Another NY roadtrip

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmtnDX_jw7cYKcgiPOS4WcAvmhuDb7fYW1DGGrYpKRQKiWfr2Di_VkFnnJgpFJcyOxAaFbzhh1nR2o4H44l32_JDdPyBj6ZgyA3ivaek545SLnVLqUOoOJL622SaSSyb1eD_KEmSrl4P4/s1600/NewYorkCabs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmtnDX_jw7cYKcgiPOS4WcAvmhuDb7fYW1DGGrYpKRQKiWfr2Di_VkFnnJgpFJcyOxAaFbzhh1nR2o4H44l32_JDdPyBj6ZgyA3ivaek545SLnVLqUOoOJL622SaSSyb1eD_KEmSrl4P4/s800/NewYorkCabs.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>My last visit to New York with <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2012/03/mad-men-style-adhomeshow.html">Roseanne and Katherine</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, summer vacation is just about coming to a close for us (the boys go back to school next week) but I find myself longing for a quick getaway to the city. Let me clarify ... an ADULT getaway. One where I get to “</span><span style="font-size: large;">ooh</span><span style="font-size: large;">”</span><span style="font-size: large;"> and </span><span style="font-size: large;">“</span><span style="font-size: large;">ahh</span><span style="font-size: large;">”</span><span style="font-size: large;"> over design goodness.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlIQKPLCODbUVYfoim7a6ZWD99_9EsDXhJBIdzfX4pSEQCCHsT4f5lcGUigCHZzq8E-vt87Fp-LBd143NsBT1U0BsDFyxebm-ygZut0F1H9BfacGVkYVgn6wJJVF0HQYvi0qmVWD__6OB/s1600/Eataly+plate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlIQKPLCODbUVYfoim7a6ZWD99_9EsDXhJBIdzfX4pSEQCCHsT4f5lcGUigCHZzq8E-vt87Fp-LBd143NsBT1U0BsDFyxebm-ygZut0F1H9BfacGVkYVgn6wJJVF0HQYvi0qmVWD__6OB/s800/Eataly+plate.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Dining at <a href="http://eatalyny.com/eat/birreria">Eataly</a>: Don’t all bloggers photograph their meals before they eat?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">And then go out to eat at renowned restaurants owned by people I went to college with ... Master Chef <a href="http://www.joebastianich.com/">Joe Bastianich</a> lived in my dorm senior year at BC, literally next door. While last in NY, my girlfriends and I dined at <a href="http://eatalyny.com/eat/birreria">Bierreria</a> (a cool spot a la rooftop) and I fell in love with <a href="http://eatalyny.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Summer-Group-Dining-Menu_Dinner-Weekend-Lunch.pdf">Insalata di Mela</a>. I think it is time to go back ...  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIufFUBQAIcanSzEBCerm63nq7FNNdbB3iCGIhOxlk4Frt1gLMZs9wvoYNgf0qVBepTENRugtCTpDNHsbkFZcXpI1GbprckWhGMKlYORjYsdH07V5FwFNqXSbds_O5HJG0njTBBZSldnrg/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-08-21+at+12.38.09+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIufFUBQAIcanSzEBCerm63nq7FNNdbB3iCGIhOxlk4Frt1gLMZs9wvoYNgf0qVBepTENRugtCTpDNHsbkFZcXpI1GbprckWhGMKlYORjYsdH07V5FwFNqXSbds_O5HJG0njTBBZSldnrg/s400/Screen+shot+2012-08-21+at+12.38.09+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lots of people just enjoyed – and have been blogging about – the <a href="http://www.nyigf.com/">New York International Gift Fair</a>. I’ve <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-i-loved-at-nyigf.html">been before</a>, and it’s a lot of eye candy to be sure. Since I couldn’t make it this time around, I would settle for an invitation to the <a href="http://www.mbfashionweek.com/home">Mercedes Benz Fashion Week</a> in NY in September. “</span><span style="font-size: large;">Hello, <a href="http://www.jasonwustudio.com/">Jason Wu</a>? I am a big fan of your work as well as your collections designed for <a href="http://www.brizo.com/jasonwu/index.html">Brizo</a>. I would do some great promoting of your brand if given the chance ... oh, wait a minute, I already do.</span><span style="font-size: large;">”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJfxD4KArqnYzigpRM5RTZswN1o5ji5WRNvCH5PSQRpo4Xhr1JDpRBZ37PSFf8QsERFumQ0EhMNnV5qKVKOgyMNf6CRAWTxzdGleokBaeWemDF7Y-9KEZ5y5c2lSOowY915S7uJ0KNOE8/s1600/DNE_BrizoST_DesignerBath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJfxD4KArqnYzigpRM5RTZswN1o5ji5WRNvCH5PSQRpo4Xhr1JDpRBZ37PSFf8QsERFumQ0EhMNnV5qKVKOgyMNf6CRAWTxzdGleokBaeWemDF7Y-9KEZ5y5c2lSOowY915S7uJ0KNOE8/s800/DNE_BrizoST_DesignerBath.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Ad I put together for <a href="http://designerbath.com/nef">Designer Bath</a> that </i><i>ran in <a href="http://services.bostonglobe.com/consumer/dne/default.aspx">Design New England Magazine</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">We all know fashion and design are kissing cousins these days. We dress our homes by looking in our closets for inspiration ... what colors do we look good in? What fabrics do we like? What patterns  make us happy? What translates across the board: usually what feels good to the touch will end up being the most comfortable in the long run. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8HB1qFYVjZCrTmYCmS8ZZtJcXEyt1CCVkbeNYNgxicEvFtILHlzXACuui92kZN-kumM1jf-CixVtcgqTH4gevi4I0XbYjw4HYgOQsIjKnc6uFGtoycl9NpRWOdDIgDx_gY7ksB_4Cakn/s1600/AndreaMihalik_WildChairy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8HB1qFYVjZCrTmYCmS8ZZtJcXEyt1CCVkbeNYNgxicEvFtILHlzXACuui92kZN-kumM1jf-CixVtcgqTH4gevi4I0XbYjw4HYgOQsIjKnc6uFGtoycl9NpRWOdDIgDx_gY7ksB_4Cakn/s800/AndreaMihalik_WildChairy.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I met Andrea at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show last winter.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Often times, an eye-catching piece of furniture can even inspire a new confidence to combine prints that we might not have considered wearing all at once. Andrea Mihalik of <a href="http://www.wildchairy.com/">Wild Chairy</a> is an expert at this type of pattern pairing. With a background in professional photography, she knows what reads well both on film (can we still call it that?) and up close in real life. I recently showcased samples of her work in a post I wrote as a guest blogger for New England Home Magazine <a href="http://blog.nehomemag.com/2012/08/yvonne-blacker-seating-with-soul/#comments">(read it here)</a>. Below are some more of her stylish pieces that I consider best dressed.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCuHTpykQbriw1D8VpnrKNpyMQH4QeNDW9neX578jd5gISqftkZvEp_Go2i43DztoMeZdcLgjtpm3SRmD6qyiGcYF2AGd5IZB1t_-gldyVoEy9SKtDzlAbRUhqYJ_jR161KTcqEB3_WPm/s1600/Wild+Chairy+Lulu_OKL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCuHTpykQbriw1D8VpnrKNpyMQH4QeNDW9neX578jd5gISqftkZvEp_Go2i43DztoMeZdcLgjtpm3SRmD6qyiGcYF2AGd5IZB1t_-gldyVoEy9SKtDzlAbRUhqYJ_jR161KTcqEB3_WPm/s800/Wild+Chairy+Lulu_OKL.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Red Hot: confident, bold, cheerful {photo courtesy Andrea Mihalik}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglIe7SBn4UyMm3TTe_zx2GYpkCrEEg6JVnS5FoEbwBz3wnKFmv5Ujtln1ECrQQ38U1YwNr6uOu2j44BjuviT7iY2S2mujBQ1k-bPIWmDY99lc7lDojIIrV4gKKXJu8LQ1pHtNs2VBEneT/s1600/Wild+Chairy+Grayson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglIe7SBn4UyMm3TTe_zx2GYpkCrEEg6JVnS5FoEbwBz3wnKFmv5Ujtln1ECrQQ38U1YwNr6uOu2j44BjuviT7iY2S2mujBQ1k-bPIWmDY99lc7lDojIIrV4gKKXJu8LQ1pHtNs2VBEneT/s800/Wild+Chairy+Grayson.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Winter Forecast: bare tree branches paired with icy blue and warm tweed</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{photo courtesy Andrea Mihalik}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QBxZB2ZIjhgKZ3nvUe0c4sRzsBPTrj-SmbH5qWHZFW4lYfKZqu2dd_17N0iFiXMeYbeVFOx4son7zIxQsErOdQHxara9-Or0r1eV9_vJ3VD1tn8Kgi5w0OIBetiO1KjI1pu-zumnsr_I/s1600/Wild+Chairy+madeline_OKLjpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QBxZB2ZIjhgKZ3nvUe0c4sRzsBPTrj-SmbH5qWHZFW4lYfKZqu2dd_17N0iFiXMeYbeVFOx4son7zIxQsErOdQHxara9-Or0r1eV9_vJ3VD1tn8Kgi5w0OIBetiO1KjI1pu-zumnsr_I/s800/Wild+Chairy+madeline_OKLjpg.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Trend-worthy: who doesn't love zigs and zags?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{photo courtesy Andrea Mihalik}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68uaJr4jiolikLmw0BAiqyQy9nZeYmtidlsurdSkc-Yt0FUC518nxLBhxTg4PIlSypdm4tgIvB8PcGolkB28atdipaGUNDpqw1NO2xkzHuXuRQeXISngaYfZmMpbdeHQjhFGiaQ0QuRMg/s1600/Wild+Chairy+sandy+grid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68uaJr4jiolikLmw0BAiqyQy9nZeYmtidlsurdSkc-Yt0FUC518nxLBhxTg4PIlSypdm4tgIvB8PcGolkB28atdipaGUNDpqw1NO2xkzHuXuRQeXISngaYfZmMpbdeHQjhFGiaQ0QuRMg/s800/Wild+Chairy+sandy+grid.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fall Fashion: burnt umber plus golden oak</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{photo courtesy Andrea Mihalik}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMBI7k0QNW0W3BjqwboUwFHa8gE_Zb5NVHOhHmFjNsjRsO4_HxRWA99N1OW5zm4z7O6ab4zy1Wyvb9nUPxuWB1akOutKrqWZFnQLv-P0RIKviXLv1988ksF_pgCV6iFPr9zhfUQdYVQC9/s1600/Wild+Chairy_WR_Zeppelin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMBI7k0QNW0W3BjqwboUwFHa8gE_Zb5NVHOhHmFjNsjRsO4_HxRWA99N1OW5zm4z7O6ab4zy1Wyvb9nUPxuWB1akOutKrqWZFnQLv-P0RIKviXLv1988ksF_pgCV6iFPr9zhfUQdYVQC9/s800/Wild+Chairy_WR_Zeppelin.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yellow with black always gets attention</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{photo courtesy Andrea Mihalik}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgCkyg5mD6EoeZl0obRnbeHx2eTlx3nwi8o-v_dp2zjpuSaWzpUn6iqKNOfnKNxXKxu-JzYWRQQaDfo1rK2L6ej3TcN56WF6fi-cMEMypgSx3ZjJHJ33X9IwCx1UawZGHjll0RB31twJS/s1600/Wild+Chairy_paradise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgCkyg5mD6EoeZl0obRnbeHx2eTlx3nwi8o-v_dp2zjpuSaWzpUn6iqKNOfnKNxXKxu-JzYWRQQaDfo1rK2L6ej3TcN56WF6fi-cMEMypgSx3ZjJHJ33X9IwCx1UawZGHjll0RB31twJS/s800/Wild+Chairy_paradise.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Although orange and pink is also worth a second glance</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{photo courtesy Andrea Mihalik}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Excuse me now while I visit Pinterest for awhile to daydream about <a href="http://pinterest.com/yblacker/getaway/">suitcases, taxi cabs, and Jason Wu fashions</a>.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />

Another NY roadtrip

My last visit to New York with Roseanne and Katherine Yes, summer vacation is just about coming to a close for us (the boys go back to schoo...

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New England Finery: Issue One

<div><div style="width: 600px; text-align: left;"><div><object style="width: 420px; height: 274px;"><param name="movie" value="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v1/IssuuViewer.swf?mode=embed&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Fdark%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true&documentId=110219081645-9e4b48affd9b40e29953938546b5ba7c&docName=nefinery-feb2011&username=NEfinery&loadingInfoText=New%20England%20Finery%20Feb%2FMar%202011&et=1298107790903&er=83"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="menu" value="false"><embed src="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v1/IssuuViewer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" menu="false" style="width: 420px; height: 274px;" flashvars="mode=embed&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Fdark%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true&documentId=110219081645-9e4b48affd9b40e29953938546b5ba7c&docName=nefinery-feb2011&username=NEfinery&loadingInfoText=New%20England%20Finery%20Feb%2FMar%202011&et=1298107790903&er=83"></embed></object><div style="width: 420px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://issuu.com/NEfinery/docs/nefinery-feb2011?mode=embed&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Fdark%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true" target="_blank">Open publication</a> <a href="http://issuu.com/" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://issuu.com/search?q=photography" target="_blank"></a></div></div> <a href="http://issuu.com/search?q=photography" target="_blank"> </a></div></div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Just in time for weekend browsing, the first issue of <span style="font-weight: bold;">New England Finery Magazine</span> is hot off the virtual press! While I still need to figure out some of the technical details associated with the online publishing platform, overall the process of putting this 75 page online magazine together was way more fun than it was work! Take a look and let us know what you think : )</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">PS Feel free to share New England Finery with others. There are a lot of great New England-based businesses (and bloggers) featured in this issue, and they each have a story to tell.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> We couldn’t have pulled this off without them!<br /></span>

New England Finery: Issue One

Open publication Just in time for weekend browsing, the first issue of New England Finery Magazine is hot off the virtual press! Wh...

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What I loved at the NYIGF

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6dPH3S9Du8ldwsIm4ed8HdCcn1YeN356LJ5NDgUlsTZeFDxQatC1wNjbF_ePAHlnbY8TnPoBcuCqkQiLvda0IM0RsRG6I7T3fso8BgOpeAMCzjXalvcare45iK36jVb7tfFPigxRxMxGw/s1600/duneswithduchessNYIGF.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568371641187286914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6dPH3S9Du8ldwsIm4ed8HdCcn1YeN356LJ5NDgUlsTZeFDxQatC1wNjbF_ePAHlnbY8TnPoBcuCqkQiLvda0IM0RsRG6I7T3fso8BgOpeAMCzjXalvcare45iK36jVb7tfFPigxRxMxGw/s400/duneswithduchessNYIGF.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Two-talented: </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://stacystyle.wordpress.com/">Stacy Kunstel</a> (aka Duchess) and</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://www.michaelpartenio.com/">Michael Partenio</a> (otherwise known as Dunes)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >at their nautically-inspired booth at this week’s<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">New York International Gift Fair</span></span> </div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Last night I returned home from a weekend trip to New York to scope out the <a href="http://www.nyigf.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">New York International Gift Fair</span></a>. This was my first time attending and I am so glad I went! My traveling companion (and guide) was Rosanne Palazola who pens <a href="http://thefocusondesign.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Focus On Design</span></a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >,</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> shares retail space with me and others at <a href="http://www.newenglandfineliving.com/retailstore.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">New England Fine Living</span></a>, tends design clients of her own, and has been to the gift fair a number of times while working with <a href="http://www.tuttleandco.com/about.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tuttle and Co.</span></a></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE22krpOjshR1y18slnkrQn3Kuf9p183I0aFXqzhzDlItubRDjzeuscMvFDB87o_ljblpTSyfc3RokazLr2bb2_AWo7PxE0ElFCuGOOFaQ_s3_D_dre0at7s-XhyphenhyphenBqY7C43PkaS1lN2gLp/s1600/roseannetina.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568450044543943762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE22krpOjshR1y18slnkrQn3Kuf9p183I0aFXqzhzDlItubRDjzeuscMvFDB87o_ljblpTSyfc3RokazLr2bb2_AWo7PxE0ElFCuGOOFaQ_s3_D_dre0at7s-XhyphenhyphenBqY7C43PkaS1lN2gLp/s320/roseannetina.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Roomates Rosanne and Tina</span></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi028ThVTfiYAnvcVHJudafhmB2npw6mfYNtU-0tXShPibSuhneXw7Njjk2E0wwMJS0ihh5htGUB_3mK6T-JHJfprGytXr5t5RkMUVRjdDR1F-EeBHquozA7XT_jeZyG2fqNf0ETDZrOdD2/s1600/swanmuffins.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568465914285419186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi028ThVTfiYAnvcVHJudafhmB2npw6mfYNtU-0tXShPibSuhneXw7Njjk2E0wwMJS0ihh5htGUB_3mK6T-JHJfprGytXr5t5RkMUVRjdDR1F-EeBHquozA7XT_jeZyG2fqNf0ETDZrOdD2/s400/swanmuffins.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Snacks-to-go: Blueberry muffins</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />wrapped in swan-shaped tinfoil</span></span><br /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">We arrived in New York just before noon on Saturday and quickly hailed a cab to the NY apartment of Rosanne’s friend, Tina. The apartment was a delightful pied-a-terre with plenty of room to entertain overnight guests, and blessed with its own courtyard garden that looked charming even while blanketed beneath a white-winter snow.<br /><br />The three of us headed over to the Pier section of the gift fair on our first day and then visited the Javitz center on day two. Aisle after aisle of gorgeous home decor products and gift merchandise greeted us upon entering each section of the NYIGF. While I did not take photos of everything I saw (honestly, it would have considerably decreased the amount of goodness we could squeeze in if we stopped to photograph every booth) I did collect the cards of my favorite exhibitors for future reference (and journalistic posts!)<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OoIpE3HgSCBqLAp7vjc0ZKtwLwKSxGISI3rDDjxg8vY-OPWQ3JbhoCnftKeh3R-bqdZNL0NQp8mzAntiZmziJkyNZ1o468N2Ad1fP-teVAI44MO1xI6E5rBB-sMof3S0f5U68ntFm6gH/s1600/DandD%2540NYIGF.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568464884582293314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OoIpE3HgSCBqLAp7vjc0ZKtwLwKSxGISI3rDDjxg8vY-OPWQ3JbhoCnftKeh3R-bqdZNL0NQp8mzAntiZmziJkyNZ1o468N2Ad1fP-teVAI44MO1xI6E5rBB-sMof3S0f5U68ntFm6gH/s400/DandD%2540NYIGF.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 313px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Find the Dunes and Duchess at this well-styled space at the NYIGF</span></span> </div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />While there, we made sure to visit our Boston design friend, Stacy Kunstel at the <a href="http://dunesandduchess.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dunes & Duchess</span></a> booth located at </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Pier 94, Booth #41059</span><span style="font-size:130%;">.<br /><br />On display were new products like cool mirrors and elegant sconces that were added to this stylish line of accessories that includes lamps, candelabras, and giant hurricanes.<br /><br />I finally got a chance to meet the talented and gracious Michael/Dunes in person, and he showed me a new free-standing pedestal that I know would look fabulous in the next design show that I’m working on : )<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKVRmQxcvO18ACvVUPh5w7RG1PAbAAVHtcMqeQ7rtxHdTOAsTBrtg4y35UY4gxw5Yc3mmzn2YkynXpYHoLi1byIBaPXpE6SW_h6lWiuYPWgIDjXorLqgDgbx4KvrerYGe1UeZCnc5nl6r/s1600/artecnicaNYIGF.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568480745116312530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKVRmQxcvO18ACvVUPh5w7RG1PAbAAVHtcMqeQ7rtxHdTOAsTBrtg4y35UY4gxw5Yc3mmzn2YkynXpYHoLi1byIBaPXpE6SW_h6lWiuYPWgIDjXorLqgDgbx4KvrerYGe1UeZCnc5nl6r/s400/artecnicaNYIGF.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 246px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >I would love to see the eco-friendly design-conscious lighting<br />by <a href="http://www.artecnicainc.com/">Artecnica</a> offered at <a href="http://www.newenglandfineliving.com/retailstore.html">New England Fine Living</a></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />The energized crowds in the exhibit halls were just as stylish as the products being displayed. It was quite the fashion show! When I called home to check in with my family, one of my sons inquired whether I had seen anyone famous. No, I did not see <a href="http://www.nateberkus.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Nate Berkus</span></a> this time, but I did meet Lisa from the design blog <a href="http://www.hamptontoes.blogspot.com/">Hamptontoes</a> who had a <a href="http://hamptontoes.blogspot.com/2010/10/air-date-today.html">House Proud segment</a> on his show early in the fall. I have somewhat of a photographic memory and rarely forget a face, so I noticed her right away when she was visiting the Dunes & Duchess (plus I had seen her <a href="http://stacystyle.wordpress.com/2010/09/13/the-nate-berkus-show-premiere/">on Stacy’s blog</a> after Stacy saw the Nate Show last August, so it was easy to put two-and-two together.)</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >More designer sightings ...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">While we were admiring a gorgeous room decked out in lavender and linen designed by <a href="http://www.olystudio.com/tradeshows.html">Oly Studio</a>, I noticed a woman strategically shooting best-angle photos of the space. I figured she must be with the press since many exhibitors prefer that photos are not taken. When she turned around I immediately recognized her as Heather Clawson of <a href="http://habituallychic.blogspot.com/">Habitually Chic</a>. I introduced myself as a fan of her design blog, but I could tell she was just like us, trying to see and record as much of the show as possible, so we didn’t chat long.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_nDGn5hlcCGTv9xAmECnSM-6nJevtm5HkBwYV5nz2I4-_hyaAgp09f6OvXJcPyX7yYOF4dlgH1b2L9BsvMGybB70r19qMSvTBSNdGsTUThhumNouyHe0XU60zhysmPZvXI85A3d-m0aUH/s1600/littlenestKarenAlweil.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568483918304479138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_nDGn5hlcCGTv9xAmECnSM-6nJevtm5HkBwYV5nz2I4-_hyaAgp09f6OvXJcPyX7yYOF4dlgH1b2L9BsvMGybB70r19qMSvTBSNdGsTUThhumNouyHe0XU60zhysmPZvXI85A3d-m0aUH/s400/littlenestKarenAlweil.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Designer eye-candy: <a href="http://www.karenalweilstudio.com/merchant.php?id=72">Little Nest by </a><a href="http://www.karenalweilstudio.com/merchant.php?id=72">Karen Alweil Studio</a></span><br /></span></div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Going to the gift fair can be much like visiting an amusement park for design lovers, but it is also a work-related field trip that involves research and analysis. Designers are thinking “What does my client need?</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> Store owners are wondering “What would my customer like?</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> Writers are looking for products to engage their audience, and many of us are wishing we could take home all of our show favorites and not just order slips, catalogs and memories! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">When the weekend was over we were like little kids wishing we had time for one more ride on the merry-go-round. But we knew our time was up, and to be honest, all the pretty-shiny-colorful objects had left our senses overindulged (in the best way, of course!)<br /><br />As I notice posts about the show this week (it goes through February 3rd) I will add them to this list. If you post about the show, please leave your blog address with the post link in the comments. I would love to see what <span style="font-style: italic;">you</span> loved about the NYIGF.<br /><br /><br />• <a href="http://habituallychic.blogspot.com/2011/01/gift-show-guide.html">Habitually Chic</a>: Gift Show Guide<br /><br />• <a href="http://habituallychic.blogspot.com/2011/01/nyigf-2011-jonathan-adler.html">Habitually Chic</a>: Jonathan Adler<br /><br />• <a href="http://habituallychic.blogspot.com/2011/01/nyigf-2011-few-of-my-favorite-things.html">Habitually Chic</a>: Favorite Things<br /><br />• <a href="http://habituallychic.blogspot.com/2011/02/nyigf-2011-ox-bow-decor.html">Habitually Chic</a>: Oxbow Decor<br /><br />• <a href="http://habituallychic.blogspot.com/2011/02/nyigf-2011-for-birds.html">Habitually Chic</a>: For the Birds<br /><br />• <a href="http://habituallychic.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-nyigf-trend-reports-for-elle-decor.html">Habitually Chic</a>: Trends Report<br /><br />• <a href="http://ishkadesigns.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-york-international-gift-fair-part-1.html">Ishka Designs</a>: NYIGF part 1<br /><br />• <a href="http://hamptontoes.blogspot.com/2011/01/giveaway-your-tour-of-nyigf.html">Hamptontoes</a>: Tour of the NYIGF</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">• <a href="http://hamptontoes.blogspot.com/2011/02/your-tour-of-nyigf-part-two.html">Hamptontoes</a>: NYIGF part II<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">• <a href="http://frugalfarmhousedesign.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-ny-gift-show-observation.html">Frugal Farmhouse Design</a>: Gift Show Observations</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">• <a href="http://www.prettylittlegreenthings.com/2011/01/new-york-international-gift-fair-pier-94/">Pretty Little Green Things</a>: NYIGF Pier 94</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">• <a href="http://www.prettylittlegreenthings.com/2011/01/new-york-international-gift-fair-javits-center/">Pretty Little Green Things</a>: NYIGF Javitz Center</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">• <a href="http://www.shelterpop.com/2011/02/01/roost/">ShelterPop</a>: Roost at NYIGF</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">• <a href="http://www.shelterpop.com/tag/NYIGF-2011/">Shelter Pop</a>: NYIGF – Favorite Booths</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">• <a href="http://itsyfactor.com/2011/02/01/nyigf-baby-child-2011-review/">The Itsy Factor</a>: NYIGF Baby & Child Review</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">• <a href="http://mymomshops.blogspot.com/2011/01/nyigf-part-1-best-new-baby-child.html">My Mom Shops</a>: NYIGF – Best new baby & child</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">• <a href="http://mymomshops.blogspot.com/2011/01/nyigf-part-2-new-melissa-doug-toys.html">My Mom Shops</a>: NYIGF – Melissa & Doug</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">• <a href="http://www.ivillage.com/new-york-international-gift-fair-finds/7-b-319524">IVillage Home & Garden</a>: NYIGF – Favorite Finds</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">• <a href="http://www.ivillage.com/best-kid-friendly-design/7-b-320408">IVillage Home & Garden</a>: Best Kid Friendly Designs</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">• <a href="http://www.ivillage.com/best-pet-toys/7-b-319652">IVillage Home & Garden</a>: Amazing Finds for Pets</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">• <a href="http://www.prettypinktulips.com/2011/02/my-first-nyigf-new-york-international.html">Pretty Pink Tulips</a>: My First NYIGF</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">• <a href="http://thezhush.blogspot.com/2011/02/nyigfa-newbies-perspective.html">The Zhush</a>: NYIGF A Newbie’s Perspective</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />• <a href="http://www.5thjoy.com/2011/02/03/the-best-of-ny-international-gift-fair/">Fifth Joy</a>: The Best of NYIGF</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">• <a href="http://rhballard.blogspot.com/2011/02/dolan-geiman-art-with-southern-accent.html">Maison de Ballard</a>: Dolan Geiman Art at NYIGF</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">• <a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/2011/02/morihata-international.html">Design Sponge</a>: Morihata International</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />• <a href="http://blog.lonnymag.com/ninas-finds-from-the-gift-fair">The Lonny Blog</a>: Nina</span><span style="font-size:130%;">’</span><span style="font-size:130%;">s Finds from the Gift Fair</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />• <a href="http://design-milk.com/new-york-international-gift-fair-2011/">Design Milk</a>: New York International Gift Fair</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And from my traveling companion ...</span><br /><br />• <a href="http://thefocusondesign.blogspot.com/2011/02/road-trip.html">Focus on Design</a>: Road Trip<br /><br />• <a href="http://thefocusondesign.blogspot.com/2011/02/road-trip-day-two.html">Focus on Design</a>: Road Trip, day 2<br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcTTtslKwJ3A9AEaJm__It4idaxakU51g5LGcMtJKH0jhUQ6aVZTURcMiGpdN5AL4ZoTQ_YvScRR4-Sz8KKqrwqLyUc0l17FFMOBh7x0FNn8X4Uw03jXlsIm4C-jKg1sVFTrfe9TizDeR/s1600/swanmuffins.jpg"><br /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCPxq7MJTEWO9-ZAr9XerTsyNTEiQFoUxdpHtyscS_nN3RdQGI2ktArq91LJOzsXAAIfaQZapa0l8Gz3aBfEyh1mvHPpqESur0mcO3vnNhD-kIkbIvQ-K2WYpNQo1ZJVQ3WzT7ABQcgHE/s1600/mirrorsD%2526D.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span><span></span></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5M3D5TLhrWgTZcxzq518i6_lmK-024ANNUJ0EIA3RcpaQbFOw1GokI5H0U8lIAQa_Kc8Q6dGYMbryt7zXhfL55OFGVm1ApaMgNgGd6B0vi5mSjjjgVgwAbNEH1t43hKvqQBm-Z9q-ncl/s1600/lampD%2526D.jpg"><span><span></span></span></a>

What I loved at the NYIGF

Two-talented: Stacy Kunstel (aka Duchess) and Michael Partenio (otherwise known as Dunes) at their nautically-inspired booth at this week’...

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