More Photo

Self promo time- check out photography of Basket I took in this pub- http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/boutiquedesign_20110506/#/78

Charley and I have fun with words

Charles- thingerr

me-pronouced like okrrr

or prrrrducting

*prrduction

Charles-prrrrducting!

me- DID WE INVENT A NEW WORD?

Charles-YES I BELIEVE WE DID

me-NO SERIOUSLY?

WHY ARE WE SO IN LOVE?

You know what it makes me want to do?

Charles- marry me?

me-well duh

that's already setteled

but no PEE

that's right

I went there

with an all caps lock pee

Charles-lets create a hazardous work environment with our pee

Charles-hah also, hot handy man who occasionally comes into our office to fix things died his hair this coppery blondish and it does not look good at all

dyed

not died

me-is that the hot man?

who was randomly in your office?

Charles-NO

not the hot unexplained man

although this guy WAS equally as hot

seriously, the dye grew out so it looks like really sloppy frosted tips

it's like the peroxidey color i think?

does not suit the hot handyman

me-jeeze hot nady man

hahah nady!

i meant handy

but im SO into nady

I take photos

I know- I've been really naughty and not ever updating ever. You can shake your head in disappointment. Anyways, just a quickie- check out my photography on the New York Spaces blog. And also, the event I helped put together. Thanks to anyone who came!
http://www.newyorkspacesmag.com/New-York-Spaces/March-2011/Samuel-amp-Sons/

Penguins are RUDE

11:50 AM Ankura has joined

Charles has joined

Charles: hi!

me: I want to talk about the ginger bread man chase all together

me: that was a good day

Charles: awww!

me: a great day even!

Ankura: hahahaha

Charles: super day!

me: as you can see I'm working relaly hard today

Ankura: i wish today could be like that day

Charles: better than squirrel appreciation day!

11:51 AM

me: OH CHARLEY

Charles: OH NORA

me: you have to fucking buy your dman tickets to boston

babs and I bought ours

me: if you're not on the bus with us drinking vodka you're not our firend

Ankura: superbowl weekend! in boston!

Charles: aahH!

hahah

11:52 AM Ankura: hot toddys will be drank

me: drink drank drunk

Charles: yay!

Ankura: and socks will be worn, to terrys party

air mattresses will be inflated

and space heaters will be used this time, haha

Charles: haha terry throws me off by sending evites and not facaebook invites

hahaha

Ankura: its because he's over 30, hahaha

11:53 AM Charles: haaaha

me: hahahahaha

HAHAHAH

I love ankura

Ankura: i love nora

Charles: i'm in love with nora

Ankura: i

oops

i'm in love with a gingerbread man

11:54 AM me: OH SNAP

as in ginger snap

wokka wokkame: FUCKING BUY YOUR TICKETS

Charles: listen woman

11:58 AM Ankura: have you guys ever had Bison Grass vodka?

me: don't think so

11:59 AM Charles: moi auci

me: aussi

dummy

Charles: you're a dummy

me: that's true

Ankura: haha

in quebec they spell it auci

(thats a lie)

Charles: hahaha

12:00 PM OUE OUE OUE

Charles: i got home 3:40am last night! boston doesn't exist after 1:30AM

me: charley, did you buy your ticekts yet?

Ankura: i know, it kind of falls off the map

Charles: it enters a temporal shift

Ankura: haha or that

Charles: and reappears at 6AM

Ankura: just in time for the T to start running

12:08 PM Charles: haha if a city's metro isn't running the city doesn't exist

fact

Ankura: so that means boston doesn't exist after midnight haha

Charles: it's like the whole if a tree falls in the woods thing

woa this random hot guy just walked into the office

12:09 PM Ankura: get his digits

Charles: he's just so attractive

me: CHARLEY
DID YOU BUY YOUR TICEKTS?

Charles: NO

let me get on that

me: this might be as important as your hot coworker

Charles: haha, i need the tough love

me: or you're gonna have to take the china town bus by yourself like last time

and babs and I will be on a honeymoon

Charles: nooo!

12:10 PM me: and you will have to hold hands with a crazy smelly person

Ankura: yes, you'll be forced to

Charles: it's true, they enforce handholding

Charles: this guy needs to stop being so good looking and in my office

me: because hes distracting you from buying a ticket?

Charles: hahaha actually yes he is

12:12 PM Ankura: clearly

bring him on the bus with you

Charles: he's totally unexplained too! i have no clue what he's doing here

12:14 PM Ankura: i sent him there

Charles: i bet you did

12:15 PM me: CAN YOU PLEASE SEND HOT MANZ MY WAY?

12:16 PM Charles: well my guy just left i'm sure he's on his way to your office nora

to just inexplicably show up, look hot for a while, then leave

Ankura: oooh, too bad i dont have an office

Charles: the world is your office

Ankura: maybe he'll show up looking hot in my house

12:17 PM me: and then things can really get serious

in a house as opposed to an office

Charles: wooo!

Ankura: this is true

i'm sure he's heading to port authority right now

12:18 PM me: I read that as the pot authrority

me: which was confusing

but not THAT confusing

Ankura: pot authority

nyc needs a pot authority

12:19 PM Charles: at the port authority

Ankura: yes, thats exactly were it should be

12:20 PM me: you're right

12:21 PM Charles: I BOUGHT MY TICKETS NORA

12:22 PM me: I just peed my pants

in excitement

Charles: clean up before the hot guy shows up

12:23 PM hot guys don't appreciate pee on the pants

they do appreciate squirrels

2:32 PM Charles: haha

12:34 PM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11xs9mFKObs

just look at that penguin

12:36 PM digest that for a second. i'm going to grab a sandwich.

me: la la lives here

and this king penguin is really living like a king

I CANNOT DEAL

they gave him a backpack

that is PENGUIN shaped

Charles: I KNOW

12:37 PM me: and then he just SWALLOWS A WHOLE FISH

and walks away

and doesn't say thank you

Charles: I KNOW

hahha

me: he's a rude penguin

Charles: penguins are nature's assholes

12:38 PM me: hahahahHAHAHAHA he left his change in his other suit

and who names a male pengin LALA?

Fashion Week- ADAM pt 1

Man oh man alive did I drop the ball with hollering at the tents in any sort of timely manner. I will say that between the new job, and uhhhh life (?) I've been struggling to keep it all up. But I've been getting used to the schedule and I'm looking forward to keeping this a-going.

So did you guys totally freak out at the floating marble block over the entrance? It was soo well done. It lessened my apprehension about the new location (I don't like change). My little darling Chloe called me up to stop by check out the ADAM show.

She was allz like -Hey I ain't no model, don't take my damn photo. But I did because she's so darn ADORABLE.
ADAM just makes really beautiful clothes. Are they crazy off the wall? Are they twenty colors and oversized silhouettes? Nope. But do I lust after them? Are embellishments used thoughtfully? Are the proportions perfect? Yup. Its clear that Adam has a point of view, and its to create really top notch clothing for ladies.
I love the backstage craziness. The handlers took some time making sure this girl's shoes worked correctly.

I like to think these are someone's moms helping add last minute extra notches to the shoe's buckles. Remember when I said fashion is so not glamourous? This is the personification of that. Its hard work and crouching behind a trash bin trying to get one more hole- using a tired, old leather punch- on a fabulous pair of shoes.

I love seeing the designers talk about their collections. Sometimes designers have a lot of say and are really hands on with their collections, and sometimes they just provide more a face for the collection and might approve things that go through the system. Now I have no authority to say either way, I've never been to the ADAM studio, but it appears to me that Mr. Lippes is really part of the discussion, which makes sense considering his history- holding the title of creative director at one of my absolute favorites, Oscar de la Renta.
The front of house was super packed as to be expected.
I watched the show from the sound booth, which made be feel a little bit cool. In my head I pretended I was an important person overseeing the production. Basically I sat up a little bit straighter...

Show coverage next post!

Duck Eggs

Yes, yes- I've been naughty. Its been almost a month! So much has happened- including a new job for me! (and fashion week, bastille day at le bain, weekend trips to visit friends, plus next month is do it myself month, but more on all this later) That is part of the reason that I've been MIA, trying to adjust to the new schedule, making sure I have my ducks in a row (digression, the co-op had a sign next to the eggs section claiming they had duck eggs. I searched for them and upon finding none, asked a receiving coordinator for them- to which he replied "There are no more." Dejected I continued shopping only to be paged over the PA minutes later "Will the shopper who requested duck eggs please find me, we have them!" BALLER! I took the massive box from this hands and let me tell you, the box is huge because THEY ARE HUMUNGOUS! I brought them home and have yet to eat any. Truth be told, I am a bit nervous- but I'm excited all the same. I was also away all weekend so I was not duck egg-ing it up. I'll try to remember to let you know how it goes).

Anyways my first day of work I jumped right in and went to a party with my new co-worker. We headed into to SoHo to the NY Spaces fete at Sicis' showroom. YES! That amazing tile showroom where they do things with tile you never thought possible.

Happy birthday Mister President.
So in addition to amazing displays they had rows where you could just help yourself to tile samples. And it was just beautiful to look at. And rainbow bright-y.

The Cooper Hewitt Shop

Me and the company wanted to take the intern to the Cooper Hewitt to check out the Design Triennial. Of course due to poor planning on our part, we forgot to check what time it closed. When we got there 20 bucks a person for only a half hour just didn't seem to make sense. But it wasn't a total waste of time, the shop was open for us to peruse, for free! Brian, the curator? buyer? finder? come on my selector? for the store always makes good choices. It was hard to photograph my favorites because they were often under glass.
I totally dug these watch shaped wrist bands. Playful and sweet. I would like to wear them all at once, two for each arm.
These necklaces also charmed me. A much better version for ladies than the patronizing all-pink tool sets for ladies the Home Depot sells. Though I could see a hunky, hip man in a v-neck shirt wearing the saw one...
And these are just weird. There is a part of me that wants to buy a set and mail it to John Waters.

Ye Olde Schoole Shoppe Signe

The corner store around the bouts of where I make da bling bling has been revamping their space. The took off their old skuzzy awning to reveal their even older and totes awesome sign! I hope they keep the sign going after they finish their remodeling, its so pure, subtley retro, and stunning in its simplicity. Please Super Ace Markets, keep love the old skool love alive!

Get it

This is what is happening right now at the office.



I'm live blogging our office cat.

Kartell Party, and then some. SoHo-o-rama

Design Week ended more or less in SoHo. Our first stop was the Kartell party. I got there earlier than the rest of my peeps and was able to lounge like the coolest kid on the block in one of these sofas on a light up platform, whilst drinking a cocktail. Uber posh.
I was really excited to be there because Kartell makes my favorite piece of furniture ever. The Louie Ghost Chair designed by Phillipe Stark!HOW BEAUTIFUL IS THAT CHAIR?!! Really, just imagine it six of them surrounding a rustic, oversize wooden table with a gorgeous, metal chain chandelier hanging above. That, good sir, is perfection.
They have a great line in general. I'm a sucker for clear and plastic things, and lucite fits the bill to a T.
Finally, I was able to snap a photo of the most elusive creature in his natural habitat.
That dude with the Leopard Print Hair. Who is this guy? Why is he always around furniture? Does the carpet match the drapes?
Afterwards we jet-setted all the way across the street to the Artemide party, where we blah blah blahed our way past the door person into the event where everyone was drinking weird blue drinks that looked really gross. We left just in time to see Karim Rashid walking in, NOT WEARING PINK! So weird.

Our final stop was the Pin Up fete, where all the cool kids were. The fun b-list sighting was Julian Schnabel chatting up a cater waitress. So bizarre. Fun Fact: He looks just like Jack Nicholson in person.

And so we took a long nap the next day and had really attractive boys with washboard abs feed us grapes. Or we went into the office. Its a choose your own adventure post.

Blu Party!

Okay- so the best part of ICFF is the parties! Lots of boozing with the people that make my industry happen, the movers and the shakers, and lil' ol' me... Ever since Blu Dot moved into SoHo they have been known to throw the most baller parties in the 'hood. Their fetes always dominate the street with the well dressed design crowd overflowing to the curb outside.
Did I mention they are tons of fun?
Look! Carolyn found Alex from Rich, Brilliant, Willing!

And here's my posse. I love wearing a bedazzled turban. Really alot.
Congrats to Sight Unseen for throwing equally awesome events at the NoHo Design District. You go girls!

National Bike to Work Day

Hey y'all-
Tomorrow is National Bike to Work Day!
Here's some ways to celebrate tomorrow. FREE FOOD!

The Javits

I spent three consecutive days in the bizzare-o glass building that somehow lets no natural light in called the Jacob Javits center, hollering at ICFF. Its safe to say I spent time with furniture. Here are my highly coveted picks, my what were you thinking critiques, and the "I can appreciate what they were going for"s.
I'm in love with the tie dyed wooden chair- and its oh so comfortable.
But this dream of a couch is the epitome of comfort. I could sit in in all day, lounge, take long luxurious naps, wear silk komono pj's, you know, the usual. I basically want this right now, its singing my song.
Its rumored that furniture made out of wood just makes me swoon. And truth be told there is no tub I would rather have than this wooden tub. Its just so cool, a tub made of wood! And look what happens when we diverge from wood-
weird ugly tables. Although I do kinda like the idea of the Theory of Relativity in a table, its not something that appeals to me aesthetically.
And there are still stranger things made of wood.
Bangin' on this bed would be an experience, no doubt, but I'm not sure I'd like to be the owner of this contraption.
I totally loved this shelving unit. Although its styled for a children's room I feel it would fit nicely in my room, or the living room. I bet it could even work in the bathroom, holding towels.
Pratt had a booth where presumably students had drawn on these plastic chairs. This one was one of my favorites.
Though I really liked the mouth chair too.
And my love for lucite meets my love for wood. And here are some lucite lamps that charmed me, and they are NOT made by Kartell, who wudda thunk it?

Penthousing

Now don't get jealous. I just happened to be able to hang out, in a penthouse, in the Plaza, for work. For a couple of days. Its not like there was a party with a cool jazz band, lots of champagne and some of my favorite people there.
Who am I kidding? This was definitely a super perk of the job! And a great way to start off ICFF week, with a posh party. It left a good taste in my mouth for the next coming days.
This being my third New York Design Week, I can now don my "old hat" and not be as excited about a week of nonstop partying. Except when PARTIES AT THE PLAZA PENTHOUSE ARE INVOLVED.
I'm sorry, was that not classy enough for my surrounding digs? I do apologize. Indeed.Here we are, our company, hanging out on the terrace (which I kept calling a Terrance) overlooking a view most people never get to see. I took a small moment to remember how lucky I was to be were I was, and then I took some more photos to make you just a little bit more envious of our super plush and luxe lifestyles.


Judy and I's favorite activity, especially during ICFF, is to take goofy photos, its our way or engaging with the space. We shared this tradition with our lovely intern and new best friend, Carolyn.
Yes, there was a yoga room.

Judy, workin' hard, or hardly workin'?

More ICFF coverage to come, perhaps less silly in tone, though no promises.

Perry Ellis aka Hello Boys

Perry Ellis might not be the first thing one thinks of when one thinks FASHION! But I was excited, Judy, my co-worker was excited. And let me tell you why...
Oh gosh, hello there.... MALE MODELS. They might be 17 but they are beautiful. Beautiful boys. I had no problem going backstage after the show, really. They had already changed back, but its nice to be close to something that pretty.
Okay, enough hormonal gushing, on to the show! This guy sat across from Judy and I, and I took his picture because he was wearing the most phenomenal golden velvet blazer. And his hair. Oh his flippy hair. And his silly pre-ripped jeans.
It was Judy who-just moments later- noticed half of Project Runway was sitting next to him. That's Jesus from this season, and behind him was Jordana from last season. Amazing B-listers!
The collection wasn't ground breaking, but it was really thoughtful, detailed menswear. I have a soft spot for menswear. Sometimes I wish I were a dude, because men get to look fantastic all the time, that is if they want. Their clothes are sometimes more expensive, but once you buy an amazing suit, it can last you many, many years if you take good care. Its a real investment. And then I get disgusted by men who look sloppy, because menswear can just look so clean, tailored and posh with so little effort that you're a fool if you're wearing an ill-fitting pair of front pleated khaki pants. We're SO not friends. I look down my nose at you with extreme disdain, I'm talking to you- 90 % of wall street and midtown.
I digress...
The collection started off in a Blue/Teal area and transitioned in a Burgundy/Red zone, coming from cool and getting warm. There were some neat color blocking button downs, and great prints. The music was also really really good, I'm trying to get my hands on the jamz.
Oh I love those four boys, tie, bow tie, bow tie, tie. Adorable and sweet. The stands were overwhelmingly filled with the gents, which was refreshing to see dudes interested in their own garb.

Also, backstage, was TO (Terrel Owens) who plays football if you didn't' know. I didn't. I had to ask.