Celebrate Brooklyn! part deux

Nick and I went to Prospect Park to watch, for free, The Cold War Kids. I love sitting in the park on a sheet, with all sorts of people there. It is a really nice way to bring an end to the week. I ran into some of my vegan friends from my Vegan Eat Up (of which I am the black sheep, aka the only vegetarian) and we all chilled for a hot minute.

A triumphant dad hoisting his kids bike at the end of the concert.

I like the Cold War Kids. Nick does not.

The Lonely Dancer

Last night Sura and I went to one of my favorite spots, Beauty Bar. The music was pumpin, the dance floor was full but not crowded, my favorite bartender was there, everything was fabulous. Then we went outside so Sura could have a smoke, we came back in not ten minutes later and the dance floor was empty, save this one sad guy.


I blame the poor 80's Paula-Abdul-esque music that the dj basically refused to turn off. I get it, its nostalgic, its got some humor, but really, I feel like I've heard that joke before.

Jersey...

I headed to New Jersey for the weekend. Although I had an enjoyable time, I also remembered why I stay away from Jersey. There is shit to do, people get way too drunk, and beer pong is played. I'm kinda a beer pong hater.
HOWEVER! some of my favorite people to drink a crappy light beer were there, including the fabulous Party Person of Honor, recent NYU graduate and Local New Jersey resident, Megan, along with her old roommate Steph, and some lovely old high school friends. We took a bike ride, because, thank god, they ride bikes in their small town. The old clunkers are kinda hard to ride after riding my sleeker bike in the city, but the colors are amazing. I rode a deep blue one, which I kinda drunkenly borrowed (stole) from an unknowning high school student for a quick ride to the bay.
Amazing Harley inspired bike.

Dance Mania

Every once in a while I go to a hip hop dance class at Broadway Dance Studio on 45th st, waay over on the west side. And every time I go I have to pass through the MOST AMAZING PLACE IN THE WORLD! TIMES SQUARE! I love riding my bike through tourists, really, their elastic waist bands are supreme!
I swear, I have the weakest neck muscles, and the hip hop class starts with ten hundred crunches, which kills my neck. Anyone know how to strengthen your neck muscles? Then we do push ups, which I've become a bit better at, or whatever. Then a warm up that has been the same for something like 13 years, werd.
Finally you get to the dancing, last night we danced to Pump It by the Black Eyed Peas, which is kinda old, but pumped me up to dance. heh.
There were these two Russian (or not american...) girls who were only slightly younger than me with the craziest bleached-n-teased hair, with a little pink in it, and amazing and intense eye liner, AND the hugest baggiest outfits. They were a a pair, and wouldn't be able to stand on their own without each other, but it didn't bother me. It made me want to be them, I mean there wasn't an ounce of class between them, but they were the girls I wanted to be when I was in high school, except my hair never looked good messy, it always looked just messy. I want to take a covert photo of them next class. Or like... talk to them.



Oh and I'm sore, like a mother.

Loft,Band,Dance,Red

Nicholas's neighbors have a ginormous loft. The have a performance space. We went and saw a performance. with a band. and modern dancers. and red lights. Pretty cool.

I'll break your face

Ahem...little known fact-I've been practicing Tae Kwon Do since the ripe old age of seven.
This makes me a black belt.
I still try to go to class once or twice a week at Fordham University at Lincoln Center. Afterwards we always go to this diner called "the Flame." These are some kids that could definitely break your face.


And this is how we roll. Limo or not at all. Bitches.
(I'm just joking, one of us is a Limo driver and was kind enough to extend his services for free, just so all us brooklynites could get home safe. We listened to bad rap like Ride Wit Me by Nelly, its practically mandatory when riding a limo, duh.)

Texture

On the side of a truck parked in Park Slope. Amazing texture. Inspiration is where you find it.

Celebrate Brooklyn!

My lovely boss invited me and Nick to see Issac Hayes with her and her husband. He (Issac Hayes) was mostly fun and did play Shaft, so one really can't complain. Then there was an after party because this was the first in a series of great concerts for Celebrate Brooklyn.The open bar.



The dance floor, filled with Moms and Dads. They played all oldies. Loves it!

Sensual Seduction

I may be the last person on earth to have seen this little gem...but I am totalz in luv.


And I also had no idea this was a Snoop Dogg jam. I thought it was "no name R&B guy." Thank you Snoop.

Birthday Bashin'

This is me, so amped about Brad Walsh's birthday at the Annex!!!!!!!!!

Singing his jam, it was a good jam.
Romy is also SO AMPED!
Sura and Isac, stunned by the jamz.

Curious

A van with antlers, obviously.

The office cat

Her name is Domino. I think she has a gooey face. She's still pretty cute.

Neo Con Extravaganza

Now on to the real reason I was in Chicago. I've actually made it to yuppie status just within a year of graduating from art school, and I was on my very first, ultra grown up business trip. Every year in Chicago there is a big contract (contract=hospitality, schools, office, healthcare, etc.) furniture fair called NeoCon. I fully understand that the name is a little strange, I know. The furniture isn't too avant garde because a designer cannot really push the envelope too far when one is designing office conference pieces. It was still worthy of note to see what people are thinking about for classrooms, etc because I don't usually think of those spaces as, well, "designed."


A pond in the office?

Chicago Police Jogging

I was walking through Pilsen to the Pink line to get to work and I was about to cross the street when I realized it would take a few minute. I am assuming that these are the newest cadets taking a test of sorts to prove they are up to snuff enough to be part of the elite Chicago Police Force!


Those cute little vests are the best part.

Chicago Scenes

These kids knocked the cap of the fire hydrant and played all day on the block I was staying on, flooding the whole street. While I can't imagine a bigger waste of water, they did have a good time.
The entrance to my old apt in the West Loop. (sigh)
And then I turned into a tourist, the nostalgia took hold.
Blue Line Stop.

And finally, a good dog. I had to sneak this photo in.

Chicago Nostalgia part one

Me and Caroline went thrift and consignment shopping up and down Milwaukee only to end up at Niche, the very expensive shoe store. Caroline bought some amazing shoes, and I sat grumpy with a budget.
This is Snew, the resident cat in Coale's residence. He (Coale, not the cat) lives in this little part of town right behind the Blue Line when it comes back above ground. Because the subway is blocking many streets from continuing on to the other side the area he lives in is wonderfully secluded and completely charming enclave.
The very first thing I said when I walked into his apartment was "Woah! You have an Eames rocker?! Is that real?"
"I thought it was from IKEA," was Coale's response. I checked, it is a real Eames, and Coale's roommate Ricky confirmed it. Over all the space was decorated really nicely, the color palate, the old furniture. I could do without a massive TV, but I still enjoyed the space.
My first time sitting in an Eames rocker.Spencer lives in the coolest loft ever with some crazy large furniture. I have a love for massive furniture, which is unfortunate because I live in New York and everything is small. Spencer's apt can host it all.

I found this little ditty on the coffee table (made of two doors). I still can't decide if I'm in love or repulsed.