Snowy...

Last week Monday it snowed 10.5 inches in Brooklyn. By Saturday it was 70 degrees. NY never fails to surprise.

Our favorite corner of our apartment...Sapo palm, cushy armchair, a huge window and loads of books.

Back from a break

I have been a bit incognito. Since starting at Bowne, I have been ensconced in the world of retail and 19th Century letterpress printing.

Then last weekend, I felt that urge to write. Inspiration was all over the place and I remembered my other life - the blog, the website, etsy - my work.

Lovely highlights of recent times
* I performed my third wedding ceremony - this was for my best friends Zetna and Victor. The entire evening was fantastic (in the truest sense of the word). Zetna was the most lovely bride - she looked like she was on the set of a film. They are so funny and full of love. They are one of my favorite couples on this pretty planet. It was a short ceremony as requested and there was plenty of laughter, lots of sangria, bossa nova, a few well known actors, family family family, salsa and these charming Spanish confections. It was a magnificent night. Together, they are a force. I love them dearly.
* At the New York International Gift Fair, we found some really good products. I can't wait to see them on the shelves and in the vitrines at Bowne. My favorites?


Why....SweetBella

The ladies at sweetbella (especially Nina), stole my heart with their carefully curated leather items, I am in love for sure. Look at these vintage leather goods from Barbara Wiggins.





And my favorite Affaires du Jour books from O-check Designs. They look like a library book from the annals of a venerable university. Imagine pulling that out of your Lauren Merkin.



Robert introduced me to John Derian, which was a major highlight for me...They run a tight ship over there...when they enter a booth to purchase goods for their shop, they are no joke. How they manage to stay so upbeat and kind should be a lesson to all business owners.

I was also excited to see the Shinzi Katoh lines, though they have no place at Bowne - they will always occupy square footage in my heart.



We ordered from my beloved find Roost again and bumped into those hardworking loves at 9SpotMonk - that order just came in yesterday.



I am really gearing up for the Stationery Show in May, though. That's where the action will be and I am super excited. I hope to have a few new Babas2nd designs on the shelves at Bowne by that time.

I'm currently working on:
*A baby card
*Correspondence cards
*Personal stationery sets
*An African series

And, no more hours painstakingly sketching each card. I am moving into the 19th Century! All Babas2nd designs will be letterpress printed on a Golding Jobber or a C&P Pilot from the 1800s. Of course, I will rely on the kind tutelage of my friend, Master Printer, Robert to help me on this path. How very exciting!

video obsession

while I am not normally one for posting videos here are 2 that are making me smile...a lot.

1. From my youth - Kid Creole & The Coconuts
(my sister and I knew all the steps)





2. Fergasonic - Mashup Salt & Pepper/Fergie/JJ Fad

...sometimes you need to slow down and do something else

I've spent over 110 minutes on hold today, had five conversations with my webhost (4 with billing/customer service and 1 with tech support), spent a few minutes having a meltdown and 9 minutes on Verizon's site troubleshooting our phone service and realized that I am not receiving ANY business emails from my server. Some days you're not supposed to do certain things.

On the very bright side, I'm working on three cards that are so lovely! They are for submission to a project on handmade cards. In spite of all the small business woes, I am happy. Get this - two turtle doves were eating from our birdhouse outside my office window. CUTE!!! Next time, I'll have the camera on hand.

Well, when life is overwhelming (or underwhelming), make something lovely. Here are some inspiring DIY projects:

An amazing hand stitched quilt that you can make yourself. 

image courtesy of the Purl Bee 

Repurposed Security Envelopes

images courtesy of Design*Sponge

Reuse those envelopes your bills come in or finally use that 

box of #10 security envelopes you have sitting around the office.

Shoe Rack Attack

image courtesy of Apartment Therapy

Shoes off the floor? I like the sound of that one. Of course you could paint the rack a nice shade and change out the hooks if you're feeling particularly randy. 

NO PICTURE BUT WORTH CHECKING OUT

Alicia Paulson's embroidered dishtowels. This one comes with a freebie pattern. She asks that her images not be used, but you can CLICK HERE to see the pictures and the pattern. Yay for the Rosy Little Things blog. 

So have some fun and take a freakin' break!

Chocolate Luxe your name is Debauve et Gallais

We are very lucky in New York. There are so many fabulous places to shop and always something new to see.

Today I visited Debauve et Gallais, a chocolatier that I've been crushing on for quite some time. Normally, I do not count the Upper East Side as part of my stomping grounds, but today was an exception (besides, I usually find one or two fantastic places when I'm up there...hello Lady M?).

Le Livre, book of chocolate for $550.00

Debauve et Gallais, je t'aime! 

Darlings, this is luxury. I'm working with my friend Barbara and just had to go buy some chocolate for a shoot. If you get the chance, walk swiftly to the shop - I believe it's the only location in North America. 20 E. 69th Street - right off Madison Avenue.

Monsieur Debauve, a pharmacist, opened his first shop in 1800 and quickly became the chocolatier to French royalty. Didn't you know chocolate has therapeutic qualities? Debauve's nephew is the Gallais. Louis XVIII, Charles X and Louis Phillipe were served chocolate from the famous house of Debauve et Gallais. And for a few euros (or quite a few dollars), you can indulge in their chocolate. 

When you buy them, savor the experience - everyone was quite lovely in the boutique. Best of all? The packaging. Gray and deep blue and the most fantastic bag I've ever seen. Darling, this is the height of luxury!

Introduced by the royal family chemist, Monsieur Debauve, these chocolate 'coins' were initially made for Queen Marie Antoinette, "in order to ease her distaste in taking medicine," Monsieur Debauve had no problem getting her to eat these. $200.00 for 1 lb.  

PS - Piggy Bank survival tip  - You can also buy a small box of bonbons for $48.00

Ta-ta!

Coming Out Of Retirement

I'm coming out! I haven't styled for months (well with the exception of assisting a friend on a Family Circle shoot on Tuesday). It's been ages, darling simply ages!

Well, after spending almost all of last year freelancing at Martha Stewart, this year has been devoted to my business. What gives, you ask? Our friend, the beloved Julie LaMendola from Ching Chong Song is heading off with her band to tour Europe. So, I'll be helping my close friend and über-talented stylist Barbara.

I'm excited to scavenger for props and to work with Barb and her cohorts again (she works with some amazing photographers). My business will be still active - I'm still volunteering, creating and taking custom orders. Keep you updated!

happy days are here again...

**(see bottom of entry for details)

So much has happened over the past week. I've been spending a lot of time with my best friend - who's about to have a little bambino. I came home one day and my sweet, sweet husband had installed these fantastic shelves (the "Lack" for all you Ikeaheads out there)and hooks in our bedroom. To top it off he arranged all my shoes and handbags on said shelves and hooks. It's so great having an incredible husband. Really really great.

I was inspired to create a few new items and will be updating the etsy shop this weekend. I've been a bit financially strapped and my friend Miss Felicia is having a birthday this week, so I decided to make all her presents - hence the new items. Very Felicia inspired.

I finally figured out all the Etsy ins and outs - well at least one of them and we now have 18 people who HEART OUR SHOP! Mind you, most people have like 200 hearts, but what the hay, I'm so thrilled to have people like what we do!

To top it off two incredible things have happened recently- unfortunately it's too early to discuss, but let's just say I have a super amazing new creative outlet (quelle opportunity!!!) and I just got good news from another of my best friends.

Things have just been really good.

I was perusing the last entry of Orangette and through one of her links, was reminded of my beloved Radio David Byrne show. Funny...I'd been thinking about listening for a few months. And guess what? This month the theme is JAZZ!

And not Kenny G jazz...in true David Byrne style the tracks are the creme de la creme. And the playlist is filled with my beloved Thelonious Monk (he also went to Stuyvesant High School). Take a peek and listen online - you'll love it.





















And while you're feeling inspired , here's a little tasty morsel - Maurice Brown (ridiculously talented young jazz trumpeter) is playing on March 15th at Symphony Space - 7:30PM.

If you're in the NY area and like or love jazz, please do yourself the favor and go see Maurice play. Whatever the cost - you will feel like you didn't pay enough for the tickets. He is on his way to being a living legend.

Anyway, I am excited to show you the new lovely things I'm working on and fill you in on the surprises.

Till later - love, Fela.

**Amor card by Baba's Second Design. Outside reads: "thinking of you..." Inside reads: "makes me happy!" available on our Etsy shop or our website