Hey Poppy

Photocredit for orange close-up above: Harold Davis

Each summer I get obsessed with finding new flowers and plants for our backyard garden. I try to find as many perrenials as I can, simply to save money on replanting each year. Early in the season, in May, I found some poppies at the Brooklyn Terminal Market, and then also at Lowes near Red Hook. However, I've had no such luck growing them. I think they need dry, warm, sunny conditions - and with these continuous showers they have not flourished. I did have one or two bloom, and I'm hoping I might get a few more blooms once this rain stops... in the meantime here are some pics of poppies culled from the web.

Congrats America!

I stole this little saying from my friend Amanda. It does feel like a celebratory time. I also feel the peace buddha is very appropriate and much in need. If I had a spare $18 laying around I would buy it. And save my pennies. You can get one at urbanoutfitters.com

fishy fishy

I had a spare moment today to add something interesting to the blog. I picked up an issue of Juxtapoz last week - I love that magazine. So decided to check out their website. How beautiful is this fish mural by Titi Freak? See the progression of it all here, and check out more work by Titi here. Cheers to a relaxing labor day!

definitely spring

You know it's spring when you hear the ice cream trucks. They are back in full effect. I found this pic on brownstoner.com today, by Brandon King.

i'm back

OK, so the blog kind of died during the winter. I got a side job, and was just so busy that when I had a spare minute I did not want to be on the computer! Well it's spring, and I'm back and ready to share more fun stuff.

To start off, here is a fabulous old settee that's been refurbished by Chairloom. It's $4200. I thought about doing this myself, but the reupholstery quote was nearly $3000.

Anthropologie has some great things too, but I love the idea of not making something new - using an existing piece and giving it a new life.

I also think these pieces are fantastic for brooklyn brownstones. A fun way to freshen things up and stay true to the space.

creative challenge

OK, it's almost fall...time for new thinking, fresh ideas, cool weather. Time to changes things up, turn a new leaf, etc, etc. My goal this fall was to do something more creative, or pick up a creative hobby. So I signed up for a ceramics class at SVA with my friend TK. We had our first class on Monday night. Stay tuned for pics of my creations. In the meantime, here is something creative you could do. Submit something for the bandana art show. If it's not bandanas, try something else. I dare you.

banksy

His stuff really makes me laugh. Always so insightful, and his commentary on consumerism is so interesting. Check it out at his website here.

so pretty

How delicious are these? I love the bright colors and detail. You can get lost in the design. Found via Beautiful/Decay, these mixed media collages are by Gean Moreno. Available at the Derek Eller Gallery.

posterama

I couldn't resist sharing this poster. It captures one of my favorite sayings in such a lovely way. You can purchase it from The Poster List for $9.99.

graff inspired lighting

I stumbled upon this designer months ago, but couldn't remember her name. It's Donna Brady of Re-Surface in Brooklyn. She's taken pics in Brooklyn and created these amazing light fixtures out of them. I've always found the texture and layering aspect of graffiti so interesting; she's really turned those qualities in to something beautiful. You can find stores where her products are sold on her website by clicking here. Or you can buy directly from her on Etsy.

around your neck

I found these while searching for 'bike' items the other day on Etsy. So cute. You can find them here.

bikes in BK

Bicycles have been on my mind lately. We recently acquired two new bikes which brings our household total to four bikes. Two each. Check out these great bike-inspired items. T-shirt and jacket by Vital, click here to purchase. Bicycle paintings by a local Brooklyn artist. And of course we all need a wallet with a bike-emblem on it.

brooklyn shots

I was browsing through brownstoner.com yesterday and found a shot of the same location where P took the picture of 'Graffiti Squares' which has been posted on my site for a while. I clicked through to the owner of the pic and found these other great shots. Thanks digitalfront! Enjoy.

my sunday in brooklyn

On Sunday we decided to do a test run of a bike ride from our house to my work on the upper east side. We came in over the Willy-b bridge, up along FDR then over the Queensboro 59thSt Bridge to return through Queens to Greenpoint to home. All in all about 10 miles. I don't think I'll be riding in to work, but we still had fun. The first graff pic was taken in Queens on Jackson Ave near PS1. The sky shot was from a neighbors backyard around 8 p.m. Gorgeous.

wallpaper

I've been considering some decorative changes here at home. Perhaps some wallpaper... nothing aligns better with my little urban observations POV than Flavor Paper's new 'Flower Pedal' and 'City Park' designs. I have to start saving now so I can afford a roll.

time for toys

I'm not very familiar with the collectible toy market. But I can tell you this one is pretty cute. Except I wish it had a face. Ohwell. I love the description of Insa Dunny, available at Kid Robot.

paper goods

I consider this little card a send-off to summer. Send it to someone before it's over! You can find it here at imogene.org. 'Beachball' by Etui for $3

vintage bling

I found Fragile Design in a UK mag. It stocks 20th century design items for you and your home. Very cool stuff. This topaz and rhinestone bracelet is gorg.

rad plates

I love searching through the SCAD (Savannah College of Art & Design) store for great little finds. The listing for these suggests they'd be great for sandwhiches and chips. I agree, and why does a plate have to be round anyways? Roots and Shoots Tableware, set of 4, $48 here at shopscadonline.com.

fancy footwork

If anyone is thinking of getting me a present, please get me these. I'm obsessed with them. It's pretty much like wearing art on your feet. String Republic works with various artists to create these espadrilles.