Staycation

In these troubling times of economic uncertainty, and environmental disaster on an unimaginable scale, it has become ever so popular to take a staycation, venturing out on daytrips, to sample the local cuisine and explore new neighborhoods. So why not stay home in seasonal style? It's easy to add some great summer items to your living space or closet with just a few mouse clicks!

1. Anthropologie ~ Rope Frame
2. Thomaspaul ~ Portland Dessert Plate Set
3. Anthropologie ~ Large Rope Magnifier
4. Anthropologie ~ Paper Sketch Vases
5. Anthropologie ~ Driftwood Hurricane
6. Jennifer Sitko ~ Patterned Stem Lamp
7. Thomaspaul ~ Large Coral Tote
8. Thomaspaul ~ Crab Pillow
9. Anthropologie ~ Sundried Hat

Little Creatures

The Handmade On Peconic Bay Summer 2010 selection of cyanotype prints, cards and rustic wood framed art is now available at Mascot Studio. Beach themed images include various crabs, shells, grasses and seabird feathers that my husband Matt and I find on the beach around Peconic Bay.

My personal fave is this cyanotype print that Matt created, based on an illustration of "Decapoda" by German biologist Ernst Haeckel, from his encyclopedic masterpiece, Kunstformen der Natur, 1899 - 1904. Some of these leggy little sea creatures look delish for a pastasciutta with seafood and pomodoro, but are probably more suitable as curiosities for your Wunderkammer decor obsessions!

You can now find Mascot Studio on Facebook, as well as 328 East 9th Street, New York City.

For The Birds

"My love for birds pushed me to create art which shows their beauty and importance." - Olivia Bouler.

An aspiring Ornithologist and artist, 11 year old Olivia wept when she heard about the oil spill in the Gulf Coast. So she contacted the Audubon Society with an idea to help raise money for the cause. So far she's raised over $110,000! Read a charming interview with this amazing young artist and activist, and how she's raised the money (CNN). Olivia might just be my favorite new artist!

Images courtesy of AOL artists.

Romper Room

Here in NYC, a new summer trend has emerged. Woman of all ages and types are sporting "the romper". It certainly looks cool and easy to wear, if the pictures above are any indication, but is the romper really for everyone? Like flip flops with bikini tops with cut-offs, is it appropriate for the gritty streets of NYC? I might wear one to the beach, or shopping for produce at Halsey Farm in Watermill, but the romper just looks out of place in the city, and for the most part unflattering on the myriad of women I've seen wearing them.

"Fiona" aka Gabrielle Anwar

With one exception. And that woman is Fiona Glenanne. Sure, she's a fictional character played by the 40 year old lithe and preternaturally tan Gabrielle Anwar, who can pass for 28, and stars in my favorite action packed spy series Burn Notice. A force to be reckoned with, who looks like she just stepped out of a fashion magazine, Fiona runs around Miami in a skimpy outfits, towering platforms and fabulous accessories, while carrying heavy artillery and catching the baddies. With her cool manner and nonchalant style, like those practical leather hip bags, she always wears, Fiona is the kind of woman who would look super kick-ass in a romper anywhere!

Images courtesy of couturecandy, Roxy, shopbop, USA Network's Burn Notice.

Pretty In Pink

Agate fosters love, truthfulness, courage, bravery, strength, abundance, wealth, good luck, longevity, acceptance, protection, balance, harmony, generosity, security, congeniality, compatibility, and creativity. It's also quite pretty in pink!

Cynthia Rybakoff Crazy Heart Collection, featuring agate and sterling silver pendants and bracelets, at Supermarket.

The Sea Will Tell

Nautical themes are my fave, when it comes to home decor. I like my place to feel beachy year round! I even married a sailor, although Matt's more of a photographer-artist these days. You can find his modern vintage nautical prints in our Handmade On Peconic Bay Supermarket and Etsy shops.

Matt Shapoff creates his one of a kind prints of sloops and lighthouses using a 19th century photographic process called the cyanotype. The nautical series is also an artistic collaboration with Second Life virtuoso RJ Kikuchiyo. Matt takes RJ's 3D digital images and makes special negatives for the cyanotype process, printing them outdoors in sunlight just as it was done over 100 years ago. Then Matt blind embosses the Handmade On Peconic Bay logo on each print, using his 1895 Pearl letterpress. Finally, both artists sit down to co-sign the work.

Handmade On Peconic Bay one of a kind Cyanotype nautical prints by Matt Shapoff, $38 each at Supermarket.

EcoFABulous!

On June 19th, in chic and sustainable style, The Green Gala will highlight local produce, products and production on Long Island's East End. With a farm-to-table approach, local farmers, growers and celebrity chefs will utilize and promote the fabulous bounty of the Hamptons.

Browse an exciting array of green-focused auction items, during the cocktail hour, including this necklace I created especially for the event. Composed of recycled and vintage materials including Chinese bone carvings, Indian carnelian briolettes, raffia beads from the Philippines and delicate Japanese deep sea coral branches, it will hopefully encourage guests to give and go green! Read more about this eco-fabulous event and purchase tickets here.

2009 Gala images courtesy of East End Gala.

Wired

I simply adore the brightly hued quirky wire furniture in the June Anthropologie catalog. What do you suppose is the mysterious purpose of the umbrella top on this cheerful green Tudor Garden Bench? I have no idea, but I want one!

I do like the idea of suspending chairs, but where is everyone going to sit when they arrive for the party?

This rustic meets chic interior design slash art project makes me yearn for a drab little cottage to colorize, on a lake in upstate New York!

Images courtesy of Anthropologie.