urban sparrows

2009-08-06T21:53:00.006-04:00

Object Factory: The Art of Industrial Ceramics at MAD
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6TH 2009
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We met with Frank in the evening at the Museum of Arts and Design for Object Factory: The Art Of Industrial Ceramics. Thursdays the museum has free/suggested admission, so Justin and I paid a dime each. The exhibit was gorgeous, but photography is forbidden so all you get are the second-rate street shots above. I implore you to visit the exhibition website where you can see some of the fabulous work. My favorite pieces involved techniques that I didn't know could be applied to ceramics, such as screen printing and laser cutting. The exhibition is an international survey of how more than 50 artists and industrial designers are reviving an interest in and re-imagining the possibilities of this ancient medium in the 21st century.

2009-08-03T17:17:00.006-04:00

A Walk Around The West Village
MONDAY, AUGUST 3RD 2009
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Whilst waiting for the subway today I overheard Bésame Mucho played on a Chinese string instrument, and it made me smile.

I sauntered around the West Village neighborhood today, moving slowly in the heat of the afternoon and wishing I could afford a fancy lunch at one of the attractive restaurants in the area. After satiating myself with a granola bar I stopped by Yoya and Yoyamart. The former is sweet boutique for infants and tots, filled with modern baby objects, such as Scandinavian minimalist highchairs, posh toys and designer clothes. The latter store is an edgier space for toddlers and adults, the walls stacked with urban vinyl toys and racks lined with pricey graphic tees and hoodies.

From there I wandered down Bleecker Street, poking my head into the occasional boutique and antique store, of which the street has plenty. The shots above are from streets close to the Hudson River, quiet and almost suburban. The window display is from an apothecary I passed.

Later I stood behind a foreigner at Starbucks that was requesting a "medium"-sized coffee, and the barista kept correcting the man with "grande" and he was so confused that eventually he walked away, sans coffee. Stupid elitist Starbucks drink sizes.

2009-08-02T17:14:00.005-04:00

The Flea Markets of 25th Street
SUNDAY, AUGUST 2ND 2009
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For a change of scenery from our beloved Brooklyn Flea, Justin and I decided to check out the other flea markets that NYC had to offer. This was a tad disappointing. Along 25th Street between 5th and 7th Avenues are a few indoor and outdoor flea markets. These are what I would call "typical" flea markets - aka mostly junk. Electronics, door knobs, costume jewelry, etc. One of the flea markets is inside an old parking garage whilst the others are in empty parking lots squeezed between buildings. One could find a few diamonds in the rough, but it would be a time consuming and somewhat aggravating search. All well, it was worth a shot.

2009-07-31T20:01:00.003-04:00

Project 90 By Song Dong At MOMA
FRIDAY, JULY 31ST 2009
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"Beijing-based artist Song Dong (b. 1966) explores notions of transience and impermanence with installations that combine aspects of performance, video, photography, and sculpture. Projects 90, his first solo U.S. museum show, presents his recent work Waste Not. A collaboration first conceived of with the artist's mother, the installation consists of the complete contents of her home, amassed over fifty years during which the Chinese concept of wu jin qi yong, or "waste not," was a prerequisite for survival. The assembled materials, ranging from pots and basins to blankets, oil flasks, and legless dolls, form a miniature cityscape that viewers can navigate around and through."

Click the first photo for a larger panoramic view.

2009-07-31T15:02:00.000-04:00

An Indoor Garden At Anthropologie, Rockefeller Center
FRIDAY, JULY 31ST 2009
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The Anthropologie at Rockefeller Center had a lovely indoor garden space set up with worn furniture and fixtures, moss and leafy plants. I especially liked the clever use of nails as pegs for the aluminum letters decor. I swooned over that little terrarium container!

2009-07-31T15:00:00.000-04:00

Creative Window Displays At Anthropologie
FRIDAY, JULY 31ST 2009
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A refreshing burst of movement and color from the window displays of Anthropologie near Rockefeller Center - made entirely of two by fours and cardboard!

2009-07-31T13:00:00.000-04:00

Wagashi From Minamoto Kitchoan
FRIDAY, JULY 31ST 2009
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Minamoto Kitchoan is an upscale purveyor of wagashi - delicate, artistic Japanese confections often served with tea. The character pronounced 'wa' denotes things Japanese, while the characters for 'gashi', an alliteration of kashi, have come to mean confections.

The interior and treat selection were similar to what I experienced in Japan, and just like Japan the prices were ridiculous. I suppose I mean this as a compliment, since these are more than snacks and are an art form in and of themselves in both flavor and appearance. A box of six wagashi can easily set you back $30-$60. Everything looked enticing - oh, the fish packaging! - but I settled on a palm-sized green tea mochi, which was delicious but one piece set me back $3.

All of the food examples are plastic representations of the real treats. I was mostly attracted to the window display that looked like a basketful of breasts.

2009-07-27T15:00:00.004-04:00

Purples and Browns At The Union Square Market
MONDAY, JULY 27TH 2009
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I love it when I subconsciously focus on something and it resurfaces later - in this case as a beautiful collection of purple and brown photographs. By the way, have you ever seen purple beans? They were quite a surprise to me today!

2009-07-27T10:42:00.001-04:00

Breakfast At Cafe Zaiya, East Village
MONDAY, JULY 27TH 2009
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One of the things I miss the most from Japan is (surprisingly) the bakeries. Perhaps it has a lot to do with their milk, which is much creamier and more flavorful than anything I've had in the States. Anyway, I was determined to recreate my experiences in Japan with whatever one of the biggest cities in the world had to offer. Surely NYC would have decent, authentic Japanese restaurants and bakeries, right?

Thus I discovered the three store chain Cafe Zaiya, which excels in its baked goods and onigiri. It serves other lunch foods as well but I was least interested in those dishes. Their East Village location is small with only three or so tables, but clean and friendly in perfect Japanese style. Although I was saddened to see most of my Japan favorites missing, they do sell a good variety of items, including their thickly sliced square bread, green tea muffins and red bean pastries.

I walked across the street to the small Cooper Square park and ate my sugary red bean bun, a melon bun and some apple tea. As I admired the new Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art building, a bum approached me and asked for part of my breakfast. This is where I learned the valuable lesson do not feed NYC bums. Not only did he proceed to talk to me throughout my entire breakfast, he followed me to the nearby Sunrise Mart and carried my grocery basket full of Asian food.

I later learned he did all of this with the expectation that I give him a dollar. When I countered that I already gave him part of my breakfast - a big sacrifice on my part - he scoffed at me, said some expletives and left.

2009-07-24T20:01:00.005-04:00

A Free Concert At The Whitney Museum
FRIDAY, JULY 24TH 2009
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This afternoon I headed over to the Whitney Museum of American Art for artistic and musical reasons. I had read that there was a free concert for Yellow Fever and Woods at the museum in the evening, but not knowing just how popular these bands were I decided to come early, pay admission into the museum and poke around until the show.

I explored the exhibits of Dan Graham: Beyond and Claes Oldenburg and Coosje Van Bruggen: The Music Room, but I wasn't really in the right mood so most of it just pissed me off. Art can be like that.

Luckily, once the bands went on stage my bad mood was lifted and I could appreciate the warm evening air and the pleasant indie music. The Whitney seemed to be the perfect venue; the tiered entrance and large outdoor patio allowed for visitors to listen from the second story outside, the ticket line, the patio or the basement level with the museum shop. It was a positive collective experience.

Does anyone know what the guy on the floor with the blanket is doing? He seemed to be mixing cassette tapes, but he also hooked up his headphones so that they actually acted like a microphone and he kept them around his neck and sang into them as needed.

2009-07-24T17:00:00.001-04:00

Dinner At Hale and Hearty Soup
FRIDAY, JULY 24TH 2009
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A plethora of typefaces for dinner at Hale and Hearty Soup.

2009-07-20T17:48:00.001-04:00

An Afternoon In And Around Chelsea
MONDAY, JULY 20TH 2009
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This is the building where Justin works in Chelsea, as seen from a nearby pier. By the way, Martha Stewart works there too!

Today was full of successes and failures. I road my bike across Central Park and down the Hudson River Greenway to Chelsea, which is an epic feat in the middle of summer in NYC when trying to remain sweat-free. My original intention was to see a free taping of the The Leonard Lopate Show at The Greene Space. However, in my usual style I got the days mixed up and arrived to an empty building.

I made up for this by visiting a nearby Urban Outfitters and scoring a full set of these Peleda Owls for under $10 - normally sold for $10 each! I then spent the evening relaxing on a pier and people watching. Public spaces are much better on the west side.

2009-07-19T15:00:00.002-04:00

The Brooklyn Bridge and Bleecker Street
SUNDAY, JULY 19TH 2009
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After the Brooklyn Flea we took our bikes across the Brooklyn Bridge - WOOT! It was the first touristy thing we've done. Although it has a designated bike lane there are lots of stupid pedestrians that apparently do not understand what the bike symbol means... so it was a lovely and frustrating experience.

We headed over to Murray's Cheese Shop on Bleeker Street for what I could describe as the best sundae social ever. It was hosted by Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream, and we feasted on chocolate and vanilla sundaes with caramel and sea salt. It was seriously to die for! We learned that they also have an ice cream truck that frequents SoHo, too, and serves delectable flavors like hazelnut, red currant and ginger.

We then decided that we should probably eat a real lunch, too, and topped off our sundaes with some thai food. It was truly a fantastic day.

2009-07-19T11:07:00.003-04:00

The Brooklyn Flea, under the Brooklyn Bridge
SUNDAY, JULY 19TH 2009
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This morning I made a delicious peach and raspberry slump that tasted like a warm summer afternoon. Sadly, it was not very photogenic and thus did not make the cut.

Once again, we visited the Brooklyn Flea in search of hidden treasures and mild amusement. I find that frequenting the market every other week is helping my photography skills. The cluttered booths are at first overwhelming, but after a while the compositions surface and I begin to understand form and color relationships. Well, at least I think so!

We only had $10 (again), a regular curse of being poor and living in NYC. I had my eye on a few of these jars, priced at $12 each, but Justin said I could find them cheaper online - bah! I totally regret listening to him.

2009-07-17T17:00:00.004-04:00

The Coney Island Boardwalk
FRIDAY, JULY 17TH 2009
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It was a hot, overcast day and the beach was covered in all makes and models of people in their summer skin. The boardwalk had a top layer of trampled food and trash, with little old Asian women picking through the garbage to rescue discarded aluminum cans for recycling. I sat in a plastic patio chair eating cheesy french fries and people watched for an hour.

The boardwalk is endless and has pockets of liveliness and despair. I walked one mile of the approximately three mile long stretch, from Astroland to the Barnum and Bailey Circus. The popular areas offer an endless supply of greasy food and beer - hot dogs, pizza, burgers, et cetera - and tacky entertainment. With the surrounding areas burdened with poverty, crime and overdevelopment, it is difficult to imagine Coney Island in its heyday during the late 1800s and early 1900s.

2009-07-17T15:00:00.005-04:00

Coney Island (Amusement Park)
FRIDAY, JULY 17TH 2009
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I suppose with all the hype I expected Coney Island to be more than just a tawdry little theme park. Walking through the park gave me flashbacks to county fairs and high school homecoming events. Despite its carnival color palette, the overall experience was gloomy and rather scuzzy. Perhaps the saving grace to Coney Island is that it offers freak shows, burlesque and vaudeville acts, and the eccentric mermaid parade. Due to poverty - no money for subway fare and entrance fees - I did not attend any of these events, so I cannot vouch for their quality.

I think that the history of Coney Island and its influence on American popular culture is what fascinates people, which is why I am saddened to discover that there was a small museum dedicated to it that I somehow overlooked. In the late 1800s Coney Island hosted a collection of theme parks, including Luna Park, Dreamland and Steeplechase Park. It was an incredible destination resort that grew in popularity as railroads and street car lines created access to it. The island hosted horse racing, amusement parks and beaches. However, after World War II its popularity declined and it fell into neglect. Structures were demolished, parks closed and development covered the forgotten amusements.

So at this point I am not taking back my opinion of what I experienced as the Coney Island Amusement Park, but I should correct myself by stating that what I visited was the last standing park, Astroland, which still operates the Cyclone roller coaster built in 1927. The rest were generic, overpriced theme park rides. Adjacent to Astroland is the Wonder Wheel and the Parachute Jump from the 1939 New York World's Fair, now inactive. I think I mostly appreciated the signage, screaming for attention in bubbly fonts, loud colors and blinking lights.

2009-07-17T13:00:00.003-04:00

The New York City Aquarium
FRIDAY, JULY 17TH 2009
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This is the worst aquarium I've ever visited. The New York Aquarium smells like child vomit - not unlike a Chuck E Cheese - and hosts a sparse collection of aquatic animals. The environments are uninteresting and seem to offer very little in the way of animal enrichment. Fridays are free after 3pm, but it is hardly worth the long subway ride, the horrendous "lines" - in quotes because it more like a shoving marathon with parents pushing strollers into strangers' calves with the hopes of plowing through the crowd to get into the aquarium first - the screaming children or the depressing exhibits.

2009-07-11T16:00:00.006-04:00

An Afternoon in SoHo
SATURDAY, JULY 11TH 2009
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Above is the most amazing curried chicken salad I've ever eaten, from Bistro Les Amis in SoHo. Justin had an ahi tuna sandwich that was also delectable, though my meal surprisingly surpassed it in flavor and awesomeness. We spent the day wandering around design stores and showrooms, like Clio, Alessi, DWR Tools For Living, Blu Dot, Ligne Roset, Cassina, Cappellini, Moss, Moroso and Room & Board. It was a brilliant afternoon full of stores we could never afford and imagining what our future home could look like.

The bestest best part of the day? Getting this Koin wood bank from DWR Tools For Living, a $120 value for only $18! I am a master of frugality. The bank is gorgeous; the ash wood has a spectrum of tones to it. I actually went through about six boxes in the store until I found the one with the prettiest wood... it was the clerk's idea, and he helped me pry open all the boxes! The staff at the store is truly delightful, a trait that is unfortunately rare in retail these days.

2009-07-09T21:00:00.004-04:00

I.D.'s Annual Design Review at Material Connexion
THURSDAY, JULY 9TH 2009
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Today was a relaxing day. I met Justin for lunch at the Hudson River Park near his office in Chelsea and we dined on sandwiches, cookies and lemonade whilst watching cute french bulldogs playing in the grass. From there I walked the High Line and spent the afternoon sitting on the stair deck overlooking 17th Street and reading Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex.

In the evening I waited for Justin at Madison Square Park and then we headed across the street to I.D. Magazine's Annual Design Review at Material Connexion. The space was packed, so we took refuge in the rows of fixtures in their material library. It was like a playground for industrial designers that displayed some ridiculous materials. We stayed long enough to eat snacks and hear the giveaway announcements and then we headed home - we are a rather awkward and antisocial bunch.

2009-07-08T15:00:00.004-04:00

Union Square Market
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8TH 2009
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It was an overcast day, which made me appreciate the bright punches of colour in the market all the more. Rainbows of plums are popping up here and there. Do you see the plentiful bounty I brought home? Fresh pumpernickel, leeks and... fennel! I've never eaten fennel before - I've never even seen it before! I embarrassingly admit that living in NYC is really my first experience grocery shopping for myself. So, I brought this curious little vegetable home and made roasted fennel and potatoes as a side for dinner. It is such a fragrant food and whilst cutting it strong licorice scents burst from it - the herb that grows from its stalks is anise, by the way. However, once cooked the vegetable and its flavour soften and have a sweet, lingering flavor.

2009-07-05T16:00:00.006-04:00

Halibut Point State Park
SUNDAY, JULY 5TH 2009
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Before our trip back to NYC we spent a day at Halibut Point State Park, which is currently my favourite beach due to the concentration of beautiful, massive rocks on the shore. Scenic trails through underbrush and tall grass lead you to the coast, and you feel like an explorer charting new territory.

The location is actually a former granite quarry, hence all the sweet rocks. I poked around tide pools filled with snail shells and seaweed, and then (illegally) climbed that gigantic rock pile in the distance.

2009-07-04T14:00:00.002-04:00

The Fourth of July
SATURDAY, JULY 4TH 2009
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The Fourth of July weekend was a welcome break from ~~work~~ city life, and Justin and I were able to spend (almost) two entire days together. We ventured to Boston via the Bolt Bus and enjoyed four hours of semi-comfortable seating and Wi-Fi access during the trip.

I planned absolutely nothing for the holiday. We kept ourselves entertained with tasty snacks, daily naps and bonfires. I probably spent too much time following the house cats around because I miss having a pet. Justin's dad baked a rhubarb pie and dedicated it to me!

2009-06-27T16:02:00.000-04:00

The Fort Greene Flea
SATURDAY, JUNE 27TH 2009
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The Fort Green Flea takes place every Saturday in the playground lot of Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Fort Green. It was less eventful (in product) than the Brooklyn Flea that we attended the weekend prior. We were told that this location would have more furniture than home accessories, but we were sadly disappointed.

It was still a pleasure to walk around and look all the odds and ends, but I do not think we will return to Fort Greene again. The area has little to offer for post-thrifting entertainment, whilst the Brooklyn Flea is adjacent to the Brooklyn Bridge and the waterfront, giving access to Governor's Island and lower Manhattan.

P.S. If you did not really look at the photographs above, take another glance - and look at that amazing wooden wheelchair! Rustic and totally badass.

2009-06-25T19:00:00.001-04:00

A Walking Tour of Williamsburg, Brooklyn
THURSDAY, JUNE 25TH 2009
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When exploring Williamsburg west of Bedford Avenue you will find that it is very easy to stray from the beaten path and find yourself surrounded by seemingly abandoned warehouses and factory buildings. However, if you look carefully you will see hidden hangouts, houses and glamorous warehouse lobby entrances. The streets are sunny and quiet, with the passing of an occasional hipster. The combination of building types and graffiti momentarily made me feel like I was back home in Cleveland.

2009-06-25T18:30:00.000-04:00

Pier, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
THURSDAY, JUNE 25TH 2009
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I am not exactly sure where I was along the riverfront when I came across this pier. I was attracted to its gesture, and also the shade, where I took a short nap amongst the fishermen in the hot afternoon.

2009-06-25T18:00:00.005-04:00

Shopping In Williamsburg, Brooklyn
THURSDAY, JUNE 25TH 2009
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After brunch I embarked on a walking tour of Williamsburg with a short list of stores to visit and no set route. I generally only enter design stores, mainly because I cannot afford clothing and at least window shopping for decor is entertaining.

A&G Merch is an urban home furnishing store that has a nice balance of handmade and local products as well as mass produced items. I admired the little merchandise vignettes that allowed customers to pause and explore clusters of products rather than looking at items on linear shelves.

The Future Perfect (not shown) is a little shop full of design objects that I will never be able to afford. In their basement they sometimes have clearance and sample sales that are still mostly out of my price range.

Voos is a collective of local furniture designers and the showroom is full of eclectic pieces. It feels more like walking through a contemporary gallery than a retail store. This store is also way, way out of my price range - like most design stores!

Mast Brothers is a chocolate factory adjacent to Voos, and on this warm afternoon I could smell the chocolate wafting down the block - cacao shells were strewn about the floor when I walked in. The owners/creators - the Mast brothers - both rock amazing beards. Their chocolate is handmade in delicate batches.

Sprout is a sweet little modern garden store that has a beautiful collection of plants, accessories and gifts. I fell in love as soon as I saw the huge terrariums in the center of the room! They have a feature wall covered in tillandsias, too. Tassy spent a good deal of time with me explaining what I possibly did wrong with my terrarium and even printed out a guide for me to take home.

I could best describe Moon River Chattel as rustic chic. It offers reclaimed and vintage furniture and decor as well as contemporary accessories. I could easily decorate an entire cozy bed and breakfast in their merchandise.

Two Jakes (not shown) specializes in classic 20th century modern office furniture. If I recall correctly this store was stacked with furniture.

Portmanteau sells pricey vintage furniture and accessories. These glass vessels caught my eye and all I could think of was terrariums on the walk back to the subway.

2009-06-25T13:00:00.005-04:00

Lunch at Blackbird Parlour, Williamsburg
THURSDAY, JUNE 25TH 2009
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I began my first excursion to the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn with a scrumptious brunch at Blackbird Parlour. I feasted on this massive spinach and mushroom frittata which was accompanied by a side of various types of potatoes - including sweet potatoes, surprise! - that were like tasting the food of the gods. Despite being very, very full, I topped off my meal with a towering piece of coconut cake that was fluffy and creamy and a perfect balance of cake, coconut and frosting.

The interior of the space was full of reclaimed charm. Everything looked noticeably worn, like a handed down piece of family furniture in slight disrepair. It was a sunny day and the dark space was comfortably lit by natural light. The people and the restaurant were hipsterific, a detail for which Williamsburg is known. This bothers a lot of people in NYC, but for me it simply reminds me of being in art school and I enjoyed being in a concentration of people my age.

2009-06-21T14:38:00.006-04:00

Red Hook, Brooklyn
SUNDAY, JUNE 21TH 2009
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Once again I ventured to Brooklyn to visit Ikea, but this time I had the bus drop me off at the intersection of King Street and Van Brunt Street so that I could explore. My opinion of the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn is mixed. It looks abandoned no matter what time or day you visit, lined with dilapidated storefronts and trash, and I am not sure I would ride my bike by myself through the area. It explains the cheap land for Ikea, though!

Among the wreckage there are a few gems. Some boutique and thrift stores pop up here and there. Baked, a delicious little bakery livens the street with its orange storefront, Saipua has a new interior that is fresh and charming, Chelsea Garden Center offers some garden basics as the end of the street and it is adjacent to the large Fairway Market.

I didn't take pictures of any of this.

At the very tip of Van Brunt Street, extending out into the water is the Brooklyn Waterfront Artist Coalition, which houses a 25,000 square foot gallery in a Civil War-era warehouse. I elected to wander around the fascinating building rather than go inside. It was an overcast day and it seemed appropriate for the forgotten waterfront. I have another close up of the beautiful numbered doors here.

Oh, and that cute kitty was sleeping on a table in the window of a closed thrift store. Cute, cute, cute.

2009-06-19T15:24:00.004-04:00

The New York Public Library
FRIDAY, JUNE 19TH 2009
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The New York Public Library sits majestically at the corner of 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue. Honestly, I did not know that this was going to be on my Fifth Avenue walk, which only reinforces the importance of my "walk every street" mission. I forgot to take exterior photographs (duh). The interior shots were difficult to manage in low light, but I did my best and had to forgo any detail shots.

The NYPL had its official dedication ceremony in 1911 - sixteen years after the first document was signed in agreement to build the library by its founders. It was not the first library in NYC, but the two branches before it were struggling with funding and did not offer a circulating collection of books. The library as it stands today was devised as the first public library for both research and circulation.

The total cost to build was approximately $9 million at the time. Between 30,000 and 50,000 visitors streamed through the building the first day it was open. Today, The NYPL is visited and used annually by more than 15 million people. There are 1.86 million cardholders. The branch system has grown to include 87 libraries, with collections totaling 6.6 million items!

This particular location and collection is still publicly accessible, but for research purposes only and offers no circulating books. It has reading rooms, exhibition spaces, a library shop and guided tours [floorplan]. I walked through two exhibits: Between Collaboration and Resistance: French Literary Life Under Nazi Occupation and 1969: The Year of Gay Liberation. I was allowed to take photographs in the latter. An excerpt from the exhibit:

"The year 1969 was a flashpoint in the history of LGBT civil rights struggles, marking a paradigmatic shift in the ways that gays and lesbians saw themselves and fought for their full inclusion within American society. In the wake of the Stonewall Riots on June 28 of that year, gays and lesbians in New York City radicalized in an unprecedented way, founding activist groups—Gay Liberation Front, the Radicalesbians, Gay Activists Alliance, and Street Transvestites Action Revolutionaries—that created a new vision: Gay Liberation."

2009-06-19T12:56:00.002-04:00

Walking Fifth Avenue
FRIDAY, JUNE 19TH 2009
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One of my major goals whilst living in NYC is to literally walk most (if not all) of Manhattan, from Battery park to 110th Street. This is a time consuming task, but it has its accomplishments: exercise, discovery and eventually, familiarity. Today I took a train to Union Square/14th Street and began my 72 block walk to 86th Street!

Fifth Avenue is known for its upscale shopping, touting brands like Chanel, Fendi, Gucci, and Tiffany & Co. After it reaches Central Park, 5th Avenue turns into "Museum Mile" with the notable Metropolitan Museum of Art, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum to name a few.

As an interior designer I was thrilled to see all the amazing storefronts and interiors on this street, especially from the upscale stores. The streets became so crowded that I quickly gave up taking photographs - you would not believe how long I patiently stood waiting for a chance to take the person-less photos above! - but I did manage to capture two creative storefronts: Anthropologie and Kate Spade.

2009-06-17T15:25:00.001-04:00

Sweet Treats at One Girl Cookies
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17TH 2009
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One Girl Cookies is a delightful little bakery that specializes in petite cookies with sweet girl names Penelope and Juliette. They make much more than that, though. I brought home a treat box filled with pumpkin whoopie pies, cupcakes and a selection of their petite cookies.

Designed by Made NYC, the bakery has soft aesthetic that blends nostalgic charm with modern details. Powder blue walls, paper banner menus and white country chairs complement large wall graphics. My favorite detail was the converted garage-turned-dining area that had a large family tree mural painted on one side. It was here that I snacked on orange chocolate cake and vanilla rooibos tea. YUM!

2009-06-17T11:21:00.004-04:00

Exploring Brooklyn
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17TH 2009
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After going to the market I took the subway to Borough Hall Station in Brooklyn, armed with a list of design stores. I wandered above and below Atlantic Avenue, stopping at planned destinations and discovering unexpected places.You can make out my path here.

As with stores all over NYC, the best shops were inconspicuous and easy to pass if you did not have a keen eye and took the time to search for them. When we first arrived here I was (foolishly) quick to dismiss storefronts that did not meet my "expectations" - nice signage, inviting displays, etc. - and I know now to give everyone a chance.

Abitare is a home decor store that is modern but with a soft, feminine touch.

I almost passed Sterling Place, and I am so thankful that I did not! It was filled with contemporary and vintage treasures, like the antique bowling set and the artfully crafted decanters.

Acorn has a marvelous collection of children' toys and decor items. The products are beautifully designed and are attractive to both kids and adults - which I think is ideal since they will most likely be strewn about the house, right?

Darr was one of my favorite unexpected shops. It was cluttered with some of the most interesting found objects, and I could equate it to a "grim" retail version of the outdoor Brooklyn Flea Market. Mounted animal heads and apothecary bottles were just some of their stock.

I went to both Greenhouse and Opalia, but I do not have photographs from the former. Opalia is a flower shop that has a nice collection of glass vases and dried botanicals, which I was contemplating for my terrariums.

Dig was packed to the brim with gardening supplies. They had terrariums sporadically placed throughout the shop. I liked their suitcase displays outside showcasing products.

Grdn was clean, modern gardening shop with a small but beautiful collection of housewares and gardening supplies. I bought a nice plant but I've forgotten what it is called.

Flight 001 has a great line of modern and vintage-inspired travel accessories. I bought a few items from them for my trip to Japan, like these luggage tags (the swearing one). Their store looked like the interior cabin of an airplane - loved it!

Blue Ribbon General Store is a great store for gifts and well-designed home accessories, like teapots, recycling bags and soaps. If you cruise the design blogs occasionally you might recognize some of their goods, such as the Stitch Postcard.

2009-06-17T10:10:00.007-04:00

Brooklyn Architecture
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17TH 2009
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I was in love with Brooklyn as soon as I stepped off the subway. The architecture was exquisitely detailed and had "room to breathe" on wide, tree-lined suburban streets with sidewalks void of subway grates (which can be quite hot and stinky in the summer). The busier side streets with retail and restaurants weren't cluttered with gaudy signage and people were generally in less of a rush.

When it comes to NYC and the surrounding boroughs, I keep reminding myself to "always look look up" because that is where some of the loveliest architecture hides. My camera simply cannot capture the fantastic details that I can spot so clearly with my eyes.

2009-06-17T08:01:00.003-04:00

Union Square Market
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17TH 2009
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Since moving to NYC I have had a growing interest in gardening. Back home, my mom had a large, thriving garden full of herbs and vegetables, and I took for granted the delicious addition of fresh herbs to our meals. I came to NYC armed with two books to prepare me for "apartment gardening": Your Backyard Herb Garden and Garden Anywhere.

The Union Square Greenmarket is one of the best sources in NYC for herbs, from freshly sprouted seedlings to well-established mature plants. Last week I snagged a lemon basil plant which, although tasty, was more potent than I expected. This week I purchased sweet basil (shown above, with other varieties) and peppermint. The plants are still immature and require replanting, but within a week the mint will be ready for picking and the basil will closely follow.

2009-06-16T18:40:00.002-04:00

Evolution Nature Store, Soho
TUESDAY, JUNE 16TH 2009
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Evolution Nature Store is one of the coolest retail establishments I have ever experienced. Granted, I've worked as a retail designer and have had more than my share of stores with flashy colors and designer names, but this store is like walking through a natural history museum where you can buy everything you see! Their stock include items like butterflies and beetles, fossils, seashells, skulls and skeletons, medical models, and tribal art.

I spent more than an hour in this store touching everything and chatting with the staff about how they acquire their product. Their specimens are obtained from paleontologists, entomologists, anthropologists and others who supply museums and private collectors from all corners of the world. A taxidermist or doctor retires and doesn't want to keep their creepy stock of dead objects, so they donate it to this store.

I think the dendrites are the loveliest things in the store.

If I had to guess a percentage, I would say that 80-90% of the specimens in the store are the real deal, with only a handful of product being replicas (such as saber tooth tiger teeth). The store is open to renting out its stock as props for photographers and events, too.

Guess where your XMAS gifts are coming from this year!

2009-06-16T16:02:00.001-04:00

Interior Decor Stores, Soho
TUESDAY, JUNE 16TH 2009
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Ochre was full of luxurious goods that I could only dream to afford. I was drawn to the whimsical items; a bell jar housing a robin's nest and photo frames made from repurposed wood siding. I liked that everything in the store - accessories, tables, lighting - was all for sale. I watched a woman purchase one dish place setting for almost $2K and decided it was time to move on.

Aero Studios was much less organized than Ochre, with items stacked on top of each other in a cluttered attempt at presentation. I did not care for most of the products, pausing briefly here and there to admire a wooden bowl or a glass vase perfect for terrariums.

I frequented more stores but failed to take photographs. Most stores are touchy about either the design or the name brand products themselves. I also visited Tokidoki, CB2, Muji, Andrianna Shamaris and Kidrobot.

2009-06-16T14:06:00.001-04:00

Lunch At Boqueria, Soho
TUESDAY, JUNE 16TH 2009
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I stopped for lunch at Boqueria, a tapas bar and restaurant. I had a tasty feast on Bocata de Pato - duck confit, fig marmalade and tetilla cheese. The interior design had a pleasantly warm atmosphere. The details were a sort of modern butcher/bistro feel; hanging meats, chalkboard menus, exposed bulbs, leather straps, with warm beige tiles and upholstery.

2009-06-15T15:26:00.003-04:00

The Flower District, West 28th Street
MONDAY, JUNE 15TH 2009
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On 28th Street, between Broadway and 7th Avenue is what is informally known as the Flower District of NYC. You will find thousands of plants here, from freshly cut flowers to eight foot tall trees and shrubs. It is mostly wholesale, meant for events, weddings, et cetera, but a few shops will sell to the public. For an incredible selection, plan on being there between 5am and 7am.

I sauntered over around 10am to find that some shops were completely empty by this time. All that remained were a few trampled stems on the tile floor. The shops that still had stock were bustling, and I took only a few photographs because wherever I stood I was in someone's way. It was a tourist trip for me, after all, but a livelihood for them.

It seemed that every shop had a cat, which made me very happy and I spent a good portion of my time playing with kitties.

The smells remain most significant in my memory, even above the colorful blossoms and rare flora. The air was sharp and sweet with pollen and fragrance. Despite all the beautiful flowers, I was most drawn to the sections (large and small) of trees for purchase. I snatched up a 1" section of a birch tree for home decor.

I had two intents for the day: experience the Floral District and purchase succulents. The last photographs is where I purchased a beautiful selection of succulents, none of which I can name because I know nothing about them.

2009-06-14T22:02:00.007-04:00

Art Exhibition On Governor's Island
SUNDAY, JUNE 14TH 2009
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Governor's Island hosts a variety of events throughout the summer, including art exhibits, theatrical performances and musical concerts. It also has over five miles of biking paths, and you can bring your own bike or rent one for a few hours. People were walking, biking, picnicking and having an all-around grand old time when we got there.

We happened upon the island during an art exhibition that took place in multiple locations around the island. Like most of the art world, you had to endure a search through a lot of bad art to find the few decent works. Two artists in particular caught my attention.

Catch Me by Kim Meijer was installed in a dark corner room of the basement of a house, and I was immediately breathless when I laid eyes on her video installation:

"This project is inspired by family relationships and our search of finding a balance between independence and connection to the people we love. At the same time it questions the way we perceive and experience these relationships. The house is a symbol for the place where we create our intimate connections. Yet, the house casts a big shadow, showing the fragility and transience of our relationships and life in general."

Up All Night Sleeping by Tara Parsons was on an upper level of the house in a brightly lit bedroom, and even without reading the artist's statement you were compelling to participate in the installation:

"Please come into the room, take off your shoes, and lie down on the bed. Recall your dreams. Do you have a recurring dream? Do you dream in a theme? Are you awakened by nightmares? Record your dreams by writing them on the ribbon located on the nightstand. Pin your dream to the canopy."

2009-06-14T13:20:00.001-04:00

Exploring Governor's Island
SUNDAY, JUNE 14TH 2009
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After ravaging the Brooklyn Flea for treasures, we wandered over to the adjacent waterfront [panorama] where we spontaneously jumped aboard a free ferryboat to Governor's Island. We had no expectations, knowing nothing about the island. It was a partly cloudy day and we were feeling rambunctious.

Governor's Island has a somewhat interesting history. In 1637, it was purchased from the Native Americans of Manahatas by a Dutchman for two ax heads, a string of beads, and a handful of nails. In 1664, the English captured New Amsterdam, renaming it New York, and took Nutten (now Governor's) Island. The island was used for over 200 years as a military facility. It was used by the Coast Guard from to 1966 to 1995, hosting a population of approximately 3,500.

The island is actually partially manmade. Using rocks and dirt from the excavations for the Lexington Avenue Subway, the Army Corps of Engineers supervised the deposit of 4,787,000 cubic yards of fill on the south side of Governor's Island, adding 103 acres of flat, treeless land by 1912, and bringing the total acreage of the Island to 172.

During the American Civil War, it was used for recruitment and as a prison for captured Confederate soldiers. Finally, we get to my photos. The decommissioned prison is partially open to the public, and although you cannot go into the interior of the building, you can enter the courtyard and peek in the windows. How lucky were the prisoners that had waterfront windows!

2009-06-14T08:01:00.000-04:00

The Brooklyn Flea, under the Brooklyn Bridge
SUNDAY, JUNE 14TH 2009
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The Brooklyn Flea is a once-weekly market that takes place in the Dumbo area of Brooklyn, directly beneath the Brooklyn Bridge every Sunday. It features both vintage and antique items, like clothing, home accessories and furniture, and newly crafted items like organic soaps and silkscreened tees. The prices are upscale by comparison to suburban garage sales, but the aesthetic of the products remains pretty consistent, whereas garage sales are very hit-or-miss.

I was thrilled to visit the flea market, and I think Justin was just happy to get out of the house. Before the thrifting commenced, we stopped by Almondine Bakery and noshed on apricot and chocolate croissants and fresh orange juice. Yum!

We attended the flea on "opening day" - the Brooklyn Bridge location is actually the second of two locations, the other being Fort Greene - and it had so much to offer that my brain could not focus. We came ill-prepared, having only $2 in our pockets (we spent $8 at the bakery) and no vendors accepting checks or credit cards. Thus, I walked away with nothing more than a 6" cylindrical glass vase - but it was a steal! You can buy one here for $10, and mine cost only $2!

2009-06-13T23:19:00.008-04:00

Terrarium Class With Tovah Martin
SATURDAY, JUNE 13TH 2009
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About a week before we moved to NYC I became infatuated with terrariums. The book release of The New Terrarium really set this mini obsession in motion, and I was delighted when I learned that the author, Tovah Martin, would be hosting a terrarium class at The Horticultural Society of New York only one week after our arrival.

The tuition for the class - $80 - was not steep by NYC standards, but was significant investment on our part. Justin was kind enough to pay it for me as a "welcome to NYC" gift. AW. It was a three hour long class and worth every dollar. There were nine students total, which allowed personal attention for every person and her questions.

I arrived late. Google Maps quite inconveniently located the HSNY about six city blocks away from the actual building, and I frantically called Justin when I realized that the sketchy area I was in most certainly did not look like the HSNY. He navigated me to the correct intersection and I ran through a light rain looking somewhat foolish. Luckily, all the plants they selected for the class were beautiful and healthy, so my lack of choice as the last student did not discourage me.

We sat through an hour and a half long lecture, a thirty minute demonstration and then set to work on our own terrariums. Aside from the supplied plants, soil, charcoal and rocks, we were also given a selection of random items to add to our terrariums as decoration - twigs, pine cones, feathers, acorns and in my case an animal bone. Students in the class were cheerful and it was nice to chat with strangers about a common interest. I took photographs of the other terrariums, but unfortunately it was difficult to capture the little environments behind reflective glass.

UPDATE

Alas, my terrarium has since died. I think the cute random items, along with too much moisture, did it in. After a week, white fuzzy mold appeared first among the "dead" items - pine cones and twigs - and then began attacking the plants. I removed the aggressive mold, threw away the extra objects, trimmed the dead sections of the plants and even washed their leaves, but it was too little, too late. Sadly, a lesson learned.

2009-06-12T00:29:00.004-04:00

Free Fridays at MOMA
FRIDAY, JUNE 12TH 2009
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Every Friday from 4pm to 8pm, Target hosts "Free Friday Nights" at MOMA. This means two things: you save $20 per admission, and you will not be able to see most of the artwork due to the massive crowds. I am finding this to be a rather unfortunate trend at most free or discounted event in NYC.

Justin met me at the museum after work and we elbowed our way through the thick crowd of fellow cheapskates. I photographed selective works, but it was only after I came home and uploaded the images that I noticed a pattern in my interests: lines. Straight lines, organic lines, colorful lines, thin lines, thick lines, structural lines, informational lines, emotional lines.

Artists, shown above: Composition in White, Black, and Red by Piet Mondrian, Happy III by Jim Hodges (detail), Framework Houses by Bernd and Hilla Becher, Routes II by Mona Hatoum, Untited by Robert Ryman and One: Number 31, 1950 by Jackson Pollock (detail)

2009-06-11T16:51:00.003-04:00

A Foggy Walk
THURSDAY, JUNE 11TH 2009
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Today I took a wet, foggy walk up York Avenue to the waterfront and Carl Schurz Park. It was quite uneventful.

2009-06-10T23:00:00.006-04:00

The Decemberists at Radio City Music Hall
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10TH 2009
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The Hazards of Love, the fifth full length album by The Decemberists, is the only album that Justin and I have simultaneously enjoyed out of every artist either of us have listened to in the past three years. Thus, it was imperative that we went to the concert in NYC, as it may be the only concert we ever see together.

Our seats were awesome, period. We were directly center stage in the first row of the first mezzanine. I was jealous only of the VIP pit in front of the stage. We had no heads in our way, ample legroom and an elevated view of the stage - and of Colin Meloy, swoon.

The Decemberists played the entire Hazards of Love in one continuous breath, and it was soft and heavy and consuming. My photographs follow the narrative of the album (listed below), although I was unable to capture an image for every song. The simplicity of the set design catered to the audience's imagination, like a Rorschach inkblot test lends itself to the subconscious of the tested. The billowing fabric transitioned from thick forests to starry skies to hazardous waters.

SET 1: Prelude, The Hazards Of Love 1, Won't Want For Love/The Hazards Of Love 2, Isn't It A Lovely Night?
SET 2: The Wanting Comes In Waves/Repaid, An Interlude, The Rake's Song, The Queen's Rebuke/The Crossing
SET 3: Annan Water, Margaret In Captivity, The Hazards Of Love 3 (Revenge!)
SET 4: The Wanting Comes In Waves (Reprise), The Hazards Of Love 4 (The Drowned)

The last two photographs are from their second set, which included Billy Liar, July, July!, The Crane Wife 3, O Valencia, Sons and Daughters (shown), a cover of Crazy On You and a few others. And alas, Colin bidding us adieu!

2009-06-10T19:12:00.001-04:00

Aspen Social Club
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10TH 2009
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Before our incredible concert, Justin and I had a delicious dinner at Aspen Social Club, located slightly off the beaten path of Times Square on West 47th Street. I selected the restaurant for its interior design; antlers and aspen trees were plentiful, and I couldn't be happier.

The first three photographs are from the restaurant's website, detailing the illuminated forest backdrop, the rustic wood paneling, and the cluster of antler chandeliers on the ceiling. And yes, a faux fireplace near the bar!

The atmosphere was much darker when we visited, and the forest was lit deep red. The trees are a wonderful optical illusion using one-way mirrors. We feasted on pan-seared tuna salad, chicken quesadillas, macaroni with four cheeses and virgin mojitos.

2009-06-10T09:13:00.001-04:00

Union Square Market
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10TH 2009
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I awoke relatively early and headed down to Union Square, a small public park where every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday there is a farmers market. The selection varies each day, but generally includes locally grown/made vegetables, fruits, plants, breads, eggs, cheese, honey and occasionally meats and fish.

Unlike the West Side Market, the Union Square Greenmarket has temporary booths that are entirely outdoors, much like an arts and crafts festival. It becomes very crowded by a plethora of people; tourists with cameras, nannies with strollers, people on bikes, elementary school tours and weekly shoppers.

I was overwhelmed by the food and the people, and I took very few photographs. I did, however, walk away with a fair amount of tasty goods, including pumpkin raisin bread and a lemon basil plant!

2009-06-09T23:08:00.005-04:00

Ikea
TUESDAY, JUNE 9TH 2009
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Today I appreciated the bathroom graphics at Ikea. Ah, Ikea.

2009-06-07T23:00:00.003-04:00

The Renegade Craft Fair
SUNDAY, JUNE 7TH 2009
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Every year in various major cities, DIY and indie artists from all over the country gather to share and sell their artwork with the local community. This year was the 5th Annual Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn, and over 300 artists put on their best hipster outfits and bartered their wares in McCarren Park. The experience equates to a tangible, walkable version of Etsy.

I had been anticipating this fair since I discovered it last year (sadly, a week after it happened), and was determined to attend it. So, despite our almost two hour delay coming into NYC and hauling boxes up three flights of stairs in 85 degree weather and not having eaten since 5am, Justin and I made it to the fair in the early afternoon on Sunday, the last day of the show.

As expected, there was too much that I wanted to buy with the tiny amount of money I saved for the show ($40). I walked away with this blue wooden house and this orange wooden house by Something's Hiding In Here, as well as a rebound textbook-turned-journal (last photo). The book, written in 1914, outlines the woman's proper role in the domestic environment, getting so detailed as to specify the appropriate width of straps on the kitchen apron.