I have been wild about stationary ever since I was a kid pouring over the Sanrio collection. My tastes have matured since then but I am still crazy about all things paper and pen. I particularly like making my own stationary with found paper like maps, graph paper, wrapping paper, etc. For this eco-friendly stationary, I have been collecting security envelopes (from bills and bank statements) for the past few months. I try to go as paperless as possible but things still find their way into my mail. You may have noticed the envelopes from Big Brother and his goons are lined with a dense pattern to prevent your snoopy neighbor from checking out your personal beeswax. Well, some of these are actually kind of awesome when seen from a stationary perspective. This project is fast, easy and will make you feel good knowing that the envelopes were on made on The Man’s dollar, not yours!

TOOLS OF THE TRADE:

- security envelopes

- double sided tape

- mailing labels (not necessary but handy).

That’s all? That’s all!

1. Get a little batch of security envelopes going. Sadly, these are way too easy to come by!  Carefully, slowly, pull the seams apart. You can dampen them with a wet sponge to break down the adhesive but I’m too impatient to let them dry again so I just pull them. A little paper may tear but as long as the edge is clean, you are good to go!

2. Turn the envelope inside out and start by taping the bottom flap on to the smaller top flap.

3. Then tape one side flap and leave the other open for your letter, of course!  For the mailing address you can be a smarty and write it on the letter in the right spot or just stick a large mailing label on there! Voila! All done!!

As promised, I have brewed my own beer… and it’s delicious! It does not taste like soap! It’s a golden-red ale, super sparkling and foamy. Yum.

Quite a relief actually, because for the past few weeks I’ve been slightly concerned that I was slowly brewing a poisonous, foul concoction that would make me sick. I have to be honest: I found the whole brewing process intimidating and confusing, and I was sure I’d done something wrong.

In hindsight, taking a class at The Brooklyn Kitchen would have been a good idea. Instead I just bought this book and the Introductory Kit from Brooklyn Homebrew. It contained all the information I needed, except for the most basic. For example, do you know how to siphon liquids from one container to another? I sure as hell didn’t. Nor did I know how to put the top on the plastic bucket (with a mallet, my husband informed me. I thought it just kinda rested on top. Ha.)

The kit comes with all kinds of equipment: plastic buckets, a thermometer, siphoning tube, more random plastic tubes, a bottle capper, bottle brush, bottle caps, etc… I used most of it but not all. I just didn’t know how! I skipped the whole chapter on the hydrometer (it indicates the alcohol content of the beer) because there were too many charts and numbers. Might be a good idea to revisit that.

Luckily, everything turned out well. Apart from the hydrometer, I really did follow most of the instructions. The most important one was sanitization: everything that comes into contact with the brew has to be clean and sanitized. I found the best solution was to keep a bucket of sanitization solution (a simple bleach and water solution) ready to go whenever I was working on the beer.

The most annoying part of the process? Finding 40 empty bottles of beer. You can either collect the bottles over a period of time, that’s pretty easy. You can even buy empty bottles all ready to go. Even easier. OR, you can empty and clean 40 rancid bottles all at once, like we did. That sucked. Especially since these bottles had been laying out in the sun in my friend’s backyard for a month, rusting (that bottle brush sure came in handy.)

Having done it once, I’m ready to do it again. It’s not a fast or easy process, and learning the process was occasionally frustrating. But the end result is worth it. I have a case of delicious beer that is uniquely my own. I’m so proud!

Next up, barley wine.

Every summer when July 4th rolls around I get nervous because to me that signals the slippery slope that summer is over. Many a friends argue with me to the contrary that the summer is just beginning. Nonetheless, now here we are with August right around the corner and its time to savor the summer.

Have you thought about…

• Renewing a Passion. Piano lessons are not just for kids.  Perhaps you really loved the piano when you were small but your were overbooked with gymnastics, ballet and little league.    Think about a activity or hobby you once really enjoyed and why not take it up again and own it?!
• Take a bike ride. If you don’t own a bike, go rent one and get the perspective of your surroundings from a different vantage point.
• Feed your brain. Learn a new word everyday and sign up for Merriam-Webster’s Word of the day emails.
• Do a crossword. Try out that new vocabulary on a crossword puzzle. Commit to finishing it even if you have to look up answers.  This new found knowledge feels sexy.
• Learn a language. Try “Coffee Break Spanish” for free on iTunes. It’s basic enough that anyone can learn.
• Plant a tree. We humans consume, consume, consume; we must remember to give back to mother earth.  Make her happy and plant a tree.
• Learn a killer dessert recipe from scratch! Mine happens to be chocolate dipped macaroons – yum!
• Give your honey a reason to skip poker night. Self explanatory!
• Read the stock pages and understand the basics of the market. Next time you meet a hot hedge fund manger show him you got one up on Maria Bartitomo.
• Clean up your Facebook page. Just like in life, we must sit back, examine, and edit.
• Burn a CD of your favorite Summer Songs. Pull together your new discoveries and send to a friend.
• Star Gaze. Get to know your night sky and find the North Star.
• Shop. Take advantage of the 75% off summer sales and stock up on basics. One can never have too many white tank tops.
• Make a donation. Gather up all those magazines lying around your place and donate them to a nursing home or library.
• Road Trip. Take your new summer mix and a bunch of friends and create new memories.
• Snail Mail. Go to your favorite stationery shop with a particular friend in mind. Find a card that reflects your relationship and remind her how thankful you are to call her a friend.
• Linger. Cop a squat with some gelato and let time slowly drift by….before you know it, darkness will descend at 4:30PM

I leave you with a poem by Mr. Mark Twain:

Warm Summer Sun

Warm summer sun,

Shine kindly here,

Warm southern wind,

Blow softly here.

Green sod above,

lie light, lie light.

Good night, dear heart,

Good night, good night.

Okay, so I’m sure you read Vanessa’s amazing article on how to mat your own artwork. But maybe you haven’t tried it yourself yet. Well, that stupid. Because I have. And I have to say… It’s saved me a bundle, improved the look of my home, and allowed my artwork to shine. It’s also provided a few fun craft nights for me and the beau. So what are you waiting for? Get to it!

Hello lovelies! Spring has sprung and summer is officially here!

If you were lucky enough to catch the elusive cherry blossoms in full bloom a couple months ago, you know how incredible they are. The cotton candy pink bursts explode from stark brown branches and at the slightest touch, shower you with tiny petals. It’s pretty magical. Well, these magical flowers were the inspiration for this festive decor project. It’s easy to do, requires minimal resources and results in a really pretty finished product—the best kind of craft project! I have seen other versions of paper flower branches, but they usually involve complicated instructions or a flower shaped paper punch which I think looks less whimsical in the end and to be honest, seems a little like cheating to me!

TOOLS OF THE TRADE:

- two tones of tissue paper, scissors, wire (preferably light so as to blend in with the paper) and a bare branch or large bundle of branches.

Let’s get started!

1. Cut tissue into 3.5″ – 4″ squares (1 of each color per blossom)

2. Fold the square into quarters

3. Cut the open edges into a diamond shape (open the first one after cutting to make sure you like the shape)

4. Layer one of the light flowers with a darker flower

5. Fold it in half, leaving a larger portion on one side

6. Gather the folded side around the end of the branch, pinching it slightly and wrap it tightly.

7. Once it’s gathered, wrap a 3″ length of wire around it and twist the ends together to secure

8. Continue wrapping the paper flowers on to the branch. You can also cut out green tissue leaves to add to the mix.

Going to the beach is one of my absolute favorite things to do. The beau and I go every weekend in the summer and over the years, we have perfected the art of packing for the beach: one well-packed beach bag each, the umbrella, the cooler, and we’re off. Together we not only came up with the ultimate shopping list so you can beach it like a pro, but also made it easy to shop in one place at the all-new OMFG Amazon store! Just click on any of the items in the list below and you’ll find them all there. If you’ve got an Amazon.com account, you’re good to go. See you at the beach!

The Beach Bag
Pick a roomy bag with several pockets that hangs comfortably on your shoulder.

Sunblock
Choose SPF 30 or higher for sure. Go for a big bottle and reapply liberally throughout the day.

Facial Sunblock
I like Dermalogica Super Sensitive Faceblock. It has a nice tint and doesn’t make me breakout. Protect that face!

Lip Block
Skin and eyes are protected, so better seal those lips too.

Hair Sun Protectant
And don’t forget your hair! Anyone with treated hair of any kind need to protect it from the sun. This spray has SPF and also makes the hair super-shiny.

Wide-Toothed Comb
If you go swimming, comb your hair right away afterwards to avoid tangles.

Moneysafe!
Keep your cash and cards protected from water and sticky fingers with a hand-dandy moneysafe.

Beach Towel
Well, this one’s a no-brainer. I like to pack two towels—one for laying on and one for use as a pillow/to dry off with.

A Rubber Mallet
What? Yeah, you heard me. A rubber mallet. Trust me. It’s the only way to ensure your umbrella stays in the sand, even with a strong ocean breeze.

Fashion Mags!
What says beach more than frothy, fluffy reading? 

The Beach Read
Speaking of frothy, fluffy reading, grab yourself a guilty pleasure like the Pamela Des Barres classic I’m With The Band.

Beach Mat
Essential for protecting your towel from the dirty sand, a beach mat that folds up and can fit in your bag weighs nothing and makes the beach experience way more enjoyable. 

Beach Umbrella
Most beach umbrellas collapse into an easy-to-carry sheath with a shoulder strap. The umbrella provides the shade necessary for sun protection for your skin and keeps your cooler out of the sun. 

Cooler
Speaking of coolers, get a soft one that’s easy to carry with a shoulder strap.  

Wide-Brimmed Beach Hat
On to the outfit! Choose a hat that looks cute on and off the beach. A wide-brim to protect your face is must, but if you’re tanning, make sure the brim isn’t so wide that it covers your back and causes funky tan-lines.

Hair Sticks or Forks
Stay cool and keep your hair protected by tucking it up with non-damaging hair sticks or a hair fork. Undo your bun in the evening for perfect, beach-tousled waves.

Sunglasses
Although it’s a given that most quality sunglasses have UVA and UVB protection, be sure to check. Choose shades that are going to look cute beachside and on the sidewalk and that work flatteringly with your hat.

The Cover-Up Maxi-Dress
Pretty much anything works as a beach cover-up, but I like the maxi-dress for its ease (just slip it over your head) and the fact it covers the legs, so when you’re at the beachside bar after sunbathing, your stems are shaded from any further abuse from the sun.

Flip-Flops!
Ya’ll know I love me some Havaianas. And this is what they’re made for: beachin’ it! When you slip them off, make sure to turn them over so the soles don’t bake in the sun and burn your perfectly pedicured footsies.

You’re ready to go! Enjoy yourself at la playa… and remember to wear your sunblock!

I used to hate the summer. Heat, humidity, sand in my crack.  But the older I get, the more I enjoy the rare amount of sunlight I get compared to the days spent at a desk, the time I get to spend with my friends and loved ones, and getting out and doing things I don’t always make the time for in the cooler seasons.  If I could give you one piece of advice to make your life better, it would be to not let this summer pass without  getting out, enjoying every beautiful day, and shaking it up with some different activities. Here are some suggestions of some fun summertime activities you can do in the NYC area.  In the words of Will Smith, “put your car on cruise, and lay back… cuz this is summertime”.

1.  Vintage Shopping and Killer eating… at the FLEA!

Sometimes you just have the urge to shop, but on a gorgeous summer day have no desire to feel the absolutely horrible choking affect brought on by the mere thought of visiting a mall or shopping district. One of the absolutely best days I had last summer was hanging out at the outdoor Brooklyn Flea market. I perused vintage and handmade wares, soaked up some much-needed sun, and ate amazing artisan foods. I snacked on a wide range of delicious treats including Pupusas (salvadoran corn cakes filled with cheeses, meats, or veggies), lobster rolls, and homemade ginger ice cream. What’s even better: I also came home with an amazing frame from the late 1800s, a shapely dress from the 60’s, and a pair of brand new vintage Bruno Magli shoes that only cost me $15.  Score!

photo by xxooox on Flickr

2.  The Great Outdoors is my Regal Cinemas

Yes! One of the best things about summer is totally watching movies in a park or on a rooftop or whatever. Bring a blanket, snacks, maybe a little flask o’ sumpthin on the DL, and take in a flick in a place where your feet don’t stick to the floor and the seating doesnt make you smell like old man.  Check out some of these suggestions for taking in an outdoor movie in New York:

The Brooklyn Bridge “Movies with a View” Series, Thursdays
Annie Hall 7/8, Big Lebowski 7/22, Rear Window 7/29, Indian Jones & the Last Crusade 8/26

L Magazine Summer Screen, Wednesdays at McCarren Park, Brooklyn
Say Anything 7/7, Labyrinth 7/14, Romeo & Juliet 7/21, Dead Man 7/28, Point Break 8/11

Movies Under the Stars, Wednesdays at Pier 1 Riverside Park South
Neverending Story 7/7, Pans Labyrinth 7/14, Big Fish 8/4

Rooftop Film Noir Series, Thursdays at the Tony Dapolito Recreation Center
Laura 7/8, Double Indemnity 7/15, Sunset Boulevard 7/22, All About Eve 7/29

Vault of Horror Flicks, Fridays at the Tony Dapolito Recreation Center
Freaks 8/6, Invasion of the Body Snatchers 8/13, Night of Living Dead 8/20, Rosemary’s Baby 8/27

RiverFlicks for Grown Ups, Wednesdays at Pier 54
The Hangover 7/7, I Love You, Man 7/14, The Proposal 7/21, District 9 7/28, Star Trek 8/18

photo by mjstewart on Flickr

3. Walk the Line… The Highline, That Is

The Highline opened last year, and for those of you who haven’t heard about it, it is a re-designed and landscaped old elevated train structure that runs along a portion of Manhattan’s West Side. You can enter the Highline via various entrances in Chelsea and just, y’know, take a walk.  Killer date night: Walk the highline from Gansevoort St to 20th while the sun sets, then head on over to Blossom for an amazing vegetarian dinner, then across the street to Billy’s Bakery for a sweet treat.

photo by rexroof on Flickr

4.  Moonlight Kayaking & Canoeing

DUDE!  Okay, this is something I really wanted to do last year but I’m lazy and I don’t keep a car anymore. However, it’s definitely on my list of must-do’s this year.  If you’re willing to make the trek to Point Pleasant, PA whenever the next full moon comes around, River Country has a “Full Moon Splash” outing. Choose Canoe or Kayak, and choose your fate, as you navigate the river by nothing but the light in the night sky. Just one thing: I feel it only fair to warn you…the website for this place is fucking crazy.

photo by wendylinx on Flickr

5.  Rock Out in the Summertime: Music Festivals

Siren Festival, Saturday July 17th
This year is the 10th anniversary of the Village Voice’s Siren Music Fest, annually held in Coney Island. This year’s acts include Ted Leo & The Pharmacists and ehhhhh some other bands. It’s free and all-ages.

McCarren Park Pool Parties
The McCarren Park Pool is still where it was, but this year the Rock ‘n Roll that used to hang out there is moving toward the Williamsburg waterfront along the East River between North 8th & North 9th Streets.  Acts this year include Band of Horses, Silversun Pickups, Spoon, Pavement, Faith No More, and many more. So, if you want it all but you can’t have it, you can always get tickets to one of these shows and go get awesome.

Warm Up at PS1
The PS1 art museum’s summer music series kicks off July 3rd and will take place every Saturday from 2-9pm through September 4th.  $15 admission gets you into WarmUp, where you can hang out, listen to music and drink beer all under the cover of whatever crazy structure they have built on the grounds at the time. Admission also includes all exhibitions.  Check here for upcoming performance schedules.

photo by beef_taco_supreme on Flickr

6.  Put me in the ZOO

When selecting some fun summer activities I pretty much cut out anything that had to do with children (sorry parents). Zoo-going, however, is a grand exception, because watching an orangutan wear a bucket on its head is just fun, no matter who you are.

Bronx Zoo
Right now the Bronx Zoo has some new additions to their family, including three 5-month-old lion cubs, a bear cub, and new baby lemurs from Madagascar!

Prospect Park Zoo & Central Park Zoo
Go watch some cute little guys get fed. Harbor Seal, Penguin & Sea Lion Feedings regularly. Visit www.centralparkzoo.com and www.prospectparkzoo.com for info.

Turtle Back Zoo
Check out “Night Moves”, a special guided tour once-a-month on summer evenings. Walk with a flashlight and observe the animals at night.

photo by wallyg on Flickr

7.  Peach Picking

People typically wait for Fall to go picking things like pumpkins and squashes. But don’t forget those farms in summertime.  July to August is prime peach-picking season, to be followed shortly by apple season! Farms like Alstede Farms, Demarest Farms, Melick’s Town Farm, and Terhune Orchards, all in New Jersey, have pick your own peaches available throughout July. Terhune Orchards also has a canning and preserving class on August 7th, so you can save some of those peaches for later on. (Its Free, but call in advance to make sure space is available).

photo by adwriter on Flickr

8.  Rock Climbing

A fun indoor sport to take advantage of year-round, but for those who rarely go, why not make it a fun weekend activity? Check out Brooklyn Boulders, an 18,000 square food join packed with creative climbing structures, including a mock up of the Brooklyn Bridge! Also check out Chelsea Piers, of course, where Open Adult co-ed sessions are held throughout the week.

photo by crazyoctopus on Flickr

9.  Dog Friendly Beach!

I can’t wait to take my little buddy out to chase waves and drool in the sand.  Check out these beach spots that are dog friendly:

Dog Beach, Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Enter  at Prospect Park West & 9th Street, follow the path past the Tennis House on your left and through the Long Meadow to the Upper Pool. The beach is paved and fenced so dogs cant swim too deep. Its not for serious swimming or training, but for dogs who want to trudge through some water and have some fun.

Island Beach State Park, New Jersey
Island Beach is a narrow barrier island that reaches for 10 miles between the Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay. Dogs on a leash no longer than 6 feet are allowed on the non-recreational beaches year-round!  Check the website for details and directions to this hot dog spot!

photo by coral on Flickr

10. The Jersey Shore, DUH!

Okay, I know this is totally obvious perhaps, but I had to include it still because I feel that there are still many people who avoid the Jersey shore (hmm, why could that be?). Also, I have lived in New Jersey my whole life and whenever I have gone to the beach, its usually the same ones all the time! There are dozens and dozens of beaches I have never visited or tried. Since it’s usually a substantial drive and a full-day’s plan, we usually stick with something familiar, much like sticking with your routine meal at your favorite restaurant when you’re really hungy. Why chance it?

There really are so many great beaches to visit, like Belmar, Manasquan, LBI, and one of my favorites, Spring Lake.  Ask your friends or co-workers for a new recommendation and just do it. Go to there!  And if you need an easy reference, complete with parking info, fees, and highlights, download NJ Monthly’s 2010 Ultimate Beach Guide.

photo by laram777 on Flickr

We all knew arts and crafts were awesome back in elementary school but somewhere along they way they became Grandma’s domain. It turned into a world filled with upholstered and bedazzled picture frames, gaudy scrapbooks and everything seemed to be covered in stenciled ducks. Well, in the past few years, the image of crocheted potholders and rag-dolls has been replaced with a vast array of beautiful handmade goods including letter pressed stationary, whimsical paintings, modern ceramics and custom jewelry. With the renaissance of handcrafted goods, makers everywhere are getting their products out through online shops like Etsy and arts and craft fairs.

My friend Meghan Guthrie and I decided to test the waters and hawked our wares at the Brooklyn Flea this past weekend.  The Brooklyn Flea is a very popular Brooklyn market held outdoors in Fort Greene on Saturdays and indoors a few blocks away in the Williamsburg Savings Bank on Sundays.  There is a wide array of vendors selling antiques, vintage clothing, jewelry, handmade goods and delicious food (some of which give vendor discounts—hooray for People’s Pops and Sigmund Pretzelshop!). It’s a popular destination and on this past sunny Saturday, the place was packed.

The Cost

For $80 we were able to rent out an 8×8 space in the bustling market. This is a pretty affordable table fee as shows like the incredible Renegade Craft Fair (held in Brooklyn, San Francisco, Chicago, Austin and Los Angeles) are about $350 per space. Don’t be too daunted by the price as those fairs are filled with people specifically wanting to buy handmade goods, it just may not be a great idea for your first time. We decided we didn’t have enough time to make the inventory we would need for the Renegade and did the Flea instead.

My prints plus a little handmade and vintage fun!

Meghan’s handmade garlands and kerchiefs!

Meghan’s handsewn and printed pillows!

What To Bring*:

-       A table: preferably a lightweight folding table or tabletop and legs. Some markets rent them out at the location so be sure to ask when you sign up. Don’t forget a chair! You will be there all day long and standing will get old quick.  The Brooklyn Flea only charges $10 per table and $2 per chair. They are there waiting for you so there’s less to schlep to and from the market!

-       Displays: Regardless of what you sell, you want people to be able to see everything on your table easily. Vision can start to get blurry booth after booth so make yours stand out. A small banner or sign advertising your business name is great too. I also recommend pricing your items clearly. That way, if people are too shy to ask, you don’t lose a potential sale.

-       A cash box and plenty of change: Be sure to have lots of small bills and change so you don’t have to turn a customer away paying with a $20. Be sure to keep it somewhere safe like a discreet box at your feet or in your bag.

-       If you would like to accept credit cards through your iPhone, there’s an app for that! You pay a $25 monthly fee but that may be well worth it if you are selling pricey wares and most customers won’t be carrying a wallet full of hundreds.

-       Office supplies: This is your little pop-up shop after all! You will want a calculator, tape, a pen or pencil, a notebook to keep track of your sales and a receipt book in case someone needs one!

-       Protection from the elements: If it’s sunny, bring plenty of water and sunscreen and if the skies are gray, an umbrella and galoshes. I learned my lesson this weekend when I ran out the door without any sunscreen and came home bright pink. I’m covered in aloe right now. If you plan on doing more than one market, it would be worth the investment to get a tent or standing umbrella as well. Also – if there is a chance of rain, bring a lightweight tarp to throw over your table until the rain passes and you can pack things safely.

-       Bags or wrapping materials: Be sure to have a variety of small bags for purchases and tissue paper and tape if you sell anything delicate. You would hate for your hard work to end up at the bottom of someone’s totebag along with an old mascara and gum wrappers! There are super adorable bags available at stationary stores and party supply shops. I like plain brown paper bags stamped with a rubber stamp or a colorful paper bag from the party favor aisle. Even a brown paper lunch bag is cute!

-       Business cards or postcards: Are you trying to sell your stuff or not? If you want people to remember you and find your online shop or website, they need to know your name! Don’t hold back from passing them out. If someone buys something, include one with each purchase. If you make friends with the people working the table next to you, give them one too! This is when networking doesn’t feel gross. These are nice people who like your stuff! Help them remember you. If you don’t have time to have one printed up, you can write your info on cute cardstock or a mailing tag. Anything is better than the back of a Duane Reade receipt.

-       An apron: They are super cute and you can really feel like a shopgirl with your pencil and calculator in your pocket. Maybe you don’t need one but it helps me get into character and I don’t dare get pasta sauce on my vintage aprons at home! Plus, it helps other vendors recognize you as one, which makes for more possibility of a friendly discount.

-       A friend: Not only to have someone to chat with during down time and to avoid staring longingly into your customer’s eyes but this way you can take turns for bathroom and snack breaks without leaving the table unattended. It’s also a lot more fun to people watch with a friend.  Believe me, there is some good people watching at these things.

-       Snacks: I packed a lunch but we found that snack breaks were a welcomed opportunity to stretch our legs. I didn’t want to spend all the money I had made selling things so I limited myself to a couple delicious treats and cold drinks.

-       An activity: Bring something to do with your hands or a magazine. No matter how bustling, you will have some free time.

*Each market operates differently, so check your agreement and see what they provide and/or allow.

Handy Tips:

-       Make friends with your neighbors! Not only does it make you feel more comfortable having some fellow comrades but if you are working your table alone, you can ask them to watch your things while you run out for a bathroom break or to grab a beverage. If they seem friendly, it’s a great opportunity to talk to another artist and find out about their market experience. These events are a lot more friendly than competitive and I’ve found people are happy to share their point of view.

-       Don’t be disheartened if you don’t sell out of your entire inventory – Or if you only sell two things! This is a learning experience and the more you do it, the better you will get! You will see what sells, what keeps getting interest but not purchased (which may mean you need to lower the price if you can), and what the market demographic is.  You may find it’s not for you or you may have found your new favorite weekend activity!

-       Whatever you do, be friendly when people come to your table, gracious if they don’t buy anything and just try to have fun. At the very least you can strike up a conversation with the cute vendor across from you selling vintage t-shirts!

Have fun and good luck!

Resources:

The Brooklyn Flea: A great market to sell your wares and have a delicious popsicle!

Artists & Fleas: The original Brooklyn flea market in Williamsburg.

Renegade Craft Fair: The Craft Mecca.

Craft, Inc: An awesome book on turning your craft into a business. It’s filled with great advice and inspiring interviews with artists you know and love.

Etsy: The home of thousands of crafters and artists.

Regretsy: Where DIY meets WTF.

4over4: There are a lot of inexpensive printers out there but I love these guys! They are affordable and have a quick turnaround. The cards are great quality and you can even get rounded corners! Too cute! They also have a deal for free business cards if you don’t mind their little logo on the back. Not bad!

Spring is in ze air at last… And we are in love with nature and all that it offers!

Why not take the opportunity to host a pimped out picnic with a bunch of friends this weekend?!

The art of picnicking is (not surprisingly) a European tradition, one that dates back to Medieval times in 14th century England. However, the actual word origin is attributed to our French Friends (bien sûr). The verb “piquer” which means pic or peck. The first usage of the word was traced to a 16th century French text describing a group of people dining in a bistro who brought their own wine. In the beautiful weather the bistro was replaced by a field in the countryside or a park in the city and in addition to wine one would bring a dish to share; hence the origin of the word “potluck”.

A picnic can be as simple as sticking a sandwich and a bottle of wine in your knapsack with a blanket… As long as you are out in nature—you’re picnicking!

However, here at OMFG we have a love for the elaborate and creative…. So PIMP out that picnic.

• Replace the traditional blanket with a rug you found at a yard sale!
• Stick your baguette bread in a ornate planter.
• Do you dare to set up a firepit?

To pimp out your picnic one must plan and be creative. Must Haves:

• Blanket (or a antique rug!)
• Picnic Basket or tote
• Food (sandwiches or prepared foods from your fav grocer)
• Beverages (Wine/beer, or Lemonade, Ice Tea)
• Corkscrew/bottle opener for the beverages
• PLASTIC cups and plates. (love the idea of fine china but don’t like the idea of broken china and trip to ER; use discretion!)
• Music (optional but a nice Chopin in the background or vampire weekend adds a nice dimension)
• Sunscreen (a MUST!)
• Bug Spray (ditto above)
• A book, frisbee, wiffle ball (for added entertainment)
• Plastic bags/ garbage bags

So pull together a fun email and invite your friends to join you al fresco and challenge them in getting creative and pimp out that picnic!

Image info: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sheepbackcabin/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

http://www.flickr.com/photos/scurzuzu/ / CC BY-NC 2.0

If you live in the New York City area, you can probably agree with me that this past winter season felt like the longest one ever!  And so far we’ve been teased with a few blissful sunny days, offering the promise that summer fun is just around the corner.  While we wait for summer to stop draggin’ its ass, take advantage of these fun events and activities while its not too hot, and not too cold.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/didier/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

1. The Whitney Biennial

Now through May 30th, 2010.  General Admission $18, “Pay-what-you-wish” admission on Fridays from 6-9pm.

If you’ve never been to the Whitney Biennial at the Whitney Museum in NYC, you should most definitely go! Especially now because this year marks the seventy-fifth edition of the Whitney’s signature exhibition.  So, whether you’re an art aficionado, or you’re one of those people that’s always saying, “I should go check out art more often”, get on up there!  The exhibit includes dozens of artists, and mediums ranging from paintings and sculpture to photography, video, installations, and much more.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/zacwong/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

2.  Paintball

What’s more fun than getting a bunch of friends together and shooting the shit out of each other all day long out in the wilderness?  Plan a fun group trip to Skirmish and take out your aggressions on your buddies.  With about a 2-hour drive from the city, and about $80/person you can get all the equipment you need and a full day of paintball fun.  Its best to go before the weather gets too hot because you’ll want to wear the full-coverage fatigues, goggles, neck protector, and possibly some padding if you’re concerned about getting hit at close range.  Check the Skirmish website for special discounted days like Half-Price Paint days and Ladies Play Free days!

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3.  Beer Gardens & Breweries

This one’s a no-brainer.  A large picnic table full of friends and a couple of nice big frothy pitchers o’ suds? I have a feeling most people will be doing this every weekend of the summer. Take my recommendation: If you’ve never visited the Brooklyn Brewery, get on over there this summer. They offer a brief tour on weekends throughout the afternoon, and then you can sit and get wasted to your hearts content in their indoor area.  Looking for an outdoor Beer Garden?  You have to visit Bohemian Hall.  Over 100 years old, Bohemain Hall was once a Czech and Slovak social club, and still reeks with that old-timey feel, with its stone walls and a menu full of authentic Czech dishes.  With a massive outdoor area, and , you could get totally lost in this place, or in your beer mug.

On the New Jersey side of the river? Check out Zeppelin Hall in my hood, Jersey City.  Zeppelin Hall is newer, and has both large indoor and outdoor areas. They boast a selection of 144 beers, and also serve traditional foods like wursts, but also common american food like burgers and wings.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/newyorkobserver/ / CC BY-NC 2.0

4. Ninth Avenue International Food Festival

May 15th & 16th, 2010.  Rain or Shine!

If you find yourself bored on this May weekend, or perhaps just monumentally hungry, go join the hoards of people who will be chowing down at the 37th annual Ninth Ave Food Festival held on Ninth Avenue between 42nd & 57th Streets.  Sample cuisines including Greek, Italian, Spanish, and much more. Its FREE. Eat like Dom DeLoise, then go hiking to burn that shit off.

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5.  Memorial Day Hangover Hike & Nap

Memorial Day

So after you scope out some art, shoot your bro in the face, and get nice and rolly-polly at the food fest, its time to plan some more outdoor excursions!  And if you’re short on time and want to cram some hiking in the same holiday weekend as getting shit-hammered three nights in a row, check out the Memorial Day Hangover Hike & Nap trip offered by Urban Escapes! The trip starts with breakfast at a cute diner outside of the city, followed by an easy nature-walk to a lake-side spot perfect for napping. This trip is not sold out yet, so you still have time to get in on it.

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6.  Horseback Riding

I grew up horseback riding, and its something I try to do at least a couple times each summer. Its best to go on a nice sunny day, when the ground is dry, and the temperature enjoyable for both rider and horse. Check out any of these city spots which offer guided tours by horseback for beginners.  I personally enjoy riding at the Silver Bit & Spur farm in New Jersey, where they let you take the horses out on wooded trails without a guide – a nice option if you’re a confident rider, or have one in your group.

Brooklyn – http://www.kensingtonstables.com/

Central Park – http://www.riverdaleriding.com/

Pelham Bay, Bronx  http://www.bronxequestriancenter.com/

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7.  Hanami Cherry Blossom Viewing & Sakura Matsuri Festival

Now through May 2, 2010 / May 1st & 2nd, at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.  Rain or Shine!

Hanami is a month-long celebration of the Japanese cultural tradition of enjoying the Cherry Blossom season.  So, go get cultured at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.  The celebration culminates with a weekend event: the Sakura Matsuri Festival. Take in the amazing beauty of the public gardens, while enjoying traditional and contemporary Japanese music, performance, ikebana, and demonstrations.  A Japanese menu will also be served in one of the food pavilions.

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8. Walk the Bridges from Brooklyn to Manhattan

When beautiful weather hits, there’s no better way to enjoy an active yet relaxing and inspiring afternoon than walking across one of the bridges from Brooklyn to Manhattan.  Take either the Brooklyn Bridge or the Manhattan Bridge, and take in the fresh air and refreshing scenery.  Once you get across to Manhattan from either bridge, you can easily walk right into Chinatown for some much-deserved Dim Sum!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/babygerald/ / CC BY-NC 2.0

9. Bike Trip to Governors Island

Among the dozens of bike routes to enjoy in NYC and surrounding areas is Governor’s Island, where you can pedal casually down a tree-lined path, with historic Victorian buildings on one side, waterfront views on the other, and not a car in sight. Ride your own bike and take the ferry from Manhattan, or check out Bike and Roll, a bike tour company that offers rentals and guide maps.  The cycling route includes Governors Island’s entire 2.2-mile waterfront promenade.

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10.  Plant a window box, or patio garden full of Herbs

Now is the perfect time to start getting your outdoor space or window boxes ready for summer by cleaning up, getting some cute pots and garden accessories, and planting fresh herbs!  You can buy herbs that have already been grown a little, plant them in a sunny spot, then enjoy cooking, and making drinks with them all summer long!