Thank you Jim!

It makes me sad to know that this is a “dying art form”. There is so much precision and hard work that goes into this, not to mention the passion these painters have.

One day, will it all be gone? Hope not.

When you turn around and look straight ahead and kinda to your right (at night) you will see this very bright spot between all the other tall buildings. What is that? Times Square of course.

Ohhh, I love this city too much.

More amazingly beautiful photos by Jason Hawkes.

Wait, Coney Island Line? Yeah, that place with the rides. You know, you have seen it in the movies a few times and if you were lucky enough you might have even been there and screamed while on The Cyclone.

Uhuru has Coney Island furniture! The Cyclone Lounger has to be my favorite, but there are many pieces to choose from.

Boardwalk Console – The reclaimed wood surface of our console echoes the inlaid pattern of the original boardwalk, as seen from above. The play of scale however, from the miniature nail-heads to the thinly cut Ipe, changes the context of the original design and adds an element of surprise. The wood sits atop a blackened steel base. Can’t get enough!

Drop end table – The Parachute Jump, a historical landmark punctuating the panorama of Coney Island, influenced the design of this end table. Once part of the World’s Fair, the now defunct ride looms over the rest of the park. Uhuru captures its essence through mechanical connections on a steel base, crowned with a faceted Ipe top.

Others include: Wonder Coffee Table, Drum Lamp, Saison Mirror – clicky here!

Oh Brooklyn, we are meant to be. Brooklyn, New York, cupcake (and graffiti) hunts = my life.

These are real cupcakes and you will know when you find a real cupcake. A real cupcake is made with love and that is exactly what owner, Keavy Landreth, had in mind.

“Kumquat Cupcakery was born on October 15, 2007, when a dream, a sweet tooth, and a love for pleasing aesthetics were combined. With education from the Culinary Institute of America, The French Culinary Institute, and a BFA from Parsons School of Design, owner Keavy Landreth has set out to change the look and taste of cupcakes in NYC. Taking inspiration from the many gourmet patisseries around Manhattan, Keavy creates cupcakes that are enjoyed like a truffle or bonbon. Each one is appreciated for its bite sized stature, bold flavors, and specialized look.”

With flavors like Vanilla, Banana, PB Banana Honey, Lemon & Lavender, Strawberries, Orange Poppy Seed, Maple Bacon, Coffee Caramel Bourbon, Carrot, Pumpkin, Red Velvet, Dark Chocolate, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Chocolate Pstachio, Chocolate Orange and Chocolate Blueberry – I would not know where to start. Luckily these bite-size treats are small enough and that (of course) makes it okay to have a few. Now the most important question of them all; which one do you have first?

Earlier this year Jean Aw from NOTCOT visited The Mercer Hotel in SoHo, New York. I am still blown away by the “subtle” (yet all over the place) branding and all the thought and detail that went into it.

All photos by Jean Aw for NOTCOT.

Every home needs a comfy seat and spot colors.

Every home needs a pup.

Spot the pup. Kill the clutter.

Every home needs light. Big windows and lots of natural light. Hello big kitchen window.

And according to Narry, everyone needs a home in Brooklyn.

Love.

Use nicetranslator is you do not understand that. I kid, I kid.

De wachtende spijker is Dutch for “The Waiting Nail”. I’d like a few of those and it reminded me of the construction workers at Rockefeller Center. This photo was taken on September 29, 1932 on the 69th floor of the GE Building.

I have a framed version in my apartment and my stomach turns every time I look at it, but I love it oh-so-much.

Today I discovered Whimsy & Spice. Located in Brooklyn and by the looks of it, it will mostly likely be my weekly supplier of cookies. Just look at it – double YUM.

Chocolate Orange Cardamom, Honey Lavender, Brown Sugar Gingerspice, Cinnamon Chocolate Malt, Chocolate Chili Cashew, Chocolate Gingersnaps – to name a few.

For now Woolies “Suikerkoekies” will have to do. Have you tried those? No? Go to Woolies now, as in right now. I promise you will kinda, sorta fall in love.