Reversible Type

I was reading this month's issue of Wired with a friend when we came across a small piece on Ambigrams, a new trend in typography that involves lettering which can be flipped and reversed while maintaining its message. Here's an example that I really like:


As cool a concept as this is, Ambigrams have been largely contained within the graffiti style, sticking to street lettering (perhaps a bit more flexible to work with). I'm looking forward to seeing how Ambigrams are used creatively for design purposes--and in different styles, perhaps more modern and glam. I can see restaurants using them creatively on interesting menus, and this site has started combining couples' names into a single Ambigram which has some interesting potential as well. Call it an early trend-spot, but I have a feeling these will become a bit more mainstream in the months ahead.

Dining in the Sky

If you remember, I blogged about treetop dining a few months ago--those treehouse-style dining rooms were pretty fantastic, but similar as this new concept is, this is downright weird. An international "chain" concept currently making its US debut in Las Vegas and FL, Dinner in the Sky isn't about airplane food--it's about eating a meal while suspended in mid air. Strapped into your seat, which is connected to the table, you're whisked up to an altitude of 150 ft. by a standard crane, where you're meant to enjoy your meal (and whatever sights may surround you). How this works for the kitchen, I don't know, but I'm guessing that this isn't really meant to be a culinary experience as much as it is meant to be a bragging right. If you ask me, it looks like a pretty strange gimmick, but it's definitely something different for the food world.


See more here, and leave me your thoughts!

The ANTM House Next Door!

I realize I've done my fair share of TV discussion this week, although the topic doesn't generally fall privy to the pages of this little blog. However, as I watched the premiere of America's Next Top Model last night, something interesting happened. Here's the recap:

Tyra: You gorgeous goddesses are going to be living on the Upper East Side!

Catty Models scream at the top of their lungs, annoyingly.

Shots in all the obvious places around the city: Times Square, Empire State Building, NY Public Library...

...and then, a more surprising shot: one from just around the corner from Red's apt!

Key in hand, the models enter the one house Red had been passing on her walk to work every day, the house Red had noticed had strange activity and a regular film crew but no actors' trailers...


The mysterious house around the corner, it seems, was the ANTM house this season! And since I'm still excited about it, you get to hear all about it today. Check out the Google street view for a glimpse of the house, above.

Design Porn: Hilarious Sleeping Bag

This week's end note isn't so much design porn as it is design hilarity. I think the pictures say it all, so I'm not going to bother even trying to discuss this one!


See more of artist Eiko Ishizawa's work here. It's cool stuff. Happy weekend!

Food Iconography and Evolution -- Super Cool!

This morning I found a little bit of a treasure trove. I realize that this may not be as thrilling for you as it is for me, but maybe, just maybe, there are some crazies out there who love this stuff as much as I do. There, you have your disclaimer.


Anyway, I'm loving this article on neat-o-rama about the evolution of classic food logos. The Morton salt girl, the Laughing Cow (whose French likeness was strangely pervasive in Morocco), even Aunt Jemima--these are icons that we've grown up with, but what are the stories? Where did they come from? How have they changed and why didn't they continue to evolve past the 1940's?


Whether you want to read those stories or not, you have to check out the incredible montages of images available over here. Did you know that there have been 6 different Aunt Jemimas and that Betty Crocker isn't a real person? If you read, at least you'll score some super oddball food trivia, and you'll win some points in my book!

Design Porn -- Dish Up

On the one hand, it seemed like this week would go on forever. Then in retrospect, it seems that yesterday was Tuesday. Regardless, I'm extremely thankful that it's finally Friday.

To round out the week, here's a fun little invention that I recently stumbled upon. It's not for me personally, but I know there are lots of weirdos out there who can't stand it when their mac 'n cheese makes contact with ketchup intended for chicken nuggets... or who are driven nuts when the rice gets infused with the neighboring salad's Italian dressing. Me? I get hungry thinking about the accidental damage (I've even been known to purposely induce it on regular occasions).

For you weirdos, here's something to keep you happy. It's a step beyond compartmentalized dishes...


...but if you ask me, the biggest advantage is shallower, stacking storage. And a cool, crisp look!

Happy Friday!

Monday Morning Blues, I (Don't) Like You

Wow, that was far too short a weekend! Seeing as that I have the Monday Morning schlumps, I'm really looking for something to fill me with my usual energy.

Whats that, Amy Sedaris? You say you have a book for me? And it'll solve all of my entertaining quandries and fill me with lighthearted jokes and wit? Well, at least the second part might get me out of the Monday Morning Blues.


Jokes aside (or not) I flipped through some e-pages of this book to find some amazing tips, like the steps needed to prepare for a smooth party:

• hiding all exposed cords
• hiding the blank tv
• keeping the stereo in a subtle place
• making sure the phone is on silent
• letting her bunny hop around

So should you be looking for the perfect gift for that special someone, this could be it! And if not, just wait until next week--I'll be devoting the whole week to DIY baked goods and packaging ideas for budget-friendly, kitchen-approved gifting.

Happy Monday!

Design Porn: Showerhead Decanter

If you ever dreamed that it would rain wine, there's finally something to come close. This decanter by Matilda Sunden Ringner is really more of a carafe, but it surely does decant as well. Pour a bottle of red (or white! or rose!) into the top and watch it rain the most delicious, intoxicating rain as the wine comes out eight little holes looking kind of like this...

While I can't find anything that says how much this baby costs, I can't imagine it would be cheap. But what an idea! It's beautiful, and Red is drooling like wild over it. See more of Matilda Sunden Ringner's interesting work here, in addition to "rainman."

Happy Friday!

On Orangey Lemons or Lemony Oranges

I always laughed at Jessica Simpson's famous Chicken of the Sea gaffs back in the day, but I happened to make my own similar food mixup last week when I found this bizarre fruit:


A cross between a lemon and an orange, I had no idea what to call the thing. The woman at the counter clearly spoke Spanish, so I asked her (in my first language), what the orange lemon was all about. She laughed at my naivete, and told me to suck on the fruit for digestive relief. Unconvinced and curious, I picked up a few and brought them home.

What looked like an orange lemon tasted like an orange-y lemon. Slightly less sour, a bit sweeter, and more citric, the fruit seemed to promise more than just digestive relief. And yet, I didn't know what to do with it. I squeezed some into my water and made the most delicious orangey lemonade, and set the rest aside for more inventive uses. Aside from using the juices as a marinade, though, I am at a loss. If you had an orangey lemon, what would you do?

More Chocolate... For Your Body!

Every day when I get out of the subway, I'm greeted by an array of bright colors and candy-themed decor at the corner of 60th and 3rd. Dylan's Candy Bar has always been a source of happiness for children (and sometimes adults, too!) but now you can enjoy their candy without eating a single bite! How? With their "Re-Treat Bath and Body Line," of course!


With "flavors" like chocolate cupcake, coconut bon bon, and birthday cake batter, these lotions, glosses, and creams will keep you sweet and soft--like a perfectly baked cookie! Er... maybe not everyone wants that. But take my word for it, with so many gimmicky beauty products on the market, I was surprised to find that the lip balm had a really nice, smooth feel without any stickiness or excess oil, and the same went for the hand lotion (something I'm usually pretty picky about).


The one caveat? You'll definitely want sweets when your hands still smell like chocolate four hours later. So do yourself a favor, and grab something sweet while you're at it!

Making Seriously Big Use of Seriously Small Spaces

There are lots of exciting things coming next week on eatmywords, including coverage of the 11th Annual Chocolate Show here in New York. But until then, I'm leaving you all with this inspiring article over at Smitten Kitchen, one of my all-time fave blogs.


A problem that we New Yorkers all share is the dreaded teeny kitchen, often with mini-sized ovens (check), short and squat fridges (check), less than six cabinets (check), and sometimes only two burners (not-so-check). Deb at Smitten Kitchen shares her tips on maximizing a tiny kitchen, and this is seriously helpful regardless of where you live.

Enjoy!

Monsters Need Lovin' Too

Continuing on yesterday's theme of Halloween decor, this adorable poster by Etsy seller Strawberryluna really takes me back. It's called "Monsters Need Lovin' Too," and I can't help being reminded of a student council campaign a friend once ran with the tagline, "Fat People Need Lovin' Too." He won, and I think this little monster is a winner too. Oh, the ramifications this logic could have if we applied it to the big election coming up next week... perhaps we shouldn't go there ;)

Back to Life From the Dead Sea

As the weather gets progressively colder, my skin gets progressively drier. It's a problem, because I happen to develop eczema in the palms of my hands, which results in little bubbles that make it painful to do anything that involves opening or closing my hand in any way. The first signs showed up today--earlier than usual--and I immediately reached for my trusty friend, a hand lotion by Ahava. Ahava is an Israeli company that works with Dead Sea products--their stuff is of a highly exceptional caliber. Ten minutes later, the little bubbles are all gone.



Every time a friend goes to Israel, I ask for a tube back. It's a precious commodity, after all! And each year, I do go through the whole tube. I'm always very careful, because I'd hate to be caught without my treasure lotion... and I've always thought that the stuff is uber-expensive here in the States, having seen it retail for up to $80 a pop at various boutiques.


Not anymore, my friends.

Ahava is now selling their products on an Ahava US website--and my favorite product is but $17 a tube. Looks like I won't have to shell out cash for an airline ticket to Tel Aviv after all!

Carl Warner's Foodscapes

After fasting for more than 24 hours (a Yom Kipur tradition), all you can think about is food. And it feels like everywhere you look, food is just staring you in the face. Photographer Carl Warner has taken this to a whole new level. With his foodscapes, everything literally is food. I've been a fan of his for a while now, but it seems that he's recently uploaded some great new work that I'd love to share with you!


Though his traditional bright-colored, vibrant compositions are always entrancing to look at, I'm loving the way that he's begun to play with monochromatic palettes and the various possibilities of one single food product. These two below, with cabbage and prosciutto taking center stage, are brilliant expression of the gorgeous textures that Mother Nature feeds us!



Photos courtesy of Carl Warner. Check out all his work on his super cool website right here!

An Eye on the Time

To best celebrate any Jewish holiday, lots of feasting and friends are required. That's why last night, we had approximately 8 courses of food for 8 people. I love cooking for groups, and I never find it to be stressful--on the contrary, it's something I wish I could do more often. But coordinating that much food in a small oven with no timer was the feat of the evening. Thus, I bring you my egg timer roundup, in case your kitchen timing needs are as severe as mine!


First up, this adorable Lego timer throws me back to childhood. Remember the little men and women whose heads came off of their bodies? I'd always make them shop in the malls I made for them, but now they can keep track of my kugel in the oven!


If you're as crunched for space as I am, this magnetic timer from Crate and Barrel really comes in handy!

Aaaaand, to fulfill a whole other set of needs, this guy lets you set two separate timers at once, which makes it so much easier to keep track of multiple items at once. He's cute, too, decked out in retro colors that match the electric mixer of my dreams!

Produce and Antiques at 67th

Those in the city looking for something to do this weekend--or any weekend!--need not stray too far from home. My home, that is!


The same market that features heirloom tomatoes and organic baby salad cucumbers, it turns out, has a weekly antiques market that features truly awesome stuff.


From antique lockets to vintage Tiffany serveware, you can find all sorts of one-of-a-kind steals at this little gem of a Saturday excursion.


And best of all, it takes over the same little public school every Saturday of the year--rain or shine, it's the go-to spot for all your seasonal produce and antique knickknack needs!


The 67th St. Market, on E 67th between 1st and York.

Happy weekend, everyone!

Falling out of Summer

Having grown up in Florida, I've always been really fascinated by the change of seasons. In Miami, you see, there are two seasons: summer, and lesser-summer, also known as inhumanely hot time and pleasantly warm time. Needless to say, the colors don't change on palm tree leaves and the beach doesn't exactly get a sugary coating of snow.



But here in New York, today is the first day of Fall. It's still 72 degrees outside and the weather is nothing less than perfectly beautiful, but the farmer's markets are starting to get squash and maize and the stone fruits are making their final appearances before the local apple harvest goes into full swing.


My life feels like it's been in a perpetual state of transition over the last few months, but now that the weather is changing too, I can't help but feel in harmony with the way things are. And the best part? The air outside is crisper and fresher and more pleasant than ever at this time of year... so if I'm not at my computer editing away, find me here at the riverside, taking in the amazing Fall weather just a block and a half away from home.

It's a Zoo Out There!

As I take a short break from my newly acquired, photo-related work duties, I'd like to share a little something funny that I stumbled upon. Today, it seems, auction network is holding an event to raise awareness and proceeds for some of the world's coolest (and most threatened) animals. 

What are they auctioning? Unlike Damien Hirst's trademark "animal-in-formaldehyde" pieces, which auctioned last week for 62 million British pounds, Auction Network is focusing on animal-made paintings. Basically, they've let a whole bunch of super-cute animals--red pandas, raccoons, and elephants to name a few--scamper around with buckets of paint to see what would happen. The result is being sold live online starting at 4PM. 

Cute news, plus it's the perfect little tribute to my roommate who just started a job at the zoo today! Congrats, roomie!

A Paper-Lover's Heaven

The first time I walked into the Paper Source store in Boston, I knew I'd found my Mecca. It all started when I stumbled upon their website and decided to make some custom-made stationery for my friend using solid-colored cards and rubber stamps. The set came out really nicely, and I was forever hooked. Good thing the catalogs started coming shortly thereafter.



But alas--the store is an entirely new world of goodness! The catalog may contain 28 pages of goodness a month (I approximate), but the store holds enough pretty things to keep me happy for years and years. If any of you find yourself wandering around the Boston Common area, do yourself a favor and check out this unfairly irresistible treasure trove...

DIY business card organizer--so necessary!

One thing I've learned about job hunting is that every person you meet along the way has a business card, and that those business cards are eventual tickets to success. After all, they hold all the contact info that editors just love to keep secret. With this pile of info, I've kept in touch with many of my interviewers, and some of them are finally letting me pitch my ideas and considering my work for their publications. It's nice to know that the many rejections haven't come along with dead ends.

But about those business cards. I've been trying to find a cheap and efficient way to organize my little stack, especially because I'd hate to lose them as I move this weekend. There's valuable information in there, and I need to protect it. Real Simple (a mag I *wish* was represented in my stack) proposes this cute idea: use a 3x5 photo album and stick two cards in each page. It fits in your purse, looks way cuter than a Rolodex, and gets the job done.


And just so y'all know--my internet won't be installed at the new place until next Wednesday, so eatmywords will take its first ever hiatus next Monday and Tuesday. Until then!