To all the moms that help us grow....
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Brimfield is Here
I'm off to Brimfield today. Unfortunately the rain is once again coming down on the vintage parade. Not to worry, it will still be a lot of fun and I'll be bringing you lots of coverage. I am reposting scenes from last year to whet your appetite. Enjoy!
The Brimfield Antique Market is the ultimate Green shopping experience. From furniture, to clothing and accessories, to repurposed works of art, there is something for every type of design connoisseur, and 95% of what’s offered is ‘antique’ just waiting to be up-cycled into a new home. Stylists, magazine editors and designers all brave the elements searching for new trends and inspiration to keep them ahead of the curve. If you keep your eyes pealed, you can spot fashionistas and their entourages digging deep for what will end up in catalogs and chic boutiques in the months ahead. The treasure hunt is part of the experience, and uncovering an undiscovered gem is what keeps the crowds coming back year after year. The fall market wrapped up last week and during it, I had the pleasure of taking part in the 2ndBrimfield Tweet-Up. I am a regular attendee at the famous Antiques Market and was excited to have the opportunity to connect with so many design friends and put an actual face with their Twitter avatars I have come to know. It was pouring rain when I left Boston, and since a predawn start is critical to the experience, staying in my cozy bed did cross my mind. But I knew how much work Cynthia Bogart from The Daily Basics and Gretchen Aubuchon fromGretchen Aubochon Designs had put into this event, so that thought quickly faded.
The devastation that previous weather had left along the roadside on Rt.20 was shocking to say the least. Trees were snapped in half like matchsticks, houses were underwater, and I could only imagine what this latest round of rain was doing to the fields where 6000 vendors were setting up and housing their wares. Everything was behind schedule, but as I started to walk the fields, the rain let up and the atmosphere took a turn for the better.
Vendors started to lay out straw to absorb the water, and there was a definite sense of camaraderie amongst everyone who had been brave enough to get this far into the show. A sense of humor was in the air.
First on the agenda that afternoon at the Tweet-Up was an exclusive unveiling fromBenjamin Moore. Listen up color enthusiasts! John Turner, the Director of the Architecture and Design Segment announced the unveiling of their new paint line, Color Stories. This full color spectrum of low VOC paints will be made without a drop of black and will feature 5-7 colors in the mix to give a richness we are not used to seeing in the paint world. Their color decks will be made from actual paint swatches, insuring clients will know exactly the color they are getting; the base will be the same as their Aura paint line. These are complex artists colors. 200 strong, with dreamy names to match the deep colorations.
Additional sponsors for the event included Aubuchon Hardware, GE Monogram, Pandora de Balthazar, and Company C, whose innovative rugs, bedding, furniture and fabrics are “designed for colorful living”
The next day, media partner Traditional Home gave away 3 shopping sprees, and I was one of the lucky winners! I found a lovely rocker from a farm house in upstate New York, which I decided to repurpose with an antique linen feed sack from Pan de Balthazar and some Hungarian trim and antique buttons. Here I am discussing my find with Michael Diver, Managing Editor of Traditional Home. We had sat together at dinner the night before and his laid back style quickly puts you at ease. Finally, after GE Monogram had a drawing for a shiny new grill, Better Homes and Gardens gave away two copies of their hot off the press:New Decorating Book.
Biggest takeaway from all of this? Personally, I think I had a bit of an epiphany about sleeping and the importance of your bed after talking to the ambassador herself, Pandora de Balthazar(featured in a post here). And professionally, I have to admit I'm feeling a little smug with all those naysayers who pooh poohed the idea about getting involved withTwitter in the first place. This event reached a total of over 10.5 million-YES MILLION-impressions and made the obvious point that the design world on Twitter is a force to be reckoned with. Congratulations again to Gretchen and Cynthia!
Brimfield-It's A Wrap
The Brimfield Antique Market is the ultimate Green shopping experience. From furniture, to clothing and accessories, to repurposed works of art, there is something for every type of design connoisseur, and 95% of what’s offered is ‘antique’ just waiting to be up-cycled into a new home. Stylists, magazine editors and designers all brave the elements searching for new trends and inspiration to keep them ahead of the curve. If you keep your eyes pealed, you can spot fashionistas and their entourages digging deep for what will end up in catalogs and chic boutiques in the months ahead. The treasure hunt is part of the experience, and uncovering an undiscovered gem is what keeps the crowds coming back year after year. The fall market wrapped up last week and during it, I had the pleasure of taking part in the 2ndBrimfield Tweet-Up. I am a regular attendee at the famous Antiques Market and was excited to have the opportunity to connect with so many design friends and put an actual face with their Twitter avatars I have come to know. It was pouring rain when I left Boston, and since a predawn start is critical to the experience, staying in my cozy bed did cross my mind. But I knew how much work Cynthia Bogart from The Daily Basics and Gretchen Aubuchon fromGretchen Aubochon Designs had put into this event, so that thought quickly faded.
The devastation that previous weather had left along the roadside on Rt.20 was shocking to say the least. Trees were snapped in half like matchsticks, houses were underwater, and I could only imagine what this latest round of rain was doing to the fields where 6000 vendors were setting up and housing their wares. Everything was behind schedule, but as I started to walk the fields, the rain let up and the atmosphere took a turn for the better.
Vendors started to lay out straw to absorb the water, and there was a definite sense of camaraderie amongst everyone who had been brave enough to get this far into the show. A sense of humor was in the air.
First on the agenda that afternoon at the Tweet-Up was an exclusive unveiling fromBenjamin Moore. Listen up color enthusiasts! John Turner, the Director of the Architecture and Design Segment announced the unveiling of their new paint line, Color Stories. This full color spectrum of low VOC paints will be made without a drop of black and will feature 5-7 colors in the mix to give a richness we are not used to seeing in the paint world. Their color decks will be made from actual paint swatches, insuring clients will know exactly the color they are getting; the base will be the same as their Aura paint line. These are complex artists colors. 200 strong, with dreamy names to match the deep colorations.  |
| Company C Display {photo via Jessica Delany} |
 |
| Brimfield Tweet-Up VIP Tent {photo via The Daily Basics}
The VIP tent designed by Kelley L.Moore, lifestyle expert and frequent contributor to Nate Berkus and The Today Show, gave everyone a place to regroup and start tweeting. She and Brian Kelsey, host on Martha Stewart Radio, repurposed antiques with Benjamin Moore paints and Company C fabrics.
|
The next day, media partner Traditional Home gave away 3 shopping sprees, and I was one of the lucky winners! I found a lovely rocker from a farm house in upstate New York, which I decided to repurpose with an antique linen feed sack from Pan de Balthazar and some Hungarian trim and antique buttons. Here I am discussing my find with Michael Diver, Managing Editor of Traditional Home. We had sat together at dinner the night before and his laid back style quickly puts you at ease. Finally, after GE Monogram had a drawing for a shiny new grill, Better Homes and Gardens gave away two copies of their hot off the press:New Decorating Book. |
| More Finds from the Fields |
 |
| Pandora and I inside her exquisite 'tent' |
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| Cynthia and Gretchen {photo via Quintessence} |
Monday, May 7, 2012
I Am Forbidden and Tolerance
I Am Forbidden- pretty heavy words. As a matter of fact, I rarely use the word forbidden in my vocabulary. Dark, foreboding, negative. It doesn't really work with my value system. However, for different arms of the religious world, Forbidden takes on a life of its own.
I fancy myself as pretty knowledgeable about the Jewish religion {for a gentile}. My best friend is Jewish, my business partner of 20 years is Jewish and much of my neighborhood is fasting during Yom Kippur. I can hum or mouth Friday night prayers and my son wanted to know "how do I get to be Jewish" so he could have a bar mitzvah of his own when he was 13. As I read I Am Forbidden, I realized how little I knew about the ultra-orthodox Hasidic Judaism sect called Satmar. My May online book club selection for From Left To Write gives the reader an intense and intimate window into a world closed to many who live outside.
Green With Renvy focuses often on ways to improve the environment and I find myself spending equal amounts of time worrying about the toxic nature of products we use and put into our bodies. After reading I am Forbidden, I was reminded, that what I truly see as an even bigger threat to our future is religious intolerance. It's been the source of wars since the beginning of time, and today is still front and center framing much of our political debate and foreign policy.
The struggle between two sisters, forced apart when one questions their faith is a heart wrenching story that mirrors what is happening around the world when tradition and unwavering thinking collides with intellectual freedom. The tragic results of secrets, family expectations and arranged marriages are issues that explode in the hands of this talented author. Markovits' reference to a video on the internet of the stoning of a young woman "human hands bound, female: a circle of bearded men around the writhing red pulp. What could she do?" Is one of the many parallels I saw drawn between the strict Satmar home and other religions with little room for thinking outside the box. The psychological death from being disowned-'you are dead to me'-can be as devastating as the physical killing she refers to.
How do we live side by side in communities where such divergent lines are drawn in lifestyle and beliefs. For me, education and understanding are two of the tools for growing my perspective. Exploration of the unknown, in mind and spirit helps us to combine our communities and live in peaceful co-existence. I was grateful to have the opportunity from Anouk Markovits to expand my horizons and hope others will do the same and enjoy and learn from this heartfelt English language debut from a gifted author.
Though not sisters by blood but through their Hasidic faith, Mila and Atara view the rules and structure of their culture differently. Mila seeks comfort in the Torah while Atara searches for answers in secular literature she is forbidden to read. Ultimately each must make an irrevocable decision that will change their lives forever. Join From Left to Write on May 8 as we discuss I AM FORBIDDEN. As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.
Green With Renvy focuses often on ways to improve the environment and I find myself spending equal amounts of time worrying about the toxic nature of products we use and put into our bodies. After reading I am Forbidden, I was reminded, that what I truly see as an even bigger threat to our future is religious intolerance. It's been the source of wars since the beginning of time, and today is still front and center framing much of our political debate and foreign policy.
The struggle between two sisters, forced apart when one questions their faith is a heart wrenching story that mirrors what is happening around the world when tradition and unwavering thinking collides with intellectual freedom. The tragic results of secrets, family expectations and arranged marriages are issues that explode in the hands of this talented author. Markovits' reference to a video on the internet of the stoning of a young woman "human hands bound, female: a circle of bearded men around the writhing red pulp. What could she do?" Is one of the many parallels I saw drawn between the strict Satmar home and other religions with little room for thinking outside the box. The psychological death from being disowned-'you are dead to me'-can be as devastating as the physical killing she refers to.
How do we live side by side in communities where such divergent lines are drawn in lifestyle and beliefs. For me, education and understanding are two of the tools for growing my perspective. Exploration of the unknown, in mind and spirit helps us to combine our communities and live in peaceful co-existence. I was grateful to have the opportunity from Anouk Markovits to expand my horizons and hope others will do the same and enjoy and learn from this heartfelt English language debut from a gifted author.
Though not sisters by blood but through their Hasidic faith, Mila and Atara view the rules and structure of their culture differently. Mila seeks comfort in the Torah while Atara searches for answers in secular literature she is forbidden to read. Ultimately each must make an irrevocable decision that will change their lives forever. Join From Left to Write on May 8 as we discuss I AM FORBIDDEN. As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo - Up Cycled Tablescape
Happy Cinco de Mayo! When celebrating, how about decorating your table with some festive, earth friendly products ?
From top left: 1.In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a sucker for tissue flowers. These fromProsttothehost add just the right pop of color for the festive occasion. 2.The metal flowers from recycled tin cans in Mexico have barb-wired stems and are from IndigoArts. 3.Delightfully cheerful Sol dinnerware is sturdy and dishwasher safe. Find these recycled glass plates at VivaTerra. 4. Bottlehood offers these upcycled Corona glasses in sets of four/$27. SALUD
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Extreme Makeover Fire Island Edition
Last weekend I had a bit of my own reality tv show-like makeover when my sister and I were challenged to give a quick, very overdue facelift to a cottage on Fire Island.
Armed with a minuscule {$500.} budget and a whole lotta Benjamin Moore paint, we set off on a mission.
Armed with a minuscule {$500.} budget and a whole lotta Benjamin Moore paint, we set off on a mission.
No, this isn't the cottage, but I wanted to give you a view of our arrival to the island.
This, dear readers, was our challenge. And I don't use the word challenge lightly! Remember that once we hit the ground running and got on island- there was no transportation except for one trip on a golf cart. Thank goodness for all those hockey duffles with wheels. We had to replace all the bedding, 3/4 of the pots and pans, a destroyed dresser and sleep sofa. Ikea flat pack was a life saver.
With 3 full days of work ahead of us, we started by separating everything into two areas, one for the dump, the other to re-use. You can imagine which pile was larger!
The entire area of 700 square feet was coated with primer and Benjamin Moore #OC-117, Simply White. Ben is my favorite brand for a low VOC, high quality coverage.
We had one suitcase worth of new accessories to use and the rest was reshuffled from what we could recycle into the new space.
I think the results were light and airy, visually increasing the space and making everything look fresh.
Amazing what a difference a paint makes-right! {and a lot of elbow grease}
Monday, April 30, 2012
Have You Ever Been to Fire Island?
Last weekend I had a bit of my very own extreme makeover adventure on Fire Island in New York. Before I let you in on that experience, I want to tell you a little bit about the Island itself. It's one of the most unique places I have ever been, a distinct, beautiful Eco- system combined with a bit of a seedy underbelly. Ive been coming to this place since the 50's, and while some things have changed, for the most part it remains relatively the same. Off season, it can be one of the most exquisite beach communities I have ever been to. During the summer months however, when the population swells from several hundred to tens of thousands, it's a rocking, loud partying hot spot. Each community has it's own reputation, and it's important to do your homework and pick your spot carefully.
Approximately 10 miles out to sea off the coast of Long Island, it is accessible to non- residents by ferry or seaplane. This is one of the most charming characteristics of the island. Unless you are one of the few year round residents or contractors with a much coveted permit-there are no cars! Made up of small towns {with names like Ocean Beach, Saltaire, Cherry Grove and Point O'Woods} connected by slim concrete pathways and magical boardwalks, transportation on this 31 mile long and very narrow barrier is by foot, bicycle or wagon.
Each of the ferry basins has a wagon lock up for transferring your possessions to the house.
Should you ever visit, make sure to bring a flashlight. The boardwalks can be treacherous at night. I've ended up in the reeds more times than i'd like to admit!
Fire Island is a very seasonal area, houses range from million dollar oceanfront mansions to bungalow-style with generous helpings of bamboo. Some are beachfront, built on the dunes of the Atlantic Ocean, while others are on board or concrete walks, like a miniature city. The lifestyle is very casual and friendly, with Ocean Beach as the main destination for tourists and day trippers. Seasonal visitors to Fire Island can always find a place, no matter what their lifestyle. Year-round residents can find schools, churches, shops and even a school bus service to Long Island via an off-road modified school bus.
The deer are everywhere and they have zero fear of humans, you can easily approach them. Don't dare to leave a sandwich out on the deck to go inside to get a cold drink. You could come back to find your lovely deli lunch has disappeared. The deer are a huge part of the beauty of this island life, but they are also a very large problem. . The deer have become overpopulated on Fire Island, to the point that the park service is forced to inject 200 deer every year with a vaccine to prevent pregnancy.
Houses are surrounded by fencing in creative ways you can only imagine to keep the deer out.
The environment there is also threatened by Feral Cats of Fire Island. Sounds kind of like a Cirque de Soleil performance. But, I can assure you; they’re not near that pleasant. Other than the fact that the introduction of any non-native species can be devastating to the environment, they are also downright nasty. These cats take shelter under the homes on Fire Island, getting into and even destroying some homes. The males’ scent is almost impossible to get out of your home, and they have been known to completely tear apart cabinetry and furniture. Where they are really remaking havoc is on the Piping Plover population.
I know these endangered species from the Nantucket beaches. A Piping Plover is an incredible bird that nests on open, sandy-cobble beaches with no-to-sparse vegetation - beaches like the Fire Island National Seashore. They face numerous threats from predators, the environment, and human contact, however - what are two of their growing threats? You guessed it: feral cats and the over-population of deer. So.....Don't feed wild animals!
Fire Island separated from Southampton in a 1931 Nor'easter when Moriches Inlet broke through the land. Efforts by local communities east of Fire Island to protect their beach front with jetties is blamed for erosion of the Fire Island beachfront. Between these major breaks there have been reports over the years of at least six inlets that broke through the island but have since disappeared. I recall a hurricane in the 60's when the bay met the ocean in many places on the island. Because the island is so narrow {less than 600 ft in some areas}, the future of Fire Island is very precarious.
Fire Island, hmm....the name, curious right? Could it be from the fiery poison ivy rash many unlucky victims have woken up with after veering off the boardwalk? Some say the island derived its name from fires built on the sea's edge by Native Americans or by pirates to lure unsuspecting ships into the sandbars. Others believe it could be from the spectacular autumn leaf color which gives the illusion of fire at sea.
Whatever the origin, there's no arguing with the natural beauty this spot has to offer!
Fire Island, hmm....the name, curious right? Could it be from the fiery poison ivy rash many unlucky victims have woken up with after veering off the boardwalk? Some say the island derived its name from fires built on the sea's edge by Native Americans or by pirates to lure unsuspecting ships into the sandbars. Others believe it could be from the spectacular autumn leaf color which gives the illusion of fire at sea.
Whatever the origin, there's no arguing with the natural beauty this spot has to offer!
Come back tomorrow to hear about my extreme cottage makeover.
If you've ever been lucky enough to travel here, i'd love to hear about your experience!
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Boston Area Honest Tea Giveaway
I have been a big fan of Honest Tea and their company philosophy for quite some time, so when they contacted me to partner with them for a Earth Month giveaway of 12 cases of their beverage, it was really a no brainer. Fresh brewed tea mixed with homemade lemonade has been a staple in our house ever since I was a kid. Honest Tea's Half & Half is the closest I've ever tasted to our tried and true family recipe. With over two dozen other delicious flavor combinations, this brand has a thirst quencher for everyone's taste buds.
The company was started in 1997 when Seth Goldman joined forces with his former Yale School of Management prof, Barry Nalebuff, in search of a 'not too sweet' beverage that would satisfy thirst and pack a lot of taste. A fortuitous trip to India had Barry thinking about quality tea and honest relationships with customers, suppliers and the environment. After some brainstorming between the two, Honest Tea was born.
Batches were initially brewed in home kitchens, and after a substantial first order from Whole Foods, the two were in business. Today, Honest Tea and Honest Ade can be found in tens of thousands of stores across the United States. The same passion towards the environment and their commitment to vendors that do not use chemical pesticides and fertilizers still drives the mission of the company today.
With awards from PlanetGreen.com and Socially Responsible rankings from the Huffington Post and others, their green factor sets a pretty high standard. When they launched Honest Kids {their organic kids drink} in 2007, they partnered with recycle/up cycle powerhouse TerraCycle and to date have kept more than 98 million used drink pouches out of landfill.
Batches were initially brewed in home kitchens, and after a substantial first order from Whole Foods, the two were in business. Today, Honest Tea and Honest Ade can be found in tens of thousands of stores across the United States. The same passion towards the environment and their commitment to vendors that do not use chemical pesticides and fertilizers still drives the mission of the company today.
With awards from PlanetGreen.com and Socially Responsible rankings from the Huffington Post and others, their green factor sets a pretty high standard. When they launched Honest Kids {their organic kids drink} in 2007, they partnered with recycle/up cycle powerhouse TerraCycle and to date have kept more than 98 million used drink pouches out of landfill.
They are constantly pushing the envelope with unusual flavor combinations and innovative and sustainable packaging. This is a company whose product is truly making a difference.
The Deets:
Location: Giveaway is limited to residents of the Boston metro area {within Rt. 128}
Value: The giveaway is to one winner for 12 cases of different varieties of Honest Tea, Honest Ades and Honest Kids, with a retail value of approx $200.00.
How to Enter: To qualify, you just need to leave a comment on this page registering with a valid email address {as that is how you will be contacted after the giveaway}
Deadline: Comments close on Wednesday, May 2nd at 12 pm ET and the winner will be selected shortly after that by random.org.
Disclosure: Honest Tea has donated the product for this giveaway, but the opinions expressed are entirely my own. Winner must respond within 48 hrs. or a new winner will be chosen.
COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR THE GIVEAWAY
Location: Giveaway is limited to residents of the Boston metro area {within Rt. 128}
Value: The giveaway is to one winner for 12 cases of different varieties of Honest Tea, Honest Ades and Honest Kids, with a retail value of approx $200.00.
How to Enter: To qualify, you just need to leave a comment on this page registering with a valid email address {as that is how you will be contacted after the giveaway}
Deadline: Comments close on Wednesday, May 2nd at 12 pm ET and the winner will be selected shortly after that by random.org.
Disclosure: Honest Tea has donated the product for this giveaway, but the opinions expressed are entirely my own. Winner must respond within 48 hrs. or a new winner will be chosen.
COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR THE GIVEAWAY
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