Make a Splash in NYC

Summer truly is around the bend! What's the biggest clue this week, you ask....it's the opening of the Pooldeck, at the Empire Hotel in NYC, on Thursday. Built as an exclusive 150-capacity Vegas-style pool, the rooftop is split into two levels: upper level for sunning and swimming, lower level for cocktails and cabanas (cabanas are stocked with flat screen, wireless internet and a day bed). Both levels, however, are for guests only so if you want to hang here, plan on getting a room and making a day and night of it.

Buy Art Fight AIDS

Yellow Spiral by Barbara Takenaga


Blue Paisley by Barbara Takenaga

A number of artists have donated artwork to help raise funds for ACRIA's AIDS research and treatment programs. The featured artwork can be purchased on ACRIA's site or on May 20th at the Charles Cowles Gallery in NYC.

Balloon Animals at the Met

The Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden, offers amazing views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline. Now that nice weather is upon us, try heading over to the Met, sip some cocktails on the roof and check out the Jeff Koons sculptures which will be there till October.

Men in Plaid Do Mix

I found an article in todays Fashion & Style section of The New York Times to be quite witty. David Colman writes about the old rules of pattern-on-pattern dressing as being a thing of the past, as "outdated as a 35-mm camera". The fear of clashing has been thrown into the garbage bin and is now keeping "not combing your hair and not letting your underwear show" company. In the article, Paul Smith talks about the Duke of Windsor and Fred Astaire being style gods in the 1930's due to their daring mix of patterns but notes that to truly carry off braver mixes of color and pattern today, it is about personal confidence and taste.

For the Love of Vodka

Couldn't help but notice a few buzzes around vodka recently and thought I'd share two that truly appealed to my sensibilities. The first is the new book by Chelsea Handler, 'Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea' which contains hysterical stories from the author's youth and adulthood. Seriously, check it out. The other is LoveJoy Vodka from Integrity Spirits in Portland, Oregon. I really dig the packaging. For some reason it reminds me of old perfume bottles on my grandmother's dresser. Anyway, the name comes from a well traveled street in Portland and the Vodka is made in small batches that can be purchased with any of four different labels. They also have a Hazelnut vodka that has been passed through fresh-roasted Oregon hazelnuts. So the hunt is on for me to try and find it locally....for a very scientifically-based taste test of course.

Say What you Bean

Message Beans grow with words lasered onto one side and an image on the other. Simply add water and the bean will sprout into a small plant that will greet you with "Love", "Happy Holidays", "Get Well", "Thank You", "Happy Birthday", etc. Since the beans take about 1-2 weeks to sprout, it would be fun to have some other expressions available like, "I Quit".

High Low

Rogan has designed a safari-inspired "eco-chic" line that is scheduled to debut in Target on May 18th. Surprisingly, Barneys has persuaded Target to launch the collection first in its Manhattan and Beverly Hills flagships beginning on May 8th and May 15th, respectively. The pieces will be housed on the Co-op floor and will only be in stock for five days.

Love is Blind

Jessica Lertvilai has created a molded earthenware vase that has braille letters covering the surface. It is available in two colors at Fluke.

Brooklyn Indie Market

The Brooklyn Indie Market is returning to Carroll Gardens and its grand opening will be on Saturday, May 3rd from 11-7pm.
Local designers will be selling there wares under the red and white striped tent.

Red Ruby Rose

I'm digging Red Ruby Rose's printed, handmade clutches. They are available on Etsy.

Feel More Human

Jill Stalowicz took her passion for building brands and her love affair with modern design and merged it with her interest in a greener society, to create Feel More Human, an online site dedicated to "meaningful, modern, living". The website is packed with modern, eco-friendly goods that are for sale. It also contains a classified section for selling your modern, used goods and a resources area that provides ideas for reducing your carbon footprint.

Ceiling Paper

Swedish pattern designer, Lisa Bengtsson, designs graphics, illustrations and wallpaper. Seen here is her "ceiling paper".

There's a Seersucker Born Every Day

Cordarounds is an e-tailer from San Francisco whose passion this Spring is their men's seersucker, ventilating pant. Their "ThermoSucka" horizontal, seersucker technology claims to whisk radiant heat away from the body faster then traditional vertical seersucker pants.....

Welcome Spring

Now that the weather is turning warmer and the trees are in bloom (at least in NYC), it is time for those of you with outdoor space to break out the patio furniture. If you are looking for a campy, fun umbrella, then look no further than the ones made by Warp Weft and Co.

Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy

The Metropolitan Museum of Art will have a new exhibition starting May 7th, called Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy. According to the pamphlet I received in the mail, "The exhibition will explore the symbolic and metaphorical associations between fashion and the superhero. Featuring movies, costumes, avant-garde haute couture, and high performance sportswear, it will reveal how the superhero serves as the ultimate metaphor for fashion and its ability to empower and transform the human body. Objects will be organized thematically around particular superheroes, whose movie costumes and superpowers will be catalysts for the discussion of key concepts of superheroism and their expression to fashion."

Grand Theft Auto goes Glam

Grand Theft Auto IV, for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, is due in stores April 29th. Founder and executive producer of Rockstar Games, Sam Houser stated, "We've pushed ourselves very hard to make something incredible and hope the game sets a new benchmark for interactive entertainment."
One feature in particular caught our eye.....Karl Lagerfeld is playing a DJ. As you cruise around listening to the radio, you'll be able to listen to tracks of Lagerfeld's favorite electonica and dance music laced with his "politically incorrect" commentary.

The Fabbies

"The Fabbies are the first-ever, blogger organized awards to recognize the top Fashion, Beauty and Lifestyle blogs from around the world." Sadly, Design Find was not nominated for any of their categories but you can check out all nominees and vote for your favorites on their site.

One Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure

It wasn't long ago that I posted about the John Varvatos store in the Hamptons and now I'm compelled to mention his newest store that opened in the former CBGB space on the Bowery in Manhattan. Keeping a lot of the grit from the former tenants, the store still has walls covered with layers of graffiti and stickers, the original bar remains and there is a retractable stage for performances. In addition to the complete JV line represented, there is stereo equipment and records for sale from John's personal collection.

Nusa Kitchen

Nusa Kitchen makes soups from the finest ingredients and has two store locations in London. Recently they developed their own heat resistant cardboard sleeves, designed with sweater patterns, so you can feel twice as cozy while enjoying a cup full of comfort.

Petrified

Check out these petrified wood platters, available at Sprout Home. They can be used decoratively or they can function as serving platters for tapas, sushi, antipasta trays, etc.

Bureau

A look from Spring/Summer 08


A look from Autumn/Winter 08

Bureau, designed by Cory Gomberg, is a relatively new men's clothing line that is inspired by the "off-duty lifestyle of our 35th President." In essence, the casual yet polished collection is inspired by JFK (more sailing off the coast of Cape Cod and less womanizing).
Look for it at Odin and Bloomingdales.

Full Moon

The "Fullmoon" sideboard produced by ENNEZERO and designed by Sotiros Papadopoulos, uses a special paint that mimics the real moon's glow at night. Since it is available only in 24 limited addition pieces, you may need to stick with your glow in the dark ceiling stars a bit longer....