Take a moment to study these two images. This font is not only fontastic, it is so very architectonic! What could be better?

This font, by German designer Lisa Rienermann, is right up my aesthetic alley. By way of Happy Mundane, by way of Dezeen, by way of DesignBoom, by way of Design Observer. Where did this post begin anyway? It doesn't matter. I am happy I saw it.


As Mirage 7 Studio so eloquently describes,

This unique font is specially created for those that eat and breath architecture, it is highly recommended that all students should use it in their architecture presentation board in order to score an A in their design.

My route to and from the gym is paved with free samples, which is a conundrum in itself. I have to turn down the friendly guy in front of the deli next-door to Ess-a-Bagel offering quite the assortment of cakes and muffins (pictured above). Because I am off to exercise. And getting a healthy start to my day. Which does not included cake. Alas. And besides that, I just had my peanut butter toast.

The sheer number of free samples being hawked between 53rd and Grand Central amongst the steady stampede of folk is rather amazing. On a good day, you can sample two kinds of energy bars, strawberry-banana smoothies, very ample half-burritos with rice-chicken-and-cheese, or for the vegetarian, rice-bean-and-cheese, mini coffee drinks, tiramisu, and more. Just look for the friendly people with the trays. Who needs to buy any food?

'Special Items' at the Marc Jacobs store in the West Village.
The royal blue quilted wallet at lower left is currently calling my name so strongly.
Why? I love royal blue with red right now, and this royal blue wallet would look
so great in my new red bag. I keep imagining how great it would look with my

black Tuxedo Dress (different belt) and red Plexi Heart Necklace.

I must find a royal blue tank top to match. Ah shopping.

Marc Jacobs Solid Perfume Compact, $55.
I simply must have it! I love the scent. And look at the packaging!
How is a girl supposed to resist?
My love affair with Marc continues...

I have been out 'doing fieldwork' of late (which is my little euphemism for shopping). I like to call it 'research.' (Please refer to above title of this blog for justification.)

Anyway, I thought I would share my latest obsessions, that I am trying desperately to scale back to casual fascinations. We will see who wins. Me or the products. I'll give you a hint. With me, the products always win out. Alas.

What could be better than coffee-flavored tea? 'Coffee Black Milk Tea' with tapioca is what I selected as my potion of choice this evening in Flushing's Chinatown. At Quickly! I love the name. The bubble tea, with a certain friend's mysterious discount card, is only $2. Quite nice, especially when the going rate for bubble tea is around $4.

Have you been to Quickly? If you don't want to travel to Flushing (which would be a mistake on your part, missing out on a lot of fantastic food), you can also sample a Quickly Bubble Tea in Manhattan's Chinatown, located at 237B Grand Street and Bowery, just down the street from the $2 vegetarian moon pies and $1 scallion pancakes which you can purchase from a nice lady through a window on the street, which is diagonally across the street from another nice lady who sells fresh tofu out of her shopping cart right on the sidewalk. Or try the Quickly in Indonesia. There are Quickly Tea Shops around the world!

A fanny pack party you ask? Why yes. Lola y Maria and YANA Handbags Host the Ultimate Fanny Pack Party tomorrow evening. I got the invitation, and I saw no harm in passing it along to you! Here are all the particulars:


You're Invited! Thursday, July 26th 2007

Lola y Maria and YANA handbags would like to invite you their ultimate fanny pack party Thursday July 26, 2007; 6pm - 10pm. All partygoers are asked to wear their favorite fanny packs to the event and fantasy 80's and 90's style attire is strongly encouraged. Specialty Cocktails like the Funky Cold Medina and Overweight Lover will be served all evening. DJ White Dove will spin glam 80's, electro booty bass and nu-rave. All guests will also enjoy a 15% discount on all limited edition YANA fanny packs sold that evening.

About YANA: YANA is owned and designed by Ayana Evans. Evans designs for the intelligent shopper, who enjoys touches of whimsy in his/her wardrobe. All YANA handbags have fun titles and hidden meanings. Popular fanny pack titles include "Sexy At All Times Fanny", "Forgive and Forget for Me" and "Keepin It Real". They are designed to be both artistic and highly functional. Special care is taken to ensure that each bag is beautiful while still being lightweight and ergonomically correct. Prices range from $60 for a lamb skin fanny pack with suede lining to $650 for a large travel bag made of Italian leather and 18k plated hardware.

Custom orders, private purse parties, and handbag consultations are available upon request. For further information regarding the YANA label visit www.yanahandbags.com. Custom orders will be accepted the night of the fanny pack celebration. And yes!-that 15% discount will be honored on these purchases as well. To place your order in advance or learn more about the event contact Lola y Maria at 646.602.9556 or email pr@lolaymaria.com And please come camera ready, because we will party like it's 1999!

[image from thedekk.com]

DEKK (restaurant, bar, lounge, screening room) in Tribeca has a wonderfully soothing atmosphere that is perfect for summer. The decor elements -- white tiled walls, exposed brick, hardwood floors and oversized glass doors -- make the place seem open, breezy, spacious and no-nonsense. The menu was such pleasant surprise too. Straight-forward Italian/Meditteranean cuisine with entree prices starting at a modest $12. (in a neighborhood that is not particularly known for 'down-to-earth' or 'affordable.')

Dekk is a great place for an early evening cocktail or a leisurely summery meal. There is ample outdoor patio seating on this beautiful tree-lined street. I would recommend coming early to get your choice of seating. I will bring my camera next time so I can show you more details.

The bartender who catered to our every need has the most incredible attention to detail in making blackberry mojitos. She crafted each drink by hand with the utmost of care. I heartily recommend dropping in and soaking up the great service.


DEKK
134 Reade Street (Hudson and Greenwich Streets)
Tribeca ('triangle below Canal Street')
212.941.9401

[page print from zoozoom.com]

Published: Zoozoom.com, The Zoo Daily
Read it on Zoozoom: click here
Writing: Elaine Perlov
Photo: Jessica Gonsalves



Vanessa Barrantes makes quite a beautiful eco-dress. Out of bamboo fibers too! I first spotted this dress at the Domino Green Issue Release Party. That was a really great evening. And later, Deborah Needleman, the Editor in Chief of Domino, wrote me a note that she liked my writing! What could be better?



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Well, it certainly seems that I have some kind of fascination with door handles. I didn't really realize I did until I moved to New York and started this blog. There are fabulous examples in this city. Push-Push and Pull, as I have now named them, are not just any door handles. These examples make me swoon. The fonts are so beautiful. The 'S' in Push-Push alone is worth the price of admission. And the overall shape of the handles can't be beat. And don't get me started on the individually attached letters and the steel stripes of Pull. The simplicity! The boldness! Simply fontastic.


I spied these two examples in the West Village. I want to say around 10th Street or 13th. Or 12th. Push-Push is the entry to a modest apartment building near a corner. Pull is the entry to Parson's The New School.

click on the image to enlarge

I was just invited to a great shopping event tomorrow evening, complete with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres! So I thought I would pass it along to all you fans of Hayden-Harnett. No need to thank me. But if you want to, well, go ahead and thank me. I respond well to positive reinforcement.

The entire Spring/Summer 07 Collection by Hayden-Harnett will be available at 30-50% off at this special soiree to raise money for the American Printing House for the Blind (where designer Toni Hacker's Mom reportedly works as a braille editor in Louisville, Kentucky). In fact, 25% of tomorrow evening's sales will benefit this great institution.

You won't want to miss this wonderful shopping opportunity. I know I won't. Peruse the Hayden-Harnett Website and get excited for what you may acquire tomorrow! And while you are researching online, preview Five Front, the restaurant at which the sale will be held.

Once again, chasing someone down the stairs while fighting to stay in position on the way to the E platform makes for some seriously blurry pictures. But my subject finally came to rest, and I got a nice clear(ish) shot. Doesn't this bag remind you of one at YLLI? (see my article from March) The eye-catching 'spin-tuck' detail is very similar to the black leather Carrington bag by Goldenbleu ($759), don't you think? I'll bet my subject shops at YLLI. She has good taste.

Readers please note: YLLI is currently having an 'up to 80% off sale' right now! Don't miss it. I personally won't be missing it. I can't wait!

It is easy to capture my subject because she is sitting across from me on the subway.
Although I have my camera pointed directly at her, she does not protest.
I find it hard, however, to get a clear shot of the bag,
because she keeps it scrunched on her lap.

Well I finally saw one today. An 'I'm NOT A Plastic bag' bag by Anya Hindmarch. We know that the victorious proud owner, depicted above, went to great lengths to get this now-collector's item. Somehow I get the feeling that she does not intend to carry groceries in this bag... Just a hunch.

My feeling on the whole matter: This bag doth protest too much.



Spotted on the 7 Train at Times Square. Identities of the fashionable always protected on this blog. gee

Row upon row of delicious berries. Such a pleasing arrangement.

At the Greenmarket, everything transforms into beautiful works of art for me.
Even the repeting slats of the packing crates. Again, I am reminded of Louise Nevelson.
I think I have Louise Nevelson on the brain.

I can say, these red onions were delicious.

I am always amazed at the sheer quantity of fresh food that is trucked in to New York.
This farmer's harvest is all organic. And so delicious. He has a kind bearded face.
Look at all the crates! I am amazed.

The Greenmarket in Union Square makes me pleased to be a fellow human being. I love soaking up the atmosphere, studying the bounty, and of course, taking things home to cook and chop. Browsing around, there is a meditative rhythm in the repetition of the vegetables and fruits. I find it very calming and edifying. I still can't believe that this market is year-round, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Sweet and delicious Jersey tomatoes for the sampling. Pure heaven.

I am going to meet a good friend for lunch today. We met in 1992 at a very early shopping event I was hosting for my first clothing collection. She ordered my very first dress design and I custom-fit her in the piece. We have known each other for 15 years now! I stayed with her in her Murray Hill apartment every time I did the trade shows at the Javits. She is a pretty great friend. I can't believe how long we have known each other. I am feeling very nostalgic. I want to bring her a friend-iversary card* to celebrate.




*Don't you think someone should make cards to commemorate anniversaries with friends? Friend-iversary Cards! I do.

Everywhere you turn in New York, the Commerce Capital of the World, there is yet another neon sign advertising its little heart out. This example uses just two colors, but makes the most of its verticality and detailed line art. It is one of the tallest neon signs I have seen. I love the bold text which complements the glowing vacuum, shouting its claim at an upward angle like a trumpet, catching the attention of the passersby on the busy street.

I would like to offer this:

If Paris is the City of Lights, then New York is the City of Neon.

~elaine

Vacuum Cleaner, glass tubing, inert gases and clear plastic, 14th Street and 6th Avenue, New York, NY

[page print from zoozoom.com]

Published: Zoozoom.com, The Zoo Daily
Read it on Zoozoom: click here
Writing: Elaine Perlov
Photo: courtesy of Shoe Market



Have you been to Shoe Market in Williamsburg yet? You may have heard of Mini Mini Market. Two of the gals of MMM partnered with a third gal to open Shoe Market this past Spring. Simply put, if you like shoes, you must go. I will bring you more about Shoe Market on this blog quite soon.



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Pretty neat. July 7, 2007. But if I here one more story about Eva Longoria and all the rest of the lucky brides getting married today....

Anyway, have a lucky day! Even if you are not getting married.




Image courtesy of Eric Kastner's cool Spell with Flikr online tool.

happy 4th of july!

A few onlookers on our street. The view is better further down towards the river.
But why make the trip when you can see most of the spectacle right close to home?
Plus it was raining.

We got to see the Macy's fireworks (all 3 barges!!) from the comfort of our living room last night. Who knew our apartment had this kind of view, albeit a little obstructed, but who cares? It was great.

[page print from zoozoom.com]

Published: Zoozoom.com, The Zoo Daily
Read it on Zoozoom: click here
Writing: Elaine Perlov
Photo left: Elaine Perlov
Photo right: courtesy of Just Scandinavian



I am proud of this piece, today on Zoozoom. Isn't this fabric beautiful? I love the saturated colors. Happy 4th of July! See you Thursday.



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To read more of my articles for Zoozoom: click here