be Square

Isn't this couple the best couple EVER? growing up in Denver my grandparents definitely went square dancing. I wonder if grandma still has those photos...? If I were in Atlanta, I'd definitely go see this.

Image from Our Labor of Love

~L-O-V-E~

I've always thought Valentine's Day was sort of... cheesy. And when I did try to do something "romantic" I was surrounded by other awkwardly dressed-up couples, and together we ate our V-day pre-fixed dinners. The romance seemed to be lost this way. Do I sound cynical?

But even with my cold heart, this little pic inspired me to do something sweet over the weekend...

Image from seesaw.

Brilliant!

Remember the puddle of melted snow I was talking about at the subway  near my apartment? Well, some (brilliant) artist decorated the 72nd station entrance with rubber ducks!

Image from NY Mag

The Yeh Yeh Girl From Paris

I'm in love with Francois Hardy at the moment... especially this song.

Image from ISO50

Can any woman be chicer?

Put a thorn in it

Once in a blue moon, I get really excited about seeing something and currently, it's Lindsey Thornburg's cloaks. I wish I could afford one of these! Wearing any one would definitely lift the winter blues.

Black and White

I know earlier I mentioned that I'm trying to get into color... at least in my wardrobe. However, there's definitely something about black and white imagery that just can't be done with color. Here are some of my favorites I've collected from the web.

Joseph Joseph

Not to get too home-y, but lately I've been REALLY nesting... I mean, to the point of obsession. Maybe it's because of all the slush and snow barricades around here, or the gigantic muddy puddle at the entrance of my subway stop, or perhaps the winter sniffles. Whatever it is, I am in full stay-at-home-mode.

Luckily for Mr. Z, this also means lots of cooking. I go through phases of this, and there has definitely been an empty refrigerator several weeks in a row in our apartment. However during this particular phase, I realized the utensils I have are sort of bulky and hard to use. After searching for a slimmer design with slighter angles (yes, nerdy), I stumbled upon Joseph Joseph Elevate Kitchen Tools.

The propping up feature is a smart bonus, and these tools are actually fun to use. I suppose cooking shouldn't be more of a chore than it already is, so utensils that feel more like a buddy is nice.

Facelift Project Details

Some of you have been asking about the technique I used to make this coat. I’ve posted the steps I took to attach the knit pieces to the coat here, but by no means is this a professional or right way! Anyhow, here are some details shots of the inside that may help more than my instructions... Click on each image to view them larger.

Old sewing supply packaging

I love old sewing supply packaging. Here are a few I've ended up with through out the years.

Hood Wrap

Today is supposed to be record low cold here in the east coast! Luckily, this weekend I finally got motivated to make this slouchy hooded wrap. You can find how to make it here: Hood Wrap – Sewing Projects | BurdaStyle.com

Happy Weekend!

I took this photo today during my commute. May be the Gothamist will use it?

Love Hate L.A.

Sometimes after a trip I don't feel like even looking at the photos I took during the visit. I didn't realize that was the best way to view photos taken on a trip... appreciating the place more. I have a love hate relationship with L.A. (like I do with Chicago and Denver), but I do think that L.A. gets a bad rap sometimes... will New York be next? After letting these photos sit for 6 months, looking at them makes me miss LA!

LA 2010

The Oldest Subway Tunnel in the World... in Brooklyn?

I've been meaning to share this, but got side tracked... and since the Tunnel is no longer open to the public, I got a boost to share these photos.

This past September, Z and I went into a manhole, in the middle of Atlantic Ave. (near Cobble Hill) and saw THE oldest subway tunnel in the world.  OK, so it was on a tour, so not as adventurous as if we'd discovered it on our own... but we DID really climb into a manhole, and went down to a place built in 1844.  The tunnel was apparently built to transport goods from the water front to inland faster by avoiding street traffic. The brake technology in trains back then was bad, so it was best to avoid pedestrians among other things.

It's quite amazing that this tunnel was built in about 7 months using very simple building techniques. Our tour guide (and the man who re-discovered the Tunnel) Bob Diamond said the builders (who were mainly Irish immigrants) laid brick by brick and used an arch to hold the brick in place while the joint compound dried. Once the wall was dry the arch would be moved to the next section, and so on. I'd also like to add that the workers were paid cents per hour, and this was considered a good living back then.

What I found most interesting are all the spooky stories and supposed illegal activities that happened in the Tunnel after it was closed. Pirates, Bootleggers, and Spooky Hollow... The historical information about the Tunnel is intense, so here is a link of some historical images and articles.

Lumps where the railroad tracks were are still there!

Uhh... floating head...?

This was definitely a prop...

Nerd Alert

As I approach beyond the age I can use the excuse of "being young" as an explanation for embarrassing choices, my sight is not as sharp as it used to be. My very first pair of glasses were well designed, but were a little too tight for my face. Finally I found a pair at l.a. Eyeworks that are comfortable and light without sacrificing some style. I feel like I got a new face... also a little drunk as my prescription changed slightly.

I discovered l.a. Eyeworks during my visit to L.A. this fall. Mr. Z had to make a special visit since Neil M. Denari had a hand in the interior of the store.  I fell in love with this pair, and can't really remember looking at the interior of the store. Then we located a store in NYC that ordered from the company and voila~ new eyes this year!

After returning from our visit, we happened to be watching Blade Runner (hence the title "Nerd Alert") and l.a. Eyeworks appears in the movie as a part of post apocalyptic L.A. in the future?

The Lone Wolf

For those of you who have been to my apartment (or know this part of Brooklyn) know that it's sort of a vast wasteland. However, new places are opening and things are happening. When this happens around here it seems more exciting and noticeable. I've also come to cherish those amenities I do have like the Korean owned groceries and the French cafe across the street. I love that I can still get a good cup of coffee for .75 cents.

Last night I checked out The Lone Wolf that opened across the corner from my apartment in November. I'm glad to finally have a place to go to get a glass of Woodford Reserve on the rocks. The dark and moody lighting and harlequin pattern backed stage suddenly turned my photos into something out of a David Lynch scene...