November 28, 2011

Our Credit in Anthology Magazine

Filed under: Press, Links, and Shout-Outs — admin @ 10:35 am

We are beyond thrilled and honored to be included in the Shopkeepers’ Picks page of the most recent issue of Anthology Magazine!

Anthology is a quarterly shelter and lifestyle magazine that focuses on a different theme every issue. This current issue is titled Going Global with a focus on international travel, inspiration, and globally-sourced products. One of our Carpenter & Co. pillows, hand made in Guatemala, is featured among other beautiful items in the Shopkeeper’s Picks page.

So incredibly cool to be included in this group and on the pages of Anthology. If you have yet to read an issue of this magazine, please visit their site to find where to purchase it. Not only is the design, photography and content inspiring, but the paper and printing quality of the magazine itself really elevates it from many other publications out there.

September 12, 2011

Our Brimfield Photo Featured in Afar Magazine!

Filed under: Press, Links, and Shout-Outs — admin @ 10:16 am

The current September/October issue of AFAR travel magazine features one of the images from our Brimfield post on their back page!

If you squint really hard, you can just make out our credit along the right edge.  So exciting!  AFAR describe themselves as a magazine “created to inspire and guide those who travel the world seeking to connect with its people and experience their cultures.”  We are definitely down with that mission and are honored to be a part of the current issue.

August 31, 2011

Outstanding in the Field

Filed under: Inspirations — admin @ 10:44 pm

We spent yesterday afternoon on a rooftop farm in Queens (who knew such a thing existed?) dining on a wonderfully prepared meal by ABC Kitchen chef Dan Kluger.  How, you ask?  Thanks to Outstanding in the Field–a unique “roving culinary adventure” started by founder Jim Denevan in 1999.  Jim and his team arrange these dinners on farms, in barns, beaches and museums across the country (and now internationally), usually prepared by a celebrated chef of the region.  Their mission is to “re-connect diners to the land and the origins of their food, and to honor the local farmers and food artisans who cultivate it.”  This was our third OITF outing, with the previous two being held at the Queens County Farm in Floral Park (another farm in Queens?), but this was the first such event at Brooklyn Grange Farm and we were intrigued. Brooklyn Grange is a commercial organic farm located on a building rooftop in Long Island City.  Check out their site for an explanation as to why they have Brooklyn in their name but are located in Queens.

Arriving on the scene

The events typically start with a wine and passed hors d’oeuvres reception followed by a welcome from Jim and introduction to the hosting farmer.

Founder Jim Denevan with director Katy Oursler

Then they give a tour of the farm.  The dichotomy between being in the midst of this farm, while hovering above Queens, and looking out onto the Manhattan skyline was quite something.  You felt somehow removed from and connected to each element all at once.  It was beyond cool.

Check out the U.S. Open blimp overhead!

Near the beehive area

Wine notes for the staff

Oh, yes please.

Strawberries with Lynnhaven goat cheese, lime & arugula. Heaven.

Chef Dan and his team

Please check out the Outstanding in the Field website for a schedule of their remaining farm dinners in 2011. They may be coming to a farm near you soon.  We can’t wait until the next one!

August 17, 2011

Our Sale in the New York Times

Filed under: Press, Links, and Shout-Outs — admin @ 8:32 pm

We just had to post this.

Check out that title and the image they used.  So exciting!

August 8, 2011

Super Summer Sale Starts Now!

Filed under: Store news — admin @ 10:13 am

 

 

 

August 5, 2011

The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Alexander McQueen

Filed under: Inspirations — admin @ 9:00 pm

We knew that waiting until the last weekend to visit the Metropolitan Museum‘s attendance record-breaking Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty exhibit was probably unwise.  But we were running short on time and we really wanted to see it.  So we had a game-plan to arrive once the museum opened this morning and wait on line for a bit.  We thought we were prepared.  We were not prepared.

This is one view of the line from the balcony overlooking the entrance hall

And this is another

The tease is that, once you get into the building after standing on line outside for about 30 minutes, you think that maybe you are halfway there.  Well, that wait was not even a fraction of what you were in for once inside.  The lines wrapped around the main balcony, into and out of galleries, and were directed by museum employees who just did not seem to be prepared for this onslaught.  Madness!  But we did eventually make it in.  Once inside, we managed to get a couple of shots.

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Such an amazing artist and visionary.  The exhibit as a whole is truly stunning and continues through this weekend, where the museum has extended their hours to stay open until midnight to accommodate those of us who are master procrastinators.  See it if you can.  If not, buy the book.

We also got a few shots of some other areas of the museum that were refreshingly free of crowds.

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 1, 2011

Sia at Webster Hall

Filed under: Inspirations — admin @ 9:47 pm

We attended the Sia concert at Webster Hall in NYC last week.  And while her performance (and the opening acts) was terrific, we couldn’t stop reveling in the stage set-up and design.

It was challenging to capture all of the details, what with the mobile phone camera and proximity to the smoke machine.  But in this image you should be able to make out the multi-colored, crocheted blankets and quilts covering amps, speakers, and even the keyboard set-up.  The floor and background were a patchwork of stripes also cleverly worked into the band members’ outfits.  To top it off, Sia’s name was spelled out in what looked like clusters of pompoms.  It looked like she had a few decorating her shoes as well!  If you have ever seen any of her videos, it’s no surprise Sia would put as much effort into the visual aspect of her performance as the musical.  She may be coming to your neck of the woods soon, so don’t miss an opportunity to see her live.

June 27, 2011

Laura Zindel collection is back in stock!

Filed under: Product information,Store news — admin @ 7:50 pm

One of our favorite collections is back in stock.

We had to do a double take when we first discovered Laura Zindel’s collection.  Creamy ceramic?  Check.  Beautifully shaped bottles?  Check.  Snakes, tarantulas, and beetles?  Huh?

Laura Zindel is an artist, designer and ceramist based in Vermont.  Her art combines the influences of the Arts and Crafts movement with Victorian era “Cabinets of Curiosities.”  All of Laura’s handmade ceramic works are crafted entirely in her Vermont studio, while the dinnerware pieces like the tumblers are produced by Niagara China in Buffalo, NY and then finished in Vermont.  All of this craftsmanship and attention to detail really comes through in the finished products.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Admittedly, the first elements we were drawn to were the illustrations–highly detailed pencil drawings of flora and fauna found in nature that are collaged onto the ceramic.  Look more closely and you notice the quality craftsmanship that goes into these pieces.  The bottles are made by hand and crafted from earthenware.  They have a light yet sturdy feel.  The tumblers are made of creamy white high-resistant china and fit comfortably in your hand.  We were instantly smitten.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although we would never want to come face to face with any of these real-life critters in our home, we would love to be surrounded by any of Laura’s elegantly creepy renderings.

Our new favorite piece?  The Ant tumbler.  In this season of summer picnicking, here is one visitor we wouldn’t mind seeing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The newest style from this collection is the utensil cup offered with either Tarantula or Mexican Rat Snake renderings.  Definitely a unique element to hold your kitchen accoutrements, it can also be used in many unexpected ways.  If used as a vase, we love the dichotomy of a bundle of delicate flowers encased in the grips of a sturdy spider or snake.  Any other ideas for using these vessels?  Please share them in the comments section below.

 

June 3, 2011

Thomas Paul melamine trays have arrived!

Filed under: Product information,Store news — admin @ 3:36 pm

We love how Thomas Paul references traditional motifs often used in fine china in his melamine collection while interpreting them in a fun and modern way.

This set of 12 coasters represents each of the 12 signs of the zodiac and is available for $48.

 

These delightful whale trays are sold as a set of two for $40.

 

And this maritime ship is sold as a set of three trays for $60.

 

All of these Thomas Paul melamine pieces are dishwasher safe and perfect for summer entertaining!

May 28, 2011

A Day in New York

Filed under: Inspirations — admin @ 12:06 am

Every now and then, there are days when you remove the blinders and set aside the daily routine to appreciate some of the things that New York has to offer.  Today was one of those days.

Governors Island

The official start of Memorial Day weekend and unofficial start of the summer was quite a beautiful one today.  It marked the opening of Governors Island to the public.  Riding our bikes on roads like the one above, while getting a view of the Statue of Liberty, the Manhattan skyline and metal sculptures by Mark di Suvero was a lovely way to greet the summer season.

 

 

Love the bike color

 

View of Manhattan from Governors Island

And just a few more things…

Battery Maritime Building

On Beekman Street

Yummy!

We have been trying to track this truck down for some time.  Our first taste was The Salty Pimp.  Highly recommended.  Can’t wait for the shop to open next month.

Italian sodas at Eataly

Looking forward to more summer days filled with discovery and an appreciation for what the city has to offer.

 

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