Downtown Manhattan Holiday Windows 2007
Posted on | November 30, 2007 | Comments Off
I was strolling around lower Manhattan yesterday and took a bunch of shots of holiday windows displays. I saw a lot of bright colors and less traditional red and green displays.
At the Gap and Anthropologie, the windows used a lot of chunky yarns to make ornaments and garlands. I love this idea because it’s not only cute but it’s cheap to do. You can usually score some yarn at the $1 store or try Michael’s if you live outside the city.
I was walking past the Gap in Flatiron and was shocked to see the stripe light displays. They reminded me so much of my own stripe paintings! Is it a sign? Are stripes in and I will be famous in no time? Check out the tree: they wrapped balls with bright-colored yarn to make ornaments.
Another shot of the stripes. Love it!
Anthropologie always does an amazing job on their windows no matter what the season.
A shot of the windows covered with hundreds of paper cut snowflakes.
A holiday village covered in snow. I love the yarn garlands draped above. It’s made of tiny individual yarn balls strung together.
This shot if from the Kate Spade store down in SoHo. Traditional but pretty.
This was a clever and fun display at Marc by Marc Jacobs in the West Village. A take on the traditional holiday Santa portraits. You can sit with the holiday “swan” and have your picture taken. The photos are then hung in the windows of the store creating a community of a swan head shots.
A shot of the swan holiday photos covering the windows of the Marc by Marc Jacobs store.
John Robshaw Sample Sale
Posted on | November 29, 2007 | Comments Off
John Robshaw makes fantastic ethnic prints full of color and patterning. I could cover every inch of my apartment in his textiles. Robshaw’s textiles can be damn pricey at full retail…so about twice a year I hit his sample sale. Today I scored three tableclothes and two Christmas tree skirts.
The tableclothes will be great Christmas presents and a steal for $25 for a 60 x 108 down from $180. The gorgeous Christmas skirt has an all over purple and green crewel pattern, $30. I bought one for myself and one for my sister. She has been on a total crewel kick lately. Perfect!
John Robshaw Sample Sale
Thursday: 10-8
Friday: 10-8
Saturday:10-4
245 West 29th Street #1104
For more info: timeout.com/newyork/events/sales-and-sample-sales.
Bridget Riley’s New Show
Posted on | November 28, 2007 | Comments Off
Bridget Riley is one of my favorite painters. I am in love with her awesome color and all over patterns. Riley was the first painter I ever related to in style and method. Riley is cmeticulous about her designs mapping out each piece in very systematic way. In the 1960’s she received a good bit of press and recognition for her series of black and white op art paintings. For me I have always enjoyed her later work as she moves away from op art and toward a more colorful patterning.
Check out Riley’s newest show at Pace Wilderstein, Recent Paintings and Gouaches, on display till January 5, 2008 at Wilderstein’s 57th Street and Chelsea galleries. The galleries will showcase 12 oil on linen paintings, Riley’s largest works to date, and 8 gouaches from 2004-2007 as well as Wall Painting 1 (2007), a graphite and acrylic work that measures approximately 8 x 16 feet. For more info pacewildenstein.com
J.Crew Goes Festive Vintage
Posted on | November 28, 2007 | Comments Off
J.Crew has totally stepped it up a notch in the accessory department. Honestly, I never took a second look at their accessories they always felt like an after thought. This season is filled with bright babbles infused with a little classic glam girl. I have been wearing the stripe bangle layered with a yellow bangle for months. The blue beads have been a total hit. Looks great paired with a contrasting color like red or orange. Seriously, snag these up, you will be wearing them for years.
From top left: Cabochon bauble bracelet, $80 . Hand-painted enamel carousel ring, $75. 1/2″ harlequin-stripe enamel bangle, $40. Bauble cascade necklace, $135.
Christmas Trimmings
Posted on | November 25, 2007 | Comments Off
It’s that time of year again. As we prepare for the holidays remember to take stock of your decorations before purchasing your tree. You’ll save yourself a headache of tangled cords and burnt out lights.
My Christmas trees tends to be a mix of handmade, family heirlooms, and new vintage finds. My secret source for inexpensive ornaments is Martha Stewart’s Everyday line at Kmart. Martha always has a great selection of vintage inspired favorites and new classic twists. My favorite: shatterproof balls in multiple jewel toned colors. Shatterproof balls will save your life. No more opening box that have been tucked away all year to find them all broken. The colored balls mix well with my family pieces and give the tree a great vintage 1950’s Christmas feel.
Top left: Sugarplum Dreams 12-Pk Ball Ornaments, $5. Yuletide Cheer Straw and Bead Ornament, $3 each. Woodland Holiday Metal Flower Ornament, $4 each. Golden Traditions 2-Pk Wire Glitter Snowflake Ornament, $5.
Deep Fried Turkey
Posted on | November 24, 2007 | Comments Off
I have dreamed of seeing a big turkey frying. I’ve heard stories of garbage cans, big flames, and lots of hot oil. It sounded way to messy and dangerous for me to ever try. I was in fear the day would never come that I would get to savor the crispy skin.
This past Thanksgiving while visiting some old friends up in Syracuse, NY the opportunity presented itself. I heard a rumor the neighbors down the street would be frying in the morning and we were more then welcome to bring an extra bird. I lied awake that night in anticipation and a bit drunk from hanging out at the local bar.
The turkey frying began at 11am. I was there ready with about a 14 lb. bird and coffee in hand. The Neveldines seemed to be cooking for the whole neighborhood. Multiple turkeys were lined up waiting to get deep-fried. Neighbors strolled in with their birds, ate snacks while the birds cooked, and then left with the prize in hand. I love this tradition!
It turns out deep frying a turkey has come a long way since I first heard about it years ago. Mrs. Neveldine told me she bought her electric turkey fryer at JCPennys for about a $100. The procedure was quite easy and simple. You warm the oil, place the turkey in, cook 4 minutes for every pound and in about 50 minutes we had crispy bird.
We saved ours for the “picking turkey”. The skin was the best part: super crispy and salty. The rest of the bird sat on the corner for the remainder of the afternoon while relatives strolled by and took a little nibble.
Thanksgiving Table
Posted on | November 22, 2007 | Comments Off
A traditional heirloom turkey platter by Johnson Brothers can be found in antique stores and on replacements.com. $150-$250 depending on age and condition. On the right, a pure linen tablecloth is accented with a garland of flowers that evokes an elegant event. $170, williamsonoma.com
Rich earthy brown pheasant feathers bundled in vases create offbeat center pieces. dominomag.com
WS Home collaborated with Spode to create these festive oak-leaf-and-acorn garland earthenware. Set of 4 plates, $88. wshome.com.
Add a touch of whimsy to the table. Peacock feathers under gold-rimmed plate will infuse a little humor into the evening. $28, jaysonhomeandgarden.com.
A folky take: illustrated nordic print porcelain plates featuring a wise owl in the center. Try layering these plates with existing china if the look seems to over the top. Set of 4 plates, $152. vivre.com.
Let the seasons colors infuse into your table settings. Gather gourds, baby pumkins, squashes and clementines and arrange in various compotes along your table or buffet. marthastewart.com.
I love these wood pedestals for cheeses on a buffet. The pedestal adds height and the wood gives the buffet a rich earthy feel. Buy a few and scatter around the room. $35, chefscatalog.com.
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