Green Eyes

Black Rock Xmas

Since I had no plans for most of the day, I was excited to get up and catch the sunrise from the harbor this morning. I slipped on my shoes and a jacket and walked over to the sand. A cop car started blasting Christmas carols from the PA system, neighbors were walking around, greeting eachother and walking their dogs. It was too nice of a morning here in Black Rock to go back to bed, so I went in to grab my life jacket and the Sean, and enjoyed the sunrise from my kayak. No one was out on the water, the ocean was still, and the weather was irresistible! Afterwards, we has a great breakfast with the locals over at the Harborview Market. More of you need to come join me down here!!!!

Christmas Spirit

From breakfast to late night holiday drinks, today was a true care-free holiday spirited day; spent with a ton of family and friends, both old and new. Doesn't get much better than that. Hope everyone has a great Christmas!

Irish Accents in NYC

This past week, I've been meeting up with my two friends, Richie & Tom, whom I met in Ireland this fall. They came to the states for a week, and were in CT for a few days, stayed at my place, then ventured off to NYC and beyond. The weekend was fun with them, we went out drinking in New Haven, and then to O-Bar in Fairfield Sunday night. Wednesday was definately the most fun, when we met up for dinner and legendary dessert at Serendipity on E 60th between 2nd and 3rd. Dinner was a blast, and I think I'm still sore from the intrusive laughter we created. There was a gridlock warning in the city, but it surprisingly was easy to get around by car once we were in Manhattan. After dinner, we gallivanted around midtown and Central Park West, showed the boys Lennon's memorial in Strawberry fields, and finally said our fairwells from Chelsea.

Not only are they really nice, handsome, and fun as hell, but those Irish accents are to die for. I wish Ireland wasn't so far away; can't wait til next time!

Wassily Chair

Hungarian architect, furniture designer, and influencial modernist, Marcel Breuer, is the man. I'm a huge fan of his designs, especially with his mid-century modern chairs. Last year, I came across a Cesca chair I really liked, which, designed in 1928, was the first cantilevered chair ever designed. I got an original one from the 60's, which has the original Thonet manufacturer's label still on it.

Last week however, my year + of ebay-ing Breuer's best known design of the Wassily Chair came to an end. It's the first tubular bent-steel chair, designed in 1925 for the famous artist Wassily Kandinsky and inspired in part by bicycle handlebars. Still in production, the chair can be assembled and disassembled most easily with bicycle tools. It's without a doubt one of the most well-known classics. Mine is brown leather and was manufactured in the 70's. I'm nerdy, and I love it.

Back to the 'hood

My parents moved into a really cool new house this weekend, in Easton. Easton is where my parents and I first lived when I was young. In fact, their new place is just 1.4 miles (yes, that's the exact number) from our favorite Eastoners, the Everetts! The yard and the decks are beautiful... which reminds me of the fact that I'll be sure to keep everyone posted on when the parties are going down. Especially for those who missed out on the Bell's Pirate Party 2006 last winter... you know who you are.

My First Photoshoot!

I got to do my first photoshoot for work this week!!!! Normally, our company hires professionals to photograph our completed designs, so that we have them documented for the company's portfolio, to show to future clients, and also to use when our work is published in magazines. So I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to go to the client's house, and totally set it up and re-decorate it as I want it and think it'll look best for the shoot. Then, I just took pictures for a couple hours... AND GOT PAID! So not only am I doing designing now, but also photography... I'm insanely excited if you couldn't tell.

PS: I'd post a proof of the photos, buuut, I'm not sure of the legalities there... maybe later.

LOVE

A new compilation of Beatles songs was recently released, called, Love. It's basically an incredibly well executed remix that was done by the Beatles, and the legendary original producer, George Martin, who states "What people will be hearing on the album is a new experience, a way of re-living the whole Beatles musical lifespan in a very condensed period." If you have ever enjoyed even one Beatles song, seriously, download or buy this album asap!

Top-Rated Xmas Movies

No December passes for me without a traditional viewing of the following films:

• It's A Wonderful Life - 1946 - My favorite love scene in any film; when Mary and George first kiss while on the phone. The message in the movie is timeless, and it never ever fails to make me cry.
• Miracle on 34th Street - 1947 - The original is by far the best version, and I love seeing New York  City as it was 50 years ago.
• A Christmas Story - 1983 - If you don't have at least one line memorized, then get on top of that.
• Christmas Vacation - 1989 - Chevy Chase's finest. I think I recite line from this movie every day of the year.
• Home Alone - 1990 - My generation's ultimate classic. And the second one is SO close to being just as good.
• Elf - 2003 - Will Ferrell + a holiday film = pure genious.

Tiles, Hats, & Drugs

After this weekend, I've decided that I'm offended by:

1. People without manners
2. Hats with feathers
3. Drugs 2006
4. Iowa
5. Health Insurance

However, I've come to realized how much I love:

1. Manners & Respect
2. Fairfield County designer events
3. Lindsey Esposito
4. Walking to breakfast & the beach from my house
5. My new gym
6. Tricycle injury threats
7. Disinfectant sprays
8. Discussions about Unicorn careers