Lulu the Shop Sleeper
Was this ever a lucky break! I have found the perfect shopkeeper. When you’re in the neighborhood, you must pop in to meet her! I nabbed her off an Air France flight to Paris! Lulu was longing for a silver platter of oysters on the half shell served, as only the French can do, on a delicate bed of shaved ice. She was headed to Le Petit Zinc on Rue de Buci where once I asked a man to marry me…that was years ago and, for the record, he declined. (Which was a lucky break for both of us!) But enough about me and more on Lulu. As you know, Lulu was the constant companion of Wally, whose death last month has made this dear pug deeply sad. Now, I haven’t a clue why the trip to Paris…she claims it was for the oysters and who am I to argue. I would head there this minute for those very oysters and the light of the place, and I would wander down the side streets I so love. Lulu and I are avoiding travel, just now, and continuing with the management of 6 Birch Street…a little oasis of its own…minus the oysters and the wonders of Paris!
Wally's Garden Shrine
Wally loved the garden! The head stone was mined from the Cortez Mine in Northern Nevada…it is filled with glittery bits of crystal on its cut edge…a fine tribute to a dog who loved nothing more than a little flash for any occasion!
Bae's Monkey After Five
A couple weeks ago, Bae’s (my granddaughter) monkey came to the “House of Couture” for a little fitting of a dress suitable for a monkey and a matching one for Ms. Bae. Monkey spent the night, and by the afternoon of the second day there was no pleasing her…I tried bananas, peanuts, to no avail….the wine was best suited for such an occasion…after all how often do I have a monkey house guest?
Monkey Fully Dressed!
New Store Merchandise!
Come by and see the new/old footstools and chairs covered in vintage Kantha cloth! I have been gathering stools and old chairs over the winter months…which have been given a whole new life! We adore them!
A Booth on Pier 94
A Tad of Paris at the Javits
John Derian at Work!
John's Wall of Blue Decoupage
John Derian’s booth is always one of my favorites (as is John). It is nearly impossible to resist his work, but then, why would any sane person want to! I bought several pieces out of this blue story for the store. How I would have loved buying the whole group! If only I had a bigger store! John created some truly remarkable pieces for Spring. They will be in soon and featured front and center once they arrive!
Paste
Denise Fiedler, the designer of Paste, is an old friend from early South End days in Boston. She has created Paste and lives now in San Francisco. I bought the chair series and some dogs and several wilder animals…though, we all know nothing could be wilder than Pugs and I bought a few of those too! I thought these would be good for kids’ rooms, and the chair series in one, two or threes would be terrific on a dining room wall. These pieces are created from torn and cut papers culled from antique books and embellished with vintage gold bits. Quite charming and very affordable!
Tatine Candle
Tatine was a favorite over the winter. They have several new scents, which I loved and ordered, along with Creeping Moss, which sold out early last November.
I want to mention here that the PatchNYC booth was jaw-dropping as it usually is…I bought several pieces of Don Carney’s drawings in antique frames and two new needlepoints in vintage frames…from these two genius men will also come new linen scarves. PatchNYC has also created a number of candle fragrances with the women at The Soap & Paper Factory. These women are brilliant at fragrance, and the Patch men designed the packaging. What a combination!
Coming to the store will be new and amazing books…odd titles, wonderous reads, nonsense and must haves! I adore books… I find them hard to resist, and I assure you that you will too! In the assortment of goods will be new soaps and lotions. 80 Acres has come up with a lavender scent for their hand cream and soap that will sooth the weary soul. Lavender is tricky…this one works! I found a new group of greeting cards and journals I loved. We will have more Lucky Fish for children…those little nippers deserve a chic cotton t-shirt in the best ever sludge colors! I could go on, but I won’t, I want you to have some surprises when you come into the store!
After Dinner at Freemans
One reason for trade shows, in my book, is the dining. Not that you will find fine dining at the Javits Center! Each evening it was a new feast with great friends…the youngest of which was just over two months old! Lucien’s mother and grandmother own Bon in Tucson so each night he joined a rather fine group of diners in rather fine places to dine! If you haven’t had a chance to eat or drink at Freemans, make that a must when you’re in New York. With Don and John from Patch, we ate at Bombay Talkie, which just might have the best ever cocktails in all of the Big Apple (that might be a bit of a stretch!), but for sure, it has the most delicious Indian food! We also had a splendid meal at Cook Shop on Tenth Avenue. So, now my passion for fine food, great friends and a wicked trade show is out in the world and public! Sometimes I think I own the store just to do the food, friends and New York thing!
A Few of Bonnie's Treasures
I have known Bonnie and her remarkable eye for a thousand years…she has agreed to take a wee space in the store. We are delighted! Bonnie shifts things around nearly weekly so keeping up with her and the wonders she delivers is such fun! Come by and see what is new/old each week.
Christoph and Jeanette folding Kanthas
Those of you, who have lusted over Jeanette Farrier’s Kanthas in my store, would have gone positively mad in her booth at The Javits Center…being stuck in that place for four days, looking for the perfect goods, breathing circulated air and eating bad and expensive food…well, it was Jeanette’s booth that lifted the heart and soul of retail.
Patch NYC at Accent on Design
You all know what a fan I am of these two remarkable designers. PatchNYC never ceases to amaze me! I ordered, trust me, I ordered! This was not a difficult task. We expect shipment in early to mid October.
A Wonderous Find!
This, on the last hour of the last day, arms full of orders, head buzzing with too much coffee, racing up the final aisle to dash for the train! It is at this moment I saw friends from Paper Trail, Maureen and Serine, who turned me onto these fabulous necklaces! They will be in the store just in time for our Group Show October 16, 17, 18. Wait until you see these!
