Practically At The Peak

It's almost the apex of leaf color in my nabe - and because of the rain over the weekend, it may have already happened, as there was a lot of leaf droppage. The colors are really lovely, but I think that the true reds are yet to appear, and I hope I'll be about with my camera for it. The hills in the park have a little further to go, and it's well worth the wait. I'll do my bet to take some pictures.

In the meantime, I was out & about during Saturday's rain and yesterday, Sunday, for the clear crisp late afternoon leaf show. I love the colors but am very sad that it will be over soon, but I do love fall and winter, so I'm happy as a clam to settle in and nest as I work.

Halloween Costume Parade

I'm finally posting a few pictures from the wonderful day in the suburbs on Halloween, where I attended a costume parade at my nephews' school and went T&T-ing with them at night/. There are way too many pictures to post here, but if you're interested, check out my Flickr set.

I was very impressed with the quality of the costumes, especially the few homemade ones. The community is an artistic one; parents are aware and creative, and it showed. I had a fantastic time, as I haven't T & T'd for more years than I care to admit. Next year I will dress up for the occasion - my first time since college that I decked myself out, though as a costume designer, I have decked many others out, for sure.

Royal Treasury

I happen to be in this one, as my extremely obscure Richard III widget was chosen, and I'm so happy as it's really one of the most beautiful I've seen in awhile - and that's saying a lot, as the Treasuries are stunning these days. As a costume designer, I am a sucker for historical subjects, and this is so evocative. I love the range of choices, so B Taylor Quilts - brava to you!

I am a fan of Mark Satchwill, who paints lovely portraits and has a thing for the Tudors, and love those weeping eye earrings by MistysCreations, who is a magician with Polymer Clay.

I want this pendant of the Globe Theatre from FunckLoveDesigns, who made the Henry VII pendant. Check out their shops!

Voted!

Took myself to the local elementary school for the voting experience this afternoon. I was planning to go this morning, early, on this overcast day, but I'm glad that I didn't, as the folks volunteering there said that it had been a madhouse, with lines snaking around through the hallways. When I went, late this afternoon, it was pretty quiet. I loved the musicians playing outside - it was a nice touch. There were enterprising folks selling snacks, and all was calm. It only took a few minutes, and lines weren't longer than 3 people long.

Halloween Pumpkins

I have a ton of pictures from my Halloween trick or treating with my nephews in the 'burbs, which I will put on Flickr, but I am a lover of Pumpkins, and just have to post pix of the wonderfully creative carved pumpkins that I saw on Friday night.

Front Page Sunday

A lovely purple Treasury from Treasury West, curated by Ipathia, made it to the front page yesterday, which resulted in some lovely sales. I am incredibly lucky with Treasury West - nearly every time I'm on the FP at Etsy, it's via Treasury West. I think the admins turn there first as it's hard for buyers to access it, so they give it a little extra love. It's also a gorgeous group, and it looks as if half of us made sales. Ipathia hasn't opened her shop yet, but I hope we all visit as soon as she does.

Rapunzel

I was an alternate in this Treasury that ran last week, so I'm not even sure what in my shop was chosen, but I loved it and its magical mood. I'm a fan of fairy tale themes. It's also proof that the photography on Etsy is extraordinary. As someone who works very hard on it, I know it takes a lot of work. Salute to a gorgeous Treasury by Paper Pumpkin!

Steampunk Gallery

I didn't realize that I have a section's worth of Steam items in my shop. If Etsy would allow us to have more sections, I could add this. As it is, I am already filled up until I move the vintage and destash items over to my other shop. I do wonder if Steam's time in the sun is waning, though I think that there will always be people who love it and wear it. I'm especially fond of the first earrings in the upper right corner, Her Nibs Earrings...which I think would be the perfect gift for a writer.

More of Inwood!

AND...if you're feeling a bit peckish from all of that shopping and traveling back in time, there's a fantastic new cafe next door, the Indian Road Cafe and Market , where you can enjoy lovely views of Inwood Hill Park, Riverdale, and chow down on food and coffee while people-watching. It's new and was sorely needed, especially by people living up on "The Hill". It's warm and inviting inside, large and airy, and I have a thing for that fabulous stove that serves as the coffee station. I can't wait to go there when it's snowing so I can sit in the window with a hot chocolate!

Hidden Neighborhood Treasure

I moved to Upper Manhattan in 2001 after a colleague already here, who knew I was looking for a place, invited me uptown to look at the neighborhood. I was charmed by the small apartment buildings built from the 1920s-1950s, with sunken living rooms, quaint architecture, and the quiet. It's true, there's not much going on up here, so you have to go elsewhere for your entertainment, but it's a peaceful area with parks, some good restaurants, a few fun bars, an art gallery, lots of artists, and the shopping is less expensive than downtown.

One of the neighborhood treasures is a smallish antique shop called Scavengers of Inwood. I have furnished my apartment with tons of goodies from this wonderful store - the antiques available have been collected and maintained by their owners, the Coopers; Lela Cooper does the buying, and travels around the eastern states on buying trips, culling wonderful treasures with an expert eye. It's always a joy to visit and see what's new, and have a friendly chat with Lela, Guy Cooper and Tom, who often helps out. It's a fantastic place for gifts - how would a set of wonderfully decorated 1940s barware be welcomed by someone who loves to entertain? There's vintage cookware, furniture, ephemera, art, clothing, jewelry, books, amazing china, linens...something for everyone, especially someone with a love for recent vintage. Part of me wants this neighborhood resource to remain a secret, but most of me wants people to find out about them and flock to their shop!

I was up there last weekend and took some pictures of the welcoming way this shop is set up. There are chairs set up outside, it's all cozy and friendly, and one is encouraged to sit and chat if it's nice out and there's a quiet moment. Eventually, though, pleasant as the company is, you'll feel the pull of the shop and will simply have to go in, squeezing by other customers and merchandise...into the depths...of American mid-century taste. I guarantee that you'll walk away with a one-of-a-kind treasure. Tell them I sent you.