This holiday season...
Havarti Starts the Party! Sponsored by Dofino® and Denmark’s Finest® Havarti!
Win a beautiful “Party in a Box” prize package, filled with colorful party supplies, a coupon, lantern lights – everything you need to start your own party!
This contest has concluded. Congratulations to all the lucky winners! See www.havartistartstheparty.com for rules.
I’ve always had a passion for craftsmanship and fashion; so imagine my delight when I found out about Rag and Bone clothing. Since 2004, when Rag and Bone first launched, British designers Marcus Wainwright and David Neville have been on a mission to make the finest quality apparel. Sharing my passion for domestic artistry, Marcus and David produce the majority of their garments in US factories that still sew clothes the same way they did 50 years ago! And keeping things close to home continues to pay off—the design company has saved the jobs of over 160 American workers. It’s clear that ingenuity extends beyond just the clothing.
Pictured above is Stewart's Vice President Nancy Trimbur with Flavor the Stewart's Spokescow.
Even though summer is gone, I never need an excuse for ice cream. While I still find myself craving Happy Clown in Columbia County, Polar Bear in Oneonta, Ice Cream Man in Greenwich, New York, and Licks in Hudson, lucky for me, my favorite spot is open year-round! Stewart’s Ice Cream is the cream of the crop. The scoop at Stewart’s is rich and creamy without being too sweet. Not to mention, it's wallet friendly too! I couldn’t get enough of their coffee flavored ice cream, and their mint chocolate chip is equally to die for. And fortunately for me, a new location is opening up near my hometown of Chatham, New York.
Charlotte McKeough was ahead of her time when she reinvented the brown paper shopping bag in 1996. Even New York Magazine agrees totes are this season’s must have fashion accessory. McKeough’s line of “Brave Brown Bags” are a witty play on the classic paper carry-all. But aside from having a sense of humor, these totes are stylish and practical too! Every BBB is made BY HAND using the company’s unique waxed fabric. I love Charlotte’s passion behind keeping the bags rooted deep in artisanal tradition. And so do her followers--BBB has expanded their collection to offer 4 different styles! I’ve gotten so much wear out of my classic BBB, it may be time to brave-up and try out a fabulous new tote for the fall.
The “speakers” category is really taking off. I was at a show the other week and I was amazed at how many companies were focusing on this product. From collapsible, to customizable, to speakers shaped like a purse—these objects are just as much about looks as they are about sound! There are so many fun ways to dress up your very own speakers for the next event. Muji and the Macbeth collection feature great lightweight options, and if you’re looking to customize any contact us at The Holding Company!
Designer Jill Fenichell was ahead of her time when she launched her line of Elegant Melamine Tableware in 2005. Melamine plates are decorative, practical, and dishwasher safe. I love the idea of having gorgeous tableware that I don’t have to worry about breaking—and I’m not the only one. The plates are so popular in fact that hip New York Designer John Derian is launching his second line with target this fall. You don’t want to miss out on this hot new trend! Melamine plates make great promotions. If interested, please contact us at The Holding Company for more information.
Anthropologie is one of my favorite stores. All of their products have their own unique spin and their new Paint by Numbers Rugs are no exception. Now, their Paint by Numbers Rugs join the members of the nostalgia club along with: glee clubs, ping-pong, hula-hoops and flash-cards. I love this new twist on the paint by numbers sets from my youth. And, just like your childhood creations, you have the option of hanging the rug up on your wall! With this latest inspiration, I may have to buy a paint by numbers set and take a trip down memory lane.
As you know, I love to discover new and innovative ideas.
I’m always jotting down notes on what could be the new “it” product. With so
many things to see and be seen, I wouldn’t be able to function without Post-it
notes! But I’m not the only one with a passion for Post-it's. In fact, the Post-it’s brand has
teamed up with Publicolor, a not-for-profit, to create a dazzling art display
of 1,000 Post-it-notes! The
designs are created by students and are inspired by ideas for the future. The exhibit is on display at the
Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Station from now until August 6th. So, definitely check it out
before it’s gone—it’s sure to be a notable experience.
I’ve always had an appreciation for functional yet fashionable accessories, that are both durable and eco-friendly—without sacrificing style. Imagine my delight to discover designer Rupa Wickrama and her Saky Sacks. Rupa has got the “green goods!” Her bags are made out of Dupont Tyvek, a lightweight, stain and tear resistant material, which can be recycled into materials that save trees! They're good for the environment and trendy too.
Rupa draws inspiration from her travels and collection of tribal textiles and rugs. You're sure to find a bag that matches your everyday style from her wide array of prints, including her hot new camouflage pattern. Prada certainly knows Saky’s onto something; they’re launching their own "Camo" line for the fall. I can’t wait to match a bag to my fall wardrobe and maybe even delve into Rupa's Sakcessories.
This past May I visited the 2010 International Contemporary Furniture Show at the Javits Center in NYC. I love going to this show every year to scope out the hottest finds in furniture - but what I also love are the people I see! One such friend is Rachel O'Neill, a Northern Irish artist and designer whose work I thought was absolutely amazing! You probably have noticed - but lanterns and hanging lighting fixtures are in abundance. You have the shabby chic light with crystals, the paper lantern with intricate weaving or the rigid lucite material that has been so popular in the last year. What I love about Rachel is that she is always keeping things fresh - not only with the styles and shapes she produces - but with the materials she works with as well! I was so taken by her hanging lanterns at the ICFF show that I just had to share it here. What you may not notice from the picture above is that her lanterns are made from materials like industrial grade VELCRO(R), goose feathers and aluminum! The freshness of the design and material is to die for. You better believe I'll be keeping in touch with Rachel and following her work! You should definitely visit her website - but her flickr page is just as great with beautiful pictures.
As you know I am always attracted to a company with a social mission, especially one so sweet and delicious as this! I recently heard about Greyston Bakery, a bakery located in Yonkers, that helps to improve the lives of those living in its surrounding community. The bakery does this by hiring people from the community, regardless of their work history, providing training and paying them fair/living wages. The Greyston bakery started as a small scale bakery providing high quality baked goods for renowned NYC restaurants but expanded into the “mix-ins” category. I was so happy to hear that their "Do-Goodie" brownies are the exclusive supplier of the brownies used in all Ben & Jerry’s ice cream!! Looks like I’ll be running out to get some of Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie a bit more often now! I love the concept of a company that exists solely to help the world. It is so refreshing to see. Proceeds from the bakery also support the community initiatives of The Greyston Foundation.
I have always loved mannequins. For me, they are an iconic image that is always set in a period of time. Each mannequin has its own story - has its own author that dressed it that certain way. I have been thinking about mannequins lately and how they could be emerging as a design trend. As I've been thinking this - I remembered meeting Karyn Millet , award winning photographer, at the Surtex show at the Jacob Javits Center last May. In her booth stood a mannequin that had been beautifully decorated in an "Audrey Hepburn Style" dress - but the dress was made completely out of stock images that Millet had photographed. I thought it was absolutely stunning - and poignant to me that they used a mannequin for displaying this work. If you don't know Millet's work - I would definitely take a look - she has a way of capturing life and beauty in its most natural state - nothing contrived, just real life beauty. As for me, though, I know I will continue to find mannequins and be intrigued by the way they are used.
Last summer I made an idea book for myself detailing everything I thought was going to be coming into “trend” in the next year. I was predicting things like bees, clowns, ferris wheels, roller coasters and paper products would be en vogue. I wish I had written about ferris wheels and roller coasters last year, but oh well! I was predicting a total resurgence of the “
I have been attending the NYC gift & toy shows for years - and I love to visit with the vendors that I see year after year. Its fun to see what new products they come up with and see how many of them stay on top of the emerging trends. One of those such companies is Eastern Accent- I'm always curious to see what fresh products they bring to the show! Years ago they had the cutest rubber bands in the shapes of rabbits - and even then I couldn't help but be amazed by them. I kept trying to think of ways to use them in some way for my clients of The Holding Company. Needless to say - I wasn't surprised when they showed up in a new form at the NYC Toy Fair this past February. These bands have morphed into the new trading cards and friendship bracelets! Two companies that I could find at the show - Stretchy Shapesand Animal Braceletshave taken the idea to a whole new level! These bands now come in all different sizes, shapes and colors and apparently kids are going gaga for them. Trend spotted!
I received an email a few days ago from The Paper Menu describing a new product they just launched - cupcake bands - what a nifty idea! You may remember that I am a big fan of cupcakes, and now you can dress up your cupcake display! You can totally customize these bands by choosing from different background patterns, colors and fonts! Whether you own a bakery and are looking for a new way to display your cupcakes - or if you are planning a special event and would like your cupcake display to fit a certain theme - The Paper Menu's Cupcake Bands are sure to please!
I am always on the lookout for innovative ways of enhancing mundane objects - so when I saw this product at the New York International Gift Fair at the Javitts Center earlier this month, I just had to post about it! Sweet Bella, a design house and distributor for some amazing products based in Brooklyn, New York featured decorative masking tape at their booth. Yes - now you can make art with your tape! You might remember my post about the fancy packing tape I found last year - well Sweet Bella takes it a step further with so many different colors, designs and sizes! Tape is now front and center - whether you use it to add some pizzazz to a package - or even in scrapbooking - the designs will be perfect for whatever project you have in mind!
I am always a sucker for things that are quirky or a bit out of the ordinary - so naturally, when I first heard about purses made out of seat belts years ago, I was intrigued! Yesterday, after browsing through the Accessories Show at the Jacob Javits Center I came across the coolest looking seat belt bags I have seen! Harveys, the first company to make the seat belt bag had a booth showing off their new line of bags. The interesting graphics, smaller weaves and ruffles were just so chic and sophisticated I couldn't resist ogling them! I would definitely check out their collections online- but if you are in New York - they sell Harveys bags at The Museum of Art and Design store in Columbus Circle!
(Image courtesy of the artist and Perry Rubenstein Gallery, New York (c) Richard Woods)
I have been passing by the Lever House building on 390 Park Avenue for the past couple of weeks and always admire the beautiful decorations. The other day I couldn't help myself any longer and walked in to find out who created this distinct work of art. Sure enough, London installation artist,
Richard Woods is behind this magnificent work! Woods installed victorian inspired panels of colorful wood on the benches, steel columns and even the floors of the Lever House lobby and outdoor courtyard. The colors are visually stimulating and the Victorian inspiration is such a departure of the modernist Lever House that its surprising it works so well! The installation called "Port Sunlight" reminds me of the fresh designs of the recently closed Domino Magazine. That magazine used to give me such inspiration, that I was sad to see it go! It is such a treat to see these exhibits in New York City - if you haven't passed by the Lever House, the installation is ongoing until January 31, 2010 so I would go check it out!
Mike Michalowicz over at the Toilet Paper Entrepreneur rounded up an interesting list of last minute gift giving ideas for clients. Be sure to look for our contribution there as you stroll down list. Happy Shopping!
I absolutely adore anything that brings a new twist to an old classic. Believe it or not, I find many of these things in the historic towns of Upstate New York along the Hudson River. I spend many a weekend trolling the antique stores, gourmet markets and unique stores and find some of the most amazing things! The town of Red Hook New York is no exception. This sleepy town has some of my most favorite establishments, but by far my favorite store is Tivoli Mercantile. Everything in this edgy and hip store is specially sourced and curated by its owner, Jill Cornillon. You can find anything from clothing and jewelry to unique home goods. My all-time favorite product in the store is from their proprietary Hudson Paint Company who has just released a multi-hued line of colored chalk board paint! Started by Jill’s husband, a master paint mixologist, Hudson Paint has your ticket to make a wall in your kitchen, children’s room or even living room a living art-space! The colors are vibrant and truly stunning – its no wonder House Beautiful featured the paints in their November issue!
My favorite company at the 2009 International Gift Show in New York City was, hands down, Rebecca Ray's American Couture Handbag Company which specializes in handbags, accessories and antiques. I love Rebecca's style and business for many reasons - she emblazons her beautifully crafted handbags with luxurious fabrics and depictions of horses and old American lifestyle. Her designs resemble New England in its finest, you would never know she grew up in Ohio, and resides there today! While what first drew me to Rebecca was the beautiful products she had on display, after speaking with her I realized she embodied another great love of mine: the entrepreneur. Rebecca will be hosting her very own PBS show called "LifeStyles with Rebecca" coming this October that will bring inspiration to everyone who watches it - she will be focusing on those Americans who have successfully reinvented themselves, either out of necessity because of the economy, or for very different reasons. Not only will I be keeping an eye on Rebecca's designs, I'll be sure to seek out her new show!
I’ve been wanting to blog on Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs for some time now. I find CSA’s so interesting for many reasons. It is a definite trend that continues to grow (no pun intended!), helps people to eat local and brings so many people together between the farmers and the people who buy the produce. One of the most intriguing aspects of CSA’s for me is the entrepreneurial spirit they bring, and the fact that I have seen so many women becoming farmers and running small farms! Typically, a CSA charges about $500 to each person who joins, and in return that person receives about 22 weeks of beautifully fresh, local produce late spring to early fall! I think it’s a great way to be in touch with the local economy and eat healthy all season long. CSA programs definitely fill up early – and the earth’s bounty only goes so far, so I would do your research and find a CSA in your area today if you are looking to join one for next season! Below are a few resources that I have found helpful:
Just Food - an organization that works to develope a just and sustainable food system in New York City.
Columbia County Bounty - has all sorts of great resources on famers markets and other food related info for Columbia County, NY - and the "Taste of Columbia County" is on August 3rd - so you can taste all the locally produced food yourself!
New York City Community Garden Coalition - in case you can't get into a CSA program - Community Gardens are just as great!
As you know by now – Ice Cream is one of my favorite things! When I heard that
Have no fear, if you can’t get over to an ice cream event, Better Homes and Gardens has about 23 amazing recipes on it’s website for frozen treats. So get on over there, start churning that ice cream and tantalize your taste buds! If any of you have a great ice cream shop that I just HAVE to try, please comment and let me know - meanwhile I will be scoping out my next “scoop”!
Outdoor pianos are slowly starting to take over the streets! On Sunday, July 12th on the CBS Sunday Morning show I watched an amazing story about a project in London to bring music to the streets. 30 Pianos have been placed around London each one with the words "Play Me, I'm Yours" written on it. Artist Luke Jerram brought this event to life as part of the City of London Festival. I love the idea of music spontaneously happening around a city! Go figure, two days after I saw that segment I was walking down into the West Fourth Street station and came across a man with a full piano playing in the subway! Later I found out he was the "Crazy Piano Man", who is in fact, not crazy at all, but simply thinks its a great idea to bring a real piano into interesting places while making people happy and making himself some money! His name is Collin Huggins and I would definitely listen to him when you can - visit his website to stay on top of where he is. Here is a pic of when I saw him in the subway!
I happened to be walking through the Conde Nast Building on Tuesday and saw these images that reminded me of African textiles – I was thinking it was so interesting that they were on display! As I walked closer and saw the name of the exhibit, I realized, in fact, it wasn’t African textiles – but cNOTE art by Erik Rosen. Erik, after going through a stem cell transplant procedure, started seeing the music – these colorful images are a phenomena called synesthesia – basically a misfiring of the senses. He created these beautiful images of boxes of differing shapes to represent the notes he sees. Since it reminds me so much of the African textiles I so adore – it makes me think if some of the artists of the earliest textiles also had this unique sensory experience. Either way – definitely check out Rosen’s images on view until July 20th!
Recent Comments