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Cool As Sh*t iRetrofone

Cool As Sh*t iRetrofone published on 2 Comments on Cool As Sh*t iRetrofone

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Are you one of those folks who’s given up your land line? Do you miss holding a real phone to your ear instead of a hot, radiation transmitting cell? Well, despair no more! iRetrofone is here!

The hand-sculpted base by artist Scott Freeland is a fully-functional, stationary iPhone dock with a USB cable and working handset.  It’s made of heavy-duty, half-inch thick urethane and designed to be compatible with all iPhones.

The clear and the pink are my favorites and they are also the least expensive at $195. Prices climb to $350 for the steampunk version.

If they only played music too, they would be perrrrrfect.

NYC Holiday Events

NYC Holiday Events published on

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When I was growing up in this fine city my mom used to take me to see two things every year for the holidays. We always went up 5th Avenue to see the storefronts. From Macy’s to Saks, stopping for lunch and hot chocolate along the way. I loved it when I was a kid, but I’ve never done it since (unless I happened to be shopping).

1. Dyker Heights lights. This was the second thing I’d do with both parents. Although I remember going to Canarsie too. I HAVE been back to DH as an adult and it’s just as much fun as I remember it. These folks are not to be outdone, but you can also catch some nice Christmas decorations in neighboring Bay Ridge and Bensonhurst and also Carroll Gardens. Yeah, basically any Italian neighborhood.

2. Yerba Buena in the East Village is serving Mexican Hanukka dinners. Sounds interesting! It ends on Wednesday so hurry up if you want some of those spicy latkes!

3. Ice Skating. Since childhood, the only times I’ve ever been ice skating again were on Christmas Day. But ’tis the season for thermals and falling on your ass for fun. Of course, my own rink preference is Prospect Park in Brooklyn because there are less tourists (and it’s local). Manhattan has it’s fair share of rinks including Central Park, Bryant Park and the most famous, Rockerfeller Center.

4. Dinner and Chinese. Celebrate like a Jew! I don’t know if this is a universal thing or it’s just unique to NY (because we luvs our Chinese food here) but Christmas Day is the day the tribe goes out for Chinese and a movie. Historically, it was because those were the only things open. Now it’s just a tradition as NY doesn’t really shut down.

5. Latkes and Applesauce. A Hanukka show at the Merkin Concert Hall. I just grabbed it off the internet, so don’t shoot the messenger if it sucks.

6.Kwanzaa Celebration. Forces of Nature dance troupe at Harlem’s Apollo Theater. Again, never been.

7. Dog Caroling. Bark! The Herald Angels Sing takes place in Prospect Park every year. Organized by Fido, an off-leash community, it’s a chance for humans to embarrass themselves while their dogs get treats. December 11th from 8-10am in the Long Meadow but dogs must be on leash by 9am. Bring your dog and a video camera.

8. Grand Central. It’s one of those places I never plan to go, but if I find myself there, I’m always impressed by it’s awesomeness. Apart from the shops and architecture being cool any time of year, the holiday season at GC brings us two things…a great craft show (no freezing your ass off at Union Square) and a spectacular light show.

9. Met Museum. If the gigantic tree and crowds at Rock Center aren’t your thing, there’s a calming holiday experience to be had at The Met. The Christmas tree at The Met is, dare I say, “just lovely”. There are lighting ceremonies for the rest of the month and separate choir concerts.

10. Radio City Christmas Spectacular.  Yeah, I dunno. I think my mom brought me one of those years we marched up 5th Avenue. I guess it’s something to see once in your life.

More Upcycled Stuff

More Upcycled Stuff published on

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No small feet! Antique shoemaker’s wooden child foot model. It’s mounted to a base and has a hole in the top. What is it? A pen holder!

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Smiles, everyone, smiles! Vintage doll face mounted to a fan blade. Kind of cute for a kid’s room, no?

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That’s so hot! Yeah, it’s a scarf, leash or hat hook.

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I’m turning Japanese, I really think so! This was a fugly 1970’s cedar jewelry box with decoupage flowers. Trust me, it was dated and tacky.

These pieces will be uploaded to the store only if they don’t sell this weekend at the craft show. Tha’s why no prices.

PS 321 Crafts Fair This Saturday

PS 321 Crafts Fair This Saturday published on

Been a busy bee this week making stuff for Saturday’s PS 321 Crafts Fair. The annual event is hosted by the PTA to raise money for the Park Slope school. This is the first year I’ll be doing it, but apparently it gets very busy even though there isn’t much info out there for the public. ‘Tis why I created a Facebook page for the event.

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Anyway, between selling the house (not closed yet), the van, a bunch of furniture and doing a renovation and getting ready to refinance, I haven’t had much time to work. Hopefully, I’ll get some more done today and tomorrow and my booth won’t look totally pathetic.

Swing by if you can! Should be lots of cool crafters taking part.

PS 321 is located @ 180 7th Avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Hours are 11am-5pm on December 4th.

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Ride Vintage NYC Trains & Buses

Ride Vintage NYC Trains & Buses published on

During the holiday season, the MTA runs vintage subway and buses along certain routes at scheduled times. The cost is the same as any other ride. It just might not get you all the way to your destination. Click on the link to see schedule.The wicker seat trains stopped running in 1969. I am so old that I actually remember riding these a couple of time. I would have been 4 years old. They didn’t come often, but it was a treat when I got one. The lack of air conditioning was always fun. People sweating into the grooves of the seats. Ah, but they had overhead fans! And it was 35 cents for a token. Remember those little coin thingies they had before Metro Cards? Surely, you’re not THAT much younger than me!

If you’ve never been, the NY Transit Museum is one of the coolest places in Brooklyn. You can view these vintage trains and buses any time of the year.

Upcycled Etsy Gift Guide

Upcycled Etsy Gift Guide published on

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Ho f*in’ ho. Thanksgiving is over and it’s time to shop for gifts! Before I start posting my own recycled creations, I figured I’ll give you a look at my competition.

O.M.G. I love the platform shoe planter!! I don’t know where Giddy Spinster gets all the shoes from, but I’m jealous! Apart from the fabulous planters ($55 for the one in the photo), there are bookends and a vintage hair dryer planter.

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Look closely at this bird feeder. I didn’t see what it was the first time. Green? Yellow? It’s repurposed traffic signals! $60 from Red Yellow and Blue Ink.

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This vintage cookbook clock comes to us from the Welsh Tick Tocklers. $40

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Mitchell Glassworks melts wine, beer and soda bottles to make cheese plates and spoon rests. This Cabernet cheese plate is $34.

10 DIY Tools To Be Thankful For

10 DIY Tools To Be Thankful For published on

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1. That razor blade holder thing for paint removal.
2. Cordless drill. Oh honey, I’ll never take you for granted.
3. Tape measure with marked fractions. Because I don’t know how to read it otherwise. Yup, there, I’ve said it.
4. Duct tape. You know why. When you can’t fix it….
5. Swiss Army Knife. Well, I don’t really use it around the house, but I carry it with me and it does come in handy at work.
6. Center punch. That little thing comes in handy!
7. Staple gun. Almost as versatile as duct tape.
8. Foam paint brushes. So environmentally unfriendly, yet so unbelievably convenient.
9. Metal snips. Because you can use them to trim bushes too.
10. Hammer. Of course, I wouldn’t forget you, my dear old friend.

No, Kush Didn’t Shut Down.

No, Kush Didn’t Shut Down. published on

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One of our favorite restaurants in Brooklyn is Kush Cafe. We are regulars there, but admittedly, it’s been at least a month since we last ate there. So when we decided to go for brunch yesterday and saw that the gate and sign were down and paper covered the window, we freaked out.

The last few times we had eaten there, it seemed slow. My husband was all like “They didn’t survive the recession.” and “It’s our fault. They closed because we haven’t eaten there in a while.”

But don’t worry Kush fans, that’s not the case! After some extensive detective work (facebooking the hostess), I found out that Kush is closed for renovations and will reopen at the end of the month.

So, this is really a non-story. But just in case you were nervous like we were, now you know. And if you’ve never been, you should go so they do stay in business forever.

PS: While I was looking for images for this post, I came across Kush Chef Sammy’s private cooking website. “Moveable Chef” is his business outside of the restaurant. He will come to your home and cook for you or provide personalized menu prepared meals. Kewl.

Last Ft. Greene Flea of the Season

Last Ft. Greene Flea of the Season published on

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Ah, the end of the outdoor flea season is upon us. This Saturday will be the last outdoor flea in Ft. Greene. Starting the weekend after Thanksgiving, the Brooklyn Flea continues through the winter at 1 Hanson on Saturdays and Sundays. And don’t forget the Gifted market!

Me? I’m still trying to get rid of the larger pieces I brought back from the Beacon house. Oh, how I do miss the large space.

I’m just kind of putting together some pieces, but not painting/finishing them as I don’t have time and it’s hard to get the price for the work involved these days. I’ll have suggested prices on the furniture, but it’s “make me an offer day”!

The desk above is an old tool box sitting on top of porch balusters. We bought a bunch of salvaged balusters when we were redoing our porch, but decided to keep the original shingle design. I’m thinking $90 OBO.

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Hey, whaddayaknow? More balusters! This antique sled makes a fab bench or low table. $85 OBO. Keep an eye out for baluster candlesticks and baluster frames this holiday season.

Other leftover stuff I need to purge:

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This sweet mid century repainted coffee table has been sitting in the attic for a year. $75 marked down from $90 or best offer.

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Ooh, I forgot I had one of these school chairs left. They were selling for $55 last year. Um…$40?

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I have 3 matching marble/cherub tables I got from my cousin. I don’t have room for all 3. This side table…$95. Ask about the other side table or fabulous 8 cherub coffee table if interested. All Italian marble, circa 1950’s/60’s.

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I’m on the fence about selling these two gals. They looked great in my Beacon house and they seem a little out of place in the Bed Stuy home, but I still love them. I’d part with them for about $150 apiece, but maybe not much less.

Come visit the flea! I’m usually on the Clermont fence.

Flea Find: TMRnyc Metalwork

Flea Find: TMRnyc Metalwork published on

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I actually hauled my tuchus back to the Brooklyn Flea to hawk my wares last Saturday. I did get a chance to wander away from my own booth for a few minutes to check out some other vendors.

My “Wow, that’s impressive!” award this week goes to Scott Behr of TMRnyc. TMR is a metal work company. They do design, welding, machining, laser cutting….everything metal. And yes, much of it is recycled!

The “Swarf” tables above are re-purposed industrial scrap. At $2360 they are out of my price range, but if you have the bucks to spare, consider this: An elephant could sit on those tables and not break them (maybe).

Coney’s Last Gasp

Coney’s Last Gasp published on

Yesterday was such a beautiful day that we decided to visit Aunt Elaine in Coney Island and have a stroll along the boardwalk. We happened upon the final last call (maybe) of Ruby’s and Paul’s Daughters (aka Gregory’s). Their leases have been terminated to make way for the Disneyfication of Coney Island. Amusing the Zillion and Sheepshead Bites have the full story.

I’ve mentioned here before that I lived in Brightwater Towers across from the aquarium during my teen years. I was still there, living with my parents, when I took up photography. To this day, my favorite place to shoot is Coney during the winter months, when it’s desolate. The decay is what makes it beautiful.

Coney Island’s appearance (or lack of) is not what makes it special. The people do. Like the lost Times Square of the 1970’s, Coney is home to a vast array of eccentric souls. The geriatric handball players. The big Russian guys swimming in sub zero temperatures. The ladies with hair to match the candy apples.

I like to think that they will remain. The courts, the water and the boardwalk will always be there for them. As gentrification spreads around the neighborhood, they will probably be priced out or bought out though.

Who knows? Maybe one day Florida will be become the new Coney Island. Oh right, a bunch of them are down there with my mom already. And you know what? It’s really not the same. 🙁

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