T-shirts embellished with West Coat and Hawaiian imagery is the foundation of Destee Nation's mission to save local landmarks one t-shirt at a time. In an era of the big box chain stores, DesteeNation.com owner Matt Morgan has created a business model that capitalizes on the need to keep American small businesses alive and thriving. And he definitely is doing something right! Sales average 10,000 t-shirts a month and Nordstrom recently began selling this line. A win-win for everyone.
Barbie™ should take a lesson from the new kid on the aisle at the 2008 Licensing Expo in New York. Kathy Osborn's Dollhouse, designed with so much style and class, warrants a spread in Elle Decor, Domino and Dwell.
Innovative and refreshing, stock with the most amazing chic, modern miniature furniture & accessories and inhabited by the coolest, dressed to the nines characters with magnets on the soles of their flexible feet. This fabulous fantasyland made me just want to take up residency.
What started with a compressed t-shirt in a small cube (hence the name T-box) has become a rapidly growing brand of fun products, t-shirts, towels, swim suits, dresses, hats, headbands and more all in a variety of creative award winning packages--squares, rectangles, hearts, ice cream cones, lollipops, slurpee cups--all reminiscent of the much anticipated prize in a Cracker Jack Box. Each one is a welcomed surprise.
New York's first ever Go Green Expo was held last week at the New York Hilton. Businesses large and small where invited to showcase what they are doing to reduce their respective carbon footprint. Consumers were able to experience hands on "eco-friendly" alternatives to current everyday products and services. The Go Green Expo will be moving around the country giving consumers and business owners a chance to learn more about what is available to help them do their part to make our communities greener, one city at a time. Even the event itself was environmentally friendly utilizing biodegradable table coverings, recycled signs, compostable sponsor banners and more.
New York based CardboarDesigns was there. This is one of my most favorite companies. I am totally intrigued with the concept of cardboard designed products for kids. What a great way to tap into a child's creativity and sense of imagination. They are a perfect blank canvas for children to play, create and decorate and good for the environment too.
I've been an avid movie goer since the age of three. My father was a stockholder in a movie theater chain for over thirty years, so trust me when I say that I have seen more than my fair share of movies. Young at Heart is by far the best documentary film I've ever seen. You will laugh. You will cry. The human spirit is alive and well in this gem. Run don't walk to see it.
.................................Robert Wright for The New York Times
April 6, 2008 - Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Thank you Amy Holbrook my fellow LadyLauncher for turning me on to Brooklyn Flea. It was a blistering cold day but I came away with some hot finds! Below are my best picks starting with AMH Designs.
Amy has given a mordern twist to an old craft with her Stitchable Journals and Photo Albums.
Drinks and Dreams founder Addie Gartland creates these unique shades inspired by famous icons and her mother's millinery collection. Addie transforms the most mundane of shades into something truly hip and cool.
Make your own Marimekko prints! Lotta Prints
Molly Worth photographed by Robert Wright for The New York Times
Recycling takes a front row seat at Chairloom where the old becomes new again. I've been collecting antiques chairs for 20 years. Why didn't I think of this? Go Molly!
Although my trendspotting odyssey to Brooklyn was a two hour journey impeded by MTA train cancelations, re-routing and shuttle transfers, I can't wait to return to Brooklyn for more adventures. Next stop Redhook?
The British street artist Banksy is a household name in England. He crafts his images with spray paint and cardboard stencils achieving outstanding detail. His subject matter is broad social cartooning. He occasionally issues books filled with photographs of his
work, accompanied by his own text. His latest, “Wall and Piece
"BankAmericard Gift on Fifth" was a wonderful "pop-up" shopper's lounge sponsored by BankofAmerica this past holiday season. The lounge opened for just 10 days ("Black" Friday, Nov. 23 through Sunday, Dec. 2). The 3,500-square-foot structure was built to resemble a giant gift box! Inside, visitors were treated to free services like gift wrapping, ticket reservation for shows, tours and restaurants. Visitors also received free digital greeting cards to share on the internet along with free hot chocolate and coffee. The lounge offered shoppers a little break from the holiday hustle and bustle.
In the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory - through January 13th
The Holiday Train Show was sponsored by BankofAmerica. Model trains and trolleys zipped along over bridges and on winding tracks past small scale replicas of New York landmarks made by award-winning designer Paul Busse. Paul created the distinguishing elements of the buildings with plant materials like pieces of bark or fallen berries that he collects year-round while on walks through the woods in his native Kentucky. The trains that wound through the magical landscape represented American locomotives and railroad cars from the late-1800s steam engines to today's most modern high-speed passenger trains. More information about the houses and trains can be found on the New York Botanical Garden's website www.nybg.org.
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