Fun Color CombosIt’s certainly not a revolutionary one, but the idea of mixing up my nail polishes just occurred to me and makes for an easy way to all dazzle to my razzle. First go I tried neon pink and true red (colors I have always loved together) next it might be grey and florescent yellow, what do you say to that?
546 BroadwayTake note bold men of fashion: Uniqlo is currently selling the most adorable bright, sometimes neon sock and I think you should get some. Four pairs for ten dollars, how can you resist? Especially since it’s always tough to add a touch of color to men’s outfits in a great way.
iphone appIf you have been seeing those funky, saturated, square photos popping up online, don’t get too down. It’s not that everyone can suddenly afford high end old timey medium format cameras, they just have two bucks for the popular Hipstamatic iphone app which instantly turns digital photos into mini retro pieces of art. Here are a few I’ve taken lately.
For FreelancersWhile I am mostly excited about my new career path which is sure to be better for my little one, I was a bit intimidated by the whole freelance taxes stuff. I found a woman named Susan Lee through her extremely informative website Freelance Taxation that is full of information that any freelance artist can learn from. She also has a radio show called You and Your Money that you can listen to on WBAI 99.5 FM in New York City and is available for private consultation. I went to see her last week and had all my questions answered. Money and money related issues can be confusing and obnoxious to creative business people, so a specialist who can help you along your way (and is available to do your taxes too) is a god send. Tell her I sent you if you make an appointment.
at McCarren ParkThis Saturday was the sixth year of PS 132’s Kite Festival in McCarren Park. It’s a fun-filled family day that will only be more fun once our little one is able to attend next year. Aside from the kite flying, there are food tents, crafts for making either custom fairy wings or superhero capes and entertainment – including dance routines from students.
Perfect Smokey EyesSmokey eyes were always an elusive trick staring up at me from the pages of magazines. How to’s in everyplace from Sassy to Vogue would promise the ease of the effect, but it never proved quite as simple as i hoped. I bought the Pixi Lid and Line a long time back during the Target pop up shop with reserved excitement. I’ve had easy, flawless smokey eyes any day I want it ever since. It’s not the cheapest drug store eye product on the market, but it’s one I’d never go without again.
April 24Another month, another Target designer collaboration and, despite the fact that I am not a particular fan of Zac Posen’s main line, I’m surprised to say that this is one of the best Target designer lines yet. I failed the stamina check to stand in line for the late night 24 sale for the pop-up shop, but intend to do my vigil and get up in the earliest hours and go crazy online.
From gold lame, to tuxedo tanks, from ruffled skirts to funky prints there’s just so much to covet! Maybe Posen, who faces major financial issues, should design more affordable all the time and rake it in.
See some shots below/after the jump and more at Fashionista.
125 4th AvenueClean, kindly, and convenient: Bellissimo, right near Union Square, was the perfect spot for a much needed pampering with an equally frazzled co-worker. We opted for a pedicure with a ten minute foot massage that was heavenly. I loved the selection of colors as well as the funky soft beads your feet soak in. Next time I’ll be sure to partake in one of their back massages.
1618 Silverlake Blvd, Los Angeles, CARight next door to the La Mill Coffee shop is Ivanhoe Books, an art and design specialty store filled with tons of great stuff. We had a lovely time browsing the collection of design, fashion, and art books and, while we were hesitant to bring any over-sized books back in our luggage, the shop introduced me to a book called Handmade Woodstock Houses that I couldn’t get out of my head and ended up finding on eBay.
While some of the books they offer can be purchased for slightly less online if you’re willing to shop around for awhile, others (like the Ossie Clark book that I really want) are priced better than other book sites. You can find some selections from their very select and tasteful collection on their site as well as on their blog which just informed me of a Soho Deborah Tubeville exhibit that I’ll try to swing by on my lunch hour next week.
210 11th AveIt was one of those 90 plus days, I had already been on my feet for a couple hours, but somehow I still managed to waddle all the way over to 11th Avenue to the Cavin Morris Gallery for thier Rags to Richesse show. It was worth the sweat and lightheadedness. These bright, vibrant, unusual rugs, called boucherouite are made from recycled clothing and materials, not necesarily in a move by the Morroccan women who make them to go green but out of necesstty as more traditional materials (wool in particular) has grown scarcer than the demand.
The show’s been extended through August 20 and is a must see. If my purse had allowed it, I would have walked away with a few of these for myself. Here is a great review in the Times.
Click here to see the rest of Rags to Richesse: Rugs from Morocco
by Paola BuendiaIf there’s one accessory you need for braving the summer outdoors in a heat wave, it’s a great big brimmed hat. I have had a few in my day but none better than the Sally hat by Wooden Ships that I picked up at some Outlet Mall years ago. It’s fashionable, offers lots of shade and most distinguishably can be squished up and thrown into beach bags and back seats with out fear of the brim or top losing its shape. The top is soft and the brim is wired and flexible. Their site has listings for local boutiques that carry their goods.
On the Met RoofIt’s always great to see the various ways artists transform the rooftop of the Met, but perhaps none have transformed it so completely as Doug and Mike Starn with their elaborate work in progress, Big Bambu. The maze like structure of bamboo walkways makes you feel like your stranded on a desert island with a group of innovative architect students and a lot of bamboo – an illusion helped by just having watched the end of Lost and the hippie kids building the structure as we stood by.
We saw a group going on a guided tour, which climbs the structure as high as 110 feet. We didn’t go on the tour ourselves (pregnant ladies not recommended) but I sure it’s pretty amazing if you can manage through the guidelines of getting a ticket.
To Reduce TearsI’m not sure if I am new to this trick or getting in on the big secret way late, but blogs have started circulating the simple solution to onion cutting tears. Simply soak the onion in water first. I tried the method and it worked though I hope to test it a few more times to become a truly convinced believer. Why don’t you give it a whirl and see if you’re as pleasantly surprised as I was.
from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 34th Street, between 10th & 11th AvenuesWith 50 mile per hour winds, it may not have been the most brilliant day to bring my family to the Highline Park, but even the threat of getting whisked away didn’t damper the experience (well, except for my nephew Bixby, who found the threatening winds to be not at all to his liking). It’s taken me this long to finally see the lovely park that itself took so long to be realized. Once a functioning freight rail the structure sat unused and rotting for decades until The Friends of the Highline saved it from destruction and helped to build the new, sprawling park that offers great views, lots of room to relax, and various wild flowers. It also “offers a hopeful model for industrial reuse for other cities around the world.” I certainly will be trying to make more visits as the weather continues to improve.
Egg Plant PetThis little guy, purchased on a whim at Sprout, is downright adorable. Called Nyokki! (which means “grow!” in Japanese) he sprouts green “hair” that you can style or cut. The shop only had the froggie, but the company also makes a rabbit, a cat, monkey, duck, and bear as well as special holiday ones like a skeleton, black cat, jack-o-lantern and snowman. Too cute!
The Evolution of CleanAt Soba-ya Jim returned to the table and told me to go to the bathroom with my camera – and that I might encounter an androgynous ghost!
If you’ve seen the Washlet on Found Footage Festival (which, from all the references lately, you can tell I’ve been watching repeatedly), you’ll know what that means.
The seat is heated, which was pleasant (though a friend who encountered the washlet in Japan likened it to sitting on a human body… eww). But I wasn’t sure how I felt about the warm stream of water meant for cleansing.
Fortunately, the restroom isn’t the highlight of the restaurant, so you can test the washlet out while also enjoying a great meal.
304 South BroadwayFamous for its ornamental iron work and iconic design, The Bradbury Building may not look like much on the outside, but it’s worth a stop if you’re for its stunning first floor (the only floor visitors are allowed on).
Featured in many films, it’s perhaps most famous as the setting for J.F. Sebastien’s apartment in Blade Runner.
Spend a Couple Hours of the week: The New York City Ballet Workout
