my mother gets credit for finding this one: the graham & co hotel in phoenicia, ny.
seriously, i’d pack my bags this second for a weekend of hikes, bikes, fire pits and hammocks in the Catskills. wouldn’t you?
their branding is great, too. i love how they describe themselves: an update on the traditional weekend away. like this place, the vibe seems to be like summer camp for adults in the best possible way….probably with a lot less attitude, though.
(images courtesy of the graham & co website)
…right?
this is from last year, but i did kind of the same thing this year, just in a slightly different place. the weather wasn’t the best, but that’s kind of okay. i’m still trying to figure out where i put all my summer clothing and i need to get my beach bag items figured out. i like to keep it packed so i can just grab it whenever and go!
i love hearing about everyone’s summer plans. my brother is going to turkey and some greek islands. i have many friends going to the south of france in a couple weeks. (for work. pffft.) anyone else doing something fun?
(instagram photo by laurakinsey)
and gong hey fat choy! (happy new year)
i thought i’d take a trip down memory lane and look at some pictures from when i was in shanghai and hong kong two years ago. i had a great time at the bird market, the night market, the museum of city planning, an acrobatic show, and looking in all the shops. i drank coffee mixed with green tea (weird tasting to me but very popular), had amazing dim sum, and tried to eat a head-and-shell-ON shrimp with just chopsticks. that was hard.
i remember there was a lot of “big news” from around the world while i was in china… the earthquake in haiti… conan was removed as host of the tonight show… the chinese government was not pleased with a proposed arms deal between the US and Taiwan… and google’s decision to ease up on self-censorship in mainland china was making waves. (i was traveling alone, and newspapers were my dining companions on this trip.)
here are some little links from around the web to get you in the chinese new year mood…
-vogue’s slideshow of dragon-inspired gifts
-recipe for Chap Chai, a yummy-sounding Chinese New Year dish from Chopstick Diner
-go on a food-centric walking tour of NYC’s chinatown
-take a walk down grand street and keep an eye out for vendors selling durian, that kind of stinky ugly fruit. i have enough fun watching them scoop it out of the rind…
(top two and bottom two photos were taken in hong kong, middle photos were taken in shanghai)
i hadn’t gone up to midtown to see the twinkling holiday decorations or store windows for a couple of years. on friday, after a lovely dinner right next to the fireplace (here), mk and i went for it… the crowds are a kind of a drag but you have to just go with it. pretend you’re the only people on the street.
my favorite windows were at Bergdorf Goodman… love the giant birds wearing feathery dresses, and the girl with the loooong neck standing next to a giraffe. the Gaga windows at Barneys were also a sight to see… do you want to live in a room where everything is made of hair? where there is a swirl of hair in a picture frame made of hair? rest on a hair sofa and gaze out a window framed in hair curtains? bizarre-o but cool.
want to see where the evening ended? look here.
and… you have to watch this:
(bottom two photos are windows at Barneys; photos above are windows at Bergdorf Goodman. taken with my iPhone)
ideas for what to get that city-dwelling guy in your life who kinda already has everything he might need… he’s slightly nerdy at heart but has developed a sense of style and quirk over the years, perhaps. if that sounds like anyone you know, then take a look!
1. shoulder bag; 2. contrast color cashmere scarf; 3. watch; 4. a pair of very cool shoes; 5. striped long-sleeve tee; 6. new glasses; 7. luggage tag; 8. star wars journal; 9. portable flash drive; 10. warm hat; 11. eco-socks
gifty ideas for an animal lover with a sense of humor AND a sense of style? yes, please.
there is a lot of this out there:
don’t do this to your friends or relatives who like doggies kitties bunnies whatever. they won’t forgive you. i’m serious.
1. karl pillow; 2. bookends; 3. set of tumblers; 4. Iti cat lounger; 5. mugs; 6. wall sconce; 7. pig butter dish; 8. madison ave. tote bag
ho, ho, ho! the first bklynprairie holiday gift guide is here, for your eyes only… enjoy!
there have been years when i’ve put up a string of snowflake lights and called it a day. but really, if i had my way and all the extra time, energy, and money in the world, i’d be more inclined to go all out. any of the above would suit me just fine. at least for starters. and i guess it’s pretty clear… i like felt.
clockwise from top left: wooden tree, candelabra, nativity scene, lights, glass ornaments, paper gnome, snowglobe, felt wreath, felt flower ornaments, felt garland.
