Four for Friday

Greeting m'dears!  Happy Friday!  This post is holiday shopping themed.  (Gift giving is at the forefront of my mind, and likely yours too!)  I've got a weekend of gift hunting planned.  Hope you have a lovely first weekend of December.  See you make here on Monday, chickens!

- Brooklynites!  Buy local products from By Brooklyn in Caroll Gardens.  Cutey, cute, cute goodies.  If you're not a local, no worries!  They have an online shop too.

- Give all natural with Burts Bees!  (Their products are definitely on my list!)  Trial sizes makes great stocking stuffers.  Or go for a gift set!

- Purchase art from Print Aid and all proceeds go to help victims of hurricane Sandy.  Read more about this amazing program here.

- Ginormous sale at Net-a-Porter!  Hurry over and get up to 50% off.  (Score-ville!!!)

Quattria

My interior design spirit found a new place to call home, the Quattria shop.  Quattria supports young designers around the world, bringing their pieces to fruition.  Production is local and predominately handcrafted.  I particular love the Marc table/magazine rack from Gauzak's line.

Disovered via Raney Town

To Name, Or Not?

The BF and I picked out a fluffy little Christmas tree on Saturday evening.  We bought it from Nelly's, the cute mom & pop nursery/florist shop.  We plucked the 3-footer out from under the tracks (Nelly's is on Broadway below the J/M/Z lines) and took it for a little trip on the G train.  Once home, my BF and I named her Charlotte Douglas.  Do you name your tree?  What about your car?  Home appliances?  We have Steamy (the steamer), Little Four Cup (the food processor), and Frenchie (the French press).

Check out our decorating video!!!

Tree poster by Bowlgraphics

Happy Thanksgiving

Whew!  The work week is nearly kaput.  Almost time to do battle at Wholefoods for some organic produce.  Wish me luck.  Everyone enjoy your Thanksgiving!

Image by Charmaine Olivia, available on Art.com.

By Nord

I love these pine cone and acorn ornaments from By Nord.  Their collection of bone china and metal animals is super cute too.  By Nord has lots of other stylish home wear.  Wander around, shop for someone special, (or splurge on yourself- I won't judge)! 

Giving Thanks

I'm checking out absolutely, every single one of the links on Heidi's Thanksgiving Ideas post.  She shares a dozen of her favorite vegetarian dishes, a handful of other chef's recipes and some Thanks' themed articles.  Are you getting into the spirit?  Planning?  Shopping?  Cleaning?

Photo by Heidi Swanson of 101 Cookbooks

Four for Friday

Happy Friday blog-land buddies. Are you as psyched about the weekend as I am? Yeah, I bet you are! And Thanksgiving is almost here too. Nutz-o!!! Time flies by.

I have a very dear friend visiting this weekend; we've known each other for 17 years!!! Talk about time flying by. She's technically here for a work event on Sunday but we're going to have lots of fun! Gallery openings and drinks, and dinners and drinks, and brunches and drinks, plus shopping (of course)! I'm going to crash at her hotel too, so we can talk into the early morning like we used to in the good ol' LA college days.

See you back here on Monday!

- Suvi Sur Le Vif is a repeat feature here on FfF. I love the new autumnal posts. Check out the new blog spin-off too.

- I'm a sucker for collage; Erin Case's figure meets landscape work is up my alley.

- This is the most incredible date idea. I'm definitely going to rope the BF into a magic show!!!

- I want the flowers from this Fall wedding inspiration shoot all around my apartment, all autumn long! They are just too beautiful.

Joy's Contest/ Imm Living

Hey guys, head over to Oh Joy! and comment to win an assortment of adorable Imm Living products.  I love, love, love these animal trays.  So cute, right?  Imm Living has great stuff, perfect for gifting too!   (Winkwink)  I'm smitten with these antler mugs and flower topped glass jars too.

Left photo from Oh Joy!
Right photo from Imm Living

Fairisle is a Foot

Isn't "foot" a weird word?!!!  My title completely de-railed me for 10 seconds...  Sorry.  I'm really not here to talk about a foot (or feet).  No, no, it's fairisle!  I've come to believe that fairisle is something people either love or hate.  And hate is in italics there cuz we are talking serious pattern detest.  Peeps, I work in fashion.  I've seen fairisle hate and it ain't pretty. 

I think you probably already figured as much... but I'm am a fairisle lover.  Fairisle.  It sounds like some magical land.  It conjures images of falling snow and dogsleds.  And I love that it's not universal.  Hey, if everybody loved it then it wouldn't be quite so special, right?  That said, fairisle has been living out quite a revival for the past few winters.  I'm loving these modern iterations that are springing up now; the fierce colors and non-traditional pattern elements.  I mean... how many reindeer pullovers do you need?

Clockwise from top left:  Asos, J Crew, Madewell and J Crew

Floral Floor Fancy

Anthropologie floral rug.  So petal-pretty I can hardly stand it!  Wishlist-ed it.  Pinned it.  Blogged it.

My Monday Spree

I was supposed to be pre-shop gift researching yesterday.  Instead I found a handful of necessary separates... for myself.  And a coat.  Just a few easy, statement making pieces to revamp my wardrobe.  And since they're all cheapies I don't feel too bad : ) 

Top row: Surplus-Green Merino Sweater,  Scotch Plaid Flannel Shirt and Metallic Color-blocked Sweater
Bottom row: Tribal Printed Leggings, Faux Leather Skinnies and Camo 5-pocket Trousers

The Amy Merrick Effect

Ugh.  Had to share these photos by Amy Merrick.  Because they are beautiful.  And because they are seasonal.  And because they are inspiring me to shop for botanical prints (and pomegranates).  Seriously!

Happy Monday!

Yes, happy Monday!  They are setting up the holiday market in Union Square and installing street garlands.  I'm ordering an LL Bean wreath and pre-shop gift brainstorming.  To kick off the season, here is a cute video from Oh Joy!  It might give you an idea or two about decorating.

Four for Friday

Hello weekend!  I'm so happy you're here!  It's been a pain-in-the-backside type of week.  Cinni Snail, I'm suffering from dounut withdrawls! (But you're rockstars for serving free grub to badly hit areas!!!)  L train, thank you soooo much for coming back to life.  The M train is my nemesis.  Nor'easter, you almost broke my ankle.  Thanks for reminding me that my ducks are essential for snow-stormy weather. 

And now it's Friday!  And I'm fantasizing about my 6:45pm return flight to New York.  And it can't  happen soon enough!

- Digging Amy Moore's designs.

- The most beautiful veggie burger I've ever laid eyes upon!

- The cutest queries about a serious winter essential: the woolen hat.

- Obsessed with matches and trays.  They're cute.  I'm random.

Jetting Off (For a Day)

Good morning!  I'm traveling around the north east today, on a manic coat-fitting mission.  I'll be back later with a FfF though!

Image by Ezra Stoller, on the Design Observer

First Snow

Yesterday we had our Nor'easter mini-blizzard.  Central Park had 5" of sparkling white powder.  It's all melty now.  But it been a sharp reminder- time to bundle up!  I'm taking layering cues from all the cuties above.  Photos from the Sartorialist archives.

Etsy Love/ LiLuni

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Wednesday.  More yucky weather has descended upon New York.  Freeeeeezing rain is grossy.  On the bright side, the heat is back on at work and I'm nice and toasty.  Also, I'm going to a comedy show this evening.  Have any mid-week plans?  Celebrating a presidential victory maybe?!!!  Go Obama!  That's the extent of my political discourse here : )

Now... let's talk about LeLuni. 

Leluni makes the most adorable clocks.  They're marketed for kids but I think they're perfect for anyone with a youthful spirit. This scarf wearing bunny is without a doubt, my favorite!  The big red bear and pink piggy are pretty cute too.  Want a sweet furry thing in a color that's not listed?  Check out LeLuni's web page for the full clock selection.  The designer John will even work with you on custom clocks!  So cool! 

Discovered via Avie Designs

11/6

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Photo of Frances Bean Cobain by Heidi Slimane

Chillin' Out

Back at work today!  And holy brrrrrrrrjesus it's cold in here!  We've got electricity, working restrooms and functioning technology but no heat.  If I had remembered gloves today then I'd be wearing them.  But I didn't.  So I'm making due, wearing my wool coat and closely monitoring the grey/blue shade that's overtaking my finger tips.  For serious.

Ribbon yarn mittens from Asos

Tofu Benny

Make it this weekend!  So sinfully delicious.  If you're heart set on making it helthier, add some spinach and call it dame Florence.  I myself, much much prefer basic Benny.   But to each his own.  I used Kate's recipe for mock-hollandaise.  I wholeheartedly recommend!  The only other thing I'll add is get Soy Boy Smoked Tofu if possible.  This tofu is incredible.  It's got a great smoky flavor and saves you the time of draining and marinating the basic stuff.  For the faux ham I used Tofurky brand, but I think it's safe to use anything or nothing.  I adore tempe bacon and might try that next time!





Tofu Benny
(makes 4)

Hollandaise Ingredients (please visit Kate's site for sauce directions)
- 3 Tablespoons vegan butter
- 2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
- Pinch of turmeric
- 1 cup unsweetened non dairy milk
- big pinch of cayenne pepper
- 2 Tablespoons nutritional yeast
- The juice of 1/2 a lemon
- 1 Tablespoon vegan mayo
- Salt and pepper to taste

The Basics
- 4 vegan English muffins
- One package Soy Boy Smoked Tofu
- One package Tofurkey Ham

- Whip up the hollandaise
- Slice each tofu pattie in half (they will be about 2"x2"x 1/4")
- Heat tofu in a skillet and toast the English muffins
- When tofu and muffins are ready, quickly heat up your "ham"or mock meat.
- Assemble muffin, tofu and "ham"
- Liberally add holldanaise
- Fin!


   

Four for Friday

Hey chickens!  It's Friday!  Yikes... I can't believe it's been a whole week since I was at work.  Crazy.  Sandy was way worse than we expected.  Word on the 'net is that all power will be restored to lower Manhattan by tomorrow evening.  So, it sounds like Monday will be sort of back to regularly scheduled programming.

Enjoy your weekend!  I'm drafting a recipe for later today.  Check back for the vegan twist on an ultimate brunch classic.  Any guesses?  Hint: friends call him Benny!

- Pamela & Eric's mod wedding is totally up my minimalistic alley.  Love the lucite table cards!

- Sincerely Kinsey is bursting with cute craftiness!  Love this T-shirt and those boots!

- Honey of a Thousand Flowers is a FfF veteran.  Sooooo worth sharing again though; fall flowers make me melt!

- Funky Time just stole my heart.  Adore this ombre punk'in!

Daily Drop Cap and X-mas Tunes

Sigh... no work this week.  Instead I'm eating delicious, home cooked grub, wearing fuzzy slippers, wandering the internet and listening to Christmas music.  Yes, I'm one of those.  November first is my license to listen; Bing, Frank and Nat- sing me into nostalgic bliss!  Not to say I've been a total LazyMcLazersons today... I took a shower today and blow dried my hair.  Actually, I also spray painted a bunny statue on the roof, just in case you were judging.  Phfff.  I left the apartment.  And walked up a flight of stairs.

But back to what I've been mostly been up to.  Did you think I was going to say eating?  Ha!  Wrong!  Internet wandering.  Interneting.  And whilst interneting I found all Jessica Hische's Daily Drop Cap lettering.  Ooh la la, so pretty.  Each letter is impressive on it's own but scrolling through her entire collection is thrilling (she has 12 full alphabets)!  Go visit, you'll get a type rush!  And then wait for Frank to lull you back into seasonal bliss-delirium.  Oh wait, that's just me : )

A Peace Treaty

I'm completely obsessed with the scarves from A Peace Treaty. The two Fall '12 collections, Safar and Natsu are teeming with gorgeous designs.  A Peace Treaty works with artisans in eight countries; each season a different region creates limited edition pieces.  The focus is on reviving the ancient, traditional, handmade crafts and employing artisans at above-fair trade wages.  Read more about the creators, Farah Malik and Dana Arbib and their inspiring business philosophy here.

Pssst, they have lovely jewelry too!  This necklace reminds me of the entrance to my favey building in Prague, the Obecní dům.

Discovered via Design Love Fest