I WORK

GREENE STREET between Houston and Prince.

Simply said.

HULK HERE

BROADWAY between Franklin and White.

The real-life GIANT Hulk is here to greet you at Ricky's.
I didn't know he was into cosmetics.




Biz Info:
Ricky's (YEAR ROUND COSTUME SUPERSTORE)
375 BROADWAY,
New York, NY
212.925.5490

PAPER ONLY!

42ND STREET at Grand Central.

I LOVED this unbelievably stylish newspaper-only trash bin. Wanted to bring it home with me.

DUMBO COOL

WASHINGTON STREET in Dumbo, Brooklyn.

I visited 13th Annual Dumbo, ART UNDER THE BRIDGE FESTIVAL. This was an event which celebrated new artists and the local community which supports and preserves the Dumbo's unique art scene.
Although I am not an expert in art, I was at least able to consume the energy of the new artists as well as the art community.

But, what really caught my attention was, (of course!), the streets of Dumbo.

Streams of industrial, rusty buildings kept captivating my eyes. The scene-appropriate, hip crowds filled the streets to add extra coolness to the district. To me, walking through and observing these elements were cultural and design indulgence. The whole scenery was too rich for me. It was too overwhelming or challenging to throughly recap the experience of the visit to Dumbo.

There is definitely an one-of-a-kind coolness to the district of Dumbo. Let me call it, DUMBO COOL from now on.




Info:
D.U.M.B.O. Arts Center (DAC)
30 Washington Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-694-0831
Hours: Wednesday - Sunday 12 - 6pm
Admission: $2 Suggested Donation

HUMOR WORKS

WARREN STREET between Broadway and Church.

READ:
"Visit us online!!!
but
you're already
here so come on
IN!
(WE HAVE WHAT YOU WANT!)"

Love the not-so-perfect hand-writing. It adds "REALITY" effect to the delivery.
Very cute and sweet and honest.


Biz Info:
New York Vintners
21 Warren Street
New York, NY 10007
(212) 812-3999

OVER-POPPED!

MERCER STREET between Spring and Broome.

Honestly, the retail industry is OVER-POPPED! I am sort of tired of seeing more and more stores and brands opening up their pop-up stores every freak'n day!!!!! This "new" notion of pop-up store is "believed" to be the coolest and the most innovative thing in the retail business RIGHT NOW. I was reading hypebeast.com today and found at least 3 posts about pop-up stores.

This "new" retail concept seems to be getting over-saturated. However, somehow, it seems to be that the concept will continue to be industry's fab.

Dramatic Lighting

WEST 10TH STREET between Greenwich and Ave of the Americas (aka 6th Ave).

I was passing by this fairy restaurant one night and instantly captivated by its gorgeous entrance. It was unbelievably theatrical, which makes you feel like you are on a set of a romantic movie.

The fantastically calculated, professional-looking lighting system must have cost a lot. I was so in love with their uncompromising style specificity.



Biz Info:
Cafe Asean
117 W 10th St
New York, NY 10011
(212) 633-0348

Tourist Moment

MULBERRY STREET.

Tourist moment, and I was lovin' it!

People probably thought that I was a tourist, when I was taking this pic, which was totally fine with me.
Some New Yorkers hate that, though...

A, What!?

WASHIGNTON STREET in West Village (I forgot the cross streets...).

When I saw this for the first time, I posed for a second, trying to understand what it meant. I still can't!!!

BTW I've seen a photo of two comedians (I forgot who) posing in front of this building in a magazine.

THE OTHER ROOM OF MINE

WEST BROADWAY between Beach and N Moore.

Rusty finishing, I love.




Biz Info;
anotheroom
249 West Broadway,
New York, NY 10013
212-226-1418

NEW YORK STATE OF ART

HOUSTON ST. and Crosby.

Just tune in to see it differently.

FRESH

WEST BROADWAY between Chamber and Reade.

Great presentation. Love the cohesiveness.

IKEALIZED!

BEARD ST, Brooklyn.

I went to IKEA Brooklyn today. It was a mayhem there. Oh, yes, it was Saturday, which I should have realized before I left home. But it was all good, because I LOVE observing energetic consumers and their behaviors. So, today's trip to IKEA was very much productive.

I can name at least 10 of my friends whose favorite line is "I LOVE IKEA!" So, as I was walking through aisles, I was trying to figure out what exactly it is that makes them say that. And, I came up with my own understanding of it.


IKEA democratizes the idea of upgrading life. Owning and living with stylish and beautiful furniture means, to a lot of us, certain degree of accomplishment in life and IKEA has made it easier for wider range of people to feel the accomplishment.

By the time I was walking out of IKEA, I realized this;

IKEA does not simply sell home furnishing goods.
IKEA sells everyone a ticket to their ideal life at a discounted price.


And, I will call it IKEAlization. ha!






Biz Info:
IKEA Brooklyn
1 Beard Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Store Hours: 10am - 9pm daily
Restaurant Hours: 9:30am - 8:30pm daily
Phone: 718.246.IKEA (4532)

Fashion's BIG Night Out

EVERY STREET in NYC.

Wow. Fashion's Night Out was the best event ever! I have never experienced anything like this in my life....

There was definitely this sense of unity across town. High and low, famous and unknown, anything and anyone was a part of it. And, what united all these was FASHION. What a great initiative that Vogue took. Cheers for Anna Wintour!

This was my first time witnessing fashion's productivity. Often times, fashion can be too conceptual, imaginary and thus, too vague. But at Fashion's Night Out, fashion was producing substantial results; more people on the street, bringing in extra retail sales, and celebrating retail business as a whole.

Everyone seemed happy and was involved today. We all share the momentum. The momentum of our generation. Today, we were definitely a part of history. I was so happy to be a part of Fashion's Night Out!!!!!!

Jen! Jen! Jen!

SPRING ST. between Bowery and Elizabeth.

I visited opening reception of Hey, Hot Shot! at Jen Bekman Gallery.
Although it has only a small space exhibiting only about 20 pieces, I could spend almost 30 minutes to examine each piece.

Then, I realize that I was examining it as if I would buy some of them, which I would never feel at any other gallery, simply because, they are way too classy.

On the other hand....

Jen Bekman exhibits the art work of emerging artists and deliver it to a broader audience; average "us". Art pieces are relatively affordable, reflecting the gallery's project, Jen Bekman Project's concept "Art for Everyone." You can mesmerize yourself with the sexy idea of "owning genuine art work", because here at Jen Bekman, even average "me" and "you" and everyone else is welcomed to own a piece of art of their choice.

Art is more "down-to-earth". Art is more organic at Jen Bekman Gallery. That's why I feel welcomed and comfortable staying there.




Biz Info:
Jen Bekman Gallery
6 spring street
new york city 10012
tel: 212.219.0166
info@jenbekman.com

Recession. Who?

BLEEKER ST. and Charles.

One of the "What, Recession!?" places in New York City.

Glad that girls are still going wild $$$$$$.




Biz Info:
Intermix
365 Bleecker St.,
New York, NY 10014
212-929-7180

Opening Close-Out

MURRAY ST between B'way and Chruch.

This is what New York City is known for.

Business of Shaving

Elizabeth St. between Prince and Spring.

The most luxurious shaving experience in the most dignified environment.
Dandies, only.


Biz Info:
The New York Shaving Company
202B Elizabeth Street
New York, NY 10012
(212) 334-9495

Wish You Were Brunching...

West Broadway between Thomas and Duane.

Every time I pass by this area, I always wish it was a brunch time on Sunday. It HAS TO BE Sunday. Not Saturday!!
Perfect brunch on W. B'way.

Cold Cutting

Murray St and Greenwich St.

I love this font.

Cafe Oh Cafe

Green St. between Spring and Broome.

Oh, Cafe Cafe. I always thank you for your existence in the midst of retail jungle. In Soho, one will always have a trouble finding a perfectly delightful, quiet eatery, hidden yet close to everything retail.




Biz Info:
Cafe Cafe
470 Broome St # 2
New York, NY 10013-5309
(212) 226-9295

Are You Serious?

100 Broadway.

If you can tell where exactly this is, you are serious.