Rose Bobby Pins from Just Peachy, $10 on Etsy

At last! I made my first Etsy purchase! These cute turquoise rose bobby pins from Just Peachy: Handmade Jewels and Treasures. I also had my eye on some really cute bird earrings that seem to be sold out now. Rats. But alas, I would have to get my ears re-pierced to wear them anyway. Perhaps I will do that. Get my ears re-pierced. I wonder if you can go swimming everyday with newly pierced ears? That is what prevents me. I don't want my newly re-pierced ears conflicting with my swim. In the end, swimming is more important to me. Anyway, I wear barettes everyday. It would be hard to coordinate barettes and earrings and a necklace and a belt. I don't like over-accesorizing. What a strange post this turned out to be. A ramble about accessorizing. Look I am still rambling about rambling. Ok, I will publish this now.

Alternately, these bird earrings are pretty awesome!
$11 from Crazy for Jewels


Wait, here they are, but by another designer!
$12 by Modern Trinkets
Hey, I could become that person that wears bird earrings everyday.
It's an idea.


And look at these beautiful ones also by Modern Trinkets.
Silver Branch Earrings, $20.
Maybe I should get my ears re-pierced.
These earrings remind me of this chandelier.


PS I just purchased this piece too. So delicate!
Sterling Silver Peace Dove Necklace, $15 from Hope on a Rope Jewelry

The newest Bird, on Grand Street in Williamsburg.


Spacious and incredible Bird

Bird interior. March 2009, when I visited.

If you are already a devotee of the Brooklyn-based women's and men's clothing boutique, Bird, then you have already delighted in their well-edited selection of designer clothing and accessories for some years now. When you step into the brand new loft-style floor-though space, opened February 2009 in Williamsburg, you realize that the newest Bird (location #3!) is not just about the clothes. Did I gasp out loud? Yes. The space is gorgeous. Light-filled, minimal and warm. Textured. Very textured.

The architect for the project is Norwegian-born, Ole Sondreson. This Bird is LEED certified, (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) which means that it has met standards for environmentally friendly construction, more fully explained here. Look at Mr. Sondreson's Website and drool. That doesn't sound dignified. Admire him in a more dignified manner, because his work is beautifully understated. He not only designed the space, he also designed the store fixtures (which are all modular, by the way.)

The dressing room is wood-paneled like a sauna. Not necessarily in cedar, I am told after making a call to the store, but definitely in reclaimed wood. Of course. The cushion is upholstered in a rare fabric by Scandanavian textile designer, Josef Frank, which after you read this, you will again be reminded how much I love this designer. This was one of my favorite spots in the store... Visit Bird soon! It will please all your senses.


Bird
203 Grand Street (Bedford and Driggs Avenues)
Williamsburg, Brooklyn

T: 718.388.1655

The Dressing Room.
With the Josef Frank upholstered seat cushion.


Bird has a good sense of humor about its name.
I love all the soft sculpture birds they carry.
Birdhouses.


Plus this peacock.


Ah, beautiful reclaimed texture


Yes, I did say "floor-through"

Have you been to Bird's new store in Williamsburg yet? I'll be back with a Shopping Trip post with lots o' pictures. Stay tuned.

***
UPDATE: click here to read the article.



Bird
203 Grand Street (Bedford and Driggs Avenues)
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
T: 718.388.1655

Holiday gifts anyone? Our new SONGBIRD NECKLACE is offered at a special price until January 1, 2008. CLICK TO SHOP OUR ACCESSORIES.

SONGBIRD NECKLACE
REG. $68.
SPECIAL HOLIDAY OFFER: $46.

SONGBIRD NECKLACE, Sterling Silver, $46. on elaineperlov.com

Carved in dark wood, our new SONGBIRD NECKLACE is a lyrical accent to any jewel neckline. 16.5" chain. Lattice wood pendant measures approx. 1.5" x 2" across.

Wear this necklace simply with denim or brown. Choose your favorite chain: 18k Gold vermeil delicate round-link or Sterling Silver flat-link.

SONGBIRD NECKLACE, 18k Gold vermeil, $46. on elaineperlov.com

Dove of Peace, detail, gift from Pope John Paul II
on display at the UN

I fell in love with a certain bird necklace at the Chanel store today. It was a textured chunky silver with a variety of blue stones inset. And now I am sad that I did not sneak a photo, because I can't seem to locate it on the Website. The bird reminds me of the Dove of Peace mosaic displayed at the UN, in feeling anyway. I have a strong bird thing happening right now, to be sure. I just saw a great bird ring at Dalaga yesterday, which also reminded me of the UN dove. I will have to get a picture of it for you in the next day or so.

I was just combing Chanel.com for the picture of the bird, and found this instead. No wonder why the Dove of Peace reminded me of the Chanel bird.

If you are a fan of owls and birds, you will be pleased to know that both are still strong motifs at retail. At MXYZLYPYK, you can snap up owl candles and sculptures, among other really great goodies for your home. I am liking that gingko leaf tray behind the owl candles very much.

MXYPLYZYK
125 Greenwich Ave (13th Street)
Greenwich Village
800.243.9810

This is an interesting image. You can find it on elsewheres.com on a set of 'street art coasters' that are handmade in LA. I guess I like anything with birds and scissors. But the juxtaposition makes for a compelling image.

'Henny Penny' from the Blush collection

'Bliss'

'Mod Vases'

'Polly'

I found Fabulous Stationary this morning by clicking through an ad on Decor8. Aren't these cards fabulous? I was most attracted to the Blush collection for the 50s quality of the line and color, and selected these four examples above. I love the wry expressions on the birds' faces. All cards are customizable with your desired message, monogram or name. Each set contains 25 notecards and 25 envelopes. Customization options are numerous, so be sure to scroll down on the order form and thoroughly explore your options. Production time is quoted as 5-7 days. That seems super-speedy and great! Even if you are short on time for planning a fun party, you can still get customized invitations.

You may also love the fabulous Metropolitan collection, if you love bold flat pattern. I do. Ok, I'll let you start browsing. And coincidentally, Fabulous Stationary is based in Philadelphia!

[page print from zoozoom.com]

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



I know your home needs adorning. Brooklyn-based Perch! has humorous birdlike offerings for your nest (Sorry Amy, I know you dislike bird puns, but I couldn't resist). Designer Amy Adams showed her latest creations at the prestigious International Furniture Fair at the Javits this past Spring. Her designs are popping up at quite a few great boutiques. Check perchdesign.net for more information.



If you cannot view on Zoozoom: click on the image above
To read more of my articles for Zoozoom: click here

Avian Collection


Avian Collection


Romance Collection


Botanical Collection

If you love bright color, graphic birds and the textured goodness of letterpress, I have a feeling you are going to love the Avian Collection of cards and prints by Old School Stationers. And if two birds are better than one, the Romance Collection, depicting two lovebirds on every card, should enchant you twice as much. Old School Stationers, based in Portland, Oregon, uses extra thick custom handmade paper and old world technology to create their beautiful designs. Each card is hand printed four times on their one-ton cast iron printing press, manufactured in 1890.

Although Old School Stationers does not e-tail, their cards are available online on Luxe Paperie, a wonderful card and wrapping resource in itself, stocking many special handmade collections. They also produce ready-to-hang prints, 8" square by 1/2" thick, hand printed by letterpress and mounted on a light wood frame, which are available on RareDevice.com. Alternatively, if you would like see their designs in person, you can visit these stores around the country.

If you are a letterpress enthusiast, it may interest you to know that letterpress -- printing from raised metal type and custom-engraved plates -- began in Europe in the 14th century as an alternative to calligraphy. The appealing tactile quality is achieved by pressing the metal plates into a soft paper. Compared with offset printing of today which is a four-color process, the letterpress process prints one color at a time and transfers more ink to the paper, creating more intense and vivid color results.