Grenkol

Not long ago, mine and sweet hubs friend, Ty, started a company called Grenkol.  Ty and his business partner, Brian, who share a love for woodworking, came together and make beautifully modern, yet natural furniture and home accessories.  I love their sustainable design and clean, modern lines.

In their own words:

"Grenkol is a furniture/product design studio based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. We work through modern shapes to create products truly unique to themselves. Our goal is to inspire space and environments with sustainable design approaches. We invite you to come see what we have made for you."

I'm particularly in love with their Domino Lamp series. I see myself owning one in the near future.

If you're in the NY/NJ area and want to check out their beautiful work in person, you can catch them tomorrow, April 17th at the "Not Yo Mama's Craft Fair" in Jersey City, NJ.

Visit their website: http://www.grenkol.com
Become a fan on Facebook.
Check out their Etsy shop.

All images courtesy of Grenkol.

Dream a Little Dream

Sometimes, you just dream of a place from your past and are so sad when you wake up.

It's true.

I'm missing the mountains right now.

Lake Toxaway, NC
Photo courtesy of Vij on Flickr.

Liquid Hand Soap - Who's the prettiest of them all?

As I've previously mentioned, I'm a sucker for good packaging. I'm currently looking for a great, wonderfully smelling, beautifully packaged and hopefully reasonably priced liquid hand soap.

When sweet hubs and I got hitched back in 2008, we had registered and received a beautiful bath set (the Palace Classic Bath Ensemble by Wamsutta) which included a toothbrush holder, a liquid soap dispenser, a solid soap dish, etc... unfortunately, the liquid soap dispenser rusted, so we had to dispose of it. Bed Bath and Beyond has since discontinued this series, so one can only assume we were not the only people who ran into issues.

The Palace Collection by Wamsutta

Anyhow, I've been searching around for the perfect liquid hand soap in a pretty package since it will be displayed with the remaining items from my bath ensemble set. So far I've come across some pretty excellent contenders:

Mrs. Meyer's - $3.99
Purchase here.

L'Occitaine - $22.00
Purchase here.

C.O. Bigelow - $12
Purchase here.

Bath and Body Works - $6
Purchase here.

Restoration Hardware - $14
Purchase here.

Murchison-Hume - $21
Purchase here.

So far my favorite has been the C.O. Bigelow in Lemon for packaging (I went ahead and bought this one), but scent and price-wise, I love Mrs. Meyer's lavender. Oh decisions, decisions.

To Become More Worldly

One of my goals in life is to one day become more "worldly".

I didn't do what a lot of people in my age group did in their 20's and spend their time travelling the world, taking advantage of the minimal responsibilities required at that age. Instead, I made the choice to work and go to school - and my choice in schools happened to be one that was in session year round, rather than on the semester system, which pretty much eliminated my chance of travelling, since for the two weeks I had between quarters was spent working.

But I digress. Now that I'm in my 30's, I'd like to rectify that choice and travel. I spend a lot of my free time researching where I could go and what I could experience. I'm clueless to the world - I'm an American girl to the core and have no clue how to go about travelling outside my great US of A. I can road trip with the best of them, but when it comes to other cultures and languages and currency, I'm lost.

I do have my first foreign trip scheduled in September. I will be going to Costa Rica with my husband and some friends. I'm looking forward to it, but I'm also scared. I'm sure once I get into the swing of things, I'll be just fine.

I've caught the travel bug from my dear friends Rob and Becky, who are travel connoisseurs and I'll be forever thankful for them awakening this new desire inside of me.  They're the best travel companions in the world.

My dear friend, Rob (left) and my sweet hubs (right) in Costa Rica in March of 2010.  Photo courtesy of Rob Knight and http://www.dphotoa.com.

Curiousity Shops

There is something so endearing about curiousity shops to me. I really can't explain it.

I came across one with an online shop today called DL & Company: Modern Alchemists and Purveyors of Curious Goods, and found the coolest thing - its a "Bust of Dierdre" candle. According to the description, the bust "cries" for the first several hours that it burns.

“Like an echo from the caves of coccamaura, i came forth whilst Dierdre wept cool tears” – from a celtic fairy tale. The bust, "Deirdre" was a true collaboration between the two of us. Mr. Little presented Mr. Sellers with the concept of crafting a weeping bust that cried tears of wax. Mr. Sellers sculpted the bust based on a neo-classical inspiration. The functionality of the piece is quite remarkable as the back of the sculpture is carved on an angle allowing for the melting wax to flow through the opening of the eyes.

If it wasn't for the fairly hefty price tag ($450.00!) I'd order one in a minute. Hell, I'll take two!

For more information and to order, visit the DL & Company website.

All images courtesy of DL & Company.

Hello there, Springtime!

The birds are chirping, the sun is shining and Spring is officially here.  It's beautiful out!

Since sweet hubs and I were on our road trip to Atlanta last week, we weren't here for the start of the beautiful weather, but we did manage to get home just in time for a mini-heatwave to hit NYC.  Yesterday, the temperature broke the heat record of 89 degrees (we hit 92 yesterday) for the first time since 1928 on April 7th!  Crazy!  We did get lucky and our trip down south brought us back home before the insane pollen hit Atlanta - I'm incredibly thankful for that since my allergies are hyperactive.  An "extremely high" pollen count is considered to be 120+, which is the amount of pollen particles measured in a 24 hour timeframe per 1 cubic meter of air.  Yesterday, Atlanta's pollen count hit 5,733.  That's like inhaling sand.  Gross.

Anyhow, I'm thrilled that the sun is out and beautiful weather is here.  Maybe it'll stick around for a while!

Fancy Foodage

This past weekend, sweet hubs and I took a road trip down to Atlanta to see two of our friends get married (congrats, to the new Mr. and Mrs. Glisson!). While we were down there, we managed to eat at an amazing restaurant called the Woodfire Grill. Maybe you've heard of it? It was recently brought to semi-celebrity-chef-restaurant status since the chef, Kevin Gillespie, was featured on Top Chef. But I digress - those of you who know me in person are well aware of the fact that I am a picky eater. I eat some veggies, pretty much only chicken where protein is concerned and the occasional ground beef dish. Not adventurous AT ALL.  Well, I decided to break out from my normal, boring choices since we were about to venture into the world of culinary royalty (in my mind at least).

Kevin Gillespie

I ate things I'd never considered - there was a little spoonful of beets and some other delectable vegetables - I gulped that down. Next came an amazing salad along with several super delicious appetizers, which included things such as mushroom risotto (I don't do mushrooms), fried pork trotters (pig feet?! ME?!), pan roasted diver scallop and pan seared sonoma artisan foie gras (I passed on the last two). Then came the entrees, which again, were absolutely divine. We were given pan roasted washington state halibut (so fresh!!), wood grilled local bobwhite quail (amazing!), wood grilled berkshire pork loin (such a wonderful taste!), and wood grilled sonoma artisan duck breast (from the same duck as the foie gras). Everyone was salivating the moment the plates came out. We also enjoyed roasted local sunchokes and smokey greens. Yowza!

Now, if that wasn't enough, they had some amazing cocktails - my favorite was the blackberry cocktail... unfortunately, I can't remember the exact name, but I thoroughly enjoyed the two (or three?) that came my way.

After dinner, it wasn't quite over - it was dessert time. Again, no complaints here. I must admit, these were some of the best desserts I'd ever had - and I am a sugar addict. We shared the lemon meringue tart, the ice cream sandwiches (the cookie portion being merangue cookies!) and some deliciously amazing caramel/banana/cake concoction. Wow. That was some amazing meal.

I have to thank my dear friends for exposing sweet hubs and I to this. I am in love. Between the AMAZING food, the wonderful conversation (we were lucky enough to be joined by one of the owners of the restaurant and the sous-chef, who prepared our meal that evening (Kevin wasn't in), it was an unforgettable evening.

Enjoy some eye candy, courtesy of The Woodfire Grill.

 

Derby Girls

My sweet husband decided last night to make a Facebook Group entitled, "Help me talk my wife into joining a Roller Derby team." because he wants me to be a derby girl. He for some reason thinks that I am a "closet bad ass" and therefore I should join.

I love him and his odd ways of trying to encourage me to do things I'd never do. As awesome and bad ass as I think derby girls are - I am a wuss and I'm fully aware of the fact that I'm a wuss, so I'm thinking this won't pan out as my new hobby. I won't crush his hopes and dreams though - he can continue to try and pursuade me, I just don't think he'll be successful.

Anyhow, if you'd like to join his cause, feel free to join his Facebook group:

Help me talk my wife into joining a Roller Derby team.

Photo courtesy of my real life bad ass derby girl, Heidi "Risky Biscuit"
Bell (part of the Rogue Rollergirls), pictured left.

Motion Pictures are Beautiful

It never ceases to amaze me after watching a great film, just how beautiful the art of filmmaking is.

My handsome husband was recently out of town for work so I filled my evenings with taking advantage of the Netflix "Instant Watch" feature. I chose some movies that I knew he wouldn't be interested in and some that I'd been eager to see, but just missed seeing when they came through the theatres. I also came across some that I'd never heard of.  Overall, I had a really good run and found some that really stirred some feeling deep within my soul.

That being said, I'd like to make mention of a few of my favorite movies, to share the enjoyment with others.

Lost in Translation

The Graduate

The Rules of Attraction

Seems Like Old Times

500 Days of Summer

Catch Me if You Can

Stranger Than Fiction

Say Anything

What specifically inspired this post today was a short film by Spike Jonze that I watched this morning, upon the recommendation of a co-worker.  The film is called "I'm Here".  It's beautiful.  Take a watch - it's only available online and apparently (at this point) won't be coming to theatres or out on DVD, so take advantage of it while its available.

Watch the full length movie: I'm Here

The Trials and Tribulations of Flowers

"Love of My Life"
Photo courtesy of Sarah Ryhanen on Flickr.

I have a wide variety of interests. Most people do, especially those who are "creatives". I must say, mine run the gamut of things that intellectually stimulate me.

One thing I really like are flowers. Not only like, but I LOVE flowers. I have come to realize this more and more as I've gotten older. I always have liked them - I have fond memories of the flowering lilac and forsythia bushes outside of my grandmothers house, which come rushing back to me every time I see those same flowers in bloom each spring and summer.

I went through a phase in high school where I didn't care for flowers at all. I chalk it up to teenage angst.

As I became a young woman in my early 20's, I told my boyfriends that I didn't care if I received flowers or not... which was not the truth. The reason behind this was simply that I always had more male than female friends and would hear them complaining about their "demanding" girlfriends who always wanted flowers and sweet sentiments and I never wanted to be viewed in that way. I didn't want the words "high maintenance" or "demanding" to be applied to me. I did always secretly wish that whomever I was dating at the time would disregard my casually mentioned statement and still bring me flowers. Alas, they never did.

Now, I freely admit my love for flowers. I don't require them, but my sweet, handsome husband does enrich my life with them. They make me happy. There's something about a vase of fresh flowers that brightens up even the most mundane day for me.

I wish I'd admitted I loved flowers earlier in my life.

There is an adorably wonderful little shop tucked away on a charming cobblestone street in my neighborhood called Saipua. I am a faithful reader of their blog - their floral arrangements have always awed me - and love looking at their newest creations. I recently noticed that they're offering classes, which they refer to as "Little Flower School". If only I had the extra cash, I'd sign up in a hot minute. It's time for me to save my pennies so I, too, can create gorgeous arrangements.