LCY in NYC: Winter on the Upper West Side

I would like to dedicate this post to the man who invented waterproof fabric. You see, yesterday I spent the cold, wet afternoon sloshing through puddle after puddle on the Upper West Side, enjoying a self-guided tour of various locations from my favorite movie, You've Got Mail (upcoming post on that!). As you can see above, every sidewalk met the road with a huge, dirty, have-no-choice-but-to-lay-one-foot-smack-dab-in-the-middle-of-it puddle. Thanks to my waterproof UGG's - yes, all you fools who have the brown fabric style that meet one week of snow, soak up, and crumble - UGG also makes waterproof boots. And they are my best friends. Not one wet toe. Despite many, many slush puddles. Anyway, I had so much fun playing with my new camera, and capturing how beautiful New York City is despite overcast skies and rivers of dirty, melted snow.

It was such a good day, that at the end of it, I treated myself to a lil somethin' somethin'. A new winter coat. It's from a French company, Comptoir des Contonniers (Mothers and Daughters), and it was half off. And it had toggles. And it was the coolest shade of blue-green-grey. And it cinched at the waist in the most flattering of ways. AND they shipped it back to Chicago for me since I don't have a sliver of space to spare in my suitcase. It is fabulous, and I love it, and I love New York.

That is all.

Alaina Shops: San Francisco

Well, folks, I am off to San Francisco this weekend! I'm flying to the West Coast for a few photo shoots and the West Coast Rue launch party (if you're in San Fran or the surrounding areas - feel free to stop by Sunday night!). The gals are also throwing me a lil' soiree for my 25th on Saturday night. I am thinking this fabulously fantastic weekend will be like New York Round 2, only half the time away from home and half the stress + running around. Sounds good to me!

In the few hours we have free Sunday, I hope to swing by Sue Fisher King, Anthem, and Past Perfect. All three stores were featured in Rue's premiere issue on page 33; the piece was entitled "Rue Shops San Francisco with Grant K. Gibson." Want to know a secret? Most of the photos you see here were left on the cutting room floor - and you are seeing them here first! Just somethin' to say, I like you. ; )

THE STORE: SUE FISHER KING: 3067 Sacramento Street, San Francisco

WHY: "With a huge collection of Astier de Vilatte china, table linens from Liberty of London, and an endlessly accommodating staff, designer Grant K. Gibson considered SFK his favorite store in town."-Rue Magazine

THE STORE: ANTHEM: 3274 Sacramento Street, San Francisco

WHY: "Textured throws, gleaming bar accessories, and posh coffee table books." - Rue Magazine

THE STORE: PAST PERFECT: 2224 Union Street, San Francisco

WHY: "A cooperative of multiple antique dealers, its shelves offer up the one-of-a-kind vintage items... dinettes mingle with gilt Venetian mirrors and rustic Americana." - Rue Magazine

To read more about these fabulous home goods stores, click on over to page 33 in Rue and read up.

I'll be back on Tuesday to show off anything I snatch up on my trip!

Vivian Chen photography for Rue Magazine

The Look for Less: Bamboo Flatware

You know that feeling when you find the perfect dress that flatters in all the right places and perfectly hides the "weak" spots? Or when see a cute guy smile at you as you pass him on the street? Or when you wake up early on a Saturday morning and realize you don't have to go to work? That giddy feeling when you just can't help but smile? That's how I felt when I found this amazing deal on bamboo flatware. True story. Above you see the beautiful Juliska bamboo flatware that retails for $150 a place setting at Neiman Marcus. Gorgeous. Perfect, really. But so unrealistically unattainable, it hurts my heart.

Enter this 20-piece set of bamboo flatware, also from Neiman Marcus, that is currently on super duper sale for $18! I was so excited when I found this deal, I emailed my entire family - brother and future brother-in-law included. And the best news is that these bamboo beauties are dishwasher safe. Sign me up for two sets!

"These vagabond shoes, they're longing to stray..."

via

...right through the very heart of it. New York. New York!"

That's right folks. I am heading to NYC this weekend and have all of Friday TO MYSELF to wander the city. Talk about a DREAM. Last time I visited a few years ago, I was with Nate and had to drag him into some of the boutiques around the Upper East Side. He was patient though. This time I plan to indulge and treat myself to all the eye candy NYC has to offer.

BUT I NEED YOUR HELP! What shops and restaurants should I not miss??

As of right now, I plan on visiting the following stores.

Kate Spade

Question: Do I see the flagship on 5th Avenue or the store on Broome Street?

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J.Crew Bridal in the Upper East Side

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Butter

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THAT IS ALL I HAVE PLANNED SO FAR!

Like I said, I am by myself on Friday - so please give me STORE suggestions. Mostly in the Upper East Side and Soho/Village areas. Any good flea markets going on?

As for Saturday and Sunday, I am with two of my bff from college for a bachelorette-type get-together. Dinner at Butter on Saturday is all I've got. The bride-to-be lives in Brooklyn, so feel free to suggest happenings going on on that side of the Bridge.

PLEASE! Suggest away!

ALSO. My friend has asked me to seek out a great make-up artist/hair stylist in the NYC area who would be available for a wedding the last weekend of August. Help!

If you wanted to buy me a present...

...these would do.

How perfect are these milkglass salad plates? Antique-hunter and wicked talented designer Eddie Ross is selling the set of 8 in his Etsy shop for $80. Who likes me $80 much? Anyone? Anyone?

The Birdcage

Sorry this post is so delayed, and it's not very detailed - but if you don't follow me on Twitter or Facebook, then you haven't seen my beautiful new antique birdcage. I bought it on Saturday at the Randolph Street Flea Market downtown - for a whoppin' $38! A lot of the items at the market were a bit pricier than I'd expect from a flea market, but I was sold on this item. I am in love with the color and the shape. I also purchased an antler (which I'd been wanting for months) and an antique watering can for my back deck.

FYI Chicagoans, the market runs one weekend a month throughout the year! I definitely recommend going! I'll post more pictures tomorrow. Today is a vaca day, after all!

Fireflies & Twinkle Lights

Boy do I love twinkle lights. Their soft glow reminds me of catching fireflies in my backyard when I was young. Fireflies are one of two bugs I've never afraid to hold in my hands - those and ladybugs. Anyway, back to twinkle lights. I almost prefer them in the summer than at Christmas. They provide the perfect light to guide a garden pathway or to brighten an outdoor eating area. Now that my brain is churning with how to furnish my back deck at the new place, and I have a gagillion ideas and no solid plan as to what kind of furniture I want, my mind was at least made up that I wanted soft lighting to replace the big, bad spotlight that is currently out there. I knew I needed twinkle lights. Twinkle lights and lanterns. But I'll save the latter for another post.

Aren't they perty?

So when I saw these Globe String Lights in Pottery Barn's newest spring/summer catalogue and noticed they cost $15 a set, I immediately went online to order them. No luck. Sold out. So I called my nearest store. Jackpot. I drove right over and purchased two sets. I hope that's enough.

Globe String Lights

(no longer available online, but in most PB stores)

They have some other cute options still available online...

Galvanized Metal Star Lights

These stars are actually quite dainty and perfect in person.

Cafe String Lights

These are awesome, and I wish they would work on my deck. But I need something I can hang along the side railing (apartment deck, remember). This set would be better overhead.

What kind of lighting do you have in your outdoor space?

*images from Re-Nest, About Patio Design, Sival, Casa Sugar, Pottery Barn*

Memoirs from a trip to IKEA Chapter 3: is it summer yet?

This past Saturday, I hadn't even been back from Mexico 24 hours before I found myself hopping in the trusty Jeep and scooting on over to IKEA. This was my first visit back since moving downtown over a month ago - eeek! Can we say withdrawals?? Commence shopping for a lot of knick knacks I probably don't need but found myself wanting nevertheless. And not sure if you noticed, but does this compilation of items look a bit summer-y to anyone?? I had my new back porch on my mind literally the whole time I was at the store. Seeing as it's currently 28 degrees outside, I don't see us actually using it anytime soon. But when that temperature rises, I will be ready! In the mean time, I've found a cozy place for all of these items indoors.

Now, don't let that first picture fool you. The it's-so-pretty-it-hurts-my-eyes Talavera pottery bowl was an Isla Mujeres purchase that I wanted to show off. Shops all over the island carried this unique pottery in all shapes and sizes, but this singular serving dish caught my eye unlike any of the others. It's currently sitting on my tulip table with bananas and avocados pouring out over it. Now whenever I walk into my kitchen I think of Mexico!

What I loved about this piece was the texture - you can feel each of those paint colors when you rub your fingers over it, unlike many of the other pieces that were for sale that had a single glaze finish.

A few other purchases: I wanted to get this black Borrby lantern in both the large and small sizes but they were out of the larger option. Oh no. Looks like I'll have to go back. Muhaha. And, readers, I'd like to introduce you to the second plant I've ever owned. The first one (dirt included) ended up strewn about on my bed courtesy of my beige puppy - who also ended up covered in dirt - a couple years ago. You can understand why I've been hesitant to try again. I have no idea how to care for it or what it is. So we'll see how long this relationship lasts... as for those darling galvanized plant holders: $0.99 for all three. Yes, please!

Found this set of Blomster candlesticks (regularly $17.99 for all three) in the "As is" section of the store - which I am embarrased to admit I discovered for the first time on this visit. Good news? $1.99 each. Loves! The mason jars are now storing flour and sugar on the counter next to my oven, waiting to be used in my next batch of cookies. : )

I know this was a completely random post but just wait until tomorrow's!! '

Exciting things are happening tonight that I will report on in the AM. Stay tuned...

LCY Chicago: Foursided in Andersonville

For those of you who are new this way, I made the transition from suburbanite to big city gal when I moved into the neighborhood of Chicago's Lakeview last week. And I am loooooving it already. Case in point. Yesterday, my sister and I ventured out to find a dresser for less than $100. In other words, we scoured a few thrift stores. I did find an antique piece I really liked, but the bottom drawer jammed whenever I tried closing it so it was a no-go. Anywho, on our adventure, we journeyed into charming Andersonville, which is north of Lakeview, and I literally shouted "Maps! And globes!" while we zoomed by the store window above. My sister has an odd obsession with both items, so we pulled over and hopped out to explore...

Foursided, located at the corner of Clark and Carmen in Andersonville, is actually a custom frame shop with artsy antiques and knick-knacks arranged in lovely vignettes around the store. Many of the store's inventory is characterized by its typographical features. This place was a graphic designer's dream.

...and look what I found! The Chicago Ork posters I featured a few weeks ago.

They also had the Great Lakes version.

I also saw this collection of printing press letters - the same thing Annie used to create personal stationary for her friends and family at Christmas. I'll definitely be recreating her letterpress project in the near future.

Foursided had Scrabble letters galore. The glass jars toward the right are filled with them.

What does one do with random Scrabble letters? Make art, of course!

Family names, special places, inspirational words... they can be grouped and framed as art.

More maps made my sister very happy.

One of the many lovely vignettes.

Cool vintage flashcards. They also had French flashcards which I wanted for myself. The tiny problem was that I didn't know what they said so I wasn't sure which to choose... damn. Next time I bring the English-French dictionary I don't have.

Loved these bookends.

As soon as I saw this vintage-looking map of England (I have an unhealthy obsession with the country dating back to the early 90s when my mom sat me down and made me watch the BBC's Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth over and over again). It was $4.99 and I plan on getting an IKEA frame for around $15. Lovely.

I also left with four of these tiny notecards that spell out the word HOME. Also to be framed. How very apropos for my new home.

Until my next adventure... which, let's face it, will probably be tonight after work.