iPhone App

No weather forecast is more annoying than a 30% chance of rain all day. It basically means nothing.

Optimists could get caught in the rain while others could plan a whole day indoors (particularly if you’ve got a little one) only to realize after the fact that you could have gone outside after all.

Dark Sky, which I heard about on NY1, puts an end to the doubt.

It does one thing and one thing only: accurately let you know if it will be raining where you are in the next hour.

It’s been quite useful to me and is well worth the few dollars.

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Posted on May 15, 2012

New York Public Library Project

What’s on the Menu is a project from the New York Public Library to transcribe vintage menus for prosperity.
They have over 40,000 menus from the 1840?s on and you, yes you, can help by transcribing dishes in your spare time all while discovering dishes like Consomme Madrilene Frappee and Cream Fritters Au Sabayon.

The menu covers are also great to browse.

See more: Spend a Couple Minutes,Web Sites Food Reference Vintage

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Posted on February 13, 2012

by The Publishers of Phaidon Press (2001)

While I sometimes bemoan the waste of my days of dual incomes and thoughtless spending (where’d it all go??) it’s nice to still reap the benefits.

In particular I have a great collection of beautiful art books and Phaidon’s The House Book is one of my favorites.

It’s a comprehensive but friendly to limited attention spans with large beautiful photographs and brief synopsis of architects and architectural styles.

Heavy hitting household names like Frank Lloyd Wright and Frank Gehry are here as well as less well known masters like Daniel Grataloup and Osamu Ishiyama.

There’s plenty of fodder for dream house building in your mind though it might also make you feel dismayed that our country is such a wasteland of cookue cutter blandness.

See more: Books 2000s Architecture Coffe Table Book Reference

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Posted on January 18, 2012

by Brandon T Snider (2011)

I have always, always loved bright, stat and photo filled reference books. As a kid I poured over this huge Your Fifty States Book and an old Hollywood guide of actors and actresses with glee.

So I was thrilled when friend and author  of The DC Comics The Ultimate Character Guide, Brandon Snider brought a signed copy of this bold, fun, informative book for little Van – because I will enjoy it as much as he will.

Now, super hero comics have never been my brand of nerd, but I love reading through the character’s vital stats, background, nicknames and super powers.

From Adam Strange (who defends the universe, but would rather hang out with his hot wife and baby daughter) to Zatanna a magician babe who not only fights forces of evil, but puts on elaborate magic shows in her spare time (in fishnets!), from the disgusting janitor turned purple toxic donut eating Parasite, to the comely Sebastian Ballesteros who for a brief, totally hunky moment became the studly male version of Cheetah, from Brainiac, who travels the universe in an insane Iron Maiden-esque skull ship to Harley Quinn who left her life as a respected psychiatrist to commit crimes with the Joker – there’s a super hero or villain here for everybody.

I can’t wait til Van is big enough to totally geek out with this.

Thanks Brandon!! (pictured below in one of his more sophisticated looks).

See more: Books 2010s Comics Reference

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Posted on July 31, 2011

Never Too Late To Learn the Smokey Eye… Guest Written by Dana:

Pixiwoo is a sister team of makeup artists, Samantha and Nicola Chapman that post video tutorials on how to apply makeup.

This is a truly inspirational site for someone, like me, who has always shied away from most makeup, especially any dramatic looks. Samantha favors fashion and catwalk looks and Nicola prefers celebrity styling.

For example, some vlog entries are: Everyday Summer Look with Wearable Red Lips, Elizabeth Taylor Makeup Tutorial, A Guide to Estee Lauder Lipsticks or Jennifer Lopez – ‘On the Floor’ Makeup.

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Posted on June 10, 2011

by Elsebeth Gynther and Bjarne Solberg

I took these shots of a lovely vintage Swedish sewing book months ago, but they got lost in the shuffle of my photos and I am only remembering to share them with you now. Be sure to check out the parkas, vest, quilting and body suits below/after the jump. If you can read the language – seeking out books from Elsebeth Gynther and Bjarne Solberg might not be a bad idea, especially if looking like the coolest Swedish lady from 1980 something is high on your to do list (which it should be).

Click here for the rest of Barnetoy du selv kan sy

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Posted on October 8, 2010

by Christian Lacroix (2007)

If Christian Lacroix wants to talk fashion, I am listening, or in the case of the exquisite and inspiring Christian Lacroix on Fashion, I am looking. I found this all color coffee table book for a surprisingly cheap 25 at a local shop and have been gazing at the contents ever since. Any fan of incredibly detailed clothing and sartorial history will find themselves equally transfixed.

Divided into themes like “colour” ( “The red that I love to use everywhere… comes from my mother.. She always dressed me in red, or at least a touch of red, which had a cheering effect”), “Checks, plaids and tartans” (“Eccentric yet conservative, checks and their Scottish cousin, tartan, re the essential embodiment of British dandy chic.”), “ceremony”, “graphics”, “patchwork”, “cobwebs”, “black”… the book features short, colorful descriptions and beautiful photographs of beautiful clothing.

From ivory garden party dresses from the 1900s, capes from the 1880s, the work of Mainbocher, Chanel, Gres, YSL, Heim, Vionnet, Worth, Dior, Rabanne, Ungaro, Balenciaga and of course, many from Lacroix himself – there is so much style here it will make your toes curl with excitement.

Click here for the rest of Christian Lacroix on Fashion

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Posted on May 31, 2010

by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel

Yes, it’s true: Jim and I have a little one on the way!! Safely past my first trimester, we are excited to find out if it’s a boy or a girl in the next couple months. The classic What to Expect When You’re Expecting was our first purchase when we discovered we were pregnant. It answers so many of the questions mommies-to-be have, plus some you (or at least I) had never thought of.

Of course, all that information can also get one worried, so I put the book back on the shelf for weeks at a time. The new edition cover features a strange Photoshop-illustrated, photograph hybrid woman, but don’t be concerned, the information inside is still the same as it’s always been (with modern updates of course).

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Posted on April 18, 2010