3 Bikini

2006-10-05T02:43:00.000-04:00

Random Video of the Week: How to Fold a Shirt

Wow.

Update

2006-09-27T19:30:00.000-04:00

It seems Channel 9 news was covering the story this evening. The newslady --complete with newslady hair-- was interviewing the tenant while I was walking home. A fellow Newswalker mentioned that Channel 7 had covered it earlier today.

Tenant Ousting and The Ratner Effect

2006-09-23T12:05:00.000-04:00

The landlord of a rent stabilized building on Dean has added cinder blocks to tenant's windows in an effort to evict a hold out occupant who has been in the building since 1967. Said landlord probably hopes to sell the building before the AY construction begins.

The cement blocks and turning off all hot water is meant to make the building so inhospitable that tenant will be forced to leave. One of my Newswalk Neighbors has put the resident in touch with South Brooklyn Legal Services Corp, a group who represents some of the tenants in the footprint of the Ratner AY proposal.

Some legal Stuff:
According to "A Tenant's Guide to New York City's Housing Court"
In most situations, a landlord may not attempt to evict a tenant without first bringing the tenant to court and obtaining a judgment of possession and a warrant of eviction. If your landlord has changed your locks or turned off heat and/or electricity in an attempt to evict you, you may bring an Illegal Lockout Proceeding against your landlord in Housing Court. Under New York State law, a tenant who has been put out or kept out of his or her apartment in an unlawful manner may be entitled to recover triple damages.

I am not sure if the occupants have started court preceedings. Nevertheless they have resorted to grassroots efforts posting this sign in their window:
"We still live here don't lock us in."

Links (sans B) Art stars Edition

2006-09-13T21:02:00.000-04:00

Banksy show in LA [Super Touch Blog]

Taxicat [The Cobra Snake]

Misfortune [Indexed]

The Dinosaur Cartoon [Gaping Void]

I've been a bad blogger

2006-09-11T22:22:00.000-04:00

I GOT THE JOB! I have therefore been in the process of resigning and brewing fresh panic about major life changes. At least its almost fall and mornings smell and feel like static electricity.

Lite Posts

2006-09-06T20:46:00.000-04:00

Lite posts this week because I itch.

I itch because I am waiting to hear from a potential employer

and my anxiety is manifesting in hives.

Photo by Jeannot7

New Establishments

2006-09-04T10:35:00.000-04:00

On a walk yesterday we discovered two new hangouts that shared a trend- tiny venues on the ground floor of a brownstone.

The unnamed shop above on Union in the Slope offers free wifi, and a really sweet little garden. It's got a Euro vibe with stone floors and brick interior. I would do away with that funky brown spherical mass of twiggy things in the front-- otherwise it looks like a great place to blog and surf the web away from the crowds at the Tea Lounge.

Similarly, a brownstone on Hoyt in Boerum hill boasts a new Epicurie and Wine Bar in to open in October. Any one know anything about this one?

2006-09-02T23:19:00.000-04:00

robot dance

Rainy Day Entertainment

The Oracle is Back

2006-08-31T18:45:00.000-04:00

The Pintchik time and temperature sign is lit once again after weeks of brownout power saving. I feel like an old friend has returned. I don't wear a watch, so I run on Pintchik time. Not that it helps once I am at the train station, but a quick calculation tells me exactly how late I will be.

In addition to providing time and temperature, there apparently used to be a writer/oracle in residence that answered questions mundane and exotic. There are rumors that back in 2003 Mr. Jonathan Safran Foer was said oracle. See this New Yorker article for more: ORACLE ON FLATBUSH

Today the Oracle was advertising a "meet your mate at Melt" $3 drink special.

One can once again be timely, dressed appropriately, and dating thanks to the return Flatbush Oracle.

Scrabbled

2006-08-29T23:07:00.000-04:00

Tal kicked my arse at the Scrabble today. How is it that a self proclaimed grammar nazi such as myself, daily correcting such Tal phrases as-"we shoulda went", can lose by more than 50 points to the man? Impossible. I lose every time. EVERY TIME.

Photo on Flickr by Kenton Library

Wine Exchange

2006-08-27T11:02:00.000-04:00

Leaving Beast Thursday after a delectable meal of scallops and garlic squash puree (I know so sophisticated at a joint called Beast), we happened upon The Wine Exchange at 595 Vanderbilt. I know its 595 Vanderbilt because it says so on the neon sign on which they also provide their phone number. You never know when you will need 5 bottles of Veuve Clicquot in a pinch, and now they are burned into my brain like the sun to the cornea on a bright day.

Generation Gentrification marches on...

Trash Gnomes-Dean Street

2006-08-27T10:54:00.000-04:00

Atlantic Yards Hearings BLINKS

2006-08-25T19:13:00.000-04:00

Pol parade — windbags and wonks [nolandgrab]

Supporters out in force, opponents go the distance [Atlantic Yards Report]

First Public Hearing Held On Atlantic Yards Development Project [NY1]

Raucous Meeting on Atlantic Yards Plan Hints at Hardening Stances [NY Times]

Atlantic Yards Public Hearing: Race Card Played [Curbed]

Interview Corporate Speak moment of Zen

2006-08-23T20:57:00.000-04:00

I have had a week of interviews and I must say that I am no good at stress management. I thought I would take a moment to purge all of those icky words that give me the shakes and cause me to drink.

Proof of Concept
Super User
Business Requirements
ROI
Functional
Teaming
Optimize
Metadata
Stakeholder
Cross-Functional
Consensus

Phew. That's enough for now. I feel better.

Silver Spoon closed

2006-08-21T21:13:00.000-04:00

The Silver Spoon on Flatbush between Bergen and Dean is closed. I find this particularly disturbing even though the tables smelled of wet dog and were perpetually sticky. No one else makes my scrambled eggs so dangerously close to salmonella yet so delicious with a side of buttery grits for under $5. The whole wheat toast came with the usual grape jelly cubelets and was really white bread with a bit of flavor. The note (above) indicates that the diner will reopen after renovation. My guess is it will go the way of the rest of Prospect Heights, all of the character will be renovated away leaving us with the memory of what once was.

Anyone know of another greasy spoon that makes runny scrambled eggs and grits?

City Island Excursion

2006-08-20T10:29:00.000-04:00

After a subway ride beginning at the J from Atlantic, switching to the 4 at chambers which ran local, 30 minutes to 125th street, switching to the 6 for another 20 minutes to Pelham, and finally a bus on the BX29- we finally made it to a skinny Island in the Bronx called City Island. Phew.

While I love Brooklyn, we occasionally venture out to audition the burbs for family raising potential. My boss is from City Island. As she is a pretty hip producer lady married to an Irish Brain researcher, we thought the Island may suit us?!

This house sure suits me. It is a quaint story book house with a garden to match. To top it off at the end of the block there is a private beach for the homeowners on the block.

This is a picture of one of the local bars on City Island Avenue reminiscent of the shanty town that the Island used to be. According to Forgotten NY: Since it was first settled in 1761 its lifeblood has been the sea, with shipyards, sailmakers and oystermen predominating. I can see old time sailmakers and fisherman hanging out at this spot smoking hand rolled cigarettes and taking slugs of rum recalling stories of the sea.

We snaked up and down the streets off of City Island Ave for a bit. The selling points are the opportunities to share stories with ship folk, the sweet houses, and year round water views. However, the commute will have me clawing at the bus windows ready to hurl myself over the bridge. Onward....

Video of the week

2006-08-18T08:47:00.000-04:00

Click the flash or quicktime links to view the movie of Chuck's balancing act. Chuck belongs to Dooce.

Flash video

Quicktime movie

Blight or Flight?

2006-08-15T19:49:00.000-04:00

The Temple of Restoration recently added a placard with their name over the front doors. Someone must have left the Temple a bunch of money, as they have added not only the sign, but stained glass detailing with the word HOPE to the main window, marble entry steps, and decorative fencing between new brick pillars.

I noted several buildings on Dean that appear to have experienced the benefits of a facelift themselves. The restoration placard served as a sign to the neighbors that it was time for some sprucing up...

So I thought it was funny/strange when I read No Land Grab's post regarding Empire State Development Corporation's Blight Study in conjunction with the Atlantic Yards Plans. Included in the study was at least one if not both of the buildings below (they are in a row of 5 and three are earmarked as blighted).

Last week the owners of this house set out planter boxes. (This morning they were mysteriously missing)

This one received two fresh coats of gray paint, a new light fixture outside the door, and a repaved front walkway in the last two weeks.

I wonder if the owners are aware that their homes are considered a threat to public safety. They sure do look innocuous with their facelifts. Perhaps the owners are getting ready to sell, and these are not the blighted. In the spirit of restoration- develop don't destroy!

Tragic

2006-08-14T19:09:00.000-04:00

Photo by THS Tom THS on flickr

I had planned on writing a cheery recap of the Dean Street Block association meeting today, however an unlikely turn of events has shifted my concern from 10 year projects to the present. A co-worker who is somewhat poorly pieced together, or rather comes apart easily (a sign of a highly creative and thus neurotic soul) experienced the tragic loss of his son.

While Louis and I have very little direct contact, we shared an office wall for several years and I was privy to everything from intimate family conversations to battles over the failed realization of a director's vision. What makes Louis stand out is his selection of adjectives and employment of hyperbole while on the speakerphone. In an office with a view of a park, he chooses the clutter of personal plants and tapestries to the treetops.

I have passed his son in the hallway when he visits- a handsome, cocksure teenager with rebellious eyes and dark shaggy hair. The kid was feisty, always ending phone calls with a snarky comment for his dad, never letting his old man get the last word. Their battles were playful and witty, rarely meanspirited. I was entertained by them, suppressing giggles and rolling my eyes behind our shared wall. They didn't know I listened, but it made the day go by. I felt like the canned laughter from the audience that bolsters the show.

Thus it came as quite a blow this afternoon to learn that Louis' son was found face down in a pool. I can see it in my head, but have a hard time reconciling the angsty voice on the speakerphone with the image of a lifeless body in a suburban pool. All of the feist escaped into the water and a great kid silenced forever. It is indescribable tragedy. I will miss his voice, and can only conceive of a fraction of the loss.

Cook the Mother Not the Baby

2006-08-13T16:37:00.000-04:00

Photo by riomanyi on Flickr via Brooklyn Record.

At a friend's bridal shower this weekend many people approached me asking when we were going to have a baby and I got to thinking about motherhood and how it changes a person. I remembered the battle author Amy Sohn is embroiled in in the blogosphere about the same...

Amy, author of the Mating column in New York Magazine, is having a hard time navigating the Madonna/Whore complex. Let Whore represent cool in the aforementioned complex. Amy claims, "My goal is not to look like a mother so much as a still-young, still-cool person who just happens to have a child" in her NY Magazine article.

She has written for years about love and sex a la Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw. Amy is now a new mother, and as society has a hard time viewing mothers as sex symbols, or even people who have sex (with the exception of our Madonna in whom both can live concurrently forever without question). Amy is trying hard to reconcile her disparate selves. She has transmuted what could be a cute byline du jour Sexy single gal columnist goes milk stained wet t-shirt mama-to Inane author invoking feminism goes vitriolic on stay at home moms. I think Amy's real fear is concern for her career as a sex and mating columnist as she buys into the idea that mother's can't be well rounded, still possessed of sexuality, contributing members of society. Therefore she must fight to retain whatever cool factor earned her a column in the first place by bashing women who embody motherhood.

Mr. Nice Guy, is a Park Slope dad who's snarky blog response to Amy's attack on the Stay at Home mom is well worth reading. Click here for Mr. Nice Guy's smackdown with Ms. Sohn.

Amy Responds here

Whether or not to rent out my empty womb remains TBD.

Brooklyn Flavored Wallpaper

2006-08-10T20:39:00.000-04:00

Since I featured Brooklyn flavored Ice-Cream, why not look at Brooklyn flavored wallpaper? Twenty2 are the newest darlings of the design world, breathing new life into mylar from granny's powder room. Featured in the likes of Elle Decor, Martha, and Metropolitan Home, the husband and wife team of Kyra and Robertson Hartnett toil away in Brooklyn creating hand painted (read pricey) wallpaper. With names like Promenade, Montague, and Columbia Heights, is wallpaper back?

2006-08-09T21:52:00.000-04:00

A woman's three year self Portrait project in 1 min.

I find this mesmerizing.

Blinks-Brooklyn Links

2006-08-08T08:30:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Brooklyn Celebs [NY Post via Brooklyn Record]

Gowanus Lounge Talks Red Hook on WNYC Brian Lehrer [GL]

Dry Dock vs. Ikea [A Brooklyn Life]

Halstead's Mid Year Townhouse Report [Brownstoner]

The Atlantic Yards Project [NY Times]

Storefronting: Dumbo Report [Curbed]

Spotlight P-Heights Newswalk Phase III

2006-08-06T14:35:00.000-04:00

The third phase of Newswalk has begun. The Developer, namely Shaya Boymelgreen of Gowanus Village fame, is selling the first floor units which have been unoccupied for 3+ years. We have been waiting for the Certificate Of Occupancy and an amendment to the offering plan for the units to become salable.

The units are divided between two brokers. The lower tier goes to Aguayo Huebner, the original sales team to represent the building, and the big ticket Penthouse units are represented by Sotheby's.

I am unimpressed by the lot of them, expecting more light and air. The Penthouse apartments (irony of PH on the first floor not lost here) are gargantuan, with the most expensive clocking in at $2.7 mil. This space is an oddly laid out long rectangle. Upon entry you are met by a room with no windows they are calling a study. I suppose someone could stick a kid in there if one didn't mind light deprived but well rested little ones. The room seems better suited to be someone's darkened computer lair.

Next you enter the kitchen and dining area with slate like granite on the backsplash and worktop. I'm not a big fan of slate, but the Sotheby's kitchens had an ample grey and pale wood palette- looking to court the sleek tech junkie new construction consumers. You then climb two stairs to a raised area they are calling the living room, but there aren't any windows here so it's a bit gloomy. Finally, you reach the end of a long stretch down two stairs to a rec center, bedroom area and two car garage. Yes, a 2 car garage, in case you have a Hummer or something.

Sadly, the details that make an apartment a big ticket item were overlooked. The wood on one of the glass partition's banisters didn't meet the right way, and you could see the dried glue between the edges. Additionally you could cook an egg on the cement patio today, which makes it virtually unusable in prime patio months. Whoever buys this one has some customizing to do....

I did find a lovely space in apt 110, asking price of $1 million through Aguayo Huebner. The positioning of the apartment off of two gardens in the brownstones across the way is lovely. There is an overhang that shielded the wooden deck from the sun, and picture window like architectural details on the patio made the view from the tiny tiny bedroom just right. I would love to live there if I were never to have kids (no window in second bedroom) and I could while away my days next to the plants drinking tea and reading the paper. It felt almost like a European courtyard. Still there is only one bathroom, but there is central a/c. Too bad its out of my price range. But for anyone who wants to live in Prospect Heights in a full service building, this apartment is my pick.

For more reading on Shaya Boymelgreen Developer extraordinaire here are some links:

Blight, Like Beauty, Can Be in the Eye of the Beholder [NY Times]

Rivals Rumble in Dumbo [NY Times]

Leviev Boymelgreen Update: With Divorce in the Air, Will Gowanus Village Become Goa Estates? [Gowanus Lounge]

Keur N'Deye -Delicious Senegalese

2006-08-06T12:09:00.000-04:00

Tal wanted to try the Viennese place in Fort Greene that was rated highly on some site. Turns out the "ese" we landed at was in fact Senegal-ese, a cool surprise.

Parched from walking in the sun I was ready for some ice cold tap water. My first sip was wild, the water tasted like black licorice. It had been flavored with Anise seed which is used mostly in the foods of Southeast Asia, and apparently Africa.

According to Answers.com, "Anise seeds have been used as a digestive for centuries, and in India they're chewed after a meal not only for digestion but to sweeten breath." Hmm... I can eat spicy food and have lovely breath and a stomach steeled against upset. I like it. Alot.

The next new flavor came from the olive oil dip served with warm crusty bread. It was a pickle and olive relish, more anise seed, and some peppers minced together to create a chunky, fragrant blend of flavors.

Although we played it safe with the main meal, Tal ordered a goat cheese omelet, and I ordered a chicken wrap sandwich, there were interesting bits throughout. My wrap had a spicy orange colored sauce that gave the marinated tender chicken some bite. It was served with a healthy pile of thin fries, and some pear slices. Yum. Tal's omelet had hearts of palm and asparagus mixed in, and a salad on the side.

Don't miss a stop at the shower/sink in the restroom. You turn the traditional looking shower handle in what looks like a stall and from about 5 bamboo spigots water drops from above like rain. I had a little bit of trouble turning it off-I had to go through several intense moments of high water pressure and cursing, but I finally got it, went back to the table, and sipped some licorice water for calm.

Little Miss Sunshine

2006-08-04T21:49:00.000-04:00

We went to BAM tonight to see Little Miss Sunshine, and came away with canary yellow t-shirts that read "Everybody Pretend to be Normal".

It takes place somewhere in Arizona (filmed in New Mexico), where a dysfunctional family is forced to endure each other on a road trip to California on their way to the Little Miss Sunshine Beauty Pageant. Abigail Breslin, steals the show as a pot bellied, waffles a la mode orderin', 1970's coke bottle glasses wearin' kid who dreams of winning a beauty pageant. The movie opens with Olive (Breslin) watching a tape of a Miss Universe contest mimicking the winner's face and arm movements. She rewinds and replays-three times.

Greg Kinnear plays her father, a vulnerable man turned 9 step self help guru in an effort to avoid being dubbed a loser. He is a WINNER, his family must be winners, but life keeps dealing him a crap hand.

Toni Collette does a nice enough job as the supportive, tough, mindful mother and sister who holds everything together even though she is wilted and pissed off at Kinnear's pipe dream to sell his 9 steps. I wanted more from Collette....

Paul Dano is another show stealer as the Nietzsche obsessed, pale, mute by design. He carries a pad and pen for emergency communication such as- "Don't Kill Yourself Tonight"- passed to the depressed, suicidal, gay Proust scholar Steve Carrell. The two are forced to sleep in a room together so Dwayne (Dano) can insure that Frank (Carrell) doesn't off himself in the night.

Alan Arkin is great as the sex obsessed crotchety old timer who feels its his duty to educate his grandchildren about the world: "Dwayne (Dano), this is the voice of experience talking. Sleep with many women, not one woman, many women. They're all jailbait now, once you turn 18 its all over."

Throw this bunch into a VW bus that must either be parked on a hill or pushed to reach 20mph shifting through to 4th gear- and the most heart warming quirk emerges from the mix. If you like your comedy dark, and your families honest and funky- this is a worthwhile $10 in Brooklyn.

The audience clapped.

We all scream for Ice Cream

2006-08-03T19:34:00.000-04:00

Among the many ways to beat the heat, Ice Cream is the best choice by far.

I found out about 5 Boroughs Ice Cream via Apartment Therapy. The founders came up with the idea on their couch in Astoria, inspired to create a flavor for each neighborhood of the city. While we haven't gotten a chance to try it yet, here's a review from Eden of Brooklyn:

1.) Dear Scott and Kim,

Last night I discovered Bakla - Wha!?, and I'm impressed. I loved the flavor and the inventiveness of the concept behind it, and most of all, the fact that its a local product. I've been inventing ice cream, sorbet, and unholy frozen concoctions in my apartment for years now, much to the sometimes delight and sometimes consternation of my friends. There seems to be a pretty solid divide on my Black Pepper Ice Cream and Chocolate and Cayenne Pepper Ice Cream recipes. But the fact that you took a dream and ran with it impresses the hell out of me. Go get em!

-Eden, Brooklyn, NY

Yay for ice cream makers who support the community using local vendors and flavors for inspiration. 5 Boroughs shops at Sahadi's in Brooklyn Heights for their chocolate and other good stuff.

Related Links:

Dumbo Ice Cream Death Match: Jacques Torres vs. Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory [Gowanus Lounge]

Building for Sale on 6th and Bergen

2006-08-02T19:56:00.000-04:00

What was once home to Castor and Pollux, is now for sale. I feel better about the fact that the store is no longer baiting me to blow my paycheck daily, though I do have some gorgeous gold leaf shaped earrings and a delicate Phillip Lim top to remember it by.

Here are the specs:
Several weeks ago it was selling for $1.25, but has since been updated to a cool million. The building is a 2 Family Brick, attached on two sides, built in 1931. Each floor above the store has a 1+ br apartment with eat in kitchen, and one full bath each. The store garners an estimated rent roll of $3500/mth.

The only real downside to me is that it is doors down from the police station, where you get to watch the accused being escorted to and from the paddy wagon to their holding cells. There's definitely some good drama witnessed at the window outside the 24hr cell, as we learned last weekend when what we assumed was a girlfriend and her mother berated a captive inmate.

Takers? Call Wendy at (917) 299-0224 I believe she is the owner as it was originally an FSBO, although it may now be represented by a broker.

My First BLINKS (Brooklyn Links)

2006-08-01T21:54:00.000-04:00

Heat Wave Fun: Renderings of McCarren Pool...with Water [Gowanus Lounge]

Athlete's Foot? Communal Yoga Mats May be the Culprit [OTBKB]

Why Your Basement Floods [Callalillie]

Gang Member Draws 22-Year Sentence in Murder of 15-Year-Old for an iPod [NY Times]

For a Mobster’s Home, a Cool $1 Million Price [NY Times]

Roulette [Apartment Therapy]

Bertha Lewis Defends ACORN's Deal with FCR [Brownstoner]

Frontin' as Super Gear

2006-08-01T21:25:00.000-04:00

Ever wonder about the store on Fifth Avenue between 5th and 6th Streets that has bottled oddities such as Time Travel and Brain Fluid? Wired Magazine debunked the myth that Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co can "help with your nemesis problem." If you are truly in search of capes for your crusades, invisible to visible goggles, go go gadget arms, or whatever, you are out of luck at this storefront. Instead what you will find behind the velvet curtain are small children cranking out stories that employ the storefront facade in the battle to vaporize your enemies.

Novelist Dave Eggers created 826 Valencia, the first of 4 whimsical tutoring venues, in 2004. Eggers and 826 volunteers believe that "great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success". Agreed, and making the venue a stand-out denizen of creativity can't hurt for fodder.

Cloud for Today

2006-07-31T20:57:00.000-04:00

Last week I read an article about the Cloud Appreciation Society. Read their manifesto at the link. Its something like- "we pledge to fight blue sky thinking". Think on that, and ponder the creepy finger cloud photo by Jorn C. Olson.

99cent Store to 67cents

2006-07-30T14:34:00.000-04:00

The 99c store at the corner of 5th Avenue and Warren is going the way of gentrification. Get your major steals! Up to 80%- That's 20 cents!

Click here for a map of 99c stores throughout Brooklyn.

Comment Moderation is Poop

2006-07-29T23:08:00.000-04:00

To all who commented and did not see your comments posted, I have just learned to turn comment moderation off.

Go me.

I do so appreciate comments! Keep them coming.

Hooray for local Farm Fare and Seasonal Ingredients

2006-07-29T10:04:00.000-04:00

We had every intention of checking out Flatbush Farm, formerly Bistro St. Marks, last night. We pass this place regularly and always say we should try it. The menu is still a bit limited as the main restaurant hasn't yet opened for business, and while the farm fresh fare sounded delicious, I wanted something heartier. So we ambled into the Slope to the longer established Rose Water on Union. It was my first time and it was memorable.

It's a cozy little space with hand painted tiles as the only adornment on beige walls. The banquets were covered in a cool mid century blue fabric. One small corner has a sliver of bookshelves running up it. While it was a wee bit chilly for a girl in a summery top, the number of bodies probably warranted the serious A/C.

I soon forgot my chill once the olive bread and focaccia basket came along. Instead of your standard olive oil dipping sauce, Rose Water offers up a roasted garlic spread surrounded by oil. Heaven.

Next we ordered the Meza plate, an appetizer of 3 dips, olives, and feta cheese. This was my introduction to the complex flavors the chef plays with. Last night's dips were a Romesco (Spanish red pepper and almond blend), corn and caraway puree, and finally a minted pea puree. While the minted pea was not our favorite I was wholly impressed that it tasted as verdant as its color. The corn and caraway was lovely as was the Romesco. The texture of the feta was creamy and perfect for mixing with the dips.

For the mains- Tal ordered the pork loin, which I tasted and can say that it was tender and delicious, if only a touch salty. It was accompanied by cranberry beans, mesquite chorizo and bok choy.

I chose the fried clam appetizer as my main and was not disappointed. The dipping sauce was a garlic infused creme fraiche, and decadent. The clams themselves were battered in what I can only describe as something similar to curly fries! Yum!

For dessert- A tangy goat cheese cake with a raspberry sauce that was perfect for me, but Tal wanted sweeter.

We walked home full and tipsy... Perfect.

Time Out NY Looks at Brooklyn

2006-07-27T19:15:00.000-04:00

Photo from Newington on Flickr

The War For Brooklyn

Coney Island Redux

2006-07-26T20:23:00.000-04:00

A whole bunch of wee little jellies

Insert Jaws theme here

I prefer them in a roll with a bit of avocado and cucumber

Color coordinated Love

This man is awesome. He was salsa dancing with anyone who would have him on the boardwalk accompanied by a band and his hair.

Old Skool

Park Slope Indie Design Market

2006-07-26T19:43:00.000-04:00

We were rained out of the Design Market, however the above link is to Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn who has a nice round-up.

Ken has fallen on some rough times

2006-07-25T21:30:00.000-04:00

Raw Chicken and Fishes

2006-07-25T20:20:00.000-04:00

We spent Sunday at the NY Aquarium ogling various underwater species at length. My favorites were the jellyfish. If I were ever to be in the water with one I would certainly swallow my tongue, but at a safe distance they are the most amazingly enticing and sensuous creatures. We watched the smaller ones for some time as what seemed like saran wrap inflated with water and hundreds of tiny cilia like legs propelled it up and up to the top of the tank and back down. The aquarium had this creepy blue light and ambient alien music playing in the hall of jellies, and I was lulled into a stupor before baby screams and OPC (other people's children) bumping into our knees sent us packing.

Pictured above is the West Coast Sea Nettle, or the Chrysaora Fuscescens. The caption read, "It's sting hurts, but Sea Turtles and Ocean Sun Fish eat them."

Once we left the Aquarium we walked the boardwalk for a time to discover a plethora of raw chicken breasts in their telltale yellow packaging littering the boardwalk. What are people using raw chicken for? Turns out that crabbers (those who aim to catch crabs for dinner) use this as bait in a wire mesh baskets tossed out into the Atlantic. That's wild. What would draw crabs to an animal that has feathers?

Here's what one crabber claims works for him, "raw chicken necks or raw fish heads. Most local grocery stores carry chicken parts you can use for crabbing. Some crabbers swear by bull lips. Others use salted eel. Bait shops and dockside fish markets will also sell you leftover fish heads."

MMMMMMmmmmmmm.......fish heads.

Ice Cream Run and Bocce Ball

2006-07-23T00:08:00.000-04:00

As the rains had us locked indoors most of the day watching movies, we decided to head out for a walk to Uncle Louie G's in the slope to get our chocolate fix on around 10pm. The husband got a thick chocolate shake, and I got my favorite ice with the chocolate bits in it.

On our approach to Union from 6th we noticed a crowd of 20-30 somethings clustered outside of Union Hall Bar. I had read a bit on the various blogs about this newcomer that opened July 9th, but was astounded by the number of people filling the insides and spilling out to the outdoor garden area. According to Brooklyn Vegan, the place is over 6000 square feet with two bocce ball courts, food, and a downstairs 100-capacity music/entertainment room set up by the folks from Magnetic Field.The owners like them some Bocce Ball, as they are also co-owners of Floyd Bar on Atlantic Avenue, home to a year round Bocce Tournament.

Perhaps we'll stop by on a weeknight for a quiet drink to snap some indoor pics and more reporting on the scene. It had a real gentlemans/cigar club look through the window with floor to ceiling stocked bookshelves,jewel toned couches, and portraiture. I wonder if the decor will affect ale choices, or if the reigning beer will be PBR.

Image via Brooklyn Vegan

2006 UNION HALL SCHEDULE SO FAR (ripped from BVegan)
august 4 - PAGE FRANCE + guests
august 5 - OPPENHEIMER + THE METRIC MILE
august 6 - EUGENE MIRMAN + friends (every Sunday!)
august 7 - SILVERSUN PICKUPS + DAYLIGHT'S FOR THE BIRDS
august 18 - THE MUGS
august 25 - THE ROSEWOOD THIEVES
september 14 - FINIAN McKEAN + MOORE N SONS
september 21 - FREEDY JOHNSTON + CHRIS MILLS

Spiked Political Punch with Zefrank

2006-07-21T20:35:00.000-04:00

The Show with Zefrank

To Do This Weekend

2006-07-20T20:13:00.000-04:00

Animation Block Party

The Party will kick off this weekend at three locations, click the links for times and directions: Automotive High School, BAM, and Galapagos artspace. This year features indie shorts, professional studio works, exclusive world premieres, and the best international student films. Galapagos features a panel of animators talking about the genesis of the NYC animation experience.

Via Violenta Free Concert & Video Shoot w/ free beer

A fun fellow who founded an underground performance art troupe called Deep Dish Cabaret, sent along an email about a free concert he is sponsoring in a Brooklyn backyard. Saturday July 22nd. RSVP to info@ghentmag.com for directions and time.

The band Via Violenta cites Tom Waits, Blonde Redhead, ATDI, Charles Mingus, Notorious BIG, British Sea Power, Ricky Gervais, Funk Brothers, Dylan, Fugazi, Skip James, Sparklehorse, Minus the Bear, we're not the Beach Boys, Libertines (The), TV on the Radio, Talking Heads, Lennon, Arcade Fire, Gang of Four, The Fall, Django, Sly Stone, Dostoevsky, Blur, Police and Thieves, Interpol, Can, (enter obligatory Pixies reference here), Nick Cave, Nick Drake as influences...

Food for...A Feast for the Eyes

The Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition (BWAC) will hold its 28th annual Summer Art Show this year at a Civil War-era warehouse in Red Hook from July 22 to August 20. The year's theme is Food in honor of the new Fairway. Opening day festivities include a Meet the Artists Reception and a jazz performance by the Broken Reed Saxophone Quartet.

Park Slope's First Indie Designer Market

Designcollective will be showcasing Brooklyn's design stars with a sale at The Old Stone House Saturday the 22nd from 10-6. The indoor, air-conditioned, market offers the public the first glimpse of the forerunners of fashion in apparel, handbags, jewelry, children's clothing, accessories, and paper and lifestyle goods.

Frank Gehry can do Small

2006-07-19T23:46:00.000-04:00

We on the footprint of the Atlantic Yards know that Gehry can do gargantuan wonky matchstick buildings:

But did you know Gehry does small?
Frank Gehry Designs His Smallest Project Daily Olive

110 Livingston Street Unveiled

2006-07-18T20:13:00.000-04:00

We, who are counted among a select (read large) group of Very Important Persons (read one of many to sign up online), made our way to 110 Livingston for the Grand presentation by a man who's system was clearly trying to metabolize an extraordinary amount of caffeine. He apologized if he sounded robotic, claiming that he has been putting in 17 hour days and running on loopy.

Our first stop in the model was a moment to ponder the hinges on the door to the closet. Per our salesman hinges are important- and he noted they were not fake brass- for he would walk right out the door if he were looking at a place that had fake brass hinges because they indicate shoddy construction on the rest of the building.

While the above mentioned man babbled Bosch, Viking, Washer Dryer... I eyeballed the space Superman style building floorplans and specs in my head.
Everything seemed shiny and new with West Elm, and DWR furnishings. Here are pics of some of the interior furnishings in the model apartment. For the full experience, picture sitting on the couch across from a flat panel TV. Ambient electronic music plays as images of the building and lifestyle flash onscreen.

The bathroom seemed a bit small, they separated the shower and bath which ate up some sq footage. Our friendly salesmen did have many floorplans to show us (from a very large prospectus book) ranging from small living rooms and larger bedrooms, to large 2 bedroom 2 bath spaces with nice sized living rooms for around 800K depending on the floor. For an 1100 sq ft space this seems mighty reasonable for the Brooklyn Heights area.

One catch, the tax abatement doesn't kick in until year 2, which has you looking at a $1500 monthly nut on top of your mortgage. There's the clincher friends. And so its not for us. But for some the NY Times"Playing the Sex Card" article has me wondering about if those sexy hinges will move anyone...

Fun Fact: The entry to the current sales office will be the entrance for a theatre (plays) attached to the building. How's that for panache? Two Trees Management has recently completed the wireless project in Brooklyn Bridge Park, and now they are dabbling in thespian interests....

For Whom the Bell Tolls

2006-07-16T17:14:00.000-04:00

Scene: Pacific Avenue N/R train- Coney Island Bound

2 wilted women and 4 children crowd the stairs as we are about step onto the platform. One of the women asks with a deeply southern inflected voice:

"Do y'all know how to get to Whitehall Street or the Statue of Liberty?"

"I'm afraid you missed it."

"But it should be around here, they said it was the last stop in Manhattan on the R."

"Well, actually this is Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn."

"Oh Hell's Bells. We're in Brooklyn?"

"Yes Ma'am. Welcome to Brooklyn!"

In a Clinch

2006-07-15T19:33:00.000-04:00

Image from Tom Fletcher

Each day I check my 3bikini mail and reply to anyone who says hey. Much to my surprise, after my post on the Atlantic Yards Affordable Housing coverage, I found two emails written by representatives from FCRC and DDDB. They looked so innocent nested one atop the next-seemingly satisfied to live as neighbors in my inbox.

A very likeable and enthusiastic Mr. Francis Morrone, NYU professor, author, and member of DDDB made a bid for my support for DDDB in an email.

Francis writes: "I was one of those DDDB presenters who failed to persuade you, or I guess to get our point across as clearly as we had hoped. By that I mean that no one among us opposes dense development of the Vanderbilt Yards. It is something we have been praying for for years for just the reasons you cite. Unfortunately, the yards themselves represent only a small fraction of the proposed Atlantic Yards site.... It's not a choice between Atlantic Yards and the status quo. It's a choice between responsible and irresponsible development."

Francis we are on the same page. I do not agree with the scale of the project as it stands, but hope to see some good come from development.

The next email in my box was from Jim Stuckey, Executive Vice President and President of Atlantic Yards Development Group. Wow. An EVP from the big baddie is contacting Moi?

Jim Writes: "I read your write up on our affordable housing information center the other night, and appreciate your open-mindedness. I would be happy to tell you and your neighbors more about our development, the potential impacts and benefits, and answer questions that you may have. If this is of interest, please let me know. Thanks."

I do appreciate Mr. Stuckey reaching out as it seems he's willing to answer questions and of course he commended my open-mindedness which makes my liberal art college educated bleeding heart swell.

My goal is to try to remain neutral and make decisions based on information from both sides to determine what is in the best interest of my building, family, and the community.

So let's keep the lines open Jim and Francis! Make the big baddie less big and bad.

Runway's Back

2006-07-12T23:06:00.000-04:00

My heart leapt out of my chest when the rain turned Project Runway into scattered DirecTV pixels just as the judges were deciding who would be sent home. The first challenge was to use everything in their Atlas apartment to express who they were as designers. Running with scissors!! The contestants scrambled from the roof where they were sipping champagne with Heidi to their rooms where they tore the walls, floors beds, and bathrooms to shreds as fodder for their designs.

There are three NY designers in the bunch, one of whom is from our very own Brooklyn. Allison, a one woman show who designs, styles, and models the clothes for her shoots created a pixie capped sleeve rouched number from curtains.

Malan is representing for LIC Queens, but he is quite the cosmopolitan sophisticate born in Taiwan with an accent from..well...I'm not sure really.

Laura is a coiffed red-headed upper east side lookin' architect and mother of five. She kind of reminds me of Cruella Deville and she created a jacket from a fur rug that I can definitely see Cruella wearing. Except the rug would be puppies.

The finals came down to Robert or Keith, both used Duvet covers to swathe their models in cute modern preppy chic. (although Keith credits a Carole Burnett episode and Robert Westside story as inspirations)

Robert's garment

Keith's garment

This was made from coffee filters. I am absolutely impressed.

Bring on the Wed night fix.

Art and Commerce

2006-07-12T18:32:00.000-04:00

Ratnerville affordable housing Roundup

2006-07-12T18:01:00.000-04:00

A co-worker attended the Ratner affordable housing meeting yesterday and came away with some good information. First: she will not qualify on her income, which means they are actually making an effort to hold the properties for families in need. Second, the project will not begin until 2008, giving us a breather here on Dean Street for at least a little while. And third, there will be both rentals and units for sale in the plan, which I hadn't realized.

We had a meeting in our building the other day with speakers from DDDB going on about how the scope and depth of the project is outrageous and there have not been any accommodations made for traffic on subways or roads, schools, waste and electricity management etc....

I am on the fence about the project. While I think that my area will become congested and don't agree with the displacement of hundreds under the auspices of eminent domain, I do think some good may come of developing the railyards into something for the community. No matter what the opponents say, Pacific Street is sketchy, and not in a good old fashioned "character" kinda way that the daily heights crew longs for, but in a harassing women at night drug addled garbage filled shady loiterers kinda way.

Atlantic Yards Report and No Land Grab have some good coverage of the affordable Housing meeting:

Stuckey, Lewis face restive, skeptical crowd at AY housing session

AY Affordable Housing Session Coverage

Spotlight: Dumbo Development

2006-07-08T22:38:00.000-04:00

I thought I'd pop over to check in on the progress of the projects in Dumbo and Vinegar hill this weekend. Everything seems to be moving, with new spots cleared for next big thing. Despite the changing face of the neighborhood, the park was full of people enjoying the sun, especially the guy banging away at his bongos wearing the leopard print fez. Despite the impending doom of skyscrapers multiplying like rabbits, the creative spirit is still alive and well. Neighborhood artists covered the construction sites with paint and installation art.

99 Gold

Are we back in Miami again? Nope, this is 99 Gold, a Developer's Group project that the husband thinks looks like a luxury cruise ship docked in cement. The greeny bluey windows and angled balconies make it a bit much for our taste. But its sure come a long way.

The Vista

What's this? Another Corcoran number in Vinegar Hill/Dumbo area? Yes.
No pictures yet as they have not broken ground, but I'd love to see it as the 640/sq ft sounds suprisingly affordable for the area. Methinks it may have to do with location. They seem to be in phase 1 of the releases as there are only 7 apartments listed, perhaps prices will rise?

JCondo

JCondo is old news. But look how she rises! A sign of the times to come in my neighborhood, JCondo and the Beacon are supa tall. It gives us a real sense of what will happen once Brooklyn goes Manhattan.

85 Adams/The Beacon

The Beacon should be cool, but its not. It looks like it was lifted out of a 3-d rendering program. The windows are little slivers and the cement block above the entry make it look like a cubist jail.

Fulton Landing Condos

Fulton Ferry Condos are my favorites of the bunch. Not that I could afford them. The location isn't perfect overlooking the trash area of the River Cafe-but the proximity to Brooklyn's best pizza and ice cream sell me. It looks like the Developers are really trying to maintain the character of the building, even with the silly shutters. I bet they are fantastic inside.

Related Links:
Postcard from Dumbo: Three Developments
Brooklyn's New "Gold Coast" Condo Conversion Launch Party
Dumbo adding pachyderm-sized projects
A Trip to the J Condo

Walkabout: Dumbo/Heights

2006-07-08T19:36:00.000-04:00

Back to Brooklyn

2006-07-07T17:41:00.000-04:00

This Baptist church on Dean was built in 1892. It's in the middle of intense renovation, and I pass it every day on the way to and from work. The latest additions are a brick arched fence topped with lanterns, and glass to fill the damaged window. Let the light shine in.

Culture Clash

2006-07-06T21:59:00.000-04:00

While I considered living in Florida for a nanosecond, the last visit put me in the just can't do it camp. While there are plenty of things that make Florida attractive, there is something missing. Or rather something that can't be taken away. Like the tackiness factor. Strip malls and lemon haired ladies wearing Guccipradalicious. Diamante studded denim, tweaked noses and fake boobies on leather faced highball carrying seniors.

Florida is like Los Angeles after too many cigarettes and long weekends in Vegas.

My saving grace after pastel overload was a store called Base that housed dolls by Camille Rose Garcia. Garcia creates gothic cartoonish cupie dolls. A good counterpoint to the plastic outside...

Another great surprise was found lining the floors of Base. These leaf photos were converted to lino tiles and looked perfect in the doll's house. I would love to see how these would look in a funky homeowner's kitchen or bath.

Flaah-rida

2006-06-29T22:07:00.000-04:00

We are off to Florida tomorrow to visit my parents for the 4th. I hope to take some pictures of the "up and coming" design district, and visit the shops on Lincoln road. (Lincoln Rd. is cool pedestrian strip with everything from art galleries to the Gap). Maybe I'll find a spot of beach that does not have a condo on it to set up an umbrella and apply 45 sunblock in an effort to maintain my Brooklyn pallor.

Trash Luxe

2006-06-27T20:47:00.000-04:00

Continuing the trash luxe thread from homocorps, I thought I would take a look at a trend dubbed the same in NY magazine re: Brooklyn. NY Metro followed the trail that gave low brow thematic furniture and accessories a second life with an ironic application of luxe materials and techniques. The timeline follows the first Brooklyn Design show to Jason Miller's antler lamps and duct tape chair.

I am a big Jonathan Adler fan. In my humble opinion, I think Jon A was a key player in the trash luxe movement taking granny furniture from stodgy and tired to upscale chic with an injection of color and wit. Originally hailing from Jersey, his aesthetic is retirement Miami meets South Beach.

Kelly Wearstler in LA has a similar, if not a bit more haute aesthetic. She rescues Louis XIV chairs from flea markets and revives them with colorful, modern fabrics.

Taking the trend to Brooklyn, designers Jason Miller, Tobias Wong and Hivemind Design added NY sarcasm and a hint of the absurd to the mix. Using irony and the idea that "trash" either in the class or refuse sense, is treasure- these designers came up with the following

Jason Miller Duct Tape Chair, Antler Lamp, cracked vase, porcelain cupcake and permanent dust table. Photo from NY Mag

Tobias Wong Bullet Proof Rose
Just plain cool.

HiveMind Design Stag Mirror
The Stag mirror by HiveMind design took the hunting and camping theme and made it resplendent and soft with the etched baroque feeling.

The above designs upped the anti adding a dose of NY art school conceptual to the trash is treasure idea. Miller has the most fun with it, and his experience working with Jeff Koons is evident in his table that looks like it is covered in dust. The cracked vase with exagerrated flaws is also notable. I am not so keen on the $5k duct tape chair, but the idea is cool.

More on modern Brooklyn designers in the coming weeks.

CBGB's last homocorps

2006-06-26T22:16:00.000-04:00

Where do you go if you prefer leather to feathers for pride weekend?
CBGB's for some of this!!!

As many of you may know CBGB's is closing this fall. I am part of a film that is documenting the last days, so I spent Saturday night capturing the very last, very fab- HOMO*CORPS.

The organizer and headlining act was Dean Johnson of The Velvet Mafia. His six foot seven (sans heels) sculptural frame was swathed in a wet look black dress and large pearly baubles. As he danced the pearls moved in opposition to his hips.

Also in attendance were the The Gay Pimp - Jonny Mcgovern With Adam Joseph, who had the crowd squealing like Gucci little piggies.

I am tickled to have shared the night with a great crowd and god-awful drinks. (We love you anyway barstaff) More on the documentary in the coming weeks.

Pretty Things

2006-06-24T14:13:00.000-04:00

This is part of PS 33 behind the Key Food on Fifth. It's on Quisenbury Drive/Gregory Place.

I love the sinuous curves of the stone railing on these buildings. There is something about the combination of the stone, moss, rain and the lines that create an ambiance. It feels mythic, and for some strange reason I think of Jim Henson's movie the Dark Crystal.

A lovely stained glass window in a church on Prospect Place

Incoming

2006-06-24T13:31:00.000-04:00

Meet Beryl, former home of the Ebay guy on 6th Between Bergen and Dean. It is an eclectic little shop that peddles pillows, jewelry, and handbags. Methinks they hope to takeover the Castor and Pollux traffic, despite a different aesthetic. They are often closed during the week, but I will try to get the scoop on their wares next week.

Work has begun on the former home of Mama Dukes restaurant on the corner of Bergen and Flatbush. Rumor has it that the landlords at Pintchik raised the rent making it impossible for P-Diddy's ma to stay. Pintchik says that's not the case. I secretly hope this becomes a lovely coffee shop with wi-fi and plush couches where I can hole up and blog with a cup of russian caravan tea and a cranberry scone...It's a wee space, so that seems unlikely, but a girl can hope. Dreams may be dashed however as it seems that a Dunkin' Donuts may be coming up the street on Flatbush.

Adam's Books on Bergen between Fifth and Flatbush is a quaint used bookshop where Adam, I presume, can be found reading daily. The setup feels like a great college bookstore with free standing shelves and a casual atmosphere.

Generation Gentrification-Prospect Heights

2006-06-23T18:14:00.000-04:00

I have lived on Dean Street for a year and a half, and in that time the Underberg building has come down and two residences have gone up on Dean. For more on Underberg and pre-demolition Flatbush visit Forgotten NY.

Here is a shot of the Corner of Flatbush and Atlantic today:

Does anyone know what's up with this building on Flatbush and Dean? It's been vacant as long as I can remember.

Some new development on Dean. I believe that some of the brownstoner public might label this one a Fedderite. Despite the absence of A/C units, Fedderite has come to mean heinous fortress of freshly built brick business.

This one on Dean and Carlton looks more promising, and has sexy innards. Got the scoop on these?

Super Bigtime Daddy

2006-06-22T22:55:00.000-04:00

While it has nothing to do with Brooklyn, its too good to miss. He's the orange slice retro super bigtime daddy. This video was posted on You Tube by Gregory. Gregory is a fellow Apartment Therapy fan who's apartment will be featured on "Small Space Big Style".

Brooklyn Blogfest!

2006-06-22T22:36:00.000-04:00

As I am new to blogging, I thought it would be a good idea to get out and see some of my favorite Brooklyn Bloggers chat about what they do at Blogfest.
There was a great turnout, and despite the heat the crowd was lively hootin' and a hollerin' when their favorites got up to the mic.

In attendance: (Thanks for your insight all!)

Brownstoner - Brownstoner was mysterious, disguised with a trucker hat and glassless frames in order to keep his day job. (We love you brownstoner!) He also spoke about his new site The Brooklyn Record which is our guide to what's happening around town.

Design*Sponge I am envious of the ever stylish Grace. She was able to quit her day job to become the voice of modern design in the blogosphere and in print. Last evening young Grace donned a smart white summer dress with a red belt. A personal favorite combination. Yay.

Daily Heights Daily Heights is leaving town?! THE HORROR.We may need to fill the void. Find their new site here

A Brooklyn Life Mixed CD's, hurrah! Coupled with A Brooklyn Record this site provides the skinny on what's happening in Brooklyn.

Atlantic Yards Report This issue is close to our hearts and our home. We are on Dean Street, and the only building to survive once Ratner begins construction.

Gowanus Lounge Shout out to Gowanus Lounge for Blogging us!! Thanks so much for recognizing the blog.

Dope on the Slope Shout out to Dope for commenting on the site!

The View From Here

2006-06-22T19:30:00.000-04:00

I heart Prospect Heights. Future Home of Ratnerville.

Baby Suit

2006-06-20T22:57:00.000-04:00

This is Phillip Toledano's Babysuit. It is an apt representation of my procreation nightmares of late. All of the potential Chuckies and their flesh eating plasti-mouths make me want to claw at my face.

YUM

2006-06-19T18:58:00.000-04:00

Lately if I come accross something in a creamy shade of yellow or green I LIKE IT. ALOT. Bryan Kerrigan is an artist who makes architectural tile in Chicago. Apartment Therapy posted this today and I just want to cocoon up in one of those seafoamy green pop dots.

I am also loving the Dwell Trellis Sheets and Duvet in Butter. In fact, I got them in the mail today and can't wait to put them on the bed.

Inspired

2006-06-18T16:54:00.000-04:00

The internet's 6 degrees of seperation clicking leads to some amazing discoveries. I was out house-hunting this afternoon and googled the address of one of the open houses. One link led to another and I found Julie Peppito, who created the above pieces. They struck me in that they look delicious-candy colored sweets I want to swallow without chewing. Yet on closer inspection they are morbid representations of excess called "Wound and Virus". Perfect Irony. Wonderous. Chocolate and Bile.

House Hunters

2006-06-17T20:34:00.000-04:00

A favorite pastime when not drooling in front of the tv is wandering Brooklyn neighborhoods for hours. Whenever we pass a building that strikes me I stop to escape into daydreams of what my life would be like inside. The first house is a fairy vision of willy wonka meets Betsy Johnson. In the second, a cape cod afternoon would be spent on the porch sipping boozy lemonades. Finally the limestone building with surrounding greenery would contain a french bulldog with bat ears and several little ones in white eyelet dresses.

Candace and Tal's Whimsical Nest

2006-06-17T20:20:00.000-04:00

When we are not watching "Face Eating Tumor" on Discovery Channel, I am surfing blogs for great new design to furnish our first place. Here are two of my favorites Apartment Therapy and Design Sponge. We even entered a contest on Apartment Therapy a few months back. Above are a few pictures from our entry.

2006-06-17T10:29:00.000-04:00

This arrived in a package from Drugstore.com the other day. It is baby formula, and in case you are having trouble reading the note it says "I swear I didn't order it! (Someone trying to tell us something perhaps?)". As we have been in discussions about the whole impregnation thing we thought this was kind of funny. Funny not in the haha way, but in the cosmic delivery of requirements for an as yet unconceived baby's survival kind of way.

I Committed

2006-06-16T18:59:00.000-04:00

Today I committed to creating a blog. I was panicked and pit sweat stained and it took a full 40 minutes to come up with a name but here I am. The original name was Paralysis Analysis, which at this moment would be apt as I am completely faplutttzed coming up with something to talk about.

An introduction would be good. I am a thirty year old woman born on LonGIsland who now resides in Prospect Heights Brooklyn with my companion in Geekdom husband-Tal. He loves me even if I can't stay focused for more than 10 minutes without umpteen interruptions asking why our masterplan to take over the world isn't working.

Tal and I are Media junkies who work in related fields and his mouth waters every time a new gadgety thing comes out. I am less interested in the gadgety thing itself, and more interested in why I didn't come up with that...