Gifts with LOVE

As mentioned in earlier posts, I spent a lot of time this summer researching unique gifts. I wrote about inexpensive art and "Of The Month" gift ideas. Unfortunately, my research went unused by it's commissioner (at least for this year) and I didn't want all of my hard work to go to waste. So, in the spirit of the holidays I am sharing some of the gift finds I discovered. They may be out of your price range, but they ARE pretty to look at.

Gifts of Form and Function

These beautiful tins by Kaikado can be used for tea or other dry goods.
The history behind them makes them even more interesting.
And the age beautifully.

These pieces of reclaimed pine can double as a side table and stool.

These handmade boxes for small keepsakes caught
my eye with their poppy color and graphic look.
They are sold by Leif and I must admit that all of the
items on their site make me weak in the wallet.

Collaborative Gifts

I love me some old school lace up Vans and these
Kenzo for Vans at Opening Ceremony are amazing!

A successful melange of Military and Japanese Fabrics by Heather Heron. 

Humorous Gifts

So silly... but LOVE these Mustache Mugs

Want! But, think this doormat may make my neighbors a bit uneasy. 

Self Affirming Gifts

My new obsession lately may be Patches and Badges.
I think this one would make a nice daily reminder to oneself.

Gifts that Give Back

A couple of Christmases ago I received a beautiful bag handmade by women from a third world country who were using their artisan skills to support them and their families. This inspired my search for gifts that would not only bring a smile to the recipient but you as well knowing that you helped out a woman in need by its purchase.
Check out this Basket of Love from Darfur.

Crafty Gifts

(...and a little self-promotion)

This weekend shop the Bust Magazine Craftacular and
visit me at The Knot House at Table 126!

If you are interested in ordering a dog collar, 
please measure your gift recipient's neck with a tape measure. 

For those of you out East during the holiday season, stop by
The Montauk  "Handmade for the Hoildays" Fair every weekend until
Christmas.  Featuring some amazing local artists, makers and artisans...
Including The Knot House

Happy Holidays to All! 

Coordinate LOVE

Today, I am shooting menswear, specifically dress shirts by a brand that should remain anonymous. Picture a euro trash / jersey shore / meat packing douche at a club and he is probably their customer.
Anyway, the shirts reminded me of one of my favorite movies, Boomerang, starring Eddie Murphy and Halley Berry. There is also amazing appearances by Grace Jones who plays Strangé (fyi: this is where I get that saying).

Sorry got side tracked by the thought of the fabulous Ms. Jones... Back to the shirts. They reminded me of this hilarious part of the movie and I thought I would share.

Thursday LOVE

I want one! But, take a look at the price sheet. Wha wha...

Show Rockaway Some LOVE

I saw this video and it brought tears to my eyes and a reality check to my brain. 

Check out this post for a great article and info on how to volunteer.

I plan to volunteer next week, so let me know if you are interested in joining me!

I was in The Knot House

Illustration by Alice Tait

I have been slacking on loveloveloves due to the fact that most of my online computer energy has been put towards updating The Knot House on Etsy AND creating website (all on my very own, so be nice.)
You will also find a blog on the website entitled, Knotty Thoughts. Please check it out and follow it!

Introducing THE KNOT HOUSE

Due to popular demand, I have created at Etsy Store, THE KNOT HOUSE featuring handmade, chic rope dog collars and what I like to coin as "outdoorsy ghetto gold" necklaces.  Positive momentum has been moving faster than I can tie knots, so I am still working on photographing more of the women's necklaces.  Today I received my first press, thanks to my fabulous neighbors, Jessica and Sasha Perez.

Click here to view the entire segment from today on Huffington Post Live. Forward the video to the end of the segment to hear Jessica's lovely shout out to the me, the necklace and the THE KNOT HOUSE. Purchase any item and a mention this segment with Jessica and Sasha and as mentioned I will donate 10% of the proceeds to Adopt NY. Happy shopping to you and your best friends.

Monday Musings

I haven't had anything to post lately because I have so much going on but nothing completed

(in thought or matter). In the meantime, gnaw on other these other people's words to curb your appetite.

Courtesy of http://observando.net

Friday Typography of Wisdom

Home Alone

I wonder what my accessories are doing right now...

"While you were out" Photography by Bela Borsodi

Wise words to live by...

Aloha (as in "goodbye")

I recently sold my Nature Shapes long board to a friend. It's departure from my quiver has felt bitter sweet. It sounds shallow, but I admit to being emotionally attached to material things. My car (Pearl) and pieces of jewelry including my Rolex are amongst these items. In my own defense, I am not attached to these possessions because of the value or status, but rather the nostalgic memories leading up to the purchase and/or what the purchase meant to me at that point in my life.

Here are the memories from the morning leading up to the purchase of this long board:

1) A broken heart
2) The dog puking in the car on the way to Rockaway
3) Getting a parking ticket
4) Stopping a police officer driving by and asking about the reason for the parking ticket
5) The cop recognizing my car from being parked on the street in Williamsburg
6) Being distracted
7) Getting on the Cross Bay Boulevard bridge and the board flying off the roof of my car and into the canal
8) Thanking god the board didn't hit anyone.

All of these incidents led me to craigslist later that morning where I found a 9'0 Nature shapes for sale. I contacted the seller who lived on St. Marks Place, immediately jumped in a cab, saw the board and paid cash to hold it until I returned in the evening to pick it up.

There you have it... That's the history between me and this board. It came into my life because of depression, drama and desperation. All feelings I would rather forget and even though it's been a bit difficult for me to part with this board, the time has come to say farewell and wish it well.

P.S. I suppose I never grew too attached to the board because I never gave it a name.

Soft Launch of THE KNOT HOUSE

I am pleased to announce that I have finally created a shop on ETSY... The Knot House! Presently there are only dog collars, but I plan to add my human accessories (including rope necklaces and crochet/knit items) soon. Take a look, let me know your thoughts and spread the word on to your Dog loving friends.

"Of The Month" Gift Ideas

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have been doing a lot of research regarding gift ideas for the upcoming holiday season.

Here are a few a la "of the month club" which I found very clever...

For The Makers is a fashionable How-to-DIY club. 

BarkBox is a take on BIRCHBOX but for Dogs. 10% of the proceeds go to a local shelter or rescue.

Artist of the Month Club is also a cool concept, but not exactly cheap at $2400/year.

Art is cheap...deux!

This is an addendum to my earlier post about inexpensive art.  To commemorate Herb and my 3 year anniversary, I found a water colorist on etsy and commissioned her to paint a photo of Bones. When I saw her work, I thought her style was reminiscent of Francesco Clemente (this may have been a stretch). And at the time, I wasn't "allowed" to spend a lot of money but I do believe it was worth the (in)expense. Herb loved it.

Photo sent to artist.

End product.

My Birthday Weekend

Thank you to everyone for taking the time to come out to celebrate with me. You ALL made it so special. I had such a great time and thought I would share some of the best of pics by Adrian, Marcus and Selene.

The event began with Ben rescuing Bones "Fireman Style" from a altercation with an innocent black lab.
That is when Bones' evening was cut short. 

ROSE!!!!

Some of you left your cups behind! (I have them... and extras if you want) 

The Boyz

Bibs 

FIRE!!

There was a lot of instagramming that evening....

The only shot of the cooking on the beach! Thanks Selene!! Let me know if anyone shot more...

The Gurlz.