The Glitter District

The Work Me is often serious, very calm, and always professional.  The Real Me is much more laid back, and will far more likely be found reading People magazine, eating Peeps during non-holidays, blowing bubbles, flying kites, wearing ridiculous high heels, and playing peekaboo with little kids on the subway until they go from pouty to smiling.  She will also get really, really excited in stores with sweet little items like buttons, ribbons, sequins, appliques and tassels. 

I don't actually ever use any of these things-- I'm not very crafty-- but I so love tiny beautiful things.  Perhaps it comes from my childhood, when I loved to play with the miniature furniture and household items in the dollhouse our Pepere made for us.

I managed not to skip down the sidewalk as I explored parts of the Garment District this weekend (I do maintain a certain amount of decorum as a functional adult), but I certainly felt like it.  Every store was a treasure chest ready to be explored.  One of the first that caught my eye, given my love of Brazil and all things Brazilian (though admittedly they aren't using the proper spelling for Carnaval... but still, can't you imagine wearing one of those outfits on a parade boat?):

So good to know where to get my Halloween costume.

The shop that really made my girly side sing was M&J Trimming:

I can hear some of you squealing from here.  For those of you who can't wait to visit, you can find M&J on 6th Avenue between 37th & 38th Streets.  For those who are allergic to this kind of thing, you are warned.  For the guys who get dragged along anyway, I'm sorry, but you have earned some sympathy-- you can take refuge a few doors down:

 

Flower Market on 28th

Upon my arrival in New York, one of the first things I did was look for gardens and parks-- any place that would give me my frequent and required dose of flowers, trees, greenery, serenity.

I was immediately interested when my friend M. mentioned the wholesale flower market on West 28th street, concentrated between 6th and 7th avenue. Many flower shops and wedding, meeting & society event planners purchase their flowers here. She warned me that I'd need to get up early to really experience it, as it officially opens at 6 a.m. but some shops open as early as 4:30 a.m.  It considerably wilts toward noon. 

I managed to get there around 7:30 am (proud of myself, as it was a Saturday!).  It's a modest market, though interesting and lively, and the scent from the lilacs and roses and countless other flowers was heavenly. 

If you are in town and want or need to get flowers, I definitely recommend checking this area out.  Unfortunately I didn't buy anything for myself, as I had adventures planned for the rest of the day.  But I will be back!

Love & Life at Bryant Park

I spent most of the day exploring the city, and needed a place to rest mid-morning.  I had always thought of Bryant Park as a sweet little place, but hadn't spent much time there, and never understood why people often mentioned it as their favorite park.

I know why now.

I wandered in, and first encountered this:

and this:

Pretty enough, I thought.  Workers were laying down sod, as the New York Fashion Week and an ice skating rink had both occupied the main lawn.

I was impressed by the generous number of chairs and tables-- hundreds, if not a thousand or so.  Out of the corner of my eye, a hint of brass caught my attention:

I wonder what it says?

I was touched to the core.  Bryant Park is the 'back porch' of the New York Public Library, and it was beautiful to see someone honored in such a way.  A simple word, reader, conveying the essence of one's soul.

Are there others?  I launched into exploration mode, and covered the entire park, seeking brass plates.  I was overwhelmed by what I found:

The above plaque reads: "She has been the unspoken half of everything I ever wrote, and both halves of many a thing. Kathryn and Dan, October 21, 2006"

"To WRW: Love blossomed here, still it blooms, now and forevermore. All my love, ARN"

And my favorite, which reads: "To Kerstin, "my little turnip", this is your chair, let's come to NYC again. Sit down, rest, and I'll fetch the coffee. I love you!"

By the time I covered the entire park, I had tears in my eyes.  They come again now, unbidden, as I sort through these photographs.  My faith in love and the human spirit was strengthened this morning, as I wandered through this field of chairs gently whispering to the world, forever capturing magical moments and honoring beautiful souls, those who are still here and those who have moved on.

I was blind but now I see

I walked on a different side of the street today, and descended a different set of stairs to get down to the subway.  I stopped, amazed:

How can that be, I thought. It's the same side of the street, how did I get to a different part of the station?


I looked around and realized that this mosaic has been here the whole time and for the past three months I never noticed it.  I have walked underneath it close to a hundred times, always focused on where I was going, never looking up.  And yet I have been seeking out the art in all the other subway stops I've visited.

What else am I missing? 

What are you missing?

Revelers, Paper Cuts, and Drums

I am drunk on the city, gloriously so, with not a drop to drink.

This evening started out with a reasonably simple plan: to check out the the exhibit Slash: Paper Under the Knife, at the Museum of Art & Design.  I was particularly interested in seeing a piece by an artist I've recently discovered, Beatrice Coron (see earlier posting: Moving Art).  I had never even heard of the MAD prior to my NY life. 

As I made my way to the museum after work, I passed through some unfamiliar subway stops.  Picking up the 1 train on 42nd/Times Square revealed revelers cheering on passersby:

I took the train to Columbus Circle, and immediately caught sight of little sailing ship mosaics.  Aha, that Columbus.  Ascending the stairs into the evening air was magical.  The deepening, darkening light reflected off the modern shiny buildings, and the Circle featured a huge globe and a majestic column with Columbus' likeness perching on the top.  Central Park's gate is right off the Circle, providing a grand entrance for visitors.

The Museum of Art & Design is situated on the Circle, and I headed straight to the paper exhibit.  It was utterly thrilling.  (I know-- a paper exhibit?  But it's true).  I was enchanted, and spent a long time inspecting each intricate and beautiful piece.  Alas, no photography allowed, and the website does not show the pieces to their advantage.  So I will just say: if you are in NY anytime between this very minute and April 4th, go.  Please.

On my way home, walking through Grand Central, I heard drums.  It took a few moments to locate them, but finally there they were:

The shimmering, earthy, mesmerizing sounds drew people in.  I couldn't pull myself away.  Finally, I was able to head home, senses electrified from the art that was all around me tonight.  Intoxicating.