soon to be mirror

the pond at bryant park - map it here
This is a picture taken at Bryant Park sometime last week, before The Pond at Bryant Park (the outdoor ice rink) opened. The "ice" was still liquid. You can now go make your pirouettes in the middle of midtown Manhattan.

in the mist of times square

A quick one snapped from the office today, as the clouds moved above Times Square. We spent most of this glorious day as if in a glass of milk:when everything is white as you look through the windows - you're in the clouds and can hardly see the buildings across the street. A day for an umbrella!
Talking about umbrella, I signed up to this very neat site a few days ago: you type your zip code, your cell phone number, pick a time convenient to you and it will text you, at that time, to let you know that you need an umbrella for the day. So this morning, it texted me at 7am to let me know I needed an umbrella. :)

fresh flowers in the great hall

metropolitan museum of art - 1000 fifth avenue - map it here

Every Monday, when the Met is closed to the public, the in-house florist takes care of designing those fabulous floral arrangements that greet you in the museum Great Hall.
The tradition of fresh flowers in the Great Hall began in 1969 with an endowment from Lila Acheson Wallace, a co-founder of Reader's Digest and one of the museum's largest benefactors. She wanted the flower arrangements to welcome the visitors as they arrive.
And it certainly works for me! Don't fresh flowers put you in a good mood? Almost every weekend I have this little ritual of stopping by the farmers market or the florist and choose flowers for my apartment. This weekend I bought yellow tulips and green hydrangeas.

NB: those two pictures are from my archives. They were taken last May.

the neighbors

office building in the times square area - map it here
Let's peek at the neighbors! Well, the neighbors at work. Specifically, this is the view we have from the 5th floor lobby of my office building in Times Square. The street across is Broadway.
When I am waiting for the elevator to arrive, I peek at that building and more specifically at an office right in the middle. Let's see if you have a good eye...Those little red circles on the right are a reflection of a Target add on our building. Just above slightly to the right, there it is: the office I want to move in. On one wall, they have painted a playful interpretation of an orange Pantone card. Brilliant! One day, I will steal that idea!!!
Pantone cards are those little paint color cards you get at the paint store. As an example, my personal favorites:

too many choices

back of the roseland ballroom - w53rd between b'way & 8th avenue - map it here
This is the backdoor of the Roseland Ballroom, a catering hall/music venue/dance hall in a converted ice skating rink in the theater district. Wikipedia tells us that "The quirky venue has hosted everything from a Hillary Clinton birthday party to annual gay circuit parties to movie permieres to musical performances from all genres, including Madonna, Paul McCartney, Nirvana, Ramones, the Rolling Stones, Alanis Morisette and Phish."
I don't know if you are like me but I sometimes take several pictures of the same view. Then I have the hardest time choosing "the one". Like this time.
This one, with the logo recognizable, the taxi and the construction "accessories" ...

Or this one, with a close up on the surface and texture of the wall and the garbage as guest star...

Or this one where the hands seems to reach for the water tank?

Aaaargh, it's like choosing your favorite kid.

the balloon corner

west end avenue at w80th - map it here
The things you can bump into on a Manhattan corner... This is what I found in my street the other day: a van full of balloons. The door was open and they were starting to escape, those little rascals. A human was fighting to keep them in from inside the van. And no, it was not my birthday.

the fruit corner

somewhere in midtown manhattan
Need a reminder of those five servings of fruits and vegetables we should be eating daily? Just stop by the street vendor on the corner. The one near my office in Times Square sells 2 oranges for $1 and 3 bananas for $1. Pretty good deal these days. Which brings me to this thought: how can that street vendor really make a decent living?

green spa

somewhere in the upper west side - no map (you don't really expect me to invite you all, do you?)
Remember my little trip to Russia (Brighton Beach, Brooklyn)? That was last weekend and I bought a few goodies of course. From what I understand, I bought bath salts that smell like a walk in a pine forest while holding a nice cup of mint tea and a branch of rosemary. A $2 green spa. Who can beat that?

little odessa

brighton beach - boardwalk - map it here
Enjoying the lovely view from the Brighton Beach boardwalk.
So why is Brighton Beach nicknamed "Little Odessa"? Well, this Brooklyn neighborhood is one of the largest Russian communiies outside Moscow. I guess the beach must have reminded its residents of the city of Odessa in Ukraine, located on the shore of the Black Sea.

a day in russia

tatiana restaurant - brighton beach boardwalk - brooklyn - map it here
Today was Columbus Day, a holiday for some of us in New York City. I spent the day exploring Brighton Beach, a Russian enclave in Brooklyn, also known as Little Odessa.
Perfect weather, stores with books you can't read, people talking a language you don't understand, items on the shelves that you have never seen before, ... It really felt like a vacation far-far-away: everything has a scent of adventure and tastes a little more exotic. Just like my lunch at Tatiana Restaurant on the boardwalk: bortsch and sour cream, with a glass of kompot (a drink made of (dried or not) fruit boiled in water). Prijatnogo appetita (bon appétit).

dolled up

somewhere in manhattan, on the 1 subway line
Remember when you had to sit quietly and behave when mom and dad where around? And your feet could not even touch the floor?

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Update on yesterday post:
Bravo to Michael and Kitty who guessed correctly that this cute little house was located in Brooklyn Heights, a pretty neighborhood just next to the Brooklyn Bridge.
If you sit on the Brooklyn Heights promenade, you can enjoy a great view of Manhattan.
For those of you who are interested, I have a little extra. A short video (8:42) from the NYTimes.com about the neighborhood: weekend explorer - brooklyn heights

guess where?

A buccolic view to start the weekend. This was taken in August, somewhere in New York City. But can you guess where?

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Update: Ok, ok, ok! I hear you: clues! You want clues. So I will give you 3:
• It is not in Manhattan (sorry Ming & Khalid: it is not the Upper East Side)
• But you can see that neighborhood from Manhattan. And you can see Manhattan from there.
• It is a very pretty neighborhood, near a very famous bridge.

triple shot internet and other finds

I promised you I would take you to the indoor flea market in Chelsea, which is located a couple of blocks West from the outdoor one (The Annex Flea market of yesterday post).
I am even making it a special post, with the best finds encountered last weekend. Follow me please.

Try that next time you visit a flea market: almost every single vendor will hide something in his/her merchandise. A cup of tea, a glass of beer, or, as you can see here above: a triple shot internet.

Here below, something quite amazing: the grrr mug. I know what you think: you need one. Who doesn't? But if it is not what is going through your mind right now, think about this for a moment: somebody actually imagined this stuff and was drunk enough to make it a reality. Mind-blowing.


Here below, a proof that Uncle Sam has always had a sense of humour. Capped at $5K.


Don't even think of parking here!


Something that must have been quite a hit before the iPhone was in fashion:


Always a relief:


One year to an organized life. A very disturbing read: this book guarantees it will organize every aspect of your life. A dream? Or a nightmare? Note that this is a used book: is it so good that the previous owner has mastered the "get rid of your clutter in 30 minutes" chapter?


1 hour service - interesting bedroom decoration, maybe?


And finaly, a stylish accessory: the Mao watch. His right hand waves at the adoring crowds. Every. Single. Second. I also love that you can pair it with a colorful cross.


Where do you find all those beauties? At The Antiques Garage. An indoor flea market that takes place Saturdays and Sundays in Chelsea. The perfect place to be on a rainy afternoon.

the antiques garage flea market - 112 w25th st. - map it here

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related posts:
• toasted at the flea market (greenfleas - upper west side)
• to the flea market we go (the antiques garage - chelsea)
• forget-me-knot (the antiques garage - chelsea)
• head are rolling (the antiques garage - chelsea)
• where the hell are my scissors? (the annex - chelsea)
• artsy bric-à-brac (the annex - chelsea)
• how to mask a grafitti (the annex - chelsea)

how to mask a grafitti

the annex west 25th street outdoor flea market - map it here
I couldn't resist of sharing one more view of the outdoor flea market in Chelsea with you. I just love the juxtaposition of styles and colors here.
Tomorrow, I'll take you a few streets down, indoors.

the intrepid on its way home

the intrepid museum - pier 86 w46th & 12th avenue - map it here
Ah yes, The Intrepid is home again. I felt compelled to snap a few pictures since everybody stopped by my side of the office to admire it last week as it was coming back to its dock on the West Side.
I'll admit that I don't really see the appeal. It leaves me a bit cold. I know, I know, I see some of you rolling their eyes at my lack of interest. I know, I know, this aircraft carrier is full of history, of bravery, of engeniery, of kamikaze stories, and yada-yada-yada. It's a military ship! Where's the beauty, the poetry? Ah well, I get it - it's definitely a boy thing.

artsy bric-à-brac

the annex west 25th street outdoor flea market - map it here
I'll take the little frame in the middle and please wrap up that grafitti too.

where the hell are my scissors?

the annex west 25th street outdoor flea market - map it here
I went to a flea market in Chelsea this morning. Always lots of fun. This impressive collection of African necklaces caught my eye. Great textures, materials and colors but what surprised me the most was that they were really heavy. Oh and another little detail amused me. Seems like every vendor forgetsa little something in their merchandise display.

fancy a nap?

bedroom from the sagrado palace - metropolitan museum of art - 1000 fifth avenue - map it here
A very fancy nap, that is!
Imagine you are in Venice, circa 1718. You are the guest of the Sagrado family and are enjoying a delightful little nap in your bed alcove. Stucco, lavish tapestries, marquetry floors, cherubins flying above you, guarding your afternoon rêveries, ...
Or just head to the Met where you can see it for yourself and dream of sweet dreams while admiring it. Learn more about this period room here.
As for me, I am heading to bed. Need to catch up on that beauty sleep!

october theme day: lines

subway car - all over new york city
What to show you on this glorious first day of the month?!?
Well, that's easy, it's our theme day and this month theme is "lines". So I am showing you where to find them, those subway lines!
First, you should really grap a subway map. You'll find them in the station before entering on the platform. They are free. If you are really traveling light, you'll find maps in the subway cars or on the platform (see here above and here below).

Or, if you are like me, you could download a fancy-schmanzy one on your iPhone. It is so practicle to find your way and keep you updated of service interuptions. Really handy!!!

If you want to see what "lines" means to 164 other bloggers, head here, it will show you thumbnails of each participants.