Posted: March 10th, 2010 | Filed under: calligraphy, handmade, paper, things | 0 Comments »
Any calligraphy fans will appreciate this sentiment.
Elegy for the Personal Letter
by Allison Joseph
I miss the rumpled corners of correspondence,
the ink blots and crossouts that show
someone lives on the other end, a person
whose hands make errors, leave traces.
I miss fine stationary, its raised elegant
lettering prominent on creamy shades of ivory
or pearl grey. I even miss hasty notes
dashed off on notebook paper, edges
ragged as their scribbled messages–
can’t much write now–thinking of you.
When letters come now, they are formatted
by some distant computer, addressed
to Occupant or To the family living at–
meager greetings at best,
salutations made by committee.
Among the glossy catalogs
and one time only offers
the bills and invoices,
letters arrive so rarely now that I drop
all other mail to the floor when
an envelope arrives and the handwriting
is actual handwriting, the return address
somewhere I can locate on any map.
So seldom is it that letters come
That I stop everything else
to identify the scrawl that has come this far–
the twist and the whirl of the letters,
the loops of the numerals. I open
those envelopes first, forgetting
the claim of any other mail,
hoping for news I could not read
in any other way but this.
“Elegy for the Personal Letter” by Allison Joseph, from My Father’s Kites. (c) Steel Toe Books, 2010
(*via Writer’s Almanac; Photography by Elizabeth Griffin)
Posted: March 9th, 2010 | Filed under: design | 0 Comments »
This is a concept design by Art. Lebedev Studio in Moscow. (They sure look like a bunch of toughie designers.) The Segmentus Clock is the newest concept release from the studio and it is a an analog clock made up of many hands, all shaped and moving to simulate a digital clock.
To really see what I mean, watch it in action here. A great visual.
(*via Unplggd)
Posted: March 8th, 2010 | Filed under: doing good | 2 Comments »
(*Image via NYC Dept of Parks & Recreation)
Posted: March 8th, 2010 | Filed under: art, design, eco-friendly, places | 0 Comments »
I wish this came as wallpaper. The Hall of Biodiversity at the American Museum of Natural History was the highlight of my visit this weekend. This wall of shells was a captivating display. It was a treat to revisit such a New York City asset with dear friends in town from Seattle.
Posted: March 5th, 2010 | Filed under: music | 1 Comment »
Today’s Friday song is designed to pump you up.
New York City is bustling with art fairs. There’s the tantalizing thrill of a sunny weekend in the high 40’s. And it’s our first week into a March full of Madness.
I’ve decided that we should celebrate with a little bit of New Orleans-grown goodness, Professor Longhair and Earl King.
Dance to this!
“Big Chief” by Professor Longhair and Earl King
(Image courtesy of Michael P. Smith Photography)
Posted: March 5th, 2010 | Filed under: apparel, brooklyn, things | 0 Comments »
These sandals called out to me from behind the storefront window of DUMBO’s newest shoe shop, NOS Boutique. (Oy, so many capital letters.)
The Odeon Flat Thongs are from Cynthia Vincent’s Resort 2010 collection and man, I sure do LIKE them.
If you’ve got $250 to spare, you can purchase these at NOS or online at SSENSE.
(Not kidding, that is all caps too.)
Posted: March 4th, 2010 | Filed under: design, things, wedding gifts | 2 Comments »
You read it correctly. It’s “mobile bathing culture.” Dutchtub is a portable, wood-fired hot tub.
Place it anywhere you want, fill her up with water, start up a fire and after a few hours, you’ve got a cozy tub to sink into. You can even barbeque or roast marshmallows over the fire.
I am grateful to the people who woke up one day and said, “I must create the Dutchtub!”
You can purchase your own from your local dealer. They start at $6000.
For New Yorkers, you can have the Dutchtub experience without committing to the purchase! Jungle Design NYC in Brooklyn rents their tub and garden space to parties of up to 12 people — or you can even have the tub delivered to your place for a special occasion.
What a world! (Good world.)
www.dutchtub.com
www.jungledesignnyc.com
(*via Michi Girl)
Posted: March 3rd, 2010 | Filed under: things, wedding gifts | Tags: gifts | 0 Comments »
The world around me fades to a hush when I’m browsing l’aviva home, a website self-described as “a series of curated online trunk shows.”
Almost anything on the site would make for an original and elegant wedding gift, but I’ve selected a few of my favorite pieces from their current collections. l’aviva home sources from great artisans around the world and has recently introduced a dowry collection — all items are beautiful, traditional wedding gifts from different cultures. Like each section of their site (dowry, objects and textiles), there is a short list of items, all carefully selected, deeply artistic, and steeped in tradition and craft.
Two Zulu Wedding Baskets are pictured above. According to tradition, the baskets are woven by the bride-to-be or presented to the couple as a gift. They hold the ceremonial beer during the wedding. Each of the different patterns carries a particular significance and the weaver spends weeks or months on a single basket. Prices range from $300+.
My selections from the top (after the Zulu baskets):
Lace Wirework Platters made from telephone wire in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa — a traditional gift for the bride from her new in-laws to bring warmth and dignity to her home. $185
Bolivian Rosewood Vase and Bowls made from stumps and stray branches. $95, $145.
Kantha Pillows handmade in West Bengal with fabrics made of vintage saris. $145
Turkish Hammam Towels made of 100% Turkish cotton for traditional use in the Turkish baths. $50
www.lavivahome.com
Posted: March 2nd, 2010 | Filed under: places, travel | 5 Comments »
I just spent five days warming my 30-year-old soul and visiting my family in San Pancho, Mexico, a blissful, sleepy town rocked gently all day by the Pacific Ocean. The colors are my favorite characteristic of the country — hot pink doorways and bright orange walls. I didn’t set off on a photographic mission but I did snap some photos of inspiring images as I came upon them: tiles, flowers, bottles hanging from trees as decoration, a tasty Pacifico, the beach, each more delicious than the next.
Posted: March 1st, 2010 | Filed under: bloggin', brooklyn, paperfinger, weddings | 0 Comments »
I’m excited to be a part of this unique, curated event, hosted by none other than Brooklyn Bride founder and champion, Vané Broussard. The Urban Wed Event takes place on two separate evenings, March 23rd and 24th, in one of my favorite spaces, Hatch Creative Studio’s Nest Loft.
I’m in really great company with this group of select, local vendors and if you’re in wedding-planning mode in NYC and don’t want to be overwhelmed by a sea of choices, this event will be a great way to get some good ideas and learn more about your options. Not to mention, it should be a lot of classy fun!
Tickets are only $25 for an individual or $40 for a couple. Buy your tickets soon since it’s sure to sell out quick and come see me at Urban Wed!
