Land-Rich

COMING BACK

2012-01-30T12:31:00.001-05:00

It has been quite awhile, but we are coming back shortly with lots of news!!!

(photo by anamak)

Holiday!

2011-07-05T10:53:00.000-04:00

We are in the Outer Banks of North Carolina this week....being lazy. We will be back next week! Happy 4th of July!

Oh, and....

2011-06-23T18:00:00.001-04:00

We got engaged!!! Two weeks ago, on the beach in Greenport, NY. Very exciting things on the horizon....

(Image by Max Wanger)

Textures galore

2011-06-21T17:15:00.000-04:00

Hermine is a textile designer in Antwerp and she has some lovely pieces over at her blog, JOURNAL DE JOURS. Her designs are so soft and thoughtful, they feel as if they have come from another era.

Camping in Brooklyn

2011-06-15T17:47:00.000-04:00

Somehow I missed this New York Times article on camping in Floyd Bennett Field. I have been there many times (mainly on the way to Fort Tilden for a beach day) but I was unaware that you could sleep over there! And according to this article, the National Park Service is apparently turning the space into America's largest urban campground. It would be fun to try...maybe?

Humboldt Fog

2011-06-13T12:16:00.000-04:00

Happy Monday! If you haven't already tried it, run to your nearest cheese shop and get some award-winning Humboldt Fog. It is a light and creamy goat cheese made by Cypress Grove Chevre in California. I promise you will like it, even if you are not a huge goat cheese fan. It goes wonderfully with honey and a crisp white wine. I bought a huge chunk of it in Greenport, Long Island this weekend and was reminded of how much I love this cheese! Doesn't it look like a birthday cake?

Dreaming of...

2011-06-09T13:30:00.001-04:00

It is sweltering in New York today, so I am dreaming of cooler places. The grass is always greener somewhere, isn't it? Here are some beautiful images of Sweden by Alexandra. A nice hike and a picnic lunch would be nice...

(via All The Mountains)

Whirlwind trip

2011-06-06T14:29:00.000-04:00

I am finally back home after traveling to Miami and Beijing for work. Posts coming soon!!

(Photos by MR38)

MANIMAL

2011-05-19T13:56:00.000-04:00

MANIMAL has some really cool Native-American inspired necklaces, moccasins and even baby booties. Everything is handmade in Brooklyn by designer Kristen Lombardi (who started the line after a trip to the Southwest). They also have some vegan pieces, how thoughtful!

Mociun

2011-05-17T17:27:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite designers, MOCIUN, is holding a pop-up shop until May 31st. I hope to check it out this weekend!

MOCIUN Pop Up Shop

200 Livingston Street, between Smith and Hoyt, Brooklyn, NY

May 5-31, Wed to Sun 12-7PM

(Images via Lena Corwin)

Bottled Flowers

2011-05-10T21:50:00.000-04:00

Here are some beautiful works by artist Makoto Azuma. In his latest series, Azuma overstuffs glass bottles with dying flowers and then fills them with water, as if they were being preserved. Even though they are short-lived, they are stunning. You can see more here.

A House in Maine

2011-05-09T13:08:00.000-04:00

I just revisited this old Men's Vogue article on the home of Rogues Gallery founder, Alex Carleton. His beautiful home in Cape Elizabeth, Maine is authentic, calm and inviting. I would love to lay in that cozy bed with the window open and read a book. Some people's work is an honest expression of their self, and I think that is especially true with Alex.

Montgomery Rag

2011-05-06T17:45:00.001-04:00

I love these vintage textiles and found items from Montgomery Rag in Georgia. They would be perfect to decorate the rustic country home that I am dreaming of....

Noble Handcrafted

2011-05-02T22:53:00.000-04:00

“Nobel Handcrafted is a brand that embraces the collaboration of craft with the pioneering of our new American food tradition, a tradition that is being continually refined.”

Places To Go: Ace Hotel Swim Club

2011-04-29T09:01:00.009-04:00

I haven't been yet, but will be going very soon! These images speak for themselves, but the Ace Hotel Swim Club in Palm Springs just seems amazing. I just need to tuck aside a long weekend (or week) to hang out in the desert, take pictures, swim and eat in old diners.

(Images via Commune Design, the company that designed the space)

My New Bike

2011-04-27T22:50:00.001-04:00

Well, its not that new (I got it for my birthday in December). But its finally nice enough to start riding it! It's made by Linus Bikes, which is a very cool company based in Venice, CA. Their designs are inspired by French bicycles of the 50's and 60's. They have a few different models and to be honest it was really hard to decide which one was best for me. In the end I went with the Mixte 3 in black (the top image),which is sporty but still has a classic design.

Oh, and Jason bought my bike from this amazing bike store in Tribecca, Adeline Adeline. They sell a beautiful selection of well-designed bikes, saddles, helmets, baskets, anything you might need for biking!

Traveler's Notebook

2011-04-25T08:39:00.000-04:00

I love these handmade leather notebooks from Chiang Mai, Thailand (where we happened to visit last month). It was designed for the traveler and can be refilled and rearranged at your liking. Its perfect for storing your passport, photos, notes, tickets....whatever you collect in your travels. And it might inspire us all to put down our phones, ipads, ipods, laptops...and to absorb/capture/reflect upon our surroundings. Read more and shop at Baum-Kuchen.

Bike rides

2011-04-20T16:41:00.000-04:00

We have been busy, busy, busy filling orders. More posts to come but in the meantime, I am loving these bike riding pants by Outlier. These really solve a lot of city bike riding issues...and they look good enough to wear to out as well!

Human Planet

2011-04-11T23:56:00.002-04:00

The BBC has a new series called Human Planet, and it looks incredible. The show will focus on human life and our relationship with nature, particularly in extreme (and stunning) environments. There are eight episodes total and each one highlights a different landscape: oceans, deserts, arctic, jungles, mountains, grasslands, rivers and cities. I have watched the trailer several times and can't get over some of the images...they are beautiful, scary and unbelievable at the same time!

Margaret Howell

2011-04-08T14:28:00.001-04:00

The New York Times has a beautiful photo essay on designer Margaret Howell and her East Anglia home. I love the muted colors and quietness of the photographs...they seem to be from another era. Even more, I love Margaret's understated and thoughtful style. Her life seems simple and peaceful and lovely.

Old Faithful Shop

2011-04-07T12:35:00.020-04:00

The Old Faithful Shop in Vancouver sells simple, honest goods....and our dreamcatchers! I hope we can make it up to BC soon to finally visit it. They also have an inspirational blog, Old Chum. Check it out.

A New Generation of Farmers

2011-04-05T07:26:00.003-04:00

Speaking of farm-life, The New York Times just did an article on the growing trend of young farmers in the United States. It really does seem like everywhere you turn there are young couples buying land and having a go at it (we have seen a lot of them in Portland and even at the famer's markers in NYC over the past few years). Perhaps the overstimulation of our society is causing us to regress to simpler times? Regardless of why, it is always inspiring to me to see people who are not afraid to take a risk and do something special. Is this becoming the new norm?

Books To Read: The Dirty Life

2011-04-04T13:45:00.002-04:00

I haven't read this book yet, but as soon as I tackle my current "to read" stack, I will. Writer Kristin Kimball tells the true story of her move from New York journalist to upstate farmer...with no real experience. Of course it all sounds so romantic, but she says her new life can be pretty ugly at times (birthing animals, butchering...eek).

What IS romantic is the how when she was a travel writer living in Manhattan, she traveled to Pennsylvania to do a story about a young, sustainable farmer. One thing lead to another and this man, Mark, became her husband and the man who inspired her to change everything. Now they are raising their two children near Lake Champlain and living a pretty charmed life.

I dream about these type of things...leaving everything behind to farm beets/bake pies/sleep under the stars. But to actually DO it....well, lets hope that this book will inspire me in some way.

Oh and NPR did a little segment on Krisin, listen to it here.

Iceland

2011-03-29T20:51:00.001-04:00

Another beautiful travel video, this time in Iceland (on our list of places to go). Found on a travel blog we recently discovered, Lets Get Lost. I wish I could bottle up the feeling of exploring a new place...there is nothing like it.

Travel Love: Our road trip movie

2011-03-28T09:00:00.014-04:00

Finally! The movie from our 2010 road trip throughout the southwest and southeast of America...made with love by Jason. Watching it makes me wish we were on the road right now...

Bound for Glory: American in Color

2011-03-25T09:50:00.038-04:00

Unbelievably beautiful photos from a 2006 exhibit put on by the Library of Congress. It was the first major exhibition of color photography taken by the Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information. The images capture the effects of the Depression on America's rural and small town populations between 1939 and 1943. They are so simply stunning and timeless: its hard to believe these were taken 70 years ago. See more here.

Places To Go: George Nakashima's compound

2011-03-23T09:25:00.030-04:00

If you ever find yourself in New Hope, PA, you can stop by the home, studio and workshop of George Nakashima. Born in 1905, he was a Japanese-American woodworker, architect and furniture maker, who was a father of the American craft movement. After graduating from MIT with a masters in architecture, he bought a round the world steamship ticket and lived in France, North Africa and Japan. He eventually ended up in New Hope, where he built fourteen dwellings and raised his family here. His daughter, Mira, has continued his tradition and designs pieces of her own.

Needless to say, the furniture of the Nakashima's are wonderful specimens of functional and inspirational art. Their property (which is on the National Register of Historic Places) looks beautiful, and is only a two hour drive from NYC. Perfect place to visit this spring!

Beachcombing

2011-03-22T09:00:00.022-04:00

Love these prints by Jennifer Booher. She photographs found objects from the beach near her home in Bar Harbor, Maine (a beautiful place to visit). They would look great framed as a series!

Happy first day of spring!

2011-03-21T11:00:00.000-04:00

Maple Weekend

2011-03-17T22:24:00.000-04:00

This weekend (and next) is Maple Weekend in upstate New York. Visitors can taste all the fresh sap that they want, and attend one of the 20+ pancake breakfasts being held! There are vendors all over the state so it would make for a nice (and yummy) road trip. More info in today's New York Times article on NY State syrup making.

Help Japan

2011-03-17T09:58:00.000-04:00

Here is a beautiful poster for sale in the Signalnoise Store. All proceeds go towards Japanese disaster relief. You can also help by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Best Made

2011-03-16T14:42:00.000-04:00

A nice video (or dare I say, commercial?) from one of our favorite companies, Best Made.

Closet Visit

2011-03-15T09:21:00.002-04:00

Kathryn Bently's cute little home makes me want to move to California right now! I love the dark wood, ethnic prints and greenery. Even more, she has space. What a thought. Found on another great peeping tom website, Closet Visit.

Day trips

2011-03-14T22:18:00.000-04:00

Quick link to a little article that Refinery 29 did on NYC day trips. I highly recommend Blue Hill (and Woodbury Commons if you are willing sit in bumper to bumper traffic for three hours)!

Rest stops

2011-03-11T13:57:00.000-05:00

Photographer Lizzy Oppenheimer has a goal to shoot every rest stop in America...which is a LOT of rest stops. I love rest stops...they remind me of junk food, magazines, late nights, vacation, maps, wandering. So many different types of people randomly coming together. I get tingly just thinking about being at one..they really are one of my favorite places. More about her project here and here.

Relax time

2011-03-10T07:43:00.002-05:00

A reminder

2011-03-09T05:06:00.001-05:00

The Makers Project

2011-03-08T09:46:00.000-05:00

I just came across this great project by photographer Jennifer Causey. She documents local artists/bakers/perfumers (ie: The Makers) and their workspaces/products. Very excited to see who she will feature next!

Home again

2011-03-07T16:12:00.000-05:00

We are back! With serious jet-lag. Haven't really slept in 3 days and its wearing on us. New posts coming soon, along with a trip report. In the meantime, here is the story of a lonely whale.

Holiday!

2011-02-19T09:21:00.001-05:00

We are finally off to Thailand today. Back in two weeks!

(Image via Daniel's flickr)

River Flood

2011-02-15T10:40:00.000-05:00

An Amazing video of the Sandy River Flood in Oregon.

The Weekend

2011-02-14T09:30:00.002-05:00

On Sunday we visited some open houses around Brooklyn Heights, and fell in love with an apartment that was just too small. Then we saw a few that were not quite right. So the search continues...
Then we went to have a late lunch at Eat in Greenpoint. If you have not been, go! They have wonderful local, organic food that is sooooo fresh. The menu changes daily so you will want to go back often.
Then we came home and I made vegan golden vanilla cupcakes with vanilla frosting (modified with vegan butter and almond milk), and sprinkled them with coconut and red sugar. For valentine's day, of course.

(Eat images via New York Magazine and Eat)

Holy Snow

2011-02-11T09:00:00.002-05:00

So I guess us New Yorkers have to stop complaining. These image are from the Japanese Alps in Honshu, Japan's largest island. That is 56 feet of snow right there! Yikes.

(via why evolution is true)

Gold Teeth Brooklyn

2011-02-10T10:49:00.000-05:00

Simple but cute cards from Gold Teeth Brooklyn. Available at Steven Alan.

Rustic

2011-02-09T17:45:00.001-05:00

Oh those boots bring me back to middle school!

(Image via The Satorialist)

Backpacker Magazine

2011-02-07T15:19:00.003-05:00

Some exciting news on this cold Monday. I just discovered today (via Miss Moss) that you can read old issues of Backpacker Magazine on google books. So much more amazing back then...sigh.

National Parks Pillows

2011-02-04T13:14:00.001-05:00

Ok so maybe these National Parks Pillows are border-line cheesy, but in the right room, in the right house, they could look perfect. Or maybe in a kids room. Available through the Sundance Catalog.

Stephen Mallon

2011-02-02T17:24:00.001-05:00

This photo series by Stephen Mallon called “Next Stop Atlantic” captures how the MTA program creates artificial reefs out of old subway cars.

Opens Friday, Feb 3 @ Calumet Photographic Gallery

22 West 22nd Street, New York

And more about the project here.

Ice Storm

2011-01-31T11:07:00.003-05:00

New York is currently having a crazy ice storm right now! The frigid air made me think of Ernest Schakleton and his brave trips to Antarctica. I wonder how cold they must have been and I would love to test out their clothing/gear versus today's standards. These images are by photographer Frank Hurley, who visited the continent six times between 1911 and 1932.

(Images via the State Library of New South Wales)

Where to go in 2011

2011-01-28T11:31:00.011-05:00

A few weeks ago The New York Times put out their compilation of recommended places to travel in 2011. Its always a great list because they tend to highlight a decent amount of places that haven't yet been bombarded by tourism...meaning go now before its too late. My favorites below (pics above are listed accordingly):

1. San Juan Islands, Wash
2. Republic of Georgia
3. Loreto, Mexico
4. Fogo Island, Newfoundland
5. Port Ghalib, Egypt
6. Zanzibar
7. Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay
8. Tozeur, Tunisia

(All images via The New York Times)

Museum of Natural History

2011-01-26T22:36:00.000-05:00

Some pretty specimens from our trip to the Museum of Natural History this past weekend!

Junya Watanabe

2011-01-24T21:46:00.002-05:00

More super cool fashion...this time from the men's F/W 2011 shows. Love the fair isle inspiration!

(All images via The Sartorialist)

Chloe, Pre-Fall

2011-01-21T17:05:00.005-05:00

Holy Moly. The Chloe Pre-Fall 2011 Collection is full of beautiful textures, colors and patterns. Makes me very excited for fall, even though it just ended! xxGina

Floating Homes

2011-01-19T22:56:00.005-05:00

These fantastic floating homes are located in Sausalito, right across the bay from San Francisco.
The community is made up of artists, carpenters, sea-lovers, and writers (Shel Silverstein once lived here). It seems like such a romantic place to live...friendly neighbors, sunday afternoon beers on the deck, star-gazing. Imagine how peaceful it must be at night!

Also, you can buy one here.

(Images via Pat's Travelogue)

Blame it on my wild heart.

2011-01-17T20:55:00.003-05:00

I always come back to this...its amazing. And makes me crave summer! xx Gina

Eagle Street Rooftop Farm

2011-01-15T19:55:00.000-05:00

The Eagle Street Rooftop in Greenpoint, Brooklyn is the best idea ever, we just wish we had thought of it. It's been around for a few years now, but we still haven't visited it (even though its only a few blocks away)! These images from The Selby are going to change that!

In a House by the River

2011-01-13T18:16:00.006-05:00

The February issue of Outside Magazine has a really good article about the murder of writer Megan Michelson's stepfather. Its part adventure, part mystery, and also pretty sad.

Also found on the Outside website, the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics! They have some amazing games such as "ear pull" and "walrus skin blanket toss."

Blast from the past

2011-01-11T13:42:00.041-05:00

Jeep announced today that it would be resurrecting the Grand Wagoneer nameplate in 2013. This sounds exciting but hopefully there will be an eco-friendly version. And I am strongly doubting the new ones will be as cool as the originals! xxGina

(Images via conconv's flickr)

Places To Go: Duton Hot Springs

2011-01-09T15:31:00.002-05:00

What an amazing place. Duton Hot Springs is a ghost town turned luxury-resort tucked away in the Colorado Rockies. Not only do they have restored cabins, a saloon, dancehall and a chapel...but also hot springs, a farm, private vineyard, and yoga (!). And you can rent the entire town for up to 42 people for a wedding/retreat/reunion. Doesn't it sound (and look) like the most relaxing place ever?

Carly Waito

2011-01-07T16:05:00.001-05:00

Beautiful specimen paintings by Carly Waito. I have wanted one forever! xxGina

Fredericks and Mae

2011-01-05T09:55:00.002-05:00

Super cool handmade arrows by Fredericks and Mae. These would look great framed!

Juniper Ridge

2011-01-03T10:17:00.001-05:00

A few years ago we discovered one of our favorite companies, Juniper Ridge. They make amazing soaps, incense, sachets and essential oils out of wild plant trimmings from the Pacific Northwest. And their packaging is simply beautiful. These products smell so lovely and evoke thoughts of campfires, ocean air, summer sunsets, big trees, and misty mornings. Even more, all of their ingredients are sustainably harvested and 10% of their profits go towards defending the wilderness!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T10:00:00.002-05:00

(Image via Textbook Stop)

Sauerbraten

2010-12-31T13:32:00.002-05:00

This tasty dish is an old German-Baltimore classic. We used to have it about once a year growing up and it was always a special treat. Also, it takes three days to make! I have been making my own vegetarian version for several winters now, so this year I decided that a snowy New Years weekend would be the perfect time. I usually mix-and-match a few different recipes, but here is a really good one. xxGina

(Photo via Gaststatten im Allgau)

Snowed in...

2010-12-29T12:00:00.001-05:00

We have had some crazy weather in New York this week. Our trip to Thailand was postponed after a disastrous journey from Baltimore, several hours on the phone with Cathay Pacific, and one night sleeping on the airport floor. So instead of elephant rides and beachside cocktails, we have been home watching movies, eating homemade soup, and catching up on sleep. Here are some nice winter images from Alec Soth.