The MET and the American Woman

How exciting! Now on special exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art: American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity

May 5, 2010–August 15, 2010
Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Exhibition Hall, 2nd floor

According to the MET's website, the exhibit, (which will probably entice me to go dress shopping at Bloomingdales directly after), "...is the first Costume Institute exhibition drawn from the newly established Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at the Met. It will explore developing perceptions of the modern American woman from 1890 to 1940 and how they have affected the way American women are seen today. Focusing on archetypes of American femininity through dress, the exhibition will reveal how the American woman initiated style revolutions that mirrored her social, political, and sexual emancipation. "Gibson Girls," "Bohemians," and "Screen Sirens," among others, helped lay the foundation for today's American woman."

Pretty ball gowns, cocktail dresses, sparkly heels, chic clutches? I'm so there. But, if you won't be able to make it to the Big Apple in time, here's a fantastic virtual exhibit tour via YouTube. The mannequins kind of creep me out, but those dresses, oh the dresses! It's like learning American History by way of frocks, fabrics, patterns, embroidery, lace, sequins, and tulle. How very lovely and empowering!

Lovely Letterpress

My friend and I recently stumbled upon this adorable little stationary shop in Manhattan's West Village: Greenwich Letterpress. SO CUTE! To paint a picture, this sweet store is located in the heart of the quintessential, romantic New York City neighborhood. Imagine narrow tree-lined streets, old brick pre-war buildings with shutters, terraces, secret backyard gardens, and wrought iron fences. So, so lovely. Alas, it also happens to be one of, if not the most expensive neighborhoods to live in rent-wise throughout all of the five-boroughs *sigh* but hey, a girl can dream.

Anyway, we venture into Greenwich Letterpress to do a little pre-dinner, spur-of-the-moment perusing, and what a fun surprise! A word about the fledgling graphic designer in me: I could spend hours oogling over stationary, stamps, greeting cards, paper, knick-knacks, and the creative like. All the inspiration and design possibilities that lie within such retail shops are simply enthralling! (I think my heart rate actually increases when I step foot inside a paper store). Reason being, in this technological age where we have at our disposal ever-increasing means by which to communicate instantaneously with one another, receiving a hand-written note in the mail on a real piece of beautiful stationary from a close friend or loved one is becoming a lost art. Very sad. Which is part of the reason I love pushing my creative limits designing and then mailing out notes and letters; they're often unexpected, yet widely appreciated upon receipt!




I adore Kate's Paperie, Paper Source, and Papyrus, don't get me wrong - but, there's something so home-grown feeling about shopping in an independently-owned, small business card shop (operated by two very creative sisters - Amy and Beth). Props to them for standing their ground amidst an ever-expanding competitive corporate market. With their expertise, they're keeping the Art of the Printed Word (and thought) alive, reviving a disappearing method of communication - cheers to you, ladies!

Greenwich Letterpress is unique in the fact they specialize in custom-printing solely utilizing the letterpress technique. While they offer a variety of other brands' greeting cards, stamps, paper, and post cards for sale, this artisan, very chic-looking letterpress style is textured and simply beautiful in a antique-preppy-bohemian sort of way. It is relief printing of text and image, which results in giving greater definition to both the type and artwork. This printing exhibits a sort of retro look and has a very high-quality look and feel to it.

Furthermore, this little company takes extra effort to be kind to the environment. As stated on their website, all of their paper is either made from 100% post consumer cotton or 100% recylced, and all inks are soy-based. Their work is produced using 100$ wind energy (which means no carbon footprint), and they are a featured member of Greenopia, as well as some of the founding members of Greenprint. What's not to love about cards and a company that's devoted to all that?

Below are some examples of their pre-designed greeting cards for sale. Check out their website, blog, and on-line shop for more creative offerings! I hope their cards will provide you with a little design inspiration of your very own. As for myself, I predict a weekend excursion to Greenwich Letterpress again in the near future, and new-found motivation to get back on the card-designing and letter-writing bandwagon.

Greenwich Letterpress
39 Christopher Street (b/w 6th and 7th Avenues)
New York, NY 10014
212-989-7464

Tuesday-Friday 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday Noon-6:00 p.m.

"Maelstrom" on the Met

American artist Roxy Paine's special exhibition will soon close on November 29th. But before it does, it's definitely worth an hour or two to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden. Surrounded by the stunning panorama of Central Park, Paine's spectacular stainless steel sculpture, Maelstrom, measures an impressive 130-feet-long by 45-feet-wide. It dwarfs the roof deck's square footage and wildly intertwines above the roof itself.

The fun part about this sculpture is that you can walk through it. It's like exploring a labyrinth of giant tree roots, alive and organic, yet simultaneously harnessed and contained by their rigid, industrial welding. According to the artist's interpretation, "...the installation explores the interplay between the natural world and the built environment amid nature's inherently chaotic processes."

No matter what your individual interpretation of Maelstrom is, I highly recommend checking it out...and if the sculpture and setting aren't quite enough to draw you there, the Met's Roof Deck also has a quaint little bar/bistro that serves espresso, sandwiches, wine, beer, and martinis!

Here, Please?

Well, it's that time of year. Germs have finally worn down my immune system and I'm feeling a bit under-the-weather. Crave sleep, but ah, am currently having a delirious insomniac moment. So, a post it shall be to tire me out (no offense, but it helps). Here's what I've been wishing for within the past 3 hours:

A vat of homemade chicken soup and oyster crackers.

A relaxing pedicure with red nail polish.

Taxi drivers outside my window to stop honking at each because the only thing it accomplishes is keeping me awake.

A hot bath with lavender aromatherapy and lots and lots of bubbles.

Lying on this tropical beach about to go snorkeling with Flipper (and not feeling ill).

OR, snuggling in a flannel blanket in front of this fireplace, cup of hot cocoa in hand and snowstorm outside.

So, there you have it. I have no idea where either one of these serene settings is located, considering I obtained these idealistic photos via Googling key words "tropical beach" and "cozy cabin." But, if you happen to find one of these lovely places, please let me know. And take me with you?

Running in Manhattan

Phew, I am spent! Every Thursday evening, I meet up with a running group at New York Running Company's Columbus Circle retail location (in the Time Warner Building). The workout plan is typically a 4-5 mile run in Central Park; tonight was a brisk 8-9 minute-mile pace. Five miles, a roll of veggie sushi, and a hot shower later, this girl is ready for bed!

However, before I hit the hay I'll share with you my favorite running loop in Manhattan…which consequentially, happens to be in Central Park: The Central Park Reservoir, (officially named the Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir). This 1.58 mile level track offers breathtaking views of the New York City skyline, cooling cross breezes, and a path free of cyclists, stoplights, crosswalks, horse carriages, and taxis. Located between 86th and 96th streets, the reservoir covers approximately one eighth of the park's surface. Best time to run? Sunrise or sunset.