"Winter" in Bryant Park.

I have noticed that the leaves on the trees in NYC do not really change much. We do not have a peak season to view the Fall Foliage. So how does a city dweller mark the passage of time from Summer to Fall to Winter, you may ask? By walking through Bryant Park everyday, and noting the changing landscapes, albeit installed by construction crews. Simulated nature.

In summer, Bryant Park is filled with cafe tables and chairs, lunch eaters, grass-lyer-oners (I think they call this sun bathing), a beautiful green lawn, ivy under the trees, potted plants, the outdoor cafe at the Bryant Park Grill, and the slatted movie screen which abuts the fountain for the Summer Film Festival. The fountain is off at this time.

In late summer, the lawn is entirely covered with rubber tarps, and New York Fashion Week, Spring/Summer 2009 Collections, is built on top!

In late late summer (perhaps you could call this early early Fall), after the tents are taken down and the rubber tarps which protect the lawn are pulled up, a brand new Lawn is immediately rolled out. New Lawn! In sod form. What was the purpose of the tarps if they were just going to put down New Lawn? It is a mystery, but I am not complaining. The New Lawn is breathtaking. And the fountain is at last turned on! It is glorious. It is Fall. It is my favorite season, next to Spring.

In Fall, as soon as Bryant Park is perfectly green with the New Lawn and the old ivy, the lawn is removed. Rolled up. Taken away. Now it is ice skating season.

Ice Skating Season construction begins at the end of September. It happened to be 80 degrees that week. I do love ice skating. And I can't wait to ice skate in Bryant Park. But what happened to perfect Fall in Bryant Park? I know. They have to put up the rink (and take it down) in time for New York Fashion Week, Fall/Winter 2009 Collections, which begins in February. But Monday, the 27th, was the Grand Opening Celebration for The Pond at Bryant Park. I will see you on the ice!

Look at the two-story structure they are building with the rounded roof.
I found out that it's going to be a (temporary!) seasonal restaurant.
Wow, that is a lot of work for temporary.

The Pond at Bryant Park
The Bryant Park Hotel & Empire State Building in the background.

Yesterday, I read an article somewhere that New Yorkers love to wait in lines. The article was about the Chanel Art Pavilion, a temporary art installation designed by Zaha Hadid, which landed in Central Park on October 20. I disagree. New Yorkers strongly dislike waiting in lines. But they seem to do it anyway. I can't imagine waiting and waiting and waiting in the Chanel line for two hours. I just can't do it. Even if I brought a book, which I didn't, and was alone, which I wasn't. I did really want to experience the space inside the spaceship-like pod. Perhaps on a rainy day when there will be no line. But I only have until November 9 to do so. The Chanel Art Pavilion is off to London, Moscow and Paris after its New York engagement, following Hong Kong and Tokyo.


Zaha Hadid's Chanel Art Pavilion is located in Central Park at the Rumsey Play Field. Enter at 5th Avenue and 69th Street. October 20 - November 9, 2008. Free timed tickets required. Currently sold out. Try your luck waiting on line, day of show, for cancellations.

Sunday, October 26. The 12:15 session. Reserved tickets only.


The line for "try your luck" began here. The white glow from the spacecraft
is strangely in every one of my pictures.

And more line. After talking with some people, it seemed
that the wait would be close to 2 hours. We abandoned hope
and went to Madras Mahal on Lexington and 28th for Indian food.
We were greatly rewarded with a lunch buffet.

Passing through the Union Square Green Market Friday night.

Here is another story about taking "the bus" to "design." The timing of these two events on this blog is pure coincidence.




The Domino: The Book of Decorating Release Party at the J.Crew Collection Boutique for me began auspiciously last night. After a revitalizing after-work swim, the M101 bus and I were perfectly in sync at 3rd Avenue and 47th Street, where it whisked me uptown to one of the more fashionable parties I have attended in a long while.

If I may focus on the fashions of the evening for a moment, one key trend I noticed was wool tights and patent leather shoes, often combined with wool skirts with a luxe sheen and cashmere sweaters. This alternating effect of shiny-rich-shiny-rich from toe to head was quite attractive. I have to say, after last night's event, I am a fan of J.Crew's new aesthetic. An aesthetic that is thanks to Jenna Lyons Mazeau, Creative Director of J.Crew who worked her way up from assistant designer (I like this sort of success story), and who is now featured in a ten-page spread in the November issue of Domino (pp. 102-111) and on page 165 of the new Domino book.

I personally would suggest a shopping trip to the J.Crew Collection Boutique on Madison and 79th, if not only to further investigate the clothing, shoes and one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, but also to check out the original artwork and light fixtures from Jenna's own home. You will, course want to buy the Domino book too. For the full effect.

I will let my photos and captions tell the rest of the story.

Each guest was given a copy of the new Domino: The Book of Decorating.
I am savoring each page.


I was offered a vodka shot and caviar as soon as I walked in.
Very nice.


At 7:15pm, the party was in full swing.


Dainty hors d'oeuvres.


The well-heeled crowd.


I must get some wool tights and patent leather shoes.


More wool tights and patent leather shoes.
You want some now too, don't you.


One-of-a-kind jewelry under glass.


A color story that caught my eye. Follow the links.
Bootcut cords in "Faded Cement" with skinny silver belt.
Navy/white striped Victoria Ruffle Shirt
Cashmere Crewneck Sweater in Citron
Jacket, check this piece out in-store.


Shoe display at J.Crew Collection Boutique.
I love that sculpture.


Check out the grey walls in the shoe area of the Collection Boutique,
and read the November issue of Domino to find out more.

Display table at J.Crew Collection Boutique. The "roses" they created with the
pant hems are so clever.

Recently I went to IKEA in Red Hook on the B61 bus to buy some new pillows. I can't express how much fun it was to take public transportation to IKEA. I felt so DIY, or something. Anyway, I felt totally free. And giddy. And so I took myself straight to the cafe and had myself a piece of apple cake and a cup of coffee. I selected the birch tree area for my IKEA cafe experience, because it was pretty. I want to put up birch wallpaper in my house. But I have no idea how.

For obvious reasons, I rather like the name of this store. And such a nice return policy, spelled out right on the marquis. So really, how can you go wrong at Gee & Gee? I would say it is pretty fontastic, all in all.

[images from Shecky's]
Left, the incredibly shrinking cocktail glass. I agree.
Right, bartenders wearing speakeasy-style garb. I disagree. I kinda like it.

This is a must-read for New Yorkers. Shecky's lists Ten. Most. Annoying. Trends. In. Nightlife and names names. See if you agree. I kinda do with a few.

Being a Karl Lagerfeld fan, I could not resist posting this little item. By way of Refinery 29.

Fresh from the oven. But wait until you see the oven! Scroll down.

I mean, where can you find a beehive oven in a street fair turning out fluffy clouds of heaven (that would be the pizza), like this? Only Brooklyn. I am so happy to live here.

I neglected to photograph the menu and get the name of this place, but apparently it is Lunetta, although they show no pizza on the menu. I hope my photos will be seriously sought-after once I post this. Read Dear Slice. I like how he signs it "Hasta la pizza." I wish I had thought of that.


Photographed at the Atlantic Antic this past Sunday. Read more Atlantic Antic food buzz on Chowhound.

The wood-fired beehive oven turning out amazing pizzas
on a trailer bed in open air. At the Atlantic Antic this past Sunday.

Look at that beautiful fire burning.

Made from reclaimed wood: Walnut Pepper Shaker [L] and Poplar Salt Shaker [R]
by Domestic Aesthetic, available on Branch, $48.

I was browsing Happy Mundane this morning and found these beautiful wood salt and pepper shakers, by Domestic Aesthetic. Of course, the designers are from Brooklyn! I love the photo too.

The Cordillera (vegetarian) arepa on the brunch menu is served with fresh fruit,
salad, coffee and amazing fresh fruit juice from the Andes

I can't stop thinking about Cafecito Bogota's Colombian style arepas. Imagine beans, crispy plantain cubes, freshly grated queso blanco piled on top of a delcious corn cake. That is the Cordillera, pictured above, which is one of my favorites. Along with the Boyaca (eggplant, sundried tomato and mushroom), the Punta Verde (pesto tofu and string beans), and the Choco (tuna in olive oil, feta and olives).

For dinner, you can opt for a tasting plate for two: a selection of six arepas for $30. And for brunch, you can opt for one arepa with all the trimmings, or a brunch-style arepa like the one pictured below. The brunch is most reasonably priced at $10.95. Check out the full menu here. Did I mention the staff is incredible? And the music! Super great. Lovely atmosphere. A true hidden gem in North Brooklyn.


Cafecito Bogota
1015 Manhattan Ave
Greenpoint, Brooklyn
718.569.0077

They also have a blog. Check it out here.

My favorite brunch dish at Cafecito Bogota: Colombian Pericos Eggs
scrambled and mised with fresh green scallion and plum tomatoes
(hold the bacon) served over an arepa paisa.

Cafecito Bogota, Manhattan Ave, Greenpoint.
Great for a romantic evening out, or dinner with lots of friends.
And don't forget their brunch! Not to be missed.

We saw Jeff Koons on the Roof at the Metropolitan Museum back in August, and it was a scorcher. I think I might like to return to this spot in a few weeks to view the Fall foliage. Hmm. That is a good idea.

Delectable mini cupcakes by Brooklyn-based Ninecakes.
Chocolate Peanut Butter [L] and Vanilla Bean Cinnamon [R].

Can anyone really resist a cupcake? I mean, yes there is the calorie factor, and the too-much-frosting-to-not-enough-cake ratio that one encounters at a certain famous downtown purveyor. But in a city as great as ours, there are options.

I will repeat my question, can anyone really resist a cupcake, especially one so visually appealing and petite as one from Ninecakes? I personally would have to answer no. When baker/owner Betsy Thorleifson offered me one to sample so that I could write this piece more accurately, I chose the chocolate with a flourish of sprinkle-dotted frosting -- this was the cupcake that called to me as the crowds parted at the Atlantic Antic in Brooklyn yesterday.

And now I can say the following with confidence. Ninecakes mini-cupcakes have the perfect frosting-to-cake ratio. They are a delectable two-bite haute treat. The buttercream frosting, Betsy's signature, is beyond cupcake. You must try one. Order online! Or go to Brooklyn Indie Market on Smith Street in Carrol Gardens, and try Ninecakes in person.

Ninecakes come packaged in 9-packs or 4-packs. Ideal for gift-giving.

Pumkin Walnut Maple. Wow.
The frosting is so beautifully sculpted.


Chocolate Vanilla Bean.
This is the cupcake I sampled. Now I want another.

Now this is my kind of prize. At the Atlantic Antic yesteday.

I was promised trees. I don't think that is going to happen.

See the strange progression of the "improvements" (improvements, ha!) made to this Garment District (once) Zen (-ish) Garden.

I can imagine these earrings with a number of great sweaters in my closet.

If you are in the mood to shop a great online sale, delight.com has some visually pleasing jewelry that you (and I) may want to acquire. Let's think about it, shall we? I have my eye on the above Crimson Enamel Earrings by Kiln Studio. $33.95 is not a bad price, now is it.

a subway stop on the g line

Perhaps it is because Brooklyn-based artist Bede Murphy is my friend, and I have loved his work since the moment I saw it one Spring day in 1993 in Boston's South End, that I look at this 'work' in the subway and see it as Murphy-esque. Click on this link to view his art. I call him Matt.

I have a question for you. Is it "Will do!" or "We'll do!" I have a feeling I am spelling it wrong in my emails. Please help!

Sarah Palin's word cloud



Joe Biden's word cloud
[images from Word Face-Off]

Attention quantitative thinkers: check out these word clouds made by Word Face-Off based on last night's Vice Presidential Debates. I would have thought Sarah Palin's most uttered word would have been "maverick" or" energy" and Joe Biden's "reach across the aisle." But no.

I don't know why supermarkets want to eliminate plastic bags. Without plastic bags, we could not have this New York skyline on the Pulaski Bridge.

Please note: If you look closely, you will notice that I lined up the Empire State Building with the Empire State Building.