A CHRISTMAS TREE IN 8 STEPS

Concrete Flower: A Christmas Tree in 8 Steps

1. Go to Christmas Tree shop. As someone who does not like to pay too much for anything, I felt the $80-100 that the sidewalk tree vendors in my neighborhood wanted was way too much. I researched and found that the most reasonably priced trees in Brooklyn can be found at Home Depot in Gowanus.

Concrete Flower: A Christmas Tree in 8 Steps

2. Pick tree. I had two criteria: it couldn’t be too wide and had to be taller than me. This 7-foot balsam (err, thanks fact checker) fraser fir was dense, symmetric and $35. Score.

Concrete Flower: A Christmas Tree in 8 Steps

3. Secure tree to top of Mini. I thought the tree would be bigger than the car and it would look really funny, but it wasn’t that bad. It also stayed on the whole way home, which was a very good thing.

Concrete Flower: A Christmas Tree in 8 Steps

4. String lights.

Concrete Flower: A Christmas Tree in 8 Steps

5. Add bling.

Concrete Flower: A Christmas Tree in 8 Steps

6. Step back and adjust. I hate seeing wires, and the lights are still a bit uneven.

Concrete Flower: A Christmas Tree in 8 Steps

7. Rest and admire, decide to finish another time. Now, I just feel like laying down in the sofa with some kombucha and a magazine and putting my slipper-clad feet up. The ornaments can wait. Stay tuned…

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BARADAT’S HAVANA

Concrete Flower: 101219: Baradat's Havana

A few weeks ago, I spent a lovely night attending an art opening.

Concrete Flower: 101219: Baradat's Havana

My dear friend Sergio Baradat shot a series of extraordinary photos on a trip to his native Cuba over a decade ago. They are finally ready to be shown.

Concrete Flower: 101219: Baradat's Havana

The photos all have amazing stories behind them, powerful stories of memories, happiness, loss and a by-gone golden era.

Concrete Flower: 101219: Baradat's Havana

This is one of my favorites, a scene from the bar where the Mojito was supposedly invented. Wouldn’t the world just be so much duller without Mojitos?

Concrete Flower: 101219: Baradat's Havana

There was yummy nibbles, cheese and wine.

Concrete Flower: 101219: Baradat's Havana

Chicks love art! Totally random observation: I didn’t even notice this at them time, but I have the exact dress that Camilla (on the far right) is wearing. This would not be strange, had I not bought it years ago at a tiny second hand shop in Portland, Oregon!

Concrete Flower: 101219: Baradat's Havana

The show is up until the end of the year, in the lobby gallery of the Wall Street Journal Building at 1155 Avenue of the Americas (close to Bryant Park). Editions of the prints are all available for purchase (at very reasonable prices). Hot holiday gift tip!

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BROOKLYN STREETS TAKE ME AWAY

Concrete Flower: 101217: Brooklyn Streets Take Me Away

When I first moved to NYC, I took a two-month break from working and spent my days getting settled into the new city, sleeping as long as I wanted and taking long long walks to explore my new home.

Concrete Flower: 101217: Brooklyn Streets Take Me Away

I really love going out for aimless walks and seeing where I end up (which is usually at a newly discovered cute-looking restaurant). It’s such a different way to relate to your surroundings, letting them guide you versus the other way around. I think we need a little more aimlessness sometimes.

Concrete Flower: 101217: Brooklyn Streets Take Me Away

/// blazer, Marshalls / knit sweater, Daffy’s / striped shirt & hat, Boyfriend’s / jeans, Earnest Sewn / scarf, random airport shop in Las Vegas / glasses, Prada / gold Converse ///

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ENVIRONMENT + HEATHER HERON = TRUNKSHOW

Concrete Flower: 101217: Environment by Heather Heron

The lovely Heather Heron has designed a second collection of bags in collaboration with Environment Furniture.

Concrete Flower: 101217: Environment by Heather Heron

All five bags are made from recycled army fabric.

Concrete Flower: 101217: Environment by Heather Heron

They are rugged and delicious and make me feel like running off to live on a remote beach somewhere in California.

Concrete Flower: 101217: Environment by Heather Heron

Maybe someday, until then, read more about Environment by Heather Heron here and here.

Concrete Flower: 101217: Environment by Heather Heron

Will you join me at the trunkshow tonight?

Concrete Flower: 101217: Environment by Heather Heron

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NACHOS & CHRISTMAS TREES

Concrete Flower: 101216: Nachos & Christas Trees

I love going for long walks in my neighborhood, exploring new, uncharted territory.

Concrete Flower: 101216: Nachos & Christas Trees

Found a cute Mexican place the other day, where we had a huge plate of nachos at the table next to the Christmas tree. You can’t really tell in the pictures, but the lights in the tree are little limes, salt shakers and beer bottles.

Concrete Flower: 101216: Nachos & Christas Trees

/// hat and shirt, both stolen from my man ///

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