...the high line

Today is one of those dark rainy days--the perfect day to reflect on life and check things off my to-do list.

I strolled the High Line along the West Side of NYC the other day and as I put these pictures up I feel such an enormous sense of gratitude for my life. I feel so completely blessed to be able to live so close to a city that is constantly bubbling over with passion and excitement and always evolving in its art and culture. But to also be so closely connected with the other "cities that never sleep" like Tokyo, Bangkok, and London is just so humbling. This world is so exciting and to both watch and be a part of all the movement is inspiring. 

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the High Line, it is a convert freight train road that runs up the West Side of NYC. It now serves as a sort of urban garden where people can stroll above the streets and through buildings with the NYC skyline surrounding you on one side and the Hudson River on the other. The first section opened a couple years ago but the section section just opened up last month. There are several benches to sit and lay down on (and in some cases water artfully running along the side for people to stick their feet in), shaved ice stations, food and drink trucks, lots of flowers and grass, and the occasional art installation. You're never short of families and couples and taking pictures either (...and I was one of them...).

...nyc hotels!

For my work (at Karen Bussen Wedding and Events) I do a lot of really fun things. I've followed Karen to the Martha Stewart radio show a few times, I've gone to events, met with several really amazing and creative vendors and clients, and have been a part of the planning of lots of super awesome weddings to come! Unfortuntely, I'm not allowed to share any of that awesomeness with anyone :( It's really hard to be honest with you. When I find a good thing, I like to share it. My last assignment, however, was not top secret! I was assigned the task of choosing 3 new hotels in NYC (which in itself was difficult), make appointments with their event managers, and then visit with them to take a look first hand at their hotels/event spaces. In the event world, it's really important to stay on top of new spaces so that you can be the best informant to your clients.
I'd like to promote these fabulous hotels because not only did they have exquisite detail and beautiful spaces, but their staff was extremely friendly and welcoming. I don't know about you, but when I come in contact with unpleasant people working in the service industry, it really puts me off. So hurray for the following hotels!

The James Hotel (in Soho)

The Eventi Hotel (Chelsea)

The Trump Soho (Soho)

(I know, I know...I'm not a fan of Trump either--but the hotel is undeniably gorgeous). 

The James:

Their outdoor event space that neighbors David Burke's Restaurant. Usually the space is not tented but because of the for foreshadowing of rain they set this up. 

The attached inside portion of the above photo

Penthouse.

Part of David Burke's Restaurant which does the catering for all events at the James. The cabanas are made from recycled and eco friendly materials.

The Eventi Hotel:

Inside the Event Suite's First Room that opens up to the Terrace

Veranda South Terrace

Veranda South Terrace (amazing views! And you can even have a wedding ceremony up here!)

 Eventi Suite's second room which opens up to the Veranda Terrace

Screening Room 

The Trump Soho:

Super sexy Gastronomia Restaurant serving Northern Italian food.

One could even hold an event by the pool!

The SoHi Room. Nearly a 360 degree view of the city.

The SoHi Room set up and with blue lighting.

These are just a few pictures of a selection of the respective hotel's event spaces. If you have any questions feel free to ask :)

...exercising !!

Exercising my creative juices that is (although I should probably try to hit the gym at some point as well)! While I've been working nonstop at my internship with Karen Bussen in the city (check her out at karenbussen.com if you haven't heard of her!) the downside is that I've also been slacking :( on my blog and have been in a kind of creative funk for a while. Thanks to our glorious Independence Day and a little bit of chance, I have FIVE days off this week!! What am I doing? I'm soaking up all there is to see and experience during this fabulous time of year in NYC. I plan to walk the High Line, visit the Alexander McQueen show at the MET, be blown away by ABC Carpet and Home on Broadway, see an independent movie at the Anjelika Theater on Houston St. and practice my flower arranging! Packing right? I also plan to fit in a friend's birthday party, a bbq, and some firework action as well :)

Yesterday I picked up a bunch of flowers and decided I was going to make a garland and share it with you all. Follow the steps to make your own!! 

What you'll need:

Sheers

3" wires

vase for keeping flowers in water

Flowers!! (it's nice to have a few blooms and a few leafy greens to make a full and lush garland)

Step 1. Divide your flowers into groups and then cut to desired lengths (you will be making tiny bouquets)

Step 2.  Take one of each bloom and couple leafy greens and create a small bouquet. Then wrap one of your 3" wires around the bottom to secure. They should look almost like over-sized boutonnieres. 

I like to have a small vase around so I can keep all the small bouquets in water while I'm working.

About 15 bouquets shown here.

Step 3. Simply take one bouquet and begin wrapping wire around the bottom of another. Continue until you have only three more bouquets left. 

When this happens, just turn the bouquets the other way so that you are adding on the last three in the opposite direction. Hide any wire or empty patches remaining leaves and blooms!

Hope you enjoyed the quick tutorial! It was lots of fun to make and I can't wait to share the rest of my week with you :)

...lost and found

It's always inspiring and refreshing to find art that changes the way you see and think. Just when you think everything has already been done, you come across something so exciting that you see creativity is infinite. limitless. ever-lasting. And what is considered beautiful is not limited to a traditional narrow definition.

Here are some artists and their artwork that I've gotten excited about :) 

Stuart Haygarth

 using objects that have been discarded, Stuart Haygarth transforms these found objects into magnificent chandeliers.

made out of glasses

Carolina Fontoura Alzaga

"In her work Carolina integrates her hybrid identity, global perspective and socio-political interests." 

Beautiful and strangely elegant knowing they originated from a standard bicycle, Carolina has used spare bicycle parts to make this chandelier. 

Kiel Mead

Mead, like Haygarth, takes lost and discarded objects and transforms them into surprisingly beautiful jewelry.

button rings

forgetmeknots

frekspecs

giraffe

lincoln

...Mr. Boddington

As you can see, Mr. Boddington's stationary designs are too cool for school. Though they may have started out in New York, you can find Mr. Boddington's deigns in almost every state in America. They're also featured in nearly every Wedding magazine I've ever read--and rightfully so. They're creative designs, bold color schemes and signature font have put them in high demand. 

Check out the many other amazing designs and options they have, on their website: Mr Boddington

--just for fun

this is so great! i wish i could organize my bookshelves any one of these ways. Lord knows I have enough books to do it...just not enough time :/
Enjoy!

coffee!

coffee saves the world! i always knew it saved me but after finding this place, Leah Bowring's "Hark Art+Coffee" is selling people's art and donating the proceeds to help flight hunger. She has a lot of really neat stationary, ceramic, and paper designs but i'm just showcasing her amazing coffee designs here. Yup, coffee designs :) enjoy!! 

I told ya so!!