Garden inspirations

I went to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens two weekends ago. It was inspired by my visit to the Huntington Gardens in California (that will be another post, sorry I'm working backwards!) Here are some images that I wanted to share.


I love this texture!


These look like fluttering butterflies.


The color on this baby was so intense.


Airplant


Papyrus


Dessert room


I had no idea this is what vanilla beans looked like.


Succulant that looks like dragon scales.


Burro's tale (I really really want some of this stuff).


And of course I arrived starving and had somegazpacho with a mozarella sandwich.


After all the walking around, I worked up another appetite and downed this farmer's market olive and fennel focaccia bread. (From the Saturday farmer's market at Grand Army Plaza.)

Ugh!

I just figured out that I'm going to miss the Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn this year because I'll be in LA! Well, if you can make it, be sure to take some photos and let kme know how it went.

This year's event will be held June 14 + 15 from 11am - 7pm at the McCarren Park Pool!

You can see some of my photos from last year, right here.

Weekend loot!

Here's some of the fabric I picked up from the Hable sample sale last week. I absolutely *heart* the bead fabric. *sigh*. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it yet. Make a cover for my planner? Make a little padded camera pouch for my lumix?



On Sunday I went over to the Brooklyn Flea in Fort Greene. It was one sunny day! I put on some shades and sunblock but still managed to turn a bit pink on my arms. Lots of vendors, well curated, and fun. I wouldn't mind popping in every so often to see what's new. Well worth the trip to the other bourough. Plus Fort Greene is so gorgeous, it makes me want to live in Brooklyn again.





Here's a peek at the pattern on the vintage dress I bought. Isn't it awesome? I also scored these amazing wingtips for $15. They're a tad small in the front but I must fit my toes in there. (Need some shoe stretching tips...)



I had a great lunch at the Habana Outpost. I ordered a guacamole burrito (so yum! what is the white cheese they use?), grilled corn, and a lemonade. The food was so scrumptious but the scene not so great for me. The music is too loud for me, but then again, I'm just an old fart.

Weekend with Daphne

I spent the weekend hanging out with Daphne. We walked around Dumbo, saw masses of people taking in the New York Photo Festival. Instead, we took in some good pizza and ice cream before walking over the Brooklyn Bridge.



We went to the New Museum on Sunday. The top floor was pretty cool (we couldn't go out on the deck because of the rain). I was a bit disappointed by the shows. We walked through in about an hour.








(last photos from my now retired canon point and shoot)

Earth Day is coming up

Earth day is coming up and I just read a great article in the NYTimes about a grassroots movement by some parents of Pubic School 154 in Brooklyn to boycott polystyrene trays and privately fund the use bagasse (the fiber left after the extraction of the sugar-bearing juice from sugar cane) ones instead. How cool is that? At work, we used to use paper products, and when they switched to styrofoam polystyrene products, there was an uproar. We were told that both types of products are equally bad for the environment. Huh??? Thankfully though, this year, we are back on track with biodegradable products.

One other thing- Tekserve is hosting a e-waste recycling event. April 26, 27 10am-4pm and April 28 4pm-7pm. Acceptable items for recycling include: computers, monitors, fax machines, copiers, DVD or VCR players, radios, telephones, cell phones, televisions, cameras and stereo equipment. They cannot accept the following items for recycling: Home appliances - including microwaves, stoves, refrigerators and air conditioners. I'm planning on bringing in an old hardrive that I dug out of my Mom's closet. Spring cleaning!

Brooklyn Heights

Walking around Brooklyn Heights on Friday while waiting for my turn at the pool, I realized that this was really only my second time in the neighborhood. With time on my hands, I snapped some photos of the beautiful plantings in gardens, on stoops, and even on the lamp posts! The architecture was quite varied and charming. The cobblestone streets were quiet and the neighborhood is really a gem.


This is the view from a friend's apartment that is on the promenade. I had such a hard time leaving!

Swimming on a barge in the East River

For urbanites like myself who love swimming, there is an awesome floating pool in Brooklyn Heights this summer. I headed there Friday afternoon with two friends, enjoyed the the neighborhood, views, and the pool! There is a beach for lounging while you wait for your turn. Be sure to get there an hour (weekdays) or half hour (weekends) before the swim session to get the wristbands which let you in for free, capacity is limited and the slots fill up fast. Details here.