546 BroadwayTake note bold men of fashion: Uniqlo is currently selling the most adorable bright, sometimes neon sock and I think you should get some. Four pairs for ten dollars, how can you resist? Especially since it’s always tough to add a touch of color to men’s outfits in a great way.
by Paola BuendiaIf there’s one accessory you need for braving the summer outdoors in a heat wave, it’s a great big brimmed hat. I have had a few in my day but none better than the Sally hat by Wooden Ships that I picked up at some Outlet Mall years ago. It’s fashionable, offers lots of shade and most distinguishably can be squished up and thrown into beach bags and back seats with out fear of the brim or top losing its shape. The top is soft and the brim is wired and flexible. Their site has listings for local boutiques that carry their goods.
iphone appIf you have been seeing those funky, saturated, square photos popping up online, don’t get too down. It’s not that everyone can suddenly afford high end old timey medium format cameras, they just have two bucks for the popular Hipstamatic iphone app which instantly turns digital photos into mini retro pieces of art. Here are a few I’ve taken lately.
On the Met RoofIt’s always great to see the various ways artists transform the rooftop of the Met, but perhaps none have transformed it so completely as Doug and Mike Starn with their elaborate work in progress, Big Bambu. The maze like structure of bamboo walkways makes you feel like your stranded on a desert island with a group of innovative architect students and a lot of bamboo – an illusion helped by just having watched the end of Lost and the hippie kids building the structure as we stood by.
We saw a group going on a guided tour, which climbs the structure as high as 110 feet. We didn’t go on the tour ourselves (pregnant ladies not recommended) but I sure it’s pretty amazing if you can manage through the guidelines of getting a ticket.
For FreelancersWhile I am mostly excited about my new career path which is sure to be better for my little one, I was a bit intimidated by the whole freelance taxes stuff. I found a woman named Susan Lee through her extremely informative website Freelance Taxation that is full of information that any freelance artist can learn from. She also has a radio show called You and Your Money that you can listen to on WBAI 99.5 FM in New York City and is available for private consultation. I went to see her last week and had all my questions answered. Money and money related issues can be confusing and obnoxious to creative business people, so a specialist who can help you along your way (and is available to do your taxes too) is a god send. Tell her I sent you if you make an appointment.
To Reduce TearsI’m not sure if I am new to this trick or getting in on the big secret way late, but blogs have started circulating the simple solution to onion cutting tears. Simply soak the onion in water first. I tried the method and it worked though I hope to test it a few more times to become a truly convinced believer. Why don’t you give it a whirl and see if you’re as pleasantly surprised as I was.
at McCarren ParkThis Saturday was the sixth year of PS 132’s Kite Festival in McCarren Park. It’s a fun-filled family day that will only be more fun once our little one is able to attend next year. Aside from the kite flying, there are food tents, crafts for making either custom fairy wings or superhero capes and entertainment – including dance routines from students.
from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 34th Street, between 10th & 11th AvenuesWith 50 mile per hour winds, it may not have been the most brilliant day to bring my family to the Highline Park, but even the threat of getting whisked away didn’t damper the experience (well, except for my nephew Bixby, who found the threatening winds to be not at all to his liking). It’s taken me this long to finally see the lovely park that itself took so long to be realized. Once a functioning freight rail the structure sat unused and rotting for decades until The Friends of the Highline saved it from destruction and helped to build the new, sprawling park that offers great views, lots of room to relax, and various wild flowers. It also “offers a hopeful model for industrial reuse for other cities around the world.” I certainly will be trying to make more visits as the weather continues to improve.
Click here for the rest of The Highline
Perfect Smokey EyesSmokey eyes were always an elusive trick staring up at me from the pages of magazines. How to’s in everyplace from Sassy to Vogue would promise the ease of the effect, but it never proved quite as simple as i hoped. I bought the Pixi Lid and Line a long time back during the Target pop up shop with reserved excitement. I’ve had easy, flawless smokey eyes any day I want it ever since. It’s not the cheapest drug store eye product on the market, but it’s one I’d never go without again.
Egg Plant PetThis little guy, purchased on a whim at Sprout, is downright adorable. Called Nyokki! (which means “grow!” in Japanese) he sprouts green “hair” that you can style or cut. The shop only had the froggie, but the company also makes a rabbit, a cat, monkey, duck, and bear as well as special holiday ones like a skeleton, black cat, jack-o-lantern and snowman. Too cute!