Spike In Traffic?

Posted by Kerstin

During this important year (presidential election and all), I readily admit that I don't rush to the front page of the New York Times or the Washington Post each morning.

More than likely, I am flipping through party pictures on style.com or my new favorite: a weekly blog feature on New York magazine hilariously dissecting the latest "Top Chef" victim.

See the latest cooked turkey, Spike, below.

I plan to return each Thursday (the day after the Bravo show airs) to read through the silly commentary. After that, I will look through this and last season's archives.

It's frivolous. I am not learning a thing. But a girl needs to ease into the weekend.

Share your online guilty pleasure -- we won't tell your boss.

Hidden Hotspot

Posted by Lisa & Rena

A couple of weeks ago, I left Rena alone at Rare Device in the cold and windy San Francisco and headed for one of my favorite spots in the world: California's Mojave Desert.

I flew into Palm Springs (which is a treat itself) and met my aunt and uncle, who live about 50 miles outside of Palm Springs, near Joshua Tree National Forest, in the town of 29 Palms.

A sign entering 29 Palms

29 Palms is a bit of a sleepy town, and that’s what I like about it. I have returned time and time again for its clear, clean air, gorgeous sparse desert landscape, and mountain vistas. There isn’t a whole lot to do there besides hike around Joshua Tree, but this activity alone makes the trip worth it.

Joshua Tree National Park is one of the most special places in the world -- there is nothing else like it on the planet. (In fact, sometimes walking around the park you feel like you might be on another planet).

The famous Joshua trees of Joshua Tree

Before my aunt and uncle retired there last year, I stayed twice at the lovely 29 Palms Inn, a rustic, affordable, and beautiful accommodation in town, near the entrance to Joshua Tree Park.

Besides hiking in the park, there is some great antiquing and thrift store shopping in nearby Yucca Valley. And any kid will enjoy a visit to Pioneer Town, a cool movie set where they used to shoot western TV shows and films. If you like driving around and taking photos of old signs, the expanse between 29 Palms and Yucca Valley are chock full.

An abandoned homestead

Low on pretense and cost, high on hidden charm, gorgeous desert views and fantastic weather (especially in the fall and spring), 29 Palms is truly out of this world.

Favorite Things (Part II)

Posted by Lena

Volume Two of  "Lines & Shapes," a series of small books I co-curate with Maria Vettese, came out last week.

This book's theme is "block," and it's dedicated to projects created by our contributing artists. I find the projects so creative and absorbing, and hope that others will too.

But I'm especially fond of a section in the back of this book, where we show some of the artist's "favorite things." I thought I’d share images of these pages, which include favorite corners of the artist's homes and studios, and single objects which make them happy.

And here is one of my favorite things (not included in the book). It’s a framed bird print, purchased by my mom at Sears in the 1970s.

Guest Blogger: Jessie Randall

Posted by Bluelines

The designer (at rest).

In between designing gorgeous, city-friendly (aka easy to walk blocks in) flats, boots, and heels (not to mention clothing), Jessie Randall is taking on an equally daunting task, renovating her townhouse in Brooklyn.

A look from Loeffler Randall

We dropped in (not physically, of course) to ask her if her creative process translated to bricks and mortar.

5 Questions for Jessie Randall, Designer, Loeffler Randall

1. So, is picking out plumbing hardware as challenging as churning out a collection?
Picking out plumbing hardware is the worst. We spent our Christmas vacation buried in plumbing fixture catalogues (Davis & Warshow, McMaster). My husband picked out all kinds of fancy fixtures, but my most favorite are the industrial toilet and urinal we put in the boys’ bathroom. They are so simple and functional. They look better than any of the other stuff, in my opinion. The renovation was a massive project. We have a lot on our plate with the house, the twins and the company. So juggling it all was the hardest part, but it was fun.

2. What one thing do you have to have in your home (even amidst contractors)?
As much natural light as possible.

3. What are you most excited about when the house is complete?
The boys’ room is my most favorite part of the house. I put in a lighted diorama in their room that was modeled off of the one in my friend Bronagh's children’s store in Williamsburg, Sweet William. I also love the color of the walls in the boys’ room, Pensive Sky, a pale grey blue-green that is so calming and relaxing.

4. Taking away anything from the renovation that will infuse your upcoming collections?
I don’t tend to use lots of pattern and print in my collections, but in my house I put up several patterned wallpapers (Osborne & Little, Second Hand Rose, Walnut Wallpaper). I love them and they give so much character to the house. It’s gotten me hooked on prints, so I may incorporate more in my collections.

5. What do you think will be the most often used room of your house?
Who knows? We’ll have to see once we move in. I am guessing it will be one particular area because with two flights of stairs and twins, I am probably going to want to stay put.

Happy Memorial Day!

Posted by Regan

There's bound to be plenty of parties to swing by this weekend for what many consider to be the official kickoff of summer.

Leave the burgers and beers to the hostess, but don't even think about showing up empty-handed. You can never have too many appetizers, desserts, or drinks at an outdoor shindig; here are some recipes sure to liven things up:

Appetizers: "The more, the merrier," is the general rule when it comes to dip. These are both great choices. Spiced-Up Hummus
Sweet Onion Dip

Bring the ingredients for this easy corn recipe for and you'll be the most popular person at the party. (Feel free to substitute a Mexican cheese such as cotija for the feta in the recipe.)

Dessert: Pies are easy to make (well, if you make one of these pressed crumb-crust varieties they are!) and are also easy to transport. They're also ALWAYS well received.
Espresso Cream Pie has it all -- it's cool, creamy, crunchy, and caffeinated.
Everyone loves Key Lime Pie

Drinks: Who doesn't like an unexpected beverage? These are all easy to make and sure to impress.
This Watermelon Punch is so simple and uses one of my favorite, often underappreciated alcoholic beverages--vermouth.
A Pimm's Cup is the perfect early-summer beverage.
And for the Puritans and the pregnant (myself, included), this non-alcoholic Punchy Cocktail hits the spot.

If you really want to keep the party going, join the Summer Workshop

Pass the Sunscreen

Posted by Bluelines

Whether you are hitting the beach, heading to the mountains, or just headed to the fridge to enjoy a beer on the porch, Bluelines bloggers wanted to share their favorite new (and old) songs that say “let’s start summer, already.”

If you want the entire mix, we’ve compiled it here.

Happy Memorial Day!
xox Bluelines

“Out on the Weekend”            
Neil Young
“Wouldn’t It Be Nice”            
The Beach Boys
“Summer Day”                     
Coconut Records
“Sweet Darlin’”               
She & Him
“Wasn’t Born to Follow”
The Byrds
“Eye Know”
De La Soul
“Fa Fa Fa”
Datarock
“Let Go”
The Feelies
“Soledad”
Jorge Drexler
“Baba O’Riley”
The Who
“Heavy Metal Drummer”
Wilco
“Easy”
The Commodores
“Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)”
Digable Planets
“Mercy” Duffy “Tequila Sunrise”
Eagles
“Somesault”
Zero 7
“Six Days on the Road”
Gram Parsons
“Flying High”
Jem
“Pressure Drop”
Toots & the Maytals
“What I Gotta Do”
Macy Gray
“Sumthin’ Sumthin’"
Maxwell
“Beautiful Beat”
Nada Surf
“Murray”
Pete Yorn
“Weekend Love”
Queen Latifah
“I’ve Been High”
R.E.M.
“Happy People”
R. Kelly

Touch Base

Posted by Lisa & Rena

We are texture junkies. Rena is a terror to museum guards, as she is always stretching her fingers longingly toward the art.

There's a word for this: haptic. It means “of or relating to the sense of touch.” Recently, we’ve been enjoying three books, all mysterious white volumes that are each haptic experiences, both in form and content.

Sheila Hicks uses a very tactile medium -- weaving -- and explores it using nontraditional materials and rhythms, creating lovely design. Her book "Weaving as Metaphor" is a large, soft brick and wonderful to hold; Dutch designer Irma Boom won a "most beautiful book in the world" award for the design.

Kenya Hara, who is, among other things, the art director of MUJI, comes from the other direction, imbuing the clean cold world of design with texture and emotion. The book "Designing Design" has many examples of inventive and minimalist projects that explore haptics, and it also goes into detail about the MUJI no-design philosophy.

Finally, Giuliana Michelotti works with mostly sterling silver and rough, uncut precious stones to make jewelry that seems to be shaped by nature itself, as seen in her book "Inform."

A Nice Surprise

Posted by Lena

I just had a chance to catch up with Andrea Wyner, who photographed our wedding in August 2005. We bumped into each other on the subway, and realized that we're now neighbors, since Andrea splits her time between San Francisco and New York City.

Andrea so beautifully captured the feeling and atmosphere of our wedding. I feel fortunate to have had her there to document it all. Our wedding was also photographed by the fabulous Thayer Allison Gowdy for Martha Stewart Weddings magazine, so we’re really lucky to have an abundance of great images from the day.

I took a peek at Andrea’s lovely portfolio, during our ride on the subway together. Here are some of my favorites (the last group of four is from our wedding).

 

Bring Back the Coffee Break

Posted by Regan

Why is the coffee served in offices so bad? If not weak and watery, it manages to be overly strong yet characterless. And who knows if that giant urn ever gets a good cleaning?

It's time to banish bad coffee for good. Do you have a hot water source and two hands? That's all you need (plus a few pieces of low-tech equipment) to brew a truly sublime cup right from your cube.

Bath and Beyond

Posted by Rebecca

The bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the house -- a sanctuary. Where else could allow Calgon to take you away?

Recently, I’ve started freshening up our bathroom. I started with new towels (from the Martha Stewart line at Kmart), which are amazingly plush -- not to mention cheap at $9.99 for the bath size. I’ve also bought new soap.

I love this French soap holder that Apartment Therapy sells for $40 as much for its beauty as its function.

   

And just last week I found these great wooden vases at Jamali Garden Supplies that I use for both magazines and toilet paper. They cost $25 and fit perfectly together.

These small changes are great. And although they don’t quite equal the rooms below, I can keep dreaming...

Artist in Residence

Posted by Lisa & Rena

Portland artist Betsy Walton is having a show at our store in San Francisco this month and we couldn’t be more excited. We sat down with her to ask her about art and life.