxes,3 large built in closets,a funky lil' yellow pug in light that needs a lil' shade and is clearly a relative of the big yellow floor lamp we had at our house in Maine,a tree in front of the window, a painted over secondary door,2 rooms with tin ceilings and much much more.Oh yeah, nice neighbors.I met one today.And of course the requisite ugly gold light fixture to remind you that you're still in Williamsburg AND a crispy layer of wallpaper in the bathroom that has been hidden(NOT) with a coat of paint.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Tufted Headboards
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
My new friend
Monday, October 5, 2009
Vintage north face jacket
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Things and Stuff

Apologies for being out of commish with the blog. Have been apartment hunting, mets gaming and mad manning. Also, residency applying and business card designing. All in a days work. Above is a picture of one of the never ending closets at my (fingers crossed) potential new apartment that I hope has a clean hall, quiet neighbors and a regular old landlord opposed to a slumlord.Is that so much to ask?
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Hand knit socks

It's socks time.Knitting socks is the perfect activity to do in front of football.Knitting pure and simple has the best patterns. I also got some beautiful green hand dyed yarn at purl in soho.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Collaged Jean Jacket
Penfield Down

It's about to be the perfect weather for wearing down vests.This particular one is sold out but Penfield makes all sorts of outdoorswear.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Reference Library on Design Sponge

Andy Beach from Reference Library is guest posting on design sponge this week. I'm interested in learning more about these ironweave bandanas.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Like Woah...

Today I saw a girl who looked just like a younger version of me on the subway platform and then I got on the train and this guy thought I was Martha. After that somebody took my sneakers at yoga. I had to wear an older blue version of mine home plus I think they had insoles so needless to say they felt strange.
Friday, September 25, 2009
NYC soccer
Om from India your friendly neighborhood god print dealers

I was walking around the west village today at lunch looking for a new yoga mat since mine ended up at Riker's island(long story) and I found a new yoga mat in addition to all these colorful signs for "Om from India your friendly neighborhood god print dealer". Mark Baron & Elise Boisanté are print collectors selling images of gods and goddesses from the early 1900's.By appointment only.Can't wait to check it out!
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