Gansevoort and streetart

Just the other day we met up with some old and new friends and had a very delicious dinner and cocktails at the restaurant of the Gansevoort hotel and afterwards went upstairs to the rooftop bar for even more cocktails! Lots of fun and a bit of a hangover the day after... oops...




Me and Love arrived a bit early so we went for a stroll through the meatpacking district and came across this huge piece of wallart! I don't know the artist, but how i love and appreciate discovering great streetart. Which reminded me of my walks through Amsterdam on the hunt for new pieces. And how i still have a lot of unshown discoveries on my hard drive. So added to my to show on my blog list. Maybe a couple pics on a weekly blog post or something.

Free Hair

I had such a wonderful afternoon today. Lately i haven't really given myself any down time. Working almost constantly. Not complaining about it, work is good. Not having work is something to complain about. But sometimes you need to sit still and do nothing. Today was that day.

I got a free haircut at the Bumble and Bumble University! I used to go to have my hair cut regularly back in Amsterdam, but ever since i came to New York i haven't had a haircut. Wow. That's like 6 months. My hairdo was in desperate need of a cut!

Bumble and Bumble has special model search evenings every once in a while, i signed up and was invited to one back in November. Got my appointment for today. I was cut by a very sweet hairdresser from Florida. He reminded me of a friend of mine from Amsterdam, so it felt comfortable. The hairdressers are not totally inexperienced, but they are there to learn new tricks and cuts. There is also an instructor keeping an eye out that everything goes as it should. So it felt safe. You do sit down longer than at a regular (payed) haircut, but i didn't mind. This was my relax and do nothing time. I ended up with a wonderful looking long layered razor cut. I feel Fabulous again. (only thing i didn't especially liked was the amount of products that was put in my hair, not only with me, i saw it happening around me too, so i do need to give it a good wash tonight)

As soon as i was outside on the street again, a car honked, was it my new hair or the fact i was talking on the phone and almost walked a red light? My husband said it must have been my new hair!

Christmas in Queens

Hope everyone had a wonderful bright Christmas celebration.

I so adore all the lights on the dark nights, i just had to take pictures of all the gorgeous decorated homes in the neighbourhood.

My evening with the Rockettes

I'm so behind on telling my stories. Yesterday i have uploaded a bunch of new pictures on my computer, so i'll be updating over the next couple of days!

Last week i was invited to join a company outing of a friend of mine. There was dinner and cocktails (cherry margaritas) and the opening night of the Rockettes in Radio City Music Hall. We were all very excited. I never been before, but love the theater and love dance. We arrived a bit tipsy and giggly at radio city. There was a long line outside, but we managed to get in fairly quick. Maybe it was because we expected too much or maybe weren't in the Christmas mood enough yet, but it just lasted a bit too long. I enjoyed the Rockettes famous dance line up, but we all did get a bit bored with the rest of the show. Some of my friends co-workers even fell asleep during the show. (that could have been due to the margaritas too) I do think it is a wonderful show to go to somewhere in December when you have little kids to take with you.

I didn't get to take any pictures inside Radio City since i only carried a clutch which didn't fit my camera. Very unlike me to go out without camera.

All in all, it was an experience and in a way it was an unforgettable evening. I did have fun and lots of laughs. My evening with the Rockettes.

Calling Cuteness

The area of NY I'm now living in, has a wonderful mixture of different nationalities. Which is something i love since i came from Amsterdam which is a melting pot of cultures. So it feels natural to me.
There are a lot of people from Eastern Europe living here too. I never knew they liked cute things. Look at this adorable phonecard my Love found for me at the corner store. Too cute right?
And it gives you a lot of calling minutes too!

Japanese Bookstore Kinokuniya

A couple of weeks ago i walked by Bryant Park and saw this announcement. Look who is coming to Bryant Park? Kinokuniya Bookstores. I knew about the store at Rockefeller center, guess that one will be closed then.
Kinda forgot about it, till i read this article today from the NY times letting me know the new bookstore opened last weekend!
Can't wait till i have some spare time to plan a visit and browse the shelves! Where are the craftbooks please?

Fashion Avenue Afternoon

I realized i have forgot to show this! Pictures of an afternoon of fabric store shopping with my mom when she was in town.

There are so many great shops in the NY fashion district filled to the brim with gorgeous fabrics. From very cheap to extravagantly high prices (but oh so pretty).
I think i gave her a good variety of wonderful stores.
We started out at Paron Fabrics. You got to love their Annex too (all fabrics half prize!).
Next headed to B&J Fabrics. Their on the second floor of the building, so go in to the building, and take the elevator up to get to the store.
Of course had to take her to Mood Fabrics since she knows that from the Project Runway shows.
To throw in a little bit of variation we also stopped by at M&J Trimming.
I mentioned that store on my blog before after my first shopping experience there.

On top of the world

On top of the Empire State Building.
I had a lovely week with my parents in the city. Thanks for the sweet comments and emails during my bit of blog absence.
But now i'm here again. In full swing. Hard at work. Which is a good thing. Got a lot of blog updating to do, so much i don't even know where to start. Guess i will start tomorrow...

If you ever find yourself in NYC and you're somewhat like me you don't want to do all the touristy things. But let me tell you, do make the trip up to the top of the empire state building if it's a clear night.
It is worth it. We went the day after the labor day weekend and it was real quiet, hardly any waiting in line at all! This was my second time up there and again i really loved looking at the lights. Sooo many sparkling lights, it looks magical.

Earn your angel wings

Earn your wings at the lovely Angel Street Thrift Shop on 17th street. (all the shops proceeds benefit individuals and families affected by Substance Abuse, HIV, AIDS and Mental Illness)

Can't believe i never found this wonderful shop in the city before.





Got these great vintage patterns. Don't we love McCalls and Simplicity from the old days?








On another (shopping) note; i read on the back of an ikea folder (not the catalog, i just have the folder) that they are opening a store in brooklyn. how lovely! got to wait till spring 2008 still, but it will be closer than having to travel all the way to New Jersey!

Great wall of boxes

On my days in the city i love to chill for a bit in Washington Square Park. I like the whole vibe there. Walking out of the (east side) of the park the other day i passed Washington Square Windows.
(making pictures through a window on a very sunny day; not the best idea; won't come out as your best photos)

I was pleasantly surprised by three large window filled with all these great 'boxes' of art by Jon Lee.
(if you want to see them yourself, hurry up, this exhibit has been there since June 1st already and will only last through August 13th!)

Lee began as a graffiti artist fusing urban elements in his art. "There is something about the raw and pure energy, not to mention the dedication put into street art that makes me enjoy the medium so much. I take this fresh energy and explode onto canvases almost in the same [way] I would a wall--using the same materials I would outdoors. Aerosol, latex, hand-cut stencils and marker are layered, and then combined with more traditional methods of art and design.... My backgrounds are mixtures of paint dripping, splashing and dropping.... To the foregrounds I add dominant shapes and objects--taking control of the reality--making my mark."

Some more NY streetart, you know i'm always on the lookout for creatures on the walls. Geek, Plasmaslug and Oxy.

New York budget

that i love to thiftshop is already established here. but some things you just don't buy vintage.
makeup. don't go there. putting blush from the sixties on? not me.
that's where Cosmetic Market at 9 East 39 Street comes in. If all the bargains won't do it, the lipstick door handle will lure you in. Clinique, Chanel, Lancome, Max Factor, L'Oreal, all the brandname products at exceptionally low prizes. I can't understand why anybody here would pay full prize for makeup or perfume anymore.

Right next to it is Jacks .99 cents world. Don't you love .99 cents stores? If you do, you will love Jacks. (there's another one i already knew over at 32 street, very large!) a lot of necessities and household items and i go there to get the name brand veggieburgers, exactly the same as in the grocery store, but way cheaper!

Another good thing is that just around the corner there is one of the NY library branches. yeah i love books. lending books is good, but i hate reading a wonderful book and having to bring it back. i want to keep it. that's where the NY library comes in with their used book sale section. Oooooh!!! Books for .75 cents or a dollar. Loving it.
what made my day even better was that when i got home from the city my people took me on my first visit to Joann's! Woohoo! you know i've been reading about this store on other blogs so many times. and what made it a real surprise is that i was only told we would go to a fabric store. i was already excited about that, but when we drove up the parking lot and i saw the sign i was a happy puppy!
of course i had to buy some pretty fat quarters and some other lovely on sale fabrics. will take a picture of the loot and post soon!

To those waiting for me to reply

My apologies. Issey moved again. Now in Long Beach NY. Right up the beach. But still no internetconnection. Got to walk to the local starbucks to read my mail but don't seem to be able to send anything. :(
I haven't forgotten about any of you and most of my replies are ready to be send in my outbox. Just got to get them through.
I'm not totally missing in action, believe me, i'm really working on it.
Luvluv, Issey
(if you know me like that and have my phone#, give me a call)

Edit: I think i got all my emails sent now. Phew...

Bye Bye Brooklyn

I miss Brooklyn already.

I miss the baby bird that came to sit on my shoulder one morning when me and my love were drinking coffee in front of the house.

I miss the kindness. I miss saying and being said goodmorning too by people on the street.

I miss the sun. (even the heatwave!, it's cold and raining in A'dam!)

I miss the creativity.

I miss finding bargain treasures at an unexpected stoopsale.

I miss the guys from the band.

I miss walking through Fort Greene. (note: most pictures on the left were made during a walk through Park Slope though)

I miss the laughter.

I miss so much, but i especially miss
LOVE.


I don't know. Is it because I've been away a couple of weeks, is it that I'm going to move overseas in a while that I'm focusing on negativity in Amsterdam, to make parting easier? I don't know, the vibe here isn't what Amsterdam used to be about. People have a very short fuse here nowadays. Are getting more aggressive every day. Expect to deserve everything, just because. And if not, aggression. Wow. Be humble for a change. Be kind. A lot of things have happened lately to change to overall feel of the community. Let me ponder about this some more. I might post my thoughts about it another time.

For now, I just miss Brooklyn baby!

Creative Shopping

Yep yep. Did some creative shopping too.

The adhesive ribbons I've found at Target, I just couldn't ignore the brown with pink polkadots! Haha, I don't even know what "adhesive" ribbons are. Can I just stick it on somewhere, or should I iron it on? Haven't opened the package yet. But guess I'll figure it out.

I also made a trip into the city and esp the fashion district.

Oh how I love all the fabric stores! HEAVEN.
I know when I live here, I'll be spending a lot of $$ in that area. Won't be able to help myself...
Anyway, I went into M&J Trimmings. And oh, Walhalla! I needed a moment to catch my breath. Really. Walls and walls stacked from top to bottom with the most gorgeous trimmings. I didn't even know where to start looking. I wasn't planning on buying a lot since I can't do nothing without my sewingmachine. But hey, once inside, how could I leave without anything? I can take it with me in my suitcase back to Amsterdam right? Check out the cute ribbons I picked out! Can't wait to get behind my machine and make something using them!

Back to my shopping trip to Target. My hubby was with me and we walked passed the napkins and stuff. There were some great designs, so I had to stop to take a look. He was like, napkins? But he knows that I have to look at EVERYTHING that has a great print on it. So I explained the art of Decoupage to him and how you can use beautiful paper napkins to turn, for instance, old furniture into original new pieces. So he was like, well, then buy it! I took one of the small napkin packages out of the racks. He was like. Why don't you take the big one? So I took a pack of the guest towels. He was like, you better take two right? *love* So I did. One day I'll make him so proud by decoupaging these onto some project. Just don't know when or what, but at least I'll have the paper towels already! :D

The strawberry origami papers I bought somewhere in Chinatown. It has been a long time since I did any origami, but I think I'll have to start folding again! Or else I'll be able to use them in one of my paper collages or postcard projects. I'll find something to do with them.

M&J took my breath away

Made it to New York

I went missing in action for a little bit, i'm sorry. Had to finish things up in Amsterdam and prepare for my trip to NY. By now i have arrived. The journey was terrible, long tiresome flight, stopover in Philly, announcement that the entire ramp closed due to the weather conditions (thunderstorms). Finally, after waiting for 6 hours i got on the only flight that evening to NY. All others were cancelled. So i was lucky. And i won't complain, cause in the end I'm here and reunited with my love. So it doesn't matter how i got here. It doesn't matter it's too hot to be active. It doesn't matter I'm covered in huge red mosquito bites with a heat rash to complete my summer skin style. I'm not complaining. I'm just happy to be back in Brooklyn.