The Selby and The Jane

So it seems I'm all about book signings these days. Went to Pioneer Woman's book signing a few months ago. Then went to darling Molly Weisenburg's, of Orangette, book singing at Posman's Book at Chelsea Market. My most recent and colorful book signing experience involved 2 things. Both entirely trendier and cooler than I, but fun all the same!

I met The Selby at The Jane last Friday. The Selby (also known as Todd Selby) is a portrait, interior and fashion photographer. His images of cluttered and lived in interiors are just as fascinating as his spirited friends, also in the images. Todd was friendly and quirky and his book is fantastic. Like a People magazine melted into an Eye Spy book.

I'll be honest. I did want to see/meet The Selby. But I really really wanted to see The Jane. It's a hotel not too far from the meat packing district, hunkered right next to the Hudson River. Built in 1908, it housed the Titanic survivors in 1912 and was later taken over by the YMCA in the 40's. This place was loaded with character and charm. And an edge of eeriness. The rooms are classified in 'cabins' (Standard, Bunk and Captain) and the staff is clad in authentic bell hop attire.

I tried to take pictures but I was making my coworkers awkward, so I used these pictures from the Jane site. You should stop by this place if you're every in the neighborhood. It's lovely and odd all at the same time.

Benny Boy

Little brother Benny turns 20 today!

Look at that punk.

And his sister from Jersey Shore. Ha.

John Bennett Flora, the youngest and only boy of the 3 Flora kids, is twenty. My goodness!

This is the kid who at the age of 3, would come into my room at night and say "Hannah... can I sleep in your bed?"

7 year old Hannah would reply "Ben. Ugh. Go ask Gracie first."

Little Benny would shuffle over to 5 year old Gracie's room.

After a few moments of silence, I would hear, "BEN. Get out of my room!"

Feeling a little sad and guilty that I had sent such a helpless kid into the lions den, I would let him sleep in my bed. This routine went on for at least a year.

This is also the kid who had more head injuries than you could count on one hand before the age of 10.

Also the kid who turned out to be pretty good at baseball.

Oh, and yep, the same kid that hates talking on the phone but has the most dry and clever wit when he finally gets to talking.

All this to say, I love this little brother of mine, quirks and all.

Happy Birthday John Bennett!

Our girl Kate

Oh Kate Spade. How does she do it? Her website is absurdly lovely. Her merchandise is, well, even lovelier. I recently ran across a few of her stationary pieces when I was on the hunt for new writing supplies. I LOVE her paper items, they're just a little out of my price range. I like my stationary hearty, personalized and in large amounts. I love using a flat card of monogramed stationary just to write a quick "Thought I'd say hi!" kind of a note.

I'm not sure what these say, but I'm sure it's something clever.

The vases and flowers are random and darling.

So I thought I'd include them.

So Nice

I keep thinking about this image I saw in the most recent Lonny. Something about that deep blue paint and those extra white panels and matchstick blinds... Love the warm but stark contrast of it all.

Street Lamps

I work at a large ad agency in New York. My job is a busy mix of corporate and creative. My boss says its where art meets commerce. I completely agree. I've found it to be a great fit. I get a kick out of the people and find myself learning new things on most days. Better yet, I work for a sharp, fabulous and kind boss who shares in my love for Broadway Shows and Interior Design.

She recently connected me with a friend of hers doing a little spring apartment cleaning/selling. With roommate Lindsay Ann in tow, I stopped by the ATM and headed over to the East Side.

What did we find, you ask?

Two of the most sparkly fun lamps I've ever seen.

Lindsay Ann holding one.

Me holding the other.

You would not believe the comments we got on our way back to the apartment. I'm not kidding. In true New York fashion, people were rolling down their windows to ask us about the lamps we were carrying down the street. Being the frugal gals we are, we took the bus home and made quite the ruckus...

We even made some new friends on the bus.

One of them being Peggy. She knocked on our lamp shades and asked if we had a camera. I did, and gave it to her. And she took this picture. I'm so glad she did!

Thanks Peggy!

Now - I don't think just any old lamps would solicit the kind of response we got. I think it had everything to do with how darn cute these lamps were! And maybe my spastically bright yellow jacket. It's a toss up.

The foyer is a work in progress, but the lamps will be living somewhere around here.

Oh. OH. I didn't tell you the best part.

I only paid $50. For the PAIR.

Thank you very much boss lady's friend!

Oh. My. Gosh.

Yes. This is another mouse story and probably the most dramatic. Reader Beware.

Last night, I had a fun catch up dinner at Dino with one of my oldest friends in the world and her younger sister. They were in New York looking at law schools for little sister. I got home around 10:30 and heard conversation towards Emily's room. I wandered back and before I saw Emily, I noticed Emily's rain boots. On her feet.

This was my first indication that there's an issue. A rodent issue.

I walked into her room and now had full view of the folding chair and box lid maze/trap in place to catch the mouse that was in her closet. Roommate Emily and her visiting friend Emily quickly filled me in on the mouse saga so far. I put my bag down, shut my bedroom door (in case there was an escape!) and grabbed the swiffer. Yes, the swiffer.

With deep nervous breaths, we prepared for attack. With Roommate Emily holding a box lid, friend Emily holding an empty trash can and me with the swiffer, we slowly started pulling luggage and bags out of the closet. After emptying all but one bag, we saw a glimpse of the mouse scurrying UP THE WALL to hide behind some wrapping paper. Goodness they climb walls!?!!?!?!?! At this point, we are mildly wigging out and decide it best to involve Joe, the Super.

Emily speedily found him and told him there was a mouse in her closet. He said, "Keep it!". Not the time for jokes Joe! After quick convincing, he was at the scene. Joe, cool as a cucumber and completely unphased, got on all fours and reached into the back of the closet. (Rooomate Emily, Friend Emily and I are all standing behind Joe armed with our weapons of choice, completely prepared to advance if our front line goes down.) We sensed a struggle in the back corner of the closet, Joe reached in further and the mouse flew out of the closet. With swiffers and trash cans flying, we screamed and retreated to the bed. We heard squealing from the mouse. And with a blink, the mouse was gone. Ohhhhh no. Where the heck did it go?

We look to Joe for answers and he grabs at his knee.

"Son of a b****", he says.
"Joe, what?? Where did it go????", we say as panic rises.
"Son of a b**** is in my pants", he calmly states in his heavy European accented english, as he begins to stand up.
"What are you talking about Joe! No, really. Where IS IT?", we all beg!

Joe stood up gripping the lump around his knee. Gave it a quick squeeze and then shook his pant leg out. Out falls the son of a b**** onto our hardwood floors.

We SCREAMED. I mean, really scream. There might have been a few tears also. It's a bit of a blur. After minutes of pure chills down your back wigging out, Joe picks up the enemy by its tail and casually walks out of our apartment.

Oh. My. Gosh.

Never in my life....

I'm in a chair mood.

And a bit of a California mood, too.

Mix equal parts of both and you get the mid-century home furnishing store Room Service in LA. I was doing some Lucite chair research for roommate Lindsay Ann and barged onto the site. This store speaks the same spunky and modern vernacular of many of my favorite blogs.

What fun pieces to liven up a space!

PS: I've had the song "Under the Boardwalk" stuck in my head since yesterday when a homeless man sang his way uptown on my subway car. This is really here nor there. Just thought you should know.

Mom!

I was looking through the Pottery Barn catalog last night and saw a few things that screamed Cindy! So I thought, why not blog it! First thing. I know the picture is small, but can you see these darling clean lined framed alphabets? Could be a sweet and tidy element to add in with some of your other framed alphabets.

I LOVE this Royal Blue paint. This needs to find a place in both of our lives!

Now that all the cats are banned from your room, I think you and dad need this bedding! The red duvet (with little blue birds on it) would be perfect. As would the crisp white duvet.

So there it is. What do you think mom?