August 2012
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Adding watercolor to the Brooklyn landscape.
Inspiration is everywhere, you just need to look for it. Yesterday, while biking over the Manhattan Bridge, I intentionally slowed my pace and vowed to enjoy the scenery and enjoy the moment of being exactly where I was.
I stopped occasionally, taking photos on the way - cool grafitti here, or wire cables there, and then I spotted it. The Fruin water tower. Or water color tower, if you will.
Not...
July 2012
1 post
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Living well in small spaces: How small is too...
Mayor Bloomberg has publicly voiced support for a building full of mini-apartments in the Kips Bay area of Manhattan. With a maximum square footage of 270-300 feet, these “micro-units” would be rented out for under $2K per month. While this spacing could feel extremely tight to some, I think it’s a great option for people like me who prefer to live in smaller spaces with just the bare...
May 2012
9 posts
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Splendid: Food Truck Farming - gardening one mile... →
If the Lorax were to ever actually award a “Certified Truffula Tree of Approval” to a moving vehicle, it’d be a lot more likely to go to a garden-toting truck that brings farms to schools than to a Mazda SUV.
A literal “food truck,” Truck Farm Chicago is a nonprofit organization that uses a 1994 Ford F-250 named Petunia to chauffeur a miniature farm. The project,...
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Splendid: a food and drink tour of Crown Heights →
Gritty. Undergoing revitalization. Off the beaten path… Crown Heights is all of these things, but not for long. In fact, traffic there — foot, bike, car, pedestrian — is higher than ever (as is the, ahem, crime), which means it’s only a matter of time before Crown Heights becomes the next Park Slope or Pro-Heights. I’ve been to a handful of these eateries, most...
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Spotted: Cover of New York Design Hunting Mag,...
I’m so very excited for the upcoming launch of ‘New York Design Hunting,’ the new stand-alone home design magazine from New York Mag (only the best local culture/news/shopping and events mag in all of NYC). This hits newsstands May 15!
April 2012
9 posts
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Splendid: TRADhome Spring 2012 Issue
Full disclosure: I work for Traditional Home magazine (and Better Homes and Gardens as well). And while I generally don’t post items from either of these pubs, I feel I have to give a shout out to the lovely + inspirational new issue of TRADhome magazine (www.tradhomemag.com), the digital shelter pub from the editors at Traditional Home. This is the 2nd issue of TRADhome to launch (3rd one...
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Surround Yourself With Things You Love: The art of...
When you view the collection of art by Alyssa Monks, you’ll find flesh and body paintings in such stunning detail, you’ll wonder if they’re actually photographs. In her craft, Monks utilizes filters such as glass, water and steam, and then applies brush detailing to achieve this lifelike effect. To view her collection and order Giclee prints of some images, visit...
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Are you on Pinterest, too?
Being the PR Manager for Better Homes and Gardens and Traditional Home magazine comes with its perks. Like being surrounded by creative people who live for inspiration! BHG, which is a visually driven brand anyhow, jumped into Pinterest before it was even a “thing,” and now boasts fifty thousand followers (for all BHG boards) and 350,000 followers for individual BHG...
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Let the urban gardening begin!
This very morning, D and I were able to secure a wonderful plot at a local community garden. This is a picture of the garden area, not our plot, so more on our particular space later. For me, it’s been over a year since I’ve gotten some dirt under my fingernails. While the plot will be the smallest garden I’ve ever had the pleasure of cultivating, I know there’s lots of...
Splendid! Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups →
Couldn’t resist posting about one of my favorite vegan treats. Enjoy!
madewell:
Not only does Maui native Tori Praver make the coolest graphic bikinis—which, of course, you can snag right here at Madewell—she also cooks up a storm. Below, the model-turned-designer shows us how to make the greatest chocolate peanut butter cups on Earth.
So I have a real obsession with…
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Splendid: Camp in my Garden
Here’s a unique concept that gets my vote. Rent out your backyard to campers! It seems to be popular in Europe, as the US map only lists two locations. Needless to say, it’d be great to see a notion like this take off stateside - especially perfect for folks who want to partake of big festivals, concerts and sporting events without paying the high cost for hotels and lodging.
...
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Living well in small spaces: Pliio clothing filers
Got tees?
If you’re like me, you probably have too many. And you probably can never find the one you want when you want it. And then, there was Pliio.
When my friend Beth Zeigler of Bneato.com posted about Pliio a few weeks ago, I immediately was drawn in. Perfect for keeping shirts organized, Pliio is a super simple wardrobe filer product that you use to fold and keep shirts neat. How...
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March 2012
9 posts
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The Pothole Gardener strikes again!
The Pothole Gardener is a master of “aesthetic intervention.”
As seen on the Good News Network, this urban guerrilla gardener is responsible for turning small crevices + empty spaces into mini-gardens + living sculptures. Hats off to, pothole gardener, for an idea so simple + splendid.
Story + video here:
...
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Splendid: The Inspired Vegan Cookbook by Bryant...
It’s always wonderful to see others support and encourage healthy eating in their communities. This interview with Bryant Terry, author of The Inspired Vegan, is an interesting read about one man’s quest to share impactful ideas for healthy eating in low income communities. I’m definitely captivated by Bryant’s work and philosophy, and would love to not only learn more...
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Charles Eames on Design: Rare + insightful Q&A... →
Via @BrainPickings
Legendary design duo Charles and Ray Eames shaped the mid-century modern aesthetic and influenced the voice of design for decades to come. They were also prolific filmmakers, perhaps best known for the iconic Powers of Ten film. In this fantastic Q&A from 1972, found on the excellent compilation The Films of Charles & Ray Eames and reproduced here in House Industries’...
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Spotted: Wooden bikes created from salvaged urban...
What a story! Check out these condemned urban trees re-made into gorgeous, wooden bicycles. The craftsmanship on these pieces truly makes them works of art.
http://grist.org/list/spectacular-wooden-bikes-made-from-salvaged-urban-trees/
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Living well in small spaces: Backyard work studio...
I’m blown away (and a little envious) of this gorgeous and compact backyard work studio, which nets out at just 97 square feet. Perfectly sized to fit a work space, coffee lounge and porch, this abode is a Sett Unit, made to order and created of SIPs, structurally insulated panels - an air-tight, energy-efficient material with an insulated foam core. Check out more at Apartment...
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Splendid: Bespoke Glass Tile
I was thrilled to stumble upon the Bespoke Glass Tile booth at Brooklyn Flea this past weekend. Operating out of Brooklyn, NY, Bespoke Glass Tile produces hand-cut glass tile, and creates gorgeous, custom pieces that would be unique, colorful accents for any environment. I adore the trays they create - often out of old wood filing drawers - which give the pieces depth and character and...
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Smart find: Bike Accident Report Cards
Bicycling to/from work has become a ritual that I’ve commited to happily (when the weather agrees, that is.) Of course, this type of commute also means navigating through rush hour traffic, and doing my best to react to impatient drivers and distracted pedestrians. From Park Slope to mid-town Manhattan, I clock a bit over 8 miles each way, and thankfully (knocking on wood now),...
February 2012
15 posts
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Q + A with RePOP's Russell Boyle
After I relocated to Park Slope in June of 2011, it was such a delight to stumble upon RePOP on Washington Avenue in Brooklyn. By the Navy Yards, and ever so slightly off the beaten path, this space is a wonderland of captivating furnishings, art pieces, light sources and curiosities. The first time I visited, I fell in love instantly.
As a fan of mid century modern, RePOP is a feast for the...
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Work Perk: Workplace CSA Program, via Edible...
For those interested in another super convenient option to get fresh produce in NYC, now you can have seasonal edibles delivered to the workplace! The owners of Great Performances and Katchkie Farm–the Manhattan catering company and not-for-profit upstate agriculture center are launching a workplace CSA program for those who usually work too late to hit their neighborhood pickups, and the...
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Roundup: Historic paint collections from Retro...
Pam Kueber of the wonderfully informative and engaging site Retro Renovation did a superb roundup of 20 historic paint collections available today. To those that want an authentic hue to accompany their own celebration of midcentury living (or whatever decade suits your fancy), I encourage you to bookmark this list for future reference: http://bit.ly/zm7yFy
www.retrorenovation.com
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“Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple,...”
– charles mingus
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Spotted: Stronghold Selvage Denim Apron
I’m smitten with this heavy duty, organic selvage denim apron which reminds me of the classic Osh Kosh overalls I wore as a child. Perfect for use in and around the home - specifically the workshop, studio, garage or garden - it’s created to fade + wear just like your favorite pair of jeans. Made in LA, this item is available in long + short versions. It’s fashion + function...
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“We all yearn to live fully, to express our deepest intention, because we know...”
– Jorge Waxemberg
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Splendid: The bold + beautiful textile prints from...
I came across Brooklyn’s Winter Water Factory whilst scouring the Brooklyn Flea site, and was immediately taken with their vibrant textile prints and sweet designs. Not only do these eye catching fabrics pop out at you, they’re also crafted upon 100% certified organic cotton, and it’s all made in the USA, “from the fabric to the final stitch.”
I’m in the market for new fabric for some pillows...
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Russel Wright's Manitoga recently named a 2012...
As reported in the recent DWR newsletter, Russel Wright’s Manitoga was recently named to the 2012 World Monuments Watch. A scenic drive that’s little more than an hour’s drive north of NYC, this home/studio and sculptured landscape in Garrison, New York, is a wonderful and inspiring getaway for anyone who appreciates great design and simple living. Wright did an incredible job...
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Splendid: Outstanding in the Field culinary events...
Celebrating real food, under an open sky, from farm land direct to the tabletop…. this is the simple and splendid idea behind the Outstanding in the Field dinner events. I’ve not had the pleasure of visiting an OITF event yet, but in the meantime, I’d like to check out their cookbook which features 100 original recipes as well as profiles of farmers, seasonal ingredients and...
“Real happiness lies in that which never comes nor goes, but simply is.”
January 2012
19 posts
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12×12 Design Competition Calls for Entrants to... →
Such a clever idea!
The many uses of Dr. Bronners soap →
Dr. Bronner’s is well known in my family. I prefer the Almond scented liquid soap. My father has used Peppermint liquid soap for as long as I can remember. The point is, this multi purpose product is a great health + beauty investment and will last months if you dilute it correctly…
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Smart find: Reiter8 totes
Reiter8 totes are made from upcycled dacron sail boat sails! This large weekender is their newest, biggest sized tote…I’m loving the size and purpose of this. Want to customize it with one or two numbers? They can do it. Also, this durable bag is fully lined with deep navy 100% organic cotton canvas & the tote closes with a magnetic snap. Smart! Not only are they created from...
