fortheloveofit

Penny for your water

2009-09-21T10:30:00.000-07:00

(image found on Flickr via City Water)

I just came across this article on the TapIt water blog, which I've referenced before for their initiative of placing water refilling stations in cafes and stores around the city. TapIt reports that Michigan's governor, Jennifer Granholm is trying to pass a bill that would place a penny tax on bottled water. Her proposal is being challenged of course by the International Bottled Water Association and brings up a valid question. In Michigan's slow economy, could a single cent inhibit people from purchasing a bottle of water and instead encourage them to opt for the tap? I certanly hope so.

Hideaway

2009-09-21T10:05:00.000-07:00

I've never been to Europe, but think that when I do I'll most definitely make Slovenia a stop on my trip. This Central European country roughly the size of New Jersey is considered a hidden gem to seasoned travelers. Ljubljana, the nation's capital beautifully displays its Baraoque and Art Nouveau influence in its architecture while the Julian Alps and Lake Bled shock the senses with their grandeur. The Soca River Valley pictured below was also the setting for a few scenes in the movie The Chronicles of Narnia.. Isn't that color breathtaking?

Urban Dwelling

2009-09-17T14:01:00.000-07:00

I think all of us city dwellers realize that taking the subway or riding a bike to get to our chosen destinations is better for the environment, even if it puts us at risk for a close encounter with a stranger we weren't necessarily prepared for. David Owen, a staff writer for The New Yorker makes the case more convincingly in his book, Green Metropolis.

"...Manhattan, Hong Kong and large, old European cities are inherently greener than less densely populated places because a higher percentage of their inhabitants walk, bike and use mass transit than drive; they share infrastructure and civic services more efficiently; they live in smaller spaces and use less energy to heat their homes (because those homes tend to share walls); and they’re less likely to accumulate a lot of large, energy-sucking appliances. People in cities use about half as much electricity as people who don’t, Owen reports, and the average New Yorker generates fewer greenhouse gases annually than 'residents of any other American city, and less than 30 percent of the national average.'"

Not bad, huh? This is good news on top of New Yorkers already feeling quite proud of themselves for countless other things. It's nice to know however, that the circumstances of an average New Yorker's day to day life are contributing to the greening of the world. Now, if we can only do something about the falafel trucks and their styrofoam containers...

Room Envy

2009-08-21T13:32:00.001-07:00

I've been obsessing over home interiors lately and Kazu Makino and Amedeo Pace of Blonde Redhead's apartment is no exception. I love the comfortable and casual feel this place exudes. I'm envious of that "I just threw this together, and oops, it looks amazing," vibe this apartment pulls off perfectly.

(via Small Adventure)

250 Years of Guinness

2009-08-20T14:03:00.000-07:00

Guinness beer celebrates it's 250th anniversary this year. Check out some of their old advertisements below, I like the one with the ostrich looking smug and content after swallowing an entire pint of it! I'll have to do some celebrating of my own this weekend by ordering a cold glass..

(images via Cool Hunting)

Best Dressed

2009-08-19T14:05:00.000-07:00

Boy, am I loving this dress. Do you ever see something and think, "That would just look great on me!" Although a little self indulgent, that's what I thought to myself when I saw this gorgeous dress...I don't see an issue with knowing what would and wouldn't look good on yourself, right?

(found on 13bees)

Roald Dahl

2009-08-19T13:22:00.000-07:00

One of my best memories as a kid was taking summer road trips in our family minivan down south. My parents used to remove the middle seat and my older brother, my younger sister and I used to spread out and play games, (which would often turn into a mini wrestling match) read books, and try to entertain ourselves for the hours before the next rest stop on the highway. At the end of the day, my Dad would open a book and read to us aloud in his best school teacher voice as we drifted off to sleep with the constant humming of the engine in the background. A few of my personal favorites including The BFG, James and the Giant Peach and Matilda made appearances on more than one occasion.

(image of Dahl's writing room via The Guardian)

Pictures worth a thousand words

2009-08-18T14:19:00.000-07:00

(images found on Etsy via bomobob)

I found these cool photos while perusing Etsy today. Wouldn't they look great on a wall blown up? I like the dreamy quality the photographs portray, they make me want to travel across the country in a convertible equipped with a tent and a camera, taking pictures along the way..The red one is actually a shot of a "Fire Run," a Catalan tradition called Correfoc involving what looks to be some pretty stunning dancing and fire demonstrations.

Decorating madness

2009-08-17T11:21:00.000-07:00

I think I've mentioned this before, but I recently moved - as in over a month ago now and am still trying to figure out what will work best for my apartment decorating wise. As I get older, I realize I care more about the places I live and making them comfortable and uniquely my (and my roommate's) space. I've never been a huge decorator, always preferring a simple and clean look over lots of kick knacks and clutter, but never quite knowing what exactly my style was. Romantic? Modern? Vintage? Shabby Chic? (oh god, I hope not shabby chic) So, my goal is to make the most of a spacious (for New York standards) apartment and bedroom that will make me happy without breaking the bank. Below are some rooms I'd be head over heels to hang out in.

(image via Style Files)

(images via Emma's Design Blog)

President Obama

2009-08-06T14:56:00.000-07:00

"Obama is a multiplatform natural: He’s done books and audiobooks; he commands audiences on both YouTube and from the podium; he BlackBerrys; he makes a nice photo. He recognizes that, in the same way a blog can’t survive on just one post a day, a presidency can no longer survive on one message per day or one press conference per year. Instead, you have to turn on a fire hose."

New York Magazine

President Obama knows what's up.

Inspiration

2009-08-06T13:21:00.000-07:00

irregular flow from 4khz on Vimeo.

I came across this video today and just think it's really nice to look at and listen to. I have no idea how people who make videos do something like this, but it's pretty cool.

No Reservations in Detroit

2009-07-28T12:52:00.000-07:00

My roommate and I used to very much "enjoy" watching Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations on the Travel channel. And by "enjoy," I mean we shared a mutual crush on this guy and would eagerly watch and laugh at everything he said. In the show, Tony happily travels and eats his way through different countries, which, in my opinion is a dream job. Monday night's episode (which I sadly missed) featured food in cities from the Rust Belt: Baltimore, Buffalo and Detroit, Detroit being a place where my roommate and I both share familial ties. Check out the clip below as well as Tony's personal account of hard-ass Detroiters...

Anthony Bourdain's blog, July 27: Detroit. Where just about everything cool originated. As angry as one gets looking at block after block of abandoned row houses in Baltimore and wondering how the hell that happened, it's mind boggling to see how far Detroit has been allowed to fall. But what a truly magnificent breed of crazy-ass hardcase characters have dug in there. Of all three cities we visited, Detroit, oddly enough, even while looking the jaws of death straight in the face, remains closest to being a true culinary wonderland. This is due entirely to the successive waves of migration and immigration from all over the world, when people came to MAKE things in America -- each group bringing their own food and traditions. Detroit IS the story of America, for better -- and worse, and I think we've missed that, allowed ourselves to look away. Detroit, after all, made us who we are. Literally. A country of cars, highways, car culture, upward mobility, rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and what were once, unlimited dreams. Whatever happens next, Motown, Eminem and the Stooges' "Fun House", at least, shall surely outlast the automobile.

Sweet teeth

2009-07-27T14:43:00.000-07:00

I've got this perpetual sweet tooth that won't go away. I realize that claiming chocolate as a favorite food isn't helping the problem either. So instead of eating mini candy bars at work everyday around 4pm, maybe I should start baking? I've been having these grand ideas of teaching myself to cook and bake recently, possibly having to do with me just moving into a new apartment. Although the kitchen is not large by any means, a new place can sometimes spur creativity. Hmmm, now I'll have to get a cute apron to wear while I do this hypothetical baking. I can see it now..

(Images via Lottie + Doof)

Eat, Love

2009-07-22T15:11:00.000-07:00

Marije Vogelzang discovered a new way of looking and thinking about design when she started Proef studio in Amsterdam. Here, she experiments and develops new and creative concepts with food as well as thoroughly entertaining a number of lucky guests.

(images via Wallpaper)

The Fartorialist

2009-07-21T10:44:00.000-07:00

(via The Sartorialist)

While I regularly browse The Sartorialist web site, I can't help but think that while beautiful, the people start to look the same after a while. The trends start becoming repetitive and unoriginal. It seems that only wealthy people in the fashion industry get photographed, and I wish he'd mix it up a little more. Maybe include people that have re-purposed or made their own clothes altogether? I don't make any clothes myself, but wish I could and have nothing but respect and admiration for people who possess those skills. I could just be bitter because I've sworn off buying clothes for a while, but it's always nice to be inspired by things that are actually attainable for most of us. I still love Scott Schuman and think he's very talented, but I couldn't help but chuckle over The Fartorialist.

Missed Connections

2009-07-14T11:52:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure how many people have actually made any sort of connection through Craigslist's "Missed Connections" link, but I have definitely been on the site a time or two, (out of pure curiosity, I swear). People post little descriptions of someone they might have made eyes with on a train platform or accidentally bumped into at the bar without introducing themselves. The point of the site is to bring two strangers together in this big, scary city and artist Sophie Blackwell illustrates actual messages on her blog, Missed Connections. She captures these little fleeting moments perfectly.

via Cool Hunting

Sour

2009-07-10T12:40:00.000-07:00

Check out this video from a Japanese band called Sour for their song, "Hibi no Neiro." They commissioned their real life fans to record themselves doing certain tasks that resulted in a pretty awesome music video.

Urban Gardening

2009-07-08T14:12:00.000-07:00

(Photos by Lucas Foglia)

I'm always happily surprised when walking through the streets of New York, I notice a hidden garden tucked into this huge concrete metropolis we all live in. I especially like it in unsuspecting neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Growing your own food has become more important because of heightened economic and environmental awareness, as well as a growing sense of community-mindedness. The images below are from the Somerset Community Garden in South Providence, Rhode Island maintained by a group of local families. The idea makes me feel so good that a community can work together and become healthier and more environmentally aware together. I wonder if one exists near me? Especially love the little girl's expression in the first picture...

(GOOD Magazine)

Venice Biennale

2009-07-07T14:35:00.000-07:00

I've never been to the Venice Biennale or to Italy at all, but I'm quite sure I would enjoy it. Eleven Heavy Things by Miranda July is showing now through November 22. She's a performance artist, musician, writer, actress and film director. I initially remember noticing the bright yellow book jacket cover of No One Belongs Here More Than You: Stories when I worked at a bookstore a few years ago in Michigan. I remember the website for that book and how simple and funny it is. Putting into words those awkward and strange things about life that affect everyone in some capacity. Her exhibit at the Biennale consists of eleven outdoor sculptures she proposes people to pose and take pictures with. July's work is odd and inspiring, too bad I can't take a much needed European vacation to take a peek! Someday...

New Room

2009-07-02T09:29:00.001-07:00

I just moved to a new apartment in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. It's a beautiful red building and my roommate and I now happily occupy the top level. The bedroom that I moved from in Manhattan was small and dark, as was the whole apartment, come to think of it. Great location, not so great apartment. I now have more light and space than I know what to do with. Tough situation, isn't it? I'm planning on taking some time to decorate cheaply and think these rooms offer some pretty inspiration..

(Images from Living Etc)

David Sykes

2009-06-30T13:05:00.001-07:00

Photography by David Sykes.

Berlin

2009-06-25T13:43:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking a lot about traveling lately and one place I really want to see is Berlin. I love the language, despite it's abruptness and funny sounding words..

(image courtesy of inesbexiga via Flickr)

(images via The Sartorialist)

Pretty pictures

2009-06-24T14:14:00.001-07:00

A talented friend of mine, Jenny Norris, took these pretty pictures. They make me want to travel by train to somewhere mysterious and new. Check out more of her photography here.

Elephant Hotel

2009-06-23T11:05:00.000-07:00

(Image courtesy of Brooklyn Based)

Each time I venture out to Coney Island in South Brooklyn, I try and appreciate its famous past in the various rundown elements that still exist there today. Sometimes this is hard to do, seeing the place for the first time a century after its heyday. There's always been a mysterious curiosity that accompanied the ideas of what Coney Island was once like. Apparently pretty racy, seeing as the Coney Island Elephant existed. A 122 foot high hotel and brothel in the shape of an elephant was built by James V. Lafferty in 1885. The 31 roomed building which became linked with prostitution was eventually burnt down in a fire 11 years later.

Bored to Death

2009-06-22T13:18:00.001-07:00

I'll be moving into a new Brooklyn apartment in a week (yay!) and have been debating on whether or not to order HBO. This preview has solidified my decision as a firm yes. All of my favorites in one show..can't wait.

Uniqlo calendar

2009-06-19T08:36:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across this super cool Uniqlo calendar today. Miniature flowing images of different Japanese cities are featured along with the weather and some music. Click on the landscape and a mosaic of clothing items appear in a color-coded mosaic of tiles.

Brooklyn Flea

2009-06-17T14:12:00.000-07:00

(photo courtesy of Brownstoner)

I've spent the last eight months living in Manhattan and one of the things I miss about my old neighborhood is wandering into the Fort Green Flea Market on summer Saturdays. Since I'll be moving back to Brooklyn in about two weeks, I'm very excited to be able to frequent the market again. I don't know if I've ever even bought anything there, I just love looking around and checking out all the little shops and food stands. I take that back, I bought some corn on the cob with cheese and some tamarind juice once and it was excellent.

The Guerilla Drive-In

2009-06-17T09:07:00.000-07:00

I was just thinking about how I wanted to start going to free outdoor movie screenings this summer when I came across this post on Good Magazine's website. Some smart people in Pennsylvania are taking this idea one step further and showing films in different locations - like Repo Man in a junkyard, Caddyshack on a golf course and Ghostbusters in a haunted fort! You have to follow a series of odd instructions on the website to get a secret access code to find out where the locations are, but hey, it could be worth it. It involves some mysterious thing called a MacGuffin, hmm. The Guerilla Drive-In website could use some work, but it seems like a better way to enjoy a movie than elbowing through the crowds at Bryant Park.

The Uniform Project

2009-06-15T12:04:00.000-07:00

I came across a posting today about a designer here in New York who vows to wear the same dress for a year straight, in the name of sustainable fashion. I recognized this girl right away from riding the elevator with her in the building where I used to work. I always thought she looked super cool and chic, so no wonder she can pull something like this off! Her name is Sheena Matheiken and you can check out all of the details of her project at The Uniform Project. She began with seven identical dresses designed to be worn in a variety of ways and everyday plans to reinvent her look by adding different accessories and layers. There is a real point to this project as well - she'll be collecting donations to be made to the Akansha Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps educate children living in India, which is also where Sheena grew up. Seems like a pretty rad idea, but would require more planning and creativity than I ever have energy for each morning..

Free Food

2009-06-11T14:04:00.000-07:00

(image via The New York Times)

The New York Times Frugal Traveler blog did a write up of all the restaurants and bars around the city that offer free food. Seeing as I enjoy pinching pennies time and again, I was kind of excited. I mean, most people I know are already fully aware of the free pizza you get at select dive bars in Brooklyn when you purchase a beer. It's mostly just a huge piece of crust with a little bit of cheese, but who cares, it's free! Read the article to discover grub (other than pizza) that you can munch on with any kind of happy hour drink. I'm keeping a list..

TapIt

2009-06-04T12:44:00.000-07:00

I was sitting on the steps in Union Square just now eating lunch, when a girl with fringe cut bangs came over with a survey asking me to fill it out. I thought, oh god, not another help the children, help the lesbians, help the homeless people spiel. Although all very worthy causes, they usually talk your ear off and then ask for money, which I wasn't in the mood for. The survey introduced a service called TapIt, and after reading what they offered, could not believe it didn't exist yet. TapIt is a water bottle refilling network which allows New Yorkers access to free water on the go. Establishments sign up to become "partners" with TapIt and offer free water bottle refilling stations. There's an application that you can look up on your phone when you're on the street and the locations where TapIt is offered pop up! I love the idea. My only downfall in buying bottled water is the convenience and it seems it could be completely resolved with this.

Riding the wave

2009-05-26T14:51:00.000-07:00

I got back from Nicaragua early Monday morning. The trip was everything I hoped, an adventure with some good friends and a break from hectic New York City. The country is very poor, but very beautiful. The bright colored buildings and smiling faces of the local people made me anxious to explore the few places we had time to see, and also made the extreme heat more bearable. Hoping this will be the beginning of the traveling bug.

(image courtesy of Pedro78)

Green Effect

2009-05-13T10:22:00.001-07:00

I came across the Green Effect web site the other day and was very inspired by what I read. It's an initiative sponsored by SunChips and National Geographic which prompts people to come up with ideas on what they would do to "green" their communities if they were given $20,000. One of my favorites was a "veggie truck" that drives around your neighborhood around dinner time offering up fresh, convenient and cheap produce. Wouldn't it be nice to see this driving down the road in front of your house? Imagining something like this negotiating it's way through Manhattan traffic isn't really realistic, but Brooklyn, for sure!

(image via nomm de photo)

Spending less

2009-05-07T12:49:00.000-07:00

I've decided that I need to spend less money. I want to stop buying clothes I don't really need, meals that I could make at home, books that I can borrow from the library, basically anything that's not really essential at this point. Although I'm used to living within my means, I do occasionally overdo it and purchase unnecessary things. I'm not going as far as saying I won't spend more than a dollar a day, but I think it might be helpful to start writing everything I buy in a notebook. Since I'm not spending money, I can only admire clothes from afar. Aren't these outfits cute?

(Photos via Totokaelo)

Cinco de Mayo

2009-05-05T12:30:00.000-07:00

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican Army's victory against French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. I'm pretty sure I always just thought it was Mexican Independence Day, so here's to finding out a little more about this temporarily downtrodden country! It's been raining in New York City for the last couple of days and thinking about a warmer climate south of the border is making this day go by just a little faster...

(photos via Wallpaper)

The clothing designs above are by a woman named Carla Fernandez. She travels through Mexico finding communities that specialize in handmade textiles and works with them on a fair-trade basis to collect material for the label she designed, Taller Flora. I don't have the highest hopes of finding environmentally friendly fashion that doesn't look like a hippie crocheted it in the back of a van, but aren't these beautiful? Simple and structural with muted tones make it both high fashion and accessible.

Bon Iver

2009-05-01T09:02:00.000-07:00

This is the perfect song to listen to on a gray and overcast first day of May. I'm tired today and although I love listening to Bon Iver all the time, I especially like him when I feel like cuddling up in a big blanket and drinking a cup of hot co-co. He created his latest album, For Emma, Forever Ago alone, in his father's cabin in Wisconsin. I can't help having a huge crush on the album (and Justin Vernon).

Home

2009-04-29T14:14:00.000-07:00

I'm searching for a new apartment right now, and am realizing the things that are important to me as I grow up and become a (real) adult. Space, natural sunlight, proximity to a train, close to delis, laundromat and coffee shops to name a few.. I can imagine myself living in a place like the above photos. Aren't they nice?

(photos via Lobster and Swan)

Nicaragua

2009-04-20T08:26:00.000-07:00

In less than a month I'll be traveling to Nicaragua with a few friends for a week long vacation. It's the biggest country in Central America and also has the smallest population, so there's much that is untouched and free of tourists. We'll be swimming, surfing, climbing (and riding down) volcanoes, watching turtles hatch and visiting coffee plantations (yum!). Check out some of the sites:

Pierrot Le Fou

2009-04-17T11:50:00.000-07:00

Pierrot Le Fou is the story of a man who runs away with his children's babysitter and together they embark on a surprising cat and mouse journey from Paris to the Mediterranean. It's funny, with bits of absurd reality dropped in for good measure. Anna Karina is a stunning site running around and riding in a convertible looking effortlessly chic. Jean-Paul Belmondo isn't so bad either. This is the first Jean-Luc Godard film I've seen, and certainly won't be the last.

Hello

2009-04-17T09:44:00.000-07:00

Welcome!

So, I have to say that I’ve been intrigued with the idea of starting a blog for a while now. It’s intimidating because there are so many out there about any subject you can think of. What would mine be about? What would make mine different than anyone else’s? Why would anyone in their right mind want to read anything I posted? Would I care enough to post something more than once a month? I eventually thought, screw it. If the only people that read this are my parents, fine.

Marlene Dumas is a Dutch artist known for channeling themes such as birth, death, sex and violence into her work. The figures are beautifully haunting. I can definitely say I’m disappointed I missed out on her showing at the Museum of Modern Art this past December. The New York Times quotes her saying, “I am not one of those. I don’t go to a psychiatrist. I don’t go to a gym. I run away from my accountant, I run away from my dentist. They are all supposed to help you, but I like to stay in bed, where I have a chance to reflect, like Rossellini.” Coincidentally, I hate the dentist too…maybe I should try my hand at painting?