Trendspotting

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!