I DECLARE WAR!

Living in the West Village, surrounded by restaurants, stores and people is great. Unfortunately living above a diner has brought some uninvited "house guests" who dig in my trash and binge on my favorite box of crackers.

Smart Mouse Trap

This weekend, I've decided to declare war on my visitors. I have a hard time killing a spider, let alone a mouse, so I purchased some humane mouse traps off the Internet. These mouse houses trap the mice and allow me to catch and release them down by the Hudson (where hopefully they won't find their way back).

Mice Cube

I bought two different kinds to test out. The Smart Mouse Trap ($13.49 each) has trap doors and levers to catch, but not touch the mouse at all, while the Mice Cube's simple design and cheap price ($9.99 for 4) seems like it might work too. Both companies recommend using peanut butter and a cracker to lure the mice. Who knew that the mice and I have similar tastes?

Wish me luck and I'll let you know how it all goes on Monday.

SPRING IS HERE {FINALLY}

Spring has finally sprung in NYC. I couldn't help but grab my camera and snap some pics of the bright tulips and flowering trees that are bursting into bloom.

A new (and welcome) type of snow in the West Village...

TUMI TAG, OH YES.

Last night, I attended the NYC launch party of Tumi's collaboration with famous NYC graffiti artist John "Crash" Matos. Crash started early, tagging subways cars bound from Brooklyn to the Bronx. Now Crash's designs are shown in galleries and museums all over the globe. 

For someone who hasn't owned a plain, black suitcase since the 90s, this bright, creative luggage is right up my alley.

Staged in a dark, brick walled venue, the event was a feast for the eyes, from the huge collection of tagged Tumi luggage that was used as a make-shift drum set, to the original work that inspired the collaboration with Tumi. (It's being auctioned off for charity at ArtNet).

I indulged with mac and cheese egg rolls, mini hot dogs and hamburgers and spicy "Hell's Kitchen" margaritas while watching an ever revolving show of laser drawings designed by party goers.

At the end of the evening I walked away with an awesome Tumi Tag iPhone case. It's already replaced the boring black plastic case on my iPhone.

With great pop design and bright colors, let's just say you'll never lose your luggage on the baggage carousel again...

PRETTY IN PAINT

After dyeing Easter eggs, I love dumping the mugs of dye into the sink to see what new colors form.  NY artist Holton Rower has created a psychedelic version of this by pouring layers of bright paint over large blocks.

 Image courtesy of Holton Rower

Check out the video below to see how it's done. How fun would this be?


* Via Poppytalk and Honestly WTF

HOLY SNOW, BATMAN!

Holy snow everywhere in NYC! Yesterday, there was a teaser storm in the morning, followed by a huge storm last night. Plows were trying to keep up (go Bloomberg go!), but there was just too much.

As a kid, I loved huge snow storms because it meant long snow days outside, followed by movies and hot chocolate. As an adult, I still love the snow, these days it usually include an adult beverage, good music and a wonderful home cooked meal (and the occasional W. Village snowball fight!)

What is your favorite snow day activity?

COLOR ME HAPPY

Brrrrrrrr.....! That's what it feels like in my apartment right now. This weekend with temperatures in NYC dipping into the single digits and with friends staying at my apartment, I realized that I need some more blankets to ward off the cold. I'm in love with this coverlet from Urban Outfitters. The reversible colors and seed stitching are fantastic. This would be a perfect/ warm addition to my bed.

Check out the other color options here.

UNDER THE TREE

It's last minute shopping frenzy here in NYC. The stores are packed and I'm hoping to spot a few last things and then I'm off to PA tomorrow to celebrate the holidays with my family. Here are a few of the things I hope Santa brings me this year...

16" Canvas Mason Bag

Lomograohy Diana+ Camera

Midas Collection

 Perpetual Wall Calendar

 Singing Parakeets Clutch

 Hungry Bowls, Set of 2

The perfect shade of red in my mind, Nars Lipstick "Heat Wave"

 

I hope this little piggy is waiting for me, Harry Allen Pig Bank

Lalana Sheer Wool Scarf

GETTING CRAFTY

There are times that I absolutely love living in NYC and last night was definitely one of them.

It started with a trip to Kate Spade's flagship in Soho where Erica Domesek from P.S. I Made This was hosting a DIY party to promote her new book (which is both fabulous and inspiring!) 

Six other style/design bloggers including Grace Bonny from Design*Sponge and Michelle Adams from Lonny Magazine, led the way. Party goers were bedazzling and lettering their own fabric bags amongst Cherry Fizz cocktails and the cutest mini hot dogs and burgers I've ever seen. I was totally inspired by all the great ideas I saw last night.

I ended up with a cute leopard print bag, courtesy of the ladies from Lonny. So easy and fun! (As a bonus, they told me that the directions for printing out your own iron-on leopard spots will be up on the site soon!)

Grace Bonny transformed her Kate Spade London Tote using imitation gold leaf to create big shiny polka dots. Check out how she did her cool bag here.

(Image courtesy of Design*Sponge)

After leaving Kate Spade, my friend and I headed to 'Ino, an adorable wine/ panini bar in the West Village. I was just in the middle of telling my friend about a Apartment Therapy book signing I'm going to on Monday (details here), when who should appear, but Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan, himself. How cool.

I heart peonies...

It's almost the end of May and I have started seeing peonies pop up at flower stands all around NYC. I love all the vibrant shades of pink! I can't wait to place a few stems in a beautiful vintage container or silver vase.

Just a few stems make a statement in a room... 

(Photos: Southern Accents, xJavierx on Flickr)

Going Off-Island...

I ventured off the island this morning, across the water to Staten Island for a meeting.

Being fairly new to NYC, I still hadn't been on the Staten Island Ferry. Much to my surprise... it's FREE, rarely crowded and offers great views of the Statue of Liberty! Definitely worth a trip...