Trendspotting

Choc-o-lait - Soothe Your Sweet Tooth

While attending the 55^th Summer Fancy Food Show, I came across something for all you chocolate lovers to soothe your sweet tooth.  With Choc-o-lait, stir up a delicious cup of hot chocolate in less than one minute.  Unwrap the luscious authentic Belgian chocolate cube, stir with the attached wooden stick and enjoy!  Choc-o-lait comes in four delightful varieties: dark, milk, hazelnut or real Cointreau.  For those who would like to share this as a gift, Choc-o-lait offers gift packages complete with either eight Choc-o-lait sticks of each kind or four Choc-o-lait sticks and a mug. 

Wedding Cake Toppers - The Icing on the Cake

Who ever thought that the top of a wedding cake could be embellished with so many possibilities? Renellie International and One & Only Figures have definitely taken this category to a new level. Specializing in a variety of lovely keepsake quality wedding cake toppers, Renellie has created eight different interchangeable multi-ethnic partners that can be individually matched as a couple.  And if you want to see your matrimonial faces adorn your special confectionary creation, One & Only Figures can definitely make this happen with magical precision. Wedding Cake toppers are definitely the new icing on the cake!

Treats on the Go Tastier and Cooler than ever!

I have mentioned my love for ice cream before and talked about the Feverish Ice Cream truck's super cool spin on delivering ice cream in Florida, but Felecia Hatcher, Ferverish's Chief Popsicle Maker gave me the lowdown on some other really neat treat trucks!  You may have heard of him before, but Matt Allen, the Ice Cream Man is taking the idea of the ice cream truck to a whole new level - this truck's treats are free!  You heard me right, the Ice Cream Man is dedicated to delivering free ice cream treats to anyone all over the country!  He travels around the country stopping at music festivals and other special events making people smile all the way!  How does he get to give away all that ice cream for free you might ask?  Well, the Ice Cream Man is very savvy - he has big time sponsors such as Levi's and the White Stripes who pay him to post their logos on his truck!  A phenomenon that I really love is that so many companies are popping up that actually let you rent a really cool ice cream truck to come to your special event - its a great way to spruce up the office picnic or retreat!  There are two that are really neat:  Hearts Challenger and Archies Ice Cream can be rented to come dish out the most wonderful treats, but look really cool while doing so!  There is nothing better than having the ice cream truck come to you - never again will you have to chase it down the street!  Gone are the days of cheesy ice cream truck music and boring treat choices!

 

Nine Cakes ~ Wedding Cakes with Whimsy and Style

Nine Cakes bakery is a stop in Red Hook, Brooklyn that cannot be missed!  My friend, Betsy Thorleifson, head baker and owner of Nine Cakes creates the most stunningly beautiful and tasty treats!  She will create a customized and delicious desert menu for any wedding, party or special event you have in mind!  While I have admired her work - looks like she has also grabbed the attention of the TODAY Show - Betsy was recently picked as one of three wedding cake designers in the 10th annual "TODAY Throws a Wedding" to air on June 24th.  She will be making a special "wine country" wedding cake for the event!  Tune in and "let's go Nine Cakes!"

Recycled Paper Products - Emerging Trend

Rag & Bone Binderywas the highlight of my last post - and the recycled paper trend continues.  I happen to be antiquing in Rhinebeck, NY when I came across this amazing store called Papertrail.  Although this store is not in New York City - I feel they are way ahead of the paper trend.  Papertrail specializes in fine paper, custom invitations and specialty gifts - but what sets them apart from the rest was the amazing "Fashion & Fiction" paper exhibit on display at the store.  Paper artists Ramon Lascano and Linda Filley's work is exhibited at the store.  Now this takes recycling paper to a whole new level!!  Lascano works to turn books into beautifully crafted pieces of art by folding, twisting and cutting the paper.  Filley, on the other hand, is a paper couturier - she makes beautiful paper clothing over wire mannequins.  I have left you with a few images below - but I strongly encourage you to make your way to Rhinebeck to not only check out Papertrail - but see all the other wonderful stores this town has to offer!

 

Recycled Paper Products Come to Life!

Rag & Bone Bindery - was such an amazing discovery while I was at the National Stationery Show in NYC!  I saw so many new products and ideas at the show,  however the trend that I found most intriguing, impactful  and fresh was that of  recycling paper scraps into beautiful  objects of art.  I had seen the emergence of this trend at last year's show,  but Jason Thompson, Founder and President, of Rag & Bone Bindery brought this trend to life for me! He was most gracious with his time at the show and eager to share his his expertise with me.  He informed me of his soon to be published book, Playing With Paper and recommended I learn more about “Kusudama” the art of constructing paper balls.  As a beginner I began to due my own research on this topic and I came across this video which I think is most instructive: 

How To Fold A Japanese Paper Ball (Kusudama) - The best free videos are right here

Jason certainly enlightened me to the world of using paper scraps, and Rag & Bone Bindery is such the perfect place to start to enjoy the art of paper - I encourage you to visit their website.  Whether you are looking for address books, journals, brag books or photo albums, the beautiful paper handiwork is sure to please!
     

Maximilian Sinsteden - Designing Before Leaving the Nest!

    

Maximilian Sinsteden's story in New York Magazine last week really astounded me - what a young guy and such a great talent!  As the story goes, he has been designing since age 3, has interned for Charlotte Moss, and currently works for her once a week.  He does this during his senior year at Drew University!  Wow - these pictures of his dorm room from NY Magazine don't need any explanation.  His talent is apparent - and all I have to say is watch out for him - he is going to be big!

Petrie Point Designs!

I have summer on the mind but found just the way to keep those summers of yesteryear alive!  Petrie Point Designs by Susan Petrie-Badertscher are absolutely original and stunningly beautiful.  Susan takes swimsuits from the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s and frames them to make the sweetest artwork.  The way each piece pays homage to those intricately designed suits is spectacularly amazing!  While summer might be on my mind - you should definitely take a look at Petrie Point's website - Susan has come out with an additional collection called Petrie Pint Designs using children's toys, costumes and accessories!

Feverish Ice Cream Truck ~ Hipster Ice Cream, Coming to your Hood?!

 

 

The rain has stopped and summer is in the air!  As many of you know, ice cream is one of my 5 most favorite things, and when I heard of Feverish Ice Cream'smobile ice cream truck I had to share!  This isn't your childhood ice cream truck with loud repetitive music and the same old treats.  Feverish, parked outside your favorite hot spot or event, brings you today's latest tunes and vegan-friendly gourmet ice cream.  The best is that you can book the truck to be at your special event - they take bookings for parties, fundraisers and more.  Okay - the unfortunate thing is that they are currently based in Florida, but rumor has it that the truck will be making its way up the East Coast soon.  Don't believe me?  Make sure you follow Feverish's twitter account @feverishmiami for the latest news!

Kips Bay Designer Showhouse - Finding Designer Treasures!

 

The Kips Bay Designer Showhouse, benefiting the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club is one of my favorite events!  Year after year I look forward to taking a tour of the house to explore all the treasures designers use to make it so magnificent.  I have to say - I had two favorite designers this year:  Garrow Kedigian and Andrew Felsher.  Both designers exuded such beauty and originality in their designs I just couldn't keep it to myself!  If you haven't been to the showhouse on 71st Street it is open until May 17th and I strongly urge you to get there soon!

Waverly Fabrics "Covering" the City

      

Waverly is a beloved brand encompassing home fashions from fabrics, bedding, wall coverings, paint, window treatments and home accessories.  Not only am I a big fan of their products and sophisticated style but I absolutely love how innovative and cutting edge they still can be after 86 years of business.  Check out their current ad campaign - and you can understand just how Waverly fabrics are "covering" the City!  What do you think - Brooklyn or Manhattan?? 

Morgane Le Fey ~ Artful Designs

              

The Morgane Le Fey store on Madison Ave captivates me every time I walk by their artfully designed window displays.  Morgane Le Feyis a New York City based fashion house started in 1982 by Argentinian Liliana Casabal and is based in Soho.  The clothing is manufactured and designed right here in New York - I am so happy to see a long standing fashion house that has stayed local!  I encourage you to take a peek into the store and see the layered wisps of fabric that are so stunningly beautiful its hard not to fall in love!

Laura Letinsky - Evoking Those Moments Lost

     

When I saw the spread of Laura Letinsky in Elle Decor last month I couldn't help but feel enamored.  The artist and professor at the University of Chicago's photographs evoke a feeling of loss, destruction and a feeling of "what was" that I have come to love.  You might recall my post on Laura Salierno's photographs of the dismantling of The Plaza Hotel - and how I loved the fact that she was able to capture that exact moment in between what The Plaza was and what it was to become.  Laura Letinsky's amazingly artistic still life photographs capture those moments people forget.  The times in between the enjoyment of such objects, and the time they are discarded, put away or forgotten.  While what she captures might seem mundane - I see the beauty in what was once there - and envision what could have been.  Latisnky is represented by the Yancey Richardson Gallery in Chelsea - I definitely plan on taking a trip over there to marvel some more.

Toile - a New Take!

Toile has always been a favorite of mine - but I just couldn't help but show how some amazing designers are re-inventing and modernizing this old-time pattern!  Manuel Canovas , an architect and designer, sticks to the traditional toile pattern, but has made this fabric pop with his Lavandiere bedding collection featuring a bright fuchsia scape.  This is sure to brighten up any room!  

Now I have been a lover of NYC water towers for years, and I was absolutely thrilled to see this modern take on toile by French luxury design house Pierre Frey.  The Nolita fabric is amazing as it evokes a modern aesthetic featuring downtown Manhattan water towers.  What a fresh take on something so traditional! 

 

 

Susan Boyle - Britain's Got Talent - An Inspiration to Us All

Susan Boyle, the Scottish overnight sensation on Britain's Got Talent truly brought me to tears this morning.  She inspires all of us to never give up on our dreams and to forget those that say we are not worthy.  Susan did not seem a prime candidate for this talent show, but I am pleased to say that she proved them all wrong.  Please enjoy this inspirational story.

Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent
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For a higher quality version click here: Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent High Quality

Crocs - Walking Advertisments? Seewalk makes it happen!

 

Crocs^TM are definitely not a new trend, but as you know, I am a lover of new, fresh & inventive ideas I had to tell you about the new use for old Crocs^TM.  Seewalk^TM puts these versatile, comfortable shoes to the test!  With a minimum order of 1,000 you can have your brand, logo or advertisement walking the streets in no time.  Its a perfect way to launch a new program, product or company.  That's not all, Seewalk^TM has  a charitable arm called Equita, and for every pair you buy, a needy child in a deserving county will receive a free pair!  If you think this shoe is too good to pass up, I agree.  Just contact me at The Holding Company and we will find what works best for you and your needs!

Made Goods - Mirrors with Style and Grace

                           

Made Goods mirrors have certainly caught my attention lately.  The company, based in California uses innovative materials such as coral, shells and hammered brass to create the most magical designs!  Made Goods believes that mirrors should take center stage - and I can tell you, the designs on their website are sure to make that happen!  Their whymsical, globally inspired shapes will make the mirror a focal point of any room.  I encourage you to visit their website to see the three collections, Romantic Statements, Global Inspirations and Modern Glamour.  You are sure to find a style and size that is perfect for every room in the house! 

Fair Trade - Full Style

   

Fair Trade handicrafts take on a whole new meaning with Children of the World India's Vocational Academy. Established in 2005 to help Tsunami affected young adults, the Academy pairs vocational training with real world experience in order to help transition skills in traditional handicrafts into products that fare well in the modern marketplace.  Students study and train for 10 months then work with partner companies for the last 2 months in a variety of fields ranging from garment technology, catering to metal working.  Now what I really love is the shop and design studio associated with the Academy called Artyzan.  Artyzan is not only the name of the studio, but its the Academy's official brand that produces limited edition luxury garments, interiors and accessories for international private customers and companies.  The Artyzan website is in the beginning stages, but I encourage you to check it regularly for updates!  In the meantime, if you wish to purchase products or support their cause please go to:  artyzan@cwindia.org.

Cupcake Craze in Manhattan

                                                               

Cupcakes galore:  Magnolia, Buttercup & Billy's - the list could go on!  I don't know if it's just me, but I feel like cupcakes are invading Manhattan.  Everywhere I turn, a new bakery pops up.  Magnolia Bakery, a West Village native, now has two more locations in Times Square and the Upper West Side!  Buttercup Bakeshop has control of the Upper East Side, and in case you are in Chelsea don't forget to try out Billy's Bakery.  Cupcakes are so hot right now, I've even spotted new ways of "consuming" your cupcakes without getting a sugar rush!   Delish Gourmet Bath Bakery is bringing fizzy, yummy smelling and cute-as-a-button cupcakes into your bath!  A fun take on the original bath bomb, these cupcakes smell and look real, and fill your bath with the scent of fresh baked cupcakes.  Check out all the different flavors on their website - ordering your very own is easy!  Not to be outdone, at the NY Gift Show I found cupcake cookie jars by Byrd Cookie Company- the Cupcake Cookie Jar Tower is my favorite - it comes pre-loaded with Byrd Cookie's famous cookies and is 20 inches tall!  Man, all this talk has made my sweet tooth tingle, i'm off to Buttercup to grab my favorite red velvet cupcake!

Grandfather Clocks ~ Scandinavian Style

Studio Jan Habraken's vinyl wall decal is totally bringing the grandfather clock into the 21st Century!  Based in Brooklyn, NY this dynamic design studio takes Scandinavian style to a whole new level.  This 2 piece decal works perfectly with an existing clock you have in your house.  Feel like changing the color? Well the amazing designers have thought of everything, you can mix and match colors ranging from tangerine to sour apple - yummy!  I have always admired Scandinavian design and style for it's simple lines and modern trimmings.  Wall decals I've been spotting for a while, but never before have I seen old world charm and Scandinavian aesthetic so beautifully orchestrated!  In fact, I encourage you to go to the Blik website where you can find your true artistic flair and pick and purchase from a multitude of funky wall decals to individualize your home or office.

Hip Housewares by Alice Supply Co.

Chic takes on a whole new level with these creatively designed housewares from Alice Supply Co.'s founders Maria Barnes and Raili Clasen.  I saw this collection of brightly colored tools for your home at the New York Gift Show and fell in love.  This is totally the wave of the future; gone are the days of drab brooms, plungers and toolboxes.  Women come get your goods, these edgy products will make cleaning, watering plants and building things fun again!  No need to hide behind frumpy household products anymore, visit Alice Supply Co. online to get your "clean" on.

Snuggie - a Trend No One Saw Coming!

The Snuggie has taken the U.S. by storm in recent months.  How could I have missed this trend!?  The Snuggie, an over-sized fleece blanket with arms, is absolutely so out of style that it's in!  This fad is no joke at all.  In January, CNBC reported that over 4 million Snuggies had been sold and that they were on back-order.  The Snuggie has a cult following from Williamsburg Hipsters to Upper East Side moms, in fact you could read about it in the Sunday Styles section of The New York Times last weekend when Allen Salkin tested its outside use.  Of course, like all musings on the Snuggie it was a "tongue in cheek" description of its merits and weaknesses.  Well, for now i'll let everyone else wear their Snuggie, but I'll be wearing my friend, Jennifer Wolinetz Feldman's Nuddle Blanket, a more plush version of the Snuggie with a pouch for your hands, and pockets for your feet!

Fitness Everyday with Banglz

 

The founders of Simplyweights have found a way to make excersize a part of your daily routine with their new Banglz line of portable weights. Banglz are a fun, functional way of incorporating a little bit of strength resistence into your everyday actions.   Blowdrying your hair?  Put on 1/2 lb banglz for a little resistence, or a 1lb bracelet for even more of a workout!  Not only will these weights fit seamlessly into whatever you do - you can even hide the ankle weights under your pants.  Now you can tone and strengthen your legs while walking back and forth to the printer at work all day!  You can find these nifty portable weights on the Banglz website where you can order your weights in your favorite color and size or even check out other innovative tools that Simplyweights has to offer!

Raandesk Remembers The Plaza!

    

The Raandesk Gallery celebrated its three year anniversary at Glenn Gale Gallery  where artist Laura Salierno's The PLaza Hotel series of photographs is on display.  Salierno, a photographer residing in Brooklyn snuck her camera into The Plaza Hotel as it was being dismantled and turned into condominiums.  She amazingly caught The Plaza as no one has seen it - a moment in purgatory - not quite the grand hotel it once was, but not yet the building it was to become. She caught the essence of what was happening so magically – fireplaces being ripped out of walls and chandelier's hanging by threads.  I was captivated by this collection, and I encourage you to go to the Raandesk website where you can view these photographs and purchase other contemporary paintings, photographs, drawings and sculptures.

Ingo Maurer Zettel'z 5 Chandelier Brings Romance Home

 

Has Cupid made his mark on you yet?  Well, Ingo Maurer, one of Italy's finest lighting designers has just the chandelier that will put you in the Valentine's Day mood this year!  His Zettel'z 5 Chandelier will add a romantic spirit to any room.  This modern light with stainless steel wire cables comes adorned with 31 Japanese paper note cards pre-printed with love notes in many different languages.  The great thing is that the fixture also comes with 49 blank note cards that let you write your own notes.  While Ingo Maurer has certainly created awe inspiring lighting before, I truly think his Zettel'z 5 Chandelier is something very special.  The way the light reflects off the note cards is so intriguing and having love notes of different languages hanging over the table just creates a sense of mystery and whimsical fun that cannot be surpassed!

PoGo is the New Polaroid

If you miss the days of Polaroid pictures look no further, Polaroid has come out with two new gadgets to make printing pictures on the go fun again--the Polaroid PoGo Digital Camera and Instant Mobile Printer. The high quality, pocket sized digital printer can connect to your camera via USB or wirelessly through Bluetooth enabled phones and prints on 2" by 3" paper that you buy in packs of 12.  The digital camera with integrated printer instantly delivers borderless images that are dry to the touch. It can take hours to upload photos and have them printed at a store - but I'll be using a PoGo from now on to make sure my memories aren't captured only in my camera!   

Stile BK Debuts American Comic Inspired Rugs

                                                  

Stile BK, an Italian brand of Tibetan made carpets has come up with a really fresh idea of creating a limited edition collection focusing on American vintage comics.  This line called Fumeto (comic in Italian), is as funky as it is original.  When I saw this in the January 5^th issue of Home Furnishings News for Industry Decision Makers magazine I just had to spread the word.  Not only is the Fumeto collection amazingly inventive, I cannot think of a more fun way to spice up a room!  I especially like the rug with “Spaaaaash!” written across it featuring water pouring out of a room.  In the right bathroom, that could be a kitschy touch.  Stile BK scores extra points in my book because they are all handmade in Nepal using natural fibers and colors.  These carpets are definitely a win-win! 

Inflatable Subway Art

New York City streets bring all sorts of wonders to the passersby, but you are in for a real treat if you have seen artist Joshua Allen Harris' inflatable subway art project.  As you are walking down the street don't be surprised if a bear, ape or giraffe pop up at you.  Harris has created these animals by simply taping together discarded plastic bags and installing them over the grates of a subway.  That way as the subway passes below and the air pushes up you get a uniquely spectacular animal!  It can be quite a surprise when you are not expecting it, and as it inflates and deflates it creates the most amazing shapes!  If you haven't been lucky enough to see Harris' work on the street, click on the video below to see.

Buy a Tee Plant a Tree

The 100% Organic Andira Rain Tee Collection Available at: www.TheGreenloop.com Founded by two bright and generous young women, The Rain Tee collection is the first and only women’s and children’s eco-friendly apparel line to save endangered rain forests through the voices of the children living in them. Beth Doane created The Andira Rain Tee Collection by donating school supplies to children in endangered rain forests and asking them to illustrate what they see happening around them.  Each 100% organic cotton Rain Tee is handmade in Peru and displays the thoughts, illustrations,countries and names of each child.  Rain Tees are available at www.TheGreenloop.com and high-end boutiques across North America. The Rain Tee line is an affordable luxury brand that gives consumers a fresh way to combat rain forest deforestation and pollution while creating “green jobs,” and supporting environmental education, fair trade, and eco-friendly production all with one purchase. For each Rain Tee sold, youth living in Costa Rica who are involved in environmental education programs are given a tree to plant in an area of rain forest that has been destroyed.

Canstruction® Designing to Make a Difference

  

What is Canstruction® you might ask?  In 1992 the Society for Design Administration(SDA) started a foundation called Canstruction®, which is a design/build competition among teams of architects, engineers and students across the country.  And you guessed it; they use canned food to create these wacky and all out amazing structures!  The New York Chapter of SDA, one of the founding members of Canstruction®, just celebrated the end of their competition where 40 of the top architectural firms teamed up to create these imaginative structures in just one night.   To celebrate its 16^th year, the

New York competition was held at the World Financial Center’s Winter Garden and Courtyard Gallery.  Out of the 40 competitors, only six were chosen on December 8, 2008 for categories like:  Best Use of Labels, Structural Integrity and Best Meal.  After the competition, all the food was donated to City Harvest.  What an innovative and wonderful way to help raise awareness of the many Americans without an adequate supply of food.  Since its inception, all across the country, Canstruction® has donated ten million pounds of food to help the fight against hunger.